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Tired of hauling out your heavy corded vacuum for every little mess life throws at you? A cordless stick vacuum is the answer for quick clean-ups, car tidying, and traversing stairs.
Our top pick for most people is the Shark PowerDetect. It's simple to use, great at picking up debris on most surfaces, and has handy features like a self-emptying dock. For a little more, you can get the powerful Dyson V15 Detect, which has lasted us years of heavy use and handles cleaning across the whole home.
For budget-conscious shoppers, the Levoit LVAC-300 is nearly as good as the premium picks. Carpet, hardwood, stairs, car - it does it all with a price that won't clean out your wallet.
We thoroughly tested 20 of the most popular cordless vacuums, tackling real-world messes from pet hair to Cheerios. The result: clear recommendations for different needs and budgets—no sponsored picks, just the models that truly stood out.
Looking to keep the daily upkeep at bay? We highly recommend adding a robot vacuum to help keep up with a busy household.
Editor's Note: We updated this review on October 21, 2026, with new products from Dyson, Levoit, Bissell, and Tineco.
With excellent carpet cleaning performance and convenient features, the Shark PowerDetect is one of the best. For quick cleanups on any surface, the PowerDetect is hard to beat. It has two built-in brush rollers (one for carpet, one for hard floors) and a smart detect mode that adjusts suction based on debris and surface type. There's no need to swap vacuum heads or tweak settings, so you can move from room to room without breaking your flow. This Shark shone brightest when removing pet fur from our shag rugs, something most other vacuums can't do. Perhaps the feature we appreciate most is the docking station, which provides storage and extends the time between messy bin-emptying, a weakness of slim stick vacuum designs. We love that we don't have to get dirty and release dust into the air every time we pull out the vacuum.
The PowerDetect's bumper at the front of the head keeps it from reaching edges during head-on passes, making it less effective for cleaning stairs and under cabinets. Additionally, hair and fur can become tangled easily, so pet owners may need to clean the vacuum head more frequently. While many cordless vacuums include a motorized upholstery tool, this model leaves that part out. That means it's not the best option for tighter spaces like car interiors or couch corners. It's also a bit of an investment compared to a traditional upright vacuum. If you're looking for something similar without the added cost of the station, consider the Shark Vertex Pro Lightweight—especially if your home has thicker rugs, where it actually performed better in our testing. Still, the convenience of the Shark PowerDetect model pays off every time you use it, making chores quicker and easier so you can spend more time doing what you love.
Simply put, we love vacuuming with the Dyson V15 Detect. It is effective on carpet and hardwood, and even tackles thick pet hair. The standard “Auto” mode adjusts the power based on the mess it's tackling. Minor day-to-day crumbs? Less power. A bowl of rice dumped off the counter? More power. This effectively saves battery so you can keep moving without needing to recharge. We were particularly impressed on hardwood. The Fluffy Optic brush is excellent at picking up all types of debris on hard surfaces and features a laser that illuminates dust. Our lead tester noted, “At first, I thought the Fluffy Optic head would be a little gimmicky, but I ended up loving this feature as it allowed me to see tiny debris that would have otherwise been left behind.” However, our favorite attachment of the bunch was the mini motorized hair screw tool. This allows the V15 Detect to work as a handheld vacuum and clean pet hair from furniture. It's also handy for cleaning out the car with the variety of attachments included.
Though it has a great run time on “Eco” (64 min), it only lasts 9 minutes on “Boost,” the highest setting. Still, the “Auto” function was enough for most of our home, and we liked how it kicked in more power when needed. Additionally, we found “Boost” mode to be overpowering at times and hard to push on carpet. The vacuum also only runs while the trigger is being held, which is our biggest complaint. You must hold this down for the entirety of your clean. If you let go, the vacuum turns off. Our testers' hands got tired during large cleans and wished it were just a button to turn the vacuum on and off. Still, we found this to be a fair tradeoff for the excellent level of cleaning and convenience offered by the V15 Detect. The Dyson Gen5detect has many of the same great features as the Detect, but doesn't have the trigger-on function. If you like the sound of the V15 Detect but prefer a button, this is the way to go, but the upgrade will cost you.
It's a relief to find a vacuum that does everything we want without breaking the bank. The Levoit LVAC-300 does just that. It keeps carpet and hardwood clean without clogging, and it isn't a workout to push. It stands alone, meaning you can set it upright, walk away, and come back and it'll be right there waiting for you. No need for your vacuum to topple over in the coat closet or while you tidy up. Our tester noted, “I hate watching an expensive vacuum fall to the floor when leaned against the wall. I love that the Levoit doesn't do that.” It is lightweight and can be transformed into a handheld with the motorized mini brush, which worked great on our stairs. We appreciated the percentage-left battery screen, which allowed us to plan our cleaning route through our home accordingly.
What's the catch? Perhaps longevity. The Dyson models are built with more durable materials and have taken a beating around our homes and office, and still work well. We haven't had any major concerns with the Levoit during our testing, but it's something we are aware of, as many of our Levoit vacuums have broken within a few years. Still, the price is hard to ignore, especially with it often on sale. If you're in the market for a budget vacuum, this is the one you should get.
You can leave the Levoit LVAC-300 standing up on its own, which is a feature we love, as many topple over when resting on the wall. Credit: Matt Lighthart
The LVAC-300 cleans tight along baseboards. Credit: Matt Lighthart
While not as fancy as Dyson's lasers, the Levoit LVAC-300 still has handy headlights. Credit: Matt Lighthart
Cleaning stairs with this lightweight vacuum is a breeze. Credit: Matt Lighthart
If you want to clean your small space without breaking the bank, the Bissell PowerClean FurFinder is a great pick. It does well on multiple surfaces, leaving carpets and hardwood looking fresh. It's also easy to push, gliding from surface to surface without getting stuck on the floor. It includes handy features, like its ability to stand alone (no toppling over in the closet) and a motorized upholstery tool. We loved the upholstery tool when traversing stairs, though the vacuum itself is light enough to use on its own. This vacuum is best for small apartments, dorm rooms, and personal offices.
The FurFinder isn't great for pet owners, despite its suggestive name. It leaves plenty of pet hair behind, and you still need to clean the brushroll. We also had gripes emptying the dustbin, with our tester noting, “I hated reaching in to grab the dusty filter to empty the canister. It felt icky, and I needed to wash my hands right away.” At its entry-level price, you miss out on premium features the Dyson models and Shark PowerDetect include, like targeted, variable power. This also meant that our battery didn't last as long, shutting off after 13 minutes on high and 46 minutes on low. If you're okay with something simple for a smaller space, the Bissell PowerClean FurFinder could be for you.
The Dyson Gen5detect proved itself to be one of the most effective cordless vacuums available. It's the bigger and badder sibling of the Dyson V15 Detect, with even more powerful suction and adding our favorite improvement: an on/off button so you don't have to hold down a trigger while you clean. The intense suction meant that during our carpet testing, hardly a speck of sand remained buried in the carpet weave. The laser-enabled head truly sparked joy when cleaning hardwood floors, illuminating even the smallest motes of dust, and helping us achieve a pristine clean inside our homes. This vacuum was “designed for the clean freaks,” noted one of our team members. Even on its lowest setting, it had enough power to clean our tester's entire 4-bedroom home, and with 67 minutes of battery life, it lasted through the whole job.
The certified HEPA filter didn't disappoint during our clean air filtration testing, making this vacuum suitable for those with allergies. We also appreciated the added attachments, like the crevice tool built into the vacuum wand and the motorized brush attachment that made cleaning stairs and pet beds much more streamlined. The heightened design and attention to detail don't come for free (or cheap). The elevated performance persuaded us that there is value here, for those with deep pockets who desire that extra deep clean. There is a tradeoff between the intense suction and the overall maneuverability of this model. Both the heaviness of the motor and the difficulty pushing this high-powered vacuum across carpet meant that you can work up a bit of a sweat when cleaning, and occasionally with a fatigued forearm.
The Gen5detect is a cleaning powerhouse. Credit: Natalie Kafader
Settings are easy to toggle through on the Gen5detect. Credit: Natalie Kafader
It's quick and easy to get the Gen5detect's brushroll out to clean. Credit: Natalie Kafader
Product Comparison Table
We test all vacuums at our in-house testing facility, mimicking real-world messes and situations. Credit: Natalie Kafader
How We Tested
We've tested over 250 vacuums in the past decade, and everything we've learned has gone into helping you find the right one. You can learn more about our current vacuum test protocol here. We put each vacuum through more than 25 individual tests that reflect real-world use.
To reflect real-life conditions, we test the vacuums on a 27 square foot area and give them only 24 seconds to clean up the mess. We pile the carpets high with debris by dumping a ½ cup of each sand, rice, and Cheerios in the lane, and we measure exactly how many grams the vacuum successfully sucked up to deliver accurate results.
Each vacuum undergoes two trials, with repeats for any inconsistencies, ensuring we gather reliable data across different kinds of carpet.
Our hardwood test starts the same as carpeted tests. We dump a ½ cup of each rice, sand, and Cheerios on our hardwood floring. After vacuuming for 24 seconds (an average time spent on this size of flooring), we measure how much the vacuum was able to collect.
In addition to the standard cleaning test, we check edge performance to assess how well it cleans tougher spots. We sprinkle coffee grounds along a basebord and approach it head-on and while moving parallel with the wall. The best vacuums clean the mess no matter what direction you approch it with.
Our team brings in real pet fur from their cats and dogs. We then press the hair into carpets to see how well each vacuum picks it up. After weighing the before and after, we are able to calculate a percentage of pet hair cleaned. We also sprinkle long hair from extensions to see how well the vacuums can pick up the occasional longer human hair.
The brush roller gets a lot of focus during this test too. Some vacuums get clogged or the brush roller gets wrapped in hair. We keep an eye on this during our vacuuming runs. We also note how tricky it is to get the hair free from the brush head.
To test how well a vacuum captures particles, we use fine flour, a great stand-in since its particles can reach microscopic sizes. We vacuum a third of a cup out of the carpet and record the peak small particle count in the testing room across three trials using two Dylos meters. In general, the lower the count, the better the vacuum is at containing and filtering fine debris.
Our ease of use test focuses on how easy it is to get going with the vacuum. Ideally, a stick vacuum clicks on and goes with no fuss. We evaluate how user-friendly each vacuum is, from handling and maneuverability to how helpful the included attachments are for reaching every corner and surface of your home.
We test each vacuum's battery life to see how long it lasts on a single charge, on both the lowest and highest settings. This gives you the range that you have to work.
These vacuums have been tested in the lab and in our homes for the most reliable information. We test how effective they are at cleaning up debris, how easy they are to use, among many other tests.
Why Trust GearLab
Rachael Lamore, Senior Review Analyst and Editor, designed our vacuum testing protocol, bringing scientific rigor and hands-on expertise from testing dozens of vacuums. She is our lead tester, not just in this vacuum category, but has also spent hundreds of hours testing canister, upright, and handheld vacuums. She has a background in biological sciences and ecological research, bringing analytical precision to the development of vacuum testing protocols that measure suction, debris pickup, and filtration.
Becca Glades, Senior Review Editor, joins the team as a parent and dog owner. She frequently cleans her house, picking up after a toddler and two heavily shedding labradors. A cordless stick vacuum is a non-negotiable item in her home, as the convenience for quick clean-ups is hard to find elsewhere. Becca's BS in Biology gives her the scientific mindset needed for product testing, ensuring the recommended products are both practical and functional.
Jessica Riconscente has been testing and writing about vacuums of all types with GearLab for years. She has learned the ins and outs of cordless stick vacuums and knows exactly what to look for, including how well they perform in households with families and pets. Together, our team delivers data-driven recommendations based on our team's evaluations, ensuring that each vacuum is tested under real-world, repeatable conditions.
Our pets were happy to lend some fur for our pet hair tests. Credit: Natalie Kafader
Analysis and Test Results
In the following sections, we dive into our test results, comparing products that stood out in our testing, for better or worse. Depending on your cleaning crises, you may favor one metric over another, so we suggest focusing on the sections that matter to you most.
Worse Value
Better Value
What's the Best Value?
Both the Levoit LVAC-300 and Bissell PowerClean FurFinder offer exceptional value. They clean carpet and hard surfaces with little fuss. They both have the stand-alone feature and motorized mini brush tools. They are the package deal at great prices, though not built as robustly as the Dysons.
The Dyson stick vacuums performed well in our testing, but it is no secret that they are some of the priciest. However, you can find them on sale from time to time. Our recommendation is to run a quick price comparison and buy whichever model you can find for the least expensive price. The Dyson V15 Detect and the Dyson V15s Submarine stick vacuums performed nearly identically as the Gen5Detect in our cleaning tests, despite slightly lower suction power (and were a bit easier to maneuver as well). Unfortunately, they both feature the trigger-on/off mechanism that we would like to see phased out. At the end of the day, if a trigger mechanism isn't a deal breaker, these can offer great long-term value if you find them on sale.
If you need a reliable vacuum for prolonged use at a low price, you may want to consider a compact upright or canister vacuum. Plugging into the wall gives you cheaper access to more power.
The Levoit LVAC-300 is one of our favorites, and we love the simple functionality. Credit: Matt Lighthart
Carpet Performance
Anyone with carpet knows how easily fine dust, dirt, and bits of food or outdoor debris get ground in by feet and paws. In order to make our tests comprehensive, we run trials on both low pile (¼" thick) and high pile/shag carpet (1¼" thick) to determine performance scores.
Conventional Low Pile Carpet vs. Shag High Pile
The taller and fluffier your carpet or rug, the more dirt settles deeper into the carpet weave, only to be released by intense suction and agitation from your vacuum cleaner. There's a noticeable jump in how much harder it is to thoroughly clean high-pile rugs and carpets.
Shorter carpets often have superficial messes where larger items can be challenging for the vacuum head to crawl over and suck up. Higher pile carpets are like hoarders. They like to trap everything and make it difficult to effectively agitate deep into the carpet, often leaving finer material behind.
Carpet Cleaning Performance (%)
Product
Low Pile
High Pile
Samsung Bespoke AI Jet Lite
98
52
Shark PowerDetect Cordless
94
54
Dyson Gen5detect
96
50
Shark Vertex Pro Lightweight
90
56
Dyson V15 Detect
94
49
Shark Pet Plus
92
49
Bissell PowerClean FurFinder
92
49
Dyson V15s Submarine
95
45
Levoit LVAC-300
91
49
Shark Stratos Cordless
83
53
Tineco Pure ONE S20
87
49
Dyson V8
92
44
Dyson Gen5outsize
90
42
Smoture VAC01
87
42
Shark Rocket Pro DLX Corded
86
36
Dyson V12 Slim
78
44
Dyson V16 Piston Animal Submarine
88
33
Eureka Cordless ReactiClean 410
78
37
Black+Decker Powerseries+ 20V
73
24
Ryobi 18 V ONE+
58
20
Low Pile Carpet
To clean carpets effectively, a vacuum needs both:
A stiff-bristled brush to dislodge dirt from deep in the fibers
Strong suction to lift the mess away without scattering
Together, this is a combination for success!
To ensure we get results that we can compare apples-to-apples, we take exact measurements of the amount of material we use. Credit: Natalie Kafader
While not the best anywhere else, the Samsung Bespoke AI Jet Lite was our best performer on low-pile carpet. In its first test run, it picked up a perfect 100% of debris. Subsequent runs weren't as good, but still earned A+ results, cleaning nearly every speck in sight. This vacuum varies its cleaning power based on the mess and flooring type, which proved effective on low-pile carpet.
The Samsung Bespoke AI Jet Lite left our carpets cleaner than any other in the lineup. Credit: Matt Lighthart
The Dyson Gen5detect, V15s Submarine, and V15 Detect performed similarly, each cleaning over 94% of the mess, thanks to their identical head design. On carpet, their strong suction sometimes pushes larger debris like Cheerios forward before eventually picking them up. That said, we were especially impressed by how well they pulled deeply embedded sand out of the carpet, something many vacuums struggle with. They also worked fast, which made cleaning the house noticeably quicker compared to other products.
Dyson Gen5detectBlack+Decker Powerseries+ 20V
You can view the difference between one of the best performers, Dyson Gen5detect, versus one of the worst, Black+Decker. Notice the haze of the carpet on the right?. That's all the sand the Bissell couldn't lift up. Select the “Compare Other Products” button below to view more results from the lineup.
The Shark PowerDetect uses a combination brush roller, designed to be functional on both hard flooring and carpet alike. This design is built to handle larger debris like Cheerios and offers the convenience of not needing to swap vacuum heads, though it does trade off some raw suction power. The powerful brushroll agitation of the Shark PowerDetect was so effective that this vacuum still captured 94% of debris.
The budget picks, the Levoit LVAC-300 and Bissell PowerClean FurFinder, both cleaned more than 90% of the large mess. Smaller messes will be no challenge for these two.
The Levoit LVAC-300 even made nice vacuum lines across our carpets, letting visitors know we clearly cleaned. Credit: Matt Lighthart
We were disappointed by the Ryobi 18V, which seemed to snowplow Cheerios and larger debris around the carpet rather than suck them up. The disappointment thickened when the vacuum was turned off after cleaning and watched debris fall back out of the bottom, leaving a whole new mess. To add salt to the wound, even the places it had passed over and attempted to clean were still littered with a mixture of sand, rice, and Cheerios.
The Ryobi pushes larger debris, like Cheerios, around rather than sucking it up. Credit: Matt Lighthart
Shag Rugs and High Pile Carpet
If you've ever owned a shag rug, you know how hard it is to keep it clean. These high-pile fibers pose the biggest hurdle for cordless stick vacuums. Their brush rollers can't reach down and agitate fine debris buried within thick carpet fibers. It only gets worse as shag ages, as the long fibers knot, locking in debris.
We conduct our testing in the same way as low-pile testing: measuring, weighing, and timing, all standardized to present findings we can compare.
Here, we show the full process for testing on high-pile carpet. Credit: Natalie Kafader
The stick vacuums barely cleaned 50% of our large messes. The best were the Shark models. The Shark Vertex Pro Lightweight picked up 56% of the mess, while the PowerDetect Cordless cleared 54%. Of the two, we would recommend the PowerDetect, as it sucked up more sand and rice than the Vertex Pro. This finer type of debris is harder to clean and gets lodged within the fiber weave, while cereal is easier to pick up without a deep clean.
Shark Vertex Pro LightweightRyobi 18 V ONE+
The Vertex did well on our high pile test, where the Ryobi 18 V ONE+, like many budget models, struggled on this difficult test.
We were surprised with some of the more expensive products in our lineup. The Dyson models rarely cleared more than half of the debris, despite their auto-fluctuating mode. Meanwhile, the Samsung Bespoke AI got clogged halfway through our first trial.
Here, the Bespoke AI tells us the vacuum is clogged during our high-pile test. Credit: Matt Lighthart
Why Did We See Dramatic Drops For The Dysons?
The powerful suction of these models makes it so you move a bit slower across the deep shag carpet; therefore, their performance takes a hit. While some competitors were better at sucking up larger materials and snagging them from the carpet quickly, the Dysons' deep cleaning needs additional time to collect the sand that likes to burrow into rugs.
We did additional runs with the Submarine and found that it could collect up to 71% more with just a few extra passes.
At the top of the photo, the plowing (or pushing of debris) that occurs with the Dysons is evident. Still, from the visual here, the V15 didn't do that badly. However, what lurks deep in the rug takes more time to clean, in our experience. Credit: Natalie Kafader
The Kenmore, along with other cheaper models like the Ryobi and Black+Decker, didn't fare as well on the high pile as it did on the short. These three had the worst performance in our tests, only picking up about 20% of the mess. The brush tines of both the Ryobi and the Black+Decker tangled in the tall carpet, preventing the vacuums from cleaning well. Whereas the Kenmore's movement felt so light, it was almost too easy to push the vacuum around on the shag, with a noticeable lack of suction that barely captured any debris.
Before TestingAfter Testing
This is what we saw during our carpet performance testing. Move the toggle to the left or right to see the initial test material and how effective the two products, Shark Stratos (left) and Black+Decker (right), were in our most stringent tests. You can see the difference between what a mid-range model and a budget model can clean up.
What does this mean for you if you have high-pile carpet and want a cordless stick vacuum? Don't let your small messes become large messes. Clean right away and avoid stressing the vacuum. You might also need extra passes over the carpet to clean it, unlike low-pile. Alternatively, an upright vacuum might be better for your home if you have mostly high-pile carpet.
Hardwood Performance
We used the same procedure to test hardwood pickup as we did for carpet, allowing us to compare performance across different flooring types and see how each vacuum handles a whole-house clean. We also tested how well each model captures crumbs along edges to ensure it can clean thoroughly into every corner and close to walls.
Once again, the Dyson family takes the lead. These come equipped with a separate hard surface cleaning head that's gentle on hardwood but powerful enough to handle larger debris.
Dyson V15 DetectSamsung Bespoke AI Jet Lite
The Dyson V15's soft fluffy brush polished the floors as it suck up all the material we put down in our test. Meanwhile, the Samsung Bespoke AI got clogged and left plenty behind.
Dyson's Fluffy Optic Head for Hard Surfaces
While the Dyson's laser head sounds gimmicky and certainly isn't required to get a good clean, it did make achieving that clean much easier, perhaps even fun, and helps guarantee that you have banished every dust mote from the flooring.
As self-proclaimed neat freaks, the laser really scratched the itch for tidy perfection. All of the cordless vacuums feature LED lights that help you see the dirt on your floor. However, the low angle of the laser was a much more effective visualizer than the standard lights.
Here you can see for yourself how effective the laser illumination is. Credit: Natalie Kafader
While you're limited by the smaller dustbin of the Dyson V12, this model still comes with the Fluffy Optic head and a motorized attachment, making it great for upholstery cleaning. This makes it a great “mid-range Dyson” pick for someone with a small space and lots of hard flooring. On the other side of the spectrum is the Dyson Gen5outsize, which has a massive canister that can last you multiple cleans before needing to be dumped. Plus, it picks up 99% of debris on hardwood.
The Dyson Gen5outsize has a large 1.9L dustbin that prevents frequent trips to the trashcan. Credit: Matt Lighthart
Nearly as effective at cleaning hard surfaces, and more affordable than the Dyson, the Shark PowerDetect and Levoit LVAC-300 surprised us. They each picked up 97% during our timed trials, and left our floors feeling clean under bare feet.
While it doesn't have a fancy laser to light the way, the LVAC-300 still highlights larger debris on the floor. Credit: Matt Lighthart
While we can almost expect inferior results from the Ryobi and Black+Decker, we were more disappointed to see the pricey Samsung Bespoke AI Jet Lite fail on hardwood. It clogged twice during testing, which required us to use a screwdriver to clear it. This vacuum is not capable of larger messes, and we can't justify it for smaller messes considering the price.
The Samsung Bespoke AI needed constant assistance from us humans. It clogged often with large messes. Credit: Matt Lighthart
Of the two Dyson Submarine models we tested, we still prefer the V15s Submarine over the new V16 Submarine. Technically, the V16 mopped marginally better, but it didn't do anything else worthwhile (spoiler: we didn't like the V16). Both models come with the Fluffy Optics head and a special mopping head. Are either worth it? They can handle small messes, but you will still get a better clean with a traditional mop, and you'll save a decent bit.
The V16 Piston Animal Submarine handled our ketchup mess with no problem. Credit: Matt Lighthart
The V15s Submarine did well on our muddy dog paw mess, but not necessarily better than a mop. Credit: Natalie Kafader
If you're looking for a better solution for spills, check out our steam mop review. Dedicated tools usually do a better job than all-in-one designs.
Cleaning Edges and Corners
Dust and debris tend to accumulate along walls and edges, and cleaning out these dust bunnies can improve air quality and leave your room feeling cleaner and more polished. We test each edge-cleaning ability when moving both head-on and parallel to the wall, so that your cleaning job is as easy as possible.
The affordable Bissell PowerClean FurFinder cleaned along baseboards without pushing tiny particles in further. Credit: Matt Lighthart
Some of the vacuums, like the Dyson Gen5, Submarine models, and V8, aced the edge-cleaning tests, able to clean along the baseboard no matter what direction you're headed from. Annoyingly, some vacuums can only clean the edges when moving in one direction, and some were unable to clean the baseboards at all.
Dyson V12 SlimLevoit LVAC-200
Choose which products you would like to compare to see how well these vacuums performed along baseboards.
The Black + Decker and the Shark Pet Plus were unable to successfully capture all the coffee grounds from deep within the seam, due to the thick plastic bumpers they both feature on the brushroll heads. The Samsung Bespoke AI left a scattered mess of coffee grounds after approaching the wall.
Here, the Samsung Bespoke AI Jet Lite scattered our mess, making it a bigger job to clean. Credit: Matt Lighthart
Pet Hair
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, 45.5% of US households own a dog, and 32.1% have a cat - adding up to 163.5 million fur-shedding pets. We created a dedicated pet hair test by massaging real pet fur and hair extensions into carpet to help fellow animal lovers find the best vacuums for the job.
Pet Hair Cleaning Performance (%)
Product
Low
High
Shark PowerDetect Cordless
84
74
Dyson Gen5detect
90
62
Dyson V16 Piston Animal Submarine
94
56
Dyson V15 Detect
88
60
Dyson V15s Submarine
84
60
Dyson Gen5outsize
80
63
Shark Stratos Cordless
74
64
Shark Vertex Pro Lightweight
72
62
Levoit LVAC-300
78
54
Dyson V12 Slim
75
57
Dyson V8
78
52
Tineco Pure ONE S20
67
57
Shark Rocket Pro DLX Corded
67
54
Samsung Bespoke AI Jet Lite
76
44
Black+Decker Powerseries+ 20V
78
40
Bissell PowerClean FurFinder
75
42
Shark Pet Plus
72
40
Smoture VAC01
68
40
Eureka Cordless ReactiClean 410
48
30
Ryobi 18 V ONE+
48
20
This is the full process, step by step, of our pet hair tests. We do this for every product on both low pile and high pile carpets. Credit: Natalie Kafader
The Dyson family, once again, led the pack. The Gen5detect's intense power gave it the edge on the low-pile carpet when cleaning up after our furry friends, but slowed it down and hindered its pickup on the high-pile.
The Dyson V16 Piston Animal Submarine deserves a special mention here, regardless of how it performs elsewhere. It is the only vacuum in this review that's brushroll actually doesn't get wrapped in hair, and it cleans most of the hair from low-pile carpets.
This is our brushroll after vacuuming pet hair from our low-pile carpet. No trapped hair to clear! Credit: Matt Lighthart
The more affordable and maneuverable Shark PowerDetect, although less efficient on low-pile carpet, was able to pick up hair faster through high-pile carpet, outperforming the Dyson Gen5. For most pet owners, spending a little extra time cleaning with the Shark PowerDetect is a fair tradeoff for the savings it offers over pricier competitors.
Impressive results from the PowerDetect on one of the toughest tests we run on cordless vacuums. Credit: Matt Lighthart
The Dyson V15 Detect was able to pick up most of the pet hair on the carpet, though some longer hair was wrapped around the brush roll. However, the roller is easy to get free and clean. The Dyson Gen5outsize also had a win with its large dustbin. The carpet was left fairly hair free, and we didn't need to empty the dustbin right away.
Hard pile can be tricky, but the Dyson V15 Detect was able to pick up most of the pet hair, only getting longer hair wrapped around the brush roller. Credit: Natalie Kafader
Alternatively, the Ryobi 18V ONE+ failed to clean pet hair from either low or high-pile carpets. After passing over the abundantly furry carpet, the Ryobi left several clumps behind, with much more wrapped around its brushroll (which is truly a pain to clean). Its performance on the high pile was even worse, as the vacuum constantly clogged and failed to roll over the shag.
The Eureka Cordless ReactiClean 410 also offered startling results here. It left more than half of the pet hair behind on our carpets, and we had a big brushroll clog to clean. Pet owners, consider some of our other recommendations for cleaning up after your fur babies.
The Eureka Cordless ReactiClean 410 quickly got wrapped by pet hair, needing us to cut it free. Credit: Matt Lighthart
Filtration
A good filtration system protects your air quality—essential for anyone sensitive to pollutants, especially kids and the elderly. It also keeps pet dander and pollen from recirculating, which is especially helpful for people with allergies. To get accurate readings on air quality, we utilize two laser particle counters. These loggers record the number of small particles (2.4-0.5 microns in size) that pollute the air. These tiny particles are the most concerning because they can travel deep into your lungs and even enter your bloodstream.
According to the Dylos meters, a recording of 75 and under is regarded as excellent air quality conditions.
Filtration Particle Count
Small Particle Count
HEPA Filter
Dylos Air Quality Designation
Shark Stratos Cordless
55
Excellent
Dyson V15 Detect
55
✖
Excellent
Dyson Gen5detect
37
Excellent
Bissell PowerClean FurFinder
46
Excellent
Dyson V16 Piston Animal Submarine
51
Excellent
Levoit LVAC-300
41
Excellent
Thankfully, a majority of the vacuums proved to be effective at filtration and fell within the good to excellent range of the Dylos air quality chart, making these vacuums suitable for most households. However, if any of your family members are very sensitive, you need the absolute best.
Impressively, the Tineco Pure ONE S20 releases the fewest particles back into the air. However, you'll sacrifice performance elsewhere. Instead, we recommend one of the more powerful options, like the Dyson models, Shark Vertex and PowerDetect, and the Levoit LVAC-300. All still have excellent filtration.
Dyson models tend to have a HEPA filter under the blue cap within the motorhead. You need to change it from time to time, but it isn't too difficult. Credit: Matt Lighthart
HEPA Isn't the Only Gold Standard
HEPA filters are a trusted benchmark for trapping fine particles, but some vacuums use proprietary multi-stage filtration systems that can be just as effective, sometimes even outperforming HEPA in real-world tests. We care more about how well a vacuum actually contains dust than what label it carries.
Filters come in all shapes, sizes, and stages. No matter what fancy name a manufacturer gives their system, we test each one to give you the numbers that matter, so you can make informed decisions. Here, we are holding the HEPA filter within the Dyson Gen5outsize. Credit: Matt Lighthart
To be cautious, we suggest those sensitive to air quality avoid the Black+Decker and the Ryobi due to their average peak count recorded at 1,542 and 1,827, respectively. From 1,050-3,000 particles, Dylos meters categorize the air quality as poor. Although our testing is demanding, it indicates that this model does not provide enough filtration to prevent a large jump in particulate matter.
Here are real-time readings of the poor-performing Black+Decker. Credit: Natalie Kafader
Ease of Use
Already designed with cordless versatility in mind, stick vacuums are inherently easy to use. However, not all cordless vacuums are equally user-friendly, so we evaluate which models glide smoothly around furniture, feel light in hand, and handle extra tasks—like upholstery and car cleaning—with ease.
The Shark PowerDetect's thoughtful design streamlines cleaning with a versatile brushroll mini tool for all surfaces, a convenient docking station, and a hinged wand for reaching under furniture—no heavy lifting required. While we wish the motorized upholstery tool came standard, it's sold separately.
The PowerDetect's handheld feature is powerful, though we wish it came with a motorized brush tool. Credit: Matt Lighthart
The budget-friendly picks, the Bissell PowerClean FurFinder and Levoit LVAC-300, both have one of our favorite features: the ability to stand on their own. This meant we could walk away from the vacuum, pick up stray socks, and get back to cleaning without the vacuum toppling over. We have watched the pricey Dysons fall over too many times after being set against the wall.
Most cordless stick vacuums transform into handheld vacuums, which we loved for cleaning upholstery and in the car. We prefer options that have motorized mini brush attachments, like the Dysons, Bissell FurFinder, and Levoit LVAC-300, which make cleaning stairs and upholstery much easier.
The Levoit LVAC-300's motorized upholstery tool is handy on stairs. Credit: Matt Lighthart
Luckily stick vacuums are light and maneuverable enough to use on stairs without being transformed into handhelds too. We were happiest with the Shark PowerDetect and Smoture VAC01 for this. Both are lightweight and easy to pick up from step to step. The PowerDetect's head is narrow enough that it can maneuver on the stairs with little fuss.
The Smoture VAC01 is lightweight and easy to vacuum stairs with. Credit: Rachael Lamore
The Ryobi was both difficult to push around furniture and was incredibly bulky, making it challenging to angle the attachment while cleaning upholstery. On the bright side, dusting with the heavy vacuum and its oddly angled attachment proved to be an excellent upper-body workout. Your arm muscles will be burning within minutes!
The awkward angle of the Ryobi's attachment, paired with its relatively heavy weight, meant we got a good shoulder workout in while testing. Credit: Matt Lighthart
The hefty and powerful Dysons proved to be more difficult to push around the house. The Gen5outsize was especially heavy and bulky to yield, and the powerful suction required a bit of muscle to move it across carpets or up stairs. This is the tradeoff for a huge dustbin.
The Dyson Gen5outsize is so large that it can be tricky to move up stairs, though doable with a little extra effort. Credit: Matt Lighthart
Versatility is one of the reasons why we love cordless vacuums so much. A package deal that adds a slew of additional attachments significantly enhances the vacuum's ability to clean a variety of surfaces and reach tricky areas.
Attachments Included
Crevice
(Thin Head)
Duster
(Bristle Head)
Powered
(Mini Motorized Head)
Bissell PowerClean FurFinder
Dyson V16 Piston Animal Submarine
Levoit LVAC-300
Samsung Bespoke AI Jet Lite
Dyson V8
Shark PowerDetect Cordless
✖
Smoture VAC01
✖
Tineco Pure ONE S20
✖
Common attachments like crevice tools, brushes, and motorized heads allow the vacuum to transition from floors to furniture, corners, and even tight spaces. A motorized brush head is particularly useful for lifting embedded dirt and pet hair from couches and other upholstery. The more versatile the vacuum, the more efficiently it can tackle different cleaning challenges around the home, making attachments an essential feature for maximizing your vacuum's value.
Dysons tend to come with a quiver of attachments, increasing their value at checkout. Credit: Natalie Kafader
Battery
Battery life is the Achilles' heel of stick vacuums. Once we cut the cord, time is limited before the inevitable recharge occurs. None of the options offered a super impressive run time, and the time drastically dropped when we used special features like turbo.
Measured Battery Runtime
Product
Low
High
Dyson Gen5outsize
130
15
Dyson V16 Piston Animal Submarine
72
16
Dyson V15s Submarine
68
9
Dyson Gen5detect
67
7
Dyson V15 Detect
64
9
Levoit LVAC-300
57
16
Shark Stratos Cordless
55
11
Tineco Pure ONE S20
50
13
Ryobi 18 V ONE+
41
21
Shark Vertex Pro Lightweight
48
12
Shark PowerDetect Cordless
47
12
Bissell PowerClean FurFinder
46
13
Smoture VAC01
43
14
Shark Pet Plus
43
14
Samsung Bespoke AI Jet Lite
43
9
Dyson V12 Slim
36
8
Black+Decker Powerseries+ 20V
26
18
Eureka Cordless ReactiClean 410
24
16
Dyson V8
33
7
By far, the best battery life we saw was on the Dyson Gen5outsize. This vacuum comes with two batteries, extending its life to a whopping 130 minutes on low, which is the setting most commonly used. On high, it lasted 15 minutes. While that doesn't sound very long, you likely won't need your vacuum to be on high for 15 minutes.
The Dyson Gen5outsize lets you know how long you have been vacuuming and particle sizes. Credit: Matt Lighthart
The Dyson V15 Detect adjusts its power based on the floor and mess. When moving over heavier messes, the vacuum ramps up the power. For standard vacuuming, it is closer to the “Eco” mode. This allows the vacuum to last longer. In our experience, the 64 minutes offered was plenty to get our home cleaned. That said, you can purchase additional batteries for the Dyson models, should you find yourself needing more time.
For most household clean ups, the Dyson V15 Detect had enough battery life. Credit: Matt Lighthart
Most of the other vacuums last for about 30-40 minutes on low. For day-to-day quick cleanups, this is fine, but you might need more time on deeper cleans. Plus, most vacuums take over 20 minutes to recharge. The Black+Decker Powerseries+ is compatible with other Black+Decker tool batteries. If you already have a few cordless tools, this quick battery swap can be convienient. Ryobi also offers the same experience between tools.
The battery on the Ryobi 18 V ONE+ can be swapped with batteries from their other tools. Credit: Matt Lighthart
If you're concerned about battery, the Shark Rocket Pro DLX Corded has a power cord to keep you moving without recharge. However, you'll always need to do the extra step of finding an outlet.
You won't run out of battery with the Shark Rocket Pro DLX, but you'll need to hunt for a power outlet. Credit: Matt Lighthart
A Solution To Low Battery Life?
All of the vacuums come with detachable batteries. Additional battery packs can be purchased to help clean the whole house without stopping to recharge. Some batteries are easier to find than others, so we recommend double-checking before purchasing. Unfortunately, lithium-ion batteries are not cheap and can cost more than a hundred dollars, depending on the brand.
A final hopeful note: Freedom from heavy corded models means that many people on our team find themselves cleaning more frequently and in shorter stints, integrating lightweight stick vacuums seamlessly into their daily lives. With much lighter weights and nimble maneuverability, ditching the cord is such a freeing experience that we suspect you'll never want to be tethered again.
How To Choose The Right Cordless Stick Vacuum
Choosing the right cordless stick vacuum depends on your home's layout and needs—whether it's a lightweight model for hardwood in a small space or one with strong suction and filtration for busy, pet-filled homes. Matching features to your daily cleaning demands ensures the vacuum fits your lifestyle.
While stick vacuums have a distinct look to them, they performed significantly differently throughout our testing. Credit: Natalie Kafader
Why Suction Power Isn't Everything
Suction power gets a lot of attention, but it's only one piece of the puzzle when it comes to vacuum performance. Without an effective brushroll to agitate debris or a well-sealed design to direct airflow, even strong suction can fall short.
Through our testing, we found that some vacuums with lower suction scores actually outperformed those with higher ones. Additionally, as suction increases, maneuverability often decreases, so it's helpful to look for a model with variable suction control to strike the right balance between power and ease of use.
Sometimes strong suction can grip onto the carpet and be hard to push. Credit: Natalie Kafader
Allergen Control
A good filtration system is crucial for maintaining a clean and healthy home, especially for households with allergy sufferers or asthma concerns. The filtration system captures fine dust particles, pollen, pet dander, and other allergens, preventing them from being released back into the air while you vacuum. A high-quality filter can trap particles as small as a few tenths of a micron, significantly improving indoor air quality by reducing allergens and irritants. This is particularly beneficial for those with sensitivities, as it helps alleviate symptoms like sneezing, congestion, or itchy eyes.
We utilize two Dylos particle counters to measure the containment of small particles seeping into the air as we vacuum. Credit: Natalie Kafader
The Achilles' Heel: Battery Life
While cordless vacuums offer convenience and portability, one obvious downside is their finite battery life. This factor alone is one of the biggest downfalls to our cleaning chores, particularly for bigger homes or extended cleaning sessions. Most cordless models have a runtime of 20 to 60 minutes per charge, which may not be sufficient for deep cleaning a larger area or homes with multiple rooms. In such cases, you may need to pause and recharge the vacuum before finishing the job, interrupting your cleaning flow.
If you have Black + Decker tools, you may already have backup batteries for this vacuum lurking in your workshop. Credit: Natalie Kafader
How Noisy Are Cordless Stick Vacuums?
Honestly, they all sound fairly loud. We measured noise levels from a consistent distance, and while the readings showed some variation, none of these vacuums are quiet enough for nap time. Each one has a slightly different tone, but the differences aren't significant enough for most people to notice. We'll keep testing and measuring just in case this changes, but for now, we don't score on this.
Conclusion
Finding a great stick vacuum shouldn't suck. The nuanced differences between the options can be subtle but greatly impact performance, which is where we come in. With multiple scientific tests and metrics to choose from, our details provide the information you need to focus on the metrics that best align with your cleaning goals. We believe there is something for everyone in our lineup of potential contenders, but if you need more of a powerhouse or the prices give you hesitation, it might be worth seeing what the upright vacuums we've tested have to offer.
—Rachael Lamore, Becca Glades, and Jessica Riconscente
