The Best Cordless Vacuum Cleaners
What does an interior designer know about the best cordless vacuum cleaners? Well, quite a lot, actually. As a designer, I’m naturally a very picky shopper—almost to an insufferable extent. Years of sourcing furniture, finishes, and materials for clients have trained me to be incredibly discerning about quality and performance.
When it comes to home products, I’m naturally investigative, especially with appliances and technology that make maintaining a home easier. After all, interior design and home upkeep go hand in hand. Over the years—and through many moves—I’ve tried my fair share of vacuums, and let’s just say, I’ve developed a few favourites.
So, if you’re curious to hear my honest thoughts on the best cordless vacuum cleaners worth considering, keep reading.
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The Cordless Vacuums I Love — and the Ones I Don’t
With so many brands offering cordless vacuum cleaners—from Miele to Shark to Dyson—you’re probably wondering which ones are actually worth splurging on and which to skip. And beyond that, which specific models truly perform the best?
Well, I’m breaking it all down for you. I’ll share my experience with different types, brands, and models of cordless vacuums—and, of course, reveal the one I personally use and love.
Robotic Vacuum Cleaners
Robotic Cordless Vacuums — Are They Worth It?
The idea of a robotic cordless vacuum that cleans for you is exciting — and models like the Roomba have certainly gained popularity over the years. I recently tested out the Miele Scout RX3, and while the concept sounds amazing in theory, I definitely have some thoughts on robotic vacuums and this model in particular.
Ease of Use
So, how easy is it to use a robotic vacuum? Well, it’s pretty simple — you press a button and let it do its thing, right? Technically yes, but in practice, I find robotic vacuums a little more annoying than helpful.
While these devices are great if you truly hate vacuuming, they often get stuck around furniture, chair legs, and tight corners. Forget about reaching small or awkward spaces — it’s just not happening.
In my opinion, robotic vacuums aren’t a full replacement for a traditional or cordless vacuum. They’re best seen as a supplement for light daily maintenance.
My Verdict
Here’s the thing: robotic vacuums tend to miss a few spots while cleaning. For a gadget that costs around $1,000, that’s hard to justify. They can feel a bit gimmicky, marketed as “let a robot do all your vacuuming for you” when in reality, it does a subpar job.
With a good cordless vacuum, cleaning really isn’t that tedious (at least not compared to doing dishes, which I personally can’t stand). The robot vacuums can do a decent job for daily upkeep, but they can also get stuck, miss dirt, and make more noise than you’d expect.
So, having a robotic vacuum sounds better in theory than in practice. It’s a fun addition to your cleaning routine — BUT it’s definitely not a replacement for a solid, reliable cordless vacuum.
Shark Cordless Vacuum Cleaners
Let’s move on to the Shark brand and talk about their cordless vacuum cleaners. I’ve tried out two different Shark models, and I definitely have a favourite.
The first model I tested was the Shark Pet Plus Cordless Stick Vacuum with PowerFins™, Self-Cleaning Brushroll, and Anti-Allergen Complete Seal — whew, that’s a mouthful!
Anyhow, I was really excited to test and compare Shark’s cordless vacuums, as they’re often known as “Dyson dupes”.
Battery Life
Personally, I can’t stand vacuuming with a corded vacuum. The plugging, unplugging, and dragging cords around drives me crazy, and if you’re looking for a cordless model, I’m guessing you feel the same.
That’s where battery life becomes a huge factor, and this model honestly impressed me. I typically vacuum once a week (a major clean — we’re talking hours), and this Shark held up beautifully. Throughout the week, I’d use it for smaller cleanups — maybe 20 to 30 minutes at a time — and I rarely had to recharge it.
When I did need to recharge, it took a few hours, which wasn’t a big deal since I could easily monitor battery life and plan ahead. I’d just plug it in the night before a big clean and be good to go.
For context, I tested this vacuum in a small condo — but with a dog. So yes, it went through the full pet-hair test, and it passed.
Performance
When it comes to suction power (or as I like to say, suckability), this vacuum really delivers. It picks up pet hair, dust, and debris with ease. In my experience, Shark vacuums offer strong, reliable performance across the board.
Overall, I’d give this model a solid 9/10 rating.
But — and this might surprise you — the next Shark model I tried actually beat this one out.
The Best Cordless Vacuum Cleaner
Okay, so let’s get into what I would officially name the king of cordless vacuum cleaners, and why it deserves that title. The winner goes to the Shark Vertex Cordless Stick Vacuum with DuoClean PowerFins™ Hair Pro (yes, another mouthful of a name!).
Why I Love This Model
First off, one of my favourite features is the collapsible arm. This makes storing the vacuum super easy, but more importantly, it allows you to vacuum under furniture without having to move everything out of the way (because let’s be honest — sometimes moving furniture out of the way is not in the scope).
Performance-wise, this Shark model impressed me just as much as the previous one, but I did notice a key difference: the glide. For some reason, this vacuum moves across floors and carpets much more smoothly. The head swivels with ease, making it easier to reach tight spots and corners without the usual wrestling match.
When it comes to pet hair, this vacuum doesn’t disappoint either. The suction power is seriously amazing — one of the best I’ve tested.
I also love that Shark vacuums come with a variety of attachments, which makes cleaning different areas of the home super convenient.
All in all, I couldn’t be happier with this vacuum. I had it for over two years before gifting it away — and it’s still going strong.
This shark model gets a solid 10/10 in my books.
Overall, I truly think Shark vacuums give you the best bang for your buck when it comes to cordless cleaning power.
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