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With cordless stick vacuums promising as much suction as there corded alternatives, we look at 5 promising models from Hoovers Latest H-Free vacuum for the budget conscience to the best of the best that will set you back an eye watering £400 from Dyson
Don't let a cord stand in the way of your cleaning anymore. A cordless stick vacuum is the real deal. Of course, most corded cleaners are much more powerful, but not until you try to clean underneath furniture, stairs or even inside your car is when you wish yo had something else. Enters the cordless stick vacuum. Nothing beats the freedom that comes with a cordless stick vacuum. It can go anywhere and some have flexible designs to clean around and under furniture almost effortlessly.
Considering that many vacuum cleaners these days have cut the cord completely, buying a corded model may even look old-fashioned. Choosing the best cordless stick vacuum isn't a walk in the park either. First of all, there is the need to understand how these new devices work (obviously they use a battery), but some have more complex configurations than others.
We set out to find the best cordless stick vacuum cleaners and came up with a list of five finalists. Brands like Dyson and Shark stand out with some sophisticated, high-end models but we also found cheaper models from the likes of Hoover and Gtech.
Short on time? Pick the Shark Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner [IF200UK] right away. Featuring Shark's patented DuoClean technology, this stick vacuum is able to adjust from carpet to hard floor without stopping. It's most interesting feature is the flexible wand, which bends to clean hard-to-reach places and folds neatly for compact storage. The vac also converts into handheld for car and upholstery vacuuming. A 5-year warranty sums up its quality and its much cheaper than the Dyson alternative.
Read the in-depth review of this Shark Stick Vacuum and other quality models in the cordless stick vacuum reviews section. Take your time to go through our buyers guide below too.
![Our Best Pick - Shark Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner [IF200UK]. A good mix of performance and affordability with excellent cleaning performance](https://images-eu.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/310KR7MkQFL.jpg "Our Best Pick - Shark Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner [IF200UK]")
Our top 6 cordless stick vacuums that we reviewed including our top picks
- 1Shark Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner [IF200UK] - OUR BEST PICK
- 2Dyson 214744-01 V8 Absolute Cordless Vacuum - Premium Pick
- 3Hoover H-Free 2in1 Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner - HF18CPT - Best Budget Pick
- 4Gtech Pro Bagged Cordless Vacuum Cleaner
- 5Vax TBTTV1B1 Cordless SlimVac 22.2 V Bagless Vacuum Cleaner
Cordless Stick Vacuum Buyers Guide
Not every feature you see in a cordless stick vacuum is essential; some are there to hike the price. To help you narrow down options, we'll share with you the crucial, bare minimum features and the not so essential features.
Key features
At the very least, every stick vacuum cleaner must meet the following baselines:
Minimum 20-min run time
This is the absolute bare minimum. Anything less than this is not worth your money. You can't be vacuuming for just 15 minutes then wait hours for the battery to charge then resume to finish your job. It totally won't make sense. 20 minutes will allow you to clean at least 1000 sq. ft, even if it wouldn't be enough for a standard British house.
Lithium Ion battery
This is the most recommended battery for virtually all cordless tools. It charges quicker than NiCad or NiMH batteries, which are also prone to losing power halfway through a cycle. Li-Ion batteries provide consistent power and better run times. We did find some models with lithium batteries which takes 5 hours to charge but this was usually reflected in the price and as long as they have a good running time, say 25 minutes, this may be overlooked.
Premium Pick
The best of the best vacuum cleaners, with very powerful suction, 40 minutes battery life, more attachments and one-click conversion to handheld. If only you can spend the money, you won't find a better model on our list!
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Convertible to handheld
Whilst most of the time you will be cleaning floors, at some point you'll need to clean shelves, windows, curtains, upholstery, inside your car, and tight spaces around furniture. That's why your tool needs to convert into handheld to tackle such areas.
Bristled brush roll
An important feature if you are looking for the best cordless stick vacuum for carpets. This brush agitates carpet fabric so that any dirt hidden in between can be sucked up with ease.
Nice to have features
These are the ones that set apart great cordless stick vacuums from good models:
Budget Pick
An absolute bargain for the features on offer, including a separate pet hair attachment, swivelling nozzle, and reclining shaft. Dust pick-up performance is far much greater compared with models of the same price range. We tested this model for over 4 weeks and did a detailed review with pictures which you can read here.
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What type of dust collection should you go for?
Similar to an upright vacuum, cordless stick vacuums come with a dust collection system, which can be either a bag or a bin. With a bag, there is very little likelihood of dust blowing back into the air when you remove it. On the downside, bags are a hassle when it comes attaching a new one, plus replacements drain your wallet over time.
A dust bin, however, requires no costly maintenance. When full, you simply have to empty it out and reattach it back onto the vacuums body. The problem with bins is that they expel some of the dust into the air when being emptied, especially if it opens from the top. An alternative would be a bottom-release bin, but even it doesn’t keep dust completely out of your face.
Charging station vs adapter - which one is better?
There’s no one better than the other. A charging station provides a neat place to keep your stick vacuum when not in use. Some docks even feature storage compartments for the vacuum’s accessories. Others are only designed to charge the battery, meaning you have to remove the battery from the vac to charge it.
On the contrary, an adapter cord allows you to charge the battery whilst it’s still in the unit, which we find very convenient.
So both have their own benefits and the best type comes down to personal preferences.
How much should you pay for a good stick vacuum?
The sweet spot for cordless stick vacuums with all the essential features is anywhere from £150 to £250. There are still some cheaper models such as the Hoover H-Free 2-in-1 Cordless stick vacuum with a few bells and whistles. Splash more than £350 and you get top-of-the-range features and performance, for instance, longer run time and a more powerful battery. Pay less than £100 and you’ll be left to reflect on what would have been. Having said that, you can now look at the top 5 cordless stick vacuum cleaners.
Top 5 Stick Vacuum Reviews
Shark Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner - IF200UK
Pros
The Shark Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner [IF200UK] is packed with various cleaning technologies that makes it stand out of the crowd. What it really gives you is a new kind of cleaning freedom. The first thing you notice is what Shark calls "Flexology", which basically implies to the bending of the wand so as to reach hard-to-clean spaces such as under low-lying furniture. It also makes it easy the store as the wand folds around the mid-section to create a pretty compact vacuum cleaner.
In addition, Shark's unique DuoClean technology featuring two heads eliminates the need to change heads between caret and hard floors. There is one hard brush and a soft one, making it easy to pick both small and large particles as well as easily transition from carpet to hard flooring.
What's more? The Shark IF200UK converts into a lightweight cordless handheld vacuum cleaner to easily clean sofas, car interior, stairs, or use one of the supplied attachments to clean surfaces such as table tops. All you to do is detach the wand and you'll be left with the main unit as a handheld. For maximum versatility, the long-reach is perfect for cleaning ceilings, whilst the swivel steering navigates easily around furniture as LED lights illuminate hidden dirt in dark corners.
Powered by a 25.2V Li-Ion battery, this Shark vacuum cleaner offers consistent power for up to 22 minutes. This run time is not particularly impressive by modern top-of-the-range cordless vacuum standards, however, this model works surprisingly well for those minutes. You also have the option to use maximum setting for about 10 minutes before it gives up the ghost.
Battery charging takes about 3 1/2 hours and you have the option to charge the battery either when it's connected or separately. The battery also has three LED indicators to let you know how much charge is left and show when it's fully charged.
![Shark Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner [IF200UK] is great for cleaning carpet on stairs](https://images-eu.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41m8w6DrIZL.jpg "Shark Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner [IF200UK] is great for cleaning carpet on stairs")
The bin capacity is quite on the lower side at just 0.33 litres even though it's easy to empty every time you clean.
Overall, the Shark Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner is a smart looking cleaner that has a well-thought out and durable design. This model is easy to assemble, with every attachment fitting into place with a single click. If you are looking for top performance but without spending too much, this one is worth considering. Shark even stands behind this product with a 5-year warranty, so you can be confident of your purchase.
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Hoover H-Free 2in1 Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner - HF18CPT
Pros
One of the cheapest models currently out there, the Hoover H-Free 2in1 Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner - HF18CPT is said to perform just like a corded vacuum cleaner. Performance based on internal tests of dust pick up on hard floors, hard floors with crevice and carpet, measured according to EN 60312-1. Our own test found it to be very effective on full power with the rotating brush, we got around 19 minutes which was impressive. The standard mode gave 25 minutes but it lacked the power of some over vacuums.
This vacuum cleaner boasts a lightweight design, weighing just 2.2kg, which makes it easy to carry around your home and effortlessly clean high ceilings. Along with that, this model is highly manoeuvrable thanks to its Flat and Drive nozzle with a neck that reclines 90 degrees to go flat as well as swivels 180 degrees for easy cleaning around corners and curved areas, this feature we loved.
An on/off rotating brush bar allows you to clean any surface more conveniently. Ideally when the brush bar is on, it agitates carpet fibres to loosen dirt and debris for easy suction. To glide smoothly across hard surfaces and ensure not to scratch delicate surfaces, you simply have to turn off the brush bar.
During our 4 week test, we tended to use it with brush bar on even on wood floors and it left no marks on the floor which was the main worry but it gave much better cleaning results.
The H-Free hoover is powered by an 18V Lithium Ion battery which is not as powerful as the Shark vacuum battery, however it still delivers an impressive run time of 25 minutes. This duration is by no means near some high end models but is decent for the price and better than the shark model so it gets a few extra points here. Furthermore, this Hoover vacuum gives you the choice to remove the battery pack and charge it separately, meaning you can choose any socket that's most convenient. An LED light shows charging status at any particular time.
Speaking of lights, there's an LED light at the foot of the nozzle, which illuminates dark areas such as under the sofas or bed. With every dark space on the spot, there is literally nowhere for dirt to hide. The dust bin has an impressive capacity of 0.7 litres and can be opened with a simple press of a button. You don't have to struggle removing the lid, meaning emptying is quick and hassle-free and has been well thought out.
The vacuum cleaner also comes with mounting tools for neat storage. The standout out feature, however, is the supplied mini pet brush designed for sucking pet hair from carpets, cushions and all sorts of soft furnishings, as we have already mentioned, this was also excellent for cleaning carpet on stairs.
All things considered, the Hoover H-Free 2in1 Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner is a great option for anyone on a budget or looking for the best cordless stick vacuum for pet hair or just general cleaning if you don't have pets.
You can also read the full review here to learn the full specs and find out any downsides.
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Dyson V8 Absolute Cordless Vacuum
Pros
Dyson is a household name that needs no introduction. The Dyson 214744-01 V8 Absolute Cordless Vacuum, in particular, is their flagship model which is quite pricey but worth the money. It has the most powerful suction of any cordless vacuum cleaner, owing to the integrated 425w digital motor which spins at 110,000 rpm. In short, this Dyson delivers the same performance as a traditional upright vacuum cleaner and is probably the most powerful cordless vacuum you can buy.
This model is the easiest to convert to a handheld device, allowing quick cleaning of sofas and other raised surfaces. And just by adding the soft dusting brush or the combination tool to the end of the stick, you can conveniently clean high ceilings, drapes and blinds. This cordless stick vacuum would be the most ideal for those who want to use a single tool for most of the cleaning tasks, from vacuuming carpets to car seats, dusting bookshelves and cleaning various floor types.
The most amazing feature is the built-in HEPA filter, which captures allergens and expels cleaner air into the room. Those who suffer from allergies will really appreciate this feature and find the vac worth the splurge.
Even if you don't suffer from allergies, you would still agree on the importance of clean air. Pet dander, dust mites, and pollen are particles larger than 0.3 micrometres that any good vacuum cleaner can capture. With the HEPA filter, you can catch particles smaller than 0.3 micrometres and eliminate 99.7% of bacteria and pathogens. Furthermore, cordless vacuum cleaners don't come with HEPA filters so the Dyson V8 Absolute is truly unique.
The Dyson also includes two heads that effectively adapt to your flooring type. There's a soft roller cleaner head for hard floors and a quick-release motor head for removing ground-in dirt for a clearly cleaner carpet. You can change between two power modes; powerful and MAX, which gives you up to 7 minutes of increased suction.
At less than 2.6kg, the V8 Absolute is easy to lift to reach high places. Its low profile also allows for easier cleaning underneath furniture. It comes with a 21.6V Li-Ion battery that delivers up to 40 minutes run time, which is a lot more than any other models in this post. Battery charging takes about 5 hours.
If anything, the Dyson 214744-01 V8 Absolute Cordless Vacuum performs better than all other models in our list. Its wide range of attachments will allow you to clean your entire house from floor to ceiling. This is particularly the best cordless stick vacuum for hard floors.
If you are also concerned about the air quality in your house, this Dyson is perfect for the job. It performs better than all our select models that it was tough to call between the Dyson V8 and the Shark IF200UK as to which is our best cordless stick vacuum overall. We thought the Shark is fairly priced, but the Dyson V8 is still the king.
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Gtech Pro Bagged Cordless Vacuum Cleaner
Pros
The Gtech Pro Bagged Cordless Vacuum Cleaner is a British-made 2-in-1 stick vacuum that comes with a bag instead of an ordinary dust receptacle which is where this model unique. The reason for going bagged when many other models stick with bagless configurations is because it's a more hygienic option and cuts on maintenance costs, according to Gtech. The bag can be easily removed for emptying without touching dust all all.
Bagged vacuums also hold more dirt than bagless equivalents, meaning they don't need to be changed much often. This Gtech's bag boasts a 1.5L capacity, which is three times more than many cordless vacuum cleaners. The bag can last anywhere from 1 to 3 months before a replacement is needed and you can buy a pack of 10 bags for less than £10 directly from Gtech.
Moving forward, this vacuum's bag design is magnificent, with three layers to capture the dirt, dust and pet hair. Each layer progressively filters the dirt, whilst the durable exterior prevents the bag from ripping in use or coming apart when being removed.
Away from the bag, the vacuum weighs only 2.4kg, making it a practical option for those looking for a lightweight cordless vacuum. However, the device weighs much lower at 1.4kg in its handheld configuration, allowing you to clean stairs, vacuum car interior and upholstery with ease. The main floor head features LED lights to help you see dirt. Other cleaning attachments include a power brush, dusting brush, extension floor tube, and crevice tool. Also supplied is a charger and spare bag.
Important to mention is Gtech's patented AirLOC system that works with the main head to create extra suction when you pull the unit backwards, making it a breeze to collect both large and small particles which is where it excels. When pushed forward, the vacuum picks up large debris and when pulling back, the AirLock activates to capture finer dirt.
Gtech uses a 22v Li-Ion battery that delivers a run time of 40 minutes, but also depending on the active power mode. The maximum setting allows up to minutes of continuous vacuuming. When the battery is depleted, it can be fully charged in about 4 hours. If you prefer a bagged vacuum over bagless counterparts, this Gtech is a great choice.
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Vax TBTTV1B1 Cordless SlimVac 22.2v Vacuum Cleaner
Pros
Vax's flagship stick vacuum cleaner is powerful, lightweight and easy to use. The Vax TBTTV1B1 Cordless SlimVac Vacuum Cleaner lives up to the claim "it performs as good as it looks", thanks to its slim, sleek profile that glides across carpets and hard floors effortlessly. You only have to flick a switch to toggle between carpets and hard floors, whilst Vax's steerable technology allows you to navigate around furniture and other objects.
Likewise, the vacuum's dynamic and ergonomic design allows for a smooth transition from floor to handheld vacuuming. In addition, it comes with a powered floor head that only enhances suction performance on the floor but also appropriate on handheld configuration for stairs, upholstery and car cleaning. In any case, the Slim Vac is a 3-in-1 tool which comes with a crevice, upholstery and dusting brush attachments.
An important feature of this vacuum is the power latch. It locks in power to give you continuous cleaning without having to keep pressing the trigger. The SlimVac relies on a 22.2v Lithium Ion battery for power. A full charge can clean continuously for 24 minutes, which is enough time if you don't have too many things to clean. Included in the box is a charger for when the battery runs low and it takes about five hours from flat to full.
You can cover so much ground in 24 minutes and if you particularly fancy a sleek stick vacuum cleaner, the Vax SlimVac is a great choice.
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Our Final Conclusion
There you have it, we've given you the best cordless stick vacuums currently available on the market. Whether you have the money to splurge on a premium model such as the Dyson V8 or need something on a budget like the Hoover H-Free 2in1 Cordless Vacuum, we have put the cards on the table for you. Be sure to maintain your stick vacuum so it can last long. Any maintenance procedures should be in the product manual. Hopefully, this guide has helped you find a good cordless stick vacuum for your needs.
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Last updated on February 15th, 2021
