While corded vacuums can offer impressive suction power, they aren't always the most practical. On the other hand, the best cordless vacuums are convenient, lightweight, and generally much easier to manoeuvre. However, choosing a cord-free cleaning companion can be challenging when there are numerous options available.
As Ideal Home's Vacuum Expert, I know firsthand that a large majority of the best vacuum cleaners out there are cordless. They're also more popular than ever, with big brands such as Dyson, Shark, Miele and Gtech offering a wide range of cordless vacuum cleaners with different specs and cleaning features. That's why I've made it my mission to test as many of them as possible.
Quick list
Best overall
The Shark Stratos was an immediate hit during testing, picking up hair without any tangling and tackling dust and debris seamlessly. It auto-senses the amount of suction needed, and its genius Anti-Odour capsules are easily our favourite touch, making it our top-rated cordless vac among everything we've tried. We only wish it came with a stand and a more functional dust tool.
Best value
Dyson's newest budget-friendly vacuum cleaner is a cordless wonder. It's the ideal vacuum for everyday use and would be a welcome addition to homes with pets, too. While it tackles any floor with ease, it was particularly impressive on carpets and rugs thanks to its new cyclone technology. Plus, it's extremely lightweight and much more affordable than the average Dyson.
Best for pet hair
A relatively new addition to the cordless vacuum world, the Miele Duoflex HX1 Cat & Dog is ideal for those who want to rid their home of pet hair - no matter how fine, thick, or how much of it there is. With impressive suction and automatic power adjustment, it seriously impressed us during testing and is ideal for homes with pets.
Best high-tech
Dyson's newest (and most powerful) cordless vacuum cleaner seriously impressed us during testing. Its power is perfect for everyday cleaning and deeper cleans, and the engineering of the conical floorhead means that the head will remain tangle-free. The dust compacting ability frees up extra space for debris, and it even has app connectivity to assess your cleaning data.
Best for carpet
The AirRAM Platinum is a newer addition to our roster of tried and tested vacs, but it instantly earned a top spot because of its impressive suction and cleaning power. Its clever AirLOC technology ensures effective pick-up not only on the forward stroke, but the backstroke too, making it a top choice for cleaning carpet.
Best auto-empty
If you hate the mess that comes with having to empty your cordless vacuum cleaner after every use, this Shark vacuum comes with an auto-empty base that'll do it for you. The base itself is corded, but the cordless vacuum is practical and powerful - and perfect for grab-and-go cleaning. It even comes with anti-odour capsules so your home smells clean, too.
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Best for run time
Many cordless vacuum cleaners have a short run time, but this Gtech stick vacuum offers up to 80 minutes on Eco mode. It's powerful and comes with an extensive range of tools and attachments to give your entire home a deep clean, and it couldn't be easier to lift and manoeuvre from room to room. It's pretty affordable, too.
Best for everyday
If you're looking for an affordable all-rounder that will clean all types of flooring and tackle pet hair simultaneously, the Vax HomePro Pet-Design has got you covered. It has impressive pick-up capabilities and comes with a wide range of tools for every cleaning job.
Best for capacity
Cordless stick bagged vacuums are few and far between, but the Halo Capsule X proves that bagged vacuums are here to stay. Featuring a slimline design, impressive suction power and handy attachments, it's a great all-rounder for any home. But thanks to its huge 2L bag capacity, it's perhaps best suited for larger homes or families with kids.
Best cordless vacuum cleaners 2025
Best cordless vacuum cleaner overall
The Shark Stratos range was released in 2022 but is undoubtedly still one of the best cordless vacuum cleaners you can buy as it goes further than. It showed unbelievable suction power during testing and left carpets visibly cleaner, with no issues with pet hair or human hair.
With easy-to-clean mechanisms and the option for a two-battery model, which will give you up to 120 minutes of runtime, you also won't need to worry about running out of charge midway through your cleaning session, offering you the reliability of a corded model.
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 item 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 will need to fork out more for the two-battery model if you reckon it'll be of use to you; however, it's not necessary if you live in a small or medium-sized home.
Read our Shark Stratos IZ420UKT cordless vacuum review for more details.
Best value cordless vacuum cleaner
The Dyson V8 Cyclone Cordless Vacuum Cleaner is Dyson's newest budget-friendly vacuum cleaner and an updated version of the much-loved Dyson V8. And while it's not technically the cheapest cordless vacuum cleaner you can buy, the high-end brand still offers a lot for the £350 price tag.
It offers 150 Air Watts and new cyclone technology that aids the impressive suction power, and it couldn't be easier to use and manoeuvre around the home for everyday cleaning. In short, it's a budget vacuum cleaner that gets the job done without any fancy bells and whistles. And it does it exceptionally well.
Features we loved during testing
I was lucky enough to test this particular model in my home, which I share with my shedding cocker spaniel, and I was seriously impressed by this value vacuum's ability to pick up dog hair from my rugs and carpets. It even tackled embedded pet hair and dust from my wool carpets, which is no mean feat.
The 70-minute run time is also more than enough to vacuum the average UK home, but the swappable battery means that you can buy a spare and utilise up to 140 minutes if you need it. And while the Dyson V8 Cyclone only comes with two tools (a crevice tool and mini motorised tool), both are a welcome addition to a cleaning routine.
For the £350 price tag, you get a lot for your money - especially from a brand like Dyson. However, it's worth noting that while this is one of the best Dyson vacuum cleaners you can buy, it's not the best. If you want something more powerful and less basic, I'd suggest either the Dyson V16 Piston Animal or the Dyson Gen5detect - if you're willing to pay a bit extra.
Read our Dyson V8 Cyclone review for more details.
Best cordless vacuum cleaner for pet hair
After testing the Miele Duoflex HX1 Cat & Dog cordless vacuum, I can confidently say that it should rightfully take its place as the best cordless vacuum for homes with pets.
This modern vacuum has been designed with pet owners in mind, offering up to 55 minutes of non-stop vacuuming time, auto-adjusted suction power, and a sleek design. And while it may not be as cheap as other cordless options on this list, it's worth it for the impressive German engineering.
Features we loved during testing
The Miele Duoflex HX1 Cat & Dog cordless vacuum is well-equipped to deal with everything from pet hair to dander and everyday dust and debris. I even tested this model on different flooring and fabric types, and nothing seemed to get in the way of its power.
With 99.99% dust retention capacity and an additional hygiene filter, this cordless vacuum will not only remove these pollutants from the air - but will keep them out of your home, too. It also comes with numerous attachments to get into every nook and cranny of your home.
It’s this focus on pet ownership and pet-specific problem-solving that has allowed this model to replace the Halo Capsule X (which you'll also find on this list). Although the Halo was once our best cordless vacuum for pet hair, the non-pet-specific model just couldn't beat the pet-specific qualities of the Miele Duoflex HX1 Cat & Dog cordless vacuum. My only real niggle with this model is that the dustbin is on the smaller side, which may not suit smaller homes.
Read our full Miele Duoflex HX1 Cat & Dog Cordless Vacuum review for more details.
Best high-tech cordless vacuum cleaner
The Dyson V16 Piston Animal is officially Dyson's most powerful cordless vacuum cleaner, and it scored extremely highly during testing. In fact, I would have given it 6 stars if I could. Its suction power is unmatched, and the new conical head is ideal for tangle-free cleaning - although a bit tricky to get flush with flat surfaces.
The main selling point, though, is the new CleanCompaktor technology, which allows you to compact the debris in the dust chamber to create more space - drastically reducing how often you need to empty it. You can also buy the Dyson V16 Piston Animal Submarine, which comes with an extra floorhead for wet floor cleaning.
Features we loved during testing
During testing, I found the Dyson V16 Piston Animal to be extremely effective. The multi-floor cleaning head transitioned from hard flooring to carpets with ease, and Dyson's famous lasers meant that I could see every speck of invisible dust on my hard flooring.
It's also extremely easy to use, the new Hyperdymium 900W motor lends itself to a lot of power, and the app connectivity means that you can assess stats from your cleaning sessions to learn more about your home. The dust compactor was also a serious help, as I could simply push down the debris in the chamber and keep vacuuming without having to empty it after every use.
Of course, the elephant in the room is the fact that this new vacuum cleaner is an investment appliance. It's not cheap, and some people might not be able to justify spending so much on a vacuum cleaner. If you can, though, I don't think you'll be disappointed.
Read our Dyson V16 Piston Animal Cordless Vacuum Cleaner review for more details.
Best cordless vacuum cleaner for carpet
The Gtech AirRAM Platinum sports a sleek, stylish, compact design with unmatched cleaning technology - especially on carpets. This power is thanks to its innovative AirLOC technology, which Gtech describe as such: it collects large debris as you push forward and then forms a seal on the backstroke, tackling embedded hair and fine dust to ensure nothing is left behind.
Manoeuvring the AirRAM Platinum takes a little bit of getting used to, but once you've got the technique down, it makes for a very impressive clean. And while we especially love it for carpet, it performed just as well across other floor types in our tests.
Features we loved during testing
On top of the vacuum's impressive suction power, we're big fans of the quality of life features Gtech considered in its making. Namely, the simple foot power controls, adjustable carrying handle, and the mess-free emptying system.
Unfortunately, the AirRAM Platinum just slightly falls short of a 5-star rating because of its lack of hand tools or floorheads (yes, it's just the one floorhead and unit in the box, unless you get the bundle with the Multi Platinum handheld vacuum). However, in some ways, we think that this is also a strength because you don't have to deal with storing extra accessories or switching out floorheads. You simply plug and play and get to cleaning.
Read our Gtech AirRAM Platinum Anti Hair Wrap cordless vacuum review for more details.
Best auto-empty cordless vacuum cleaner
The Shark PowerDetect Clean and Empty System is a very handy appliance - and while the auto-empty base needs to be plugged in at all times, the vacuum itself is completely cordless. Then, when you've finished using the vacuum, you can pop it back on the dock, where it'll automatically empty the debris into 2L dust bin and start charging it.
It also comes with many of the features we know and love from the best Shark vacuum cleaners, including four-detection technology, anti-odour technology, and DirectionDetect technology. So, you can't scoff at its cleaning ability.
Features we loved during testing
Our reviewer, Jullia, was seriously impressed with this Shark vacuum during testing. She found the Detect technology to be an extremely effective tool to have as she made her way around the house, as it intuitively adapted its cleaning power to suit the room, floor type and debris on her different floors.
Alongside this, it was extremely easy to manoeuvre, and she often felt as though the vacuum was moving of its own accord, self-propelling itself in the direction she wanted it to go. So, it would be a great option for those who struggle with heavier cordless vacuums.
Of course, the pièce de résistance was the auto-empty base, which took the hassle out of emptying the vacuum by hand after each use. However, she did find that it wasn't perfect. The dock ultimately does take up a lot of space, and it often struggled to empty the smaller on-board dust bin entirely.
Read our Shark PowerDetect Clean & Empty Cordless Vacuum Cleaner review for more details.
Best cordless vacuum cleaner for run time
The AirFOX Platinum is Gtech's only available cordless stick vacuum, and despite the fact that this brand is largely known for its upright models, it seriously impressed me. With up to 80 minutes of run time in Eco mode and 45 minutes in Auto mode, it's ideal for those who want a longer run time with a more lightweight model.
It also comes with a wide range of tools and accessories, which makes cleaning every nook and cranny of a home a breeze - including a small power head, crevice tool, brush tool, upholstery tool, extension tube, hair removal tool, and flexible tube. So, it has everything you could need, and for an affordable price.
Features we loved during testing
Extremely lightweight and manoeuvrable, the Gtech AirFOX was a joy to use around my home. The wide range of tools and configurations also meant that it could be used for smaller cleaning tasks - including vacuuming my very steep carpeted stairs.
For such a budget cordless vacuum cleaner, it was surprisingly powerful, and the floorhead tackled both hard flooring and carpets without any fuss. There's also a little LCD screen on the front that tells you how much battery life you have left, and I never once ran out while cleaning my entire house.
However, I did find that turning it on and off was a bit fiddly, and the dust bin is a little smaller than the average cordless vacuum (in fact, it has the second-smallest dust capacity on this list). So, if you have a bigger home, you might want to consider the Gtech AirRAM Platinum instead.
Read our Gtech AirFOX Platinum Cordless Stick Vacuum review for more details.
Best cordless vacuum cleaner for everyday cleaning
The Vax HomePro Pet-Design Cordless Vacuum cleaner is the brand's latest release. Ideal for everyday cleans, quick whip-arounds, and more targeted vacuuming, it's a perfect all-rounder for those who want a mid-range vacuum cleaner that's not Shark or Dyson.
As this model also comes with a variety of tools (including pet-specific ones), it's also suitable for pet owners and non-pet owners alike. And the FlexiClean pole makes cleaning under furniture a breeze.
Features we loved during testing
During testing, our reviewer, Katie, was impressed with the suction power of the Vax HomePro. And while it doesn't have separate carpet and hard flooring cleaning heads like the Dyson Gen5detect, she found the single floor head to be more than enough for both the hard flooring and carpet in her flat.
It excelled during the flour test on both flooring types, and while it had no problem picking up larger debris on hard flooring, it did struggle with the spilt cereal test on her carpets. However, it only took a couple of passes to pick everything up and restore her floors to their former glory.
The 45-minute run time also directly competes with the likes of the Shark Stratos (if you just had the one battery), and the 0.7L dust canister is almost double the size of the Shark Detect Pro. Her only niggles were the mechanical noise it made while on its highest setting and she found that emptying the bin was a little messy. But this isn't uncommon when it comes to emptying cordless vacuum cleaners.
Read our Vax HomePro Pet-Design Cordless Vacuum Cleaner review for more details.
Best cordless vacuum cleaner for dust bin capacity
While it's fair to say that some people have well and truly moved on from bagged vacuums, I found the Halo Capsule X to be refreshing, modern, and extremely powerful.
Far from old and clunky, the Halo Capsule X truly combines the style and practicality of a cordless stick model with the dust bin capacity of traditional bagged vacuums - like the best Henry vacuum cleaners. The bagged element also makes it ideal for allergy sufferers or pet owners, as the bag will collect and seal potential pollutants from re-entering your home. Not only that, but it's also extremely lightweight at just 2.8kg, standing just behind the Dyson V8 Absolute.
Features we loved during testing
Although some cordless vacuums can struggle with suction power, this one could easily tackle my human-and dog-hair-filled home. In performance mode and with the normal floorhead, it was able to pick up visible dust and debris as well as deep-rooted hair in my thick carpets, and the attachments also made it possible to clean every nook and cranny.
At 2L, it also offers the biggest dust canister size out of any other cordless vacuum we've tested and something you rarely get from a vacuum - unless you're willing to go bigger and opt for the Henry Pet200, which has a capacity of 9L. The bagged system is also a huge benefit for those who struggle with allergies. However, these new bags do come with an extra cost you need to consider.
Read our Halo Capsule X review for more details.
Cordless vacuum cleaner comparison at a glance
Vacuum | Price | Ideal Home Rating | Brand Trustpilot Score | Dust Bin Capacity |
£499.99 | 5 | 4.6 | 0.8 litres | |
£349.99 | 4.5 | 2.6 | 0.5litres | |
£369 | 4.5 | 3.7 | 0.3 litres | |
£749.99 | 5 | 2.6 | 1.3 litres | |
£349.99 | 4.5 | 4.8 | 0.8 litres | |
£549.99 | 5 | 4.6 | 0.8 litres + 2 litre dock | |
£299.99 | 4.5 | 4.8 | 0.4 litres | |
£319.99 | 4.5 | 4.7 | 0.7litres | |
From £299.99 | 4.5 | 3.4 | 2 litres |
Best of the rest
How we test cordless vacuum cleaners
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 rigorous testing protocol, we've tested every cordless vacuum in this guide for at least two weeks (and at times up to two months) before deciding whether it's worthy of a place on this list or whether it doesn't make the cut. Our in-depth explainer on how we test vacuum cleaners has the full details.
To ensure a thorough evaluation, we employed a combination of controlled tests with real-world home trials. We measured the vacuums' performance by testing them on weighted amounts of common debris, including flour, cereal, coffee grounds, and pet hair (when testing cordless vacuums for pet hair). We also measured battery run times to compare against the models' advertised run times and used decibel meter apps to test the noise levels of these cordless vacuum cleaners accurately.
Following these controlled tests, we moved to real-world scenarios, testing the vacuums on various floor types and in replacement of the tester's normal vacuum cleaner. We assessed ease of use, how the suction power fared against everyday messes, storage and cleaning.
We also made sure to test every attachment on stairs, in hard-to-reach areas, on sofas, in cars, and on pet hair (where necessary). This allows us to see whether they add to the overall appeal of the cordless vacuum.
Another important aspect of our reviewing process includes comparing these models to other cordless vacuums on the market, where possible. This may be different models from the same brand with different functionalities and at a different price point, or it could be a model from a different brand with similar functionalities.
With all of this information in tow, we can assign the cordless vacuum cleaners a dedicated Ideal Home star rating from 1 to 5 stars. Our star rating system reflects these results, with 5 stars indicating flawless performance and 1 star indicating significant shortcomings. When a cordless vacuum doesn't achieve a 5-star review, we will always outline where we think the model falls short to ensure you are equipped with all of the relevant information you need to make an informed purchase.
After testing the best cordless vacuums for at least two weeks, the models are then either returned to the brand, given to charity, or kept by the reviewer because they loved it so much.
Meet our testing team
I'm Lauren, Ideal Home's Content Editor for House Manual and Certified Expert in Training for Vacuums. I'm currently working my way through the motions to become a fully certified vacuum expert, and this means I've tested A LOT of vacuum cleaners. My favourite so far has been the Dyson V16 Piston Animal - but I also have a soft spot for the older Dyson V8 Absolute.
At the time of writing, I've spent over 300 hours testing vacuums, and even more researching the ins and outs of vacuuming - from tips to use a vacuum cleaner more efficiently to effectively vacuuming pet hair (something I do on a daily basis thanks to my shedding cocker spaniel).
I'm Molly, and I'm currently Ideal Home's Kitchen Appliances Editor but was formerly Ecommerce Editor, covering vacuum cleaners and other cleaning products.
During my time in the role, I tested dozens of cordless vacuums, including those in my own home and at Future's test facility. I was also invited to visit Dyson and Shark's offices to get a behind-the-scenes look at how they design and produce their vacuums. Like Lauren, my vacuum of choice is the Dyson Gen5detect as once you go Dyson you can't go back.
I'm Katie, a freelance reviewer and contributor for Ideal Home. I specialise in all things homes and gardens and have reviewed countless home appliances, including vacuums and the best dehumidifiers.
I tested the VAX HomePro Pet-Design for this guide, putting it through its paces in my flat in Leeds.
Jullia worked as a Junior Writer and Certified Expert in Training for Vacuums from 2022 until 2024 and spent over 60 hours testing vacuums - many of which have made their way into this best cordless vacuums buying guide.
She had hands-on experience with both corded and cordless vacuums from leading brands such as Dyson, Shark, Henry, Gtech and Bosch. She particularly loved the Shark PowerDetect Clean and Empty.
How to choose a cordless vacuum cleaner
Knowing how to vacuum starts with choosing the right machine for the job. Many cordless vacs on the market – with the exception of the best handheld vacuums – fall within two popular categories: stick and upright. Understanding the differences between stick vacuums and upright vacuums can help you determine which is the right fit for you.
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.
Upright vacuum cleaners, on the other hand, 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.
As cordless vacuums aren't connected to mains power, they rely on the battery to clean your home. And while this means that cordless vacuums use less electricity than corded offerings, it can also hinder your cleaning efforts - especially as some vacuums only have a run-time of 30 minutes.
Because of this, it's well worth taking stock of the size of your home (and how long it takes you to vacuum it) and choosing a cordless vacuum cleaner that can vacuum every room in your house without needing to be charged mid-way through. Of course, you'll then need to wait for it to charge - which can be up to 5 hours in some cases.
However, some brands do offer you the chance to purchase a spare battery, so you can still make the most of your chosen cordless vacuum cleaner without the shorter run time getting in the way.
Before making your purchase, it's also a good idea to check out the tools or attachments available (if any) with your chosen cordless vacuum. Then, our guide to what vacuum tool is right for each job can help you make the most of these attachments and your cordless vacuum investment as a whole.
Then, you should feel confident enough to purchase and start using your new cordless vacuum cleaner. Just make sure you don’t forget the places you're probably forgetting to vacuum.
FAQs
How much should I spend on a cordless vacuum?
We would recommend budgeting around £250 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 £250-300 mark, with some of the higher-tech models reaching prices of as much as £750. If you can afford it, though, it's often 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.
However, we will say that a higher price tag doesn't always mean it's better, as everyone will have different preferences and priorities when choosing a vacuum. It's always worth thoroughly doing your research, considering whether the vacuum you have in mind comes with additional accessories, and if it's equipped with special technological features, if they actually matter to you. Sure, higher-end brands like Dyson and Shark offer advanced cleaning technology and smart features, but if you're only concerned with getting the job done and don't care for all the extra bells and whistles, it's not necessary to fork out over £400 for functions you won't utilise when a £150 model can do everything you need and more.
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 8-9th October, so 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?
Yes! 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.