Upright vacuums, as we know them, are typically large and heavy machines that can be challenging to lug out. Since these traditional vacuums are often wired, cleaning reach is limited to the length of the power cord or the availability of a plug. Fortunately, cordless stick vacuums offer a light and portable alternative. They can serve as secondary vacuums, too, on days you’re not up to taking the big guns out.
Now, there are plenty of models in the market today, so choosing the right one can be challenging. However, familiar brands like Dyson, Shark, Tineco, and Black & Decker often top the list. Below, we’ve narrowed down some of their best cordless stick vacuums to help you out.
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Best Cordless Stick Vacuums Chart
| Model | Image | Price |
| Dyson V8 Animal |  |  |
| Shark Rocket Pro |  | |
| Tineco PureOne S12 |  |  |
| Dyson V15 Detect |  | |
| BLACK+DECKER Powerseries Extreme |  | |
Dyson V8 Animal
The best cordless stick vacuum for pet hair.
Cleaning pet hair is a different beast seeing how they can cling to carpet, area rugs, and upholstery. They can even accumulate and roll into gigantic fur balls. Here, the Dyson V8 Animal is the go-to cordless stick vacuum. “I own a dog who sheds pretty badly and live in an apartment, and this thing keeps both my hardwood floors and my carpet clean and spotless,” one fur parent shares.
Like other Dyson vacuums, the V8 Animal comes with several tools, including a direct-drive cleaning head. The direct-drive attachment is engineered to suck pet hair, but handles in-ground dirt efficiently, too. A lot of this can be attributed to its digital motor, which can spin at 110,000rpm. Combined with a telescopic handle, there’s no corner hard to reach with the V8 Animal.
Dyson’s cord-free and pet-friendly vacuum include HEPA filtration. It comes with two power modes — MAX and Powerful — and has a runtime of 40 minutes.
Weight: 5.63 lb. | Bin Capacity: 0.14 gal | Runtime: 40 minutes | Suction Power: 115 AW
Shark Rocket Pro Cordless Stick Vacuum
The best cordless vacuum for hardwood floors.
While hardwood floors seem easier to clean compared with carpeted surfaces, it’s easy to miss finer dust. Thankfully, the lightweight Shark Rocket Pro excels in this area. With its 181-watt motor, the Rocket Pro breezes through hardwood floors, sucking dirt and allergens along the way. Its swivel steering system makes it easy to maneuver, too, so you can target room edges as well.
The Rocket Pro’s self-cleaning brush roll is equipped with Shark’s Dirt Engage Technology. It’s a feature that allows the vacuum’s cleaning head 2x more direct contact on floors. This means it can suck out even tough, embedded dirt between floor planks. Shark’s Rocket Pro also comes with a crevice tool and upholstery tool out of the box.
One shopper said, “I love it for hardwood flooring house with some area rugs,” while another adds the vacuum is “lightweight and swivels nicely around furniture.”
Weight: 6.92 lb. | Bin Capacity: 0.34 qt. | Runtime: 40 minutes | Suction Power: —
Tineco PureOne S12
The best cordless vacuum for cars.
Most stick vacuums can convert to handheld. This makes them ideal for cleaning furniture and car interiors, too. The Tineco PureOne S12 Smart Vacuum Cleaner is no different. As a stick vacuum, it spans almost three feet, ideal when tackling floors and ceilings. Switch attachments, and you get a powerful handheld device that’s a favorite by consumers for cleaning cars.
“I used PureOne S12 to clean my car and just realized how dirty my car is after seeing the loop turned red on the screen,” shares one reviewer. It’s in reference to the S12’s interactive LED that shows dirt level, battery level, working status, and cleaning controls. The smart vacuum also boasts the iLoop sensor, which automatically adjusts suction power when it detects hidden dirt.
For day-to-day cleaning, the Tineco PureOne S12 makes things simple. The vacuum works with the Tineco app, allowing users to check their cleaning progress from a smartphone. Even its filters are self-cleaning, so you can vacuum uninterrupted.
Weight: 4.6 lb. | Bin Capacity: 0.15 gal | Runtime: 100 minutes | Suction Power: 145W
Dyson V15 Detect
The best cordless vacuum for carpets.
Dyson’s most powerful and intelligent vacuum is also the best for cleaning carpets — provided you have at least $900. Price-tag aside, the Dyson V15 Detect is in a class of its own. From a color LCD screen to a cleaning head with a laser, this premium cord-free device is made for those who don’t want to miss a spot. It barely does.
With the V15, you’re getting the Hyperdymium motor that spins up to 125,000rpm. Dyson claims it’s the most powerful suction in a cordless vacuum, and shoppers can only vouch for it. “The difference in suction between this model and an older one is quite remarkable,” one reviewer writes. With that much power, one user comments it “should do the trick for your carpet woes.”
Although expensive, the V15 Detect is feature-packed. Dyson includes 2 cleaner heads and 8 accessories out of the box. The premium vacuum can also intelligently adapt its suction power to dust levels. Plus, you can clean for up to an hour on a single charge.
Weight: 6.79 lb. | Bin Capacity: 0.20 gal | Runtime: 60 minutes | Suction Power: 230AW
BLACK+DECKER Powerseries Extreme
The best cordless vacuum under $200.
If you’re on a budget but want a versatile vacuum, the BLACK+DECKER Powerseries Extreme is a solid choice. Sturdily built and with a large dustbin capacity, the cord-free stick vacuum can take on floors, stairs, and walls, among others. Because of its price, shoppers tend to underestimate its capability. As one review puts it, the Powerseries Extreme is “much better than I expected a cordless to be.”
But what makes it a surprisingly good machine? First, the vacuum comes with an angled floorhead to clean multiple surfaces. Next, v-shaped bristles in the cleaning head help loosen and suck dirt and particles. Inside, an anti-tangle brush bar also minimizes hair-wrap for consistent vacuuming power throughout. There’s even a floorhead light, so you can see messes even in low-light.
BLACK+DECKER’s vacuum comes with a crevice attachment and washable filters. It’s wall-mountable, too, with a 20V battery that delivers up to 55 minutes of runtime.
Weight: 6.83 lb. | Bin Capacity: 0.17 gal | Runtime: 55 minutes | Suction Power: 230AW
Verdict
While these are some of the best cordless stick vacuums to get, two models stand out — the Dyson V15 Detect and the BLACK+DECKER Powerseries Extreme.
Cordless stick vacuums are versatile tools perfect for quick and effective cleaning. They’re lightweight, portable, and convert to a handheld device. Outside your home, you can even use it to clean your car. Among the vacuums in this list, Tineco’s PureOne S12 is best for this purpose. Its intelligent dirt detection means you know exactly where your car seat or mat needs suctioning.
Dealing with pet hair at home? The Dyson V8 Animal can work its magic in picking up pet hair, dander, and allergens in the room. Looking to sweep your hardwood floors before polishing? Get the Shark Rocket Pro with twice the contact points on these surfaces.
Still, it’s hard to argue against the Dyson V15 Detect and BLACK+DECKER Powerseries Extreme. Among the models in this list, they stand out the most. The V15 Detect is the most powerful cordless vacuum from the company, perfect for suctioning deep-seated dirt on carpets and rugs. If you’re willing to splurge, this is the vacuum to buy. Meanwhile, those on a budget will find plenty to praise with the versatile Powerseries Extreme. Here, powerful suction and large bin capacity meet at a price tag under $200.
FAQs
The Dyson V15 Detect is the best cordless vacuum for carpets. It has the most powerful suction of any cordless stick vacuum at 125,000rpm.
Tineco is one of the strongest alternatives to a Dyson vacuum. Its PureOne S12 series are similarly intelligent, with sensors that allow the vacuum to adjust its suction power based on dirt level.
The Powerseries Extreme cordless vacuum from BLACK+DECKER comes with a two-year limited warranty.
Shark recommends replacing the post-motor or HEPA filter every 12 months or as needed.