12 Best Cordless Vacuum Cleaner Reviews of 2023 – Battery Powered Vacs from Top UK Brands

Fed up with bulky vacuums and tripping over power cords? A cordless vacuum cleaner could be the perfect solution. After many hours of research, here are our current recommendations (2023) for the best cordless vacuum cleaner in the UK.

Struggling to choose which cordless vacuum to buy? You’re not alone!

Brands such as Dyson, Samsung, Hoover, Shark, Bissell, and Gtech are constantly releasing more powerful cordless vacuums with a longer battery life, improved design, and advanced features, so it can be difficult to know which to buy.

Keep reading for our list of the best cordless vacs in the UK (updated for 2023) – plus tips for choosing the right model for your home.

Please note: This section is for upright cordless vacuums. For handheld models, please view the handheld vacuum section.

Which are the Best Cordless Vacuum Cleaners?

If you’re looking for one of the best cordless vacuum on the market – and don’t mind paying a premium for it – then the Dyson V11 Absolute is our top pick. This ultra-powerful stick vacuum cleaner (with a handheld vacuum mode) takes the company’s cordless range to new heights, with strong suction, advanced features, and up to 60 minutes of cleaning time.

The V11 has the same core design as the V10 Cyclone, with the bin parallel to the stick to maximise suction. There are three cleaning settings, including an auto mode for the upgraded Torque floorhead, along with a powerful digital motor.

Dyson claims that the V11 provides twice the suction of any cordless vac at the cleaner head. It’s hard to argue with this, as the vacuum is highly effective and the Torque floorhead can generate plenty of cleaning power. The V11 also has “smart” technology that adjusts suction based on the type of floor, so the V11 is always easy to push around without sacrificing suction strength.

As you would expect from such a pricey cordless vacuum, the V11 comes with plenty of advanced features. There’s an LCD screen showing the current mode and remaining runtime of the vacuum. The Absolute version of the V11 also comes with Dyson’s excellent soft roller floorhead for hard floors, a HEPA filter, and a pet tool.

Battery life is always a concern with cordless vacs, but the Dyson V11 can last up to 60 minutes on the lowest power setting. You’ll probably want to use the “Auto” mode (middle setting) for most tasks, which reduces battery life – but the vacuum still provides enough run-time to clean an average home.

There’s also a “Boost” mode for when you need extra suction, although this reduces the run-time to just 12 minutes. The good news is that this is still almost double the run-time of the V10 Cyclone on its highest setting, and the Auto power mode provides plenty of suction for most tasks. Dyson claims that the battery takes 4.5 hours to fully charge, although in our experience it takes a bit less than this.

Most importantly, the V11 Absolute provides outstanding cleaning performance. It’s not an exaggeration to say that this model raises the bar for all cordless vacs, as it’s effective on every type of floor and debris.

In particular, the Torque floorhead is brilliant for cleaning pet hair and getting dirt out of carpets. The soft roller is also great for hard floors, while the detachable handheld mode and mini motorised tool are useful for stairs and cars.

There aren’t any real drawbacks to this vacuum’s design and performance, but the price is likely to be a barrier to many. You also need to hold down the trigger when cleaning, which some people find annoying or tiring, so keep this in mind.

We still think the Dyson V11 Absolute is the best cordless vacuum cleaner available at the moment though. It’s incredibly powerful and effective, while also being a pleasure to use. Highly recommended!

Note: There are other versions of the V11, including the V11 Torque Drive and V11 Animal. The included floorheads and tools vary depending on the version. Click here to read our full comparison. Dyson also sells a bigger model called the V11 Outsize, which is brilliant for big homes. We’ve also written a comparison of the V10 and V11.

Tineco is a newcomer to the UK vacuum market – but it’s made quite an impression. The Pure One S12 is one of the company’s high-end models, and it aims to directly compete with the Dyson V10 and V11.

Let’s start with the advanced features. The Tineco has “Smart Suction” technology, which means suction power is adjusted depending on the amount of dust detected. It also has a ring-light indicator showing when dust is present and when you can move to the next patch of floor. This technology doesn’t just provide a deeper clean, but also improves battery life.

Speaking of batteries, the Tineco comes with a detachable lithium-ion battery. This provides a 50-minute maximum run-time, which is more than enough to clean most homes. Keep in mind that this is the maximum battery life though – it’s reduced when using motorised tools.

The Pure One S12 even comes with an LED display. This shows metrics such as battery level and suction power, along with indicators if the brush roller becomes tangled (amongst other things). You can also manually adjust suction power using a slider if you don’t want to rely on the machine’s automatic detectors.

Other features include a motorised brush bar, LED headlights, strong maximum suction power, and a recharging wall mount. There’s even app integration, allowing you to track the vacuum’s performance. In short, it’s one of the most advanced vacuums we’ve seen.

It’s not just a gimmicky vac though. The One S12 does a great job at cleaning every floor type. It also has a detachable handheld mode for upholstery, cars and stairs. If you’re looking for an alternative to a Dyson cordless, the Tineco is one of the best on the market.

The Dyson V15 Detect Absolute is a high-end cordless vacuum that’s packed with futuristic features. It’s very expensive, but we think it provides brilliant cleaning performance on both carpets and hard floors. It also has a dust sensing system to improve efficiency, along with the strong allergen retention we’ve come to expect from Dyson cordless vacs.

One of the key features of the Dyson V15 Detect is the new DLS technology. When combined with the Motorbar cleaner head and the “Auto” mode, this feature monitors the amount of dust particles being picked up and adjusts suction automatically.

We found this really does make a difference to cleaning performance. You can also increase it to “Boost” mode when you need extra suction, providing outstanding power for a cordless vacuum.

Aside from the DLS system, we also love the real-time data on the LCD screen, including real-time battery information. The green laser to illuminate dust is also useful, but we wish it was included with the main floorhead and not just the hard floor head.

Why is the V15 not the top model on our list though? The simple reason is the price. While the V15 has more advanced features than the Dyson V11, we don’t think it provides enough extra cleaning power to justify the price difference.

We also think it suffers from some minor drawbacks, such as needing to hold down the trigger and being difficult to push on thick carpets. If you’re looking for a lightweight and manoeuvrable cordless, then there are better options on the market.

With that said, if you want the best cordless vacuum on the market and have a large budget, then the extra features of the V15 make it an excellent choice.

If you’re looking for a premium cordless vacuum that’s great for pet hair, then the Miele Triflex HX2 Cat and Dog is a great alternative. It’s a powerful cordless vacuum that excels at cleaning pet hair, plus it has a HEPA filter to retain more allergens. It also comes with several upgrades compared with the original HX1 Cat and Dog.

In terms of cleaning performance, we don’t think the HX2 can quite match the Dyson V11 when it comes to cleaning hard floors, due to the lack of an equivalent to the “soft roller.” It’s brilliant for pet hair, however, and does a great job at cleaning carpets. It’s also powerful enough to suck up dirt between floorboards, which is often a struggle for cordless vacuums, and can handle larger debris.

One of the stand-out features of the Triflex HX2 Cat & Dog is the HEPA AirClean lifetime filter. This is great for people who suffer from a dust or pet dander allergy, as it prevents these allergens from escaping into the air when vacuuming. It also comes with a wide floorhead, LED lights to show up more dirt, a mini turbo tool, and a handheld mode. There’s also the option of using it in “upright” mode, which is great for large flooring areas.

There are a few drawbacks to this model. It’s built to Miele’s high standards, but we found the filter to be unnecessarily difficult to remove and clean. It’s also a pricey cordless, though not the most expensive on this list.

Even so, the Miele Triflex HX2 Cat & Dog is an excellent cordless vacuum that’s a great choice for homes with pets.

The V10 Cyclone is the model down from the V11 in the Dyson “V” series. During our tests, we found the V10 to be an excellent vacuum that’s a great choice if your budget doesn’t stretch to the V11 or V15.

It has the same parallel bin design as the V11, a more powerful motor than the V8, and a 60-minute maximum run-time. Most importantly, it provided outstanding cleaning performance on all surfaces during our testing, making it one of the best cordless vacs on the market.

To be more specific, we found the V10 Absolute to be brilliant for cleaning carpets, hardwood floors, laminate and tiles. We also found that Dyson’s V10 motor provides great suction even on “Low” and “Medium” modes, so you won’t need to switch to “High” for most tasks (which greatly reduces battery life). The new Motorbar cleaner head, which now has detangling technology, is also excellent for digging into carpet fibres and removing more dust and dirt.

Like previous Dyson vacs, the V10 is highly mobile and versatile. The detachable handheld mode is great for car interiors and stairs, while the mini turbo tool is perfect for removing pet hair from upholstery. People with allergies will also be pleased to hear that the V10 provides excellent filtration, due to the combination of 14 cyclones and post-motor filter.

Are there any downsides though?

The biggest drawback is the price. The “High” power mode also reduces run-time to just 5-7 minutes. We would have liked the V10 to come with a replaceable battery, but the excellent suction on “Medium” mode means you’ll rarely need to switch to full power anyway. We also found it quite difficult to push on thick carpets in medium mode, so we needed to switch to the low mode more than we would like.

We recommended getting the Dyson Cyclone V10 Absolute if you have laminate, tile or hardwood floors in your home. This is the mid-range model, and comes with the Soft Roller cleaner head that’s brilliant for tiles and hardwood flooring. With that said, if your home is mainly carpets you can save money by choosing the V10 Animal, which doesn’t include the Soft Roller (we’ve written a full comparison of the various V10 models here and an in-depth comparison with the V8 here).

So, if you’re looking for a high-quality cordless vacuum cleaner that’s a bit cheaper than the V11, we think the Dyson V10 Cyclone series is a great choice. There are no major drawbacks, aside from the price, and its cleaning performance is a match for most upright vacuums.

If you’re looking for a cordless vacuum cleaner with a similar design to the Dyson ranges, then the Shark IZ251UKT is definitely an option to consider.

It’s not just a copy-cat vacuum though – this model comes with a range of useful and innovative features. These include dual batteries, Shark’s excellent DuoClean floorhead, and Flexology design for cleaning under furniture. Like the Dyson V series, it also has a detachable handheld mode.

Shark has managed to pack many of their upright vacuum features into the IZ251UKT, which is why it’s such a versatile cordless stick vac. The Flexology system allows you to bend the stick, which is great for cleaning under furniture. The DuoClean floorhead, which has two brush bars for different surfaces, also makes switching between carpets and hard floors easy.

As you would expect from a pet vacuum, the IZ251UKT comes with a pet turbo tool for cleaning stairs and furniture. It also has a relatively large 0.7 litre capacity, combination of washable and HEPA filter, and several additional tools.

The Shark also has dual batteries. This allows for a long run-time of up to 80 minutes, although only in “ION” mode and when you’re not using a motorised tool. While the run-time drops when using motorised tools, the IZ251UKT still provides excellent battery life compared to most cordless vacs. We also love how the batteries can be removed and charged separately from the vacuum.

Most importantly, the IZ251UKT is at effective at cleaning most types of floor, despite being cheaper than models from Miele, Dyson and Samsung. It’s particularly effective at cleaning hard floors and pet hair, making it a good choice for dog or cat owners.

There are a few drawbacks though. The anti hair wrap technology is a useful bonus, but it’s not always effective, especially for long hairs. It’s also not the best cordless vacuum for carpets, although it’s no slouch. Additionally, the Shark is a bit heavier than other cordless vacuums we’ve reviewed, which could be an issue if you want a lightweight model.

Even so, the Shark IZ251UKT is an excellent cordless vacuum cleaner. It’s packed with features, provides strong performance, and has a pet turbo tool for cleaning hair. If you’re looking for an alternative to one of the cheaper Dyson models, then the Shark is a great alternative.

The Vax ONEPWR Blade 4 Pet is a great option for pet owners who don’t want to pay £400+ for a cordless vacuum. It’s not quite as powerful as the top vacuums, but provides great value for money and is good for picking up pet hair of any length.

With its motorised brush bar and reasonably powerful suction, the Vax is highly effective at cleaning carpets. The floorhead also picks up pet hair easily, while the miniature pet tool is just as effective at removing hair from sofas, stairs, and other awkward locations.

We also like that the ONEPWR has a removable battery. This provides up to 45-minutes run-time and can be easily replaced or swapped. A bonus is that the battery can be fully recharged in just three hours, which is considerably shorter than many competing vacuums.

Other features of the Vax include LED headlights, a removable bin, and no loss of suction as the battery gets low. The only real downsides are that it doesn’t have a HEPA filter, which could be an issue for pet owners with allergies, and its battery life is shorter than the top cordless vacuums. It also can’t match the best cordless vacuums for hard floor cleaning performance.

Despite these drawbacks, if you’re looking for a relatively low budget cordless vacuum for pets, then the Vax is an excellent choice – especially if your home is mainly carpeted.

The Dyson V8 Absolute was once our top pick for a cordless stick vacuum. Dyson has restructured their models due to the release of the Cyclone V10 series and V11 series though, so the V8 Animal is now the primary V8 currently in production.

In practical terms, there is little difference between the Animal and Absolute, so the V8 Animal is still one of our top recommendations – especially if the V10 is outside your budget. The main difference is the Animal doesn’t include the soft roller cleaner head for hardwood floors, although you can purchase this separately.

So what makes the V8 stand out compared to other vacs?

In terms of performance, this is a solid vacuum that’s perfect for quick cleanups. Compared with the previous V6, it has stronger suction, a longer run-time and a new motor, while still being cheaper than the V10 and V11.

This performance boost relative to the V6 is partly due to the powerful direct-drive head for carpets. The brush roll digs into carpets to remove dust and dirt that’s buried in fibres, while untangling cat or dog hair. The Animal also comes with a mini turbo tool for upholstery and cars. However, during our testing, we found that the floorhead on the V8 doesn’t match the performance of new Dyson cordless vacuums.

Allergy sufferers will be pleased with Dyson’s “whole machine filtration,” as it does a good job of keeping allergens trapped. The V8 can also be converted into a handheld mode and uses a total of 15 cyclones to capture dirt and dust.

So, there’s no doubt that the Dyson V8 Animal is a great cordless vacuum for the price. It’s not as powerful as the V10, V11, or V15, but it is much cheaper and is still a capable vacuum cleaner. Just don’t expect it to match premium cordless vacuums in terms of cleaning performance and features.

Note: If you’re looking for a cheaper stick vacuum than the V8, then the Dyson V7 Animal is still a solid choice. It includes many of the same features, such as the no-touch dirty emptying system and detachable handheld mode, but for a lower price. You may also want to read our Dyson V7 vs V8 comparison.

If you’re looking for a high-quality cordless pet vacuum that costs less than the top models, the Shark IZ300UKT could be the ideal choice.

As you would expect from Shark, it’s an easy-to-use cordless vacuum that’s great for cleaning carpets. We also think it provides plenty of suction power for floorboards – although the vacuum’s tile and laminate performance can’t quite match the best models for these surfaces.

An area where the Shark IZ300UKT excels is cleaning pet hair. We’ve found Shark vacuums to be generally pretty good at picking up hair, but the extra suction and addition of PowerFins to the floorhead noticeably improve pet hair performance. We also love that Shark has included a motorised pet tool with this model, rather than the air-powered tool found on other Shark vacuums.

These features, combined with the anti-hair wrap technology and 60-minute run-time, make it one of our top picks for a cordless pet vacuum.

We also like how easy the Shark is to use. It’s not the lightest cordless vacuum on the market, but it’s comfortable to hold and has a “Flexology” joint for cleaning under furniture. The LED headlights are also a useful extra for spotting dirt, hair, and dust that you might otherwise have missed.

There are some downsides to the Shark IZ300UKT though. Considering it’s a pet vacuum, we would have liked a HEPA filter to be included. If you have allergies, then a model like the Miele HX2 Cat & Dog is probably a better option. It’s also heavier than some of the other cordless vacuums on the market, which is something to keep in mind if you have mobility issues.

Even so, the Shark IZ300UKT is a powerful and versatile cordless vacuum. It’s great on carpets and excels at pet hair, while the handheld mode makes it easy to clean stairs or above furniture. If you have pets and don’t have the budget for a Dyson V11 or Miele HX2, then it’s one of the best cordless vacuums for hair.

The Beko PowerClean VRT94929VI is one of our top picks if you’re looking for a budget cordless vacuum cleaner that still packs a punch. While Beko might not have the brand recognition of Dyson or Shark, their PowerClean series provides excellent value.

At its core, the Beko PowerClean is a cordless stick vacuum with a similar design to most other models on the market. It’s relatively lightweight, lasts up to 45 minutes on a single battery charge (on the low power setting), and has a detachable handheld mode.

The main reason we like the Beko is that it provides strong all-around cleaning performance. Whether you need to clean carpet, laminate, or tiles, we’ve found that the Beko does a decent job – and can even rival pricier vacuums. It’s also a solid choice for pet hair, especially compared with other cordless vacuums in this price range.

Of course, the Beko doesn’t come with some of the more advanced features found on Dyson, Tineco, or Samsung cordless vacuums. There’s no LCD display, automatic suction adjustment, or soft roller floorhead. It’s also relatively loud for a cordless vac. On the plus side, we like that it comes with a bending tube, which is similar to Shark’s Flexology system.

Overall, we think the Beko is an excellent cordless vacuum cleaner that stands out in its price range. If you want a solid cordless vacuum that does a great job for the price, then the Beko is one to consider.

The original AirRam vacuum was way ahead of its competition – and the Mk2 improved on an already successful formula. It’s a sleek and stylish model that comes with a number of useful features, including a 40-minute run time and headlights. We don’t think it can match the latest cordless vacuums for cleaning performance – especially for pet hair and thick carpets – but it’s cheaper than most options and provides great value.

Let’s start with the most important factor when buying a cordless: cleaning performance. We think the AirRam Mk2 is an excellent vacuum for hard floors, including laminate and tile. It’s also great for low-pile carpet, although it struggles to remove hair or ground-in dust from thicker carpets. We also found that larger debris sometimes gets pushed in-front of the floorhead.

Unlike most cordless vacuums, the AirRam Mk2 has an upright design without a handheld mode. The Mk2 vacuum also collects dirt and dust in small bundles, rather than spinning it through a cyclonic canister, which makes emptying easier and less messy.

When it comes to ease of use, we think the Gtech AirRam Mk2 is one of the best on the market. We found it easy to manoeuvre around the home and provides excellent edge cleaning. The AirRam also has a low-profile design for getting under furniture.

The Mk2 is similar in many ways to the original vacuum, but has been upgraded in several key areas. The AirLOC system maintains the vacuum’s ability to pick up fine dust, while improving its large debris performance. The dirt system has also been changed to provide extra compression and an easier-to-empty design.

The biggest downside of this cordless vacuum is that it doesn’t come with any tools or attachments. Unlike cordless vacuum cleaners from brands such as Dyson (such as the Dyson Cyclone V10), there’s no option to use it in a handheld mode. It’s also not the best cordless for hair, as it struggles to remove fluff and clumps of hair from carpet fibres.

In summary, there’s little doubt this is one of the best cordless upright vacuum cleaners on the market for floor cleaning. Keep in mind that it doesn’t come with any tools or a hose though, so it’s not the right choice for above-floor or car cleaning. It can also struggle with hair, so we don’t think it’s the best choice for pet owners.

Can’t decide between the AirRam or Dyson? Read our Gtech AirRam Mk2 Vs. Dyson V8 comparison.

With an RRP of around £700, the Dyson Outsize Absolute is one of the most expensive vacuum cleaners on the market. It also shares many of the same design features as the standard Dyson V15 – including Dyson’s Dynamic Load technology and great all-round cleaning performance – so why the extra cost?

Unlike the various V15 models (such as Absolute or Detect +), which have different sets of accessories, the Outsize Absolute has several core design differences.

The first is the larger bin capacity of 1.9 litres. This is huge for a bagless cordless vacuum (it’s even slightly bigger than the bagged Halo Capsule) and means you’ll need to empty it much less frequently. In addition to the bigger capacity, the Outsize also has a 25% larger floorhead, which can save time when cleaning large areas. It also has a long 120-minute maximum run-time, due to the double batteries.

These features are great for people with large homes, although they increase the weight of the vacuum to a hefty 3.56kg. This is particularly noticeable when cleaning above-floor locations. As you would expect, the larger bin size also makes the vacuum bulkier and less manoeuvrable, while the bigger floorhead isn’t easy to use on steps.

For these reasons, we think most people are better off buying one of the standard V15 vacuums. But if you need to clean large areas of floor in less time, or hate the small dust capacities of most cordless vacuums, then the Outsize Absolute is a great alternative.

How to Choose a Cordless Vacuum

There’s no doubt cordless vacuums have a number of advantages over traditional models. They are much more manoeuvrable and convenient than upright vacuum cleaners, for example. Even so, not all are created equal, so it’s important to know the various considerations before you buy.

Along with cleaning performance, here’s a list of factors to look for when choosing a cordless vacuum cleaner.

• Budget. The top cordless vacuums can cost over £500, so they certainly aren’t cheap! The good news is you can still find excellent models in the £200-£350 range, although these won’t have advanced features like automatic suction adjustment and LED screens. There are also several budget vacuums costing less than £200 that are worth considering, such as the Vax Blade Pro TBT3V1P1, but don’t expect these models to match the performance of more powerful vacs.
• Battery Life. The run-time of a cordless vacuum is one of the most important considerations when buying. Run-times range from around 20 minutes to more than an hour, depending on the motor strength and battery. Keep in mind that running a vacuum on a high power mode will greatly reduce its battery life.
• Weight. Most cordless vacuums are relatively lightweight compared to uprights or cylinders. The lightest models weigh 2-2.5kg, while heavier options can weigh around 4kg.
• Dust Capacity. Cordless vacuums usually have a smaller capacity than corded vacs, with a range of around 0.4-0.8 litres. You’ll always need to empty a cordless vacuum regularly, but a larger capacity means fewer trips to the bin during a cleaning session.
• Filtration. If you suffer from allergies, look for a cordless vacuum cleaner with a sealed design and a HEPA filter. Nearly all cordless vacuums have a bagless design, however, which can allow allergens to escape when emptying the dust bin.
• Handheld Mode. Many modern cordless vacuums can be used as a handheld by detaching the stick. This makes them a versatile choice compared to fixed models.
• Turbo Tool. If you have pets, then you should always look for a vacuum with a turbo tool. These are smaller heads with a powered brush bar, making them effective at removing hair from sofas, car seats, and stairs. Other tools, like a crevice tool or dusting brush, are also useful.

Tip: Need a cordless for hard floors rather than carpets? Check out our guide to the best cordless vacuums for hard floors.

Conclusion

There are an ever-increasing number of cordless vacuums on the market, so it can be hard to know which to choose. The 12 vacuums above are all excellent, but make sure you read each review to find the one that meets your requirements.

Our top pick for a cordless vacuum at the moment is the Dyson V11 Absolute. It’s a brilliant vacuum cleaner that excels at cleaning any type of floor, including carpets and hardwood, and also comes with plenty of advanced features.

Do you have any questions about choosing a cordless vacuum cleaner? Please let us know in the comments section below.

All Cordless Vacuum Reviews

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