Best cordless vacuum cleaners of 2024 in UK – our top 9 picks, tried and tested

It's safe to say that many of today's best cordless vacuum cleaners are just as powerful as their corded counterparts, delivering outstanding cleaning power and ease of use in every manoeuvre to effectively banish dust and dirt in your home.

Through the years, cordless vacuums have quickly grown from appliances to scoff at to must-haves in a home, as they've had some serious upgrades that have earned them top spots as some of the best vacuum cleaners on the market as a whole.

While cord-free vacs are sometimes not quite as powerful as corded models, they more than compensate for this in lightweight design, portability, and compact storage options. As a result, more and more people are looking to invest in cordless vacuums as they allow for the freedom and flexibility to clean homes untethered from a plug socket. However, with so many models out there, it can be daunting to try and sift through and figure out which ones are worth your time.

So, to make investing in the best cordless vacuum for your budget a little easier, we've tested every single choice you can see in this guide and highlighted which ones are the best value for money. As part of our review process, these vacuums have been put to work on hard floors and carpets, often for months at a time, before we come to a verdict on suction power, ease of use and adaptability to homes with pet hair and other obstacles we encounter in day-to-day living.

Keep reading to find out which cordless vacuum cleaners left an impression on the Ideal Home team, earning them the title of top cleaning appliances we couldn't be without.

Quick list

Best cordless vacuum cleaners 2024

Best cordless vacuum overall

The Shark Stratos range was released in 2022 and goes further than other vacuums to make debris and dust pick-up as seamless as possible. This particular cordless Stratos showed unbelievable suction power during testing, and left carpets visibly cleaner, with no issues with pet hair or human hair. Gone are the days of lengthy maintenance with the Stratos too, with easy-to-clean mechanisms that you'll be unbelievably grateful for.

Features we loved during testing

There's no doubt that our testing process proved that the Shark Stratos is worth the large price tag. Even if you don't have pets, the ease with which this vacuum does away with hair is astounding, and our Kitchen Appliances Editor, Molly found that it was unmatched when it came to suction.

The capacity of this vacuum to transform into a smaller handheld model is also phenomenal, and you'll be reaching for the smaller attachments all the time to resolve smaller messes all over your home quickly. One non-essential that we are obsessed with is the anti-odour capsules that you can pop into the dustbin. These mean that there are no more musty smells when you're emptying your vac.

You can fork out more for the two-battery Shark Stratos model if you think you need a spare pack on charge while the other is in use, but it's not a necessity if you live in a small or medium-sized home. All in all, this is admittedly a pricier vacuum, but if you can afford it, we're sure it will impress you time and time again.

Our Shark Stratos IZ420UKT cordless vacuum review has the full details.

Best cordless vacuum for pet hair

We know it looks like many of Shark's upright vacuum cleaners, but the Shark ICZ300UKT Anti Hair Wrap Cordless Upright Vacuum Cleaner is completely cordless, with all the power we're used to seeing on plug-in alternatives. It's got a front-facing dustbin that's connected to the filter and battery, and you can lift this away to remove the cleaning unit from the stick and carry the vacuum up the stairs or out to the car.

Features we loved during testing

For a cordless vacuum, the power available to you is astounding. It was brilliant on pet hair when our reviewer Millie put it to the test, and while it's one of the heaviest options on the market, it was up to heavy-duty work and rivalled a corded vacuum in cleaning up the whole home. Millie found the control panel easy to toggle and reported that even the eco power mode, which is the lowest of the three settings, was plenty on tiled floors.

The brush head here is a little clunky and it lacks the nimble motions of stick vacuums, but if you want a cordless vacuum cleaner to stay on top of a busy home with different floor types, you'll love how easily you can switch between hard and soft floors with the touch of a button with this vac.

This is another pricier option from Shark – but if you're looking for maximum power because you're just going to have one vacuum in the house, it's worth stretching to the extra expense.

Our Shark ICZ300UKT cordless vacuum review has the full details.

Best affordable cordless vacuum

If you're debating buying a new cordless vac, it wouldn't be a surprise if VAX was a brand near the top of your list. We think they deliver consistently great vacuums, which is why we've replaced the Blade 4 in this list with the Blade 5, which has a good number of improvements on its predecessor.

Features we loved during testing

The suction power on the Blade 5 is brilliant, and the oversized floorhead means that you'll be done with swooping around your house or flat in a quick time.

Even better, with the Vax Blade 5 you get access to two batteries, which means you should get up to 90 minutes of charge, and you'll never be without your sturdy Vax vac when you need it. The Blade 5 is a tad heavier than its predecessor, but it is brimming with great accessories and comes with a wall mount too, so that storage is straightforward.

Both the Vax Blade 4 and the 5 get the great value seal of approval from us - stick with the former if you're on a tight budget, and enjoy the features that come with the upgrade if you can stretch to the ££ of the latter. While the RRP of the Vax Blade 5 looks quite daunting, you can regularly find it on sale for much less, which is why we think it's a great choice to look out for if you're on a budget.

Best cordless vacuum for wooden floors

The Shark Detect Pro is one we've eagerly been anticipating to test, and it's safe to say that it instantly met our expectations and more. Namely because of its unbelievably lightweight build, coming in at just 2.76kg, meaning you can wave goodbye to the days of lugging around a heavy appliance during what is already considered a pretty laborious task.

This vacuum has four detection technologies, meaning cleaning your home is more thorough than ever. During testing, we found dealing with high-traffic areas much easier thanks the the amped up suction and the FloorDetect technology makes transitioning into different rooms across your home much easier too.

Features we loved during testing

The cleaning performance of this vacuum very much impressed us during testing, thoroughly cleaning floors but especially excelling on wooden and hard floors where dust and debris are the most problematic. You gain design points too with this newer release, which is available in a swish-white colour scheme and has a stripped-back LED control panel for that super sleek look.

It performed excellently in our at-home tests, and the new detection features go a long way to improve day-to-day vacuuming sessions. We're a huge fan of the stand system too, even though it comes at an additional price, and would be keen to try out the self-emptying bin system next, which seems like a lifesaver for streamlining cleaning.

Our Shark Detect Pro cordless vacuum cleaner IW1511UK review has the full details.

Best cordless vacuum for carpet

The Gen5detect Absolute is a vacuum that's as good at cleaning up as it looks. With two floorheads (one for hard floor, and one for carpet which we absolutely love) you feel like you have more options for deep cleaning with this vacuum. The catch? Its very steep price tag – even for a Dyson.

With this premium model, you're shelling out for innovation, with the hard floor head boasting lasers that illuminate dirt and dust that you'd never usually see – a cleaning enthusiast's dream. However, what makes it a standout option for cleaning carpets is its game-changing anti-tangle feature on the Digital Motorbar (the head for carpet cleaning). It works as well as similar offerings from Shark and revealed a huge amount of sunken-in dirt during our at-home tests. The three modes are perfect for toggling between everyday and deep cleaning, too.

Features we loved during testing

It's the fine details that make a vacuum better to use than others on the market, which is why you can't overlook the magic of a Dyson bin mechanism. Point the dust bin, pull the trigger and everything will come out the first time without a fuss – something that pretty much no other vacuum brand has achieved.

The LCD control panel is also incredibly intuitive, featuring indicators showing exactly how many microscopic dust particles you've eradicated from your home, adding to the experience that you're paying almost £900 for.

Our Dyson Gen5detect Absolute vacuum cleaner review has the full details.

Best versatile cordless vacuum

We're currently in the process of writing up a full review of this WORX cordless vacuum, but we're already so impressed that we just had to include it in this guide because of its sheer versatility for cleaning multiple floor types including carpet, hard flooring, and tile – not to mention all at an affordable price point of under £250.

Features we loved during testing

The WORX WX038 proved itself to be a powerhouse of a machine, despite only weighing just over 2kg. It performed excellently in our Senior Digital Editor, Jenny McFarlane's, busy family home, with the added perk of being relatively quiet and mess-free emptying with its convenient 'easy-empty dust cup'. Not only that, but the vac also lays completely flat, allowing you to reach the most-forgotten of places in the home, including under sofas, beds, and other bits of large furniture.

'The WORX's WX038 has a handy detachable unit which is really useful for cleaning stairs, upholstery, and even the car. It also features a genius pet hair attachment with rubber bristles, that lifts the most stubborn cat fur off my sofa,' boasts Jenny. It even comes equipped with LED headlights to illuminate your line of sight when cleaning, making sure no spot is missed.

But, be mindful that you will need a stand if you wish to store this vacuum as it doesn't stand upright on its own and is a tad top-heavy as a result.

Our complete WORX WX038 20V PowerShare cordless stick vacuum review is currently in the works.

Best bagged cordless vacuum

This vacuum is the next chapter in Henry's huge history of influence in cleaning in the UK. With a cordless stick design for the first time, the Henry Quick holds on to all the iconic branding quirks we love while packing in respectable suction power and a lightweight design to make your vacuuming routine easier.

Features we loved during testing

During testing, our Kitchen Appliances Editor, Molly, found this vacuum to be a super reliable choice. The design was endearing and impressive and will speak to fans of the usual happy-faced Henry vacs that we all know and love. Standout features included just how easy this was vacuum to use, with a two-button control panel, and LED lights that help with cleaning in the evenings. If you love Henry but are a little apprehensive about making the move to a cordless model, this vacuum is a great place to start.

One thing that sets Henry Quick apart from other vacuums on this list is the use of dust bags. You receive 26 of these bags with your Henry and using them most definitely cuts back on dust clouds upon emptying and means you can go longer without needing to empty at all. Allergy sufferers who want to use a cordless vacuum will massively benefit from this type of design, but repurchasing dust bags in the future may not be for everyone.

Henry vacuums tend to be very reliable workhorses, and with an RRP of £300 (but easy to find for closer to the £250 mark), you're onto a winner if you want to invest for the long term. The fact that the Quick uses a bagged system may also be a win when it comes to durability, as it means that your vacuum's parts stay cleaner on a day-to-day basis.

Our NUMATIC Henry Quick cordless vacuum review has the full details.

Best cordless vacuum under £200

Although we already have a section above outlining the best affordable cordless vacuum, if you're looking for an alternative option that is even cheaper, we don't think it gets better than the Beko Powerclean. If value for money is at the top of your priority list, you can rest assured that you won't need to spend more than £200 to secure a pretty awesome vac. With three power modes and a range of power modes, it's a fantastic budget choice that wowed us during testing.

Features we loved during testing

We were pleasantly surprised at how well this budget vacuum performed across all types of floors. Picking up hair and debris was quick and effective, across both our reviewer Millie Fender's hard floor and several rugs. She especially loved how easy the Beko Powerclean is to use, with three strength modes that can be easily toggled with the press of the plus and minus buttons that sit just above the main power. In fact, the controls are so easy to toggle that Millie even occasionally switched the vacuum on by accident when emptying the dustbin; but believe us when we say that's pretty much as far as the negatives go.

Our Beko Powerclean VRT94929VI Cordless Vacuum Cleaner review has the full details.

Best cordless vacuum and mop

The Dyson V15s Detect Submarine was easily one of our most anticipated products, and best believe we were extremely impressed to find that it exceeded our expectations and more. Combing vacuuming and mopping, this 2-in-1 innovation is a jack of all trades but has truly mastered both traits well.

Features we loved during testing

Dyson has never failed to deliver quality and power with their floorcare products, and this vacuum and mop combo is no different. Our Ecommerce Editor, Molly, has always found mopping in its current form extremely inefficient but after using the Submarine floorhead, has been converted because of just how easy it is to stay on top of everyday cleaning without all the fuss. It's super easy to switch heads, too.

Of course, Dyson's cutting-edge features also streamline the vacuuming experience, making cleaning hard floors in particular a joy thanks to the fantastic laser floorhead that scouts every bit of dust and debris.

If you've had a Dyson on your wish list for a while now, we think it's definitely worth paying the extra to add the Submarine floorhead to your purchase. The vacuuming power is just as prominent, even in this vacuum and mop dual-design, making it a top contender as one of the best cordless vacuums money can buy.

Our Dyson V15s Detect Submarine review has the full details.

FAQs

When is the best time to buy a cordless vacuum?

You can find cordless vacuums on sale during every month of the year, but right now you can enjoy extra savings with Amazon Prime Day, which will be live 16-17th July. In recent years this has become a twice-yearly phenomenon, in July and early October. We have no intel yet on when the Autumn event will be, but if you're a Prime member then it's a great time to score money off on a top-rated cordless vacuum.

There's one period that's more advantageous than any other if you want to get a really great price on this cleaning must-have.

Yep, we're talking Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals, which always fall on the Friday after Thanksgiving in the US. Now this shopping event is huge on this side of the pond too, and last year we saw cordless vacuums start to benefit from discounts from the start of November. Our cordless vacuum deals page is always up to date with the best deals, including the best Boxing Day and January sales prices.

Do vacuums go on sale for Black Friday?

Yep! We've been covering sales at Ideal Home for years now and can confidently say that big-time discounting happens on vacuums during the November sales period. Last year saw discounts from Shark, Dyson, Vax and more, so it's most definitely a good time to save up and spend.

What are the different types of cordless vacuum?

• Stick vacuum cleaners are handhelds that you add a wand to, to extend the reach – then add a brush head to clean floors or a smaller tool for cobwebs and other hard-to-reach spots. They’re fast, manoeuvrable and good for getting under furniture. But the weight is all in your hand, which can be tiring after a while. They often can’t stand up by themselves if you want to pause to move something.
• 2-in-1 upright vacuum cleaners look more like traditional upright vacuum cleaners. The weight is fairly low down, but the middle section pops out and doubles as a handheld cleaner for small stuff. Often the upright’s handle also pops off and doubles as a wand, giving the handheld extra reach for high-up stuff like cobwebs.

How much should I spend on a cordless vacuum?

Budget around £150 for a good-quality cordless with decent cleaning power. But you can spend more than three times as much on premium models. More money can buy you powerful suction, longer battery life or better tools.

Some of the best cordless vacuums we tested came in at the £250 mark. If you can afford it though, it's worth spending the extra money. More power and longer battery lives will pay off in the long-run, and the convenience of a cordless vacuum won't be outweighed by limited power.

Bagged vs bagless vacuum cleaners: which is better?

It's a tricky choice. On the one hand, bagless vacuums reduce the environmental impact and the expense of buying vacuum bags, only to throw them away. However, removing dirt from a bagless vacuum isn't without its challenges. Hair can get wrapped around the filter and you'll likely let off a bit of a dust cloud. Of course, brands like Dyson are constantly developing solutions to this. The new Dyson range has ejector technology that makes emptying the dustbin completely hands-free. For this tech though, you will have to pay a little more.

How we test cordless vacuums

At Ideal Home, we know how important it is to have hands-on experience with the products we recommend to you in our buying guides. That's why, as part of our testing protocol, we've tested every vacuum in this guide for at least two weeks (and at times up to two months) before deciding on why you should buy it for your home. Our in-depth explainer on how we test vacuum cleaners has the full details.

To get to that verdict, we put these vacuums up against various challenges, from everyday dirt and debris to scattered cereals and pet hair, so you know exactly what you will be getting from the model you choose.

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As well as allowing us to test out the suction, power and various features of this vacuum, we believe testing at home gives us the best chance of seeing how these picks fare in everyday life. Learning how easy these vacuums are to store, clean and use gives us a true idea of what it will be like for you to buy.

That said, after extensive testing, we think the above are the best cordless vacuums currently available on the market and will make your cleaning schedule much easier to manage. From storage to accessories, we guarantee there's bound to be an option in this list to suit your needs and be the ideal fit for your home.