Tired of tangled cords? These cordless vacuums make cleaning a breeze

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Today’s cordless vacuums have better motors, batteries and larger dustbins.Amazon; TinecoThere are tons of vacuums on the market at any given time. If you’re looking to make a swap or upgrade an old model, it can be confusing to know where to start since every type and brand has their own benefits and drawbacks. Upright vacuums are helpful if you’re dealing with large messes, and robot vacuums are great for cleaning your space when you’re away, while cordless vacuums can improve your daily cleaning routine since they’re so easy to use. They’re lightweight — often a lot quieter than upright models — and you don’t have to worry about a tangled cord slowing down your day.

Cordless vacuums range widely in size, style and price, with many seemingly identical models, so it helps to know what to look for in a good model. That’s why I spoke with cleaning experts to get their recommendations and understand the pros and cons of cordless vacuums. Plus, I share some NBC Selected staff-favorite options to shop for.

Best overallShark Rocket Pet Plus$299.99$349.99AmazonLearn moreBest budgetLevoit LVAC-200$undefined$199.99AmazonLearn moreBest premiumDyson V11 Cordless Stick Vacuum$undefined$659.99AmazonLearn moreBest handheldBlack+Decker Dustbuster Advanced Clean$49.99$59.99AmazonLearn moreBest wet and dryBissell CrossWave OmniForce Multi-Surface$154.95$279.99AmazonLearn moreSee 2 MoreRelatedselectedselectedHow to clean hardwood floors without warping or damaging them, according to expertsWant more from NBC Selected? Sign up for our newsletter, The Selection, and shop smarter.

Most of these top picks are expert or staff-recommended models from popular brands like Dyson, Shark and Black+Decker. Specs like run time and dustbin capacity are also below each recommendation

18,587 Amazon Reviews$299.99$349.99AmazonNow 14% off$274.00$324.00Best BuyNow 15% offWhat to knowType: multi | Run time: up to 40 minutes | Dustbin capacity: 0.5 L | Weight: 7.2 lbsWhat we likeFlexible wandFolds for compact storingSomething to noteSmaller bin sizeThis vacuum has a flexible design that makes everyday cleaning easier. It comes with three attachments: a crevice tool for cleaning between upholstered furniture and around window frames, shelves and move, an upholstery attachment for debris like pet hair and a dusting brush to help clean up dust and reduce allergens (thanks to the HEPA filter). The dusting brush can hinge and bend in the center, which makes vacuuming under furniture and in corners more achievable.

Like our other favorites on this list, it has a solid run time and you can convert it into a smaller handheld vacuum when needed.

3,694 Amazon Reviews$179.00AmazonWhat to knowType: multi | Run time: up to 40 minutes | Dustbin capacity: 0.6 L | Weight: 5.73 lbsWhat we likeGreat suction and filtrationInformative LED panelDetachable battery packSomething to noteSome trouble on thick carpetsThis is one of the best vacuums on the market, according to Kadi Dulude, owner of home cleaning services company Wizard of Homes, and NBC Selected reporter Zoe Malin. Malin has used it for years to clean every spot of her New York City apartment — hardwood flooring, bathroom tile, carpets, furniture, you name it.

It has strong suction and automatically adjusts its speed depending on the dust it senses on the floor. It also has headlights that reveal hidden dirt, making it easier to get a deep clean, says Malin. The 40-minute runtime is enough to clean Malin’s entire apartment or spot clean throughout the week. Like most competitors on this list, it converts into a handheld vacuum and comes with a wall mount.

$199.99AmazonWhat to knowType: multi | Run time: up to 50 minutes | Dustbin capacity: 0.75 L | Weight: 6.2 lbsWhat we likeCompetitive priceLightweightLong run timeSomething to noteNot the best for carpetsLevoit is better known for its air purifiers, but this vacuum checks a lot of boxes without costing hundreds of dollars. It is lightweight, powerful, convertible, and even comes with headlights on the main cleaning attachments. Plus it has a run time of up to 50 minutes — cordless vacuums at this price point usually get under 30 minutes.

The vacuum has a pre-motor filter that should be replaced every three months, according to the brand.

$349.99AmazonWhat to knowType: multi | Run Time: 50 min | Dustbin capacity: 0.79 qt. | Weight: 7 lbsWhat we likeGreat for pet hairComes with attachmentsHas a HEPA filterSomething to notePriceyThe Shark PowerPro Plus cordless vacuum is a highly-rated option we often include in our roundups for vacuum sales during major sale events like Amazon Prime Day and Black Friday. It has a runtime of almost an hour, built-in LED lights to show dust particles and debris and a crevice tool for cleaning between furniture and around window and door frames. It also has a brushroll for tacklingpet hair according to the brand. Plus, people who bought the vacuum say that it has strong suction and runs quietly compared to other Shark models.

$659.99Amazon$629.99Chewy$629.99Dillard'sWhat to knowType: multi | Run time: 60 min. | Dustbin capacity: 0.75 L | Weight: 6.6 lbsWhat we likeWeighs less than 7 poundsComes with pet hair attachment1-hour run timeSomething to notePriceyThe Dyson V11 comes with a powerful motobar cleaning head that sucks up dust and other particles, including pet hair without getting tangled, according to the brand. You’ll also get attachments for: a hair screw, a combination tool and a crevice tool. You can use it to clean all floor types, like hardwood, laminate, tile, carpet and more, plus, the included attachments are great for cleaning upholstered furniture, baseboards and walls and other areas. It also has an LCD screen that shows you how much battery is left and what mode it’s on, of which it has three (auto, eco and boost).

$99.99Target$69.99WayfairWhat to knowType: multi | Run time: up to 12 minutes | Dustbin capacity: o.4 L | Weight: 5 lbsWhat we likeLow priceLightweight and portableSomething to noteSmall bin sizeShort run timeIf you need a vacuum under $100, Turley recommends this Dirt Devil — it’s affordable, lightweight and powerful. Part of that versatility is in the design: you can adjust it between upright, handheld and stick setups. It has a short battery life and small bin size compared to other options on our list — so it’s best for cleaning smaller spaces.

$49.99$59.99AmazonNow 17% off$49.99$59.99TargetNow 17% off$59.99$118.12WalmartNow 49% offWhat to knowType: handheld | Run time: up to 10 minutes | Dustbin capacity: 0.6 L | Weight: 2.6 lbsWhat we likeSmall and portableExtending crevice toolWashable filterSomething to noteSo-so suction powerShort run timeThis is the smallest and most portable vacuum on our list and one of our favorite handheld vacuums. It comes with a crevice tool and a slim nozzle that can rotate 180 degrees. Both attachments are great for cleaning behind appliances or under hard-to-reach places, such as under furniture or on top of a shelf. Its portability also makes it good for cleaning places outside your home, like a car or shed.

$79.97$99.99AmazonNow 20% off$79.99Chewy$79.99$99.99Lowe'sNow 20% offWhat to knowType: handheld | Run time: up to 25 minutes | Dustbin capacity: 0.70 L | Weight: 4.2 lbsWhat we likeEasily picks up pet hairSmall and portableDecent capacity for its sizeSomething to noteNothing at this timeThis handheld cordless vacuum has anti-tangle rubber bristles that easily pick up pet hairs without becoming tangled. It has two speeds, plus a boost button that increases suction to help clean tough messes. It includes a crevice tool which is suited for cleaning in between furniture and appliances or even upholstered seats and chairs.

$154.95$279.99AmazonNow 45% off$329.99$399.99WayfairNow 18% off$329.99Best BuyWhat to knowType: stick, vacuum & mop | Run time: up to 30 minutes | Dustbin capacity: 0.82 L | Weight: 10.6 lbsWhat we likeVacuum and mop with one toolGood runtime for the featuresSomething to noteA little heavyOur experts recommend the Bissell Crosswave for anyone looking to vacuum and mop with just one tool. It has two water tanks, one for fresh water with a cleaning solution and one that stores dirty water and debris. The main roller has LED lights on the front to better illuminate your path as you clean. When you are finished cleaning, it automatically self-cleans the brush roll and the inside of the canister so it’s fresh for the next use, according to the brand.

Keep in mind that it is larger and heavier than most options on our list.

selectedselectedAllergies acting up? You may need a humidifier. How I picked the best cordless vacuumsIf you are shopping for a new vacuum, experts I spoke with recommend keeping the following tips in mind:

There are various kinds of vacuums on the market, but most are sorted into six types: upright, canister, stick, cordless, handheld and robot. Our experts love cordless vacuums because they are:

Our experts admit there are some downsides to cordless vacuums. If you are considering a new one, be aware of these limitations:

At NBC Selected, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.

Harry Rabinowitz is a former reporter at NBC Selected who covered technology including guides to smartwatches, air purifiers and over-ear headphones. For this article, he spoke with cleaning experts to learn more about the complexities of cordless vacuums. He combined their recommendations with that of NBC Selected staff to select the best cordless vacuums on the market.

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Harry RabinowitzHarry Rabinowitz is a former reporter for NBC Selected, where he is constantly trying and reviewing the latest and greatest tech gadgets.