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Its time to upgrade your clunky old corded vacuum.

The Kenmore DS4030 Cordless Stick Vacuum with EasyReach Wand cleaning a rug in a living room

Photo:Real Simple

But its important to understand how and where to best use them so you get the best results.

TheBlack+Decker Powerseries Cordless Stick Vac.

For most households and everyday cleaning, its all you gotta get the job done.

Black+Decker Powerseries Cordless Stick Vac

PHOTO: Walmart

And at just under $100, it balances cost and functionality best.

Dust bin is somewhat difficult to detach and reattach.

We love just about everything about this vacuum.

The Black + Decker Powerseries Cordless Stick Vac BHFEA420J on a wooden floor before and after cleaning crumbs

PHOTO: Real Simple

Plus, its easy to maneuver under low-profile bed frames since it can lay completely flat.

The vacuum has to be leaned against something since it cant stand on its own.

With its EasyReach wand feature, it was really easy to clean under furniture too.

A hand using the Black + Decker Powerseries Cordless Stick Vac BHFEA420J under furniture

Our tester vacuums their whole 2 bed, 2 bath apartment without the vacuum dying.

For this reason, we think it might not be best for those with lots of carpeting.

It was much quieter than we expected thoughwe could easily vacuum without disrupting conversations.

The Black + Decker Powerseries Cordless Stick Vac BHFEA420J posed in the corner of a room by a window

One thing would change is its ability to stand straight up.

Its top heavy, so it needs to be leaned against something when youre not using it.

Also, keep in mind that it takes about four hours to go from dead to 100% charged.

The Black + Decker Powerseries Cordless Stick Vac BHFEA420J cleaning a rug

Right out of the box, the Tineco Pure One S11 Smart Stick and Handheld Vacuum stood out.

It was easy to set upin fact, unwrapping the attachments was the hardest part.

The best part was that this mid-cost-range wonder performed better than many higher-priced models.

A hand holding the dirt canister of the Black + Decker Powerseries Cordless Stick Vac BHFEA420J by the device over a wooden background

It had powerful suction that picked up even annoying food debris.

It is also very quiet for how much cleaning power it has.

Plus, an included smart sensor automatically adjusts for maximum efficiency and even better battery life.

A close-up of the bottom of the Black + Decker Powerseries Cordless Stick Vac BHFEA420J

The battery also detaches, so you might have a second one on hand for continuous cleaning.

The only con was that, like with other cordless vacuums, long hairs wrapped around the roller bar.

The long nozzle can jam with debris during use.

The Black + Decker Powerseries Cordless Stick Vac BHFEA420J on a wooden floor before and after cleaning crumbs

We loved how well-suited it was for a variety of household tasks.

And when its time to empty the dustbin, just press a single button for hands-free emptying.

What really blew us away was the 90-minute run time when the vacuum is on eco-mode.

A hand using the Black + Decker Powerseries Cordless Stick Vac BHFEA420J under furniture

And a detachable battery means we could use one while the secondary battery charged for non-stop cleaning.

But overall, that was a small annoyance that was far outweighed by the positives.

The on/off button may be a turnoff for people who prefer a trigger.

The Black + Decker Powerseries Cordless Stick Vac BHFEA420J posed in the corner of a room by a window

This made it easier to aim for and suck up every last bit of debris.

For a mid-range cordless vacuum, theTineco Pure One S11 Smart Stick/Handheld Vacuumcomes with great value for the price.

And for those ready to splurge, theDyson Gen5detectis our top-dollar choice.

The Black + Decker Powerseries Cordless Stick Vac BHFEA420J cleaning a rug

We clocked how much time it took to assemble each out of the box, including charging time.

While we cleaned, we noted how easy each vacuum was to maneuver and move around.

Finally, we looked at price to determine which offered the best overall value in its price range.

A hand holding the dirt canister of the Black + Decker Powerseries Cordless Stick Vac BHFEA420J by the device over a wooden background

Most models offer battery life between 20 and 60 minutes, depending on the power setting you use.

While cordless vacuums usually have less power than corded models, recent technology advancements have closed the gap.

Compatibility

Cordless vacuums may come with avariety of attachmentsand features.

A close-up of the bottom of the Black + Decker Powerseries Cordless Stick Vac BHFEA420J

Also think about the substances youll most frequently clean up.

For homes with pets, cordless vacuums with specialized pet hair attachments and anti-tangle technology are a must.

Likewise, attachments like crevice tools, soft brushes, and extension wands can extend your new vacuums versatility.

Kenmore DS4030 Cordless Stick Vacuum with EasyReach Wand

PHOTO: Amazon

Questions You Might Ask

Are cordless vacuums as good as corded vacuums?

If cords have you all wrapped up, youre not alone.

Even the pros struggle with them.

The Kenmore DS4030 Cordless Stick Vacuum with EasyReach Wand before and after cleaning rice off of a wooden floor

PHOTO: Real Simple

Cords tend to make our cleaning technicians' jobs a bit more laborious, says Gomasi.

That said, cordless vacuums arent as powerful or long-lasting as traditional models.

Corded vacuums tend to create much stronger suction for a more effective clean.

A person cleaning under their bed with the Kenmore DS4030 Cordless Stick Vacuum with EasyReach Wand

Is a higher voltage better for cordless vacuums?

If youre looking to clean a larger space, then its worth considering a vacuum with a higher voltage.

Just keep in mind that a higher voltage cordless vacuum will need to take longer to charge.

A hand using the Kenmore DS4030 Cordless Stick Vacuum on a couch

If this is a concern for you, he suggests looking for a cordless vacuum with removable batteries.

How long do cordless vacuums last?

The cordless nature of cordless vacuums is their biggest perkand biggest downside.

A finger pointing to a button on the Kenmore DS4030 Cordless Stick Vacuum with EasyReach Wand

Many cordless vacuums allow you to choose a precise suction strength according to each task.

High suction power can put a significant strain on your vacuum cleaner, in turn shortening its life.

A close-up of the dirt canister on the Kenmore DS4030 Cordless Stick Vacuum with EasyReach Wand

A close-up of the bottom of the Kenmore DS4030 Cordless Stick Vacuum with EasyReach Wand

The Kenmore DS4030 Cordless Stick Vacuum with EasyReach Wand before and after cleaning rice off of a wooden floor

A person cleaning under their bed with the Kenmore DS4030 Cordless Stick Vacuum with EasyReach Wand

A hand using the Kenmore DS4030 Cordless Stick Vacuum on a couch

A finger pointing to a button on the Kenmore DS4030 Cordless Stick Vacuum with EasyReach Wand

A close-up of the dirt canister on the Kenmore DS4030 Cordless Stick Vacuum with EasyReach Wand

A close-up of the bottom of the Kenmore DS4030 Cordless Stick Vacuum with EasyReach Wand

Tineco Pure One S11 Smart Stick/Handheld Vacuum

PHOTO: Tineco

The Tineco Pure One S11 Vacuum before and after cleaning a mess on a rug

PHOTO: Real Simple

close-up of two hands holding the handle of the Tineco Pure One S11 Vacuum

A person emptying dirt into a trash can from the Tineco Pure One S11 Vacuum

Hand holding a sound level meter next to the Tineco Pure One S11 Smart Stick/Handheld Vacuum in the other hand

A close-up of a hand putting a plug into the Tineco Pure One S11 Vacuum

A person after cleaning a wooden surface with the Tineco Pure One S11 Vacuum

The Tineco Pure One S11 Vacuum before and after cleaning a mess on a rug

close-up of two hands holding the handle of the Tineco Pure One S11 Vacuum

A person emptying dirt into a trash can from the Tineco Pure One S11 Vacuum

Hand holding a sound level meter next to the Tineco Pure One S11 Smart Stick/Handheld Vacuum in the other hand

A close-up of a hand putting a plug into the Tineco Pure One S11 Vacuum

A person after cleaning a wooden surface with the Tineco Pure One S11 Vacuum

Dreametech R20 Cordless Vacuum Cleaner

PHOTO: Amazon

Amazon Dyson Gen5detect Vacuum

PHOTO: Amazon

A person before and after using the Dyson Gen5detect on a wooden platform floor

PHOTO: Real Simple

Steps before and after being cleaned with the Dyson Gen5detect Cordless HEPA Vacuum

A close-up of a Dyson Gen5detect

A person emptying the Dyson Gen5detect Cordless Vacuum into a trashcan

A person vacuuming stairs with the Dyson Gen5detect Cordless Vacuum

A hand using the Dyson Gen5detect Cordless HEPA Vacuum on a step

A person before and after using the Dyson Gen5detect on a wooden platform floor

Steps before and after being cleaned with the Dyson Gen5detect Cordless HEPA Vacuum

A close-up of a Dyson Gen5detect

A person emptying the Dyson Gen5detect Cordless Vacuum into a trashcan

A person vacuuming stairs with the Dyson Gen5detect Cordless Vacuum

A hand using the Dyson Gen5detect Cordless HEPA Vacuum on a step

A person after cleaning a wooden surface with the Tineco Pure One S11 Vacuum

It only took 45 seconds for the Tineco Pure One S11 Vacuum to clear all debris in testing.Real Simple

A person emptying the Dyson Gen5detect Cordless HEPA Vacuum into a trashcan

Real Simple

A person vacuuming stairs with the Dyson Gen5detect Cordless Vacuum

Real Simple