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April 2025: We eliminated our testing that evaluated the ability of a cordless vacuum to pick up black rice from hardwood and carpet because almost every vacuum was scoring near 100%. We’ve kept our testing for sand on all three test surfaces and reweighted our scoring to take this into account. We also reweighted our scoring to increase the importance of battery life and consolidated the ease of use and comfort into UX as a measure of user experience. The Levoit LVAC-200, Dyson V15 Detect, and LG CordZero A949 still use our older scoring methodology, so you may see some discrepancies in score breakdown compared with our newer additions, but they are in the process of being updated with our new methodology. We removed the Tineco Pure One S15 Pet, Dirt Devil Grab & Go Plus and Samsung Jet 90. We added the Shark Stratos as our new best overall pick, replacing the LG CordZero A949. We added the Dyson Detect Submarine V15S, Shark Clean & Empty, Shark Pet Plus and Dirt Devil BD5700V. The Shark Stratos and Levoit LVAC-200 both received an Editors’ Choice award.
June 2025: We tested and added the Tineco GoStation Smart to our best list for its array of premium features. We tested and added the Uninell UV5 to our best list for its large 1.6-liter dustbin. Infographics were updated with more current testing results. All the product cards were updated to include our tested battery life.
August 2025: We tested the Eureka ReactiSense 440, making it a new best overall. We also tested the Bissell PowerClean FurFinder, Levoit LVAC-300 (best midprice) and Dreame Z30 (best for battery) and added them to our top picks. We removed the Shark Pet Plus, Dirt Devil BD5700V, Levoit LVAC-200 and LG CordZero A949.
October 2025: Added two new sections covering cordless vacuum industry news and what we’re currently testing in the lab. Added Shark Stratos back as a tied, best overall taking into consideration our new data study on cordless vacuum battery life.
We’re currently testing a large batch of wet and dry vacuums. These are a unique type of vacuum that are capable of vacuum dry messes, but also wet mopping on hard surfaces. Some of them have already earned a spot on our list, like Dyson’s V15S Submarine. Here are other ones we’re evaluating with our new testing procedures.
All the vacuums on CNET’s best lists are tested and evaluated in our state-of-the-art test labs. CNET Testing Labs go beyond product specifications to test in real-world conditions with real-life messes. Over the years, our experts have tested 50 cordless vacuums and counting.
Here’s a breakdown of how we measured cordless stick vacuum performance.
Our team of experts and engineers uses play sand and landscaping sand to mimic dirt and dust. Each vacuum is tested on a low-pile carpet, midpile carpet and a hard surface with sand. This test reveals exactly how much physical debris a vacuum is able to pick up off of the floor.
During testing we set controls in place to make sure each vacuum faces the same test. For example, each vacuum is set to the same nozzle width and we measure and lay down the exact same amount of debris each time.
We conduct three cleaning runs (at minimum) on each floor type. We also conduct separate cleaning tests with pet hair on each surface type where we photograph and visually evaluate how much pet hair (if any) is left after running the vacuum over it.
We weigh the dustbin before and after each run. From there, we can calculate the percentage of debris pickup for every cleaning run and the average amount of soil a vacuum manages to remove.
To test battery life, we fully charge the vacuum battery to full, then run it at the medium setting until drained (no Max or Eco mode). We do this three times and take the average of the three tests. The longer the duration, the better the score. Most of the vacuums on our list have a battery life of 25 to 40 minutes before needing another charge, although many models are starting to offer higher-capacity batteries with running times of 60 minutes per charge. Several of the vacuums we’ve tested can do even better, like the Shark Stratos (80 minutes) and Dreame Z30 (110 minutes). In truth, it’s a rare occasion that one would need more than 40 minutes for a single vacuuming session, and the prevalence of charging docks makes it easy to recharge in between cleaning runs.
Most cordless vacuums we recommend also have replaceable batteries these days, meaning you can buy an extra if you need more running time or you’re worried about battery degradation over time.
Several of the graphs below show the relationships we discovered in our study between battery life and suction, battery life and price and battery life and weight. A recent lab data study we did also revealed that most cordless vacuums with stronger suction power also have a shorter battery life, but you don’t need to spend a lot to get a high-performing vacuum.
Most of the cordless vacuums we tested weighed between 4 and 8 pounds. When a vacuum weighs 10 pounds or more, we consider it more unwieldy. Most of the vacuums on this list were also very similar in height and overall size. They also come with accessories that can be attached and detached to give you flexible cleaning options. For instance, a common tool is a crevice cleaning attachment that lets you fit the vacuum nozzle into tight spaces and corners to clean in places where a larger brush head wouldn’t reach.
For dustbin size, we consider anything of 0.6 liters and more to be good. Generally, anything less than 0.5 liters will require you to empty it after every cleaning session. A large dustbin means you can go longer without emptying. However, if the cordless vacuum comes with a self-emptying charging dock, it can often store dust and debris for 30 days or more, minimizing the amount of dust you’re faced with when vacuuming.
Cordless vacuum warranties will vary by manufacturer and model but the majority of models we’ve tested offer at least a year of coverage if not two. The best warranty we’ve seen is from Shark Ninja, which offers five-year limited warranties on its cordless vacuums. A longer warranty period is good because it means your vacuum is covered if a part breaks or something is defective.
Most cordless vacuums have some kind of filter that stops the exhaust from putting dust back into the room while you’re vacuuming. This can be a simple washable cloth filter to an anti-allergy HEPA filter (commonly found in air purifiers) that can filter particles as small as 0.3 microns. Most of the best cordless vacuums come with replaceable HEPA filters, while cheaper models may have a more basic cloth filter. One recent innovation we’re also seeing from Shark Ninja is incorporating an anti-allergy seal and anti-odor capsules that keep your vacuum and dustbin from festering.
While it’s not necessarily a factor that weighs heavily, the ease and comfort of using a cordless vacuum and emptying its dustbin does play a role. We now consider this category as user experience. We like when a cordless vacuum is freestanding, meaning you can leave it upright and unattended without having to worry about it tipping over. We also like when it has a charging dock or self-empties because it means you need to do less maintenance on your end. Strong bonus points go to a vacuum docking station that empties dust into a bag rather than a bagless dust canister because it means that dust is less likely to get all over your newly vacuumed floors when you empty it into the trash.
As new cordless stick vacuum models emerge, we are seeing the ability to detect dirt types and floor types and adjust suction power accordingly. “This means that when a large amount of dirt is detected, suction increases and when less dirt is present, suction decreases,” says CNET’s Lab Engineer Gianmarco Chumbe. Chumbe, who’s been testing home tech products at CNET Labs for 8 years, says the latest vacuum tech can sense floor type and boost suction power in response. “The main benefit of this feature is increased battery efficiency, resulting in a more effective and longer-lasting cleaning experience.”
Consumers shopping for vacuums today, Chumbe says, should consider the cost-to-value ratio. “Ask yourself, does the price justify the performance, features and comfort it offers?” CNET writers and editors use price and value in our vacuum scoring just for this reason.
It’s easy to forget that the very tools that help us clean (like vacuums) also need to be cleaned from time to time. This is true even if they have a charging and self-emptying dock as the main dustbin still needs to be emptied. Issues like hair tangled around the brushes or clogged filters need occasional attention to ensure your cordless vacuum continues performing at its best.
Some of the routine cleaning that needs to be done for your cordless vacuum is daily, while other aspects can be done weekly or even monthly.
Some of the maintenance will depend on how often you use your cordless vacuum. If you only use it once or twice a week, you may not need to replace the filters every month. Checking with your particular vacuum model’s manual to determine when to replace the filter is a wise idea. Also, some filters are washable, which means you can get more life out of them before it’s time to replace them.
Most of these tasks take just a few minutes but offer great returns in keeping your home cleaner.
Credit to Dyson for pioneering the cordless vacuum category with its capable — but pricey — Cyclone V series stick vacs. Years and models later, Dyson remains a key player in 2025 but it’s not as dominant in our cleaning tests as it was five or 10 years ago. Now, several competitors can go head-to-head with Dyson on our test floors including Shark Ninja, Levoit and others.
Even so, Dyson vacuums consistently perform well and often include unique features like dust-revealing lasers and auto-adapting brush rolls, thanks to the British company’s years of in-house research and design improvements. For many households, these innovations make Dyson a worthwhile splurge.
Upright vacuums are the traditional options that most likely come to your mind when thinking of a vacuum — sturdy, with a large canister and a wide cleaning head. They often come with various attachments and sometimes even have adjustable settings. Because these are more powerful, they are ideal for deep cleaning carpets.
Stick vacuums, on the other hand, are sleek, modern and lightweight. They are fantastic for quick cleanups, especially if you have a smaller living space or a mix of flooring types. Picking between upright and stick will come down to various factors, including flooring type and size of the space.
The Eureka ReactiSense 440, the Dyson V15 Detect and Shark Stratos are all among our top picks for cleaning carpets with scores for low-pile and midpile that were higher than 90%. For other options, take a look at our list of the best vacuums for carpets.
Source: CNET.
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