Stick vacuums have come a long way in recent years, with the best models now rivalling their corded counterparts in terms of suction power and ease of use.
They’re also more lightweight than corded vacuums, making them great to take around the house and store away, even if you’re short on space.
With plenty of options on the market though, choosing the right cordless stick vacuum for your home can be a frustrating task, which is where we come in.
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What makes a cordless vacuum worth buying is all about finding “the right balance of power and technology to clean your home effectively and efficiently”, according to Dyson’s Senior Design Manager, Sallahuddin Mashkuri.
“Household dust is a complex matrix of components including dust mites, dust mite faeces, bacteria, mould, small insects, and particles. Invisible to the naked eye, these particles can be airborne and are widely spread on various surfaces of the home including floors, sofas and beds.”
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Need some inspiration? We’ve curated a list of several top-rated stick vacuums across different price points so you can find the right model for your home and budget.
If you love a good deal, one of Dyson’s latest and “most powerful” stick vacs is a whopping $552 off (now $997, down from $1549). Other favourites include the Dyson Gen5detect and brand’s timeless Dyson V15 Detect stick vac, as well as the Bosch Series 6 Rechargeable Vacuum Cleaner Unlimited. While we can’t promise they’ll make vacuuming any more fun, they’ll certainly make it quicker and easier.
How we choose products
Our content is based on a range of different types of research – the team’s first-hand experience with products, hours of research scouring through pages of consumer reviews, or information and advice from experts. To help you find the best stick vacuum cleaner for your needs and budget, we asked Dyson Senior Design Manager, Sallahuddin Mashkuri for advice and recommendations on what to look for when buying a stick vacuum, from premium to budget, to help you find the right one.
Our Top Picks
In this article
BEST BUDGET CORDLESS STICK VACUUM PICKS
Electrolux Ergorapido Classic Stick Vacuum ZB3501IG, $199 (down from $449), The Good Guys
What You Need To Know
Budget-friendly and easy to use, Electrolux’s Ergorapido Classic Vacuum has a simple two-in-one design that makes it easy to clean shelves, desks and furniture, as well as all types of flooring. Fitted with a 180-degree swivel nozzle and guided by LED headlights, the model makes it easy to spot hidden dirt and crumbs while manoeuvring easily around and underneath furniture.
Similar to more expensive alternatives, the Ergorapido contains an internal blade to remove entwined hairs before they’re sucked up into the dust cup, helping to prevent the vacuum from becoming clogged up.
BEST MID-RANGE CORDLESS STICK VACUUM PICKS
Dyson V8 Cordless Vacuum 394437-01, $799, Myer
What You Need To Know
Dyson’s V8 cordless vacuum is a budget-friendly alternative to the brand’s more recent models. While it doesn’t have all the bells and whistles of the V11 and V15 lines, it offers up to 40-minutes of runtime and includes four additional tools to help tackle pet hair and clean hard-to-reach places.
One shopper was so impressed they couldn’t believe they were “missing out all these years”.
“Good battery life, I can do my whole house with one charge! Great suction, my carpets have never been cleaner! Couldn’t recommend enough!” praised a reviewer.
“The Dyson V8 Stick Vacuum Cleaner is FANTASTIC!” another posted.
“I have used a central piped system in our house for over 20 years and was a little sceptical to try the Dyson at first but it is such a simple piece of equipment. Incredibly light and easy to use and clean.”
Bosch Series 6 Rechargeable Vacuum Cleaner Unlimited BCS61113AU, $299 (down from $399), The Good Guys
What You Need To Know
Another Bosch vacuum cleaner worth checking out is this Serie 6 option, especially if you want a model that works just as well on furniture and car interior as it does on floors. It’s also very lightweight, weighing just 2.3kg (or 1.4kg for the handheld).
Similar to the Bosch Athlet, the battery is removable and can be swapped out for another so you can continue cleaning without having to wait for the vacuum to recharge.
“Suction at standard is fairly good for most dust and cleaning, but for hard to clean areas the turbo boost mode does an amazing job,” a reviewer posted.
“The battery included is a bit small for its runtime, maybe running for 15 mins on average. I would suggest getting this with the 4.5Ah Bosch battery and charger … And with the swappable battery and easy to empty canister, it’s very efficient. Highly recommend.”
Samsung Jet 70 Complete VS15T7036R5, $499 (down from $699), The Good Guys
What You Need To Know
Samsung’s Jet 70 Complete receives consistently high scores from customers, with many quick to claim it’s a budget-friendly alternative to Dyson’s more recent models. In fact, similar to Dyson’s V11 line, the Jet 70 features an LED display which allows you to check the power level, brush type and any error alerts.
It also comes with a range of tools seen on Dyson models, including a Mini Motorised Tool for cleaning couches and cars and an Extension Crevice Tool for getting into tight corners.
Tineco PURE ONE S11 Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner, $699, Godfreys
What You Need To Know
The Tineco Pure One S11 uses smart sensor technology to detect tiny dust, hair and pollen, and automatically adjust its suction power. It even has an LED display monitor to check the amount of dust in the area, track your cleaning progress and see your Wi-Fi connection status. Exclusively available from Godfreys, this stick vacuum additionally has a mini power brush to deal with pet hair and embedded dust.
BEST PREMIUM CORDLESS STICK VACUUM PICKS
Dyson Gen5detect Absolute 443066-01, $997 (down from $1549), The Good Guys
What You Need To Know
One of Dyson’s newest and most powerful HEPA cordless vacuums, the Dyson Gen5detect Absolute boasts a motor claimed to work up to nine times faster than a Formula One engine for seriously strong suction. It also has a longer runtime, now offering up to 70 minutes’ worth of cleaning in a single charge (as opposed to the 60 minutes maximum offered by its previous models).
The stick vac additionally debuts a new Fluffy Optic cleaner head that lights up where you need to clean, plus an LED screen with bars that rise and fall based on the volume of particles being removed in real-time – for that extra bit of satisfaction.
“I absolutely love this vacuum. I have a border collie who loses mass amount of hair and I was sick of cutting his hair out of the brush of my current vacuum, which is an old Dyson barrel vacuum,” praised a reviewer.
“It’s crazy what this vacuum sucks up and I no longer have hair stuck in it due to the design of the head. It’s pricey but it’s worth every cent … Also, love that you don’t have to hold the trigger down on this model you just press a button and of you go.”
Dyson V15 Detect Absolute Cordless Vacuum 394439-01, $1449, Myer
What You Need To Know
If you can afford to splash out on a top-of-the-line vacuum, Dyson’s V15 Detect Absolute is definitely worth the spend. The V15 incorporates several of the best features from Dyson’s V11, including click-in batteries that offer up to 60 minutes of run-time each, three cleaning modes and a high torque cleaner head that automatically adjusts to the type of floor you’re vacuuming.
It also comes with an anti-tangle hair screw tool designed to pick up hair, making it an ideal purchase for pet owners or for those with longer locks. Most notably though, the hi-tech model includes a laser (yes, you read that correctly) which helps to reveal otherwise difficult-to-see debris on hard floors.
“That green laser showed up every spec of dust, every crumb, pet hair and fish finger I had on my floor (I have kids, no judgment please). It even lit up clear sticky tape,” an impressed shopper wrote, rating it five stars.
“This is absolutely the best vacuum I’ve ever owned … 1hr battery time means the house gets cleaned, the car interior is spotless with some time to spare. I can’t recommend this enough, with the price you pay, you get the gold standard which is totally worth it,” agreed another.
BEST STICK VACUUM WITH LONG-LASTING BATTERY
LG A9 Kompressor Auto Handstick Vacuum A9T-AUTO, $999 (down from $1299), The Good Guys
What You Need To Know
Robot vacuums are no longer the only ones that get the auto-emptying bin love, with cordless stick vacuums like the LG CordZero now also being packed with self-cleaning functions to make cleaning more convenient. The model also uses the brand’s compressor technology to compress hair and dust, so there’s no need replace the dust bag super often. Other handy features include washable filters and a dual battery situation that gives you up to two hours of vacuuming time.
BEST CORDLESS STICK VACUUM FOR HARDWOOD FLOORS
Dyson Omni-Glide Stick Vacuum 368687-01, $485 (down from $749), Dyson
What You Need To Know
If you’re looking for a vacuum that will keep your hard floors spotless without scratching them up, Dyson’s Omni-Glide is an excellent choice. The slim design pairs Dyson’s first omnidirectional soft cleaner head with two fluffy rollers and an articulating neck to allow it to move in all directions and get into tight spaces with ease.
“Cannot imagine how I survived without it,” a satisfied shopper reviewed.
BEST CORDLESS STICK VACUUM FOR LARGER HOMES
Dyson V11 Stick Vacuum 419652-01, $1199, Myer
What You Need To Know
From keyboards and curtains to carpets and hard floors, the popular Dyson V11 is designed to tackle it all – including the hairiest messes.
It features the brand’s Motorbar cleaner head, which contains hair removal vanes designed to automatically get rid of any wrapped hair from the brush bar. Plus, there’s a hair screw tool with a conical brush bar to remove hair from pet beds, car seats and more.
The brand also added a battery-saving trigger and power-optimising technology to improve its energy efficiency, ensuring the unit only uses power when you need it.
BEST CORDLESS STICK VACUUMS FOR PET HAIR
Dyson Cyclone V10 Handstick Vacuum 394101-01, $1099, Myer
What You Need To Know
Boasting up to 60 minutes of runtime, along with a lightweight and versatile design, Dyson’s Cyclone V10 Cordless Stick Vacuum is a hugely popular choice. It can easily clean pet hair thanks to its decent suction power, while the Mini Motorised add-on tool quickly converts the cordless vacuum into a handheld convenience.
It also comes with two separate cleaner heads designed to clean hard flooring and carpet respectively.
WHAT IS A STICK VACUUM?
A stick vacuum is a slim and lightweight version of the traditional barrel vacuum cleaner. You can find both corded and cordless options, although many prefer the convenience and convenience and flexibility of a cord-free unit. For added versatility, they can also be converted into a handheld vacuum by switching out the attachments.
The ‘stick’ name comes from the design, as the vacuums feature a long stick or hose with the motor and dust container situated at the top. Cordless stick vacuums are generally not as powerful as corded or barrel varieties, but you can definitely find models with strong suction power.
HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST STICK VACUUM CLEANER
Before you bag a new cordless vacuum, it pays to compare models. Sallahuddin, who works with Dyson’s Research, Design and Development (RDD) Floorcare team, gave us a few tips to consider.
Battery life
The one downside to cordless vacuums is that they are battery-operated, which gives them a rather limited run time. While battery capacities have significantly improved over the years, you’ll want to look for a model that can clean your entire house on one charge.
Bear in mind that the battery life of each vacuum will be influenced by the type of flooring you’re cleaning (e.g. carpets and rugs require more suction power which drains the battery faster) and the cleaning mode you choose. If you have a larger home, you’ll want to consider models with a longer battery life or which have click-in battery packs that can be swapped out to extend the battery life.
Surface type
Sallahuddin highly recommends choosing a vacuum cleaner that is versatile in the types of surfaces it can clean. This is because certain flooring, such as carpets and rugs, need a higher suction power to clean than hard flooring.
“This means having enough air watts to remove dust from the different surfaces in the home. An efficient dust separation system ensures that filters do not get clogged so there is no loss of suction that will affect the performance of the vacuum cleaner,” he explained.
Most stick vacuums are now made to work different surface types. But if your home has a lot of soft flooring, you may want to look for a model with higher suction power and a longer run time.
Filters
Many stick vacs contain HEPA filters because “it is not enough for vacuum cleaners to pick up dust effectively,” according to Sallahuddin.
“Ensuring that all the dust is trapped inside the machine and not expelling dirty air back into the house is just as important,” he said. “A good vacuum cleaner is fully sealed and equipped with an advanced, multistage filtration system to ensure that all the dust that is picked up remains trapped inside the vacuum and only clean air is expelled back into the house.”
Price
While some pricier stick vacuums are worth the spend, you don’t need to break the bank in order to score yourself a decent model. Before you start shopping, it’s a good idea to draw up a budget and a list of features that you require (extended battery life, included pet hair tools, etc.). From there, you can compare vacuums from reputable brands to find one within your ideal price bracket.
Weight
Stick vacuums typically weigh less than 5kg, which means most are fairly lightweight and versatile. However, there are models that weigh 2kg or less which are much more accessible and easier to manoeuvre.
HOW TO MAKE YOUR STICK VACUUM BATTERY LAST LONGER
The easiest way to maximise the runtime and overall battery lifespan is by changing the level of power based on the floor surface, and saving Boost mode for “intensive cleaning”, rather than sticking to full speed each time.
“Run-time can be affected by the cleaning mode used and the different power draw on varied surfaces – long-pile carpets will draw more power than short pile, for example,” Sallahuddin said.
“In Auto mode, suction power automatically adjusts based on the concentration of dust detected, ramping up when there is a high concentration of dust for the most efficient clean.”
Other ways to get the most out of your battery life:
• Try to use the high power mode less often.
• Avoid using the cordless stick vacuum in extreme heat temperatures.
• Store the cordless vacuum at room temperature.
• Allow the vacuum cleaner to cool after use before recharging.
• Let the battery run down to empty at least once a month so it can naturally discharge.
SHOULD YOU LEAVE CORDLESS VACUUMS PLUGGED IN ALL THE TIME?
Unlike mobile phones, Sallahuddin says batteries in stick vacuums are generally designed to be left on charge permanently
“Once the battery is fully charged, the machine won’t use any more electricity,” he said.
“It’s important to fully charge the machine before using it for the first time, and after every clean. This helps to improve the algorithm’s accuracy.”
Although he recommends letting the battery run out at least once a month to “naturally discharge”, which can help “prolong its life“.
HOW TO TELL IF YOUR STICK VACUUM BATTERY NEEDS REPLACING
If the runtime on your cordless vacuum has significantly decreased, especially when it’s on the lowest speed, Sallahuddin suggests this might be a sign that your battery may need to be replaced. But if the problem is suction power, he says the first thing you should do is clean the filter and check for any blockages (such as hair and dust). This might just be a case of correctly maintaining your vacuum.
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Originally published as 11 best stick vacuums of 2023 | Top cordless vacuum cleaners
