If you’re looking to make a swap or upgrade an old model, it can be confusing to know where to start since every type and brand has their own benefits and drawbacks.
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Upright vacuums are helpful if you’re dealing with large messes, and robot vacuums are great for cleaning your space when you’re away, while cordless vacuums can improve your daily cleaning routine since they’re so easy to use.
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they → deal → routine
They’re lightweight — often a lot quieter than upright models — and you don’t have to worry about a tangled cord slowing down your day.
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Cordless vacuums range widely in size, style and price, with many seemingly identical models, so it helps to know what to look for in a good model.
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That’s why I spoke with cleaning experts to get their recommendations and understand the pros and cons of cordless vacuums.
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Plus, I share some NBC Selected staff-favorite options to shop for.
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Most of these top picks are expert or staff-recommended models from popular brands like Dyson, Shark and Black+Decker.
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Most → recommend → Dyson
Specs like run time and dustbin capacity are also below each recommendation
Best overall
This vacuum has a flexible design that makes everyday cleaning easier, says Kathy Turley, the director of marketing at the cleaning service company Home Clean Heroes.
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Turley → have → company
The main wand can hinge and bend in the center, which makes vacuuming under furniture and in corners a breeze, says Turley.
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Turley → hinge → corners
It’s also great at catching hair, both from pets and people.
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Like our other favorites on this list, it has a solid run time and you can convert it into a smaller handheld vacuum when needed.
Best lightweight
This is one of the best vacuums on the market, according to Kadi Dulude, owner of home cleaning services company Wizard of Homes, and NBC Selected reporter Zoe Malin.
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This → have → Homes
Malin has used it for years to clean every spot of her New York City apartment — hardwood flooring, bathroom tile, carpets, furniture, you name it.
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It has strong suction and automatically adjusts its speed depending on the dust it senses on the floor.
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It also has headlights that reveal hidden dirt, making it easier to get a deep clean, says Malin.
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The 40-minute runtime is enough to clean
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Like most competitors on this list, it converts into a handheld vacuum and comes with a wall mount.
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Levoit is better known for its air purifiers, but this vacuum checks a lot of boxes without costing hundreds of dollars.
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vacuum → know → dollars
It is lightweight, powerful, convertible, and even comes with headlights on the main cleaning attachments.
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Plus it has a run time of up to 50 minutes — cordless vacuums at this price point usually get under 30 minutes.
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vacuums → have → minutes
The vacuum has a pre-motor filter that should be replaced every three months, according to the brand.
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that → have → brand
The Dyson V11 comes with a powerful motobar cleaning head that sucks up dust and other particles, including pet hair without getting tangled, according to the brand.
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that → come → brand
You’ll also get attachments for: a hair screw, a combination tool and a crevice tool.
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You can use it to clean all floor types, like hardwood, laminate, tile, carpet and more, plus, the included attachments are great for cleaning upholstered furniture, baseboards and walls and other areas.
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attachments → use → furniture
It also has an LCD screen that shows you how much battery is left and what mode it’s on, of which it has three (auto, eco and boost).
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Best cordless vacuum under $100
If you need a vacuum under $100, Turley recommends this Dirt Devil — it’s affordable, lightweight and powerful.
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Part of that versatility is in the design: you can adjust it between upright, handheld and stick setups.
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It has a short battery life and small bin size compared to other options on our list — so it’s best for cleaning smaller spaces.
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Turley describes this vacuum as “the little engine that could” — it’s the smallest and most portable vacuum on our list and one of our favorite handheld vacuums.
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It comes with a crevice tool and a slim nozzle that can rotate 180 degrees.
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Both attachments are great for cleaning behind appliances or under hard-to-reach places, says Turley.
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Its portability also makes it good for cleaning places outside your home, like a car or shed.
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Best handheld for pets
This handheld cordless vacuum has anti-tangle rubber bristles that easily pick up pet hairs, says Turley, who has two dogs.
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It has two speeds, plus a boost button that increases suction to help clean tough messes.
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Its extra-long crevice tool attachment comes in handy for nabbing hair under the sofa or in crevices in your car, says Turley.
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Our experts recommend the Bissell Crosswave for anyone looking to vacuum and mop with just one tool.
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It has two water tanks, one for fresh water with a cleaning solution and one that stores dirty water and debris.
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The main roller has LED lights on the front to better illuminate your path as you clean.
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When you are finished cleaning, it automatically self-cleans the brush roll and the inside of the canister so it’s fresh for the next use, according to the brand.
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Keep in mind that it is larger and heavier than most options on our list.
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How I picked the best cordless vacuums
If you are shopping for a new vacuum, experts I spoke with recommend keeping the following tips in mind:
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…and 30 more, not listed.
The Aporia
