5 Best Cordless Stick Vacuums, Recommended by Our Cleaning Experts

Levoit Cordless Vacuum Cleaner: This vacuum cleaner exhibited very good cleaning performance in our tests, especially when removing long, thick hair. We found it maneuverable and easy to use, and our GH tester appreciated the light on the front that illuminates dust on the floor. We like that it has a HEPA filter and a decently long run time (up to 50 minutes). However, one tester found it difficult to remove dog hair from sofas with the brush attachment, so it wouldn't be our first pick for those with pets.

Innova by Eureka Cordless Stick Vacuum: One of the most affordable stick vacuums in our test, the Eureka was a very good performer on bare flooring and carpet, though it fell short with edge cleaning. It provided us with just over 45 minutes of run time and was easy to use, maintain, and store. It also includes a HEPA filter and four useful attachments. Nice at this price!

✔️ Battery run time: Today’s lithium-ion batteries provide power and longevity. Some lasted close to 60 minutes or longer in our tests. On some models, the battery pack can be removed for charging while you store the rest of the vacuum out of sight. Keep in mind that manufacturers report battery run time without any attachments, which is, honestly, not how people clean. Once you add the rotating brush or another attachment that requires power, the battery run time goes down. Don't be surprised if the battery doesn't last as long as it claims on the box when you are cleaning. And this is why we are fans of having two batteries, so one is ready as one runs down.

✔️ Floor type: Stick vacs work best for cleaning bare floors, low-pile rugs, and carpets that just need a quick surface clean (to remove crumbs, dust, or pet hair). Those that convert to a hand vac or have hand vacuums on board can also clean upholstery, stairs, and even the car. And those with multiple power settings offer the widest cleaning versatility. For bigger jobs, like deep cleaning a whole house with multiple rooms, deep-pile carpets, or a mix of hard and soft surfaces, you may prefer a full-size upright or canister vacuum or at least a stick vacuum that comes with a second battery. But a good stick vac with max or turbo settings can certainly suffice, especially if you are in a hurry. Just keep in mind that the higher the power setting you use, the less run time you get.

✔️ Brush roll: A rotating brush roll is important to help remove dirt that’s settled down into the tufts of area rugs and carpets. Brush rolls also help collect debris on bare floors, but can sometimes cause debris to scatter, and should only be used if they're soft enough not to scratch your floors. If you are vacuuming only bare floors, a stick vacuum with a soft, fluffy rotating brush roll is your best bet. Some of the newest stick vacuums, like our Samsung pick, now have power nozzles that combine a rotating brush with a soft roller for a universal head that works on all flooring types.

✔️ HEPA filter: A HEPA filter is a high-performance filter that traps 99.97% of particles down to 0.3 microns in size—too small to see with the naked eye, but not too small to be felt by allergy sufferers. A HEPA filter on a vacuum cleaner is best located on the exhaust, where the air blows out of the vacuum and back into the room. Dust, pollen, pet dander, smoke, and more are all caught by these high-efficiency filters that are also found on air purifiers, and since HEPA filters are available on many upright, canister, and stick vacuums, it's easy to find a model with one.

Several of our stick vacuum picks here have HEPA filters. “HEPA-type” or “HEPA-like” filters may look like traditional pleated HEPA filters and will trap some small particles, but they could miss the tiny, microscopic ones that can't escape a true HEPA filter. Vacuums with HEPA filters are generally more expensive. Less expensive vacuums can be sealed and have filters that grab 99% of particles down to 0.5 microns, but only a HEPA filter nabs 99.97% of particles as tiny as 0.3 microns (and yes, that can make a difference to the allergy-sensitive!).

Suction power depends on several factors, including the motor design, battery strength, and overall engineering of the vacuum. But strong suction alone doesn’t guarantee a great clean—airflow, brush design, and ease of use all matter.

As a general guide, look for stick vacuums with powerful motors, long-lasting batteries, and simple, efficient designs that allow air to move freely through the machine. You can also help maintain strong suction by keeping the dust cup and filters clean, washing or replacing them as recommended.

Carolyn Forté has over 40 years of experience testing and reviewing hundreds of vacuum cleaners, carpet cleaners, mops, and other major (and small) home appliances as executive director of the GH Institute Home Care & Cleaning Lab, where we have a temperature- and humidity-controlled chamber dedicated to testing vacuum cleaners. She is an active member of the ASTM Committee on vacuum cleaners and currently serves as second vice chair and chairman of the consumer information sub-committee.

Carolyn's home is a multi-level mix of carpets, area rugs, and bare floors so she has first-hand experience with every type of vacuum cleaner on the market and is a big fan of using a vacuum cleaner for as many cleaning tasks as she can think of.