Cordless stick vacuums are useful tools when you need something lightweight and portable. Since they don't have a power cord, you don't have to worry about range or managing the cable when you're done cleaning. They're also easier to carry up and down stairs or into different rooms than traditional upright or canister vacuums. Some people may even prefer how they feel in-hand as they can be lighter to maneuver around the room. That said, they come with disadvantages largely related to their battery performance. If you don't mind the charge time or their short active battery life, they can be a suitable addition to any home.
We've tested over 75 vacuum cleaners, and below are our recommendations for the best cordless stick vacuums to buy. These picks were selected not only based on their performance on different types of surfaces but also their feature set, battery life, and price. For more buying recommendations, check out our articles for the best cordless vacuums, the best cordless vacuums for pet hair, and the best vacuums for high-pile carpet.
The best cordless stick vacuum for bare floors that we've tested is the Shark Rocket Pet Pro. It does a fantastic job on bare surfaces like hardwood or linoleum since it can pick up pet hair as well as small and large debris with little problem. It also has a self-cleaning brushroll, which can remove hair wraps while you clean.
This decently well-built model has a flexible wand, which makes it very maneuverable, especially if you need to get underneath tables or chairs. With its handheld configuration, it's easy to clean hard-to-reach areas like crevices. It also comes with a couple of extra tools and brushes like a hard bristle brush for cleaning more stuck-on debris. If you have rugs around the home, it also does a great overall job on these surfaces. Additionally, it has a manual floor setting feature to make the brushroll spin faster or slower depending on the surface type.
Unfortunately, it has several parts that need regular maintenance. Luckily, as long as it's properly maintained, there are virtually no recurring costs. While its battery only lasts around 12 minutes on its most powerful mode, you can also get over 40 minutes of continuous vacuuming time when using its default mode. All in all, it offers outstanding performance on bare floors, and it's even one of the best vacuums for tile floors.
If you want a vacuum with better build quality, you may want to consider the Miele Triflex HX1 instead. This upright/handheld model lacks an allergen-trapping HEPA filter and has a smaller dirt compartment than the Shark Rocket Pet Pro, but it's made of plastic that feels more sturdy. It's incredible on bare floors, as it easily clears pet hair and debris like rice and cereal. Its unique 3-in-1 design allows you to switch it into a stick vacuum, which is helpful if you want to clean under low furniture, or a handheld, which is useful for tackling stairs or shelves. It's also easier to maintain than the Shark, but it incurs more recurring costs since the filter should be replaced periodically.
If you want a vacuum with virtually no recurring costs, or you prefer something with a HEPA filter, go for the Shark. If you want something with better build quality and less demanding maintenance needs, you may like the Miele instead.
The Dyson V8 Animal is the best cordless stick vacuum that we've tested. This model does an excellent job of cleaning low-pile carpets, where it has no issue clearing pet hair and debris. It also easily clears pet hair from high-pile carpets, and its performance stays consistent as its dirt compartment fills up.
It has a lightweight, compact design and good maneuverability. You can switch it into a handheld configuration if you want to clean stairs, your car, or another awkward area. It comes with a unique 180-degree extension wand that helps with cleaning high-up areas like shelves. There's also a turbo brush you can use on fabric-covered furniture and a crevice tool for getting into tight corners. Also, since it uses a bagless design and washable filters, it incurs practically no recurring costs.
Unfortunately, it doesn't have the best build quality since it's mostly made of plastic that doesn't feel very sturdy. Also, its battery only provides roughly eight minutes of continuous use if you use the more powerful suction setting, and it takes more than four hours to recharge. That said, if you're looking for a versatile, portable stick vacuum for your carpeted floors, it's a great option.
The JASHEN V16 is the best budget cordless stick vacuum that we've tested. This affordable model is very effective at clearing pet hair from any surface type. It's very portable and equipped with a HEPA filter to help trap allergens as you clean.
There are three different suction power settings to choose from, as well as two interchangeable brushrolls, one for carpets and one for bare floors. You can reconfigure it as a handheld vacuum, which is useful when cleaning stairs, shelves, and other awkward spaces. It also comes with a variety of accessories, including an upholstery tool for cleaning fabric-covered furniture. Its battery performance is good, as it provides roughly between just under 15 to over 40 minutes of continuous use.
Unfortunately, while it easily clears pet hair and small debris from bare floors, it really struggles with sucking up bulky debris like cereal from those surfaces. It may also need more than one pass to properly clean fine debris, like baking soda, from carpets. Otherwise, its budget-friendly price and fairly versatile performance make it a solid choice if you're looking for an affordable cordless stick vacuum.
Feb 19, 2021: Verified that we're still recommending the best products for our users and that they're available.
Jan 22, 2021: Added the LG CordZero A9 Ultimate to Notable Mentions. Checked that we're still recommending the best products for our users and that they're in stock.
Dec 22, 2020: : Added the "Alternative With A Better Build Quality" category and added the Miele Triflex HX1. Removed the "Alternative With More Tools and Brushes" category and moved the Dyson Cyclone V10 Absolute to Notable Mentions.
Dec 10, 2020: Minor changes to the text for consistency and accuracy; no change in product recommendations.
Our recommendations above are based on what we think are currently the best cordless stick vacuums for most people. We don't just base our results on overall performance, but also factors like availability, price, and reader feedback.
If you would like to do the work of choosing yourself, here is the list of all our reviews of cordless stick vacuums. Be careful not to get too caught up in the details. While no vacuum is perfect for every use, most are good enough to please almost everyone, and the differences are often not noticeable unless you really look for them.