Best vacuum cleaners in the UK: corded, cordless, budget and pet hair picks

Buying a vacuum cleaner isn’t as straightforward as it looks. With many brands and models to choose from, prices can be deceptive and established names are no guarantee of performance. To help, an array of models was tested and their ability to handle real‑world cleaning jobs measured so you can find the best vacuum for your needs.

Each machine had suction measured with a suction meter and cordless batteries timed. Test messes of weighed flour, cat litter and pet hair were deposited on carpet and hard floor; collection bins were weighed before and after a single forward‑and‑pull‑back pass to determine how much dirt was picked up.

After testing, models were either returned or donated to the British Heart Foundation. Standout picks include the corded Shark Detect XL Car + Pet LA791UKT, praised for powerful cleaning, a 2.5l bin and useful accessories but noted as pricey if you won’t use all its features.

United Kingdom

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