7 Best Cordless Stick Vacuums to Buy in Australia in 2024
Making cleaning a breeze with the "super efficient" stick vacuum cleaners shoppers are loving right now.
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Stick vacuums have come a long way in recent years, with the best models now rivalling their corded counterparts in terms of suction power and ease of use.
They’re also more lightweight than corded vacuums, making them great to take around the house and store away, even if you’re short on space.
With plenty of options on the market though, choosing the right cordless stick vacuum for your home can be a frustrating task, which is where we come in.
What makes cordless vacuums worth buying is all about finding “the right balance of power and technology to clean your home effectively and efficiently”, according to Dyson’s Senior Design Manager, Sallahuddin Mashkuri.
“Household dust is a complex matrix of components including dust mites, dust mite faeces, bacteria, mould, small insects, and particles. Invisible to the naked eye, these particles can be airborne and are widely spread on various surfaces of the home including floors, sofas and beds.”
Need some inspiration? We’ve curated a list of several top-rated stick vacuums across different price points so you can find the right model for your home and budget.
BEST CORDLESS STICK VACUUM DEALS
Get the self-emptying perks of robot vacuums in a versatile and just as easy to use stick vacuum with the Shark Cordless Detect Pro Auto Empty System. It can store up to 30 days' worth of debris and shoppers say it's "super efficient" and "did not disappoint". Some even say it's "more powerful" than a Dyson". Plus, it's currently on sale for $649 (down from $999). That's a saving of $350!
The Dyson V15 Detect Absolute has also dropped to $995 (down from $1449). Shoppers call this stick vacuum the "gold standard" and "totally worth it".
And if you want a stick vacuum that mops as well, then look no further than the Dreame H12 Pro Wet and Dry Vacuum Cleaner and Mop in One for $999.
OUR TOP PICKS
BEST STICK VACUUM WITH LONG-LASTING BATTERY
Dyson V15 Detect Absolute Cordless Vacuum (394439-01), $995 (down from $1449) at The Good Guys
PROS:
- Most people are impressed with how powerful and lightweight the stick vacuum is.
- Many customers are happy with how well it picks up pet hair and different types of messes.
- Digital Motorbar cleaner head automatically adjusts suction power to cater to different floor types.
- Whole-machine filtration design traps 99.99 per cent of microsopic particles and allergens.
- Comes with a wand storage clip, giving you convenient access to your Combination and Crevice tools while you clean.
- Hygienic dustbin emptying system.
- Has a click-in battery design, allowing you to extend the runtime by switching batteries (extra battery pack is optional).
CONS:
- Need to hold down power trigger, which can potentially cause sore hands when cleaning for long periods.
Weight: 3.1kg | Runtime: Up to 60 minutes | Dustbin capacity: 0.77L
What You Need To Know
If you can afford to splash out on a top-of-the-line vacuum, Dyson’s V15 Detect Absolute is definitely worth the spend. This cordless stick vacuum incorporates several of the best features from Dyson’s V11 range, including click-in batteries that offer up to 60 minutes of run-time each, three cleaning modes and a high torque cleaner head that automatically adjusts to the type of floor you’re vacuuming.
It also comes with an anti-tangle hair screw tool designed to pick up hair, making it an ideal purchase for pet owners or for those with long hair. It’s worth noting the hi-tech model includes a laser (yes, you read that correctly) to reveal otherwise difficult-to-see debris on hard floors.
“That green laser showed up every spec of dust, every crumb, pet hair and fish finger I had on my floor (I have kids, no judgement please). It even lit up clear sticky tape,” an impressed shopper wrote, rating it five stars.
“This is absolutely the best vacuum I’ve ever owned … one-hour battery time means the house gets cleaned, the car interior is spotless with some time to spare. I can’t recommend this enough, with the price you pay, you get the gold standard which is totally worth it,” agreed another.
Pro-tip: Using Dyson's mini soft dusting brush tool will help get a gentle clean for delicate objects and surfaces
BEST CORDLESS STICK VACUUM/MOP COMBO
Dreame H12 Pro Wet and Dry Vacuum Cleaner and Mop in One, $999 at Dreame
PROS:
- Cleans both wet and dry messes
- Powerful edge-to-edge cleaning that hugs walls and gets into corners
- High speed motor allows vacuum to wipe floor 520 times per minute
- Sensor automatically adjusts suction to suit workload
- Large LED display is easy to see
- Three cleaning modes to choose from
- Cleans itself while you clean the floor
- Mop automatically dries while charging
- Up to 30 day refund/return policy
CONS:
- Expensive price tag
- Many customers found this vacuum to be quite heavy
Weight: 4.9kg | Runtime: 35 minutes | Charging Time: 3 hours
What you need to know
If you want to clean up both wet and dry messes with the one appliance, then the impressive Dreame H12 Pro Wet and Dry Vacuum Cleaner and Mop is the way to go. With powerful edge-to-edge cleaning, it takes care of the entire floor, even those usually-ignored corners, removing dirt, dust, debris, hair, spills, and grime. And with an ergonomic design that offers a forward traction, it's also extremely easy to operate.
The Dreame H12 Pro has three cleaning modes - basic cleaning, ultra mode for deep cleaning and a suction mode that vacuums liquids without mopping - so you can customise your clean and do exactly what you need to do. It also features a sensor that determines the level of dirt, whether heavy, medium or light and then adjusts the suction accordingly.
To help you out even more, the Dreame H12 Pro self cleans while you clean, thanks to a serrated brush scraper. When you're done, the brush automatically dries in one hour, avoiding any mildew, mould or odour.
"Very easy to use," said one five-star reviewer on Google Reviews. "Used to take hours to clean house, now, it is just 30min."
BEST CORDLESS STICK VACUUMS FOR HARDWOOD FLOORS
Dyson V15s Detect Submarine, $1549 at The Good Guys
PROS:
- Uses a fully-sealed filtration system to capture and seal in dust, minimising the amount of debris that gets released back into the air.
- Digital display shows the number of particles being removed in-real time so you know when to progress to the next area.
- Strong suction power.
- Includes a motorised hair screw tool with an anti-tangle conical brush bar to ensure hair and fur go directly to the bin instead of wrapping around the bar and clogging the tool.
- Can use gentle household detergents with the wet roller head, but make sure to follow manufacturer's instructions when diluting the solution.
CONS:
- Holding down power trigger button can be tiring on your hands.
- Wet roller head needs to be refilled after 16 minutes of use, which can be inconvenient for larger homes.
Weight: 3.8kg | Runtime: Up to 60 minutes | Dustbin capacity: 0.77L
What You Need To Know
The Dyson V15s Detect Submarine is the brand's first foray into the wet and dry vacuum market, and it's proving to be just as successful as its older cousins. After trying the Dyson V15s Detect Submarine Complete (which is basically the same model but with a few extra accessories, including the Fluffy Optic cleaner head), I can say this cordless stick vacuum is certainly worth considering. It's simple to set up, easy to manoeuvre and operate, and the Submarine wet roller head and Digital Motorbar cleaner do a great job at washing floors and sucking up debris in just a handful of swipes. The vacuum cleaner also slides under low lying furniture really smoothly, thanks to the combination of the flexible, compact and low profile cleaner heads.
If you have some furry friends at home (or constantly shedding long hair, like me), this cordless vacuum cleaner is a fantastic at picking up pet hair and other small debris. It also doesn't release back any of the dust or dander, which is great if you suffer with allergies and want a model that keeps everything sealed in.
RELATED: Dyson V15s Detect Submarine Complete Review
RELATED: Tineco Floor One S7 Pro Review
BEST CORDLESS STICK VACUUMS WITH A HEPA FILTER
PROS:
- LED headlights to light up debris in the dark.
- Includes washable filters.
- Extra large dust canister with a CleanTouch dirt ejector to minimise exposure to debris.
- Cleaning head has a dual rubber wind brush structure to ensure hair doesn’t wrap around the brushroll.
- Three suction modes: Hard floor mode, Carpet mode and Boost mode.
- Removable battery.
CONS:
- Some users complained it feels slightly heavy.
Weight: 3.4kg | Runtime: Up to 40 minutes | Dustbin capacity: 0.4L
What You Need To Know
Pulling out tangled hair isn’t fun for anyone, especially allergy sufferers trying to minimise exposure to any blowback of dust and debris. Similar to other Shark models, this cordless stick vacuum features a self-cleaning brushroll with a bristle-guard that separates and removes hair to minimise blockages. You can also expect an Anti-Allergen Complete Seal, which uses a HEPA filter to ensure the dirt collected stays inside the vacuum.
“This cordless vacuum is so easy to manoeuvre and picks up almost everything from the floor and carpet! Love how easy it is to empty the barrel in just one push button!" an impressed reviewer wrote, rating it five stars.
“Quality and value for money 10/10!!” agreed another.
“I charged the battery and vacuumed the whole house before the battery ran out and not once did hair get stuck in the rollers. I have a long haired dog, and with all other stick vacuums I would have to untangle the hair every five minutes from the rollers,” a third posted.
Dyson Gen5detect Absolute Cordless Vacuum (443066-01), $1499 at The Good Guys
PROS:
- Contains a single button control, not a trigger that needs to be constantly pressed.
- Its handheld vacuum has a built-in crevice tool and dusting tool for convenience.
- Uses a whole-machine filtration system designed to trap dust, bacteria and other potentially harmful microscopic particles, whilst also expelling cleaner air.
- Includes Dyson’s no-touch bin emptying system to minimise contact with dust and dirt.
- Can swap batteries to extend the vacuum’s battery life.
CONS:
- Heavier than most other Dyson stick vacuums, but is still fairly lightweight at 3.5kg.
Weight: 3.5kg | Runtime: Up to 70 minutes | Dustbin capacity: 0.77L
What You Need To Know
One of Dyson’s most powerful HEPA cordless stick vacuums, the Dyson Gen5detect Absolute boasts a motor claimed to work up to nine times faster than a Formula One engine for seriously strong suction. It also has a longer runtime than its predecessors, now offering up to 70 minutes’ worth of cleaning in a single charge (as opposed to the 60 minutes maximum offered by its previous models).
The Dyson Gen5detect also packs the Fluffy Optic cleaner head, which lights up a path for where you need to clean, plus an LED screen with bars that rise and fall based on the volume of particles being removed in real-time to give you that extra bit of satisfaction.
“It’s crazy what this vacuum sucks up and I no longer have hair stuck in it due to the design of the head. It’s pricey but it’s worth every cent… Also, love that you don't have to hold the trigger down on this model you just press a button and off you go.”
BEST LIGHTWEIGHT CORDLESS STICK VACUUM
PROS:
- Auto Empty System features a HEPA filter and Anti-Allergen Complete Seal to trap 99.99 per cent of dust and allergens, so they don’t get released back into the air while you clean.
- Auto emptying functions keeps debris sealed, helping you avoid the “dust cloud” that sometimes forms with traditional emptying.
- Multi Flex Wand can bend, making it easy to clean low furniture like stools, sofas and coffee tables.
- LED display shows colour coded rings to show when the area is clean.
- Lights up debris in dark areas.
- Automatically adjusts suction power to match floor surface.
- Self-cleaning brushroll separates hair from the brushroll to avoid blockages.
CONS:
- Reviewers point out the actual runtime is much shorter than 60 minutes, which only applies when using the handheld vacuum in Eco mode. The stick vac is likely to offer up to 15 minutes on the highest setting, which is similar to many other models.
Weight: 2.7kg | Runtime: Up to 60 minutes | Dustbin capacity: 0.42L (dust canister) / 2L Auto Empty Dock.
What You Need To Know
For those who love the self-cleaning features in robot vacuums but prefer the control of stick vacs, the Shark Detect Pro Cordless Stick is worth considering. This Shark vacuum comes with an Auto Empty System, which automatically empties the dustbin into the larger docking station designed to hold up to 30 days’ worth of debris. The Auto Empty System also contains Odour Neutraliser Technology to prevent bad odours, which is definitely handy if you’re planning on taking advantage of the base’s large capacity.
“This vacuum is so easy to use and super efficient. I was used to a Dyson prior to purchasing this, but I found the shark was more powerful and reliable,” raved a shopper.
"Like my previous Shark vacuum, this one did not disappoint. Great suction, lightweight, easy to handle and the added bin makes disposing of the dirt a breeze. Love it!" a second commented, rating it five stars.
BEST BUDGET CORDLESS STICK VACUUM
Electrolux PURE Well Q7 Animal Stick Vacuum, $299 at The Good Guys
PROS:
- Most reviewers praise the suction power and lightweight feel.
- Can store accessories on-board for convenience.
- Has a BrushRollClean feature to minimise hair tangling and clogging.
CONS:
- Has a small dustbin and short runtime.
Weight: 1.45kg | Runtime: Up to 50 minutes | Dustbin capacity: 0.3L
What You Need To Know
Got some furry friends at home? Finding hair everywhere can be annoying, but trying to vacuum it all might be even trickier. This Electrolux unit stands out with its BrushRollClean technology, which contains an internal blade that cuts the hair and fibres before sucking them into the dustbin to prevent clogging. You can activate it by simply pressing the pedal down for a few seconds.
Shoppers say this unit is a "great cordless vacuum cleaner" which "glides easily" and offers "superb pick up" when it comes to pet hair.
"I love the powerful suction and how light it is. The accessories that come with the vacuum make cleaning really easy," praised a fan.
"The Electrolux Well Q7 Animal Vacuum is a very compact and efficient vacuum. I have a dog and need to vacuum each day and this vacuum picks up all the fur with ease. I particularly like the specific animal tool which I use on blankets and rugs and dog bedding. The added versatility of have a removal dust buster tool gives even more flexibility to a compact product.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN BUYING A STICK VACUUM
When choosing stick vacuums to include in this list we looked at several factors. Sallahuddin, who works with Dyson’s Research, Design and Development (RDD) Floorcare team, gave us a few tips to consider.
Battery: The one downside to cordless stick vacuums is that they are battery-operated, which gives them a rather limited run time. While battery capacities have significantly improved over the years, you’ll want to look for a model that can clean your entire house on one charge.
Bear in mind that the battery life of each cordless stick vacuum will be influenced by the type of flooring you’re cleaning (e.g. carpets and rugs require more suction power which drains the battery faster) and the cleaning mode you choose. If you have a larger home, you’ll want to consider models with a longer battery life or which have click-in battery packs that can be swapped out to extend the battery life.
Surface type: Sallahuddin highly recommends choosing a vacuum cleaner that is versatile in the types of surfaces it can clean. This is because certain flooring, such as carpets and rugs, need a higher suction power to clean than hard flooring.
“This means having enough air watts to remove dust from the different surfaces in the home. An efficient dust separation system ensures that filters do not get clogged so there is no loss of suction that will affect the performance of the vacuum cleaner,” he explained.
Most stick vacuums are now made to work different surface types. But if your home has a lot of soft flooring, you may want to look for a model with higher suction power and a longer run time.
Filters: Many stick vacs contain HEPA filters because “it is not enough for vacuum cleaners to pick up dust effectively,” according to Sallahuddin.
“Ensuring that all the dust is trapped inside the machine and not expelling dirty air back into the house is just as important,” he said. “A good vacuum cleaner is fully sealed and equipped with an advanced, multistage filtration system to ensure that all the dust that is picked up remains trapped inside the vacuum and only clean air is expelled back into the house.”
Price: While some pricier stick vacuums are worth the spend, you don’t need to break the bank in order to score yourself a decent model. Before you start shopping, it’s a good idea to draw up a budget and a list of features that you require (extended battery life, included pet hair tools, etc.). From there, you can compare vacuums from reputable brands to find one within your ideal price bracket.
Weight: Stick vacuums typically weigh less than 5kg, which means most are fairly lightweight and versatile. However, there are models that weigh 2kg or less which are much more accessible and easier to manoeuvre.
HOW WE CHOOSE THE BEST CORDLESS STICK VACUUM CLEANERS
To help you find the best stick vacuum for your needs and budget, we asked Dyson Senior Design Manager, Sallahuddin Mashkuri for their expert advice and recommendations on what to look for when buying a stick vacuum. In addition, our shopping team read hundreds of customer reviews and looked at test results and ratings from product review sites to find the best stick vacuums from premium to budget to help you find the right one.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHAT IS A STICK VACUUM?
A stick vacuum is a slim and lightweight version of the traditional barrel vacuum cleaner. You can find both corded and cordless options, although many prefer the convenience and convenience and flexibility of a cord-free unit. For added versatility, they can also be converted into a handheld vacuum by switching out the attachments.
The ‘stick’ name comes from the design, as the vacuums feature a long stick or hose with the motor and dust container situated at the top. Cordless stick vacuums are generally not as powerful as corded or barrel varieties, but you can definitely find models with strong suction power.
HOW TO MAKE YOUR CORDLESS STICK VACUUM BATTERY LAST LONGER
The easiest way to maximise the runtime and overall battery lifespan is by changing the level of power based on the floor surface, and saving Boost mode for “intensive cleaning”, rather than sticking to full speed each time.
“Run-time can be affected by the cleaning mode used and the different power draw on varied surfaces – long-pile carpets will draw more power than short pile, for example,” Sallahuddin said.
“In Auto mode, suction power automatically adjusts based on the concentration of dust detected, ramping up when there is a high concentration of dust for the most efficient clean.”
Other ways to get the most out of your battery life:
- Try to use the high power mode less often.
- Avoid using the cordless stick vacuum in extreme heat temperatures.
- Store the cordless vacuum at room temperature.
- Allow the vacuum cleaner to cool after use before recharging.
- Let the battery run down to empty at least once a month so it can naturally discharge.
SHOULD YOU LEAVE CORDLESS VACUUMS PLUGGED IN ALL THE TIME?
Unlike mobile phones, Sallahuddin says batteries in stick vacuums are generally designed to be left on charge permanently
“Once the battery is fully charged, the machine won’t use any more electricity,” he said.
“It’s important to fully charge the machine before using it for the first time, and after every clean. This helps to improve the algorithm’s accuracy.”
Although he recommends letting the battery run out at least once a month to “naturally discharge”, which can help “prolong its life“.
HOW TO TELL IF YOUR STICK VACUUM BATTERY NEEDS REPLACING
If the runtime on your cordless vacuum has significantly decreased, especially when it’s on the lowest speed, Sallahuddin suggests this might be a sign that your battery may need to be replaced. But if the problem is suction power, he says the first thing you should do is clean the filter and check for any blockages (such as hair and dust). This might just be a case of correctly maintaining your vacuum.
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