The best vacuum cleaners in the UK for hard floors, carpet and pet hair – tested | Homes

Best Vacuum Cleaners of 2026: Top Picks Tested and Reviewed

Buying a vacuum cleaner isn’t as simple as it seems. With countless brands and models flooding the market, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. Sticking to well-known brands isn’t always the safest bet, as past performance doesn’t guarantee future results. Meanwhile, prices can be misleading, with some affordable models now rivaling premium brands in cleaning performance.

You can’t truly judge a vacuum’s capabilities by browsing online or in-store. Ideally, you’d test several models at home—but good luck convincing retailers to let you do that. Fortunately, you won’t have to. I’ve rigorously tested a wide range of vacuum cleaners to bring you the definitive guide to finding the perfect model for your needs.

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At a Glance: Our Top Recommendations

• Best Corded Vacuum Overall: Shark Detect XL Car + Pet LA791UKT – £299 at Amazon
• Best Cordless Vacuum Overall: Shark PowerDetect Clean & Empty IP3251UKT – £347.64 at John Lewis
• Best Budget Corded Vacuum: Numatic Henry Home – £189.99 at Henry
• Best Cordless for Pet Hair: Vax HomePro Pet-Design – £319 at Very
• Best for Deep Cleaning: Dyson Gen5detect – £749 at Amazon

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Why Trust Our Reviews?

I’ve been testing vacuum cleaners for years across various publications, giving me deep insight into what separates great models from mediocre ones. I’ve kept my favorite models for long-term testing, allowing me to make direct comparisons with new arrivals.

My home is perfectly equipped for vacuum testing: a mix of carpet and hard flooring, abundant pet hair from my dog (plus professional groomer clippings), human hair from family members, and plenty of flour and cat litter for controlled testing scenarios.

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Our Testing Methodology

Before any cleaning began, I measured each vacuum’s suction power using a specialized meter, typically sealing it with tape over the nearest suitable opening to the collection bin. For cordless models, I timed battery life on both maximum and minimum power settings.

The real work started with controlled cleaning tests. I precisely measured quantities of flour, cat litter, and pet hair, distributing them evenly on both carpet and hard floors. Each vacuum was tested with its standard floor head or most appropriate alternative. I weighed each model’s collection bin before and after cleaning to determine exactly how much debris was captured.

After testing, models were either returned to manufacturers or, if they weren’t wanted back, donated to the British Heart Foundation.

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Best Corded Vacuum Cleaner Overall: Shark Detect XL Car + Pet LA791UKT

Why It Stands Out

This Shark model delivers exceptional cleaning performance that rivals cordless options without the battery anxiety. It features a sophisticated dual-roller floor head, generous 2.5L bin capacity, and a practical design without unnecessary gimmicks.

In our tests, this vacuum literally cleaned up. Flour and pet hair vanished into its collection bin with no trace left behind. While it didn’t capture all cat litter in a single pass on hard floors, the ability to detach the handle from the main unit made targeting larger particles effortless, completing the cleanup perfectly.

Key Features:

• Powerful suction (17kPa)
• Dual-roller floor head for superior cleaning
• Lift-away canister for hard-to-reach areas
• Anti-hair wrap pet tool
• Combination duster and crevice tool

What We Love:

• Exceptional cleaning performance across all surfaces
• Versatile design with multiple attachments
• Large dust capacity reduces emptying frequency

What Could Be Better:

• Premium price point for a corded model
• Heavier than some cordless alternatives (5.2kg)

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Best Cordless Vacuum Cleaner Overall: Shark PowerDetect Clean & Empty IP3251UKT

Why It Stands Out

This cordless vacuum solves one of the biggest frustrations with bagless models: messy emptying. The IP3251UKT empties itself into a larger secondary collection bin on its charging dock, dramatically reducing dust clouds and frequency of manual emptying.

Key Features:

• Self-emptying base station (2L capacity)
• Dual-roller floor head matching corded performance
• Excellent cat litter pickup
• 43-minute battery life on standard setting

What We Love:

• Superior cleaning performance matching corded models
• Convenient self-emptying system
• Always charged and ready when docked
• Multiple specialized attachments included

What Could Be Better:

• Base station takes up more space than simple wall mounts
• Secondary bin requires emptying after approximately three vacuum fills

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Best Budget Corded Vacuum: Numatic Henry Home

Why It Stands Out

The Henry’s iconic design has remained largely unchanged since the 1980s, and for good reason. This classic cylinder vacuum offers exceptional value, especially in the Home variant which includes more accessories than standard models.

Key Features:

• AiroBrush with internal air turbine
• Comprehensive accessory kit
• 10-meter cord for extended reach
• 6-liter dust capacity

What We Love:

• Excellent value at under £200
• Comprehensive set of attachments
• Reliable performance on various surfaces
• Durable construction built to last

What Could Be Better:

• Floor heads lack advanced features of premium models
• AiroBrush can become clogged with pet hair

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Best Cordless Vacuum for Pet Hair: Vax HomePro Pet-Design

Why It Stands Out

This affordable cordless stick vacuum punches above its weight class, offering excellent pet hair removal capabilities at a reasonable price point. It includes specialized tools designed specifically for tackling stubborn pet messes.

Key Features:

• Motorized pet tool for deep cleaning
• Stair tool for upholstery
• Pet hair remover attachment
• Two power settings (regular and boost)

What We Love:

• Great value for a feature-rich cordless stick
• Excellent pet hair removal on carpet
• Self-standing design for convenient breaks
• 34-minute battery life on standard setting

What Could Be Better:

• Performance slightly less impressive on hard floors
• Lacks soft roller specifically for delicate hard flooring

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Best Vacuum for Deep Cleaning: Dyson Gen5detect

Why It Stands Out

While Dyson’s newer V16 Piston Animal didn’t impress enough to make our list, it has positively impacted Gen5detect pricing. This model now offers exceptional value at £749, down from its original £850 launch price.

Key Features:

• Two specialized floor heads (Digital Motorbar for carpet, Fluffy Optic for hard floors)
• Built-in dusting brush and crevice tool
• Premium motorised upholstery tool
• Industry-leading suction power (31kPa)

What We Love:

• Expert performance on both carpet and hard floors
• Comprehensive attachment set
• Exceptional build quality
• Long battery life (56 minutes)

What Could Be Better:

• Need to swap floor heads when transitioning between surfaces
• Premium price point, though justified by performance

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The Best of the Rest

Miele Guard L1 Comfort XL – A luxurious corded cylinder vacuum with automatic cable retraction and foot-controlled variable power settings. While it performed excellently in tests, picking up at least 90% of every spillage in a single pass, its premium price makes it a marginal upgrade over the Henry Home.

Eufy Robot Vacuum E20 – This innovative model doubles as both a robot vacuum and a handheld cordless stick. The robot element performs brilliantly, and the detachable suction mechanism works well as a cordless stick, though it’s not quite as effective as dedicated cordless models on hard floors.

Dyson Car+Boat – Essentially a reboxed Dyson V8 designed for car and upholstery cleaning. While it excels at handheld cleaning tasks, it’s worth comparing prices with full V8 models that include additional attachments and floor heads.

Tower VL220 Cyclone – A budget-friendly self-emptying cordless vacuum that offers the convenience of automatic emptying at a lower price point than Shark’s equivalent. However, it only comes with a fluffy roller head, making it less effective on carpet.

Numatic Henry Quick Pro – This cordless stick version of the classic Henry uses disposable bags for clean, dust-free emptying. While convenient, the bags have plastic components and cost around £1.30 each.

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What You Need to Know Before Buying

Corded vs. Cordless: Making the Right Choice

The first decision you’ll need to make is between corded and cordless models. Cordless sticks have become increasingly popular thanks to significant improvements in battery technology and cleaning performance over the past decade, bringing them closer to corded models in capability.

However, consider your specific needs:

Cordless Advantages:

• Freedom of movement without cord restrictions
• Generally lighter and more maneuverable
• Convenient for quick clean-ups
• Modern designs with advanced features

Cordless Disadvantages:

• Battery life limitations (typically 40-60 minutes on eco mode)
• Reduced performance at maximum power
• Higher price points for comparable cleaning power
• Need to wait for recharging between cleaning sessions

Corded Advantages:

• Unlimited runtime
• Generally more powerful suction
• Larger dust capacities
• Lower price points for comparable performance

Corded Disadvantages:

• Cord management required
• Limited reach requiring socket changes
• Less maneuverable in tight spaces
• Bulkier storage requirements

Key Features to Look For

Floor Heads: Choose based on your flooring. Brush rollers excel at deep cleaning carpets, while fluffy rollers are superior on hard floors. Suction-only heads can work well but may struggle with thicker carpets.

Anti-Tangle Technology: Essential if you deal with lots of hair. Good anti-tangle systems can dramatically reduce maintenance time and prevent performance degradation.

Attachments: Look for a comprehensive set including crevice tools, dusting brushes, and upholstery tools. Motorized upholstery tools are particularly valuable for pet owners.

Emptying Mechanism: Bagless models offer convenience but can be messy. Bagged models provide cleaner emptying but incur ongoing costs and environmental impact.

Filtration: If allergies are a concern, look for HEPA filtration and consider how dust is contained during emptying.

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This comprehensive guide should help you navigate the complex world of vacuum cleaners and find the perfect model for your home and cleaning needs. Remember that the “best” vacuum is ultimately the one that fits your specific requirements, budget, and cleaning habits.

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