Vorta S9 review
The best all-round stick vacuum under $400. Strong on every floor, light on the stairs, and a battery that covers the whole house.
In this review
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.
- 96% pickup, highest in its price range
- 48 minutes runtime on standard setting
- Empty the bin without dirty hands
- Wall mount has to be drilled
- Brush tangles faster with long hair than the Northwind
- Houses and apartments up to 1,300 sq ft
- A mix of hard floors and low-pile carpet
- Vacuuming the stairs without a cord
- 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.
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: Sarah Miller shows how the Vorta S9 performs in our test house.
Long-term test
Specifications
How it compares
| Vorta S9 | Kleen Air 300 | Northwind X2 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Test score | 9.1 | 8.2 | 9.4 |
| Price from | $339 | $169 | $549 |
| Rank | Our pick | Budget pick | Upgrade |
| Pickup | 96% | 89% | 98% |
| Runtime | 48 min | 35 min | 62 min |
| Weight | 2.4 kg | 2.2 kg | 2.7 kg |
Alternatives
Reader questions
Frequently asked questions
Is the battery sold separately?
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.
- BrasQ in-house measurements, February – September 2026
- Manufacturer specifications and manual (2026)
- IEC 62885-4: Performance measurement of cordless vacuum cleaners
- Added update after seven months of use.
- Added filter replacement and cost.
- Review published.
