Guardian tests 13 cordless vacuums and names top picks for 2025

The Guardian reviewed 13 leading cordless vacuum cleaners to identify the best models for 2025, putting each through the same cleaning and battery tests to see which machines collected the most mess. The reviewer tested each vacuum against flour, recycled wood cat litter pellets and pet hair using a single push-forward and pull-back sweep, measured suction with a pressure gauge and ran battery rundown tests at full and economy settings with the floor head attached.

Top picks included the Shark PowerDetect Clean & Empty IP3251 as best overall for its self-emptying base (measured suction 28kPa, battery 43 minutes, 0.7l stick capacity); the Vax HomePro Pet-Design as best budget (measured suction 19kPa, battery 34 minutes); the Dyson Gen5detect as best for deep cleaning (measured suction 31kPa, battery 56 minutes); the Henry Quick Pro for clean emptying (measured suction 10.75kPa, battery 1hr 11mins, 1l capacity with disposable bags); the Eufy Robot Vacuum E20 as the best cordless/robot combo (measured suction 28kPa, battery 48 minutes, 3l self-emptying base); and the Dyson Car+Boat as best handheld (measured suction 21kPa, battery 38 minutes, 0.54l capacity).

Key Topics

Tech, Shark Powerdetect, Vax Homepro, Dyson Car+boat, Cordless Vacuum