The 9 Best Lightweight Vacuums of 2023, Tested and Reviewed

Best Overall

Tineco Pure One S11 Smart Stick/Handheld Vacuum

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Our Ratings

• Ease of Setup
  5/5
• Effectiveness
  5/5
• Maneuverability
  5/5
• Ease of Emptying
  4.8/5
• Portability
  5/5

The Tineco Pure One S11 Tango is lightweight but definitely not light-duty. This stick vacuum cleaned up in our testing, literally. We were impressed by its effective suction power, streamlined design, and overall efficiency. Maneuvering this 6-pound vacuum takes hardly any effort, but that’s not because of any lack of suction power. In fact, our lab testing revealed that the suction is powerful enough to capture messes, including cereal, hair, and popcorn kernels in a single pass, saving you the time and effort of repeatedly cleaning the same stretch of flooring.

When you use this vacuum in your home, you can expect it to be nimble when reaching under furniture and switching surfaces. In our tests, it transitioned smoothly from hard flooring to carpet, and we found it easy to switch attachments to tackle tough-to-reach messes when necessary, too. We had no issues with the battery power and were able to complete testing on one charge without any noticeable lags. Speaking of power, this model runs pretty quietly, too—we were even able to have a conversation while it was in use. The process of emptying the dust bin is also a cinch, so you won't dread that task at the end of a cleaning session. Some hair did get caught in the filter, but an included tool makes it simple to remove.

A wall-mounting dock station makes for easy storage and charging, but we do recommend making sure you have a convenient spot in mind for it, since you'll likely only want to install it once. Overall, it’s hard to beat the capable and convenient performance of the Pure One S11 Tango. In fact, one of our testers even noted a willingness to pay more for the machine than its listed price, given its overall impressiveness—that's how much of a standout it was in testing.

Price at time of publish: $400

_{Dimensions: 43.5 x 8.3 x 11.4 inches | Weight: 5.96 pounds | Cord Length: Cordless | Battery Life: 40 minutes | Bin Volume: 0.63 quarts | Cleaning Path Width: Not listed | Compatible Floor Type: Carpet, hard floors}

Best Budget

Kenmore Elite CSV Max 21.6V Cordless Stick Vacuum With EasyReach Wand

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Our Ratings

• Effectiveness
  4/5
• Maneuverability
  5/5
• Ease of Emptying
  3.5/5
• Portability
  4.5/5
• Noise Level
  5/5

Aside from the Kenmore DS4095 Elite's affordable price tag—it's one of our favorite cheap vacuum cleaners—we were shocked by its quiet operation and easy-to-use design. We could easily have a conversation with other people in The Lab from 10 feet away, without having to raise our voices. Although the vacuum struggled to pick up hair on upholstery, it easily picked up large and small debris from carpet and hard flooring without spitting it everywhere, unlike some of the other models tested. We did notice that this vacuum has a tendency to pull hair and debris behind it and along its sides. However, that shouldn't pose too much of an issue as long as you've centered the vacuum on the mess prior to cleaning it.

In addition to its powerful suction, this vacuum has an EasyReach wand that can bend to clean under furniture, and also a swivel head for navigating turns. While this model has a top-heavy design, the weight distribution still felt lightweight, and we didn't experience any arm fatigue in our testing. We also noted that assembly instructions were thorough, but the process of ensuring that all of the parts were in place was challenging, because it needed to be upright the entire time. We recommend having another person nearby to help with the assembly process. All in all, we were pleasantly surprised at this vacuum's affordable price tag, given its strong performance, and we think it's a fantastic choice if you're on a budget.

Price at time of publish: $180

_{Dimensions: 21.46 x 5.71 x 15.75 inches | Weight: Not listed | Cord Length: Not applicable | Battery Life: Up to 40 minutes | Bin Volume: 1.06 quarts | Cleaning Path Width: Not listed | Compatible Floor Type: Hardwood, carpet, tile, laminate, vinyl}

Best Handheld

Hoover ONEPWR Cordless Handheld Vacuum Cleaner

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Our Ratings

• Effectiveness
  5/5
• Maneuverability
  5/5
• Ease of Emptying
  5/5
• Portability
  4.5/5
• Noise Level
  4/5

If you’re looking to size down your vacuum cleaner when handling small tasks, the Hoover ONEPWR Cordless Handheld Vacuum Cleaner is our pick. This handheld vacuum weighs just 3 pounds but packs a serious punch. The sizable battery, while bulky, makes for efficient cleaning of stubborn messes. Plus, if you opt to purchase any other machines in the Hoover ONEPWR line, the battery can be used to power them as well.

In our testing, this machine made light work of the various messes we made, and it still had room to spare in the spacious 1.27-quart dust bin—no wonder it's one of our top-rated dustbusters. When you are finally ready to empty it, the single-button process makes it super-simple. We also appreciate that the dust bin is made to be rinsed out, making it easier to keep it clean in the long run. We think this machine's maneuverability is impressive, and the tapered design, along with the crevice tool attachment, add to its overall efficiency.

All in all, this is an impressive machine that can make even the task of cleaning more fun. It's pricier than other handheld-only models, and it doesn't include an extension wand for the option to increase its reach, but if you're after a handheld machine, we think it's an excellent choice.

Price at time of publish: $89

_{Dimensions: 16.5 x 5 x 6.5 inches | Weight: 3 pounds | Cord Length: Not applicable | Battery Life: 15 minutes | Bin Volume: 1.27 quarts | Cleaning Path Width: Not listed | Compatible Floor Type: Carpet, multi-surface, hardwood}

Best Stick

Tineco Pure One S15 Pro Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner

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Our Ratings

• Effectiveness
  4.5/5
• Maneuverability
  5/5
• Ease of Emptying
  5/5
• Portability
  5/5
• Noise Level
  4/5

The Tineco S15 Pro offers all the bells and whistles of most TINECO models, but it has an additional mini motor brush head, which is especially helpful for upholstery. While it has several suction modes, we particularly enjoyed using it in auto mode, which adjusts the vacuum's suction power based on the amount and size of debris, as well as the surface type. The LED lights on the brush head also allow you to see every last bit of dirt and mess that needs to be cleaned.

The motor head is also designed with TINECO's signature ZeroWrap Technology, which prevents hair from becoming tangled and clogging the brushes. We appreciated the lever on the dust bin, which makes it easy to scrape dirt off the sides of the container, but we still had to reach in to remove some hair during testing. This vacuum also comes with a charging dock that houses all of the attachments, so you don't have to worry about losing pieces or keeping everything organized.

Although this model is certainly more expensive than other options on this list, we found the addition of the mini motor brush head to be a great cleaning tool for upholstery and smaller jobs that are often reserved for a hand vacuum. This vacuum's ability to transition from cleaning carpet to hard flooring, and its quiet operation also set it apart from other stick models.

Price at time of publish: $600

_{Dimensions: 45 x 11 x 11.14 inches | Weight: 6.8 pounds | Cord Length: Not applicable | Battery Life: up to 40 minutes | Bin Volume: Not listed | Cleaning Path Width: Not listed | Compatible Floor Type: Hardwood, carpet, tile, laminate, and vinyl}

Best for Carpet

Shark HV301 Rocket Ultra-Light Corded Stick Vacuum

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Our Ratings

• Effectiveness
  4.5/5
• Maneuverability
  4/5
• Ease of Emptying
  5/5
• Noise Level
  3/5
• Setup
  5/5

Even lightweight vacuums can become hard to maneuver when vacuuming carpet, turning your cleaning session into a struggle of push-and-pull against the fibers. If you have a lot of carpeting or rugs in your home, choose a vacuum that offers the right suction and settings for effective and easy cleaning. In our testing, the Shark Rocket Ultra-Light Corded Stick Vacuum was a top contender, clearing debris from low-, medium-, and high-pile carpeting in five or fewer passes. We observed that it requires slightly more effort to use on plush carpeting, but the wheels generally allow the vacuum to glide nicely on different surfaces.

This corded stick vacuum weighs about 8 pounds. The handle height is taller than expected, which was the biggest surprise when we assembled the vacuum. However, the long handle didn’t hold us back from being able to navigate the vacuum under and around furniture easily. Surprisingly, this vacuum was harder to use effectively on hardwood surfaces, despite the fingertip controls that allow you to toggle between floor settings. Even still, it was able to pick up all debris once we kicked into a higher suction setting. With no battery life to worry about, you can use increased suction power as needed—without worrying about it draining your power supply. For above-floor cleaning tasks, you can use the handheld portion of the vacuum, but you’ll still have to keep within 25 feet of an outlet based on the vacuum’s cord length.

Price at time of publish: $250

_{Dimensions: 46 x 9.8 x 10.5 inches | Weight: 8.2 pounds | Cord Length: 25 feet | Battery Life: Not applicable | Bin Volume: 0.31 quarts | Cleaning Path Width: 8.5 inches | Compatible Floor Type: Hardwood, carpet, laminate, and tile}

Best for Hardwood

Eureka NEC480 Cordless Vacuum Cleaner

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Our Ratings

• Effectiveness
  3/5
• Maneuverability
  3.5/5
• Ease of Emptying
  2/5
• Portability
  1.5/5
• Noise Level
  4.8/5

If you live in a home that has hard flooring, finding a vacuum with the right amount of suction can sometimes feel like a challenge. The Eureka Lightweight Cordless Vacuum clocks in at just over 7 pounds and not only is easy to maneuver but also efficiently picks up all kinds of messes off hard flooring. Although we found its lackluster performance on carpet rather disappointing, it had no trouble picking up large and small debris during our hard flooring test. It did take several passes to pick up all the hair on the hard flooring, but the head didn't struggle nearly as much as it did on the carpet. The brush and angled nozzle attachments were also very effective at cleaning hair from upholstery.

Like other stick vacuums, this vacuum's dust bin is relatively easy to empty, and we only had to manually remove some hair caught at the top of the bin. Other intuitive features include: LED headlights that illuminate messes on the floor and show your cleaning path, and separate floor cleaning modes that can be adjusted via the control panel, which also displays the battery level. We ran this vacuum for over 17 minutes and noticed no change in suction, which makes us confident that it could easily clean an average-sized apartment effectively during its 30-minute run time. Overall, this vacuum may not have all the bells and whistles of other higher-end models, but we appreciate its straightforward design and convenient assembly process.

Price at time of publish: $216

_{Dimensions: 45.7 x 9.1 x 10.9 inches | Weight: 7.15 pounds | Cord Length: Not applicable | Battery Life: 30 minutes | Bin Volume: 1.05 quarts | Cleaning Path Width: 11 inches | Compatible Floor Type: Hardwood, carpet, tile, upholstery}

Best Wet-Dry

Shark VM252 Vacmop Pro Cordless Wet/Dry Stick Vacuum

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Our Ratings

• Ease of Setup
  5/5
• Effectiveness
  5/5
• Maneuverability
  5/5
• Ease of Emptying
  5/5
• Noise Level
  5/5

If you're looking for a thorough vac-mop option for hard floors, we loved the performance and versatility of the Shark VACMOP. One of our top-rated Shark vacuums, this wet-dry cleaning machine is designed to be used on solid flooring, such as hardwood, laminate, vinyl, or tile surfaces. It combines suction power with disposable mop pads to capture debris and leave floors gleaming. For the best results, vacuum your surface first to pick up any crumbs or dirt. Then, click the "spray" button that's conveniently located on the handle to spray cleaning solution on the sealed surface before mopping it clean.

In our tests, we appreciated this Shark VACMOP's slim, cordless design and easy gliding motion. Even among a field of lightweight vac-mops, this one stood out to us as being noticeably light and easy to maneuver, making it a good choice if you have restricted mobility or need an ultra-light vacuum for quick cleaning sessions. The tank with cleaning solution is integrated into the body of the vacuum, and the cleaning pad has a chamber for dirt collection, while a light on the floor head illuminates areas in need of attention. Our one primary point of criticism for the usability of the Shark VACMOP is that you have to continuously hold the power button during operation. However, it has exceptionally quiet noise levels that increase user comfort while the vacuum is on. 

Price at time of publish: $99

_{Dimensions: 47.87 x 9.5 x 5.37 inches | Weight: 3.34 pounds | Cord Length: Not applicable | Battery Life: 20 minutes | Bin Volume: Not listed | Cleaning Path Width: 9.81 inches | Compatible Floor Type: Hardwood, tile, laminate, and vinyl}

Best for Pet Hair

Shark Navigator Freestyle Cordless Upright Vacuum

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Our Ratings

• Effectiveness
  4/5
• Maneuverability
  4/5
• Ease of Emptying
  4/5
• Portability
  4/5
• Noise Level
  4/5

A lightweight vacuum should still be able to handle heavyweight jobs like pet hair. From pet hair to kibble, the Shark Navigator Freestyle Upright Bagless Cordless Stick Vacuum handled it all, while also being comfortable to maneuver and empty. This vacuum has two customized suction settings—one for carpet, and the other for hard flooring—that ensure you're getting an efficient and reliable clean no matter the surface. This vacuum performed very well on hard flooring and had no problem sucking up hair on carpet in our testing, but it did struggle to pick up pet kibble on carpet. When using the vacuum, we appreciated the swivel head and low-profile nozzle, which made it easy to clean around and under furniture and tight corners.

While we thought the dust canister was easy to remove from this vacuum, we struggled to dump all of the hair that had been collected while cleaning. We had to pull out some hair manually, which is neither a pleasant nor efficient experience. Despite the amount of hair caught at the top of the canister, we found that no hair was wrapped around the motorized brush head in our tests, which is a must-have feature on a vacuum for pet hair and in homes with long-haired pets.

This vacuum clips into its charging station, which doubles as a storage dock and only requires four hours to charge. It also has an average run time of about 20 minutes when used on the lowest setting, and a 10-minute run time on the highest setting. While we wish the canister was slightly easier to empty—plus, this vacuum could better handle large debris on carpet—we were still very impressed by its performance and ease of use overall.

Price at time of publish: $250

_{Dimensions: 46 x 10.5 x 9.6 inches | Weight: 7.5 pounds | Cord Length: Not applicable | Battery Life: 10 minutes on highest setting, 20 minutes on lowest setting | Bin Volume: 0.64 quarts | Cleaning Path Width: 10.5 inches | Compatible Floor Type: Hardwood, carpet, tile, laminate, vinyl}