The best cordless vacuum cleaners: Reviewing the top stick vacuums UK (2022)

Before we get into the details, let’s explain what our reviews can offer you and why to trust us.

Getting an overview of this huge range of products can be difficult, and investing your money in the wrong cordless hoover would be a disaster.

However, we have good news for you:

We can help you make the right choice with our in-depth reviews and cordless vacuum cleaner comparisons. 🏋️

What we do: We conduct comprehensive cordless vacuum cleaner tests and provide the results to you free of charge!

Our goal:

We want to help you find the best cordless vacuum cleaner by giving you independent and professional advice.

So if you're in the market for a new cordless vacuum, you've come to the right place! 🙏

The main difference between cordless hoovers and conventional hoovers is that they do not need to be plugged in at the wall while cleaning. Once the batteries are charged, you can start cleaning to your heart’s content.

What was once done by a broom can now be done much more conveniently with a cordless hoover.

The best products on the market today can be used for every type of dirt and achieve very good cleaning results.

Who needs a cordless vacuum?

Simple question, simple answer:

Nobody. 😬

But if you like to vacuum your home regularly, then a good cordless hoover will be a real asset for you. The right tool can save you a lot of time and hassle, as the best cordless stick vacuums are simply 10x more practical than conventional corded hoovers. 💪

So what exactly is it that makes cordless vacuums so popular? There are many reasons for this.

Advantages at a glance

• More convenient
• Easy handling
• Space-saving storage
• Flexible use
• 2-in-1 function (stick and handheld in one)
• Low follow-up costs
• Cord-free
• Bagless
• Environmentally friendly

Vacuum cleaning doesn’t tend to rank highly on people’s lists of favourite activities. Cables that aren’t long enough, tangled cable, bag full, vacuum cleaner falls over - the list goes on.

All that is history when you are the proud owner of a cordless, bagless and modern cordless hoover.

What makes cordless vacuum cleaners more convenient?

You can walk comfortably from room to room without having to worry about tangled cables any more. Not even stairs can hold you up any longer.

In the past, you’d always run out of vacuum bags right when you needed one most…

...that's also history. Most cordless vacuums come with handy dust containers that you can simply empty.

Space-saving storage

Most cordless vacuum cleaners come with a practical wall mount.

When you're done vacuuming, you can place it in the corner or hang it on the wall to save space. The slim designs also help to save space.

If you don't necessarily want to drill holes in the wall for your cordless vacuum cleaner, you can also get a practical floor stand.

You can also usually store all the accessories in these charging docks.

Flexibility: 2-in-1 function

Cordless vacuums normally come with plenty of accessories included in the box to increase the ways in which you can use your device.

You can convert modern cordless hoovers into compact cordless handheld vacuums.

This makes vacuuming your car or hoovering your furniture a cinch. Cordless vacuums are so versatile!

Follow-up costs

You can really save on follow-up costs with a bagless cordless device. These savings are no joke - the cost of buying hoover bags over the years can really add up.

The cost of replacing filters is also eliminated. Your wallet will thank you here too!

Sustainability

Bagless and filterless are not only good for your wallet, they also help to avoid unnecessary waste and protect the environment.

Where do cordless hoovers still have room for improvement?

Of course, we know cordless vacuum cleaners aren’t perfect in every regard. There are still some areas to watch out for when shopping for your cordless vacuum.

Battery life

The best cordless vacuum cleaners offer runtimes of up to 90 minutes. That should be easily enough for a thorough cleaning of an average flat.

Once you run out of battery, that’s it for floor cleaning until it’s recharged.

As such, runtime is a critical factor among cordless hoovers. However, this is no longer an issue among top cordless models in the UK.

Make sure to pay attention to battery life when shopping for your cordless vacuum.

Some brands claim their runtimes are enormous. However, if you take a closer look, you will notice that these times apply to cleaning in a power-saving mode, for example. Thus, you may only be able to clean in normal mode for a much more limited time.

That’s where our reviews come in: We sort the good from the bad so you’re totally clear about which models really have a longer battery life.

Cleaning performance

The cleaning performance of many models leaves a lot to be desired. That is why we strongly recommend:

Read the reviews beforehand!

This way you can avoid buying the wrong model.

We want you to feel confident when shopping for your cordless vacuum, so we’ve compiled a watertight buying guide for you to follow.

The guide will contain a number of categories we deem to be the most important when shopping for a cordless vacuum:

• Design
• Accessories
• Suction power
• Cleaning features
• Handling
• Maintenance, follow-up costs, etc.
• Value for money
• Volume
• Warranty
• Sustainability

When buying a cordless vacuum cleaner, accessories can make a huge difference in your choice. Brands are very imaginative and there are a vast amount of different accessories on offer.

Good accessories can make your cordless vacuum much more versatile.

So check what’s included in the box when making your choice. Upgrading to a model that includes more accessories or opting for a bundle often only costs a few extra pounds.

Overview of the best accessories

Cordless vacuum brands are constantly coming up with new accessories for their products.

After all, it's a great way to set yourself apart from the competition.

And for us customers, more accessories means more ways to use our cordless hoover!

Some of the gadgets you’ll come across are handy, some are essential, and others are simply unnecessary.

So let’s check out some of the highlights from our tests.

Absolute essentials

First of all, we’ll go over the basic equipment that should be included as standard in the package contents.

Standard floorhead

This definitely includes the standard floorhead.

This brush head is used to clean the floor and you can use it to clean both carpets and hard floors.

It’s nice if the floor brush also has LED lighting.

Wall mount

A wall mount is a necessary accessory for saving space by storing your cordless vacuum on the wall. It’s not just used for storage, but also for charging your device.

Alternatively, you can use a floor dock*. They have the same function as a wall mount. However, you don't have to drill holes in the wall and you can easily move them around your home.

Another alternative to the wall mount is a freestanding cordless vacuum cleaner. Self-supporting devices also take up less space in your storage.

Crevice nozzle

Another must-have is the crevice nozzle.

This practical attachment lets you get into every crack and crevice. Fighting crumbs and dust between the sofa cushions is easy with this tool.

Multi-surface tool

The multi-tool is also a real asset.

Extend the bristles and you have a dusting brush for cleaning cupboards or dusting other surfaces.

Retract the bristles and you have an attachment for tackling coarse dirt on upholstery, mattresses or other tough areas.

Really handy extra

Soft roller

The soft roller or fluffy head is a game-changer for cleaning hard floors such as laminate, hardwood or vinyl.

The brush bar glides easily over the hard floor and picks up dirt better.

Cleaning performance is influenced by various factors.

How many suction modes are there and how strong are they?

How long can you clean in boost mode?

Or another example: Many modern devices have a motorised tool that rotates independently and thus transports the dirt better into the pipe.

Some models, for example the Dyson V15 Detect, can now even detect the surface and adjust suction power depending on the floor type.

These and similar features can significantly influence your purchase decision. If you look at the cordless devices under this lens, you can often identify the leaders in technology and thus find the best cordless hoover for you.

Maintenance can also be a decisive factor when buying a stick vacuum, as you don’t want to constantly have to be emptying dust canisters or removing tangled hairs.

Maintenance in detail

By and large, cordless vacuum maintenance is limited to the following tasks:

• Cleaning the (HEPA) filter
• Emptying and cleaning the dirt/dust container
• Cleaning the brush
• Charging the battery

HEPA filter

HEPA filters are a real asset for cleaning your home because they are able to filter out even the finest particles. This helps neutralise odours and remove bacteria.

Because cordless vacuum cleaners come with long-lasting filters, a major part of maintenance is cleaning them.

This task doesn’t take long. With most devices, you only have to remove the filter and tap it out or wash it.

Emptying the canister

How your appliance is emptied should be an absolutely essential factor in your purchase decision. There are massive differences among dust containers.

Every brand comes up with its own system. Even though most of them are rather similar, they certainly do not all work equally well.

With some devices, you can empty the dirt with pinpoint accuracy; with others, you may miss something.

The Dyson V11, for example, has a very good emptying system. Due to the vertical arrangement of the dirt bin and the slider, you can easily empty the dirt straight into the waste bin.

Others even use conventional dust bags, like the Vorwerk VB100.

Check out our review of the best cordless vacuum cleaners for allergy sufferers to find out which options have the most suitable emptying systems.

Size of dust bin

Not only should you pay attention to how your vacuum is emptied, but also to the size of the dust box you’re emptying.

Size dictates how often you’ll have to empty your vacuum. That's why we always prefer larger dust bins.

However, this also has its limits: if the dirt canister is too large, the device can quickly become difficult to handle.

Cleaning the dust container

Some cordless vacuums provide good solutions for removing and cleaning dust containers, others not so much. An example of a very good solution is the Dyson V11.

The dirt container can be completely removed in one easy step. You can then simply run it under the tap to clean.

Cleaning the brush

The floorhead must be removed from time to time and cleaned of hair and threads. To do this, you can use a small sharp knife or the tool supplied.

Battery

The main task here is, of course, charging the battery. The devices are equipped with powerful lithium-ion batteries, and a charger is of course included.

Tip: Make sure the batteries are replaceable - just in case.

Rechargeable batteries for cordless vacuum cleaners actually last a long time. If the battery does break, you can easily buy a replacement battery on the internet.

Some models also come with an extra battery.

How long do cordless vacuum cleaners take to charge?

Cordless vacuum cleaners take between 3 and 5.5 hours to charge.

Our tests have shown that the charging time of cordless hoovers varies from device to device. The battery capacity will largely determine how long it takes to charge.

Which battery is the best for cordless vacuums?

Make sure that your future cordless hoover is equipped with a lithium-ion battery. They are usually more powerful than nickel-metal hydride batteries and charge much faster.

Your rights to repairs and replacements are, of course, regulated by law in the UK - regardless of whether you have a warranty or not.

However, if you look closely when buying, you will find that many dealers also offer their own extended warranties.

Trial periods and “money-back guarantees” are also not uncommon. You can buy a vacuum cleaner, test it for a certain period of time and if you are not satisfied, you can return it and get your money back.

Dyson models, for example, currently come with a 30-day return period (more information in our review of Dyson cordless vacuums.

On average, hoovers can generally be used for 10 years before needing to be replaced.

Since we use hoovers almost every day, small issues can have much bigger negative effects over the years.

• Low quality devices may mean you have to buy a replacement sooner than you would like.
• Poor cleaning performance can lead to your home needing to be vacuumed more frequently.
• A weak battery may result in your cleaning sessions constantly being interrupted for recharging.

So make sure you choose the model you really want in the first place.

Figure out your budget: How much does a cordless hoover cost?

Stick vacuums are available in every price range. But how much do I have to pay to get a decent one?

The devices can be roughly divided into three price ranges:

• 0 - £199: Budget cordless vacuum cleaners often do not deliver on their promises. Battery life is often poor, and suction power is only sufficient for cleaning light dirt.
• £200 to £400: In the mid-price range, you can find a good cordless vacuum or two. If you know exactly what you want and inform yourself well, you can get a decent product here.
• Over £400: Quality has its price and you will find the premium models in this price range. These appliances leave nothing to be desired. Products from Dyson, Miele and Bosch can be found in this price range.

Follow-up costs?

At first glance, the cordless stick vacuum cleaners seem very expensive. However, when you consider the lifespan of parts and follow-up costs, the price can often be put into perspective (if you’ve done your research before buying).

Cordless vacuums with long-life filters

The best vacuum cleaners have powerful, washable filters that don't need to be constantly replaced.

This will save you a lot of money in the long run.

Tip: If you do need to buy new filters, have a look at third-party suppliers on sites like Amazon UK* - you can save a few pounds here.

Bagless vacuums

Most cordless hoovers today work without a bag.

The practical dust bins can be emptied directly over the waste bin without any problems. This system is incredibly convenient in most devices.

Not needing to constantly buy bags will save you money in the long run.

In addition, it's a real bonus for the environment, as you're creating much less waste here.

Repairs and spare parts

We haven’t found these devices to be prone to malfunctions, but if something breaks, parts from top brands (Dyson, Miele, Tineco etc.) are easy to replace.

The best brands also provide you with spare parts.

So you can expect your cordless vacuum to last a long time.

As a part of our reviews, we examine how good the value for money of each product is, taking all these aspects into account.

Among the many cordless vacuums on offer, some are particularly well suited to cleaning carpets.

As you probably know, fine dust and sand settles deep between carpet fibres.

So you’ll need a cordless hoover with very powerful suction to achieve a proper deep clean.

You can also find special attachments specifically designed for carpet-cleaning.

For example, an automatic standard brush that can adjust the suction power itself comes in very handy here.

It’s not just the house that needs cleaning.

Proud car owners around the world take pride in maintaining a spick and span car interior. 🚗

To do a good job, you need to have the right tools at hand.

A powerful cordless vacuum cleaner is ideal for getting the job done.

They can be converted from a stick vacuum to a handheld hoover in no time. Just nip out to your car and start vacuuming. No need for a power socket or messing around with cables - you can get to work right away.

Some brands even produce special attachments for car-cleaning. Bosch, for example, offers an extra-long, flexible crevice tool for cleaning between the armrest and seat.

Finally, someone’s thinking outside the box! 😉