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Welcome to the Cordless Vacuum Guide, where I test and review the best cordless vacuums on the market.

I’ll keep the introduction short and go straight to the point.

Cordless vacuums have improved over the past five years to a point where these products are viable alternatives to a corded vacuum.

Technological advancements with battery technology, improved motor efficiency, and innovation from some of the most innovative brands have made this possible.

However, choosing one from a sea of options can be a time-waster, and this is where I can help you.

Unlike most other blogs that regurgitate information and reviews, I test these products, putting them through a grueling series of tests to see if they are worth considering.

An overview of the Best Cordless Vacuums

I’ll split the list into categories: Best Premium Options, Best Mid-Priced Options, and  Best Budget Cordless Vacuums. These lists will have sub-categories, so scroll down to see all the details.

The information below is an overview of the test results, product specifications, and more.

Please note that the results are an outcome of my tests and shouldn’t be considered official, so take it with a grain of salt.

You’ll see a list of the products I’ve thoroughly tested, so if I omit something that you think should be on there, reach out, and I’ll try to test the product.

Also, I didn’t include handhelds in the list, as cordless vacuums should be versatile enough to be used on floors and above to justify their cost.

Best Premium Options

Premium cordless vacuums are priced above the $500 range. These variants are the cream-of-the-crop options with the most power and lengthiest run time.

These models have the highest air flow and suction figures and typically will have the best results at cleaning embedded debris on carpets.

Another benefit of these premium vacuums is the fit and finish, as most have a quick-release lever so that interchanging accessories will be easy.

Unfortunately, these products are expensive and are in the high three figures.

Overall, the Dyson V15 Detect is the best with its combination of performance, run time, and features.

It’s the best cordless vacuum for deep cleaning carpet, factoring in its sustained pick-up in the middle setting.

But it’s also the costliest option, regardless of where you purchase it.

If the Dyson V15 is too expensive, there are value options like the Simplicity S65 that’ll perform nearly as well without the premium price tag.

Best Mid-Priced Options

Mid-Priced cord-free vacuums range between $200 and under $500. It is not as powerful as its premium counterparts,  but these options still provide excellent value at a lower cost.

Don’t expect these options to be as good as a high-end stick vacuum at deep cleaning carpets, but these are still decent options for homes with a mix of hard floors and carpets.

But some gems here work well on hard floors, namely the Shark Vertex Cordless and the Dyson Omni Glide.

Best Budget Alternatives

Lastly are the cheap cordless vacuums. These variants are the least expensive and excellent for budget-conscious folks looking for a bang-for-the-buck cord-free vacuum.

Some alternatives here, surprisingly, have above-average airflow. Thus, the cleaning performance difference isn’t far from their mid-priced or premium counterparts.

The biggest downside to these affordable options is the lack of filtration. Despite claims of HEPA filtration, none passed the fog test.

So that means fine bits of dust and allergens will seep through the exhaust.

It’s not something I’d recommend for allergy sufferers.

Introduction to the Best Cordless Vacuums

Cordless vacuums have come a long way since their invention nearly half a century ago.

Gone are the days of worrying about whether the battery will last 10 minutes.

Battery technology has improved tremendously, making these products viable standalone options.

Creativity and innovation are the names of the game with cordless vacuums as manufacturers try to one-up each other with game-changing features.

I use several in my home and am very satisfied with the results.

So we’ll look at the best options I’ve tested for the past two years.

This is by no means a complete list since I’ve not tested them all, and frankly, very few people have.

Why should you trust this comparison?

One simple reason is that I’ve done comprehensive tests for each of these products.

Unlike most blogs that regurgitate the vacuum’s specs and make comparisons, I’ve spent many hours doing experiments to check each vacuum’s viability and if it’s worth the price.

I’m not saying my tests are industry standard, but my point is I try to give readers honest feedback based on data and real-world use, not just hearsay.

I buy most of these products to test to prevent bias and don’t accept any paid or sponsorship reviews where I’m paid to say only good things about the product.

It’s against my principles, but I accept free products for review as long as I get to be honest about it, which I say upfront.

Now, I’ll admit, when I started this site nearly a decade ago, I was one of those sites that regurgitate information.

However, I pivoted to testing products when an opportunity came up. And I’ve been doing so ever since.

Hence, you’ll still see old articles where I did not test the product. But I’m saying this for transparency’s sake.

How do I test these vacuums?

As I’ve said, I tested all the vacuums listed here, and I’ll enumerate the different experiments I did.

1. Cleaning test

One of the most critical of these experiments is the cleaning test.

I put these vacuums through a grueling series of tests on different debris types, from coffee grounds, pet litter, quinoa, sand, hair, quaker oats, and more.

These experiments aim to check how well these products pick up debris on various surfaces: hard floors, low pile, and mid-pile carpets.

I use 50 grams on surface debris experiments and 100 grams on deep cleaning tests.

2. Airflow and suction tests

Manufacturers don’t have a universal metric to disclose suction. So I use three tools to measure airflow and suction.

These are the anemometer, water lift gauge, and Y-gauge.

Please realize that I’m not the first to use them as other YouTube Vloggers have used these to check suction, but these are practical tools, so I use them.

After countless tests, I found a correlation between high airflow and good cleaning performance on carpets.

Sure other factors come into consideration, like nozzle design, but airflow is critical, at least on carpets.

There are three types of suction tests I do.

The first is a direct test using a water lift gauge using a pipe as a bridge. It’s not the most accurate since there are a lot of variables.

I have to drill a hole on the pipe as a release valve, or the vacuum will have a blockage error.

The next trial is an unsealed test using a water lift gauge and Y-gauge.

It’s the most accurate suction test since it has the least number of variables involved.

The last test is the sealed test with the water lift and Y-gauge, where I cover the open end with my palm.

3. Fog test

Another important consideration when choosing a cordless vacuum is filtration.

Many brands claim HEPA filtration, but what’s their proof? One method is using a fog machine.

It provides a visual cue if the vacuum can keep the fog inside. The fog represents debris inside the dustbin.

This experiment tests not only the filter but also the seals around it. Not many cordless pass this test, which you’ll find out later on.

4. Run time test

How long a cordless vacuum will run is another critical component of a cordless vacuum.

With the improved battery technology, these machines will run further than ever.

The testing process is simple, turn on the vacuum and time it with a mobile phone timer until the battery runs out.

I do these tests with the main nozzle and non-powered tools to give consumers a more realistic expectation of how long a product will run.

But take note that these results can degrade over time as Li-ion batteries have a fixed number of charge and recharge cycles before deteriorating.

However, good brands will provide a few years of excellent service with proper battery care, and popular brands like Dyson have a wide range of replacement battery alternatives.

5. Ergonomics [Steering, Handle Weight, and Overall Weight]

Next in line is ergonomics. There’s no way to measure precisely a vacuum’s ergonomic feature other than checking its weight – at the handle and the total weight.

I use a weighing scale to check the total weight and a luggage scale to check the handle weight.

For steering, I check how a vacuum steers against an obstacle, how easily it turns and how sharply.

6. Noise

I use a sound meter to check the noise levels of these machines from a few feet away.

7. Eye Test

Lastly, I’ll do an eye test on how these products perform in a real-world setting. These include checking the quality of the attachments and such.

It’s basically all the intangible stuff you won’t see in the spec sheet that might be deal-breakers.

I’m constantly looking for ways to improve the testing process and will add to these experiments as I go along.

Best Overall: Dyson V15 Detect

Pros

• Excellent at cleaning embedded sand on mid pile carpet
• Very long run time (up to 80 minutes on hard floors)
• Green laser light accentuates dust in hard floors
• One of the best at picking up long hair on carpet or upholstery

Cons

• Crazy expensive
• Top-heavy design can be tiring to use in handheld mode

The V15 Detect is a culmination of all the technology from Dyson’s R&D.

In my opinion, it has the best combination of technology for cleaning many areas.

The most notable of these is the green laser that accentuates dust.

I’ve tested many cordless vacuums that utilize bright LED. headlights (Shark ION P50), and none of them can match the V15 with highlighting dust particles.

The standard brush roll also gets an upgrade with these combs, helping it resist tangles better.

It’s one of the best at resisting tangles from long hair strands (more than 10″).

And the icing on the cake is this torque screw tool that’s the best mini turbo brush attachment at picking long hair.

These innovations make the V15 Detect the best cordless vacuum I’ve tested, not just on floors but also great on upholstery.

Unfortunately, this vacuum isn’t perfect, and the most glaring issue is the price.

The V15 Detect is expensive, and it’s the biggest roadblock for most people from purchasing it.

Another issue would be ergonomics. These next-generation Dyson stick vacuums are top-heavy with the larger dustbin.

This top-heaviness wears on the arm the longer you use it, especially on carpets where the seal makes it hard to push.

However, if you don’t mind these issues and want something that’ll clean hard floors and carpets well, the V15 Detect is something to consider.

Value-for-Money Premium: Simplicity S65

Pros

• One of the cheaper “premium” options with high-end vacuuming performance
• The fully sealed system didn’t leak during the fog test
• Excellent performance on surface and embedded debris
• Superb steering even in tight areas
• Easy to empty dustbin
• The storage caddy has slots for all of its tools

Cons

• Short run time (just under 30 minutes)
• Non-powered handheld attachments don’t have a locking mechanism

While the Dyson V15 is the best-performing cordless stick vacuum available, it’s also pricey – more expensive than a high-end upright.

The good news is other manufacturers are developing products to match Dyson’s performance minus the premium cost.

One such company is Simplicity which recently introduced its flagship stick vacuum – the S65.

There are three variants, but I’ll focus on the S65P or the Premium variant with the most tools and two nozzles – a standard brush roll and soft roller attachment.

These tools are built for cleaning carpet and hard floors, but Simplicity’s standard nozzle will pick up debris on hard floors (even stuff like pet litter).

I’d recommend the Simplicity S65P on homes with mixed surfaces, but the S65S (standard) or S65D (deluxe) are decent alternatives if spending over $400 for a cordless vacuum is a sticking point.

Best on Hard Floors: Shark Vertex Cordless

Pros

• Great at cleaning large debris quantities on hard floors
• Better than the old Duo Clean nozzle at resisting tangles
• Self-standing feature
• Above-average dirt capacity
• Detachable battery
• Decent at cleaning embedded dirt on carpet

Cons

• Noisy, especially in carpet mode
• Subpar run time

Shark is one of the innovators I’m talking about earlier, and their innovation is the Duo Clean system.

The Vertex cordless improved upon the issues with the old Duo Clean design.

First is the enhancement in the brush design. The old Duo Clean only used bristles and was prone to hair tangles.

Shark added fins and a comb above the brush roll to aid in untangling hair, and the results were positive.

I did torture tests on hard floors and carpet and barely anything wrapped on the brush.

I like the Shark Vertex’s ability to pick up large debris quantities without issues.

The soft roller front gives it massive clearance, and it will not snowplow large dirt quantities.

Unfortunately, the twin brush system eats up more current, cutting the run time by almost half.

The Vertex will run for up to 36 minutes with the Duo Clean nozzle on hard floors and only 22 minutes on carpet.

And this is its most significant drawback, but it can be offset by buying extra batteries.

Aside from the below-average run time, another issue is its handheld usability.

It doesn’t come with many tools. Plus, the handle placement isn’t ideal for handheld use.

Value for Money: Tineco A11

Pros

• Lightweight design
• High-end cleaning performance at a mid-level price tag
• It comes with two detachable batteries.
• Lots of attachments
• Decent sized dustbin

Cons

• It doesn’t turn as sharply as a Dyson
• Leaked during the fog test
• Filter quickly gets dirty (needs frequent cleaning)

The Tineco A11 is (perhaps) the best value for money option of the stick vacuums I’ve tested, providing high-end cleaning at a mid-level price.

Tineco is a brand trying to unseat Dyson in the cordless vacuum niche, and the A11 is one of their outstanding products.

Depending on the variant you choose, it comes with only the standard nozzle or includes the soft roller attachment.

One selling point for the A11 is the sheer number of attachments.

All of these tools are useful in their own right and factoring in the lightweight body. The A11 is excellent for above-the-floor use.

There’s no glaring issue with the A11, but the biggest concern with this vacuum is its steering.

I’ve had one viewer saying that he liked the A11’s steering, which is good since that means there are consumers satisfied with it.

But for me, it lacks a turning radius and doesn’t turn as sharply as a Dyson.

Best Steering: Dyson Omni-Glide

Pros

• First in class 360-degree steering
• Ultra-lightweight design
• Excellent for cleaning non-carpeted stairs
• Best in class steering under furniture

Cons

• Not usable on carpet
• Small dustbin
• Short run time

Most vacuum cleaners go in four directions: forward, backward, left, and right, but the Dyson Omni Glide breaks that mold with their industry-first 360-degree steering.

Dyson makes this possible with the twin roller system and four caster wheels underneath, making it possible to make a full turn while vacuuming in both directions.

The streamlined frame deviates from typical Dyson stick vacuums and makes the Omni Glide unique, allowing it to reach deeper under furniture than any Dyson product.

I love how this feature translates to real-world use, and I’ve been using it extensively cleaning my home.

The Omni Glide is an excellent alternative inside tiny homes with hard floors.

But it’s not usable on carpet since the rollers won’t spin even on light area rugs.

The cylindrical design isn’t optimal for handheld use, but it’s still usable, though not as good as the Micro 1.5KG.

Great for Long Hair: DreameTech T30

Pros

• Extended run time (up to 91 minutes)
• Excellent at picking up hair on carpet
• Above-average cleaning performance
• Detachable battery
• Interactive screen showing real-time data with run time

Cons

• Steering isn’t as responsive
• No soft roller attachment, so it’s not as efficient on hard floors
• Visible leaks during the fog test

I had to add the DreameTech T30 to this list because it can resist tangles from long hair strands.

It resists tangles well because of its high suction and the combs on the brush roll.

Despite having the combs in the middle portion, it was enough to resist tangles even from long hair strands.

There was nothing wrapped on the brush, even with 12-inch hair strands.

This isn’t just small quantities of hair, but over one gram, which is plenty.

Cleaning performance is also excellent, especially on carpet where it picked up a high percentage,

Nonetheless, the deep cleaning (94%) isn’t as good as other high-end options like Dyson and Tineco.

But it’s still in the upper echelon for cord-free vacuums.

Some issues with the Dreame include its lack of steering feel and a soft roller attachment.

The steering mechanism it utilizes is similar to a Tineco, and it won’t turn as sharply.

While the standard cleaning head will pick up debris on hard floors, it lacks efficiency, and you’ll have to use the higher settings on heavier debris like sand.

Budget Option: Moosoo K17

Pros

• Budget cordless stick vacuum option
• Lightweight design
• High-end cleaning performance on hard floor and carpet

Cons

• Leaked heavily during the fog test
• Lacks steering feel
• Few tools

Last but not least on this list is the Moosoo K17. This budget stick vacuum is one of the best-performing options on the list and another excellent value option for budget-conscious shoppers.

It picked up a very high percentage across the board with surface and deep cleaning tests.

But don’t expect too much from it with fit and finish as it won’t have the same quality as premium brands.

Nonetheless, it’s excellent at debris pick-up, which is why it’s so popular.

Unfortunately, the Moosoo K17 is no longer available on Amazon but still is on stores like Walmart and Moosoo’s website.

Another issue with the K17 is its lack of filtration, as with most budget cordless vacuums. So allergy sufferers may have to look at the Jashen V16.

Which cordless vacuum has the longest battery life [run time]?

Run time is one crucial aspect for choosing a cordless vacuum is run time. So I tested how long each model will run, and here are the results.

I got the results by running the vacuum from full to empty with the cleaning nozzle and non-powered tools.

The overall winner from a single battery is the Roidmi X30, clocking at a little over 110 minutes, which is way beyond its 70-minute claim.

The Roborock H7 is second at 91 minutes. But please note these results are with non-powered tools.

The overall winner is the V11 Outsize with the cleaning head, clocking at 85 minutes with the torque drive attachment on hard floors.

Likewise, in the carpet test, the V11 Outsize did the best lasting for up to 64 minutes.

Another facet to consider with run time is if the batteries are detachable.

A removable battery makes it easier to extend the run time or replace it if it goes bad.

Which cordless vacuum is the noisiest?

Next, we’ll look at the noisiest cordless vacuum options. Most of the results you’ll see below are with the cleaning nozzle attached since you’ll be using the cordless vacuum in this configuration.

Unfortunately, a good-performing cordless vacuum isn’t quiet, and the models with the highest air flow and suction will be noisy.

Which cordless vacuum has the strongest suction and airflow?

Suction is another criterion we’ll look at, and here are the results from the experiments I did using the water lift gauge, suction gauge, and Y-gauge.

Please note that this is a recent test I’m implementing, so I have not tested all the vacuums.

In my opinion, the most accurate of these tests is the unsealed test since it represents the working suction of a vacuum.

Surprisingly, the Dreame T30 has the best overall suction with the sealed (direct) and unsealed (Y-gauge), followed by the Dyson V15 Detect.

The Roborock H7 is a surprising third, at least with the direct sealed test, followed by the V11 Outsize.

Next, let’s look at the airflow test results.

There’s a correlation between high airflow and performance, especially on carpet.

Cordless vacuums that scored well typically pick up more embedded sand in deep cleaning tests.

Other factors will come into play, like brush roll design, but the airflow is critical to a good-performing stick vacuum.

The Dyson V15 Detect is the best cordless vacuums with airflow, clocking 73 CFM, and the only option breaching 70 CFM.

It’s a huge reason why it’s one of the best vacuuming stick vacuums available.

Cleaning performance comparison

Next, we’ll look at how these vacuums stack up against each other with cleaning performance.

I’ve compiled this list of the (most) cordless stick vacuums I’ve tested with the new metrics.

* No tests were done on carpets since the Omni Glide rollers won’t spin on this surface.

The V11 Outsize was the overall winner, with a 100% score in all five categories.

Close behind at number 2 is the V15 Detect, with a 99.91% average.

Some surprises are the Tineco A10 and A11, two mid-priced options in the upper echelon.

Which cordless vacuum is the best on hard floors?

One tip I’d give to consumers for hard floor vacuums is to choose something with a soft roller.

Most options that have it are excellent at cleaning debris on this surface.

And despite the perfect score, I wouldn’t recommend the Dyson V11 Outsize on hard floors because it’s inefficient.

It achieved those scores using the auto and max setting.

Plus, the inefficiency is evident in this test.

It left a trail of sand during the forward pass, which won’t be an issue with a soft roller.

Consumers should also look at other features during product selection.

Brands like Shark and Dyson have introduced innovative features to help consumers efficiently clean this surface.

The Dyson V15 introduces the green laser light that amplifies dust particles like no other cordless vacuum.

The Shark Vertex upgraded its Duo Clean Nozzle, which now has combs to resist hair tangles better.

Cheaper options include the Tineco A11, Dyson V8, Dyson Micro, Dyson Omni Glide, and LG CordZero, but none of these have the features I mentioned above.

Tineco products are good on hard floors, but the steering won’t be as responsive.

The Dyson Micro and Omni-Glide are the lightest options and best suited inside smaller homes, where a high dirt capacity isn’t a must.

Nonetheless, avoid a product without a soft roller as efficiency is compromised.

Products like the Miele Triflex and Dyson V7 didn’t do well on hard floors because of their low-profile nozzles.

Yes, these products will clean the small stuff, but they won’t clean a pile of quaker oats.

Where can I buy these vacuums?

Most of these cordless vacuums are available in online stores like Amazon. Check the links below for the latest pricing information.

• Dyson V15 Detect on Amazon
• Tineco Pure One S12 on Amazon
• Lupe Pure on the Lupe website
• Simplicity S65 on the Simplicity website
• Dyson V11 Torque Drive on Amazon
• Dyson V11 Outsize on Amazon
• Dyson V10 on Amazon
• Shark Vertex Cordless on Amazon
• Tineco A11 on Amazon
• Dyson Omni Glide on Walmart
• DreameTech T30 on Amazon
• LG CordZero A9 on Amazon
• Miele Triflex HX1 on Amazon
• Tineco A10 on Amazon
• Moosoo K17 on Walmart
• Jashen V16 on Amazon

Disclaimer: I will earn a commission if you purchase from any of the links above at no extra cost, so it’s a win-win for us!