Best Overall
Levoit VortexIQ 40 Cordless Stick Vacuum
- Despite being full of hair from all testing processes, this vacuum never stalled or pulled, and sucked up all debris in record time.
Despite being full of hair from all testing processes, this vacuum never stalled or pulled, and sucked up all debris in record time.
- We noted this vacuum had some issues pulling out of tight spaces and caught on chair legs with its wide vacuum head.
We noted this vacuum had some issues pulling out of tight spaces and caught on chair legs with its wide vacuum head.
This vacuum earned the spot as the best overall vacuum because it out-performed most vacuum cleaners during our testing, whether stick, or traditional. This vacuum impressed us at every level of testing and surpassed most of our expectations.
While operating, the vacuum’s noise level was very low, which was a delightful surprise. The vacuum performed exceptionally well on hardwood and on stair steps, which can be difficult to clean. We were thoroughly impressed with how it picked up all debris on the stairs, in corners, and even under kitchen cabinets. All hard floors in our testing area were completely clear of any hair and debris in 34 seconds.
During the medium pile debris testing, it vacuumed the medium pile of debris quickly and almost faster on the carpet than on the hardwood. It continued to impress us during the high pile debris test as it completely sucked up all debris with no remnants left.
Despite being full of hair from all three hair tests, the vacuum never stalled or pulled, and the highest setting had the most powerful suction of all our tested vacuums. The crevice tool picked up all small debris and crumbs on upholstery, and we found there was never an issue with the fullness of the dustbin capacity.
The vacuum was incredibly easy to maneuver as it only weighed 7 pounds, though the vacuum head did catch on tight corners, such as a chair leg, when being pulled back. Otherwise, it operated efficiently and successfully every time.
While we found the battery life wasn’t as long as we would have liked, the power the vacuum supplied more than made up for it. At less than $200, this is more than a bargain for such a powerful cleaning tool that is sure to impress.
How It Performed After Six Months
After six months, the Levoit VortexIQ 40 Cordless Stick Vacuum continued to perform at an exceptional level. Because it is lightweight and easy to maneuver, it was simple and quick to clean up messes. We noticed that the battery life continued to stay at roughly 30 minutes fully charged and charged quickly, and the vacuum continued to perform well, even was the filter being overdue for a change.
Product Details: Weight: 7 pounds | Dustbin Capacity: 0.6 liters | Accessories: One battery, one telescoping crevice tool, one charging dock with accessory holder, three wall anchors, one two-in-one dusting brush, one charger | Battery Life: 40 minutes
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / RACHEL MAREK
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / RACHEL MAREK
Best Budget
Wyze Cordless Stick Vacuum
- This vacuum comes with LED lights at the bottom that allow you to clean more thoroughly.
This vacuum comes with LED lights at the bottom that allow you to clean more thoroughly.
- We noted during testing that the battery drained quickly, especially on the highest setting.
We noted during testing that the battery drained quickly, especially on the highest setting.
The Wyze Cordless Stick Vacuum stood out to us during testing with its exceptional performance and incredibly affordable price. Despite its affordable price, this vacuum checked several of our boxes for a high-quality stick vacuum.
This vacuum was able to pick up most of the debris it encountered, including human hair, pet hair, and cat litter, on the wood and tile floors. The vacuum comes with three settings: eco, medium, and turbo, with turbo being the highest setting. While it was a little harder to run on the carpet, the vacuum did an excellent job cleaning the test debris on each of its three settings.
It only weighs 2.8 pounds, so it was easy to maneuver around furniture and to carry around the house. We found cleaning out the dustbin was easy due to a little door on the side of the bin that allowed us to quickly remove all of the collected debris. We did note during testing that the battery drained quickly, around 20 minutes into use, and needed frequent recharging.
One of the other major perks we noticed about this vacuum is it has LED lights at the bottom so we could see any debris on the floor.
Product Details: Weight: 2.8 pounds | Dustbin capacity: Not listed | Accessories: One battery, crevice tool, and a brush tool | Battery life: 40 minutes
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / LAUREN HERNANDEZ
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / LAUREN HERNANDEZ
Best Splurge
Dyson Gen5detect Cordless Vacuum
- This vacuum works incredibly well on all floor types (and all types of debris), and can be angled to get close to furniture legs.
This vacuum works incredibly well on all floor types (and all types of debris), and can be angled to get close to furniture legs.
- We found this vacuum surprisingly heavy.
We found this vacuum surprisingly heavy.
If you’re looking to splurge on a vacuum, you’ve likely considered a Dyson vacuum. It’s a buzzy brand, and for very good reason—several Dysons are among the best stick vacuums. A newer release, the Gen5Detect Cordless Stick Vacuum, massively impressed us during testing. In fact, it was one of the highest-scoring models that we tried overall, though the high price tag might be a limiting factor for some shoppers.
In our lab, the Dyson picked up most types of debris in just one pass, and it worked similarly well on grouted tile, hardwood floor, and carpet. Larger debris, such as bigger pieces of cereal, took a bit more effort depending on the attachment, but the vacuum still managed to get everything, no matter the setting. We also appreciated how easily the vacuum whisked up debris from around the base and legs of furniture without adding an attachment.
But speaking of attachments, there are plenty. The vacuum includes a “fluffy optic” head for hard floors, which features a light to illuminate dust and smaller debris, a hair screw tool ideal for cleaning pet hair off of cushions, a combo tool with a nozzle and brush, a crevice tool, and a cleaner head with vanes to detangle hair from the brush as you work. It also includes a dock that can be mounted to the wall for easy storage, and a charger.
A handy digital display shows you in real-time the volume of particles and debris that the vacuum has sucked up, plus a summary after each cleaning. While this is a nice feature to have, we didn’t think we’d use it all that often during regular cleanings. The vacuum stood out far more for its effectiveness and maneuverability.
The battery life was fairly impressive, lasting 51 minutes on the low setting and 13 on the high setting. The vacuum still had significant charge left after the tests were complete, so it should easily last you through a few quick cleaning jobs. When you do need to recharge, it takes four hours.
As far as downsides go, aside from the price, we did find that it felt pretty heavy. We needed two hands to maneuver it at times, and by the end of the testing period we were more fatigued than we would’ve liked.
How It Performed After Three Months
We found after three months the Dyson Gen5Detect Cordless Stick Vacuum still performed exceptionally well. We used this vacuum once or twice a week, and it continued to impress us with its ability to collect almost all dust and hair accumulated on the floor. With its power and ability to stay charged for an extended period of time, we feel this vacuum is well worth the investment.
Product Details: Weight: 7.72 pounds | Battery Life: 51 minutes | Recommended Surfaces: Hard floors, carpet, upholstery | Attachments: Combination tool, crevice tool, fluffy cleaner head, hair screw tool, digital motorbar cleaner head
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DERA BURRESON
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DERA BURRESON
Best Wet/Dry
Tineco Floor One S5 Wet/Dry Vacuum
- It can vacuum and mop both hard floors and area rugs, and then clean itself.
It can vacuum and mop both hard floors and area rugs, and then clean itself.
- At 17 pounds, it’s quite heavy to push across your floors.
At 17 pounds, it’s quite heavy to push across your floors.
You can vacuum the carpet and wash hard floors without swapping out devices thanks to the Tineco Floor One S5 Wet/Dry Vacuum. As you clean, the vacuum’s smart sensor can automatically adjust suction, speed, and also water flow as needed to ensure efficient and powerful cleaning. It has two large water tanks—one for the clean water being dispensed, and another one to hold the dirty water being sucked up into the machine—to help you clean large areas without pausing to refill.
The sleek brush roll at the bottom of the device can provide edge cleaning while vacuuming, allowing you to get right up to those baseboards and walls for a more thorough clean. This smart vacuum automatically detects the debris on your floors, then displays it on the LED screen along with the debris already cleaned up and the remaining battery life.
In addition to the Tineco app, the vacuum cleaner also has built-in voice assistance and both can be used for maintenance notifications and to get helpful tips. These prompts to let you know when the clean water tank is empty or the dirty water tank is full.
After you finish mopping or vacuuming, the Tineco Floor One S5 device can then clean itself in the docking station. This consists of straining pet hair and flushing the brush roller and inner tubing. When it finishes, simply pour out the dirty water.
This wet-dry vacuum packs a lot of features in one device, which is why it’s a little more bulky than others on our list. At 17 pounds, this device will take up more space when stored, and you may notice more fatigue when pushing it across your floors compared to other stick vacuums on our list.
How It Performed After Six Months
After using this stick vacuum for six months, we were still impressed with the vacuum, but we had some hiccups with the mop function. We noticed that after a few months, the mop left dirty streaks on the floor, evening after using the self-cleaning function after every use.
We inspected it further and realized it was clogged with cat hair, so we removed the brush roll from the vacuum and hand washed it with water. After we did this, the mop function worked perfectly once again. If you have pets, you may need to give it a quick rinse every month or so. We were pleased that the battery remained consistent and lasted through our vacuuming and mopping sessions.
Product Details: Weight: 17.37 pounds | Battery Life: 35 minutes | Recommended Surfaces: Hard floors, area rugs | Attachments: None
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / HENRY WORTOCK
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / HENRY WORTOCK
Best Lightweight
Dyson Omni-Glide Cordless Vacuum
- The articulating neck lets you vacuum in any direction and even go closely around objects.
The articulating neck lets you vacuum in any direction and even go closely around objects.
- It has a very short battery life compared to the other options on this list.
It has a very short battery life compared to the other options on this list.
The Dyson Omni-Glide+ is so lightweight, it’s almost like moving a toy vacuum around the room—but the high-quality, dual brush bars covered in soft nylon are far from child’s play. Powered by a powerful motor that picks up everything from large debris to fine dust on hard floors and carpet alike, the lightweight vacuum weighs a mere four pounds.
Most notable about this vacuum is its articulating neck and four 360-degree castors which allows the device to glide in every direction to remove debris without missing a spot. The omni-directional soft roller cleaner head can vacuum around objects, and it can lie completely flat on the floor to slide underneath chairs, sofas, tables, and other low furniture.
The lightweight vacuum can also transition to a handheld vacuum. In addition to the double fluffy cleaner head, there’s also a mini motorized tool that can clean everything including mattresses and stairs.
You can also use the combination crevice tool and light pipe crevice tool to access hard-to-reach corners and other tight spaces. The wall-mounted charging dock holds the vacuum when charging and stores it out of the way.
No one likes to clean vacuums, but this one is easy: simply press the bin’s eject button to release debris into the trash. In addition, the filter and fluffy roller can be washed, as can the dust bin and any of the tools that don’t have electronic parts.
Keep in mind that this vacuum’s battery life is very short—only 20 minutes. This is what allows the vacuum to be so lightweight, but if you prefer to clean your entire house in one stint, the Dyson Omni Glide+ vacuum won’t be the best option for you.
How It Performed After Three Months
This vacuum was one of our standouts from the beginning due to its ease of use and maximum power. After three months, our views remain the same. In a house full of animal hair, craft debris, and tracked in dirt from children and animals, this vacuum continued to clean efficiently and thoroughly.
It was still easy to maneuver and effectively cleaned under chairs and couches without much trouble. With a long lasting battery life, we recommend this to anyone with hardwood floors—it’s worth the investment and performs reliably.
Product Details: Weight: 4.19 pounds | Battery Life: 20 minutes | Recommended Surfaces: Hard floors, carpet, upholstery | Attachments: Double fluffy cleaner head, mini motorized tool, combination crevice tool, light pipe crevice tool
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / HENRY WORTOCK
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / HENRY WORTOCK
Best for Hard Floors
Tineco Pure One S11 Vacuum
- The suction power on this vacuum outperformed other vacuum cleaners at a much higher price.
The suction power on this vacuum outperformed other vacuum cleaners at a much higher price.
- Attachments were needed to thoroughly clean more hard-to-reach areas such as corners and stairs.
Attachments were needed to thoroughly clean more hard-to-reach areas such as corners and stairs.
The Tineco Pure One S11 Tango Smart Stick/Handheld Vacuum thoroughly impressed us with its ability to clean hard floors just as thoroughly as it cleans carpet. With its efficient operating system and easy to maneuver body, this is the best vacuum for hard floor surfaces.
During both the medium pile and high pile testing, the vacuum was able to successfully pick up all debris in just 25 seconds. Though it did initially struggle with the Cheerios, we found the attachment sucked up all remaining debris quickly and efficiently. We found that the suction was powerful even at the lowest setting.
Attachments were needed to efficiently clean stair edges and corners, but nothing about this vacuum was difficult to use. During the upholstery testing, all of the debris was collected without having to dig through cushions or pillows.
Throughout testing, the vacuum was very light and easy to maneuver. It glided across all floors and was able to reach under furniture without any straining and transitioned easily between hardwood and carpet.
We determined the high-power battery life of the vacuum was approximately 31 minutes. The battery life lasted throughout the whole test without needing to be charged, and there was no noticeable reduction in suction power as the testing went on. We also found the dustbin canister was easy to open and clean. Though hair did wrap around the canister filter during use, it was easy to clean and debris came out with no resistance.
We loved this vacuum for several reasons, but notably how light and easy it was to use. There was no difference in how the vacuum operated on hardwood or carpet as the vacuum worked efficiently on both. We noted that it even out-performed higher priced vacuums across the board.
Product Details: Weight: Not listed | Dustbin capacity: 0.6 liters | Accessories: One crevice tool, one 2-in-1 dusting brush, one mini-power brush, one full-size LED multitask power brush, | Battery life: 40 minutes
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / HENRY WORTOCK
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / HENRY WORTOCK
Best for Pet Hair
Black + Decker Max Powerseries Extreme Cordless Stick Vacuum
- This vacuum’s debris container holds a lot of debris, despite its 0.13-gallon size.
This vacuum’s debris container holds a lot of debris, despite its 0.13-gallon size.
- Sometimes debris would fall out when switching from the stick vacuum function to the handheld function.
Sometimes debris would fall out when switching from the stick vacuum function to the handheld function.
Having a reliable vacuum is a necessity when you have pets. We tested the Black+Decker Powerseries Extreme Max Cordless Stick Vacuum in a household that included three cats, and the results were impressive.
The vacuum has three settings: low, medium, and high. Even on the highest setting, the stick vacuum was incredibly quiet and didn’t interfere with any conversations or television. When testing the three settings, we noted that the highest setting was the most efficient at collecting debris.
This vacuum did a great job at picking up food crumbs and cat hair. It had excellent suction with all three settings. We did notice the brush attachment had issues encountering cat hair on the highest setting as it got bunched up into the brush roller. However, the vacuum was more efficient at picking up debris like cat litter on the highest setting.
The battery life was equally impressive as it lasted throughout the whole cleaning process (roughly 45 minutes) and still had some charge left. The vacuum was also easy to maneuver around the house, and it was able to effectively clean around the table legs and run under the cabinets.
The dustbin was simple and convenient to clean out and held a lot of debris despite the bin capacity being 0.13 gallons, which is significantly smaller than other vacuums on our list. Our one complaint was we found debris would fall out when switching from the stick vacuum function to the handheld. Ultimately, we felt this vacuum is a great option for those with pets who want to do some quick cleanup around the house.
Product Details: Weight: 10.79 pounds | Dustbin capacity: 0.13 gallons | Accessories: Accessory holder, two-in-one brush, pet brush, cup charger, wall mount, crevice tool, washable filter, removable battery | Battery life: 44 minutes
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / JORDAN PROVOST
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / JORDAN PROVOST
Best for Carpet
Dreametech R20 Cordless Vacuum Cleaner
- This vacuum has a long battery life of 90 minutes, which is impressive when compared with the average 40 minutes.
This vacuum has a long battery life of 90 minutes, which is impressive when compared with the average 40 minutes.
- We found the attachments provided with this vacuum jammed frequently during testing.
We found the attachments provided with this vacuum jammed frequently during testing.
During testing, this vacuum proved to be the best vacuum for carpet. This vacuum impressed us immediately with its low volume—the vacuum was fairly quiet while being operated.
The vacuum performed adequately on hardwood floors, but not to the level we would have liked. During the one minute time frame, it was only able to suck up maybe 70% of the debris on the hardwood floor.
We also noted it tended to push the debris around. However, this vacuum performed exceptionally on the carpet tests. During the medium pile testing, the vacuum was able to collect all debris (crunched up Cheerios, coffee grounds, and hair debris) easily and efficiently.
We were able to get most of the debris on the stair tests, and the attachment provided was able to successfully get all of the waste from the floor. However, we did have several issues with the attachments. The long nozzle attachment did jam twice during the testing process, and the upholstery brush also jammed during use so we would caution users in using the attachments due to that hiccup.
The battery life was sufficient as the vacuum made it through all the tests. We were thoroughly impressed with its 90 minute battery life span as most vacuums we tested have a 40 minute life span. We do recommend charging after each use as the battery was on 20% after testing was done.
This vacuum was fairly lightweight, so it did not feel heavy or cumbersome at all during use. We also noted the dustbin size held a decent amount of debris, though we did have to empty the bin twice during testing.
How It Performed After Six Months
This vacuum was rated highly in our initial testing process due to its ability to clean thoroughly while simultaneously being lightweight and easy to maneuver.
After six months of use, our opinion has not changed. It’s perfect for quick clean up jobs, and we loved that it is cordless yet still has a long run time without being charged. It’s so easy and efficient to use, and it has a dirt detection feature we can’t praise enough.
Product Details: Weight: 10 pounds | Dustbin capacity: 0.6 liters | Accessories: One multi-surface brush, one soft roller brush, one wide combination tool, one motorized mini brush, one charger, one 2-in-1 charging and storage mount, one flexible combination tool, one flexible adapter | Battery life: 90 minutes
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / RACHEL MAREK
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / RACHEL MAREK
Best Suction
Ryobi 18V ONE+ HP Advanced Stick Vacuum
- This vacuum’s handheld cordless feature and pivoting head was helpful in hitting hard to reach areas like under shelves and in deep corners.
This vacuum’s handheld cordless feature and pivoting head was helpful in hitting hard to reach areas like under shelves and in deep corners.
- We found this vacuum was cumbersome to carry, especially up stairs.
We found this vacuum was cumbersome to carry, especially up stairs.
Depending on the floors of your house, having a vacuum with maximum suction can make a huge difference. Homes with lots of carpet, for example, require lots of suction to make sure all debris is picked up quickly and thoroughly.
The Ryobi 18V One + HP Advanced Stick Vacuum Kit was one of our favorites during testing because of its powerful suction. It also comes with several helpful tools: a crevice tool, an extension wand, an upholstery tool. The vacuum has three settings that are all fairly quiet. During testing, it didn’t interfere with any surrounding sounds while still managing to collect all debris efficiently.
We found it collected everything in its path—like leaves, dust bunnies, and dirt—with little to no trouble. We found certain settings worked better for certain debris; for example, the lowest setting was great at picking up dirt and cleaning the window sills. Meanwhile, the medium and high settings were great at picking up larger detritus like hair and dust bunnies.
Another high point for us was the pivoting head of the vacuum, which made maneuvering the vacuum simple and easy. We were able to move the vacuum under and around furniture easily, and it didn’t snag on any carpet or rugs.
Our one complaint was that the vacuum itself was a little cumbersome and hard to carry. We were fans of the handheld cordless feature because it made cleaning hard to reach areas like under and around bulky furniture much more convenient.
The dustbin was easy to detach and held a significant amount of debris. Though this is a higher price point, this vacuum is a great purchase that will be a game changer in how you clean your home.
Product Details: Weight: 8.25 pounds | Dustbin Capacity: 1 liter | Accessories: Battery, charging docking station, crevice tool, dust brush, micro-crevice tool, and mini motorized beater bar | Battery life: 60 minutes
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / BESS LAMOREUX
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / BESS LAMOREUX
Best Features
Ryobi ONE+ 18V Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner Kit
- The highest setting had an impressive suction, and the dustbin was able to hold quite a bit of debris.
The highest setting had an impressive suction, and the dustbin was able to hold quite a bit of debris.
- This vacuum is very top heavy since the battery is located at the top of the vacuum.
This vacuum is very top heavy since the battery is located at the top of the vacuum.
The Ryobi One Plus 18V Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner Kit is a great purchase for someone who wants extra cleaning features with their vacuum.
This stick vacuum performed perfectly on hardwood floors and an area rug. We noted the vacuum made the space feel significantly cleaner than other vacuums due to several of its included features.
The vacuum has three settings and was very quiet on the first two settings. It was louder than other vacuums we tested on the highest setting, but not too loud that it interrupted television or conversation. We were also impressed that the highest setting had amazing suction power.
Like the Wyze Cordless Stick Vacuum, this vacuum has LED lights at the bottom of the vacuum head so you can see any debris left behind during cleaning, which was a major plus for us during testing. The dustbin was able to hold a significant amount of debris and was easy to clean.
We noticed certain suction levels were better with different debris. For example, the lowest setting was great for smaller debris like basic dirt collection and cat litter while the more powerful settings worked well with hair, dust, and other heavier debris. As long as you adjust the settings accordingly, the vacuum works like a charm.
The battery life was also impressive. The vacuum has a stated battery life of 30 minutes, but we were able to clean the whole testing space thoroughly several times over a two week period and didn’t need to charge the battery at all. Our only complaint is that the vacuum is top heavy since the battery is located at the top of the vacuum.
Product Details: Weight: 8 pounds | Dustbin capacity: Not listed | Accessories: A crevice tool | Battery life: 30 minutes
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / ABBY GRISEZ
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / ABBY GRISEZ