A cordless stick vacuum is easy to buy and easy to regret, because runtime, weight and filtering vary a lot from model to model. Here are four top-selling cordless stick vacuums, what their product pages say, and the Health Canada advice on dust worth reading first.
Short on the filter: Stick Vacuum For A Dusty Home? Start With The Filter
Quick answer
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Check the filter and the runtime before the colour. According to Health Canada, a vacuum with a HEPA filter that traps small particles helps keep dust down, and carpets and soft furnishings should be vacuumed often.
A simple place to start: the Shark PowerPro IZ370HC, ranked #10 in Stick Vacuums & Electric Brooms when we checked. Its product page lists HEPA filtration that captures over 99.97% of dust and allergens at 0.3 microns and larger, and up to 50 minutes of runtime. Want a stick that stands on its own? The BISSELL PowerClean 4173B is ranked #13 and lists up to 40 minutes in low mode.
Four cordless stick vacuums, by how you’ll use them
| Product | Best for | |
|---|---|---|
| Shark PowerPro IZ370HC cordless stick vacuum | Best for homes with carpet and hard floors where you want a HEPA filter. #10 in Stick Vacuums & Electric Brooms when we checked. The product page lists HEPA filtration with an anti-allergen complete seal that captures over 99.97% of dust and allergens at 0.3 microns and larger, a sensor that adjusts brushroll speed to the floor type, and up to 50 minutes of runtime (measured at the handheld vacuum in standard mode). Skip it if weight matters: it’s listed at 4.72 kg, the heaviest of the four. | See price |
| BISSELL PowerClean 200W 4173B self-standing cordless vacuum | Best for a stick that stands on its own and turns into a handheld for stairs and furniture. #13 in Stick Vacuums & Electric Brooms when we checked. The product page lists a HEPA sealed allergen system that captures 99.97% of dust, pollen and dander allergens, a removable battery that charges in 3 hours, and up to 40 minutes in low mode. Skip it if you plan to run it hard: Turbo mode is listed at 13 minutes. | See price |
| Levoit cordless vacuum with tangle-resistant brush | Best for light daily cleaning on hard floors and rugs. #3 in Stick Vacuums & Electric Brooms when we checked. The product page lists 5-stage filtration that captures 99.9% of particles as small as 0.3 microns (tested per ASTM F1977-23), an anti-tangle brush, a 0.75 L dustbin, a weight of 2.8 kg and up to 50 minutes with the crevice or pet tool in Eco mode. Skip it for long runs with the floor head: the page lists 30 minutes with the vacuum head and 12 minutes in Turbo mode, and says it’s for dry messes only. | See price |
| Shark Vertex Pro IZ662H cordless stick vacuum | Best for a bigger home where you want the longest listed runtime. #16 in Stick Vacuums & Electric Brooms when we checked. The product page lists up to 60 minutes (measured at the hand vac in ECO mode), a removable battery, DuoClean PowerFins with a self-cleaning brushroll, a real-time display and a wand that doubles as freestanding storage. Its filter type is listed as HEPA. Skip it if you want something lighter: it’s listed at 4 kg, against 2.8 kg for the Levoit. | See price |
Specs come from the retailer’s product pages and can change, so check the current page before you order.
What does Health Canada say about vacuuming?
According to Health Canada, keeping dust levels down reduces your exposure to potentially harmful substances found in dust. Its tips: vacuum carpets, curtains and soft furnishings frequently, use a vacuum with a HEPA filter that traps small particles (or a central vacuum that vents outdoors), clean floors and surfaces with a damp mop or cloth, and cut down clutter so dust has fewer places to settle. It also suggests considering hard flooring in place of carpet.
How do you charge and store the battery safely?
A cordless vacuum runs on a lithium-ion battery. According to Health Canada:
- Use the charger that came with the vacuum. If you buy a replacement charger, look for a recognized Canadian certification mark such as CSA, cUL or cETL.
- Charge at room temperature where you can see it, and away from soft surfaces like a couch or bed that can trap heat.
- Don’t use a battery that’s swollen or dented.
- Batteries are hazardous waste, so keep them out of the household garbage and ask your municipality how to drop them off.
Common questions
Does a stick vacuum replace mopping? Not on its own. Health Canada also suggests cleaning floors and household surfaces with a damp mop or cloth. The Levoit product page adds that it’s for dry messes only.
How long does the battery run? It depends on the mode. The product pages list up to 60 minutes for the Shark Vertex Pro (ECO mode, measured at the hand vac), up to 50 for the Shark PowerPro (standard mode, measured at the handheld vacuum) and the Levoit (with the crevice or pet tool in Eco mode), and up to 40 for the BISSELL in low mode. In Turbo mode the Levoit lists 12 minutes and the BISSELL 13.
Is a HEPA filter worth looking for? It’s one of Health Canada’s tips for keeping dust down. The Shark PowerPro and BISSELL pages describe HEPA systems with a 99.97% claim, and the Shark Vertex Pro page lists HEPA as its filter type. The Levoit page describes a 5-stage system tested to ASTM F1977-23 at 0.3 microns.
How do I dispose of an old battery? Don’t put it in the household garbage. According to Health Canada, batteries are hazardous waste, so check with your municipality for a safe drop-off.
Before you buy
- Look for a HEPA filter, Health Canada’s tip, and read what the page actually claims.
- Compare runtime in the mode you’ll really use, not only the best number on the page.
- Check the weight, especially if you’ll carry it up stairs.
- Look at what’s in the box: crevice tool, pet tool and a wall mount for storage.
- Find the filter-change schedule. The Levoit page says to replace its filter every 3 months.
- Already have a robot vacuum? Our robot vacuum guide covers self-emptying docks, and our leaf blower guide has more on cordless battery care.
Our top pick: Shark PowerPro IZ370HC cordless stick vacuum
Sources: Health Canada, Dust and dust mites; Health Canada, Lithium-ion battery safety. Product details come from the manufacturers’ and retailer’s product pages, so check the current page before you order.
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