But it’s not all high-tech solutions. Some of the vacs we’ve looked at have brilliant problem-solving features that tackle annoyances in using and maintaining your vacuum cleaner, such as jointed wands or washable filters. If you have problems with your current appliance, you’ll definitely find a much better replacement in the round-up that follows. When you check out our round-up, you’ll notice that the majority of our top-rated vacuum cleaners are cordless. Cordless cleaners are where companies are focusing their energies – so that’s where the innovations are. Still, we were impressed enough with the Miele Boost CX1 give it a spot, and the workhorse Henry is an all-time classic. Still, if you have a larger home, you don’t have to opt for a corded. A cordless cleaner with a removable, rechargeable lithium-ion battery is an excellent option. We’d also recommend you invest in a second battery so you don’t run out of juice mid-clean. If you want some tips on specs, features and terminology to help you make your choice, have a look at the guide that follows after our top ten rundown. And if you’d like to see more budget-friendly options, check out our round-up of the best cheap vacuum cleaners.
The best vacuum cleaners
How we test our vacuum cleaners
Rather than performing a series of tests in lab-style conditions, we take the vacuum cleaners home and try them out. We keep products for several weeks and use all of their functions in as many situations as we can, so we can give you an honest evaluation of how well they’ll work in your life.
Powerful Attractive Great features
Limited colour options Feels heavier than it is Uncomfortable grip
The Bespoke Jet builds on all the features that made the Jet 90 a really effective cleaner: it’s powerful, modular, comes with well-designed cleaning accessories, has a swappable battery, digital display and washable filter. It’ll give you 50 minutes of cleaning time on its lowest setting and will charge in 3.5 hours. But the real selling point of the Bespoke is the fact that you won’t need to find a dark corner to store it. The completely redesigned dock is slim and attractive, and it not only charges the cleaner but will empty it via suction as well. Our only issue with the vacuum itself is that it feels heavier than its 6lbs (2.72lbs with its main cleaning head), something that’s compounded by its uncomfortable grip. But we do have to take issue with Samsung’s definition of Bespoke: in the UK, you can’t just choose the colour option you’d like from Woody Green, Midnight Blue and Misty White – each of the three colour options is a different model with a different price point and accessories.
Brilliant design Light weight Effective Environmentally friendly
Forget any bells and whistles
Cordless, manoeuvrable and very light at 2.6kg – thanks to its carbon-fibre shell – it has the power of an upright and some very nice design features that set it apart from competitors. Its specifications are also an improvement on those of rival products. Capsule needs three hours to charge its lithium-ion batteries and after that will run for at least half an hour without a loss of suction. It also has a dust-collection capacity of 1.6 litres. Replacement parts are easily available and Capsule’s makers encourage you to send it in for servicing, so it’s both environmentally friendly and budget friendly as well. There are no bells and whistles, just solid cleaning power. We’d highly recommended it for smaller homes, flats or as a versatile handheld.
Outstanding cleaning Replaceable battery Laser lets you see the dust
Expensive Short battery life on carpets Full charge takes 4.5 hours
But that’s not all. A piezo sensor links to the LCD screen, showing the size and volume of dust particles captured, allowing you to see exactly how much dirt you’ve sucked up. Is it a bit of a gimmick? Maybe, but it’s pretty addictive to use and gives you a sense of a job well done. The screen also displays arguably more useful info, such as the battery life and troubleshooting help. On the minus side, the battery will only last you for about 20 minutes if you’re using the High Torque head in Auto mode and it then takes 4.5 hours to charge. A second battery will solve this problem but will add to the V15 Detect’s already significant price.
Well-priced Compact Manoeuvrable Powerful Quiet
Hard work on carpets Difficult to use on stairs Basic accessories
It’s a very compact canister vacuum (its body can sit within the footprint of an open magazine) with impressive suction and an automatically retracting cord. It telescoping wand means you’ll be able to remove cobwebs from your ceilings with the vacuum on the floor. However, even though it has a useful carry handle on top, it’ll still feel heavy if your stairs aren’t deep enough to stand it on while you vacuum. And, although it has the power to clean carpets, it’s not as easy to use as it is on hard flooring. Still, if you have a smaller place and are looking for a compact alternative to a corded vacuum, with better cleaning power, this well-made, well-priced appliance should be a contender. Don’t buy it if you have acres of carpet though.
Manoeuvrable Easy to use Light Slim
Short battery life Tiny bin that clogs easily No grip on the handle
But it is specialist vacuum cleaner. It won’t be ideal if you have (for example) a large, fluffy dog as pet fur is likely to clog up the tiny bin and get tangled in the casters that give the Omni-glide its impressive moves. Still, if you have a city pad, or if you’re looking for a second vacuum cleaner as a kitchen runaround, we’d recommend it.
Comfortable to use High quality Versatile
Price Weight in handheld mode Basic accessories
The TriFlex is a solidly built appliance that we would expect to last for a very long time. As a trade-off, it’s heavier than the Dyson V11 and the Samsung Jet 90. This isn’t an issue in Comfort mode, which is where the TriFlex really comes into its own and beats the competition hands-down (and, in fact, hands-off). It bears its own weight and will stand up by itself, unlike most other stick cleaners, so it has all of the advantages of an upright cleaner, without the cord. However, in its Range and Compact modes, it’s a little heavier than competing stick/handheld cleaners. But if you want a replacement for an upright, with the versatility you need to clean upholstery, blinds and curtains, the TriFlex is our recommended option.
No-mess bags On-board tool storage Wind-in cable Six litres of cleaning capacity
Heavy when full Basic instructions Replacement bags required Can be bulky to store
It has a long 26.1m reach, an accessory set for upholstery (and more) which is stored onboard and is effective and easy to use. Added to that its very reasonable price point, and you can see why it’s such a favourite.
Powerful Good value for a Dyson
Still relatively heavy when compared to rivals
The hour-long battery life (less on higher speeds) isn’t quite enough to clean a big house top-to-bottom, and the weight will also be an issue if you’re trying to clean for that long anyway – but for most people, this will be plenty. Just stick to the Animal model, and resist paying over the odds for unnecessary add-ons in the Absolute and Total Clean versions.
Touchscreen Mop Headlights Light weight
Not the most robust build
The P11 has a lot of high-end features, including LED headlights, a touchscreen that displays battery life, two charging options, a swappable battery and a mop attachment. It’s also very light and easy to use as a handheld cleaner. It’s not the most powerful vacuum cleaner (in spite of its impressive on-paper suction), and it’s not hugely robust. But if you’re looking for an appliance to help you with a bit of light cleaning, it’s a pleasure to use. We think that’s how you get to know the advantages and annoyances of each model. We then compare the vacuum cleaners by their specs and come up with an overall rating that reflects how well they work, where we believe they sit in the marketplace and how much easier they’ll make your life.
What to look out for when you’re buying
Weight: The lightest cordless vac we’ve tested is the Halo Capsule, at 2.6kg, but anything below 3kg is likely to be comfortable to use. Running time: The best cordless cleaners, using lithium-ion batteries, will promise up to an hour on a single charge. This is on the lowest setting, without motorised attachments. On a medium setting, you’ll be lucky to get half an hour. On a high setting, your charge will only last 5-8 minutes. One of the innovations from new, top-of-the-line cordless cleaners like those from Dyson, Samsung and Miele is removable lithium-ion batteries that can be charged separately. With another battery ready to go, you can instantly double your cleaning time. Bag or bagless? Bagless is characteristic of most high-end vacuum cleaners now. It’s certainly the more environmentally-friendly choice. However, if you are dust-sensitive, go for a bagged vacuum cleaner, as much less dust will escape during disposal. Samsung’s new cordless Bespoke Jet range comes with an auto-emptying dock. Other jet vacuums can pair with a suction bin, called the CleanStation, which we reviewed. You simply slot the vac into the station and it sucks the dust away and stores it in a bag. It’s a good option for anyone who wants to go bagless without dealing with dust. The Halo Capsule is also a bagged vacuum cleaner, and as a bonus, its dust pouches are environmentally friendly and can be composted. Charging time: Four and a half hours is decent. Anything less than this is very good. HEPA filter: This is the current industry standard for a filter in a high-quality vacuum cleaner. HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filters must trap 99.97% of particulates that are 3 microns or larger. (A human hair is 50-70 microns thick.) If you have a HEPA filter with a bagless cleaner, don’t forget that you’ll still have to empty it, which will release some of the dust back into the air. Capacity: Cordless cleaners have significantly less bin capacity than older cylinder or upright cleaners, so if you’re making the switch, bear in mind that you’ll have to pause to empty the bin more frequently. A cordless Dyson V11 will give you 0.76L of space and some of its competitors only 0.5L. The Dyson Outsize has a whopping 1.7 litres. Suction: Manufacturers can be cagey about this and with good reason, as it’s hard to quantify. Cleaners with a long distance between the motor and the vacuum head use more power to create the same suction. Measurements will either be in W – Watts (not very accurate) or AW – Air Watts (better but controversial). The Dyson V11 has 185AW and the V11 Outsize has a mighty 220. Accessories: Manufacturers often have different versions of the same model, and these will come with different accessory sets. Any Dyson product that has ‘Animal’ after the name will have a specialist cleaning head that’s optimised to pick up pet fur. The equivalent Miele cordless is called the ‘Dog & Cat’ version. Meanwhile, Dyson’s ‘Absolute’ cleaners will come with all of the accessories (minus the pet hair cleaning head). The Miele equivalent is the Pro. If there’s an accessory in particular you’re after, you can often buy it separately from the manufacturer’s website. Emma is Home Tech Editor at Tech Advisor. She covers everything from kitchen appliances to smart home devices, from floor care to personal care to air care technology. She’s particularly interested in environmentally conscious brands and products that save people time and money.
