After a few days of testing this out in a fairly hairy household, I’ve found the new technology works well and it’s saved me from having to break out the scissors ever since. It didn’t suck up larger particles quite as well as some of the most expensive models, but getting two batteries for this price means we’re prepared to overlook the occasional stray Bran Flake. Some shoppers say they’d hoped for a longer run time from this little vac.
Even though some of these vacuums have lower noise levels, don’t be surprised if you hear them scurrying out of the room when it’s time to clean. To start, we timed ourselves to see how long it took to set up each one, including charging times for the cordless vacuum models. We then used a decibel meter to measure the noise output of the vacuum on the highest setting. We were impressed by the crevice tool not just for corners but picking up hair on upholstery. This vac comes with a pet attachment, but strangely enough, we found the crevice tool to be better at picking up pet hair on upholstery. Overall, we thought it felt lightweight and easy to maneuver, though if you’re not used to this type of vac, you might need a couple of cleaning sessions to get used to it.
In our last test of 19 handheld vacuums, we found the Shark WandVac to be compact and super lightweight and ideal for quick cleanup jobs. The accessory caddy attaches to the charging dock, keeping the combination duster/crevice tool and multi-surface pet tool right where you need them. It performed very well in our cleaning tests and was especially good at picking up large debris and pet hair with its multi-surface pet tool, though fluff did get caught on the brush and had to be removed by hand. We like its washable filter and that it recharged faster than other slimline handheld vacuums we tested.
The difference it made to my grubby kitchen floor was seriously impressive. We tested each vacuum for several weeks in flats, houses with steep staircases and larger still houses to test the battery life. We compared them for weight, battery life, ease of use and flexibility to manoeuvre on wooden floors, carpet, linoleum and tiles.
And to learn more about how I tested mop vacs, how they work, and which models didn’t make the shortlist, keep reading. Though the breadth of the brand’s offerings in the vacuum mop combo category can be a bit overwhelming (more on that later), I highly recommend two Tineco models at different price points. Designed with convenience in mind, the Shark Rocket Cordless Stick Vacuum allows you to move freely without being limited by cords or outlets. The lightweight and compact design make it easy to maneuver around furniture and reach tight spaces.
That convenience used to come at the cost of power, but not anymore. Modern cordless vacuums have the right balance of convenience and capability. When picking the best cordless vacuum for yourself, you’ll want to pick an option that’s light and easy to move around but still has enough power to remove as much filth from the floor as possible. CNET tested dozens of models to find the cordless vacuums, considering cleaning power, value and ease of use. After more than 50 hours of testing cord-free models, our top pick of the best cordless stick vacuum of 2024 is the Tineco Pure One S11.
In addition to its charging dock, the Wandvac comes with a duster crevice tool and pet multi-tool, and it can be converted into a compact handheld model, as well. For cleaning up quick spills or vacuuming out your car, the UltraCyclone Pro was the best-performing handheld vacuum we tested from the brand. While the brand doesn’t specifically list a runtime for this vacuum, we found that it generally lasts between minutes per charge, and we could generally use it multiple times before needing to plug it back in. The Navigator Freestyle has a two-speed brushroll, and it comes with a convenient charging stand for docking when it’s not in use. The brand doesn’t list the maximum runtime per charge of this cordless vacuum, but in testing, we were able to clean for 15 minutes without depleting the battery. Overall, we think this lightweight upright vacuum is ideal for small-to-medium-sized homes, and if you’re looking for a vacuum under $200, you can’t beat its reasonable price point.
It’s a two-in-one turbine electric floor brush in which stiff and soft bristles are integrated together on one roller. This makes it extremely versatile for use on carpets, up on ceilings and inside cars. Allergy shark pet vacuum sufferers will appreciate its high-density HEPA filter, which removes up to 99.99 per cent of microscopic dust particles and ensures this dust will not go back into the air to cause secondary pollution.