Kenmore DS1030 Ultra-Light Cordless Vacuum

3.9

(5)

Bottom Line

Choose the DS1030 if you want a super-light cordless upright that stays ready on its stand for quick daily touch-ups. Skip it if you have lots of plush carpet or want one-step emptying and a fast, swappable battery.

Best for

Apartment and small-home owners, seniors, and anyone who wants a lightweight daily vacuum for hard floors and thin rugs with a strong detachable hand vac for stairs, cars, and upholstery.

Not for

Homes dominated by plush/high-pile carpet or users who need a big bin and one-step, low-mess emptying. Also a poor fit if you require a swappable battery or have limited hand strength for stiff switches.

Verdict

Kenmore’s DS1030 stands out in the budget cordless category by keeping most of its weight low, so it feels easy to push while still delivering strong everyday suction on hard flooring and thin rugs. The detachable hand vac plus long crevice tool make stairs, cars, and baseboards genuinely convenient, and the headlight helps spot dust you would otherwise miss. The tradeoff is refinement: the dust cup is small and can be messy to empty, the slide switch and charging dock can be finicky, and performance is inconsistent on thick carpet or with large debris. Long-term reliability feedback is mixed, so it works best as a nimble daily-maintenance or secondary vacuum.

Pros

Ease of use 4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 4.8

Overall ease of use is strong due to low, balanced weight and simple two-speed operation, but stiff switches, multi-step emptying, and occasional charging-dock fussiness can add friction.
Weight 4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 5 reviews 4.7

A standout attribute: reviewers repeatedly call it ultra-light and easy on the wrist because the weight is concentrated lower rather than in the handle.
Cordless convenience 4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 3 reviews 4.6

Cordless convenience is one of the most celebrated benefits, making it easy to do quick cleanups without dragging out a larger corded vacuum.
Suitability for small spaces 4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 2 reviews 4.6

Well suited to apartments, RVs, and small homes where quick daily passes matter more than deep-clean power or large capacity.
Price & Value 4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 4 reviews 4.6

Consistently viewed as a strong value buy: low pricing paired with good everyday performance makes it a popular pick for quick-clean duties.
Maneuverability & Handling 4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 3 reviews 4.5

Reviews repeatedly highlight easy handling and a responsive swivel head; the low-mounted weight distribution reduces arm fatigue compared with top-heavy stick vacs.
Assembly and Setup 4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 2 reviews 4.5

Assembly is generally quick and intuitive with snap-together parts and a simple stand/dock setup.
Convertible handheld design 4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 4 reviews 4.5

The pop-out handheld is a key advantage and is often described as powerful and convenient for cars, furniture, and stairs; the main downside is you typically remove it to empty the dust cup.
Suction & Airflow 4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 3 reviews 4.4

Vacuum Wars testing and many owners describe surprisingly strong suction for the price, especially on hard floors and thin rugs; suction can drop when the filter clogs or on thicker carpet.
Stair Cleaning 4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 4.4

Frequently recommended for stairs because it is light to carry and the handheld mode works well for step edges and corners.
Upholstery / Above-Floor Pickup 4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 4.4

Above-floor cleaning is a highlight: the detachable handheld and tools are repeatedly used for upholstery, vehicles, and tight spaces with good results.
Versatility 4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 4.4

Versatility is a strength: it transitions between floors and converts to a handheld for cars, furniture, and stairs, though it is less convincing on plush carpet and larger debris.
Comparative performance 4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 3 reviews 4.4

Comparisons often favor it versus similarly priced sticks (and some older premium models) on hard floors and low pile, but it is less competitive versus full-size deep-clean vacuums.
Storage footprint & upright-stand stability 4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 3 reviews 4.4

A major draw is freestanding storage and a floor dock (no wall mount), but the dock can feel light or flimsy and takes up some floor space.
Overall opinion 4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 5 reviews 4.3

Overall sentiment is positive for a lightweight budget cordless, with recurring negatives centered on emptying mess, charging base quirks, and mixed long-term reliability.
Onboard tool storage 4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 3 reviews 4.3

The dock keeps the vacuum and tools organized in one place, but the base is sometimes described as too light and can lift or shift when removing the vacuum.
Aesthetic design & finish 4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 4.3

Many reviewers like the sleek, compact look and finish, though a few describe it as budget-grade plastic or wish for a more premium design.
Crevice / Groove Pickup (Hard Floors) 4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 4.3

Crevice performance is commonly praised, especially with the long crevice tool for baseboards, under cabinets, car seats, and tight gaps.
Hard Floor — Fine Dust Pickup 4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 4 reviews 4.3

Fine debris pickup on hard floors (dust, flour, hair) is consistently strong and is one of the product’s best use cases.
Carpet — Medium-Pile Pickup 4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 4.2

On medium-pile rugs and typical area rugs, pickup is usually solid for surface debris, but heavy embedded dirt and thicker piles can expose its limits.
Carpet — Low-Pile Pickup 4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 4 reviews 4.2

Low-pile carpet pickup is generally good for routine maintenance, and some users note it can even feel strongly suctioned down on flat rugs.
Accessories & Tools 4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 4 reviews 4.2

The included tool set (notably a long crevice tool) and extra filter are frequently praised, though some buyers note missing accessories on certain color variants or uneven performance across attachments.
Runtime (Measured, Default) 4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 2 reviews 4.2

Low/standard mode runtime is often reported around the 30–45 minute range for smaller homes, but varies notably with usage habits and can feel short for multi-floor cleaning.
Under-Furniture Pickup 4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 4.1

It can tilt low and reach under beds and couches several inches; very low-clearance furniture may still be out of reach.
Battery & Charging 4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 4 reviews 4.0

Charging is simple via the floor stand, but recharge time is often described as long and some users report finicky contacts or base failures; the battery is generally not viewed as easily replaceable.
Floorhead design 4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 2 reviews 4.0

The floorhead is praised for swivel maneuvering and a narrow profile; tradeoffs include occasional dragging on carpet, small wheels, and continuous brush behavior that can push some debris.
Edge & Baseboard Cleaning (Hard Floors) 4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 4.0

Edge cleaning is generally strong thanks to a narrow head that can run close to baseboards, though a minority of users still call edge pickup only average.
Hair Pickup — Hard Floors 4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 4.0

Most feedback is positive for picking up pet hair on hard floors, though a few heavy-pet households report hair can get pushed to the sides or collect around the brush.
Low-profile design 4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 4.0

Low, near-flat reach helps it get under furniture and along kickboards better than many compact cordless designs, though it is not a full under-bed replacement in very tight clearances.
Hair‑Wrap / Tangle Resistance 3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 4 reviews 3.9

The hair-cutting or easy-cut feature helps reduce tangles and is praised by some as highly effective, but others still need manual cutting and frequent brush cleaning.
Headlight & LED lights 3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 2 reviews 3.9

The headlight is widely appreciated for revealing dust and hair, but opinions vary on brightness and beam angle; the charging indicator light can be distracting for some.
Controls & UI 3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 4 reviews 3.8

Two power levels are useful, but common complaints include a stiff slide switch, limited status feedback (no runtime indicator), and the brush roll not fully turning off for some use cases.
Filtration / Dust Containment 3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 2 reviews 3.8

Not a fully sealed HEPA system, but filtration is considered above-average for the class; the washable filter captures fine dust well yet can clog quickly and needs regular cleaning.
Bin & Bag 3.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 2 reviews 3.7

Bagless, clear dust cup is convenient to monitor but small, leading to frequent emptying for larger homes or heavy debris/pet hair.
Pet-Ready Features 3.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 3.7

Works well for many pet homes thanks to the motorized brush and handheld mode, but heavy pet hair and litter/kibble handling is inconsistent and may require frequent cleaning or extra passes.
Maintenance requirements 3.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 2 reviews 3.6

Expect frequent maintenance: filters and screens may need regular rinsing/cleaning and the brush can require periodic de-hairing to maintain airflow.
Hair Pickup — Carpets 3.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 3.6

Carpet hair pickup ranges from good on low/medium pile to frustrating on thicker rugs or heavy shedding situations, where hair can clump and require more passes.
Noise level 3.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 3.6

Often described as very quiet on low mode and noticeably louder on high, with overall noise judged acceptable for a budget cordless.
Runtime (Measured, Boost/Turbo) 3.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 2 reviews 3.6

High/max mode runtime is commonly described as much shorter than low mode and best used for brief spot boosts on rugs or stubborn debris.

Cons

Emptying & Mess Control 3.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 3 reviews 3.5

Emptying is often cited as a pain point because it requires removing the handheld and filter assembly; it can be messy and easy to accidentally trigger the power button.
Airflow blowback 3.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 3.4

Blowback and kick-out are usually controlled on fine debris, but multiple users mention crumbs, litter, or larger pieces can be pushed around or fall back out when the vacuum stops.
Hard Floor — Large Debris Intake 3.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 3 reviews 3.4

Large debris on hard floors is a weak spot: some users report it pushes Cheerios, leaves, kibble, or gravel or drops pieces when turned off, though the handheld can help for spot pickup.
Clogging & debris prevention 3.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 3.3

Clogging resistance is mixed: some praise the short airflow path, while others experience frequent clogs from pet hair or fine debris unless the filter and brush are cleaned often.
Ongoing ownership costs (bags, filters, batteries) 3.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 3.2

Washable filters and readily available replacements keep routine costs low, but the non-swappable battery and limited spare parts can raise long-term ownership risk.
Overall durability/longevity 3.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 3.2

Longevity feedback is split: some report 1–2+ years of regular use, while others mention early failures (brush motor, bearings, charging base) within months.
Support & Reliability 3.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 3.2

Support experiences vary widely: some users report smooth warranty replacements, while others cite limited parts availability or unhelpful responses for broken components.
Tool-change simplicity 3.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 3.2

Attachment usability is mixed: some users say tools fit and work well, while others report tight fit, awkward storage, or a dusting tool that slides during use.
Build quality & durability 3.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 2 reviews 3.2

Build quality is described as budget-leaning; many units feel solid enough for daily touch-ups, but reports of brittle tabs, peeling wheel coatings, and breakage exist.
Suitability for heavy-duty use 2.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 2 reviews 2.8

Most reviewers frame it as a light-duty or secondary vacuum; it is not a great fit for whole-home deep cleaning in large spaces or thick carpeted homes.
Scratch resistance 2.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 2.8

Materials can scratch relatively easily in durability demonstrations and everyday use, but most scratches are cosmetic rather than functional damage.
Carpet — High-Pile Pickup 2.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 2.6

High-pile and plush carpet performance is inconsistent and often described as a limitation; it may bog down, be hard to push, or miss embedded debris.

FAQ

How long does the DS1030 run on a charge?

In testing it can reach about 45 minutes on low and roughly 15–20 minutes on max, but real-world runtime varies with floor type, power mode, and how clean the filter is.

Does it work well on carpet?

It is generally best on low-pile carpet and area rugs for routine surface cleaning. On thick or high-pile carpet, performance and pushability are inconsistent and it will not replace a full-size deep-clean vacuum.

Is it good for pet hair and litter?

Many owners like it for daily pet hair on hard floors and rugs, and the hair-cutter feature can reduce brush wrap. Litter, kibble, and small gravel results are mixed—some users report pieces can spit out or fall back out when you stop.

Is emptying and maintenance easy?

Emptying is a multi-step process (remove the handheld, open the cup, clear/clean the filter) and can be a bit messy if you are not careful. Frequent emptying and regular filter/brush cleaning help keep suction consistent.

Can you swap the battery?

Most feedback indicates the battery is not designed as a quick-swap pack. If you need longer sessions, plan to rely on the low mode, recharge between runs, or consider a model with removable batteries.