Levoit VortexIQ40 review

A round of applause is deserved for the Levoit VortexIQ40 Cordless Stick Vacuum. This brand, known primarily for air filters, is now killing it in the floorcare space with this latest release. With a house full of kids and a dog, not every vacuum passes my hoover test, yet the VotrexIQ 40 picked up every trace of dog hair, dust and crumbs (all of which can be found scattered throughout my home at any given time). Armed with this flexible stick vac, hard-to-reach corners don’t stand a chance of harboring dirt in your home.

The design of the vacuum itself is modern and sleek, making it a good choice for those conscious of household aesthetic. Even the docking station is quite minimalist, which is great for small spaces with limited storage. Equipped with a HEPA filtration system and strong suction, it claims to not just pick dirt up– but to catch it and prevent it from recirculating into the air.

I reviewed this vacuum to see if it was worthy of a spot in our round-up of the best cordless vacuum cleaners. If it can’t stand up to my three kids and shedding pup, it’s a thing of the past. This Levoit was faced with smashed cheerios, long strands of hair, and carpet that collects pollen and dander. Wondering how it stood up? We've got all the information you need below so you can decide if it is the best vacuum cleaner for you.

Testing the Levoit VortexIQ40

Reviewed by

Reviewed by

Courtney Irwin

Courtney is a mom of three young kids and a dog, so naturally, crumb trails follow her everywhere. It’s safe to say she’s spent a small fortune testing vacuums, so reviewing them is right up her alley. She lives in a four-bedroom home with all types of flooring (carpet, hardwood and tile), the ideal environment to test a vacuum. She tested this Levoit cordless for over three weeks in her home.

Levoit VortexIQ40 specifications

• Model number: VortexIQ 40
• Battery run time: 40 minutes per charge (on low speed)
• Charge time: 4–5 hours
• Number of settings: 5 power levels
• Bin capacity: 2.5 cups / 0.6 L
• Bagged or bagless: bagless
• Suction power: 130AW
• Weight: 7.1 pounds

Who will the Levoit VortexIQ40 suit?

If dust and allergens are a problem in your home, the VotrexIQ 40 will suit you. Its four-stage HEPA filtration system claims to be able to trap 99.9% of particles including pollen, pet dander, and dust – meaning this model also doubles as one of the best vacuums for pet hair too. Even if you don’t have pets, I'm sure this vacuum will keep your floors and carpets looking cleaner. Common allergens are also swept right up with the impressive HEPA filter.    

Unboxing the Levoit VortexIQ40

Upon receiving my boxed Levoit VortexIQ 40, I was immediately impressed by not only the quality of the packaging but the simplicity of it, as well. Inside the box was a cardboard panel that clearly indicated all of the parts included, as well as directions for putting the vacuum together, making assembly a breeze.

The directions recommend four to five hours of charging before first use, which was longer than I anticipated. Full transparency, we tested our luck and turned it on right away. With the help of my three little helpers (ages four, four and six), we put this vacuum to the test within 15 minutes. Yes, it died after 25 minutes – but that was our own fault. After four hours, it was fully charged and ready to roll again.

Overall, I found no complaints when it came to unboxing the Levoit VortexIQ 40 Cordless Stick Vacuum. But, I know you’re not here just to learn about the packaging of this vacuum, so let’s dive into usage.

What is the Levoit VortexIQ40 like to use? 

This vacuum comes equipped with different attachable heads for varying types of cleaning needs. I would say the first thing I noticed when I began using this vacuum was its overall effortless feel. When I say this thing was so simple to use, I mean seriously…it was easy as pressing a button. The LED control panel was super easy to read and use and has display levels for suction, debris detection, battery, and airflow; so you always know the status of your vacuum. This vacuum also is equipped with LED headlights so that you can easily see dirt and debris as you clean.

With a suction level of 130 AW, the Levoit VortexIQ 40 can seamlessly clean carpets, picking up embedded dirt, and allergens. One of, if not the top, feature of this model is its dynamic power control technology that can actually detect the debris that travels through the vacuum and then adjust the suction level accordingly, meaning you hardly have to do anything other than turn it on and go. The inside of the vacuum has an infrared sensor that detects how much dirt is going through and adjusts the power as needed. Amazing, right? 

As if this vacuum couldn’t be smoother to use, it also has a flexible arm and makes cleaning under furniture and hard-to-reach areas trouble-free.

Cleaning/emptying the dustbin

It's a very easy process to clean this vac. First of all, the filter is in an easily accessible place at the top of the vacuum, but most importantly –  the LED screen will actually say MAX when it's time for you to clean it. It's really useful to get those notifications to force you into action, especially if you're not the best at setting yourself a cleaning schedule. 

The filter is washable, reducing the need for replacements, and the roller is also easily removable. If you find yourself detangling the roller (which inevitably happens, but doesn't affect performance), this is super convenient. Finally, when it is time to empty the dustbin, simply press the button over the garbage and the contents fall out nice and quickly. Just be careful – it can be a bit messy if you’re not directly over a trash can!

 Storage and maintaining the Levoit VortexIQ40

The Levoit VortexIQ 40 Cordless Stick Vacuum comes equipped with a charging dock, making this product completely cord-free. Often, cordless vacuums tend to be a bit clunky when it comes to charging, however the VortexIQ 40 has a removable battery pack that can be placed on the charging dock when it is time to plug in. The charging dock can also be attached to the wall for easy storage when it comes time to put your VortexIQ 40 away. 

How does the Levoit VortexIQ40 rate online?

The Levoit VortexIQ 40 rates 4.6/5 stars on Amazon with the only negative reviews stating emptying the dustbin could be a bit awkward and that the charge doesn’t last longer than forty minutes. 

When it comes to the suction and overall quality of the vacuum, though, it was practically unanimous that this product cleans well. Many reviewers compared this to Dyson offerings, such as the pricey Dyson V15 Detect, which tells me it’s a solid product worthy of your investment.

Is the Levoit VortexIQ 40 worth the money and how does it compare? 

This product comes in at just under $200 ($199.99 to be exact), which may seem a bit steep at first. However, when you compare that it is less than half the price of a Dyson cordless vacuum such as the V15 Detect, it doesn't seem quite as expensive.  

When it comes to performance, this vacuum holds up pretty well when compared to the leading cordless vacuum brands. If I had to specify where it lacks in comparison to more expensive offerings, I would say that its run time, at about 40 minutes, tends to be a bit shorter. But, how often are you vacuuming for longer than 40 minutes, anyway? Given its quality, I would say this product is well worth the money spent, as long as you don't have a vast space to clean up.