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We test all sizes and shapes of vacuum cleaners here at CNET. Of light Wireless alternatives To increasing progress Robot vacuumsWe’ve put hundreds of models in each category through their paces. Our cordless vacuum testing is performed at the CNET Testing Laboratory in Louisville, Kentucky. Each cordless vacuum undergoes a series of tests across different floor types, along with evaluations of features, battery life, and overall ease of use. Here’s how we do it.
How we test cordless vacuum cleaners at CNET
All vacuum cleaners on CNET’s best lists are tested and evaluated in our state-of-the-art testing laboratories. CNET Test Labs goes beyond product specifications to test in real-world conditions with real-life chaos. Over the years, our experts have tested 50 cordless vacuums and counting.
Below is a breakdown of how we measure Cordless stick vacuum performance.
We test vacuums on hardwood and two different types of carpet.
Wireless vacuum recording methodology
The main test we use on all vacuum cleaners is the straight line test across different floor types (hard floors, low pile carpets, medium pile carpets). Testing includes vacuuming at a standard suction level, along with calculations to make sure it’s fair for all models that pass through our lab.
Our process is closely aligned with the standard you set International Electrotechnical Commission. The goal of the straight line test is to measure the percentage of dirt that the vacuum cleaner can pick up. We use play sand and pet hair as our primary testing materials, along with a dust area adjuster to measure how much dust we spread on the floor.
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| Subtitle category | weight | What we are looking for | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| performance | 30% | Performance grade is derived from the average sand grade on hardwood floors, low-pile carpets and medium-pile carpets. | |||||
| Value/Price | 25% | Retail price classification taking into account all other features. Does this price seem fair for the value offered? | |||||
| Operating time | 20% | How long does the battery last when cleaning on the medium setting? (No ECO, Turbo, MAX, etc.) | |||||
| Features | 15% | Overall comfort and handling of the product (e.g., weight, ergonomic handle). | |||||
| UX (comfort and ease of use) | 10% | UX – all aspects of comfort. Does it have a good grip/handle? Is it heavy to operate/lift? How easy is setup? Does it come with smart home functionality? Smartphone app? Voice assistance? |
Honoring the outstanding
The Eureka ReactiSense 440 costs just $180 but offers the best performance we’ve seen in a cordless vacuum.
After running all the tests below, we give the best cordless vacuums an Editors’ Choice or Tester Award in the category in which they excel. Recently, Eureka Reaction 440 It received our lab award for best suction on carpet with 98.53% of sand captured from low-pile carpets and 92.16% from medium-pile carpets. It also earned our Editors’ Choice award for its unbeatable value as our best cordless vacuum. Likewise, the Dream Z30 He won not one, but two separate awards in the lab; It excels in multiple categories across our lab tests. It received our lab award for longest battery life at 110 minutes and highest suction rating on hardwood at 98.77%.
Inside CNET’s test labs: How we test cordless vacuums and why sand results matter
Our team of experts and engineers use play sand to mimic dirt and dust. Each vacuum is tested on low-pile carpet, medium-pile carpet, and a hard surface with play sand. This test reveals exactly how much physical debris the vacuum cleaner is able to pick up from the floor.
Pick up sand
Our device for distributing soil across the test bed.
Using the dust area adjuster (what we use to disperse sand or pet hair on the floor), we subtract one inch from the measured nozzle width to give the vacuum wide coverage and a chance to pick up all the debris on the carpet or hardwood. We use different nozzle widths and amounts of debris based on floor sample size and square footage.
During testing, we put controls in place to ensure that every vacuum undergoes the same test. For example, each vacuum is set to the same nozzle width, and we measure and place the same amount of debris every time.
We test low- and medium-pile carpets to see how well cordless vacuums can remove sand from them.
We perform at least three cleanings for each type of flooring. We rerun the test cycles if there is an obvious outlier between the three tests, such as one result that is significantly higher or lower in the capture ratio. We also perform separate cleaning tests using pet hair (obtained from a nearby groomer) on each type of surface, photographing and visually assessing how much pet hair, if any, remains after running the vacuum over it.
We weigh your trash before and after each round. From there, we can calculate the percentage of debris picked up per cleaning and the average amount of soil the vacuum is able to remove.
Pet hair
We measure an exact amount of pet hair to evaluate pick-up performance, but we use before-and-after photos to evaluate results rather than weighing the trash.
our Pet hair The test is the simplest. We use 2 grams of pet hair sourced from a local groomer, distribute it over each test bed, and take before and after photos for visual comparison.
For pet hair, we do not weigh the pet hair after testing; We use before and after photos of the cleaning process to subjectively evaluate the effectiveness of a cordless vacuum at picking up pet hair.
Cordless vacuum battery life and run time
We test battery life by running the vacuum on standard suction until it drains.
To test battery life, we fully charge the discharge battery, then run it on the medium setting until it drains, avoiding Max or Eco mode. We repeat the test three times and average the results. The longer it takes, the better the result. Most of the vacuums on our list have a battery life of 25 to 40 minutes before they need another charge, although many models are starting to offer higher-capacity batteries with run times of up to 60 minutes per charge.
Several vacuums we tested can do better, including the Shark Stratos (80 minutes) and Dreame Z30 (110 minutes). In fact, it’s rare to need more than 40 minutes for a single vacuuming session, and the proliferation of charging bases makes it easy to recharge between cleanings.
With a tested cleaning time of 110 minutes, the Dreame Z30 is a great choice for larger homes.
Most of the cordless vacuums we recommend now feature replaceable batteries, so you can purchase an extra battery if you need more run time or are concerned about battery deterioration over time.
Several of the graphs below illustrate the relationships we discovered in our study between battery life and suction, battery life and price, and battery life and weight. A Study recent laboratory data It revealed that most cordless vacuum cleaners with strong suction power also have a shorter battery life. However, you don’t need to spend a lot to get a high-performance vacuum cleaner.
Cordless Vacuum Cleaner Warranties
Using the Shark Stratos in the test lab on hardwood floors gave us great sand pickup results.
Cordless vacuum warranties vary by manufacturer and model, but the majority of models we tested offer at least a year of coverage, and many offer two years. The best warranty we’ve seen comes from SharkNinja, which offers a five-year limited warranty on its cordless vacuums. A longer warranty period is a good thing because it means your vacuum is covered if a part breaks or is defective.
Filters and air quality
Most cordless vacuum cleaners have a filter that prevents dust from returning to the room while vacuuming. Most of the best cordless vacuum cleaners come with replaceable HEPA filters (usually found in Air purifiers) which can filter particles as small as 0.3 microns, while cheaper models may have a more basic cloth filter. One recent innovation we’re seeing from SharkNinja is the incorporation of a hypoallergenic seal and anti-odor capsules that help prevent the vacuum and trash can from developing odors, although this requires odor release capsules which add an additional cost.
User experience (ease of use and comfort)
The Aero base station charges and self-empties the vacuum into a 3.5-liter dust bag.
Although this is not a primary factor, the ease and convenience of using a cordless vacuum and emptying its trash still plays a role. We consider this part of the overall user experience. We like cordless vacuums that can stand upright on their own and models equipped with charging docks or self-discharging features, as both reduce the amount of maintenance required. Strong bonus points go to the vacuum docking station that vacuums dust into it A bag instead of a bagless dust bin Because it means that dust is less likely to spread all over your freshly vacuumed floors when you empty them into the trash.
What about portable vacuum cleaners?
I got the vacuums in this test through retail purchases and manufacturer samples.
Most, if not all, of the cordless vacuums on this list can be broken down into handheld units, making them suitable for car or upholstery cleaning. However, we use a slightly different testing methodology for portable vacuums, so we recommend checking out our recently updated list of portable vacuums Best portable vacuum cleaners See our recommendations for use cases ranging from cleaning cars to pet hair. Additionally, many handheld vacuums weigh less than 1.2 pounds, which puts them in a different weight class than these cordless vacuums.
Other features
The Shark Stratos has a useful LED headlight to help it find dust.
With the emergence of new cordless vacuum models, we are seeing the ability to detect dirt types and floor types and adjust suction power accordingly. “This means that when a large amount of dirt is detected, the suction increases, and when there is less dirt, the suction decreases,” says a CNET lab engineer. John Mark Tshombe. The latest vacuum technology can sense floor type and adjust suction power accordingly, says Chumbe, who has been testing home technology products at CNET Labs for eight years. “The main benefit of this feature is increased battery efficiency, resulting in a more effective and longer-lasting cleaning experience.”
Consumers shopping for vacuum cleaners today should consider the cost-to-value ratio, Tshombe says. “Ask yourself, does the price justify the performance, features and convenience it offers?” CNET writers and editors use price and value in our work Vacuum scoring Precisely for this reason.
Cordless vacuum weight, size and box capacity
PencilVac rollers are designed to release hair to avoid tangling.
most Cordless vacuums We tested between 4 and 8 pounds. When a vacuum weighs 10 pounds or more, we consider it unwieldy. Most of the vacuums on this list were very similar in height and overall size. It also comes with attachments and detachable attachments to give you flexible cleaning options. For example, a popular tool is the crevice tool that allows you to fit the vacuum nozzle into tight spaces and corners that a larger brush head can’t reach.
As for bin size, we consider anything 0.6 liters or larger to be fine. In general, anything less than 0.5 liters will require you to empty it after each cleaning session. The larger trash can means you can go longer without emptying it. However, if your cordless vacuum has a self-discharging charging base, it can often store dust and debris for 30 days or more, reducing the amount of dust you encounter when vacuuming.