Best cordless vacuum cleaner 2025 — 9 tried and tested models that are well worth the investment

Finding the best cordless vacuum cleaner for your home and cleaning needs may take time and research, but the perfect model can make a huge difference to your day-to-day life. After all, cordless models initially started out as clunkier and ineffective versions of traditional vacuums, but many of today's cordless vacuums are just as powerful as their corded counterparts.

Of course, some of the best vacuum cleaners are indeed corded, but as Ideal Home's expert in vacuums, I've tested more cordless offerings deserving of a 5-star review than corded ones. Thanks to a need for uncorded convenience, big brands such as Shark, Dyson, Miele, Gtech and more have started to offer models with the freedom to move from room to room and clean untethered from a plug socket.

But as there are so many cordless vacuums on the market, I know just how easy it is to make the wrong choice. That's why myself and qualified testers have spent months diligently following Ideal Home’s vacuum cleaner testing process to evaluate the suction power, ease of use, and adaptability of the best cordless vacuums today. This includes testing them to see if they have what it takes to qualify as one of the best vacuums for tacking pet hair and deep-rooted debris. As a result, I am confident that my recommendations below are the top-in-the-class cordless vacuum cleaners you can buy.

Quick list

Best cordless vacuum cleaners 2025

Best cordless vacuum cleaner overall

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The Shark Stratos range was released in 2022 but still one of the best cordless vacuum cleaners you can buy as it goes further than other vacuums to make debris and dust pick-up as seamless as possible. This particular cordless Stratos showed unbelievable suction power during testing, and left carpets visibly cleaner, with no issues with pet hair or human hair. Gone are the days of lengthy maintenance with the Stratos too, with easy-to-clean mechanisms that you'll be unbelievably grateful for. With an option for a two-battery model which will give you up to 120 minutes of runtime, you also won't need to worry about running out of charge midway through your cleaning session, offering you the reliability of a corded model.

Features we loved during testing

There's no doubt that our testing process proved that the Shark Stratos is worth the large price tag. Even if you don't have pets, the ease with which this vacuum does away with hair is astounding, and our Kitchen Appliances Editor, Molly found that it was unmatched when it came to suction.

The capacity of this vacuum to transform into a smaller handheld model is also phenomenal, and you'll be reaching for the smaller attachments all the time to resolve smaller messes all over your home quickly. One non-essential that we are obsessed with is the anti-odour capsules that you can pop into the dustbin. These mean that there are no more musty smells when you're emptying your vac.

You will need to fork out more for the two-battery model if you reckon it's something that'll be of use to you; however, it's not a necessity if you live in a small or medium-sized home. All in all, this is admittedly a pricier vacuum, but if you can afford it, we're sure it will impress you time and time again.

Read our Shark Stratos IZ420UKT cordless vacuum review for more details.

Best value cordless vacuum cleaner

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The Dyson V8 Absolute has been in Dyson's roster for over 8 years now having been released all the way back in 2016, but it's safe to say, it's aged like fine wine and only gotten better through the years.

The V8 Absolute is one of the brand's oldest (and thus, cheapest) cordless vacuums still in circulation today. Available to purchase from anywhere between £249-£399, it offers fantastic suction power, a wide range of handy attachments, and the sought-after premium feel of a Dyson – sans the hefty price tags that are often attached to the newest models in their line of vacuums.

Features we loved during testing

When I tested the Dyson V8 Absolute, it exceeded my expectations and more. I loved the different floorheads for carpet and hard flooring, which both visibly made my floors so much cleaner and seamlessly picked up hidden dust and debris. Considering I also have a dog who is notorious for shedding everywhere, it also did a fantastic job at picking up pet hair (and human hair alike) without getting tangled or having any hair stuck in the blades, which is a huge plus. Especially as it's not designed to be a pet-specific vacuum.

Not to mention, it's also the lightest vacuum we've tested in this entire guide, weighing just 2.54kg. Being lightweight and manoeuvrable is easily one of this vacuum's biggest draws, especially if you want to take advantage of that cordless experience. In fact, I loved it so much that despite other vacuums I've tested, the V8 Absolute has remained my go-to.

Sure, it's not kitted out with the latest cleaning technology like the Dyson Gen5detect and dustbin capacity may be a bit on the smaller side if you have a bustling home, but if you're after a no-frills-attached vacuum cleaner that'll do what it says on the tin (and reliably at that), we think the Dyson V8 Absolute is still a worthwhile product to pick up, even in 2025.

Read our Dyson V8 Absolute review for more details.

Best cordless vacuum cleaner for pet hair

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As Ideal Home's Certified Expert in Training for Vacuums, I'm regularly taking new cordless vacuum cleaners for a spin. And while I'm currently in the midst of a more detailed review of the Miele Duoflex HX1 Cat & Dog cordless vacuum, I already know that it should rightfully take its place as the best cordless vacuum for homes with pets.

This modern vacuum has been designed with pet owners in mind, offering up to 55 minutes of non-stop vacuuming time, auto-adjusted suction power, and a sleek design. And while it may not be as cheap as other cordless options on this list, it's worth it for the impressive German engineering.

Features we loved during testing

Designed to combat all of the problems those with pet owners face on a daily basis, the Miele Duoflex HX1 Cat & Dog cordless vacuum is well-equipped to deal with everything from pet hair to dander and everyday dust and debris. I even tested this model on different flooring and fabric types, and nothing seemed to get in the way of its power.

With 99.99% dust retention capacity and an additional hygiene filter, those with allergies can also rest easy knowing that this cordless vacuum will not only remove these pollutants from the air - but will keep them out of your home, too. That's not all, though. This Miele offering also comes with numerous attachments to get into every nook and cranny of your home, and I found the addition of the accessory holder to be a practical addition in a pet-hair-prone home.

It’s this focus on pet ownership and pet-specific problem solving that has allowed this model to replace the Halo Capsule X (which you'll also find on this list). Although the Halo was once our best cordless vacuum for pet hair, the non-pet-specific model just couldn't beat the pet-specific qualities of the Miele Duoflex HX1 Cat & Dog cordless vacuum.

My only real niggle with this model is that the dustbin is on the smaller side, which may not suit smaller homes. But if you don't mind emptying it more regularly, I have no doubts that it's worthy of an investment.

Keep your eyes peeled for our full Miele Duoflex HX1 Cat & Dog Cordless Vacuum review coming soon.

Best high-tech cordless vacuum cleaner

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The Gen5detect Absolute is a vacuum that's as good at cleaning up as it looks. With two floorheads (one for hard floor, and one for carpet which we absolutely love) you feel like you have more options for deep cleaning with this vacuum. The catch? Its very steep price tag – even for a Dyson.

With this premium model, you're shelling out for innovation, with the hard floor head boasting lasers that illuminate dirt and dust that you'd never usually see – a cleaning enthusiast's dream. However, what makes it a standout option for cleaning carpets is its game-changing anti-tangle feature on the Digital Motorbar (the head for carpet cleaning). It works as well as similar offerings from Shark and revealed a huge amount of sunken-in dirt during our at-home tests. The three modes are perfect for toggling between everyday and deep cleaning, too.

Features we loved during testing

It's the fine details that make a vacuum better to use than others on the market, which is why you can't overlook the magic of a Dyson bin mechanism. Point the dust bin, pull the trigger and everything will come out the first time without a fuss – something that pretty much no other vacuum brand has achieved.

The LCD control panel is also incredibly intuitive, featuring indicators showing exactly how many microscopic dust particles you've eradicated from your home, adding to the experience that you're paying almost £900 for.

Read our Dyson Gen5detect Absolute vacuum cleaner review for more details.

Best cordless vacuum cleaner for carpet

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The Gtech AirRAM Platinum is one of the newer additions to our big roster of tried and tested vacuums, but a worthy one at that. Sporting a sleek, stylish, compact design with unmatched cleaning technology, it might just be one of the best vacuums we've tested for cleaning carpeted flooring.

This power is all thanks to its innovative AirLOC technology, which Gtech describe as such: it collects large debris as you push forward and then forms a seal on the backstroke, tackling embedded hair and fine dust to ensure nothing is left behind.

We will admit, manoeuvring the AirRAM Platinum takes a little bit of getting used to because the AirLOC technology is unlike anything we've experienced with other vacuums, but once you've got the technique down, it makes for a very impressive clean. In fact, the suction is so strong that it not only left carpets visibly cleaner, but those satisfying vacuum lines, too. Although we especially love it for carpet, it performed just as well across other floor types in our tests.

Features we loved during testing

On top of the vacuum's impressive suction power, we're big fans of the quality of life features Gtech considered in its making. Namely, the simple foot power controls, adjustable carrying handle, and the mess-free emptying system. Say goodbye to having to faff around with trigger controls and lugging your vacuum around, because Gtech's solutions to these problems make it a super seamless experience.

Unfortunately, the AirRAM Platinum just slightly falls short of a 5-star rating because of its lack of hand tools or floorheads it comes with (yes, it's just the one floorhead and unit in the box, unless you get the bundle with the Multi Platinum handheld vacuum). However, in some ways we think that this is also a strength because you don't have to deal with storing extra accessories or switching out floorheads. You simply plug and play and get to cleaning; and for its superb performance, it's quickly become one of our favourites.

Read our Gtech AirRAM Platinum Anti Hair Wrap cordless vacuum review for more details.

Best cordless vacuum cleaner for hard floors

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The Shark Detect Pro is one we've eagerly been anticipating to test, and it's safe to say that it instantly met our expectations and more. Namely because of its unbelievably lightweight build, coming in at just 2.76kg, meaning you can wave goodbye to the days of lugging around a heavy appliance during what is already considered a pretty laborious task.

This vacuum has four detection technologies, meaning cleaning your home is more thorough than ever. During testing, we found dealing with high-traffic areas much easier thanks the the amped up suction and the FloorDetect technology makes transitioning into different rooms across your home much easier too.

Features we loved during testing

The cleaning performance of this vacuum very much impressed us during testing, thoroughly cleaning floors but especially excelling on wooden and hard floors where dust and debris are the most problematic. You gain design points too with this newer release, which is available in a swish-white colour scheme and has a stripped-back LED control panel for that super sleek look.

It performed excellently in our at-home tests, and the new detection features go a long way to improve day-to-day vacuuming sessions. We're a huge fan of the stand system too, even though it comes at an additional price, and would be keen to try out the self-emptying bin system next, which seems like a lifesaver for streamlining cleaning.

Read our Shark Detect Pro cordless vacuum cleaner IW1511UK review for more details.

Best cordless vacuum cleaner for attachments

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While it may not have the biggest dust bin capacity or as long of a running time as other cordless vacuums on the market, the Hoover HFX CornerGenie really shone during testing thanks to its impressive attachments and ability to clean every nook and cranny in our reviewer's home.

It's also powerful enough for any home with three modes to suit your flooring type - hard floor, carpet, or turbo. It was particularly impressive on carpet, cleaning our tester's carpet with just one simple pass despite the hair and debris that regularly collects within the fibres.

Features we loved during testing

Our freelancer, Katie, was already a Hoover fan when she tested this particular model, having religiously used her Hoover HF9 cordless vacuum for the past few years. But after being so impressed with the new technology this model offers, she's officially replaced her beloved Hoover with another from the brand. Her favourite feature? The Corner Genie functionality.

It's easy enough to use this handy new invention, too. Simply detach the main floor panel and reveal the triangular-shaped brush underneath to clean corners and harder-to-reach areas of the room. And while our tester found this to be more than enough to clean her home, the Hoover HFX also comes with a variety of attachments including a flexible crevice tool, a 2in1 Dusting & Furniture tool, handheld vacuum container, wall mount with screws, and a drawstring bag to keep everything in.

In fact, it's this attention to detail that allowed Katie to easily award this vacuum a glowing 4-star review, as she also found it incredibly small and lightweight and easy to store.

Of course, the dust bin is small and won't suit everyone. So it's worth weighing up whether you're willing to empty it regularly before you commit.

Read our Hoover HFX Corner Genie review for more details.

Best budget cordless vacuum cleaner

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If you're after an affordable cordless vacuum cleaner that's actually good, we don't think it get better than the Beko Powerclean. Often found on sale for less than £200, this budget buy has earned an impressive 5-star rating from us for a reason.

Boasting three power modes, a range of handy attachments, and even the inclusion of a convenient charging dock for easy storage, the value for money that is offered with this model is superb, considering some of the more expensive models on this list don't even offer extra accessories or storage solutions.

Like many cordless stick vacuums, the Beko Powerclean can be used as a handheld unit for smaller and more specific cleaning tasks inside the house and even a car, and its battery life is pretty awesome considering its sub-£200 price tag. We think it's a fantastic entry-level cordless vac, ticking many of our boxes – even up to now.

Features we loved during testing

We were pleasantly surprised at how well this budget vacuum performed across all types of floors. Picking up hair and debris was quick and effective, across both our reviewer Millie Fender's hard floor and several rugs. She especially loved how easy the Beko Powerclean is to use, with three strength modes that can be easily toggled with the press of the plus and minus buttons that sit just above the main power. In fact, the controls are so easy to toggle that Millie even occasionally switched the vacuum on by accident when emptying the dustbin; but believe us when we say that's pretty much as far as the negatives go.

Read our Beko Powerclean VRT94929VI Cordless Vacuum Cleaner review for more details.

Best cordless vacuum cleaner for dust bin capacity

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It's not every day you come across a bagged stick vacuum, which is why I was excited to take this one for a spin. And while it's fair to say that some people have well and truly moved on from bagged vacuums, I found the Halo Capsule X to be refreshing, modern, and extremely powerful. In fact, it completely changed my opinion on bagged vacuums.

Far from old and clunky, the Halo Capsule X truly combines the style and practicality of a cordless stick model with the dust bin capacity of traditional bagged vacuums - like the best Henry vacuum cleaners. The bagged element also makes it ideal for allergy sufferers or pet owners, as the bag will collect and seal potential pollutants from re-entering your home. Not only that, but it's also extremely lightweight at just 2.8kg, standing just behind the Dyson V8 Absolute. So, it deserves its place in this guide.

Features we loved during testing

I had the pleasure of reviewing the Halo Capsule X, and the first thing that struck me was just how impressive the suction power was. Although some cordless vacuums can struggle in that regard, this one could easily tackle my human-and-dog-hair-filled home.

In performance mode and with the normal floorhead, it was able to pick up visible dust and debris as well as deep-rooted hair in my thick carpets, and the attachments also made it possible to clean every nook and cranny.

But the real winner was the size of the dust canister. At 2L, it offers the biggest dust canister size out of any other cordless vacuum we've tested and something you rarely get from a vacuum - unless you're willing to go bigger and opt for the Henry Pet200, which has a capacity of 9L. If you were to do that, though, you'd have to sacrifice the practicality of a cordless and swap from a stick to a cylinder.

The bagged system is also a huge benefit for those who struggle with allergies or are fed up with messy vacuum emptying, as it keeps any dust, dander, and potential bacteria in a sealed bag until you're ready to just throw it out and replace the bag. However, these new bags do come with an extra cost you need to consider.

Read our Halo Capsule X review for more details.

Cordless vacuum cleaner comparison at a glance

How we test cordless vacuum cleaners

At Ideal Home, we know how important it is to have hands-on experience with the products we recommend to you in our buying guides. That's why, as part of our rigorous testing protocol, we've tested every cordless vacuum in this guide for at least two weeks (and at times up to two months) before deciding whether it's worthy of a place on this list or whether it doesn't make the cut. Our in-depth explainer on how we test vacuum cleaners has the full details.

To get to that verdict, we put these vacuums up against various challenges, from everyday dirt and debris to scattered cereals and pet hair, so you know exactly what you will get from the model you choose. We also try to test all of these cordless vacuums in real homes. If this isn't possible, they are tested at our dedicated testing facility, which has been designed to realistically mimic the everyday home.

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As well as allowing us to test out the suction, power, and various features and attachments included with these cordless vacuum cleaners, we believe testing at home gives us the best chance to see how these picks fare in everyday life. Learning how easy these cordless vacuums are to store, clean and use also gives us a true idea of what it will be like for you to buy.

Another important aspect of our reviewing process includes comparing these models to other cordless vacuums on the market, where possible. This may be different models from the same brand with different functionalities and at a different price point, or it could be a model from a different brand with similar functionalities.

Considering all of that, we can assign the cordless vacuum cleaners a dedicated Ideal Home star rating. They are as follows:

5 stars - an impressive cordless vacuum cleaner that does exactly what you expect and cannot be faulted in any way.

4.5 stars - a high-quality and hard-working cordless vacuum, but it leaves us wishing for a bit more, so it loses that crucial half-mark.

4 stars - an amazing cordless vacuum cleaner that is worth your money but may need some fine-tuning before it suits every customer and every home.

3 stars - a good cordless vacuum cleaner that works well but doesn't blow us away with its specs or price tag. In some cases, it may be difficult to use.

2 stars - an affordable cordless vacuum cleaner that will suit all budgets but is under-specced and lacks key cleaning features.

1 star - we would not recommend this vacuum, as it is underwhelming and does not work as intended.

That said, after extensive testing, we think the above are the best cordless vacuums currently available on the market and will make your cleaning schedule much easier to manage. From storage to accessories, we guarantee there's bound to be an option in this list to suit your needs and be the ideal fit for your home.

Molly Cleary

Molly is Ideal Home's Kitchen Appliances Editor but was formerly an Ecommerce Editor, covering vacuum cleaners and other cleaning products.

During her time in the role, she tested dozens of cordless vacuums, including those in her own home and at Future's test facility several times, and tried new releases from Dyson, Shark, Miele, and more. She was also invited to visit Dyson and Shark's offices to get a behind-the-scenes look at how they design and produce their vacuums.

Lauren Bradbury

Lauren is the Content Editor for House Manual, meaning she's an expert in all things cleaning and home maintenance. Before joining the team permanently, she was a freelance contributor for Ideal Home and tested everything from cordless vacuum cleaners to dehumidifiers and electric mops.

As such, Lauren knows the ins and outs of vacuuming - from tips to use a vacuum cleaner more efficiently to effectively vacuuming pet hair (something she does on a daily basis thanks to her fluffy cocker spaniel dog).

Millie Fender

Millie is Ideal Home's former Head of Reviews, where she worked hard to ensure the products we featured were thoroughly tested before we recommended them to our readers.

Before that, she was the Small Appliance and Cookware Editor, so she's no stranger to reviewing essential home appliances and has reviewed more vacuum cleaners than she can count.

Jullia Joson

So far, Jullia has spent over 60 hours testing vacuums - many of which have made their way into this best cordless vacuums buying guide - while she works towards becoming a fully qualified Ideal Home Certified Expert.

She's got hands-on experience with both corded and cordless vacuums from leading brands such as Dyson, Shark, Henry, Gtech and Bosch. She also knows the Ideal Home testing criteria like the back of her hand and knows exactly what to look for in a cordless vacuum.

Helen McCue

Helen is a freelance contributor who trained as a Home Economist. After starting her career in the food industry, she moved into home appliance reviews and has since reviewed countless vacuums (both corded and cordless) for Ideal Home and other publications.

With a wonderful home in a beautiful Berkshire village, Helen is our go-to for testing vacuums in a real-life and loves getting her hands on the latest releases.

How to choose a cordless vacuum cleaner

Knowing how to vacuum starts with choosing the right machine for the job. Many cordless vacs on the market – with the exception of the best handheld vacuums – fall within two popular categories: stick and upright. Understanding the differences between stick vacuums and upright vacuums can help you determine which is the right fit for you.

Stick vacuum cleaners are handhelds that you add a wand to, to extend the reach – then add a brush head to clean floors or a smaller tool for cobwebs and other hard-to-reach spots. They're fast, manoeuvrable and good for getting under furniture. But the weight is all in your hand, which can be tiring after a while. They often can't stand up by themselves if you want to pause to move something.

Upright vacuum cleaners, on the other hand, look more like traditional upright vacuum cleaners. The weight is fairly low down, but the middle section pops out and doubles as a handheld cleaner for small stuff. Often the upright's handle also pops off and doubles as a wand, giving the handheld extra reach for high-up stuff like cobwebs.

As cordless vacuums aren't connected to mains power, they rely on the battery to clean your home. And while this means that cordless vacuums use less electricity than corded offerings, it can also hinder your cleaning efforts - especially as some vacuums only have a run-time of 30 minutes.

Because of this, it's well worth taking stock of the size of your home (and how long it takes you to vacuum it) and choosing a cordless vacuum cleaner that can vacuum every room in your house without needing to be charged mid-way through. Of course, you'll then need to wait for it to charge - which can be up to 5 hours in some cases.

However, some brands do offer you the chance to purchase a spare battery, so you can still make the most of your chosen cordless vacuum cleaner without the shorter run time getting in the way.

Before making your purchase, it's also a good idea to check out the tools or attachments available (if any) with your chosen cordless vacuum. Then, our guide to what vacuum tool is right for each job can help you make the most of these attachments and your cordless vacuum investment as a whole.

Then, you should feel confident enough to purchase and start using your new cordless vacuum cleaner. Just make sure you don’t forget the places you're probably forgetting to vacuum.

FAQs

How much should I spend on a cordless vacuum?

We would recommend budgeting around £200 for a good-quality cordless with decent cleaning power. But you can spend more than three times as much on premium models. More money can buy you powerful suction, longer battery life or better tools.

Some of the best cordless vacuums we tested came in at the £250-300 mark, with some of the higher-tech models reaching prices of as much as £750. If you can afford it though, it's often worth spending the extra money. More power and longer battery lives will pay off in the long-run, and the convenience of a cordless vacuum won't be outweighed by limited power.

However, we will say that a higher price tag doesn't always mean it's better, as everyone will have different preferences and priorities when choosing a vacuum. It's always worth thoroughly doing your research, considering whether the vacuum you have in mind comes with additional accessories; and if it's equipped with special technological features, if they actually matter to you. Sure, higher-end brands like Dyson and Shark offer advanced cleaning technology and smart features, but if you're only concerned with getting the job done and don't care for all the extra bells and whistles, it's not necessary to fork out over £400 for functions you won't utilise when a £150 model can do everything you need and more.

When is the best time to buy a cordless vacuum?

You can find cordless vacuums on sale during every month of the year, but right now you can enjoy extra savings with Amazon Prime Day, which will be live 8-9th October, so if you're a Prime member then it's a great time to score money off on a top-rated cordless vacuum.

There's one period that's more advantageous than any other if you want to get a really great price on this cleaning must-have.

Yep, we're talking Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals, which always fall on the Friday after Thanksgiving in the US. Now this shopping event is huge on this side of the pond too, and last year we saw cordless vacuums start to benefit from discounts from the start of November. Our cordless vacuum deals page is always up to date with the best deals, including the best Boxing Day and January sales prices.

Do vacuums go on sale for Black Friday?

Yep! We've been covering sales at Ideal Home for years now and can confidently say that big-time discounting happens on vacuums during the November sales period. Last year saw discounts from Shark, Dyson, Vax and more, so it's most definitely a good time to save up and spend.