Top Vacuum Picks
View allA cordless vacuum helps you keep on top of everyday messes because they're convenient to grab for quick cleanups without dragging a power cord around. The best cordless vacuums are lightweight, easy to maneuver, and powerful enough to handle messes and pet hair on bare floors or carpets.
We've tested over 110 vacuums, and below are our recommendations for the best cordless vacuums based on their cleaning performance, battery life, air quality, and portability. Here's a quick rundown of what to look for using our lab testing and scoring:
- Battery Life: 60+ minutes max runtime (measured on low power) to clean apartments and small homes on a single charge.
- Air Quality: 8.0+ Particle Filtration score for effective dust and allergen control.
- Portability: Under 5 lbs is lightweight; 5 to 7 lbs is average; 7+ lbs is heavy; important for stairs and handheld use.
- Dustbin Emptying: Most cordless vacuums release dust when the dustbin is emptied, so empty them outdoors if possible.
- Floor Type: Soft rollers are better for bare floors, while bristles work better on carpet and pet hair.
Check out our buyer's guide at the bottom of the article for more details. For other options, check out our recommendations for the best corded vacuums, the best vacuums for high-pile carpet, and the best bagged vacuums.