5 Best Cordless Upright Vacuums 2025

The Kenmore CU7005 Litening isn’t just another cordless vacuum—it’s a high-performance cleaning powerhouse engineered for real homes with real messes. With 4X the suction of standard cordless stick vacs and a brushless motor that delivers consistent power, this upright doesn’t quit when the going gets tough. Its Lift-Up Technology is a game-changer, letting you pivot the head up 90 degrees to clean stairs, under furniture, or even curtains without switching tools—solving the awkward maneuverability issues that plague most uprights. And for pet owners drowning in hair tumbleweeds, the Hair Eliminator Nozzle lives up to its name, thanks to a clever comb-tooth design that keeps strands from wrapping around the brushroll.

In real-world testing across plush carpets, high-traffic hallways, and tile floors, the CU7005 handled transitions like a champ, maintaining strong suction even on max mode. The dual 24V batteries deliver up to 80 minutes of runtime, more than enough to deep-clean a 2,000 sq ft home without panic-charging. The HEPA filtration system is fully sealed, capturing 99.97% of dust and allergens, making it a standout for allergy sufferers. While the vacuum is lightweight for an upright at just under 12 lbs, it does require a bit more effort to carry upstairs compared to stick models. The LED display is intuitive, showing battery life and mode, while the headlight illuminates dust bunnies hiding under the couch—but the bin release could be more accessible during quick cleanups.

Compared to the budget-focused Shark Freestyle, the Kenmore is in a different league: more power, smarter features, and longer runtime. It competes closely with premium models like the MOVA M10 but focuses purely on dry pickup, not wet/dry cleaning. That makes it ideal for families who want one powerful, all-dry vacuum for carpets, hard floors, and pet messes without the complexity of a mop function. If you’re tired of weak suction and constant recharging, the CU7005 delivers professional-grade performance with the convenience of cordless freedom—offering better value in power and filtration than the MOVA despite lacking wet cleaning.

The MOVA M10 redefines what a cordless vacuum can do—this isn’t just a cleaner, it’s a self-sustaining cleaning ecosystem built for modern homes. With a staggering 18,000Pa suction powered by a 104,000RPM motor, it obliterates dry debris and slurps up wet spills with equal authority. But its true brilliance lies in its 180° Lie-Flat Reach and 90° swivel steering, letting it glide under sofas, beds, and cabinets with zero effort—finally making “clean under the furniture” a reality, not a chore. For homes with pets and hard floors, the dual-edge brush and zero-tangle comb design mean no more hair clogs, while Smart Dirt Detection adjusts suction on the fly, preserving battery for larger spaces.

During testing, the M10 handled everything from spilled coffee to tracked-in mud with confidence. In Smart Mode, it delivered 40 minutes of adaptive cleaning, easily covering 1,500 sq ft before needing a recharge—impressive for a wet/dry model. The 167°F hot water self-cleaning cycle is a standout: after mopping, the unit automatically rinses and dries the brush in just 15 minutes using quiet, warm air that protects bristles and prevents mold. The dual-tank system keeps clean and dirty water separate, ensuring every pass uses fresh solution. However, the vacuum struggles slightly on thick rugs, where the wet mop function isn’t recommended, and the app connectivity, while useful, isn’t essential for basic operation.

When stacked against the Tineco iFLOOR 5, the M10 offers superior reach, stronger suction, and faster drying, making it the better all-in-one for homes that demand deep, hands-free maintenance. While the Tineco is lighter, the M10’s zero-inch edge cleaning and swivel agility give it the edge in tight spaces. It’s not designed for carpeted homes, but for hard-surface dwellings that want one machine to replace vacuuming and mopping, the M10 delivers unmatched automation and performance—outpacing the Tineco in suction and drying speed despite a similar feature set.

Don’t let its modest price fool you—the Shark SV1106 Navigator Freestyle punches well above its weight with smart engineering on a budget. At just 7.5 lbs, it’s one of the most agile cordless vacuums in its class, making it perfect for quick cleanups, stairs, and homes where storage space is tight. The 2-speed brushroll is the star here: switch to high for carpets to dig out pet hair, or low for hard floors to avoid scattering debris. It’s not the most powerful (only 10.8V), but for daily maintenance, it delivers consistent, reliable pickup on both surfaces—solving the “I just need something that works” problem without overcomplicating things.

In real-world use, the .64-quart dust cup proved surprisingly capable, handling a full apartment sweep without overflow—though pet owners with heavy shedding may need to empty it mid-clean. Runtime is limited to around 25 minutes, which is adequate for small to medium spaces but can leave larger homes needing a recharge. The vacuum transitions smoothly between floor types, and the noise level at 80 dB is average—noticeable but not disruptive. It lacks advanced features like self-cleaning or digital displays, and the build feels more utilitarian than premium, but for a no-fuss, grab-and-go clean, it gets the job done.

Compared to the Hoover Evolve Pet, the Shark is lighter and more compact but offers less battery life and smaller capacity. It doesn’t have antimicrobial tech or a large bin, making it less ideal for serious pet owners. But for renters, small apartments, or anyone who wants a simple, dependable cordless vacuum without spending hundreds, the Freestyle is hard to beat. It’s not as powerful as the Kenmore or feature-rich as the MOVA, but it delivers better value per dollar than pricier models when all you need is basic, effective cleaning.

The Hoover ONEPWR Evolve Pet is a pet owner’s best friend—engineered from the ground up to tackle the relentless cycle of fur, dander, and tracked-in debris. With a dirt cup that holds 3X more than typical stick vacs, you’re not emptying it after every room, a small but massive quality-of-life win for homes with shedding dogs or cats. The Antimicrobial QuickPass brush roll is a subtle but brilliant touch: it fights odor-causing bacteria, so your vacuum doesn’t become a stink bomb between cleanings. And with ONEPWR’s 4.0 Ah MAX battery, you get up to 35 minutes of continuous runtime, enough to deep-clean a medium-sized home in one go.

In testing, the Evolve Pet handled embedded pet hair on low-pile rugs and hardwood with ease, thanks to its adjustable suction and brush roll that adapts to surface type. The multi-surface performance is solid, though it struggles slightly on high-pile carpets where more suction is needed. The vacuum is lightweight and well-balanced, making it easy to maneuver around furniture legs and under tables. However, the lack of a headlight or digital display feels like a missed opportunity at this price point, and the charging dock doesn’t double as a storage station, which limits wall-mount convenience.

When compared to the Shark Freestyle, the Hoover offers more capacity and longer runtime, making it a better fit for homes with multiple pets. It doesn’t have the Freestyle’s ultra-light design, but it’s far more capable for heavy-duty pet messes. Against the Kenmore CU7005, it lacks the same suction power and HEPA filtration, but it’s significantly more affordable and still delivers targeted performance for pet households. If you’re tired of clogged rollers and stinky brushes, the Evolve Pet delivers specialized features at a mid-range price—outperforming the Shark in pet-specific design while falling short of the Kenmore’s all-around power.

The Tineco iFLOOR 5 Breeze Complete is the gold standard for cordless floor washing, turning the tedious two-step of sweep-then-mop into a seamless, one-pass routine. With edge-to-edge cleaning down to 0.20 inches, it reaches corners and baseboards that traditional mops miss, while the dual-tank system ensures you’re always using fresh water—no dirty water redeposited on your floors. The auto self-cleaning function is nothing short of magical: after use, one press activates a full clean of the rollers and tubing, followed by centrifugal drying that leaves the brush dry and odor-free in minutes. For sealed hard floors like hardwood, tile, or laminate, this is maintenance made effortless.

In real-world testing, the iFLOOR 5 handled sticky spills, coffee stains, and tracked-in dirt with minimal effort, leaving floors streak-free and dry in seconds. The 30% larger water tanks compared to earlier models mean fewer refills, letting you clean up to 1,500 sq ft on a single charge. The flat scraper design ensures the brush stays clean during use, pushing debris into the bin while squeezing out dirty water—so every pass is effective. However, it’s strictly for hard floors; using it on carpet risks damage, and the learning curve for first-time users can be steep if you skip the instructional video. The unit also requires monthly filter maintenance to prevent false alarms from the dirty water tank sensor.

Stacked against the MOVA M10, the Tineco is lighter and simpler to operate, but the M10 wins in suction power and drying speed. The iFLOOR 5 lacks the M10’s 180° reach and smart dirt detection, but it’s more intuitive for users who want a no-frills, reliable floor washer without app dependency. It’s the ideal pick for elderly users or anyone who wants minimal effort and maximum results on hard surfaces. While the MOVA offers more tech, the Tineco delivers better ease of use and consistent performance—making it the smarter choice for straightforward, daily floor care.