12 Best Lightweight Vacuum Cleaners UK 2025 – An Expert Buyers Guide

I test vacuum cleaners so you don’t have to. Through my extensive testing, I’ve uncovered the best lightweight vacuum cleaners available in the UK.

In this guide, I’ve included a variety of lightweight vacuums, covering different types to ensure you can find the perfect model for keeping your home spotless.

So, keep reading to see which lightweight vacuums made the cut. This article has been updated for 2025, featuring my top five picks, with Shark Vacuum Cleaners stepping up their game to take the top spot in the Lightweight Vacuum Cleaner category.

If you’re short on time and just want the highlights, I’ve summarised the best options below. Amazon consistently has the best deals, but you’ll also find these vacuums at Currys, Argos, and AO.

Top 5 Best Lightweight Vacuum Cleaners UK

• Top Choice – Shark Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner
• Runner up – AirRam MK2 Cordless Vacuum Cleaner
• Best For Elderly – Morphy Richards Cordless 3 in 1 Vacuum Cleaner
• Best Budget – VYTRONIX CYL01 Powerful Compact Cyclonic Bagless Cylinder Vacuum Cleaner
• Best Lightweight Upright – Hoover Breeze Eovo Bagless Upright Vacuum Cleaner

1. Top Choice – Shark Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner

Whether you have pets, children, or simply a busy household that needs regular upkeep, finding the right vacuum is essential. Not just any lightweight cordless vacuum, but one that delivers powerful performance and convenience. The Shark Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner with DuoClean and Anti Hair Wrap Technology does exactly that, earning its place as my top choice for 2025.

This cordless Shark model offers exceptional performance and versatility. At just 2.2 kg in handheld mode, it’s incredibly lightweight and easy to manoeuvre. With a run time of up to 60 minutes in ECO mode and a removable battery that charges anywhere, it ensures you can tackle your cleaning tasks without interruption. The DuoClean and PowerFins system excels at lifting pet hair, long hair, and stubborn debris, while the Anti Hair Wrap Technology actively removes hair from the brush roll, making maintenance a breeze.

The vacuum is designed with Shark’s signature Flexology wand, which bends to clean under furniture effortlessly and folds for compact, freestanding storage. It also transforms into a handheld vacuum, perfect for tackling stairs, upholstery, car interiors, or quick spot cleaning jobs. This versatility, combined with useful attachments like the Car Detail Kit, Motorised Pet Tool, and Crevice Tool, makes it a fantastic all-rounder.

For those with a mix of carpet and hard flooring, the LED headlights illuminate hidden dust, while the carpet and hard floor modes ensure every surface is left spotless. It’s perfect for deep-cleaning high-pile carpets, delicate hardwood floors, or anything in between.

That said, there are two drawbacks to consider. First, it’s relatively high-priced compared to some other cordless vacuums. However, this is balanced by its premium features and performance, making it a worthwhile investment for long-term use. Second, some users may find the weight distribution slightly uneven, especially when using it in handheld mode, though its overall lightweight build helps to mitigate this.

Even with these minor cons, the Shark Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner delivers outstanding cleaning results and unmatched convenience. From its powerful suction to its pet-friendly design and flexible cleaning capabilities, it’s a top-tier choice for keeping your home spotless in 2025.

2. Runner up – AirRam MK2 Cordless Vacuum Cleaner

Compared to the Shark and Dyson cordless vacuum cleaners the Gtech is much lighterweight coming in at 3.2kg instead of closer to 5kg. Plus the weight is at the base not the handle so it feels even lighter to use.

Instead with the Gtech, the weight is at the bottom so there is minimal strain on the wrists while still getting an effective clean of your floors. Alongside an easy empty container, this makes it a great choice for anyone looking for a lightweight vacuum that doesn’t compromise on cleaning power.

The motor is powered by a strong 22V battery which gives an impressive 40 minutes of runtime. More than enough time to handle most clean-ups. The suction power is strong, but still gentle on rugs.

I like the way the bin collects dust and debris since it compresses it into a tight ball giving the .8 litre bin more dust capacity. And it is easy to empty.

Unfortunately, the downside to this vacuum cleaner is the lack of attachments. Cleaning your curtains or upholstery will require a handheld vacuum since there is no way to use this vacuum to clean those areas.

3. Best For Elderly – Morphy Richards Cordless 3 in 1 Vacuum Cleaner

When it comes to finding a vacuum suited for the elderly, it’s not just about being lightweight—it must also be easy to use and safe. A cordless design is ideal as it removes the hassle and potential danger of dealing with a trailing cord, and the Morphy Richards Cordless 3-in-1 Vacuum Cleaner ticks all the right boxes.

This vacuum is incredibly easy to manoeuvre, thanks to its slimline, lightweight design. It’s portable, compact, and comes with a wall-mounted docking station that keeps it conveniently stored and accessible while saving valuable floor space. The design ensures there are no tripping hazards, and it provides a clean, tidy look to your home.

Despite its lightweight frame, the Morphy Richards vacuum delivers powerful performance. The bristle roller brush works wonders on carpets, rugs, and hard floors, agitating fibres to dislodge dirt, debris, and pet hair. The cyclonic power suction ensures consistent performance by separating larger particles, reducing filter clogging and minimising maintenance needs.

One of the only drawbacks is the relatively small 0.45L dust canister, which means it requires frequent emptying, especially during larger cleaning tasks. While the easy-release feature ensures quick and efficient emptying, this could be less convenient for users tackling heavy-duty messes or larger homes.

Another standout feature is its illuminated floorhead, which makes spotting and cleaning hidden dust in dark corners or under furniture effortless. Coupled with its ability to convert into a handheld vacuum, it’s perfect for tackling higher areas like curtains or ceilings, as well as stairs and upholstery. The included crevice and brush tools add even more versatility for cleaning those hard-to-reach areas.

While it may not deliver the deepest clean compared to more powerful models, its flexibility and ease of use make it a fantastic choice, particularly for anyone who prioritises convenience over raw power. If arthritis or mobility issues are a concern, the lightweight and portable design makes this vacuum a much easier option to handle than bulkier models.

Overall, the Morphy Richards Cordless 3-in-1 Vacuum Cleaner is an excellent choice for elderly users who need a reliable, easy-to-use vacuum. With its lightweight frame, versatile cleaning modes, and thoughtful features like the illuminated floorhead, it offers an ideal combination of practicality and performance, despite the smaller canister size.

4. Best Budget – VYTRONIX CYL01 Powerful Compact Cyclonic Bagless Cylinder Vacuum Cleaner

This is a top choice in my list of the best vacuum cleaners under £100 and I love it. It’s under £50 and provides a very reasonable clean for that price point. Yes, more expensive ones are better but for the price, you can’t argue.

It’s lightweight at a little over 4kg but the only problem is that it can have a tendency to tip over because of the low profile of the hose. If you’re careful it’s fine but if you double back on the vacuum it can tip and you have to right it again.

It’s not a big deal but something to be aware of.

Works on carpets and hard floors providing a reasonable clean on both floor types.

A fine budget choice and a great choice for a lightweight canister vacuum.

5. Best Lightweight Upright – Hoover Evo Breeze Bagless Upright Vacuum Cleaner

The Hoover Breeze is an upgrade on the old Whirlwind model of the Hoover vacuum. It weighs 0.7kg more but still feels lightweight because it’s bottom-heavy. And with that extra weight, you get 100w extra power, an extra 0.5 litre dust capacity, 2 meters extra power cord and 2 meters more reach so it’s ideal for stairs.

They also fixed the noise problem bringing it down to a regular vacuum noise level. But what about the added weight?

In my tests, I compared this with the older version and honestly couldn’t feel much difference between them. I’m not sure if they’ve changed the way it moves but it certainly doesn’t feel 5kg when you push it. Carrying it upstairs was a little difficult so that’s something to be aware of. But all in this is still a lightweight vacuum. Half the weight of some upright vacuum cleaners I’ve reviewed in the past.

The 100 watts of extra power make this an ideal all-rounder. Capable of vacuuming carpets, hard floors and even long hair. As the name suggests it’s a breeze to use and very versatile./p>

The price tag is also considerably lighter. At less than half the price of a Shark vacuum, you may not get all the accoutrements, but you do get one of the best lightweight vacuum cleaners that won’t break the bank or your back.

Advantages of a Lightweight Vacuum

Having a lightweight vacuum is more advantageous to having a really heavy one. But, the reasons for wanting it to be light vary.

Easy to Use

Elderly buyers love that they can maintain their independence due to the fact that they can still clean their own homes.

People with disabilities or back injuries also get a massive benefit from the fact that there are some high-quality lightweight vacuums out there.

Even able-bodied people who are not interested in using their vacuum to replace a personal trainer appreciate that it is much less effort to use a lightweight vacuum. The benefits are fairly obvious lighter is better.

Storage

Seeing as how the vacuum is lightweight, that usually means it has a low profile. This means that storing your vacuum in an easy to access spot is easier to do than with a big, clunky machine. And that usually means you will be more likely to get the cleaning done.

A lightweight vacuum can be hung from behind a door, in a cabinet or anywhere else in arm’s reach. They take up less space and are also easier to pick up and go.

Quiet

This isn’t true across the board, but generally speaking, a lightweight vacuum has a smaller motor that is not as noisy as it’s full-sized counterparts.

Cordless battery operated stick vacuums are especially quiet since the motor is made differently.

It’s not unusual for a typical lightweight vacuum to be under 75 dB in noise production. Of course, your mileage may vary on this point. If you need a quiet vacuum then make sure you read the specs before buying.

Low Price

As with the quiet feature, this is not always true, but generally, a smaller vacuum also costs less. You can get a nice price on a very good vacuum.

Usually, when you want a second vacuum to have for smaller jobs, you don’t have to pay what you would for a full-sized or traditional vacuum.

If you have a small space, or your cleaning needs are light, there is no need to spend as much as you would for a high-end vacuum with all the most modern features.

Must-Have Features of a Lightweight Vacuum

I covered the benefits of using a lightweight vacuum, but here are some of the must-have items. Let’s go through some cleaning scenarios so you can see what features you would need for different cleaning solutions.

Deep Pile Carpet

Lightweight vacuum cleaners are ideal for cleaning deep pile rugs. They have a more gentle suction power while still being able to get deep down dust from the carpet.

Look for vacuums that either don’t have a rotating brush or ones where you can swap out the floor head. Rotating brushes can damage your deep pile rug. Same for high powered suction vacuums.

Some lightweight vacuums are lacking in a good filtration system. People with deep pile carpets should look for models with good filters since there is more dust associated with thick carpets.

Pet Hair

There are many vacuums made specifically for dealing with pet hair and mess, so lightweight vacuums are no exception. Look for a vacuum that has either a turbo brush attachment or a rotating beater brush floor head.

Powerful suction also helps, but the best vacuums for pet hair have brushes to pick up all the hair.

Specialized attachments are also a good thing to have. Cleaning up after pets is a challenge so the more options your vacuum gives you, the better.

When cleaning up after pets, you will likely have a lot more dust and debris going into the canister. Many lightweight vacuums have a small dustbin. Unless you don’t mind emptying the bin frequently, look for a model with a larger dust capacity bin.

Long Battery Life

Not all lightweight vacuum cleaners are cordless so this only applies to rechargeable vacuum cleaners. You will want to get an idea of how long it takes to give a good hover with your current vacuum cleaner before buying a lightweight cordless model.

Note the time and make sure the model you are looking into has enough battery time to properly clean your area.

Multi-use

Take advantage of the fact that most of these lightweight vacuum cleaners are 2 in 1 models. What that means is that they can operate as a traditional vacuum cleaner or come apart to make a handheld portable vacuum cleaner.

It’s not enough to just be lightweight enough to carry around if you have stairs to clean. If it can’t come apart then cleaning the stairs can be awkward.

If it isn’t a 2 in 1 that can be used as a mini vacuum cleaner, then make sure it has a hose attachment to get the stairs or your car. A good lightweight vacuum cleaner that is a one-trick pony won’t give you much value if it can only excel at one function.

Car or Boat Use

If you need a vacuum cleaner to be used to clean up something like your car, boat or cabin, then there are a few things to look for that will make it easier.

As I just mentioned, a vacuum cleaner that can be used as a traditional or handheld vacuum is the best way to go in general. When you’re looking to clean up somewhere besides your flat, then having it become a convertible vacuum is essential.

If your vacuum cleaner can be turned into a handheld with the touch of a button then you can carry it around. If it is small enough, it can be stored in your boat or camper where there is limited space.

Cordless is the way to go when it comes to having a vacuum cleaner that can be used to clean up alternative spaces like a car or camper. Most times you need to clean up if there is no socket available. Having a cordless vacuum gives you options.

These are some things to consider when you are evaluating your needs for a lightweight vacuum. Of course, not every cleaning scenario is covered here. This buying guide for lightweight vacuum cleaners should be a good start to get you in the right direction, however.

Other Lightweight Vacuum Cleaners Reviewed

Basic Stick Vacuum Cleaner

The most popular lightweight vacuum for sale on Amazon.co.uk is the Vonhaus 2 in 1 model vacuum. The price is right and you get a wonderful little vacuum with convenient features.

If you read through the must-have list for the best lightweight vacuum cleaners, then you may notice that this model ticks a lot of those boxes. This makes it a good all-around vacuum for just about anybody’s needs.

It converts easily into a handheld portable vacuum. It still retains all the advantages of an upright stick vacuum just in a smaller package.

The tube is removed to make it small and easy to carry around, so the body does not change at all. You lose none of the great suction power at all.

With a 600-watt motor, the suction is very powerful. Again, this also holds when it is in handheld mode. This makes it very good for pet hair even though it doesn’t have a rotating brush. It also does well on deep pile rugs since it doesn’t have a brush.

The 1.3-litre canister is quite large for a lightweight stick vacuum. If you have pets or lots of carpets you won’t be emptying the bin too often.

It has a nice crevice attachment with a hideaway brush. Tuck the brush away for use in the crevices of your sofa, but flip it back out to get the floor of your car.

With the kind of versatility you get from this handy lightweight vacuum, the price tag is quite shockingly low. Buy two and keep one for the home and one for everything else that needs tidying up!

Air Stretch Pet Lightweight Vacuum Cleaner

What are the criteria for an upright vacuum to be considered lightweight? In my opinion, it should be 5 kg or under. And that is not something you find too often with upright vacuums.

The Vax Air Stretch bagless vacuum cleaner is a great, powerful vacuum that is great for carpet, hard flooring and pet hairs. And at 4.9 kg it falls right within my own arbitrary parameters!

Not only does it feature multi-cyclonic technology to handle large and fine dust, but it also comes with a turbo brush attachment with a hose. That helps get the furniture, pet beds and anywhere else you wouldn’t reach with a traditional upright vacuum.

It is very agile with a swivel base to get around the tightest areas. It’s lightweight enough to carry onto the stairs if you wish, however, the extendable hose means you can leave it on the floor and clean the stairs without lifting it. This also helps clean areas over your head like the drapes or cobwebs in the corners.

The downside is that it is corded. Many people like rechargeable lightweight vacuum cleaners for the added convenience of being cordless design. With a 13 metre long cord, finding a socket is not usually an issue, though.

It’s a smart-looking machine that is money well spent. At the same cost as a heavy upright or clunky cylinder vacuum cleaner, you get much more convenience for a much lower price with this lightweight economical vacuum.

Sprint LightweightVacuum Cleaner

Very similar in design to the Gtech AirRam, the Hoover Sprint is a hybrid between the style of stick vacuum cleaners and lightweight upright vacuum cleaners. The main difference is in the battery life. You get a solid 50 minutes with the Sprint since there is the option to shut off the rotating brush.

Other nice features include a battery life indicator light. You can’t get caught unaware mid vacuum from the battery dying out on you when you can easily see how much life is left. Even a little detail like the canister cover being transparent so you can see if it is full is a nice touch.

The battery is a very strong 21V to power the cyclonic suction power. This makes it ideal on just about any surface. Perfect for hardwood floor cleaning and carpets. Its wide head also hoovers up a large area in one pass making clean-up go much faster.

The rotating brush is good at beating the deep-down dirt out of the carpet, yet it is still gentle on hard floors.

All in all, if your cleaning needs are simple, and you just want a good vacuum with a long runtime, then you will want to consider the Sprint. If you have more demanding cleaning needs, you may not meet them since there are no attachments. Just as I recommended with the AirRam, you will need to buy an accompanying handheld vacuum if you have upholstery or stairs to clean.

Folding 2-in-1 Upright and Handheld Vacuum Cleaner

This Ovation cordless lightweight vacuum is very similar in design and function to the Morphey Richards. It’s got both a lightweight design and is easy to use.

It also bends at the middle to get under furniture without the need to bend over and strain your back. It folds two ways in fact, so it can fold back down upon itself and store in a small space.

It doesn’t give you quite the runtime, hence its runner-up status, but at 30 minutes, that is still more than can be hoped for with some cordless models. There is a battery indicator light which helps take the guesswork about how much time your battery has left.

Bright LED lights make it easy to see if you have gotten all the dirt up. Also, the floor head is very wide making quick work of even large areas. Two speed controls also help preserve the battery. Use it on low for your average clean up and give it a turbo boost for when extra power is needed.

The handheld is also easy to use and can be enhanced with the crevice tool or upholstery brush.

The Ovation is a very versatile machine and quite a bargain at the price. The elderly and less able among us definitely will see the benefits of the features of this handy lightweight hoover.

HomeLife Handheld/Upright Hepa Vacuum

Good things come in small packages, as well as cheap!

You may have never heard of this Lloytron lightweight vacuum, but if you are on a budget, you will certainly appreciate it.

For a low price, you get a handy 2 in 1 convertible vacuum that can handle most of your average cleaning needs. It works well as a lightweight upright vacuum cleaner with a 600 watt motor for good suction.

That power comes at the expense of having a cord, however. If you don’t mind using a corded variety then you are rewarded by good suction, at least.

The handheld version has a crevice tool to get into the nooks and crannies of your furniture or stairs.

A nice bonus is to have a good HEPA filter on such a budget-friendly vacuum. Allergy sufferers don’t have to struggle through a clean up with dust making its way back into the air just for the sake of saving some money.

It’s also nice and quiet. Much quieter than other vacuum cleaners with the same size motor.

There isn’t too much else to say about this cheap vacuum. If you aren’t expecting Dyson quality engineering and just want an economical way to keep your house tidy then I would say this fits the bill.

Aobosi 4 in 1 Corded Vacuum

If you are on a budget but want a good vacuum with a lot of convenient features, then you should look into the new stick hoover on the market.

The Aobosi name might not roll off the tongue but it is an extremely lightweight vacuum. The lightest of the vacuums that I have reviewed. And it has some nice features that you wouldn’t expect for the price.

For one, it is a stick model vacuum that has a telescopic tube wand. This can help when you need to get up close to something without the vacuum getting unwieldy. Then it can scope out and get you to the hard to reach areas above your head.

The handheld version has a hose attachment which is ideal for getting into hard to reach areas without contorting yourself. This is a very handy addition when cleaning your car or getting into corners.

It includes a crevice tool, a round carpet brush with soft bristles and a T-brush.

It also features a washable HEPA filter for allergy sufferers or pet owners.

This may not be the highest-tech hoover you are likely to own, but it is a great budget option for people who still want all the bells and whistles, just at a great price.

Amazonbasics Powerful Bagged Vacuum Cleaner

Conclusion

If you’re looking for lightweight then you’re probably going to want to stay away from the big three brands, Shark, Dyson and Miele, they all make superb cleaning machines and are amongst the best vacuum cleaners, but the great suction comes at the price of a bigger motor so they’re not the most lightweight.

That is unless you go for their cordless stick vacuums or even corded stick vacuums, the Dyson V11, for instance, is a great choice but my god it’s expensive, maybe it’ll make the list in a few years. The shark also has lift-away technology to lift the body away, but the whole vacuum cleaner is 10kg so it’s not the lightest vacuum cleaner and I thought it wasn’t quite light enough to make the list. Regardless, I hope this made buying a new vacuum that little bit easier so you can find the perfect balance of cleaning power and weight.

I’ve not got any robot vacuum cleaners here because I thought they were in a different category, and an article on the best robot vacuum cleaners is inbound so stay tuned!

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