Best Cordless Vacuum 2021 – Buyer’s Guide

The non-TruePet version of this vacuum retails much cheaper, and we gave it rave reviews for its suction power. So how can this update possibly go one better and give us even more?

Well firstly, you get a much larger run time. 60 minutes compared to 22 will make a massive difference if you have a large home to clean, or know that you’re going to have to use maximum power. This is because it uses twin battery technology, so even if you will only take 20 minutes to get the job done, you don’t have to rush to charge the battery up for next time. To say it still only takes the same 3.5 hours to charge is pretty amazing.

You only get a marginally larger dust collection bin, but rather than seeing this size as a negative we are going to say that it is simply a great way of encouraging us to empty it more often to keep it running at its best.

A dedicated pet tool will help those with four-legged companions. It gets deep into material fibres to remove every last hair, and the LED light will even help you tackle under the bed or chairs.

Special technology traps 99.9% of dust and allergens. Anti-allergen complete seal keeps them in the collection bin until they are firmly in your waste disposal so they won’t get released back into the atmosphere again.

Dyson have always been the leaders of the vacuum world, but today they face an awful lot of competition – especially in the cordless market.

This is their latest offering, and it certainly boasts more power and features to make a difference. Dyson say it boasts twice as much suction power as other cord-free models on the market, and it is safe to say you certainly feel the effort it is putting in.

There are three suction levels so it is suitable for whatever the task is. With a long 60 minute run time in Eco mode, you can probably tackle the whole home without having to pause for a few hours.

It can work on carpet, hard floor, laminate and tile so is great for the whole home. Just use the auto mode to ensure it glides seamlessly over each so you don’t have to manually change the settings. The lifetime washable filter will ensure you can always keep it dust free for maximum performance, and won’t have to purchase a new one every few months.

We would say it is best if your home is mostly made up of hard floors, because the dedicated soft roller cleaner head sucks up both larger items and fine dust without damaging them. But suction levels are still great for soft surfaces too, and the High Torque cleaner head and stiff nylon bristles work their way deep into the fibres.

If you suffer from allergies, it can capture 99.97% of dust particles, even those which are microscopic, so you can breathe easier. When you’re done, just slide it out of the bin using the ‘point and shoot’ system. Our favourite addition has to be the LCD screen however. It will tell you how long you have left on the battery, and which power mode you’re using.

This Gtech AirRam model flows seamlessly between hard and soft floor surfaces, so you don’t have to do any extra work. The runtime of this cordless vacuum is 40 minutes on a single 4-hour charge, which is impressive given its powerful suction. With redeveloped AirLoc technology, this appliance has been designed to not only pick up fine dust and debris particles but also larger items.

One of the standout features of the Gtech line of vacuums is the dirt collection system; any debris is compacted into a small tubular dirt bale and easily discarded thanks to the handy ejector arm. This is ideal for any allergy sufferers as the particles are less likely to become airborne again.

It is easy to use and transport around the house and will even lower to access hard-to-reach areas such as under sofas and beds. It is ridiculously light, and there is no cord to worry about. There is a four-stage LED indicator which quickly lets you know when the battery is running low, and a 1-hour boost charge will be enough to clean one room.

Its only downfall is that it isn’t as powerful on deep-pile carpets, so if this surface type is widespread throughout your house you may have to employ a heavier corded appliance in-between uses.

Dyson recently revealed that they have stopped developing corded machines, believing that cordless is the future. A downfall of hand stick vacuums is that they’re usually not as powerful as bulkier upright models, but Dyson’s latest V10 digital motor is a massive step-up.

The Cyclone Absolute forcefully picks up any debris in its path, and the Torque drive cleaner head eliminates 25% more dust than the V8 model (which was a revolutionary cordless cleaning appliance in itself).

There are three power modes, and a brushed and roller cleaner head for transitioning between carpet and hard floor. It also quickly transforms into a handheld, for use on the stairs and even in the car. To give it an edge over many other cord-free vacuums, it is suitable for use with handheld attachments. It comes with all the useful tools you need to clean those hard to reach spaces.

The point-and-shoot emptying mechanism pushes the debris straight into the bin, so you don’t have to go anywhere near it. Cord-free versatility means it can be taken anywhere. With up to 60 minutes of fade-free suction, it will clean your whole house on one charge. To charge, drop it into the wall-mounted dock. The only downside is that this obviously needs to be fitted near a power socket, so may not offer you a lot of flexibility.

We are a huge fan of the Shark vacuum cleaner range here at Appliance Reviewer, and if you’ve been looking for the most powerful option on the market, then they’ve probably caught your eye too. They are even the choice of Mrs Hinch, which speaks volumes of its power.

Even though they are pretty nifty to use thanks to the Liftaway feature, this cordless model takes it up a level by making it completely untethered by power cables. You still have all of the other standout features – powerful suction, the ability to move from hard to soft floors without changing settings, the ease of coping with stairs and under furniture – but now in a rechargeable option.

Whichever mode you use it in, all allergens are picked up and locked away with no risk of them escaping again thanks to the HEPA filter. Perfect if you suffer with dust or pollen. There is also a line of lighting at the front of the appliance, so if you’re cleaning in low light, you can still see every last bit of dirt that needs to be picked up.

Because it is cordless, it isn’t quite as powerful as the upright models. The boost button gives a good burst of suction, but it is not ideal to hold this down during the entire cleaning session. We found it works better on carpets than hard floors but if you have a steam mop or brush this probably won’t be a massive issue.

If you have low pile carpets or no pets and kids to mess things up, then it is a great cordless option. It is still one of the best cordless options out there, but just misses the exact suction power of the upright Sharks or Dyson and G-Tech models.

We love the Shark range as you can tell from their heavy presence in this rundown, and this model is no exception. Two brush rolls will tackle both the usual dirt and dust and small spills, which makes it a great idea for any kitchen or other hard floor areas which often see bits of drinks or the dog’s water end up on the ground.

Flexology design helps when you need to get under the settee or around tight corners, as it gives you more control without becoming a burden. You get a Crevice Tool, Dusting Brush and Upholstery Tool to help you out when you convert it to a handheld.

It has a 22 minute run time, which is disappointing compared to the others on the market which can get up to an hour on their lowest setting. But if you want a cordless vacuum which acts as a backup to your upright, or know you can clear the house within this time, then it shouldn’t be a massive issue.

The capacity is also around half of many others. Despite us having to mention these issues, we don’t want them to put you off buying this vacuum though. We guarantee it will pick up things you can’t see with your eyes, and will also collect a lot more than you think there is on your carpets. Suction is simply fantastic, and the filters can be rinsed every month to help it working at its best.

Grab this model if you love the look of the TruePet model but don’t want to spend quite that much – you still get fabulous suction and good extras.

Vax are possibly Dyson’s closest rivals in the vacuum category, but they are possibly more known for their carpet cleaners and ordinary uprights than their cordless options.

At around a third of the price of the latest Dyson, we were excited to see whether it was relative in performance. We’d say it did even better than we hoped and is a great option for anyone wanting to buy the best cordless vacuum under £200.

The overall design is lightweight and innovative to ensure it is easy to use. It takes four hours to charge fully, which is good going in comparison to some others, but you can also charge it for less if you just need to give the floor a quick clean. Four hours will give you up to 45 minutes of run time.

The twin helix brushbar gives this vacuum a unique and optimised design and it works at 4200 RPM to maximise pick up performance. Suction is always top-level too, even when the battery is running low. Dual Cyclones remove dust and the dual layer electrostatic filter captures the finest particles, which makes it great for anyone with allergies.

It is convertible, so will detach and turn into a handheld to help you clean the stairs and car. The LED tracking lights will help illuminate the more difficult areas, such as under the sofa or kitchen table, so you can get every last crumb. On-board storage will also help to keep your handheld attachments safe.

A cordless stick upright vacuum and handheld all in one, the FX9 can help get your entire home dust-free – even those tricky corners behind the telly.

When it converts to a handheld, it is slightly different to other adaptable cordless models. Rather than using the existing wand, you can use a flexible hose – just as you would with a corded upright. This makes it ideal for anyone who may want to reach the more difficult places more carefully, such as shelving without moving all the ornaments or around the seats in your car. You get a 3-in-1 Smart Nozzle and Multi Angle Tube.

Charging takes about six hours for an hour of battery life, and when you need to top it up just return the appliance to the floor docking system. Dust pick up is rated C on carpets and A on hard floors, so while it is definitely better for the latter surfaces, it will still make a notable difference to short pile carpets.

A 98.6% micro-dust filtration may not be the best on paper compared to a few of the others which promise 99%, but the likelihood you’ll notice a difference is pretty much non-existent. Filters are washable, which helps the situation and also means no on-going costs.

A lightbar will illuminate darker corners, and we love that the tube is telescopic. It can be adjusted to suit your height and comfort, and also what you are cleaning – the shorter the wand, the more accuracy and control you have. Three power levels will further help you out.