Crumbs happen, but sometimes you just don’t want to get out the heavy Kenmore that is sitting in your closet. Sure, you know it can handle the big jobs, but you don’t need it for the little ones like those crumbs sitting underneath the table.
In situations like this, smaller, cordless vacuums are the way to go.
They’re convenient, easy to store, easy to move, and as a bonus, there are no cords that you have to maneuver your way around. They also last for a decent amount of time compared to their predecessors from years past.
To help you decide what kind of vacuum you want to buy, we’re going to walk you through some steps of what to look for when it comes to a cordless vacuum. Then we’re going to go through some of the best cordless vacuums on the market.
COMPARISON TABLE
BATTERIES TO LOOK FOR IN A CORDLESS VACUUM

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One of the things you’ll want to check out is going to be the battery to make sure it’s strong enough and will last long enough to do what you need it to do.
There are three different types of batteries in cordless vacs. They are the nickel-cadmium, lithium-ion, and nickel-metal hydride batteries:
NICKEL-CADMIUM
LITHIUM-ION
NICKEL-METAL HYDRIDE
THE CHARGE AND POWER
When you start thinking about how much power you should expect your vacuum to take, understand that power is measured in volts. A higher voltage means that your vacuum will be more powerful.
Another way to judge power on a vacuum is to look and see if there is a rotator brush. If there is a brush that usually indicates that there is more power available because it takes more energy to run one.
You’ll also want to see how long it takes for a battery to charge before it is usable. Think about how long it would take because of the way that it would be used. Different battery types require more power and may also require a longer charging time, so you’re going to need to verify how long it will take to completely recharge.
CLEANING OUT THE VACUUM
Cordless vacuums have containers for dirt and debris instead of bags. They are also usually easy to empty without making a mess. You’re going to want to look for systems with a single button release because that will be much easier to handle.
There are some that are more complicated or that require you to go through the user manual to understand how to work it out. You don’t really want a vacuum like this because it’s just not necessarily worth the hassle.
THE 6 BEST CORDLESS VACUUMS
Something to remember about cordless vacuums is that while stick vacuums are the most common cordless vacuum, they are not the only type of cordless vacuum.
Below, there is a list that includes stick vacuums in addition to upright options as well:
- FADE FREE LITHIUM ION BATTERY: Interchangeable batteries provide cordless freedom to clean anywhere
- EXTREME RECLINE HANDLE: Reach further without having to move any furniture around
- EDGE CLEANING BRISTLES: Removes dirt, dust, and pet hair against those hard to reach edges
As far as powerful cordless vacuums go, the Hoover Linx is a great option that runs on 18 volts of power.
It has a rotator brush and works for both hard and carpeted floors. It’s also a light vacuum that’s easy to move around. It’s also easy to get up and down the stairs. You’ll be able to store it just about anywhere because it doesn’t take much room to find a place to put it.
You also get an indicator light that will let you know when it needs to be recharged. That’s helpful so you can get it on the charger when you’re supposed to and not before. It also tells you the remaining run-time so you’ll get the most work out of it as possible.
- Powerful suction to deep clean everywhere. 55% more suction than the Dyson V7.
- Dyson technology helps create a cleaner, healthier home - Our vacuums and purifiers are scientifically proven to capture...
- Engineered for whole-home, deep cleaning. Suction power, run time and tools designed to deep clean your whole home.
Dysons may be expensive, but this is a fantastic option in cordless vacuums. It has wonderful suction and can even handle pet hair effectively.
You’ll find two heads to choose from with one designed for hard floors and another one for carpeting. It also has multiple power modes to adjust the suction as you need to.
These are also lightweight vacuums, and they work well for smaller spaces or in homes where
you want a quick cordless vacuum to reach for. You can even convert it into a handheld unit if needed.
- 15.6 Volt battery uses 70% less energy and charges twice as fast in 6 hours
- On/Off Brushroll - turn brushroll 'on' for carpeted surfaces and 'off' for hard floor cleaning
- Lightweight- Pick up and go at less than 6 pounds
If you have budgetary concerns, the Accucharge is a decent choice for the random small cleaning that needs to happen when small amounts of dirt make their way onto the floor.
It is a bit larger than the others and is closer to the size of a full-size upright, but it does store pretty easily.
At 14-volts, this battery has a decent amount of power to be able to handle the crumbs that kids and pets will leave behind. Because these are relatively inexpensive, if you do have to replace it at some point, you can rest assured that you won’t have spent a ton of money on this one unnecessarily.
- Hassle-free runtime
- 2X ION Power Pack System
- MultiFLEX Technology folds over for compact, free-standing storage and provides flexible reach to get under beds,...
One of the latest additions from Shark, the IONFlex IF251 has a soft roll and a bristle brush to make it better able to tackle hard floors as well as carpeted floors. There is also a detachable handheld option to get into upholstery and stairs.
With all of the attachments, you’ll also find a wand that makes it easy for you to reach ceilings when necessary. There are two removable lithium-ion batteries and a charging dock to make recharging a breeze.
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This cordless vacuum makes the list because it is not your typical cordless vacuum. Instead, this is a full-size upright vacuum that runs entirely on a battery charge and is therefore completely cordless. It also only weighs around 12 pounds making it light enough for smaller people to handle as well.
There are two batteries that come with this model that give you a full 50 minutes of cleaning time. You can also purchase extra batteries if you wanted to and you’ll get even more runtime. For that amount of time, they claim you can clean up to 2500 square feet f space.
- Every Purchase Saves Pets. BISSELL proudly supports BISSELL Pet Foundation and its mission to help save homeless pets.
- Lightweight & Compact. This cordless powerhouse weighs less than 8 pounds and has a collapsible handle for easy storage.
- Powerful Multi-Surface Cleaning. Innovative power foot design and multi-surface brush roll delivers high performance...
The Bissell Air Ram Cordless Upright is another upright vacuum, although this one is a compact model. It weighs under 8 pounds and also rechargeable. It runs on a lithium-ion battery and includes an indicator light that will let you know when you’re thirty minutes away from needing to recharge.
It is a low-profile upright, which means that you can get under low surfaces like sofas and side tables without a problem. There is also a canister instead of a bag that is easy to remove and empty without making a mess in the process.
HOW MUCH YOU CAN EXPECT TO SPEND
Most cordless vacuums are relatively inexpensive with some that are more expensive than others. You can get a very basic cordless vac for under $ and expect them to have a decent amount of power.
Higher priced models will have attachments and more advanced features, but depending on the battery type, you may or may not notice a significant difference in the total run time.
When you move into mid-range models, you’ll find good vacuums for anywhere between $ and $$. Many of them have specialized functions, too, including some that are made for picking up pesky pet hair.
Naturally, as you go higher up the cordless vacuum ladder, you’re going to see that they can cost well over $$$ for a quality vacuum. These come with attachments aplenty, can often convert to handhelds, and are generally stronger than the models that are on the lower rungs.
PERKS TO CORDLESS VACUUMS
There are other perks to choosing cordless vacuums.
For one, they’re much lighter than traditional uprights. They also do a great job of getting into smaller spaces. Many also have filtration systems like HEPA filters to keep allergens under control.
You’ll also notice, that there are swivel heads on some which makes cleaning much easier. If there are rotating bushes, don’t keep them on as you go over hardwood floors, because you can scratch the floors accidentally.
REAL PEOPLE – REAL VACUUM REVIEWS
Professional assessments can be somewhat misleading at times, so your best bet is going to be to go and read up on reviews from people that have actually had a chance to use them in their homes on a regular basis.
As an example, over on Amazon, you’ll find over 500 reviews for the Bissell Air Ram, and most of them are positive.
One from MK in Texas reports, “I have had the Bissell 1984 Air Ram Vacuum for approximately 72 hours now and do not know how I ever got along without it. My kids are two beautiful long haired dogs that have 24/7 in and out via dog doors.
I have hardwood floors with hand cut wool rugs. Getting out my Shark vacuum or broom or dust mop out every time I needed to get dog hair, or debris up was a pain. Enter the Bissell 1984 Air Ram, it is fantastic and I am thrilled beyond words. This cordless vacuum is so powerful it actually pulls itself across my hard floors and sucks the dog hair to it.
Also, the book says it might pull throw rugs up; well my throw rugs are large heavy hand cut wool rugs and I have to be careful on the edges or it sucks them up, and they do not have fringe, I’m talking about my rugs! So you can imagine how well it gets all the dirt and dog hair out of my rugs. Amazing.”
There are many positive reviews for every single model listed here as customers everywhere are happy with their purchase as long as they knew what they were getting into from the get-go.
A FEW LAST WORDS ON THE FREEDOM CORDLESS VACUUMS OFFER
There is a variety of cordless vacuums, but finding the best cordless vacuum is going to depend on what you want. Do you want a stick vacuum? Do you want an upright? Do you want something that converts to a handheld model?
Get to know the various brands, and you’ll be sure to find something that you’re going to love. Just remember, buy for what you need and don’t just buy because it’s the least or most expensive, because you may very well be disappointed.
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Last update on 2021-03-08 at 15:15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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