If there's one vacuum that has reached icon status in the UK, it's Henry. With its signature smile, you're guaranteed to spot a Henry vacuum cleaner hard at work in homes, schools and offices all across the country. However, with so many different models to choose from, it can be hard to know which is the best Henry vacuum cleaner for you.
Known for their robust build, affordable price point, and no-nonsense controls, it's not hard to understand why these reliable cleaning companions have long been (and continue to be) contenders for the title of best vacuum cleaner. But while some models will suit your home, others won't.
To help, we've tested the bestselling Henrys out there, rigorously putting each through its paces at home. From suction to accessories and even battery life for the brand's first venture into the world of cordless vacuums, every detail of the best Henry vacuums has been scrutinised to help you shop for your perfect model.
Quick list
Best Henry overall
The Xtra is a step up from the classic Henry model, sporting the same loveable design and reliability but now equipped with a wider range of floorheads and a larger capacity for more efficient cleaning. For just £20 more than the original, what's not to love?
Best budget Henry
The classic Henry in all his glory, this entry-level model remains a bestseller for a reason despite all the newer iterations. Reliable, compact, and easy to store, it's got everything you need for powerful and efficient cleaning.
Best cordless Henry
Didn't realise that Henry offered a cordless model? Well, you do now! This vacuum works a treat for conveniently tackling quick jobs, and you get fantastic suction power without having to sacrifice a Henry's biggest perk: bagged, dust-free emptying like other cordless vacuum cleaners out there.
Best Henry for pets
If you're looking for one of the best vacuums for pet hair, the Henry Pet offers fantastic suction, unrivalled hair pick-up, and an extra-long cable for that extra bit of reach. As a plus, it even helps to reduce pet-related odours around the home.
Best large capacity Henry
Whether you've got a bustling family household to maintain or are partial to DIY, the Henry XL Plus packs the punch you need to easily cater to both small and big jobs. With generous capacity, a super long cable, and an array of attachments; it's an all-in-one solution.
Best Henry for allergies
Approved by Allergy UK, if sneezing and sniffles are constantly getting you down, this Henry model is the ideal option for keeping your allergies at bay whilst still delivering effective suction power for everyday cleaning.
Best Henry vacuum 2025
Best Henry vacuum overall
What could be better than a Henry vacuum for your home? A bigger, better Henry vacuum, with a larger capacity and three interchangeable floorheads, we reckon. The Henry Xtra wowed our reviewer Helen when she used it at home, with a great range of extras for just £20 more than you'll pay for the standard Henry.
If you do have hard floor and carpet at home, then this Henry is fully equipped to help with the cleaning, with a range of floor tools. What's more, if you have a larger home, the large-capacity dust bag will mean that you have to switch it over less regularly.
Helen tested both the standard Henry and the Xtra for us, and thinks that the Xtra is superior, especially thanks to the fantastic AiroBrush carpet tool. The only exception is if you don't have much storage space or just one floor type, in which case you might want to opt for the standard model instead.
Read our full Henry Xtra vacuum cleaner review for more information.
Best budget Henry vacuum
Henry vacuums are many things: nostalgic, iconic and reliable. That's why you'll find them in homes up and down the country, as well as in the arsenal of many a professional cleaner. The Henry HV160 is the original Henry, and it's also the most affordable model you can buy from the brand - a major plus in the bagged vs bagless vacuum cleaner debate.
After taking it for a test vacuum at home, our reviewer Helen can only agree that Henry is a dependable workhorse, with a low-maintenance design. It doesn't have the sophisticated features that brand-new cordless vacuums do, but it also doesn't need to be charged or regularly emptied, with its six-litre capacity.
If you need a no-frills, all-functionality vacuum with a friendly face, then Henry won't let you down. As our reviewer Helen says, 'In an age where most vacuums now seem to have screens, lasers, and tiny bagless dust canisters, Henry reminds us that you don’t need to spend a fortune on all this tech to get the job done'.
Read our full Henry HV160 vacuum cleaner review for more information.
Best cordless Henry vacuum
If you love Henry but wish he were a little easier to use, then the Henry Quick is a fantastic cordless vacuum that still features Henry's friendly features. It's so easy to use, from charging to operation, and packs in a phenomenally good amount of suction. Budget-friendly (at under £300) and with a fantastic 70-minute run time, it's hard not to love this slimmed-down Henry.
Our reviewer, Molly, tried this vacuum at home for a number of weeks, and while she did find that there were some instances of hair getting trapped around the brush roll, on the whole, it helped to achieve a fantastic clean in her flat. It's also the perfect option for those who want the power and the style of Henry without having to lug a heavy 7+kg model around the house.
You can use the suction on the normal or turbo modes, and carpet cleaning was fantastic too. And if you'd rather pick up a Hetty than a Henry cordless, then you're in luck, as it comes in pink too.
Read our full Henry Quick cordless vacuum review for more information.
Best Henry vacuum for pets
The Henry Pet200 is a standout choice for anyone who needs a reliable vacuum, especially if you've got pets running around. It has a range of attachments to help combat pet hair and dirt, and in our review, we found it was really easy to switch between tools, especially as they are all stored on board.
Although its RRP is £179.99, you can regularly find it on offer for less, making it an affordable pick for vacuuming pet hair, with other choices from brands like Miele coming in at much higher prices. On the whole, it's a solid piece of kit which is easy to maintain. Buying the vacuum bags is a consideration; however, with a capacity of 9L, you will need to do a lot of vacuum cleaning to get through a pack of 10, as they are commonly sold for.
A thing to note is that this vacuum cleaner may not be suitable if you want an appliance to vacuum your home and car. It is a bulky vacuum cleaner and, again, it is corded, so unless you have a driveway or a guaranteed parking space outside your home, the Henry Pet may not be the vacuum cleaner for you.
Read our full Henry Pet 200 vacuum cleaner review for more information.
Best large capacity Henry vacuum
The Henry XL Plus is proof that bigger is better, offering everything that the other models in the leading brand's line do but supersized. Boasting a generous 15L capacity and an extremely long 12.5m cable, this industrial heavy-duty model is armed for whatever job you throw at it; both big and small. It offers impressive suction power and pet hair pick-up for everyday cleaning, as well as a wide array of tools and floorheads to tackle any type of flooring or hard-to-reach nooks and crannies.
Considering its sub-£200 price point, you're guaranteed to get the most bang out of your buck by investing in this model – especially if you've got a large bustling home to maintain or are especially partial to a DIY. It's no wonder it's become our reviewer, Jullia's family's all-in-one solution in her parents' home, comprised of six occupants (herself included) and three dogs.
While it's a fantastic option, it is worth noting that, as its name suggests, he's a big boy and can definitely be a little overkill if you have a small home and household. Although you reap the benefits of its generous bag capacity, the Henry XL Plus is, in turn, quite heavy to push around and especially bulky to store. Unless you have storage available in a utility room, garage, or a cleaning cupboard, it's possible that you'll find it a pain to store when it's not in use.
Read our full Henry XL Plus vacuum cleaner review for more information.
Best Henry vacuum for allergies
The top line with this vacuum is that it's approved by Allergy UK, which means that you can trust this Henry to help you get rid of allergens at home. Made in the UK, this vacuum is great suction-wise and has the tools to help with corner and edge cleaning.
It's also a bargain, like the other Henrys on offer, with an RRP of £199.99. You can really feel the deep cleaning power with this vacuum, and pick up smaller debris as well as larger items. Our reviewer did find this vacuum a little more difficult to push around than the other Henry vacuums she tested, something she put down to the intensity of the suction power.
After two weeks of testing, the large collecting bag was not full, which means that if you're worried about the environmental impact of bags, you may at least be soothed by the fact that you'll be reaching to replace them infrequently. And of course, the fact that you don’t have plumes of dust on emptying is essential for keeping allergies at bay.
Read our full Henry Allergy vacuum review for more information.
Best Henry vacuums at a glance
Model | Price | Corded or Cordless | Capacity | Weight |
£179.99 | Corded | 9L | 8kg | |
£159.99 | Corded | 6L | 7.5kg | |
£299.99 | Cordless | 1L | 3.2kg | |
£179.99 | Corded | 9L | 8kg | |
£179.99 | Corded | 15L | 10kg | |
£199.99 | Corded | 6L | 7.5kg |
How we test Henry vacuums
At Ideal Home, we want you to be able to trust our product recommendations as much as the British public trusts Henry vacuums. That's why we put a huge amount of thought and planning behind how we test products at Ideal Home. This is also the case when we test vacuum cleaners.
Every single one of the Henry vacuum cleaners featured in this list was tested for at least two weeks before coming to the conclusion in our reviews. Everything about the vacuum is assessed - from the unboxing and the setting up process to the overall performance and suction power, to the storage and manoeuvrability of the appliance.
As part of our testing process, we also make sure each vacuum is used as naturally as possible, while also mimicking everyday cleaning conundrums users may face. This includes testing the Henry vacuum cleaner on different floor types and with different debris - including cereals, flour (to replicate dust) and hair, to really scrutinise suction power.
If the Henry vacuum cleaner markets itself as a specific pet model, we also follow the testing criteria set out in how we test vacuums for pet hair - ideally, with real pet hair and in real homes with pets.
Part of this testing process also includes comparing the review vacuum to other vacuums we've tested - including other Henry vacuums, as well as other brands. This helps us get a better understanding of who each model would suit, and which ones offer the best value for money.
Then, with all of the above at our disposal, we can assign the Henry vacuum cleaner a dedicated star rating. They are as follows:
5 stars - an exceptional Henry vacuum cleaner that does exactly what you expect and cannot be faulted.
4.5 stars - any Henry vacuum that leaves us wanting a bit more will take that crucial half-mark.
4 stars - an amazing Henry vacuum cleaner that is worth your money, but may need some fine-tuning before being an all-rounder.
3 stars - a good Henry vacuum cleaner that works well but doesn't wow us. It may be under-specced, too expensive, or difficult to use.
2 stars - the Henry vacuum lacks key features but is affordable, so it may suit someone if they're in a rut.
1 star - the Henry vacuum does not work as intended, and we would advise you not to buy it.
Molly is Ideal Home's Kitchen Appliances Editor but was formerly an Ecommerce Editor, covering vacuum cleaners and other cleaning products.
For this guide, Molly tested the cordless Numatic Henry Quick in her flat. She assessed everything from its cleaning prowess to how easy it was to store.
Jullia has tested a wide range of vacuum cleaners for Ideal Home, spending over 60 hours testing all kinds of makes and models.
She took the Henry XL Plus back to her family's five-bedroom house for in-depth testing, seeing how it fared against big family messes - both human and pet!
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 and other publications.
For this guide, Helen took the Henry Xtra and the classic Henry vacuums for a spin around her beautiful Berkshire home.
Jen is a mother of two who has 10 years of experience as an editor and product reviewer specialising in home appliances, smart tech, and mattresses.
She reviewed the Henry Pet200 for this guide in her three-bed terrace with a steep, narrow staircase and a range of flooring types.
Rhoda is Ideal Home's former Editorial Director and reviewed countless appliances during her time here.
In this instance, she reviewed the Henry Allergy vacuum cleaner in her home and assessed how well it cleaned her house and how much it impacted her partner's and son's allergies.
How to choose
Our guide on how to choose a vacuum cleaner is undoubtedly the best source of information if you want to choose the best Henry vacuum for your home.
However, there's no denying that Henry's are a little different to other makes and models - so there are a few other things to consider. This includes:
Dust capacity: Henry vacuums are known for having exceptionally large dust capacities, thanks to their bagged systems. This makes them perfect for larger, higher-traffic homes - but they still come in various different sizes. So, consider the size of your home and how often you vacuum before deciding on the best option for you. It's also worth noting that vacuum bags can't be reused, so you'll need to factor buying more of them into your decision.
Weight: Due to their large size and big dust capacities, Henry vacuums can be heavier than other corded models out there - and certainly much heavier than cordless options. Although they are undoubtedly easy to manoeuvre thanks to the wheels and handle, you still need to ensure you can carry the weight of the model. If not, a Henry cordless might suit you better.
Extra features: Do you struggle with hay fever? Do you have pets? It's worth looking at the tools, accessories and extra features the best Henry vacuum cleaners have before you make your decision, as some can make your cleaning process a lot simpler (and more effective).
FAQs
Are Henry vacuum cleaners good?
After rigorously testing more than a handful from the iconic brand, we can confidently say that Henry vacuum cleaners continue to hold up to this day as a reliable and powerful cleaning companion for both domestic and commercial settings.
One thing Henry has over its competitors is that despite all the changes and technological advancements other leading brands are making, Henry knows the areas in which they excel at and they stick to it. Now offering multiple different models to target whatever specific pain points you have with cleaning your home, we believe there's a Henry out there for everybody.
If you want a reliable, hardy vacuum cleaner that will last you many years to come, we think a Henry vacuum is a smart choice and worthy of a spot in your cleaning roster.
Are Henry vacuum cleaners bagless?
No, Henry vacuum cleaners are not bagless – but contrary to popular belief, we actually think it's better this way. Every Henry vacuum uses the brand's HepaFlo Filter Bags that have been specifically designed for Henry to maximise capacity and airflow, delivering fantastic suction power.
The bags are made with three layers of filtration-boosting material and a self-seal tab, meaning that whatever you vacuum up stays inside, ensuring a completely mess and dust-free emptying experience every single time.
