
Buying Guide for Cordless Vacuums

Why buy a cordless vacuum?
A cordless vacuum does all the work of a broom and a standard vacuum in less time and with less fuss. It’s not your mom’s 30-pound vacuum with messy bags and a thick cord! It’s a lightweight, sleek device that sucks up dirt, pet hair, dust, and crumbs without you having to wrangle a cord around. It can get underneath furniture and up flights of stairs easily, and you can use it on hard floors and carpets, so you can get your whole house nice and clean with the help of a cordless vacuum.
What should you consider in a cordless vacuum?
- Runtime: Most models of cordless vacuums will run from 30 minutes to 1 hour before they need to recharge. Long battery life may not be on your list of priorities if you only need to clean small areas. However, a cordless vacuum with a long battery life may be better for you if you have a larger home or multiple homes to clean.
- Attachments: Many cordless vacuums have more than one style of attachment. That makes it easy to transition from cleaning floors to furniture, cars, and stairs. Some even have attachments to help navigate tight corners. Consider the attachments you may need to clean your space properly when looking for a new cordless vacuum.
- Allergen Filters: For those with seasonal, dust, or pet dander allergies, you may want to consider a cordless vacuum with a high-quality allergen filter.
What’s the best way to clean and maintain a cordless vacuum?
It’s wise to rinse out your filter about once a month. Then, let it sit out and air-dry for 24 hours before putting it back into your vacuum. Be sure you replace it once a year. As for your canister, read the directions on your model carefully before cleaning. Most can be rinsed out with warm water and then dried overnight. And as for your brush roller, be sure to remove strings and stuck-on hair from the brush fibers about once a month so that it continues to work as it should. You can read the directions for all other vacuum components or visit the website for your cordless vacuum to read their recommended cleaning instructions.
Our Picks for the Best Cordless Vacuums
A powerful stick vacuum with a large dustbin for super hairy pets. Hoover BH53420V ONEPWR Evolve Cordless Upright Vacuum Cleaner
Pros: This Hoover cordless upright vacuum weighs less than nine pounds and is a sinch to move in and out of storage for quick cleanups. And you won’t need to strategize which outlet to use for what surface because it’s cordless and made for carpet and hard floors. Just press the on/off button to activate the antimicrobial brush roll as you move from surface to surface. The Hoover comes with Evolve Pet, an antimicrobial filter that keeps odor at bay. The ONEPWR 4-Ah MAX battery pack holds a charge for up to 35 minutes and removes easily for recharge.
Cons: Unfortunately, the vacuum doesn’t come with attachments and cannot be used for upholstery or hard-to-reach places.
Bottom Line: If you have hairy pets, this cordless stick vacuum will likely make sense to you immediately. With its lightweight ease and multi-surface capability, cleaning up after your pets daily, if needed, won’t be such a big deal. Plus, it comes with power vortex suction! Aren’t you curious?
This cordless vacuum comes with attachments for multi-surface cleaning INSE Cordless Vacuum Cleaner
Pros: The INSE cordless stick vacuum‘s best-selling feature must be its 25-kilopascal suction capability, but the rechargeable 2,500-mAh battery is a close second. Most cordless vacuums have 10 to 20-kPa suction. Yet, the high-efficiency HEPA filter is a contender for the best feature. It has a five-stage cyclone system that’s said to capture 99.99% of tiny dust particles, including pollen, hair, and dry skin flakes. We can keep going if you want. We’re just getting to the best part; it comes with attachments! There’s a brush and a long crevice for cleaning beyond carpets and floors to sofas, desks, and more.
Cons: The battery life is shorter than some other models.
Bottom Line: This is a fantastic selection if you’re looking for a solid cordless vacuum for your daily cleaning needs. Say goodbye to dust and dirt, even the bits that get stuck in your grout. The attachments are great for furniture, stairs, and tight corners.
A perfect cordless vacuum solution for spot-cleaning between deep cleanings. Wowgo Cordless Vacuum Cleaner
Pros: This cordless vacuum has a wall mount to store it next to an outlet for easy charging. The rechargeable 2,600-mAh lithium-ion battery and sealed filtration system are located just below the handle grip to make the body of the vacuum look modern and sleek. The dust and debris swirl around in the transparent 1-liter dust cup. The 12-kilopascal, two-speed suction offers thorough cleaning, and the four-stage filtration system captures more particles than you know. The added HEPA filter should assure you that Wowgo takes its product seriously. As you vacuum around furniture, you’ll notice how handy the 180-degree flexible head can be.
Cons: The 12-kilopascal suction is not nearly as powerful as its contenders.
Bottom Line: Charge the battery for 40 minutes of deep, efficient, and cordless cleaning with this vacuum. Use it to vacuum curtains and ceilings with the various attachments included. It’s quiet, light, and affordable.
A top-tier vacuum with a digital motor, lightweight feel, and deep, powerful suction.Dyson V8 Absolute Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner
Pros: Dyson stick vacuums are top-notch. This powerful yet quiet vacuum offers great versatility. Thanks to its powerful V8 digital motor, the ability to convert between a stick and handheld vacuum, and the various attachment heads included with your purchase, you can use this vacuum on pretty much any surface in your home. Stairs, carpets, hardwoods, tile, upholstery, and ceilings are all fair game. And the instant-release trigger ensures that the vacuum only uses the battery when it’s in use, saving you power as you clean between different rooms.
Cons: Though you get a good bang for your buck with the included attachments and docking station, this vacuum is much pricier than others.
Bottom Line: There’s a lot to love about this powerful yet quiet convertible vacuum from one of the most trusted vacuum brands. Not only is it lightweight and easy to maneuver, but the various attachment pieces included with your purchase allow you to clean almost any type of surface in your home without issue and with optimal convenience.
A bit of every desirable cordless vacuum quality in one compact handheld device. BLACK+DECKER dustbuster Handheld Vacuum
Pros: This modern cordless vacuum has attachments like a 180-degree rotating nozzle to reach tight spaces at different angles. The pull-out crevice tool allows you to clean areas you haven’t before, like the dark depths of the couch, cupholders in your car, and high shelves. Use the flip-up brush for dusting any surface. Like other cordless vacuums, this one uses cyclonic air suction, spinning dust and dirt away from the washable filter. Unlike the other cordless models we reviewed, to recharge the 16V max lithium battery, you set it on a charging base included with the vacuum.
Cons: Even when fully charged, the battery does not last very long, maybe 20 to 30 minutes max. Also, it requires more physical effort as you’ll have to bend down to clean the floor, then reach up to dust shelves, for example.
Bottom Line: This handheld cordless vacuum couldn’t be a better package of the qualities you want in a vacuum—particularly power, convenience, and performance.
Final Thoughts
Cordless vacuums are modern pieces of cleaning equipment that can make your life significantly easier. They’re lightweight, high-tech, and convenient devices, so if you want one, consider our suggestions.