The best cordless vacuums for easy cleaning, tried and tested by us

Kiss goodbye to tangled cables with these vacuums we've tested in our own homes


by Lucy Brown |
Updated on

If you're still using a corded vacuum in 2025, what are you doing? Cordless vacuums have changed the cleaning game and they don't have to be expensive either, as there are lots of great budget models out there. Whether you're after something for quickly cleaning the car, picking up pet hair or just day-to-day vacuuming - kiss goodbye to wrestling with tangled cords and being restricted by distance.

As there are so many different makes and models to choose from, it can be hard to know what's right for you. There are a few key factors to keep in mind to ensure you're getting the best bang for your buck. First, consider battery life – you’ll want a model that can run long enough to tackle your whole home in one go, ideally 30 minutes or more, depending on the size of your space. Next, think about suction power. A powerful motor is essential for effectively picking up dirt, debris, and pet hair, especially on carpets. Though if you do have a family pet or kids, you may want to consider a carpet cleaner or spot cleaner for those spills.

Closer's best cordless vacuums tried and tested, at a glance:

The weight and ergonomics are also important since you’ll be manoeuvring it around, and you’ll want something that’s comfortable to hold and easy to steer - unless you're opting for a robot vacuum. Finally, look for attachments and accessories – having different heads for various surfaces (like upholstery or hardwood floors) can make a world of difference.

We've put some of the most popular cordless vacuums on the market to the test to see what is worth investing in and what you should save your money on.

Cordless vacuums on test
©Closer

How we tested the best cordless vacuums

All of these cordless vacuums have been put to the test by our Closer shopping experts who have used each and every vacuum in their own homes. Tested on a variety of surfaces - from carpets to hard floors and stairs to car flooring - each cordless vacuum has been judged on its ease of use, suction and ultimate value. The options we have tested range from £79 to £340, and while the latter may be more expensive, it's still been deemed as excellent value by our testers.

SHOP: Best cordless vacuums, tried and tested

Best overall

This latest Shark model is packed with innovative features to make cleaning your home feel easier. From sensors that adapt the suction when you’re close to edges such as skirting boards and detect the surface you’re cleaning, to a very satisfying auto-empty system which removes debris from the cleaner into a scented base unit. Shark’s signature quad head and anti-hair wrap brush has always been a great feature, and we found there was enough charge to clean our house from top to bottom, even when we regularly boosted the settings manually on carpets for extra suction.

One of the best features is how lightweight this device is, at only around 4kg it’s great to grab and go – even on stairs and especially under sofas. While this lacks the deep cleaning power of a corded cleaner, it’s a great addition to a busy family to help keep on top of the day‑to-day dirt.

Pros

  • Sensors for easier cleaning
  • Great battery life
  • Lightweight which makes it easy for cleaning around the house

Cons

  • Lacks the cleaning power of a corded vacuum but that's to be expected!

Editor's Choice

OK, this one isn't the cheapest but it still takes a top spot. This cordless Henry didn’t disappoint as it is quick and easy to set up and comes with clear instructions. The stick cleaner is fairly light and easy to manoeuvre, so cleaning the stairs was a breeze. We tested it in the car after taking the dog out on a muddy walk and were very impressed with how quickly it picked up the dirt, dust and fur.

It’s a great choice for quick tidy-ups, and an extra mini motorised tool makes it more powerful for picking up pet hairs and really makes a difference. The brush head was super helpful when it came to picking up dust that tends to collect in room corners.

Pros

  • Easy to set up
  • Great for picking up pet hair
  • Easy to manoeuvre, for cleaning inside and outside the house

Cons

  • Relatively expensive compared to other models

Best low maintenance vacuum

https://www.gtech.co.uk/cordless-vacuum-cleaners/uprights/airram-3.htmlGTech

There's a reason why GTech's newly launched AirRAM 3 has also received a top position. Not only is it super easy to setup (clipping three parts together including the charging block), but the vacuum comes with the world's slickest charging base. After a 30-minute vacuum session, all you need to do it roll it onto the base and Bob's your uncle.

With more than 1000 4.8-star reviews, the AirRAM 3 boasts dual edge-cleaning technology and an auto-cleaning filter. It's also great for anyone with long hair (or dogs that love to shed) as it has anti-hair wrap technology built in. Our tester with long blonde hair can confirm this is an excellent feature.

Needless to say, Love Islander Molly Smith is a huge fan.

Pros

  • Auto-Cleaning Filter System
  • LED headlights to make cleaning easier and more efficient
  • Anti-Hair Wrap Technology

Cons

  • Only suitable for flat surfaces (due to the vacuum head)   

Best multi-use cordless vacuum

If you’re trying to minimise the number of cleaning products clogging up your home, then you’ll want to grab this multi-use cordless cleaner. Created to be used both in the home and car, it comes
with five interchangeable tools.

Offering three speed settings, it effortlessly sucks up dirt, debris and dog hair from all surfaces and is far quieter than cleaners we’ve had in the past. It feels incredibly light when using within the home, however it does require some strength when cleaning the car. In addition, the size of the machine makes it slightly awkward when vacuuming underneath car seats. The removable battery charger is brilliant for remote charging, so there’s no need to store near a plug socket and it also allows you to check the battery life over time.

Pros

  • Multipurpose attachments for vast cleaning
  • Seems quieter compared to others in the market
  • Effective for cleaning dust and pet hair

Cons

  • Little tricky to manoeuvre when using in a car

Best handheld cordless vacuum

If you find your full-size vacuum a pain when it comes to cleaning hard-to-reach areas like car seats, under beds or down the side of your sofa - this handheld vacuum is a game changer. This Swan handheld vacuum from Lynsey Queen of Clean's new range is just as practical as it is stylish.

It comes with a stand for charging and storage, you simply slot the vacuum in and it charges fully in just a couple of hours. There are multiple attachments including a brush, nozzle and a special pet-hair brush. With a 300ml capacity, this vacuum is great for quick cleans and is lightweight for transporting around to home.

Pros

  • Lightweight
  • Great for small spaces
  • Easy to store away

Cons

  • Would also need a larger vacuum for main floors as this wouldn't suffice

Best cordless vacuum for easy emptying

Having never used a cordless vacuum before, our tester was so impressed with how easy this was to set up and use. It easily swept up dust, crumbs and hair with its powerful motor and was also surprisingly lightweight.

Other vacuums we've used in the past have struggled to get right into corners or along skirting boards but because this has a crevice attachment, it was so easy to get to the edges. The headlights are also such a great perk as they help you spot things that usually go unnoticed - we were shocked by the amount of hair you can spot with these lights. This is great feature if you have a pet that sheds lots of hair.

The great thing about this vacuum is the emptying system - it uses special dust bags which means that you don't have to worry about dust and dirt flying around when it comes to emptying. You also get 12 bags included with the vacuum which is great to help you get started. The only slight downside is that it is a little noisy but for such great value this is something we can definitely look past.

Pros

  • Great value at under £200
  • Lightweight so easy to manoeuvre around the home
  • Headlights to make cleaning easier
  • Bagged bin for cleaner emptying

Cons

  • Quite noisy in comparison to others

Best cordless vacuum for compact build

On first impressions we didn’t have high hopes for this Hoover as it was ultra lightweight and compact, making us think the suction power wouldn’t be very strong. However, we were proved wrong as we started using it. Not only does it have multiple settings, including eco and turbo, but it also moves from hardwood flooring to carpet seamlessly. We recommend swapping to turbo when using on carpets and fluffy rugs, as the suction power doesn’t feel as strong.

The plastic pipe that attaches to the head of the cleaner bends, so manoeuvring around furniture is easy. The light on the front of the cleaner head is a great addition as it highlights pieces of dirt that you may not be able to see without it.

Pros

  • Lightweight for easier cleaning
  • Eco setting to save energy
  • Attractive design

Cons

  • Turbo mode is needed for thicker surfaces as regular doesn't have enough power

Most cordless vacuum cleaner for automated suction

Black & Decker 18V Cordless PowerSeries+ Stick Vacuum CleanerBlack and decker

The Floorsense technology on this cleaner is truly a game changer, automatically adjusting the speed for hard-wood or carpet surfaces. This eliminates the hassle of manual adjustments, ensuring optimal performance on every type of flooring. Another standout feature is the LED floorhead, which brightly illuminates dark corners under furniture, exposing hidden dust and debris that often go unnoticed.

When it comes to maintenance, emptying the filter is effortless – you can pop the dirt straight into the bin without ever touching it. The two-speed setting is practical, with low-speed perfect for daily clean-ups and high-speed ideal for tackling tougher messes. We did think the battery life could be longer but, thankfully, the battery charge indicator keeps you informed, so you’re never caught off guard.

Pros

  • Great budget option
  • LED floorhead for dust and debris visability
  • Suction speeds automatically adjust depending on floor surface

Cons

  • Battery life could be longer

Best cordless vacuum cleaner on a budget

beldray vacuum cleanerBeldray

Easy to use, this vacuum is lightweight and feels great value for money. There are two settings, regular and power mode, but we used the power mode every time as it provided stronger suction. The 1.2L dust container is simple to empty and the vacuum is compact for storing away when not in use.

Changing the different brush nozzles is easy to do, however, we found that after using the cleaner multiple times, dust would get caught in the joint between the nozzle and tube which was frustrating.

Pros

  • Lightweight so easy to move around the home
  • Compact for storing away easily

Cons

  • Regular suction setting wasn't particularly strong
  • Dust gets caught in tube joints

Which cordless vacuum cleaner is best?

Our top picks go to the SharkDetect Pro Cordless Vacuum Cleaner, £299, and the Henry Quick Pet, £340, though we'll be the first to admit neither are necessarily the most affordable. That being said, for how easy they are to use and their suction power (among other fab features), we'd deem them both to be excellent value from two renowned brands that guarantee a minimum of two years' performance.

If you are looking for a truly budget cordless vacuum however, we'd recommend taking a pick from many others on our list, with the Vax Blade and Halo Capsule being fantastic choices if your budget is £200, or the Black & Decker 18V Cordless PowerSeries+ Stick Vacuum Cleaner for under £120. While the battery life could be better, it's a great all-rounder and the automated surface adjustments make our lives just that little bit easier when we've got a million other things on our mind. It's a yes from us.

Lucy Brown is Life and Style Writer covering everything travel, interiors, celeb wellness and fitness across both print and online for Closer, heat, Bella, Take a Break, Yours and That's Life.

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