Let’s be honest:
All of us could do with a cordless stick vacuum.
Due to their handheld design, these vacuums are ultra-maneuverable for you to navigate them around furniture with ease. Their compactness, meanwhile, allows you to effortlessly store these models anywhere you want – even in a closet full of clothes.
And the best thing about them?
Their amazing suction power. That means whether you want to get rid of pet hair or have a desire to see your hardwood floors retain their shine for long – and from cleaning your carpets of deep-embedded dirt to vacuuming stairs chock-full of dirt – the best cordless stick vacuums on the market will help you out.
Best Cordless Stick Vacuum Reviews On the Market of 2022
1. Best Overall: Dyson V8 Cordless Stick Vacuum
image: Dyson
The Dyson V8 Absolute is one of those rare models whose suction power remains the same on both carpets and bare floors. Throw into the mix its lightweight, impressive battery timing and a large number of attachments, this model becomes a must-have.
Starting with the best this model has to offer, the Li-ion batteries of the Dyson v8 provide it with a battery timing of 40 minutes. Further enhancing the battery timing is its Instant Release trigger which preserves power when the unit is sitting idle.
Especially for a cordless model, the v8 boasts an impressive dust capacity of 0.14gallons. Its dumping mechanism has also seen some new tweaks to make the whole process effortless. All you have to do to empty it is release the red label on the panel, and the dirt would automatically go sideways.
As far as its cleaning action is concerned, the V8 provides two modes: Standard and MAX – with the former being more effective on bare floors and thin rugs. The latter mode, meanwhile, rids thick carpets and rugs of embedded dirt.
Furthermore, to make the air in your home breathable, this model has a whole-machine HEPA filtration system. It not only captures 99.7% of all pollutants but also makes sure that they don’t get out when you dump the dust – thereby preventing allergic flare-ups.
Moreover, it has a direct-drive motorized brush that breaks large chunks of debris into smaller ones by its agitating action – hence making it easy for the v8 to suck them up. Then comes its dusting brush with which you can clean furniture and a crevice tool to clean hard-to-reach areas is also on offer.
Lastly, like all products on the market, the v8 has one or two shortcomings. Its battery timing – which is otherwise impressive – nosedives to a meager 20minutes in Max mode. So you might have to be quick while cleaning carpets and thick rugs.
What We Like
- Impressive suction power
- Effective on rugs, hardwood floors, and carpets
- Whole-machine HEPA filtration system
What We Don’t Like
- Battery timing decreases in the MAX mode
2. Best Budget: Onson C17 Cordless Stick Vacuum
image: Shark
Featuring a large number of attachments, a double brushroll which cleans both multiple types of floor and three cleaning modes, the Shark IF251 is a high-end model. Though the best thing about this model has to be its effectiveness on hardwood floors.
Starting with a glance at its design, the Shark IF251 has a double brushroll to make it useful on both carpets and hardwood floors. The double brush roll has two sides – the harder among which is useful on carpets whereas the other, soft brushroll side useful on hard floors.
As for its performance, the IONFlex technology that founds its mention in the model’s name provides it with two specific features. For instance, the ION in the term refers to the Li-ion battery which gives this model 30-minutes of power in a single charge.
The FLEX, meanwhile, provides this model with two specific benefits. First, it allows you to bend the hose – which means you can easily reach under the furniture. Second, it makes the model a free-standing one to let you park it anywhere you want.
To take its utility to a whole new level, the IONFlex comes with three cleaning modes – the first of which allows easy switching between bare floors and carpets. The second mode – which is termed as REACH – uses the Flex technology and allows you to bend the hose to clean hard-to-reach areas
Then you have the final mode which lets you convert this model into a handheld option. So you can activate it when doing some above-floor cleaning. You don’t have to worry about the running cost of this model either as all of its filters are washable.
Also, like most other Shark models on the market, the IF251 has Anti-Allergen Complete Seal technology. It makes sure that when you’re emptying the vac, none of the pollutants leave with the innocuous dirt. So your indoor air remains breathable.
Lastly, finishing our review of this model on a low note, it doesn’t have a HEPA filtration system. Experienced vacuum users might agree that this filtration system is a guarantee that a vacuum will make your indoor air safe to breathe. Unluckily, therefore, its absence raises some questions about this vac’s performance.
What We Like
- Cleans everything from floor to ceiling
- Foldable and standalone model
- DuoClean technology
What We Don’t Like
- No HEPA filtration system
3. Best High-End: Shark IF251 Stick Vacuum For Hardwood Floors
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Who says you have to rob a bank to land a high-end vacuum cleaner? The Onson C17 gives you all the features which you see in those top vacuum cleaners despite costing half as much. Though it does have one or two shortcomings.
Weighing in at a meager 4.85 pounds, the Onson C17 comes with rechargeable batteries which provide it with a runtime of about 20 to 25 minutes on high setting. However, if you are content with the low-speed mode, the vacuum would last 40 minutes on a single charge.
Additionally, you also have the option to convert this stick vacuum into a handheld suction pump. This feature will come handy if you decide to clean car interiors with this vac. Also, its meager weight of 4.85 pounds makes this unit one of the most ultra-portable out there.
Impressively for a unit that doesn’t cost a fortune, the C17 has a flexible head that is capable of rotating 180-degrees. It also has a quick charging option using which you can get this model back from dead within 4 hours. A washable filter is also provided in its package to keep its running costs down than other vacuums without this feature on the market.
Aside from its HEPA filtration system – which keeps pollutants locked to ensure that your indoors remain breathable – this model provides two brush heads in its package. One of which can be used on carpets whereas the other performs brilliantly on bare floors and tiles.
Moreover, while bagless vacuums are notorious for the mess they case when you try to clean their filter, the C17 would pose no such shenanigans. That’s because it has a one-click release mechanism for you to empty its dirt cup without any leakage.
One area where we think this model might have done a bit better is that it isn’t a standalone device. So provided you want to store it, you’d have to detach the body and head.
What We Like
- 2-in-1
- Lightweight and quiet
- Competitively priced
What We Don’t Like
- Isn’t a standalone device
4. Best Convenience: Bissell 1984 Cordless Stick Vacuum
image: Bissell
Since it is a middle-of-the-road vacuum – both in terms of its price as well as features – the Bissell 1984 isn’t likely to win an award for its performance anytime soon. However, for medium-sized homeowners who want to clean high foot-traffic areas, this model would do alright.
First things first, this model relies on a professional-grade 22-volt lithium-ion battery which lasts 30 minutes on a single charge. To fully charge it, you’ll have to keep the battery plugged in for 4 hours – which is 1hour less than the recharging time of the Dyson v8.
To provide superior edge cleaning, this model has what Bissell calls a “suction squeegee”. It changes directions and opens the mouth of the vac for it to easily vacuum large debris. Conversely, if it’s specks of dirt that you’re vacuuming, it closes down for more effortless cleaning.
Right in front of where the handle connects the 1984’s base is a bright LED headlight. It proves its usefulness when you’re cleaning low-light areas i.e. under furniture. There is yet another LED – this one on the top – which indicates the remaining battery status.
You also get a swivel steering which makes it effortless for you to maneuver this vacuum around furniture. Then there is its fold-flat feature which forces the vacuum to lay totally flat – thereby allowing you to reach under beds.
At the heart of the Bissell 1984’s cleaning performance is its multi-surface brushroll. From carpets to rugs and hardwood floors to upholstery, it will clean everything and everything. It also has a lever pushing which you can easily clean the bin of dirt without getting your fingers dirty.
To decrease the power loss, Bissell innovated with the motor placement of this model.
Instead of going with the tried and tested path – which is placing the model on the body – Bissell moved it inside the cleaning head. That resulted reduction in the distance between motor and brush has visibly reduced power loss.
Finally, for a cordless stick vacuum on the market, the 600ml dirt capacity of this model’s bin is on the shorter side. Compare it with other models in this review, and you’d find that almost all of them have dirt cups capable of holding much more dirt.
What We Like
- Swivel steering
- Hygienic dirt ejection system
- LED lights
- Removable battery
What We Don’t Like
- Capacity of dirt cup is low
5. Best Upgrade: Dyson V10 Cordless Stick Vacuum
image: Dyson
Back when Dyson announced its decision to go cordless, there were many skeptics. One way to win such people over was to churn out models with (almost) zero shortcomings. While it was difficult to create such a model, it seems to us that barring a few shortcomings, Dyson v10 is exactly that type of vacuum on the market.
Building on the innovative digital motor of Dyson vacuum, the engine of the v10 is 20% more powerful yet 20% more lightweight than the model that is fitted to the v8. Combined with a straight-through air path and a newly designed fan impeller, the result is mammoth suction power.
The fact that this model provides huge suction power doesn’t mean that it would die down within minutes or that it would require days of recharging. Instead, while it offers the market-best battery timing of 1hour on one end, you can also get this model up and running just after 3.5hrs of charging, on the other.
First time in the history of cordless Dyson vacuums, you get three-stage power with the v10.
Suction mode provides ensures that the battery lasts for an hour whereas the middle setting prefers extra suck over runtime. The Max position forces the runtime to nosedive to 8 minutes – but not before driving the motor all the way up to 125,000 rpm to provide amazing suction power.
In contrast to previous Dyson models, the bin assembly and cyclone of this model have been flipped around. They are now more horizontal and aligned with the motor – which is why you get a dirt bin which is 40% larger than that of the Dyson V8.
Emptying the bin is as easy as it gets. There’s a blade-like lever pushing which you can detach the whole bin from the body. Push it a few centimeters out, and the flap of the bin would open automatically. No need to get your fingers – or hands – dirty!
While it is the middle model in the v10 series, the Absolute V10 comes with almost all of Dyson’s well-proven accessories. You get an extension tube, wall-mountable charging dock with a tool-storage option, three-floor heads and a brush bar.
It doesn’t matter which way you slice it, it’s difficult to ignore that this model’s runtime drops down to 10 minutes on its highest power setting. That problem becomes more curious once you see that at the lowest setting, you can operate the model for 1 hour.
If you are interested in Dyson vacuums, you can read our post: Best Dyson Vacuum On The Market
What We Like
- Huge suction power
- A large number of attachments
- Doubles into a handheld model
- Up to 1-hour runtime
What We Don’t Like
- Max power setting drains the battery rapidly
6. Best for Hardwood Floor: Hoover BH50010 Stick Vacuum
image: Hoover
As a mere glance at the Hoover BH50010 would make clear, it is more like an upright vacuum that most other stick vacuums in our reviews – and that’s a good thing in more ways than one.
In case you were thinking, it’s the boring design of the Hoover BH50010 that makes it look like a bare-bones upright vacuum. It might have some metal accents and a class red Hoover logo to try and spice things, but overall, its black plastic finish and glossy silver provide this model with a boring outlook.
As for its features, nothing is boring about this model. Its Li-ion battery – which provides a runtime of 20 minutes – comes with a separate charger. You also get an LED status bar on its body to know how much juice is left in the model. It also has a handle that lays flat for reaching under furniture.
Moreover, you get two options as far as the cleaning of this model is concerned. The first of the modes – on with suction only – is recommended for bare and hardwood floors. As for the second – one with suction and brushroll – it performs best when the vac is being used for cleaning carpets.
Users who have experience with cordless vacuums would find it good to know that this model is equipped with WindTunnel technology. This technology is synonymous with huge suction power as it simplifies the airflow path to aid in cleaning. It’s really a powerful vacuum on the market.
Additionally, once this model captures the dirt, it won’t let it anywhere near the filter. That’s because it has a cyclonic system protecting the filters from any dust or debris. You can also use this model to clean more area in less time as it offers a wide 11’’ cleaning path.
Finally, what we don’t like about this model is that it doesn’t have a swiveling head. While it isn’t a feature that affects the performance of the Hoover, its absence means you’d have to apply a little more effort when maneuvering this vac around tight spots.
What We Like
- 11’’ wide cleaning path
- LED battery status bar
- Separate modes for bare floors and carpets
What We Don’t Like
- Doesn’t have a swivel head
7. Best for Pet Hair: Tineco A11 Cordless Stick Vacuum For Pet Hair
image: Tineco
For those of you who like the convenience offered by a cordless model – but don’t want to sacrifice the huge suction power of the corded units – the Tineco A11 offers a great balance between the two. Hence the reason why this vacuum would easily pick after your furry friend.
Similar to the Dyson v10 reviewed earlier, the Tineco A11’s motor and dustbin are aligned with one another. That results in a better flow of air which, in turn, allows this model to boast huge suction power. It also has a Switch Lock which allows you to clean without having to hold the trigger all the time.
As for its battery timing, the 2 rechargeable Li-ion batteries keep this model running for 1hour. Just like other cordless vacuum on the market, if you activate the Max mode – which turns on 120W suction power, the runtime comes tumbling down to 15 minutes.
Everything that is picked up by this vacuum ends up into the A11’s four-stage fully sealed system. It contains two filters, the first of which concentrates on removing dust particles from the incoming air. As for the second, it focuses its attention on hair.
While it doesn’t have the luxury of an LED status bar, the six-liter dustbin of this model is see-through to let you know when it’s time to empty. To clean it, all you have to do is to press a button – and the bin would empty sideways.
What’s more, while the docking system of this model is small, it still has enough space to house all the attachments which this model provides in its package. They include a dusting brush, extension hose, crevice tool, and a multi-angle tube.
On top of everything else, this model provides it Motorhead with two power brushes. Both of them have full-sized LEDs to illuminate their path and clean different types of floor. And if you still have questions about this model’s utility, its 2-year warranty should be enough to answer them emphatically.
On a low note, this model’s dirt cup has the lowest capacity of any unit in this review. That means that if you want to clean large areas with it, you might have to take frequent mid-cleaning stops to empty this unit.
What We Like
- Huge runtime
- Power brushes with LED
- 4-stage filtration
What We Don’t Like
- Capacity of dirt cup is small
Best Stick Vacuum Cleaner Buying Guide
What is it that separates the best cordless stick vacuums from the ordinary ones? To find the answer to this question, check out this section.
Cord or Cordless stick vacuum cleaner?
As you might guess, both the corded as well as cordless stick vacuums offer specific benefits. It is, therefore, your preference which would determine which of the two meets your requirements.
Cordless Stick Vacuums
Lighter than your standard vacuum cleaner, cordless vacuums also let you use them as a handheld model for awkward cleaning jobs i.e. stairs. Also, the absence of wire means you aren’t restricted by the length of the cord. So you won’t have to switch power sockets while cleaning large rooms.
On the flip side, a cordless vacuum is only as good as its battery life. You have to frequently recharge them – with even the best cordless vacuums requiring between 4 and 5 hours for full charging. Also, in comparison to corded vacuums on the market, their dust capacity tends to be on the small side.
Pros
| Cons
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Corded Stick Vacuums
Although they are restricted by the length of their cord, these vacuums more than make up for this shortcoming by providing huge suction power. The capacity of their dust cup dwarfs that of cordless models and they also offer plug-n-play capability.
Unfortunately, like all products on the market, corded stick vacuums have their fair share of shortcomings. For starters, you might not be able to clean hard-to-reach areas with them. The length of their cord, no matter how big, always restricts their maneuverability.
Pros
| Cons
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How to Choose the Best Cordless Stick Vacuum?
Like almost anything else in life, the best cordless stick vacuums on the market come in all shapes and sizes. To help you with finding the best model for your needs, this section might help you out.
Battery Life/Runtime
As stated earlier, a cordless vacuum is as good (or bad) as its battery timing. If the vacuum’s battery dies within a few minutes, then all the other features – be it its suction power or the number of attachments in its package – amount to nothing.
This is why we made sure that all models in this review boast impressive battery timing. Take, for instance, the Tineco A11 whose 2 removable batteries provide a runtime of 30min per battery. Or the Dyson V10 whose single battery stands strong for the whole hour.
Model | Run Time | Charge time |
40 min | 5 hours | |
45 min | 4 hours | |
60 min | 3.5 hours | |
30 min | 4 hours | |
40 min | 4 hours | |
20 min | 3 hours | |
30 min | 3.5 hours |
Suction
Measured in Air Watts (AW), the suction of a vacuum cleaner will determine how easily it would pick up dust and debris. Vacuums with greater suction power provide better cleaning action on carpets. Those with average power, however, are best when used on bare floors.
Therefore, if you’re after a model which could pick up very fine dust and debris i.e. pet hair, the Dyson V10 – with its impressive suction power of 150AW – has got your back. Conversely, if you want a model which would only clean bare floors, the Bissell 1984 might help you out.
Model | Suction Power |
115 AW | |
100 AW | |
150 AW | |
100 AW | |
80 AW | |
100 AW | |
120 AW |
Weight & Capacity
Do you have to clear stairs every now and then? Looking for a vacuum that is easier to maneuver? Won’t it be better if it can hold more dirt than average so that you won’t have to empty it midway through the cleaning?
If your answer to all these questions is in the affirmative, then you might do well with the Onson C17 cordless vacuum. Apart from being the most lightweight model on this review, the C17 boasts a dirt capacity of 1L. That means it ticks all the right boxes for you.
Model | Dirt Capacity | Weight |
0.54 L | 5.75 lbs | |
1.0 L | 5.07 lbs | |
0.54 L | 5.85 lbs | |
0.37 L | 8.7 lbs | |
0.6 L | 7.75 lbs | |
0.87 L | 7.3 lbs | |
0.4 L | 5.5 lbs |
Accessories & Attachments
In case you’re unsure as to how the attachment shown in the image contribute to the utility of a vac, this section will help you out.
- Crevice tool: It makes cleaning hard-to-reach areas – i.e. nooks, crannies, and ceilings – a whole lot easier.
- Dusting brush: Having a dusting brush would allow you to use your vac to clean tabletops, fans, and other bare surfaces.
- Motorized brushroll: A brushroll agitates the carpet to loosen the grip of its fibers over fine dust particles. And once the dust is set free, the vacuum easily picks it up in one pass.
- Bare floor brush: With its narrow opening and stiff bristles, this tool gathers the dirt before collecting it, thereby making sure that the dirt can’t scatter as you’re trying to vacuum it.
- Smooth gliding wheels: Soft-gliding wheels are a must-have feature if you are going to use your vac on hardwood floors. Otherwise, vacuums which won’t come with such wheels leave scratches in their tow.
Noise
Scour the market for a vacuum cleaner, and you’ll find two types of the model as far as their noise might be concerned. First, you’ll find vacs which will wake up the whole neighborhood with their noise – and the majority of vacuums out there belong to this category.
Second, you’ll find models like the Dyson V8 which go about their job in a quiet manner. Even when it’s operating at its maximum speed, this model won’t go above 72dB – which is 13dB less than the noise level considered harmful for humans.
Model | Normal Mode Noise | Max Mode Noise |
65.1 dB | 70 dB | |
69 dB | 73 dB | |
67 dB | 75 dB | |
67 dB | 74 dB | |
70 dB | 70 dB | |
73 dB | 75 dB | |
70 dB | 71.5 dB |
Do You Need a Cordless Stick Vacuum for Pet Hair?
As a mere glance over the features of vacs like the Tineco A11 makes clear, cordless stick vacuums are designed to pick up after your furry friend. Still, if you have your eye on another model, make sure it comes with the following attachments to effectively deal with pet hair.
HEPA Filter
What is it that makes some people allergic to pets? Their dander. Experts tell us that it is the skin dogs shed occasionally which exacerbate allergies and asthma.
That, however, doesn’t mean that you can do nothing about allergies if you have pets in your home. Instead, if your model comes with a HEPA filter, you can expect it to protect your household from contracting allergies.
Brushroll or Self-contoured nozzle
People with carpets in their home might need their vac to have a brushroll. This accessory has beater bars which agitate the carpet’s upper layer – loosening its grip over embedded pet hair to ensure that the vacuum could easily pick them up.
Conversely, if you have hardwood floors in your home, a self-contoured nozzle might be handier. Its design allows this nozzle to easily pick up featherweight substances like pet hair.
Swivel head
In contrast to what most vacuum users might believe, having a swivel head not only makes the vacuum ultra-maneuverable. Instead, it also makes it more effective against pet hair.
For, a swivel head increases the surface area of a vacuum’s mouth which will come into contact with the ground. That, in turn, allows the vac to easily pick up pet hair, fine dust, and debris.
Do You Need a Cordless Stick Vacuum for Hardwood floors?
In case you were wondering, not all cordless stick vacuums on the market are made for hardwood floors. Only those which have the following attachments in their package should be used on bare floors.
Smooth-gliding wheels
If you intend to use your standard vacuum on a hardwood floor, be prepared to deal with scratches. With their plastic wheels, standard models leave plenty of signs behind.
That is why we recommend that regardless of which model you choose for your bare floor – it must have rubber wheels. They have a protective coating which effortlessly glides the wheels against the floor’s surface. So you won’t have to deal with scratches.
Microfiber pads
Though not as necessary as rubber wheels, microfiber pads to increase the effectiveness of a vac on hardwood floors.
How? By softening the area of the vac which will come into contact with the bare floor. So there are few (if any) chances of the vacuum’s head leaving marks on the floor.
Bare-floor brush
In addition to attracting normal dust and debris like other types of floor, hardwood floors are more susceptible to accumulating the substances that stick i.e. chewing gum and sugar substances.
To clean those substances, you need a bare-floor brush with its stiff bristles and a narrow opening. Both these elements make sure that without applying too much pressure – which might damage the wood – your vac is able to pick up stubborn substances.
Multiple speed settings
Having a vacuum with multiple speed settings will increase its effectiveness not only on the hardwood but also on carpet floors.
For instance, if you’re operating your vac on a low-speed setting, it will be effective on rugs. At the same time, and as far as hardwood floors are concerned, slow suction enables the vacuum to pick up dirt without spreading the mess.
As for the high-speed setting, while you can use it on thick rugs on one end – it will also allow you to clean more area in less time on hardwood floors, on the other.
Tip: Not sure where you can get a vacuum that offers all these features? Then you must check out the Shark IF251 DuoClean vacuum.
Conclusion
In addition to offering great maneuverability, the best cordless stick vacuums on the market are quieter than their corded counterparts. Absence of wire allows you to easily reach under furniture and their rechargeable batteries keep the running cost down.
Therefore, when they offer so many useful features, it’s a no brainer that whether you’re on a budget or able to break the bank, these vacuums have got something to offer to you. And if you feel that we missed out on a better product than the ones you see here, please let us know.
