Honorable Mentions
We haven’t tried a vacuum yet that we absolutely hate. These ones below are solid vacuums, and in some cases are much cheaper than our top picks, but we didn’t like them as much.
Bissell IconPet Turbo Edge for $200: Bissell’s OG stick vacuum is a popular model that’s been around for a while. It does a good job picking up hair and cat litter, and easily turns into a handheld vac too. The battery lasts a little longer, but former WIRED reviewer Medea Giordano wasn’t impressed by its Cheerio-gathering skills, and it can’t stand up on its own.
Black & Decker Powerseries Extreme Max for $140: The Black & Decker Powerseries Extreme Max is a great stick vacuum that’s cheaper than most others. It stands up on its own, has three power levels you can easily control on the handle, and it handled well on the different surfaces in my home. I liked this vacuum a lot, but it didn’t stand as stable as the Bissell above did, and the handle build felt a little plasticky compared to it and other vacuums I tested. It did have a larger capacity dustbin, though.
Dirt Devil Power Swerve Pet Cordless Stick Vacuum for $110: We previously recommended this as a budget pick. It’s a good vacuum for the money, but there are mixed results on how long the battery will last and the build quality.
Dyson V12 Detect for $650: The V12 Detect is one to consider if you want something even slightly cheaper and lighter than the V15 (though it’s not as powerful and has a smaller bin).
Eufy Robot Vacuum 3-In-1 E20 for $450: WIRED reviewer Adrienne So was stoked to try Eufy’s E20, which is a stick vacuum, handheld vacuum, and robot vacuum all in one. It’s a handy, well-designed device, but it’s only good for light cleaning.
Eureka Innova Cordless Stick Multi-Surface Vacuum for $246: This is a good stick vacuum at a reasonable price. It cleaned up a litter mat especially well, and there are specific carpet and hardwood settings. However, to suck up larger pieces like Cheerios, I had to lift the vacuum up and place it directly on top of them.
Greenworks Powerall 24V Cordless Stick Vacuum for $360: I liked this stick vac’s LED screen to let me know what power level I was on and how much battery power I had left based on the power level I was using. It comes with a nice array of attachments, and has a battery like a power tool, which makes it top-heavy.
Hoover OnePwr Emerge Pet for $319: Our tester said that this wasn’t a bad vacuum in regular mode, but the attachments felt flimsy with weak suction power. Otherwise, it got the job done.
Mova S1 Detect Cordless Vacuum for $299: This is a nice stick vacuum that comes with a nice set of attachments, and it worked well in my home. Our top pick can do a similar job for cheaper, though, and it takes a considerable effort to place the canister back into place when you empty it.
Narwal S10 Pro: Former WIRED reviewer Medea Giordiano was impressed by the Narwal’s S10 Pro, a wet/dry vacuum. It’s been replaced by S20 Pro ($500), which we’re currently testing.
Worx 20V Cordless Stick Vacuum for $250: This is a fine vacuum, but the dustbin was more difficult to clean out than those of other models I tested.
FAQs
What’s a Cordless Vacuum?
Cordless vacuums, also known as stick vacuums, are what the name suggests: They don’t need a cord to work. Instead, they have a battery you need to charge, and are designed with a battery and motor at the top with a long, thin, sticklike body connecting that to the head of the vacuum. They’re much lighter than an upright vacuum, and have become popular since they’re much easier to store and move around the house. I especially love using one as someone who lives in a three-story home. Stick vacuums also can usually have the stick portion removed to transform into a handheld vacuum, though they’re much heavier than a true handheld vacuum (but the battery life is much better).
How Long Do Cordless Vacuums Last?
Overall, vacuums tend to last around five years, but that depends on the frequency you vacuum and the build quality. Some cheaper stick vacuums might only last about a year or two though, according to Eufy, so it’s worth investing in a better vacuum than finding a cheap stick vacuum. If you’re curious what signs might indicate your vacuum needs replacing, check out our guide to how long vacuums can last. If you’re curious if you’re vacuuming enough, check out our guide to how often you should vacuum.
How Does WIRED Test Cordless Vacuums?
The best way to test a vacuum is to use it like you usually would. So, for a few months, we lived with these cordless vacuums, rotating through them to handle day-to-day messes and weekly deep cleans on hardwood floors, area rugs, and carpets. We charged them, asked our partners to use them, and even took some to a retail store to clean up after antique furniture and heavy foot traffic.
We also performed head-to-head testing, comparing how each picked up piles of Cheerios and cat litter, seeing if they blew debris around or needed several passes. We also took heaps of already matted dust and dirt from inside the vacuum bins to see how easily the vacuums could suck them back up in their thickened state.
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