The best all-round stick vacuum under $400. Strong on every floor, light on the stairs, and a battery that covers the whole house.
Tested by Sarah MillerReviewed by Ryan MitchellIn use February 2026 (7 months)Purchase Bought ourselves at Best BuyUpdated October 3, 2026Reading time 9 minutes
If you want one cordless vacuum for a home up to 1,300 sq ft, the Vorta S9 will serve you well for years. Only with a lot of long hair is the pricier Northwind X2 worth considering.
Pros
+96% pickup, highest in its price range
+48 minutes runtime on standard setting
+Empty the bin without dirty hands
Cons
–Wall mount has to be drilled
–Brush tangles faster with long hair than the Northwind
Good for✓ Houses and apartments up to 1,300 sq ft✓ A mix of hard floors and low-pile carpet✓ Vacuuming the stairs without a cord
Less suited for✕ Lots of high-pile carpet✕ Multiple long-haired pets✕ Anyone who doesn’t want to drill holes for the wall mount
Test results
Compared with the average of all 22 models tested.
Pickup hardwood98%· avg. 91%
Pickup high-pile carpet92%· avg. 80%
Runtime standard setting48 min· avg. 38 min
Quietness (lower is better)69 dB· avg. 73 dB
Vorta S9Average
Design and use
The S9 weighs 2.4 kilos and its center of gravity sits close to your hand, so it doesn’t pull down when you reach under the couch. The power button is a switch rather than a trigger: you don’t have to keep it pressed. You empty the bin with a slider that pushes the dirt out.
video: Vorta S9 in use
Video: Sarah Miller shows how the Vorta S9 performs in our test house.
Long-term test
September 2026After seven months, battery capacity has dropped by 4 percent. No malfunctions.
June 2026Filter replaced after four months of daily use. A new filter costs $24.
February 2026Bought and put into service as the everyday vacuum in the test house.
Yes, a spare battery costs $79 from the manufacturer and you click it in yourself.
How long is the warranty?+
Two years on the unit and one year on the battery.
Can it handle drywall dust?+
For a little dust after drilling, yes. For large amounts we recommend a shop vac, because the filter clogs quickly.
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SourcesHouseholdMe in-house measurements, February – September 2026Manufacturer specifications and manual (2026)IEC 62885-4: Performance measurement of cordless vacuum cleaners
Changelog
Sep 24, 2026Added update after seven months of use.
