Best Cordless Vacuum Cleaners: Pick the Right Unit for Your Needs within Your Budget

Cordless vacuum cleaners can take the place of upright vacuums. It gained popularity after Dyson began producing one in 1974 with the Dyson DC01.  It is clearly designed for more portable cleaning activities, as it is powered by a battery rather than a cable that connects directly to the power source. This results in a more flexible workflow that allows for more freedom while cleaning. Cordless vacuums also provide new opportunities to clean areas that were difficult to clean. 

In addition, cordless vacuum cleaners bring the large vacuuming machine closer to your hand rather than the suction port. As a result, the vacuuming port becomes slimmer, allowing the vacuum to fit into tight spaces like underneath a cupboard, table, or toe kick. Basically, these are the major changes you can expect from a cordless vacuum cleaner. 

Though it makes your life easier, you should know that there are four types of vacuuming machines to assist you with your household chores. They are upright vacuums, robot vacuums, cordless vacuums, and vacuum mop combination. Each of them has specific and unique advantages over the other, and before you look for the best cordless vacuum cleaner, we would like to make sure you are making the right choice.

Do you really need a cordless vacuum cleaner?

Cordless cleaner comes in two form factors, they are stick vacuum and handheld. Stick vacuums are what we are talking about today because they are very similar to upright vacuums in terms of size, functionality, and features.

So, why do you need a cordless vacuum cleaner at home?

First, cordless vacuum cleaners are more versatile when you have multiple rooms at home. You don’t need to plug and unplug the cord whenever you want to clean your house. Of course, using a longer cable can help to solve this issue. However, it causes another issue that you need extend the cable when using it and keep the cable tidy after use. The flexibility from cordless vacuum cleaner, however, is not always needed by all people. If you have multiple rooms, the device will have to work harder. You will definitely need more battery capacity to clean all of the rooms, which increases the overall cost. This only applies if your vacuum cleaner has swappable batteries.

Second, cordless vacuum cleaners can fit under more furniture because of their slim shape. This means that if your house has a narrow gap underneath, you can safely use a cordless vacuum. Another unique feature of cordless vacuums is the pivoting stick, which is helpful for your back. Cleaning difficult places doesn’t force you to crouch or bend your body anymore. Cordless vacuum cleaners can help you to reach difficult spaces with less effort than upright vacuums.

Third is whether you are willing to spend more money on this model. Cordless vacuums with proper features are typically more expensive than basic models. For example, the basic features of HEPA filters in upright vacuum cleaners are not widely available in cordless vacuums. This is an important consideration because flying dust not only smells bad but is also harmful to your health.

Another important factor to consider when purchasing a vacuum cleaner is the surface on which it will be used most frequently. Upright vacuums were originally designed to clean carpets, and they are extremely effective at that task. Meanwhile, cordless vacuums are designed to clean a wide range of surfaces, including carpet, hardwood floors, and others.

If you frequently find yourself cleaning dust, hair, fur, dirt, sand, and debris from your carpet, an upright vacuum can perform much better than cordless vacuum cleaners on the same budget. However, if you have different surfaces to clean, you can safely get a cordless vacuum. It is not the best to clean carpets and also requires manual labor, but you can easily clean more types of surfaces.

Best Cordless Vacuum Cleaners Based on the Price Range

The Best Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaners, High-End Models

Dyson Gen5detect

The first thing you notice is the number of attachments set the device has. They are optic cleaner head, motorbar cleaner head, hair screw tool, combination brush tool, and built-in dusting and crevice tools. 

The hair screw tool is very useful for hair and fur, and it does job outstandingly. The fluffy optic head is equipped with a green laser. It is bright and perfectly angled. It allows you to see through particles, dust, and debris.

Many people love this vacuum cleaner since it has extraordinary capabilities. It has outstanding power and can be used anywhere to clean things up. What makes it even better is the weight. It is lighter than an ordinary upright vacuum, and using it is a lot of fun. When it comes to having fun, nothing beats watching Dyson Gen5detect remove dirt. You can see it because of the green laser, and it is very satisfying.

People have problems with the after-sales service after they purchased this product. Some customers who receive defective or nonfunctional units don’t receive a prompt refund. They had to wait and kept contacting customer service to get their refund or replacement unit.

If money is not an issue for you, getting this versatile cordless vacuum is a no-brainer. If you have a low-quality or old vacuum, it is still a worthwhile upgrade as it has the features you might need to clean your house without any issue.

Dyson V15 Detect

Dyson V15 Detect includes a specialized green laser to light up the floor. The laser, which angles just right, can reveal dust, debris, and dirt that naked eyes can’t see. This light comes with the fluffy hard floor attachment, which adds significant value to the device. The reason is that, despite having a small size, it handles large amounts of debris with ease.

Another cool feature is automatic suction adjustment. It works automatically by detecting the type of surface you are working on. When it hits carpet, it increases the power to the maximum, and when it hits a hard surface, it lowers the power. The device also provides a real-time report on the remaining battery capacity. 

Dyson V15 Detect can effectively clean hair of your whole family, including your pets. The newly designed brush roll with corkscrew shape allows hair to simply go to the dustbin rather than tangling in the roller itself.

One advantage of an upright vacuum is the power. However, after using Dyson V15 Detect, you will realize that you don’t need your old upright vacuum anymore. This device’s lightweight design and capabilities are just perfect. You only need a spare battery to keep it going, especially if you have a big house. 

You need to keep in mind that customer service can be unreliable when dealing with damaged or defective items. You also can’t have the unit repaired quickly, which can be frustrating at times. As a result, if you own this unit, you should take good care to keep it in ideal condition.

Dyson V15 Detect is a relatively old model when compared to the Gen5. However, it remains an excellent product that no other vacuum cleaners can compete with. It is highly recommended if only you can afford it. The unit will make you proud to have it as a companion at home.

Dyson V15s Detect Submarine

The main feature of Dyson V15s Detect Submarine is the ability to mop the floor. It still has the same features and effectiveness as the regular V15 Detect. That feature includes a green laser pointed at an ideal angle for detecting debris scattered on the floor. 

The term “Detect” in the name also refers to the sensor’s ability to detect the surface area on which it is working. If it is carpet, it will put more power in capturing dust and debris. If the floor is hard, the motor uses the least amount of power. There is also a sensor that detects the size of vacuumed particles, though it is not particularly useful.

Like the previous Dyson vacuum cleaner, Dyson V15s Detect Submarine includes three cleaner heads and four accessories, such as a wet roller head, a motorbar cleaner head, a fluffy optic cleaner head, a combination tool, a hair screw tool, a docking station, and a crevice tool.

Some reviewers agree that while this product is expensive, it is still worth the price. Some who bought this for the same price as the Gen5 believe that Dyson V15s Detect Submarine is a great deal. It works very well, including on the bathroom floor. 

The negative reviews are likely to come from people who arrived late for the party. The model now costs more than the G5 and even the V15. Aside from that, some reviews incorrectly identify this unit as a vacuum mopper. Well, it is not. The mopping ability is done mechanically, which means it doesn’t collect dirt while mopping.

It is important to note that this unit is actually two products in one body, rather than just a mop and vacuum cleaner combination. You will receive the exact V15 vacuum cleaner, complete with all of its bells and whistles, as well as a mechanical mopping head attached to and electronically controlled by the same body. If you like Dyson products, you should know that this feature is great because it does the job pretty well. However, because it is not a mop and vacuum combo, make sure to vacuum the floor first.

The Best Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaners, Budget Models

Laresar

Among the other Laresar series, series 3 is the most magical. It includes features that are found in high-end products such as an LED touch screen, a hair entanglement roller brush, and a high-efficiency filtration system.

Pros and Cons

This unit works well on both carpet and hard floors, making it a versatile choice. The brush was inspired by Dyson’s V-shaped roller, allowing it to vacuum more efficiently regardless of debris size. Furthermore, the suction power is quite powerful, making it suitable for even deep cleaning the carpet.

Because of the impressive battery life, you shouldn’t have any problems using this vacuum cleaner to clean the entire house. It can run for up to 50 minutes on low power and approximately 18 minutes on high performance mode. If that is still not enough for you, you can always get a spare battery because it is swappable. 

The two attachments and the wall mount are also interesting. The crevice attachment allows you to reach every hidden spot in tight spaces, while the combo dusting brush is ideal for upholstery and furniture.

We already informed ourselves that budget vacuum cleaners typically lack or have less impressive filtration systems. However, Laresar Elite 3 includes two HEPA filters, though they are not sealed. It also doesn’t release dust into the air while vacuuming, which is a great deal.

Despite its impressive features, Laresar Elite 3 is not the best in handling consistency due to its large body and brush head when vacuuming carpet. When using it, you can expect some wobbling with the device.

This unit succeeded in presenting itself as the best-value vacuum cleaner, and it is undoubtedly one of the best cordless vacuum cleaners available. It does the job well while also being lightweight, compact, and stylish. 

What people dislike is the limited runtime caused by the battery life. Perhaps the reason behind the unsatisfactory comment is because they always use highest performance settings. Some users also mentioned that the low power mode is not powerful enough, so they are forced to use more power, resulting in a shorter runtime.

This unit is arguably one of the best vacuum cleaners for people on a tight budget. It performs well and includes features found in higher-end models. However, you should put your feet down as it is not a perfect product, especially given they are a new brand. Fortunately, they also provide 36 months of dedicated customer care for you, which should be worth considering.

Bissell CleanView XR Pet

A bigger motor equal bigger power. This is what Bissell CleanView XR aims to achieve in this price range. With a 300-watt motor and a hair removal brush, you can easily vacuum anything, even hair and fur. Easy Empty Dustbin is a surprisingly useful feature that keeps your hands clean as you can dispose of the waste by simply pressing a button.

Bissell CleanView XR is equipped with 5 LED headlights that allow you to easily see dirt when vacuuming dark areas such as underneath furniture. With a 40-minute runtime, this cordless vacuum cleaner can easily clean the entire room. 

You can use three different specialized tools, a dusting brush, a bristle brush, and service tools. They serve different purposes, including easily capturing dirt, dust, and stains.

Basically, this budget-friendly model has enough features to clean your house, though with some flaws. With a reasonable price, Bissell CleanView XR is recommended as the first vacuum cleaner you can own. People enjoy how well it handles the task, particularly when controlling the moveable head. It is also quiet, which is not bothering the entire house while you are using it.   

Aside from positive reviews, some users have complained that it doesn’t remove debris from the floor. This makes sense because the device isn’t very good at picking up items from the floor. 

This unit isn’t perfect. It can’t perform well against larger particles on the ground. However, the combination of strong suction and strong swivel makes it ideal for vacuuming carpets. The Smartseal Allergen System allows you to safely vacuum carpet, pet hair, and other items without releasing dangerous particles into the air.

Dyson V7 Motorhead

One of the interesting features is whole-machine filtration. It can trap dust and allergens, but it is not as effective as the higher-end version. The build quality of this Dyson is quite nice for an entry-level model. Cordless vacuum cleaners, as usual, come with some attachments, but no trademarked brushes, such as the fluffy brush head. Instead, it includes a standard dusting brush, a combination tool, a crevice tool, and a mini motorized tool.

Dyson V7 Motorhead delivers excellent performance. It is fast, quiet, and powerful. Working on a carpet is simple, and the outcome is outstanding. Users won’t feel any pain while working with it due to its lightweight design. 

Despite being an excellent product, it still has some issues to worry about. First, it doesn’t thoroughly clean the edge. Another complaint is about the battery. The runtime is too short, preventing the user from cleaning the entire house in a single charge.

While Dyson is a decent brand, not all of their products are in perfect condition. This budget unit has some issues cleaning hard floors, which is to be expected as a compromise. However, with good build quality and proper user maintenance, this unit can last much longer than other cheap non-brand vacuum cleaners.

We have covered some of the best cordless vacuum cleaners for two different budgets. While it is tempting to buy a low-cost product, it is better to consider a higher-end model. The features, convenience, and dependability of cleaning your home without leaving dirty air residue are worth considering. Furthermore, low-end models may not last long, resulting in higher long-term costs for repair, replacement, or reselling.

Three Main Cordless Vacuum Types

If you have decided to buy a cordless vacuum cleaner, you should know that there are several options available. Again, it all depends on your needs. The three most common differences are based on size and function. They are stick, handheld, and combo vacuums. They perform the same work, but for different reasons and needs.

• The Stick Vacuum

This one is a direct competitor of the upright vacuum cleaner as it has a similar form factor and aims to outperform it in a lot of aspects. Cordless stick vacuums are designed to clean your floors more efficiently by using a tube stick that can be adjusted. Some models and attachments allow you to bend and pivot the tube, making it easier to clean difficult areas. Stick vacuums are also more powerful than handheld vacuums due to their size. The waste bin is also larger, allowing you to vacuum more areas before it gets full.

• The Handheld Vacuum

Handheld vacuums are ideal for anything above the table. You don’t want to spend your entire day cleaning the floor with this, do you? You can use this to clean upholstery, tables, gaming chairs, mattresses, bedsheets, furniture, car interiors, shoes, and many other items. The small size allows you to bring this into small spaces, and it is good to clean every nook and cranny that bothers you.  

• Combo Vacuum

If you don’t want to take too much effort on mopping your floors, a combo vacuum cleaner can be a good option. You can vacuum and mop the floor at the same time, saving time on daily or weekly chores. Combo vacuums are extremely useful until you become enslaved by the residue. Why? When the brush gets dirty as a result of spills, you will have to spend more time cleaning it. You need to perform this maintenance after you are done mopping because bacteria will grow in number rapidly if left alone. We honestly don’t like the idea of a combo vacuum because a regular mop can still do the job much faster, and cleaning is much easier. A dedicated mop is clearly superior to a combo vacuum like this. This combo vacuum can only handle light uncolored spills, such as water. Spending more money on this feature is, in our opinion, not the best idea.

Among the three types of cordless vacuum, you probably have your eyes set on one particular type. Regardless, you should understand what to choose. We will explain how to find the best one by understanding the specifications and reviews from previous buyers.

What to Look for

• Types

We previously discussed the three types of cordless vacuum cleaners, which are handheld, stick, and combo. Basically, if you want a dependable and useful vacuum that can be used on a variety of surfaces with high power, choose a handheld stick vacuum cleaner. A handheld vacuum cleaner is ideal for cleaning tabletops and hard-to-reach areas because of its portability and lightweight design. Meanwhile, if you need a light mop throughout your room while vacuuming, a combo vacuum is a good choice. Our recommendation, however, is to keep your options on stick or handheld because they are just more useful than the combo one, even if it offers something that both models don’t.

• Power

Power refers to the ability of the device to vacuum everything in front of it. However, in a cordless world, vacuuming also affects the durability of the battery. The more power a cordless vacuum cleaner uses, the bigger battery capacity it needs to keep working. This can mean one of two things: the unit will compensate with a bigger battery capacity, or it will have a shorter battery life between charges.

When all other aspects are equal, having a higher power is always preferable because it allows the vacuum cleaner to perform more effectively. Higher power is more important for cleaning carpet, especially for deep cleaning of compressed dirt or small particles such as sand. Unfortunately, it is extremely difficult to get an exact power amount from the manufacturer. They will use the maximum number possible for marketing purposes. What you can do, however, is read some trusted reviews that provide accurate data about the vacuum cleaners you want to compare. Another thing you can do is not rely solely on power, as there are numbers of other features available to help you get the job done.

• Filtration

This feature is far more important than you may have imagined. Without a filtration system, the micro dust that you can’t see will fly away and scatter throughout the room as you vacuum. You may recognize the vacuuming smell, which is actually very bad for you. It is similar to fluffing a dusty bed in your old bedroom that you have never slept on for a long time. 

You probably thought that this feature is only important for people who have allergies. Well, it is not. First of all, you are basically immune to the dust, debris, and particles on the floor because you don’t inhale them directly. However, if you start vacuuming and releasing those particles into the air, you may develop a respiratory condition later on.

This problem can get worse if you have a pet. You don’t know what your pet has been doing or where they have been the whole day. When it sheds and you start vacuuming with a device that lacks a good filtration system, you can imagine how you are exposed to the particles your pet carried.

To fight on this, manufacturers are increasingly using filtration systems in their products, even in their lower-end models. However, it is still not enough. You will need a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter in your vacuum. Therefore, it is what you should look for when choosing the best cordless vacuum cleaners. 

Please be aware that a cordless vacuum with a HEPA filter is significantly more expensive. Meanwhile, upright vacuums offer the same feature. If this feature is really important for you but your budget is limited, you can’t go wrong with an upright vacuum instead.

• The Brush Type

The next important thing to look at is the brush type. This is an important feature as it determines whether it will do the job effectively in your house or not. For example, a vacuum cleaner with a motorized brush is generally a better choice. This is an extremely useful feature that can remove debris and even embedded stains from soft surfaces like upholstery, carpet, and curtains.

• Weight

Weight is also an important consideration. This is especially important if you have a big house with many rooms. Carrying the vacuum cleaner all day will get you exhausted quickly, so a lighter unit is always nice to have. You can definitely find this information on the product page, and while it is not an essential feature, it is one that you should consider if you are going to use it for an extended period of time.

• Battery life

As a cordless device, the duration of the battery life determines how efficient the unit is. Cordless stick vacuum cleaners have an average running time of 50 minutes. However, the specifications on the official website don’t always tell the whole story. The runtime only applies to the lowest setting. The runtime for the highest performance setting is expected to be much shorter. It is typically capable of only 10-20% of its stated running time. For example, a 50-minute vacuum runtime is equivalent to 5-10 minutes of runtime when used in highest performance.

Because of this reason, you will probably need a spare battery to use the device longer. A manufacturer offers a solution by adding more batteries. This is useful because the recharge time for cordless vacuum cleaners can be quite long (up to 5-10 hours). Another solution from the manufacturer is to include auto-adjustable performance based on the surface and mess it is currently working on. Because of its increased efficiency, the automatic adjustment provides longer runtime.

• Attachments

What is interesting about cordless vacuum cleaner is because of the wide range of head attachments available. The attachment is excellent for performing specialized tasks, allowing the vacuum to run more efficiently. For example, switching from a soft brush to a regular one helps to capture dirt and stains on the carpet. When you return to working on the hard floor, simply replace it with a soft roller brush to remove dirt more effectively.

If you spend more time cleaning surfaces above the floor, a hose attachment can provide you with more flexibility and mobility to clean every hidden spot that is difficult to reach. If you want to get a cordless vacuum cleaner, make sure it can be installed with attachments to give you more cleaning options. Additionally, you should look for third-party attachments. You can easily find unique vacuum attachments from big brands such as Dyson.

After you have gathered all of the necessary information, it is time to look at some of the best cordless vacuum cleaners available up to this day. This list may not include all vacuum cleaners sold worldwide, but it does provide you with reliable options to choose from based on your needs and budget. The list is divided into two sections for stick and handheld vacuums.