The Best Cordless Stick Vacuum

Updated Dec 10, 2022

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Cordless vacuums are so impressively convenient that they can feel almost fun to use. They’re so easy, in fact, that plenty of owners are willing to overlook their many flaws, such as high prices and mediocre reliability. The best cord-free vacuum for you depends on your home and expectations of performance, but the first one we recommend right now is the Tineco Pure One S11.

Tineco Pure One S11

Comfy, well-rounded cleaner

The Tineco S11 is one of the lightest, most comfortable-to-use vacuums that also have enough cleaning power to work pretty well on most rugs (though it’s not quite the best we’ve tested). A unique dust sensor makes it easy for you to focus your efforts on areas that are actually dirty.

We recommend

Dyson V8 Absolute

Better on rugs, less comfy

The Dyson V8 is better than nearly all other cordless vacuums (besides other Dysons) at deep-cleaning rugs. Though the trigger-style power switch and built-in battery can be frustrating for some people, this vacuum has had excellent reviews from owners over many years. Try to wait for a sale, when it costs less than $400.

Another good choice

Black+Decker Powerseries Extreme 20V Max

Carpet cleaning for less

We haven’t found another cordless vacuum for less than $200 that cleans carpets as well as this Black+Decker. Another plus: It uses common, affordable Max batteries, which are interchangeable with loads of other Black+Decker power tools. The dustbin is a pain, though.

Budget friendly

Dyson V15 Detect

Exceptional cleaning, clever features

If you want a cordless vacuum that fully replaces a plug-in, a high-end Dyson is as close as it gets. The Dyson V15 is actually better than lots of plug-in vacuums at cleaning rugs. Owners love the auto-adjusting suction.