Best cordless vacuum cleaners 2023: our top 10 stick vacuum recommendations

We've reviewed hundreds of cordless vacuums over the years to help determine the best cordless vacuum cleaner that you can buy right now, in 2023.

This involves checking out the specs of the vacuum cleaner and using them in our day-to-day lives, benchmarking them against tests to see how powerful the suction is and how long the battery lasts on a vacuum around the home. Our rigorous testing means that by the time you make a decision on what the best vacuum cleaner is for your home, you know that you are going to be receiving a vacuum cleaner that is built to last.

In my opinion, the best cordless vacuum cleaner that you can buy is the Shark Stratos. It was launched in 2022, and since then, it has consistently beaten its rivals with performance power and versatility. If you're after an older model, then the Dyson Outsize is a tough cookie to keep away from since it has the largest bin capacity of any of the other stick vacuums on the market - something that has impressed me time and time again.

Choosing a cordless vacuum cleaner doesn't need to be overwhelming, nor does it need to be complicated. We have carefully curated this new guide to the best cordless vacuum to show you a selection of stick vacuums that could fit the bill and/or your cleaning requirements.

Jennifer Oksien

Jennifer (Jen) has been reviewing vacuum cleaners for a few years and has been using them for a lot longer. This means that she knows the important spec to look out for when choosing the best cordless vacuum - long battery life, decent bin capacity, and hair raising suction. She has personally reviewed and used most of the cordless vacuums featured in this guide.

The quick list

Want to quickly find out what the best cordless vacuum cleaners are? Below you'll find a roundup of our choices, and you can jump to a more detailed review of every pick, along with our price comparison tool to help you find the best deals.

The best cordless vacuum cleaners we recommend in 2023

The best cordless vacuum overall

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The Shark Cordless Detect Pro has auto-sensing technology and an auto-empty system, both of which our reviewer, Alex, loved during testing. She appreciated the vacuum's performance and features, including its DirtDetect, FloorDetect, LightDetect, and EdgeDetect technologies, as well as its suction modes.

Assembly: The Shark vacuum is designed to reduce waste, with assembly instructions conveniently printed on the box, but the vacuum is so easy to put together that the instructions are unnecessary. Connecting the shaft, handheld vacuum, and vacuum head takes just five minutes. The auto-empty station comes in two pieces that are easily connected, and it even includes a crevice tool and a Pet Multi-Tool brush. An Odor Neutralizer Technology piece is the final addition to the station.

Design: The Shark Cordless Detect Pro is a lightweight and modern-looking vacuum with a compact design that allows it to be stored in small spaces like the corner of a kitchen or slim closet. The auto-empty station is impressive and works flawlessly, even when the filter is covered in dust or hair. However, Alex felt that the vacuum has two design flaws: the shaft doesn’t bend for easy under-furniture cleaning, and the vacuum head lock mechanism has a tendency to lock if vacuumed too close to the body. 

Performance: The vacuum is powerful and efficient, offering three levels of suction power. The DirtDetect Sensor is a great feature that automatically boosts the suction power when it recognizes hidden dirt, and the LightDetect sensor, EdgeDetect Sensor, FloorDetect sensor, and DirtDetect sensor can conveniently be used in auto mode. With a runtime of up to 60 minutes, the eco mode is perfect for a thorough cleaning session, and the vacuum head swivels easily, allowing you to easily vacuum in corners and around furniture legs.

Maintenance: The auto-empty station of the vacuum cleaner conveniently collects all the dirt and dust, freeing you from the hassle of frequently emptying the bin. The station can hold up to 30 days' worth of dirt, and it charges the vacuum every time it's placed on the station. The vacuum requires minimal maintenance, with only occasional rinsing and filter replacement needed. Pre-motor and auto-empty filters require cleaning once a month, while the HEPA filter should be replaced annually. The DirtDetect, LightDetect, and EdgeDetect sensors must be cleaned monthly to remove debris and hair that may obstruct the sensors.

Read our full Shark Cordless Detect Pro review

The best budget cordless vacuum

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The Levoit VortexIQ 40 Flex is a well-designed, cordless vacuum cleaner that is affordable and great at cleaning dirt, dust, and debris. It competes well against big-name brands like Dyson, yet is a fraction of the price. All in all, it's our best budget cordless vacuum pick for a variety of reasons.

Assembly: The vacuum offers an auto feature to adjust the power according to the level of dust in your home. It also has five customizable power settings, marked by two blue bars on the display, which can be adjusted using the + and - buttons. The unit has a standard vacuum head that can be used on hard floors or carpets, and the setup is easy, with clearly marked buttons and helpful instructions. The unit comes securely packed in a cardboard box with recyclable packaging and includes a quick start guide and a detailed user manual.

Design: The VortexIQ 40 Flex's matte black, silver, and gray plastic casing, chrome detailing, and colorful LED display give it a sleek appearance. The unit's grip is beveled rubber, which we felt was comfortable and provided a firm grasp. The buttons and locks are clearly marked, and the rubber edging on the crevice tool prevents scratches on the furnishings. The vacuum's LED headlights, flexible stick feature, and 90-degree folding shaft make it easy to use and operate at a reasonable noise level. The vacuum's maneuverability is impressive, and it is pet-friendly too.

Performance: The unit was tested in our reviewer, Joanne's, family home with pets and tried out in a living room and kitchen. It performed well in a general cleaning test, effortlessly picking up pet hair, dust, and debris from the hard floor and the carpet. The vacuum's ability to adjust its power automatically based on its cleaning surface impressed Joanne, and it easily handled various crumbs, flour, and oats. The mini motorized brush and rubber-tipped crevice tools effectively cleaned carpeted stairs and dusty skirting boards, respectively, and the dusting brush was gentle enough to dust family photos and protect woodwork.

Maintenance: The vacuum lasts around 40 minutes on a single charge and takes around four hours to charge up completely. The only downside that Joanne found is that emptying the dust cup can be messy, but regular emptying can help avoid this issue.

Value: The Levoit VortexIQ 40 stick vacuum cleaner is priced at $199.99, cheaper than some of its leading competitors. It may not run as long as some of its rivals, but 40 minutes is usually enough to clean the entire house. The sturdiness of the accessories and the additional flexible stick feature make it a good option for those looking for a reliable stick vacuum.

Read our full Levoit VortexIQ40 review

The best premium cordless vacuum

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The Dyson Gen5detect Absolute is a remarkable cordless vacuum cleaner with advanced suction power, HEPA filtration, and dust detection. In fact, it's such a good cordless vacuum that our reviewer, Joanne, has awarded it five stars - it's just in this position of our guide because of its premium list price. 

Assembly: The vacuum cleaner is a great choice for those concerned about sustainability, as its packaging is 100% recyclable, with no plastic or polystyrene. Instead of a manual, the vacuum comes with a QR code that links to the My Dyson app, which provides all the information you need, including a user guide, care and maintenance tips, and troubleshooting advice. The app also includes useful videos to illustrate instructions and a digital assistant to help you find the necessary information. Assembling the vacuum is easy and intuitive, with the filters and the battery unit installed.

Design: The Gen5detect Absolute is a powerful vacuum cleaner with a new colorway featuring a deep Prussian Blue and Rich Copper finish, giving it a luxurious and high-end look and feel. One of the significant changes in this model is removing the trigger button, which has been replaced with a simple power button above the LCD screen. Joanne found that this tweak in design made it much easier to operate and eliminated finger fatigue. The vacuum is also quieter than previous models, making it more pleasant to use.

Performance: Joanne tested the stick vacuum to see how it handled various types of debris and was impressed with how much dust and pet hair it picked up on its first pass in a large carpeted room. The Hair screw tool, crevice tool, and duster brush were all effective in cleaning different areas of our home, and the Fluffy Optic cleaner head did an excellent job of picking up even the smallest specks of dust on hard floors. The Dyson vacuum also succeeded in sucking up fine and larger particles on carpets and hard floors, leaving no dusty corners behind.

Maintenance: Clearing a blockage or cleaning the filter is made easy with the flag system, and the dust cup can also be easily emptied by pushing the lever at the side. It can be pumped several times to eliminate any packed-in dirt. However, the battery life may vary depending on the power mode used. While Dyson claims up to 70 minutes of running time, Joanne found that vacuuming on Auto mode took more power, lasting just over 30 minutes before needing recharging. The battery takes around four and a half hours to fully recharge, so an extra battery may be necessary for large homes.

Value: The Dyson Gen5detect Absolute is a high-end vacuum with a price tag of $949.99. Despite the cost, the vacuum comes with top-notch features and functionality. Dyson is known for its excellent customer support, service, and quality, and the vacuum also comes with a 2-year warranty for added peace of mind.

Read our full Dyson Gen5detect Absolute review

The best cordless vacuum with AI

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The Samsung Bespoke Jet AI marries style with smart technology, promising an efficient cleaning experience with its AI-powered capabilities.

Assembly: The package for the Samsung Bespoke Jet AI – which weighs a hefty 36lb / 16.4kg – contains the vacuum in 15 separate pieces situated between two polystyrene layers. Our reviewer, Katie, spent several minutes removing all the different pieces and a further 10 minutes putting the vacuum together because it didn't come with step-by-step instructions. 

The User Guide provides a labeled diagram of 24 different vacuum parts and what they should look like assembled, along with a list and pictures of the 16 accessories, but unless you watch Samsung’s ‘How To’ video, you'll waste a lot of time trying to figure it out.  

Design: The Samsung Bespoke Jet AI's design offers a good mix of style and substance. Its matte black finish with a subtle wave pattern gives it at an air of luxury – which is welcomed, given its high price tag – and the vacuum is surprisingly lightweight. This makes it easy to lift and move around the rooms of your house. In total, the vacuum and its Clean Station weigh 6.3 lbs / 2.9kg, but the station takes up a large proportion of this. 

The Clean Station offers a hygienic and quick dustbin emptying process, and the dustbin itself is positioned at the top of an adjustable pipe, just lower than the handle. While this positioning feels fine when the dustbin is empty, Katie found that as it starts to fill up, it makes the stick rather top-heavy, and this made our hands, wrists, and arms feel tired quickly. This dustbin holds 0.5 liters of dust and dirt, plus there’s another two liters of space in the Clean Station.

You can extend the length of the vacuum at the press of a button – from 23 inches to 31 inches – and the LCD digital at the top of the handle clearly shows you what mode you're using and how much battery you have left. 

Performance: Performance-wise, the Samsung Bespoke Jet AI has five modes, including an AI setting that adjusts suction based on your floor type. The 280 W HexaJet Motor tackles different surfaces with ease, and the LED-lit brushes illuminate hidden debris. While the AI mode is designed to conserve energy, on test, Katie found that it occasionally struggled with larger debris on hard floors. 

The various attachments, from crevice tools to pet hair brushes, extend the vacuum's versatility, making sure it can handle whatever is thrown at it, but they do require a lot of storage space. 

Maintenance: The maintenance of the Samsung Bespoke Jet AI is made easy thanks to the addition of its Clean Station. The washable dustbin and filter also help make the whole process easy, but it can take 24 hours for it to dry, so make sure you're washing them when you don't have plans to use the vacuum for a while. 

The SmartThings app provides digital support for tracking cleaning history and performing self-diagnosis, which can help extend the lifespan of the vacuum, although the physical LCD screen remains a quick go-to for mode adjustments.

Value: At $999.99, the Samsung Bespoke Jet AI sits at the premium end of the vacuum market. Its advanced AI technology, robust suction power, and comprehensive toolset justify the price if you're looking for top-tier tech. However, if you have simpler needs or budget constraints, the vacuum's high-end features may seem like great value for money.

Read our full Samsung Bespoke Jet AI review

The best cordless vacuum cleaner for large homes

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The Dyson V11 Outsize has continued to impress me since its launch in 2020 and will continue to do so (perhaps) until the stand-out features meet their match. I reviewed this one, and I still use it around my home as a 'second vacuum.'

Assembly: The Dyson V11 Outsize arrived at my address for our review in a recyclable delivery box, with all instruction manuals moved to be online - there's a QR to scan as a fast track to the setup guide.

It comes with 20% of its battery life already on each battery (it comes with two), but it's advised to fully charge the stick vacuum before first use. The battery conveniently clips on/off to the underside of the handle. In fact, the floor cleaner head, wand (stick), and dust canister all seamlessly click together, making for a super-quick assembly.

Design: The Dyson V11 Outsize weighs 3.7kg and is fully loaded with design features. The cleaner head, for example, is 25% larger than the standard Dyson High Torque cleaner head, meaning that it'll cover more of the floor surface a whole lot quicker. 

It also has a 1.9Ltr/0.5-gallon bin, which is 150% bigger bin than the Dyson V15 Detect, making for longer cleans between emptying. It is also one of the largest bins that I have seen featured on cordless vacuum cleaners prior to the launch of the new Dyson Gen5outsize Absolute, which showcases the same supersized bin. This addresses a major pain point of mine: a lacking dust cup, which Dyson has totally solved.

Performance: I highly rate the Dyson V11 Outsize for vacuum cleaning carpets and hard floors; biscuit crumbs, ground-in dirt, and stubborn pet hair were no match for it on test. The floorhead will intelligently optimize suction and runtime based on the floor type and detangle as you clean to avoid any hair getting trapped around the brushbar.

I found that we often achieved the 60-minute runtime as advertised from each battery, providing that the 'Eco' mode was selected on each occasion. Other modes to switch between are 'Auto' and 'Boost'.

What I struggled with, however, was using the Dyson V11 Outsize in handheld mode. The canister feels too big and top-heavy, so reaching for cobwebs in the top corners of the room was rather arduous. 

Maintenance: It's always good to recharge the battery of a cordless vacuum after each use. I found that it took up to the advertised 4.5 hours to fully recharge from empty, which I found wasn't too long to wait. It's also handy to have the brushbar in the floorhead detangle any wrapped hair as you vacuum.

Value: Although the Dyson V11 Outsize is not the latest vacuum cleaner to be released in this guide, it still maintains the high price tag of $600+, so it may not be for those working on a smaller budget.

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The best value-for-money self-emptying vacuum

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The Ultenic FS1 Cordless Vacuum Cleaner stands out with its strong suction and innovative self-emptying feature, offering a dust-free, easy-to-use experience. 

Assembly: Our reviewer, Alex, found that the Ultenic FS1 Cordless Vacuum Cleaner took less than five minutes to put together, thanks to an easy-to-read Quick Start guide. Inside the box is the main vacuum unit, a battery, a pipe, and a floor brush, alongside two additional dust bags, a power cord, an extra HEPA filter, and two attachments: a combination tool and a crevice tool.  

Once assembled, the vacuum docks neatly into its Auto Empty Station, standing tall and slim, ready to tackle household dirt. 

Design: Alex felt that the Ultenic FS1's design was a great blend of functionality and style. Its navy blue finish makes a nice change in a sea of black vacuums. The FS1's Auto Empty Station, a highlight of its design, allows for a hands-off approach to dust disposal. However, it's not perfect. 

The absence of any onboard storage for its attachments was a pain for Alex, and the vacuum's weight makes using it one-handed for any length of time, especially in handheld mode, difficult. Despite these drawbacks, the vacuum itself is compact, so it doesn't take up too much room and will suit smaller homes. 

Performance: With a maximum suction power of 30,000 Pa across four modes, the Ultenic FS1 is a powerhouse of a vacuum. Its Auto mode intelligently adjusts suction, while the Turbo mode gives a 10-second high-power clean for stubborn areas. During testing, the vacuum handled various debris, from oats to sugar, leaving no residue in a single pass. 

The Auto Empty Station further helps this performance by efficiently sucking debris from the vacuum into a 3-liter dust bag, although some debris has a tendency to escape when you take off the tools.

Maintenance: The Ultenic FS1 is designed for ease of maintenance, featuring a 5-layer filtration system and a straightforward process for emptying the dust bag. The HEPA filter and sponge can be washed, too, adding to this cleanliness. 

However, the need to purchase additional dust bags does add to the overall and ongoing cost. The Auto Empty Station could also be better at capturing debris during the self-emptying process.

Value: Priced at $279.99 / £299.99, the Ultenic FS1 offers significant value, especially when compared to its higher-priced competitors. Its powerful suction, self-emptying technology, and design make it an attractive and powerful option for those seeking a high-performance vacuum without the premium price tag.

Read our full Ultenic FS1 cordless vacuum review

The best cordless vacuum for pet hair

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The Shark Stratos Cordless is a 2022 model which continues to impress us. It has some specs that we haven't seen (or used) before and souped-up tech that we didn't previously think would be an option. I reviewed this one in my home.

Assembly: This cordless Shark vacuum arrived neatly packaged, with a minimal amount of recyclable packaging. Inside the box was the DuoClean floorhead, flexible wand, control unit, odor neutralizer technology cartridge, battery, plus two accessories: Duster Crevice Tool and Anti-Allergen Brush. 

It all seamlessly clipped and slotted together, although I did struggle to secure the intensity dial over the odor-neutralizer technology cartridge into the floorhead. It took a few goes at turning the dial until that, too, felt secure. All in all, though, it only took a few minutes to assemble all the components of the Stratos Cordless.

Design: At a glance, the Shark Cordless Vacuum looks like your average stick vacuum cleaner; the floorhead is positioned at one end of a wand, with a dust cup and controls at the other. However, look closer, and you'll see that the floorhead has been bolstered with Clean Sense IQ and odor-neutralizer technology. This means that the suction power automatically adjusts in areas of heavier dirt, and an odor eliminates any unpleasant smells.

The stick wand has 'MultiFlex technology,' which bends to clean under furniture (nothing new), but then it can be folded over for compact freestanding. When it's folded over, it can also be charged from an electrical socket, with no need to remove the battery.

Then, relatively similar to other cordless vacuums is the positioning of the handle, controls, and dust cup. It's this location on the vacuum that allows you to easily switch between the three power modes - CleanSense IQ (Auto), Eco, and Boost - when holding the handle. 

Performance: On test, the Shark Stratos Cordless was challenged with a variety of dried foods and daily debris. The cordless vacuum took it all in its stride. Whilst there was a lag of a split second for the CleanSense IQ to kick in when needed, I was really impressed by the accuracy of dirt detection - and the suction didn't fade until all the dirt was removed. The Eco and Boost modes do not have this automatic suction adjustment.

The sugar and puffed rice was picked up by the vacuum in one pass over, and none was blown out of the way as it ploughed through the mess. Not only did the floorhead remove debris, but it also lifted hair from hard floors and carpets with no strands getting in a tangle around the two brushrolls.

As I vacuumed around, the odor neutralizer left a fresh scent in the air, which I feel, along with the anti-hair wrap tech,  would be great for homes with resident pets. The powerful suction was consistent throughout the 60-minute runtime, with a recharge taking just 3 hours from zero.

Maintenance: The 0.18-gallon / 0.7L dust cup will need emptying after every other vacuum, and the filters will need a cleaning every three months. The odor-neutralizer capsule will also need replacing after six months of use. 

It can be stored by folding the Multi-Flex wand, which I feel makes it perfect where space is limited in the home. The battery can also be charged whilst the vacuum cleaner is in storage.

Value: The Shark Stratos has a listed price of $499.99/£429.99 and can be bought either directly from Shark or from various popular resellers. It's a 2022 model, which I've seen discounted throughout the year, so keep an eye out for any discounts in the holiday sales.

Read our full Shark Stratos Cordless review

The best cordless handheld vacuum

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The Shark WANDVAC Handheld Vacuum revolutionizes quick clean-ups with its ultra-lightweight design and powerful suction, all wrapped up in a sleek package that charges in under an hour.

Assembly: Upon unboxing the Shark WANDVAC, our reviewer, Millie, felt that the simplicity of its design was immediately clear. The package includes the main vacuum unit, a charging dock, two innovative nozzle attachments, and a straightforward instruction manual. Assembly is intuitive, and all the components snap together with a satisfying click without the use of tools. The charging dock, which doubles as a storage unit for the nozzles, helps keep everything together, compact, and organized. The vacuum arrives partially charged, allowing for immediate use, and reaches full charge capacity in less than an hour. 

Design: Weighing just 1.4 pounds and with a slimline figure, the Shark WANDAVAC is not only highly portable but also easy to maneuver in tight spaces. The overall design is simple, with few bells and whistles, but this means it will suit most decors and needs. It's also ergonomic and well-balanced, meaning it feels natural in the hand, reducing strain during use. 

The dust cup is compact and has a one-touch system for getting rid of dust and debris. However, the dust-release button's location near the power switch can lead to accidental spills.

Performance: Shark is renowned for its suction technology, and the performance of the Shark WANDVAC lives up to this reputation. Despite its small size, the vacuum offers robust cleaning and is capable of tackling everything from pet hair to gravel. The Duster crevice tool and Multi-surface pet tool attachments add to this performance and versatility, proving effective on a range of surfaces and in hard-to-reach places. 

However, the vacuum's stamina is a point of contention; with a battery life that taps out at ten minutes, it's clear the WANDVAC is designed for quick tasks rather than prolonged cleaning sessions. Millie felt that for small spills and daily dust bunnies, it's great, but you're unlikely to vacuum your whole car in that time. 

Maintenance: Maintaining the Shark WANDVAC is easy thanks to its bagless design and one-touch debris disposal button. The filters are washable, and the charging dock not only boosts the vacuum's battery but also serves as a storage station, keeping the unit and its attachments in one neat package. 

The small capacity of the dust cup does mean you'll need to empty it frequently, especially during larger clean-up jobs, which could soon get tedious. 

Value: The Shark WANDVAC's value is a mixed bag. On the one hand, its high cost is justified by its design, portability, and powerful suction, which are impressive for such a lightweight device. However, the short battery life of just ten minutes and the need to frequently empty the small dust bin are major drawbacks. This means that the Shark WANDVAC may not justify the premium price for all users, especially when there are more affordable options available.

Read the full Shark WANDVAC review