Guides & advice
All guides and advice
How-tos, explainers, fixes and comparisons, newest first.
- Why your cordless vacuum loses suctionA cordless vacuum loses suction because of a full bin, blocked cyclone, damp or dirty filter, blocked wand or worn seal. A quick test for each, in order.Fix
- Why does my vacuum cleaner smell?Musty, doggy or burning smell from your cordless vacuum? Damp filters, a dirty bin and hair on the brush bar explained, plus when to stop using it and get help.Fix
- Cordless vacuum flashing lights explainedWhat flashing lights on a Dyson or Shark cordless usually mean, from low charge to blockages and battery faults, and what to check for each. Check your manual.Fix
- Stick vacuum vs upright vacuumStick vacuum vs upright vacuum compared on storage, weight, bin size, carpet cleaning and stairs, to help you decide which type suits your home and floors.Comparison
- Stick vacuum vs robot vacuumStick vacuum vs robot vacuum: daily automated cleaning against deeper on-demand cleaning, compared on floors, stairs, upkeep and homes where owning both works.Comparison
- Shark vs Dyson cordless vacuumsShark vs Dyson cordless vacuums compared model for model on weight, floor heads, batteries, runtime, docks and spare parts, using maker listing figures.Comparison
- Shark cordless not picking up: fixesShark cordless vacuum not picking up? Check the brush roll, bin, filters, wand and floor head in order, then the power mode setting on Detect and Stratos models.Fix
- Samsung Bespoke Jet vs Dyson V15Samsung Bespoke Jet vs Dyson V15 Detect: Clean Station dock and removable battery against Dyson's particle sensor, with bin, weight and runtime compared.Comparison
- How to vacuum stairs with a cordless vacuumStep by step: handheld mode, the right tool for treads and risers, which power mode to use and how to make one battery cover a full flight of carpeted stairs.How-to
- How to clean a Shark cordless vacuumEmpty the bin, rinse the pre-motor filters, dry them fully, clear the brush roll and wand. Step by step for Shark Stratos, Detect and Anti Hair Wrap models.How-to
- How to clean a Dyson cordless vacuum and its filtersEmpty the bin, wash the filter in cold water, dry it fully, clear the cyclone and brush bar. Step by step for Dyson V8, V10, V11, V15 and Gen5 cordless vacuums.How-to
- How long do cordless vacuums and their batteries last?What wears out first on a cordless vacuum, why batteries lose runtime, charging habits that help and the warranty terms listed by Shark and Samsung.Guide
- What HEPA means on a cordless vacuumHEPA on a cordless vacuum explained as a specification: H13 and H14 grades, whole-machine sealing, washable against replaceable filters and how to read claims.Guide
- Dyson V8 vs V15 DetectDyson V8 vs V15 Detect compared on suction, runtime, bin size, battery fitting and the Detect features, with a clear steer on which suits your home.Comparison
- Dyson V8 vs V11: is the upgrade worth it?Dyson V8 vs V11 compared on runtime, power modes, bin size and the LCD screen, with where the V10 sits between them and who should buy each one.Comparison
- Dyson pulsing on and off: causes and fixesA Dyson V8 or stick vacuum that pulses on and off usually has a blockage or a clogged filter. Here is where to look, in what order, and when it is the battery.Fix
- How to replace a Dyson V8 batterySigns your Dyson V8 battery is worn, genuine against third-party packs, and the screws and steps to swap it safely, with checks to do before you buy a new pack.How-to
- Dyson V15 Detect vs Shark PowerDetectDyson V15 Detect vs Shark PowerDetect cordless: detect sensors, anti-tangle heads, bin emptying, runtime and storage compared from the maker listings.Comparison
- Dyson V12 Detect Slim vs V15 DetectDyson V12 Detect Slim vs V15 Detect: weight, head width, bin and runtime side by side, plus the homes where the lighter V12 is the better choice.Comparison
- Dyson Gen5 Detect vs V15 DetectDyson Gen5 Detect vs V15 Detect compared on suction, runtime, filtration, heads and handling, and when a discounted V15 is the smarter buy.Comparison
- Dyson Gen5 Outsize vs Gen5 DetectDyson Gen5 Outsize vs Gen5 Detect: wider head, bigger bin and an extra battery weighed against more weight, plus the home sizes where Outsize makes sense.Comparison
- Dyson laser head and particle sensor explainedWhat the Dyson green laser head and the piezo particle sensor do, which V15, V12 and Gen5 heads have them, and where they help on hard floors and carpet.Guide
- Dyson cordless models by yearA timeline of Dyson cordless sticks from the V6 to the Gen5 Detect, with the main change in each model and what to check when buying a discounted or used Dyson.Guide
- Which Dyson head for carpet, hard floor or sofa?Every common Dyson cleaner head and tool explained, the floor or surface each one suits, and which heads come with the V8, V12, V15 and Gen5 models.Guide
- Dreame Z30 vs Dyson V15 DetectDreame Z30 Ultra and Z20 vs Dyson V15 Detect: suction claims, runtime, weight, heads, screens and UK spare parts compared from maker listing figures.Comparison
- Can a cordless vacuum scratch wood floors?A cordless vacuum rarely scratches wood by itself. Grit under wheels and stiff brush bars do. How to pick the right head and care for solid and engineered wood.Guide
- Cordless vs corded vacuum cleanersCordless vs corded vacuum cleaners compared on suction, runtime, bin size, weight and lifespan, plus the homes where a corded machine still makes more sense.Comparison
- Cordless vacuum runtime: eco vs boost explainedWhy claimed cordless vacuum runtimes vary by mode and floor head, listed minutes for Dyson, Shark, Samsung and Dreame models, and how to plan a whole-house clean.Guide
- Cordless vacuum not charging: fixesDyson, Shark or Samsung cordless not charging? Check the charger, socket, dock contacts and battery temperature in order, then decide if the battery is worn out.Fix
- Cordless vacuum keeps cutting out: what to checkDyson or Shark cordless keeps cutting out? Check for blockages, overheating, battery health, the trigger and the contacts, in that order, before you buy parts.Fix
- How much electricity does a cordless vacuum use?Work out a cordless vacuum's electricity use from battery volts and amp hours, with worked Wh and kWh examples, listed charging times and why docks add a little.Guide
- Air watts, Pa and W: cordless vacuum suction explainedWhat air watts, pascals and watts measure on a cordless vacuum, why brands quote different figures, why they cannot be converted, and why head design matters.Guide
- Are stick vacuums good for carpet?Stick vacuums handle most UK carpets well with a motorised head. Learn the limits on deep pile, how boost drains the battery and when a corded machine helps.Guide
- Anti hair wrap and anti-tangle heads explainedHow Shark Anti Hair Wrap, Dyson de-tangling heads and conical brush bars keep long hair off the brush roll, where they work best and the limits to expect.Guide