BISSELL® cordless vacuums are perfect for quick pickups of everyday dirt and debris on hard floors and area rugs. Our stick vacs are lightweight and easy to maneuver throughout your home. That said, there are plenty of other perfectly capable cordless vacuums that we can recommend, too. To find them, we’ve spent countless hours testing the top models from brands like Shark, Bissell, Dyson, Tineco, Eureka and Samsung at the CNET Home product testing lab in Louisville, Kentucky. Specifically, we run a rigorous slate of tests to determine each cleaner’s capabilities when it comes to picking up a variety of messes on a variety of different floor types.
This corded upright has a tangle-free brush roll and a hair spooling system in the dust cup that makes pet (and human) hair pickup — and the inevitable cleaning of the vacuum after — a breeze. It comes with three attachments, and two are specifically for tackling more pet hair messes. The sealed filtration system keeps allergens trapped inside the vacuum, which means less sniffling and sneezing. Our experts appreciate that the dust cup can be removed with the push of one button, and Febreze odor technology in the filter prevents pet odors from building in the device. It also automatically adjusts the height of the brush roll to go from carpets to bare floors and area rugs seamlessly.
All of the cordless vacuums we tested were between 4 and 7 pounds, but none was so heavy that it affected our recommendation. All of the vacuums on this list were also very similar in height and overall size. The Dyson models are both roughly 49 inches, while the Tineco A11 is shorter at just 43 inches tall. To simulate small particle size, we use a mix of play sand and landscaping sand.
As the company’s flagship cordless vacuum, it’s as expensive as you might expect, retailing at $ but, like its predecessor the V11, the V15 ripped through our suite of vacuum cleaner tests with ruthless competence. Sometimes big messes are unavoidable, and when you need a serious machine for larger-than-average bissell cordless vacuum areas, this vacuum cleaner will do the trick. With a 40-foot cleaning radius and a 2-liter dust cup, the SmartClean Canister Vacuum is made for big jobs. Not only will it stretch to the farthest corners of each room, but it can cover any surface you need with its automatic floor type recognition.
The Dyson and Tineco models all have bin volumes of about 0.6 liter, which is fairly common across the category. Our alternate budget pick, the Moosoo XL-618, has double that capacity (1.3 liters) so you’ll need to empty the bin less often. The circuit board inside the vacuum’s battery pack can overheat and smoke, posing a fire hazard. As with all our reviews the Bissell ICONpet has been tested first-hand in our home, using it just as you would so you know exactly what you are buying. With your purchase of BISSELL products, BISSELL Pet Foundation helps bring furry family members home.
Large wheels on the canister make the vacuum easy to pull along as you clean, too. Credit to Dyson for pioneering the cordless vacuum category with a series of capable — yet pricey — Cyclone V series stick vacs. Many years and many models later, Dyson remains a fixture of the category in 2023, but it’s not quite as dominant in our cleaning tests as it was five or 10 years ago.
With that being said, this vacuum is seriously convenient for more than just floors. Leftover popcorn from movie night found its way into the couch? If you’re like me and appreciate versatility, consider the ICONpet your new must-have – you can use this gadget on more than just floors. It’s also worth noting that Bissell started the Bissell Pet Foundation to assist animal welfare organizations.
While it didn’t live up to my expectations on the carpet, this cordless vacuum is perfect for hardwood and area rugs. The Bissell AirRam scores great in the convenience category with a weight of less than eight pounds. It also boasts 40 minutes of battery life, and has a collapsible handle for easy storage. This cordless vacuum even has LED headlights to illuminate any dirt or debris on the floor, and can be angled to pick up dirt in nearly any corner. Interestingly, that shortlist of perfect-rated cleaners includes two of our value picks, the Shark Rocket Pet Pro and the Moosoo XL-618. Neither one was a standout with sand (in fact, the Moosoo model was among the worst in those tests), but with larger crumbs at least, both are perfectly capable.
As you move towards the higher-end Bissell vacuums, you may want to weigh your options against companies like Dyson or Miele to make sure you’re getting the most for your money. But if you’re looking for a reliable vacuum at an affordable price point, Bissell is the perfect option for you. As the name indicates, pet hair is where the ICONPet Pro shines. It’s specifically designed to pick up pet hair and keep it inside the vacuum with their SmartSeal Allergen System.