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From handheld to corded, self-emptying to stick models, these are our resident cleaner’s favourite vacuums for a spotless home
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Andy Shaw Tue 18 Aug 2026 11.01 CEST Share Prefer the Guardian on Google B uying a vacuum cleaner isn’t as easy as you might think. With so many brands and models to choose from, it can be bewildering. Sticking with established brands isn’t necessarily a safe bet, with past performance being no guarantee that the latest models will be as good. Meanwhile, prices can be deceptive, with some affordable models now closing the gap on top-of-the-range brands when it comes to cleaning performance.
You can’t know all this by browsing through a department store or online. The ideal thing to do would be to take a few models home to try them out – but good luck persuading anyone to let you do that. Thankfully, you won’t have to try because I’ve tested an array of models for you. I’ve measured each one’s ability to perform a range of real-world cleaning jobs, so you can discover the best vacuum cleaner for you.
Best corded vacuum cleaner overall Shark Detect XL Pet Pro LA791UKT
Best cordless vacuum cleaner overall Shark PowerDetect Clean & Empty IP3251UKT
Best budget corded vacuum cleaner Henry Home
Best cordless vacuum cleaner for pet hair Vax HomePro Pet-Design
Why you should trust me This isn’t the first time I’ve tested vacuum cleaners – over the past few years, I’ve reviewed them for various publications, which has given me a solid understanding of what makes a model good or bad. I’ve kept hold of a few of my favourite models for long-term testing, so I can easily make direct comparisons against those that are new on the block.
My house is also perfectly set up for vacuuming challenges. It has a mix of carpet and hard floor, a ready supply of hair (pet from my own dog and a box of clippings I procured from a local groomer; human from the hairbrush and carpet surrounding the dressing tables of long-haired family members), and plenty of dusty flour and chunky cat litter for testing purposes.
View image in fullscreen Each vacuum cleaner was tasked with clearing up flour, cat litter and pet hair. Photograph: Andy Shaw/The Guardian I tested 19 vacuums in total. Before I started any cleaning, I used a suction meter to test the suction power of every vacuum, usually by sealing it with tape over the closest suitable opening to the collection bin. I also tested the batteries of cordless vacuums, where I timed how long it took for the battery to run down on the most and least powerful settings.
Then it was on to the nitty-gritty. I carefully weighed out quantities of flour, cat litter and pet hair, depositing them on carpet and hard floor to test each vacuum. I weighed each model’s collection bin before I started, then passed the vacuum over each type of mess using the standard floor head or most appropriate alternative. Each vacuum was passed over the spillage once, using a single forward and pull-back motion. Then, by weighing the collection bin again, I was able to establish how much of the dirt had been picked up.
After the test, models were either returned to the appropriate manufacturers or – in the instance they didn’t want them back – donated to the British Heart Foundatio…