Cordless stick vacuums

How to choose a cordless stick vacuum

The charm of a stick vacuum is that it is always within reach: no cord, no bag, no hose. But for a quick clean to be a real clean, it pays to compare a few figures before you buy.

• Runtime and battery. 40–60 minutes in normal mode covers a two- or three-room flat; turbo mode drains the battery in 10–15 minutes. A swappable battery extends both runtime and the machine's life.
• Suction power. Look at suction, not watts: 15–20 kPa is enough for parquet and laminate, 25 kPa and above pulls sand and pet hair out of carpets.
• Weight and balance. A 2.5–3.5 kg machine is comfortable to lift to the ceiling and on top of wardrobes; a centre of gravity at the handle tires your arm less than a motor at the floor.
• Washing function. Wet-and-dry models (Bissell CrossWave, Jimmy HW9 and PW11, Tefal X-force Flex Aqua, Philips Aqua) vacuum and wash the floor at the same time — on hard floors this replaces the mop entirely.
• Filters and dust bin. A HEPA filter keeps fine dust and allergens inside the machine; a 0.5–0.8 l bin needs emptying after each clean, and a washable filter saves money.
• Attachments. A motorised floor head with LED lights shows the dust, a soft roller suits parquet, a mini turbo brush handles pet hair, crevice and upholstery tools cover the car and the sofa.

Vacuums in our range

Cordless 2-in-1 stick vacuums are the core of the range — Philips, Bosch Readyy'y, Tefal X-force, Jimmy H series, Xiaomi, ETA, Cecotec Conga Rockstar, Gorenje — with a detachable handheld for floors and the car alike. Wet-and-dry washing vacuums Bissell CrossWave, Jimmy HW and PW, Tefal Aqua and Philips Aqua pick up debris and wash tiles in a single pass. Handheld vacuums by Black & Decker Dustbuster, Bosch, Tristar and Adler are light and handy for crumbs on the table, stairs and car seats. Pet owners will like Bissell FurFinder and Cecotec Pet models, whose brush roll does not tangle hair.

Brands

Philips and Bosch are the classics of quiet running and long battery life. Tefal X-force vacuums with a flexible tube reach under the sofa and bed without bending. Bissell is the washing-vacuum specialist, Jimmy and Xiaomi deliver strong suction at a sensible price, Black & Decker makes dependable handhelds, and ETA and Cecotec are among the best value for money and accessories included.

Related products

Daily floor cleaning can be left to a robot vacuum, a corded vacuum cleaner suits the deep clean of a large flat or house, and carpet and upholstery cleaners wash sofas and rugs. Filters, brush rolls and batteries are in vacuum accessories; the full selection is in home cleaning.

Frequently asked questions

Does a cordless vacuum replace a conventional one? In a flat and on hard floors, yes. In a large house with thick carpets, keep a corded vacuum for the big clean.

How long does the battery last? 30–60 minutes in normal mode depending on the model, 8–15 minutes in turbo. A full charge of a lithium battery takes 3–5 hours.

Is a washing model suitable for parquet? Yes, if the parquet is lacquered or oiled and the water flow is adjustable. Laminate and tiles are ideal for a washing vacuum.

What is a HEPA filter and do I need one? HEPA captures 99.9% of fine dust and pollen. For allergy sufferers and homes with pets it is definitely worth having.

Can I buy a spare battery later? On most Jimmy, Bissell, Bosch and Black & Decker models the battery is removable and a spare is available among the accessories.