They say that cleanliness is next to godliness, but in the case of the Dyson V15s Detect Submarine, I the two have merged. The iconic Dyson V15 has been upgraded with a mopping function that works wonders. It's a cleaning dream come true.

Dyson has long been famous for making some of the best vacuums on the market and the V15s Detect Submarine is no exception. With a 60-minute run-time, accessories for all floor types, a clever mopping floorhead, and suction power that's almost unbeatable, it's a true treat to use.

I put it to the test against Shark's best vacuums and other Dyson models and it still came out sparkling. Here's everything you need to know

Dyson V15s Detect Submarine Specifications

Unboxing the Dyson V15s Detect Submarine

Dyson is exceptionally good when it comes to packaging and presentation. Not only does the Dyson V15s Detect Submarine come in a slim, lightweight box, but everything that's contained inside the box can be recycled too (although you'll want to hold on to the vacuum). From a sustainability standpoint, it gets full marks.

Inside the box, you'll get a vacuum unit, torque brush roller bar (for soft floors), fluffy optic cleaner (for hard floors), the wet vacuuming Submarine attachment, a crevice tool, a hair screw tool, an upholstery tool, a charger, and a wall dock. It's enough accessories to make you feel like you could clean anything with your Dyson without feeling like you're adding extra clutter that your home can't house. That's the perfect balance, in my opinion.

All the parts clip neatly together and they also detach really easily. So much so, I ended up storing these in a cupboard.

Who would the Dyson V15s Detect Submarine suit?

There’s no escaping that this is a luxury vacuum cleaner. It’s well-suited to people who take their cleaning seriously: you get the accessories that take the vacuum from a basic one-size-fits-all model through to a vacuum that adjusts to suit every floor type and every home.

If you know your Dyson vacuums, you’ll have seen that the Dyson V15s Detect Submarine is more expensive but the cost justification is actually relatively easy. The V15 Submarine's motor packs more power than its predecessor. It can generate 230 air watts of suction power. In practice, that means it can pick up about 10g more fine particles than the average vacuum that I tested and it’s much better when it comes to lifting hair from carpets, especially high pile ones.

What is it like to use?

In true Dyson style, this is one of the most simple vacuums you'll ever use, even though it's one of the most powerful too. You click your floorhead into place on the wand and click that onto the main unit and you're ready to go.

On the top of the Dyson V15s Detect Submarine, your vacuum will show you how much longer you have left in the battery, and you can toggle between 'Boost', 'Auto', and 'Eco' mode. As you vacuum, you'll spot a techy-looking bar chart that gives you feedback on what you're vacuuming up at home. It breaks down the different particles: dust, sugar, and other allergens. It's disgusting, but also really satisfying.

Generally, it's light, mobile and nimble. We'll get into the details of all my vacuuming tasks, but it reached under beds and furniture and made it through a whole hour of tough vacuuming.

Test 1: flour and sugar

The first test that I put all vacuums through is cleaning up 100g flour and sugar from hardwood floors, carpets, and linoleum. It's a great way to emulate the dust and fine particles that you might find lying around your home and, as you might expect, the Dyson V15s Detect Submarine cleared it flawlessly.

I ran all the tests through twice, because for the first test, I kept the torque floorhead on across all surfaces. I'm a lazy cleaner, so I knew the most practical reflection of what I would do would be using one floorhead across the whole home. Visually, the Dyson V15s Detect Submarine did a great job: it picked up all the flour and sugar in one pass, so I didn't need much time or effort to get the floors sparkling.

In the next test, I used the fluffy optic cleaner head on the hard floor tests. Whilst I thought my first round was visually impressive, it was clear that this was doing some deep cleaning. It picked up more than the 100g of flour and sugar that I scattered on the floor, so either the last test had left behind some invisible mess or this was collecting extra dust from somewhere. Wither way, it's seriously impressive.

I've come to love the laser and fluffy optic cleaning head for how much it shows up the dust and particles. If we're really getting into confession time, I vacuum the hard floor in my vacuum in the dark so that I can really see the laser at work. You'll get the same results for vacuuming under sofas and kitchen islands too. It's impressive.

Test 2: cereal

The cereal test is a great one if you want to make sure that you're picking up bigger bits of dust and debris around the house. I scattered two handfuls of granola on the hard floor, carpet, and linoleum floors and it picked them up effortlessly. The auto suction levelled up to make sure that pieces didn't get scattered and spat across the room. The results? Every last oat was collected.

Test 3: hair

Lots of vacuums promise anti-hair-wrap technology, but Dyson's is one of few that is genuinely good. I have long hair, a dog, and I scattered a pack of hair extensions around the house. As I moved through each room, I kept checking the roller to see whether we were getting any tangles, but I worked through all five floors of the house without needing to stop. Granted, when I was cleaning up the hair extensions close together, I needed to wiggle a few out of the roller, but that's not unusual for a vacuum. Normally, I have to cut the strands free.

Cleaning and maintenance

The Dyson V15s Detect Submarine really looks after itself. If you're working on heavy tasks, you'll quickly fill up the 0.77-litre just bin. Mine normally needs emptying after cleaning two rooms, but that's not because of the dust bin size (it's actually bigger than the average vacuum) I see it as proof that this is doing a thorough job.

Emptying the Dyson is really easy. All you have to do is push a button, which unlocks the base. You'll end up with the dust emptying out the bottom in one, clean movement.

You'll get a notification on the top screen of the vacuum if the filter needs cleaning. You run it under the tap, leave it to dry, and then re-insert it. It's a lovely, low-maintenance vacuum.

How does it compare?

The Dyson V15s Detect Submarine vacuum is a high-end model, which means that it gets pitted against some of the best, most expensive models on the market. Having tested over 30 different models, I have to say that the V15s Detect Submarine is the best model that I've tested on vacuuming and mopping. Second in line would be the Bissell CrossWave HydroSteam, which is a corded model, but it's bulkier and a lot less convenient than the Dyson. If you wanted to save some money and you don't mind sacrificing some conveniences, this is perfect.

As a more general vacuum, the V15s Detect Submarine has some of the most powerful suction power that I've tested. It's nimble and light and does a good job all round the house. The only two vacuums that can hold a candle up to its performance are the Dyson V11 and the Shark PowerDetect Clean & Empty Cordless vacuum.

The Dyson V11 is great as a vacuum that offers similar performance, with less frills and faff. If you don't mind losing the laser and the extra accessories, you could save nearly £500 with buying the V11.

Alternatively, the Shark PowerDetect is a money-saving alternative. It's £200 less than the Submarine and comes with lots of clever extra features. For example, the wand bends in the middle, making it even easier to reach under furniture and kitchen islands. The floorhead can automatically detect walls and different obstacles, adjusting suction power to make sure that all dirt is properly lifted from any cracks and crevices.

Should you buy it?

If you're looking to invest in one of the best vacuums on the market, this is for you. It's certainly a luxury option and it comes with lots of handy extras, but you'll pay the price for it too.

How we test

I tested the Ultenic U12 Vesla nearly two years ago not because I was in the market for a budget vacuum, but because it looked so similar to the Dyson V15. I'm no stranger to budget copycats - my emails are full of them - but I'd heard rumblings that this lookalike was actually one of the good ones.

We're now 730 days on from the first day that I used the Ultenic U12 Vesla and it's - rather remarkably - still going strong. I use it for quick runarounds, especially when my dog is shedding fur faster than I can vacuum it and I have to say, it's one of the best vacuums that I've tested around the £100 price tag.

Is the Ultenic U12 Vesla actually as good as a Dyson V15 or V11, sadly not, but don't shut it down. If you have a small flat and light cleaning needs, you don't need to spend another £300 on a fancy model. I think the Ultenic will do just fine.

Ultenic U12 Vesla Specifications

Who would the Ultenic U12 Vesla suit?

If you're in the market for a budget vacuum cleaner, look no further than the Ultenic U12 Vesla. At full price, it's £130, but I've regularly seen the price drop over on Amazon, so if you're not in a hurry, you could bag a deal on a vacuum that I already think is a steal.

It's all well and good having a budget vacuum, but you need to make sure that you're buying one that actually suits your home. The Ultenic is great for small homes, lighter tasks, and hard floors. The shorter battery life and weak (compared to the likes of Shark and Dyson) suction doesn't do well with thick carpets and rugs. However, pet hairs on wooden floor? That's the stuff that the Ultenic U12 Vesla can tackle.

There are some nice extras that come with the Ultenic that make it feel better than a budget vacuum. The screen that counts down vacuuming time and shows you your speed feels premium. You've also got the Dyson-style laser that shows up crumbs and dirt that your eyes might miss. It's a treat, if you're in to your vacuums.

Unboxing the Ultenic U12 Vesla

I actually didn't believe that the Ultenic U12 Vesla had arrived when I saw the box. I'm not sure this picture does justice to just how tiny the box is. I put a Le Creuset pepper grinder next to it (you can see the picture in my how we test section) and it was taller than the box. I have definitely had ASOS deliveries bigger than the Ultenic and I'm almost convinced I could fit it the box a shopping bag, which is why I recommend this for smaller homes.

Of course, once the Ultenic U12 Vesla is assembled, it's a little bigger. The tall, slim frame is undeniably Dyson inspired and I think it makes for quite an attractive vacuum. You'll get a wall mount, crevice tool, and upholstery tool, which is a pretty good offering for a budget vacuum. Actually, it's pretty good by any vacuum's standard, so you're in luck.

What is the Ultenic U12 Vesla like to use?

All the parts that come in the box click neatly into place. Ultenic sends instructions, but you won't need them: slot the adjustable wand into the floorhead, click the duustbin on top, et voila,

I was lucky in that my Ultenic U12 Vesla arrived with some charge, but I would recommend unboxing and getting the battery charging as soon as you can. Whilst this did make it through my tests, it's a vacuum that I'd recommend regularly topping up with charge, because it doesn't last.

On the screen, you'll get a battery icon that tells you how long you have left as well as a dashboard-style speedometer that shows you what suction power you're working with. I've seen some reviewers call it gimmicky, but it's actually really useful. If you have a cordless vacuum that doesn't give you this kind of feedback, what are you supposed to do?

Test 1: flour

The first test that I put all vacuums through is vacuuming up flour. This is a great way to emulate smaller particles of dust that you might find around your home and it also meant that I got to test out the green light on the front of the floorhead. As expected, this did a wonderful job of showing up all the grains of flour and specks of dust on the floor and on my first pass (on hard floor) the Ultenic U12 Vesla picked up every particle. 

After running this over 500g of flour across different floor types, the Ultenic did begin to complain. Warning lights were flashing, the Ultenic was suggesting that it had a blocked airway, and it wasn't very happy. When I stopped and removed different parts, I discovered that the filter was clogged. 500g sounds like a lot of flour, but this hasn't caused any problems for Dyson or Shark, so that's one of the compromises that you make with the Ultenic. The filters are sensitive.

Since those tasks, on my day-to-day cleaning, I haven't had that filter problem regularly. Even on my carpets, the worst I get is the streak that you can see in the picture above, if I'm vacuuming up a thick layer of flour. Even then, another pass over the streak is enough to suck it up and away. What I'm trying to say here really is that this isn't a deal-breaker. It's a compromise.

Test 2: cereal

The next test that I put the Ultenic U12 Vesla through is vacuuming up cereal. This is a really good way to check that your vacuum will be able to handle larger pieces of debris, be it kibble or dried mud. 

I thought I'd start by vacuuming on the Eco setting, which is one of the Ultenic's more gentle modes and I was right to. This moved easily across my carpet, hard floor, and linoleum floors, sucking up every last crumb. I actually think my dog was a bit disappointed that she couldn't clean up after the Ultenic.

It didn't take long for the dustbin to fill up, but I'd expect that from a cheaper model. My tests are also pretty extreme. I think if you emptied a bowl of cereal onto the floor, you could scrape up a lot before you got the vacuum out, but I go straight in with the Ultenic.

Test 3: whole home and hair

The hair and long term test has been kind to the Ultenic U12 Vesla. Two years later, it still moves smoothly and with a surprising amount of dexterity. It's light to hold and so it's rare that my arms ache vacuuming with the U12. My most common issue is the battery running out before I've zoomed around all five floors of the house. That's why I recommend this for small to medium homes instead.

Back to the test. I have a dog at home. Granted, she's short haired, but she sheds. A lot. I have long hair and I dip in and out of wearing hair extensions, so you can imagine what the state of my floors are like. Day-to-day the Ultenic is great at picking up my hair on hard floors. The wooden floorboards are always spotless. On my thicker carpets, I can often see my hair clinging to the fabric rather than getting sucked up by the Ultenic, so I have to put the power onto full. It's not a problem, but it's also not very efficient for the battery life.

Cleaning the Ultenic U12 Vesla

In the first, formal test that I ran on the Ultenic U12 Vesla, I vacuumed up a whole pack of hair extensions and the image above as the result. It's not very pleasant. Nonetheless, with a pair of scissors and some skill, you can free up the rollers. 

I caveat a lot of these results by saying that our tests are extreme, because they are. Since using the U12 Vesla in my home, I haven't had any of the same horrors. Hair does get tangled around the rollers, which isn't  ideal, but if you keep on top of it, you won't end up with any jams or disasters.

As for emptying the bin, which you'll probably do often, this is easy. The bin pops open when you press a button ad all the dust falls out. It's just like a Dyson in that respect: tidy, bag-free emptying.

How does the Ultenic U12 Vesla compare?

It might seem unfair to compare the Ultenic U12 Vesla to a Dyson, but the fact that it's made in their image makes it too hard to resist a comparison. The Ultenic is about a quarter of the price of a Dyson and I think you can tell. For example, the laser and sensors on the V15 actually detect dirt and give you feedback. The Ultenic's light helps to show up dirt, but you don't get the same depth of feedback on what you're cleaning.

Whilst the Ultenic didn't struggle on hard floors, even with tricky tasks, unlike the Dyson, it does falter on carpets and more textured surfaces. And here's where you notice the price difference. On day-to-day, light tasks, the vacuums are very similar. However, when you need to crank things up and when the cleaning is a little more challenging, the Dyson can up its power, make use of its nimble angles, and dig deep. The Ultenic can try, but it will need lots of breaks and you might end up needing another vacuum to clean up after it. You could argue that the V15 has lots of extras that you simply don't need. In which case, I'd suggest taking a look at the Dyson V11, which is the best value Dyson on the market.

Which brings me on to other budget options. I always felt that the Ultenic was doing a good job of superficially vacuuming. However, when I introduced another vacuum, Tefal's X-Force Flex, into my flat for testing, it was filling the bin with dust and dander, which seems to prove that the Ultenic lacks the oompf to get a really good, deep clean. Tefal's vacuum is £100 more, but the fact that it picked up so much more is pretty telling.

Should you buy the Ultenic U12 Vesla?

The Ultenic U12 Vesla is great for light tasks, in small homes, with mostly hard floors. The fact that mine is still going after two years is proof that you don't need to splurge on a really expensive model. However, if you want deep cleaning and you know you'll have some tricky tasks lined-up, it's worth shopping around and saving up for a model with a little more power.

How we test

At woman&home, we put vacuums through thorough testing to find the best options for your home. I used the Ultenic U12 Vesla on a mix of surfaces, from hardwood floors to carpets, to see how well it tackled pet hair, crumbs, and everyday dust. I also assessed its maneuverability, ease of emptying, and overall usability and then compared it to bigger, better, and more expensive models. I like to think that this'll help you to feel like you've really shopped around for a good deal, but if you still have questions, please don't hesitate to ask me.

If you want to find out more, you can visit our dedicated page for how we test vacuums.

The Shark Lift-Away Cordless Upright Pet Vacuum is often overlooked in preference to Shark's cordless models, but if you want a reliable, robust, powerful vacuum, I don't think you can do better than this. And the price tag sweetens the deal even more.

Shark have established themselves as making some of the best vacuums. Some even say that they're better than Dyson and, if you need some proof of how they do such a good job, you're in the right place. The Shark Lift-Away Cordless Upright Pet Vacuum is a stand-out model, which can pick up pet hair better than most vacuums and it switches between different floor types effortlessly.

I took this for a spin around my home, making great use of the clever lift-away function that gives you almost cordless flexibility, to give you a good idea of why this vacuum is an unsung hero of Shark's collection,

Shark Lift-Away Cordless Upright Pet Vacuum Specifications

Who would the Shark Lift-Away suit?

The beauty of the Shark Lift-Away Cordless Upright Pet Vacuum is that it offers all the benefits of a traditional corded vacuum. You can pick up pet hair with impressive power and you'll benefit from the robust, traditional design. It's a reliable model that would suit large homes with various different floor types and more challenging tasks.

Don't let the fact that it's a corded vacuum mislead you though. One of the stand-out features of the Shark Lift-Away Cordless Upright Pet Vacuum is in its name: the Lift-Away function. This lets you pick up the main canister, revealing a portable vacuum that tackles cleaning stairs, upholstery, and those hard-to-reach spots with complete effortlessness.

Whilst this might not boast the ultra-modern aesthetics of Shark's PowerDetect Cordless model, it's a practical choice that has lots of well-considered features integrated. The swivel steering and cleaning accessories will earn their place in any big, busy home. I'm sure of it.

Unboxing the Shark Lift-Away Cordless Upright Pet Vacuum

The Shark Lift-Away Cordless Upright Pet Vacuum comes in a surprisingly compact box, so much so I wasn't convinced we had the right model. It's light and easy to lift, thanks to handles on the sides, so you could unbox this anywhere in your home.

Shark is one of the best brands that I know for how they package and send their vacuums. Everything from the box to the protective packaging is 100% recyclable, so you can pack down the paper and carboard to put into your recycling. 

Inside all that lovely packaging, you'll find that Shark is generous with what they send you. Of course, you have the main body of the vacuum and the canister, but they also send extra accessories to help you tackle more specific tasks. You can expect to see: crevice tool, upholstery tool, pet tool, charger and dock. And, there's a neat bag to store all the accessories in when you're not using them. 

What is the Shark Lift-Away Cordless Upright Pet Vacuum like to use?

The battery that I had for the Shark Lift-Away Cordless Upright Pet Vacuum came with enough charge to start vacuuming straight away, but I had anticipated that all the vacuums I tested would need some time to charge and you can't bank on these batteries turning up full of juice. Shark's charging station is simple, stable, and subtle, so you can pop it in a corner and let it charge without needing to have the whole vacuum on display.

Once I was ready to go, I slotted the battery into the lift away canister and the top display lit up with a percentage of charge. You'll see a fan button and a diamond shape on the top of the vacuum too, which will help you to change the floor type and suction power as you want to. 

One of the first things you'll be struck by is just how quiet this is compared to other models. The Shark Lift-Away Cordless Upright Pet Vacuum had an average dB score of 80, which is about 10 dB less than most of the other vacuums that I tested. This came as a bit of a surprise, since this is also one of the most powerful vacuums, but I won't ask any questions.

There are lots of other handy features about the Shark Lift-Away Cordless Upright Pet Vacuum: each button is labelled with what it does (the wand release actually says "wand release"), which makes getting to grips with this easy. It also stands independently, just like a corded vacuum would, so Shark do their best to set you up for success. I'll go deeper into the details in my tests below.

Test 1: flour

The first test that I put every vacuum through is clearing up flour from hardwood floor, carpets, and linoleum. This is designed to emulate finer particles of dust and the lighter particles that might embed themselves deep into carpets. In a nutshell, the Shark Lift-Away Cordless Upright Pet Vacuum did a wonderful job. Where most vacuums around this price point needed a couple of passes, especially on the carpet, the Shark cleaned up in one fell swoop. In fact, this was actually so good that I found it was picking up particles that other models had left behind and, eventually, this became "the clean up vacuum" for when cheaper models were making a mess.

As I zoomed around the house with the Shark Lift-Away Cordless Upright Pet Vacuum, I noticed two things. First, this transitions between different floor types with ease and effortlessness. It didn't drag or judder on carpets, nor did it fly over hard floors without picking up anything. This is perfect for a home with a little bit of everything.

The second point I noticed was that the dust bin fills up quickly, but I don't think that's an issue of capacity. I actually think that the suction power is so good that it ended up picking up more mess than cheaper vacuums. It's scary, but even more satisfying.

Test 2: cereal

The design of the Shark Lift-Away Cordless Upright Pet Vacuum sets it up for success with this next test. I scatter cereal on all three floor types (hardwood, carpets, and linoleum) to test how well the vacuum can pick up larger pieces of debris, whether that's actually cereal, dog kibble, or dried mud. The floorhead has a neat, wide lid which means this looks like it almost mows through big patches of dirt. The cereal was tidily suctioned and collected in the dust bin without any scattering of complaints. It's a very efficient way to clean.

Test 3: whole home and hair

The Shark Lift-Away Cordless Upright Pet Vacuum really shone on this test, which is actually my toughest. I have a dog, long hair, and some hair extensions at the ready, so my house gets covered in some tricky hair to vacuum up. However, the Shark Lift-Away Cordless Upright Pet Vacuum's brushroll was effective at picking up all the different types of hair from different surfaces really effectively. I could see these collecting in the dust bin (another moment of part horror and part delight) as the Shark Lift-Away Cordless Upright Pet Vacuum worked its way around my home and on different surfaces. 

As you'll know, cleaning the whole house means that you'll need to employ some extra help, which is when I pressed the buttons to release the canister and make use of the Lift-Away feature. This transformed the Shark Lift-Away Cordless Upright Pet Vacuum into a flexible, compact, handheld vacuum. I attached the crevice function to pick up dust from between the tines on my staircase; I used the upholstery tool to vacuum the sofa where the dog had been sitting (but if anyone asks, she's not allowed on the sofa), and I reached into the corners of the ceiling to pick up cobwebs. It's one of the best, most innovative features on the Shark Lift-Away Cordless Upright Pet Vacuum and it deserves a lot of praise.

Cleaning the Shark Lift-Away Cordless Upright Pet Vacuum

I mentioned that all the buttons were labelled, which makes emptying the dust bin easy. The handle gives you good grip on the light canister and so it's really easy to empty this whenever you need to. 

There are some extra maintenance tasks that I recommend you keep an eye on: the dust filter is amazing at capturing fine particles and allergens, but you'l want to keep it clean. Similarly, the floorhead is worth keeping an eye on so that you don't end up with a tangle of hair. The Shark Lift-Away Cordless Upright Pet Vacuum is actually really good at not getting tangled, but I always keep an eye on these things.

I found that the battery didn't struggle, even through my tests and a whole home clean, but it's worth giving this a little charge between uses so that you never come to the vacuum to find that it needs an hour before it can get energised.

How does the Shark Lift-Away Cordless Upright Pet Vacuum compare?

I've said that the Shark Lift-Away Cordless Upright Pet Vacuum is the unsung hero of the brand's collection, but it's not the only vacuum that I love. Shark's PowerDetect, their latest cordless model, offers some other, quite different but nonetheless impressive, features. The PowerDetect is lighter and slimmer; it empties itself in a charging station; and has a hose which bends to fit under furniture. The PowerDetect feels like the modern, urban sibling to the more robust Shark Lift-Away Cordless Upright Pet Vacuum. The PowerDetect has all the bells and whistles on top of the Lift-Away's versatility, but it's double the price. That's the easiest way to choose between the two. Ask yourself whether you really need the luxury extras of the PowerDetect.

As for affordable models, I put the Shark Lift-Away Cordless Upright Pet Vacuum in direct competition with Bissel's rival model amd Henry's Cordless Vacuum and, whilst both offer competitive pricing, the Shark Lift-Away Cordless Upright Pet Vacuum cleaned up. The other two felt cheap and they ended up spitting and pushing debris around, whereas the Shark performed just like a Dyson, if not a little better.

Should you buy the Shark Lift-Away Cordless Upright Pet Vacuum?

The Shark Lift-Away Cordless Upright Pet Vacuum is a well-rounded model that offers impressive performance, versatile functionality, and a user-friendly design—all at an accessible price point. It may not have the bells and whistles of some high-end models, but its practical features and reliability make it an excellent choice for busy households, especially those with pets or a mix of flooring types.

How we test

At woman&home, we put vacuums through thorough testing to find the best options for your home. We evaluate everything from suction power and battery life to how well they handle pet hair, crumbs, and everyday dirt. Each model is tested on different floor types for manoeuvrability, noise levels, and ease of emptying and storage. Whether you need a quick cordless cleaner or a heavy-duty deep cleaner, our recommendations are based on how well each vacuum performs in real-life situations.

If you want to find out more, you can visit our dedicated page for how we test vacuums.

The Gtech AirRam 3 is one of the most powerful cordless vacuums that I've ever used. It's dextrous, smooth, and keeps all dust and debris in the floorhead. I think it's a worthy contender for some big household names.

The Gtech AirRam 3 is my case in point for the ‘if you know you know’ brands. Unless you’ve done some vacuum research, you’ve probably never heard of them. Founded in 2001, British brand claims to have kicked off the cordless innovation in vacuum cleaners by making the first cordless carpet sweeper. After you’ve handled one, you won’t be surprised. This is one of the best vacuums in the market. 

It might not come with Dyson’s prestige or Shark’s fame, but the Gtech does a quiet and thorough job. I have a woven carpet that none of the over twenty vacuums that I’ve tested have managed to clean and yet the Gtech had it vacuumed up in no time. It’s a real underdog.

Specifications

Unboxing

The Gtech AirRam 3 keeps things simple and that’s clear from the very outset. It comes in a cardboard box, which holds the floorhead, charger, stick, and handle. There are some extra bristles for the floorhead, but it’s not elaborate at all. It’s actually really refreshing to have a vacuum this simple, even though it does make cleaning the cracks between my staircase a little trickier. 

The Gtech AirRam 3 would score top points for unboxing if it wasn’t for the plastic film wrapped around the parts. In this day and age, it’s very much possible to package products without the need for single use plastics. You could recycle the thin plastic at your supermarket — lots of people make the effort to — but I know there are plenty who won’t. Aside from that, the Gtech AirRam 3 gets a high score for my first impressions.

Who would it suit?

The Gtech AirRam 3 is heavier than lots of your other cordless vacuums and the floorhead is more substantial. If you’ve got hard floors and tricky surfaces to clean, this should be your go-to. It has the power of a corded vacuum, just without the tie of needing to be near a plug. If anything, this was even better than lots of the corded vacuums that I tested: you saw what I said about my pesky woven carpet, this is the only vacuum that managed to clean it. 

On the flip side of that, is that this does get heavy going up and down stairs. My house is five stories tall and when I did my mammoth clean of the whole place I was certain that my upper body workout at the gym was going to be cancelled the day after. 

What is it like to use?

As with all the best cordless vacuums, this is really easy to use. The two arms click together and then they lock into the floorhead. That’s where they’re designed to stay: you have to find an Alan key to unlock them from position. Mine needed to be charged before use, so I sat it on the dock and left it overnight. You can tell when it’s charging because the white floorhead lights pulse bright and dark. I wouldn’t have this in a room that you’d sleep in for that very reason.

Come morning, this was full of juice and ready to go. There are some instant features that anyone who vacuums regularly will really appreciate: it can stand independently and the handle rotates to some amazing angles. You don’t need to practice lots of difficult body contortions, nor do you need to struggle under the sofa. This twists and can lie almost completely flat. The award for gymnastics certainly goes to the Gtech AirRam 3.

The mechanisms for working the Gtech AirRam 3 are then very simple. The power button is on the floorhead (on the left), so give it a tap with your foot and it’ll be ready to roll. You could do this by hand, but it’s not an easy alternative, so I do worry that those who aren’t mobile enough to balance and tap the on button with a foot are also unlikely to want to squat down to turn on the vacuum. 

There aren’t any modes or settings for you to switch between — that’s all up to the Gtech AirRam 3, so I ran it through my tests to see how versatile and sensitive this really is.

Test 1: flour and sugar

The first test that I give all vacuums is how well they can suction flour and sugar off hardwood floor, carpets, and linoleum. It’s a great way to test what the vacuum would be like if I was trying to pick up smaller particles like dust — or indeed flour — from around the house. 

When I turned the Gtech AirRam 3 on, the first thing I was struck by was the noise. It clocked a whopping 101 dB on my monitor, which is much louder than the 70-80 dB vacuums that I’ve been testing. Granted, this was softened when I was on carpets, but pop your earplugs in for hard floors. 

The Gtech AirRam 3 is certainly better on carpets and rugs. In fact, on soft floors, this was easily the best vacuum that I tested. On hard floors, it did pick up my flour and sugar, but I needed a couple of passes to properly pick up every last speck of dust and flour. You can see in the picture below: there's a fair amount left behind.

The floorhead lights, whilst not as strong as Dyson’s laser or Shark’s, were still bright enough to show up spots that I might miss under the kitchen island and sofas. So, it’s a good extra feature to have, not that you get to choose whether it’s running or not. 

Test 2: cereal

My second test, vacuuming cereal, is designed to emulate bigger pieces of debris around the home. That might be cereal itself, a stray pea, or kibble from your pets. The Gtech AirRam 3, whilst powerful and noisy, started to throw some of the granola across the wood floor at first — granted, I had given it quite a pile to plough through — but it's obviously not ideal. Unlike other vacuums, I managed to pick every last bit up without too much frustration and I found that this didn't happen on more textured stone floors, but if you have all hardwood floor in your home, it might be worth looking for a vacuum with a soft floorhead.

You'll be pleased to know that the Gtech AirRam 3 was remarkably good at picking up large debris on carpets. I promise I will stop mentioning the woven floor soon, but this made my jaw drop. I had vacuumed this carpet with seven other vacuums in the month that I tested the Gtech AirRam 3 and this filled its dust bin with how much it was picking up. There wasn’t a scrap left behind. 

Test 3: hair

If you have pets or long hair, you’ll know the pain of vacuuming and finding a roller jammed with strands of hair. To test out the Gtech AirRam 3, I left the dog roaming around the house all week, didn’t vacuum up after brushing my hair, and scattered extensions \round the house. By the end of the week, I could feel an eye twitch coming on I wanted to vacuum so badly, so I couldn’t wait to run around the house, from top to bottom. 

I have steep stairs and five floors in my home, so getting around takes some time. The Gtech effortlessly whizzed up strands of my hair, extensions, and the dog’s hairs on flat floors. I didn’t have any issues with the hair getting wrapped around the floor head either. The only catch was that this simply isn’t suited to narrow, slim stairs. The floorhead is massive, which saves you a lot of vacuuming work, but it makes squeezing into stairs a bit of a tight fit. I could see patches and cracks were missing, so I think you’d need a small vacuum, or even a handheld model to supplement your cleaning here.

Cleaning

One of the neat features of the Gtech AirRam 3 is that the dust bin is stored in the floorhead. This really helps when you’re doing long cleans on one level — your arms are supporting a lot less weight — and it’s surprisingly big. I could run through my basic tests: vacuuming 200g of flour and sugar, two large handfuls of muesli, and one dusty floor without needing to empty it. When it did come around to doing the dirty work, everything unclasped easily and emptied without a fuss. Bag-free cleaning is a real trend and this is a great example of how simple it can be. 

How does it compare?

The AirRam 3 is a dream for floor cleaning—lightweight, self-standing, and easy to whizz around. But that’s where it stops. No handheld mode, no faffy attachments—just a powerful, no-nonsense vacuum. The Dyson V11, on the other hand, offers a lighter vacuum, more flexibility, and the option to convert into a handheld vacuum. Whilst the AirRam was fantastic on my woven floor, the Dyson V11 was more consistently good on harder surfaces, especially with my cereal test. So, unless you have a specialist need, I'd be tempted to go for the Dyson.

You'll probably also be wondering how the AirRam compares to Shark's PowerDetect vacuum. It's a similar story to the Dyson V11 really. The Shark outperforms the AirRam in that is all about flexibility. It's nicer to handle and comes with lots more features that'll let you reach cracks and crevices. The AirRam was still superior on that woven carpet, but for day-to-day cleaning, I'd put my money with Shark.

All in all, if you want effortless, powerful floor cleaning, the Gtech AirRAM 3 is a fab choice. But if you need a vacuum that can do everything, the Dyson V11 or Shark PowerDetect might be a better fit.

Should you buy it?

I love the Gtech AirRam 3 as a simple, powerful vacuum that steps away from all the fiddly extras that lots of cordless vacuums seem to come with. If you'll be vacuuming on one level and you're after sheer power on difficult weaves, this is perfect. If you like more complex and nuanced designs, it's worth shopping around.

How we test

At Woman & Home, we rigorously test vacuums to find the top models for your home. Our reviews cover everything from suction strength and user-friendliness to battery life and performance on pet hair, crumbs, and everyday dust. We assess each vacuum across different floor types, checking for maneuverability, noise levels, and ease of emptying and storage. Whether you’re after a lightweight cordless option for speedy clean-ups or a powerful machine for deep cleaning, our recommendations are based on how well each model handles real-life messes.

If you want to find out more, you can visit our dedicated page for how we test vacuums.

It's been decades since a vacuum has caused as much of a stir as the Shark PowerDetect™ Clean & Empty Cordless Vacuum. With a foldable arm, ergonomic design, and powerful suction, the Shark might be the best vacuum I've ever used.

Courtney Cox has often joked that her TV persona Monica doesn’t actually require much acting. “I’m a clean freak,” she wrote on social media, so who better to ask for advice on the best vacuum cleaner on the market?

Historically, the answer has always been Dyson. I’ve used Dysons for decades and so has all my family, but as soon as I used the Shark PowerDetect™ Clean & Empty Cordless Vacuum I knew my Dyson days were over.

Shark PowerDetect Clean & Empty Cordless Vacuum specifications

Unboxing the Shark PowerDetect Clean & Empty Cordless Vacuum

Shark is fantastic when it comes to sustainability with their packaging. The slim, relatively light cardboard box is filled with vacuum parts and paper or cardboard. This means you don’t have to put any single-use plastic or polystyrene in the bin. It’s feel-good cleaning at its finest.

You’ll get the vacuum in a few parts: the base station, the floorhead, the accessories, crevice tools, car tools, and material tools too.

All the parts are very simple to assemble and you won’t have to puzzle about what goes where. Another one of Shark’s special skills is user-friendly designs and I would happily hand this to a grandparent as much as I would a toddler. Yes, there is a toddler mode too, so curious little people can help out. It was originally designed to be used on the stairs and in the car (which is does brilliantly), but what’s the point in having little people around if you can’t give them some productive jobs to do too?

Who would the Shark PowerDetect Clean & Empty Cordless Vacuum suit?

I normally find the “who would it suit?” section really easy to answer because vacuums cater to specific audiences. However, when a vacuum is as good as the Shark PowerDetect™ Clean & Empty Cordless Vacuum my answer seems to be “everybody”, which, I know, could be a little more helpful for you.

The bottom line with this vacuum is that it’s powerful and thorough. It takes a lot of the fiddly, daffy bits of cleaning out of the picture. The floorhead, for example, adjusts its suction power when it’s near a skirting board, increasing suction on one side to lift all dirt from the cracks. See? It’s just clever.

One of my favourite features is really designed for people who might have back or mobility issues. The vacuum bends to fit deeply under beds, sofas, and kitchen islands. It’s easy to activate and makes cleaning a lot less sweaty and frustrating. I don’t have any issues and generally consider myself to be fit and healthy and still find this feature really helpful. In fact, it bends so much that the vacuum can stand on its own, making it a game-changer for busy cleaners.

There are other neat extras that make this a the cordless vacuum that a forgetful or busy home needs. The charging station, for example, looks subtle and covers all your maintenance. It empties the vacuum cleanly and quietly and then will charge it up to. It means you’ll never get yourself motivated to tackle a cleaning job and then find your vacuum has gone to sleep. I think of this as a hands-off answer to all the frustrating vacuums out there.

What is the Shark PowerDetect Clean & Empty Cordless Vacuum like to use?

I never thought I would be one of those people who vacuums regularly, but after investing in the Shark PowerDetect Clean & Empty Cordless Vacuum Cleaner, I find myself picking this up to tackle small and large tasks. There are lots of clever features integrated into the design, from automatic emptying through to a flexible hose. I'll talk you though these as I use the PowerDetect to tackle my toughest tasks.

Test 1: flour and sugar

I should preface this part by telling you that the Shark PowerDetect™ Clean & Empty Cordless Vacuum cleaned up on my tests. I don’t just mean in the practical sense, I mean in the metaphorical, comparative, and every other sense you can think of kind of sense. I used this to tidy up the mess less capable vacuums left behind and it really made a mockery of some very expensive vacuums that I had ready to test. I should emphasised here that this isn’t a sponsored review. The Shark PowerDetect™ Clean & Empty Cordless Vacuum just really is that good.

The first test that I put all vacuums through is cleaning up a spill of flour and sugar. I’ll coat hardwood floor, a carpet, and linoleum with the same amount of flour and sugar and then see how the Shark PowerDetect™ Clean & Empty Cordless Vacuum does with mopping up the mess.

If you want the abridged version of this test, it was flawless. In one pass, almost everything was cleared off the floor. The one exception was on carpets, which isn’t a surprise, since carpets can harbour a lot of dirt, especially when they’re finer particles like flour and dust. Rather cleverly, Shark’s design teams has put fins in the floorhead that will suck up dust and debris when you’re vacuuming in both directions — most vacuums will only work when you’re pushing them forward. This meant that all I had to do on the carpet front was pull the vacuum back and I had a clean and clear patch underneath me. It’s genius.

Test 2: cereal

The next test that I run all the vacuums through is picking up cereal. This is a representation of the bigger pieces of debris that you’ll find around the house, whether that’s clumps of mud, kibble, or pieces of cereal. The clever floorhead of the Shark is high enough not to create the plough effect. It didn’t push the clumps of granola around, instead, it sucked them up without complaint.

I even thought I could pressure test the design by scattering granola from the hardwood floor into the carpet, but the automatic adjustment for different settings worked a treat, sucking up every last oat.

When I gave this a third and final test, picking up bits of food that fell under my kitchen island, the vacuum bent flat and suctioned everything up as if it was the easiest thing in the world. When you’ve been designed by the Shark team, that’s apparently what this is.

Test 3: hair

My final test is on hair, which, is you have long hair or a dog (I have both) proves to be a bit of a grim task. Hair easily gets caught around rollers and you’ll find yourself picking out tangles and wondering what happened to the glamorous future you once imagined for yourself.

Well, you won’t find me or Courtney Cox doing that, because even with hair extensions scattered around my house, the rollers kept clear of any blockages. After cleaning all five floors of my house, there was just a couple of stubborn hairs that had wrapped themselves around the floorhead and they pulled out easily.

Test 4: whole home

I had to add this section to cover the generic cleaning experience of going around my whole house. There are lots of features that I got to make use of and I want you to know about them. First, the smaller floorhead and toddler mode, which shrinks the vacuum to handheld size, proved to be dexterous and powerful enough to clean my spiral staircase beautifully. There wasn’t a crack or crevice that escaped the wrath of the Shark.

I was initially a little wary of a smaller floorhead, even though it’s helpful for stairs, it means more passes over the floor. However, given that this can vacuum going backwards and forwards, that didn’t really pose a problem for me, at all.

The lights on the floorhead worked scarily well at showing up dust and dirt in more difficult places to clean and the whole house was spotless. One of the other features that Shark changed was sitting the motor in the floorhead, which takes a lot of weight off the upper part of the vacuum. I wondered whether this would make it difficult or unpleasant to push, but you saw what I said about whole home cleaning. I managed five floors and a spiral staircase without needing an arm massage and a big cup of tea. It’s really nice to handle.

Cleaning the Shark PowerDetect Clean & Empty Cordless Vacuum

Cordless vacuums can often come a cropper when it comes to the cleaning and charging. It’s easy to mess up. I’ve had lots of dust explosions and charging conundrums that have left me in more of a mess than when I started. However, the design of the Shark very cleverly avoids all of that.

Once you’re finished vacuuming, you’ll want to sit the Shark PowerDetect™ Clean & Empty Cordless Vacuum in its dock. From here, it’ll empty itself without a word, putting all your waste into a bag that’s stored in the dock. Of course, you’ll need to empty the bag, but mine lasts months before it needs any attention and the vacuum will alert you to this anyway.

Whilst in the dock, the vacuum will charge too. I’ve managed to vacuum as much as I need to on one charge. In fact, I challenge you to make this vacuum run out of battery before you do. It’s brilliant.

Of course, tougher tasks and lots of switching between surfaces will run the Shark lower and quicker, but even then, it’s no cause for concern.

How does the Shark PowerDetect Clean & Empty Cordless Vacuum compare?

How do I compare the best vacuum I’ve ever used to anything else on the market? With great difficulty. I should address the D-word, because I was a die hard Dyson user before the Shark. I still think their vacuums are fantastic and keep my V15 to hand. As you can imagine, being in a tall house has resulted in me trying to minimise how many floors I have to carry my vacuum up and down.

The Shark PowerDetect Clean & Empty Cordless Vacuum Cleaner and the Dyson V15 Detect are both high-performing cordless vacuums, each with unique features cater to different cleaning styles. The Shark model stands out for its affordability, innovative DuoClean Detect nozzle, dirt-sensing technology, and a self-emptying base that efficiently disposes of dust and allergens—a feature absent in the Dyson V15. Additionally, the Shark offers a flexible arm for reaching difficult spots and boasts a longer runtime, enhancing its versatility.

In contrast, the Dyson V15 Detect is renowned for its premium engineering, featuring laser dirt detection, real-time debris display, and automatic suction adjustment based on floor type and debris levels. However, these advanced features come at a significantly higher price point, with the Dyson being nearly £200 more expensive than the Shark. All in all, I'd be tempted to go for the Shark. Shut your ears Dyson.

Should you buy the Shark PowerDetect Clean & Empty Cordless Vacuum?

Given that this convinced me away from my Dyson obsession, I have to say that this is an amazing vacuum. The Shark Shark PowerDetect Clean & Empty Cordless Vacuum Cleaner is incredible. I recommend it to everyone; it's the envy of my friends; and, whilst it's expensive for a Shark vacuum, it's a worthwhile investment to make.

How we test

At woman&home we put vacuums through their paces to find the best models for your home. Our testing covers everything from suction power and ease of use to battery life and how well they tackle pet hair, crumbs, and everyday dust. We assess each vacuum on different floor types, checking for manouverability and noise levels, and we even look at how easy they are to empty and store. Whether you need a cordless wonder for quick clean-ups or a deep-cleaning powerhouse, we make sure our recommendations truly stand up to real-life messes.

If you want to find out more, you can visit our dedicated page for how we test vacuums.

The Dyson V11 might not be the newest cordless vacuum out there, but it's still one of the most popular models sold by the brand. I took it for a spin around my house to find out some more.

Investing in a Dyson is a true treat. There’s no debating that the brand makes some of the best vacuums of all time, but they can be expensive and all the different models seem to offer special extras for different homes.

After doing some research, I settled on the V11 as the perfect balance of new technology and price. If you want a simple, affordable vacuum, this is the one that cleans up.

Dyson V11 Specifications

Who would the Dyson V11 suit?

The Dyson V11 is a great mid-market offering from the brand. If you want a Dyson cordless vacuum, but you’re not ready to part with the hefty sum that a V15 demands, the V11 offers you most of the same features and cleaning power, you just lose a few accessories and the laser.

As a cordless vacuum, it’s well suited to people who don’t like being tied to a plug socket. It may be that you have big rooms that a cord wouldn’t reach across or a small flat that would require a lot of plugging and unplugging. Cutting the cord can be really useful for lots of people, but not perhaps if you have pets or if you need a lot of power.

Unboxing the Dyson V11

Dyson is the best vacuum brand for packaging. Not only do they manage to pack a lot of vacuum into a very slim box, but they also keep all the protective bags and boxes firmly recyclable. You can pop everything in the recycling and feel good about yourself.

There are quite a few neat bits and pieces that come with the Dyson V11, as you can see in the picture. You’ve got your dock, which you attach to the wall, your charger, your main floor head, and a crevice tool. It’s a pretty standard offering, but Dyson executes it well. All the accessories feel well made and they clip into place with a very definite and satisfying click.

I’m a renter, so I haven’t installed the wall dock, but the Dyson comes apart into small enough pieces that I can store the V11 in a cupboard. My mum, who bought this before me, leans hers against a wall, preferring to skip the appearance of a dock. The choice is yours, but note that it’s never going to look particularly pretty.

What is the Dyson V11 like to use?

My vacuum came with some charge on the battery. Dyson are generally good at sending out their models with some juice so you can have a play around, but it’s not guaranteed. Nonetheless, it charges quickly, so yours will be up to full power in no less than four and a half hours. As I mentioned earlier, you’ll need to click three parts together. Your top, which has the bin, controls, and battery integrated; the tube; and your floorhead. This is always a very easy process, so the set up is one of the easiest out there.

Then, you’ve got your screen on top. This will give you notifications about which setting your vacuuming on (Eco, Auto, Boost); how much time you’ve got left on the charger; and any maintenance issues that might crop up. It’s as simple as that. Once the parts are in place, you’re ready to get testing.

Test 1: flour

The first test that I run on all of our vacuums is how well they can suck up sugar on carpets, hardwood floor, and linoleum. It’s inevitable that you’ll spill these exact ingredients on your floor, so that’s a good reason to test them, but they’re also great for emulating all sorts of light dust and debris that gathers very naturally on the floor over time. In essence, this is my fine particles test.

As you would expect from the brand, the Dyson V11 cleaned up. I could see each pass that I made over the area really clearly. The floorhead picked up the flour and sugar without scattering or blowing any fragments across the room. It didn’t take any back and forth either. If you wondered where the phrase “one clean sweep” came from, I’d imagine it had something to do with Dyson.

Test 2: cereal

For the next test, I scale things up. Scattering cereal on the floor is a great test for how well a vacuum can pick up bigger bits of debris, such as pet kibble, cereal, stones, and mud. It’s heavier than the flour and sugar too, which is another great way to test the suction power of the vacuum. The V11 has a well-sized gap between the floorhead and the floor, meaning that I didn’t end up ploughing and spreading the muesli that I scattered. Even on the hard floor, I didn’t push any large oats or nuts in crazy directions, although I did need a couple of passes on the carpet. All in all, it was a clean and easy result from the Dyson V11.

Test 3: whole home and hair

If you have pets or long hair (I have both) you’ll know what a grim job vacuuming can become. Dyson claims that the rollers have anti hair wrap technology, so I put that to work, scattering hair extensions around the house. I also let the family dog roam around for the weekend, so we could see how well the vacuum picks up everyone’s hair. To the V11’s credit, when I did a whole home vacuum, there wasn’t really a strand of hair wrapped around the roller. When I was emptying it, I could see that the V11 was picking up all the pet hair, hair extensions, and my hair really effectively. Having lived with it for a little while, there has been times when some hairs have ended up wrapped around the roller, but this hasn’t been problematic or grim to clear out. Its only ever needed a simple pull it a snip from my scissors. It’s nice to have a clean job.

Cleaning the Dyson V11

This brings me, very naturally, onto the maintenance aspect of the Dyson V11. The bagless dust bin can take 0.77 litres of dirt and debris, which is enough for me to clean two floors of the house, if I’m staying on top of maintenance. When I had a new carpet put down, I could only manage one room, but it’s an open plan living room and kitchen, so it has a lot of traffic and mess, which is only enhanced by all the fibres from the carpet.

Enjoying the bin is easy: you pull on a lever and everything empties directly into the bin. You’ll need to be careful not to overfill the bin, as this can create problems fully emptying the bin and it’ll clog up the filter too. If you’re good with your maintenance, this won’t be a problem, but it’s worth flagging if you like to push the limits of your vacuum.

I have to remove and hand wash my filter about every six months. This is very easy: the top twists off, you run the filter under the tap, and then leave it to dry. For a vacuum, it’s very low maintenance. My only other word of advice would be to keep an eye on the charge. I make a habit of always charging mine after use, so that I never come to a clean up job to find my vacuum sleeping. I’d recommend the same for you too.

How does the Dyson V11 compare?

I’ve pitched the V11 as Dyson’s mid-range model, so what about the latest Dyson V15? Well, I actually tested the two alongside each other and the differences were interesting. The most obvious one is that the V15 comes with lots more attachments: you have a floorhead for hard and soft surfaces, a fabric cleaner, and another crevice tool. In my day to day cleaning, I make use of the different floorheads, but the others don’t actually count for much. The biggest bonus of the V15 is the laser, which shows up the dust and dirt that your naked eye can’t see. It’s pretty horrifying and very effective when you’re cleaning under sofas and on hard floors. I actively found myself turning lights off in different rooms to get a better clean with the V15.

When passing over the different debris, I’d have said that the performance was pretty similar. The V15 takes the edge for thoroughness thanks to the different floorheads, these let the V15 vacuum pick up bits that the V11 needed a second pass for, but it was a close call overall.

I can’t just compare the Dyson vacuums though. I know you’ll be screaming at the screen ‘what about the Shark?’ Well, I tested two Shark vacuums against the V11: their newest PowerDetect Clean and Empty Cordless Pet Vacuum and their DuoClean Powered Lift-Away Upright Vacuum Cleaner. The DuoCleant has lots of accessories and a slightly different design. It’s better if you don’t like constantly having to hold down the trigger on the Dyson, but I found it more cumbersome to move around. The PowerDetect on the other hand, is a similar price and it’s really impressive. It can stand independently (the V11 can’t) you can bend the vacuum to reach places that the V11 can’t and it automatically adjusts suction in more nuanced ways to the V11. For example, the V11 can detect floor types, but the PowerDetect will notice when it’s near a skirting board and increase suction on that side of the floorhead to lift dust out of the crevices. Overall, it gives a more thorough clean, but it demands more space and comes with more clutter too.

Should you buy the Dyson V11?

If you want a Dyson, but you’re not sold on their toppy price tags, this is a great way to compromise. You get all the essential, impressive Dyson technology and, whilst you miss some of their extra special features, they’re not ones that you’d notice unless you had them on other models. I’m happy with the V11. It’s the one I’d buy.

How we test

At woman&home, how we test vacuums is nothing short of top-tier. I have a series of standard tests that I use when reviewing a vacuum: how well they clean different debris off different surfaces, but I also do full house cleaning so you get a good idea of how this fares in both the long and short term.

You'll see that each test is designed to emulate different dust and debris varieties in your home. The flour and sugar test emulates small particles (like typical dust), the muesli is a lot like kibble and bigger mud chunks, and the whole house will pick up on the long and short hair that the family and dog and I leave around the house. I'll scatter hair extensions around too, for an extra challenge.

I make notes on the different settings, the weight, and what the vacuum is like to charge, clean, and empty, so you get a really good idea of what this is like to live with. I'll also compare it to similar models, so you know everything you need to before buying a vacuum. If you still have questions, send me an email. I'm always happy to chat about all things vacuuming and cleaning.

How we test vacuum cleaners at woman&home is no secret. If you’ve read our buying guide or any of our reviews, you’ll have had some insight into the unglamorous, but nonetheless important, ways in which we test and review vacuums for you.

Just like you, when we're looking for the best vacuum cleaners on the market, we do a lot of research. The news, reviews, and buying guides that appear on the site are just the tip of the iceberg for all the work that goes on under the surface. We’ve got months, if not years, of experience using all these vacuums (and more) in our homes.

As with all products, how we test is a carefully considered process. Our team of experts use each vacuum in our daily life, covering all the usual tasks that yours will do. However, once we unleash a vacuum in the test kitchen, that's where we really push the limits. I've been known to shred hair extensions, drop whole bags of flour, and tip cereal all over the test centre and then I'll grab the vacuums to see which holds up when you really need it. If you're interested to hear some more, here's everything you need to know.

Research

You don’t get to see much of the research that we do, aside from when that research ends up in a review. Rest assured, that’s one of the key components of my job. I spent my days chasing the latest releases, secrets behind classics, and looking for vacuum cleaner hacks. I regularly speak to industry experts to find out what’s coming up and what they’re working to bring to you and your home. It can be hard to keep things secret, but I always make sure that you’re the first to know when any big news launches.

In amongst my research, I create a list of vacuums that I think you’d like to know about. Then, I sense check the list, deep dive into any special features on offer from the vacuum, and then call it in for testing. Now, we can get to the fun part.

Unboxing

This is the first section of all my reviews and lots of people ask me why I bother including a section that’s really all about packaging and accessories. There are two really important reasons. First, I think you can tell a lot about a brand from how they parcel up your vacuum. The best brands try to be sustainable and as helpful as possible – this might mean throwing in little extras, useful tips and tricks in the packaging, or just making sure that the box is robust and smart.

I stress the sustainability because lots of brands have proven that you can package a vacuum using just cardboard and paper. If it’s doable, I think all brands should be committed to making the change.

The other reason I talk about unboxing is more practical. You’ll want to know what’s arriving at your door, so you can prepare yourself. If the package is bulky and heavy, make sure you’ve had a good breakfast that morning to get it up the stairs (or keep someone strong around on the day of delivery). If you need to buy any filters or extras before you can use the vacuum, now is also a great time to have a heads up. I like to be helpful.

Who would it suit?

You’ll also see this section pop up early in the review. I circle back to who the vacuum suits when I’m drawing my conclusions as to whether you should buy the vacuum, but I think it’s helpful to have it high up in the review for your sake. I’ll spell out the size of house, type of issues the vacuum can handle (or not), as well as any extras that cater to specific needs. Here’s where you can quickly work out whether it’s worth staying for the rest of the review or whether you should be looking at a slightly different vacuum.

What is it like to use?

This is the bit that I get excited to tell you about. You can read all the special features online, but knowing what a person’s real life experience with the vacuum is can be really helpful. I have a series of formal tests that I take every vacuum through and then I’ll also keep the vacuum in my house for longer, so I can see what it’s like on a day-to-day basis.

Test 1: flour and sugar

The first test that I put all the vacuums through is sucking up flour and sugar. We all have spills of flour and sugar from time to time, but the flour particles can be more representative of dust and lighter particles that would settle on your carpet over time, so it’s a really useful test for the (much) finer details.

I sprinkle 100g of flour and sugar onto one square meter of carpet, linoleum, and hard floor and then measure how many passes I need to do over the section to clear it if every granule. I watch for any flying pieces of sugar and flour on the rest of the floor and will always use a light or laser sensor if there’s one on ten floorhead. These are one of my favourite innovations in the vacuum industry to date.

Test 2: cereals

To reflect on the ongoing battle between my breakfasts and me, I scatter a handful of breakfast cereals onto another 1-meter square floor. These little pieces of arsenal are good for not only representing breakfast cereals but also larger bits and pieces, such as kibble if you have pets, that might find themselves scattered on your floor. I’ll measure the same results again: looking at how much of the cereal is picked up, how much is pushed around, and I’ll make a note of whether I need to adjust the suction or floor head to be able to scoop these up.

Test 3: hair

Lots of vacuums claim to have anti-hair-wrap technology, but if you have long hair or pets, you’ll know that this isn’t always effective. To sort genuine promises from gimmicks, I snip up hair extensions onto the floor and then run over them. I’ll look for all the stands to be picked up by the vacuum, but, more importantly, I’ll look inside the floor head here. In an ideal world, the rollers will be clean and free to spin, but lots will have hair wrapped around them.

I’ll check whether the rollers can be removed and how I can clear the hair out of the vacuum. It’s not a pleasant job, but if a brand has done their design work, it should be easy for you.

Cleaning, charge, and maintenance

Emptying and cleaning the vacuums vary as much as the models themselves. You can get bagged and bagless models as well as emptying and charging stations. I’ll talk about the capacity that each vacuum, drum, or emptying dock has. Then, if you need to clean filters or switch out anything else, I’ll let you know about those features here too.

Whilst vacuums will vary in how long they take to charge and how much charge they use, I’ll give you an idea of that here. It’s handy to know whether your vacuum needs to go straight back to the dock or whether you have a little more time to play with.

How does it compare?

Given that I’m the person who tests all the vacuums, I have a big bank of memories (and notes) of what they’re all like to use. I naturally end up comparing the performance, feel, and extras offered by each vacuum — and I think that’s information you’ll want to hear.

This is the part where I do the ‘shopping around’ for you, so you don’t get shopping fatigue. I pick a vacuum that’s a little more expensive and a little cheaper and I’ll make some comparisons so that you can see where you could upgrade or if there any any features that you’re willing to skip to save money. In this section, I’ll always prioritise getting value, which normally means forgoing the sparkling brand names and looking at the real-life experiences that I’ve had with the vacuums.

Should you buy it?

In this section, I bring together all the experience and research that I’ve done on the vacuum. I’ll come to conclusions on who it suits, as well as any other options you should consider. By this point, I like to think that you’ve had enough detail that it will feel like you’ve tested the vacuum yourself. However, if you’re unsure or interested in any special features, please don’t hesitate to email me. I’m a sucker for vacuum chat.

Looking for an efficient, versatile, and cost-effective robot vacuum? Look no further than the Eufy X8 Pro. I was sceptical of cheaper models until I used this in my house and now I'm sold.

Historically, the world of robot vacuums has been dominated by iRobot and Shark. Whilst I love their reliable designs, I was curious to see whether a cheaper model could still make a play for the title of one of the best vacuums on the market. 

In my hunt for the best cheap alternative to more expensive robot vacuums, I came across Eufy their X8 Pro. This is half the price of most other decent robot vacuums on the market and yet it has a LIDAR-based laser navigation (to look after your skirting boards), an integrated mop, and twin turbine suction power (that should make it twice as powerful as other models in this price range). The only way to know if this is all good to be true or another thing that I wish I knew to avoid before buying a robot vacuum is to test it. So that's exactly what I did.

Specifications

Unboxing

I couldn't wait to see what the Eufy X8 Pro looks like in person, because in all the pictures that I'd seen online, it looked as slick and smart as models twice the price. You'll be pleased to know that this is as eegant as it looks online. The matte black finish makes this look like a really premium vacuum: I actually think I'd be happy to have this out and on display. 

The Eufy comes with its base station, mop, mop guards, and a cleaning brush. This is all you need to get going really. There are some non-recyclable plastic bags that you'll need to dispose of (you can take them to a large supermarket to recycle them) and some basic set-up instructions (which are mostly pictures), but aside from that, it doesn't take much to get this running. All the troubleshooting and details will be available on Eufy's website. 

Who would it suit?

Having lived with the Eufy X8 Pro Robot Vacuum, it's clear to imagine which homes this would work well in. For a start, the mapping system and ease with which it crossed room thresholds, makes this perfect for small to medium flats and homes. It won't need emptying often and can be left to relative independence, unlike other models out there.

I'd caveat the home size with the types of floor that you have though. Whilst the Eufy is faultless on hard floors and low pile carpets, it struggled more significantly on deeper carpets and when I put obstacles in its way. There are other models, such as the Shark PowerDetect, which are much more sensitive to home clutter and more adept at handling deep carpets.

As for the type of people who this suits, well, the range is pretty vast. If you have pets and you struggle with keeping on top of their hair, the Eufy's brush system is generally good with hair tangles (although you'll still need to clear out he roller). I wouldn't lean too heavily on the mopping needs, because this is better for light maintenance, but it's great for a superficial clean. This is also quiet and the app will let you map zones (although it requires some tech savviness to get your head around). I probably wouldn't lean too heavily on the scheduling, unless you'll be at home, because I think the Eufy's obstacle difficulties could get in the way.

What is it like to use?

The model that I tested arrived full of charge, so I could start vacuuming without needing to sit the Eufy in its station. I've read that this works without the app, so I wanted to give the X8 Pro some time to roam around before it got a proper map of my home. I have to say, it's actually pretty impressive. This worked in a methodical square, going up and down the room. 

I have some awkward shapes and books lying around, so I was curious to see what a map-free Eufy would do. It's pretty impressive. This has sensitive bumpers, so as soon as it came close to skirting boards, my bed, the table, and my sofa, it quickly changed direction. You don't need to worry about chipped skirting boards.

After that, I connected the app (with some help from my more techy partner) and set up a map of my house. On the app, you can control how wet you want the X8 Pro to mop, where it should go in the house, you can set no-go zones and no-mop zones, and much more. It's an impressive piece of technology that works really well.

Test 1: flour sugar, oats

The first test that I put all vacuums through is on the kind of cupboard cereals and ingredients that might scatter themselves over the floor when you're cooking, baking, and battling with normal life. I do this on carpets and hardwood floors (because messes don't discriminate) and set the Eufy running.

This doesn't have a sensor or detection camera that will alert it to mess, so I had to sit and let the Eufy run it's methodical lines over the floor. Whilst it wasn't quick to find the flour, sugar, and oats, it did clear them up quickly when it rolled over them. The cracks between my floor did end up with some flour pressed between them - you'll need a tool to lift these out - and the spinning brush did send the oats spinning across the floor, but it picked up the oats and the small flour trail left behind it when it spun round and made a second pass.

When I put the oats, sugar, and flour on my carpet, the Eufy had to go over this mess a few times. The oats were easily lifted up on the first pass, but the flour and sugar seemed to be more persistent. After three passes, I got involved with a handheld vacuum, because it was clear that finer particles are more tricky for the Eufy.

Test 2: hair

If you have pets or long hair, you'll know that it can be your vacuum's biggest hurdle. I scattered hair extensions over my carpet and used the Eufy to collect them up. Normal corded or upright vacuums wouldn't struggle with this, but it was quite an intense test for the Eufy, which is fine (it looks quite extreme anyway).

Instead, I let the Eufy roam around my flat. I wear hair extensions and I have a dog, and so we have quite a lot of hair around the home. The Eufy was generally good at picking up hair on hard floors in the bathroom and kitchen. The suction power is really effective with single strands and these didn't tend to detangle around the brush system in smaller amounts (I imagine this is the work of Eufy's detangling feature). After a few days, I did spot that some of my longer hair extensions were wrapping around the roller. I thought I would wait to see whether the Eufy could manage these, but it will need some manual intervention. So, generally, this was good with a moderate amount of hair and some regular interventions, but more heavy-duty homes might need more help.

Test 3: mopping

When the X8 Pro was first launched, mopping was new and exciting to the market. I think this is reflected in how it performed mopping my kitchen and bathroom. To use the mop function, I just clipped the mop onto the base of the Eufy. There's a handy mat that you can put by the station so that the mop doesn't end up damaging or dripping on your carpet. You will, however, need to set no-mop zones on the app, otherwise this will mop over carpets and rugs when its on its way back to the station. 

I set the Eufy on its mopping cycle and was impressed that it could vacuum, even with the mop fitted. Whilst it's not the optimal set-up, this is useful for lazy cleaners like me. On general tasks, the integrated water tank did a great job of light cleaning. You can customise how wet you want the mop to get using the app and I did see real-time results here, which is impressive. 

Whilst I would be happy to let this run on a normal cycle, the Eufy doesn't have any scrubbing or oscillation (newer models do), so it's hard for the Eufy to properly lift tough stains and dirt. 

How does it compare?

As a budget robot vacuum, the Eufy really holds its own. The twin turbines boast some impressive suction power, the laser radar mapping is effective and accurate, and the mop is a nice extra to have around for lighter cleans. If you're happy with the basics, you can't go wrong here. However, if you'd like better mopping, more power, or better obstacle detection, I'd recommend looking at the Roborock S7 MaxV robot vacuum, the iRobot Rooma s9+, or the Shark PowerDetect. 

All three of these are notably more powerful (I had no issues with hair pick up, or flour pick up on the carpet), with comparable sensitivity. I also found that these struggled less when there were obstacles on the floor and were generally less likely to get tangles of hair in the brushes, especially the iRobot and the Shark. The only downside with all three of these is that they're more expensive. If you know you'll use your robot vacuum, they're worth the splurge. Otherwise, you might want to save and still enjoy a great vacuuming experience with the Eufy.

Should you buy it?

As a budget buy, the Eufy is brilliant. It covers a whole host of cleaning functions really well: it vacuumed hard floors faultlessly, the app is really easy to use (once it's set up), and all the strands of hair left around the house by me and my dog were spun away really easily. You'll just need to prepare yourself to have to do some manual vacuuming to touch-up spots, clear obstacles off the floor, and you'll also want to do a more thorough mop by hand on occasion too.

Robot vacuums are the kind of household innovation our grandmothers could only have dreamt of. Yet, they're now a mainstream household must-have rather than a futuristic flight of fancy, sold by all major appliance brands, including Dyson and Shark.

A robot vacuum is a wonderful thing to own. I wouldn't be without mine - it's definitely one of the best vacuum cleaners I've ever owned - but the list of things I wish I had known before I bought it is long. So, if you're tempted to invest in one before Black Friday ends, I recommend first taking some time to understand what they can and cannot do. If you're picturing a world where you never have to pick up a vacuum cleaner again, I'm here to burst your bubble.

Robot vacuums can drastically reduce the time you spend cleaning your home - no more crawling under the table chasing crumbs after dinner - but they're not perfect. Some models empty their dustbins and can even mop the floor, which is impressive, but they can't handle everything.

They can't tackle stairs, for example, and - like most machines - they sometimes miss the things that humans would have spotted. So, to save you from splashing out on an expensive household gadget that turns out to be a disappointment, here's everything you need to know before you buy a robot vacuum.

What you need to know before buying a robot vacuum

Before we discuss the various factors to consider before buying a robot vacuum – such as your floor type, the size of your home, and any specific cleaning needs – it's worth taking the time to understand how they work.

You might not care much about vacuum cleaner mechanics but a basic grasp of how a robot vacuum works is essential to ensure you choose one that will live up to your expectations.

A robot vacuum uses sensors, motors, and algorithms to find its way around your home and clean your floors. Wheels allow it to move smoothly over different surfaces like carpet, hardwood floors and tiles, while brushes and a suction system pick up dirt and debris.

Some robot vacuum cleaners use mapping technology to ‘learn’ the layout of your space while the sensors enable it to avoid crashing into obstacles such as stairs, table legs and walls. Once the room is cleaned or the battery runs low, most robot vacuums return automatically to a charging dock.

1. They require supervision

The biggest thing I wish I had known before I got my robot vacuum was just how much help I would need to give it. Perhaps I was naive but this took me by surprise - and could become a bone of contention if you invested heavily in a robot vacuum without realising how much help it would need.

I envisaged setting my robot vacuum to work and forgetting all about it but in reality, I spend quite a lot of time supervising. They're designed to steer clear of obstacles, but they can easily get stuck. I've had to rescue mine from awkward entanglements with shoelaces, and rogue socks abandoned under my children's beds can be particularly problematic.

Mine frequently seems to lose its bearings under the sofa, ending up stuck, and don't get me started on the number of times I've had to dive into the path of the robot to save an expensive charging cable from an untimely end.

Our top 3 robot vacuum picks

If you're not sure where to start, these three robot vacuums have all been put through rigorous rounds of testing by our expert, Laura. There are other models that she tested which didn't get five stars, but you want to invest in the best. To sweeten the deal, they're all on offer for Black Friday:

2. They don't do stairs

Again, perhaps this was naivety on my part but I hadn't fully grasped, before buying a robot vacuum, that stairs would be off-limits.

It makes perfect sense - they have drop sensors to prevent them from getting too close to a step because they'd fall off, and design limitations mean they can't climb stairs. (Gravity probably plays a part too, as robot vacuums aren't exactly light.) So, if you live in a home with stairs, bear in mind that you'll almost certainly still need a traditional vacuum cleaner.

Tamara Kelly, woman&home's lifestyle editor thinks robot vacuums are the new 'toy' for the home, hailed as the modern cleaning gadget set to change our lives. "But I'll be totally honest with you, I was still on the fence about just how good these smart cleaning devices really are – after watching countless demos on prototypes that seemingly crash into everything and didn't appear to pick up all the dirt," she says.

"But now I know what they can and can't do I feel like I can take a more realistic approach and think about how it can help in certain areas of general maintenance - without replacing the work of my cordless vacuum and certainly not when cleaning my stairs (I actually swear by an Amazon carpet lint remover to remove the pet hair from my stairs). The other aspect for me has always been the price, they are often very expensive. Perhaps now cheaper models (like Heidi's robot vacuum) are doing great things I might finally invest."

3. They require maintenance

The whole appeal of a robot vacuum is how much time it will save you, so it can be a little disappointing to discover just how much TLC they require to keep them running optimally.

With a robot, you have to clean the brushes regularly to maintain suction power and wipe down the sensors with a soft cloth to prevent problems with navigation. Then there's keeping the charging dock free of dirt and dust, cleaning the filter, and emptying the dustbin. Parts, like brushes and filters, will eventually wear out and need to be replaced, too.

No household gadget worth owning is entirely maintenance-free, of course, but it's important to note that a robot vacuum isn't a silver bullet for effortless cleaning; it's a machine that requires ongoing care and maintenance.

4. Pets can be a problem

I'm not talking about tackling pet hair - my robot vacuum is brilliant at picking up the worst of my puppy's fuzz when she's shedding her coat. Nope, the issue is that both my cat and dog despise the robot vacuum and regard it with the utmost suspicion.

To be fair, they're not huge fans of my cordless vacuum either so I wouldn't say this is a reason not to buy one. But I wish I had known, before buying a robot vacuum, that I would have to wait until the pets were sound asleep or out of the house before putting it to work.

5. Robot vacuums can be noisy

This one is definitely on me; who in their right mind would expect a vacuum cleaner to be quiet? It was a foolish expectation but it's important to disavow yourself of the notion that a robot will be a quieter alternative to a traditional vacuum. Unlikely. (But come on, it's cleaning the floor for you while you do something more fun; if it was quiet, too, we would be living in a perfect world.)

That said, I love the sound my robot vacuum makes. It's a bit like the feeling you get when someone powers up the best coffee machine to make you a fancy flat white; there's something strangely thrilling about the sound of your floors being cleaned while you find something more enjoyable to do.

Unlike the best dehumidifiers for bedrooms, it's not the end of the world if it makes some degree of noise, it's not like I'm not losing sleep over it.

FAQs

What to look out for when buying a robot vacuum

There are several important things to consider when choosing a robot vacuum:

• Floor type: It's essential to consider your floor type before you buy a robot vacuum as thick carpets may require stronger suction power than hardwood floors or tiles. Suction power is measured in Pa or air watts so check before you buy that the model you like is designed for your floor type.
• Battery Life: There's nothing more frustrating than investing in a robot vacuum that doesn't have the battery life to handle the size of your home. Choose one with a battery that lasts at least 90 minutes on a single charge, and make sure it automatically returns to its charging dock when the battery runs low.
• Capacity: The larger the capacity of the robot vacuum's dustbin, the less frequently you'll have to empty it. Go for the biggest capacity you can afford, especially if you have a bigger home or one that requires more frequent vacuuming. And if your budget allows, it's well worth choosing one that empties its own dustbin - gamechanger.
• Navigation & Mapping: A robot vacuum with advanced mapping will be better at creating an efficient cleaning route. Room mapping functionality is a must if, like me, your home is full of obstacles like abandoned shoes and forgotten PE kits.
• Smart functionality: I'm not a huge fan of paying more for these features as I tend not to use them as much as I imagine I will. But if you're a techie, it's well worth choosing a robot vacuum with smart functionality like voice assistant compatibility (e.g., Alexa, Google Assistant), app control, and scheduling. Imagine being able to tell your robot vacuum when to get to work!
• Noise Level: It's unrealistic to expect a robot vacuum to be quiet but if you're likely to use it while working from home, for example, check the decibel rating (dB) and choose a quieter model so it won't disrupt calls or concentration.
• Cleaning and maintenance: Some robot vacuums require more frequent maintenance than others so consider how much energy you have for keeping it working optimally. I'm a fan of low-maintenance robot vacuums with self-cleaning brushes and washable filters.
• Price: Robot vacuums vary hugely in price and functionality. You can pay anything from around £100 to several hundred pounds. More expensive models tend to have more advanced functionality so, in my experience, it's worth comparing the models in your price range and paying more, if you can, for features like better mapping and suction power.

What are the negatives of robot vacuums?

If you invest in a robot vacuum you'll probably still need to use a traditional vacuum cleaner from time to time, as robot vacuums aren't perfect. They can have limited cleaning power, especially on stubborn stains and thick carpets. Their small size means they also have smaller dustbins, so you may have to empty them after each use. Robot vacuums also sometimes struggle to navigate obstacles, getting stuck easily. Finally, they require regular cleaning and maintenance to ensure they continue to work optimally.

How do I prepare my house for a robot vacuum?

To prepare your house for a robot vacuum, clear the floor of any major obstacles. Pick up anything - like toys, shoes and cables - that could obstruct its path or that a robot vacuum could easily become entangled with. You shouldn't need to move furniture as a robot vacuum uses sensors to navigate its way around 'fixed' obstacles like chairs and table legs. Consider moving fringed rugs or carpets out of the way, as these may obstruct the robot's path. Finally, make sure you have ample space around the docking station and that the path to it is clear so that the robot can easily find its way back when cleaning is complete or the battery is running low.

Is it worth buying a robot vacuum?

Yes, if you'd like to spend less time vacuuming without sacrificing a clean home. A robot vacuum can take care of your floor cleaning automatically, freeing up your time so you can relax, unwind, or focus on other interests.

Buying a robot vacuum is a big decision. They're not cheap and nobody wants to spend hundreds of pounds on a pricy household appliance if it's not going to get the job done better than a human could.

If you take time to carefully consider your needs, compare different models and functionality, and choose wisely, your robot vacuum could genuinely end up being one of the best investments you make. I love mine and it's no exaggeration to say that I would (briefly) consider running into a burning building to retrieve it.

I can't see me chucking out my beloved cordless vacuum any time soon - the robot vacuum is a wonderful addition to my cleaning cupboard, not a replacement vacuum. But after a long day at work, followed by the chaos of feeding and cleaning up after a family of five, my favourite task is setting the robot vacuum to work while I sit down with a cuppa or a glass of wine. Yes, it's an expensive bit of a kit that you could probably live without, but the satisfaction that comes from putting my feet up while a machine cleans my floors? Priceless.

The best vacuum deals pop up with major sale events, so you'll be pleased to hear that Amazon Prime Day is right around the corner.

I’ve tested over 30 of the best vacuums on the market and they’ve all had something different to offer With that in mind, I'll be on the lookout for ways to nab a deal on a vacuum that tackles pet hair or a sleek Dyson. Whilst I expect sensational savings on Prime Day (8-11th July), I've found better deals with other retailers.

I bought a refurbished Dyson from eBay a few years ago and have helped many a family member and friend towards a steal, whether it be on Shark's cordless vacuums or a robot model. So, here's everything you need to know.

Where can I shop vacuum deals?

There are a few places that I always check for vacuum deals. Almost all of my go-tos have sales on and it never hurts to take a look at what's on offer. Here are the places to shop if you want the deals that'll really clean up.

• Amazon: there are sensational deals over here right now
• AO: flash deals on best-selling brands and member discounts of up to 50%
• Argos: save up to £150 on Shark, Dyson, and more
• Currys: some of the best vacuum cleaner deals are live here, right now
• Dyson: £150 off some of my favourite cordless vacuums
• John Lewis: discounts on upright, corded, and handheld models
• Shark: plenty of savings on my favourite vacuums
• Robert Dyas: a good range of hoovers and vacuums
• Very: save on the latest launches from Shark and Bissell

The best vacuum deals on offer right now

I've scrolled through all the sales to find you the best vacuum deals right now. These are my favourite deal.

FAQs

When is a good time to buy a vacuum?

It's not long until Amazon Prime Day (8th-11th July), which is one of the best times of the year to bag a vacuum deal. I've already seen savings on Shark, Dyson, and Bosch.

Is Shark or Dyson better?

There's no straight answer for which vacuum is better, because they both cater to very different needs. Shark's models are inexpensive with lots of flexible, useful attachments to reach every crevice. Dyson's models feel like they'll be more durable, reliable, and they're often a lot more simple. I've ended up with a Dyson in my home, but that doesn't stop me from admiring a Shark vacuum when one pops up.

I'll keep you up to date on all the best vacuum deals that come in to the Amazon Prime Day Sales. I think stock will fly out, these are some of the best deals of the year, after all.

I sat down with Shark’s design team to hear all about their latest vacuum. It’s an incredible feat of design and will make your vacuuming easier, quicker, and more thorough than ever before. Here are the details. 

Shark’s models are hailed as some of the best vacuums on the market. Plenty are even trading in their beloved Dysons for the less expensive Shark alternatives. With the launch of the PowerDetect Vacuum Cleaner, I’m more than tempted to make the switch myself. 

I had the pleasure of testing this before it was officially launched and keeping it secret has been a tough two weeks. Every time I pick up my vacuum at home, I find myself daydreaming of the clever features built into the Shark's new model. 

So, how are they disrupting the vacuum market? Where can you buy one, and how much will they cost? I have the answers to all of your questions — and more.

What have Shark launched?

Shark have released more than just one PowerDetect Vacuum, in fact, they've released over twenty new products across the Shark Clean, Shark Beauty, Ninja Kitchen, and Ninja Outdoor range as part of IFA Berlin 2024. There's a lot of innovation that's gone into all of the products, but the one that I'm most excited about (and the one you won't regret welcoming into your home is the Shark PowerDetect Clean & Empty Cordless Vacuum.

More information about the most innovative vacuum of the decade

Vacuums are getting smarter, smaller, and slicker by the week, so to cause a stir in the market takes more than just some pretty colours. On paper, it’s easy to see that Shark has more than achieved the desired stir in the market. They’ve packed the Shark PowerDetect Clean & Empty Cordless Vacuum with innovative features and functions. 

“We wanted a cordless vacuum that could really be a rival for upright vacuums, so we set to work designing this,” says the Shark design team. “What we’ve ended up making is a cordless vacuum that’s not only better than an upright vacuum, it’s better than cordless vacuums and all other models on the market too.” It sounds like a bold claim to make, but I have to agree. I’ve tested over forty vacuums, from the SEBO ones used by professional carpet cleaners to the ever-famous Dyson. After taking the Shark PowerDetect Clean & Empty Cordless Vacuum for a spin, I'm excited to vacuum, which isn't something that I say lightly. Here are the main features that I think you’ll want to know about:

1. You can vacuum in any direction

Admittedly, I haven’t been dragging my vacuum in all directions when I clean the house, but I always notice little lines and bits of build-up, especially for a spill like flour. This is because, technically, vacuums can only work when you’re pushing them forward. Or, at least, they used to only work when you pushed them forward. 

Shark’s design team have built a special flexible fin layer that they're calling DirectionDetect. It lets you push and pull the vacuum in all directions and it’ll pick up all the dirt off your floor. This means you can half your vacuuming time (Shark says that you'll get 40% faster debris pick up), because every time you pull the vacuum back towards you, it’ll be doing work. 

2. It always deep cleans corners

Cleaning the corners and edges of your floor is often a task for a hand tool and some sweat. However, Shark have decided that you shouldn't need to be on your hands and knees for jobs like that. Their floor head detects contact with edges and increases the vacuuming strength on the side that is close to the crevices at the side of your floor head, so you don’t get any debris left in the corners. You’ll see the floor head light up on the side that’s working hardest. It’s very clever.

Talking of lighting up, the floor head lights can tell you some other things about your vacuuming too. They will change colour depending on how clean your floor is, automatically detecting dust particles and cleaning them up. You get a visual indication that your floor is clean and good to go. It might sound like one of those gimmicks that don’t end up working, but I tested this out and it’s actually really impressive and very satisfying too. I wish all vacuums were like this.

If you're wondering what part of the name this is, it falls under Shark's DuoClean Detect name. You get two brush rolls with multiple sensors. They're really neat.

3. It's the best at emptying dust and dirt

Emptying the vacuum is my least favourite task, not least because it’s when dust gets kicked up into the air, undoing all my hard work. Shark has seen to that issue with two smart features. 

First, the vacuum compacts dirt into a more dense block. “This means that things don’t fly around when this empties, which is great for people who suffer from allergies,” says the Shark team. According to their research, it captures and traps 99.9% of dust and allergens, which they call the anti-allergen complete seal. The dense block even self-empties into the bin, so you really don’t need to lift a finger. Who knew vacuuming could get glam?

4. The floorhead is much smaller

I struggle to store all my floorheads neatly away, but Shark have come up with a solution. The team said that “lots of people put the motor in the floorhead, but they don’t think about positioning. We decided to incorporate it into other parts, meaning that this is almost half the size, but the same, impressive power.” It’s no lighter than the bigger floorhead, which I actually think is a good sign. It shows that all the same technology really has been packed into one accessory. 

5. There's even a toddler mode

Shark wanted this vacuum to cover all of your home needs, so they’ve created a mode where this looks like a toy, toddler vacuum. The best use for this is cleaning your car, but it’s also great for cupboards and tight spaces. “When we were testing this out with customers, we didn’t expect them to have their kids do the vacuuming, but little ones love doing things like that. The Shark looks like a toy, but works like a real vacuum, so, whilst we’re not encouraging you to get the kids and grandchildren to do chores around the home, if they enjoy it, you both win.” It’s a piece of marketing genius.

There are plenty of subtle, signature Shark features, such as the main wand, which has a flexible middle for vacuuming under sofas. You can use this to subtly stand the vacuum in a corner when it’s charging, or for stowing it away in a cupboard. I’ve put the specifications below, so you can check out the numbers, if that’s your kind of language.

What else is out there?

Given that Shark aren’t asking a huge amount of money, I can’t think of a more desirable vacuum on the market right now. Normally, I would give you some alternative suggestions — and I will — but there isn’t anything that comes close to the features of this. 

I've had a little play around with the Shark PowerDetect Clean & Empty Cordless Vacuum, but I'm set to test it as soon as it's available. When I do, I'll update you with a proper review of it. Expect me to be very smug with my cleaning efforts.

For what is often classed as a simple task, there are several pitfalls when it comes to vacuuming. Cleaning experts have shared the most common mistakes you could be making with every clean.

When you've got one of the best vacuums on your side, cleaning can feel like a dream, making vacuuming feel effortless. And yet, it turns out there are multiple ways you can make mistakes when vacuuming your home.

Even if you know how often you should vacuum your home and fancy yourself a vacuuming pro, the chances are you've made one of these mistakes – we certainly have. Luckily, cleaning experts have shared how to avoid making them and offer alternative ways to achieve the perfect clean.

8 most common vacuuming mistakes

So what can you be doing wrong when you're vacuuming? Well, similarly to common dusting mistakes to avoid, there are a few small things that can negatively affect your cleaning results and even damage your carpets.

Here are the most common vacuuming mistakes we regularly make...

1. Neglecting your vacuum

Your vacuum is an essential gadget for getting rid of dust and removing pet hair. And whilst most models are very durable and can take a lot of use there is a certain amount of maintenance your vacuum needs to function effectively.

Speaking to Olivia Young, the cleaning expert at Astonish, she says, "Put simply, if your vacuum itself isn’t clean, how can you expect it to clean your home? It might sound simple and almost obvious, but this is generally one of the ways most of us are going wrong!"

She points out that not only will a dirty or clogged filter make for a sub-par clean but it could also be adding to the dirt, blowing it out in the air and back onto the carpets you're trying to clean. Ever wondered why your room smells when vacuuming? A dirty filter is the most likely cause.

"To avoid this, give your vacuum some TLC and make cleaning the device a regular thing. This includes replacing the filter and cleaning the attachments – a damp cloth will do the trick," she explains.

2. Vacuuming too fast

No one wants to spend all day vacuuming, especially when you consider how often you should clean your house; however, there is a risk of vacuuming too quickly.

"We’ve probably all said the phrase ‘I’ll just do a quick vacuum’ before – but this might not be as effective as you think. Unfortunately, no matter how powerful your appliance is, a speedy vacuum just won’t quite cut it to achieve a thorough clean," says Olivia.

If you vacuum too fast, you won't give your vacuum a chance to actually get under the carpet fibres and pick up all the dirt and debris.

Olivia continues, "A quick clean is just a surface-level clean and will more than likely lead to you needing to repeat the clean a few times. Slow and steady wins the race when it comes to vacuuming!"

3. Forgetting to move furniture

As much as rearranging furniture is the last thing you want to do, simply vacuuming around items in your room will not give you the deep clean you want.

"While this may seem like a time-saving technique when vacuuming, this prevents you from having a thorough clean," says Liam Cleverdon, flooring trends expert at Flooring King. "Not moving furnishings while vacuuming can cause you to miss areas that aren’t visible, leading to a build-up of dust and dirt."

When vacuuming to deep clean your house, then skirting around your sofa, rug, or lamp will not achieve the level of cleaning you're aiming for. Instead, Liam says to avoid this surface-level clean move furniture around as you vacuum your space and return them as soon as you're done with the area.

4. Not adjusting the attachment for different surfaces

When finding ways to reduce dust in your home and keep it as clean as possible, consider the various surfaces where dust collects. The way you tackle your curtains will be completely different to how you clean your countertops, and the same goes for the surfaces you vacuum.

"If you use the incorrect attachments for certain surfaces, your vacuuming technique could be ineffective or even damaging," says Dawn Hilton-Lito, manager at cleaning company One Less Thing. "Before vacuuming an area, you should double-check that you have the right attachment in place."

Consider this when vacuuming your mattress or cleaning a velvet sofa because both require an upholstery attachment.

5. Vacuuming in only one direction

Perhaps one of the most common vacuuming mistakes is only vacuuming your carpets in one direction, limiting how much dirt and debris you remove.

“Vacuuming in one direction is a common mistake that people make when cleaning floors. This technique may feel natural and efficient; however, this prevents thorough cleaning. Instead, vacuuming in multiple directions helps release dust and dirt from the carpet’s fibres. Varying directions instead of going back and forth with your vacuum can help ruffle the carpet piles, further accessing deeper dirt," says Liam.

Although it will add time to your deep clean, it's best to avoid spring cleaning mistakes so that the next time you tackle that area, it feels far less overwhelming.

6. Picking up things you shouldn't with your vacuum

As much as it's easier to vacuum large areas without inspecting them, there are certain objects and smaller pieces of debris you shouldn't be using your vacuum to get rid of.

"It’s important to note that the sole purpose of using a vacuum is to lift dust, dirt, and debris. Using this cleaning appliance to remove bigger pieces, such as coins, earrings, or large shards of glass, can damage the mechanism, resulting in repair or a new vacuum," explains Liam.

Similar to how many common radiator cleaning mistakes can damage your radiator, vacuuming these bits up will cost you money in the long run. To avoid any damage, Liam recommends scanning your floor for these larger pieces and picking them up manually to dispose of them.

7. Forgetting to clean your vacuum filters

Similar to the time frame on how often you should replace your carpets, your vacuum filter needs replacing, too. With all the impressive vacuum models on the market, most will work more efficiently with a clean, fresh filter.

Dawnn stresses the importance of this particular vacuum maintenance. She says, "By refusing to properly clean or replace filters, homeowners can end up compromising their indoor air quality." This could also be why your room smells after vacuuming.

Not paying attention to the condition of your vacuum filter will lead to low-quality cleaning and may add to the dust already in your home. Dawnn suggests consulting the manufacturer's instructions for guidance on how often you should clean or replace the filters and how to do it.

If you want to replace your filter altogether, then these Dyson-compatible filters from Amazon for £12.98 are perfect.

8. Only focussing on the floor

,It's not just your floor that can benefit from a good vacuum. But not taking full advantage of your vacuum for other surfaces around your home is a common mistake.

"When we think about vacuuming the home, many of us tend to think only of our floors, often neglecting other areas of the house which would benefit from a regular vacuum. Many surface areas are just as vacuumable as your hard floors and carpets, so it’s important to show these spots some attention when cleaning the home," explains Paul Bagwell, CEO and Founder of Halo Vacuums.

Paul says that the most common area that's missed is blinds, especially Venetian ones as the flat surfaces collect dust more than other types – ideal when cleaning blinds.

He says, "Most vacuums come with additional attachments for various areas of the home. Running a bristled brush head over your windows will stop dust from spreading around the home and create less cleaning work for you and your vacuum."

This also applies to soft furnishings too, using the upholstery tool on your vacuum is a great way to clean a fabric headboard or tackle your sofa.

Is there a wrong way to vacuum?

“Vacuuming is a relatively straightforward task; however, there are minor factors that can make a big change to the overall quality of the clean. Vacuuming with a full bag restricts fresh debris from being lifted, so always check the condition of the bag to see if it needs emptying," points out Liam.

"Not removing objects to reveal the clear surface can also lead to dust and dirt being missed due to being hidden by furnishings, so for an optimum clean, temporarily remove objects to allow the vacuum to access all areas," he continues.

As mentioned above, vacuuming in multiple directions is the best way to achieve a deep, thorough clean.

Is vacuuming every day bad?

Unlike how often you should mow your lawn, vacuuming is more of a personal choice and down to your household situation. There are a lot more variables to take into consideration, and unlike lawns, your carpet won't die from excessive vacuuming.

“While vacuuming every day won’t cause many issues and is an effective way of preventing any dust or dirt build-up, this should be avoided on certain types of flooring," begins Liam.

"A daily vacuum is safe on flooring such as carpets. However, hardwood flooring may experience damage to its boards, so once a week is the best practice when it comes to this type of flooring. Use a sweeping brush in between vacuuming for hard floors where there is high traffic," he recommends.

What should you not vacuum up?

In the same way you can make dusting mistakes, it's all too easy to accidentally vacuum things you shouldn't. Several things shouldn't be cleaned with your vacuum, as doing so could damage your machine.

"When considering what you should not vacuum up, it’s important to avoid anything hot, such as ashes, until it has fully cooled. You should also steer clear of vacuuming wet material unless your appliance is specifically designed to handle it, like the Halo Hot Spot," says Paul Bagwell, CEO and Founder of Halo Vacuums.

"Heat and moisture can both damage your vacuum and may reduce its performance or shorten its overall lifespan," he adds.

Vacuuming will never be the same again. Simply avoid making these common mistakes, and you will soon notice the difference in your home's health and cleanliness. And why not tackle different areas in your home? Your vacuum can handle it

Have you noticed an unpleasant musty smell that seems to linger when vacuuming a room? Well, it turns out there's a really simple reason why it happens, and luckily, it's super easy to fix.

It can feel disheartening when you've bought one of the best vacuums on the market, and after a while, it begins to leave a lingering 'dirty' odour as you vacuum your rooms. As one of the best ways to get rid of dust in your home, vacuuming is meant to leave your space feeling fresher and cleaner than you found it not worse. But fear not, it's easy to stop it from occurring.

We spoke to cleaning and vacuum experts about where this unwelcome smell comes from and what we can do to avoid it happening in the first place.

Why does my room smell when I vacuum?

When you're looking for ways to reduce the amount of dust in your home, there's nothing better than thorough vacuuming. And yet, once you're finished cleaning, there can be a musty smell that seems to get stronger with every use.

"One of the main reasons why we get a lingering smell after vacuuming is due to debris caught in the filter," explains Paul Bagwell, CEO and Founder of Halo Vacuums. "Dust, hair, dirt, and pet dander can become trapped inside the vacuum and left to sit until the filter is changed or cleared, which can create an unpleasant odour over time."

It's therefore important to clean the filter regularly to stop the unpleasant smell from occurring. Forget asking if you should vacuum a mattress; if you don't, the odour will still occur.

The dirty filter is particularly an issue for those who own pets, as pet hair and dander can break down quickly and will leave your room with a strong cat or dog smell.

Paul points out that for bagless vacuums, there's an added risk of releasing debris when emptying the contents of the vacuum – not ideal if you don't have one of the best air purifiers to improve indoor air quality.

"In fact, emptying a bagless vacuum can release 10 times more dust, pet hair, and dirt back into the air in your home than removing and replacing a vacuum bag. As a result, this ‘dust cloud’ can be the culprit of all manner of smells being left behind after cleaning out your vacuum," says Paul.

Shop odour solutions

How can you stop your vacuum cleaner from smelling?

Now you know what is causing your vacuum cleaner to smell while in use, how can you fix it? When you consider how often you should clean your house, dirt and debris build-up is bound to happen frequently, so it's ideal to know how best to avoid it.

Paul points out that there are a few ways to minimise the smell emitted from your machine. He says, "Good vacuum maintenance is to check your filter for trapped hair, dust or dirt regularly, and clear out anything caught inside – this will keep debris from decaying and giving off an odour."

He does, however, say that the easiest way to avoid the smell is to opt for a bagged model when you go to buy your new vacuum. He explains, "These bags or pouches are designed to seal off everything captured by the suction mechanism and prevent the dust cloud from escaping when emptying the vacuum, and act as your first line of defence against that unpleasant smell."

Another advantage is that bagged vacuums have a greater capacity, meaning you can vacuum for longer and cover larger areas without worrying about having to empty the dust and dirt.

FAQs

What can you put in your vacuum to stop it from smelling?

When it comes to preventative measures, there are limits to what you can do other than keeping on top of maintenance and cleaning your vacuum cleaner regularly.

"It isn’t recommended to put anything inside your vacuum to prevent smells, as this could interfere with the filter and the efficiency of your machine. Instead, opt for a model with a bag," explains Paul.

What are the signs of poor vacuum suction?

"To perform well, your vacuum cleaner needs to move easily and suck up large and small debris efficiently from all surfaces in your home," starts Harriet Carter-Harper, Product Manager at VAX UK.

"A blocked vacuum cleaner will cause debris to be left behind on the floor, due to a loss of suction. You may also notice an increase in the noise pitch of your vacuum at the same time. Removing a blockage is relatively easy," she adds.

It could also be a matter of the filter being blocked, as this is one of the key components that drives your vacuum's performance.

"Often missed or neglected, a clean filter will keep your vacuum cleaner working to optimum levels. Every few weeks, we would recommend that you check the filter, as this can become clogged with dirt and affect the suction of your vacuum," explains Harriet.

It's also important that the bin or bag is emptied regularly, as this can reduce suction.

Does vacuuming make your room smell better?

If you're trying to make your house smell good, you might be wondering if vacuuming can actually help with the overall odour of your home.

"Regular vacuuming will help to remove dirt, debris and pet hair that, if left, can lead to bacteria growth which causes unpleasant odours," starts Harriet.

"Whilst regular vacuuming will help keep on top of surface debris, it is also important to consider a deeper clean of carpets to help eradicate odours. Deep down in the carpet pile, there can be a layer of odour-causing bacteria lurking in the fibres, which can’t be removed by vacuuming alone. A regular deep clean of carpets and large rugs with a carpet cleaner will help keep bacteria at bay and remove those unpleasant odours," she continues.

Now you know the source of the mysterious smell, your room will be fresh and clean from now on. Without an off-putting vacuum smell, you can freely scent-scape your home to your heart's content.

You might think that you should be regularly vacuuming your mattress  – and why not? They are after all known to harbour dust mites, dead skin and, ahem, pet hair. 

Vacuuming is a key part of cleaning a mattress, which is key to prolonging its lifespan. But some vacuuming techniques are unsafe for your mattress and could even damage it, say experts. 

We've spoken to a professional cleaner and a mattress expert to discover how to vacuum a mattress safely, how often to do it, and when not to do it at all.

Can you vacuum a mattress? 

You may well have invested in one of the best cooling mattresses money can buy, in which case, you'll want to ensure its lifespan is as long as possible. 

Chris Tattersall, sleep expert and MD of Woolroom says, "Should your mattress be made of synthetic, man-made fibres, such as memory foam, then you are okay to clean it with a vacuum, as it is generally safe to do so. These mattresses do need more cleaning, as they harbour house dust mites and other allergens that disrupt your sleep."

He does, however, explain that mattresses made of natural fillings such as wool should never be vacuumed. He says: "Doing so would displace the natural fillings in the mattress, as even a gentle suction can disturb the way these have been placed beneath the surface, causing them to be dislodged, leading to lumps being created in the mattress or even pulling the fibres through the fabric of the mattress." 

Instead of vacuuming naturally filled mattresses, Chris recommends using a soft brush as this won't disturb the filling. You can do this every few weeks to sweep away the dust, though if have a wool-filled mattress this won't be needed at all. 

"With a wool mattress, there is no real need to clean it, as due to wool’s unique natural self-cleaning properties, the fibre is resistant to house dust mites and other allergens, meaning there isn’t much to clean away," says Chris. 

How often should you vacuum your mattress? 

If you have a synthetic mattress then you're free to vacuum every time you change your bed, especially, as Dawnn Hilton-Lito, general manager at commercial cleaning company One Less Thing explains, if you have allergies: "Regular mattress vacuuming is recommended if you or your partner are particularly sensitive to dust and other allergens lurking on and around it." 

Mattresses can hold lots of aggravating dust particles, skin cells and dust mites which banded together can cause serious irritation to your skin, especially if you share your bed with a pet.

"Vacuuming is one of the quickest and most efficient methods to get rid of dog and cat hairs, which makes the process ideal for pet owners who let their furry friends sleep on the bed with them," says Dawnn. 

No pets, no allergies? "You should aim to vacuum a synthetic mattress at least once every three to six months, although you may want to do it more frequently for optimal results," continues Dawnn. 

However, if you have a high-quality mattress protector, then the necessity of cleaning your mattress significantly decreases, even if you do have a pet. It will also protect your mattress from spills, sweat and the resulting odours.

"A strong mattress protector reduces the need for frequent vacuuming, as the protector can be washed separately," says Dawnn. 

Should your mattress be made of natural filling this makes a mattress protector all the more important, so that you can rely on gentler cleaning methods, and use them less frequently, prioritising spot cleaning stains and brushing over vacuuming. Our top pick is below.

Top tips for vacuuming a mattress

If you are vacuuming a synthetic mattress, this is the best approach.

• You can use your regular vacuum cleaner when vacuuming your mattress however make sure you add on the upholstery tool or a soft brush attachment so the fabric of your mattress is protected from any unnecessary damage.
• If you have one of the best cordless vacuums, especially a handheld one, then make use of this when vacuuming your mattress. It will make the whole task a lot easier and will allow you to get into the seams and corners. 
• Dawnn also suggests using the most gentle setting on your vacuum first and then only increasing the power depending on how well the vacuuming is suctioning up the follicles. 
• It's always best to start any vacuuming job by cleaning out the filter and ensuring your vacuum bin is empty. For extra cleanliness, check your vacuum's attachments for any leftover hair or dirt from a previous cleaning job. 
• Another great way to ensure lasting freshness is to clean your mattress with baking soda. Sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda over your mattress, especially on any stain and leave it there for around an hour. Then simply vacuum all the powder up to leave you with a clean and fresh-smelling mattress. 
• Finally, if you're looking for an easier, mess-free way of refreshing your mattress with minimal vacuuming then we'd recommend picking up a sprayable mattress refresher, like this one below from Amazon; it has all-natural ingredients and can help with stubborn stains too, a win-win! 

Does vacuuming a mattress get rid of dust mites?

Whilst vacuuming will certainly get rid of most debris, dirt and dust there's no guarantee it will eliminate all traces of dust mites. One way to banish bed mites and bacteria for good though is to flip your mattress every one to three months as this will stop any bacteria from collecting. Should, however, you not have a double-sided mattress, we suggest regular vacuuming, a mattress protector and knowing how to clean your mattress properly to give it the best chance of staying dust mite-free. 

Now you know that vacuuming is a great expert cleaning hack if you have a synthetically filled mattress. And if you're still after some more expert tips the owner of Gtech and inventor of the cordless vacuum, Nick Grey shares his advice for achieving the best clean with a vacuum. He says, "Work in lines going up and down the mattress, and round the sides. Also, make sure to concentrate on the studded areas where dust tends to settle and collect the most." 

We can't believe our eyes, Dyson is having a sale – offering huge savings on their best-selling appliances. If you're gearing up for your spring clean then there is no better time to snap up one of the iconic Dyson cordless vacuums than right now. 

Other than Dyson Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals, the retailer rarely offers savings on their beloved electronics and appliances. This is why when we got word of the Dyson Week sale from our contacts over at Dyson we just had to share the news, especially since our lifestyle editor, Tamara Kelly's favourite cordless vacuum, and one of the best Dyson vacuum cleaners, the V12, is on sale. 

"Before owning a Dyson Vacuum, I found it hard to comprehend the investment, but after owning the V12 I am in awe and can vouch they are worth every penny (even better when you can pick up a discount)," says Tamara Kelly. 

Dyson Week sale vacuum deals

"I couldn't do chores now without my V12," says Tamara. "The filtration system and expertly designed supreme suction means you pick up dust particles that you would never even know were there – it is somewhat mortifying to see the chamber fill with undetected dirt when the surfaces look 'clean'. Vacuuming is now a household chore that provides extreme job satisfaction." 

Dyson Week air filtration deals

Now you've got your home clean and dust-free, what better way to keep it that way and improve the indoor air quality than one of the best air purifiers? Dyson is also offering great deals on their purifiers this week only while stocks last, with savings of over £100. 

Few and far between they might be, but we are always on the lookout for the best Dyson deals and Dyson discount codes each month. And when Dyson isn't offering anything, we're looking for the best Simba mattress deals and Jo Malone sales amongst many other of our tried and trusted beloved brands. 

Shark deals cover their ever-expanding repertoire of innovative vacuums, highly desirable hair dryers, and expert air purifiers. There's always some sort of saving on offer, but these are the ones it's actually worth shopping.

I've spent too much time eyeing-up my friends' Shark home appliances. First it was their classic vacuum, then their Flexstyle, which rivals most of the best hairdryers and hair straighteners we've tested. Then, this summer, the appliance of the season was Shark's expert air purifier. All of them are significant investments, but all of them are still worth every penny.

Given their popularity and quality, you could be forgiven for thinking that Shark sales are rare. However, we often see them offering discounts, so you don't need to practice too much patience to snag one for a saving. We've seen retailers offer up to £210 off their vacuums, air purifiers, and other expert household appliances. If you want to be sure that your Shark saving is the best, here's the place to be.

Quick list of Shark deals

Here's a quick list of the places you might like to look if you want to scroll through sales yourself. 

• Shark UK: Get official site offers and discounts
• Amazon UK: Shop top-rated Shark vacuums and air purifiers
• Boots: Get Advantage Card prices and free next-day delivery on Shark beauty items
• Currys: Get deep discounts on selected vacuums and accessories
• JD Williams: Save on cordless vacuums
• John Lewis: Discounts on the latest Shark vacuums and mops
• Lakeland: Brilliant savings on vacuums and steam mops
• Very UK: Save on Shark's latest cordless and corded vacuums
• QVC: Clearance and outlet deals on Shark products

Today's best Shark deals

Shark savings have something to offer every room in your home. There's a reason the Shark vacuum has swept (or, indeed, suctioned) the nation off its feet: it works wonders. 

If you're looking to curate a salon set-up in your home, you'll want to keep on top of the Airwrap-rivalling FlexStyle (our editor has compared the two in detail here) deals. For both of these Shark appliances, and everything in between, look no further than here.

Which is the best Shark vacuum?

We'd argue that the right Shark vacuum for you very much depends on your own requirements and budgets – for example, do you want a cordless vacuum or a corded model? An expert tester for w&h tested a range of the brand's vacuums, and found that their prefered overall model was the Shark Cylinder Pet Vacuum Cleaner with DuoClean and Anti Hair Wrap CZ500UK. This model falls into the middle of the price range for Shark vacuums, and is easy to store, lightweight, and very effective on both carpet and hard floor.

They also found the Shark WandVac 2-in-1 WV362UKT to be the best budget option; with up to 32 minutes running time, it also converts into a handheld, and is very lightweight to carry around your home.

And if you've got the money to splurge, the tester found the Shark Anti Hair Wrap Cordless Upright Vacuum Cleaner with Powerfins, Powered Lift-Away & TruePet ICZ300UKT (now available for £100 off) to be the best premium option. It's certainly pricey, but it's also got a huge 60-minute run-time, a brilliantly quiet eco mode, and a battery power display, so you know how much time you've got left to vacuum. These are some of the best models on the market to pick up if you spot them with a discount. 

How long do Shark vacuums last?

It's good to see that Shark put their money where their mouth is. All Shark products - including vacuums - are guaranteed for at least five years. The warranty on most products is for 12 months, so you know that their design and quality control is amongst the best on the market.

If you read customer reviews, you'll see that people have their Shark products for a lot longer than the guarantee. Plenty have lasted for up to eight years, so if you calculate price per use, it's pennies. If you take care of your Shark product well, it could even last well past the decade mark. 

Does Shark do Black Friday?

At woman&home, we've covered the Shark Black Friday sales for the last three years, and generally, there are Black Friday sales both at Shark and at other retailers like Amazon, Currys, and Walmart.

Shark has not shared specifics of this year's Black Friday sale event, but they recommend signing up for their newsletter to stay in the loop for this year's holiday sale. Stockists like Argos, Very, and Walmart haven't announced their Black Friday participation, but like Shark, are encouraging shoppers to sign up to their email list.

What Shark products were in the sale last year?

Last year, we saw brilliant savings of up to £200 off the best Shark vacuums, the best hair dryers, air purifiers, and more from the retailer itself, and up to 50% off upright and robot vacuums from stockists.

In the US, there were sweet bundles at Shark that included a 2-in-1 Cordless Anti-Wrap Vacuum Cleaner and a Shark Steam Mop, both for just £199.99, giving shoppers two Shark products for the price of one. Amazon also offered a huge savings of $182 on one of the brand's best robot vacuums, the Shark AI VACMOP Pro. 

For the past few Black Fridays, we saw great savings from the brand's official website on the Shark Anti Hair Wrap Upright Vacuum for £150 off in 2021 and £130 off in 2022. 

Does Shark do Prime Day?

Shark is never one to shy away from a sale, so we're almost certain that they'll be doing Prime Day this year. They often deliver some of the best discounts of the whole event, especially across their stick vacuums. One of our favourite discounts offered 50% off Shark's iconic Navigator Lift Away Upright Vacuum, which boasts relentlessly powerful suction, innovative design, and meticulous results across tricky-to-clean stairs and furniture.

Shark's Vertext Pro cordless stick vacuum was also discounted by 44% on Prime Day. The lightweight vacuum boasts a HEPA filter and the same allergen and suction credentials as the Navigator Upright vacuum. It's perfect for pet homes and small spaces, delivering Dyson results for a moderate (even more so on Prime Day) price. 

Those are just two of Shark's super savings which we saw on Prime Day. There's plenty more where that came from. That's why we're already on the countdown for some more savings (although you can bet we won't be overlooking any sales in between).

Who actually makes the best vacuum cleaner? Is it Dyson, with its sleek, cordless sticks that everyone seems to swoon over? Or Shark, whose powerful designs are as clever as they are practical? And what about other well-loved models, including Miele, SEBO, Bosch, and even Samsung? With so many options, finding your perfect match can send you into a spin. Not on our watch though.

When it comes to the best vacuum cleaner for your lifestyle, it’s all about matching your floors, your household, and your daily habits. Maybe you’re battling endless pet hair, or you want a robot vacuum to do its thing while you’re out. Whatever you want, I've personally tested more than forty models across carpets, hardwood, laminate, and tiles, narrowing it down to just nine standout designs. These picks slot beautifully into daily habits to keep your home clean, whether that’s a quick cordless refresh after breakfast or a deep clean at the weekend.

It’s probably no surprise that Shark snatched the top spot, but competition was fierce between Dyson’s elegant V11 and V15 and their new V16 Piston Animal Vacuum. In my roundup, I’ll walk you through suction power, ease of use, and how each one performs across different challenges and floor types. I’ll also share the insider tips I’ve learned about cleaning and storing your vacuum so it actually lasts. And yes. There’s one unexpected contender in my top nine that might become your new favourite.

The quick list

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The best vacuum cleaners, tested for a tidy home

Reliable, powerful, and versatile, this cordless vacuum covers all bases.

As a devoted Dyson owner, I didn’t expect to be won over so easily, but the numbers spoke for themselves. When I scattered 100g of flour and sugar on a hardwood floor, this vacuum picked up every last gram. It powered through a pack of hair extensions without tangling and had no trouble clearing two large handfuls of granola from the carpet. I honestly can’t imagine a vacuum outperforming those results.

Beyond sheer power, the Shark is packed with smart features. The folding wand makes it easy to reach under furniture without straining your back, the floorhead adjusts suction near skirting boards to catch more dirt, and it even stands upright on its own if you need to pause mid-clean.

For those reasons, and many more, I enjoyed using the Shark far more than any other vacuum I tested. It felt nimble and flexible, and I never had to think about emptying or charging; the docking station handled it all.

That makes it tough to find fault with the Shark. If I had one wish, it would be for a lower price, but I say that about almost everything: chocolate, wine, and diamonds. And if the Shark belongs in that category, well, that’s a good sign.

Read more in our full review.

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Best cordless vacuum

All the Dyson features, balanced by a reasonable price tag.

I’ve praised the Dyson V11 in plenty of reviews, and for good reason: it’s the best cordless vacuum I’ve tested. It delivers the power and sleek design you’d expect from Dyson’s newer models, and indeed plenty of cordless models, but at a far more accessible price simply because it’s an older iteration.

In head-to-head testing with Dyson's famously good V15, its suction power was virtually identical across most surfaces. The V15’s soft roller gave it a marginal advantage on polished bathroom floors, but in real-world cleaning, the difference was negligible. Dyson claims a 60-minute run time, which I found optimistic, but a solid 45 minutes of powerful, consistent cleaning is still impressive. Only the Shark PowerDetect lasted longer (70 minutes), which is why that model edges ahead in battery life alone, but not overall performance.

What truly cemented the V11’s place as the best cordless vacuum in our buying guide was instinct. At the end of a long testing day, with 12 vacuums scattered around me, it was the V11 I reached for without hesitation. I knew it would clear up the mess left behind by cheaper, less capable models, quickly and thoroughly.

While Dyson’s trigger-hold design isn’t for everyone, the V11’s lightweight, nimble build is hard to fault. You rarely need to vacuum for long anyway, because it consistently outperforms almost every other cordless I’ve tested when it comes to dust and debris pick-up. And really, what else would you expect from a Dyson?

Read more in our full review.

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Best vacuum for pet hair

A heavier option for harder jobs, especially picking up pet hair.

As much as we love our pets, I know I’m not alone in cursing the way dog hair seems to weave itself into every inch of the home. That’s why finding the best vacuum for pet hair was my top priority in testing. And after putting this one through its paces, I can confidently say, it delivers.

The Shark Upright Pet Vacuum has a reputation for corded-level power, and my tests proved it lives up to the hype. Faced with a whole-home clean, including a pack of hair extensions scattered across different floor types, 100g of flour and sugar, two handfuls of granola, and a week’s worth of daily mess, this vacuum cleaned up. Literally.

Despite its size, the main body is impressively nimble, easily reaching under sofas and kitchen islands. And when it came to tackling my narrow staircase, the canister ejected from the main body, transforming into the most powerful handheld vacuum I’ve ever used. Even with demanding tasks, the battery lasted a full 45 minutes, and by the end, my home was cleaner than I ever thought possible.

Yes, it’s a little bulkier than the Dyson V11 and Shark PowerDetect (it's actually the heaviest on this list), but that extra size translates to more power and more accessories, which makes cleaning up after pets much easier. Plus, it’s surprisingly affordable, especially if you catch it in the sales, where there’s always a great deal to be found.

Read more in our full review.

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Best wet vacuum

An all-in-one vacuum and mop that truly cleans up.

They say cleanliness is next to godliness, but what happens when you’re the gods of cleanliness? Dyson should know. With each new cordless vacuum, they’ve set the benchmark: first the V8, then the V11, then the V15. Now, with the Dyson V15s Detect Submarine, they’ve created the most effective wet vacuum I’ve tested.

You may not need every bell and whistle (in which case, the V11 remains a savvy pick), but if wet cleaning is part of your routine, the V15s is worth every penny.

Let’s be specific. The Submarine attachment is what makes this the best wet vacuum. It’s a dedicated wet roller head, meaning you’re not simply sucking up liquid with a standard floorhead. Instead, the motorised roller is continuously washed with clean water from a 300ml clean-water tank, while dirty water is scraped off and collected into a separate 360ml tank as you go. In practice, this means you’re always cleaning floors with fresh water, not redistributing grime. It will pick up spilled drinks, muddy paw prints, dried-on kitchen splashes, and everyday floor grime in one pass, leaving hard floors clean and evenly damp, not soaked.

As for run time, Dyson claims up to 120 minutes, but that’s split between different modes. In real-world use, I consistently got around 40–45 minutes of dry vacuuming, and 15–20 minutes of wet cleaning with the Submarine attachment — enough to tackle a kitchen, hallway and bathroom in one go. The only caveat? If you’re cleaning large hard-floored spaces, you’ll need to empty the dirty water tank mid-clean, as it fills up quickly — a sign it’s doing its job properly.

Emptying and cleaning the wet system is refreshingly fuss-free. The dirty water tank pops out with one click and empties cleanly without splashing, while the roller can be rinsed under the tap and left to air dry. Compared to traditional wet vacuums or mop systems, maintenance is minimal.

Some people prefer the Shark PowerDetect’s auto-adjusting floorhead to Dyson’s attachment swapping, but I’d argue Dyson’s specialised tools deliver more precise results. The V15s is also lighter, sleeker, and easier to manoeuvre than most wet-and-dry rivals. If you want a cordless vacuum that genuinely replaces both a vacuum and a mop, this is the one to buy.

Read more in our full review.

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Most affordable vacuum

The most affordable alternative for expensive vacuum.

It doesn't take a detective to see which vacuum inspired the Ultenic U20 Vesla's design. Doesn't it remind you of the wet vacuum that's in the spot above it? Whilst the two share lasers that show up dirt; a clear control screen; and a light, cordless design, there are plenty of differences. The biggest one is the price.

At just £159.99 the Ultenic is a really affordable vacuum. In my tests, it vacuumed up flour, sugar, and cereal really well. Yes, the filter clogged much quicker than any Dyson or Shark vacuums, but it still managed to clean the floor. I did have to make a few more passes over specific spots, but, again, at 20% of the price, you'd expect to make some compromises.

In my first assessment of the Ultenic, I thought it was a vacuum that might not stand the test of time and end up on my list of common mistakes people make with vacuums. The brand is relatively unknown (it was only founded in 2021) and it's one of the ones that pops up on Amazon, so you're not sure if it's even genuine. And yet, two years and one dog later, the Ultenic is still serving me well. More recently, I've noticed that the floor looks clean, but that other vacuums can pick up a lot more of that invisible dirt, so I'd say this is a good basic vacuum. If you're not willing to shell out for a big name brand, I think you'd be happy with this.

Read more in our full review of the older model, the Ultenic U12 Vesla Vacuum and our new review is coming very soon.

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Best robot vacuum

Hands-off, reliable, and impressively thorough, this is the best of all the robots.

I resisted robot vacuums for a long time, but the Shark ThermaCharged UV Wet & Dry Robot Vacuum won me over. This one offers impressively easy function, incredible mapping skills, and stand-out versatility across floor types. It shouldn't come as a surprise though, this is Shark, after all.

Whilst this looks expensive, it delivers solid build quality, excellent cleaning on different floor types, a mop function, and a self-emptying system. It's easy to win any homeowner over with that kind of performance, but when you throw in the smart mapping, you'll wonder how you lived without the Shark.

There are other versions of the Shark PowerDetect Robot Vacuum, but this one is special for it's UV light that reveals dried stains and dirt that your eye can't see. It's both impressive and repulsive.

Using the app, you can control exactly where it vacuums, whether that’s focusing on high-traffic areas daily or responding to voice commands via Alexa or Google Home. Then, once it’s done, the Shark empties itself into a bagged base station, so you only need to think about it once a month. That makes it perfect for busy families and professionals alike. In this case, your vacuum really does all of your dirty work.

You can find out more in our full review.

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Best corded vacuum cleaner

It's not the most attractive, but it is robust and incredibly powerful.

At first glance, the SEBO X7 Automatic looks unapologetically retro. It's vacuum you might expect to see in a hotel corridor rather than a modern home. Whilst this might not be an aesthetic that inspires instant confidence, trust me: this machine is all substance, and very little nostalgia for nostalgia’s sake.

I was first drawn to the X7 after it was recommended repeatedly by people who truly know their vacuums: professional carpet cleaners, domestic cleaners, and vacuum engineers alike. SEBO has been manufacturing bagged, corded upright vacuums in Germany for decades, and while the exterior design has remained largely unchanged, the technology inside has quietly evolved and improved to take top spot in the market.

The floorhead is where the X7 really earns its reputation. It delivers an almost startling level of pickup, lifting embedded dirt and debris from carpets in a way few domestic vacuums can match. Yes, it’s loud. And yes, it’s big and heavy compared to modern cordless models. But if you have spacious rooms across one or two floors, and power is your top priority, this is the vacuum to choose.

One final detail worth noting: the X7 is available in a distinctive pink colourway, with proceeds supporting breast cancer charities, a thoughtful touch that gives this powerhouse vacuum a meaningful charitable edge.

It may not be sleek, subtle, or quiet, but the SEBO X7 Automatic delivers old-school cleaning power with modern intelligence. If you value results over appearances, this is one of the most effective upright vacuums you can buy.

You can find out more in our full review.

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Best premium vacuum cleaner

The luxury Dyson experience with versatility and neat features too.

The latest addition to Dyson’s cordless line-up, the V16 Animal is a premium vacuum that elevates everyday cleaning. Its standout upgrade is the redesigned floorhead, which intelligently combines soft and bristled rollers into one agile unit, allowing it to glide seamlessly from hard floors to carpets without requiring a head swap. It feels thoughtful, efficient, and importantly engineered to lighten the mental load of household chores.

Dyson has also introduced several clever features that you might not expect. One of my favourites sits inside the dust bin: a compression mechanism that condenses debris, preventing that fluffy, cotton-wool texture that usually fills a canister too quickly. In practice, this means you can vacuum far more before needing to empty it, a small detail that makes a noticeable difference during whole-home cleans.

Ergonomically, the V16 Animal feels like a response to long-standing customer feedback. Dyson has finally removed the trigger-style power button, so you no longer need to keep your finger pressed down while cleaning. The weight distribution has been rebalanced too, with more load sitting closer to the floorhead rather than in your hand. The result is a vacuum that feels surprisingly light and athletic to manoeuvre, yet delivers the kind of suction power Dyson is known for.

The generous 70-minute runtime may sound excessive, but in real life it’s quietly transformative. I’ve been using the V16 Animal in my home since July and rarely need to recharge mid-clean, or even after several sessions. The conical brush rollers are particularly impressive for households with long hair, continuously lifting strands without letting them wrap around the bar.

The only real hesitation is the price. If it were even £300 less, it would comfortably sit at the very top of my recommendation list, but for those willing to invest, this is Dyson performance at its most refined.

You can find our more in our full review.

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Best vacuum cleaner for small spaces

Super slim and petite, this compliments your main vacuum.

Nimble and quick, this petite vacuum is ideal if you have small spaces to clean or a large home that could do with a vacuum sitting in every room. The PencilVac is designed with plenty of signature Dyson features: rollers that don't get hair stuck in them, a super slim handle that sits nicely in the hand, and impressive performance. We loved it from first look, but it won us over in our tests.

The PencilVac is really designed for hard floors. Over linoleum, stone, and wood, this would simply glide. It felt like it wasn't even on the floor at times, but the impressive pick up across flour and granola proved that this was, in fact, working very hard. Even on carpets, we could pick up fine grains of flour with a couple of passes, so I wouldn't shy away from it if you have a home with rugs on the floors. I would recommend a different vacuum if your floors are all carpets though.

Another plus that comes with the Pencilvac is the small, fully rotational floorhead. This means it can squeeze into spaces, at tricky angles, picking up dust from under radiators and awkward corners. For us, it's a real winner.

As a small vacuum with the dust-bin integrated into the handle, this is neat. However, it won't cover the work of a larger Dyson or a corded vacuum. We see it as the perfect compliment to an already well-established vacuum.

You can find out more in our full review.

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How we tested the best vacuums

To help you find the best vacuum cleaner, our selection includes larger and compact vacuums at a range of price points, from good-value cordless models to more expensive, high-tech machines. You’ll find the most popular brands as well as a few newer names too.

Each vacuum cleaner has been tested on a number of criteria. This included:

• Design and handling: We record each vacuum’s exact weight (kg) and dimensions, then assess how those figures translate in real use. During testing, we look at how easily the vacuum manoeuvres around furniture, under sofas and beds (typically 15–20cm clearance), and up onto stairs, as well as how comfortably it can be used one-handed. Storage is also considered, including whether the vacuum can stand on its own or requires wall mounting, and how much space it takes up when docked.
• Tools and attachments: Each vacuum is tested with every included tool. We assess how long attachments take to clip on and remove, whether this can be done one-handed, and whether tools are stored on the vacuum itself or separately. We also judge usefulness in practice, for example, whether crevice tools can reach skirting boards and corners, and whether specialist heads (such as soft rollers or pet tools) make a measurable difference to cleaning results.
• Ease of use: From unboxing to first clean, we time how long assembly takes and note whether instructions are required. Controls are judged on intuitiveness, including how easy it is to switch modes mid-clean and read any onboard display. Each vacuum is used for extended cleaning sessions of 30–60 minutes, during which we assess comfort, noise fatigue, balance, and whether handling becomes tiring over time.
• Cleaning power and performance: This is the most heavily weighted category. Each vacuum is tested on both hard floors and carpets, using measured amounts of fine dust (flour and talcum powder) and larger debris (rice, cereal and pet hair). We record how much debris is picked up in a single pass and how many passes are needed for a visibly clean floor. Tests are carried out in the standard mode unless stated otherwise, with additional spot tests in boost or eco modes where relevant.
• Value for money: Finally, we weigh performance against price. Like the best air purifiers, premium vacuums can be a significant investment, so we assess whether higher-priced models genuinely offer better cleaning results, durability and features, or whether more affordable options deliver a comparable experience for less.

If you want to find out more, you can visit our dedicated page for how we test vacuums.

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FAQs

What vacuum cleaner do professionals use?

We all want to know what the professionals actually use in their own homes when it comes to appliances. When it comes to choosing a vacuum, professional cleaners and cleaning companies tend to prize reliability, durability and a solid performance over other factors (such as design, extra tools and storage), with many preferring:

• Numatic’s hard-wearing Henry Hoover machine
• Miele’s cabled and bagged models
• Dyson’s cordless vacuum cleaners

It's also interesting to know that Sebo makes a wide range of vacuum cleaners for the commercial market (including hotels, airports and hospitals) and uprights for professional use, often including similar features and technology on its domestic models, such as the Sebo Felix recommended by my carpet fitters.

However, while these models are expert-approved, it's worth noting that they aren't always right for domestic homes (as opposed to large corporate buildings, where cleaning teams tend to be employed mostly). Whether you want to know how to deep clean a carpet or how to clean an upholstered chair, the vacuums within this guide should be more than powerful enough to tackle any hoovering job you have.

Are expensive vacuums worth it?

Up to a certain point, the price of a vacuum cleaner corresponds to its build quality (with more durable parts) and how many added extras are included. For example, a £300 vacuum cleaner is likely to last longer than one that costs around £100, and should offer more versatility.

However, at the more expensive end of the market, price is more of an indicator of how much technology is packed in, meaning you’ll find features such as app compatibility, voice control, digital displays, and sensors. They may do a slightly better job of cleaning, or make some jobs more convenient. Whether the price makes it worth it depends on how much you value those high-end features in your regular cleaning routine.

Is a Shark as good as a Dyson?

Shark and Dyson both make excellent vacuums, so you can't go wrong with either. The answer of whether one is better than the other will depend on you and your cleaning needs. I find Dyson's vacuums to be generally lighter, more nimble, and much more elegant. Shark's are less pretty, but do a more thorough job, often for less of the price. If you don't like faff and you prioritise practicalities, Shark might have the edge.

How much suction power do I need on a vacuum?

A decent vacuum will offer 100-300 air watts of power. Stick vacuums tend to sit around 100-150 air watts; upright vacuums can reach up to 200 air watts; and canister vacuums will go up to 250 air watts. If you have mostly hard floors, you don't need to worry about the suction power. However, homes with carpets and pet hair will certainly want to go for vacuums with more suction power.

Is a bagged vacuum better than bagless?

As with most comparisons, the answer will depend on what you want. Generally, I've found that bagged vacuums tend to have more duction power, as the filter is generally integrated into the bag. This makes it much less likely to clog. You'll find that the filtration control comes hand-in-hand with allergen limitations, so bagged vacuums are much better if you have allergies.

On the other hand, bagless vacuums are a lot less faff and often a lot lighter and more modern. I much prefer maintaining a bagless model, especially since buying bags is an ongoing cost that also comes with environmental impacts too.

Should I get a corded or a cordless vacuum?

Generally, corded vacuums come with more power and suction, but they're heavier and harder to store. If you know you'll forget to charge your batteries; you want a bagged vacuum; and you're shopping on a budget, a corded vacuum is perfect. However, if you have a big house and you need a vacuum that's easy to handle, a cordless vacuum will be much better.

Not only are cordless vacuums lighter, technology has developed so that they often come with suction power that rivals corded vacuums anyway. The only downside is that these can be expensive.

How often should I vacuum?

Most experts recommend vacuuming once a week, but that depends on your home: high traffic areas, combined with kids and pets, might need more regular attention in the same way that rooms you never use might be able to last a little longer. We have all the expert advice covered in detail in our article on how often you should vacuum.

How do I clean a vacuum?

To clean a vacuum, start by unplugging it and emptying the dust bin, tapping it gently to release trapped debris. Wash any removable filters with lukewarm water (if the manufacturer allows), then leave them to air-dry completely for at least 24 hours before reinserting. Check the brush roll for tangled hair and fibres, cutting them away with scissors and wiping the housing clean. Use a damp cloth to wipe down the exterior, hose and attachments, and check for blockages in the nozzle or tube. Regular cleaning like this keeps suction strong, reduces odours and helps your vacuum last longer.

You could pick any of the six vacuums that I've put on this list and be happy with a sparkling, clean home. Make sure that you know what you want from your vacuum with regards to floor types, pet hair, and other dust and debris and you won't go wrong. And, if you can shop around some of the best vacuum deals, you could bag yourself a bargain too.