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Cordless stick vacuums are helpful tools when you need something lightweight and portable. Since they don't have a power cord, you don't have to worry about range or managing the cable when you finish cleaning. They're also easier to carry up and down stairs or into different rooms than traditional upright or canister vacuums. Some people may even prefer how they feel in hand, as they can be lighter to maneuver around the room. That said, they come with disadvantages related to their battery performance. They can be a suitable addition to any home if you don't mind the charge time or their short active battery life.
We've tested over 140 vacuum cleaners, and below are our recommendations for the best stick vacuums with a cordless design to buy. These picks were selected based on their performance on different surfaces, feature set, battery life, and price. For more buying recommendations, check out our articles for thebest cordless vacuums, thebest cordless vacuums for pet hair, and thebest vacuums for high-pile carpet.
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Best Cordless Stick Vacuum
Dyson V15 Detect 13
Bare Floor
7.8
Low-Pile Carpet
7.8
High-Pile Carpet
8.0
Pets
7.9
Stairs
8.8
Cars
8.3
Workshop
5.9
Vacuum Type
Stick/HandheldBagless
YesCordless
YesAnti-Allergy Filter (HEPA)
YesWet Compatible
NoSee all our test results
The Dyson V15 Detect is the best cordless stick vacuum we've tested. It delivers superb overall performance on bare floors and low and high-pile carpets, though its strong suction force can make pushing it around on some rugs hard. It can automatically adjust its suction power depending on the surface type you're cleaning. It also has a dirt sensor that measures and counts the size of debris sucked into the vacuum, which will be helpful if you want to know about the presence of fine particles in your home. While this vacuum can run for more than 70 minutes of battery life in its most energy-efficient configuration, its runtime drops to under 10 minutes when using it in its 'Boost' suction mode, so you'll need to work fast when cleaning stubborn messes. It also feels fragile in places, which is disappointing for a vacuum at a premium price point.
If you don't need the Dyson vacuum's automatic surface detection system or particle sensor, the Samsung Jet 90 Complete is a great alternative that delivers similarly strong performance across a wide range of surface types.
See our review
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Best Upper Mid-Range Cordless Stick Vacuum
Shark Stratos Cordless 8
Bare Floor
7.7
Low-Pile Carpet
7.6
High-Pile Carpet
7.3
Pets
6.9
Stairs
See AlsoThe best robot mops in 2024 | CNN UnderscoredCrumbs and Spills Are No Match for Our Favorite, Tested Wet-Dry VacuumsThe Best Mop-Vacuum Combo Is the Bissell CrossWaveTop 10 Best Electric Mops Reviewed (2023 Reviews) - Vacuum Cleaner Adviser8.4
Cars
7.8
Workshop
5.8
Vacuum Type
Stick/HandheldBagless
YesCordless
YesAnti-Allergy Filter (HEPA)
YesWet Compatible
NoSee all our test results
The best upper mid-range cordless stick vacuum we've tested is the Shark Stratos Cordless. Compared to the Dyson V15 Detect, this vacuum is noticeably heavier and has a larger twin-roller floorhead, so maneuvering in tight areas can be more of a hassle. That said, it's cheaper and still delivers strong overall performance on most surfaces. Its Clean Sense IQ systemuses an infrared sensor to measure the amount of debris you suck up and automatically adjusts the suction power to match the required load.
Its dustbin is bigger than that of the Dyson, and it won't need to be emptied as often. Its MultiFlex wand is hinged in the middle, so you can clean under most tables and chairs without crouching too much. A replaceable cartridge in its floorhead emits a detergent-like scent to mask unpleasant odors as you clean, though that can quickly become overwhelming if you vacuum often. Its max battery life of about an hour is also good. However, recharging takes over four hours, which is much longer than the Dyson, leading to a lot of downtime between cleaning sessions if you don't have a second fully charged battery on hand.
The Shark also tends to get bogged down on thick carpeting; if that's a problem, the Miele Triflex HX1 is a good alternative, even if it has a smaller dustbin and a shorter battery life. Alternatively, if you want a more powerful stick vacuum and don't mind losing out on the Shark's automatic power adjustment system, the Samsung Jet 75 is worth a look.
See our review
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Best Mid-Range Cordless Stick Vacuum
Samsung Jet 60 Pet 4
Bare Floor
7.6
Low-Pile Carpet
7.8
High-Pile Carpet
8.2
Pets
7.5
Stairs
8.8
Cars
8.2
Workshop
5.6
Vacuum Type
Stick/HandheldBagless
YesCordless
YesAnti-Allergy Filter (HEPA)
YesWet Compatible
NoSee all our test results
Consider the Samsung Jet 60 Pet if you're looking for something a little cheaper. Its max runtime of around 40 minutes is noticeably shorter than that of the Shark Stratos Cordless, and it doesn't feel quite as solidly built. Thankfully, it still offers a pretty impressive range of features at a lower price point. It boasts a five-stage filtration system that's fairly effective in trapping allergens as you clean, though it's worth noting that emptying its dustbin can still release a cloud of dust and debris. This variant of the Jet 60 also comes with a miniature turbo brush that's very effective in dealing with pet hair on fabric, though it is a little bulky as far as attachments of this type go.
Performance is quite good on carpets and bare floors, though it's worth noting that the bundled Jet Fit floorhead can push some larger pieces of debris around instead of sucking them up. Unlike the Shark Stratos, it can't automatically adjust its suction power setting. Check out the Tineco PURE ONE S11 if that's a must-have feature, but be warned that it tends to be a little harder to find from most retailers than the Samsung vacuum.
See our review
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Best Budget Cordless Stick Vacuum
Wyze Cordless Vacuum 6
Bare Floor
7.3
Low-Pile Carpet
7.5
High-Pile Carpet
7.0
Pets
6.5
Stairs
8.4
Cars
7.9
Workshop
5.5
Vacuum Type
Stick/HandheldBagless
YesCordless
YesAnti-Allergy Filter (HEPA)
YesWet Compatible
NoSee all our test results
The Wyze Cordless Vacuum is the best budget-friendly cordless stick vacuum we've tested. It offers strong overall debris pickup performance on both bare floors and carpets, easily clearing away solid debris and pet hair. Unusually for a vacuum in this price range, it also features a HEPA exhaust filter that's fairly effective in trapping fine particles like dust or pet dander as you clean. Battery performance is also strong for a budget-friendly cordless vacuum; you can expect a max runtime of almost an hour when you use the vacuum in its most energy-efficient mode, which exceeds the pricier Samsung Jet 60 when running in a similar configuration.
Unfortunately, build quality falls short of the Samsung vacuum, with the plastic used in its construction feeling somewhat thin and toy-like in places. Thankfully, user maintenance isn't all that hard, as the vacuum can be disassembled and reassembled without too much effort for routine maintenance.
See our review
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Best Lightweight Stick Vacuum
Dyson Omni-glide 1
Bare Floor
7.2
Low-Pile Carpet
5.3
High-Pile Carpet
4.1
Pets
6.2
Stairs
7.8
Cars
6.7
Workshop
3.8
Vacuum Type
Stick/HandheldBagless
YesCordless
YesAnti-Allergy Filter (HEPA)
YesWet Compatible
NoSee all our test results
If you're looking for a cordless stick vacuum that's lightweight and easy to carry around, the Dyson Omn-Glide is worth a look. At a little over four pounds, this vacuum weighs less than most conventional cordless stick vacuums like theWyze Cordless Vacuum. Its twin-roller head can also pivot in almost any direction, making it much easier to clean tight spots or around obstructions like furniture legs. However, unlike more conventional alternatives, the vacuum's floorhead is fitted with a pair of soft rollers that don't provide any surface agitation on carpets, so the Omni-Glide is only suited for cleaning surfaces like hardwood or tile. Battery life is on the shorter end of the spectrum; it'll run for almost half an hour in its default power mode or a bit less than 10 minutes in its higher-intensity 'MAX' mode.
Its compact design has a few other downsides, like a relatively narrow suction inlet that can get clogged with bulkier debris and a tiny dirt compartment. Thankfully, it does a good job of handling smaller debris, roughly the same size as grains of rice, as well as pet hair.
See our review
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Best Cordless Stick Vacuum For Allergies
Samsung Bespoke Jet 4
Bare Floor
7.2
Low-Pile Carpet
7.4
High-Pile Carpet
7.6
Pets
7.6
Stairs
8.6
Cars
8.3
Workshop
5.7
Vacuum Type
Stick/HandheldBagless
NoCordless
YesAnti-Allergy Filter (HEPA)
YesWet Compatible
NoSee all our test results
Check out the Samsung Bespoke Jet if you're searching for a cordless stick vacuum and are sensitive to pollen or pet dander. Generally speaking, bagless vacuums like this aren't the best if you have allergies; regardless of how advanced their filtration system is, shaking out a dustbin still releases a cloud of dust, which is much less hygienic than simply tossing out a sealed dirtbag. However, the Bespoke Jet differs from most other bagless vacuums. It's bundled with a charging dock that doubles as a self-emptying station, similar in concept to those bundled with self-emptying robot vacuums like the Roborock Q Revo. This dock sucks out debris from the vacuum's dustbin through an airtight seal and into a disposable dirtbag inside the stand-up station, meaning you don't have to worry about emptying its dustbin manually. It's worth noting that the vacuum itself also has a five-stage filtration system that's effective in trapping allergens as you clean.
In terms of performance, it does a great job dealing with debris on bare floors and carpeting, though it does fall ever so slightly short of the Dyson V15 Detect on low-pile carpeting and bare floors. One point in its favor is that it comes with two batteries that can be charged simultaneously, effectively doubling your potential runtime and making it a great option for longer cleaning sessions. However, its dual-roller floorhead is considerably bulkier than the Dyson vacuum's single-roller head, making maneuvering more of a hassle.
See our review
Recent Updates
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Feb 29, 2024: Made slight adjustments to the 'Best Cordless Stick Vacuum For Allergies' entry to better convey the details of its self-emptying dock.
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Feb 01, 2024: Added Dyson Gen5outsize/Gen5outsize Absolute to Notable Mentions.
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Jan 05, 2024: Replaced Tineco PURE ONE S11 with Samsung Jet 60 Pet as the 'Best Mid-Range Cordless Stick Vacuum' pick due to current product pricing.
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Nov 24, 2023: Replaced Shark Cordless Pro with Tineco PURE ONE S11 as 'Best Mid-Range Cordless Stick Vacuum' due to current pricing.
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Oct 27, 2023: Ensured all main picks are available and remain the best option for user needs.
All Reviews
Our recommendations above are based on what we think are currently the best stick vacuums for most people to buy. We don't just base our results on overall performance but also on factors like availability, price, and reader feedback.
If you would like to do the work of choosing yourself, here is the list of all our reviews of cordless stick vacuums. Be careful not to get too caught up in the details. While no vacuum is perfect for every use, mostare goodenough to please almost everyone, and the differences are often not noticeable unless you really look for them.
