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Title: The 7 best cordless vacuums for 2025

Date: Wed, 05 Mar 2025 13:00:35 +0000
Link: https://www.engadget.com/home/smart-home/best...

Old-school, upright vacuums left a lot to be desired, and cordless models are
here to right many of those wrongs. These types of vacuums tend to be
thinner, lighter and easy to maneuver around a home, and you donΓÇÖt really
have to sacrifice suction power anymore to get those benefits. Dyson isnΓÇÖt
your only option anymore either ΓÇö like the robot vacuum space, there are
dozens of cordless vacuums to choose from today.

Variety is great, but it can also lead to decision fatigue and confusion. We
at Engadget can help make that decision a bit easier. After testing a bunch
of the best cordless stick vacuums available today, weΓÇÖve come up with our
top picks, plus loads of buying advice to help you figure out which is the
best cordless vacuum for you.

Table of contents

Best cordless vacuums for 2025

Factors to consider before buying a cordless vacuum

How we test cordless vacuums

Other cordless stick vacuums we tested

Cordless stick vacuums FAQs

Best cordless vacuums for 2025

Factors to consider before buying a cordless vacuum Design and bin capacity

Most of the cordless models youΓÇÖll find today have stick designs, with a
handle at the top attached to a debris bin, which has a space to connect
different attachments at one end. These designs are more versatile than old-
school, upright vacuums of yesteryear because, while you may use the long
stick attachment most of the time to clean your floors, many cordless vacuums
come with other attachments as well. Some allow you to clean hard to reach
spaces like the interior of your car, while others make it easier to vacuum
furniture and clean inside crevices.

Bin volume is worth keeping in mind when youΓÇÖre choosing a cordless vacuum.
The larger the bin, the more debris it can hold, but it might also mean a
heavier machine. All of the cordless vacuums we tested had a bin size between
0.1 and 0.8 gallons and all were able to handle cleaning an entire one-pet
home (roughly 2,000 square feet) in a single run without needing to be
emptied. Anything smaller and you may have to deal with more frequent
emptying during each cleaning session.

Some cordless models also have removable, replaceable battery packs, which is
super handy. That means you can buy a replacement battery and install it
easily, without needing to seek out professional assistance. Also, these
extra batteries cost around $150-$200 a pop ΓÇö expensive, yes, but nowhere
near as costly as buying a whole new cordless vacuum.

Suction and power modes

Cordless vacuum suction power is typically measured in air wattage (AW), but
youΓÇÖll see some that list the power of the motor in wattage (W) instead.
Typically the higher the air or motor wattage the stronger the suction power,
offering improved cleaning performance. And often strength is proportional to
price ΓÇö more expensive cordless vacuums tend to have stronger suction
power. A general rule of thumb is that those with precocious pets or mess-
making children would benefit from a cordless vacuum cleaner with stronger-
than-average suction power.

Most cordless stick vacuums will have two different power modes: a
ΓÇ£normalΓÇ¥ or default power mode that balances suction power with battery
life, as well as a ΓÇ£maxΓÇ¥ or stronger mode that kicks suction strength up
a notch. Some vacuums, like those from Dyson, also have an ΓÇ£ecoΓÇ¥ mode, or
one that prioritizes run time over strength.

Separate from power modes you can select yourself, some cordless vacuums will
automatically adjust motor strength depending on the detected floor type or
the amount of mess in its wake. This not only improves ease of use but
ensures the vacuum is working as efficiently as possible.

Floor type

The best cordless vacuums will be able to clean any standard floor type ΓÇö
hardwood, tile, carpet and everything in between. As mentioned previously,
some can even detect floor type and adjust suction power accordingly. That
said, it's still worth thinking about the types of flooring you have in your
home. If you primarily have carpet, you may want to consider a cordless
vacuum with the most powerful suction you can afford, since there are more
nooks and crannies for debris to get suck in with carpet.

Battery life

Obviously, battery life is important since youΓÇÖll probably want to clean
more than one room in a shot. All of the cordless vacuums we tested had a
battery life of at least 40 minutes in standard cleaning mode. I tested each
by cleaning all three floors of my home (upstairs, downstairs and basement)
on a single charge with the machine running in its standard (ΓÇ£autoΓÇ¥) mode
and none of them ran out of juice before I could finish the third floor. That
said, extra battery life can come in handy if youΓÇÖre switching between
power modes since ΓÇ£maxΓÇ¥ or high-power programs use more energy.

Base style

Most cordless stick vacuums come with some sort of base or mount where the
machine lives when youΓÇÖre not using it. Wall mounts are the most common,
but some have free-standing bases where you dock and charge the vacuum.
Consider the space in your home where you want the cordless vacuum to live,
since it will have to have an outlet or another power source nearby.

Some high-end cordless vacuums come with self-emptying bases that act much
like those included with expensive robot vacuums. After cleaning and
returning the vacuum to the base, it will automatically empty the dustbin
into a larger dustbin that you can then detach from the base when you need to
empty it. This is great for anyone concerned about allergens, as youΓÇÖll
only need to empty the larger dustbin every month or two, reducing your
contact with dust and debris.

ΓÇ£SmartΓÇ¥ features

Yes, some cordless vacuums have ΓÇ£smartΓÇ¥ features like Wi-Fi and app
connectivity. But before we get into those, letΓÇÖs talk about the extra
perks scattered among these devices. Some models, like the latest from Dyson,
include particle sensors that show you how many different sized pieces of
debris itΓÇÖs sucking up in real time. DysonΓÇÖs, for example, is a piezo
acoustic sensor that detects particle size and frequency and displays that
information on the vacΓÇÖs LCD screen. TinecoΓÇÖs iLoop sensor is similar,
controlling its vacuumsΓÇÖ automatic suction power adjustment and changing a
circle on the display from red to blue as you fully clean an area.

Higher-end cordless vacuums may also have companion apps that show things
like battery level, filter status and cleaning logs. ItΓÇÖs an added level of
convenience, but by no means necessary. Unlike the best robot vacuums, or
even the best budget robot vacuums, which rely on their apps to set cleaning
schedules, manually control the machines and more, cordless vacuums that you
operate yourself really donΓÇÖt need Wi-Fi or an app connectivity.

Price

Cordless stick vacuums range in price from $150 all the way up to over
$1,000. The best ones for most people lie in the middle, in the $400 to $700
range. YouΓÇÖll notice most of our picks land in the higher end of that
range, but for good reason: More expensive machines tend to have more sucking
power, which means less time wasted going over the same spots over and over.
But does that mean everyone needs the most premium cordless vacuum?
Definitely not. WeΓÇÖve come up with top picks at various price points that
should work well for people with different budgets, lifestyles, home sizes
and more.

How we test cordless vacuums

Engadget doesnΓÇÖt have a dedicated lab in which we can test cordless
vacuums, but I used each model in my home for weeks. I ran them over hardwood
and tile flooring, as well as low-pile carpet. And my first runthrough
consisted of cleaning all three floors of my home on a single battery charge.
I performed the same cleaning job as many times as possible, but also
intermittently cleaned a single floor as needed, or sucked up isolated messes
like crumbs, cat litter spills and tufts of pet fur. Over the course of many
cleanings with each model, I made note of how loud the machine was, how easy
it was to maneuver around my home, how easily it sucked up pieces of large
debris (or if it pushed it around my floor instead) and if they got warm or
hot.

Other cordless stick vacuums we tested Dyson Gen 5 Detect

The Dyson Gen 5 Detect has a single-button start and stronger suction power
than our top pick, but itΓÇÖs otherwise quite similar. However, since the Gen
5 Detect is more expensive at $950 (although it does receive discounts at
Dyson online), the V15 Detect still provides greater value for your money.
The Gen 5 Detect is arguably best for those who want the latest Dyson, or
care about getting a more future-proof machine, since it came out just last
year.

Shark Detect Pro

The Shark Detect Pro provides a lot of value for the money, but it was
ultimately beat by the Tineco Pure One S15 Pet for our runner-up slot thanks
to the TinecoΓÇÖs stronger suction power. The kicker for the Detect Pro is
that it includes a self-emptying base in its $450 price, which is super
handy. ItΓÇÖll automatically dump the contents of the vacuum into the larger
bin in the base after every cleaning, and you only need to empty the baseΓÇÖs
container every month or so. The Detect Pro did a good job cleaning up messes
across different types of flooring, and itΓÇÖll auto-adjust suction power
depending on the amount of debris and whether youΓÇÖre cleaning hard or
carpeted floors. However, itΓÇÖs not as smooth to use as any of our top picks
and its main cleaner head is a bit tall, making it difficult to use to clean
under low furniture.

Cordless stick vacuums FAQs How long does the battery last on a cordless
vacuum?

Most cordless vacuums will run for at least 30-40 minutes on a single charge,
but you can find cordless vacuums with battery lives of up to 60 or 70
minutes. Manufacturers will outline an estimated battery life for each model,
and theyΓÇÖre usually based on using the vacuumΓÇÖs standard power mode for
the entire runtime; if you switch between modes or prefer to use a higher-
powered program for improved suction, youΓÇÖll drain the battery faster.

Can cordless vacuums be as powerful as corded ones?

Cordless vacuums do sacrifice a bit in overall power when compared to corded
models, but that doesnΓÇÖt mean they canΓÇÖt handle everyday messes just as
well. If suction power is your biggest concern, we recommend springing for a
high-powered, high-end cordless vacuum since, typically, the more expensive a
cordless vacuum is, the stronger the suction. Also, cordless vacuums have the
edge over corded models when it comes to weight and convenience: cordless
vacuums are much lighter than their corded counterparts, and youΓÇÖll never
have to worry about placement or picking a fight with a cord while cleaning
your living room.

Are cordless vacuums effective on pet hair?

Yes, cordless vacuums can handle pet hair well, but we recommend getting a
model with strong suction power to get the best results. ItΓÇÖs also wise to
get one with a larger bin, since pet hair can quickly fill up smaller bins,
which may force you to stop cleaning to empty the vacuum before finishing.

What are the best methods for maintaining a cordless vacuum cleaner?

Maintaining a cordless vacuum is super easy and helps to keep it running like
new. First, make sure to empty the dustbin regularly ΓÇö donΓÇÖt let it
overfill, as this can impact suction. Many models have washable filters, so
rinse them out every few weeks (check your manual for specifics) and let them
dry completely before putting them back.

Next, take a look at the brush roll ΓÇö hair and debris can get tangled up in
there over time. Most vacuums make it simple to remove the brush roll, so you
can snip away any tangles with scissors. If your vacuum has a replaceable
battery, try not to let it fully drain too often, as this can reduce its
lifespan. A quick wipe-down of the vacuumΓÇÖs exterior and attachments will
also keep everything looking fresh.

Lastly, keep an eye on the sensors and charging contacts, as dust can build
up there too. A gentle wipe with a dry cloth every now and then will do the
trick.

Can cordless vacuums also be used to clean curtains and upholstery?

Cordless vacuums are surprisingly versatile, and many come with attachments
specifically designed for surfaces like curtains, upholstery and even
mattresses. A handheld vacuum mode, which is common in cordless models, makes
it easy to tackle these areas. Look for a soft brush or an upholstery tool in
the attachments for the vacuum youΓÇÖre considering ΓÇö itΓÇÖll help remove
dust and pet hair without damaging fabrics. For curtains, itΓÇÖs a good idea
to use a lower suction setting if your vacuum has adjustable modes. This
prevents the fabric from getting pulled into the nozzle.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at
https://www.engadget.com/home/smart-home/best...
130007125.html?src=rss

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