We've Tested Dozens of Cordless Vacuums – These Were the Ones That Came Out on Top

After thorough, direct comparison tests, we've identified the premier cordless vacuums available.

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Navigating the Cordless Vacuum Market

Choosing the ideal cordless vacuum can be quite challenging. There isn't a universally accepted specification for suction power, and even if there were, many other variables influence how effectively a vacuum cleans your floors. Brands often make grand claims that are impossible for consumers to verify.

As a professional vacuum cleaner reviewer, I set out to find some definitive answers. I gathered eight of the leading cordless vacuum cleaners currently on the market, spanning a variety of features and price points, for one comprehensive group test.

I conducted specific evaluations to assess each vacuum's cleaning performance on mid-pile carpet, deep-pile carpet, and hard flooring. To test pet hair handling, I used clippings from a local dog groomer on both carpet and furniture. I measured how long each vacuum operated in its minimum and maximum power settings. Additionally, I scored each model on its design and features, comfort and maneuverability, and overall price.

All this collected data was then compiled to create the article you see below: my official ranking of the best cordless vacuums you can purchase right now.

Meet the Expert

I am a Homes Editor at TechRadar, with over five years of experience reviewing consumer technology. For the past 19 months, my focus has been specifically on home appliances, particularly all types of vacuum cleaners.

Our Top Picks at a Glance

Best overall: Dreame R20

Best cleaning: Shark PowerDetect Cordless

Best usability: Dyson Gen5detect

Other Noteworthy Contenders

The models that ranked just below our top three were theShark Detect Pro(which was extremely lightweight but less effective at cleaning) and theDyson V11 Advanced(offering excellent cleaning but at a higher price point).

I also evaluated the Dyson V8 Cyclone, Roborock H60 Hub Ultra, and Dyson V16 Piston Animal, but none of these performed well enough to secure a spot in my top five cordless vacuums.

Dreame R20: Best overall

Our expert review:

The Dreame R20 achieved the highest overall score in my comprehensive group test, proving to be the best all-rounder. It impressively didn't score below a 3/5 in any single category. This vacuum particularly shone in terms of battery life, as well as comfort and maneuverability. This performance is even more remarkable considering it was the most affordable vacuum in my test group.

The Dreame R20 delivered solid cleaning scores across the board, performing exceptionally well in my deep-pile carpet and pet hair tests. Its mini motorized tool was remarkably effective at removing hair from upholstery. While the R20 performed adequately on mid-pile carpet, clearing both large and small particles, it often required a few passes to achieve complete cleanliness. Its slightly lower score on hard floors was due to the floorhead tending to push debris into piles when the vacuum was pulled backward over spillages.

Dreame R20: Cleaning Performance Scores

The R20 is notably lightweight for a stick vacuum, contributing to its relative comfort in use, despite the handle lacking any specific padding or ergonomic shaping. In handheld mode, I appreciated the compact main body, which made it easier to wield, though I did find the finger rest could sometimes cause discomfort.

The combination of trigger-activated operation and a lock button for continuous running makes it excellent for both quick cleanups and extended cleaning sessions – surprisingly, it was the only vacuum in my test to offer this user-friendly setup. While the floorhead pivots exceptionally well, the connections on my test model were incredibly stiff, making attachment changes a significant challenge.

The Dreame R20 utilizes a visually striking screen to display information, including battery status (shown as a percentage) and any error messages. The cleaning modes were not immediately intuitive; however, after some use, I determined that a green fan icon indicated 'regular mode with auto-adjustment based on detected dirt,' and a white fan icon signified 'boost mode.' A separate soft head is provided for delicate hard floors, but curiously, Dreame has omitted headlamps on this attachment, placing them instead on the general floorhead, where their brightness is quite subdued.

Dreame advertises a maximum of 90 minutes of cleaning per charge, which is the longest runtime I’ve encountered on the market. However, this is only achievable on relatively clean, hard floors. There’s no dedicated 'Eco' mode, meaning the lowest suction option is the auto-adjusting Standard mode. In Boost mode, I timed seven minutes of cleaning, which is decent but not exceptional.

Shark PowerDetect Cordless: Best cleaning

Our expert review:

The Shark PowerDetect Cordless delivers the best outright cleaning performance, impressing equally on hard floors, medium- and deep-pile carpets, and when tackling pet hair. The trade-off for this superior cleaning is that it's also the heaviest, bulkiest, and least comfortable vacuum to use among those I tested.

The Shark PowerDetect topped every single cleaning test, achieving a perfect 5/5 in all pet hair and medium-pile carpet evaluations. Its outstanding performance is partly due to sheer power and partly to an ingeniously designed floorhead.

Shark has incorporated a flap that lifts to allow the vacuum to pick up particles when pulled backward over them, preventing them from accumulating, a common issue with all other vacuums I tested. This feature proves particularly useful on hard floors.

Shark PowerDetect: Cleaning Performance Scores

Now for the drawbacks. The Shark PowerDetect is the heaviest vacuum in my test group, feeling noticeably chunkier and less agile than the others. However, its weight is more evenly distributed compared to the Gen5detect, which is both heavy and top-heavy, making the PowerDetect slightly easier to use in both handheld and floor-standing modes than its Dyson counterpart.

To its credit, Shark has made a considerable effort to enhance comfort by ergonomically shaping the handle and adding a rubberized grip and padding. Nothing dug in or felt awkward during cleaning, which is more than could be said for several other models I tried.

While Shark has excelled with special features, it has stumbled when it comes to basic usability. The vacuum is switched on with a single press button (convenient for long cleaning sessions but inconvenient for quick cleanups, as the button isn't reachable from the handle, requiring a second hand). It also takes a second or so to power up each time, rather than responding instantly like all the other vacuums.

Once activated, the screen cycles through various icons representing suction modes: a leaf for Eco, a boost icon, a target for Auto mode, and a water droplet for... well, I have no idea what that one is for. I've thoroughly reviewed the product manual for clues, but it's not mentioned anywhere (notably absent under "Instructions for use" and "Error codes").

Initially, I couldn't find any way to manually switch between modes, leaving me stuck in Auto, which, fortunately, is the most practical mode. Eventually, I discovered a button for mode-switching where a trigger would typically be located – a setup that required some adjustment and felt particularly counter-intuitive when transitioning between the PowerDetect and other trigger-operated vacuums. A colored ring indicates the level of detected dirt, but its meaning isn't immediately clear.

Usability quirks notwithstanding, this vacuum boasts one of the most comprehensive feature lists of any model I reviewed. It can automatically adjust suction based on floor type and dirt levels, and even boost suction on the relevant side of the floorhead when approaching room edges, or brighten headlamps in particularly dark areas. An optional auto-empty dock, complete with an odor-neutralizing puck, is also available.

My battery-life tests were somewhat hampered by my inability to manually change the suction mode for this vacuum. Nevertheless, Shark promises a maximum of 70 minutes of cleaning per charge, which is a very respectable runtime. The caveat, of course, is that this figure applies to relatively clean, hard floors, and runtimes will decrease with more challenging cleaning tasks.

Dyson Gen5detect: Best usability

Our expert review:

The Gen5detect stands out as the best premium option. It boasts the superior design among all vacuums I tested, offering advanced features combined with outstanding usability. It achieved among the longest runtimes and was a close runner-up in all cleaning tests. However, it is the priciest vacuum in the group and also one of the heaviest.

The Gen5detect was a close second to the Shark PowerDetect in all my cleaning evaluations. It suffered slightly from being overly powerful in Auto mode on deep-pile carpet, but in Eco mode, the suction was sufficiently strong to clear spillages very effectively while being much easier to push. Conveniently, Dyson has included an air intake slider on the floorhead to help relieve some pressure when needed (a feature notably absent and detrimental on the Dyson V11, which I also tested). It also proved excellent at handling pet hair, both with its main floorhead and its mini motorized tool.

Dyson Gen5detect: Cleaning Performance Scores

The Gen5detect is the second-heaviest vacuum I tested, featuring the heaviest top section. The concentration of weight in this top section, which is also quite long, makes it somewhat unwieldy to use, whether with or without the wand attached.

Dyson has added some appreciated padding above the handle, but I still found the battery casing could press into my wrist when using the vacuum in handheld mode. This model switches on and off with a single-press button, which is great for extended cleaning sessions but less convenient for quick cleanups as it requires both hands to be free (similar to the Shark PowerDetect, the button isn't reachable from the handle).

The Gen5detect is packed with special features, but unlike the Shark PowerDetect, Dyson has not overlooked fundamental usability. A screen near the handle clearly conveys information – it explicitly displays how much battery life remains in your current cleaning mode, flags any issues, and instructs on how to resolve them. This screen also states, in plain words, which mode you are using, a feature I genuinely appreciated after struggling to decipher various icons and color-coding systems on other machines.

Like several vacuums in my test group, the Gen5detect can automatically adjust suction based on the amount of dirt it detects. However, this model goes a step further by reporting the size and quantity of particles being vacuumed up as you clean via a colorful, animated on-screen bar graph. You also receive a soft floorhead for delicate hard flooring, which is equipped with a bright laser to illuminate dirt.

You can expect a maximum of 60 minutes of cleaning time in Eco mode, which, while not as long as some competitors, is still very respectable (also consider that the Eco mode here is powerful enough to be genuinely effective). I achieved 15 minutes of cleaning in the ultra-powerful Boost mode, which is excellent.

The Runners-Up: Still Great Choices

These two models didn't quite make my top-three cordless vacuums, but both remain strong contenders and are certainly worth your consideration.

Shark Detect Pro Cordless

Our expert review:

Shark Detect Pro: Performance Scores

Why you can trust TechRadar: We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you're buying the best. Find out more about how we test.

Dyson V11 Advanced

Our expert review:

Dyson V11 Advanced: Performance Scores

Other Vacuums Evaluated (Did Not Make the Cut)

Our Testing Methodology: What We Prioritized

Finding the ultimate cordless vacuum involves more than just assessing suction power – numerous factors contribute to a vacuum's overall performance. Here's a breakdown of the key areas I focused on in my comprehensive group test, explaining their importance, how I conducted the evaluations, and which models excelled in each specific category.

Carpet cleaning ability

A cordless vacuum cleaner's effectiveness on carpet is, naturally, a crucial performance indicator. To clean carpets efficiently, a vacuum requires substantial suction, but that's not the only factor. If the suction is too strong, the vacuum becomes difficult to push; an air intake slider on the floorhead can mitigate this by reducing suction pressure. A well-designed beater bar (the rotating brush in the floorhead) with bristles that agitate carpet fibers to release embedded dirt is also essential for thorough carpet cleaning.

How I tested carpet cleaning:

For the carpet cleaning test, I used dry tea to represent fine particles and a dry rice and lentil mix for chunky particles. I sprinkled a measured amount of each onto carpeted floors, then made one pass with each vacuum set to its 'medium' setting (or 'low' if pushing became too difficult). I then assessed the amount of spillage collected and continued cleaning until the area was completely clear. These tests were conducted on both medium-pile and deep-pile carpets.

I documented each vacuum's performance in every test and assigned a score out of five for its ability to clear fine particles and chunky particles. The average score for each carpet type was derived by dividing these two scores by two.

Highest scorer:Shark PowerDetect

Runner up:Dyson Gen5detect

Hard floor cleaning

Cleaning hard floors typically requires less suction than tackling carpets, as dust and debris rest directly on the surface. Superior hard floor cleaning performance depends on a floorhead that prevents particles from scattering or accumulating. It may also feature headlamps to illuminate missed debris, and/or a separate soft floorhead specifically designed to gently buff and clean hard floors without causing scratches.

How I tested hard floor cleaning:

For the hard floor cleaning tests, I utilized fine particles (dry tea) and chunky particles (a mixture of dry rice and lentils). I sprinkled a pile of each onto my vinyl floor, then approached it forwards with each vacuum set to its 'medium' setting to evaluate how efficiently it cleared the mess and whether any scattering or pooling occurred. I also reversed the vacuum over each spillage to see if it collected the debris or merely pushed the particles around. I cross-referenced my findings on the studio's wooden laminate flooring.

I recorded each vacuum's performance and assigned a score out of 5 for each particle type. The overall score for hard floor cleaning was calculated by averaging these two scores.

Highest scorer:Shark PowerDetect

Runner up:Dyson Gen5detect

Pet hair cleaning

Pet hair can be one of the most challenging substances to remove from carpets and upholstery. Effective pet hair cleaning relies on powerful suction and a floorhead capable of efficiently lifting hair from carpet fibers for vacuuming. I also seek out a mini motorized tool that can effectively address pet hair on furniture.

How I tested pet hair cleaning:

I obtained bags of dog clippings from a cooperative local groomer and rubbed the hairs into my deep-pile and medium-pile carpet samples. I then passed over each area once with each vacuum set to its 'medium' mode to gauge the amount of hair removed. I adjusted the setting if necessary and continued cleaning until the carpet was clear.

I took notes on performance and awarded each vacuum a score out of five for medium-pile carpet and for deep-pile carpet. The overall pet-hair score represents an average of these two scores.

To evaluate furniture-cleaning performance, I rubbed hair into a velvet cushion and used each vacuum's mini motorized tool (if included) to clear it. I documented how efficiently it removed the hair, and this information influenced my recommendations. However, I did not score this specific element or include it in the overall average for pet hair because not every model I tested came with a mini tool as standard, though most offer a compatible tool in certain bundles.

Highest scorer:Shark PowerDetect

Runners-up:Dyson Gen5detect and V11 Advanced (tied)

Design and features

In this category, I assess the vacuum's fundamental design alongside any supplementary features. I look for a vacuum that offers valuable advanced functionalities while remaining user-friendly and not compromising on essential design principles.

For usability, I evaluate how the machine communicates information such as remaining battery life and charge level, blockages, the active mode, and (if applicable) detected dirt levels. I also consider the ease of emptying the dustbin and switching attachments.

Regarding special features, I seek elements like automatic adjustment capabilities (adapting to factors such as dirt levels, floor type, proximity to room edges, or light conditions), a secondary soft floorhead for delicate hard flooring, a compatible auto-empty dock, and lasers or LED headlamps to illuminate the cleaning path or highlight dust.

How I tested design and features:

I scored each vacuum out of five for its interface design, with the highest marks awarded to machines that clearly and comprehensively present information, and the lowest to those that display minimal or confusing information.

Subsequently, I scored each vacuum out of five based on the quantity of special features it offered and the effectiveness of their implementation. The total 'Design and features' score is an average of these two evaluations.

Highest scorer:Dyson Gen5detect

Runners-up:Dyson V16 Piston Animal, Shark Detect Pro, Shark PowerDetect (tied)

Comfort and maneuverability

A primary advantage of opting for a cordless stick vacuum over a bulky upright is its ease of maneuverability. This benefit is negated if the vacuum is too heavy, uncomfortable to grip, or does not glide smoothly. Factors influencing this section include the vacuum's weight and its distribution, whether the handle is ergonomically shaped or padded, the ergonomic design of the handheld section, and how easily the floorhead pivots. I also consider the mechanism for switching the machine on and off, and if it accommodates both quick spot cleans and extended cleaning sessions.

How I tested comfort and maneuverability:

I measured the weight of the handheld section of each vacuum (without wand or attachments) and then added the wand and primary floorhead to assess the weight during general upright use. I scored each model out of five based directly on these weights, with heavier models receiving lower scores and lighter ones higher scores.

I then assigned a subjective score out of five to each vacuum for comfort and maneuverability. To determine this, I used each vacuum in both floor-standing and handheld modes. The total score for this section is an average of these two assessments.

Highest scorer:Shark Detect Pro Cordless

Runner up:Dreame R20

Battery life

The freedom of going cable-free can quickly diminish if your cordless vacuum lacks sufficient battery power for a full-home clean, requiring frequent recharges. However, battery life is a more complex metric than it might initially appear. Many contemporary models I test feature an Auto mode, where suction (and thus battery consumption) fluctuates based on detected dirt levels or floor type, making it impossible to provide a definitive runtime for this mode.

It's crucial to consider the power associated with a given runtime – an Eco mode might last 90 minutes, but if its suction is too weak to pick up anything, it serves no practical purpose. For tackling deeply embedded dirt, an ultra-powerful Boost mode that rapidly depletes the battery might be preferable to one that lasts longer but isn't robust enough to dislodge the grime.

You should also bear in mind that a vacuum's runtimes are likely to decrease over time. When choosing a cordless vacuum, I prioritize models with a removable and swappable battery, as the battery is often the first component to fail – all vacuums in this group test feature a removable battery.

How I tested battery life:

I recorded the maximum runtime for each battery (i.e., in its lowest-powered mode). I also documented how long each model operated in its highest suction mode. I scored each vacuum out of five in each of these tests based on a predefined scale – for instance, in Max mode, a score of 3 for 10 minutes or less, 4 for 11-15 minutes, and 5 for 16+ minutes. The overall Battery score is an average of these two scores.

Highest scorers:Dyson Gen5detect, Dyson V16 Piston Animal, Dyson V11 Advanced (tied)

Runners up:Dreame R20, Shark PowerDetect, Roborock H60 Ultra (tied)

Ruth is TechRadar's Homes Editor specializing in air (vacuum cleaners, fans, air purifiers), and hair (hair dryers, straighteners and stylers). She has been in consumer journalism since 2020, reviewing and writing about everything from outdoor kit to mattresses and wellness gadgets, with stints on Tom's Guide and T3.