9 Cordless Vacuums That Are 'Just as Good' as Dyson, According to Amazon Shoppers and Our Tests

Mar. 15, 2025

In This ArticleView AllIn This ArticleOur Top PicksBehind the ScenesWhy Trust PEOPLE?What Is PEOPLE Tested?

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Our Top Picks

Behind the Scenes

Why Trust PEOPLE?

What Is PEOPLE Tested?

Photo:People / Henry Wortock

Belife V11 Cordless Vacuum displayed in front of a kitchen counter and bar cart

People / Henry Wortock

You don’t need to spend an arm and a leg to get a greatcordless vacuum cleaner. While popular brands like Bissell, Shark, and Dyson remain classic customer favorites, there are also tons ofgreat vacuum cleanersfrom under-the-radar brands that Amazon shoppers say are “just as good” as pricier models but for a fraction of the price.

Bissell Featherweight Cordless Stick VacuumAmazonBuy on AmazonStar QualitiesHead swivels smoothlyEasily removes hair from carpet without tanglingFits easily under furnitureRed FlagsBattery only lasted for 20 minutesOne of the benefits of using a cordless vacuum cleaner over a traditionalupright modelis how lightweight a cordless stick vacuum can be. That’s why shoppers say they love the Bissell 3061 Featherweight, whichone shopper saidthey prefer to a Dysonanda Shark because it’s “so lightweight” and thanks to the bending joints, “you can get under the bed and not have to practically lie on the floor like with most stick vacuums.” We tested this vacuum in the lab, and we have to say: We agree.The Bissell 3061 excelled at removing hair from all surfaces during our tests, especially on medium and high-pile carpets. We could easily maneuver the vacuum under furniture, and the head swiveled smoothly to reach nooks and crannies. The only thing we’d change about this vacuum is its short battery life, which lasted for about 20 minutes, so we weren’t able to finish cleaning until we had plugged it in again.Battery Life:20 minutes |Weight:5.8 pounds |Attachments:Removable hand vacuum, washable filter, tangle-free brush roll, crevice tool, upholstery tool, TurboBrush toolPHOTO: People / Henry WortockPHOTO: People / Henry WortockPHOTO: People / Henry WortockPHOTO: People / Henry WortockPHOTO: People / Henry Wortock

Bissell Featherweight Cordless Stick Vacuum

Amazon

Bissell 3061 Featherweight Cordless Stick Vacuum

Buy on Amazon

Star QualitiesHead swivels smoothlyEasily removes hair from carpet without tanglingFits easily under furnitureRed FlagsBattery only lasted for 20 minutes

Star QualitiesHead swivels smoothlyEasily removes hair from carpet without tanglingFits easily under furniture

Head swivels smoothly

Easily removes hair from carpet without tangling

Fits easily under furniture

Red FlagsBattery only lasted for 20 minutes

Battery only lasted for 20 minutes

One of the benefits of using a cordless vacuum cleaner over a traditionalupright modelis how lightweight a cordless stick vacuum can be. That’s why shoppers say they love the Bissell 3061 Featherweight, whichone shopper saidthey prefer to a Dysonanda Shark because it’s “so lightweight” and thanks to the bending joints, “you can get under the bed and not have to practically lie on the floor like with most stick vacuums.” We tested this vacuum in the lab, and we have to say: We agree.

The Bissell 3061 excelled at removing hair from all surfaces during our tests, especially on medium and high-pile carpets. We could easily maneuver the vacuum under furniture, and the head swiveled smoothly to reach nooks and crannies. The only thing we’d change about this vacuum is its short battery life, which lasted for about 20 minutes, so we weren’t able to finish cleaning until we had plugged it in again.

Battery Life:20 minutes |Weight:5.8 pounds |Attachments:Removable hand vacuum, washable filter, tangle-free brush roll, crevice tool, upholstery tool, TurboBrush tool

PHOTO: People / Henry WortockPHOTO: People / Henry WortockPHOTO: People / Henry WortockPHOTO: People / Henry WortockPHOTO: People / Henry Wortock

A person using the BISSELL 3061 Featherweight Cordless Stick Vacuum on stairs with carpet.

The BISSELL 3061 Featherweight Cordless Stick Vacuum sitting on a chair charging.

A person vacuums a tile floor using the BISSELL 3061 Featherweight Cordless Stick Vacuum.

A person removes the handheld attachment of the BISSELL 3061 Featherweight Cordless Stick Vacuum.

The BISSELL 3061 Featherweight Cordless Stick Vacuum staged in a kitchen on a rug.

A person using the BISSELL 3061 Featherweight Cordless Stick Vacuum on stairs with carpet.

The BISSELL 3061 Featherweight Cordless Stick Vacuum sitting on a chair charging.

A person vacuums a tile floor using the BISSELL 3061 Featherweight Cordless Stick Vacuum.

A person removes the handheld attachment of the BISSELL 3061 Featherweight Cordless Stick Vacuum.

The BISSELL 3061 Featherweight Cordless Stick Vacuum staged in a kitchen on a rug.

Belife BVC11 Cordless VacuumAmazonBuy on AmazonStar QualitiesLong battery lifeGreat suction on all surfacesRed FlagsUpholstery brush gets tangled with hairWe’ve tested the Belife BVC11 vacuum multiple times in our labs and at home, and each time it continues to impress us with its strong suction power and long battery life. It did a great job sucking dirt and debris off a variety of flooring, including medium-pile carpets, hardwood, and grout.We were able to use the vacuum for 53 minutes on the regular suction setting before the battery died — one of the longest run times of any cordless vacuum we’ve tested. It also turns smoothly, is easy to maneuver, and comes with a helpful crevice tool to suck everything out of corners and in between seat cushions.Our one qualm with the vacuum is that the upholstery brush wasn’t very helpful because it kept getting tangled with hair, but the other attachment heads work exactly as advertised.Battery Life:53 minutes |Weight:5.3 pounds |Attachments:Crevice tool, upholstery brushPHOTO: People / Henry WortockPHOTO: People / Henry WortockPHOTO: People / Henry WortockPHOTO: People / Henry WortockPHOTO: People / Henry Wortock

Belife BVC11 Cordless Vacuum

Belife Cordless Vacuum Cleaner

Star QualitiesLong battery lifeGreat suction on all surfacesRed FlagsUpholstery brush gets tangled with hair

Star QualitiesLong battery lifeGreat suction on all surfaces

Long battery life

Great suction on all surfaces

Red FlagsUpholstery brush gets tangled with hair

Upholstery brush gets tangled with hair

We’ve tested the Belife BVC11 vacuum multiple times in our labs and at home, and each time it continues to impress us with its strong suction power and long battery life. It did a great job sucking dirt and debris off a variety of flooring, including medium-pile carpets, hardwood, and grout.

We were able to use the vacuum for 53 minutes on the regular suction setting before the battery died — one of the longest run times of any cordless vacuum we’ve tested. It also turns smoothly, is easy to maneuver, and comes with a helpful crevice tool to suck everything out of corners and in between seat cushions.

Our one qualm with the vacuum is that the upholstery brush wasn’t very helpful because it kept getting tangled with hair, but the other attachment heads work exactly as advertised.

Battery Life:53 minutes |Weight:5.3 pounds |Attachments:Crevice tool, upholstery brush

A close-up of the Belife V12 Cordless Vacuum Cleaner vacuuming cereal on carpeted stairs.

The Belife V12 Cordless Vacuum Cleaner being used to vacuum cereal off a wood floor.

The Belife V12 Cordless Vacuum Cleaner being used to vacuum around the legs of a chair.

A person uses the Belife V12 Cordless Vacuum Cleaner to clean a rug.

A person empties the waste canister of the Belife V12 Cordless Vacuum Cleaner.

A close-up of the Belife V12 Cordless Vacuum Cleaner vacuuming cereal on carpeted stairs.

The Belife V12 Cordless Vacuum Cleaner being used to vacuum cereal off a wood floor.

The Belife V12 Cordless Vacuum Cleaner being used to vacuum around the legs of a chair.

A person uses the Belife V12 Cordless Vacuum Cleaner to clean a rug.

A person empties the waste canister of the Belife V12 Cordless Vacuum Cleaner.

Black and Decker Powerseries Extreme Cordless VacuumAmazonBuy on AmazonStar QualitiesEasily picks up hair without tanglingOn-off switch allows you to use vacuum without holding trigger buttonRed FlagsDoesn’t come with as many extra extensions or headsWith nearly 1,200 five-star ratings at Amazon, the Black and Decker Powerseries Extreme is an impressive device with high-powered suction thatcustomers saycompares to more expensive Dyson models. We love that this vacuum has an on-off switch rather than Dyson’s pull trigger, which must be held down while vacuuming.We were able to easily maneuver this vacuum around chair legs, dodging every obstacle with ease on all surfaces. The vacuum worked best on carpet when set to the “low” and “medium” settings but worked best on “high” on thehardwood floorsin our tests. Where this vacuum really excelled was in picking up hair, both off hardwood and carpets, so we think this would be a great option for pet owners in particular.This vacuum doesn’t come with as many bells and whistles as some of the other cordless vacuums that we tested, but its multi-surface head works well on hardwood floors, carpets, and tile, so it’s still a versatile pick.How It’s Held UpThree additional months of testing proved that the Black and Decker Powerseries Extreme remains a reliable stick vacuum. On the lowest setting, we could stretch the battery to 55 minutes in between charges — an impressive feat for any cordless stick vacuum in this price range. While there was nothing particularly life-changing about this vacuum, it continued to perform well and feels like a solid and dependable choice at more than half the cost of a Dyson.Battery Life:55 minutes |Weight:10.43 pounds |Attachments:Removable battery, 3-in-1 multiway charge, wall mount, crevice attachment, washable filterPHOTO: People / Henry WortockPHOTO: People / Henry WortockPHOTO: People / Henry WortockPHOTO: People / Henry Wortock

Black and Decker Powerseries Extreme Cordless Vacuum

Black + Decker Powerseries Extreme Cordless Stick Vacuum

Star QualitiesEasily picks up hair without tanglingOn-off switch allows you to use vacuum without holding trigger buttonRed FlagsDoesn’t come with as many extra extensions or heads

Star QualitiesEasily picks up hair without tanglingOn-off switch allows you to use vacuum without holding trigger button

Easily picks up hair without tangling

On-off switch allows you to use vacuum without holding trigger button

Red FlagsDoesn’t come with as many extra extensions or heads

Doesn’t come with as many extra extensions or heads

With nearly 1,200 five-star ratings at Amazon, the Black and Decker Powerseries Extreme is an impressive device with high-powered suction thatcustomers saycompares to more expensive Dyson models. We love that this vacuum has an on-off switch rather than Dyson’s pull trigger, which must be held down while vacuuming.

We were able to easily maneuver this vacuum around chair legs, dodging every obstacle with ease on all surfaces. The vacuum worked best on carpet when set to the “low” and “medium” settings but worked best on “high” on thehardwood floorsin our tests. Where this vacuum really excelled was in picking up hair, both off hardwood and carpets, so we think this would be a great option for pet owners in particular.

This vacuum doesn’t come with as many bells and whistles as some of the other cordless vacuums that we tested, but its multi-surface head works well on hardwood floors, carpets, and tile, so it’s still a versatile pick.

How It’s Held UpThree additional months of testing proved that the Black and Decker Powerseries Extreme remains a reliable stick vacuum. On the lowest setting, we could stretch the battery to 55 minutes in between charges — an impressive feat for any cordless stick vacuum in this price range. While there was nothing particularly life-changing about this vacuum, it continued to perform well and feels like a solid and dependable choice at more than half the cost of a Dyson.

How It’s Held Up

Three additional months of testing proved that the Black and Decker Powerseries Extreme remains a reliable stick vacuum. On the lowest setting, we could stretch the battery to 55 minutes in between charges — an impressive feat for any cordless stick vacuum in this price range. While there was nothing particularly life-changing about this vacuum, it continued to perform well and feels like a solid and dependable choice at more than half the cost of a Dyson.

Battery Life:55 minutes |Weight:10.43 pounds |Attachments:Removable battery, 3-in-1 multiway charge, wall mount, crevice attachment, washable filter

PHOTO: People / Henry WortockPHOTO: People / Henry WortockPHOTO: People / Henry WortockPHOTO: People / Henry Wortock

BLACK+DECKER Powerseries Extreme Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner cleaning stairs

Hand using the BLACK+DECKER Powerseries Extreme Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner to clean a shelf

Person using the BLACK+DECKER Powerseries Extreme Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner to clean a hardwood floor

Close up of hands holding the handle of the BLACK+DECKER Powerseries Extreme Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner

BLACK+DECKER Powerseries Extreme Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner cleaning stairs

Hand using the BLACK+DECKER Powerseries Extreme Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner to clean a shelf

Person using the BLACK+DECKER Powerseries Extreme Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner to clean a hardwood floor

Close up of hands holding the handle of the BLACK+DECKER Powerseries Extreme Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner

Eureka Lightweight Cordless Vacuum

Eureka Lightweight Cordless Vacuum Cleaner

Star QualitiesEasy to carry up and down stairsAttachments make it easy to clean upholstery and furnitureEasy-to-empty dirt cupRed FlagsNot as effective on high-pile carpets

Star QualitiesEasy to carry up and down stairsAttachments make it easy to clean upholstery and furnitureEasy-to-empty dirt cup

Easy to carry up and down stairs

Attachments make it easy to clean upholstery and furniture

Easy-to-empty dirt cup

Red FlagsNot as effective on high-pile carpets

Not as effective on high-pile carpets

Small dust particles can be hard to see even in daylight, which means that dust is likely hiding where you can’t see it. That’s why we love the Eureka Lightweight Cordless Vacuum’s LED headlights, which illuminate dust we otherwise would’ve missed. With 3,300 five-star ratings at Amazon, it seems like customers agree that it’s a great vacuum.

Battery Life:30 minutes |Weight:7.15 pounds |Attachments:Removable battery, LED headlights, crevice tool, dusting brush, wall mount

PHOTO: People / Dera BurresonPHOTO: People / Dera BurresonPHOTO: People / Dera BurresonPHOTO: People / Dera BurresonPHOTO: People / Dera Burreson

A person using Eureka Lightweight Cordless Vacuum Cleaner to clean spills on grey carpet

A person using Eureka Lightweight Cordless Vacuum Cleaner to clean spills on grey carpet

Eureka Lightweight Cordless Vacuum Cleaner being tested by cleaning spills on sofa chair

Person testing the Eureka Lightweight Cordless Vacuum Cleaner by placing it on sofa chair

Eureka Lightweight Cordless Vacuum Cleaner kept near sofa

A person using Eureka Lightweight Cordless Vacuum Cleaner to clean spills on grey carpet

A person using Eureka Lightweight Cordless Vacuum Cleaner to clean spills on grey carpet

Eureka Lightweight Cordless Vacuum Cleaner being tested by cleaning spills on sofa chair

Person testing the Eureka Lightweight Cordless Vacuum Cleaner by placing it on sofa chair

Eureka Lightweight Cordless Vacuum Cleaner kept near sofa

Levoit VortexIQ 40 Cordless Stick VacuumAmazonBuy on AmazonStar QualitiesLightweight and maneuvers wellComes with several attachments to get into tight cornersIntelligent auto mode adjusts suction powerRed FlagsBattery runs down quickly at highest settingIf you’re looking for a top-notch vacuum that’s lightweight but can handle carpet and maneuver well, the Levoit Vortex IQ 40 Cordless Stick Vacuum is worth a look. This powerful vacuum is easy to use and features LED lights to see into dark spots and several attachments to get into tight corners. It also has a four-stage dual HEPA filtration system and an intelligent auto mode that allows the vacuum to automatically adjust the suction power based on how much debris is detected. The battery will run down quickly if used at the highest setting, but fortunately, the auto-adjust feature takes the guesswork out of which setting to use.While this vacuum is powerful enough to deep clean carpets, it’s just as effective on hard floors and can handle pet hair on any surface. You can also use the vacuum in handheld mode to clean furniture, window sills,car upholstery, and more. Although we haven’t yet tested this vacuum, it has an easy-to-empty dustbin, a mountable charging dock, and an accessory holder to keep the included attachments organized.Battery Life:40 minutes |Weight:6.6 pounds |Attachments:Crevice tool, brush tool, charging dockPHOTO: People / Dera BurresonPHOTO: People / Rachel MarekPHOTO: People / Rachel MarekPHOTO: People / Rachel MarekPHOTO: People / Dera Burreson

Levoit VortexIQ 40 Cordless Stick Vacuum

Levoit VortexIQ 40 Cordless Stick Vacuum

Star QualitiesLightweight and maneuvers wellComes with several attachments to get into tight cornersIntelligent auto mode adjusts suction powerRed FlagsBattery runs down quickly at highest setting

Star QualitiesLightweight and maneuvers wellComes with several attachments to get into tight cornersIntelligent auto mode adjusts suction power

Lightweight and maneuvers well

Comes with several attachments to get into tight corners

Intelligent auto mode adjusts suction power

Red FlagsBattery runs down quickly at highest setting

Battery runs down quickly at highest setting

If you’re looking for a top-notch vacuum that’s lightweight but can handle carpet and maneuver well, the Levoit Vortex IQ 40 Cordless Stick Vacuum is worth a look. This powerful vacuum is easy to use and features LED lights to see into dark spots and several attachments to get into tight corners. It also has a four-stage dual HEPA filtration system and an intelligent auto mode that allows the vacuum to automatically adjust the suction power based on how much debris is detected. The battery will run down quickly if used at the highest setting, but fortunately, the auto-adjust feature takes the guesswork out of which setting to use.

While this vacuum is powerful enough to deep clean carpets, it’s just as effective on hard floors and can handle pet hair on any surface. You can also use the vacuum in handheld mode to clean furniture, window sills,car upholstery, and more. Although we haven’t yet tested this vacuum, it has an easy-to-empty dustbin, a mountable charging dock, and an accessory holder to keep the included attachments organized.

Battery Life:40 minutes |Weight:6.6 pounds |Attachments:Crevice tool, brush tool, charging dock

PHOTO: People / Dera BurresonPHOTO: People / Rachel MarekPHOTO: People / Rachel MarekPHOTO: People / Rachel MarekPHOTO: People / Dera Burreson

Levoit VortexIQ 40 Cordless Stick Vacuum displayed against a green chair

Person vacuuming a wood floor with the Levoit VortexIQ 40 Cordless Stick Vacuum

Person vacuuming a shelf with the Levoit VortexIQ 40 Cordless Stick Vacuum

Person assembling the Levoit VortexIQ 40 Cordless Stick Vacuum

Levoit VortexIQ 40 Cordless Stick Vacuum displayed on a leather sofa

Levoit VortexIQ 40 Cordless Stick Vacuum displayed against a green chair

Person vacuuming a wood floor with the Levoit VortexIQ 40 Cordless Stick Vacuum

Person vacuuming a shelf with the Levoit VortexIQ 40 Cordless Stick Vacuum

Person assembling the Levoit VortexIQ 40 Cordless Stick Vacuum

Levoit VortexIQ 40 Cordless Stick Vacuum displayed on a leather sofa

Bissell 1984 Air Ram Cordless VacuumAmazonBuy on AmazonStar QualitiesWorks great on medium and high-pile carpetsLong battery lifeStrong suctionRed FlagsDoesn’t come with any attachmentsIf you thought that you needed an upright vacuum to tackle carpeted floors, think again. The Bissell 1984 Air Ram Cordless Vacuum easily sucks up large debris and microscopic dirt from carpet fibers. In our test, we found that the vacuum did a great job on both medium andhigh-pile carpets, and we didn’t need to pick it up to drag it effortlessly across different surfaces.The cordless vacuum also has a super long run time — nearly 45 minutes — and is quieter than some other vacuums we’ve tested. Emptying it is as easy as pressing a button to open the dustbin in the head of the vacuum.The vacuum comes with the standard head and nothing more, so if you’re looking for something with all the extra attachments, check out theBissell 3061 Featherweight.Battery Life:42 minutes |Weight:7.2 pounds |Attachments:NonePHOTO: People / Henry WortockPHOTO: People / Henry WortockPHOTO: People / Henry WortockPHOTO: People / Henry WortockPHOTO: People / Henry Wortock

Bissell 1984 Air Ram Cordless Vacuum

Bissell 1984 AirRam Cordless Vacuum

Star QualitiesWorks great on medium and high-pile carpetsLong battery lifeStrong suctionRed FlagsDoesn’t come with any attachments

Star QualitiesWorks great on medium and high-pile carpetsLong battery lifeStrong suction

Works great on medium and high-pile carpets

Strong suction

Red FlagsDoesn’t come with any attachments

Doesn’t come with any attachments

If you thought that you needed an upright vacuum to tackle carpeted floors, think again. The Bissell 1984 Air Ram Cordless Vacuum easily sucks up large debris and microscopic dirt from carpet fibers. In our test, we found that the vacuum did a great job on both medium andhigh-pile carpets, and we didn’t need to pick it up to drag it effortlessly across different surfaces.

The cordless vacuum also has a super long run time — nearly 45 minutes — and is quieter than some other vacuums we’ve tested. Emptying it is as easy as pressing a button to open the dustbin in the head of the vacuum.

The vacuum comes with the standard head and nothing more, so if you’re looking for something with all the extra attachments, check out theBissell 3061 Featherweight.

Battery Life:42 minutes |Weight:7.2 pounds |Attachments:None

A person vacuums food off a rug using the Bissell 1984 Air Ram Cordless Vacuum.

A person vacuums a rug using the Bissell 1984 Air Ram Cordless Vacuum.

A person vacuums a high pile rug using the Bissell 1984 Air Ram Cordless Vacuum.

A person vacuums carpeted stairs using the Bissell 1984 Air Ram Cordless Vacuum.

A person empties the filled canister from the Bissell 1984 Air Ram Cordless Vacuum into the trash.

A person vacuums food off a rug using the Bissell 1984 Air Ram Cordless Vacuum.

A person vacuums a rug using the Bissell 1984 Air Ram Cordless Vacuum.

A person vacuums a high pile rug using the Bissell 1984 Air Ram Cordless Vacuum.

A person vacuums carpeted stairs using the Bissell 1984 Air Ram Cordless Vacuum.

A person empties the filled canister from the Bissell 1984 Air Ram Cordless Vacuum into the trash.

Shark Wandvac Cordless Vacuum with Self-Empty Charging BaseAmazonBuy on AmazonStar QualitiesSelf-emptying charging base holds about 30 days of dustComes with a five-year warrantyEasy to maneuver across a variety of surfacesRed FlagsTook two tries to get this vacuum to work properlySmall dust canister needs to empty into the base oftenShark vacuumsare often compared to Dyson models, so it’s no surprise that the Wandvac ended up on our list. One of the coolest features that the Shark Wandvac Cordless Stick Vacuum offers is a self-emptying base, which automatically cleans out the vacuum’s dust bin into the larger base bin to avoid overfill — something that none of the Dyson models can do. The vacuum is lightweight and easy for us to maneuver in all of our testing across a variety of surfaces.Our first test run with the Shark Wandvac was less than perfect, but after giving the cordless vacuum a second chance, we were shockingly impressed with the results: no more tangles and no more spitting debris back out.The Shark Wandvac easily picked up large debris with one pass, and if you’re looking for avacuum that can handle pet hair, the pet hair brush made quick work of cleaning upholstery. The dustbin continued to fill up quickly and had less capacity than some of the other models we tested, but overall, the Shark Wandvac did a great job after a rocky first run.How It’s Held UpWe were even more impressed with the Shark Wandvac’s performance after two months of use at home. We particularly loved the self-emptying base, which held about six weeks' worth of dust and dirt from our daily vacuuming before we had to empty it. The battery lasted about 20 minutes on a single charge, which was more than we needed to clean a small apartment daily.Battery Life:15 minutes |Weight:2.1 pounds |Attachments:Removable battery, self-empty charging base, duster crevice tool, pet multi-toolPHOTO: People / Dera BurresonPHOTO: People / Dera BurresonPHOTO: People / Dera BurresonPHOTO: People / Dera BurresonPHOTO: People / Dera Burreson

Shark Wandvac Cordless Vacuum with Self-Empty Charging Base

Shark Wandvac Cordless Stick Vacuum with Self-Empty Charging Base

Star QualitiesSelf-emptying charging base holds about 30 days of dustComes with a five-year warrantyEasy to maneuver across a variety of surfacesRed FlagsTook two tries to get this vacuum to work properlySmall dust canister needs to empty into the base often

Star QualitiesSelf-emptying charging base holds about 30 days of dustComes with a five-year warrantyEasy to maneuver across a variety of surfaces

Self-emptying charging base holds about 30 days of dust

Comes with a five-year warranty

Easy to maneuver across a variety of surfaces

Red FlagsTook two tries to get this vacuum to work properlySmall dust canister needs to empty into the base often

Took two tries to get this vacuum to work properly

Small dust canister needs to empty into the base often

Shark vacuumsare often compared to Dyson models, so it’s no surprise that the Wandvac ended up on our list. One of the coolest features that the Shark Wandvac Cordless Stick Vacuum offers is a self-emptying base, which automatically cleans out the vacuum’s dust bin into the larger base bin to avoid overfill — something that none of the Dyson models can do. The vacuum is lightweight and easy for us to maneuver in all of our testing across a variety of surfaces.

Our first test run with the Shark Wandvac was less than perfect, but after giving the cordless vacuum a second chance, we were shockingly impressed with the results: no more tangles and no more spitting debris back out.

The Shark Wandvac easily picked up large debris with one pass, and if you’re looking for avacuum that can handle pet hair, the pet hair brush made quick work of cleaning upholstery. The dustbin continued to fill up quickly and had less capacity than some of the other models we tested, but overall, the Shark Wandvac did a great job after a rocky first run.

How It’s Held UpWe were even more impressed with the Shark Wandvac’s performance after two months of use at home. We particularly loved the self-emptying base, which held about six weeks' worth of dust and dirt from our daily vacuuming before we had to empty it. The battery lasted about 20 minutes on a single charge, which was more than we needed to clean a small apartment daily.

How It’s Held Up

We were even more impressed with the Shark Wandvac’s performance after two months of use at home. We particularly loved the self-emptying base, which held about six weeks' worth of dust and dirt from our daily vacuuming before we had to empty it. The battery lasted about 20 minutes on a single charge, which was more than we needed to clean a small apartment daily.

Battery Life:15 minutes |Weight:2.1 pounds |Attachments:Removable battery, self-empty charging base, duster crevice tool, pet multi-tool

Shark WS642AE Wandvac Cordless Stick Vacuum with Self-Empty Charging Base displayed against a living room wall

Person vacuuming an area rug with Shark WS642AE Wandvac Cordless Stick Vacuum with Self-Empty Charging Base

Person cleaning a chair with the handheld mode of the Shark WS642AE Wandvac Cordless Stick Vacuum with Self-Empty Charging Base

Person assembling the Shark WS642AE Wandvac Cordless Stick Vacuum with Self-Empty Charging Base

Closeup of the brush roll of a Shark WS642AE Wandvac Cordless Stick Vacuum with Self-Empty Charging Base

Shark WS642AE Wandvac Cordless Stick Vacuum with Self-Empty Charging Base displayed against a living room wall

Person vacuuming an area rug with Shark WS642AE Wandvac Cordless Stick Vacuum with Self-Empty Charging Base

Person cleaning a chair with the handheld mode of the Shark WS642AE Wandvac Cordless Stick Vacuum with Self-Empty Charging Base

Person assembling the Shark WS642AE Wandvac Cordless Stick Vacuum with Self-Empty Charging Base

Closeup of the brush roll of a Shark WS642AE Wandvac Cordless Stick Vacuum with Self-Empty Charging Base

Tineco Pure One S11 Cordless VacuumTinecoBuy on AmazonStar QualitiesPowerful and quietEasy to maneuverDust bin has a one-click emptying featureRed FlagsLower runtime than some of the other vacuums on this listIf you’ve been wanting a cordless vacuum that has a few more bells and whistles, this smart vacuum from Tineco may be just what you’re searching for. The Tineco Pure One S11 Cordless Vacuum Cleaner comes with an LED display that will let you know how much of a charge you have remaining on your battery, so you’ll never be left without power. You can even use the free companion app to check the vacuum’s stats on your phone. It also comes with a wall mount, so you can keep the vacuum and accessories accessible and charged in one place. And the 0.6-liter dust bin has an easy-to-use, one-click emptying system.While we haven’t tested this model yet, it’s described as quiet, lightweight, and powerful. The easy-to-maneuver vacuum has a lower runtime than some others on this list, but at least you’re warned how much time is left right on the display. If you’re looking for a convenient and powerful vacuum with a few handy smart features, this Tineco rivals its Dyson counterparts.Battery Life:40 minutes |Weight:5.8 pounds |Attachments:Mini brush, dust brush, crevice tool, hair tool, wall-mounted dockPHOTO: People / Rachel MarekPHOTO: People / Rachel MarekPHOTO: People / Henry WortockPHOTO: People / Henry WortockPHOTO: People / Henry Wortock

Tineco Pure One S11 Cordless Vacuum

Tineco

Tineco Pure ONE S11 Cordless Vacuum

Star QualitiesPowerful and quietEasy to maneuverDust bin has a one-click emptying featureRed FlagsLower runtime than some of the other vacuums on this list

Star QualitiesPowerful and quietEasy to maneuverDust bin has a one-click emptying feature

Powerful and quiet

Easy to maneuver

Dust bin has a one-click emptying feature

Red FlagsLower runtime than some of the other vacuums on this list

Lower runtime than some of the other vacuums on this list

If you’ve been wanting a cordless vacuum that has a few more bells and whistles, this smart vacuum from Tineco may be just what you’re searching for. The Tineco Pure One S11 Cordless Vacuum Cleaner comes with an LED display that will let you know how much of a charge you have remaining on your battery, so you’ll never be left without power. You can even use the free companion app to check the vacuum’s stats on your phone. It also comes with a wall mount, so you can keep the vacuum and accessories accessible and charged in one place. And the 0.6-liter dust bin has an easy-to-use, one-click emptying system.

While we haven’t tested this model yet, it’s described as quiet, lightweight, and powerful. The easy-to-maneuver vacuum has a lower runtime than some others on this list, but at least you’re warned how much time is left right on the display. If you’re looking for a convenient and powerful vacuum with a few handy smart features, this Tineco rivals its Dyson counterparts.

Battery Life:40 minutes |Weight:5.8 pounds |Attachments:Mini brush, dust brush, crevice tool, hair tool, wall-mounted dock

PHOTO: People / Rachel MarekPHOTO: People / Rachel MarekPHOTO: People / Henry WortockPHOTO: People / Henry WortockPHOTO: People / Henry Wortock

Tineco Pure One S11 Smart Stick/Handheld Vacuum sweeping up food on tiled floor

Tineco Pure One S11 Smart Stick/Handheld Vacuum sweeping up pet fur on a orange carpet

Person holding the Tineco Pure One S11 Smart Stick/Handheld Vacuum

Person attaching sweeper attachment to the Tineco Pure One S11 Smart Stick/Handheld Vacuum

Tineco Pure One S11 Smart Stick/Handheld Vacuum displayed against a white countertop and bar cart

Tineco Pure One S11 Smart Stick/Handheld Vacuum sweeping up food on tiled floor

Tineco Pure One S11 Smart Stick/Handheld Vacuum sweeping up pet fur on a orange carpet

Person holding the Tineco Pure One S11 Smart Stick/Handheld Vacuum

Person attaching sweeper attachment to the Tineco Pure One S11 Smart Stick/Handheld Vacuum

Tineco Pure One S11 Smart Stick/Handheld Vacuum displayed against a white countertop and bar cart

Shark Vertex IZ462H Vertex Cordless Stick VacuumAmazonBuy on AmazonStar QualitiesPowerful suction that’s comparable to an upright vacuumWorks well on all surfacesManeuvers well under furnitureHas LED headlightsRed FlagsDustbin is smallIf you’re looking for a powerful cordless vacuum to tackle pet fur and all your other household messes, the Shark IZ462H Vertex is a clear winner. The vacuum has a powerful suction that is effective on all types of floors and can run for 60 minutes on a charge (in standard mode).While we haven’t tested this model yet, we can see that there’s a lot to love about this vacuum. One especially noteworthy feature is the flexible wand that allows you to easily maneuver under tables, chairs, and sofas. It also has LED headlights, so you can easily see any hidden dust and debris. The nozzle is also detachable, so you can reach high places and out-of-the-way corners.We also appreciate the ability of this vacuum to stand on its own. Many cordless vacuums need to be attached to a mounting bracket or propped up somewhere out of the way. It comes with an easy-to-open dust bin, but we wish it was a bit larger to avoid the need for frequent cleanings.Battery Life:60 minutes |Weight:9.04 pounds |Attachments:Pet multi-tool, crevice toolPeople / Phoebe Cheong

Shark Vertex IZ462H Vertex Cordless Stick Vacuum

Shark IZ462H Vertex Ultra Lightweight Cordless Stick Vacuum with DuoClean PowerFins

Star QualitiesPowerful suction that’s comparable to an upright vacuumWorks well on all surfacesManeuvers well under furnitureHas LED headlightsRed FlagsDustbin is small

Star QualitiesPowerful suction that’s comparable to an upright vacuumWorks well on all surfacesManeuvers well under furnitureHas LED headlights

Powerful suction that’s comparable to an upright vacuum

Works well on all surfaces

Maneuvers well under furniture

Has LED headlights

Red FlagsDustbin is small

Dustbin is small

If you’re looking for a powerful cordless vacuum to tackle pet fur and all your other household messes, the Shark IZ462H Vertex is a clear winner. The vacuum has a powerful suction that is effective on all types of floors and can run for 60 minutes on a charge (in standard mode).

While we haven’t tested this model yet, we can see that there’s a lot to love about this vacuum. One especially noteworthy feature is the flexible wand that allows you to easily maneuver under tables, chairs, and sofas. It also has LED headlights, so you can easily see any hidden dust and debris. The nozzle is also detachable, so you can reach high places and out-of-the-way corners.

We also appreciate the ability of this vacuum to stand on its own. Many cordless vacuums need to be attached to a mounting bracket or propped up somewhere out of the way. It comes with an easy-to-open dust bin, but we wish it was a bit larger to avoid the need for frequent cleanings.

Battery Life:60 minutes |Weight:9.04 pounds |Attachments:Pet multi-tool, crevice tool

People / Phoebe Cheong

Person using Shark Vertex IZ462H Ultra Lightweight Cordless Stick Vacuum under a wood table on carpet

To find out which Amazon cordless vacuums were comparable to Dyson models, we spent countless hours testing the most popular models in our PEOPLE Tested lab and at home.

In the end, we compiled the best-performing vacuums in our tests with some of the most customer-loved vacuums at Amazon to deliver a list of the best cordless models that compare to more expensive Dyson vacuums.

A person vacuums a high pile rug using the Bissell 1984 Air Ram Cordless Vacuum.

Cai Crameris a shopping writer at PEOPLE, covering the best products across the beauty, fashion, health, and lifestyle spaces. For this story, Cai consulted the results of numerous vacuum tests in our PEOPLE Tested lab, which compared the battery life, suction power, and maneuverability of some of the best-selling cordless stick vacuums. Cai combined these testing results with insights from Amazon customer reviews of top-rated cordless stick vacuums to create a list of the best cordless vacuum Dyson alternatives.Christina Butan, a senior shopping editor at InStyle, also contributed to this article.

We created thePEOPLE Tested seal of approvalto help you find the very best products for your life. We use our unique methodology to test products in three labs across the country and with our network of home testers to determine their effectiveness, durability, ease of use, and so much more. Based on the results, we rate and recommend products so you can find the right one for your needs.

In short, PEOPLE Tested provides recommendations you can trust — every day, every purchase.

source: people.com