Buying a vacuum cleaner isn’t as straightforward as you may assume. With so many manufacturers and fashions to select from, it may be bewildering. Sticking with established manufacturers isn’t essentially a secure wager, with previous efficiency being no assure that the most recent fashions shall be pretty much as good. In the meantime, costs will be misleading, with some inexpensive fashions now closing the hole on top-of-the-range manufacturers relating to cleansing efficiency.
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You possibly can’t know all this by looking by means of a division retailer or on-line. The best factor to do could be to take a number of fashions dwelling to attempt them out – however good luck persuading anybody to allow you to try this. Fortunately, you gained’t must attempt as a result of I’ve examined an array of fashions for you. I’ve measured each’s capacity to carry out a variety of real-world cleansing jobs, so you’ll be able to uncover the perfect vacuum cleaner for you.
At a look
Why you need to belief me
This isn’t the primary time I’ve examined vacuum cleaners – over the previous few years, I’ve reviewed them for varied publications, which has given me a stable understanding of what makes a mannequin good or dangerous. I’ve stored maintain of some of my favorite fashions for long-term testing, so I can simply make direct comparisons towards these which are new on the block.
My home can be completely arrange for vacuuming challenges. It has a mixture of carpet and exhausting flooring, a prepared provide of hair (pet from my very own canine and a field of clippings I procured from an area groomer; human from the hairbrush and carpet surrounding the dressing tables of long-haired members of the family), and loads of dusty flour and chunky cat litter for testing functions.
How I examined
Earlier than I began any cleansing, I used a suction meter to check the suction energy of each vacuum, normally by sealing it with tape over the closest appropriate opening to the gathering bin. I additionally examined the batteries of cordless vacuums, the place I timed how lengthy it took for the battery to run down on probably the most and least highly effective settings.
Then it was on to the nitty-gritty. I fastidiously weighed out portions of flour, cat litter and pet hair, depositing it on carpet and exhausting flooring to check every vacuum. I weighed every mannequin’s assortment bin earlier than I began, then handed the vacuum over every sort of mess utilizing the usual flooring head or most acceptable different. Every vacuum was handed over the spillage as soon as, utilizing a single ahead and pull-back movement. Then, by weighing the gathering bin once more, I used to be in a position to set up how a lot of the grime had been picked up.
After the take a look at, fashions had been both returned to the suitable producers, or – within the occasion they didn’t need them again – donated to the British Coronary heart Basis.
The very best vacuum cleaners in 2026
Greatest corded vacuum cleaner general:Shark Detect XL Automotive + Pet LA791UKT
Shark
Detect XL Automotive + Pet LA791UKT
from £299
What we lovePowerful, nice efficiency, versatile
What we don’t lovePricey in case you gained’t use all its options
In order for you a vacuum that gained’t run out of juice mid-clean, then the Shark LA791UKT is the perfect corded upright I’ve examined. It’s a modern-looking system with a classy dual-roller flooring head, a good bin capability of two.5l, and no pointless options.
Why we love itWhen it got here to cleansing exams, this Shark actually cleaned up. Flour and pet hair disappeared into its assortment bin, with no hint left behind. Admittedly, it didn’t decide up all of the cat litter we put down on a single back and forth cross, however unleashing the deal with from the principle unit permits you to simply goal bigger chunks – and it completed the clean-up completely.
It comes with a helpful choice of equipment for tackling upholstery and moving into nooks and crannies. Conveniently, you’ll be able to raise the gathering bin away from the ground head to assist achieve entry to harder-to-reach areas, too.
It’s a disgrace that … it’s costly for a corded vacuum – the Henry House is considerably cheaper.
Sort: corded uprightIncluded attachments: anti hair wrap pet device, mixture duster, crevice toolWeight (measured): 5.2kgSuction energy (measured): 17kPaNoise: 80dBSize: 31 x 43 x 116cm (WDH)Mud capability: 2.5lCord size: 8m
Shark
Detect XL Automotive + Pet LA791UKT
from £299
What we lovePowerful, nice efficiency, versatile
What we don’t lovePricey in case you gained’t use all its options
Greatest cordless vacuum cleaner general:Shark PowerDetect Clear & Empty IP3251UKT
Shark
PowerDetect Clear & Empty IP3251UKT
from £347.64
What we loveExcellent efficiency and fewer guide emptying
What we don’t loveTakes up extra cupboard space than a daily cordless stick
Cordless vacuum cleaners are nice for fast and environment friendly cleanups. Nevertheless, they could be a ache to empty due to the mud cloud that billows out of bagless fashions and the comparatively small dimension of their assortment bins, which suggests extra frequent emptying. The IP3251UKT takes a few of this ache away by emptying itself into a bigger, secondary assortment bin on the stand.
Why we love itThe IP3251UKT wins factors for being exceptionally good at its job. Throughout exams, its dual-roller flooring head carried out in addition to that on the corded LA791UKT, reviewed above, but it surely fared higher when selecting up the bigger cat litter particles, leaving nothing behind.
The self-emptying makes use of a bagless system that you simply simply take away and tip into the bin, so there are not any consumables to fret about. As well as, the bottom station additionally expenses the system, so you’ll be able to simply slot the vacuum into its dock and neglect about it. It isn’t as neat an answer as a wall mount, and it takes up extra space, however the cleaner is all the time empty of mud and absolutely charged whenever you subsequent want it.
It’s a disgrace that … the capability of the secondary assortment bin within the base is just 2l, so it solely takes three full fills of the vacuum’s 0.7l bin earlier than that wants emptying, too.
Sort: self-emptying cordless stickIncluded attachments: mixture duster crevice device, multi-surface device, motorised hand toolWeight (measured): 3.71kgSuction energy (measured): 28kPaNoise: 86dBSize: 26 x 47 x 118cm (WDH, together with dock)Mud capability: 0.7l (vacuum), 2l (dock)Battery life (measured): 43mins
Shark
PowerDetect Clear & Empty IP3251UKT
from £347.64
What we loveExcellent efficiency and fewer guide emptying
What we don’t loveTakes up extra cupboard space than a daily cordless stick
Greatest finances corded vacuum cleaner:Numatic Henry Residence
What we loveMore cleansing attachments than the fundamental Henry mannequin
What we don’t loveFloor heads don’t have all of the options of subtle rivals
The Henry’s design has stood the take a look at of time, discovering favour with dwelling customers {and professional} cleaners since its introduction within the early Nineteen Eighties. Not a lot has modified on the fundamental mannequin, however I examined the Henry Residence, unique to the Henry web site, which comes with extra flooring equipment than are normally supplied by different retailers.
Why we love itAt the time of writing, the £189.99 Henry Residence was solely about £20 greater than the usual Henry, accessible from the likes of Currys and Argos. That’s a superb deal contemplating the additional tools. For my carpet exams, I attempted the AiroBrush, which is a brush curler that makes use of an inside air turbine to transform its personal suction into the mechanical energy wanted to rotate the curler. It didn’t really address pet hair or cat litter that effectively, turning into clogged by the previous. Switching over to a easy funnel gathered the rest. Nevertheless, for vacuuming lighter on a regular basis grime on carpeted areas, the AiroBrush coped simply fantastic.
The exhausting flooring device (mainly a large funnel with a stiff brush) did a cracking job on my exhausting flooring, though I did discover that it’s greatest held at an angle to ease the passage of bigger particles and hair clumps.
It’s a disgrace that … the AiroBrush doesn’t have an anti-tangle mechanism; hair shortly grew to become wrapped round its curler.
Sort: corded barrelIncluded attachments: crevice device, dusting device, upholstery/mattress device, AiroBrush, exhausting flooring device, multi-angle device, flexi crevice toolWeight (measured): 7.1kgSuction energy (measured): 18.5kPaNoise: 72dBSize: 32 x 34 x 35cm (WDH, cylinder unit solely)Mud capability: 6lCord size: 10m
What we loveMore cleansing attachments than the fundamental Henry mannequin
What we don’t loveFloor heads don’t have all of the options of subtle rivals
Greatest cordless vacuum cleaner for pet hair:Vax HomePro Pet-Design
Vax
HomePro Pet-Design
from £319
What we loveGreat worth for a feature-packed cordless stick
What we don’t loveBetter on carpet than exhausting flooring
Cordless stick vacuums will be costly, however they don’t must be. The Vax HomePro Pet-Design isn’t the most cost effective mannequin on the market, but it surely’s nice worth for cash, combining respectable cleansing expertise with some useful options, together with two attachments for pet hair.
Why we love itAs you’ll be able to see from my before-and-after image under, the Vax did a superb job of amassing flour, cat litter and pet hair from carpet, and it was nearly pretty much as good on exhausting flooring, with just a few items of cat litter escaping its clutches – straightforward sufficient to assemble on a subsequent cross.
It has two energy settings, common and enhance, and lasted for 34 minutes in my battery rundown take a look at on its customary setting. That makes it straightforward to function, and I notably like the way in which it may help itself when standing up, so that you don’t have to search out someplace to prop it up whenever you want a break.
It’s a disgrace that … it doesn’t include a smooth curler particularly for cleansing delicate exhausting flooring.
Sort: cordless stickIncluded attachments: crevice device, stair device, pet hair remover, motorised pet toolWeight (measured): 3.5kgSuction energy (measured): 19kPaNoise: 86dBSize: 22 x 25 x 116cm (WDH)Mud capability: 0.7lBattery life (measured): 34mins
Vax
HomePro Pet-Design
from £319
What we loveGreat worth for a feature-packed cordless stick
What we don’t loveBetter on carpet than exhausting flooring
Greatest vacuum for deep cleansing:Dyson Gen5detect
What we loveTwo flooring heads make it professional on carpet and exhausting flooring
What we don’t loveSwitching between flooring heads mid-clean is a faff
Dyson’s newest cordless vacuum cleaner, the V16 Piston Animal, didn’t impress me sufficient to make it on to this listing, but it surely has had a constructive knock-on impact on the worth of my favorite Dyson, the Gen5detect. Though launched at an eye-watering £850, the present worth of this good vacuum is all the way down to a barely decrease £749.
Why we love itUnlike the V16, the Gen5 comes with two flooring heads: the Digital Motorbar for carpet, and the Fluffy Optic for exhausting flooring. Though you must swap them over whenever you transition between surfaces, the profit is that every one is an professional at its job. There’s additionally a useful dusting brush and crevice device – constructed into the extension wand, so it’s all the time accessible – and what’s arguably the perfect motorised upholstery device within the enterprise.
In exams, this vacuum performs so effectively that I have a tendency to make use of it to tidy up after testing, if different vacuums have fallen brief.
It’s a disgrace that … swapping flooring heads is an annoyance that Shark customers don’t must expertise.
Sort: cordless stickIncluded attachments: built-in dusting and crevice device, mixture device, hair screw toolWeight (measured): 3.5kgSuction energy (measured): 31kPaNoise: 70dBSize: 25 x 28 x 128cm (WDH)Mud capability: 0.77lBattery life (measured): 56mins
What we loveTwo flooring heads make it professional on carpet and exhausting flooring
What we don’t loveSwitching between flooring heads mid-clean is a faff
The very best of the remaining
Miele Guard L1 Consolation XL
Miele
Guard L1 Consolation XL
from £499
What we loveA luxurious cylinder vacuum cleaner designed for ease of use
What we don’t loveMore costly than comparable rivals
Greatest for: corded comfort
Whereas the Henry Residence provides an inexpensive corded cylinder expertise, the Miele Guard L1 is a extra luxurious rival. It’s filled with options to make life simpler, from the automated cable retraction and accent storage to the foot-controlled variable energy settings. The mannequin I examined got here with two flooring heads – a general-purpose one which depends on suction alone, however that may be switched between carpet and exhausting flooring modes, and a second, bigger flooring head with a brush base that’s particularly for sweeping exhausting flooring.
It carried out very effectively in my exams, selecting up no less than 90% of each spillage in a single cross.
It didn’t make the ultimate reduce as a result of … it’s costly for a marginal efficiency enchancment over the Henry Residence.
Sort: corded barrel; included attachments: upholstery nozzle, crevice nozzle, dusting brush, parquet brush Tornado XL; weight (measured): 7kg; suction energy (measured): 21.5kPa; noise: 60dB; dimension: 50 x 29 x 24cm (WDH, cylinder unit solely); mud capability: 3.5l; cable size: 8.5m
Miele
Guard L1 Consolation XL
from £499
What we loveA luxurious cylinder vacuum cleaner designed for ease of use
What we don’t loveMore costly than comparable rivals
Eufy Robotic Vacuum E20
Eufy
Robotic Vacuum E20
£279
What we loveTwo merchandise in a single field: a robotic and a cordless stick
What we don’t loveA good cordless stick however not the perfect performer right here
Greatest for: a robotic vacuum that converts right into a cordless
These eager to dabble in automated cleansing with out shedding the comfort of a corded stick want look no additional than the Eufy E20. It’s primarily a robotic vacuum (and a moderately good one, too), however unusually, you’ll be able to raise the suction mechanism out of the robotic’s physique, and use it as a handheld cordless. Connect the extension wand and flooring head, and it’s a completely useful cordless stick.
It didn’t make the ultimate reduce as a result of … whereas the robotic component is good and the ground head carried out effectively on carpet, it wasn’t fairly pretty much as good as a few of the devoted cordless sticks on exhausting flooring.
Sort: robotic/cordless stick; included attachments: 2-in-1 mixture device, crevice device; weight (measured): 2.4kg; suction energy (measured): 28kPa; noise: 78dB; dimension: 25 x 22 x 130cm (WDH, in cordless stick mode); mud capability: 3l (self-emptying base); battery life (measured): 48mins
Eufy
Robotic Vacuum E20
£279
What we loveTwo merchandise in a single field: a robotic and a cordless stick
What we don’t loveA good cordless stick however not the perfect performer right here
Dyson Automotive+Boat
Dyson
Automotive+Boat
from £239.98
What we loveRelatively compact and excels at cleansing up small messes
What we don’t lovePossibly not one of the best ways to purchase a Dyson V8
Greatest for: handheld cleansing
The Dyson Automotive+Boat is basically a reboxed Dyson V8, though it drops the extension wand and two flooring heads that include the total mannequin. That meant I couldn’t take a look at it in fairly the identical means, since there’s no flooring head to assemble the mess. As a substitute, I bought on my palms and knees and used the hand held attachments, which did an excellent job of clearing up spillages.
It didn’t make the ultimate reduce as a result of … it’s value checking costs on V8 fashions before you purchase. On the time of writing, the V8 Absolute – with extra wand, two flooring heads, a greater upholstery device and two extra attachments – was accessible from Dyson for a similar worth.
Sort: handheld; included attachments: crevice device, mixture device, mini motorhead; weight (measured): 1.9kg; suction energy (measured): 21kPa; noise: 78dB; dimension: 13 x 33 x 21cm (WDH); mud capability: 0.54l; battery life (measured): 38mins
Dyson
Automotive+Boat
from £239.98
What we loveRelatively compact and excels at cleansing up small messes
What we don’t lovePossibly not one of the best ways to purchase a Dyson V8
Tower VL220 Cyclone
Tower
VL220 Cyclone
from £181
What we loveSelf-emptying base for cheaper price than the Shark rival
What we don’t loveNot as efficient as Shark and substitute luggage are costly
Greatest for: finances self-emptying
These searching for the self-emptying expertise of the Shark IP3251UKT however with a extra affordable worth ought to think about the Tower VL220 Cyclone. It’s a pared-back different by way of options, however retains the core idea of a base station with a secondary vacuum perform that sucks the grime out of the cordless stick’s assortment bin and into a bigger receptacle under. As with the Shark, the bottom station additionally serves as a charging dock, though this mannequin makes use of luggage to assemble the grime. That makes for a much less messy emptying, however luggage price £9.99 every, solely maintain 2l at a time and must be ordered by means of Tower’s customer support as a result of they aren’t accessible on the web site.
It didn’t make the ultimate reduce as a result of … it solely comes with a fluffy curler flooring head, so it isn’t nice on carpet, plus the substitute luggage are too costly and a faff to purchase.
Sort: self-emptying cordless stick; included attachments: 2-in-1 crevice brush and nozzle device; weight (measured): 2.6kg; suction energy (measured): 28kPa; noise: 73dB; dimension: 35 x 24 x 131cm (WDH); mud capability: 2l (self-emptying base); battery life (measured): 43mins
Tower
VL220 Cyclone
from £181
What we loveSelf-emptying base for cheaper price than the Shark rival
What we don’t loveNot as efficient as Shark and substitute luggage are costly
Numatic Henry Fast Professional
Numatic
Henry Fast Professional
from £399
What we loveClean and handy emptying
What we don’t loveDisposable luggage have plastic lids
Greatest for: dust-free emptying
In most of my cleansing exams, the Henry Fast Professional carried out effectively. Its flooring head isn’t the perfect at amassing cat litter from a tough flooring, pushing it forward as an alternative of sucking it up, but it surely leapt up the hand held funnel attachments once I used these as an alternative.
This Henry makes use of luggage to gather the grime, which eject neatly into the bin once they’re full. In addition they act because the filter, so there’s much less basic upkeep required, since they’re frequently changed moderately than needing cleansing.
It didn’t make the ultimate reduce as a result of … the disposable luggage have a plastic part to them, which isn’t superb contemplating they’ll find yourself in landfill. Replacements price about £1.30 every.
Sort: cordless stick; included attachments: crevice device, 2-in-1 combi device, mini motorised device, flexi crevice device, smooth dusting brush, flexi hose; weight (measured): 3.2kg; suction energy (measured): 10.75kPa; noise: 68dB; dimension: 24 x 27 x 122cm (WDH); mud capability: 1l; battery life (measured): 1hr 11mins
Numatic
Henry Fast Professional
from £399
What we loveClean and handy emptying
What we don’t loveDisposable luggage have plastic lids
What you must know
Corded vs cordless vacuum cleaners
The primary query you’ll have to ask your self when shopping for a vacuum cleaner is whether or not you desire a corded or a cordless mannequin. Cordless sticks are the trendy alternative, with enhancements in battery energy and cleansing capacity over the previous decade bringing them consistent with the efficiency of corded fashions.
Nevertheless, there are some things to contemplate. Whereas the batteries ought to final for about 40 minutes or extra on their most economical setting, you gained’t get something like that if you must run them at full energy. In case you have a bigger dwelling or persistent grime issues (akin to a pet that sheds plenty of hair), then a cordless may run out of energy earlier than you’ve completed cleansing. In these conditions, a corded mannequin makes extra sense. As a aspect profit, corded cleaners are inclined to have a bigger capability, so don’t want emptying as usually.
The downsides of a corded vacuum principally concern the inconvenience of the twine. For instance, you’ll have to hold switching plug sockets as you progress round the home, as even the longest cables solely attain round 10m. The twine will inevitably additionally get in the way in which as you clear. I are inclined to work with the twine slung over my shoulder as I vacuum, working away from the plug socket the machine is linked to, however that is all extra fuss that you simply don’t get from a cordless mannequin.
What do you have to search for in a vacuum cleaner?
Whichever sort of cleaner you select, be sure that it has the fitting attachments. All vacuum cleaners ought to include a flooring head except they’re particularly configured as handhelds, though the kind you’ll want is dependent upon whether or not you might have principally carpet or exhausting flooring. Ground heads with brush rollers are inclined to work effectively at teasing grime out of carpet, whereas fluffy rollers are wonderful on exhausting flooring. Suction-only flooring heads can work effectively, however won’t tease as a lot grime out of thicker-pile carpets.
In case your flooring appears to draw hair, then search for anti-tangle gadgets. When these work effectively they will dramatically scale back the quantity of hair that turns into tangled round a flooring head’s curler, which for my part is without doubt one of the least nice vacuum upkeep jobs that you simply’ll have to carry out.
Different attachments value looking for are the hand held choices. I wish to have a crevice device, a smooth dusting brush and an upholstery device, with the latter ideally being motorised. Any additional additions are a bonus.
In the case of emptying, bagless vacuums can get messy. If you happen to’re searching for options akin to Hepa filters to rid allergy-inducing particles, it’s additionally value checking how they empty, as mud can simply escape once more except you empty them exterior. Vacuums with luggage make emptying cleaner, however there’s an ongoing price to exchange them and it’s extra garbage headed for landfill.
For extra: The very best cordless vacuum cleaners for a spotless dwelling The very best robotic vacuums to maintain your property clear and mud free The very best steam cleaners and mops, examined Learn how to make your vacuum cleaner last more
Andy Shaw is a client journalist and expertise addict. Having reviewed tech merchandise professionally for greater than 30 years, his favoured working atmosphere is a small desk surrounded by huge packing containers. His biggest weak spot is that he by no means, ever remembers how issues got here out of their packaging, so that they not often match again in once more when it’s time to return them
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