Kenmore Elite Cordless Stick Vacuum
3.4
(9)
Bottom Line
Choose if you want a lightweight budget stick with unusually good dust containment; Skip if you need deep carpet cleaning or long high-power runtime.
Best for
People who want an ultra-light cordless for quick daily maintenance on hard floors and low-pile carpets, especially if dust containment matters and you like under-furniture reach.
Not for
Homes with lots of shag/high-pile carpet, or anyone who expects long High-mode runtime, swappable batteries, and deep-clean performance without extra passes and filter upkeep.
Verdict
Kenmore Elite Cordless Stick Vacuum is a strong budget option for quick, frequent cleanups: it is very light, the EasyReach bend helps with under-furniture chores, and several reviews report better fine-dust containment than most low-cost cordless sticks. The tradeoff is cleaning power and endurance. Multiple tests describe weaker deep carpet results, some plowing of larger debris, and short high-mode runtime. Expect more filter care and downtime too, since the battery is typically non-removable and recharge time is described as slow by testers.
Pros
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Weight 4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 7 reviews 4.7Multiple reviews emphasize very low weight (about 6 lb as used), making it easier for stairs, overhead dusting, and users with hand/wrist fatigue.
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Under-Furniture Pickup 4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 5 reviews 4.5The EasyReach bending wand is a standout feature, repeatedly praised for reaching under beds and low-clearance furniture with less bending.
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Packaging quality 4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 4.5Packaging and unboxing feedback is positive in one hands-on review: double-boxed, parts secured, clear instructions, and easy click-together assembly.
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Convertible handheld design 4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 4 reviews 4.4Repeatedly noted as convertible to a handheld for stairs, cars, furniture touch-ups, and quick above-floor jobs; handheld weight is described as very light in at least one lab test.
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Price & Value 4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 5 reviews 4.2Value is a major theme: priced in the budget tier (often under about $150, sometimes closer to $130 on sale). Reviewers generally frame it as good value if you accept tradeoffs in deep-cleaning power and runtime.
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Overall opinion 4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 7 reviews 4.2Overall sentiment is divided by expectations: reviewers seeking a budget, lightweight, better-sealed cordless tend to recommend it, while lab testers focused on deep carpet cleaning rate it as underpowered.
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Cordless convenience 4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 4 reviews 4.2Cordless handling is a core benefit, especially for quick sessions and stairs. Convenience is tempered by short high-mode runtime and the need to plan around recharging for whole-home cleans.
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Controls & UI 4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 4 reviews 4.2Controls are consistently described as simple: two modes (Eco/High) and a button or trigger that turns on and stays on without constant squeezing. Battery status is shown by a ring or LEDs.
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Debris illumination 4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 3 reviews 4.1LED or headlight-style illumination is commonly included and viewed as helpful for spotting debris along floors and under furniture.
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Filtration / Dust Containment 4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 5 reviews 4.0A recurring strength is dust containment: multiple reviews say the bin/canister is unusually well sealed for the price and passes smoke-style containment checks. One lab test still measured a fair amount of very small particle escape, so it is not HEPA-level performance.
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Runtime (Measured, Default) 4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 6 reviews 4.0Default or Eco-mode runtime is commonly reported in the 30–45 minute range depending on floor type and how often you stop/start.
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Ease of use 3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 6 reviews 3.9Ease of use is often praised due to light weight, simple controls, and quick conversion to handheld. Some lab testing still rates it low because of limited swivel, threshold transitions, and needing extra passes on stubborn debris.
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Maintenance requirements 3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 6 reviews 3.8Maintenance needs are moderate-to-high: filters need regular rinsing/cleaning, and some tests suggest suction drops faster if fine dust loads the pre-motor filter. Brush roll access is usually straightforward for clearing hair or blockages.
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Dried-On Stain Removal 3.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 4 reviews 3.7Handling is generally praised for light weight and easy pushing, but at least one lab test says the head tilts more than it swivels, making tight turns and obstacles harder. Overall maneuverability depends on your layout and thresholds.
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Bin & Bag 3.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 7 reviews 3.7Bin size lands in the small-to-mid range (about 650 ml cited in lab testing). Some reviewers found it adequate, while others had to empty often during pet-hair sessions; emptying is generally easy but can be a bit messy.
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Hard Floor — Fine Dust Pickup 3.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 4 reviews 3.7Hard-floor fine dust pickup is generally good but may take extra passes, especially when the vacuum is run in Eco or when dust is in grooves. High mode improves results noticeably.
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Carpet — Low-Pile Pickup 3.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 6 reviews 3.6Surface pickup on low-pile carpet is usually solid for the price, but deep-clean ability is consistently the limiter. It can handle routine maintenance, not heavy embedded grit.
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Hard Floor — Large Debris Intake 3.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 5 reviews 3.6On hard floors, larger debris (cereal, Cheerios, cat litter) can be pushed or plowed, sometimes requiring multiple passes or rocking the head to get items under the intake.
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Hair Pickup — Carpets 3.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 2 reviews 3.5Pet hair pickup on low-pile carpet ranges from decent to good, with some strong results on stairs and cat trees, but performance drops on high-pile carpets where hair and debris can stay embedded.
Cons
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Suction & Airflow 3.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 7 reviews 3.5Wand suction numbers around 20 kPa show up repeatedly, but some lab tests still call overall power below average, especially once filters load. Expect strong-enough airflow for surface messes, not premium deep-clean muscle.
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Accessories & Tools 3.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 5 reviews 3.4Most sources describe a simple kit: typically a 2-in-1 combination tool (crevice + dusting) plus a wall mount. Several note the lack of richer, powered handheld tools found on pricier sticks.
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Battery & Charging 3.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 7 reviews 3.0Battery is typically built-in and non-removable. Real-world high-mode runtime is often reported around 9–18 minutes, while low mode can reach roughly 30–45 minutes; recharge time is frequently described as slow (around 4 hours).
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Upholstery / Above-Floor Pickup 3.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 2 reviews 3.0Above-floor cleaning is doable with handheld conversion and a combo tool, but multiple reviewers note it is less capable than sticks that include powered mini tools for upholstery and fabric.
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Edge & Baseboard Cleaning (Hard Floors) 3.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 3.0Edge cleaning can be strong when you approach debris head-on, but parallel-to-wall passes may leave a thin line behind, so baseboards can take extra attention.
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Storage footprint & upright-stand stability 2.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 3 reviews 2.9Storage favors wall-mounting and small footprint, but multiple reviews note the unit is not self-standing, which can make quick parking and storage less convenient.
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Hair‑Wrap / Tangle Resistance 2.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 6 reviews 2.8Hair-wrap resistance is mixed: some reviewers call it prone to tangling and not anti-tangle, while others found long-hair tangling lower than many budget rivals. Expect some wrap, especially with longer hair, and plan to clean the brush roll.
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Runtime (Measured, Boost/Turbo) 2.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 7 reviews 2.8Boost/High-mode runtime is the main constraint, frequently reported around 9–18 minutes, which limits whole-home cleaning on thicker carpets.
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Carpet — Medium-Pile Pickup 2.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 2.8Deep-clean results on embedded fine debris are mixed-to-weak in testing, with one lab-style carpet deep-clean score well below top cordless vacuums. It is better for surface-level carpet maintenance than restoring heavily loaded carpet.
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Emptying & Mess Control 2.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 2.8Emptying is typically quick via a latch or slider, but at least one review notes the drop-open design can scatter debris if you are not careful.
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Noise level 2.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 2.6One tester measured about 73.5 dB, which is loud enough to notice and closer to outdoor-tool territory than a quiet vacuum.
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Suitability for heavy-duty use 2.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 2 reviews 2.5Most reviewers position it for light to medium duty and smaller spaces or quick cleanups, not for heavy-duty, multi-room deep cleaning or lots of thick carpet.
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Clogging & debris prevention 2.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 2 reviews 2.3Fine-debris clogging is a real downside in some testing: the pre-motor filter can load up with flour-like dust and performance may drop, and big messes can also clog the head. Regular filter care helps but adds upkeep.
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Crevice / Groove Pickup (Hard Floors) 2.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 2 reviews 2.2Crevice and groove pickup on hard floors is a weak spot in at least one lab test, with debris remaining in floor cracks even after many passes; users report better results when switching to high and slowing down.
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Area Rug Handling 1.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 2 reviews 1.8Area-rug handling is best on low-pile rugs; shag and thick rugs can cause dragging, catching, or very low pickup, so many reviewers recommend avoiding those surfaces.
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Carpet — High-Pile Pickup 1.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 1.5High-pile and shag carpet performance is repeatedly reported as poor, including very low pickup numbers in testing and user advice to avoid shaggy rugs.
FAQ
Is the battery removable or swappable?
Most reviews describe a built-in, non-removable battery, so you cannot hot-swap packs during a long clean.
How long does it run in real use?
Expect roughly 30–45 minutes on Eco/low, but often only about 9–18 minutes on High depending on the test and surface.
Is it good for shag or high-pile rugs?
Multiple tests and user reports say it struggles on shag/high-pile, with low pickup and a tendency to glide or catch, so it is best for low-pile rugs and hard floors.
Does it keep fine dust from leaking back out?
Several reviewers found unusually good dust containment for a budget cordless, though at least one lab test still measured small-particle escape, so it is not the same as a premium sealed HEPA system.
What maintenance should I expect?
Plan to empty the bin regularly, rinse/clean filters on a schedule or when suction drops, and periodically clear hair or blockages from the brush roll and head.
Does it stand up on its own?
More than one review notes it is not self-standing, so storage typically relies on laying it down or using the wall mount.
