Cleaning

9 cordless vacuum cleaners that won’t tie you down

Compact, portable and effective units that every home needs.
open plan living roomPhotographer: Louise Roche / Stylist: Kylie Jackes

When it comes to home appliances (and any tech, for that matter), finding a cordless option is essential for seamlessly incorporating them into your day-to-day. Think cordless speakers and sound systems, Bluetooth-compatible TVs, and our most-loved cordless appliance of all? The cordless vacuum cleaner

Cordless vacuum cleaners have changed the game when it comes to the tiresome chore of vacuuming the home. Gone are the days of finding a power socket, plugging your vacuum cord in, and a few minutes later finding out that 1) you’ve exhausted the length of your power cord and 2) you have only vacuumed half the living room. 

So, if you’re like us and the aforementioned scenario sends shivers down your back, you’ll want to invest in a high-quality, easy-to-use, fuss-free cordless vacuum cleaner. And lucky for you, we’ve found the best ones to add to your cleaning routine below. 

2024’s top cordless vacuum cleaners

  1. Dyson V15s detect submarine complete, $1549 (usually $1649), Dyson (here’s why)
  2. Shark stratos cordless pet pro vacuum plus with clean sense IQ, $799.99 (usually $1299.99), Shark (here’s why)
  3. Dreame H11 cordless wet & dry vacuum cleaner and mop, $405.99, Amazon (here’s why)

The best cordless vacuum cleaners 2024

01

Dyson V15s detect submarine complete

$1549 (usually $1649), Dyson

The latest iteration of Dyson’s cordless stick vacuum is the V15s Detect Submarine. It’s a powerful cordless vacuum that detangles hair, illuminates dust, and also washes hard floors.

The Dyson V15s Detect Submarine Complete is the brand’s first all-in-one wet-and-dry cordless vacuum cleaner – engineered as a multifunctional and versatile cleaning solution to remove dust, spills and stains. If you’re looking for a unit that does it all, you really can’t look past the Dyson V15s Detect Submarine.

Why we love it:

  • Powerful wet and dry vacuum cleaner deep cleans hard floors
  • Removes dry, wet debris, fine dust and stains simultaneously
  • Up to 60 minutes of battery life
  • Handy hair screw tool captures and removes hair without getting stuck

Also available at:

Shark Stratos Cordless Pet Pro Vacuum

02

Shark stratos cordless pet pro vacuum plus with clean sense IQ

$999.99 (usually $1299.99), Shark

Shark are leaders in the vacuum cleaner market thanks to their efficient machines with great battery life and a good price to match. Their most popular and best cordless vacuum cleaner is the ‘Stratos Cordless Pet Pro Vacuum’ with a ‘Clean Sense IQ’ which means that the vacuum can detect dirt not immediately visible to the human eye and will increase its power accordingly to better pick it up and remove it. As well as being a smart product, this model is also Shark’s most powerful stick product, making it a great investment for pet owners who need a machine that can reliably pick up hair with every use.

Why we love it:

  • Smart features ensure a cleaner home with every use
  • Powerful suction and hair pickup features make it ideal for homes with pets
  • Odour Neutraliser Technology guards against bad odours inside your vacuum for a fresher-smelling home
  • Up to 120 minutes of run time helps you vacuum your whole home in one go without needing to recharge

03

Dreame H11 cordless wet & dry vacuum cleaner and mop

$405.99, Amazon

With combined mopping and vacuuming technology, the Dreame H11 cordless vacuum is a compact unit – making it perfect for those tight on space. Plus, it conveniently self-cleans at the dock, so maintenance for this unit is a breeze, too.

Why we love it:

  • Efficient wet and dry cleaning makes it ideal for use in the bathroom, kitchen and laundry
  • Brushes your floor 560 times per minute for a thorough and efficient clean
  • The self-cleaning function keeps the roller and tube clean and odour-free
  • Compact cordless cleaner can be easily stored away

Also available at:

04

Electrolux Ergorapido classic stick vacuum

$189, Bing Lee

If you’re after a unit that works on hard floors and carpets seamlessly, this cordless stick vacuum from Electrolux will do the trick. The Electrolux Ergorapido stick vacuum glides over carpets and hard surfaces with ease – without needing to change attachments due to its multi-floor nozzle. Plus, if you’re always finding hair stuck in the brush roll, you’re in luck. With its unique Brush Roll Clean technology, an internal blade cuts and vacuums away hair and fibres with a push of a button. 

Why we love it:

  • 180-degree swivel nozzle means smooth turning and manoeuvrability on all floors
  • Flexible 2-in-1 design with a detachable handheld unit lets you clean areas above the floor such as countertops, furniture and hard-to-reach places
  • Lithium TurboPower battery for optimal cleaning performance and longer run time (up to 35 minutes on low speed)
  • 2-year warranty for peace of mind

Also available at:

05

Black + Decker pet stick vacuum

$169 (usually $179.99), Amazon

Lift stubborn debris from carpets and hard floors easily with the Black and Decker cordless pet stick vacuum. It’s jam-packed with smart features such as sensors to notify you when the filter needs cleaning and a smart floor sensor that automatically sets suction strength based on floor type, cleaning between rooms and living spaces is stress-free.

Why we love it:

  • 2-in-1 floor and hand vacuum for complete cleaning versatility
  • Lightweight and compact for easy manoeuvrability
  • Smart Sensor automatically senses when the filter gets clogged/needs a clean
  • Three speed settings allows for deep cleaning

Also available at:

06

Samsung Jet 90 Complete cordless stick vacuum

$697, The Good Guys

If you’re an allergy sufferer, the Samsung Jet 90 has not one, but a five-layered filtration system to ensure you’re breathing in clean air. The Jet Cyclone technology and micro filter are designed to capture up to 99.99 per cent of micro dust particles and allergens. If you’re looking for a luxuriously powerful vacuum for all surfaces, this model should definitely be on your list to consider.

Why we love it:

  • Five-layered filtration system cleans and captures allergens
  • Up to 60minutes of run time lets you vacuum the house in one go without needing to recharge
  • Powerful suction up to 200W helps to effectively capture dust and hair
  • Comes with both soft and hard floor brushes as well as four additional tools for a complete cleaning kit

07

LG A9 CordZero All-in-One Tower

$979, Bing Lee

Vacuum, store, charge and empty all in one place with this impressive cordless vacuum unit by LG. If vacuuming is a cleaning task you despise – then it’s likely that emptying the vacuum is even more of a pain point. That’s why our favourite part of this LG cordless vacuum is its Auto Empty Dust Bin and clever self-cleaning functionality. The unit will automatically empty the dustbin every time the vacuum is placed back on the dock – how good?

Why we love it:

  • Powerful suction motor efficiently cleans floors and carpets
  • Comes with various attachments included such as a crevice tool and a power carpet nozzle to help clean hard-to-reach areas
  • Up to 60 minutes of run time for an efficient clean all in one go
  • 2-year warranty for peace of mind

Also available at:

08

Roborock S8+ vacuum cleaner & mop

$1424 (usually $1899), Godfreys

If you’d rather have a hands-free experience when it comes to a vacuum, a robot vacuum is well worth considering. One of the most compact vacuum types of all, a robot vacuum will clean the house without you lifting a finger. The S8+ from Roborock vacuums and mops, leaving your floors sparkling clean every time. Plus, with its intelligent carpet detection, the S8+ automatically lifts the mop as needed, vacuuming carpets without the risk of any wet accidents. It also self-empties for fuss-free maintenance, just how we like it.

Why we love it:

  • Cleans the house without you having to do anything
  • Great for hard floors thanks to the vacuum and mop feature
  • Intelligent carpet detection stops mop feature on soft floors
  • Self-empties for fuss-free maintenance

09

DEEBOT N10 robot vacuum

$795 (usually $999), The Good Guys

Featuring an anti-bacterial filter that helps keep odours at bay, the DEEBOT N10 robot vacuum from Ecovacs is perfect for pet owners. It cleans for 300 minutes with one charge and can mop up to 400m² in one go. Plus, it’s fit to be compatible with Google Assistant or Alexa, so if you’ve only ever dreamed of voice-activated hands-free cleaning, it can be your reality with this clever unit.

Why we love it:

  • Methodically cleans room to room without you having to lift a finger
  • Strong 4300Pa suction power easily lifts dust and debris from carpets and hard floors
  • Sizable 2.5 litre dustbin allows for longer cleaning periods before needing to be emptied
  • Controlled water tank allows vacuum to mop whilst hoovering on hard floors for sparkling results

Also available at:


What are the different types of cordless vacuum cleaners?

There are a few main types of cordless vacuum cleaners, and they are built for different jobs. So, it’s important you’re choosing the right one for your needs, space and preference. 

Cordless stick vacuums

A cordless stick vacuum runs on a battery that you can recharge after each use. It is portable and lightweight, making it a great option for spot-cleaning the home during the week. It comprises of a ‘stick’ and a dustbin/battery compartment that is usually located at the top or bottom of the unit.

Robot vacuums

Maybe you don’t find satisfaction in watching your clear dustbin of a cordless stick vacuum fill up, then a robot vacuum is perfect for you. These clever units can vacuum the entire house without you lifting a finger. And some even have auto-emptying functions making this chore a chore no more. 

Can you clean a whole house with a cordless vacuum?

Whether you can clean a whole house with a cordless vacuum will entirely depend on two factors. The first and most important is the run time – or battery life – of your machine. The longer the stated run time of your vacuum the more likely you are to be able to clean your whole house in one go without having to stop and recharge your machine between rooms. The second factor is the number of tools and accessories your vacuum comes equipped with. Cordless vacuums with handy accessories such as a crevice tool will help you clean hard to reach places, and the greater the number of brush heads you are provided with the more versatile your vacuum is and the more likely you are to be able to clean your whole house – floors, upholstery and all – in one go.

Credit: Dyson

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