8 Best Cordless Vacuums for Your Whole House (2025)
Honorable mentions
We have yet to try a vacuum cleaner that we absolutely hate. The ones below are solid vacuums and, in some cases, are much cheaper than our top picks, but we didn’t like them as much.
Bissell IconPet Turbo Edge for $200: The Bissell OG Stick Vacuum is a popular model that has been around for a while. It does a good job picking up cat hair and litter and also easily converts into a handheld vacuum. The battery lasts a little longer, but former WIRED reviewer Medea Giordano wasn’t impressed with its Cheerio-collecting abilities, and it can’t stand up on its own.
Black & Decker Powerseries Extreme Max for $140: The Black & Decker Powerseries Extreme Max is a great stick vacuum that’s cheaper than most. It stands up on its own, has three power levels that you can easily control on the handle, and performs well on different surfaces in my house. I really liked this vacuum, but it wasn’t as stable as the Bissell above, and the handle construction seemed a bit plasticky compared to it and other vacuums I’ve tested. There was, however, a larger capacity trash can.
Dirt Devil Power Swerve Pet Cordless Stick Vacuum for $110: We previously recommended it as a budget choice. It’s good value for money, but the results are mixed on battery life and build quality.
Dyson V12 Detect for $650: The V12 Detect is worth considering if you want something even slightly cheaper and lighter than the V15 (although it’s not as powerful and has a smaller bin).
Eufy 3-in-1 Robot Vacuum E20 for $450: WIRED reviewer Adrienne So was excited to try the Eufy E20, which is a stick vacuum, handheld vacuum, and robot vacuum all in one. It’s a handy and well-designed device, but it’s only suitable for light cleaning.
Eureka Innova Cordless Multi-Surface Vacuum for $246: This is a good stick vacuum at a reasonable price. It cleaned a litter mat particularly well, and there are specific settings for carpets and hardwoods. However, to vacuum larger pieces like Cheerios, I had to lift the vacuum and place it directly on top.
Greenworks Powerall 24V Cordless Stick Vacuum for $360: I liked the LED display on this stick vacuum to let me know what power level I was on and how much battery I had left based on the power level I was using. It comes with a nice range of accessories and has a battery like a power tool, making it very heavy.
Hoover OnePwr Emerge Pet for $319: Our tester said it wasn’t a bad vacuum in normal mode, but the attachments seemed flimsy with low suction power. Otherwise, the job was done.
Mova S1 Detect Cordless Vacuum for $299: This is a nice stick vacuum that comes with a nice set of accessories, and it worked well in my home. Our top pick can do a similar job for less, though, and it takes considerable effort to put the cartridge back in place when you empty it.
Narwhal S10 Pro: Former WIRED reviewer Medea Giordiano was impressed with Narwal’s S10 Pro, a wet/dry vacuum. It was replaced by the S20 Pro ($500), which we’re currently testing.
Worx 20V Cordless Stick Vacuum for $250: It’s a good vacuum, but the dustbin was harder to clean than other models I’ve tested.
FAQs
What is a cordless vacuum cleaner?
Cordless vacuums, also called stick vacuums, are what their name suggests: they don’t need a cord to work. Instead, they have a battery that you need to charge and are designed with a battery and motor at the top with a long, thin stick-shaped body connecting it to the vacuum head. They are much lighter than an upright vacuum and have become popular because they are much easier to store and move around the house. I especially like using one as someone who lives in a three-story house. Stick vacuums can also usually have the stick part removed to turn into a handheld vacuum, although they are much heavier than a true handheld vacuum (but the battery life is much better).
How long do cordless vacuum cleaners last?
Overall, vacuum cleaners tend to last around five years, but this depends on how often you vacuum and the build quality. However, according to Eufy, some cheaper stick vacuums only last about a year or two. So it’s worth investing in a better vacuum cleaner than finding a cheap stick vacuum cleaner. If you’re curious about what signs your vacuum might need to be replaced, check out our guide to how long vacuum cleaners last. If you’re curious if you’re vacuuming enough, check out our guide on how often you should vacuum.
How does WIRED test cordless vacuum cleaners?
The best way to test a vacuum cleaner is to use it as you normally would. So for a few months we lived with these cordless vacuums, running them to handle daily messes and deep clean hardwood floors, area rugs, and carpets each week. We charged for them, asked our partners to use them, and even brought some to a retail store to clean old furniture and heavy foot traffic.
We also did head-to-head tests, comparing how each picked up piles of Cheerios and kitty litter, to see if they blew debris or required multiple passes. We also took piles of already matted dust and dirt inside the vacuum bins to see how easily vacuum cleaners could suck them up in their thickened state.
Power up with unlimited access to WIRED. Get best-in-class reporting and exclusive subscriber content that’s too important to ignore. Subscribe today.
