Not long ago, when you heard the term cordless vacuum cleaner you would think of a powerless ‘stick’ machine that could barely pick up dirt from your smooth floors. They were really only useful for hard flooring and the battery wouldn’t give you enough time for more than a normal sized room at a time. Sure it was nice not having to plug in and move a cord around while cleaning but the trade off in performance made it not worth the time or money for many households. Most people would instead just opt for a broom and dust pan.
Well that was then and certainly not the case now. Today’s technological advancements have made their way into the vacuum industry, providing improvements to many types, brands, and models. Perhaps the most notable is the overall improvement in performance for lightweight vacuums. Many have the same features as the larger and more expensive full sized uprights or canisters, but in a much more compact frame. They especially work best in homes with a variety of floors like hardwood, tile, laminate, and even carpeting.
Tineco A11 Master and Master+
The Tineco A11 Master is clearly one of the best values of any cordless vacuum cleaners built for ENTIRE household cleaning. It is Tineco’s flagship stick model with a very powerful 450w brushless motor that is rated to pull as much as 120 air watts of power on the highest setting. That is more than enough for vacuuming carpets and pulling embedded dust mites up from their fibers.
The Master also comes with 2 lithium ion battery packs which can provide close to 1 hour of runtime when fully charged. They are removable for quick and easy charging so you can vacuum with one while the other charges. This is a big advantage over some brands like Dyson who make it much more difficult to remove/replace the battery.
Filtration is excellent as it comes with a 4 Stage system that is fully sealed. The different filter stages work in unison to remove tiny dust particles as the air rushes through. The sealed system also means that once the dirt is trapped inside it has no way to escape back out. Many older bagless vacuums do not have this feature which you notice when looking at their collection bin. There is usually dust all over the outside but you won’t find that on the A11. It is bagless but still keeps the dirt inside where it belongs.
Another really nice feature of the A11 Master is it comes with 2 full sized LED power brushes. The Multi-tasker power brush works great on carpets as it will agitate embedded dirt from the fibers to allow the powerful suction to pull it up. And the Soft-roller attachment attracts fine dust from hard floors without damaging them at all. Larger debris can slide right under without being pushed around in front like some cheaper cordless vacuums.
There is a lot more to it that we aren’t listing right here. We did publish a full comparison of the A11 with their A10 where we list out all of the features of each of their stick models to help you decide which is best for your home.
- 2 removable lithium ion battery packs gives you a long lasting cordless cleaning experience (upwards of 1 hour on a full charge)
- 450 watt digital brushless motor pulls enough suction for all types of carpets, especially with the Multi-tasker power brush
- Unique ‘no rinse’ filter cleaning tool lets you clean out the debris from the filter without needing water or time for drying
- Option of a standard dock or wall mount unit for fast charging when the vacuum cleaner is not in use
- Use Continuous Mode to lock the power on for larger rooms or the standard Trigger for more control in tighter spaces
- Batteries don’t last that long when used on Max power setting so if you have mostly carpets you may want an extra battery pack
- Transparent design of the tube will make it look cloudy or dirty over time
Where can you learn more about it and check current pricing? Click here to visit our favorite eCommerce site for more information including customer reviews and detailed specifications.
Dyson Outsize
The Dyson Outsize is their most powerful cordless vacuum in their rather large (and growing) lineup. Dyson was really the first manufacturer to embrace the cord-free revolution and prove that they could make these cordless vacuums perform just as good as their corded counterparts. They have largely succeeded and are a big reason why we have this list for you today. How does the Outsize perform so well?
For starters the digital motor is their smallest, lightest, and most powerful that they have ever produced. It is constructed of a more durable ceramic material to hold up to the 125,000 RPMs that it spins at. The end result of all of these improvements is the suction power of a larger upright vacuum. This is how the Outsize can deep clean carpets as well as handle all smooth floors. And when compared to their prior generation V10 the motor has improved airflow and redesigned blades to generate approximately 20% more suction power.
Another unique feature is what they call their DLS™ technology where the machine will automatically sense changes to the type of floor (carpet vs tile) and adjust accordingly. This gives you the power you need only when you need it. Dyson designed this to not only save you from having to manually make adjustments when vacuuming from one room to the next but to also save on the batteries. Even though it uses the latest lithium ion battery technology it still makes sense to save the charge whenever possible.
This full sized Dyson cordless is really their first cordless vacuum to come with a large LCD display, providing many helpful diagnostics when cleaning including battery life and suction mode. The High Torque cleaning head is also their best offering to date giving you enough power to deep clean any carpet without leaving any embedded dust mites behind. It is also called Outsize because it has a large 0.5 gallon dust bin which is much larger than any of their prior offerings (and much of the competition as well).
- The power is tremendous for a cordless vacuum, comparable to larger corded models. You can clean carpeting in addition to your hard floors.
- Fully sealed HEPA filtration is standard on this and is essential when vacuuming carpets. Dyson is among the best rated in the industry there.
- Hygienic emptying means no dust will touch your skin during the process.
- Built and tested to last for 10 years or more.
- LCD display reports the battery countdown timer and maintenance alerts in real time.
- 2 removable lithium ion batteries that can be charged on the machine or off it.
- It is a bit bigger and heavier than some of the other full sized cord-free models so it takes a bit more effort to move it around your home.
- Having to keep constant pressure on the activation trigger can be cumbersome even though it is a light touch trigger.
Where can you find a good price online? Click here to visit our recommended supplier to compare the capable Outsize to other models and read reviews from other consumers.
Tineco Pure One S12/S12 Plus
The Pure One is the first ‘Smart’ cordless vacuum from Tineco and it comes with a whole suite of technology pertaining to the battery power, filter cleaning, suction power, and even noise optimization. Their goal with the S12 was to provide a machine that is powerful enough for entire household cleaning but with enough technology to satisfy any techie. The built-in artificial intelligence really sets this machine apart from the competition.
The iLoop™ Dust Sensor detects embedded dust particles so it can automatically adjust the power up when needed. The very powerful 150 watt motor will adapt in real time without any input from you, leaving the carpet much cleaner with only a single pass. You also have touch screen controls for manually adjusting the power should you want (useful for hard floors). Think of iLoop as “Smart Suction” but this is only one of many similar features found on the Pure One.
Another very unique quality is their Self Cleaning Filter System. This tool will clean the filter automatically and instantly, without requiring water or even removing it from the vacuum. This gives you uninterrupted, constant suction power across all floors in your home. This cuts way down on the required maintenance and downtime as you wait for the washable filter to dry, which is the case for most of the competition. Tineco took this typical task away so you no longer have to worry about it.
The large all-in-one LED display shows all of the pertinent information including dust amount, battery level, suction power, and all information relating to the current cleaning session. You can also see if you are connected to WiFi for integrating with the Smart Phone App. This application gives you real time reports, maintenance tips, and more in a very intuitive way that most people are used to (right to their phone).
- Two different Power Brushes: Direct Drive for deep cleaning all carpets and Soft Roller to attract fine dust particles on hard floors.
- Large all-in-one LED display shows you just about anything you want including battery level, suction power, and even WiFi status.
- iLoop™ Dust Sensor will automatically increase the suction when hidden dust mites and other microscopic particles are detected.
- Dual charging wall mount holds the vacuum and three different accessories so you can charge and store everything in a compact manner.
- Smart App integration lets you track time cleaning, receive reminders, and even troubleshoot if needed.
- It is on the expensive side but considering all the technology, this is understandable.
- The vacuum heads could use more bumpers so you need to be aware when close to walls.
Where is the best place to shop for the Tineco Pure One online? Click here for our ‘go to’ web store for current pricing and shipping options. Order and have it shipped right to your door.
Shark Vertex
The Shark Vertex is a lightweight cordless vacuum from one of the leaders in current cleaning technology. It is the lighter, smaller cousin to their larger corded uprights but it has a few features that make it stand on its’ own. For starters it comes with 1 or 2 ION battery packs so you don’t have to spend extra money on batteries if needed. For larger homes they encourage you to always have one charged and then charge the other while vacuuming. The result is as much as 120 minutes of runtime when using these lithium ion battery packs consecutively (in handheld mode). This is one of the best in the industry out of the box.
The MultiFLEX™ feature is quite unique and really sets it apart from other brands. The wand actually has a hinge in the middle that lets you bend it as much as 90 degrees while vacuuming. This allows you to reach under furniture, tables, and other objects without bending over much or really exerting much energy. No longer do you have to move heavy items to be able to get the dust bunnies out from underneath them.
Their DuoClean™ head is another innovative feature that lets you move from smooth floors to carpets without changing anything on the vacuum. The soft brush is located in front and has a couple of purposes. It’s designed to pull fine dirt particles up from hard floors while also compressing to pull in larger items like pebbles or food droppings. The material will attract just about anything it comes into contact with. Plus it comes with their newest innovation called PowerFins™ to further enhance the deep cleaning ability on carpets.
Shark also put their Anti-Allergen Complete Seal into the Vertex to not only trap more than 99% of dust, allergens, and pet dander but to also make sure it stays inside the vacuum. The air that is expelled is completely free of any of these microscopic irritants.
- Really lightweight and balanced feel during long cleaning sessions. You can quickly vacuum your stairs and move from room to room.
- The floor head is not too wide that it won’t fit into tighter spaces. The design lends itself well to not only vacuuming open areas but also fitting between the many things around the average home.
- The option of buying a second battery with your initial purchase is a great addition. It essentially doubles the runtime of the vacuum.
- Powerful suction for a battery powered cleaner. It doesn’t struggle at all with carpeting or bigger pieces of debris thanks to the PowerFins.
- Dust collection bin is not as big as some of the competition. It will require frequent trips to the garbage to empty.
- Using it on medium to high pile carpets drains the batteries much quicker. You can cut your runtime in half if using it on mostly carpeting.
Where can you learn more about it (including additional manufacturer specs)? Click here to visit our recommended supplier for online consumer reviews and today’s pricing.
LG CordZero A9
The LG CordZero A9 is another full sized cordless cleaner that can handle just about any type of surface around your home. The Smart Inverter™ motor is powerful as it is rated to pull up to 140 air watts of power which is more than enough to pull embedded dirt from thicker carpets. Plus you get a 10 year warranty on it to give you peace of mind that only some manufacturers offer.
The 5 step filtration system is really one of the strongest qualities on the CordZero. Each of the steps work hand-in-hand to separate the dirt from the air so it can be deposited into the collection bin. All the filters and internal cyclones are easily washable which not only saves you money but also keeps the vacuum operating at peak performance. As a matter of fact the British Allergy Foundation gives the LG the Allergy UK Seal of Approval which is one of the best independent awards you can get as a manufacturer.
2 removable lithium ion batteries give you as much as 80 minutes of runtime (on a full charge in standard mode) which gives you more than enough time for the average sized home. A nice feature of these is they are removable so you can charge one while using the other as well as replace one if needed. The quick release system makes swapping the batteries an afterthought.
There are 3 different ways to store the LG CordZero A9 when not in use. There is a wall mount mode for those who like to keep/charge their cordless vacuum out of the way, a self standing mode to let the vacuum stand on its’ own, and a compact mode for storage in tight spaces. This versatility is another reason why this model made our best vacuum list.
- 2 easily removable lithium ion battery packs let you vacuum and charge at the same time for 80 minutes of continuous use.
- Good Housekeeping Cleaning Lab rated it a 98 out of 100 on their in-lab test which is an almost perfect score.
- One touch controls for power levels and on/off means less tiring for your hands while in use.
- Direct Drive power floor nozzle can rid all of your carpets of pet hair, dirt, and other debris.
- Could use a light on the head for vacuuming those dark spaces.
- The canister design could be better as it doesn’t hold as much dirt as you would expect.
Where can you learn more about it (including additional manufacturer specs)? Click here to visit our recommended supplier for online consumer reviews and today’s pricing.