What makes a stick vacuum one of the best cordless vacuums in Australia? Well, it should be powerful enough to clean your floors without leaving hints of dust behind, be versatile enough to clean not just floors but also ceiling corners and upholstery, as well as last long enough to get the entire home cleaned on a single charge. Importantly, you won't have worry about getting tangled up in a power cord or constantly keep switching between outlets.
The best stick vacuums no longer compromise on suction either – case in point: the latest Dyson V16 Piston Animal takes the suction power to the max with 315 AW. That's super powerful.
November 2025: With new Dyson models now available, I have new listing for the best Dyson cordless vacuum cleaner. And the good news: it's not too expensive either – something to keep a lookout for during Black Friday 2025 sales in Australia.
Sharmishta has spent the last eight years testing vacuum cleaners of all shapes and sizes – Dyson, Shark, Ecovacs and other brands in between. She's fascinated by how far robot vacuums have come in the last few years, but is always on the lookout for a lightweight cordless vacuum that gets into the tight spaces of her flat.
The best stick vacuum for most homes
✅ You want power without spending big: It's the most powerful Shark yet and runs longer too, and yet it doesn't cost as much as some of its competition.
✅ You'd like an auto-empty base: Without the need to buy replacement dust bags, this is arguably the most cost-effective auto-empty system.
❌ You want a compact and lightweight vacuum: It's relatively heavy and can be tall for some users. If that's the case, consider the Shark Cordless Detect Pro instead.
❌ You don't want to spend too much: The best Shark is also pricey, although it is often discounted. But the Cordless Detect Pro might just suit your budget better.
The PowerDetect Pro takes over from the Cordless Detect Pro, adding more suction power and bidirectional suction to the mix. It's also got a bigger onboard bin and runs for up to 70 minutes on a single charge, making it the better cordless vacuum and arguably the best Shark yet.
And despite its justifiably higher price, I think it's really good value, particularly since it's still under a grand at full price but is often discounted (typically cheaper on Amazon than on Shark's own online store). And while the auto-empty dock is optional, I'm recommending the model that comes with it as that reduces the amount of work you need to do and, given it all gets collected in a washable box, there are no ongoing costs for dust bags either.
The PowerDetect Pro is also a clever vacuum that can sense its environment and auto-adjust accordingly for a clean that's effective as well as battery-efficient. So it knows what type of floor it's on and how dirty that floor is, and whether it's near the edge of a room, and will increase or lower suction in response. It'll also brighten its headlamps when it senses it's going into a darker area. On test all these features worked as advertised. The floorhead has been upgraded for this model so that it can clean just as well on the pull-back as it does when being pushed forwards.
Manoeuvrability is good, with a wand that bends to help you get under furniture without having to crouch down. However, it's a relatively heavy option, so don't expect it to be quite as nimble as the Cordless Detect Pro. It's also rather tall, which might be an issue if you're trying to clean a cramped hallway, for example.
No specifics are given on suction, but Shark says it's as powerful as the suckiest cordless models you'll find elsewhere in the lineup (namely, the Stratos cordless). It aced all TechRadar's suction tests, and worked just as well on carpet as it did on hard floors.
Read our full Shark PowerDetect cordless vacuum review
The best budget buy
✅ You want a cheap vacuum: It's a mid-range offering at full price, but it's often just AU$199 on Amazon.
✅ You need a dedicated vacuum for quick cleans: This vacuum is perfect for the small jobs, like cleaning the shed or a fast tidy-up before guests arrive. It even cleans up after your pets.
❌ You'd prefer more features: It's a basic model, so if you'd like to step it up a little, you'll need to spend more.
❌ You live in a large home: With only a 500ml capacity bin and no auto-empty, larger homes will require frequent bin-emptying. And an average battery life may not be sufficient either.
The Dreame U20 isn't available to buy directly from the brand's website, but it's very often discounted on Amazon AU, where you can pick it up for just AU$199. That's cheaper than our previous budget pick, the Shark Cordless Vacuum with Self-Cleaning Brushroll that can be had for AU$239.
You'd be forgiven for thinking that AU$200 won't get you much, but the U20 is a good-looking stick vacuum with decent 120AW of suction. As our reviewer found out, that's enough to tackle pet hair on hard floors easily enough.
In our tests, the U20 struggled a little on carpets but multiple passes typically ensured hard-to-clean messes were gone, but that would require some elbow grease and can eat into its limited battery life.
While Dreame claims you'll get up to 60 minutes of runtime, that's on the lowest suction with the non-motorised combination tool, but our tests indicate you'll get up to 35 minutes with a motorised tool, which is what you'd use most of the time on the floor and on upholstery.
That's not too bad for a small or average-sized two-bedroom home, but it may not be enough for larger homes. Another reason it's hard to recommend for bigger spaces is its 0.5L bin capacity which, if you're also cleaning up fur regularly, will fill up quite fast.
But it's this pet-friendly cleaning that impressed our reviewer so much – at its (discounted) price, the Dreame U20's performance is par excellence. Heck, it even comes with a wall-mount attachment for neat storage.
What more could you ask for at under AU$200? That's right; be sure to pick it up when it's discounted for the best bang for buck.
Read our in-depth Dreame U20 review for more information
The best Dyson vacuum
✅ You want an affordable Dyson: Even at full price, this Dyson is a good investment as it makes up for its lack of bells and whistles with excellent suction power.
✅ You have mixed floors: Whether you have carpets or hard floors, it can handle all kinds of floor types, and clean up pet hair well too.
❌ You want the latest and greatest Dyson: The V8 Cyclone is great value but it's not the most powerful Dyson. If you want all the bells and whistles, you might need to consider the V16 Piston Animal.
❌ You prefer dynamic suction: You'll need to repeatedly toggle modes if you want to adjust suction as you clean, unlike many other models that offer automatic suction adjustments.
The Dyson V8 Cyclone is a newer version of the V8 Absolute, and despite coming with just 150 AW – which isn't bad at all, by the way – it manages to clean really well. In fact, our reviewer was impressed with its cleaning prowess on all kinds of floors.
Testing it on carpet, our tester said it was "excellent", handling both medium and high-pile carpets with ease. In fact, its hair pick-up on carpets was particularly impressive, which means cleaning after pets is easy and cheaper with this Dyson. And if it tackles carpets this easily, hard floors are nothing.
It also improves on the older V8 by offering up to 60 minutes of runtime, although I should note that this time is only on the lowest suction mode and when using the non-motorised attachment (aka the crevice tool). That's still an improvement over the 40 minutes max that you'd get with the older version.
One thing that our reviewer noted that wasn't working to the V8 Cyclone's advantage was its lack of dynamic suction – meaning it doesn't automatically adjust suction when it detects more dirt. A lot of other machines at this price point will do so. Our reviewer also thought that the handle wasn't quite comfortable.
However, given its improvements over the older model, at a price that's lower than the V8 Absolute, it definitely has a place on this list.
Read our full Dyson V8 Cyclone review
The best self-emptying vacuum
✅ You want low-effort cleaning: Not only is the vacuum lightweight and easy to move, the self-emptying dock takes care of the dust emptying for you. And you don't even need replaceable dust bags.
✅ You have a mix of floor types: The Detect Pro will automatically adjust suction when it senses it's on carpet, for a fuss-free clean.
❌ You want maximum suction: If super suction is your priority, you'll need to consider the Shark PowerDetect (#1) or another alternative.
❌ You're tight on space: The dock is a little bulky and not especially attractive, and probably not worth it if you have a small home.
If you're looking for a low-effort solution, the Shark Detect Pro with Auto-Empty System is a great choice. The USP is that the base: dock your vac and all the dust will whoosh out, via a closed system, into a far larger (2L) box in the base. Provided you have space for the base, it's a big effort saver, and good news for allergy sufferers too, because there are far fewer chances for dust a debris to escape back into the air.
The vacuum itself is very capable too. It's compact and lightweight, and offers an auto mode that responds to dirt levels, and will also amp up suction on the relevant side of the floorhead when it approaches the edge of a room where dust can collect. The suction isn't very much – at 125 AW it's less than the Dyson V8 Cyclone – but it'll be fine for most people, and especially if you don't have tons of carpet or pet hair to deal with.
Like most cordless stick vacuums, the main machine converts easily into a handheld for cleaning furniture and overhead. The wand also has a bendable section to allow you to clean under furniture.
In terms of extra attachments, they're a little limited, though – you might get just a Crevice tool, or possibly also a Pet Tool. You used to be able to purchase this vacuum without a base, but it's increasingly hard to get hold of these days – not to mention often pricier than the version with the base, making it better value.
Read our full Shark Detect Pro Cordless review
The best cordless vacuum for pet hair
✅ You have pets: It's in the name, but its suction is good and cleans up pet hair very well.
✅ You have mixed flooring: It handles carpets just as well as it does hard floors, so no matter what, you'll get a good clean.
❌ You want a lightweight vacuum: The bulky floor head makes the vacuum a little heavier than others.
❌ You need more power: Shark's own corded vacuums have more suction power if you think this one won't cut it.
It's as powerful as some of the best out there and that it comes with a cleaning head that's designed specifically for hair and fur. And it doesn't cost a fortune either – say hello to the Shark Stratos Pet Pro with Clean Sense IQ vacuum cleaner.
You'll get dynamic suction that most Dyson vacuums offer these days, and the good news is our reviewer was quite taken by how well this Shark can clean – during testing, it was able to remove hair from a couch quite easily, although it was set to Boost mode.
It's wand is bendy too, which allows it to bend to almost 90º and let you clean under furniture without needing to bend too far – that's efficient cleaning with less effort! Moreover, our reviewer found that the main cleaning head is effective along room edges and corners, even around awkward pieces of furniture. That bendiness means it can stored in tight, short spaces too.
Importantly, its price point makes it a very enticing alternative to any Dyson and, as a handheld, it's actually lighter than most of the British brand's newer models.
Read our in-depth Shark Stratos Cordless with Clean Sense IQ review, which is the same model as the Australian Shark Stratos Pet Pro (IZ400).
The best stick vacuum for hard floors
✅ You only have hard floors: This is a vacuum and mop in one, and does both simultaneously, so won't work on carpets.
✅ You need to clean under furniture: With the ability to lie flat, it can get to those hard-to-reach places.
❌ You need to vacuum more than mop: It wouldn't be worth spending on the F25 Ace if you have mixed flooring.
❌ You'd prefer a cheaper option: It's competitively priced but there are cheaper alternatives from Shark and Tineco.
If your home has mainly hard floors, it might be better opting for what is now being called a floor washer or a 2-in-1 vacuum mop. Not to be confused with the likes of the Dyson V15s Detect Submarine listed on this page, but one that does both vacuuming and mopping simultaneously using the same floor-cleaning head.
The F25 Ace was released early in 2025 and did quite well in our tests. Our reviewer was impressed at how clean his floors felt after a session, and was usually quite surprised at how dirty the water always was, even if he'd used the Ace on consecutive days.
It's got up to 20,000Pa of suction, so its vacuuming prowess is excellent and, to ensure the wet dirt doesn't streak the floors, the roller has been designed with teeth to keep cleaning it with each rotation.
While there are cheaper options like the Shark HydroVac Pro XL, the Roborock F25 Ace justifies its higher price tag by offering larger capacity tanks and app connectivity. While the latter might seem overkill for a vacuum cleaner, our reviewer actually appreciated it as he found it gave him better control over the machine.
His only complaint was with the self-cleaning cycle: while good, not all options available in the app worked well. Still, given how well it cleaned in our testing, it's worth doing a little extra and paying more if you want to invest in a good 2-in-1.
Read our full Roborock F25 Ace review
The best cordless vacuum for large homes
✅ You need a large onboard bin canister: Whether you live in a large home or have to clean up after pets a lot, the bigger bin here could prove handy.
✅ You want a lot of power: With the most powerful Dyson motor on board, this vacuum can suck, and it's got a bigger battery too.
❌ You want a more manoeuvrable vacuum: It weighs nearly four kilos, and it's top heavy, making it a chore to move around the floor.
❌ You don't want to spend a lot of money: It's one of the most expensive Dyson's yet, and forgoing the bigger bin and battery can save you cash.
The most important feature of a cordless vacuum if you have a big home is a large dust canister, and the Dyson Gen5Outsize certainly fits the bill.
The 1.9-litre dust canister is the largest in this guide and holds 150% more debris than the standard Dyson vacuums, meaning that you don't have to empty it often. The cleaning head is also wider than usual, which means you’ll be able to cover more ground, faster – another feature that makes it well-suited to larger homes.
While we haven't had the opportunity to review this specific model, it shares the same motor as the Dyson Gen5detect, so has the same power and functionality. The only other difference here is that the Gen5outsize uses a bigger battery, so you get up to 70 minutes of fade-free power compared to 60 minutes.
In our tests, the Gen5detect (aka the smaller version) proved to be the most powerful Dyson yet, able to suck up pretty much anything that got in its path, provided it could go through the Fluffy Optic or the Digital Motorbar. And given both of these are just as outsized as the bin, cleaning up a large home will be quicker.
However, in our experience with the V11 Outsize (which is no longer available in Australia), a larger size made the vacuum cumbersome and heavy to use in handheld mode, so it's best suited for use on the floors throughout the home rather than reaching for the corners of the room.
Read our full Dyson V11 Outsize review and our Dyson Gen5detect review as they both embody what the Gen5outsize is like.
Alternatives to consider
If you aren't sold on any of the cordless stick vacuums in my main list above, take a look at the three alternatives below.
Getting pushed out of the best Dyson spot on this page by a cheaper cousin, I think the V15 Detect is still a fantastic cleaning machine with more suction power. You get better bells and whistles here, including a useful display and a Fluffy Optic tool for hard floors.
Read our full Dyson V15 Detect review
A powerful motor, particularly while in Boost mode, throws the competition out of the park. Capable of thoroughly cleaning everything from a hard floor to a shaggy carpet, this machine can even clean itself, leaving the onboard dustbin very clean indeed. Just don't fall for the AI cleaning, it's market-speak for dynamic suction.
Read our in-depth Samsung Bespoke Jet AI review
Able to vacuum and mop, this LG comes with plenty of attachments for a full-home clean, and they all tuck away into the dock. It also doubles as the auto-emptying station, so you don't need to keep cleaning the dust canister. It's not the most powerful vacuum we've tested, but it's versatile.
Read our full LG CordZero Auto Emptying Handstick review
Best stick vacuum cleaners: FAQs
What are the best cordless vacuum brands?
I think the two best cordless vacuum brands right now are Dyson and Shark. Both consistently test very well, but which one will suit you best will depend on your priorities.
Dyson tends to have the edge when it comes to cutting-edge tech and meticulous engineering. It has a more limited range of vacuums, but they have been carefully honed to offer the very best suction, battery life, manoeuvrability and cleaning efficiency. However, as a general rule they're pricier than Shark models, perhaps less good value for money, and less robust.
Shark is a newer name in the vacuum world, and its offerings are often less tech-focused. However, there are still clever practical innovations – a great example is that many of its stick vacuums are able to bend forward, allowing you to easily clean beneath furniture. Shark's vacuums tend to be cheaper and perhaps better value than Dyson's. It also has a wider, more confusing range, with models appearing and disappearing regularly.
Read our Shark vs Dyson article for a more in-depth look at the two leading cordless vacuum brands.
How much suction should my cordless vacuum have?
This is a tricky one. It's rare that a vacuum brand will publish any suction specs, and even if it does, there are multiple different units by which suction power can be measured, making it difficult to figure out how much suction a vacuum has, let alone compare between different models.
It's far simpler in the robot vacuum world: there, brands use Pascals (Pa) as standard, and specs range from around 3,000 for a budget model, right up to over 10,000Pa for a premium model (there's a new wave of robot vacuums that go right up to 22,000Pa, which is extremely high).
As a rule of thumb, you can expect robot vacuums to have less outright suction, corded upright vacuums to have the most, and cordless stick vacuums to sit somewhere in the middle. Vacuum brand Eufy suggests that 'carpet vacuums' typically offer between 7,000 and 15,000Pa of suction, and that you should look on the upper end of that range if you want a deep clean.
Are stick vacuums worth it?
In many cases, yes. The main benefit of a cordless stick vacuum is that you have the freedom to clean anywhere, without having to wrangle a cord, or being tethered to a power outlet. They also tend to be lighter and easier to manoeuvre than corded alternatives, and today's best models are available at a wide range of price points to suit different budgets. However, you will have to remember to charge the battery, the dust cup might be on the smaller side, and in general you should expect suction to be a little less than on a corded model.
How long should a cordless stick vacuum last?
Roughly, you should expect a cordless stick vacuum to last between 3 and 5 years. However, this figure will vary by vacuum, and also be affected by how often you use it and how well you care for it. For more information, head to my guide to how long your vacuum should last. Also check out these tips for making your vacuum last longer, to maximise your investment.
Which cordless vacuum has the longest battery life?
A typical cordless cleaner can run for between 40 to 60 minutes on a fully charged battery. Of the best cordless vacuums in this guide, the Dyson Gen5 Outsize offers the longest runtime, with up to 70 minutes on one charge. However, it's important to note that the only way to get this kind battery life is to use the machine at its lowest suction power and with non-motorised attachments.
How do I choose a cordless vacuum cleaner?
We think the cordless vacuums we've listed above are the best of the best, but it's essential to consider your personal needs.
The most important considerations when choosing a cordless vacuum cleaner are:
1. Specs
2. Design
3. Features
Starting with the specs is typically the way to go - think about how long of a runtime you need from your cordless vacuum, what floor types you have in your home, and how powerful you'll need the cleaner to be.
Next up, think about what features you might need from your new cordless vacuum. If you have pets, that means looking for a vacuum that can handle hairs and even odours. You might need a range of attachments to handle various surfaces in your home or a vacuum that can easily transform into a handheld unit.
Lastly, think about the design of the vacuum. Is it light enough to use overhead if you have shelves and high surfaces that need cleaning? How easy would it be to store in your home? You might even want to consider if it will be aesthetically pleasing, especially if you're planning to keep it out in the open.
Are cordless vacuums as good as upright vacuums?
Cordless vacuums have been available for more than two decades, and while the early models were not as good when it came to dust pickup, that’s no longer the case.
Many of the cordless vacuums on the market are comparable, and in some cases better, to corded, upright vacuums when it comes to collecting dust and dander from carpets and hard floors. They’re more versatile than corded vacuums too, as they can be converted into lightweight, handheld cleaners that are suitable for use on upholstery, up high, and even in vehicles.
However, there is one area where they struggle to match corded vacuums, and that’s the capacity of the dust canister. On average, cordless vacuums have dust canisters with a capacity of anywhere between 0.2 and 0.75 litres, whereas traditional corded vacuums, whether upright or a canister, have a capacity of anywhere between 1 and 2 litres. The only exception is the Dyson V11 Outsize, which has a 1.9-litre capacity. However, it’s also extremely expensive compared to other cordless vacuums and much bulkier.
So, one might be better for one use, but not as good for another. It depends what you need from your vacuum.
Are Dyson stick vacuums worth it?
Dyson is the most popular brand of cordless vacuum cleaner worldwide and, if you're after a high-end option, then it's definitely worth considering opting for a Dyson. They have very powerful suction, provide some advanced features and look good too.
However, Dyson isn't the only brand worth considering, particularly if you don't want to spend top dollar. Samsung and LG can provide more bang for your buck by offering similarly priced cordless vacuum cleaners that also come with an auto-empty station and a mopping head.
There's also Shark, Bissell, Roborock and Tineco, all of whom offer full-featured stick vacuums in Australia that can come in lower price points with equally, if not better, suction. You just need to figure out what you're willing to spend on the best cordless vacuum there is and how large your space is. Your choice of brand will also be determined by what floor type you predominantly have at home.
How we test cordless vacuum cleaners
To find the best cordless vacuum cleaner, we evaluate how successfully each model collects everything from fine dust and dirt to larger debris such as cookie crumbs and cereal. As well as assessing how well floors are cleaned, we’ve also compared how easy the vacuum cleaners are to manoeuvre on carpet and hard floors, as well as whether dust pick-up is evenly distributed across the cleaning head or concentrated in one area.
We rated each design on how durable it is, as well as the simplicity of emptying, how loud it is during use and how long the battery lasts. For each model, we wanted to know whether it was easy to convert into other modes, such as a handheld vac, the useful tools and accessories it came with to clean edges or remove pet hair, and whether it required reading a thick instruction manual before use.
