Our choice
The Dyson V12 Detect Slim is a nimble, high-tech model that is light, powerful, and easy to maneuver. However, it doesn’t stand up on its own, and its dustbin is small.
The Dyson V12 Detect Slim is the closest we’ve come to finding an ideal stick vacuum. It’s light and nimble around furniture, stairs, and various surfaces including shelves, walls, and ceilings.
The V12 Detect Slim competes with more expensive vacuums in terms of suction, airflow, and cleaning power. It comes with multiple brushes and attachments, including a motorized brush for pet hair. It has a runtime of 45 minutes on a single charge, longer than most other vacuums we’ve tested.
It boasts high-tech features that make it almost enjoyable to use, such as a sensor that automatically adjusts suction, a laser headlight that illuminates dust in dim corners, and an LCD screen with battery countdown and other information. Additionally, it’s one of the quietest models tested.
The main downside of the V12 Detect Slim is its small 12-ounce dustbin, which needs frequent emptying. It also requires swapping between two different brushes depending on the floor type. The vacuum takes four hours to recharge, longer than most other models, and does not stand up on its own. It is covered by a two-year warranty.
Our choice
The Ryobi 18V One+ HP Cordless Pet Stick Vac Kit with Dual-Roller Bar is a sturdy, versatile vacuum with several useful attachments and a large dustbin. It stands on its own and recharges quickly, but it’s heavier and less agile.
The Ryobi 18V One+ HP Cordless Pet Stick Vac Kit with Dual-Roller Bar is a well-rounded workhorse, though it’s heavy and less maneuverable on stairs.
In tests, it delivered outstanding performance, picking up debris particles of different sizes and weights on all floors. Its 27-ounce dustbin, more than double the size of our other top pick’s, won’t quickly fill up with debris or fur.
Its motorized cleaner head works equally well on bare floors and carpet, and it comes with a variety of useful attachments, including a motorized brush for pet hair and a surprisingly useful micro crevice tool for tight cracks.
The vacuum stands upright on its own and runs for about 35 minutes. The battery charges in two hours (one of the fastest charge times observed) and is compatible with a variety of Ryobi tools.
This model has a three-year warranty, longer than most other stick vacuums tested.
Budget choice
The Kenmore Elite CSV Max Cordless Stick Vacuum DS4095 is affordable, lightweight, and agile, and it cleans a variety of floor types well. But its non-replaceable battery and one-year warranty are disappointing.
Most cordless stick vacuums priced under $200 are subpar. The Kenmore Elite CSV Max Cordless Stick Vacuum DS4095 is a rare exception, but it still makes major trade-offs.
We found that it’s an excellent cleaner on both rugs and bare floors, effectively picking up fur and debris. This lightweight model cleverly folds in half for easier cleaning under furniture and has an extra-large, 33-ounce dustbin. It offers a solid 38-minute run time and recharges in four hours, similar to the Dyson V12 Detect Slim.
However, it lacks the convenient, versatile attachments that our top picks have for cleaning fur off upholstery, dusting shelves, or reaching into crannies.
Its major drawbacks are its weak one-year warranty and non-replaceable battery, raising concerns about its longevity.
