The best cordless vacuums for every cleaning task

This content originally appeared on Mashable for a US audience and has been adapted for the UK audience.

Cordless vacuums are sometimes pegged as inferior, but here’s the truth: Cordless vacuum cleaners have reached a new level. Thanks to ever-developing tech, they’re more powerful, more convenient, and longer-lasting than ever before. And they stack up pretty well against their corded, clunkier, upright counterparts.

So, who can argue with the convenience of a cordless vacuum? No plugging and unplugging — and plugging and unplugging again — as you clean different rooms. And no struggling to chase down pet hair or dust bunnies hiding in the trickiest, hardest-to-reach spots of your home. Plus, they’re easier to store away.

The best stick models are also just fun (yes, really) to use. Some transform into handheld vacs with one easy click. It’s enough to make cleaning a chore that you actually look forward to. Or at least, make it less of a pain.

What are the benefits of a cordless vacuum?

We’ve already mentioned the big ones. A cordless vacuum is generally more convenient — easier to store, lighter to carry around the hone, and more dexterous. They can reach overhead spots with little effort and often come with useful attachments too.

The other thing worth noting is that they’re often best suited to smaller homes and spaces, or homes with less carpets. That’s because the capacity is generally smaller and the lighter handling makes it easy to whizz around the place in no time. That doesn’t mean they’re only for small homes, of course. Some cordless models have a bigger capacity. If you need more, look out for vacuums that have around a 1-litre capacity.

Is Dyson the best cordless vacuum brand?

In a word, yes. Or, more precisely, Dyson is the standard — the standard that other manufacturers try to match or beat. That doesn’t mean that Dyson is the only name in town. Oh no. Shark, Vax, and Samsung are all solid choices with lots of features. We’ve included examples from each of those brands in the list below.

How long does a cordless vacuum battery last?

This is one important feature to consider. Average battery power will last around 40 minutes and top-end batteries max out at 60 minutes. Be warned, however: That’s usually when the cordless vac is on its lowest power setting. When on the highest power setting — in other words, when the vacuum is doing its hardest sucking — around 20 minutes from a single charge is average.

Some models come with two batteries, so you can swap them mid-clean and save waiting for the vacuum to recharge. Something to bear in mind is that these cordless vacuums can take a surprisingly long time to recharge — anything up to an hour.

What should you consider when shopping for cordless vacuums?

As well as good battery power, there are other things that cordless vacuums might include:

LED lights — Some cordless vacuums have mini headlights so you don’t miss dirt.

Digital display — Look out for vacuums that give you real-time information on battery power and other vitals.

Attachment tools — Crevice tools, brushes, pet hair tools, or even mini mop heads are among the extra attachments you might find.

Charging stand — These can be wall mounted or free standing, allowing you to dock and safely store the vacuum while it charges.

You should also keep price and storage in mind, but these features are a good place to start when searching for cordless vacuum cleaners.

What is the best cordless vacuum?

We get it, that’s a lot of information to keep in mind when researching and choosing a cordless vacuum cleaner. To make it easier, we’ve done the hard work of searching the internet and sucking up all the relevant information on your behalf. All you need to do is read on and choose one that suits you and your home.

These are the best cordless vacuum cleaners in 2025.