Best Cordless Vacuum Cleaners UK (2026)
Cordless vacuums have largely replaced corded uprights in UK homes. This guide compares the models Expert Reviews picked from its testing, from premium Dynsons to budget and self-emptying options, so you can match the machine to your floors and budget.
We have not hands-on tested these products. Our picks are based on published independent tests and reviews, listed at the bottom of this page. How we pick.
Our top pick
Dyson V15 Detect Absolute
Best overall
Expert Reviews' overall winner. It has superb cleaning power, a laser that reveals fine dust and a strong battery, but it is heavy and expensive and does not empty itself.
- Superb cleaning power
- Laser dust detection
- Strong battery life
Quick comparison
| Product | Best for | Key spec | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dyson V15 Detect Absolute | Best overall | 60 min, 3kg, laser dust detection | Check price |
| Dyson Cyclone V10 | Best value Dyson | 60 min, 2.68kg | Check price |
| Dyson V15s Detect Submarine | Best cordless with mop | 60 min, 3.8kg, wet mop head | Check price |
| Shark PowerDetect IP3251UKT | Best self-emptying | 70 min, 2L base station | Check price |
| Shark IZ300UKT | Best for hard floors | 37 min, 4.58kg, DuoClean | Check price |
| Shark ICZ300UKT | Best upright cordless | 30kPa suction, 6.2kg, stands upright | Check price |
| Henry Quick | Best high-capacity bags | 60 min, 1L bag capacity | Check price |
| Hoover HF9 | Best budget | 30 min, 3.4kg, stands upright | Check price |
Our picks in detail
Best overall
Dyson V15 Detect Absolute
Expert Reviews' overall winner. It has superb cleaning power, a laser that reveals fine dust and a strong battery, but it is heavy and expensive and does not empty itself.
- Runtime
- 60 min
- Weight
- 3kg
- Bin
- 0.76L
- Extras
- Laser dust detection
Pros
- Superb cleaning power
- Laser dust detection
- Strong battery life
Cons
- Heavy
- Expensive
- No self-emptying
Best value Dyson
Dyson Cyclone V10
A lighter, cheaper Dyson with excellent cleaning power and good battery life, though it is still expensive next to non-Dyson rivals.
- Runtime
- 60 min
- Weight
- 2.68kg
- Bin
- 0.76L
Pros
- Excellent cleaning power
- Good battery life
Cons
- Expensive
- Heavy compared with some rivals
Best cordless with mop
Dyson V15s Detect Submarine
A cordless Dyson that vacuums and mops. It is powerful, but Expert Reviews notes it is expensive and the Submarine head needs substantial maintenance.
- Runtime
- 60 min
- Weight
- 3.8kg
- Bin
- 0.76L
- Extras
- Vacuum and mop
Pros
- Versatile vacuum and mop in one
- Powerful vacuuming
Cons
- Expensive
- Submarine head needs substantial maintenance
Best self-emptying
Shark PowerDetect IP3251UKT
A cordless vacuum with a self-emptying base station and competitive cleaning performance, and a long runtime, though it can feel stiff on some carpets.
- Runtime
- 70 min
- Weight
- 3.71kg
- Bin
- 2L
- Extras
- Self-emptying base station
Pros
- Self-emptying base station
- Competitive cleaning performance
Cons
- Stiff movement on some carpet types
Best for hard floors
Shark IZ300UKT
A cordless Shark with a dual-roller DuoClean head that copes well with controlled spills on hard floors, though it is heavy.
- Runtime
- 37 min
- Weight
- 4.58kg
- Bin
- 0.7L
- Extras
- DuoClean head
Pros
- DuoClean head
- Performs well on controlled spills
Cons
- Heavy
- Vacuum lifts when pulled backwards on carpet
Best upright cordless
Shark ICZ300UKT
An upright-style cordless that stands on its own and has powerful suction. Expert Reviews found it difficult to assemble and weaker in corners.
- Weight
- 6.2kg
- Bin
- 0.6L
- Suction
- 30kPa
Pros
- Stands independently
- Powerful suction
- Superb cleaning power
Cons
- Difficult assembly
- Main brush struggles with corners
Best high-capacity bags
Henry Quick
A bagged cordless with large dust bags and easy emptying, and good cleaning performance overall, though it has no anti-tangle head and weaker suction than rivals.
- Runtime
- 60 min
- Weight
- 3.2kg
- Bag
- 1L
- Suction
- 11kPa (full), 4kPa (low)
Pros
- Large capacity dust bags
- Easy emptying
- Good cleaning performance
Cons
- No anti-tangle head
- Weaker suction compared with rivals
Best budget
Hoover HF9
A cheap cordless with solid cleaning performance that stands upright. It has a short runtime, no eco mode and no soft roller for hard floors.
- Runtime
- 30 min
- Weight
- 3.4kg
- Bin
- 0.45L
Pros
- Affordable
- Decent cleaning
- Stands upright
Cons
- No eco mode
- No soft roller for hard floors
Buying guide
What runtime do I need from a cordless vacuum?
Check the quoted runtime on the mode you will actually use. Maximum power runs the battery down much faster than the standard mode. For a small flat, around 30 minutes may be enough. Larger homes benefit from 60 minutes or more.
Bin or bag?
Bins are cheaper to run and easier to empty into a bin bag, but can release dust. Bagged models like the Henry Quick keep dust contained and can be more hygienic to empty, at the cost of buying bags.
Are self-emptying bases worth it?
They move dust into a larger bag or bin so you empty it only every few weeks. They cost more and need space near a socket, but they make cleaning far less of a chore, especially for allergy sufferers.
What weight is too heavy?
Weight matters most if you will lift the machine to clean stairs or ceilings. The models here range from about 2.7kg to over 6kg, so try to pick the lightest one that meets your cleaning needs.