Best cordless vacuum cleaners 2024: tried and tested

When it comes to finding the best cordless vacuum cleaner, I’ve learned a lot through the years of trying out different models. While cordless models initially started out as a clunkier and ineffective version of a traditional vacuum, it’s safe to say that many of today’s cordless vacuums are just as powerful as their corded counterparts.

Sure, there may be times when a corded model has a slight power advantage, but rest assured that what cordless vacuums lack in raw power, they more than make up for in convenience, portability, and storage options. In fact, the freedom to move from room to room and clean untethered from a plug socket alone has earned them the very top spots as the best vacuum cleaners on the market as a whole. And, if you’ve ever had to wrangle a vacuum around furniture or up the stairs, you’ll know how much a lightweight model can make a difference.

But with so models available, how do you choose the right one? To help you make your decision, I, and other members of the Ideal Home team, have put some of the most popular models to the test, in search of the best cordless vacuum cleaner to suit all sorts of circumstances. From hard floors to carpets, we’ve spent weeks (and even months) evaluating their suction power, ease of use, and adaptability in dealing with messes that we encounter in day-to-day living – including testing cordless options to see if they have what it takes to qualify as one of the best vacuums for tacking pet hair and deep-rooted debris.

Quick list

Best cordless vacuum cleaners 2024

Best cordless vacuum cleaner overall

The Shark PowerDetect Clean and Empty is the brand’s latest addition to their tried and true roster of vacuum cleaners, and claims to be their most powerful cordless model to date. After trying it out for a weeks, I can safely that that it delivers on its high claims, thus immediately taking the top spot in this guide after much deliberation.

The vacuums that previously fought for the #1 spot were the Shark Stratos and the Dyson Gen5detect (which now each sit in their own dedicated section), but I believe the PowerDetect is actually the perfect middle ground, marrying the great parts of both of these vacuums as you get the advanced cleaning technology and premium feel of a high-end, without the overly astronomical price tag.

Features we loved during testing

While I was testing the Shark PowerDetect, the Auto mode performed brilliantly, responding quickly to detect changes in dirt levels and floor types. On some of the areas of my home with deep-rooted dirt, I could even feel the vacuum shift gears and double in suction power, almost propelling the entire appliance forward to make for easier cleaning.

Not only that, but the all-new Direction Detect has been designed to pick up dirt and debris in both forward and reverse to ensure nothing gets left behind, streamlining your cleaning as you only need to go over areas once. Paired with the auto-empty dock, there’s really little to no maintenance that comes with this model as you simply dock the vacuum after use and let it do the emptying and charging for you. However, with a runtime of up to 70 minutes, even without the dock, the Shark PowerDetect offers a competitive battery life that can last you your entire cleaning session – even as you switch from floor to handheld mode.

If I had to be picky, some little gripes of mine include the vac feeling a tad top-heavy when used in handheld mode (admittedly, I’ll just be using it for vacuuming floors and using my dedicated handheld vac that is much lighter) and the auto-empty dock not being perfect, as some hair can get stuck here and there. However, these are merely trivial and don’t take away from it being a 5-star buy across the board.

Read our Shark PowerDetect Clean and Empty cordless vacuum cleaner review for more details.

Best value cordless vacuum cleaner

The Dyson V8 Absolute has been in Dyson’s roster for over 8 years now having been released all the way back in 2016, but it’s safe to say, it’s aged like fine wine and only gotten better through the years.

The V8 Absolute is one of the brand’s oldest (and thus, cheapest) cordless vacuums still in circulation today. Available to purchase from anywhere between £249-£399, it offers fantastic suction power, a wide range of handy attachments, and the sought-after premium feel of a Dyson – sans the hefty price tags that are often attached to the newest models in their line of vacuums.

Features we loved during testing

When our freelancer, Lauren, tested the Dyson V8 Absolute, it exceeded her expectations and more. She loved the different floorheads for carpet and hard flooring, which both visibly made her floors so much cleaner and seamlessly picked up hidden dust and debris. Considering she also has a dog who is notorious for shedding everywhere, it also did a fantastic job at picking up pet hair (and human hair alike) without getting tangled or having any hair stuck in the blades, which is a huge plus.

Not to mention, it’s also the lightest vacuum we’ve tested in this entire guide, weighing just 2.54kg. Being lightweight and manoeuvrable is easily one of this vacuum’s biggest draws, especially if you want to take advantage of that cordless experience. In fact, Lauren loves it so much that despite other vacuums she’s tested, the V8 Absolute has remained her go-to.

Sure, it’s not kitted out with the latest cleaning technology like the Dyson Gen5detect and dustbin capacity may be a bit on the smaller side if you have a bustling home, but if you’re after a no-frills-attached vacuum cleaner that’ll do what it says on the tin (and reliably at that), we think the Dyson V8 Absolute is still a worthwhile product to pick up, even in 2024.

Read our Dyson V8 Absolute review for more details.

Best cordless vacuum cleaner for pet hair

We’ve heard a lot of good things about the Halo Capsule X and were very excited to give it a whirl, especially because it employs the use of a bagged system, which is something we rarely see nowadays as the vacuum world is dominated by bagless models. However, the Halo Capsule X is a bagged cordless vacuum that is, in our opinion, equally as versatile and stylish as some of the other popular products on the market right now – and has, suffice to say, completely changed our opinion on bagged vacuums.

The Halo Capsule X truly combines the suction power and practicality that traditional bagged, corded vacuums possess, in the silhouette of a sleek, lightweight model. In fact, it’s actually one of the lightest vacuums on this list, weighting just 2.6kg and coming second place to the Dyson V8 Absolute. This feature, paired with all the benefits that come with bagged vacuum cleaners, including increased suction power and easy, dust-free emptying – a huge plus if you often suffer from allergies – makes it a fantastic buy that deserves more spotlight.

Features we loved during testing

One of the things that immediately earned the Halo Capsule X the title of being the best for tackling pet hair are the included attachments, namely, the upholstery tool and mini power brush which both impressed our freelancer, Lauren, when she used them on her pet hair-riddled furniture.

She tested the upholstery tool on her velvet sofa bed, which she claimed was ‘the bane of her life’ to clean as it doubles as her dog’s frequent lounging spot, and said that it did a ‘stellar job’ at precisely picking up all the hair, you wouldn’t even be able to guess that her pooch had been anywhere near there in the first place. The same goes for when she used the mini power brush on her living room footstool, which her dog also frequents. With just a few swipes, all the dirt and mud that had accumulated and was gone without a trace.

The suction power delivered in performance mode when using the general floorhead worked a treat for picking up deep-rooted pet hair on her carpets too, making the Capsule X a brilliant all-rounder for cleaning up after pets – whether it’s hair, mud, or dirt. The bagged system is also a huge benefit, as it keeps any pet dander completely sealed and is easily disposed of without issue. You do, of course, just need to be prepared to buy extra bags and be aware of when they’re full, which can be difficult to gauge if you’re used to a bagless, dustbin system where you can clearly monitor it.

Read our Halo Capsule X review for more details.

Best high-tech cordless vacuum cleaner

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.

Read our Dyson Gen5detect Absolute vacuum cleaner review for more details.

Best cordless vacuum cleaner for battery life

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. With an 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 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’s something that’ll be of use to you; however, 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.

Read our Shark Stratos IZ420UKT cordless vacuum review for more details.

Best cordless vacuum cleaner for carpet

The Gtech AirRAM Platinum is one of the newer additions to our big roster of tried and tested vacuums, but a worthy one at that. Sporting a sleek, stylish, compact design with unmatched cleaning technology, it might just be one of the best vacuums we’ve tested for cleaning carpeted flooring.

This power is all 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.

We will admit, manoeuvring the AirRAM Platinum takes a little bit of getting used to because the AirLOC technology is unlike anything we’ve experienced with other vacuums, but once you’ve got the technique down, it makes for a very impressive clean. In fact, the suction is so strong that it not only left carpets visibly cleaner, but those satisfying vacuum lines, too. Although 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. Say goodbye to having to faff around with trigger controls and lugging your vacuum around, because Gtech’s solutions to these problems make it a super seamless experience.

Unfortunately, the AirRAM Platinum just slightly falls short of a 5-star rating because of its lack of hand tools or floorheads it comes with (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; and for its superb performance, it’s quickly become one of our favourites.

Read our Gtech AirRAM Platinum Anti Hair Wrap cordless vacuum review for more details.

Best cordless vacuum cleaner for hard 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.

Read our Shark Detect Pro cordless vacuum cleaner IW1511UK review for more details.

Best budget cordless vacuum cleaner

If you’re after an affordable cordless vacuum cleaner that’s actually good, we don’t think it get better than the Beko Powerclean. Often found on sale for less than £200, this budget buy has earned an impressive 5-star rating from us for a reason.

Boasting three power modes, a range of handy attachments, and even the inclusion of a convenient charging dock for easy storage, the value for money that is offered with this model is superb, considering some of the more expensive models on this list don’t even offer extra accessories or storage solutions.

Like many cordless stick vacuums, the Beko Powerclean can be used as a handheld unit for smaller and more specific cleaning tasks inside the house and even a car, and its battery life is pretty awesome considering its sub-£200 price tag. We think it’s a fantastic entry-level cordless vac, ticking many of our boxes – even up to now.

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.

Read our Beko Powerclean VRT94929VI Cordless Vacuum Cleaner review for more 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.

Read our Dyson V15s Detect Submarine review for more details.

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.

FAQs

What are the different types of cordless vacuum?

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.

Bagged vs bagless vacuum cleaners: which is better?

Figuring out whether bagless or bagged vacuum cleaners are better is tricky. On 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 much should I spend on a cordless vacuum?

We would recommend budgeting around £200 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?

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.