If the time has come to upgrade your vacuum cleaner, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve tested and reviewed some of the best vacuum cleaners from the biggest brands. Browse our round-up below to find the perfect vacuum cleaner for you.
There’s a lot more tech in your average vacuum these days. If you haven’t upgraded for a while, you might be surprised at what newer models can offer, including Dyson’s lasers and LCD screens that are designed to help you spot and remove more dust and dirt. And what about a vacuum that empties itself? Take a look at the Samsung Bespoke Jet.
But it’s not all high-tech solutions. Some of the vacs we’ve looked at have brilliant problem-solving features that tackle annoyances in using and maintaining your vacuum cleaner, such as Shark’s jointed wands or washable filters, which many brands now feature. If you have problems with your current appliance, you’ll definitely find a much better replacement below.
When you check out our round-up, you’ll notice that the majority of our top-rated vacuum cleaners are cordless. Cordless cleaners are where companies are focusing their energies – so that’s where the innovations are. Still, we were impressed enough with the Miele Boost CX1 give it a spot, and the workhorse Henry is an all-time classic.
Still, if you have a larger home, you don’t have to opt for a corded. A cordless cleaner with a removable, rechargeable lithium-ion battery is an excellent option. We’d also recommend you invest in a second battery so you don’t run out of juice mid-clean.
If you want some tips on specs, features and terminology to help you make your choice, have a look at the guide that follows after our top ten rundown. And if you’d like to see more budget-friendly options, check out our round-up of the best cheap vacuum cleaners.
The best vacuum cleaners
1. Samsung Bespoke Jet – Auto-emptying & colour options
Pros
Powerful
Attractive
Great features
Cons
Limited colour options
Feels heavier than it is
Uncomfortable grip
Price When Reviewed:
£799
Samsung’s latest cordless cleaner is the Bespoke take on its Jet vacuum cleaner.
The Bespoke Jet builds on all the features that made the Jet 90 a really effective cleaner: it’s powerful, modular, comes with well-designed cleaning accessories, has a swappable battery, digital display and washable filter. It’ll give you 50 minutes of cleaning time on its lowest setting and will charge in 3.5 hours.
But the real selling point of the Bespoke is the fact that you won’t need to find a dark corner to store it. The completely redesigned dock is slim and attractive, and it not only charges the cleaner but will empty it via suction as well.
Our only issue with the vacuum itself is that it feels heavier than its 6lbs (2.72lbs with its main cleaning head), something that’s compounded by its uncomfortable grip.
But we do have to take issue with Samsung’s definition of Bespoke: in the UK, you can’t just choose the colour option you’d like from Woody Green, Midnight Blue and Misty White – each of the three colour options is a different model with a different price point and accessories.
Read our full
Samsung Bespoke Jet Complete Extra review
2. Halo Capsule – Best design in the UK
Pros
Brilliant design
Light weight
Effective
Environmentally friendly
Cons
Forget any bells and whistles
Price When Reviewed:
£249.99
This is a great product, at a great price, particularly when compared to market-leading brands. Capsule is an independently designed and produced vacuum cleaner, the creation of an engineer with two decades of industry experience.
Cordless, manoeuvrable and very light at 2.6kg – thanks to its carbon-fibre shell – it has the power of an upright and some very nice design features that set it apart from competitors.
Its specifications are also an improvement on those of rival products. Capsule needs three hours to charge its lithium-ion batteries and after that will run for at least half an hour without a loss of suction. It also has a dust-collection capacity of 1.6 litres.
Replacement parts are easily available and Capsule’s makers encourage you to send it in for servicing, so it’s both environmentally friendly and budget friendly as well.
There are no bells and whistles, just solid cleaning power. We’d highly recommended it for smaller homes, flats or as a versatile handheld.
Read our full
Halo Capsule review
3. Dyson V15 Detect – Best Dyson tech
Pros
Outstanding cleaning
Replaceable battery
Laser lets you see the dust
Cons
Expensive
Short battery life on carpets
Full charge takes 4.5 hours
Price When Reviewed:
£599.99
The latest Dyson vacuum cleaner not only ups the power (from the V11’s 185AW to 240AW) but adds totally new technology in the form of a green laser, which illuminates dust that would otherwise be invisible to the naked eye. Bear in mind that this is only effective on hard floors, not on carpets.
But that’s not all. A piezo sensor links to the LCD screen, showing the size and volume of dust particles captured, allowing you to see exactly how much dirt you’ve sucked up. Is it a bit of a gimmick? Maybe, but it’s pretty addictive to use and gives you a sense of a job well done. The screen also displays arguably more useful info, such as the battery life and troubleshooting help.
On the minus side, the battery will only last you for about 20 minutes if you’re using the High Torque head in Auto mode and it then takes 4.5 hours to charge. A second battery will solve this problem but will add to the V15 Detect’s already significant price.
Read our full
Dyson V15 Detect review
4. Shark Stratos cordless vacuum – Best features
Pros
Jointed wand
Anti-odour tech
Powerful cleaning
Cons
Inconsistent battery life
Heavy
Occasionally ‘locks’ upright
Price When Reviewed:
From £449.99
This flagship cordless Shark vacuum is filled with great features but signIficantly undercuts its rival Dyson on price. It comes complete with LED headlights to help you to spot dust and hair you’d otherwise miss, plus its ‘Clean Sense IQ’ tech will ramp up the power when it finds more dirt to tackle. It also comes complete with anti-odour cartridges to combat the musty smell you may associate with vacuuming.
Plus, it has some of Shark’s best-ever features, such as the jointed wand that will let you vacuum under your bed or sofa without stooping and its anti-hair wrap technology.
We only had a couple of complaints: it’s a fairly heavy vacuum and the battery life didn’t last as long as it should. Still, it does have a swappable battery, so if you don’t mind buying a second one, you’ll be able to get around this problem.
Read our full
Shark Stratos cordless vacuum review
5. Miele Boost CX1 – Best compact corded cleaner
Pros
Well-priced
Compact
Manoeuvrable
Powerful
Quiet
Cons
Hard work on carpets
Difficult to use on stairs
Basic accessories
Price When Reviewed:
£269
Corded vacuum cleaners are making it back into this round-up as brands are releasing more innovative designs. That’s certainly the case with Miele’s Boost CX1, a corded vacuum cleaner with many of the design features of a cordless, including a bagless system, adjustable wand length and 360° manoeuvrability.
It’s a very compact canister vacuum (its body can sit within the footprint of an open magazine) with impressive suction and an automatically retracting cord.
It telescoping wand means you’ll be able to remove cobwebs from your ceilings with the vacuum on the floor. However, even though it has a useful carry handle on top, it’ll still feel heavy if your stairs aren’t deep enough to stand it on while you vacuum. And, although it has the power to clean carpets, it’s not as easy to use as it is on hard flooring.
Still, if you have a smaller place and are looking for a compact alternative to a corded vacuum, with better cleaning power, this well-made, well-priced appliance should be a contender. Don’t buy it if you have acres of carpet though.
Read our full
Miele Boost CX1 review
6. Ultenic AC1 – Best wet and dry vacuum
Pros
Cordless
Self-cleaning and drying
Self-driven
Effective
Cons
Heavy
You’ll still need a second vacuum
Unhelpful instruction manual
Cleaning solution hard to buy
Price When Reviewed:
£329
If you have a lot of hard flooring – whether its floorboards, laminate, tile or vinyl – it’s well worth considering buying the Ultenic AC1. It’s not for carpet but it will replace your usual vacuum on hard surfaces, as well as mopping the floor at the same time. We were blown away by how easy it is to use and how effective it is.
It also has some fantastic tech features: an LCD display, app compatibility and a voice assistant. Even better, when you dock it to charge, it’ll automatically clean and dry its roller brush.
It has a swappable battery and buying a second one costs much less than one for a regular vacuum. It’s around $59.99/£39.99 (Ultenic in the US; Amazon UK).
It’s not perfect, however. Even though its self-drive feature gives it a forward propulsion that makes cleaning easier in one direction, you’ll have to work harder to drag it back, so it’s not suitable for someone elderly or infirm. And its poorly translated user manual means that a couple of its features are mysterious, even after use.
Read our full
Ultenic AC1 review
7. Dyson Omni-glide – Best for hard floors
Pros
Manoeuvrable
Easy to use
Light
Slim
Cons
Short battery life
Tiny bin that clogs easily
No grip on the handle
Price When Reviewed:
£349.99
This is a brilliantly designed vacuum cleaner for hard floors. Its manoeuvrability takes a lot of the labour out of vacuuming.
But it is specialist vacuum cleaner. It won’t be ideal if you have (for example) a large, fluffy dog as pet fur is likely to clog up the tiny bin and get tangled in the casters that give the Omni-glide its impressive moves.
Still, if you have a city pad, or if you’re looking for a second vacuum cleaner as a kitchen runaround, we’d recommend it.
Read our full
Dyson Omni-glide review
8. Miele TriFlex HX1 (Dog & Cat) – Best upright cleaner replacement
Pros
Comfortable to use
High quality
Versatile
Cons
Price
Weight in handheld mode
Basic accessories
Price When Reviewed:
£579
This high-quality cleaner would be an excellent option for people with larger homes who are looking to replace their upright with something cordless. However, we’d recommend investing in a second battery, or buying the Pro model, which comes with one.
The TriFlex is a solidly built appliance that we would expect to last for a very long time. As a trade-off, it’s heavier than the Dyson V11 and the Samsung Jet 90. This isn’t an issue in Comfort mode, which is where the TriFlex really comes into its own and beats the competition hands-down (and, in fact, hands-off). It bears its own weight and will stand up by itself, unlike most other stick cleaners, so it has all of the advantages of an upright cleaner, without the cord.
However, in its Range and Compact modes, it’s a little heavier than competing stick/handheld cleaners. But if you want a replacement for an upright, with the versatility you need to clean upholstery, blinds and curtains, the TriFlex is our recommended option.
Read our full
Miele TriFlex HX1 (Cat & Dog) review
9. Henry vacuum cleaner – Best large corded vacuum
Pros
No-mess bags
On-board tool storage
Wind-in cable
Six litres of cleaning capacity
Cons
Heavy when full
Basic instructions
Replacement bags required
Can be bulky to store
Price When Reviewed:
£119.99
Henry is a classic for a reason, and if you’re looking for a hardy, large capacity vacuum cleaner, it should be high on your list. Its six-litre capacity gives you around five times as much potential vacuuming as most cordless models before you need to change the bag. Bear in mind that this also means that it can get very heavy: the machine and kit weigh 7.5kg alone, so it can be a bit of a pain to drag around. But that’s one of the few downsides of this reliable workhorse cleaner.
It has a long 26.1m reach, an accessory set for upholstery (and more) which is stored onboard and is effective and easy to use.
Added to that its very reasonable price point, and you can see why it’s such a favourite.
Read our full
Henry vacuum cleaner review
10. Dyson Cyclone V10 – Best value Dyson
Pros
Powerful
Good value for a Dyson
Cons
Still relatively heavy when compared to rivals
Price When Reviewed:
From £399.99
The Cyclone V10 is undeniably a phenomenal cordless vacuum. It packs more than enough power to justify the steep price, with three settings, multiple attachments, and a slick design with added options like wall-mounting.
The hour-long battery life (less on higher speeds) isn’t quite enough to clean a big house top-to-bottom, and the weight will also be an issue if you’re trying to clean for that long anyway – but for most people, this will be plenty.
Just stick to the Animal model, and resist paying over the odds for unnecessary add-ons in the Absolute and Total Clean versions.
Read our full
Dyson Cyclone V10 review
How we test our vacuum cleaners
Rather than performing a series of tests in lab-style conditions, we take the vacuum cleaners home and try them out. We keep products for several weeks and use all of their functions in as many situations as we can, so we can give you an honest evaluation of how well they’ll work in your life.
We think that’s how you get to know the advantages and annoyances of each model.
We then compare the vacuum cleaners by their specs and come up with an overall rating that reflects how well they work, where we believe they sit in the marketplace and how much easier they’ll make your life.
What to look out for when you’re buying
Weight: The lightest cordless vac we’ve tested is the Halo Capsule, at 2.6kg, but anything below 3kg is likely to be comfortable to use.
Running time: The best cordless cleaners, using lithium-ion batteries, will promise up to an hour on a single charge. This is on the lowest setting, without motorised attachments. On a medium setting, you’ll be lucky to get half an hour. On a high setting, your charge will only last 5-8 minutes.
One of the innovations from new, top-of-the-line cordless cleaners like those from Dyson, Samsung and Miele is removable lithium-ion batteries that can be charged separately. With another battery ready to go, you can instantly double your cleaning time.
Bag or bagless? Bagless is characteristic of most high-end vacuum cleaners now. It’s certainly the more environmentally-friendly choice. However, if you are dust-sensitive, go for a bagged vacuum cleaner, as much less dust will escape during disposal.
Samsung’s new cordless Bespoke Jet range comes with an auto-emptying dock. Other jet vacuums can pair with a suction bin, called the CleanStation, which we reviewed. You simply slot the vac into the station and it sucks the dust away and stores it in a bag. It’s a good option for anyone who wants to go bagless without dealing with dust. The Halo Capsule is also a bagged vacuum cleaner, and as a bonus, its dust pouches are environmentally friendly and can be composted.
Charging time: Four and a half hours is decent. Anything less than this is very good.
HEPA filter: This is the current industry standard for a filter in a high-quality vacuum cleaner. HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filters must trap 99.97% of particulates that are 3 microns or larger. (A human hair is 50-70 microns thick.) If you have a HEPA filter with a bagless cleaner, don’t forget that you’ll still have to empty it, which will release some of the dust back into the air.
Capacity: Cordless cleaners have significantly less bin capacity than older cylinder or upright cleaners, so if you’re making the switch, bear in mind that you’ll have to pause to empty the bin more frequently. A cordless Dyson V11 will give you 0.76L of space and some of its competitors only 0.5L. The Dyson Outsize has a whopping 1.7 litres.
Suction: Manufacturers can be cagey about this and with good reason, as it’s hard to quantify. Cleaners with a long distance between the motor and the vacuum head use more power to create the same suction. Measurements will either be in W – Watts (not very accurate) or AW – Air Watts (better but controversial). The Dyson V11 has 185AW and the V11 Outsize has a mighty 220.
Accessories: Manufacturers often have different versions of the same model, and these will come with different accessory sets. Any Dyson product that has ‘Animal’ after the name will have a specialist cleaning head that’s optimised to pick up pet fur. The equivalent Miele cordless is called the ‘Dog & Cat’ version. Meanwhile, Dyson’s ‘Absolute’ cleaners will come with all of the accessories (minus the pet hair cleaning head). The Miele equivalent is the Pro.
If there’s an accessory in particular you’re after, you can often buy it separately from the manufacturer’s website.
