TOP 10 Best Cordless Vacuum Cleaners 2025

Cordless vs Corded Vacuum 

• Coverage – if your living space is small and predominantly bare-floor, a mid-range cordless may be all you require. A different picture emerges if you have a large house, fur-shedding friends, and/or plenty of medium- or deep-pile carpets. In such a case, you’ll need a model with powerful motor, long-lasting battery (or long cord) and good accessory kit. There are excellent options with and without the cable, but you’ll have a wider choice among the former. And no cordless model offers infinite runtime. 
• Price – in short, you get more suction power per euro if there is a cord. High-end cordless vacuums nowadays are powerful enough to handle all the mess on their own, but you could find an equally capable corded model for one third the price. There are plenty of budget models too, but they are better suited for light cleaning tasks and local spills. With these, you might need an occasional deep cleaning with the traditional vacuum. That said, there is nothing wrong with keeping both if you have space, as they can supplement each other. 
• Reliability – a good corded model can easily last for 10 years. The statistics for cordless vacuums are less optimistic. Usually, they serve 2 to 5 years, before breaking down or developing an issue that is too expensive to repair. With more high-end manufacturers entering the market, the durability may improve, but for now, corded models are the most reliable option.
  
• Hygiene – with plug-ins, you can usually choose a bagged or bagless model. And their canisters are so big that even if you choose the latter, you’ll seldom need to touch that dusty part. Cordless models are predominantly bagless. Usually, their canisters are tiny and tricky to empty properly. People who suffer from asthma or allergies will do better with a self-sealing, bagged corded model (we have a few recommendations here). On the other hand, bagless vacuums are more cost-effective and eco-friendly. The biggest drawback is that little dust escapes every time you empty the bin, but some designs minimise this. 
• Weight and Design – getting out that big, bulky canister every time there’s some minor mess does feel like a dreadful task. Cordless vacuums are lighter, and most people get fond of shorter, targeted sessions whenever a need emerges instead of dealing with the whole house during the weekend. However, holding some cordless models can feel tiring for cleaning large areas, as the motor is usually positioned higher up. If you have chronic pain in arms or wrists, even a 3-kg stick vacuum can worsen that. 
• Noise Levels – the currently available cordless models tend to produce 70 to 80 dB on their highest speed and are used only a few minutes at a time. Thus, this spec is unlikely to play a crucial role in your decision. However, if you really prefer a quiet hoover, there are more options among the corded ones (going even below 60 dB). 
• Versatility – traditional canister vacuums usually come with a wide range of accessories, for example, a second (parquet) brush for delicate flooring. With cordless models, the available accessory options often are fewer. On the other hand, nearly all cordless ones can be configured as a handheld vacuum, and some can be used in three configurations, providing endless cleaning possibilities. Cordless models (sticks particularly) are also better suited for removing spider webs higher up, cleaning stairs, cars or other non-standard tasks. 
• Storage – cordless models are generally smaller than the plug-ins. Many come with docking stations that can be used either as wall or floor stands, depending on your needs. And some are so fancy-looking that you’ll be happy to keep them on display (and let your guests be jealous). The traditional canisters and uprights are less chic; thus, people usually want to tuck them away in a closet or storage room. 
• Extra Costs – batteries usually are the most expensive part. Once the current one wears out, a replacement pack is costly, and some manufacturers don’t keep reserves available for long. On the other hand, most cordless models nowadays come bagless and have washable filters. Thus, you can use one for quite a while without additional investments. 

Types of Cordless Vacuums 

If you are reading this section, you probably still want a cordless model either as your main housekeeping tool or supplement to the traditional hoover. Luckily, several types of these appliances exist, covering all cleaning needs. 

• Stick Vacuums – this has become the most popular design, characterised by a slim cleaning tube with the motor, canister and filter placed higher up, near the handle and controls. Such models offer excellent manoeuvrability and reach. However, with the bulk of the weight resting in your hand, they can be tiring when it comes to dealing with large areas. Sticks are often called 2-in-1 cordless vacuum cleaners. Most of them can be transformed into handhelds by removing the tube and attaching any of the included accessory nozzles. 
• Upright Vacuums – these are bulkier than the stick versions, but their weight typically is distributed closer to the floor. This makes them more comfortable in dealing with large rooms and carpets. Besides, uprights can stand vertically on their own, which is convenient if you need to move a chair or pick up a dropped item. The uprights' limitations pop up when you want to clean some tight spaces like corners, floors under beds, ceilings, or drapes as they are harder to lift. Luckily, many can be configured as handhelds too. Such models usually have a removable centre unit.
  
• Handheld Vacuums – since the upper two types can usually be transformed into this one, you might wonder why on Earth would anyone buy a handheld. The truth is these lightweight cordless vacuums are cheaper and more portable. If you prefer a corded vacuum to handle the floorboards and carpets, but sometimes need assistance for vacuuming a car or furniture, handhelds are a great choice. Furthermore, sticks or uprights can feel heavy and clunky in their second configuration, a well-balanced handheld will be easier on your wrists (we have listed our favourites here). 
• Cylinder Vacuums – these are becoming increasingly rare, but you can still find some traditionally looking canisters, just without the cord. There will be a barrel on wheels with a separate wand attached via a hose. These models work well for floors and carpets but are less versatile for other tasks. 
• Other Types – if nothing from the options above seems right for your situation, there are quite a few innovations available. Examples involve designs that combine a cordless vacuum and a mop or models that can be configured in more than two cleaning modes.  

Making Sense of Specifications 

The technology behind cordless vacuums has evolved a lot. But how to distinguish between mediocre carpet cleaners and unstoppable suction machines? This section covers everything from essential features to cool innovations you might want to know before committing to your next purchase. 

Brush Heads  

Most corded vacuums come with a brush roll that should be universal for all floor types. In practice, this rarely works out well. Some struggle to pick up larger items from hard floors, scattering them in all directions. And some are ineffective on carpets, not agitating the fibres well enough to access heavier and deeply buried dirt. Furthermore, a motorised brush can scratch delicate floors, such as parquet. To clean delicate surfaces, look for a model that allows turning the rotating roll off or, even better, has a separate brush for hard floors. 

However, the best cordless vacuums have carefully designed brush rolls that do surprisingly well on various flooring indeed. It should also be considered how manoeuvrable the brush is and whether it is convenient to navigate between walls and furniture.  

Some brushes have LED lighting, which helps to sport dirt in darker sports. Another lovely extra is a self-cleaning brush roll. Most rolls are removable to manually remedy them from tangled hair with scissors. The self-cleaning ones feature little blades that perform the task for you. 

Batteries  

Best battery-powered vacuums currently can go for an hour to 90 minutes on a single charge. However, the figure listed in specifications usually refers to the lowest power setting. On the highest one, you will get between 10 and 20 minutes, depending on the model. Getting a model with a longer runtime seems logical; however, direct comparisons can be misleading. Several tests have demonstrated that the best models on their lowest are still more efficient than the cheap knock-offs on their highest.  

But what if you need a vacuum that can go on turbo mode longer to deal with the consequences of abundant pets and carpets? In that case, you should look for a replaceable rather than built-in battery. There’s a misconception that screwed-in batteries cannot be replaced. That’s not true, it just takes more time and requires tools. On the other hand, click-in packs allow you to extend the run immediately. Some models are sold with the second battery included, but you can often order it separately too. Be aware that the second pack is quite an investment. For smaller and mostly bare-floor households, this is usually an overshoot.  

Additionally, pay attention to the charging time and options. Most models have to be charged from the docking station, and the process takes 4 to 5 hours. We prefer the ones that allow charging the battery separately and those that come with a quick charger. 

Finally, the type of battery matters too. Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries can be charged quicker and last longer than the nickel-metal hydride (Ni-MH) ones. Recently, models with lithium polymer (Li-Po) batteries have appeared. The advantages are lighter weight and improved safety; however, Li-Pos are more costly to manufacture. 

Power Settings 

Cheaper models may have only one running mode, whereas more expensive ones have two or three, allowing you to control and extend the battery life. The best cordless vacuums nowadays come with an automatic mode that adjusts the suction power depending on the floor type.  

You should also pay attention to the controls. Some models have trigger-style switches that must be continuously pressed (looking at you, Dyson). This can become taxing on your arms and fingers, especially if you have sensitive joints or suffer from chronic pain. We prefer models with toggles that allow fixing the selected mode. 

Finally, some models come with a display that shows which mode you have selected and the remaining battery life. If cordless cleaning sessions give you anxiety on whether you’ll make it or not, these are worth the extra cost. Simpler models usually have battery indicators, which are less informative but still practical. 

Canister Capacity and Maintenance 

Currently, cord- and bagless vacuums have the dust bin capacity between 0,3 and 0,9 litres. The canister itself is often larger, but there is usually a mark showing the maximum limit (overfilling the bin can damage the filter and/or reduce the cleaning performance).  

Generally, a larger canister is better as you will empty it less often and have less dust exposure. However, the design matters too. Many models have complex emptying mechanisms that require pulling and twisting, and taking out the filters every time you’ve reached that miserable 0,3-litre limit — what a dusty hell. The best variant is a bottom-opening canister that can be emptied by clicking a switch or a button. Another thing to consider is how well the canister empties upon the first attempt. If it has sockets, angles or crevices where mess can get stuck, you’ll need to spend more time on maintenance.  

Filters and Sealing

Another somewhat messy task is cleaning the filter. And it cannot be skipped; otherwise, you risk blockages, poor performance and reduced lifetime of your machine. The good news is that most models will have long-time (or even lifetime) filters that need to be shaken out or simply rinsed in running water, minimizing extra costs. Again, getting out the filter can be dusty; this depends on the design. 

Some models boast HEPA filters. These remove at least 99.95% of airborne particles of 0.3 microns in diameter. Yet, even the best filter in the world won’t help unless the rest of the vacuum is perfectly sealed as well. As described above, the washable filters and bagless bins don’t fully protect the user from dust. If excellent air quality is a priority, we recommend choosing a vacuum, which has been approved for allergy and/or asthma patients (some models are reviewed here). You might want a good air purifier too. For the rest of us, the HEPA filter is non-essential, since all vacuums currently sold in the EU can have the maximum dust re-emission of 1,00%. 

Weight 

Cordless vacuums are much lighter than the standard models, weighing 2-3 kilograms on average. However, even that may feel too much if the vacuum is poorly balanced. Generally, stick designs weighing over 3 kilograms can get tiring to hold after prolonged use. The uprights often are heftier but still remain comfortable, as they carry most of their weight in the floorhead.  

If you have to choose between two, otherwise, similarly capable models and have sensitive wrists, we recommend picking the lighter one. You will feel motivated to take it out more often. And it will be easier to convince your spouse and offspring to do their part of cleaning too.  

Motor Power  

This is a tricky one. Some cordless vacuum manufacturers list the wattage in specifications (describing the motor power), whereas some mention air watts instead (expressing the suction power). This often makes a direct comparison impossible, and, to be frank, neither measurement unit tells the whole story anyway.  

The overall design efficiency (and the brush particularly) matters more when it comes to suction performance. A higher number may indicate a better vacuum, but not always that’s the case. 

Accessories 

Before you buy, think carefully what surfaces you might need to clean. Most manufacturers offer several variants of each model and, often, the only difference is the accessories included. While you can order the extras separately, getting the right combo from the start usually is cheaper. Once you’ve narrowed down the finalists, the included accessories can help to make the ultimate decision. Besides, the cordless models are so versatile that you’re likely to use the included brushes and nozzles more than you did with the traditional vacuum.  

Nearly all vacuums have the following 3 accessories included, and in some models, they can be merged together in one customizable nozzle: 

• Crevice Tool – this is the accessory you will need for cleaning corners, radiators, between the sofa cushions, and other tight spots. Crevice tool has a narrow, flattened shape and angled tip, which allows accessing areas too narrow for the floor brush. We prefer more extended crevice tools as they offer better reach. 
• Dust Brush – perfect for cleaning windowsills, bookshelves, lampshades, and blinds, this is a circular or elongated brush with long, soft bristles. Dust brush is excellent for picking up dust without worrying that you might scratch some more delicate surfaces. Some brushes can be angled to offer better reach. 
• Upholstery Tool – this accessory is designed for cleaning fabrics, mattresses, couches, sofas, and similar items. It has a small, flat head, which ensures powerful suction. Often, it also has a strip of lint-catching fabric for more thorough cleaning. 

Some vacuum models will feature additional accessories: 

Mini Turbo Brush – this is a smaller and lighter version of a motorised brush head. Mini turbo brush is perfect for deep-cleaning carpeted stairs, upholstery and car interiors. Due to the rotating bristles, it is more potent than upholstery tool for getting out embedded dirt and can be especially valuable for pet owners. 

Mattress Attachment – similar to the upholstery tool, this accessory has an even narrower opening, ensuring maximum suction power when cleaning a mattress. While not essential, this tool can be handy for allergy sufferers, as it allows removing more dust and allergens than other tools. 

Flexible Cleaning Tube – it looks like the traditional hose on the canister vacuums but is shorter. This allows extending the cleaning range and eases access to challenging areas. It also allows putting down the central unit during the cleaning. 

Under Appliance Wand – this is another long and flexible nozzle but narrower, which helps to get under furniture, between car seats and so on.  

Conclusion 

A well-chosen cordless vacuum will transform how you feel about the floor care. Luckily, there are more models available than ever, covering all budget sizes and cleaning needs.