The only cleaning products you need this year, according to our 2026 Reader-Approved Awards

Lightweight, manoeuvrable and impressively effective, the Beldray All-in-One Floor Cleaner made a strong impression on our tester. While there's a little bit of a learning curve when it comes to getting familiar with the setup and water tank, the results quickly made up for it.

Our featured tester said: "Very easy to use, manoeuvrable, and lightweight to push around. I had previously swept my bathroom floor, but the water that came out of the tank was surprisingly dirty – it was quite an eye-opener!"

Score: 9/10

If the idea of a machine that vacuums and mops floors before emptying and drying itself sounds like something from the future, the Eufy E28 is here to make it a reality.

Our tester admitted that the initial setup involved a fair amount of "faffing", but once everything was configured, the E28 became a joy to live with.

Our featured tester said: "OMG this robot hoover/mop has changed my life! Gosh it's expensive, but costs less than a cleaner coming every day and the house looks blimmin' spotless!"

The E28 tackled carpets and hard floors, leaving even corners impressively clean. Our tester had expected it to be more suited to a light daily clean but was surprised by just how thoroughly it performed.

It did get stuck underneath a lounge chair a couple of times, although setting an exclusion zone solved that issue. The sizeable base station, which houses the dust bag and water tanks, can also be tricky to find a home for.

But for a machine that can get on with the cleaning while you do something else, our tester was thoroughly won over.

Score: 9/10

Making the switch from a traditional corded vacuum can be a leap of faith, but the Halo Capsule XR Premium impressed our tester with its versatility, lightweight design and clever collection of accessories.

The Premium model comes with a wall dock, hard-floor roller, mini power brush, flexible hose and anti-hair motor brush, meaning it can be adapted for everything from whole-house vacuuming to quick clean-ups and tricky corners.

Our featured tester said: "What impressed me most was how versatile this vacuum is – mixing and matching all of these accessories means the Halo XR is perfect as an upright vacuum throughout the house or as a handheld."

It's particularly useful for stairs, upholstery, cars and tight spaces, while the wall-mounted dock keeps storage neat and takes up very little room.

There are some compromises. Our tester found it wasn't as powerful as her corded vacuum and found that using the higher-power settings reduced the battery life considerably. But despite those limitations, the convenience meant she was far more inclined to reach for it.

"Vacuuming is almost enjoyable now – almost!"

Score: 8.6/10

The pastel-pink finish might not have been an immediate hit with our tester, but the performance of this premium vacuum soon changed her mind.

With a shedding Labrador and a serious approach to vacuuming, our tester put the SEBO through its paces – and the turbo head proved to be the star of the show.

Our featured tester said: "On first use, I thought the SEBO was doing a pretty good job until I switched on the turbo head… OMG, it actually dragged me round the house. The carpets almost lifted!"

So impressive was the cleaning performance that our tester quickly got over her initial reservations about the colour.

Score: 9.2/10

Sometimes you simply can't beat a good old-fashioned upright vacuum, and the SEBO Felix Peony earned plenty of love from our tester.

Powerful, effective on dog hair and capable of leaving carpets looking beautifully groomed, this is a vacuum that takes its cleaning duties seriously.

Our featured tester said: "Obsessed. Powerful, brilliant with dog hair and makes the carpets look clean. You can't go wrong with a good old fashioned bag – and the floral design gives 80s housewife vibes."

It isn't the cheapest option and can feel a little heavy when carrying it upstairs, but the sturdy design gives it the feel of a vacuum that's built to stick around.

And if you're after those satisfying, Mrs Hinch-style carpet lines, our tester says this one delivers.

Score: 9.2/10

Washing cashmere can feel like a delicate balancing act, particularly if you've invested in a wardrobe full of expensive knitwear. Hayden Hill London's laundry sheets offered our tester a simple alternative to specialist liquid detergent.

The sheets are non-bio and made using plant-based ingredients, while their compact format means there's no bulky bottle taking up space in the laundry cupboard.

Our featured tester said: "I have a lot of cashmere jumpers and cardies which I usually wash with a specialist liquid, but Hayden Hill's sheets are non-bio and made from plant-based ingredients, which is kinder to cashmere – and the planet."

The sheets dissolve in the water, and our tester was impressed by how clean her two cashmere items came out, with no unwanted scent or residue. A small food mark disappeared, too.

For anyone who wants to simplify washing delicate knitwear, these proved to be a very welcome addition to the laundry routine.

Score: 9.4/10

There's something reassuring about a laundry product that simply does its job – and Smol's Bio Laundry Capsules impressed our tester with their straightforward performance.

The capsules can be used at both 30°C and 40°C, and our tester found that they left clothes and towels thoroughly clean.

Our featured tester said: "These worked perfectly. I used them to wash at 40 degrees and 30 degrees, and all the clothes and towels were perfectly clean."

A pair of trousers with a mark on the leg provided a useful test, and the stain was removed easily.

The capsules are fragrance-free, too, which will appeal to anyone who prefers freshly washed laundry without that noticeable detergent scent.

"You wouldn't know the difference between my normal product and this one – I would definitely use this product again."

Score: 8.2/10

Powder might not be everyone's first choice these days, but YASS Clean's Laundry Legend had our tester reconsidering the format.

It dissolved well when added directly to the washing drum, even on a cold wash, and delivered a fresh scent that wasn't overpowering.

Our featured tester said: "I haven't used powder for some years now, having been converted to washing liquid or pods, but this had me considering its use once more."

With 120 washes in the tub, it also offers plenty of cleaning for the money. The main drawback was the packaging, which our tester found awkward to open, close and store, but that was easily fixed by decanting it into a smaller container of her own.

Score: 8.6/10

Fabric softener might not be a product everyone uses, but YASS Clean's offering certainly persuaded our tester to reconsider.

Used on bedding and towels, it left laundry smelling beautifully fresh and added an extra touch of luxury to the washing routine.

Our featured tester said: "I don't normally use fabric softener but this smells gorgeous. I have been using it for my bedding and towels and they smell lovely. I will definitely continue using this."

Score: 10/10

Smol's stain gel impressed our tester with its effectiveness, ease of use and beautifully considered packaging. Used on stubborn stains, including sun cream on a white blouse and marks on a favourite sweater, the gel worked amazingly without needing to be left on the fabric for long before washing.

The stain gel arrived beautifully packaged in a recycled, refillable aluminium bottle in silver and pink. It also had a pleasant, subtle scent, making it a joy to use. While it didn't completely remove yellow deodorant stains from white T-shirts, our tester wondered whether leaving the gel on for longer might help next time.

Our featured tester said: "I used it to remove some stubborn stains on my favourite sweater and found it very effective. I loved that you do not need to leave it on the clothes for long before popping them in the washing machine. Because of that, I preferred using this gel to the stain remover I normally use."

Score: 8.6/10

With 15 different functions and a selection of attachments, the Beldray 15-in-1 Steam Cleaner is designed to tackle all manner of cleaning jobs around the home.

Our tester particularly liked the small brush, which proved useful for getting into smaller and more awkward spaces, while the powerful steam impressed from the outset.

Our featured tester said: "This was easy to assemble and offered a multitude of functions. It was particularly effective as a fabric steamer, working brilliantly on curtains and clothes. I also tried the nozzle on hard-to-reach areas in the shower, and it was really satisfying to see the gunk come out of the crevices! I wouldn’t say it’s a replacement for a floor mop, and it wouldn’t deep-clean a sofa or carpet, although it would help to freshen them up. Overall, it was excellent value for money and worked better than a similar product I've tried that cost three times as much.”

Score: 8.2/10

The e-cloth Deep Clean Mop impressed our tester with its large microfibre surface, easy manoeuvrability and clever telescopic handle. Designed to clean effectively using just water, it can also be paired with an eco-friendly floor spray if you want to add a fresh scent.

Our featured tester said: "The large Microfibre surface ensures it cleans well just using water, but I also like to use an eco-friendly fine spray floor cleaner and my floors smell amazing afterwards, plus the mop dries them almost instantly.

"I'm 5'7, and the adjustable telescopic handle is perfect for me (it's extra long so would suit all heights too) to avoid bending over to use it. It's so easy to manoeuvre with its 360-degree turn, but also quick and easy to twist it shorter to reach into awkward low spaces and under furniture.

"I love that when I'm finished I can remove the mop head easily for washing then fold the mop away – it hardly takes up any space in my cupboard, plus I no longer need to worry about dirty buckets or damp, smelly mop heads, so it's much more hygienic. What a pleasure!"

Score: 10/10

The humble toilet brush has had a clever makeover with the Push Brush, which combines a stylish design with a flexible silicone head and built-in cleaning solution dispenser.

Our tester was particularly impressed by the dual-sided bristles, which made it easier to get into awkward areas without having to scrub excessively.

Our featured tester said: "This product takes having a spotless loo to another level! Described as the future of toilet cleaning, the product is really well designed and looks stylish."

The dispenser is built into the handle, allowing you to release cleaner exactly where it's needed at the press of a button. There's also a simple wall mount for keeping it neatly stored between uses.

Light, comfortable to use and designed to make an otherwise thankless chore considerably easier, it's a smart upgrade to the traditional loo brush.

Score: 9.2/10