How We Test Cordless Vacuums

We test all sizes and shapes of vacuum cleaners here at CNET. Light wireless alternatives at increasingly advanced levels robot vacuum cleanerswe put hundreds of models from all categories to the test. Our wireless vacuum testing takes place at the CNET Test Lab in Louisville, Kentucky. Each cordless vacuum goes through a series of tests on different types of flooring, as well as evaluations of features, battery life and overall ease of use. Here’s how we do it.

How we test cordless vacuums at CNET

All vacuum cleaners on CNET’s best lists are tested and rated in our state-of-the-art testing labs. CNET Test Labs go beyond product specifications to test in real-world conditions with real damage. Over the years, our experts have tested 50 cordless vacuum cleaners and counting.

Here’s a look at how we measure performance of the cordless stick vacuum cleaner.

Wireless Vacuum Scoring Methodology

The main test we use on all vacuums is a straight line test on different types of flooring (hardwood floors, low pile carpet, and medium pile carpet). The test involves vacuuming at a standard vacuum level, as well as calculations to ensure it is fair for all models that pass through our laboratory.

Our process is closely aligned with the standard set by the International Electrotechnical Commission. The goal of a straight line test is to measure the percentage of dirt the vacuum is able to pick up. We use play sand and pet hair as our primary testing materials, along with our Dust Zone Adjuster to measure how much we scatter onto the floor.

Reward the best performers

After completing all of the tests below, we award the best cordless vacuums an Editors’ Choice or Lab Award in the category where they excel. More recently, the Eureka ReactiSense 440 wins our lab award for best vacuuming on carpet with 98.53% sand pickup on low pile carpet and 92.16% on medium pile carpet. It also wins the Editors’ Choice award for its unbeatable value as the best cordless vacuum. Likewise, the Dream Z30 wins not one, but two separate laboratory awards; it excels in several categories in our lab tests. It wins both our lab award for longest battery life (110 minutes) and highest hardwood suction score (98.77%).

Inside CNET’s Test Labs: How We Test Cordless Vacuums and Why Sand Scores Matter

Our team of experts and engineers use play sand to imitate 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 a vacuum is capable of picking up from the floor.

Sand collection

Using the dust zone 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 stick vacuum sufficient coverage and the ability to pick up any debris on the carpet or hardwood. We use different nozzle widths and debris amounts depending on the size of the soil sample and square footage.

During testing, we set controls to ensure that every vacuum undergoes the same test. For example, each vacuum is set to the same nozzle width, and we measure and deposit exactly the same amount of debris every time.

At a minimum, we perform three cleaning cycles on each type of floor. We rerun the test cycles if there is an obvious outlier among the three tests, such as a result with a much higher or lower recovery percentage. We also conduct separate cleaning tests with pet hair (acquired from a nearby groomer) on each type of surface, photographing and visually assessing how much pet hair, if any, remains after vacuuming it.

We weigh the trash before and after each pass. From this we can calculate the percentage of debris picked up for each cleaning cycle and the average amount of dirt a vacuum manages to remove.

animal hair

Our pet hair test is the simplest. We use 2 grams of pet hair from a local groomer, spread across each test bench and take before and after photos for visual comparison.

For pet hair, we do not weigh pet hair after testing; We use before and after cleaning photos to subjectively evaluate the cordless vacuum’s effectiveness in picking up pet hair.

Battery life and operating time of the cordless vacuum cleaner

To test battery life, we fully charge the vacuum’s battery, then run it on medium setting until it drains, avoiding Max or Eco modes. We repeat the test three times and average the results. The longer the duration, the better the score. Most of the vacuums on our list last 25 to 40 minutes before needing another charge, although many models are starting to offer higher capacity batteries with a runtime of 60 minutes per charge.

Several of the vacuums we tested can do even better, including the Shark Stratos (80 minutes) and the Dreame Z30 (110 minutes). In truth, it’s rare to need more than 40 minutes for a single vacuuming session, and the prevalence of charging stations makes it easy to recharge between cleaning cycles.

Most of the cordless vacuums we recommend now come with replaceable batteries, so you can purchase an extra one if you need more runtime or are concerned about battery degradation over time.

Several of the charts below show the relationships we discovered in our study between battery life and suction, battery life and price, and battery life and weight. A recent study of laboratory data found that most cordless vacuums with higher suction power also have shorter battery life. However, you don’t need to spend a lot to get a high-performance vacuum cleaner.

Cordless vacuum cleaner warranties

Cordless vacuum warranties vary by manufacturer and model, but the majority of models we tested offer at least one 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 cleaner is covered if a part breaks or something is defective.

Filters and air quality

Most cordless vacuum cleaners come with a filter that prevents dust from being blown back into the room while you vacuum. Most of the best cordless vacuums come with replaceable HEPA filters (commonly found in air purifiers) which can filter particles as small as 0.3 microns, while cheaper models may have a more basic fabric filter. A recent innovation from SharkNinja is the incorporation of an anti-allergy seal and odor-fighting pods that help prevent your vacuum and trash can from developing odors, although this requires odor-releasing pods which add extra cost.

User experience (ease of use and comfort)

Even if it is not a primary factor, the ease and comfort of using a cordless vacuum cleaner and emptying your trash can still play a role. We consider this part of the overall user experience. We like cordless vacuums that can stand up on their own and models that have charging docks or auto-drain features, as both reduce the amount of maintenance required. Major bonus points go to a vacuum docking station that empties dust into a bag rather than a bagless dust bin as this means dust is less likely to spread onto your newly vacuumed floors when you empty them into the trash.

And the vacuum cleaners hand rs?

Most, if not all, of the cordless vacuums on this list can be broken down into handheld units, making them suitable for cleaning your car or upholstery. However, we use a slightly different testing methodology for handheld vacuums, so we recommend checking out our recently updated list of best hand vacuum cleaners to see our recommendations for use cases ranging from cleaning cars to pet hair. Additionally, many handheld vacuums weigh as little as 1.2 pounds, putting them in a different weight class than these cordless vacuums.

Other features

As new models of cordless stick vacuums emerge, 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,” explains CNET laboratory engineer Gianmarco Chumbe. Chumbe, who has been testing home technology products in CNET’s labs for eight years, says the latest vacuum technology can detect floor type and adjust suction power accordingly. “The main benefit of this feature is increased battery efficiency, which results in a more efficient and longer-lasting cleaning experience.”

According to Chumbe, consumers shopping for vacuum cleaners today should consider cost/value. “Ask yourself: Does the price justify the performance, features and comfort it offers? » CNET writers and editors use price and value in our vacuum rating precisely for this reason.

Cordless vacuum cleaner bin weight, size and capacity

Most of cordless vacuum cleaners we tested weighing between 4 and 8 pounds. When a vacuum weighs 10 pounds or more, we consider it bulky. Most of the vacuums on this list were also very similar in height and up. all sizes. They also come with accessories that can be attached and detached to give you flexible cleaning options. For example, a common tool is a crevice cleaning attachment that allows you to install the vacuum nozzle in tight spaces and corners where a larger brush head cannot reach.

For trash can size, we consider anything 0.6 liters or larger to be good. Generally, anything less than 0.5 liters will require you to empty it after each cleaning session. A large trash can allows you to spend more time without emptying it. However, if the cordless vacuum cleaner comes with a self-emptying charging dock, it can often store dust and debris for 30 days or more, minimizing the amount of dust you face when vacuuming.