The best cordless vacuum cleaners can compete with wired hoovers, enabling you to vacuum your entire house on just one charge and with strong enough suction to clean carpets and hard floors.
They’re no longer relegated to a backup position, useful for spills in the kitchen but not much else. Now cordless models equal their corded counterparts in terms of features and power and are more than capable of being the household’s only vacuum.
Many models can be quickly transformed into handheld cleaners, many incorporate allergy filters, and many have LED displays to show you how much battery power you have remaining and different floor types and suction levels.
Speaking of battery power, the average is around 40 minutes, with some models we’ve tested offering a whopping 60 minutes of cleaning time. It can be useful to have a spare battery so you’re cleaner is always ready to go, and some models do come with two batteries. Charging time is from four hours.
Another big plus point compared to traditional upright vacuums is weight, and the best cordless vacuum cleaners will be light enough that even people with reduced mobility can handle them.
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Unlike traditional cleaners, cordless models don’t have large bins. However, because they’re lightweight, it’s usually a simple matter to unclip the bin and empty it into your outside dustbin, and even the smallest capacity cleaner should be able to hold the vacuumed contents of several rooms before emptying.
Storage needs vary: some cleaners have collapsible handles or can be stored in separate sections, some can be wall-mounted for charging, and some come with floor-standing docking stations.
Whatever your family’s needs, you’ll find something to suit – and we’ve done the hard work for you with our tried and tested reviews of the best cordless vacuum cleaners available right now.
Best cordless vacuum cleaners at a glance:
- Best overall cordless vacuum cleaner: Shark Stratos IZ400UK
- Band handheld vacuum: Shark Handheld Vacuum
- Best cordless vacuum for pet hair: Shark IZ320UKT
- Best budget cordless vacuum cleaner: Prosenic i10 Cordless Vacuum Cleaner with VBoost
- Best lightweight vacuum cleaner: Dyson V15 Detect Absolute
Dyson V15 Detect Absolute
V15 Detect Absolute, £699.99 £549.99 from Dyson
Pros: excellent suction that automatically adapts to type of flooring, works on carpets and hard floors, laser that shows up dirt, lightweight, comes with a range of attachments
Cons: expensive
Rating: 5/5
If you thought the lights on the front of your vacuum were great, then you’re going to love the Dyson V15 Detect Absolute – it incorporates a laser at the front that shows up dust and dirt you didn’t know was there, especially on hard floors!
It is also very powerful, as you might expect from Dyson, with the suction automatically increasing or decreasing depending on the size of the dust particles it’s dealing with. It makes dealing with hair a doddle – it simply automatically cuts it from the brush bar – while the strangely shaped conical brush head attachment is perfect for pet hair.
The V15 Detect Absolute is expensive, but you’re getting cutting-edge cleaning technology for your money.
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Comes with a two-year guarantee.
Read our full Dyson V15 Detect Absolute review.
Key specs – run time: up to 60 minutes, charge time: 4.5 hours, dust tank: 0.77L, anti-hair technology: yes, weight: 3kg, lights on suction head: laser
Shark Stratos IZ400UK
Shark Stratos IZ400UK, £246.51 at Amazon
Pros: great for carpets and hard floors, comes with accessories, one battery, 5-year guarantee
Cons: expensive, heavy
Rating: 5/5
In our testing, the Shark Stratos has proved to be the perfect vacuum cleaner for a medium-sized flat.
When stored away, it takes up minimal space, with no need for a wall or a floor stand.
And when in use, it's never let us down, whether on hard floors, tiles or thick carpets.
Its smart detection technology works well and helps preserve battery life; it's never run out of juice on us on the job.
However, if you've got a large flat or a house to clean (something that would take upwards of 40 minutes), it could be worth investing in an additional battery.
On top of that, Shark's designs have been getting more stylish over the years, and this particular model, with its rose-gold finish, might be a cut above comparable Dysons.
Key specs – run time: up to 60 minutes per battery, dust tank: 0.7L, anti-hair technology: yes, weight: 2.16kg, lights on suction head: yes
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Beko PowerClean Pro
Beko PowerClean Pro, £429.99 £199 from Amazon
Pros: Dyson-level stats at a fraction of the price, crystal-clear digital display, sleek design means it doesn't stick out
Cons: Slightly longer charge time than more expensive models, can take a second to detect changes in surface
Rating: 4.5/5
Looking at the Beko PowerClean Pro's stats, it'd be easy to think that it sounds a bit too good to be true.
Its 60-minute run time puts it on par with the Dyson V11 Absolute, which at £530, is more than double the Beko's price.
In other departments, Beko blows Dyson out of the water: its 210W suction power is significantly higher than Dyson's 185W, and its 0.9L capacity is better than Dyson's 0.76L.
The only stats it loses out on are weight (3.1kg compared to the Dyson's 3.01kg, a 90g difference) and charge time (5-6 hours compared to the Dyson's 4.5).
However, these are stats that only really matter if you're super enthusiastic about vacuum cleaning (which, if we're being honest, we're not). For context, 90 grams is about the weight of a medium tomato.
Admittedly, the newer, more sophisticated Dyson V15 Detect Absolute - over £380 more than the Beko, at £699.99 - beats the PowerClean Pro when it comes to suction power, with 250W in boost mode, but trust us: the Beko is all the power you need.
It hoovers up crumbs, hair and other debris effortlessly, and while it takes a second to clock when the ground beneath has changed (say, from carpet to tile), it automatically adjusts suction power effectively, and there's a handy turbo button for when you need that extra kick.
We also have to admit that the Beko doesn't have the bells and whistles of an upmarket Dyson (the V15 Detect Absolute has lasers), but it does have an expensive feel to it: it's got a certain no-nonsense, solid quality that we found reassuring, and the crystal-clear LCD screen accurately tells you how long you have left before the battery runs out.
It performs all the essential tasks of vacuuming effortlessly, without the need for any of the super-sophisticated features that make other models with similar stats so expensive.
In short, if you're looking for an excellent, well-made vacuum cleaner and don't want to spend an arm and a leg, choose this.
Key specs – Run time: up to 60 minutes, charge time: 5-6 hours, dust tank: 0.9L, anti-hair technology: no, weight: 3.1kg, lights on suction head: yes
Proscenic P12 Cordless Vacuum Cleaner
Proscenic P12 Cordless Vacuum Cleaner, £189 from Amazon
Pros: good suction, which works on both hard floors and carpets, quite a long battery life, green light that shows up dirt, lightweight, comes with a range of attachments, clear display, extendable tube, reasonably priced, large dustbin
Cons: slow to charge, suction isn't as strong as Dyson
Rating: 4.5/5
If you like the look of the Dyson V15 but can't justify the price, then the Proscenic P12 cordless vacuum is a great alternative.
It has similar green light technology, which we absolutely love. We thought we'd managed to clean our house pretty thoroughly until we whipped out the P12, and it highlighted all the dust we'd missed.
We took this vacuum cleaner around to our Nan's house as she was struggling to manoeuvre her old vacuum cleaner, and she loved how lightweight it was, the green light technology (obviously!) and that you could empty the bin with one click. She also found it very easy to clean her stairs with it.
The vacuum doesn't stand up on its own, but it comes with a holder that you can attach to the wall.
The only thing marking it down is that it took a long time to charge and that we noticed the suction isn't as strong as some of the other vacuums we tested, like the Dyson.
However, we think it's an excellent vacuum for the price tag.
Key specs – run time: up to 60 minutes, charge time: 5 hours, dust tank: 1.2L, anti-hair technology: yes, weight: 1.9kg, lights on suction head: yes
Shark IZ320UKT
Shark IZ320UKT, £401 from Amazon
Pros: great for carpets and hard floors, comes with accessories, two batteries, 5-year guarantee
Cons: expensive, heavy
Rating: 5/5
The Shark IZ320UKT is a cordless vacuum cleaner with clout and could easily be the only vacuum you need for your entire house.
It comes with two batteries, giving a total run time of two hours, and it works equally well on hard or carpeted floors. Accessories are included, and there’s a pet tool that’s useful for cleaning upholstery even if you don’t have pets, as well as an anti-allergen brush.
There are three speeds, lights on the front so you can see clearly what you’re cleaning up, and anti-hair wrap technology – essential if anybody in your house has long hair.
On the downside, it’s not particularly light, and the price might be off-putting to some, but the five-year guarantee (two-year guarantee for the batteries) indicates that it’s a cleaner that could last you years.
Read our full Shark IZ320UKT review.
Key specs – run time: up to 60 minutes per battery, charge time: 4 hours, dust tank: 0.7L, anti-hair technology: yes, weight: 4.58kg, lights on suction head: yes
Hoover H-Free 500
Hoover H-Free 500, £269.08 from Amazon
Pros: price, compact, lightweight, easy to store, comes with attachments,
Cons: no anti-hair technology, suction not as powerful as some other brands and models
Rating: 4/5
If you live in an apartment or space is limited in your house, then the Hoover H-Free 500 could be just what you’ve been looking for, as it can be compacted when not in use for easy storage.
It works on carpets and hard flooring, and the suction is good, if not mega-powerful. The battery has a run time of 40 minutes on low power, which is sufficient for hard floors, but for carpets, you’ll need to use standard mode, which gives you 25 minutes of run time. There’s also a turbo boost for stubborn dirt, but use sparingly as it eats power.
We like the fact you don’t have to keep your finger pressed on the trigger when in use and that it transforms easily into a handheld cleaner.
The attachments that come with the cleaner also have their own storage bag, which is a great idea for keeping everything together.
Read our full Hoover H-Free 500 review.
Key specs – run time: up to 40 minutes, charge time: 6 hours, dust tank: 0.45L, anti-hair wrap: no, weight: 2.2kg, lights on suction head: yes
Shark IZ300UKT
Shark IZ300UKT, £379.99 £278.98 from Amazon
Pros: long battery life, wand bends to clean under furniture, folds down for storage, suitable for carpets and hard floors, good if you have pets
Cons: heavy, a bit stiff to use on carpets and rugs
Rating: 4.5/5
The Shark IZ300UKT is currently on offer at £249.99, down from £429.99, which is a great price for a great piece of kit.
It has three speeds, and the handle bends 90°, which looks weird but enables you to clean under the lowest furniture. This bendiness also makes for compact storage, which could be a bonus if space is limited in your home.
The LED display shows how much power is left in the battery before you’ll need to recharge. It also shows the selected floor type and three power levels.
Use the cleaner as an upright or handheld vacuum, it’s powerful so suitable for the whole house; it also features Shark’s handy anti-hair wrap technology, which keeps the rollers clear.
On carpets, the cleaner is harder to move because of the power fins that dig into the pile, but they do ensure a deep clean.
Comes with a five-year guarantee (two-year guarantee for the battery).
Read our full Shark IZ300UKT review.
Key specs – run time: 60 minutes, charge time: 4 hours, dust tank: 0.7L, anti-hair wrap: yes, weight: 4.58kg, lights on suction head: yes
Tineco Pure One S15 Pro
Pure One S15 Pro, £599 £449.99 from Tineco
Pros: smart sensor improves efficiency, HEPA filter, easy to control cleaning power, clever dustbin
Cons: expensive, floor-standing charging station takes up storage space
This cordless cleaner from Chinese company Tineco is expensive but currently has £100 off on the Tineco website. Designed to rival stick vacuums from Dyson and Shark, it is powerful and will last for up to 40 minutes, meaning you should be able to clean your entire house on one charge.
The LED display shows the remaining run time, and whether you’re in auto or manual mode – auto adjusts the suction power as required so you get the longest run time from the battery.
A useful feature is the ZeroTangle brush that keeps the roller clear of hair, and if anybody in the family suffers from allergies, then the five-stage filtration system, which includes a HEPA filter, is an added plus point.
This cleaner is relatively quiet at 80dB and easily converts to a handheld vacuum. There’s also an app that goes with it if you feel the need to track your cleaning progress.
Key specs – run time: up to 40 minutes, dust tank: 0.47L, anti-hair technology: yes, lights on suction head: yes
Shark WV251UK handheld vacuum
Shark WV251UK handheld vacuum, £179.99 from Shark
Pros: lightweight, quick charge time, two batteries
Cons: Short run time, only one speed, small dust tank
Rating: 4/5
The Shark WV251UK is designed for small tasks, such as cleaning up spilt cereal, vacuuming your furniture or clearing dust from your blinds.
It’s not meant to be a main vacuum and is not suitable for cleaning large areas. However, it’s ideal for its purpose and gives you up to eight minutes of concentrated power per charge. It could also prove useful for elderly relatives or people with mobility problems, thanks to its lightweight design.
Though eight minutes doesn’t sound a lot, it’s enough to clean up emergency spills – and this model comes with two batteries, so you’ll always have a fully charged spare if needed.
Read our full Shark WV251UK handheld vacuum cleaner review.
Key specs – Run time: up to 8 minutes, charge time: 2.5 hours, dust tank: 0.1L, anti-hair wrap: no, weight: 0.6kg, lights on suction head: no
Beldray AirGility Pet Max copper edition
Beldray AirGility Pet Max copper edition, £124.99 £99.99 from Amazon
Pros: Lightweight, decent run time, compact and stylish
Cons: Takes a while to charge on first use, not great on hardwood floors
Rating: 3.5/5
This cordless device comes with three different attachments: large and small motorised brushes that are ideal for picking up hair from carpets or upholstery, and a crevice and brush tool for reaching those tight spots.
These can be placed directly onto the vacuum body to use as a handheld device or be used with an extender for cleaning the floor or ceilings.
The vacuum body has a 1.2l capacity dust tank, which is generous enough to clean the whole house with.
There’s no vacuum bag required - you simply open up the hatch at the bottom of the dust tank to dump out the contents.
There’s also a washable HEPA filter inside to remove any dust and debris from the air so it doesn’t blow back into your home.
We found the AirGility Pet Max pretty straightforward to use.
To operate, you have to charge the removable battery first. The first charge takes up to 5.5 hours and will give up to 50 minutes to use. Then it’s just a case of pushing the trigger button and vacuum.
The same button is used to toggle between two-speed settings as well as on and off so you just have to keep pressing it until you get the setting you need - this can get a bit annoying, but not a deal breaker for us.
The suction is great for little pick-up jobs and more general cleaning.
However, it's worth bearing in mind that because both brushes are motorised, it's not a great one for hardwood floors.
Given it’s one of the most affordable cordless devices on the market - and that it’s so light - we think it is great value for money.
Key specs – Run time: up to 50 minutes, charge time: 5.5 hours, dust tank: 1.2L, anti-hair technology: no, weight: 2.85kg, lights on suction head: yes
Prosenic i10 Cordless Vacuum Cleaner with VBoost Technology
Prosenic i10 Cordless Vacuum Cleaner with VBoost Technology, £199 £84 from Amazon
Pros: Easy to use and set up, good battery life, fair price point, light, nice colour, good suction
Cons: Not as strong as other well-known vacuums on the market
Rating: 3.5/5
As we'd tried the Prosenic P11, it was interesting to see whether this cheaper option levelled up to the other one's suction – spoiler, it did.
The vacuum is really easy to use as it's so light. Doing a quick whip around daily with the Prosenic i10 hardly feels like a chore at all.
On the highest power level, we would say it's as strong as the P11, although it doesn't have the mop option, which is best for those with wooden floorboards. The electric blue shade looks great though.
Key specs – Run time: up to 50 minutes, charge time: 150-200 minutes, dust tank: 0.65L, anti-hair technology: no, weight: 4kg, lights on suction head: yes
Where to buy cordless vacuums in the UK?
You can buy cordless vacuums at most major electrical retailers, so it shouldn't take too much searching to find the perfect cordless vacuum for your needs.
However, if you're not looking to leave the comfort of your home, many online retailers also stock cordless vacuums, and here's a short list to help you get started on your search.
- Argos
- Amazon
- Currys
- Dyson
- Shark
- Dunelm
- Hoover Direct
- Gtech
What is the best cordless vacuum for pet hair?
We found the Shark Anti Hair Wrap cordless stick vacuum cleaner to be the best for vacuuming pet hair.
However, any cordless vacuum with included extra attachments for upholstery and crevices will likely do a very good job in removing those pesky, embedded pet hairs from around your home.
How much are cordless vacuum cleaners?
Cordless vacuum cleaners vary in price but from the best cordless vacuum cleaners that we tested, we found that prices can range from around £117 up to as much as £649.
All of these provided impressive results - so you are sure to be able to find a decent make and model to fit your budget.
What is the best cordless vacuum?
The best cordless vacuum for you will depend on several factors, including how much storage space you have and which areas you plan on hoovering.
There are different types of cordless vacuum cleaners available, including upright, cylinder, robot, handheld and stick.
Cordless stick designs are probably the most easily manoeuvred because of their thin, "stick" style body and smaller canister - though these smaller canisters will need to be emptied more regularly.
These designs are also compact and easier to store than upright and cylinder options and tend to come with a range of extra attachments, including upholstery and crevices (which may be a good option for pet owners).
How do you clean cordless vacuums?
How you clean a cordless vacuum will depend on the make and model of your device.
Generally speaking, it pays to make sure you regularly empty the canister and keep it as clean as possible to prevent any blockages or build-up. Aim to do so after every use - it does help prevent dirt from corroding the vacuum from inside.
It’s also worth checking the brush and the filters regularly - a clogged filter can seriously impact the performance of your vacuum cleaner. When the filters are clear, the suction capacity is also at its best.
Check the guide that comes with your cordless vacuum for any specific instructions on cleaning your purchased make and model - it may also be worth getting your machine professionally cleaned or serviced occasionally.
Which cordless vacuum has the best suction?
Check out our guide above for our verdicts on some of the best cordless vacuums. Suction can be impacted depending on what surface you are cleaning, and what you are trying to vacuum up. A clean filter can also improve the suction capabilities of your vacuum.
We were particularly impressed by the Dyson V15 Detect Absolute - the built-in laser detects dust on hard floors and a sensor adapts suction power to what’s needed. Plus, the LCD screen shows you what's been sucked up. Impressive, eh?
How do you charge cordless vacuum cleaners?
How you charge your cordless vacuum cleaner will depend on the make and model that you have purchased.
Generally, a plug-in adaptor will fit into a charging port on your vacuum, and a battery light will show you the progress of the charge (so you can see when your vacuum has enough battery to be used).
How long do cordless vacuum batteries last?
If you’re used to using a corded vacuum, you may be worried about the potential battery life of a cordless option.
Battery life varies wildly, depending on the make and model, and some smaller devices last as little as seven minutes while others can keep going strong for over an hour.
Cordless vacuum users may also find that the battery life decreases over the lifetime of their device - it’s worth keeping an eye on, as you may be able to buy a new battery when this happens and prolong the life of your vacuum.
Are cordless vacuums good?
There’s a reason why cordless vacuums are so popular.
When it comes to cleaning hard-to-reach places and not getting caught up in plugs and wires, cordless vacuums are excellent.
With many models enjoying prolonged battery life, families can now rely solely on cordless options, and they can be easier to store.
However, if you need to cover large areas at once or need a larger canister that doesn’t need emptying so often a larger, corded vacuum may be better suited.
How to choose a cordless vacuum cleaner
Make sure you compare different makes and models of cordless vacuum cleaners. When it comes to choosing a specific model - our guide above is a good place to start.
You will need to consider your budget, the size of the canister, how long the battery lasts per charge and which areas and tasks your vacuum will be used for.
If you have pets, extra attachments can come in handy. And if you’re short on space, smaller stick options may be preferable.
Of course, price will be important too, but there are now lots of different options.
