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For many people, pulling out your regular vacuum to for spot cleanings throughout the week isn't necessarily quick and easy. So when your home needs small spruce ups, it isn't always efficient to tackle those messes with a full-sized vacuum. Instead, consider turning to a cordless stick vacuum.
These models run on battery, rather than being powered through an outlet, and are often lighter and more versatile than upright or canister vacuums. In many cases, they're also less powerful, so they are better suited to small homes or as a second vacuum that's reserved for in-between deep cleans.
Here, the best cordless stick vacuums to help you find the right one for your home.
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The Dyson V8 is one of the best cordless stick vacuums you can buy, as it delivers power, convenience, and versatility. This cordless stick vacuum comes with a variety of useful attachments, and it delivers up to 40 minutes of run time when using a non-motorized tool and 8 minutes on its max-power setting.
The Dyson V8 delivers 150 percent more brush bar power than other Dyson stick vacuums, and it has whole-machine HEPA filtration to help capture allergens and other small particles (for more vacuums that boast a HEPA bag or filter, take a look at the best vacuums for allergies). It comes with a direct-drive motorhead, soft roller cleaner head, a mini-motorized tool, soft dusting brush, and more which allow you to use it for a wide variety of applications. Plus, you can take the stick portion off to convert it into a handheld vacuum.
The vacuum comes with a wall-mounted charging port, and customers note that it’s surprisingly powerful for a battery-powered machine. Plus, many reviewers love the hygienic dirt ejector, which allows you to empty the bin by simply pulling a lever—no need to get your hands dirty!
"It took just one pass with the vacuum to clean our hardwood floors and low- and high-pile carpets, and it even pulled up little particles from between our floorboards. " — Camryn Rabideau, Product Tester
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Another top-performing cordless stick vacuum is the Hoover Linx. While this lightweight model resembles a small upright vacuum, it manages to deliver the same power you’d expect from a regular Hoover vacuum. Why? It's powered by a fade-free lithium-ion battery system, and unlike other cordless vacuums, it has a removable battery that you charge in a port, as opposed to plugging in the whole tool. The controls for this vacuum are right on the handle, and the battery fuel gauge lets you know how much battery life is left.
Most vacuums struggle to reach underneath furniture for a deep clean, but the low-profile base and extreme-recline handle allow the Hoover Linx to thoroughly clean hard to reach areas. This machine also has edge-cleaning bristles that let you clean closer to walls, and the wide brush head will shave minutes off your cleaning time.
While it may not have the longevity of other stick vacuums, and it doesn’t include any attachments, the Hoover Linx is a great option for those who want a compact, lightweight vacuum at a reasonable price.
"When it comes to suction, this stick vacuum isn’t the most powerful tool ever, but it does a sufficient job picking up dirt, hair, and other debris from both hardwood floors and low-pile carpets. It undeniably struggled to clean a shag carpet, though—even with the beater bar on—so it’s not the best option for deep-cleaning thick rugs." — Camryn Rabideau, Product Tester
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You can get both a stick vacuum and handheld vacuum with the versatile BLACK+DECKER Cordless 2-N-1 Stick Vacuum. This handy two-in-one model is easy to push thanks to the swivel steering, and it has several helpful features that make it a valuable tool to have around the house.
This stick vacuum has automatic suction adjustment as you move from hard floors to carpets, and its powered beater bar agitates dust and dirt that might be trapped in your rugs. It can vacuum up to 2,500 square feet per charge, and the Smart Tech sensing technology lets you know how much battery power is remaining. The vacuum comes with an extendable crevice tool and brush attachment, as well as a washable filter.
Reviewers like that this vacuum stands up on its own and includes a handheld vacuum. Plus, many say the suction is impressive for such a small machine, and you can’t beat the reasonable price.
"The dustbin on this vacuum is fairly small at just 0.5 liters. We got close to filling it after vacuuming just two rooms, so you may need to empty it a few times if you plan to clean your whole home at once." — Camryn Rabideau, Product Tester
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If you are looking for the ultimate cordless dirt buster for your home this new LG buy does it all. It has 200 watts of suction and when you use the backup battery, you get 120 minutes of run time. The HEPA-filter reduces 99.9-percent of dust so you can breathe easy.
Our tester remarked that after she vacuumed with a regular vacuum she used this model and so much more dirt came up in the vacuum. Her small children were also a big fan of it and it was easy to maneuver for the whole family. One con she experienced was that this wasn't that great at picking up Cheerios!
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High-end cordless stick vacuums can cost $500 or more, but if your purse strings are a little tight, you may want to consider a more affordable option like the Dirt Devil Versa. This 3-in-1 vacuum can be used on rugs, hard floors, carpeted stairs, and more, and it even converts into a handheld vacuum to clean up smaller messes.
This budget-friendly cordless stick vacuum is the perfect combination of lightweight and powerful, thanks to its lithium battery that delivers fade-free suction and faster charging. The Spin3Pro Brushroll works on a variety of surfaces, and the vacuum is light enough that you can easily use it overhead to clean the walls, windows, or molding. Plus, you won’t have to worry about losing the charger, as there’s a spot to store it right on the vacuum. The Dirt Devil Versa has a rinsable filter and easy-empty dirt bin, and reviewers say it’s the perfect tool for touch-ups throughout the week.
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Some vacuums don’t do a good job cleaning hard floors, so if your home has a lot of hardwood or tile, you’ll want a powerful cordless stick vacuum like the Dyson Cyclone V10 Absolute. With more power and a bigger dust bin, this vacuum will be your new favorite tool when it comes to cleaning hard floors.
The Dyson V10 Absolute can run for up to 60 minutes per charge, depending on what setting you’re using. It comes with a special soft roller cleaner that won't scratch the finish on hard floors, and it's engineered to pick up both large debris and fine dust particles. Choose from three power modes, depending on what type of mess you’re tackling and how big it is. Plus, it boasts whole-machine filtration system that traps small debris to keep your air cleaner.
This vacuum can transform into a handheld for smaller jobs, and it includes the standard drop-in, wall-mounted dock that comes with most Dyson stick vacuums. Many reviewers say this stick vacuum is comparable to a full-size corded model, and it does a great job picking up dirt, dust, and hair off the hardwood, tile, laminate, and more.
"We love how compact this Dyson is...it’s slimmer, lighter, and more balanced than any other stick vacuum we’ve tried and it made dusting and reaching awkward spaces—like under the sofa—super easy." — Deanna McCormack, Product Tester
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You can clean both carpets and hard floors with the Shark Navigator Freestyle Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner. This highly rated model has an extra-large dust cup, is easy to move around, and works especially well for pet hair!
This vacuum's biggest advantage is that it can be used on different types of flooring. It has a two-speed brush roll that you can adjust, and the bristles on the brush roll are soft so they won't scratch shiny hardwood floors. The powerful suction system will capture dirt, dust, hair, and more. When you're done cleaning, it charges in roughly four hours.
When it comes to reviews, users can’t say enough good things about the performance of this vacuum. Many say it picks up just as much dirt as full-size vacuums, yet it weighs significantly less and is a breeze to drive around.
If you’re looking for an incredibly light stick vacuum that won’t strain your hands or arms, one of the best choices is the MOOSOO Cordless Vacuum Cleaner, which weighs less than 3 pounds. This handy, bagless vacuum has a high-powered motor that runs quietly and can last up to 30 minutes per charge depending on the power mode.
The MOOSOO vacuum comes with a motorized brush roll, as well as a soft brush roller, dusting brush, and crevice nozzle. There are two power modes (standard or max) to choose from, and the vacuum has a HEPA filter that will capture 99.99 percent of little dust particles and other allergens, keeping your air clean. The large dust canister empties with a push of a button, and reviewers say the MOOSOO Vacuum delivers impressive suction on a variety of surfaces.
Fight back against pet hair with the super-powerful Dyson V11 Animal Cord-Free Vacuum, which has several features specially designed for those with pets. It delivers twice as much suction as other cordless vacuums, and it can run for up to an hour per charge.
The Dyson V11 comes with three settings—eco, auto, and boost mode—and it automatically changes the motor speed as you move between carpets and hard floors. This stick vacuum is unbeatable when it comes to removing pet hair from carpets and upholstery, and the whole-machine filtration system removes microscopic particles from the air (hint: you can also keep your air clean by using an air purifier). The Dyson V11 comes with a wall-mounted charging dock, and reviewers say its a must-have tool for anyone who has multiple pets, as it will help you get the hair off your belongings more quickly.
For the best cordless stick vacuum on the market, we recommend the Dyson V8 Absolute Cord-Free Vacuum. It delivers up to 40 minutes of run time and has whole-machine HEPA filtration to help capture allergens. Our runner-up is the Hoover Linx 5H50010 Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner, which is both lightweight and powerful.
Battery Most cordless stick vacuums have run times between 15 and 40 minutes. Look for lithium or lithium-ion batteries, which charge faster and last longer. A vacuum that runs for 20 minutes or more will sufficiently clean a small apartment or roughly 1,000 square feet.
Power Voltage indicates power, which affects the machine’s ability to suck up dust, dirt, and other debris. A vacuum with 18 volts will suffice, but you’ll notice the difference in a 20-volt vacuum.
Noise level Vacuum noise is rated by decibels. A typical conversation has a decibel rating of about 60, while the standard vacuum clocks in between 70 to 80 decibels. Some premium models have decibel ratings as low as 65.
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