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Buying guide

Best cordless vacuums under £500

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

    Dreame Z20: infrared dirt detection, 250 AW

    Lighting on both brushes reveals hidden dust on hard floors, says the maker.

    Check price on AmazonAffiliate link

  • Best value

    Shark Stratos IZ400UKTBK: Clean Sense IQ, pet focus

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

    Check price on AmazonAffiliate link

  • Most features

    Samsung Bespoke Jet Plus Pro Extra: auto-empty station

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

    Check price on AmazonAffiliate link

Below the flagship models there is a band of cordless sticks that borrow the useful parts of the top end: dirt sensors that raise power on their own, lit floor heads, longer batteries and in one case a dock that empties the bin for you. The question at this level is which of those extras you will actually use. A dust sensor helps on carpets and in a busy household, an auto-empty station suits allergy sufferers and anyone who dislikes tipping out a bin, and a long runtime matters most in a larger home. This guide compares seven sticks on the suction figure each maker lists, stated runtime, bin capacity, listed weight and the main feature that separates it from the rest, using only what each listing states.

All products compared

Details as stated in the Amazon listing or by the manufacturer. See the current price on Amazon.

The products in detail

Best on carpet pile

No. 1 · dreame

Dreame Z20: infrared dirt detection, 250 AW

A 2 kg Dreame with a lit soft roller and a lit multi-surface brush, so hidden dust on hard floors shows up. Long runtime makes it a strong pick for larger hard-floored homes.

In its favour

  • Lighting on both brushes reveals hidden dust on hard floors, says the maker.
  • Infrared dirt detection adjusts suction automatically.
  • Up to 90 minutes of runtime is listed by the maker.

Good to know

  • UK spare soft rollers are less widely stocked than Dyson parts.
  • The listing does not give a noise figure.
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link

Listing title: dreame Z20 Aspirapolvere Senza Fili, Aspirazione da 250 AW, Tempo Mass...

Best on rugs and pet hair

No. 2 · Shark

Shark Stratos IZ400UKTBK: Clean Sense IQ, pet focus

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: auto-empty station

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.
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link

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 and up to 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.
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link

Listing title: Dreame Z30 Ultra cordless shaft vacuum cleaner with 330 AW suction pow...

Best on planks

No. 5 · Bosch

Bosch Unlimited 7 Aqua: vacuum plus mop head

A Bosch Unlimited 7 that adds an Aqua head to vacuum and mop hard floors in one pass, alongside the usual carpet brush. Good for kitchens, hallways and muddy paw prints.

In its favour

  • An extra 2-in-1 Aqua head vacuums and mops hard floors in one go, according to Bosch.
  • Auto mode chooses settings depending on the floor type.
  • A Flex Tube is included for reaching under the sofa without bending.

Good to know

  • The 0.3 L dust box is the smallest bin in this guide.
  • Runtime is listed at 40 minutes from the single 3 Ah battery supplied.
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link

Listing title: Bosch Unlimited 7 Aqua 2 in 1 Cordless Vacuum Cleaner, BCS71HYGGB, Whi...

Best on carpet pile

No. 6 · dreame

Dreame T20: 1.67 kg and a colour screen

A light Dreame stick with a colour screen and four power modes. The listed weight is the lowest here, and runtime reaches 70 minutes in standard mode, which covers a flat with charge to spare.

In its favour

  • At a listed 1.67 kg it is the lightest machine in this guide.
  • Dreame states up to 70 minutes in standard mode and 30 minutes in deep clean mode.
  • An HD colour screen shows the working status, and four modes are switched at a button.

Good to know

  • The listing does not describe the floor head or what tools are in the box.
  • No wall mount or charging stand is stated, so plan where it will live.
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link

Listing title: dreame T20 Cordless Vacuum Cleaner, HD Full Colour Screen, 25 kPa Stro...

Best on carpet pile

No. 7 · Dyson

Dyson V8 Advanced: 130 AW, Dyson's strongest V8

Dyson describes this as its strongest V8, with 10% more suction than before. It is a simpler two mode stick without sensors, for buyers who want the Dyson design and a Motorbar head.

In its favour

  • Dyson lists 130 AW of suction from a V8 motor spinning at up to 110,000 rpm.
  • A Motorbar floor nozzle, combination head and crevice nozzle are included.
  • The filtration system is described as fully sealed, with a washable filter.

Good to know

  • Runtime of up to 40 minutes is the shortest in this guide.
  • There is no dirt sensor, screen or lit head, unlike most rivals here.
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link

Listing title: Dyson V8 Advanced Cordless Vacuum Cleaner (Silver/Nickel)

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.