Introduction

We asked our experts to review more than 20 different vacuums so that they can help you decide whether you prefer a bagless or cylinder vacuum cleaner. To find out which vacuum cleaners made the best impression with our lab tests, check out our full review of the LG TurboH55. Read on for more on how we tested the competition and which model came out on top of our dryer section. The following are links to the results. Try Which?

Cheap vs expensive vacuum cleaners

We’ve found a few vacuums that are under £100, but even more expensive would be better value and, on average, cleaner for money. Whether an electric upright or cordless vacuum cleaner will cut the cost of your cleaning, find out which ones we recommend using based on on our tests – including how much dust they suck up, cleaning performance and a wide variety of other filters. Read our independent reviews of Dyson V15 and AEG C6 Animal for more on both models.

S-class filter

Although this rating is only issued for those appliances, they are eligible for the strongest type, so a Cylinder or Dustbuster filter will be fine. An outside filter can be used as well, on traditional vacuums or for cleaning damp carpets. We found that a Ceylon model won’t pass this test - the dust bin and filter are both on the lower end. On condition that the cleaner is swept up for use in the Outdoors zone only’. A Metzteer vacuum cleaner has an Industrial Steam Clean Outflow Filter for devices that use steam, especially for emptying and re-sealing bags, or is a Motorised Vacuum Cleaner, such as the GHD-7200Pro-D4. If the filters come with no dust-emptying head, the cord is the floorhead that’s removable, and can still be washed when used. Our AirPump One has a Light Air Purification Inside Pocket Filter designed to be able to do very well around wall surfaces, but can also be not so good when venturing into tight corners. It is only supplied as an accessory and isn’t included with this vacuum. (Image credit: IKEA) There aren’t any USB charging ports in the bagged handle of the vacuum so you’re going to need to take the bin off and empty the tank. It’s a common annoyance found on all cordless vacuums, so how effective it is might not be something that you want to remember for long periods of time. Best for: carpets for pet hair Don’t chose a plug-in vacuum when vacuum cleaner reliability is second-prior to cleaning speed As mentioned in our guide to how to buy the best vacuum cleaners, this Deluxe model does a particularly good job of getting dust, dirt and debris out of hard floors, but can be a pain to empty.

Professional carpet cleaning

This type of carpet cleaner seems to be much more expensive than corded models in a similar price bracket, but is certainly more effective. Available to buy in the UK at Amazon, Argos, SmashBox and Littlewoods: from around £200. If you’re looking for a vacuum cleaner that cleans well all over your home, or simply wants to spruce up one of your floors, this is one to try. Some cordless vacuum cleaners are quite stiff, so you really need to use the floorhead to adjust it so that it cleans evenly and effectively. Most of the attachments on this model are for easy cleaning. The auto dustbag means you can pick it up in seconds, whereas on the Vax T8 and Eufy Shark Typhoon the task takes several minutes and a half. However, unlike some others on test, a regular carpet brush is designed to keep the dust and dirt that’s left behind on your vacuum out of its way during the cleaning process. On board, the cordless bag is smaller than alternatives you’ll find on store shelves, so it’s easier to take out, empty the water tank and detach it from the brush. While it doesn’t have a multi-function feature like you might get on models with a turbo motor or an automatic dusting brush, there’s a remote control should you find you need one in the home, and short-throw tool, which will come in handy for these jobs if you have a small child or small house full of pets. Other useful features that come with this model include two floor heads that switch on automatically when reached the highest suction setting. Although you can only use this on walls (in specific room designs) and unevenly, as each set will be coated with wet litter, you will therefore have to push them around to reach all corners of the surface.

Verdict

The Argos Supersonic 900 Cylinder Lift-Away Can be a really heavy vacuum. It’s extremely quiet and its multi-use modes combine to create a versatile and effective cleaner. Its lithium battery has excellent running time, much longer than that of other cordless vacuums, covering more of the floor than a corded vacuum cleaner due to its lighter weight, and a faster motor. The articulated long handle is very comfortable to use, too. Some may find this model awkward to manoeuvre around tight spaces. However, if you’re not keen on tools or furniture, you can get some additional tools for less, including a handle for getting under low furniture and additional attachments such as a floorhead that can be detached for larger debris. We’ve seen less of either feature on the Dyson V11 Absolute Absolute, so the lack of such extras make this vacuum more suitable for those with more bulky homes. Overall, this is a very robust vacuum that is great at tackling carpets and furniture, which make it perfect for cleaning the small spaces of your home. If you have a rather large home or want to clean with a smaller vacuum, check out Bissell’s awesome S6 Absolute cordless vacuum for the full range of features and cleaning power – but it’s not the best budget model for tackling stairs or tricky spaces, mainly because there are no fancy attachments. You’ll also need to be prepared to spend a bit more on the Supersonic DuoClean, as you’ll need a bag to keep it all in, and the price is higher than its cheaper siblings. To get an insight into how this battery-powered model actually performs during our testing, read on for our full first impression review. Our panel of independent testers came away impressed at how well this luxury vacuum performed in a lot of different tests, comparing it with the GHD-55 and other models of the same price bracket.