The Best Cordless Stick Vacuums, Tested by The Spruce

Best Overall: Shark IZ462H Vertex DuoClean PowerFins Lightweight Cordless Stick Vacuum

4.8

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Our Ratings

• Ease of Setup
  4/5
• Effectiveness
  5/5
• Maneuverability
  5/5
• Ease of Emptying
  5/5
• Noise Level
  4.5/5

The Shark Vertex DuoClean PowerFins Cordless Stick Vacuum was a standout product in our testing. It's our top pick because it has the powerful suction of an upright vacuum but the maneuverability of a cordless stick vacuum. It wasted no time sucking up all of the materials during our test, and proving its power on each and every surface. Our tester gave it 5 stars for its cleaning effectiveness, noting that it "requires very little effort to move and use." In fact, the vacuum almost pulls itself toward the messes, before capturing them in a pass or two. No surface was left unclean in this vacuum's path. It was equally powerful on hardwood, low-pile, medium-pile, and high-pile carpet, so you can clean with confidence whether you're sucking up cheerios off of the kitchen floor or pet hair from the living room carpet.

When it came to assembly, this vacuum was also pretty easy to put together, and was only docked because it needed to be charged and the pieces were wrapped individually. However, the vacuum quickly made up for the setup process with its amazing maneuverability. It easily slipped under the low-sitting couch and coffee table we set up in The Lab, and was able to navigate all the tight corners. Its handle folds in half for easy storage, but you can also use this feature to your advantage when vacuuming tight or hard-to-reach spaces like under the sofa. While the canister did fill up rather quickly, our tester called the movement of this vac "flawless" and was totally impressed with the painless emptying process.

A downside of many stick vacuums is short battery life, but this one can run for a notable 60 minutes, which makes it suitable for spot cleaning and whole-house cleaning alike. The fold-in-half feature is great for saving space when it's not in use, and for the power of this machine, the noise level wasn't bothersome. In our testing, it was only noisy when picking up the popcorn kernels, which is why it received a 4.5-star rating for noise level.

If you're looking for the power of an upright vacuum, but want the convenience of a cordless stick vacuum with space-saving features and a long battery life, then this is an excellent pick.

Best Budget: BLACK+DECKER HSVB420J POWERSERIES 2-in-1 Cordless Stick Vacuum

4.6

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Our Ratings

• Ease of Setup
  5/5
• Effectiveness
  4/5
• Maneuverability
  4.5/5
• Ease of Emptying
  5/5
• Noise Level
  4.5/5

If you're sticking to a budget, you'll want to opt for the BLACK+DECKER POWERSERIES 2-in-1 Cordless Stick Vacuum, which is not only effective, but also comes with a built-in handheld vac. To assemble it, you just have to click the handheld vac into the handle of the stick vac. From there, the handheld vac turns into the dust bin. Our tester was impressed by the thoughtful design of this model, and was pleased to see hidden storage within the handle for attachments. They were able to assemble everything in just three minutes, and gave the setup process a 5-star rating.

When it came to testing this vacuum on the different surfaces, it wasn't as effective on the hardwood. It pushed around the Cheerios a lot, and our tester called it "sloppy." However, it performed great on high-pile carpet and medium-pile carpet, which is typically a weak spot for cordless stick vacuums. Our tester also concluded that the handheld vac could pick up any leftover messes that the stick vac left behind. It all worked out! Not to mention the light on the floor head, which made finding messes in dim corners a total breeze, and the entire model stood up on its own. While the vacuum received a 4-star rating for cleaning effectiveness, it excelled in the emptying department and was generally a pleasure to use.

Best Wet-Dry: Shark VacMop Pro Cordless Wet/Dry Stick Vacuum

4.9

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Our Ratings

• Ease of Setup
  5/5
• Effectiveness
  5/5
• Maneuverability
  5/5
• Ease of Emptying
  5/5
• Noise Level
  5/5

Wet-dry vacuums can only be used on hard surfaces. However, if you're living space has even one large hardwood, tile, or laminate surface, then you'll want to invest in the Shark VACMOP. This product earned 5-star ratings across the board from our tester, because it's designed thoughtfully and cleans so easily. They were instantly impressed with how it glides over surfaces and picks up all the dirt, dust, and debris right on a disposable cleaning pad. To start using this vac, you just have to click the pieces into place. It took our tester just two minutes to do so and they didn't even need to reference the instructions—it was that easy. From there, you need to fill up the tank with the provided Shark cleaning solution and attach a cleaning pad.

Our tester was only disappointed in the fact that you have to hold the power button for the entire time it is in use. This could get tiring and annoying over time, especially if you're cleaning a larger room. Plus, it is important to note that the battery only lasts for 20 minutes at a time. However, this vac does operate quietly, and changing its cleaning pad is straightforward and mess-free. To release the pad, you just tap a button on the floor head, which is also outfitted with a light. This vacuum is also very lightweight, so it won't tire you out carrying it from room to room. It's a must-have if you're looking to complete two tough jobs at once.

Best for Carpet: Samsung VS15T7032R4 Jet 70 Pet Cordless Stick Vacuum

4

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Our Ratings

• Ease of Setup
  3.5/5
• Effectiveness
  4/5
• Maneuverability
  4/5
• Ease of Emptying
  3/5
• Noise Level
  5/5

Finding a vacuum that'll remove the dust and debris from the fibers of your carpet can be difficult. When it comes to cordless stick vacuums, it can be even more difficult, as these picks are often designed for a hard-surface floor first. The Samsung Jet 70 Pet Cordless Stick Vacuum excels at cleaning carpet and is sure to make your space feel fresher, though. In our testing, it picked up all the materials in just a couple passes when used on carpet. While it received a 2-star rating for effectiveness on hardwood, it received a 5-star rating on the low-pile carpet and a 4.5-star rating on the medium and high-pile carpets. We had to push it a bit more on the high-pile carpet, but enjoyed the high-power setting on this surface.

Our tester kept calling this vacuum "solid," because it wasn't outstanding in certain areas, like swiveling around tight corners, but was reliable and effective nonetheless. Our rater gave it a 4-star rating after it was brought through the living room obstacle course, noting that it made the transition from a concrete floor to carpet well and could easily slip under a low-sitting couch. The vacuum was quiet, but emptying it was rather tough as there is no quick-release button, and hair got caught in the filter. There are some flaws to this vacuum for sure, but it's ultimately a great sidekick in the pursuit of cleaning carpets.

Best for Hardwood: Dyson Outsize Cordless Vacuum Cleaner

4.4

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Our Ratings

• Ease of Setup
  4/5
• Effectiveness
  4.5/5
• Maneuverability
  4.5/5
• Ease of Emptying
  4.5/5
• Noise Level
  4/5

The Dyson Outsize Cordless Vacuum Cleaner solves many problems that other cordless stick picks have, including battery life and small dust bins. It features an interchangeable battery pack that you can swap out when the battery is running low and a 2.4-quart dust bin. These features make it a really quality pick for larger homes, or those who are frequently cleaning up after pets. Notably, this vacuum also excels at cleaning hardwood, and was able to easily pick up all the materials we placed in its path. Although it did struggle a bit with the popcorn kernels, our tester said, "I feel like the vacuum does most of the work for you," noting that very little elbow grease was required on their part. They ultimately gave the vac a 4.5-star rating for effectiveness, maneuverability, and its emptying process.

They also noted how efficient it is at picking up hair and dust. Plus, you can track the life of your battery on the LED screen on the top of the handle. The only major downside of this vacuum is that its handheld version is quite heavy. Our tester couldn't hold it over their head and would not recommend relying on it for spot-cleaning jobs around your home. This is a bit disappointing given the price point, but the power of the vacuum is definitely worth investing in.