Cordless Lightweight Vacuum Cleaners are a great option for cleaning every space in your home because they are easy to use and incredibly versatile. In order to evaluate each vacuum’s performance, we bought more than 50 different models and examined them all both at home and at The Lab.
During testing, we measure the time it takes for each product to be unboxed and set up, assess how well it cleans hardwood and carpeted surfaces, and determine how simple it is to direct it below and around obstacles.
Shark Vertex DuoClean PowerFins Cordless Stick Vacuum

Although it is portable, the Shark Vertex DuoClean PowerFins Cordless Stick Vacuum is not lightweight. In our tests, this stick vacuum cleaned up, quite literally. It received a flawless 5-star rating for efficacy for its work on every kind of flooring, including hardwood and carpets with various pile heights. Our product tester claims that moving this 9-pound vacuum requires very little effort, but this is not due to a weak suction.
In fact, according to our testing, the suction is strong enough to remove debris such as cereal, hair, and popcorn kernels in a single pass, saving you the time and labor of having to make many passes to completely clean the same area of flooring. Our tester observed that the dust bin “comes off smoothly and empties without pain” once it is full.
This lightweight vacuum should be agile and adaptable while reaching beneath furniture even in real-world circumstances. The Shark Vertex DuoClean PowerFins Cordless Stick Vacuum proved simple to tuck beneath a coffee table and couch in our lab’s living room obstacle course. It has a greater reach than most other stick vacuums thanks to a special pivot point (and also means it folds in half for compact storage).
It would be fantastic if it could stand on its own, but that is one aspect of the design that is lacking. Even so, it’s challenging to match this option’s capable and practical performance. Despite the fact that it requires assistance, according to our product tester, “it essentially vacuums for you, so you put in very little work.” Additionally, this stick vacuum cleaner won’t likely run out of power before you do thanks to its outstanding 60-minute battery life.
What we like:
- Extremely long battery life.
- Strong suction on all surfaces.
- Folds in half for straightforward storage.
What we dislike:
- Noisy when picking up.
Heavy stuff. - The dustbin might be bigger.
Kenmore DS4095 Elite Vacuum Cleaner

Feature:
- Maneuverability 5/5
- Ease of Emptying 3.5/5
- Portability 4.5/5
- Noise Level 5/5
In addition to the Kenmore DS4095 Elite’s low price, our tester was astounded by its smooth functioning and user-friendly layout. She didn’t need to raise her voice to speak to anyone in The Lab if she was more than ten feet away. Despite having trouble picking up hair from upholstery, the vacuum had no trouble picking up large and small debris from carpet and hard surfaces without spitting it all over the place, in contrast to some of the other models we tried. Our tester did observe that this vacuum has the propensity to drag hair and debris down its sides and behind it.
However, they claimed that as long as you have focused the vacuum on the mess before cleaning it, you shouldn’t have any problems.
In addition to having strong suction, this vacuum also boasts a lightweight swivel head for navigating turns and an EasyReach wand that can bend to clean below furniture. The Kenmore was lightweight, and while being top-heavy, the weight distribution allowed our in-lab tester to constantly vacuum without experiencing arm strain. They also mentioned that although the assembly instructions were comprehensive, it was difficult to make sure all of the parts were in place because they had to remain upright the entire time. We advise having a second person present to assist with assembly.
What we like:
- Removes both large and small trash; Quiet operation.
- Needs assembly assistance.
What we dislike:
- Not excellent for upholstery.
Eufy H30 Venture Lightweight Vacuum Cleaner

Feature:
- Setup 4/5
- Effectiveness 5/5
- Maneuverability 4/5
- Ease of Emptying 4/5
- Portability 5/5
If you want to scale down your vacuum cleaner when completing small jobs, the Eufy H30 Venture is a fantastic option. This vacuum has a lot of power while being lightweight and less than two pounds. It has two power settings: an extra-powerful max mode for tackling difficult messes and a battery-saving eco option. This vacuum’s battery keeps it running for up to 20 minutes while still being compact. Even though a complete recharge takes three to four hours, the accompanying stand doubles as a charging station and maintains battery levels topped off and ready to go.
What we like:
- Strong suction.
- Charging station.
- Contrasting operation modes.
What we dislike:
- Tiny garbage can when set on Max.
- It makes a lot of noise.
The Shark Rocket Ultra-Light Cordless Vacuum

Feature:
- Effectiveness 4.5/5
- Maneuverability 4/5
- Ease of Emptying 5/5
- Noise Level 3/5
- Setup 5/5
When vacuuming carpet, even lightweight vacuums can become difficult to maneuver, making your cleaning session a push-and-pull battle with the strands. Therefore, if your home has a lot of carpeting or rugs, pick a vacuum with the appropriate suction and settings for quick and easy cleaning. The Shark Rocket Ultra-Light Corded Stick Vacuum performed admirably in our tests, picking up trash from low, medium, and high pile carpets in five passes or less.
The weight of this corded stick vacuum is around 8 pounds. The biggest surprise to our testing team when assembling the vacuum was the handle height, which was taller than anticipated. Nevertheless, it didn’t prevent our product tester from maneuvering the vacuum with ease under and around furniture, awarding it 4 stars for this feature. Our product’s tester commented It moves with me.
Even though this vacuum has fingertip controls that let you switch between floor settings, it was surprisingly more difficult to operate successfully on hardwood floors. Even so, once we switched to a greater suction setting, it was still able to gather up all the trash. You can utilize more suction power as necessary without worrying about running out of electricity because there is no battery to worry about.
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.
What we like:
- Excellent suction over all surfaces.
- Transforms into a portable version.
- Very adaptable design.
What we dislike:
- A bit noisier.
- Doesn’t support itself on its own.
Eureka Lightweight Cordless Vacuum

Feature:
- Effectiveness 4/5
- Maneuverability 5/5
- Ease of Emptying 5/5
- Portability 5/5
- Noise Level 3/5
Finding a vacuum with the proper amount of suction might occasionally feel difficult if you live in a home with hard flooring. With a weight of just over 7 pounds, the Eureka Lightweight Cordless Vacuum is not only portable but also effective at cleaning up messes on hard surfaces. Although we were disappointed in its poor performance on the carpet, it had no issue gathering up both large and small trash during our test on hard surfaces 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 one’s dust container is pretty simple to empty; in fact, our tester had to manually remove a little amount of hair that had gotten stuck at the top of the container. Other user-friendly features include various floor cleaning modes that can be set via the control panel, which also shows the battery level, and LED headlights that spotlight spills on the floor and illuminate your cleaning route.
We are convinced that this vacuum could easily clean an average-sized apartment effectively during its 30-minute run time because our tester operated it for more than 17 minutes without noticing any drop in suction. Overall, this vacuum may not have as many features as other higher-end models, but we still like how simple the design is and how easy it is to assemble.
What we like:
- Excellent suction over all surfaces.
- Transforms into a portable version.
- Very adaptable design.
What we dislike:
- A bit noisier.
Conclusion:
The Shark Vertex DuoClean PowerFins Cordless Stick Vacuum is our top selection for a compact vacuum. In our testing, it performed superbly on both carpets and hard surface floors. This vacuum has a flexible design that makes it easy to store and transfer, and it requires almost little effort to move. The Kenmore DS4095 Elite Cordless Stick Vacuum is another product we advise. You might need a second pair of hands to put it together, but it runs quietly and distributes weight well.
FAQs:
What exactly qualifies as a lightweight vacuum?
Although the weight of a lightweight vacuum varies depending on the type and brand, these vacuums typically weigh between 5 and 10 pounds. Some items, like an upright vacuum, could be a little heavier, but they might make up for it with added features that improve their effectiveness and agility.
Do portable vacuum cleaners work on carpets?
While stick vacuums, which are typically recognized for their cleaning effectiveness on bare floors, are the most common type of lightweight vacuum, several versions can also successfully clean carpeted areas. No matter what kind of lightweight vacuum you pick, Dr. Jacobs advises looking for a model with an adjustable floor head to make sure it will have enough suction force for thicker carpets or rugs and to prevent you from overworking yourself.
Why might a lightweight vacuum lose suction power?
A full dust bin, clogged filter, or obstructed floor head might impair the suction ability of any vacuum, including a lightweight model. Or, if the vacuum’s hose has any blockages or leaks, suction power can be reduced or even lost completely. It’s key to properly maintain your vacuum to prevent any lessened performance by regularly cleaning the dust bin, washing or swapping out the filter, and detangling the beater bar.
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