11 of the best cordless vacuums in 2024

However, there are now so many cordless vacuums on the market that finding the right one for you and your family can be difficult. To help you find a cordless vacuum to suit you, we analysed the market (including an in-depth analysis of Shark vs Dyson vacuums) and asked experts for their advice on choosing the right cordless vacuum. We also spoke to parents in our Top Testers Club about the vacuums they use and love.

For nifty storage solutions, take a look at the best vacuum storage bags or fridge organisers. Or take a look at our test of the best tower fans.

• Jump straight to see the best cordless vacuums
• Find out why you should buy a cordless vacuum and if they're any good compared to corded
• See what to look for when buying a pet vacuum

Best cordless vacuums at a glance

• Best cordless vacuum for anti hair wrap: Shark Classic Anti Hair Wrap Cordless Stick Pet Vacuum, £250.43
• Best free-standing cordless vacuum: Hoover HF9 Anti-Twist Cordless Vacuum Pets Edition, £269
• Best cordless vacuum for an intelligent clean: Dyson v15 Detect Absolute Cordless Vacuum Cleaner, £699
• Best cordless vacuum for vacuuming and mopping: Bissell Crosswave Cordless Max, £399.99
• Best lightweight cordless vacuum: Dyson v12 Detect Slim, £529.99
• Best upright cordless vacuum: Shark Anti Hair Wrap Cordless Upright Vacuum, £399.99
• Best cordless vacuum for carpets: VAX ONEPWR Blade 4 Pet Cordless Vacuum Cleaner, £169
• Best cordless vacuum for an all-in-one clean station: Samsung Bespoke Jet Pro Extra, £649
• Best cordless vacuum for anti-odour: Shark Stratos Anti Hair Wrap Plus Pet Pro Cordless Vacuum (2 battery), £329
• Best adaptable cordless vacuum: Miele Triflex HX2 Pro Cordless Vacuum Cleaner, £749
• Best cordless vacuum for dust pick-up: Dyson Gen5detect Absolute, £749.99

What to consider when buying a cordless vacuum

Size – Cordless vacuums tend to be smaller than corded but if you don't have much storage space then it's still important to check the size and make sure it will fit where you intend to keep it.

Weight – We all know how heavy corded vacuums can be, and lugging them up and down the stairs is no easy task. Cordless vacuums overall are a lot lighter. However, some models are much lighter than others so consider how important this is to you. The lightest option on the list is number 5, the Dyson v12 Detect Slim, weighing just 2.2kg. The heaviest on the list is the Shark Anti Hair Wrap Cordless Upright Vacuum (number 6 on the list), weighing 5.5kg.

Run time – Most cordless vacuums have around 30-60 minutes run time. It's a good idea to check this if you have a fairly large house, as you may require a vacuum with a longer battery life. There are some that come with 2 batteries, giving you up to 12o minutes run time (number 9 and 10 on the list). It's also possible to purchase additional batteries.

Charge time – You should also consider charge time – how long it takes to charge the battery from 0% to 100%. This tends to be around 3-5 hours with 3.5 being the most common. If you vacuum frequently then you may want to pick one that has the shortest charge time.

Pet model – If you have pets or long/thick hair yourself, then you will understand the issue of vacuums getting clogged up, or hair getting tangled around the brush. Motorised pet brush tools and anti hair wrap technology work to solve this issue. Many vacuum brands offer both a regular and a pet model (which is usually a bit more expensive). It's always a good idea to check if the pet model offers the key features to really help you clean up pet hair.

Capacity – A cordless model will not have the capacity of an upright vacuum, as the weight would make it impossible to use. 0.7L seems to be the average capacity for a cordless vacuum and should be efficient enough for most houses. If you want a smaller vacuum then you will have to settle for a smaller capacity and empty it much more frequently.

Attachments – Most vacuums come with a set of attachments. These can be really useful to clean different areas of your house. A nozzle and a brush are good for tough corners or curves. One of the most important attachments for pet owners, as mentioned above, is the pet brush designed specifically for hair. If the vacuum you want doesn't come with an attachment you need, it's usually possible to buy the attachments separately on the manufacturer's website.

The best cordless vacuums in 2023

1. Shark Classic Anti Hair Wrap Cordless Stick Pet Vacuum, £250.43

– Best for anti hair wrap

Size: H118cm x W26cm x D24.5cm | Weight: 4.1kg | Charge time: 3.5 hours | Run time: 40 mins | Pet model: Yes | Capacity: 0.7L | Attachments: Motorised pet tool, crevice tool, dusting brush, upholstery tool

This cordless vacuum has an excellent anti hair wrap feature making it great for people with pets and long hair. Parent tester Cat loves her Shark: "It's fantastic for cleaning up after the puppy and toddler, plus all the hair etc. I also like that it's cordless and light and you can detach the head to make cleaning the stairs easier."

Parent tester Eleanor uses this vacuum and agrees the anti hair wrap function is great: "It's the best purchase I've made as previous vacuums would clog up nearly instantly with my long hair and I would have to clean it out after vacuuming each room. The Shark has amazing battery life too and my hair never gets caught up in it. I would never go back to a budget vacuum after spending the money to get a decent one."

It has a handy DuoClean floorhead which combines 2 motorised brush-rolls that work on both carpet and hard floors. There's no need to change the head as you change floor surface, simply switch modes on the handle.

If you're lacking space or need to get in hard to reach areas then you'll especially love the flexology feature this Shark vacuum offers. The wand is flexible and bends to clean and the LED lights located at the front help you see where you're cleaning and highlight any dust you may not usually see. The flexible wand also makes it great for storing away as it folds down compactly.

"I have a cat who is prone to getting litter everywhere and the Shark Classic has been a real time saver," says digital writer Matt. "It picks up pet hair well, lasts for long enough to hoover my flat and doesn't need to be constantly emptied. The real highlight for me is the fact that you can manoeuvre it so easily. Dare I say it actually makes me enjoy vacuuming?"

This cordless vacuum takes 3.5 hours to charge and runs for 40 minutes (not on turbo mode). To charge, you can either remove the battery and charge it or attach it to the docking station and charge it on the wall.

For cars, sofas, stairs and other areas you can transform the vacuum into a handheld vacuum cleaner and attach any of the useful attachments. The handheld mode is also good for dusting corners or curtains as you can reach up high and it's light to hold.

Once you've finished vacuuming just press the button to release the dust cup.

Pros: Fantastic anti hair wrap, great for pet hair, work on all floor surfaces, flexology, LED lights
Cons: Shorter battery life, slightly heavier option

Available from: Amazon and Shark Clean

2. Hoover HF9 Anti-Twist Cordless Vacuum Pets Edition, £269

– Best free-standing cordless vacuum

Size: H111cm x W26cm x D21cm | Weight: 3.4kg | Charge time: 3.5 hours | Run time: 30 mins | Pet model: Yes | Capacity: 0.7L | Attachments: 2-in-1 dusting/upholstery tool, crevice tool, motorised mini turbo pets brush

Many cordless vacuums don't stand on their own, so if you want a break when vacuuming you have to lean it up against a wall. Hoover's new HF9 model has a really useful, quick park-and-go function; just pull it up and it will stand up. It's advised that you don't leave it like this for storage though as it may get knocked over.

The vacuum has a 30 minute run time which should be enough to clean an average size house. Like most cordless vacuums it takes 3.5 hours to charge the battery.

If you want a bit of extra power it has a turbo mode, but this does reduce the run time. We've tested this vacuum and were very impressed with the suction – you only really need turbo mode on particularly dirty areas with lots of pet hair.

The vacuum is easy to clean too, as the anti-twist floor head works like Shark's anti hair wrap function and prevents hair wrapping round the roller. If you do need to clean the roller, it's super easy thanks to the transparent window that pops off for instant access.

Whether you're doing hard floors or carpets, you can change the mode to adjust the roller speed. We tested the vacuum on laminate, carpet and tiles and found it worked great on all the different surfaces.

One added feature we loved on this hoover was the LED lights which are very helpful when vacuuming on hard wood floor as they show up dust you wouldn't normally be able to see.

The motorised pet tool attachment is really useful for sofas, especially if you let your pet up and there's a lot of hair.

Pros: Free-standing, good with pet hair, anti twist for hair, easy to clean, works on all floor surfaces, LED lights
Cons: Shorter battery life

Available from: Hoover and Currys

3. Dyson v15 Detect Absolute Cordless Vacuum Cleaner, £699

– Best for an intelligent clean

Size: H126.4cm x W25.2cm x D25.2cm | Weight: 3kg | Charge time: 4.5 hours | Run time: 60 mins | Pet model: No | Capacity: 0.76L | Attachments: Torque drive cleanerhead, laser slim fluffy cleanerhead, hair screw tool, quick-release mini soft dusting brush, crevice tool, combination tool

If you really want to see just how dirty your floors are and how deep your clean has been then this vacuum is for you. This is one of Dyson's most advanced and intelligent vacuums which features a piezo sensor that measures microscopic dust particles and increases or decreases suction power accordingly, to provide you with the deepest clean possible.

It goes even further than this too: if you want to see how many dirt or dust particles you've cleaned up, it's displayed right in front of you on the LCD screen on the handle. It claims to capture an impressive 99.97% of dust particles.

It has illumination too, which helps with seeing dust and particles that would otherwise be hidden.

Much like Hoover and Shark this Dyson also has anti-tangle technology for carpets, however this vacuum is not specifically for pets so may struggle more with pet hair than other models.

The Dyson v15 Detect Absolute cordless vacuum works on any floor surface and provides strong and powerful suction, enough to pick up large debris.

For such an intelligent vacuum, it has a decent size capacity and run time whilst still being lightweight. It also comes with lots of attachments and tools to go with it, however this is reflected in the price, being one of the more expensive options on the market. Parent tester Bethany loves her Dyson v15 Absolute (pictured above): "I can do my whole house in 1 charge, even using the boost function. Genuinely love it – best purchase ever."

Pros: Scientific deep clean, intelligent, LCD screen, illumination, anti-tangle technology, lots of attachments, lightweight, works on all floor surfaces, good for dust allergies
Cons: Expensive option, slightly longer charging time, not designed specifically for picking up pet hair

Available from: Argos, Very and Currys

4. Bissell Crosswave Cordless Max, £399.99

– Best for vacuuming and mopping

Size: H115.6cm x W26cm x D25cm | Weight: 5.22kg | Charge time: 4 hours | Run time: 30 mins | Pet model: No | Capacity: 0.82L (water capacity) | Attachments: Multi-surface floor cleaning solution

The Bissell Crosswave is ideal for busy households prone to spillages, crumbs and muddy footprints. It has multi-surface cleaning capabilities to clean all floor surfaces.

We've tested the Bissell Crosswave Cordless (pictured above) and found it to be great at cleaning up muddy paw prints and mud or dirt the dogs brings in, as it cleans the floor and vacuums up the clumps of mud. The only thing to note is, we would advise not just pouring the water down the sink as it can have bits in from the vacuum so could block the sink. We found it more convenient to pour the dirty water down the toilet instead.

The 3-in-1 cleaning technology allows you to vacuum, mop and dry hard floors and rugs. It has a 30 minute run time and takes 4 hours to fully charge the battery. The brush roll cleans itself in its storage tray after each use.

It has 2-tank technology, storing all the dirty and clean water into separate tanks for easy disposal. The digital controls make it easy to handle and adjust to the settings you need.

Included inside is a Bissell multi-surface floor cleaning solution so you can get to cleaning straight away.

Pros: Vacuums, mops and dries, 2-tank technology, digital controls, floor cleaner included
Cons: Not designed for picking up pet hair, no anti wrap, quite heavy, not as long run time as others

Available from: John Lewis

5. Dyson v12 Detect Slim, £529.99

– Best for a lightweight option

Size: H126.4cm x W25.2cm x D25cm | Weight: 2.2kg | Charge time: 3.5 hours | Run time: 60 mins | Pet model: No | Capacity: 0.35L | Attachments: Illuminated cleaner head, motorbar cleaner heard, hair screw tool, combination tool, crevice tool, reach-under tool

The Dyson v12 Detect Slim is very similar to the Dyson v15 Detect but is extra slim and lightweight, making it easy to store and carry around whilst vacuuming.

It has the angled beam to illuminate and highlight any dust and dirt as well as the piezo sensor to monitor and count the dust particles to change the speed accordingly. This is all displayed on the LCD screen.

The vacuum has 60 minutes run time which is great for its size and weight, however, the capacity is quite small, so you may have to empty it quite regularly. Thankfully it does have no-touch point and shoot release to make emptying it as mess-free as possible.

Designed to work on any floor type, the v12 Detect Slim has the same anti tangle technology as they Dyson v15.

Pros: Intelligent technology, anti tangle, lightweight, slim, LCD screen, works on all floor types, illumination
Cons: Small capacity, quite expensive option, not designed specifically for picking up pet hair

Available from: John Lewis and Very

6. Shark Anti Hair Wrap Cordless Upright Vacuum, £399.99

– Best for a cordless-upright combo

Size: H108cm x W25cm x D26cm | Weight: 5.5kg | Charge time: 3.5 hours | Run time: 50 mins | Pet model: No | Capacity: 0.6L | Attachments: Crevice tool, dusting brush, wide upholstery tool

If you want the regular feel of an upright vacuum but without the cord to worry about (or trip you up) then the Shark Anti Hair Wrap Cordless vacuum is ideal for you.

It has a twin tech floorhead, so works on both carpets and hard floor without any need to change the brush. As with most Shark vacuums it has its fantastic anti hair wrap technology to stop long hair and pet hair from getting tangled around the brush.

The cordless vacuum has up to 50 minutes run time, additional batteries can be purchased if you want a longer battery life. Its handy powered lift-away means you can pick up the main unit award from the wand to clean under furniture without any heavy lifting.

It has an anti-allergen complete seal as it captures and traps 99.9% of dust. As with all Shark vacuums, it has their signature LED lights to help locate hidden dirt and dust.

Pros: Upright vacuum, twin tech floorhead, works on all floor surfaces, can separate the main unit from the wand, anti-allergen complete seal, LED lights, anti hair wrap
Cons: Quite heavy, not designed specifically for picking up pet hair

Available from: Very, Shark Clean and Currys

7. VAX ONEPWR Blade 4 Pet Cordless Vacuum Cleaner, £169

– Best for carpets

Size: H114cm x W24cm x D18.5cm | Weight: 3.1kg | Charge time: 3 hours | Run time: 45 mins | Pet model: Yes | Capacity: 0.6L | Attachments: Mini motorised pet tool, crevice tool, soft bristle dusting brush

This VAX cordless vacuum is ideal for carpets thanks to its twin helix brush which reaches up to speeds of 4,200 RPM to pick up dirt deeply embedded into the carpet.

The brush has antimicrobial protection to stop any fungi or or bacteria growing on the bristles. The vacuum can be used on all surfaces and has LED lights which are really useful for seeing dirt and dust on hard wood floors.

It's easy to clean too, just remove the brush bar, separator and filter to clean all the components separately. For the car, sofa or other hard-to-reach areas you can detach it and make it into a lightweight handheld vacuum.

Parent tester Jo uses a cordless VAX and it has lasted her for 5 years: "It has a good battery life, lasts around 45 minutes and we have 2 batteries so 1 is always charged for us to swap out. However, it does regularly get clogged with hair, meaning it needs to be cleaned more often."

Pros: Good for carpets, antimicrobial protection, LED lights, pet model, easy to clean, handheld vacuum, affordable
Cons: No anti hair wrap

Available from: Very, John Lewis and Amazon

8. Samsung Bespoke Jet Pro Extra, £649

– Best for all-in-one clean station

Size: H116.5cm x W30cm x D30cm | Weight: 2.7kg | Charge time: 3.5 hours | Run time: 120 mins | Pet model: No | Capacity: 0.5L | Attachments: Pet tool, combination tool, extension crevice tool, flexible tool

This cordless vacuum has something a bit different to all the others on this list, however, this is reflected in the high price tag. The cleaning station is a dock to charge your vacuum but also has a capsule to empty the dustbin using air pulse technology which traps 99.99% of fine dust. The battery takes 3.5 hours to charge and once fully charged you will get up to 1 hour of vacuuming time. There are 2 batteries included so you can get up to 120 minutes of run time.

The vacuum and cleaning station is sleek and stylish too and would look nice in your house.

If that's not enough it also comes with antibacterial dual pads which you can put on to clean the floors and spray out water. The vacuum works on all floor surfaces. The LCD digital display shows the suction power and running time, charging status, maintenance guide and error guide so you know if any problems have occurred with your vacuum and what.

The telescopic pipe has 3 adjustable heights to suit all different users and help reaching up high. As well as the dock for the vacuum it also comes with an accessory cradle where you can neatly store all the attachments included.

Pros: Long battery life, cleaning station, sleek storage, lightweight, antibacterial cleaning pads and spray, LCD digital display, telescopic pipe, accessory cradle
Cons: Expensive, not designed for picking up pet hair, no anti hair wrap

Available from: Samsung, John Lewis and Currys

9. Shark Stratos Anti Hair Wrap Plus Pet Pro Cordless Vacuum (2 battery), £392

– Best for anti-odour

Size: H114cm x W27cm x D17cm | Weight: 4.07kg | Charge time: 3.5 hours per battery | Run time: 120 mins | Pet model: Yes | Capacity: 0.7L | Attachments: Crevice tool, multi surface tool, anti allergen brush, pet tool

Shark's anti-odour technology has a dial which you can insert into the floorhead to change intensity to protect against odours which come from pet hair and dust.

It also has the same anti hair wrap feature as all other Shark vacuums and works on all floor types without even having to change the head thanks to its DuoClean floorhead. As with all the other Shark models on this list, it has their iconic LED lights to spot tricky to see dirt and dust.

The LED smart display shows the battery status and suction level, and you can easily control the settings using the controls on the handle. The handy flexology feature allows you to access hard-to-reach areas and means it folds down compactly for storage.

It also comes with 2 batteries providing a run time of up to 120 minutes when you swap the batteries, so you should never get caught out mid-clean.

The anti-allergen complete seal is great and traps 99.9% of dust.

Parent tester Chloe has this vacuum and was very impressed with it's power and suction: "At first I was worried the suction wouldn't be as good as my plug in Shark Lift-Away Pet, but I was wrong – it's just as good and has a great battery life, I can get up to 2 hours out of my vacuum."

Pros: Anti-odour technology, anti hair wrap, all floor types, DuoClean floorhead, LED lights, LED smart display, flexology, 2 batteries, anti-allergen, great for pet hair
Cons: Not as lightweight as other options

Available from: Very, Shark Clean and Lakeland

10. Miele Triflex HX2 Pro Cordless Vacuum Cleaner, £749

– Best for adaptability

Size: H129.7cm x W26cm x D28cm | Weight: 3.6kg | Charge time: 4 hours | Run time: 60 mins| Capacity: 0.5L | Attachments: Crevice nozzle, upholstery nozzle, furniture nozzle, electric universal nozzle

The Miele Triflex HX2 Pro has an impressive suction power, even on its lowest setting. It will pick up 99% of dust on hard floors and in deep crevices, making your cleaning experience quick, easy and super efficient.

The versatile design means it can be easily converted – use it with its handle as a handheld vacuum (great for difficult-to-access areas, furniture or upholstery), or install its handpiece at the end of the suction pipe. The nozzle is agile to control, making it a simple task getting under items in your home, and into cracks and crevices. It also has a light – a welcome, practical feature for crumb hunting in busy family households.

The HX2 Pro is easy to manoeuvre and guide around your home, with simple rotation. Although it weighs over 3kg in total, the model is intelligently designed to balance out the weight, so it still feels light to carry. It operates relatively quietly, comes with a replaceable battery, and is easy to empty with the hygienic removable dust container.

Pros: Quick and easy conversion, powerful suction, comparatively quiet, versatile
Cons: Expensive, not designed for picking up pet hair, no anti hair wrap

Available from: John Lewis

11. Dyson Gen5detect Absolute, £749.99

– Best for dust pick-up

Size: H127.6cm x W25cm x D27.6cm | Weight: 3.5kg | Charge time: 4 hours | Run time: 70 mins | Capacity: 0.77L | Attachments: Crevice nozzle, upholstery nozzle, furniture nozzle, hair screw tool, Fluffy Optic cleaner head

The suction power and efficient dust pick-up of the Dyson Gen5detect Absolute make this vacuum stand out above some of its contenders. Designed with sensors to automatically apply the best level of suction according to the number and size of dust particles on a surface, it provides a thorough clean, leaving no crumbs behind.

It has other handy features including built-in detangling technology, that prevents the vacuum from getting clogged up with hair, making it a very useful addition for households with pets. Use on your floors, stairs and sofa and the Detangling Digital Motorbar cleaner will lift strands from the brush bar as you clean, so your furry friends won’t leave a trace behind. It also has a modern display screen to show the remaining battery life and dust pick-up information clearly.

The different nozzles included are simple to switch out and swap around, from the furniture nozzle, that sits in the extension tube to a specialised upholstery nozzle, and a useful replacement battery so you won’t be caught out mid-house clean.

It features 3 cleaning modes – Auto, Eco and Boost – and will run for just over an hour once fully charged up, ideal for deep cleaning your busy family household. It’s an easy design to manoeuvre around your home, with a soft rubberised handle for ultimate comfort.

Pros: Excellent suction power at the highest level, rubberised handle, long runtime at low level, great for pet hair
Cons: Fairly loud, brush change requires tools, expensive

Available from: Dyson, John Lewis and Currys

Why buy a cordless vacuum?

Catrin Davies, Product Manager at Hoover, explains the advantages of using a cordless vacuum: "They are more slimline, portable, light and convenient for easing around every room in the house, for getting into tight corners and crevices, as well as for moving easily up and down the stairs. You can also use them in handheld mode to clean inside your car."

Do cordless vacuums work as well as corded?

Corded vacuums tend to have slightly more power as they're connected to the mains whilst cordless vacuums are powered by a rechargeable battery. However, with big brands constantly working on improving their cordless models and their popularity increasing, their suction power and advanced technology to help keep your house clean is very impressive.

What to look for in a vacuum for pet hair?

Expert Catrin Davies advises looking for clever technology such as a motorised power nozzle. This is the ideal tool for pet owners as it effectively cleans dog and cat fur from cushions and other fabric surfaces.