I’ve spent over 500 hours testing vacuum cleaners – these are my top picks for carpets, hard floors, pets and more
These are the 9 best vacuums out of the 100 that have been tested
This guide to the best vacuum cleaners was updated on 11th November 2026 to include early Black Friday Deals and to remove any out-of-date information.
This guide to the best vacuum cleaners was written by Ideal Home's Certified Expert for Vacuums, Lauren Bradbury, with contributions from our appliances editors and product testers.
Your vacuum cleaner can make or break your cleaning routine. And as someone who has tested a lot of bad vacuums, I can tell you that a vacuum with poor suction, limited tools and basic features can leave your home looking, feeling, and even smelling dirty.
However, what I've also learned as Ideal Home's Certified Expert for Vacuums is that a 'good' vacuum isn't a one-size-fits-all appliance. The best cordless vacuum cleaners typically suit quick grab-and-go cleaning, while others specifically excel on carpets, hard floors, or in homes with pets. And when you're searching online or scoping out a model in-store, finding the best for your home can be difficult.
That's why I've spent the last three years testing and assessing over 100 vacuums - from big brands such as Dyson, Shark, Miele, Henry and more - to find the best vacuum cleaners worth your hard-earned money.
Overall, the Dyson V16 Piston Animal is the best vacuum my team and I have tested, but plenty of other great corded, upright, cylinder, and pet-hair models are out there. And this guide should narrow things down for you.
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Short on time but still want to buy one of the best vacuum cleaners? This quick list will take you straight to my top picks, with more detailed reviews just a scroll away.
- Best vacuum cleaner overall: Dyson V16 Piston Animal, £749.99
- Best budget vacuum cleaner: Henry HVR160, £179.99
- Best cordless vacuum cleaner: Shark Stratos IZ420UKT, £499.99
- Best corded vacuum cleaner: Shark PowerDetect Transformer, £499.99
- Best upright vacuum cleaner: Gtech AirRAM Platinum, £350
- Best vacuum cleaner for hard floors: Dreame V20 Pro, £349
- Best vacuum cleaner for carpets: Shark PowerDetect Speed Clean and Empty, £519.99
- Best vacuum cleaner for pet hair: Miele Duoflex HX1 Cat & Dog, £449
- Best robot vacuum and mop: Eufy Omni E25, £749
How I test
As Ideal Home's Certified Expert in Vacuums, I've personally spent over 500 hours testing vacuums of all shapes, sizes and specs. I do this in my own home to mimic real-life use (yes, my house is very clean) and have developed a rigorous testing methodology to ensure I only recommend vacuums that are truly worth the investment.
I've trained my dedicated testing team to follow the same criteria, and I always test my test vacuums for at least two weeks to assess everything from assembly to accessories, additional features and maintenance.
As we all want a vacuum cleaner that sucks - but in a good way - I also spend time putting these vacuums through various debris tests. I throw flour on the floor for the 'dust demo,' crush cereal for the 'messy mealtimes' test and enlist the help of my dog for the 'hairy housemate' assessment.
After considering every aspect of the review, I score the vacuum out of 5 and choose my top-rated models for this guide.
Best vacuum cleaner overall
Released in September 2025, the Dyson V16 Piston Animal is officially Dyson's most powerful cordless vacuum cleaner, and it's been decked out with a whole host of new technology - including a tangle-free conical multi-floor floorhead and a CleanCompaktor bin that compresses dust and debris.
It has a powerful motor and up to 70 minutes of fade-free run time, and it even comes with a removable, swappable battery. So, you could technically use it for up to 140 minutes if you bought a spare. It's definitely the best Dyson vacuum cleaner you can buy (so far).
Features we loved during testing
The Dyson V16 Piston Animal's impressive power was clear during testing, and the new multi-floor floorhead is a big improvement over the Dyson Gen5detect (which was previously the top pick in this guide before the V16 replaced it), which required swapping heads when moving from carpet to hard floors.
It has all the same sensors and lasers you'd expect from a tech-forward brand like Dyson, and the new conical head made light work of pet and human hair in my home. The new CleanCompaktor bin also meant that I didn't have to empty it nearly as much as I'm used to. In fact, it has 2-3 times the amount of dustbin space of the average cordless vacuum.
If you have a lot of hard floors in your home, you could also buy the Dyson V16 Piston Animal Submarine (£899.99 at Dyson), which is the same vacuum but with an extra wet-floor cleaning head.
Of course, the elephant in the room with any Dyson vacuum cleaner is the price. And while I think this model's tech justifies the above-average price tag, I appreciate it may be a step too far. If so, I'd suggest the Shark Stratos instead.
Read our Dyson V16 Piston Animal Cordless Vacuum review for more details.
Best budget vacuum cleaner
The best Henry vacuum cleaners come in many different shapes and forms, but the Henry HVR160 is the original, classic Henry. It doesn't have too many bells and whistles, but for under £200, you really do get a lot for your money. Or for an extra £20, you could level up to the equally impressive Henry Xtra.
What I love most is this model's reliability, and although our tester, Helen, reviewed it back in 2023, she still uses it weekly at home. Henry's classic bagged design is also perfect for those with allergies, as it keeps the dust, debris, and hair you vacuum in the bag. And while this Henry offers only one power level, you can rest assured it is more than enough to clean up all sorts of messes.
Features we loved during testing
During testing, Helen loved just how easy this vacuum cleaner was to use - whether that was using the Combi floorhead to vacuum both hard floors and carpet, or using the three provided tools and attachments to clean everything from her blinds to her upholstery. There's even space for the floorhead and two of the tools onboard the unit itself.
Helen also found that it performed well when removing debris from her home - especially during intense (and very dusty) DIY sessions. The 6-litre dust bag also meant she didn't have to empty it for weeks, since it held so much. This makes it perfect for families, particularly messy homes, or those who want to use it both inside and outside the house (like cleaning the car, for example).
However, it is corded and has a large body, so it might not suit you if you struggle with storage space or available plug sockets. The Henry Quick Corded is a great alternative, offering the same corded power but with a stick design. It's also comparable in price. Alternatively, the Henry HVB160 Cordless Vacuum Cleaner offers the same cylinder design but with a battery.
Read our full Henry HRV160 Vacuum Cleaner review for more details.
Best cordless vacuum cleaner
It's been some time since the release of the Shark Stratos IZ420UKT, but it's still holding up as one of the best vacuum cleaners we've ever reviewed - and I recently reviewed it a second time to ensure it was still worthy of this position. It's also a constant bestseller on the Shark website, making it one of the best Shark vacuums, too.
Clean Sense IQ Technology is a standout feature that works brilliantly to detect and respond to dirt and debris on all floor types, delivering a thorough clean with minimal effort. The 120-minute run time across the two batteries is also rare for cordless vacuums, and even the 60 on the single-battery model is generous.
Features we loved during testing
During my tests, the Shark Stratos IZ420UKT cordless stick vacuum delivered unbelievable suction power, leaving carpets visibly cleaner with no leftover pet or human hair. The ease with which this vacuum removes hair is astounding, making it particularly great for households with pets (and without, of course). Both our Kitchen Appliances Editor, Molly, and I found it to be the perfect amount of suction for everyday cleaning.
A major perk is that it transforms into a smaller handheld in seconds, and I loved being able to reach for the smaller attachments whenever I needed to quickly tackle smaller messes around the home.
One standout feature I love across much of the Shark cleaning range is the anti-odour capsules, which help banish musty smells when cleaning and emptying the vacuum. The lingering fresh smell also makes the house feel much fresher.
Together, these features earn it a podium spot as one of the best vacuum cleaners in our guide for most people, even though the Dyson V16 Piston Animal's price tag is above average. And while the Shark Stratos IZ420UKT is, of course, still an investment, you can regularly find it on sale for less than £250, making it a strong alternative if you want the benefits of advanced cleaning technology and suction power without breaking the bank.
Read our Shark Stratos IZ420UKT cordless vacuum review for more details.
Best corded vacuum cleaner
I've always been a huge fan of corded vacuums, and Shark has proved time and time again that corded vacuums do deserve a place in a modern home - especially if they offer something new and exciting. The new Shark PowerDetect Transformer is a perfect example, as this 3-in-1 vacuum can quickly transform from an upright to a stick to a handheld vacuum.
It performed consistently across carpet, hard flooring and tiles during testing in my house, and I loved how I could change the size and weight of the vacuum to tackle different areas - without compromising on the cleaning quality. And while it does have a cord to contend with, the 8m length means you don't have to unplug and re-plug in every room.
Features we loved during testing
Often, the downside of a corded vacuum - especially an upright model - is that they're both large and heavy. The Shark Transformer is admittedly both of those things, but it significantly slashes those numbers when you transform it into a stick vacuum. So, I used this to vacuum my stairs, then switched to handheld for smaller cleaning tasks.
This model is also decked out in many of Shark's most impressive technologies, including Dirt, Floor, and EdgeDetect technologies, which allowed it to react to changes in floor type and debris amount in my home, as well as clean right up to the edge of my skirting boards.
And while it doesn't advertise itself as a pet vacuum, it comes with a pet multi-tool, pet power brush, and anti-odour capsule to tackle the hair and smells that come with having pets. And I can vouch for the fact that its pet hair pickup is exceptional, often sucking the hair towards it thanks to the immense power of this corded vacuum.
All in all, it's a powerhouse for deep cleaning, but just be warned that you do need the space to use and store it to really get the most out of it. So it might not suit smaller homes or those who don't clean regularly.
Read our Shark PowerDetect Transformer LX5001UKT Corded Upright Vacuum Cleaner review for more details.
Best upright vacuum cleaner
Upright vacuum cleaners are still hugely popular, and the Gtech AirRAM Platinum Anti Hair Wrap Cordless Vacuum is packed with features that make cleaning much easier. It performed particularly well on carpets during testing, leaving those tell-tale carpet lines I love so much.
With up to an hour of run time and a mess-free emptying system (thanks to the bin's location on the floorhead), it's a modern upright model with the bells and whistles of a cordless stick, and a worthy contender if you love this type of vacuum.
Features we loved during testing
The USP of this model is the patented AirLOC technology, which sucks up debris on the front stroke, but seals itself on the backstroke to pick up the fine dust and hair that other vacuums may leave behind. Our tester, Jullia, noted that it took a little while to get used to, but the results were obvious.
Even in a house with three dogs, she could see that the Gtech AirRAM Platinum not only picked up dog hair but also kept the brushroll tangle-free, keeping maintenance to a minimum. The scented cartridge also helps keep your home smelling fresh.
The carry handle also makes it incredibly easy to transport the upright vacuum from room to room, and the hour's run time allowed Jullia to vacuum her home multiple times before needing to pop on charge.
Just be warned that upright models aren't always the most versatile, something I also saw with the newer Gtech AirRAM 3. They're great on large areas of flat floors, but their design means that they often struggle to vacuum stairs or more targeted areas.
Read our full Gtech AirRAM Platinum review for more details
Best vacuum cleaner for hard floors
The Dreame V20 Pro Cordless Vacuum comes with interchangeable heads suitable for different floor types. As a result, it's ideal for any home with different floor types, but it excels particularly on hard flooring, where it thrived during testing. Of course, you do need to switch between these floorheads during use, which is something to consider.
With up to 80 minutes of run time, three power modes and 210 Air Watts of suction power, it easily cleaned every speck of dust and dirt during testing - and our tester particularly loved how lightweight it was. Plus, how manoeuvrable it was, thanks to its ability to bend under furniture and offer impressive edge cleaning.
Features we loved during testing
The USP of the Dreame V20 is its lightweight design. At just 3.2kg, it's significantly lighter than the other vacuum cleaners in this guide, though not quite as light as the Dyson V12, which previously held this spot. Because of this, it's ideal for grab-and-go cleaning.
During testing, our reviewer, Rebecca, found its ability to bend the wand under furniture to be a huge bonus in her family home, as it allowed her to clean under sideboards and other awkward spaces that you wouldn't typically be able to clean with a static, solid wand.
The GapFree technology also made a difference to her cleaning experience, allowing her to vacuum right up to the edges of skirting boards. This is where the Auto mode worked its magic, too, adjusting its suction power as dirt levels changed.
Thanks to the hard roller floorhead, Rebecca found that it passed the debris test with flying colours on her hard flooring and loved how effortlessly it glided across the floors. However, the multi-surface brush was just as impressive on carpets and rugs.
There are sacrifices to be made with this hard floor hero, though, and those with larger homes may struggle with the smaller 0.5L dust bin. Rebecca noted that she needed to empty it regularly when cleaning her 3-bedroom house, but that it was a small trade-off compared to the vacuum's cleaning power.
Read our Dreame V20 Cordless Vacuum Cleaner review for more details.
Best vacuum cleaner for carpets
The Shark PowerDetect Speed Clean and Empty Pet Pro Cordless Vacuum IA3241UKT seriously proved its worth during testing, even surpassing the Shark PowerDetect Clean & Empty Cordless Vacuum Cleaner that we've always rated so highly. That's largely because it offers similar cleaning power, but at a smaller footprint thanks to its compact auto-empty dock.
Thanks to Shark's impressive FloorDetect technology, it's also a game-changer for different floor types - and it's particularly impressive on carpets. And that's before I mention the other three detection technologies, the anti-odour technology, a Flexology wand for cleaning under furniture, and two tools for cleaning smaller nooks, crannies, and pet hair.
Features we loved during testing
Although I test a lot of vacuum cleaners with varying levels of complexity, I loved testing this Shark vacuum because it's technologically complex yet incredibly easy to use for grab-and-go cleaning. And knowing that the vacuum was detecting changes in my floor type and debris levels without any input from me is truly appreciated.
It performed excellently in the debris test on hard flooring, but it thrived on carpets, where it easily tackled everything from loose dirt to embedded pet hair. Then, with the Pet Hair Tool as an extra (which neatly stores on the auto-empty dock), I was able to replicate that cleaning ability on everything from my dog's bed to my sofas.
Alongside this, it was extremely lightweight and easy to manoeuvre across all floor types, and the auto-empty dock is ideal for those who don't want to empty their vacuum cleaner regularly. My only real negative with this model is the long charge time, which seems a little excessive at 6 hours.
Read our Shark PowerDetect Speed Clean and Empty Pet Pro Cordless Vacuum review for more details.
Best vacuum cleaner for pet hair
As the paw-rent of a particularly fluffy cocker spaniel, I'm regularly testing the best vacuum cleaners for pet hair. And after testing the Miele Duoflex HX1 Cat & Dog cordless vacuum for a few weeks, I'm confident that it has beaten the competition to become the best option for vacuuming pet hair in a home. And not just because it’s specifically designed for those with furry friends.
While it’s slightly different from the canister vacuums for which Miele is known, this model features a modern design, up to 55 minutes of run time, and impressive suction power for a cordless vacuum. And while it may be on the pricier side, you really do get what you pay for when it comes to this German manufacturer. It’s sturdy, stylish, and extremely innovative.
Features we loved during testing
Designed to address the challenges faced by pet owners when cleaning their homes, the Miele Duoflex HX1 Cat & Dog cordless vacuum is well-equipped to handle pet hair, dander, and everyday household dust. The intelligent electrobrush with automatic power adjustment makes it easy to spot (and clean) the problem areas of a house with very little effort, and it leaves the whole area feeling clean and fresh thanks to the 99.99% dust retention capacity and additional hygiene filter.
With handy accessories and tools, it’s also easy to carry the Miele Duoflex HX1 Cat & Dog cordless vacuum around the house - and I've used them on everything from a dog bed to a hair-covered sofa and carpeted stairs. This vacuum even comes with a handy accessory holder so you can carry the attachments around on the main unit.
It’s this focus on pet ownership and pet-specific problem-solving that has allowed this model to replace the Halo Capsule X, a non-pet-specific vacuum that previously took this spot in our buying guide. And while the Halo is a bagged vacuum that has a much larger dust capacity, if you want a pet vacuum that really gets the job done and don’t mind the smaller dust bin, the Miele can’t be beaten. Not yet, anyway.
Read our full Miele Duoflex HX1 Cat & Dog Cordless Vacuum review for more details.
Best robot vacuum and mop
If you have your eye on one of the best robot vacuums, the Eufy Robot Vacuum Omni E25 is our top-rated model and perfect for hands-free cleaning. With multi-room mapping, you can set it up to both vacuum and mop your entire home (as long as there aren't any big steps or thresholds), and it's pretty stylish, too.
With 20,000Pa of suction, it offers power that's way above the average of around 4,000-6,000Pa, and the HydroJet mopping - coupled with the separate clean and dirty water tanks and the cleaning solution provided - means your hard floors will be left sparkling.
Features we loved during testing
There are many things I wish I knew before buying a robot vacuum, but the Eufy Robot Vacuum Omni E25 didn't leave me with any regrets. It's powerful, practical, and left both my carpets and hard flooring cleaner than ever. I was particularly impressed during the debris test, when it easily tackled all debris sizes and managed to vacuum up deep-rooted pet hair on my carpets and rugs.
The high-tech model also offers faultless obstacle testing, which is ideal for busy homes with toys or regular clutter lining the floor, and the auto-empty, auto-refilling docking station was both a practical and stylish addition to my home.
Of course, the elephant in the room is that a robot vacuum isn't a replacement for a regular vacuum. But if you don't need to replace your old vacuum, having a robot vacuum to hand can instead make a huge difference. And while this one is expensive, it's well worth the investment and will undoubtedly take the hassle out of cleaning.
Read our full Eufy Robot Vacuum Omni E25 review for more details.
Vacuum comparison at a glance
Vacuum |
Price |
Ideal Home Rating |
Dust Capacity |
Run Time |
Charge Time |
Weight |
£749.99 |
5 stars |
1.3L |
70 mins |
3.5 hours |
3.4kg |
|
£169.99 |
4.5 stars |
6L |
N/A (Corded) |
N/A (Corded) |
7.5kg |
|
£479.99 |
5 stars |
0.8L |
120 mins |
3.5 hours |
4.07kg |
|
£499.99 |
4.5 stars |
1.3L (upright), 0.2L (handheld) |
N/A (Corded) |
N/A (Corded) |
8kg |
|
£349 |
4.5 stars |
0.8L |
60 mins |
3 hours |
3.3kg |
|
£349 |
4.5 stars |
0.5L |
80 mins |
4 hours |
3.2kg |
|
£499.99 |
5 stars |
0.5L vac capacity, 2L dock capacity |
60 mins |
6 hours |
6.41 kg (vacuum and dock), 3.2kg (vacuum) |
|
£449 |
4.5 stars |
0.3L |
55 mins |
3.5 hours |
3.1kg |
|
£849 |
5 stars |
3L |
216 mins |
5-6 hours |
16.6kg |
Runners-up
I've spent hundreds of hours testing the best vacuum cleaners, so if my top picks above don't suit you, here are some runners-up that nearly made the top spots.
Meet our testing team
Lauren is the Content Editor for House Manual, meaning she's an expert in all things cleaning and home maintenance. Before joining the team permanently, she was a freelance contributor for Ideal Home and tested everything from vacuum cleaners to electric mops.
Lauren is also Ideal Home's Certified Expert for Vacuums, so she knows all of the ins and outs of vacuuming - from using a vacuum cleaner more efficiently to effectively vacuuming pet hair (something that comes in handy as the pawrent of a very fluffy pooch).
Helen is a freelance contributor who trained as a Home Economist. After starting her career in the food industry, she moved into home appliance reviews and has since reviewed countless vacuums for Ideal Home.
Helen is our go-to for testing vacuums in real-world settings, and she still uses the same Henry she tested for this guide three years later.
Rebecca is another one of our trusted freelance reviewers, who regularly tests floorcare and cleaning appliances. She tests them all from her family home, which is the ideal testing ground with three kids making a mess!
For this guide, she tested (and loved) the Dreame V20 Pro Cordless Vacuum Cleaner.
How to choose the right model
If you buy cheap, you buy twice, which is why I see a new vacuum cleaner as an investment. In fact, a high-quality vacuum cleaner will last you years if you choose the right one - and you can even extend your vacuum’s life expectancy if you care for it properly. That’s why I’d suggest checking out my larger guide on how to choose a vacuum cleaner so you don’t waste your money on the wrong one.
If you want a condensed version, much of choosing the right vacuum cleaner for you and your home comes down to the type of vacuum.
Upright vacuum cleaners are very ergonomic to push around, so they’re ideal for cleaning large floor areas in open-plan kitchens. Their powerful, rotating brush bars are great for picking up pet and human hair in thick living room carpets. But they are tall and bulky to store and not ideal for cleaning stairs or hiding a vacuum cleaner.
Stick vacuum cleaners, on the other hand, are convenient for quick cleanups around the house because of their compact, lightweight design. However, they tend to have smaller dustbin capacities and may deliver less suction power than their upright counterparts. Beyond these factors, there are plenty of other nuances to consider, which we cover in more detail in our stick vacuum vs upright vacuum explainer.
Cylinder vacuum cleaners are usually smaller and lighter, so they pack away better. The power cable is typically stored neatly inside, and hopefully, there's onboard storage for tools. But, they might not have a motorised brush head and their capacity may be smaller, so they might not suit every home.
Weigh up your needs and decide which type of vacuum is right for you and your home, but also consider whether you want a corded or cordless vacuum and a bagless or bagged vacuum cleaner. Each has perks and downsides, so proper research is key.
Vacuum power is also something you need to consider, and knowing how much suction power a vacuum cleaner has is key. This should be measured in AW (Air Watts), but some manufacturers only list motor power in W (Watts). Either way, the higher the number, the more powerful the vacuum.
If, after making these choices, you're wondering which set of accessories you need alongside your vacuum to ensure it works its best, then our guide to what vacuum tool is right for each job makes for essential reading - especially if you live in a home with children or pets (or particularly hairy humans!).
Then, you should feel confident enough to make your purchase and start using your new vacuum cleaner. Just make sure you don’t forget the places you're probably forgetting to vacuum.
FAQs
When is the best time to buy a vacuum cleaner?
To shop for discounts year-round, head to our vacuum cleaner deals page, which has you covered on all sorts of brands and discounts available and is regularly updated.
If you're looking for a nailed-on answer, however, certain periods are undoubtedly better than others to shop. Vacuum cleaner sales always pick up around Amazon Prime Day, Black Friday and Christmas time, as people prepare for house guests and in the springtime, as people get their homes in order before a long summer period.
It's also worth comparing prices before parting with your money, as many retailers often run their own discounts throughout the year, which could save you some extra pennies.
How much should I spend on a vacuum cleaner?
As a general rule of thumb, you should budget at least £250 for a vacuum cleaner with decent cleaning power. But you can spend twice that or more on premium models if your budget allows for it. More money can buy you more powerful cleaning and better tools for dealing with challenges such as pet hair.
If you're worried about costs in general, then we've also got a dedicated write-up of how much it costs to run a vacuum cleaner, so that you can factor that into your budgeting too.
Is Shark or Dyson better?
There's plenty of debate around which vacuum cleaner brand is best, but on the whole, after testing countless vacuum cleaners, the Ideal Home would conclude it's a tough battle between Dyson and Shark at the top.
There are other contenders from Miele, VAX and Hoover, but the vacuums we had the most difficulty placing in this list are from those top two contenders.
If you want to learn more about which brand might best suit you, our write-up of Dyson vs Shark vacuums will come in handy, as well as our take on Miele vs Dyson vacuums to help inform your decision.
How can I make my vacuum cleaner work better?
While you might think you know how to vacuum, there are a few things you can do to improve the efficiency of your machine. The first tip for getting the most from your vacuum is to make sure that you're utilising all of the features that your chosen model has to offer. If you've got a different floor head for carpet as opposed to hard floor, make sure to use it – manuals are the first place to go if you want to get more familiar with how to best use your vacuum.
Similarly, properly getting to grips with any attachments that come with your vacuum is essential. And once you are using it, frequent maintenance is essential. Our explainer on vacuuming mistakes you might currently be making has more detail, as well as frequently asked questions on using your vacuum cleaner wrong. We've also thoroughly explained how to unclog a vacuum hose and common causes as to why your vacuum is losing suction, if you're currently facing those particular problems, too.
However, if even after all your many efforts of cleaning your vacuum cleaner and regularly checking it for maintenance, you're still encountering issues; these could be tell-tale signs that it's time to replace your vacuum cleaner.