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From handheld to corded, self-emptying to stick models, these are our resident cleaner\u2019s favourite vacuums for a spotless home<\/p>\n
The best cordless vacuum cleaners, tested
\n How to make your vacuum cleaner last longer<\/p>\n
Buying a vacuum cleaner isn\u2019t as easy as you might think. With so many brands and models to choose from, it can be bewildering. Sticking with established brands isn\u2019t necessarily a safe bet, with past performance being no guarantee that the latest models will be as good. Meanwhile, prices can be deceptive, with some affordable models now closing the gap on top-of-the-range brands when it comes to cleaning performance.<\/p>\n
You can\u2019t know all this by browsing through a department store or online. The ideal thing to do would be to take a few models home to try them out \u2013 but good luck persuading anyone to let you do that. Thankfully, you won\u2019t have to try because I\u2019ve tested an array of models for you. I\u2019ve measured each one\u2019s ability to perform a range of real-world cleaning jobs, so you can discover the best vacuum cleaner for you.<\/p>\n
Best corded vacuum cleaner overallShark Detect XL Pet Pro LA791UKT<\/p>\n
Best cordless vacuum cleaner overallShark PowerDetect Clean & Empty IP3251UKT<\/p>\n
Best budget corded vacuum cleanerHenry Home<\/p>\n
Best cordless vacuum cleaner for pet hairVax HomePro Pet-Design<\/p>\n
This isn\u2019t the first time I\u2019ve tested vacuum cleaners \u2013 over the past few years, I\u2019ve reviewed them for various publications, which has given me a solid understanding of what makes a model good or bad. I\u2019ve kept hold of a few of my favourite models for long-term testing, so I can easily make direct comparisons against those that are new on the block.<\/p>\n
My house is also perfectly set up for vacuuming challenges. It has a mix of carpet and hard floor, a ready supply of hair (pet from my own dog and a box of clippings I procured from a local groomer; human from the hairbrush and carpet surrounding the dressing tables of long-haired family members), and plenty of dusty flour and chunky cat litter for testing purposes.<\/p>\n
I tested 19 vacuums in total. Before I started any cleaning, I used a suction meter to test the suction power of every vacuum, usually by sealing it with tape over the closest suitable opening to the collection bin. I also tested the batteries of cordless vacuums, where I timed how long it took for the battery to run down on the most and least powerful settings.<\/p>\n
Then it was on to the nitty-gritty. I carefully weighed out quantities of flour, cat litter and pet hair, depositing them on carpet and hard floor to test each vacuum. I weighed each model\u2019s collection bin before I started, then passed the vacuum over each type of mess using the standard floor head or most appropriate alternative. Each vacuum was passed over the spillage once, using a single forward and pull-back motion. Then, by weighing the collection bin again, I was able to establish how much of the dirt had been picked up.<\/p>\n
After the test, models were either returned to the appropriate manufacturers or \u2013 in the instance they didn\u2019t want them back \u2013 donated to the British Heart Foundation.<\/p>\n
If you want a vacuum that won\u2019t run out of juice mid-clean, then the Shark LA791UKT is the best corded upright I\u2019ve tested. It\u2019s a modern-looking device with a sophisticated dual-roller floor head, a decent bin capacity of 2.5l, and no unnecessary features.<\/p>\n