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 ten 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; this is where I can help you.

Unlike most blogs that regurgitate information and reviews, I use data and real-world experience to determine the best options.

I put these cordless vacuums through grueling experiments to see if they are worth considering.

An Overview of the Best Cordless Vacuums

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 here, 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 – interchanging accessories will be straightforward.

Unfortunately, these products are costly.

Best Mid-Priced Options

Mid-priced cord-free vacuums range between $200 and under $450. It is not as powerful as its premium counterparts, but these models 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 cordless 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 alternatives 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.

Best Robot Vacuums

Robot vacuums are excellent alternatives for people who want to automate the vacuuming task. 

Technology has improved to the point that these are viable alternatives because of the latest navigation and battery technology enhancements.

One (obvious) downside is the higher price compared to a stick vacuum because of the added technology and sophistication.

Brands like Roborock and iRobot are the most popular options.

Still, brands like Yeedi, Shark, and Dreame offer consumers alternative options if Roomba or Roborock is too costly.

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, especially on hard floors.

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 not 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 product.

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.

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 I Test These Vacuums?

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

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, 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 in the pipe as a release valve, or the vacuum will have a blockage error.

The subsequent 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.

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 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.

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 in 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.

Which Cordless Vacuum Has the Longest Battery Life [Run Time]?

Run time is one crucial aspect of choosing a cordless vacuum. 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 lasted the furthest, 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, like brush roll design, are critical, but the airflow is critical to a good-performing stick vacuum.

The Dyson V15 Detect is the best cordless vacuum 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.

Cleaning Comparison

Next, we’ll examine how these vacuums compare 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 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 settings.

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 have the abovementioned features.

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.

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 won’t clean a pile of Quaker oats.

Which Cordless Vacuum is Best on Carpets?

Higher airflow options performed better on this surface. So models like the Dyson V15 Detect excelled, picking up 100% even at the auto (or middle) setting.

Other options that aced the deep cleaning experiments in the max setting include the Dyson Outsize, but that’s it.

The other scores above are done with the max setting, so I recommend the V15 Detect or Outsize on carpets if budget isn’t an issue.

I haven’t tested the Gen5 Detect series, but those reviews are coming soon.

Cheaper alternatives on carpets include the Lupe Pure, Tineco A11, Dyson V8, Dyson V10, and Tineco Pure One S12.

These options won’t deep clean carpet as well as the Dyson models that picked up 100%, but are easier to push on this surface.

The best non-Dyson option is the Lupe Pure, picking up a tidy 99.9%.

Unlike a Dyson cordless, Lupe is designed more like an upright than a stick vacuum to hold more dirt.

Which Cordless Vacuum is Best for Cleaning Hair?

One underrated aspect of a cordless vacuum is how it resists tangles. Airflow and brush roll design are critical for a stick vacuum to clean hair.

I’ve tested these vacuums on different lengths of hair strands, between five and twelve inches, and here are the results on hard floors.

And carpets.

The biggest surprise for these experiments is what model got the best scores – the Shark WandVac WS632, getting a 100% score across the board, better than any cordless product I’ve reviewed.

This was surprising because it didn’t have the most potent motor, but it utilized the Shark’s “Power Fins” nozzle without the soft roller.

However, one issue with the Shark WandVac is its tiny dustbin, which can’t hold much hair.

Other options with a larger dustbin include the Dyson V15 Detect, Shark Vertex Pro LiftAway, and Tineco Pure One S12.

Only a handful can pick up lengthy strands over nine inches [check the table for details].

Cheaper alternatives for cleaning hair include the Dyson V8, Tineco A11, A10, and the Shark Vertex series.

The best handheld brush I’ve tested is the Torque Screw Tool available in the Dyson V12 and V15 Detect and all newer Dyson cordless products.

The Verdict: What is the Best Cordless Vacuum?

The best all-around option is the Dyson V15 Detect, combining its efficiency at debris pick up on hard floors, carpets, and hair.

Its 0.77-liter dustbin is enough inside most homes without needing to be emptied often.

Our pick on hard floors is the Dyson V12 Detect. It’s lighter and easier to maneuver but retains the same efficient performance.

Consider the Lupe Pure if you need more capacity since its upright biased design can hold more dirt than a Dyson.

Another (cheaper) alternative is the Shark Vertex Pro Powered LiftAway. It won’t deep clean like a Dyson but cleans surface debris well.