OUR REVIEW PROCESS
Smart Vacuums recommendations are based on over 55,000 real customer experiences. We also consider professional sources such as Which and Consumer Reports. We never recommend a vacuum cleaner that we haven't personally seen in action.
So rest assured when you are ready to make that all important purchase, the cordless vacuum you choose will of met our high standards.
Our Top 3 Picks
Editors Pick
Shark IZ251 UKT
Best Budget Model
VYTRONIX 22.2 v
Best Mid-Range Model
Gtech Air Ram
Quick Overview
If you’re sick of tripping over cords, having your vacuum come unplugged or constantly having to move from one plug socket to the next in order to finish your cleaning, a cordless hoover might just be the solution to all of your problems.
However, having a one size fits all answer to “what is the best cordless vacuum available in the UK” is not a straight-forward one as there are many variables to consider. So we have decided to break our review process for cordless vacs into 3 main categories, which is based initially on budget.
- Up to £200
- £200-£300
- £300+
There is no point in reading up on a model we recommend that's priced at £500 if you only have a budget of £150. Much like buying a car, as much as it’s great thinking about owning a new Ferrari if you have the budget for Mini then forget it.
In a Hurry?? Here's Our Best Cordless Vacuum Cleaner Key Picks
- Editors Pick - Shark IZ251 UKT
- Best Budget Model - Hoover Freedom
- Best Mid-Range Model - Gtech Air Ram MK2
- Best High End - Dyson V11 Absolute
- Best for Pets - Bosch Athlet 625 Pet
- Best for Allergies -
Dyson V8 Absolute
Other key considerations in search of the best cordless vacuum cleaners are- The size of your home, the floor type in your house or apartment, including stairs, if you have a pet or any dust allergies, or maybe you are limited to what you can hold, so weight is important. There are many other things to consider which we will highlight as we work through this guide to picking the best cordless hoover.
So, while you may not want to throw out that corded upright or canister just yet, there are still a number of outstanding cordless hoovers that are perfect for certain situations and provide much more hassle-free cleaning that their corded counterparts.
Cordless vacs from all the big brands such as Dyson, Shark, Bosch and Vax made it to our final list below along with a few other brands that are not so high profile.
So read on to learn the best cordless vacuum suits your needs, All our choices are based on verified customer experiences as well as our own intensive research & analysis.
How We Choose
78 Cordless vacuums considered –– 122 hours of research –– 16,000 verified customer reviews and 5 industry experts considered.
What Key Features to Look For when buying a cordless vacuum cleaner
Above, you will find a quick video that outlines the key things you should consider before buying a cordless vacuum cleaner. These are:
Budget: - what kind of cordless vac can you get for your money?
Type: - there are several different types, which will work best for you?
Handheld: - the only way to efficiently clean the stairs and upholstery
Battery and Charging: - how long does the battery last, how long does it take to charge?
Weight: - lightweight and easy to handle is everything you want here
Dust Capacity: - how much grime can it hold? Larger capacity means less emptying
Extra Features: - attachments, tech features, all the little extras you never knew you needed
Budget Cordless Vacuum Cleaners (Under £200)
Morphy Richards 732005
A Budget Cordless Under £100
This cord-free cleaner has a 2-in-1 feature, allowing it to be used as both an upright and handheld unit.
It also has a dual power switch, allowing for a regular suction level, as well as one that works at high speeds, giving you 35-minutes of cleaning from one charge – allowing you to give your home a clean.
It is lightweight and easy to move around, as well as being suitable for all carpet and hard floors.
It is also bagless and has a nifty cylinder that is very easy to empty, with no mess or hassle
Plus, thanks to the collapsible handle it is incredibly easy to store, making it ideal for those who live in small spaces.
In addition to all of this, it also comes with some handy attachments - crevice tool, duster, and upholstery brush.
Specifications
Our View
This cordless hoover is suitable for those who need something affordable and compact. It is bagless, and can convert itself into either a handheld or upright vacuum – perfect for the stairs and hard to reach places.
It's not as good as other models featured here priced around £200, so certainly if you can squeeze that budget up, then certainly we would recommend it.
But if you don't have the budget then certainly this is one of the best cordless vacuums if your on budget.
Read our detailed review of the Morphy Richards 732005 here
Pros
- Cordless
- Compact design
- Can be handheld or upright
- 35-minute clean time
- Bagless
- Comes with a range of tools
- Short charge time
Cons
- Weak suction
Design
Features
Price
VYTRONIX 22.2 v Cordless
Best Budget Cordless - Under £100
Affordable and budget are two fantastic words, especially as we can’t always afford the top of the line models.
The Good
This cordless stick is lightweight and easy to handle, with a simple and efficient design. It is comfortable to use, which makes it useful for floor to ceiling cleaning, and you are unlikely to end up with sore wrists as a result of using it.
It also converts into a handheld model so that you can clean the stairs, furniture, and interior of your car effortlessly and quickly.
It has a 40-minute running time, which is pretty good for a cordless vacuum cleaner, and it means that you have more than enough time to cover the entire home. There is also a motorised brush bar to help pick up extra dirt and grime while you are cleaning and it performs well on hard floor.
The vacuum also has a 0.5L dust capacity, and it comes with both a crevice tool and dusting brush to reach all those tight and delicate spaces.
The Not So Good
It’s not great on carpets, and the suction is not quite on par with some of the leading cordless vacuum cleaner brands. The filters are pretty poor.
Specification
Our View
This cleaner is the definition of cheap, and while it isn’t the best on carpets and doesn’t have the same kind of suction as a Dyson, it does a reasonable job for the money ( we featured in our best cheap vacuum guide which you can read about here) It turns into a handheld model for easy cleaning, provides ok suction, and also has a good dust capacity to help keep everything contained.
The running time is good. It might not be the best cordless vacuum in the UK, but when you look at the price and what it can do, it makes for a pretty good budget model.
Read our detailed review of the VYTRONIX here
Pros
- Cordless
- Motorised brush bar
- Compact
- Lightweight
- Crevice / dusting tool included
Cons
- Not the strongest suction
Design
Features
Price
Have a question? Ask in the comments below
Morphy Richards 732007
Low Priced Cord-free Model
Morphy Richards is a popular and leading brand when it comes to vacuum cleaners and home appliances.
Available at a good price, this could be just the thing you were looking for to keep your home beautifully clean.
The Good
This cordless features a dual power functionality, giving you a little extra suction in areas that need it the most.
The powerful suction really lets you reach the embedded dirt and hair in the carpet, while also gliding seamlessly across your floors.
It has a runtime of 40-minutes, as well as 24V battery for excellent pick-up. It also features a detachable handheld cleaner so that you can reach trickier areas, such as the carpets and curtains, with ease.
The illuminated floor head also makes it easier for you to see under furniture and other spaces with poor lighting, so you know you are picking everything up. Plus, it collapses easily and folds away, making for excellent storage.
The Not So Good
Some have noted that it can block quite easily, and requires regular emptying to prevent this from happening. They feel it could benefit from a larger canister.
Specifications
Our View
This machine comes at a fantastic price, which is perfect for those who are on a budget but still looking for an excellent quality vacuum cleaner.
While there are a couple of downsides in the form of blockages and regular emptying, it still features powerful suction and a hand handheld model that detaches in order to allow you to clean your entire home.
A good model at an excellent and affordable price.
Design
Features
Price
Mid-Range Cordless Vacuum Cleaners (£200-£300)
Bosch BCH625KTGB Athlet
Great Re-Chargeable for Small Apartments
This cordless vacuum cleaner is great for those who have pets in their home, or need a vacuum that can combat allergens to prevent reactions and asthmatic attacks.
It has a well-designed nozzle for getting hair out of difficult areas to reach, as well as a fantastic attachment for upholstery and furniture.
We found it performed very well on floorboards, even with a full bin.
It has an hour long running time with a fast charging period, all thanks to the fantastic quality rechargeable batteries that have been inserted.
Its lightweight build makes it easy to use when cleaning the house, and the range of accessories included are fantastic. In addition to all of this it is also completely bagless.
Specifications
Our View
This cordless hoover is perfect for pet owners and allergy sufferers alike, and it is incredibly affordable which is ideal for those on a budget. It is made by a reliable brand, and this vacuum cleaner is a testament to that.
It has a remarkable battery life, quick charging period, and will allow your house to sparkle in no time at all. If you have a lot of natural floorboards then this could be a great pick.
Pros
- Excellent design
- Perfect for pet and human hair
- Very powerful
- Incredible battery life and charge time
- Very durable
- Comes with a range of accessories
Cons
- The accessories can be a little difficult to use at first
Design
Features
Price
FAQ's
Q: How do you attach the tools on the Bosch Athlet Pet?
A: Take off the flat floor attachment
Release button at the back attach the new part
There is a picture guide attached to the upright part
Have a question? Ask in the comments below
Bosch BCH6PETGB Athlet
Best for Long Runtime
Strong and durable, it was made to combat animal hair and help rid the home of allergens, which is especially good for preventing unwanted attacks and reactions.
It has a nozzle that was created to help get hair out of the difficult corners, but also the upholstery as well. The bristles on the main attachment are firm, and were designed to collect fur.
It has a one hour running time which is one of the longest run-time in our list of best cordless vacuums on the market due to its high quality lithium-ion rechargeable batteries.
It is lightweight and easy to clean, making the vacuuming and easy task that you won’t be finding laborious anymore. It comes with a full range of accessories and is completely bagless.
SPECIFICATIONS
Our View
This model is absolutely ideal for any pet owner who is looking for something lightweight and affordable. Made by a reliable brand who are known for their quality products, there is no reason to doubt this superb vacuum cleaner.
With a remarkable battery life and a quick charge period, you can benefit from probably the longest run time in a cordless vacuum cleaner
Pros
- Excellent Design
- Great on Carpets
- Perfect for pet and human hair
- Very powerful
- Incredible battery life and charge time
- Very durable
- Comes with a range of accesories
Cons
- The accessories can be a little difficult to use at first
FAQ's
Q: Does the Bosch Athlet have a hepa filter?
A: Yes, any of their models that is sold with "animal" In its description has to have a Higher level filter than a normal vacuum cleaner.
Design
Features
Price
Gtech Air Ram MK2
Best Cordless Upright - Ideal for Laminate Floor
The Gtech AirRam upright cordless. Although it features a 22 volt lithium ion battery, which is fairly standard on most cordless hoovers nowadays, it far out performs many other models.
GTech lists its run time at 40 minutes, and while many people have stated that they are only able to get about 30 minutes of cleaning time before needing to recharge the battery, this is still reasonable compared to other cordless vacuum cleaners in this price range.
Great on Laminate floors and retains allergens extremely well.
Features of the GTech AirRam MK2
One major feature that sets the AirRam apart from its competitors is that while it is bagless, it doesn’t use your typical dust canister.
Instead, the dirt and debris is stored into the vacuum’s head, where it is pressed into small bales to allow for much more storage and meaning you won’t have to clean it out nearly as often.
Plus, when it is finally time to do empty it, all you need to do is slide out the small tray and remove the dust bale and then you’ll be ready to go again.
As it weighs only 3.5kg, the GTech AirRam is also lightweight and incredibly easy to manoeuvre around, so you shouldn't have any issues using it wherever you could need. Not only that, but it also offers quite impressive sucking power that is nearly find on a corded upright vacuum cleaners.
As the battery life is between 30-40 minutes, you’ll find that might actually allow you to clean your entire house in one charge. However, if you’re not able to finish before the battery runs out, you’ll need to let it charge for approximately 4 hours before it’s ready to use again.
The AirRam also features four indicator lights to let you know just how much battery life you have left so you can prioritise your cleaning projects if it does start to run low.
Another unique feature of the AirRam is that it has a USB port that allows you to plug it into your computer, after which it can then tell how much electricity you’ve saved versus using a corded vacuum cleaner, what the condition of the battery is, and even how many calories you’ve burned with your cleaning.
Still, this feature is not really that useful and something most people will probably never need or use.
If you have pets you may want to consider the K9 version, as this model wasn't great at picking up cat or dog hair.
Specifications
With a price of around £200 (you wont find a better deal then direct from Gtech themselves) the GTech AirRam is a little more expensive than other cordless models out there, but still doesn't cost nearly as much as some of the Dyson cordless models, making it a great choice for people who want an affordable cordless with superior cleaning power and manoeuvrability.
Design
Features
Price
High-End Cordless Vacuum Cleaners (£300-£600)
Shark IZ251 UKT
Best Cord Free Vacuum Cleaner for Pet Hair
Shark has really been knocking the ball out of the park with their latest vacuum cleaners, and this cordless wonder is no exception. Packed with features you are sure to love, it is certainly one worth considering for your home.
The Good
This cordless vacuum cleaner features DuoClean technology, which means it has a soft roller brush at the front for hard floors and fine dust, and a bristle bar at the back for carpets. The anti-hair wrap technology on the main floorhead means that it won’t get tangled and blocked with hair while you clean.
Instead, the guards direct hair straight to the bin so that you have one less thing to worry about. The flexology tech also means that you can reach right under low furniture without bending over, and it can even be used to make the vacuum stand up unaided.
The impressive battery life of 80 minutes is ensured by the dual battery pack, allowing you to switch between them quickly and effortlessly. It can be used as a handheld vacuum for areas like the stair and car interiors, perfectly aided by the selection of tools that come with it. This includes a newly designed pet tool that features anti-hair wrap technology.
The Not So Good
While the bin emptying mechanism is easy to use, it can actually be a little tricky to get all of the dust and debris out. You may find you need to reach in there to pull the excess out.
Specifications
Our View
This is a superb vacuum cleaner, and while the price may seem a little high you are also getting a lot for your money. Yes, the bin can be a little tricky to empty at time, but it’s worth it for the incredible suction, battery life, and overall cleaning power that this model is able to provide. Perfect for any home, once you pick up this Shark, your cleaning experience will be changed.
Pros
- New Shark technology, including anti-hair wrap
- Works great across all floor types, even thick rugs
- Brilliant fine dust and pet hair collection
- Superb filtration system
Cons
- It’s not always easy to get everything out of the bin
Design
Features
Price
Have a question? Ask in the comments below
Dyson V10 Animal
Best Cordless Dyson
The V10 is one of the newer additions to the team, and you might just fall in love with it, boasting a much longer run-time than that of its predecessor the Dyson V8
The Good
This V10 Animal has a slim and modern design, and it is exceptionally powerful. The
suction is incredible for a cordless model, and it is able to tackle pet hair and general dirt without an issue.
The V10 is reasonably lightweight as well, which makes it easy to handle and move around,
especially when you are using it for floor to ceiling cleaning. It also comes with loads of attachments.
It can hold charge for a good 60 minutes on the lowest power mode, and you are unlikely to need the boost setting unless there is a really tough area of carpet. The brush roll really works into the carpets to pull pet hair out, and cleaning it is very simple.
It also has a HEPA filter which is easy to access; perfect for asthma and allergies. The dust capacity is also superb with quick emptying.
The Not So Good
The price is quite high, though with the release of the V11, you may find this model on offer from time to time It is a little heavy compared to other models of cordless vacuum cleaner.
Specifications
Our View
This cordless V10 can do anything, even transforming into a handheld model when you need something more portable. While the price is high, it is also worth it for such a powerful cleaner. It can also be a little heavy, but it is the kind of weight you get used to and is unlikely to cause any soreness.
It’s perfect for homes with pets as well as people who suffer from asthma and allergies. All in all, it is the ideal vacuum cleaner for any home, and since its come down in price this is now our pick as the best cordless Dyson.
Read our detailed rreview of the Dyson V10 Animal here
Pros
- Cordless
- 60 mins run time
- Good for allergies and asthma
- Handheld included
- Useful for homes with pets
Cons
- Is a little heavy
- Higher price
Design
Features
Price
Dyson V11 Absolute
Best High-End Cordless ( And Most Expensive)
Dyson’s latest and most expensive cordless vacuum cleaner to date, recently claiming they will no longer be developing corded models. We literally couldn't wait until we could review this beauty.
While many of the features are the same as the V10, it does have some added extras that we do love.
The Good
This cordless vacuum cleaner has a slim and stylish design, is simply amazing on carpet and hard floor, and apart from the obvious long run-time (enough to cover most UK households without losing power) it has this really cool digital display that lets you know what mode you are in and how much cleaning time you have left before you need to give it some juice.
The V11 comes with a new Torque floor head which automatically detects the floor type and adjusts the power setting accordingly and saves unnecessary battery use.
If you have pets in the home, it tackles both cat and dog hair with ease, and if you are a sufferer of allergens the filter is simply top notch.
The Not So Good
The price and really nothing else
SPECIFICATIONS
- Power: 185 AW
- Run Time: 60+ mins
- Charge Time: 3.5 hours
- Weight: 3kg
- Dust Capacity: 0.76L
- Noise: 71-85db( Basic Mode - Boost Mode)
Our View
If you have the budget then this model ticks every box apart from price really. Personally I would wait for the price to come down and also keep an eye of for any deals you can get on days such as Black Friday or Amazon Prime day maybe.
Read our full detailed review of the Dyson V11
Design
Features
Price
It's a Wrap
Finally we’ve come to the end of this post. We would love to tell you more about cordless vacuum cleaners because these are definitely the answer to problems such as tangled cords or cords that are too short and a whole lot more.
Truly, this is a blessing to any household and anyone who is in charge of the cleaning. While there are so many cordless vacuum cleaners on the UK market today, choosing one that would work best for your needs could be quite challenging as there are so many factors to consider—battery life, vacuuming power, price, durability and more.
As there is a no one size fits all answer, to what is the best cordless vacuum cleaner, the quick summary at the top of this article hopefully puts a model in the right category for you, be it budget specific or features specific.
If you have anything to add or if you want to ask us anything, drop a comment at the bottom of this page and we’ll get back to you the soonest.
Last Updated on March 25, 2021 by Gemma Tyler
Gemma Tyler is a freelance journalist with 15 years of experience writing for consumer publications. She has tested and reviewed a wide range of household items from vacuum cleaners to washing machines and dehumidifiers to steam irons. Her attention to detail and exhaustive testing certainly makes her an expert in her field.
Thanks for all your experience. I’m thinking of buying either the aeg rapido or the Bosch – which is the better buy? I anticipate that I’ll use it for relatively light wear in our sitting room each day (carpet ) and the kitchen and dining room, both wooden floors. Children all grown up so mainly just my husband and myself at home. Would appreciate your thoughts.
Im also thinking of the bosch one- no replies annie!- this must be a sellers website not a review site at all!! Ps which have you bought?? Or still looking?
Emma
Hi Emma,
I use the Bosch one, very good apart from the handle which I feel has been badly designed and hard to grip and sometimes I find I have to use two hands.
Thanks for sharing your first hand experience Susy.
Hello.
I’m looking for a lightweight powerful hoover with tools. But mainly for stairs and landing.. which would you advise.?
Hey Delley, Thansk for your message…We have actually done a specific guide to the best vacuum cleaners for stairs here – hope you find it helpful
Did none of the Shark cordless vacuum cleaners make the grade here ??
I am looking for a cordless cleaner which is well balanced and not too heavy, but also have a reasonable width head. The ones I have seen on display in shops are all tiny so would take forever to go over even one room. Please can you include size of main heads in your reviews?
My Bosch athlet doesn’t seem to hold the charge it’s plugged in overnight and lasts two minutes ! Can I replace the battery or what else could it be