VACUUMING became a whole lot easier when cordless cleaners came along.
Not only are they convenient, but the best cordless vacuums come with a host of extra features that make this aspect of housework a breeze.
They’re also lighter than their corded counterparts, so are easy to use for in-between cleans, or for cleaning up spills without the faff of wires and plugs.
Generally speaking they’re also lighter than traditional vacuums and take up less storage space.
Depending on the model, you can expect features such as LED headlights, boost mode, digital display and anti-hair wrap technology.
As with corded versions, they usually come with extras such as a crevice tool and an attachment for the stairs.
Many convert easily from full-size to handheld, which is very handy for vacuuming the car.
The number of features is often dependent on the price – the more expensive the vacuum the more high-tech it is – however there are cordless models available to suit all budgets.
If you’re in the market for a handy housework helper, then read on for our tried and tested reviews of the best cordless vacuum cleaners currently available in the UK.
How we tested
The Sun Shopping experts tried and tested these cordless vacuums day to day, to ensure we found the best cordless vacuums for every need and budget.
Suction power was tested on various surfaces, from carpets to hard floors, and assessed how well they tackled common mess like crumbs, pet hair, and dust.
Battery life was measured during typical use, while manoeuvrability and ease of use were key factors in our evaluations.
Storage capacity was also considered and we noted how frequently dust containers needed emptying, especially during heavier cleaning sessions.
Each vacuum was judged on performance, practicality, and overall value for money.
Best cordless vacuums at a glance:
- Best overall cordless vacuum cleaner – Halo Capsule X
- Best allrounder – Vax HomePro Plus Cordless Vacuum
- Best cordless vacuum for pet hair – Ryobi One+ Cordless Stick Vacuum Kit
- Best mid-range cordless vacuum cleaner – VAX ONEPWR Blade 4 Cordless Vacuum Cleaner
- Best design – Dyson V8 Animal
- Best lightweight vacuum cleaner – Dyson V7 Animal+
- Best premium price – Dyson V15 Detect Absolute
1. Vax HomePro Plus Cordless Vacuum
Vax HomePro Plus Cordless Vacuum, £289.99 £169.99 (plus free toolkit worth £50) from Vax
Pros: Great price for all of the features included, easy bin emptying, good suction, tactile handle grip, comes with battery and charger, flexible wand, LED headlights, anti-hair wrap technology, stands on its own, free accessory kit
Cons: None
Rating: 9.5/10
I have nothing negative to say about this cordless vacuum, I absolutely love it.
The suction is great on carpets and hard floors – I can feel it tugging at the kitchen floor, yet it glides easily over carpet, not catching even on thick rugs.
It has headlights so I can see the dog hair I’m picking up and it has a boost mode for extra power should I need it.
The HairWrap Resist feature means the aforementioned dog hair doesn’t get stuck on the brush roller but is deposited cleanly in the bin.
Oh and I love the bin.
Usually with cordless vacuums (and corded for that matter) there’s always hair and bits that get stuck between the wall of the bin and the motor that I have to fish out with my fingers – not here.
Vax has incorporated a handy push pull slider that drags out the debris, without me needing to manually howk it out. Simple but brilliant!
Another ingenious touch is the bendy wand.
This has a cover over it that you simply pull up to reveal a flexible section that gets right under the sofa or other low-lying obstacle to suck up the dust.
This is a first for me and again, I love it; again it’s so simple, but effective.
The HomePro Plus comes with a battery and charger included.
You can expect up to 45 minutes on one full charge, though the boost function, while upping the power also drains the battery quicker.
The vacuum stands up on its own while you’re using it, which I find very useful.
Permanent storage is via a wall mount, which is included in the box.
There’s only two accessories provided – a stair tool and crevice attachment – but at the moment if you buy the vacuum from Vax you’ll receive a free toolkit worth around £50.
This contains a deep debris tool, fine dusting brush and stretch hose.
All in all a high performing vacuum for a good price.
Type: Stick; Dust capacity: 0.7L; Bagless:Yes; Charging time: 3 hours; Battery life: Up to 45 minutes; Weight: 3.5kg
2. Halo Capsule X
Halo Capsule X,£269.99 from Amazon
Pros:Long battery life, range of accessories, suitable for carpets and hard floors, lightweight
Cons:None
Rating:9.5/10
Halo burst on to the scene in 2020 and it’s easy to see why its vacuums have gone on to rival the likes of Dyson and Shark.
There's a lot to love about this cordless vacuum. It is very light coming in at just 2.6kg and has a really generous capacity of 2L.
It comes with a range of accessories including separate heads for hard floors and carpet, as well as crevice and upholstery tools and a mini power brush.
I really loved this vacuum; it was light and easy to transport around the house, while the rotational head made getting into hard-to-reach corners a doddle.
It has three power settings, with the highest offering impressive suction that easily dealt with all manner of floors and car seats.
The Capsule X boasts up to an hour’s battery life on the lowest setting.
I can’t say I’ve ever vacuumed for a full hour, but I found that on the highest setting, the battery life lasted roughly 15-20 minutes.
Usefully, it does come with two batteries so you can charge one while using the other, with a rapid two-hour charging time.
The 2L capacity is a real winning point and I found the bag much easier (and cleaner) to remove than emptying an in-built cartridge.
The vacuum also has headlights to help you spot hidden dirt and HEPA standard filtration.
It comes with a two-year warranty as standard.
Type: stick; Dust capacity: 2L; Bagless: no; Charging time: 2 hours; Battery life: up to 60 minutes per battery, Weight:2.6kg
3. Dyson V15 Detect Absolute
Dyson V15 Detect Absolute, £649.99 from Dyson
Pros:Quality build, large bin volume
Cons:Battery life, heavy
Rating:9/10
The Dyson V15 Detect Absolute immediately impressed me with its sleek design.
I don’t have any storage where I can hide away unattractive appliances, so everything I buy has to be beautiful—and this vacuum fits the brief perfectly.
The bin volume is large enough to tackle the whole house before needing to be emptied, and it’s a genuine pleasure to use, even down to the sound it makes when powering down, which sounds to me like a spaceship door closing.
However, it’s not without its pitfalls. I have never encountered a cordless vacuum that hasn’t disappointed me with its battery life, and this one was no exception.
The boost mode is powerful and ideal for pet hair, furniture, and car footwells, but it lasts an embarrassing six minutes.
The medium mode lasts around 40 minutes, and the eco mode lasts 60 minutes but isn’t particularly powerful.
It’s perfect for a whizz round but you’ll need an extra battery or time for a recharge to get the job done.
The fluffy roller head and green-light combo are the real USP of this vacuum.
It’s very humbling to see the dirt and dust that are seemingly invisible to the naked eye.
I also loved the high-tech features, like the particle display graph, and the premium design touches, which made the whole experience feel luxurious.
Type:stick;Dust capacity:0.77L;Bagless:yes;Charging time:4.5 hours;Battery life:up to 60 minutes;Weight:2.96kg
4. Ryobi One+ Cordless Stick Vacuum Kit
Ryobi One+ Cordless Stick Vacuum Kit,
£199.99 from Ryobi
Pros: Easy to put together and use, good suction, good-size dust bin, up to 40 minutes run time on one charge, easy to manoeuvre
Cons:Heavy to use over time, small brush takes longer to vacuum the room
Rating:8/10
It’s been a while since I’ve used a cordless vacuum, and I’d forgotten just how handy they are—no cables to wrestle with!
After a quick assembly and pre-charging the battery, I tackled my kitchen floor.
Eco mode handled regular dust well, but for tougher bits like dried mud, max mode was a champ.
The swivel brush head made manoeuvring around furniture a breeze, and switching the brush roller on for carpets gave it extra power, even on Eco.
I was initially cautious about battery life but was pleasantly surprised—Ryobi claims 40 minutes on Eco mode, and I managed to clean three rooms, the stairs, hall, and landing without running out.
Bonus points for the included battery and charger, saving extra costs.
One standout feature? It stands upright on its own—no awkward balancing against walls.
Plus, the build feels solid and well-made, with easy assembly and intuitive operation.
It converts effortlessly to a handheld, and Max mode made vacuuming pet hair from the stairs a dream, though handheld use can feel a bit heavy over time.
The kit comes with handy extras, including a mini brush head and a unique micro crevice tool.
While the mini brush was great for stairs, it didn’t work wonders on pet hair from the sofa—but then, I’ve yet to find one that does!
Overall, it’s a well-designed, powerful vacuum that makes cleaning quicker and easier.
Read the full , to find out if its really worth the price tag.
Type:stick;Dust capacity:600ml;Bagless:yes;Charging time:2+ hours;Battery life:up to 40 minutes per battery,Weight:3.8kg
5. Dyson V7 Animal+
Dyson V7 Animal+, £319.99
Pros: Incredibly easy to handle, really useful head attachments
Cons: Battery runtime drops significantly when on Max Suction mode
Rating: 8/10
I’m not a pet owner, so I’m not entirely sure why I decided to buy the Dyson V7 Animal+ three years ago.
Actually, I do – it was on sale. And it’s made by Dyson.
As you’d pretty much assume from the brand, the V7 Animal+ is undeniably slick and easy to use.
It’s light, easy to grab off its wall-mounted charging station, and glides effortlessly around corners.
Plus, its selection of attachments are all genuinely useful: a short brush head for dusting, a thinner nozzle for skirting boards and those hard-to-reach nooks and crannies.
That said, it’s not without its flaws.
The dust canister fills up frustratingly fast, though perhaps that’s a testament to its efficiency.
And while Dyson advertises a runtime of 30 minutes, I’d say it’s closer to 20 these days, especially when it's on Max Suction mode.
Speaking of which, that mode is practically essential for shallow carpets.
But for a two-bed flat like mine, it’s been a hugely reliable investment.
If you’ve got a larger home, you might find that low stamina a bit of an issue.
Type: stick; Dust capacity: 2L; Bagless: yes; Charging time: 2 hours; Battery life: up to 30 minutes per battery, Weight:1kg
6. VAX ONEPWR Blade 4 Cordless Vacuum Cleaner
VAX ONEPWR Blade 4 Cordless Vacuum
Cleaner, £150 from Argos
Pros:Powerful suction, attachments included, LED headlights help to detect dust, easy to empty, battery pack detaches from vacuum
Cons:Requires extra effort on carpets, battery life may be too short for large homes
Rating: 7.5/10
I’ve owned my Vax Blade 4 Cordless Vacuum for over a year and I can honestly say it’s made my life so much easier.
The powerful motor picks up so much dust and hair, and while it works effortlessly on hard floors, it requires a little extra effort to thoroughly vacuum carpets.
I like that it has LED lights so I can see any extra dust I’ve missed, and I often use the other attachments for reaching smaller areas or other surfaces.
I have a small flat, so I can get several uses out of the vacuum before needing to recharge, although those with larger houses may struggle with the 45-minute battery life.
The battery pack detaches from the vacuum which makes charging easy, while the waste bin unclips for emptying with minimal effort.
For the price, I’ve been seriously impressed by the Vax’s power, and it’s converted me to cordless vacuums.
Type:stick;Dust capacity:0.6L;Bagless:yes;Charging time:3 hours;Battery life:up to 45 minutes;Weight:3kg
7. Beldray Airgility Cordless Titanium Edition
Beldray Airgility Cordless Titanium Edition, £79.99 74.99 from Amazon
Pros:Extremely light to use, simple controls, easy emptying, comes with battery, LED headlights, great second vacuum, spare filter
Cons: Suction not the strongest
Rating: 7.5/10
The first thing that struck me about this cordless vacuum was how light it is.
It’s also easy to use – push the button to power on, push again for boost function and push a final time to switch it off.
Although it arrives in pieces, it’s simple to put together and there’s no need for instructions to get going (just as well because it comes with the briefest information leaflet).
The suction is enough to pick up bits and dust from the carpet, but I found it’s better on hard floors.
Don’t get me wrong, I like it, but I think it’s more of a second vacuum, for top ups perhaps in between a deeper weekly clean with a more powerful corded vacuum.
It transforms into a handheld model easily and I did test it on the stairs, though to be honest I thought its performance was a little lacking here.
That said, I have two dogs and a cat so I can’t blame the vacuum, which doesn’t claim to be a pet model.
The Beldray Airgility comes with a battery, but unlike other cordless versions I’ve used there’s no charging dock – you simply charge the battery while it’s attached to the vacuum.
You get up to 40 minutes power on a full charge, which isn’t bad, though as you would expect, using boost mode drains the battery more quickly.
It has handy headlights and the dust canister is easy to empty, clicking back into place with no fuss.
There’s also a spare HEPA filter included in the box and a crevice attachment with dust brush.
Everything about this cordless vacuum is easy and because it’s lightweight, I think it’s ideal for anybody with mobility issues.
My elderly father loves it. He can’t usually vacuum because of arthritis in his hands, but the Beldray Airgility is so light he can once again ‘run the hoover over’ between weekend cleans, which means a lot to him.
Its ease of use and not having to deal with a separate charger add to its appeal and I can’t see myself getting it back from him anytime soon.
Type: Stick; Dust capacity: 1.2L; Bagless: Yes; Charging time: 5 hours for first charge; Battery life: Up to 40 minutes; Weight: 3.1kg
8.Dyson V8 Animal
Dyson V8 Animal, £329.99 £249.99
Pros:Powerful, looks good, lightweight, plenty of attachments
Cons: Trigger has to be held down for use, which gets uncomfortable, doesn't fold down for storage, battery doesn't last long on the boost setting
Rating: 7/10
The Dyson V8 Animal is a cordless vacuum that’s as stylish as it is practical.
If you’ve never owned a Dyson before, there’s definitely a “wow”; moment when you first piece it together and power it up – no one else in the cordless market makes vacuums that look this good.
It comes with a generous selection of attachments, including the standard vacuum head, a crevice tool, and a clever reach-under attachment that bends the stick in half, letting you clean under furniture without crawling on the floor.
Whether it’s your car, carpet, or sofa, there’s an attachment for the job. Plus, it includes a wall-mount bracket so you can neatly store and charge it at the same time.
The V8 Animal is impressively lightweight and easy to manoeuvre, even in awkward spaces.
Its boost mode ensures you won’t miss a speck of dirt, though you’ll probably only need it for tougher tasks like car crevices or stubborn furniture grime.
For standard cleaning, the regular mode is more than enough.
Battery life is solid at around 40 minutes, though using the boost feature will drain it faster.
A handy trigger in the handle means the vacuum only uses power when you’re cleaning, helping to conserve battery.
The downside? A full charge takes about five hours, so plan ahead.
Overall, the Dyson V8 Animal is lightweight, versatile, and powerful, making it a top choice for anyone who doesn’t mind spending a bit more for great performance.
Type:stick;Dust capacity:2L;Bagless:yes;Charging time:5 hours;Battery life:up to 40 minutes per battery,Weight:2.54kg
READ MORE
What is the best cordless vacuum?
The best cordless vacuum really comes down to a couple of things —like how much storage space you’ve got and which areas of your home you’ll be tackling most often.
There’s a whole range of cordless designs out there, including upright, cylinder, robot, handheld, and stick models.
Stick vacuums tend to be the most nimble of the lot, thanks to their slim, lightweight design and smaller canisters, which make them super easy to manoeuvre around your home.
The trade-off? They do need emptying a bit more frequently, but it’s a small price to pay for the convenience.
What’s great about stick vacuums is that they’re compact and far easier to tuck away than bulkier upright or cylinder models.
Many of them also come with a variety of attachments—like the Dyson V8 Animal – specifically designed for upholstery and tight crevices.
What is the best cordless vacuum for pet hair?
It's all about the attachments – any decent cordless vacuum, that comes with a few extra attachments is something to consider when shopping.
Attachments for tackling upholstery or getting into those tricky little crevices, will likely work a treat when it comes to sorting out those stubborn, embedded pet hairs lurking around your home.
Whether it’s the sofa, the stairs, or those hard-to-reach corners, the right tools make it so much easier to banish the fluff and keep things looking spick and span!
How do you clean cordless vacuums?
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 helps 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 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.
Which cordless vacuum has the best suction?
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.
Top tip: A clean filter can also improve the suction capabilities of your vacuum.
We were particularly impressed by Halo Capsule X which came out on top as the best cordless vacuum.
How do you charge cordless vacuum cleaners?
How you charge your cordless vacuum really depends on the specific make and model you’ve gone for, but most of them work in a pretty straightforward way.
Usually, you’ll get a plug-in adaptor that connects to a charging port on the vacuum itself.
Once it’s plugged in, you’ll see a little battery light pop on—this is your handy indicator to show how the charge is coming along.
It’s a great way to keep an eye on things so you’ll know exactly when your vacuum’s ready to go again.
Some models even have different light colours or flashing patterns to let you know when it’s fully charged, so no need to guess!
Just plug it in, keep an eye on the lights, and you’ll be back to cleaning in no time.
And just to be sure – its always a good idea to read the manufacturers guide, just in case.
How long do cordless vacuum batteries last?
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 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.
Are cordless vacuums worth it?
There’s a reason why cordless vacuums have become such a hit—they’re just so convenient!
If you’re tired of wrestling with plugs and wires or trying to manoeuvre a bulky vacuum into those awkward, hard-to-reach spots, a cordless model is an absolute game-changer.
They’re lightweight, easy to handle, and perfect for zipping around the house without constantly having to stop and switch plug sockets.
Plus, many modern cordless vacuums now come with impressive battery life, which means you can often clean your entire home on a single charge.
In fact, for lots of families, cordless options have become the go-to choice, especially since they’re usually more compact and easier to store than their corded counterparts—ideal if you’re short on storage space.
That said, cordless vacuums do have their limits.
If you’ve got a large home to clean or you don’t fancy emptying a smaller canister every five minutes, a larger, corded vacuum might be a better fit.
They tend to have bigger dust capacities and can power through big jobs without worrying about running out of battery.
So, it really comes down to what works best for your space and cleaning style—cordless for convenience and quick jobs, or corded for heavy-duty, all-out cleaning sessions.
A good idea is to regularly read so you know if its worth the investment.
How to choose a cordless vacuum cleaner?
Make sure you compare different makes and models of cordless vacuum cleaners and don't simply buy because its a good deal that you may later regret.
When it comes to choosing a specific model – our guide above is a good place to start.
You will need to consider your , 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 , 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.
It is really important to do your research and to not buy a cordless vacuum because of a tempting deal – as you may later regret your purchase.
Instead, weigh up what you need from a cordless vacuum and do your research.
The Sun team regularly tests out home appliances: read our for an in-depth verdict.
