It impressed us with how easily it maneuvers around obstacles like table legs and how it fits perfectly on a stair tread for speedy side-to-side cleaning. It has powerful suction and whole-machine filtration to trap at least 99.7% of dust and allergens. Specks and particles that were invisible in regular shark stick vacuum light — like those in the corners of stair treads — came into clear view when the laser hit them. And just in case you were wondering exactly what it’s picking up, the colorful display shows the amount and size of the particles it’s grabbing along with run time, power level and maintenance alerts.
The Stratos also comes bundled with a folding wand to easily clean under tables and chairs, though you can find the same accessory on some variants of the Cordless Pro. It’s noticeably lighter and slightly easier to maintain by virtue of its removable brushroll, which makes it much less of a hassle to clear out any tangled hair. Starting with the specs is typically the way to go – think about how long of a runtime you need from your cordless vacuum, what floor types you have in your home, and how powerful you’ll need the cleaner to be. Dust canister sizeThe size of the dust canister will also affect how many interruptions there are to your cleaning session.
Nontheless, the the i3+ EVO robot vacuum handles hardwood and carpet easily, as well as navigates its cleaning paths smoothly and rarely gets stuck. When done cleaning, it returns to the automatic dirt disposal dock to empty the robot’s onboard dust bin into the dock’s dustbag, which can hold up to 60 days of debris. The battery life lasts up to 60 minutes, but that number can vary depending on whether you’re cleaning carpets or hard floors. For strong suction and easy maneuverability, the Shark Stratos Cordless Vacuum does the job. This is a great vacuum for households with everyday vacuuming needs, but like most cordless vacuums, it won’t hold up to hours long cleaning sessions.
However, there are a few compromises to justify its lower purchase price, with a smaller-capacity battery and a less potent suction motor. If you don’t necessarily want a self-emptying vacuum, the Wandvac System is also available in a standard model for a lower price. It comes in four different colors, and the cordless design is lightweight and versatile, making it useful for cleaning small spaces.
In order to assess overall performance, we opted to test a handful of different debris. These include cornflakes, glitter and real human hair (yes—really!). We tested each on tile, high- and low-pile carpet (aside from hair, which was only tested on carpet).
We even found we could eke out a little extra time by charging the first battery while we used the second, making this a great option to entirely replace a corded model. The compact size of stick vacuums makes them convenient to carry around, and the cleaning abilities of these lightweight cleaners continue to impress in our tests. It’s very effective in dealing with solid debris and pet hair on this surface type, thanks partly to its Clean Sense IQ system that boosts performance when passing over dirtier surfaces. The soft texture of its brushroll also helps gather lightweight debris on hard floors or in shallower cracks, like the grout lines on a tile floor.
After our picks, keep reading to learn more details about how we test, what to look for when shopping for a stick vacuum and why you should trust our reviews. And if you’re looking for more vacuums and floor cleaners, consult our round-ups of the best vacuum cleaners on Walmart, the best mops for cleaning any floor and the best vacuum cleaners for hardwood floors. In contrast to our pick from Dyson, this Ryobi model has a headlight on its single cleaner head, with a plush roll in the front for bare floors and a stiff-bristled brush in the back for rugs. Unlike with the V12 Detect Slim, you don’t have to swap between cleaner heads to optimize this vacuum’s cleaning performance. In our tests, it was equally effective at picking up Cheerios on slippery tiles and pet fur on a medium-pile rug. It uses an a1900 mAh battery, rather than the higher-capacity 2450 mAh unit used in pricier models like the Shark Stratos Cordless.
The hand vac and stick vac share the same dust cup with a multi-layer filter system. This design makes it easy to pop off the hand vac quickly when you need it without having to disassemble the entire vacuum. The V12 Detect Slim easily converts into a handheld vacuum and comes with helpful attachments for tasks around the home and in the car. Its mini motorized brush tool was one of the best we tested for removing pet hair from couches, cat beds, and car upholstery. Its combination tool allowed for quick switching between a wide nozzle and a brush; we found the brush particularly handy for dusting bookshelves and windowsills.
“I’m 78 years old, so I needed a lightweight vacuum. I have wooden floors and it works great to vacuum up crumbs. Good suction.” Brushless motors generally have a longer runtime, more suction power, and better efficiency. Traditional vacuum bags have tiny holes that act as a filter by trapping dust and dirt while allowing air to pass through. Some vacuums use disposable bags, but this is an added cost you have to figure into the lifetime value of your vacuum. Read our full guide to the best wet-dry vacuum cleaners for more recommendations.
It also makes it easier to store the vacuum as it folds in half and stands by itself so you can just stick it in a corner if you’re short on space and it won’t tumble over every time you knock into it. This little beauty promises to free your vacuum roller of clogged hair, while still sucking it all up efficiently in the first place. It could be a game-changer for long-haired households so I was keen to try it out and see how well it works.