All of the cordless vacuums we tested were between 4 and 7 pounds, but none was so heavy that it affected our recommendation. All of the vacuums on this list were also very similar in height and overall size. The Dyson models are both roughly 49 inches, while the Tineco A11 is shorter at just 43 inches tall. To simulate small particle size, we use a mix of play sand and landscaping sand.
The powerful suction motor and low noise fan makes for quiet cordless operation, and the battery vacuum adjusts automatically to clean any surface. Also, the bagless dirt cup means no expensive replacement bags to buy. The battery vacuum handle folds down for easy storage
with a simple one-button release. Detach the handheld vac to go everywhere the floor vac can’t go. In our exclusive CR surveys, more than 40 percent of battery-powered stick vacs owned by our members developed problems with the battery within the first five years of ownership. Corded stick vacuums do not have this issue, which is why we give separate reliability ratings for cordless and corded stick vacuum brands.
Another nice feature is that you can change the length of the stick by taking off the main section, essentially turning it into a hand vac. You see, about a year ago we moved into a rental home when my husband took a job 3.5 hours away from our hometown. This home features linoleum and carpet and I wanted something that could easily vacuum both without much of a hassle. The width of the test bed is proportional to the vacuum’s nozzle width, which we measure ourselves. We also use nozzle width, plus the flooring type, to calculate the soil density for each test, per International Electrotechnical Commission guidelines. The IEC is a global standards body responsible for managing testing procedures, among other things, for vacuum manufacturers.
As you can see, the Dyson V15 Detect is our top overall cleaner in these sand tests, but note that the Samsung Jet 90 actually outperformed it by a considerable margin on thick, plushy mid-pile carpet. Sucking sand out of carpets like those is a real challenge — most of the vacuums we test can’t even remove 80% of the stuff when all is said and done. If you have thick carpets like those in your home, it’s definitely worth a look. The last time we updated our list of the best cordless vacuums, we pointed to the Tineco A11 Hero as an outstanding midrange option.
That’s why I decided that when I reviewed the Bissell ICONpet Cordless Vacuum, I was going to wait a solid 6 months to deliver my review. Here we are, 6 months later, and I’m ready to give you a thorough, honest review of this vacuum cleaner. Here are the best performers of each type of stick vacuum—corded and cordless—listed in alphabetical order. For all vacuum types, see our full vacuum ratings and recommendations.
While testing, we found that it still has many of the same attributes as some more expensive cordless stick vacs like a long run time, a variety of helpful attachments and variable suction levels. The tangle-free brush roll helps prevent hair from wrapping around it while cleaning, and the full-width suction means you’ll find an easier time getting those tight corners clean. We also appreciate that it includes a crevice and dusting brush tool so you can remove dirt from even the smallest spaces. It was our No. 1 finisher on low-pile carpet, with a sand score of 93% and another perfect 100% with the black rice. It’s a strong performer on plushier, mid-pile carpet, too, which is our most difficult test. The Pure One S11 finished in third here, gathering up 78% of the sand and, once again, 100% of the black rice.
That means we are giving you more decision points to help you choose whether you want a stick vac or a full-sized vacuum. As a result of these changes, our pet hair tests are a bit more challenging and we now embed dirt in the carpeting instead of scattering it on the surface as we used to do. And for bare floor testing, instead of combining all the debris into a messy array of cereal, sand, and rice, we vacuum up each type separately. All in all, we’ve made our stick vacuum tests better reflect real-world situations. The Bissell ICONpet model is a clear winner when it comes to the best vacuums for pet hair. Powerful suction traps pet hair and dander, notably great for those with allergies.
Large wheels on the canister make the vacuum easy to pull along as you clean, too. Credit to Dyson for pioneering the cordless vacuum category with a series of capable — yet pricey — Cyclone bissell cordless vacuum V series stick vacs. Many years and many models later, Dyson remains a fixture of the category in 2023, but it’s not quite as dominant in our cleaning tests as it was five or 10 years ago.