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WHETHER you don’t have a lot of room in your home or just need something to do a quick clean up job, cordless vacuum cleaners can come in handy.
But with so many models out there, you’ll need to pick carefully for the best one for you.
One of the main things you'll need to look for is battery life.
Most cordless models will give you around 40 minutes to an hour to clean your house, although some top models offer even longer run times - it's important to choose a vacuum that gives you enough energy to thoroughly clean your house without feeling like you're working against the clock.
Bin size is another thing to consider. Most cordless machines won't be as bulky as their corded counterparts so you'll have to make sure you get one with the size appropriate to your house.
And if you need a handheld cleaner, make sure your model will collapse down easily for dual use.
Pros: Dyson-level stats at a fraction of the price, crystal-clear digital display, sleek design means it doesn't stick out
Cons: Slightly longer charge time than more expensive models, can take a second to detect changes in surface
Looking at the Beko PowerClean Pro's stats, it'd be easy to think that it sounds a bit too good to be true.
Its 60-minute run time puts it on par with the Dyson V11 Absolute, which at £630, isn't too far off double the Beko's price.
In other departments, Beko blows Dyson out of the water: its 210W suction power is significantly higher than the Dyson's 185W and its 0.9L capacity is better than the Dyson's 0.76L.
In fact, the only stats it loses out on are weight (3.1kg compared to the Dyson's 3.01kg, a 90g difference) and charge time (5-6 hours compared to the Dyson's 4.5).
However, these are stats that only really matter if you're super enthusiastic about vacuum cleaning (which, if we're being honest, we're not). And for context, 90 grams is about the weight of a medium tomato.
Admittedly, the newer, more sophisticated Dyson V15 Detect - over £250 more than the Beko, at £599.99 - beats the PowerClean Pro when it comes to suction power, with 250W in boost mode, but trust us: the Beko is all the power you need.
It hoovers up crumbs, hair and other debris effortlessly, and while it takes a second to clock when the ground beneath has changed (say, from carpet to tile), it automatically adjusts suction power effectively, and there's a handy "turbo" button for when you need that extra kick.
We also have to admit that the Beko doesn't have the bells and whistles of an upmarket Dyson (the V15 detect literally has lasers), but it does have an expensive feel to it: it's got a certain no-nonsense, well-made, stolid quality to it that we found reassuring, and the crystal-clear LCD screen accurately tells you how long you have left before the battery runs out.
The reason this has nabbed the top spot of this list is that it performs all the essential tasks of hoovering effortlessly, without the need for any of the super-sophisticated features that make other models with similar stats so expensive.
In short, if you're looking for an excellent, well-made vacuum cleaner and don't want to spend an arm and a leg, choose this.
Pros: Lightweight, decent run time, compact and stylish
Cons: Takes a while to charge on first use, not great on hardwood floors
Beldray is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year with a copper edition of some of its most popular products, including its AirGility Pet Max for homes with pets.
This cordless device comes with three different attachments: large and small motorised brushes that are ideal for picking up hair from carpets or upholstery, and a crevice and brush tool for reaching those tight spots.
These can be placed directly onto the vacuum body to use as a handheld device, or be used with an extender for cleaning the floor or ceilings.
The vacuum body has a 1.2l capacity dust tank, which is generous enough to clean the whole house with.
There’s no vacuum bag required - you simply open up the hatch at the bottom of the dust tank to dump out the contents.
There’s also a washable HEPA filter inside to remove any dust and debris from the air so it doesn’t blow back into your home.
We found the AirGility Pet Max pretty straightforward to use.
To operate, you have to charge the removable battery first. The first charge takes up to 5.5 hours and will give up to 50 minutes to use. Then it’s just a case of pushing the trigger button and vacuum.
The same button is used to toggle between two speed settings as well as on and off so you just have to keep pressing it until you get the setting you need - this can get a bit annoying, but not a deal breaker for us.
The suction is great for little pick up jobs and for more general cleaning.
However, it's worth bearing in mind that because both brushes are motorised, it's not a great one for hardwood floors.
Given it’s one of the most affordable cordless devices on the market - and that it’s so light - we think it makes really great value for money.
Pros: Easy to manoeuvre, relatively quiet, vacuums pet hair effectively, quick and easy to empty, long battery life for a cordless vacuum, the different settings for hard floor and carpet are excellent
Cons: The positioning of the battery makes it top heavy and it'll topple over if left unassisted, quite heavy which can cause our arm to ache after long vacuuming sessions
Living in a house with four adults and two dogs, a decent vacuum cleaner is a necessity. So, when we were offered the chance to test out one of Shark's latest vacuum cleaners we were intrigued to see if it could cope with the ungodly amount of dirt that many people and pets can produce.
We tested out the IZ320UKT, which is the same as the IZ300UKT but with two batteries instead of one, over the course of a couple of months.
The first thing that stood out about the vacuum cleaner compared to our previous cordless one was the battery life.
We managed to clean an entire four-bedroom house on a single charge without having to swap out the battery. This was basically unheard of using our former vacuum and makes the Shark a delight to use.
Shark states that with two batteries you'll have up to 120 minutes of run-time, which is pretty impressive.
The second thing that caught our attention was manoeuvrability. We found it extremely easy to zip around corners, and under furniture (using the Flexology feature), without having to pause and readjust the vacuum - a huge plus.
We were also impressed with how effortlessly it sucks up all the dog (and human) hair and fluff, and found emptying it to be a doddle too. We were also a fan of the various attachments, though truthfully we rarely use them, and love the buttons which allow you to alter the speed of the vacuum and switch between hard floor and carpet modes.
Another thing worth mentioning is how much quieter the Shark is. One of the dogs used to hate the loudness of our previous vacuum but is completely unfazed by this one, which makes it a good option for other pet owners who have nervous animals.
We have very few negative things to say about the IZ320UKT, though both "cons" are caused by the same thing - the battery. The location of the battery makes the vacuum top-heavy, and therefore it's susceptible to falling over when doing things like trying to empty it. It also means our arm aches by the end of a vacuuming session.
Otherwise, we really rate the Shark IZ320UKT and would recommend it, especially for pet owners and those in need of longer battery life.
Pros: Easy to store, mop option, lightweight, simple to use, glides on the floor well and good level of suction.
Cons: The dust bag isn't the biggest and the highest level of power is still not as strong as a Dyson, but it's close.
The first plus is how easy the Prosenic P11 is to set up and work out. We didn't even need to read the instructions - you simply press the button and then alter the setting on the touch-screen.
When we first started using it to clean, we noticed how smooth it is to use on wooden floors - it simply glides along.
The different heads are easy to attach too, making the device suitable for a range of surfaces, as well as reaching into nooks and crannies.
The one downside was that in some areas, we had to go over the floor a couple of times for the device to fully collect all the dust as it's not the most powerful vacuum cleaner.
Pros: Easy to use and set up, good battery life, fair price point, light, nice colour, good suction
Cons: Not as strong as other well-known vacuums on the market
As we'd tried the Prosenic P11, it was interesting to see whether this cheaper option levelled up to the other one's suction – spoiler, it did.
The vacuum is really easy to use as it's so light. Doing a quick whip around daily with the Prosenic i10 hardly feels like a chore at all.
On the highest power level, we would say it's as strong as the P11, although it doesn't have the mop option which is best for those with wooden floorboards. The electric blue shade looks great though.
This vacuum cleaner delivers in spades despite its relatively low price tag.
Even though it's petite and lightweight, it can be used on carpets, hard floors and tiles.
Boasting up to 40 minutes of run time, it can transform into a handheld cleaner in a jiffy and it's excellent at getting into all the nooks and crannies of a normal floor.
It's especially powerful on hard floors and its small footprint means it can be tucked away relatively easily.
Dyson are one of the biggest names in vacuum cleaning for a reason and the brand's recently-launched V15 Detect Absolute is one of its most impressive models yet.
The V15's technology has taken things up a notch; a built-in laser detects dust on hard floors, a sensor continuously scans the environment and adapts suction power and an LCD screen shows you what's been sucked up.
Its battery lasts up to 60 minutes, although there are three power modes - eco, boost, or auto, so you can balance power and run time depending on your needs.
This is a vacuum cleaner that really knows how to clean; your carpets will be left spotless.
This vacuum cleaner gives you amazing manoeuvrability thanks to its feather-light weight of 2.4kg.
With a run time of 40 minutes, it also gives you a decent cleaning window.
Plus, it has multiple attachments and the ability to work on different surfaces.
Despite launching a fair few years ago, the Gtech AirRam has remained a firm favourite amongst shoppers. And the brand's MK2 model perfectly demonstrates why.
If your house needs a deep clean, the Gtech's multiple features make it a quick and simple process. The powered brush head is designed to suck up embedded dust and dirt and its run time of 40 minutes is long enough for a really decent clean.
It can bend all the way to the floor and is compact enough to get under tight spaces. Also, it has lights on the front, which highlights anything you've missed.
The Samsung Jet 90 Pro not only looks seriously stylish, it's compact and has a 60 minute battery life too.
We rate this cordless vacuum for its ability to deep clean pesky areas, as well as its ultra fine dust filter that captures the majority of micro-dust particles and can help reduce allergens in the air around your home.
The dust container does fill up quickly, but it's very easy to empty and wash out and the suction-power on this model is hard to beat - perfect for getting really stuck in.
When it comes to charging, the charging station is somewhat larger than other makes, but it acts as a stand, requires no set-up and is easy to place.
The Vax ONEPWR Blade 4 is very reasonably priced and even comes with a free toolkit worth over £50, when purchased via the Vax website.
It's a simple model but it does the job (there is a more advanced model available, specifically aimed for pet owners).
This cordless vacuum is a breeze to use and easily whips up every bit of dust, it comes with a crevice tool and a dusting brush and is able to run for 45 minutes on a three-hour charge.
The VAX Blade 4 Pet is the premium version for pet owners.
Like its counterpart, the run time is 45 minutes on a three hour charge and great suction.
When it comes to cleaning your furry friend's favourite spots, there's also a motorised tool that can pick up pet hair and other stubborn dirt with ease.
If you have large areas of floor to cover, this Miele cordless vacuum is just the ticket.
It is on the pricier end of the spectrum, but the results are impressive and it's also perfect for cat and dog owners too.
This vacuum can be used in three different configurations - upright, stick or handheld.
It will vacuum for a full hour on a four hour charge, meaning you have plenty of time to get round the house.
The attachments include a motorised rotary brush with headlights, crevice nozzle, dusting brush and an upholstery nozzle too.
This is a slightly different design to many other cordless vacuums - it uses bags, but they’re made from natural materials and are compostable, making it an environmentally friendly way to dispose of dust and dirt.
This slim design machine will vacuum for an hour on a three hour charge, plenty for most day-to-day cleaning, but there's also a turbo option for when you need a bit more power.
You get two attachments with this vacuum - a crevice brush and another small dusting brush. It also includes a free pack of 26 dust pouches.
The best cordless vacuum for you will depend on a number of factors, including how much storage space you have and which areas you plan on hoovering.
There are different types of cordless vacuum cleaners available, including upright, cylinder, robot, handheld and stick. Cordless stick designs are probably the most easily manoeuvred because of their thin, "stick" style body and smaller canister - though these smaller canisters will need to be emptied more regularly.
These designs are also compact and easier to store than upright and cylinder options and tend to come with a range of extra attachments, including upholstery and crevices (which may be a good option for pet owners).
How you clean a cordless vacuum will depend on the make and model of your device.
Generally speaking, it pays to make sure you regularly empty the canister and keep it as clean as possible to prevent any blockages or build-up. Aim to do so after every use - it really does help prevent dirt from corroding the vacuum from inside.
It’s also worth checking the brush and the filters regularly - a clogged filter can seriously impact the performance of your vacuum cleaner. When the filters are clear, the suction capacity is also at its best.
Check the guide that comes with your cordless vacuum for any specific instructions on cleaning your purchased make and model - it may also be worth getting your machine professionally cleaned or serviced, occasionally.
Check out our guide above for our verdicts on some of the best cordless vacuums. Suction can be impacted depending on what surface you are cleaning, and what you are trying to vacuum up. A clean filter can also improve the suction capabilities of your vacuum.
We were particularly impressed but the Dyson V15 Detect Absolute - the built-in laser detects dust on hard floors and a sensor adapts suction power to what’s needed. Plus, the LCD screen shows you what's been sucked up. Impressive, eh?
We also found the Gtech AirRam MK2 Cordless Upright Vacuum Cleaner to be seriously impressive at suctioning up embedded dust and dirt.
You can buy cordless vacuums at most major electrical retailers such as Currys and Argos.
And, of course, Amazon is always great for browsing and comparing big purchases such as these (and getting them delivered speedily).
We found the Shark Anti Hair Wrap cordless stick vacuum cleaner to be the best for vacuuming pet hair.
However, any cordless vacuum with included extra-attachments for upholstery and crevices will likely do a very good job in removing those pesky, embedded pet hairs from around your home.
Cordless vacuum cleaners vary in price but, from the best cordless vacuum cleaners that we tested, we found that prices can range from around £117 up to as much as £649.
All of these provided impressive results - so you are sure to be able to find a decent make and model to fit your budget.
How you charge your cordless vacuum cleaner will depend on the make and model that you have purchased.
Generally, a plug-in adaptor will fit into a charging port on your vacuum and a battery light will show you the progress of the charge (so you can see when your vacuum has enough battery to be used).
If you’re used to using a corded vacuum, you may be worried about the potential battery life of a cordless option.
Battery life varies wildly, depending on the make and model, and some smaller devices last from as little as seven minutes while others can keep going strong for over an hour.
Cordless vacuum users may also find that the battery life decreases over the lifetime of their device - it’s worth keeping an eye on, as you may be able to buy a new battery when this happens and prolong the life of your vacuum.
There’s a reason why cordless vacuums are so popular.
When it comes to cleaning hard to reach places and not getting caught up in plugs and wires, cordless vacuums are excellent.
With many models enjoying prolonged battery life, families can now rely solely on cordless options and they can be easier to store.
However, if you need to cover large areas at once, or need a larger canister that doesn’t need emptying so often, a larger, corded vacuum may be better suited.
Make sure you compare different makes and models of cordless vacuum cleaners. When it comes to choosing a specific model - our guide above is a good place to start.
You will need to consider your budget, the size of the canister, how long the battery lasts per charge and which areas and tasks your vacuum will be used for.
If you have pets, extra attachments can come in handy. And if you’re short on space, smaller stick options may be preferable.
Of course, price will be important too but there are now lots of different options.
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