Best cordless vacuum cleaners 2024 for versatile, cord-free cleaning

Ditch the power cord for one of the best cordless vacuum cleaners to swiftly clean your home from top to bottom

One of the best cordless vacuum cleaners, the Shark Vertex, cleaning a rug and a wood floor
(Image credit: Shark)
Recent updates

In the last update, I added the Ultenic FS1. We're midway through testing it but it's a great budget option of you need a self-emptying vacuum on a budget. 

Best cordless vacuum cleaners 2024: Jump Menu

An example of what's on sale in the Walmart Deals Holiday Kickoff - a Dyson V8 Vacuum

(Image credit: Dyson)

1. The list in brief ↴
2. Best overall: Dyson V15 Detect
3.  Best value: Shark Vertex Cordless
4. Best for big homes: Dyson Outsize  
5. Best for allergies: Samsung Bespoke Jet Cordless
6. Best for all floor types: Dyson V10
7.Best for small homes: Dyson V8
8. Best for hard floors: Dyson Omni-Glide
9. Best smart: Tineco Pure ONE
10. Best for carpet: Hoover ONEPWR
11. Best for pet hair: Bissell ICONpet
12. Best budget: Ultenic U12
13. Best handheld: Brigii Handheld
14. Best budget clean base: Ultenic FS1
14. How we test
15. Meet the team
16. How to choose
17. FAQs

The best cordless vacuum cleaners make cleaning convenient. The top models pack a punch when it comes to power, but are still lightweight and easy to use. Many come with a number of useful attachments to enhance how deeply you can clean. 

Our team of vacuum experts examined the market-leading models, from brands such as Dyson, Shark, and Bissell, as well as lesser-known, up and coming models. We put them through a series of rigorous tests to create a shortlist covering every cleaning need.

We take vacuum to our test centre to trial them on carpet, wood floors, and linoleum using a wide range of different types of debris to test dust, crumbs, and hair. We also use them at home, especially in homes with pets, to see how they handle pet hair. With increasing amounts of smart technology creeping into cordless vacuums, including some dubious claims about AI, we also consider their features to see if the latest and greatest models can live up to their grand promises. 

There are plenty of cordless vacuums which impressed us, as well as plenty which did the opposite. This guide is our cherry-picked selection of the very best. However, cordless aren't your only option, and it's worth considering the best vacuums of every type, including the best vacuums for pet hair.  

The quick list

If you're on a vacuum hunt and you just want the headlines, here's a quick summary of our favorite appliances. 

The best cordless vacuum cleaners 2024

You can trust Homes & Gardens. Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing the latest products, helping you choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.

The best cordless vacuum overall

A fast favorite with the latest technology and greatest suction power

Specifications

Dust bin capacity: 0.2gal
Weight: 6.8lb
Max dB: Not disclosed
Battery life: Up to 70 minutes
Warranty: 2 years

Reasons to buy

+
Smart dust detection
+
Excellent suction across floor types
+
Numerical cleaning feedback
+
New anti-tangle hair screw
+
Incredible suction
+
Versatile attachments

Reasons to avoid

-
Laser is only good on hard floors
-
Have to hold trigger
Buy it if

✅ You want the very best: this is as good as it gets
✅ You have a range of floor types: this is equally effective across them all
✅ You have a big home: ergonomic and lightweight, this won't make your arm ache

Don't buy it if:

❌ You don't like holding a trigger: it has to be constantly pressed
❌ You're on a budget: Dyson vacuums are the most expensive
❌ You have a small apartment: this could be overkill - there are smaller models

The bottom line

🔎 Dyson V15 Detect: this is everything you could possibly want in a vacuum: ergonomic, lightweight, and incredibly thorough. It's close to faultless, except for the price

This is quite simply the best vacuum we've ever tested. We found that it picks up dirt and dander that other vacuums can't pick up. No matter how you cut it, no other cordless vacuum cleans as well as this does. We used this on a dog bed and it cleaned so well that it restored the original color. 

It's also packed with tech. There's a green laser which will illuminate previously invisible dust on surfaces. We found this isn't a gimmick, as it's really useful to see the dust illuminated on hard floors and catch any dirt you may have missed with the naked eye. This laser technology is complimented by a Piezo sensor that measures microscopic dust particles as small as 10 microns in real-time, giving more proof of a deep and effective clean. If that's not enough to have you excited to clean, we found that the anti-tangle conical bar brush prevents any hair tangling, saving you a gross job later on. 

Getting started is as simple as pressing the trigger, which you have to hold the whole time you vacuum. If you want the vacuum to work harder (Eco and Auto were plenty sufficient in our day-to-day cleanings), you have the option to also go into Boost mode, but it shortens the battery time.

There are some Dyson quirks which don't appeal to everyone: a lot of the feedback it gives you is superfluous. Knowing the number of particles it picks up down to the micron is amazing tech but not particularly helpful for the average user. Like all Dysons, you have to hold down the trigger the whole time for it to operate, which can become uncomfortable, especially if you have mobility issues like arthritis. Moreover, it comes with a big price tag, so is best bought at a discount - if you can find one.

Read more: Dyson V15 Detect review

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Test results
AttributesNotesRating
VersatilityCan cover any surface and situation★★★★★
ThoroughnessWe didn't have ny dirt or debris left behind★★★★★
Ease of useEffortless to use and easy to hold★★★★★
ValueExpensive, but worth it★★★★

The best cordless vacuum for value

All the luxury features without a premium pricetag

Specifications

Dust bin capacity: .34qts.
Weight: 9.04lb
Power: 281W
Noise: dBA
Battery life: Up to 60 minutes
Warranty: 2 years

Reasons to buy

+
Easy to store
+
Super lightweight
+
Easy to remove dust cup
+
Does not require a charging hub and charges through a removable battery
+
Anti-allergen seal traps dust and allergens

Reasons to avoid

-
Cumbersome to unfurl back up from storage mode
-
Top-heavy
-
Small dustbin
Buy it if

✅ You're short on space: this folds down to less than 3 ft
✅ You want a lightweight vacuum: this was featherlight and very agile
✅ You want considerable charge: on basic suction, this has excellent battery life

Don't buy it if:

❌ You want a quick set up every time: it's fiddly to unfurl
❌ You will vacuum the whole house: this has a small dustbin
You've got another $50 to spend: you'll get more from the Vertex Pro

The bottom line

🔎 Shark Vertex Lightweight: if you don't want to spend on a Dyson, but you want similar suction power and competitive quality, this is the one for you. It's easy to store too. 

This vacuum boasts some of the best features on the market. When we tested it, the suction power was like magic. It doesn't look it, but the soft roller can pick up cereal and dust from even the deepest pile carpets. Even better, the anti-hair wrap technology genuinely stops hair wrapping round the brush roll, saving you from cutting it out of the vacuum.

If you have mobility problems, you'll find the Multi-Flex technology immensely useful. It can flex to a 90-degree angle so you can access low areas without bending over, and it's what allows the vacuum to fold in half for compact storage.

In our tests, this could last for up to an hour of vacuuming, by which point you'll probably want a break. However, if you choose to use different modes, such as Boost, it will drain the battery. We only got 12 minutes out of it when it was vacuuming at full suction. 

The other downside of this vacuum were the flexion. Whilst it's good, it is harder to control when you're under low furniture. Compared to other models, our team would spend $50 more and upgrade to the Vertex Pro version which features a more sophisticated LCD display and a slightly larger dust bin. 

Read more: Shark Vertex lightweight cordless vacuum review

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Test results
AttributesNotesRating
VersatilityEasily tackles a range of floor types★★★★★
ThoroughnessIncredible suction on a range of surfaces★★★★★
Ease of useUnpacking is a little cumbersome★★★★
ValueExcellent value★★★★★

The best cordless vacuum for big homes

A powerhouse with formidable suction and dustbin capacity

Specifications

Dust bin capacity: 0.5 gallon
Weight: 7.85lb
Dimensions: 12.5"H x 50.63"L x 11.7"W
Max dB: Not disclosed
Battery life: Up to 120 minutes
Warranty: 2 years

Reasons to buy

+
Incredible suction
+
Quick to charge
+
Easy to handle
+
Versatile attachments

Reasons to avoid

-
Top heavy
-
Not Great on Area Rugs
Buy it if

✅ You have a large home: this has huge dustbin capacity
✅ You want a deep clean: the suction power on this model is incredible
✅ You want your vacuum to be versatile: this comes with a range of useful attachments

Don't buy it if:

❌ You struggle with storage: this has to be on display or in a large cupboard
❌ You want something lightweight: the Outsize is quite top heavy
❌ You're on a budget: Dysons come with a hefty price tag

The bottom line

🔎 Dyson Outsize: perhaps the most powerful cordless model for power, capacity, and run time, this could rival any corded model. It has lots of premium features which are easy to use, too 

Our experts have a lot to say about the Outsize, but we think the half gallon dustbin, two hours run time, and deep suction speak for itself. If you have a corded vacuum and don't want to compromise on performance, this is the model you need. 

It automatically senses and adapts to floor types. Even better, the digital display shows the exact remaining run time for whichever mode you choose: Eco, Auto, or Boost, so you'll always know just how much time you'll have left on a single battery. Auto was powerful enough for everything we needed on test, and we found it did a particularly good job on carpets. It has an extra-wide floorhead and (relatively) large dustbin too, so it's as capable as a full-size corded vacuum.

We would caution that there is such a thing as too much power. We found that if you have lightweight area rugs around your house, they don't stand a chance with the Outsize +, and will be sucked up into it. Similarly, you may find this is a little top heavy after some time. There was also a small amount of hair wrap on hard floors. 

There's more detail in our Dyson Outsize review

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Test results
AttributesNotesRating
VersatilityFaultless on a range of floor types★★★★★
ThoroughnessThis didn't miss a spot★★★★★
Ease of useEasy to hold, but a little top heavy★★★★
ValueExpensive, but worth it★★★★

The best cordless vacuum for allergies

Super smart and effortless to use, this is cleaning perfection

Specifications

Dust bin capacity: .5 liter
Weight: 6.28lb
Power: 200W
Noise : N/A
Battery life: Up to 60 minutes
Warranty: 1 years

Reasons to buy

+
Exceptional cleaning on all surfaces 
+
Versatile uses
+
Easy to manoeuvre
+
Hassle-free emptying
+
Plenty of accessories

Reasons to avoid

-
Set up is complicated
-
0.5L bin is limited
-
Heavy clean station
-
Telescopic tube doesn't extend by much
Buy it if

✅ You have a multi-surface home: this is exceptionally thorough across a range of surfaces
✅ You don't like bin emptying: this self-empties at the charging station
✅ You need a lightweight vacuum: this is easy to use and manoeuvre

Don't buy it if:

❌ You have a large home: this has quite a small dustbin
❌ You're on a budget: this comes with a luxury price tag
❌ You want an easy set-up: this is more complicated than turning it on and going

The bottom line

🔎 Samsung Bespoke Jet: a powerhouse of a vacuum, this cordless model covers all bases. It self-empties in the charging station and is extremely lightweight to hold, plus it can maintain incredible suction across a range of floor types

Aesthetics matter, but we're not just referring to the sleek, statuesque shape of the Samsung Bespoke JetCordless Stick Vacuum. It also has a, feature usually found in the best robot vacuums: a Clean Station that not only charges the vacuum, but empties its contents into sealed HEPA bags, saving you from allergies. It makes charging and cleaning easy.

Samsung also sets itself apart with a telescoping wand that not only improves reach but increases convenience for both short and tall users to work at a length that is comfortable for them. Another noteworthy feature is the sleek digital display that makes it easy to track how your vacuum is doing with notifications on your vacuum for power level and brush type, and it sends alerts such as airflow issues, clogs, missing filters, and more. 

The 210-watt powerhouse takes no mercy on both floors and carpets thanks to its Jet Cyclone which keeps the vacuum from getting clogged and 180° swivel flexibility for ultimate manoeuvrability. While the Clean Station acts as sort of an anchor, the cordless vacuum itself is an extremely lightweight design with a slim build making it easy to vacuum under low-lying furniture. 

However, the dustbin on this is small, and we kept having to empty it as we vacuumed. It's fairly expensive, and it isn't easy to set up. Finally, a word of warning - don't be tempted by the latest 'AI' update to this model, the Samsung Bespoke Jet AI. In my Samsung Bespoke Jet AI review, I found that this model has no particular 'artificial intelligence' features that justify its $1000 price tag. 

There's more detail in our Samsung Bespoke Jet Vacuum review.

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Test results
AttributesNotesRating
VersatilityExceptionally good on all surfaces★★★★★
ThoroughnessReally thorough★★★★★
Ease of useSet-up is complicated★★★★
ValueQuite pricy★★★★

The best cordless vacuum for all floor types

The ultimate cleaner for carpets and hardfloors

Specifications

Dimensions: 48.74"x9.53"x9.84"
Weight: 5.71 lb
Dust container: Bagless
Battery run time: 60 minutes max
Charge time: 3 hours

Reasons to buy

+
Good value for Dyson
+
Excellent across a range of surfaces
+
Agile

Reasons to avoid

-
Expensive
-
Low runtime on max
-
Have to hold trigger
Buy it if

✅ You want a Dyson vacuum: this is the best value Dyson
✅ you have varied floor types: this is effective on all of them
✅ You have obstacles in your home: the floorhead is incredibly agile

Don't buy it if:

❌ You're on a budget: Dyson vacuums always come with a pricetag
❌ You need max power: the battery life plummets on max power
❌ You don't want to hold down a trigger: it's the way Dysons work

The bottom line

🔎 Dyson V10: if you're priced-out by most other Dyson cordless models, this is for you. It's a classic model with excellent suction power and agility. 

This cordless Dyson goes back to basics. Whilst it might not be the latest and greatest model on the market, with LED screens and smart sensors, it is technically flawless. We tested it across a range of debris types and floors and couldn't fault it. When we needed to clear up after other vacuum models, the V10 was the vacuum that we reached for.

Getting started is simply a matter of pulling the trigger. You'll have to hold it down the whole time you vacuum - which might be tricky if you have arthritis or mobility issues. We found the model was generally lightweight and agile, so navigating around furniture and low couches and chairs was effortless.

When we turned the suction power up to full, we were impressed with the results. However, we did spot that the battery life fell to one tenth of what it is on a normal setting. If you've got a tough clean ahead, you'll have to keep stopping to charge this, which can be frustrating.

We strongly recommend this vacuum to most people, just with a couple of caveats. It's cheaper than other Dyson models, without many compromises. However, it's still expensive compared to other vacuums.

There's more detail in our Dyson Cyclone V10 Absolute review.

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Test results
AttributesNotesRating
VersatilityFlawless acorss a range of surfaces★★★★★
ThoroughnessA powerhouse with all debris types★★★★★
Ease of useGood, but you have to hold a trigger down★★★★
ValueCheaper than other Dyson models, but still expensive★★★★

The best cordless vacuum for small homes

An affordable Dyson with perfect performance

Specifications

Dimensions: 9.8" x 49" x 8.8"
Weight: 5.63 lb
Dust container: Bagless
Battery run time: 40 minutes max
Charge time: 5 hours

Reasons to buy

+
Strong suction power
+
User-friendly design
+
Good value for Dyson

Reasons to avoid

-
Short battery life
-
Missing some extras
-
Not strong with hair
Buy it if

✅ You want a Dyson vacuum without the price: this older model isn't as expensive
✅ You need suction power: this is faultless
✅ You have hard floors: this is excellent on a range of floor types

Don't buy it if:

❌ You need long battery life: this runs for 40 minutes max
❌ You want luxury touches: there's no LED screen or dust sensors
❌ You have pets: the anti-hair wrap technology could be better 

The bottom line

🔎 Dyson V8 Animal: this might not be Dyson's latest model, but it's excellent at the basics. Even better, the suction power is incredible across a range of floor types

If you're looking to own a Dyson, but you don't want the $700 plus pricetag, this is a strong option. The V8 was launched in 2016 yet Dyson still produce it, because it's a brilliant basic.

Setting up, getting started, and using the vacuum is easy. We tested it with the toughest debris and it was close to faultless. More recent Dysons are more powerful, but if you're not a cleaning obsessive, you probably won't notice the difference, and it filled the dustbin cleaning a single carpet. 

It's lightweight and agile, so not only is it great on floors, but handy for cleaning in between the seats of the car or sofa, or dusting up high on a ceiling. It's often reduced in sales periods, so if you're willing to wait, this makes an excellent sale buy.

However, the 40-minute runtime is short, so it's best-suited to small apartments. The place it struggled the most was with hair on carpets, and by Dyson standards it's pretty loud. 

There's more detail in our Dyson V8 Animal review.

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Test results
AttributesNotesRating
VersatilityExcellent on all floor types★★★★★
ThoroughnessOnly struggled with lots of hair★★★★
Ease of useLightweight and easy to use★★★★
ValueGreat value for a Dyson★★★★

The best cordless vacuum for hard floors

Petite perfection, especially on hard floors

Specifications

Dust bin capacity: 0.05 gal
Weight: 4.18 lbs
Power: 18 V
Noise : 71 dBA
Battery life: Up to 20 minutes

Reasons to buy

+
Lightweight
+
Moves in any direction
+
Easy to store
+
Range of accessories

Reasons to avoid

-
Very small dustbin
-
Short battery life
Buy it if

✅ You have hard floors: this is designed for wood and vinyl floors
✅ You want a Dyson without the price: this is incredibly affordable with the Dyson label
✅ You're short on storage: this could fit in a drawer; it's tiny

Don't buy it if:

❌ You'll vacuum large spaces: the small dustbin needs emptying often
❌ You're tall: this is small, so you'll have to crouch low to use it
❌ You'll vacuum for a long time: this has a small battery life

The bottom line

🔎 Dyson Omni-Glide Perfect for quick cleans and small spaces, this petite powerhouse is like your favorite Dyson, just at a tenth of the size. It's a great price, but you might need a bigger vacuum to help it out 

In many ways the Dyson Omni-Glide is like no other cordless vacuum. It's smaller in every single aspect, except for its suction power. Whilst we wouldn't recommend tackling a whole home with this miniature marvel, it's useful to have in a large room or kitchen for quick clean ups.

This is ultra-lightweight and compact. It feels almost like a toy, but as soon as it starts vacuuming, it means business. You won't need to hold the trigger, because this has a useful button which will set the vacuum going. It can last for up to twenty minutes, but doesn't have the Dyson display which counts down how much vacuuming time you have left. Instead, you'll need to keep an eye on lights down the side of the handle.

The range of attachments can be used in crevices and on carpets. Dyson officially market this as a hard floor vacuum, but I've tested it on carpets and continue to use it on carpets in my home. It's thorough across a range of debris, except hair easily gets caught in the rollers.

The drawbacks are  capacity and battery life. The dustbin fills up quickly and will it will quickly run out of power if you use it to its maximum strength.

There's more detail in our Dyson Omni-Glide review.

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Test results
AttributesNotesRating
VersatilityOnly useful in small rooms★★★
ThoroughnessReally thorough considering size★★★★★
Ease of useEasy to use, but needs to charge often★★★
ValueGreat price★★★★★

The best smart cordless vacuum

A super smart powerhouse, this will put numbers on your cleaning routine

Specifications

Dust bin capacity: 0.47L
Weight: 6.8lb
Power: 500W
Noise: <80 dBA
Battery life: Up to 40 minutes
Warranty: 2 years

Reasons to buy

+
iLoop Dust Sensor is thorough
+
Convenient to use
+
Lightweight
+
Informative LED display

Reasons to avoid

-
Lacks suction on large debris
-
Only chargeable through floor dock
Buy it if

✅ You like to keep track of your cleaning: the iLoop Dust Sensor and LED give you lots of feedback
✅ You want a storage dock: it stays upright with accessory storage too
✅ You're a casual cleaner: this is better without big obstacles

Don't buy it if:

❌ You have kids: this struggled on common kid messes like cereal
❌ You have messy pets: this can't handle big amounts of dust
❌ You want to charge a spare battery: this has to charge in the stand

The bottom line

🔎 Tineco Pure ONE S15: the smart suction control on this is unparalleled. It helps monitor your battery life as well as improving your cleaning routine. It's better as a casual vacuum than a deep cleaner

The Tineco Pure ONE S15 is designed as a stick vacuum that easily lifts off into a handheld mode. In our tests, it performed excellently as a casual cleaner on both carpets and hard floors. It's agile to move around and, unlike with most Dyson models, you won't need to hold a trigger down the whole time you're cleaning.

Even though lots of smart features are gimmicks, the iLoop Dust Detection feature impressed our experts. It detected dust and dirt, automatically adjusting in real time, whilst informing the LCD screen of its movements. 

The Tineco Smart S15 comes with attachments that are stored on the included floor dock, a winning feature for those who don't want to affix a cleaning station to walls. The Tineco nicely balances upright too, but it does take a little careful manoeuvring to insert it into stand's crevice. 

We loved the advanced design features, which weren't too techy, but still one of a kind. The disappointing aspect of this vacuum was how it handled large pieces of debris. Given that this is aimed at pet owners, we think it would struggle to collect one piece of kibble without creating more mess than it's worth. If you want a lightweight, casual clean, this is perfect. 

There's more detail in our Tineco Pure One S15 Pet review.

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Test results
AttributesNotesRating
VersatilityUseful on different surfaces★★★★★
ThoroughnessMisses larger debris★★★
Ease of useLightweight and easy to hold★★★★★
ValueReasonably priced★★★★

The best cordless vacuum for carpet

Excellent value and incredibly versatile, this excels on carpets

Specifications

Dimensions: 2.3 x 4.4 x 11.2 inches
Weight: 8.5 lbs
Dust container: Bagless
Battery run time: 90 minutes
Charge time: 3 hours
Floor settlings: 3

Reasons to buy

+
Incredibly deep cleaning
+
Excellent run time
+
Good across surfaces

Reasons to avoid

-
Heavy after a long time
-
Can't stand up on its own
-
Quite loud
Buy it if

✅ You have mostly carpets: this is excellent even on deep pile carpets
✅ You're looking for value: this performs excellently for the price
✅ You like premium features: this has LED lights and a digital display

Don't buy it if:

❌ You don't have a stand: this can't support itself
❌ You vacuum for a long time: the vacuum can get heavy
❌ You don't like bin emptying: this can get a bit messy

The bottom line

🔎 Hoover ONEPWR: ticking boxes for value and versatility, the Hoover is a challenge to any vacuum model, even Dysons. It can handle a range of surfaces, but lacks some finesse

Hoover designed this cordless model with busy homes in mind. It's one of the best, most appealing alternatives to Dyson's cordless vacuums. In fact, it offers a range of different, premium features including different floor settings, a smart LED display, and useful brush bar.

Overall, this is an excellent model. We put it through a range of tests across carpets and hard floors. It performed exceptionally, even if some hair caught in the rollers.  The flexible floorhead, dual rollers, and LED screen make it extremely appealing to anyone looking for a cordless vacuum. When you take the price into consideration, things only get better.

Whilst it's lightweight and agile to hold, it does have some drawbacks. It comes with two batteries, with up to 90 minutes of charge. If you vacuumed the whole time, your arms would begin to ache, because this is heavy for a cordless model. 

Moreover, it can't stand up on its own when you're taking a break, which can make it hard to stop and move obstacles. It's also t's strangely fiddly to empty, and easy to drop dust on the floor you've just cleaned, which can be frustrating.

There's more detail in our Hoover ONEPWR Pet review.

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Test results
AttributesNotesRating
VersatilityUseful on soft and hard floors★★★★★
ThoroughnessStruggled a little with hair★★★★
Ease of useGets heavy and dustbin is hard to empty★★★
ValueReasonably priced★★★★

The best cordless vacuum for pet hair

The best way to banish pet hair from your home

Specifications

Dust bin capacity: 0.4ltrs
Weight: 7lb.
Noise: 81dB
Battery life: 50 minutes
Warranty: 3 years

Reasons to buy

+
Headlights useful for cleaning under sofa
+
Tangle-free brushes
+
Wall bracket for charging 
+
Impressive design details

Reasons to avoid

-
Small dust bin
-
Heavier to use than some
Buy it if

✅ You have pets: this is the most effective, tidiest cordless model for pet hair
✅ You have low furniture: lights and a flexible head can reach tricky places
✅ You want easy storage: this has a useful wall bracket

Don't buy it if:

❌ You have a big home: the small dustbin will need regularly emptying
❌ You vacuum for a long time: this gets heavy
❌ You don't have pets: there are similar models for better value

The bottom line

🔎 Bissell ICONPet: expertly designed, this cordless vacuum is the perfect trifecta of design, performance, and price. When we tested it on pet hair, we knew exactly which accolade to give the Bissel 

Sleek and easy to use, this cordless vacuum cleaner is one of our favorites. It's packed with thoughtful features, such as the LED lights on the floorhead and crevice tool. If you need a place to store it, there's a useful charging stand too.

Another stand out feature of this vacuum was the power. The ICONPet has a a 22V Lithium-Ion Battery which delivered fade-free suction. Paired with a flexible floorhead, we could reach dust under low furniture, ensuring the whole room was thoroughly clean. 

We also loved the Clean Slide technology, which made it easy to empty the dust bin as well as the patented Tangle-Free Brush Roll. If you have pets or long hair, you'll understand why this is such a winning feature for our team. 

Overall, our team thought this was good. It didn't quite meet our high expectations when we tested it on carpets, leaving some dust behind, but it's excellent on hardwood floors. 

There's more detail in our Bissell ICONpet review.

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Test results
AttributesNotesRating
VersatilityUseful on soft and hard floors★★★★★
ThoroughnessDdn't struggle, even with hair★★★★★
Ease of useA little heavy with a small dustbin★★★
ValueReasonably priced★★★★

The best budget cordless vacuum

11. Ultenic U12 Vesla Cordless Vacuum Cleaner

The closest you'll come to Dyson, but 80% cheaper

Specifications

Type: cordless stick vacuum
Dimensions: 4.72"L x 9.06"W x 13.78"H
Noise: 78 dB
Dustbin capacity: 0.26 gallons
Wattage: 450

Reasons to buy

+
Lightweight and compact
+
Height adjustable
+
Informative LED screen
+
Good suction on debris and hair

Reasons to avoid

-
Filter clogs quickly
-
Feels a little cheap
-
Can't stand independently.
Buy it if

✅ You need something lightweight: this vacuum is the lightest we've tested.

✅ You're on a budget: this usually retails for under $200.

✅ You want premium features: this has a laser and feedback screen just like the Dyson V15. 

Don't buy it if:

❌ You don't like picking hair out of the brushroll: it's great at picking up hair but it gets caught 
❌ You don't like cleaning your vacuum: the filter for this clogs easily.
❌ Doesn't stand up on its own: you need to lean it against something when not in use.

The bottom line

🔎 Ultenic U12 Vesla an inexpensive cordless that's far from perfect but great for the price.

The Ultenic U12 Vesla is pretty close to a Dyson dupe. It looks very similar to the Dyson V15 and has many of the same features, namely a handy digital display, a  laser on the brush-head, and plenty of cleaning accessories.

However, I was pleasantly surprised with the Ultenic 12. It's tiny, quick to assemble and lightweight to use. Unlike any Dyson, you don't need to hold down a trigger the whole time you use it. The handy LED screen runs a countdown on how much time you have left to vacuum, so while it doesn't have the particle sensor of top-line Dysons, it has everything you need to use.

It performed really well on our tests. Don't get me wrong, other vacuums are simply better than this, but having said that, this is as good as it can be for under $200. It cleaned up everything we needed it to on test, but you should bear in mind that it wraps hair around the brush roll. 

This just feels much cheaper than models which are five times the price. That's perhaps a woolly criticism but it feels very insubstantial, so I wouldn't make any claims on how long this vacuum will last. Like plenty of other cordless vacuums, this also won't stand up on its own, so if you're used to vacuums which can, expect a few surprising drops.

There's more detail in our full Ultenic U12 Vesla review.

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Test results
AttributesNotesRating
General performanceGood but others better★★★★
Pet hairWill pick everything up but poor hair wrap★★★★
FeaturesLaser, dashboard★★★★★
PriceOne of the cheapest on the market★★★★★

The best handheld vacuum

12. Brigii Cordless Handheld

A compact companion to your main vacuum: perfect for spot cleans

Specifications

Dimensions: 11.8"L x 2.4"W x 4.6"H
Capacity: 0.2 L
Wattage: 70
Runtime: 20 mins (est)
Type: Cordless
Noise: 75 dBA

Reasons to buy

+
Ultra compact and cordless
+
Good across a range of floors
+
Can handle all debris

Reasons to avoid

-
Limited capacity
-
One suction power
Buy it if

✅ You often have kibble spills: this is perfect for spot cleaning
✅ Your main vacuum is hard to access: this will stop you from having to unpack and repack it
✅ You're a perfectionist: this is an easy way to keep on top of everyday cleans

Don't buy it if:

❌ You already have a relatively compact vacuum: this will do the same job
❌ You’re forgetful with charge: this needs recharging often
❌ You need strong suction: as a cordless model, this is weaker than others

The bottom line

🔎 Brigii Cordless Handheld Vacuum the petite supplement to your main vacuum, perfect for quick spot cleans

If you need something small and compact, this is the one for you. It's around the size of a rolling pin, so it's exactly what you need for quick spot cleaning. You can tuck it away in a drawer and whip it out if you catch a random patch of dirt or dust, such as an entry that picks up mud and leaves from outdoors. 

On test, we found it was great on hair, so it's a good idea if you have long-haired dogs. When they inevitably leave a pillow covered in fluff, you can quickly run this over the spot and restore your pillow to its former glory. We tested this on a range of different floor types, like hard wood, lino, and carpet, and it was surprisingly good on all of them, with one exception.

The exception was picking up fine flour (our proxy for dust) on a carpet, but the extra accessories made all the difference, so you'll need to have them on hand for deeper cleaning. What's more, the maximum runtime is only 20 minutes, which is around what you'd expect for one of these little vacuums but others on the market are better. That runtime might be a little short for tidying up your car or truck, too. 

Read more: Brigii Cordless Handheld Vacuum review

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Test results
AttributesNotesRating
General performanceGood, but needs accessories on carpets★★★
Pet hairImpressive across floor types, but limited capacity★★★★
FeaturesCordless, handheld★★★★
PriceLow pricepoint, but it can't replace a whole vacuum★★★★

Best budget clean base

13. Ultenic FS1

A self-emptying clean base for less

Specifications

Dimensions: 44.8" x 10.7" x 11.2"
Capacity: 0.8 gal
Wattage: ‎450
Runtime: 60 minutes (est)
Type: Cordless
Noise: 78 dBA

Reasons to buy

+
(Relatively) inexpensive
+
Automatic emptying/charging base
+
Can handle all debris

Reasons to avoid

-
Heavy
-
Have to fiddle with buttons

An Ultenic FS1 Cordless Vacuum

(Image credit: Amazon)
Buy it if

✅ You're on a budget: this is relatively cheap
✅ You need an automatic emptying base: this helps reduce allergies
✅ You want something powerful: this is great on most surfaces

Don't buy it if:

❌ You don't like to toggle: there's a lot of button-pressing for simple functions
❌ You need something lightweight: this is fairly heavy.
❌ You need a good handheld: this is bulky when used as a handheld. 

The bottom line

🔎 Ultenic FS1 Cordless Vacuum a decent self-emptying vacuum on a budget.

Our full review of this is still in the works, but I felt I had to include this. Self-emptying vacuums are slowly becoming an industry standard and this is one of the cheaper models that I've seen out there; when you consider that the Samsung Bespoke Jet AI usually costs around $1000, this is a steal, and we felt we had to get it into the test centre. 

We're finding a pretty good vacuum. It's surprisingly good on all surfaces and debris. It made short work of our flour and sugar test on carpet, lino, and hard floors, did well with the larger debris in our cereal test, and did well with our hair test, though there was a little hair wrap around the brush roll. It's really easy to use the automatic emptying bin, and despite filling up the vacuum 9 times during our tests, we necer had to empty the automatic base.

However, we're also finding it a little messy. It's partly that we're quickly moving between different types of debris but we found that this vacuum started accumulating dust around the top of the self-empty bin. At 7lbs, it's pretty heavy, and most of the weight is in the handle, so it's tricky to use as a handheld or overhead. The handle is also pretty thick, and you have to toggle through the settings to switch it off, which is mildly annoying. 

Our full Ultenic FS1 review will be released soon.

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Test results
AttributesNotesRating
General performanceGood, but needs accessories on carpets★★★★
Pet hairImpressive across floor types, but limited capacity★★★★
FeaturesSelf-emptying base★★★★
PriceRelatively low pricepoint★★★★

How we tested these cordless vaccums

At Homes & Gardens, we take our vacuum tests seriously. Our team of experts are always looking for the best cordless vacuums on the market. Whether they're the latest innovations from Dyson and Shark or new up-and-coming models, we always have an open mind.

Dyson Omni-glide with flour on hardfloor

(Image credit: Future)

Once we've found vacuums that we want to test, we take them to our dedicated test center to put them through their paces. Here, we take notes on everything from unboxing to cleaning and storing vacuums. We'll also test them on a range of floor types, from carpets to linoleum. Across each surface, we'll scatter flour, sugar, cereal, and hair to emulate household dirt, dust, and debris. If there are special features on any vacuum, we make sure to test those too. We have a whole page dedicated to our vacuum testing process if you want to find out more. 

Meet the team

Alex David author profile photo
Alex David

Alex is Head of eCommerce at Homes & Gardens and spends his days trawling the internet for the latest product launches and deals, as well as testing homes products in our specialised test facility. He got hands-on with Nama's latest juicer for this guide, as well as the Magic Bullet Mini Juicer. 

Camryn Rabideau
Camryn Rabideau

Camryn is a freelance writer and product reviewer specializing in home, kitchen, and pet products. In her years as a product tester, she's tested hundreds of items firsthand. Her work appears in publications such as Forbes, USA TodayThe SpruceFood52, and more. Camryn does her product testing from her small homestead in beautiful Rhode Island. 

Jaclyn Turner photo
Jaclyn Turner

Jaclyn is the US eCommerce editor for Homes & Gardens, where she covers product content. She has also tested a number of vacuums within this list, including our standout top pick, the Dyson v15 Detect, the Shark Vertex Lightweight Cordless Stick Vacuum, the Tineco Pure One S15 Pro Cordless Vacuum, and the Dyson Outsize which means she's very well informed to tell you which one to invest in for your home.

Jennifer Oksien
Jennifer Oksien

Jennifer was our former large appliance editor and now serves as home editor at TechRadar. She's tested models from Dyson, Miele, and Samsung. When she is not bringing the best-in-class products to your attention.  Jennifer can be found going for walks in the Somerset countryside with her husband and daughter or enjoying some tea and cake with a magazine when she has a quiet moment.

Courtney Irwin
Courtney Irwin

Courtney calls herself a sort of a vacuum connoisseur, in addition to the very important titles of writer, entrepreneur, and mom of three.  She has a collection of vacuums: cordless, robot, wired, high-end, low-end, you name it. She reviewed the Bissell ICONpet cordless vacuum and thinks it's worth the hype, and the price tag. 

helen mccue
Helen McCue

Helen honed her reviewing skills at Good Housekeeping and has years of experience reviewing household appliances under her belt. She lives in a village in Buckinghamshire, UK, and reviewed the Levoit cordless vacuum for us. Her home covers all-floor types, including carpet, hardwood floors, and tiled floors as well as area rugs. 

How to choose a cordless vacuum cleaner

Our comprehensive video guide will take you through all the elements of a cordless vacuum cleaner so that you can buy the best one for you.

  • Find out how long the battery will last, and how long it takes to charge?
  • How heavy will your model be?
  • What is the dust bin capacity?
  • How will you store it? 

Cordless vacuums FAQs

How much should I spend on a cordless vacuum?

Budget upwards of $400 for a good-quality cordless with decent cleaning power. However, premium models can be more than $1000. More money can buy you powerful suction, longer battery life, or better tools. There are some good options under $400, but they have fewer bonus features and weaker suction power.

Are cordless vacuums worth it?

Absolutely. In a smaller home, they can replace a corded vacuum cleaner, especially if you choose a model with good suction. In larger homes, they are perfect for quick clean-ups – having one on the upper floor can make cleaning bedrooms quickly a real boost. Some cordless vacuums are even as powerful, if not more, than standard uprights, and also built to tackle pet hair too. Plus, they're typically half the weight of your traditional corded model, for easier use and mobility. 

What are key features I should look for in a cordless vacuum?

Filtration
If you have allergies, it's worth getting a cordless vacuum with a HEPA filter. This seals tiny particles, putting a stop to coughs, sneezes, and breathing issues. For instance, all Dyson cordless machines make use of HEPA filtration, while Miele and Samsung offer great air filtering options too. 

Battery life
Whether you're choosing a cordless as your primary or an extra, you'll want something with at least 30-45 minutes of battery life, so you're not worrying about whether you'll be able to finish the job or not. Plus, be mindful that those ranges often apply to using your cordless as a handheld, as opposed to floors. Battery life also seems to directly correlate to price, with models costing more as models extend.  Luckily, all of our chosen models at this time exceed that suggested amount. 

Dust bin capacity
To keep them lightweight and compact, dust bins are usually on the smaller end, as typical in stick designs. You should try to get as large a dust bin as possible.

Brush rolls that won't tangle or clog with hair
There are few things as gross as fishing hair and pet fur out of a tangle vacuum floor head. Some of the best models have features which stop this from happening.

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Laura Honey
eCommerce Editor

Laura is our eCommerce editor. As a fully qualified barista, she's our expert in all things coffee and has tested over thirty of the best coffee makers on the market. She has also interviewed Q-Graders and world-leading experts in the coffee industry, so has an intimate knowledge of all things coffee. Before joining Homes & Gardens, she studied English at Oxford University. Whilst studying, she trained as a master perfumer and worked in the luxury fragrance industry for five years. Her collection of home fragrance is extensive and she's met and interviewed five of the world's finest perfumers (also known as 'noses'). As a result of this expansive fragrance knowledge, she always puts quality and style over quantity and fads. Laura looks for products which have been designed simply and with thoughtful finishes.