The Dyson V15 Detect is the most expensive stick vacuum in our lineup, but if you can stomach the price tag, you’ll get a cordless stick vacuum that (quite literally) leaves the competition in the dust across the board. It delivers top-notch performance on floors and carpets to tackle everything from fine dust to messy debris.

Its motor spins up to 125,000 rpm and it comes with two cleaning heads, including an upgraded version of the brand’s “fluffy” head that features a green laser headlight to detect fine dust. During testing, we found that being able to switch from cordless to handheld made it easier to transition from tackling small messes to deeper cleaning sessions.

The auto mode is a nice feature for conserving battery life, as this model only runs for about an hour off one charge. Another highlight is the motorized pet tool.

Full Dyson V15 Detect Cordless Stick Vacuum Review

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The PowerClean FurFinder is a more affordable alternative to the PowerClean FurGuard we recommend, but that doesn’t mean you have to give up useful features.

This cordless stick vacuum is intended for use on a variety of floor types, and the flat-lay construction makes cleaning under furniture much more accessible. The vacuum also stands up on its own which leads to less interruptions during a cleaning session.

We love that both the main vacuum head and pet hair attachment come with headlights because it makes it a lot easier to see hidden dirt and debris. The brush roll is a tangle-free design, and the FurFinder is equipped with a HEPA filter for trapping small particles and allergens.

The motor on this vacuum is less powerful than the PowerClean, but it still provides plenty of suction for daily household cleaning.

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I have two cats and live with my partner, which means there is plenty of mess to go around, from pet hair and dust to tracked-in dirt. I appreciate all the thoughtful features of the Tineco Station 5 because they make daily maintenance much easier.

Automatic suction adjustment has proved useful on my laminate and tile floors. I can hear when the motor gets a boost of power in a particularly dirty area, and it helps on carpets and area rugs where crumbs debris tends to get trapped between the fibers. Add to that a green laser light for dust detection and you’ll hardly ever miss a spot.

I particularly like the base station. It has a 2.5-liter capacity, and after two months of using the Station 5, I still haven’t had to empty it. When I dock the vacuum onto the base, it automatically empties the onboard dustbin, cleans the floorhead brush roll, and charges the vacuum. Combined, these intuitive features make for a cleaning routine that is virtually hands-free.

Full Tineco Pure ONE Station 5 Pro Cordless Stick Vacuum Review

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The V11 cordless stick vacuum boasts an acclaimed runtime of 60 minutes with a non-motorized head, as well as three power modes and good filtration.

Like the Dyson V15, this model also converts to a handheld and includes multiple attachments for various floor types, such as hardwood and carpet. An LCD display on the handle shows statuses and maintenance needs. When the job is done, its triggered collection bin makes it easier to dump debris without touching anything dusty. We also appreciate its unassuming docking station.

There’s a lot to like about this mid-range Dyson, but for quick cleanups an earlier model with fewer bells and whistles may be all you need.

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Since we’re big fans of the Shark AZ2002 Vertex upright vacuum for deep and thorough cleans, it’s no surprise that we like the cordless model in this lineup, too. The brush roll is excellent at pulling hair and large debris from carpets, as well as polishing up your hardwood floors. The cordless stick vacuum features an advertised runtime of 60 minutes.

It also offers a HEPA filtration system and converts to a hand vac, and it also bends at the center of the wand to get around and under furniture. The Vertex comes with plenty of accessories for cleaning a variety of spaces. However, this may not be the best choice if you regularly clean stairs, as the cordless vacuum weighs roughly nine pounds—significantly more than other vacuums we cover.

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Our tester has a busy household six pets, so there’s no question that she’s regularly cleaning up after her animals. Pulling out the upright vacuum daily isn’t convenient, so she turned to the Levoit LVAC-300 to fill the gap.

This cordless stick vacuum has three different cleaning modes–eco, medium, and max–and she was able to cycle through each right from the handle depending on how much suction power she needed. She found that the vacuum was able to pick up litter and sand on different surfaces and between thresholds with ease.

The attachments are useful for cleaning curtains, cushions, and staircases, but she was disappointed that there’s nowhere to store these tools on the vacuum itself. The LVAC-300 runs for up to 60 minutes depending on what mode you’re using, and the HEPA filter is a great feature if you have animals.

Full Levoit LVAC-300 Cordless Stick Vacuum Review

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I used the Bissell PowerClean FurGuard across my apartment to clean laminate floors, area rugs, carpeting, and upholstery, and I fell in love with several features.

The vacuum lays completely flat, making it really easy to get underneath furniture, and the swivel steering helps guide the FurGuard around tight spaces. Being a pet owner, I appreciate that the brush roll is tangle-free, so I don’t have to cut hair loose as often as I would with a standard, bristled brush roll.

Other highlights were lights on the main vacuum head and pet hair attachment. I was able to see collected dirt and debris that I would normally miss on hardwood flooring, carpet, and furniture. I also like that this model is designed to be self-standing.

It’s hard to come by a cordless stick vacuum that you don’t have to re-mount or set on the ground during your cleaning session. With this model, I was able to stop and start with ease.

Full Bissell PowerClean FurGuard Cordless Stick Vacuum Review

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We recently got our hands on one of the latest cordless stick vacuums from Shark, and we were impressed by the PowerDetect’s construction. The pole has a hinge in the center and when you release it, the vacuum bends to extend under furniture and hard-to-reach places. Our tester didn’t have to kneel down or adjust angles while he was cleaning thanks to the intuitive design.

Beyond that, the PowerDetect vacuum uses sensors on the bottom of the floor head to discern between surface types, and adjusts suction power when needed. During testing, the motor could be heard transitioning speeds when used on hardwood and shag carpet.

This vacuum also comes with a docking station, which automates the process of emptying out the dustbin. The vacuum itself can’t hold that much debris onboard, so it’s nice having a one-stop-shop for clearing out the bagless canister during a cleaning session. It’s a little heavy for a cordless stick vacuum, but it still gets the job done.

Full Shark PowerDetect Cordless Stick Vacuum Review

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