Best Cordless Stick Vacuums of 2021

Plus, they’re small and agile enough to get into tricky areas that bulky corded cleaners can’t reach.

They’re a lot less hassle than a traditional upright, so you may even find yourself cleaning more than you used to!

They can often be converted into a handheld vacuum, making it a lightweight option for multi-surface cleaning.

And even if you choose one without many accessories, the main wand gives easier access to tight corners and high-up places. They can be used in various setups to cover all your cleaning bases.

Some models have a wall mount included, saving valuable floor space. And it’s possible to charge the batteries on some wall mounts, too.

You may even prefer to store your stick cleaner on display instead of cramming it into the closet.

They’re easy to hold with one hand and whizz around your home. It makes vacuuming a quick and painless job.

In contrast, corded cylinder cleaners are heavy to move around and have a power cord to think about. You also need one hand on the canister’s handle and the other holding the wand. This cumbersome design makes vacuuming a trickier task than a modern cordless vac does.

If you’ve got a busy family home, you can sort out the mess without any fuss or disruption to the daily routine.

The dust canister can often be taken apart and emptied straight into a bin. And then it’s easy to access the filters, plus any other parts that need washing.

The stick style also comes apart in key places in case you need to clear any clogs. If you carry out some basic upkeep, the removable parts should have the same lifespan as the rest of the vacuum cleaner.

This is because they don’t have a cord, which can be a trip hazard. It’s surprisingly easy to stumble over a tangled power line in a crowded area.

For example, this Samsung Jet 70 is 150 AW, but this Eufy be Anker is a lesser 120 AW.

But keep in mind that the higher the air watts, the more energy it will use.

If you’ve got large areas to clean, you’ll want a battery with a long run time. For example, this Shark model lasts up to 40 minutes, which is fairly generous.

Some stick vacuum models come with removable batteries so you can swap them over for an extended run time. This Dyson V8 Motorhead has batteries that can be changed over for longer cleaning sessions.

The charging time also plays a part and this varies a lot. Some can be as quick as 60 minutes but others can take several hours. And seeing as high power settings can reduce battery life to a few minutes, you want to work out how long you can afford to spend charging a battery.

For example, the Eureka has a 0.6 liter capacity. But this Nequare has a more generous 0.8 liter bin.

This Kenmore stick cleaner weighs less than 5 pounds. It’s far more manageable than the 19.3 pounds of the Miele canister vacuum.

A lightweight stick vacuum could be the best option if you struggle to drag a heavy corded cleaner around. But you could still have to carry the weight of your stick vac for dust-busting higher surfaces.

It comes in handy for accessing car seats and pet beds if you’re a pet owner. Plus it enables you to cover a range of surfaces around the home. You can use it with the wand for carpets and hard floors, then take it off for stairs, pet hair, and furniture.

This Eureka RapidClean model has the option of converting to a handheld vacuum.

You tend to find bagged models have a larger capacity, so won’t need emptying as often. It’s also a safer bet if you have dust allergies. A bagged system traps the tiny particles inside so it doesn’t leak out into the air you breathe.

But as we say, they are harder to find.

Power Modes

Assess the level of power you need in your home. Some stick vacuums will have more power settings to choose from than others. How many power settings you need will depend on what surfaces are in your home and the amount of dirt.

For example, low pile carpets and hard floors will manage on a lower setting than a medium pile carpet. And small debris, like flour, is easier to suck up than big bits of kitty litter.

The Dyson V8 Animal has three power modes you can use.

Automatic Suction Adaption

The types of flooring in your home should determine if this is a worthwhile feature. Some of the premium stick vacuums can tell if you’re on hard floors or carpets. So they adjust the suction power to suit the surface.

It’s a handy feature if you have a mix of carpets and bare floors. Or if you don’t want to keep swapping settings around.

The Dyson V11 Animal is an example of a stick cleaner with this feature.

Screen

An LCD screen could be something to consider if you want to keep an eye on your stick vac’s performance. Some models have a digital display showing battery life and how much run time is left. More advanced ones could also show the cleaning mode you’re using, or even troubleshooting alerts.

The Dyson V11 Torque Drive has an LCD screen as standard.

Headlights

Check to see if your chosen cordless vacuum has any headlights. These are mounted on the floorhead to make it easier to see dirt in your cleaning path.

Most models use LED lights, like the Tineco Pure One. But the Dyson V15 Detect goes one further with laser headlights to detect microscopic dust particles.

HEPA Filter

A HEPA filter is a feature to keep in mind if you suffer from allergies. You’ll find them on quite a few cordless vacs, like the Miele Triflex HX1 Cat and Dog stick vacuum.

These handy bits of kit filter at least 99.97% of microparticles, like mold and allergens from the air ⁽¹⁾. It stops them circulating back into the air you breathe, which is great if dust sets your sneezing off! They’re more effective than a standard washable filter.

Power Switch

The type of power switch you prefer will help decide which cordless vacuum cleaner to buy. Some models use a trigger switch that you need to hold down the whole time you use it.

All the Dyson cleaners use this style.

But if you want to pop it on and not have to hold it down, a standard on/off push button is more suited. Like this Black+Decker vacuum where you press it once to switch the cleaner on, and again to switch it off.

Some models, like the Dyson V7 Motorhead, have the motor and dust cup up by the handle. It’s a lot of weight to carry around and it can feel heavy after you’ve cleaned a few rooms.

In contrast, this Dirt Devil model has the weight of the dust cup at the bottom. The thin handle is easy to hold, and the vacuum feels lighter to use.

The shape of your stick vacuum cleaner will also affect the areas you can reach. If the floorhead is bulky, it’s harder to get under furniture than one with a flat floorhead. And keep an eye out for foldable models. They’re easier to store if you’re tight on space.

This LG Cordzero A9 vacuum cleaner is an example of a folding model.

Brushes

Different surfaces need different brush types:

• Hardwood floors need a soft brush that won’t cause any scratches
• Carpets are better with a turbo brush that has good suction to pull the dirt out
• Embedded pet hair is best managed with a special pet hair nozzle. A lot of them are smaller motorized brush heads that can pull up stubborn fur from upholstery.

These mini motorized pet hair tools can also be used to clean car interiors and stairs, so they’re a useful gadget to have. And a crevice nozzle is often included as standard for cleaning small areas, like room edges.
Freestanding Storage and Charging Stand
It’s possible to find freestanding storage docks to save you drilling a mount into the wall. A lot of stick cleaners don’t stand on their own, so this is a good solution.

It’s even better when you can also use it to charge the batteries, like this LG Cordzero model.

Anything around 57-62dB is considered low, but most cordless vacuums are around 84-89dB. They’re still a quieter option than most other cleaners, though. If noise is a worry for you, look for machines with a lower decibel output.

For example, this ORFELD cordless cleaner has a quiet 65dB output. To put it into context, normal conversation is around 55-65dB ⁽²⁾. And the Hoover Linx Cordless Stick Vacuum is another option, at a respectable 75dB.

• Dirt Devil
• Shark
• Bissell
• Black&Decker
• Dyson
• Hoover
• Miele
• Electrolux
• Samsung
• Moosoo
• Aposen

Despite the differences in the models, these brands are known for producing high-quality stick vacuum cleaners.

Most offer between 20-45 minutes, but the higher the power setting, the shorter the run time. For example, the Dyson V11 offers 60 minutes of cleaning time, but only 12 minutes on its turbo setting.

An average battery lasts around 30 minutes. Some models have swappable batteries to extend this run time, or you can pay more for a battery with longer life.

Even so, a cordless vacuum isn’t always the best option for large areas.

Reduced battery life is one of the main issues people have with their cordless vacuums. Or the battery can die altogether, which happens to 15% of stick cleaners by the fifth year.

But in general, suction power is weaker with cordless models. They may not be the best option if you have lots of thick carpets or if you suffer from dust allergies.

And as most of them are bagless, it could be a struggle if you have allergies. Even the cleanest vac will require regular contact with the dust and dander. You can get bagged models, but they’re not as common to come by.

If you don’t keep on top of it, the suction power will reduce and your cleaner won’t be as effective at picking up the dirt.

And you’ll need a plug nearby to charge the battery. If your closet doesn’t have an outlet, you’ll have to think about where you’re going to keep it.

Do you really want your stick vacuum on display in the living room or cluttering up the corridor?

1. Remove the floor tool if this is required for your model
2. Detach the bin from the body of the vacuum
3. Empty any dirt from inside the canister
4. Clean the bin using a damp cloth
5. Use only water for this. Avoid any detergents, polishes, or air fresheners
6. Do not put the clear bin in a dishwasher. This could cause it to warp
7. Dry the bin completely before replacing it. It’s best to avoid hair dryers as these could warp the plastic

1. Remove the filter
2. Wash it using only cold water
3. Run it under a tap until the water runs clear
4. Remove excess water by squeezing and twisting the filter with both hands
5. Dry the filter naturally for at least 24 hours until it’s completely dry
6. Do not use a dishwasher, washing machine, tumble dryer, microwave, oven, or a naked flame to wash or dry the filter
7. Wash the filters at least once a month

1. Turn off the vacuum
2. Access the brush roll
3. Clear any blockages or anything wrapped around it
4. Replace the brush roll