The 6 Best Cordless Stick Vacuums of 2025

Best Cordless Stick Vacuum for Most Households

Shark Vertex Pro Lightweight

Low Pile Cleaned: 90% | Hardwood Cleaned: 96%

The Shark Vertex Pro is one of the easiest vacuums we've ever tested. Its impressive cleaning performance on both carpet and hardwood, combined with an affordable mid-range price, makes it a standout choice for tackling most household messes. With only 6% less than the leader, Dyson Gen5, this cordless vacuum sucked up 90% of all debris from our low pile carpet tests. This is pretty impressive, considering that the Gen5 costs about twice as much. The Vertex also tied for first in picking up the most debris from our high pile (shag) carpet test trials, making it ideal for homes with thicker carpets or rugs. These results can be attributed to the unique double rollers in the vacuum head. Each roller is specifically designed to tackle different floor types, carpets versus hard surfaces, but combines them together in one package that makes it ready to go no matter where the mess is in your house. Seeing this vacuum climb over the largest messes like a monster truck is amazing. “I bet if we put down something larger on the floor, this vacuum can still pick it up,” mentioned our lead tester, Rachael. To complement its cleaning performance, the Vertex has a hinge along the rod that bends outward, allowing you to reach under furniture without breaking your back. While the handheld weight landed in the middle of the pack at 3.8 pounds, it never felt fatiguing as it glided across our obstacle course with minimal effort, making tight turns and transitioning so smoothly that it made this chore more bearable compared to other top performers.

So what's the catch? The extra roller introduces a major design flaw by compromising the vacuum's seal, reducing efficiency in deep cleaning carpets. With the soft roller exposed at the front, it loses suction power at the contact point, making it less effective at lifting embedded dust. As a result, this model struggles to match the deep-cleaning performance of others in the lineup. To put this into perspective, our newly built suction measuring platform recorded the Vertex at a measly 323 pascals. That's well below the average at 834 pascals. And while it does well overall with picking up after our furry family members, capturing 67% between both carpets, the hair tends to get stuck in the tines of the vacuum and can produce a big hair bunch if it doesn't get tended. Like with other products, long hair gets caught in the Vertex's Powerfins roller, which, ironically, is the roller we could not remove. “I don't like that I had to cut away long hair every time there's a build-up and also that I can't take it out to wash it,” mentioned one of our testers. For those seeking an easy-maintenance stick vacuum, the Samsung Bespoke features an easy-access roller and an automated dust bin station for quick and simple cleaning. However, for households without pets or those okay with occasional fur checks, the Vertex is our top recommendation for most households. We truly loved how easy it was to work with and were impressed with its cleaning results.

Read more: Shark Vertex Pro review

Best of the Best Stick Vacuum at a Premium Price

Dyson Gen5detect

Low Pile Cleaned: 96% | Hardwood Cleaned: 99%

If you need the absolute best cleaner stick vacuum out on the market today, it will be the Dyson Gen5detect. Building off the Dyson V-Series like the V15, the Gen5 brings even more power. Topping our suction test, it delivered three times the group's average power, which helped it suck up an impressive 96% of all debris we put down in our low-pile carpets tests. It also recorded a near-perfect score on hardwood, making it beneficial for multiple surface types. “I was able to work quickly, too,” mentioned our reviewer, Rachael Lamore. The hardwood floor-specific head is one of our favorites, with its low laseer lights ability to scope out dust that we wouldn't otherwise believe was there. We can't express enough how much we can see with this laser. It's truly remarkable, providing a great accessory for hunting down every speck of dirt. The fatiguing trigger pull design flaw we point out in the V15 is eliminated with the Gen5, allowing us to continue cleaning without taking breaks to rest our fingers.

We affectionately nicknamed the Dyson Gen5, V15, and Submarine the Triplets because there's no huge difference between them. They're all wildly powerful compared to the competition, excellent at cleaning almost anything, and have great filtration. The Gen5 is the only model with a HEPA filter, but it didn't show any difference in our filtration testing. They shifted order slightly in our testing, but the Gen5 was usually always at the top. They even have the same vacuum heads. One major difference is the increased motor size and subsequent weight increase, resulting in a slightly better pick-up overall. We're talking about a couple more percentages of debris captured, so those may not warrant the price bump for the small performance difference. The increase in power did make it harder for us to push on top of the already arduous elite Dysons. In our review, we mention, “Even sticking to cleaning hard surfaces, I easily got fatigued after a short time.” As a last note, we can't finish without mentioning the elephant in the room; the sales price sticker shock. Dysons are spendy. But for those on a budget, there's no need to worry; this lineup includes excellent alternatives, such as the mid-range Sharks or the wallet-friendly Levoit LVAC-200. That being said, we consider cordless stick vacuums the most versatile tool due to their ability to turn into a conventional handheld vacuum or function easily in locations like the car or workshop. It might be worth the investment, and we highly recommend the Dyson Gen5detect as our first option for the absolute best option available out there, especially if you don't worry about high costs.

Read more: Dyson Gen5detect review

Best Buy Cordless Vacuum

Tineco Pure ONE S11

Low Pile Cleaned: 92% | Hardwood Cleaned: 83%

Stick vacuums can be expensive, but the Tineco Pure ONE S11 offers powerful carpet cleaning, easy maintenance, and versatile attachments—all at a budget-friendly price. On low pile carpet, the Tineco gathered 92% of the debris we put in its path while tieing for first with Shark Vertex Pro Light in the amount of material it was able to suck up on shag carpet. This vacuum thrives on carpet because it achieves surprisingly powerful suction, especially considering its moderate price. “The suction is intense! I noticed it really latched onto the carpet,” a tester mentioned during cleaning tests. We also loved the four attachments it comes with, which are nice perks you don't usually see in a budget model and help extend the product's versatility to more cleaning areas like the car or couch. These include a 2-in-1 dust brush, a crevice tool, and a mini power brush that works well for upholstery. But what we especially appreciated is the pre-filter cleaning tool, which is designed to clean the filter when it becomes clogged and the vacuum starts to lose power. Because cordless stick vacuums are so compact, this is a common mishap, and it was great to have a tool specifically designed to extend the life of the filter.

While the Tineco's impressive suction delivered a great performance on carpet, it didn't translate to hardwood. The head's low clearance, which gives it such a great seal on the carpet, created an issue with plowing and piling debris on hard surfaces. It would take the Tineco some extra passes to get a good clean on hardwood or vinyl at your home. We like that it removed an above-average amount of pet fur, but we encountered issues with longer hair wrapping around the brush roller and shorter fur clumping in the roller's tines. We were hoping for better from a vacuum that's heavily marketed towards pet owners. As it stands, while we'd recommend the Tineco to anyone with a lot of carpet, we'd caution pet owners and those with hardwood floors that they may need to make a few extra passes to achieve a perfect clean.

Read more: Tineco Pure ONE S11 review

Best Stick Vacuum on a Tight Budget

Levoit LVAC-200

Low Pile Cleaned: 86% | Hardwood Cleaned: 77%

Starting around the $200 mark, the Levoit LVAC 200 scores stood at the top of other similarly priced models in this selection. On low pile carpet, it outperformed options that cost two to three times as much, picking up messes of all sizes and providing an even clean with minimal plowing of debris. Our testers also loved how easy it was to use and maintain. “The head articulates super smoothly,” noted our lead tester, Rachael. This contributes to a stellar performance on cleaning edges and corners, and the whole thing can lie completely flat, which is great for cleaning under furniture. Maintenance is simple and intuitive, with no tools required to remove filters or brush rollers. The LVAC has top-tier filtration capabilities, scoring near the top of the pack on its ability to maintain air quality in a room while it's running.

There are, of course, some trade-offs to consider. While this Levoit scored higher in ease of use and battery life, its performance on our most important metrics, low pile carpet and hardwood, didn't quite match its predecessor, the much-loved Levoit Vortex IQ 40. And the LVAC's suction power is on the lower end of the cordless vacuums we test, which translates into weaker performance on shag carpet, where it picked up only 42% of the debris our testers laid out for it. While this score puts it in the middle of the pack, we'd still hesitate to recommend it to anyone with a lot of shag carpets in their house. Similarly, it removed a respectable amount of the pet hair we tackled with it but left the carpet still feeling somewhat dirty, with patches of hair left behind throughout the test area. And, like many cordless vacuums, the LVAC is limited by its battery life. While it can run for 35 minutes on its low setting, it'll die in 17 if switched to high. This is particularly relevant for this vacuum because, with its suction power on the low end already, you're more likely to want to use the high-powered setting and drain the battery quickly. You can purchase spare batteries from Levoit, but all in all, you'll probably have to plan on taking a couple of charge breaks if you want to clean a whole house with this vacuum.

Read more: Levoit LVAC-200 review

Best Cordless Vacuum for Carpet Cleaning

Dyson V15 Detect

Low Pile Cleaned: 94% | Hardwood Cleaned: 98%

We recommend the Dyson V15 Detect as a reliable pick for vacuuming houses with substantial carpets. What makes this product stand out is its ability to pull difficult debris like embedded sand out of low profile and shag carpets. And while the Gen5 technically outperforms the V15 slightly in testing, the V15 is lighter and easier to maneuver on carpets, making it the more practical choice for everyday use. At some point, the sheer power gets to be too much and becomes a workout to push around on any carpet. “I can definitely feel the difference,” one of our testers mentioned when we asked about the effort it takes to push these two Dysons around. “The Dyson Gen5 is definitely one of the heaviest we've ever tested.” The V15 collected an average of 94% of all debris in our low pile carpet cleaning trials. This machine still provides ample suction power, recording 2239 pascals in our testing. This suction translated to superior scoring in most of our cleaning tests. The Fluffy Optic roller designed for hard surfaces is top-notch, recording a near-perfect 98% of the debris we throw at it in our multiple testing trials. The roller is soft on floors but effective. The laser, placed strategically on the side of the head, projects a green-focused light on the floor, even highlighting a single strand of blonde hair on bamboo flooring. It registers dirt we didn't even know we had and, honestly, makes it kind of fun to do our chores. Pet owners will appreciate its ability to pick up fur successfully from low pile carpets, sucking up 88% of the 5 grams of hair we placed down, with the added advantage of a small motorized head attachment included in the package deal that works on couches.

Because it's all about getting a good seal to the carpet, the head doesn't leave much of a clearance for big messes to get through, so this vacuum tends to plow larger material like the Cheerios we use during our cleaning tests. For vacuums that can tackle the largest debris, look to the Shark Stratos and Vertex DuoClean system that utilizes two rollers to collectively grab and ride over the biggest messes we have made at GearLab. Opposite to the Dysons, the Sharks don't have powerful suction at the head due to this design deviation, only registering 647 and 323 pascals, respectively. Although all Dysons have these limitations, we never felt it was detrimental to our experience. Our reviewer wrote, “I had a hard time getting all the Cheerios with this vacuum only because it tended to push them around. Still, with additional angles or a backpass, I was able to get most of them up within our time limit.” We favor a vacuum that can grab dirt deep below than superficial spills that can suck up with an additional pass easily. Dyson has been an innovative company from the beginning, designing the first bagless vacuums in the world. However, we think they missed a key factor when designing the V-series: we had to continuously hold down the trigger while vacuuming. “It doesn't sound like much effort, but we were surprised at how quickly our finger fatigues,” noted our testers. I think Dyson heard our concerns as their most recent series Gen5 ditched this requirement.

Read more: Dyson V15 Detect review

Best Mid-Range Stick Vacuum for Hardwood Floors

Shark Stratos Cordless

Low Pile Cleaning: 83% | Hardwood Cleaning: 97%

The Shark Stratos Cordless and Shark Vertex Pro almost look identical, except possibly for the sleeker head of the Stratos. For the most part, they performed very similarly, closely leap-frogging each other throughout our testing. They both have double brush rollers at the base, which help make great work of hardwood floors and larger materials like Cheerios. The Stratos was released after the Vertex, making it the younger, stronger sister. We measured double the suction power compared to the Vertex. This was a great improvement, but this might have affected its cleaning performance because the Stratos clogged in its initial testing trial on low pile carpets. Due to this mishap, Stratos's average dropped to 83%, 7% worse than its sibling. It did well in sucking up sand in our crevice test, sucking up 96% of what we packed into a single slit. This product can be great for grouted tiles or transition areas with a bit more demand for performance.

The Stratos has user experience perks similar to those of the Vertex. We love the MultiFLEX hinge that makes it easy to vacuum under the couch, coffee table, or other furniture. The double roller head eliminates the need to switch between vacuum heads, combining them into one versatile design. This makes it ready to handle any surface, unlike the Dyson elites, which require swapping out heads. As we mentioned with the Vertex, this design doesn't provide a beneficial seal on carpets, decreasing the amount of power utilized at the head. We need as much power as we can get to really grab deep within carpets where dirt loves to make a home. The Stratos comes with an odor neutralizer, which is essentially a card scent shoved at the base. It's potent like we're surrounded by a bunch of teenage boys wearing Axe bodyspray. It's a bit intense, but luckily, we could easily remove it from the head. With these considerations, we still believe this vacuum is an excellent performer at the mid-range level. Between the Vertex and the Stratos, get whatever has the best deal!

Read more: Shark Stratos Cordless review

Compare Products

Compare select up to 5 products to compare

	Score	Product	Price
	82	Dyson Gen5detect Best of the Best Stick Vacuum at a Premium Price	$950
	80	Dyson V15 Detect Best Cordless Vacuum for Carpet Cleaning	$750
	80	Dyson V15s Submarine	$950
	74	Shark Vertex Pro Lightweight Best Cordless Stick Vacuum for Most Households	$450
	72	Shark Stratos Cordless Best Mid-Range Stick Vacuum for Hardwood Floors	$500
	71	Samsung Bespoke Jet	$700
	68	Tineco Pure ONE S11 Best Buy Cordless Vacuum	$300
	67	Shark Pet Plus	$330
	67	Dyson V8	$470
	67	Dyson V12 Slim	$650
	62	Levoit LVAC-200 Best Stick Vacuum on a Tight Budget	$200
	58	Shark Detect Pro	$380
	47	Kenmore Elite CSV Max DS4095	$150
	45	Black+Decker Powerseries+ 20V	$150
	37	Homeika LED 8-in-1	$120
	36	Bissell Cleanview XR	$199

How We Test

We've tested over 140 vacuums within the last decade, and during that time, we've learned a ton. Having never been the one to settle in our work, in this revised test version, we've completely cleaned the slate and put every product through our new Vacuum Performance 2.0 test protocol. First, we thoroughly examined problems plaguing homes everywhere. What are the most stubborn messes out there, and where do they occur most? What makes an exhausting chore easier? We ask questions like these to get to the root of what makes a vacuum great. From there, we've designed and built new rigs like the suction power platform to gather data to show these important factors. We've also developed new testing protocols, expanding on our original cleaning tests to get a more accurate representation of what we would see at home. We added in more thorough analysis of convenient features and design aspects to tease out the good from the great. After this whole process, we counted more than 25 individual tests conducted on each and every product at our lab. We've broken out all the stops to provide the most comprehensive review you can use to make a smart and informed purchase decision.

In our new cleaning performance analysis, we expand upon what we've done before. Quite literally, as we increase our testing area to 27 square feet. While many competitors test on tiny scraps, we create similar scenarios that are found in homes today. By expanding our test area, we gained more insight into the characteristics of these vacuums. It's funny to think, but each vacuum has its own personality that we get to know over the weeks of testing. We conduct multiple trials in each of the three main surface types: low pile carpet, high pile (shag) carpet, and hardwood. To account for every kind of mess someone might encounter, we also include a wide variety of sized materials, from fine sand to chunky Cheerios. We measure out the same amount and test in the same conditions for every single product so we can accurately compare our findings to one another.

We also have a completely new test metric that is comprised of two very important factors: filtration and suction. Health concerns are paramount to us. So, after many experiments, we've established new guidelines to record emissions accurately. Other review companies like showing the intake from a fog machine, but that doesn't tell us much. Our process utilizes a particle counter that logs the amount of harmful fine particulates in the air, alerting us to any potential hazards. Our suction testing reviews the power struggle of these vacuums. Cordless stick vacuums have come a long way, now competing with many canister and upright vacuums. We built a new platform to measure the suction power at the head of the vacuum. Where we see power, we see effective results.

Our completely rejuvenated test plan is broken into the 6 test metrics below.

• Carpet Performance (25% of overall score weighting)

• Hardwood Performance (25% weighting)

• Pet Hair (15% weighting)

• Filtration and Suction (15% weighting)

• Ease of Use (10% weighting)

• Battery (10% weighting)

Why Trust GearLab

Lead tester, Rachael Lamore, brings a wealth of knowledge to this review. She's put dozens of vacuums of all types through a gauntlet of challenging tests. In this review, she is the mastermind behind our new and improved Vacuum 2.0 testing protocol, which uses a variety of scientific measurement devices to get to the heart of vacuum cleaner performance. Over the past year, Rachael has dedicated significant time and effort to exploring and refining various testing methodologies. Her vigor for relentless experimentation until our test approaches can produce reliable, repeatable, and differentiating data is a testament to her hard work and commitment to scientifically evaluating vacuum cleaning performance. With an analytical mindset, she's always been curious about the numbers, whether it is the suction power of each product, the ability to pick up different types of debris and pet hair, or the measurement of the air quality of products claiming HEPA or superior filter systems. She earned a degree from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in Biological Sciences. Rachael has years under her belt in the aquatic world, working in laboratories studying reef ecology. She's not new to gathering data, recording a slew of numbers, and formulating reports of her findings.

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.

What's the Best Value?

Yes, sometimes you get what you pay for when it comes to performance and price, but not always. Our tests are designed to help make sure you get just what you need and at the best price. For most people looking for a good value, we think the Levoit LVAC-200 offers the best trade-off between price and performance. At around $200, the LVAC offered great performance on low-pile carpet, along with simple, hassle-free maintenance and top-of-the-line filtration. Its lower suction power caused it to struggle with shag carpet and pet hair. This is a usual trend we see with budget options. However, while it might not be the right choice for pet owners looking to mitigate continuous shedding, we think the LVAC is a bargain that can deliver a good clean in most houses.

If you have a little more to spend, especially if you're cleaning lots of carpet, we recommend the Tineco Pure ONE S11. Tineco has continually marked down the vacuum for $300, but you can find it cheaper at Amazon. This vacuum delivered one of the best performances on carpet overall (both low and shag carpets), out-competing many premium vacuums. We found the Tineco needed some extra time to achieve a good clean on hardwood and when tackling pet hair, so we can't put it in the same class as truly elite options, like some Dysons and Sharks. But if you're not worried about shedding or you mostly have carpet in the house, the Tineco will give you a better clean at a far lower price.

If you lean more toward buying quality or want to invest, even if it costs a bit more initially, that is where the Shark Vertex Pro comes in. Coming in half the price of the famous and truly impressive, Dyson V15 Detect, the Vertex is nearly as good. It scored highest in our Ease of Use metric, which pays you back with helpful features that get the job done quicker and require less effort to complete your chores. It's also impressive at cleaning, nearly matching the Dyson on carpet and hardwood cleaning performance. The Vertex won our Editor's Choice award because we sincerely believe it is the best stick vacuum choice for most people who lean toward buying a high-quality product.

If you need a reliable deep-cleaning vacuum at a low price, you may want to consider a lightweight upright or canister vacuum. Plugging into the wall gives you cheaper access to more power.

Carpet Performance

Carpets come in different heights, from a quarter of an inch upwards to over an inch and a half. Believe it or not, height plays a big role in a vacuum's ability to work as intended. Every household is different, so we tested low and high pile (shag) carpets to determine performance scores.

Our testing has evolved over time, resulting in what we believe is our best version yet. We expanded our test area, vacuuming 27 square feet to better simulate a real-life application of vacuuming in a room. We added a time limit (24 seconds) to give us comparable results. Finally, we measured a 1/2 cup of sand, rice, and Cheerios to test each vacuum's ability to clean a full range of material sizes common in most homes.

We do this test with each vacuum twice. If we find large inconsistencies, we repeat the trials, looking for causes. We repeatedly conduct tests on both pile heights to gather comparable data to find the best.

Low Pile

Strong contenders usually have a combination of great design considerations to clean conventional carpets throughout the rooms in your home. A strong brush roller with stiff bristles agitates and lifts dirt from carpet fibers, making it easier to remove debris. Even more helpful, a powerful suction ensures the loosened dirt is actually pulled into the vacuum without scattering. Below are the results from our first set of carpet tests.

The three elite Dyson models topped the charts in our low pile testing. The Gen5detect is a speed machine when sucking up fine material. The combination of powerful suction and short, stiff bristles helps to agitate the carpet and suck up the sand lying below. The Dyson V15s Submarine and V15 Detect exhibited similar functionality because they all have the same exact head. The only drawback to these products is the vacuum head limitations.

As a result, Dysons tend to plow bigger spills and larger debris. The gates of the head are like security at a nightclub, only allowing Cheerios and rice to pass incrementally. This is the tradeoff for a powerful suction, and we didn't find it to be detrimental overall. At the end of the timed sessions, we didn't see many Cheerios or rice grains left; instead, a higher percentage of debris was captured across the board (96% for the Gen5, 95% for the Submarine, and 94% for the V15) because of the difficulty of lifting dirt from below.

Before Testing After Testing

The Shark Stratos and Vertex take a different approach with their head design, creating different characteristics for picking up material than the Dysons. Instead of a dedicated carpet head, they have two rollers (Powerfins and a soft roller) that comprise their specialized Duo Clean system.

It's impressive to see them vacuuming large spills. We used Cheerios as our biggest material size, but we honestly think both the Stratos and Vertex can tackle much bigger.

Although we were impressed with the capabilities of the double roller system from Shark, it comes with a major drawback. With the introduction of an additional roller, the vacuum head doesn't seal as well as other competitors. The exposed soft roller lets more air pass than the rubber or hard plastic barrier that we see on other products. Suction is one of the most significant factors in grabbing deep, fine materials like dust and dirt. The Vertex sucked up an average of 90% of all material in our tests. The Stratos had similar results in two of three trials. During our initial trial, however, the vacuum got clogged towards the end, leaving material in the hose that dropped out when we finished our testing. This dinged its score with only an 83% pick-up.

The Bespoke follows a similar design to the Sharks with a smaller diameter soft roller in the front. We're not sure if it's the decrease in the front roller size or the potential increased suction from the motor, but the Bespoke was able to grab slightly more than the Sharks, sucking up 94% of all debris. There was a slight clog during our second trial, but we were reassured by the vacuum's technology, which instantly shut off at first signs of distress. Our subsequent trials were almost flawless, with the vacuum head's ability to roll over Cheerios and get sand deep within the carpet.

Dyson's and Shark's stripped-back versions, the Pet Plus and V8, performed valiantly in our low pile test, reassuring us that we do not need to spend a fortune to get good results. The Pet Plus did a nice job overall but struggled when pulling material back. We could see some light spraying when we looked closely, moving material around instead of sucking it up when it faced larger amounts. However, it only left 9% of the material in the end, which was mostly sand. Our Best Buy winner, the Tineco Pure ONE S11, was also close to the front of the pack on low pile carpet, with 90% pickup.

The V-series roller and head design hasn't changed much in the last few years. Although more goes into the performance than just these design considerations, we believe the increased suction power helped propel the newer V-series models and Gen5 past the older V8. Still, it wasn't by much. The Dyson V8 recorded a 92% pick-up compared to the V15's 94%. Where did that 2% go? Deep in the carpet. There was more sand left over, but given the substantial price difference, we don't think the V8 did half bad.

Before Testing After Testing

While the Levoit LVAC-200 didn't quite live up to the low pile performance of its predecessor, the Levoit VortexIQ 40, it still achieved a very respectable 86% average debris capture, one of the main reasons we chose to award it with a Best Buy on a Tight Budget designation.

The competition takes a step down from here as we see the Black+Decker, Homeika, Shark Detect, and Kenmore capture percent averages in the seventies. These cheaper models couldn't quite match the power of the more premium models in our lineup. The Homeika was like a lawn mower, gradually cutting the mess away almost layer by layer. It was an odd sight to see the Homeika ride over the materials and casually select what to pick up, leaving a staggering amount on its first pass.

Last, we want to illustrate what we call the clogging chronicles by the Bissell Cleanview. “Clogged again on this round, and then clogged again, and then again,” noted our tester. We even tried to give this product a fighting chance by pausing the timed test, removing debris, and then returning to the timed test, only to find it ran into the same problem.

So why does this particular vacuum clog more often than its competitors? When we started to investigate, we discovered a major flaw in its design.

The Bissell wasn't the only vacuum with a clogging problem. While the top of the top-of-the-line Dysons exhibited stellar low pile performance, the more affordable Dyson V12 Slim fell flat, with its tiny dustbin repeatedly becoming full to the point of overflow, resulting in the vacuum registering a clog and shutting itself off. While the V12 could be great for small messes in small spaces, it just doesn't have the capacity for larger spills.

High Pile

Higher pile shag carpets pose the biggest hurdle for cordless vacuums in our testing. It's difficult for bristle to dig deep to agitate messes lurking beneath the carpet's fibers, having stick vacuums rely more on their pure suction power to get the job done.

We conduct our testing in the same fashion as low pile testing: measuring, weighing, and timing, all being standardized to present findings that we can compare. Models took a drastic hit regarding the effectiveness of collecting sand, rice, and Cheerios in these tests.

The Tineco captured an average of 56% across three trials. This was tied for first with the Shark Vertex. The Tineco did a good job sucking up material but tended to push the Cheerios down into the fibers of the high-pile carpet. On the other hand, this is where the Vertex thrived, picking up the larger Cheerios. Unfortunately, it left rice and sand behind in our timed testing. This makes sense, as the Duo Clean double rollers work well for larger debris but do not provide the powerful suction needed to grab deep into the backing of the carpet.

The biggest surprise was the drop in performance by the elite Dyson models. The Gen5 and Dyson V15 recorded 50% and 49%, respectively. The Submarine wasn't much off, with 45% captured. So why did we see these dramatic drops? We believe the Dysons needed a bit more time to work on larger clumps of debris. 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 15% more with just a few extra passes.

Due to the demanding requirements of thicker carpets, the percentage cleaned by many vacuums in this review was within 40-50%. Below, the Levoit LVAC sucked up 42%, and the Dyson V12 Slim sucked up 44%.

The Kenmore, along with other cheaper models like the Homeika and Black+Decker, didn't fare as well on the high pile as it did on the short. It had the worst performance in our tests, picking up only 20% of the mess. It was a breeze to push past the heavy pile, as our expert noted, “Gliding the vacuum across the carpet, we can feel there isn't enough suction to pick up anything deeper than the surface level by the fact that it's moving so easily.”

Before Testing After Testing

Overall Carpet Performance

After combining, averaging, and weighing each vacuum performance over each carpet type, we obtained the following final scores in our Carpet Performance metric.

Unsurprisingly, the lead Dyson models, V15, Gen5, and Submarine, all came out on top. These are going to be the cordless vacuums that you can rely on to deep clean your house. Due to their relatively strong showing in our high pile tests, the Shark Vertex and Tineco came in close on their heels. Although they might not lift debris deep within carpets as well, they proved that they could handle difficult cleaning duties required by higher pile lengths like shag carpet. These two products will best suit a mixed household with conventional carpets and thick rugs. In testing, we saw the Samsung Bespoke do a valiant job of sucking up a wide amount of debris types, from dense sand to larger materials like Cheerios. Although you may need to clean with additional passes and time, Dyson's and Shark's budget options, Dyson V8 and Shark Pet Pro, proved they could be a good option for lighter messes on low pile carpets. Lastly, while the Dyson V12 Slim shows poor scores, we want to note that this, along with the Shark Detect Pro, was designed to be light and streamlined only to pick up small maintenance routines. Our cup and a half of material we put down in our testing was too much for it to handle.

Hardwood Performance

For our Hardwood Performance test metric, we continued with our multiple trial runs, utilizing the same procedure that we had conducted in the carpet testing. Measured and weighed half a cup of sand, rice, and Cheerios. We stuck with 24 seconds and the same 27 square feet of test area.

For hardwood testing, we included additional important factors to assess any lingering questions about cleaning performance on any hard surface, not just hardwood floors. We developed a new crevice test to simulate any profound cracks or gutted grout lines. Additionally, we ran these vacuums along long hallways and into corners to provide robust results on how they clean typical spaces found in homes.

Hardwood Cleaning

Many houses and apartments are ditching carpets for vinyl and hardwood floors. These flooring types are durable, have lower maintenance, and offer some hypoallergenic benefits (for reason number two). So, we value the hardwood performance tests as much as the carpet. Many of the vacuums got near-perfect results from our strenuous tests.

Once again, we see the Dyson triplets at the top. All three options include the hard surface floor-specific cleaning head. It is super soft and delicate on hardwood floors while easily tackling big messes. The Dyson Gen5 and Submarine secured an almost perfect score of 99% of debris captured, while the V15 was one percent behind. When test trials were over, we noticed a grain or two left behind due to the slight plowing that occurs with larger messes, but we think these machines can gather anything on hard surfaces given time. Another pass after our timed trial and everything was gone.

As our vacuum expert revealed, “For people who are absolutely obsessed with getting a floor super clean, one of the Dysons with the laser brush head is the best.” This head is our favorite for the cleaning performance and the laser. While other products use a light, there's something about the sharp, low-angle green laser that emits from the Dyson head that makes it stand apart from the rest. It's more effective at showing the tiny dust particles that lurk on the floor. It's really neat and, dare we say, fun to go house hunting down dust demons like it's a game.

If you love the Fluffy Optic head, but balk at spending nearly a thousand dollars on a cordless vacuum, we understand. Luckily, Dyson does too. At $650 retail, the Dyson V12 Slim is a somewhat more budget-conscious offering from the elite brand, and it comes with not just the Fluffy Optic head, but also the motorized hair screw, another of our favorite Dyson attachments. Though we felt its performance didn't quite match its price on carpet and pet hair, its hardwood capabilities were as stellar as we've come to expect from Dyson. All in all, we felt it would be a great option for someone with a small space and lots of hard flooring.

Following close behind the Dyons are products with a soft roller, including the Shark Vertex, Stratos, and Samsung Bespoke. They make quick work moving forward through our vacuuming tests, as they all tend to plow material to some degree when pulling back, so you'll want to push away from yourself when cleaning.

Compared to deep pile carpets, hardwood is more straightforward to clean, posing less of a threat to chore time. However, some vacuums in our lineup just couldn't cut it, with a wide range of results.

Before Testing After Testing

Continuing our clogging chronicles with the Bissell, our tester mentioned, “I reserved some hope that this vacuum might surprise me on the hardwood and maybe clean up a mess, but NOPE got quickly clogged, AGAIN.” This vacuum recorded the lowest capture percentage of our whole lineup, at a measly 20%. Seeing as this is our last set of cleaning trials, it's safe to say we don't recommend this product; it's too sensitive and prone to clogging.

The soft bristle roller heads flourished in our hardwood tests, while the conventional head designs tended to plow. This left us pushing around Cheerios and rice rather than grabbing and pulling them up. This includes the Shark Pet Plus, Levoit, Tineco, Kenmore, and Dyson V8. The extent of the plowing varied, however. The Pet Plus had a minor accumulation that we could get on our second pass, resulting in a great percentage cleaned at 93%.

The Kenmore and Homeika were noticeably weak in comparison to the crowd. The Kenmore left patches of sand throughout the lane; it either didn't agitate the carpet fibers enough or didn't have enough force to extract the small particles. Not all was lost, as it still cleaned 70% of all debris; in our experience, we could sometimes feel the lackluster power.

We can't finish this section without mentioning a special someone. The Dyson V15s Submarine comes with a mop attachment, which is the sole feature differentiating it from the regular V15 Detect. The Submarine Wet Roller Head is pretty cool. The head is completely separate from the handheld, holding the water in a compartment on the backside. We were excited to test out this convenient additional feature. We dropped fresh coffee on the ground and ran over dried paw prints. We weren't impressed.

We don't think the additional $200 price tag is worth the investment for the unique cleaning head. A better mess cleaner that costs less can be found in our steam mop review, as a dedicated product is often better for the job than a jack of all trades. Still, it is a neat addition for those that live in the Dyson ecosystem.

Crevice

Cracks and crevices can pose problems when cleaning hard surface floors. Tile grout, mats, and transition areas can all benefit from the crevice cleanup. Not being able to tackle these critical areas can leave a cleaning job looking unfinished and cause frustration. To find out which competitors excel at the small stuff, we developed a new procedure to test the capabilities of these vacuums to go the extra distance or go in deep.

We used a bamboo mat to simulate deep cracks. First, we taped the underside of the mat to ensure the test debris didn't escape while vacuuming. Then, we placed 20 grams of sand in one of the cracks. This was the perfect amount to fully fill the breach between slats. We made four passes over the mat, giving each vacuum a chance to roll over the stubborn area enough times to make a difference.

There are similarities between this performance and the suction power recordings. However, the Shark Pet Plus deserves a respectful head nod for performing adequately and defying the odds of its low suction power. The Dyson V12 Detect Slim, meanwhile, was flawless on the crevice test, removing 100% of debris in two short passes. Along with its great hardwood performance, this makes the V12 a contender for any household with a mix of hard surfaces, such as hardwood, vinyl, and tile.

Edge Cleaning

For our final assessment, we considered how well these machines handle hallways and tight spaces where baseboards abound. Some of the products can tackle their problems head-on (pushing into the wall), while others excel running parallel to the wall along the edge, but only a few can truly master 100% pick-up in both tests. The Dyson Gen5, Submarine, V8, and Shark Detect Pro are the double threats we want to take home to Mom.

Tineco Pure ONE S11 Shark Detect Pro Cordless

The Kenmore also exhibited the same quarter-inch buffer that Tineco showed during its test, leaving us very unsatisfied since we know debris tends to settle far from foot traffic, pushing it close to walls on hard surfaces. Due to the bumper on the Shark Pet Plus, Vertex, and the Samsung Bespoke couldn't quite grab all the coffee off the floor when pushing it head-on, leaving a noticeable amount near the edges. The Bespoke's front roller isn't actually motorized, so it doesn't help grab material unless it's pushed through the debris. This is most likely why it could suck up coffee grounds head-on.

Overall Hardwood Performance

We see a consistent pattern with the Dyson triplets at the top. The Shark twins follow closer behind compared to carpet performance, thanks to the fluffy rollers (and potentially less stringent power cleaning requirements). And the Dyson V12 offers good hardwood, edge, and crevice performance, but is limited by its small capacity. Still, it's worth noting that the amount of material we use while testing is pretty substantial, and the V12 could definitely do a great job tackling lighter messes on hard floor surfaces.

Hardwood Performance Ratings

Product	Cleaning	Crevice	Edges
Dyson Gen5detect	9.4	9.5	9.0
Dyson V15s Submarine	9.4	9.5	9.0
Dyson V12 Slim	8.8	9.5	9.0
Dyson V15 Detect	9.4	9.5	8.0
Shark Stratos Cordless	9.2	9.2	8.0
Shark Vertex Pro Lightweight	9.0	8.2	8.0
Dyson V8	6.9	6.3	9.0
Samsung Bespoke Jet	8.8	8.3	5.0
Levoit LVAC-200	6.1	9.0	7.0
Shark Pet Plus	8.6	8.2	4.0
Shark Detect Pro Cordless	9.1	2.3	9.0
Tineco Pure ONE S11	7.0	8.0	4.0
Kenmore Elite CSV Max DS4095	5.0	3.8	4.0
Black+Decker Powerseries+ 20V	3.8	4.2	4.0
Bissell Cleanview XR	1.0	6.2	4.0
Homeika LED 8-in-1	2.3	2.6	5.0

The last fluffy roller on this list finishes out the top competitors, the Bespoke, but we do note that the competition is much tighter in this race! Our chronicles of clogging continued with the Bissell deeming it unfit for any surface. The Homeika couldn't muster enough power to lift more than a thin layer of debris during each pass, so it couldn't efficiently complete our timed test trials. Lastly, while the Tineco does have enough power to easily lift material off hard surfaces, its bumper at the head acted like a plow and pushed Cheerios away, not allowing the suction to take hold.

Pet Hair

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, 45.5% of US households own a dog, and 32.1% have a cat in the family. That translates to 163.5 million furry friends living in our homes nationwide. That's A LOT of fur. And those of you who own animals know how desperately we rely on our cleaning products to help curb the ongoing onslaught of relentless hair. It's a battle, nay a war, when it comes to keeping our home devoid of fur. Many of us at Gearlab own cats or dogs, so we get it. That's why we've placed importance on these specific tests, creating a separate metric for animal lovers. Our goal is to guide readers toward the best vacuums capable of handling the task.

We first enlisted our furry friends to help get us the goods. We gathered enough pet hair to provide 4 grams of fur for each vacuum. Although the single-digit gram mentioned doesn't sound like a lot, it's a huge, overflowing handful that tests the limits of these vacuums. We then add in 1 gram of long hair extensions. This is to test if hair length plays a factor in performance. With the combined total, we fully massage the hair into a grid of about 13 square feet. This is roughly half the area we did for carpet cleaning performance, so we also halved the timing to reflect the same rate across the board. After thoroughly massaging the hair into the carpet's fibers, we take a heavy linoleum roller to press the hair further into the carpet. This helps simulate walking over the hair and further grinding it into the weave.

A well-designed roller head is the key to picking up pet hair. One that can dislodge the static force of the hair from the carpet will help the most. While all of our stick vacuums have a roller, a small percentage on the market deviates from this mechanical mechanism, opting for a lower sale price tag instead. Stay clear from these cheap toys, as that is all they'll be since they lack the ability to truly capture hair from carpets.

Low Pile

The Gen5 led the pack with 90% cleaned up on the low pile test. The V15 and Submarine were not far behind with 88% and 84% respectively. These are going to be your heavy hitters to ensure you get all those strands of carpeted rooms. Only when we got up close and personal with the flooring did we notice subtle strands here and there, but from afar, we thought these vacuums performed flawlessly.

The Shark Detect Pro was the worst offender for trapping clumps of pet hair. Other Shark models didn't fare well either, often getting clumps lodged in the tines of the vacuum head. The Shark Stratos, Vertex, and Pet Plus did okay overall, sucking up 74%, 72%, and 72% in their respective tests.

High Pile

Again, the high pile posed a big hurdle for our vacuums. For those homes with lots of thick rugs, take notes. While the elite Dysons did well once again, the mid-range Sharks, Vertex, and Stratos closed the gap and actually performed similar to, or even slightly better than, their powerful competitors.

A letdown: the Shark model that has “pet” in its name, the Shark Pet Plus, wasn't much of a plus at all in ridding the rug of fur, with only 40% gathered. The Tineco cleaned up 48% of the pet and long hair, while the Levoit got just 32%. Visible clumps of hair were left sprinkled about, with some whisps of longer hair left behind.

Overall Pet Hair Performance

Factoring that most households have low pile carpets, we shifted the priority of our scores to favor those scores. If you're shaking your head and don't feel that is reflective of your household, utilize our stack bar chart at the start of the Pet Hair section to prioritize your needs.

Pet Hair Cleaning Performance (%)

Product	Low	High
Dyson Gen5detect	90	62
Dyson V15 Detect	88	60
Dyson V15s Submarine	84	60
Shark Stratos Cordless	74	64
Shark Vertex Pro Lightweight	72	62
Dyson V12 Slim	75	57
Dyson V8	78	52
Tineco Pure ONE S11	76	48
Black+Decker Powerseries+ 20V	78	40
Kenmore Elite CSV Max DS4095	73	40
Shark Pet Plus	72	40
Bissell Cleanview XR	62	46
Samsung Bespoke Jet	74	34
Levoit LVAC-200	73	32
Shark Detect Pro Cordless	56	39
Homeika LED 8-in-1	48	12

Our usual standouts, Dyson V15, Submarine, and Gen5 are at the top. The Dyson V8 snuck into the next tier of performers, most likely due to its similar head design and decent power.

Pet owners, beware of the Homeika. This vacuum performed worst in both low and high pile testing by a considerable margin. Only vacuuming 48% for low pile and a disappointing 12% on our shag rug. The lack of suction here really stood out when vacuuming over the pet hair, often leaving large clumps behind. Our lead vacuum expert noted on the short pile test, “The carpet is still very dirty and mostly covered with pet hair, eww.” A sight you do not want to see when cleaning your own home.

An interesting note to leave off on: manufacturers really love hyping up their antitangle rollers, giving them fancy names and boasting how we'll never need to clean them from hair. Those claims are all fluff. Every single product and its “antitangle” roller wrapped up our extensions. Some did better than others at mitigating the entanglement, but inevitably, every roller will likely need a cleaning at some point.

Tineco Homeika

Filtration and Suction

Why do we have these two aspects covered in their own metric? Well, they're pretty darn important. A filtration system is the primary defense against particle pollution in a home while vacuuming. Many people are sensitive to pollutants in the air where the effects can be costly. Irritated eyes, nose, and throat, coughing, chest tightness, and even shortness of breath are some of the side effects of polluted air. Furthermore, certain age groups, such as children and the elderly, are more likely to experience negative effects. This information made us wonder what kind of air was coming back out of the vacuums. So, we've done what no other review site has thoroughly completed: a set of test data that will help point out concerning products.

On the other side, we have suction testing. Suction is one of the most important considerations when it comes to cleaning performance. We're not trying to pigeonhole ourselves; we fully understand that many factors contribute to a well-crafted cordless stick vacuum, but suction is the job of any vacuum. Pure, powerful suction has its advantages. It can help with really getting deep into carpets, sucking up dirt that lies hidden in the fibers of the carpet. There's nothing more alarming than when we brought a new premium vacuum home and had to dump multiple full bins of debris from our house that we were oblivious to. Trust us, suction is worth a mention.

Filtration

We went to great lengths to get these results. No other review company has dedicated the time to developing a method that addresses key questions about this important aspect of vacuum performance. The process spans multiple days. First, we create a clean room by running air purifiers overnight to remove any unwanted factors from our test site. The next day, we begin our setup, starting with establishing a baseline with two laser particle counters. These loggers record the number of particles in the air, both small (2.4-0.5 µm) and large (>2.5 µm). Generally speaking, the lower the count, the better.

Once we gather the ambient conditions, we start testing. We measure out 1/3 cup of flour, place it on the floor, and proceed to vacuum the fine material until it's all gone. During that time, our particle counters are at work, logging the influx of particles in the air. We record the peak average from three trials.

According to the Dylos meters, a recording 75 and under is regarded as excellent air quality conditions. This count designation is specifically for small particles because those are the most concerning. Small or fine particles that range from 0.5-2.5 µm (micrometers) have the ability to enter into your bloodstream.

To be cautious, we suggest those sensitive to air quality, to avoid the Black+Decker due to its average peak count recorded at 1,542. From 1,050-3000 count, 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. Kenmore also recorded a significant jump at 976 small particle count. This is considered fair according the Dylos meter.

Suction

The most accurate way to measure the power of vacuums is at the interface of the floor and vacuum head. So, we built a new mechanism to measure the unsealed suction power of each product to mimic what would be experienced in the typical home.

We drilled a small hole in the top of the platform and guided a hose from the cutout to our differential pressure meter. After measuring each device and comparing the numbers, we weren't entirely shocked by our findings.

The Dyson triplets stacked the top again! The Gen5 was the winner of the Dyson battle. The Gen5 is the newest in the Dyson product series, and each succeeding line From Dyson seems to get bigger and more powerful.

What did surprise us were the Samsung Bespoke and Tineco Pure ONE. We expected the Bespoke to register more competitive results that might give Dyson a run for its money, but we were pleasantly surprised by the high register of the Tineco.

Kenmore Elite Dyson V15 Submarine

It was no shock that the budget models Homeika, Kenmore, and Black+Decker didn't have strong readings. However, it was a surprise that the Shark Detect Pro, which cost three times as much, scored in the same range. That being said, we don't think this was Shark's aim with this new super light product line.

Overall Filtration and Suction

Although independent factors, filtration and suction have important impacts on performance and health concerns. Below are the results of our testing.

Filtration & Suction Performance Ratings

Product	Filtration	Suction
Dyson Gen5detect	9.0	9.5
Dyson V15 Detect	9.0	9.1
Dyson V15s Submarine	9.0	8.2
Tineco Pure ONE S11	9.0	6.5
Samsung Bespoke Jet	9.0	6.2
Shark Stratos Cordless	9.0	4.7
Dyson V12 Slim	9.0	4.7
Dyson V8	9.0	4.4
Shark Vertex Pro Lightweight	9.0	3.8
Levoit LVAC-200	9.0	3.6
Shark Detect Pro Cordless	9.0	3.3
Bissell Cleanview XR	7.0	5.1
Homeika LED 8-in-1	7.0	3.1
Shark Pet Plus	7.0	3.1
Kenmore Elite CSV Max DS4095	4.0	3.3
Black+Decker Powerseries+ 20V	2.0	3.0

You can see the significant jump down from the three top Dysons to the next competitors, Tineco and Samsung. Tineco is a budget model that doesn't compromise in this metric and tells the story of why it did so well in our carpet cleaning tests. The Dyson V12 Slim shows that although it is a sleek machine, it has enough power to make an impact in deep cleaning but is still limited to its bin size.

If air quality concerns you and your family, we believe you should steer clear of the Kenmore Elite and Black+Decker. Additionally, their low suction power readings reinforce that these budget options may not be worth the investment.

Ease of Use

While stick vacuums are reputable for being quick and easy to use, some factors should be considered before making a purchase. Depending on your goals, some factors may be more important than others.

Maneuverability

To test maneuverability, we created an obstacle course that tested all flooring types, tight turns, corners, and transition areas. We rounded out our track with the back-breaking chore of getting under furniture.

The Detect Pro was an immediate standout for its light weight (2.8 lbs). The single, small brush head also helped when pushing it. It's almost too light, though, as it is prone to the roller lifting when making quick, tight turns. It also struggles to lift onto a bamboo mat. However, we enjoyed the minimal effort required with the Detect and would recommend it to anyone looking for a user-friendly vacuum.

The Shark Stratos and Vertex have a hinge at the middle of the shaft, allowing the head to easily glide outward and under furniture without bending over. This is a definite plus when there's a lot of furniture, as it removes back-breaking work from house cleaning. The combination roller means no need for head transfers, so no matter where the messes occur, it's ready.

The LVAC-200 was another model that wowed our testers in the obstacle course. It pivots effortlessly, rolls right over lips and uneven surfaces, and can lie completely flat, which we loved when it came to reaching under furniture like couches or beds.

Ease of use is where Dyson performed its weakest. All this power comes with great responsibility, which lands squarely on the person using the vacuum. These vacuums are heavy, measuring between 4.5 to 5 lbs for just the handheld. It's a noticeable weight the longer we hold it. When vacuuming for a long period of time, we certainly felt like we were going through a workout drill. Compared to the beefier Dysons, the V12 Detect Slim felt light and maneuverable, and we loved that it had a simple on/off button, rather than a trigger, a feature we found surprisingly tiresome on many other Dysons.

Unfortunately, a lightweight vacuum won't automatically be destined for greatness. Our lightest model, the Kenmore (2 lbs), had difficulty gliding onto uneven surfaces, even when transitioning from hardwood to our super low pile carpet. Its head swivel tilts more than turns, making it frustrating to work in tight spaces.

Maintenance

Overall, there isn't a big difference between vacuums when it comes to cleaning and maintenance. They are all pretty straightforward. With a one-press button or latch to release the dirt from the dustbin, easy access to filters, and simplistic cleaning of the whole system, these types of vacuums are all relatively easy. However, we discovered a couple of annoyances during testing.

A minor offense includes rollers that are not detachable. Because tangled hair is inevitable, it should be easy to detangle the mess. It is a tale as old as time, and we think more attention should be given to this issue. With the Shark sisters, Stratos, and Vertex, the Powerfins roller cannot be removed. Because this is the roller that usually gets tangled with hair versus the soft roller that is easily removable, it is a bit of a head-scratcher.

As for the Black+Decker, we have a bone to pick. This design lacks the simplistic release button we saw on most of the competition. Instead, removing the bin includes lifting the filter system to dump the waste. Usually, static hair clings to the filter, so we had to grab the dust-coated hair off the filter to clean everything. Yuck. Also, it isn't very efficient, and because these vacuums don't hold a ton, this emptying can be frequent.

We had similar qualms with the Dyson V12 Detect Slim. Its dustbin is genuinely tiny; it filled up to the point that the vacuum registered a clog and shut itself off during all three rounds of our carpet testing.

And if this wasn't enough of an inconvenience, that same tiny dustbin was extremely difficult to detach and empty. Multiple people from our team found it shockingly tough to take off. It was so odd that we think it's possible it was just a manufacturing defect with the single V12 we purchased, not a feature of the model as a whole. But still, not exactly confidence-inspiring.

In modern times, we often look to electronics to make busy lives easier. As a result, companies often include automatic emptying stations in vacuum designs. This is almost a standard for newer robot vacuums, but stick vacuums are gradually introducing this concept. Samsung Bespoke is a prime example. While we tend to shove vacuums into cleaning closets, Bespoke's elegant design demands a special location for all to behold. It definitely turned heads as we brought it out for testing. The station provides 2 liters of storage before changing the dust bag. We don't think it holds enough, somewhat negating the reason for the original solution. We're also not big fans of reoccurring purchases with the dust bags. Still, it is a relief to avoid exploding dust bombs when emptying the bin.

Uphostery and Attachments

Attachments are the unsung heroes of cordless stick vacuums. With an arsenal of options comes increased versatility, creating a more valuable cleaning companion. Since cordless stick vacuums are relatively new to the vacuum world, some might not consider their additional applications. However, when removing the stem of the vacuum and snap on an attachment, BOOM, we have a handheld vacuum. Spot cleans, deep crevice distresses, and crumbs lurking in cars from toddler temper tantrums can all be cleaned with a versatile stick vacuum.

When it comes to attachments, we have a favorite. While the crevice tool lets us dig deep into tight spaces and the dusting bristle brush is good for settling dust, the real winner is a motorized head. Just like on carpets, upholstery needs some agitation from moving bristles to get the job done.

You can compare the performance difference between the two different attachment designs from the Dyson V8 and Shark Pet Plus.

So who's got the goods? All of the Dysons come with a motorized tool attachment. However, the V8 doesn't come with the coveted Fluffy Optic roller, so there will be no disco laser light shows to illuminate debris.

We were disappointed to find that the Shark Detect Pro only had a crevice tool. Unlike the Detect Pro, the Homeika costs hundreds of dollars less and at least includes a combination tool.

Noise

Noise isn't something we score on. Why? Well, they all sound relatively loud. None of these vacuums are nap-time cleaners, and while each has its own tone, the differences aren't enough to discern for the average human.

Overall Ease of Use

The vacuum's characteristics really stand out in this metric. Each has benefits and drawbacks, as no one product is perfect. Here's how our scoring turned out.

Ease of Use Performance

Product	Maneuverability	Maintenance	Upholstery
Levoit LVAC-200	9.5	9.0	7.5
Shark Vertex Pro Lightweight	9.5	6.5	9.0
Shark Stratos Cordless	9.0	6.5	9.0
Dyson V15 Detect	6.5	6.0	9.5
Dyson V15s Submarine	6.5	6.0	9.5
Samsung Bespoke Jet	6.0	8.0	7.5
Shark Pet Plus	7.5	6.5	7.5
Dyson V12 Slim	7.5	5.0	9.0
Bissell Cleanview XR	7.5	8.0	5.5
Dyson Gen5detect	6.0	5.5	9.5
Homeika LED 8-in-1	9.0	6.5	5.5
Dyson V8	7.5	5.5	7.5
Shark Detect Pro Cordless	9.5	6.0	5.0
Black+Decker Powerseries+ 20V	7.5	6.8	4.0
Tineco Pure ONE S11	6.0	6.0	5.5
Kenmore Elite CSV Max DS4095	5.0	5.5	4.0

The mid-range Sharks take the lead in this metric due to their smooth handling and beneficial features. The Levoit LVAC 200 is very easy to clean and maintain, giving it a boost overall. The Homeika also performs excellently due to its light and simple design. While the Bespoke is easy to maintain, we had difficulty pushing it around due to its small wheel and placement. The Dysons rear its design drawback to a powerful suction, heavy weight that is difficult to push around.

Battery

Battery life is the Achilles heel of cordless 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 V15s Submarine	68	9
Dyson Gen5detect	67	7
Dyson V15 Detect	64	9
Shark Stratos Cordless	55	11
Shark Pet Plus	54	10
Tineco Pure ONE S11	48	12
Shark Vertex Pro Lightweight	43	14
Homeika LED 8-in-1	29	23
Dyson V12 Slim	40	10
Kenmore Elite CSV Max DS4095	34	14
Black+Decker Powerseries+ 20V	26	18
Levoit LVAC-200	36	8
Bissell Cleanview XR	31	11
Samsung Bespoke Jet	33	8
Dyson V8	33	7
Shark Detect Pro Cordless	29	11

We originally worried that the more powerful products would have lower operating times, but our tests showed this wasn't necessarily the case. While the average product didn't reach the hour mark, some of the more subtle factors may persuade a buying decision. The biggest consideration is that we don't always need to run the Dysons on high. They can easily tackle most messes on low, and frankly, high is too darn hard to push anyway.

Also, don't be duped by the Homeika battery life while using on max. Like the Levoit, It outshined the competition because there isn't a lot of extra power boost between the two settings. After stepping away from the popular Shark and Dyson brands, the competition starts to near the 30-minute mark, which isn't enough time to get much done.

A solution? 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. If you have other Black+Decker tools, the vacuum uses the same battery, which could make it one for your shortlist. Outside of the B+D batteries being useful for multiple tools, we didn't see this kind of multi-purpose battery in the competition.

A final hopeful note: Cordless stick vacuums completely change the game when it comes to chores. 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

Every home and family has unique cleaning needs, so finding the right cordless stick vacuum requires careful consideration of your specific circumstances. A small apartment with hardwood floors might benefit from a lightweight model with a soft roller head. At the same time, a busy household with kids and pets may need a vacuum with strong suction and specialized attachments for tackling pet hair and stubborn messes. Families with allergy sufferers might prioritize models with strong filtration and dust entrapment for cleaner air. Understanding how your home's layout, flooring types, and daily cleaning demands influence your choice is key to selecting a vacuum that seamlessly fits into your lifestyle.

Why Suction Power is Important

Suction power is one of the most critical factors in a cordless stick vacuum because it directly affects how efficiently and thoroughly the vacuum can clean various surfaces, especially when it comes to carpets. Strong suction is needed to remove deeply embedded dirt, dust, and hair trapped in carpet fibers. Low suction may leave remnants behind, leading to less effective cleaning and more frustration. While hard floors typically require less suction, the vacuum must provide enough power to lift dense small particles like sand and dirt, helping provide that polished look that we all strive to see when cleaning hard surfaces.

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.

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.

Attachments We Love

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. 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.

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.