The 10 best cordless vacuum cleaners for carpet, hardwood floors, and pet hair

After extensive testing, the Shark Stratos Cordless Vacuum earned our top spot thanks to its impressive suction power, exceptional debris pickup, and thoughtful, easy-to-use design. This vacuum is a mid-priced option from the well-known brand, retailing for around $350 at the time of writing, and it's well worth the price for an everyday cleaning tool.

The Shark Stratos features a dual-brushroll design with both a front soft roller and a brushroll with rubber fins and bristles. This unique feature helped it ace all of our tests, picking up all sorts of debris—including kibble, ground coffee, lentils, and dog hair—from both hard floors and carpeting. The vacuum has built-in sensors that automatically increase suction power when dirt or debris is detected, and this helps to increase its battery life, as you're only using the amount of suction necessary. On this setting, the battery lasted more than 30 minutes, but its runtime dropped to around 12 minutes when we ran it solely on "Boost" mode. The brushroll also has a tangle-free design, making it well-suited for households with pets or anyone with long hair, and comes with a particularly efficient dusting brush that traps small particles.

In addition to its superior cleaning performance, the Stratos also stood out as one of the easier vacuums to use. Its swiveling floorhead maneuvers easily around obstacles, and a lever lets you bend the wand at a 90-degree angle to clean under low-profile furniture. The vacuum has the brand's signature odor-neutralizing cartridge in its floorhead, which leaves behind a fresh scent while you clean (for a few weeks, anyway), and it's one of the most compact options to store, as the whole thing folds in half.

We did find a few downsides to the Shark Stratos Cordless Vacuum, but they're minor complaints. The vacuum doesn't come with a dock, so you have to plug it in by hand for charging, and it also can't stand up on its own while fully extended.

Read our Shark Stratos cordless review for more details.

Cordless vacuums can be quite pricey — high-end models like Dyson often retail for over $600 — and if you're looking for a supplementary cleaning tool that won't break the bank, we recommend the Oraimo Cordless Vacuum. This affordable pick retails for under $200, and it comes with an impressive lineup of features, including a no-tangle brushroll, rapid charger, HEPA filtration, and multiple replacement filters. All-in-all, it's a great value for what you get, and its performance is nothing to scoff at, either.

During testing, we loved that the Oraimo is so lightweight and easy to maneuver, and it was able to clean up both large and small debris from rugs and hard flooring. It's not as powerful as a corded model, but its suction was still enough for quick clean-up jobs around the house. We recommend using the standard or turbo suction settings, though — unfortunately, the eco mode isn't strong enough for anything except very light-duty cleaning. The vacuum has an anti-clog brushroll that makes it easy to remove any hair that gets wrapped up in it, and its battery life is about average, running for around 13 minutes on its highest suction setting. The good news is that it can be powered back up in just 2.5 hours, letting you get back to cleaning sooner than other vacuums.

Read our Oraimo Cordless Vacuum review for more details.

For those with a moderate budget, we recommend the Tineco S10 ZT, which retails for around $200 and is exclusively sold at Walmart. It offers good suction power that's particularly effective on carpeting, and it comes with features like LED headlights, a wall-mounted charging station, and no-tangle brushroll that make it convenient for day-to-day cleaning. The vacuum excelled at picking up small particles of debris in just one or two passes, but it did struggle a bit vacuuming cereal on hard floors due to the low height of its floor head.

This cordless vacuum has Tineco's iLoop technology, which detects dirt on your floors with an indicator built into the LCD screen that changes colors and automatically adjusts the suction power to suit the mess. This helps to maximize its battery life while cleaning, but if you do manually switch to Boost mode, keep in mind you'll only get around 10 minutes of runtime. We did find the S10 to be a bit top-heavy, which made it awkward to use as a handheld vacuum, and it also can't stand up on its own. However, for the price, it's a solid cleaning tool to use around your home.

Read our Tineco S10 ZT review for more details.

While more expensive than other models, the LG CordZero All-in-One is packed with useful features, from a height-adjustable wand and self-emptying base to a powered mopping attachment. However, what impressed us the most was its sheer suction power, which was comparable to that of full-size corded vacuums. The CordZero was able to pick up 100% of debris from thick rugs thanks to its carpet-agitator brushroll, and it quickly became our go-to vacuum to clean up what other models left behind during testing. It's not a one-trick pony, either: it performed equally well on hard floors thanks to its secondary soft roller, which captures fine debris and prevents particles from scattering around the floor. The mopping attachment was handy for scrubbing stains off hard floors — you just fill its water tank and add a little cleaning solution, and it works like a spray mop with two rotating microfiber mop pads.

The vacuum is well-balanced and easy to maneuver, and we love that it has a compression lever in the onboard dustbin that lets you tamp down the contents and clean for longer. The self-emptying base does a great job sucking debris out of the dustbin to minimize maintenance. It traps all the dirt and dust in a 33.8-ounce vacuum bag to keep it contained and easier to empty. However, the vacuum definitely doesn't run for 200 minutes, as the brand claims. On its regular suction setting with the floorhead attached, you get about 15 minutes of operation, for a total of 30 minutes between the two included batteries.

This all-in-one cordless vacuum comes with a variety of attachments, including a powered mini tool, combo tool, crevice tool, and spray mopping attachment, and everything stores nicely on its freestanding dock. We do wish that the vacuum was available without the mopping tool, which not everyone will need, but the brand's next model down, the A937KGMS, has less suction power.

Cordless vacuums are almost always lighter than upright vacuums, but the Levoit LVAC-200 is particularly lightweight at just 3.2 pounds. It has a comfortable grip and easy-to-maneuver floorhead, and in testing, this lightweight cordless vacuum never caused arm strain, even when used for longer cleaning sessions. It's also a breeze to carry up and down stairs — a major bonus if you live in a multi-story home — and unlike most cordless vacuums, it can stand up on its own.

Despite its smaller form, this inexpensive vacuum did a good job in our cleaning tests, as well. It was able to pick up both large and small debris from carpeting and hard floors, and strands of hair didn't get tangled around its brushroll. Larger debris like cereal occasionally needed a few passes to pick up, but overall, we were impressed with its cleaning abilities, especially considering its price point. We also liked its sizable dust bin and quiet noise level, but its LED headlights could be brighter and the battery life is fairly short on the highest suction setting.

Read our Levoit LVAC-200 review for more details.

For households with pets, the Dyson Outsize is an oversized cordless vacuum that has enough power to handle a surplus of hair. As Dyson's largest cordless model, the Outsize has a 12.6-inch cleaning path and 0.5-gallon dustbin (roughly 1.9 liters) that can hold lots of pet hair, but the flip side of the coin is that the vacuum is heavier and more tiring to maneuver than other cordless models. It's also a bit noisy, especially on the highest of its three suction settings.

In testing, we found that the Outsize's powerful suction and stiff bristles do a superior job cleaning hair from rugs, and it also comes with a motorized "hair screw tool" that's great for cleaning furniture and car upholstery. The machine's brushroll has a no-tangle design, so you don't have to worry about long strands of hair getting wrapped around it, and when you're done cleaning, you can just pop it back in the wall-mounted charging dock so it's ready to go for next time.

Read our Dyson Outsize review for more details.

If you're willing to spend a little more for high-end features and top-tier cleaning power, the Dyson V15 Detect is worth the money. This cordless model is the best Dyson vacuum we've tested, boasting features like automatic suction adjustment, laser dirt detection, and an LCD screen that shows you exactly how much runtime is left. This model is lightweight and easy to drive around, and it comes with a variety of attachments to clean areas all around your home.

The V15 Detect is also one of the most powerful cordless vacuums out there. Its "Fluffy Optic" head picks up fine particles, dirt, and dust from hard floors with ease, highlighting spots you might have missed with its green laser, while the "Digital Motorbar" attachment, which is the traditional cleanerhead found across the Dyson line up with stiff bristles and detangling veins that resist hair wrap, excels on carpeting thanks to its adjustable height setting. The downside is that you need to swap out the floorheads when moving from one type of floor to another, which is a bit inconvenient.

It's worth noting that this Dyson has a trigger-style power button, which can be tiring to hold down for longer cleaning sessions. If you prefer an on/off button, you may want to upgrade to the Dyson Gen5detect, which has similar features and accessories but a higher price point.

If you want the convenience of a cordless vacuum but the power of an upright model, the Hoover OnePwr Evolve Pet Elite offers the best of both worlds. It's essentially a smaller, lighter version of the best upright vacuums, weighing in at just 9 pounds, and it has a convenient freestanding design that's more stable than other cordless vacuums. This means it will stand on its own if you have to pause cleaning, unlike other models that have to be leaned up against something.

In testing, the OnePwr Evolve ran for around 20 minutes per charge, and it performed particularly well on carpeting, creating a good seal to pick up debris of all sizes. It has a no-tangle brushroll that fares well against pet hair, and its dustbin is larger than most cordless vacuums, as well. However, it's not the best at picking up fine particles on hard flooring, and it doesn't come with any attachments or a hose, so it can't be used for any above-floor cleaning.

Many brands are launching auto-emptying vacuums, which is primed to be the next big trend in cleaning tools, and we particularly like the new Shark Cordless PowerDetect Clean & Empty System. Similar to the Shark Stratos, this new cordless model has a dual-brush roll floor head that performs well across both hard floors and carpeting and the flexible wand to reach under low areas, but it also boasts the brand's new PowerDetect technology. Thanks to several sensors in the floorhead, the vacuum automatically adjusts suction based on the floor type, amount of debris, and even proximity to walls. (By comparison, the Stratos's "Clean Sense IQ" only adjusts suction when it detects dirt.)

In testing, we found the PowerDetect feature to be quite convenient, as we didn't have to manually adjust the suction as we cleaned, and the vacuum seemed to do a better job cleaning along baseboards than others. The brand also claims the vacuum offers better cleaning on the reverse stroke, but we didn't see a noticeable difference in this area. We also noticed some resistance in pushing on mid-pile carpet but had an easier time on low-pile and flat weave area rugs. Its battery lasted for around 25 minutes on the PowerDetect setting, but this model is more top-heavy than the Stratos, which can cause some arm strain after cleaning for a while.

When you place this vacuum back on its base, the dustbin door automatically pops open, and strong suction power pulls debris out of the vacuum and into a 2-liter bin inside the dock. This saved us from having to manually empty the dustbin after cleaning, but we did notice that it only works when the wand and floor head are attached. If you place the vacuum on the base with one of the smaller attachments, its weight isn't heavy enough to trigger the self-emptying feature. When the indicator light goes on to tell you the base is full of debris, it's easy to pull off using a handle on top of the dust bin, and you simply empty its bagless design into a trash can.

You can simultaneously vacuum and mop with the Tineco Floor One S7 Pro, which is the best wet-dry vacuum we've tested. It has four cleaning modes — auto, max, suction only, and custom — and it uses fresh water and cleaning solution to remove stains and scruff from hard floors, all while picking up small debris. Its self-propelled design makes it easy to push around your home, and the head also swivels to reach around obstacles and under furniture for a thorough clean.

In testing, this wet-dry vacuum made quick work of all types of messes, picking up everything from flour to Cheerios and even liquids like syrup and barbecue sauce in just one pass. It continuously rinses off its brushroll as it cleans to avoid spreading dirt around the floor, and when you're finished cleaning, you can run the self-cleaning cycle to flush out the machine and clean and dry its mop bar. You will have to promptly empty the dirty water tank, though, which can get a little grimy depending on what you suck up.

Read our full Tineco Floor One S7 Pro review.

• Shark Vertex Lightweight Cordless: This was a previous best overall pick with solid cleaning performance. However, more current models like the Stratos and PowerDetect offer more refined features, like automatically adjusting suction power, more battery life and higher suction power. The Vertex Pro version introduces an LED display.
• RYOBI ONE+ 18V Vacuum Cleaner Kit: This battery-powered option from the electric tool brand has a lot of fans, but it's just not as comfortable to use as our top picks. We found it to be quite top-heavy and awkward to maneuver, and its performance on carpeting was lackluster. The battery lasted for 18 minutes on normal suction power, but if you have other ONE+ batteries from the brand, you can swap them in to extend your cleaning time.
• Tineco Pure One Station: This higher-end option from Tineco has a self-emptying base that helps streamline maintenance, but we ran into some issues with it during testing. The vacuum actually fell off the dock multiple times when it was preparing to self-empty, and it also struggled to pick up large debris like cereal. However, the vacuum itself is lightweight and easy to use, and its battery lasted for around 30 minutes on the auto setting.
• Dyson Gen5Detect: The Dyson Gen5Detect is truly an incredible vacuum, and you read more on our full experience in our review. It is Dyson's most premium offering and introduces a convenient on-and-off power switch. However, at nearly $1,000, the marginally longer battery life and power are not quite enough to knock out our love for the V15 Detect unless you can find it on sale.

Features to look for in a cordless vacuum 

With so many cordless vacuums available, several key features should be considered when selecting the best model for your home.

• Battery life: Cordless vacuums run on rechargeable batteries, which means they offer a limited amount of runtime. Most brands will list their vacuum's battery life in the product specs, but it's important to remember that this is the maximum possible runtime on the lowest suction setting. In reality, most cordless vacuums only last for 20 to 30 minutes on standard suction, and if you put them on a boost setting, the battery life decreases even further.

  You'll want to keep battery life in mind as you compare different cordless vacuums. A shorter battery life may not be an issue if you just want to use the vacuum for quick clean-ups around the house, but if you're going to be cleaning large areas, it's worth looking for a model with a longer runtime and/or an extra battery that you can swap in.

• Weight and size: Cordless vacuums typically weigh less than 10 pounds, making them a lightweight option that's easy to carry around. However, because their dust bins are generally at the top of the vacuum, many models are top-heavy and can't stand up on their own. If you tend to pause frequently while cleaning, you may want to look for a cordless vacuum with a freestanding design.

• Dirt disposal: You'll want to check the size of the dustbin on your cordless vacuum, as they typically can't hold as much debris as full-size vacuums. If you have a large home or pets that shed, you'll want to look for a vacuum with a larger dustbin capacity — otherwise, you'll be making frequent trips to the trash can while cleaning.

  It's worth noting that some newer cordless vacuums have self-emptying bases. When you place the vacuum back on its dock, it automatically empties the on-board dust bin into the base. This saves you from having to empty the vacuum manually and helps to keep the dustbin clean and dust-free.

• Attachments: If you want to use your cordless vacuums to clean different areas of your home, you may want to look for a model with special tools and attachments. Some options have separate floorheads for carpeting vs. hard floors, while others come with accessories like crevice tools, dusting brushes, and upholstery cleaners. It's also worth considering how you'll store the attachments — some vacuum docks have slots for accessories, which is handy for keeping everything organized.
• Docking: Your cordless vacuum will need to be charged after each use, and many models come with convenient freestanding or wall-mounted docking stations. When you place the vacuum back in the dock, it automatically recharges so it will be ready for next use. If the vacuum you choose doesn't come with a dock, you'll likely need to plug it in manually or remove the battery to charge it between uses, which is a bit more cumbersome.
• Budget: Cordless vacuums can vary significantly in price, ranging from $100 to upward of $1,000 for premium models. If you're looking for a supplementary cleaning tool, a more budget-friendly option will generally be fine for light-duty cleaning, but if you want a cordless model to be your home's primary vacuum, you may need to spend a bit more to get powerful suction and longer battery life.

We've tested more than a dozen cordless vacuum cleaners from top brands like Shark, Dyson and Tineco, and our testers evaluate each model on the following criteria:

1. Cleaning performance: The most important factor when selecting a vacuum is its cleaning abilities, so we put each model through a series of tests to see how well it can pick up different types of debris. We measure out 30 grams of flour, ground coffee, Cheerios, and cat litter, then vacuum up each one, weighing the vacuum to see if it truly picked up all the debris. We repeat these tests on both hard floors and carpeting. We also use each vacuum to clean up pet hair, noting whether it gets wrapped around the brushroll, and we try out any attachments that come with the vacuum. I tested each of the vacuums against five materials (flour, ground coffee, cat litter, whole Cheerios, and dog hair) on three different surfaces (carpet/rug, hardwood, and tile). 

An example of one of the test results:

2. Battery life: The battery life of cordless vacuums often varies significantly from the marketed runtime, so we test each vacuum to see how long the vacuum realistically lasts during use. Starting with a full charge, we run each vacuum on its normal setting until it dies. If the vacuum has a boost mode, we repeat the test to see the runtime difference between the two settings.

3. Comfort and ease of use: While testing each vacuum, we consider its ergonomics, weight, and overall comfort. Some of the factors we evaluate include: how tiring it is to hold, how easy it is to maneuver, and the effort required to activate the power button. We also note whether it can fit under low spaces and any additional helpful features like a headlight to illuminate your cleaning path.

4. Disposal method: During each cleaning session, we evaluate the size, cleanliness, and ease of emptying the dustbin. We note how often we had to empty the bin, how easy it is to open, and whether any debris gets stuck and needs to be fished out.

5. Storage: Finally, we consider how easy each vacuum is to store. For models that come with a dock, we consider ease of installation and stability, as well as whether there are storage slots for the vacuum's accessories.

6. Warranty and customer service: I registered each vacuum, noted warranty terms, and spoke to customer service reps to evaluate the ease of registration and quality of service.

Are cordless vacuums worth it?

If you want a vacuum that's smaller and more convenient to use for day-to-day cleaning, a cordless vacuum is generally the way to go. These battery-powered models are lighter and more mobile than upright or canister vacuums, and because you're not tethered by a power cord, you can quickly suck up all kinds of messes, from small spills to spider webs in the corners of your home. Some of today's best cordless vacuums are even powerful enough to serve as your primary vacuum, especially if you live in a small home and only need 30 to 40 minutes of battery life.

Cordless vacuum vs. corded vacuum: how do they compare?

Are cordless vacuums as powerful as plug-in models?

Generally speaking, cordless vacuums don't offer the same suction power as corded models, but some particularly powerful models come close. For example, the Dyson V15 Detect and LG CordZero All-in-One are two of the more powerful cordless vacuums we tested, with 240 and 265 air watts of suction power, respectively. By comparison, Dyson's corded upright, the Ball Animal 3, offers 290 air watts, so the cordless models do deliver similar cleaning performance in addition to their convenient cord-free operation.

Which cordless vacuums are allergy- or asthma-friendly? 

Look for cordless vacuums with HEPA filters, which are recommended for allergy and asthma sufferers. Without a HEPA filter, these tiny particles are likely to be released back into the air after being sucked up. All the vacuums we recommend are equipped with HEPA filters.

What does a HEPA filter do? 

A true HEPA filter traps and removes at least 99.97% of dust, pollen, dirt, mold, bacteria, and other airborne particles with a size of 0.3 microns. According to the EPA, 0.3 microns is the most penetrating particle size, so this specification refers to the worst case. If the particle is larger or smaller than 0.3 microns, it will be trapped with even higher efficiency.

What's the difference between amps, watts, and volts, and which matters most for cordless vacuums? 

Amperage is the electrical current, wattage is the rate of power flow, and voltage is the speed at which electricity passes a point. Watts = volts x amps. None of these numbers are as helpful for evaluating a vacuum as how well it did sucking up debris in our tests, so we focus on our hands-on testing results.

When is the best time to buy a cordless vacuum?

Cordless vacuums tend to be more expensive than corded ones. The good news is that most brands discount their cordless vacuums around Amazon Prime Day and Black Friday/Cyber Monday weekend. We typically see discounts of $50 to $200 off Dyson, Hoover, and Shark cordless vacuums, and an average discount of 40% off. If you're able to wait, your patience will pay off in considerable savings.