The sheer number of vacuum cleaners on the market nowadays seems endless, but somewhere in between cylinder, cordless and upright models, there’s the perfect match for you. So, to take the hassle out of finding the ideal fit for your cleaning needs, we’ve narrowed it down to just top-notch yet affordable vacuums that meet our demanding criteria.
Tori Miller, Floorcare Appliance Expert at AO.com, offers her tips on what you should consider before buying a new vacuum cleaner.
‘It’s important to think about the types of rooms you plan to use the appliance in and the flooring that you have in each of those spaces. This will determine which vacuum is most suitable for your home.’
‘Upright vacuums are extremely powerful as the full weight sits at the front, plus they have belt-driven floor rollers that provide strong suction, which can get deep into the dirt within carpet fibres. They are designed with foot control pedals, so you don’t have to bend down to switch them off or change the settings – this is particularly useful if you have different surface types in your home.
‘Most upright vacuum cleaners are corded, so they don’t require charging and they are easy to store away’.
‘Cordless vacuums are ideal if you’re looking for a lightweight vacuum, as some models weigh as little as 2kg. There’s no need to scour your home for a free plug socket either, as they are battery-powered, which means you’re not bound by a cord and can move freely from room to room.
‘Most models are easy to detach into a handheld mode too, which is ideal for small spaces or if you want to give the inside of the car a clean’.
‘Cylinder vacuums are great for small rooms and they can be folded away and stored easily, too. They also feature a flexible hose to help clean tricky, hard-to-reach places.
‘Another bonus of a cylinder vacuum is that it tends to be quieter than upright or cordless models, but they don’t compromise on suction power’.
Best vacuum cleaners on sale in the UK
Dyson V12 Detect Slim Absolute cordless vacuum
Best Dyson vacuum
Specifications:
- 4-hour charge time
- 60 minute run time
- 0.35L bin capacity
- 150AW suction power
- Weight 2.2kg | 123 x 25 x 25cm
The Dyson V12 Detect Slim Absolute cordless vacuum is a lightweight and manoeuvrable vacuum that requires 15% less effort to clean carpets, thanks to its ergonomic design. With a motorized edge-to-edge deep cleaning head and a detangling technology, it tackles long hair with ease. The vacuum offers multiple power modes, real-time scientific proof of a deep clean on its LCD screen, and comes with a range of accessories for all your cleaning needs. Although it comes with a higher price tag, its exceptional performance and two-year guarantee make it a worthwhile investment.
Pros: Great suction power, lightweight and easy to manoeuvre, informative onboard display, long run time.
Cons: Dust bin has a small capacity, lacks the ability to stand upright independently, expensive.
Read our guide to the best Dyson vacuums to buy in 2024.
Henry HVR 160 vacuum
Best Henry vacuum
Specifications:
- 6L bin capacity
- 2,300H20 suction power
- 620w
- Weight 7.5kg | 32 x 34 x 34cm
The Henry hoover is a classic vacuum cleaner renowned for its lightweight design, powerful suction, and durability, making it a versatile choice for various cleaning tasks. With easy manoeuvrability, a large 6-litre capacity, and affordable dust bags, emptying the machine is effortless. Its powerful motor provides effective suction while operating quietly, and the integrated cable reel allows for quick and convenient cable storage. Additionally, the included well-designed tool kit ensures seamless transitions between different surfaces for efficient cleaning.
Pros: Lightweight and durable design, easy-to-use dust bags, convenient cable storage with integrated reel, versatile tool kit for different surfaces.
Cons: Not as modern.
Read our full review of the Henry HVR 160 vacuum.
Fancy another cleaner from the Henry range? Our guide to the best Henry vacuum cleaners should help.
Shark Stratos Anti Hair Wrap Plus Pet Pro cordless vacuum (2 battery) IZ420UKT
Best Shark vacuum
Specifications:
- 0.7L bin capacity
- Two batteries included, providing up to two hours of run time.
- Anti Hair Wrap technology, CleanSense IQ, Flexology
- Weight: 2.16kg | 114 x 27 x 17cm
The Shark Stratos Anti Hair Wrap Plus Pet Pro cordless vacuum (2 battery) IZ420UKT is a powerful and convenient cleaning solution. With a generous dust container capacity and two included batteries, it offers uninterrupted cleaning for up to two hours. Its lightweight design and compact dimensions make manoeuvring and storage effortless, while the advanced features like Anti Hair Wrap technology and CleanSense IQ ensure efficient and hassle-free cleaning. Read our full review of the Shark Stratos Anti Hair Wrap Plus Pet Pro cordless vacuum.
Pros: Generous dust container capacity, lightweight design, advanced features like Anti Hair Wrap technology and CleanSense IQ enhance cleaning efficiency.
Cons: More expensive
Read our guide to the best Shark vacuums to buy in 2024.
Vax ONEPWR Blade 4 Pet & Car cordless vacuum cleaner
Best Vax vacuum
Specifications:
- 0.6L capacity
- 45 min run time
- Comes with a docking station
- Power boost
- Weight: 3.1kg | 114 x 24 x 18cm
The Vax ONEPWR Blade 4 Pet & Car cordless vacuum cleaner excels in all-round cleaning, effortlessly navigating corners and tight spaces while providing low noise operation. With a convenient button for easy dust bin emptying and the ability to cut tangled hair from the brush bar, it ensures hassle-free maintenance. The vacuum offers a handheld conversion option, comes with a mini motorized pet tool for upholstery, delivers powerful cleaning results on all floor types, and boasts a long-lasting battery with a quick charging time. Available at an attractive price point and backed by a three-year guarantee, it's a valuable investment for pet owners and homes seeking efficient cleaning solutions. Looking for more Vax vacuum reviews? Read out full review of the Vax Air Lift 2 Pet Plus.
Pros: Handheld conversion for car or staircase, reasonable price, docking station.
Cons: Fairly short run time.
Read our guide to the best Vax vacuums to buy in 2024.
Gtech Multi MK2 K9
Best Gtech vacuum
Specifications:
- Lithium-ion battery
- Four-hour charge for 20 minutes runtime
- 0.4L capacity
- Weight 1.5kg | H25cm x W13.6cm | 38.6cm
The Gtech Multi MK2 K9 is a lightweight and powerful handheld vacuum that offers convenience and versatility. With a simple push-button operation, it is ready to tackle spills, accidents, and spot cleaning with its 20-minute runtime. The bagless design allows for easy cleaning, and it comes with a range of accessories, including an LED headlight for illuminating tight spaces. The vacuum offers excellent performance, especially for family debris, earning a high rating, and with a reasonable price and included warranty, it provides good value for money.
Pros: Handy LED display, LED headlight, comes with lots of attachments, crevice tool stored on the body
Cons: The car cleaning kit is an additional cost
Read our guide to the best Gtech cordless vacuums to buy in 2024.
Hoover HF9 Home Edition cordless stick vacuum cleaner
Best Hoover vacuum
Specifications:
- 0.7L bin capacity
- 21.6V
- Weight 3.4kg | 111 x 26 x 21cm
The HF9 Home Edition cordless stick vacuum cleaner is a powerful and versatile cordless vacuum that offers exceptional manoeuvrability and convenience. With LED floor lights and adjustable suction levels, it effortlessly cleans carpets and hard floors, while the Anti-Twist™ technology prevents hair from wrapping around the roller. The vacuum provides long-lasting performance, with a run time of up to 30 minutes and the Turbo Boost function for demanding cleaning tasks. With a five-year warranty and included accessories, it offers great value for money, making it an excellent choice for efficient and thorough cleaning.
Pros: Lightweight and easily manoeuvrable, fits easily under low furniture, anti hair wrap brush bar, can be used as a handheld
Cons: Small bin capacity, run time not enough for large homes
Read our guide to the best Hoover vacuums to buy in 2024.
Roomba i3
Best robot vacuum
Specifications:
- 0.4L bin capacity
- Charging station
- Weight: 3.18kg | 34.2 x 34 x 9.3cm
If you hate vacuuming, you might be interested in a robotic vacuum. The iRobot Roomba i3 is a high-quality robotic vacuum cleaner packed with intelligent features. With its straight-line navigation and sensor-based cleaning, it efficiently cleans in organized rows and seamlessly resumes cleaning after recharging. The dual multi-surface rubber brushes prevent tangles with pet hair, making it a great choice for homes with furry companions. We particularly admire the i3's ability to suggest personalized cleaning schedules and its convenient voice control function, offering a user-friendly cleaning experience.
Pros: Intelligent straight-line navigation, resumes cleaning after recharging, personalized cleaning schedules, voice control function.
Cons: Small bin capacity, expensive.
Read our guide to the best robotic vacuums to buy in 2024.
Proscenic P12 cordless vacuum
Best budget cordless vacuum
Specifications:
- 1.2L bin capacity
- 25.9V
- Retractable stick
- Weight 1.95kg | 35 x 23 x 12 cm
The Proscenic P12 offers impressive ease of use with its lightweight design and ergonomic handle for comfortable manoeuvring. It boasts quiet noise levels and excels in preventing clogging or tangling of the roller brush roll. With features like Vertect technology, LED touch screen display, and enhanced filtration system, it ensures thorough cleaning results and is ideal for households with allergies. While it performs exceptionally well on hard floors, more effort may be required on carpets, especially when using maximum suction, which may affect battery life. Read our full review of the Proscenic P12 cordless vacuum.
Pros: Brush headlight for detecting even the tiniest specks of dirt and dust, intuitive LED touchscreen controls, five-stage filtration system, stick retracts for use as a handheld vacuum.
Cons: Struggled on carpeted floors on the lower power settings, fairly small dustbin capacity.
Read our guide to the best budget cordless vacuums under £200.
SQUIRREL_13081693
Looking for more cordless vacuums? Check out our reviews...
- Henry Quick Vacuum Cleaner review - Numatic has released its first-ever stick vacuum, which uses pods for clean emptying - and we got our hands on a Henry quick to test!
- Greenworks 24V Cordless Stick Vacuum review - Gardening tools brand Greenworks have made their first foray into home appliance with their cordless stick vacuum - we put it to the test
- Amazon Basics Cordless Vacuum Cleaner review - The Amazon Basics cordless vacuum is rated 4.3 stars out of 5 on Amazon – but is it really good value for money? We got our hands on one to see what all the fuss was about.
- ROIDMI S2 Vacuum Cleaner review - We tested the eco-friendly ROIDMI S2 vacuum to see if it lived up to the hype.
Dyson Ball Animal Multifloor
Best upright vacuum
Specifications:
- 1.8L bin capacity
- Self-detangling brush bar
- 4m hose
- 10m cable
- Weight: 2.4kg | 28 x 15 x 68 cm
At 7.4kg, the Dyson Ball Animal Multifloor is among the heaviest upright vacuums we reviewed, so it may not be suitable for all users and homes. However, the rotating telescopic handle familiar Dyson ball joint makes turning and steering easier than you might expect given its bulk. Plus, that size includes a larger-than-average 1.8l capacity dust bin.
The self-detangling brush bar and stiff nylon bristle brush head are particularly well-suited to pet owning households, scraping up stubborn hair and ingrained dirt with ease. Our reviewer Anna-Lisa also appreciated the combination tool, stair tool and soft dusting brush, as well as the individual suction setting for different surfaces - read her full review here.
Pros: Good for pet hair, large bin capacity, long cable and hose.
Cons: Heavy to use, bulky to store, difficult to access low areas.
Read our guide to the best upright vacuum cleaners to buy.
SQUIRREL_13092380
Bush Cordless Handstick Vacuum Cleaner
Best car vacuum
Specifications:
- 0.65L bin capacity
- Up to 45 minutes run time
- 5 hours charge time
- Washable filter
- Weight: 2.3kg | 119.5 x 23 x 25.2cm
For a handheld car vacuum cleaner on a budget, you can’t beat this popular model from Bush. It offers a running time of up to 45 minutes, depending on the selected setting, and a 5-hour charge time. With a detachable handheld, motorized floor head, and multiple attachments, it efficiently cleans various surfaces, while the 0.65-liter dust capacity provides ample room for debris collection.
Pros: Lightweight design, affordable, versatile with a detachable handheld and multiple attachments, perfect for use in the car.
Cons: Not as powerful as some.
Read our guide to the best car vacuum cleaners to buy.
SQUIRREL_13085251
Black & Decker PD1200AV-XJ 12 V Flexi Auto Dustbuster
Best handheld vacuum
Specifications:
- 500ml bin capacity
- 1.5m hose
- 5m cable
- 12V adapter
- Weight: 1.49kg | 5.91 x 10.63 x 11.81 cm
The Black & Decker PD1200AV-XJ 12 V Flexi Auto Dustbuster is a versatile car vacuum cleaner with a 1.5m flexible hose, perfect for cleaning hard-to-reach areas in your vehicle. Designed for car cleaning, it conveniently plugs into a cigarette lighter for power. With a 5m cable, it allows you to clean under seats and in the boot, effectively picking up pet hair, crumbs, and dirt. The vacuum comes with a crevice nozzle and a flip-up brush for detailed cleaning, and can be neatly stored in its provided mesh bag along with the attachments.
Pros: Versatile cleaning with a 1.5m flexible hose, effective in picking up pet hair, crumbs, and dirt, comes with a crevice nozzle and flip-up brush.
Cons: Designed specifically for car cleaning, relies on plugging into a cigarette lighter for power, may have slightly lower suction power compared to mains-powered vacuums.
Read our guide to the best handheld vacuums to buy.
The perfect vacuum ought to make cleaning day an satisfying and enjoyable experience. With a plethora of options available, from sleek and stylish designs to powerful suction and innovative features, the best vacuums bring joy to the chore of cleaning. Discover the vacuum that will turn your cleaning routine into a fun and satisfying quest for a spotless home!
Looking for more cleaning content? Here's 23 of the best cleaning products for your home.
