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Buying guide

Best cordless vacuum cleaners for UK homes

Chosen from what the Amazon listings state, not tested by us. How we pick

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Top picks at a glance

Compare them all
  • Best overall

    Dyson V15 Detect Animal: sensor-led suction, 60 min

    A piezo sensor sizes and counts dust and raises suction automatically, with the result shown on the LCD screen.

  • Best value

    Shark Stratos Pet Pro: 2.16 kg in use, removable battery

    An in-use weight of 2.16 kg is among the lightest of the full-size sticks in this guide.

  • Most features

    Samsung Bespoke Jet Plus Pro Extra: Clean Station dock

    The Clean Station uses Air Pulse to empty the bin and also charges the battery.

A cordless stick vacuum has to do three jobs at once: clean carpet and hard floor well, last long enough for your home on one charge, and stay light enough that you actually pick it up. Most of the difference between models comes down to the floor head, the battery and the bin. A motorised head with stiff bristles does the heavy lifting on carpet, an anti-tangle design matters if you have long hair or pets, and runtime only counts if it covers your rooms in the mode you really use. This guide compares seven machines on maker runtime, bin capacity, listed weight, filter type and the floor head supplied, using only what each listing states. Remember that most quoted runtimes are measured in the lowest mode with a non-motorised tool, so expect less with the main floor head fitted.

All products compared

The products in detail

Best on rugs and pet hair

No. 1 · Dyson

Dyson V15 Detect Animal: sensor-led suction, 60 min

Dyson's sensor-led flagship stick, with a piezo dust sensor, an LCD particle readout and a High Torque head that adapts power to the floor. It suits larger homes with mixed floors and hair.

In its favour

  • A piezo sensor sizes and counts dust and raises suction automatically, with the result shown on the LCD screen.
  • The High Torque head checks brush bar resistance 360 times a second in Auto mode to adapt to carpet or hard floor.
  • A Hair screw tool with a conical brush bar is included for sofas, stairs and pet beds.

Good to know

  • At a listed 3 kg it is one of the heavier sticks here, which you notice when cleaning overhead.
  • The listing gives one maximum runtime and does not break it down by power mode or head.
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link

Listing title: Dyson V15 Detect Animal Cordless Stick Cleaner

Best on rugs and pet hair

No. 2 · Shark

Shark Stratos Pet Pro: 2.16 kg in use, removable battery

A light Shark stick with Clean Sense IQ dirt sensing, a two-roller DuoClean head and a battery that charges on or off the machine. A strong all-rounder for pet homes that want less weight.

In its favour

  • An in-use weight of 2.16 kg is among the lightest of the full-size sticks in this guide.
  • The DuoClean head has two motorised brush-rolls, so it moves between carpet and hard floor without a swap.
  • Anti-odour cartridge system and a 5-year guarantee on registration, with 2 years on batteries.

Good to know

  • The 60 minute figure is in ECO mode with a non-motorised tool, so floor-head runtime is shorter.
  • The listing names a cartridge filter rather than a HEPA grade.
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link

Listing title: Shark Stratos Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner Pet Pro Copper IZ400UKTBK

Best on rugs and pet hair

No. 3 · Samsung

Samsung Bespoke Jet Plus Pro Extra: Clean Station dock

A Samsung stick with 210 W suction and an All-in-One Clean Station that empties the bin and charges the battery. It suits busy homes that want bin emptying handled at the dock.

In its favour

  • The Clean Station uses Air Pulse to empty the bin and also charges the battery.
  • Two floor heads are supplied: the Jet Dual Brush and a Slim Action LED brush for hard floors.
  • A Pet Tool+ with rubber nozzle and bristles is included, plus a 5 year warranty.

Good to know

  • The 0.5 L bin is the smallest among the full-size sticks here, though the dock offsets that.
  • Listed noise of 86 dB is the highest figure quoted in this guide.
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Listing title: Samsung Bespoke Jet PLUS Pro Extra Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner, Max ...

Best on rugs and pet hair

No. 4 · dreame

Dreame Z30 Ultra: 330 AW, H14 filter, 90 min

Dreame's high-suction stick, rated at up to 330 AW with a lit universal brush that detects floor type. It suits people who want long runtime and strong filtration specs at 2.2 kg.

In its favour

  • The maker quotes up to 330 AW of suction from a 150,000 rpm motor.
  • Up to 90 minutes of runtime is listed, the longest single-battery figure in this guide.
  • A motorised mini brush is supplied for upholstery and stairs, plus a soft dust brush.

Good to know

  • Spare parts and service support in the UK are less established than for Dyson or Shark.
  • The listing does not give a noise figure or the charge time.
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Listing title: Dreame Z30 Ultra cordless shaft vacuum cleaner with 330 AW suction pow...

Best on rugs and pet hair

No. 5 · Dyson

Dyson V8 Origin: about 2.5 kg, de-tangling Motorbar

The entry Dyson stick, now with the De-tangling Motorbar head and a wall dock. It suits flats and smaller homes where 40 minutes of maximum runtime is plenty.

In its favour

  • The De-tangling Motorbar uses polycarbonate vanes to lift hair off the brush bar and into the bin.
  • At around 2.5 kg it is easy to carry upstairs and switch to handheld mode.
  • The filter is washable, and the listing says to rinse it at least once a month.

Good to know

  • 40 minutes is measured with a non-motorised tool, so floor-head runtime is shorter.
  • A full charge takes up to 5 hours according to the listing.
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link

Listing title: Dyson V8 Origin Cordless Vacuum Cleaner, up to 40m runtime, Handheld H...

Best on rugs and pet hair

No. 6 · Shark

Shark PowerPro: FloorDetect and Flexology wand

A mid-price Shark with FloorDetect brush-roll control, a bendable Flexology wand and a removable battery. It suits homes with lots of low furniture to clean under.

In its favour

  • FloorDetect senses floor type and adjusts brush-roll speed automatically.
  • The Flexology wand bends to reach under beds and sofas and folds for freestanding storage.
  • Anti-Allergen Complete Seal and a HEPA filter type are listed, with a 5-year guarantee on registration.

Good to know

  • A listed 3.45 kg is heavier than the Stratos, which matters on stairs and overhead.
  • The 50 minute runtime is in ECO mode with a non-motorised tool.
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link

Listing title: Shark PowerPro Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner, Navy Metallic, IZ380UK

Best on rugs and pet hair

No. 7 · Bosch

Bosch Unlimited 7: two 3.0Ah batteries in the box

A Bosch stick that ships with two exchangeable 3.0Ah batteries, a quick charger and a dock. It suits larger homes that would rather swap a battery than wait for a recharge.

In its favour

  • Two 3.0Ah batteries are included, and the maker says each covers up to 200 m2.
  • The quick charger is listed at 80 minutes, much faster than most rivals here.
  • A Flex Tube bends for low furniture and the brush has integrated LEDs.

Good to know

  • The 0.3 L bin is small and will need emptying more often in pet homes.
  • Listed noise is 82 dB, and there is no anti-tangle claim for the floor brush.
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Listing title: Bosch Unlimited 7 MultiUse Cordless Vacuum Cleaner, BCS712GB, White

Read before you buy

More buying guides: Choosing a cordless vacuum

Wand and Floor chooses every product independently, based on what its Amazon listing states. We may earn a commission on purchases made through the affiliate links above. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.