10 Best Stick Vacuum Cleaners UK 2020 – An Expert Buyer’s Guide

Stick vacuums are a great alternative to regular upright vacuum cleaners. They are more lightweight, portable and make much less racket.

Upright vacuums are good if you need to deep clean and have a lot of carpets, but if you mostly have hard floors, then a stick vacuum will enable you to clean them without the need for a large, bulky machine.

I’ve compiled some of the best stick vacuums available in the UK. I’ll look at the key features for each vacuum as well as their pros and cons to help you make the right decision.

You can go directly to the product page for any of the vacuums in the top 5 by clicking the link in the table below. You can also click the ‘check price’ button next to each one.

Top 5 Best Stick Vacuum Cleaners

• Top Choice – Dyson V7 Motorhead Cordless Handheld Vacuum Cleaner
• Best Cordless pick – Shark Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner Anti Hair Wrap
• Best Corded pick- Shark Corded Stick Vacuum Cleaner Lightweight
• Best For Pet hair – Dyson V8 Animal Handheld Vacuum Cleaner
• Best Budget pick – Hoover Freedom 3in1 Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner

1. Top Choice – Dyson V7 Motorhead Cordless Handheld Vacuum Cleaner

The Dyson v& Motorhead Cordless Handheld Vacuum Cleaner is my top choice and has some fantastic features that make it versatile and incredibly easy to use.

Firstly, this is a cordless vacuum, which means you don’t have a wire trailing behind you. This makes it much safer and more convenient to use. Because of how it’s designed, this vacuum is also much quieter than a traditional upright model.

When it’s fully charged, you get approximately 30 minutes of use, without any loss of suction. It has a low and high power mode, with high power mode being ideal for deep cleaning carpets.

At just 2.3kg, this is extremely lightweight and very easy to carry up and downstairs. Being so lightweight and portable also makes it great for cleaning hard-to-reach spots such as the corner of ceilings. Prime members get free delivery with this vacuum.

Overall: This is a superb vacuum that’s suitable for nearly all types of indoor vacuuming jobs. It’s also one of the most affordable cordless models on the market.

2. Best Cordless pick – Shark Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner Anti Hair Wrap

The Shark Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner is an excellent alternative to the cordless Dyson models available. It’s very portable and convenient to use and is capable of cleaning both hard floors and carpets. The lithium-ion battery can be charged anywhere and you can remove it to charge on its own or charge it on the vacuum.

This vacuum is very lightweight and portable and it can also bend, so you’re able to clean awkward spots, such as under the coffee table effortlessly. It also folds down, making it very convenient to store.

With this model, you get 1 battery, which on a full charge gives you roughly 40 minutes of cleaning time. You can also get a twin battery version of this vacuum, although this costs considerably more.

You get a 5-year guarantee included for the vacuum itself and a 2-year guarantee for the battery.

Overall: This would make a superb choice of vacuum for most households. It’s easy to operate, has some great features and is reasonably priced for what you get.

3. Best Corded pick – Shark Corded Stick Vacuum Cleaner Lightweight

The Shark Corded Stick Vacuum is my best corded pick and gives you the benefits of a corded vacuum along with some other great features.

You get plenty of power with this model and it’s able to clean hard floors and carpets equally well. Also because it’s a corded vacuum, you don’t need to worry about running out of power while you’re using it.

It has some very nice features that make it a pleasure to use. For example, the wand bends so you’re able to easily clean awkward spots, like under a coffee table or the corner of ceilings. Not only this but there are LED lights on the front that light up any dark crevices. It also folds down, so you’re able to store it very easily.

At 4.9kg, it’s fairly heavy compared to a lot of cordless models but it’s still lighter than many upright vacuum cleaners out there. It comes with a 5-year guarantee and free one-day delivery for Prime members.

Overall: If you’re looking for a corded stick vacuum, then this would be a great choice. It’s powerful, easy to operate and has a range of great features.

4. Best For Pet hair – Dyson V8 Animal Handheld Vacuum Cleaner

If you have cats or dogs, then you know that their fur tends to get everywhere. The Dyson V8 Animal gives you an excellent way to combat this problem.

Unlike many other vacuums, this model can tackle animal fur with no problem. It has plenty of power for a cordless vacuum and the excellent HEPA filter that puts out cleaner air than it takes in.

When the battery is fully charged, you get an advertised 40 minutes of use, although this is closer to 30 minutes in reality. You get plenty of accessories included in the box, such as a rigid crevice tool, direct-drive cleaner head and a mini motorised tool.

It weighs just 2kg, so it’s very portable and comfortable to use. You can also use it handheld, which is ideal for vacuuming a settee or the stairs.

It comes with free delivery for all customers.

Overall: This would make a great vacuum for pet owners. It deals with pet fur very well and comes with plenty of tools that make cleaning around the house that much easier.

5. Best Budget pick – Hoover Freedom 3in1 Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner

The Hoover Freedom 3in1 Cordless Stick Vacuum is my best budget pick and is a surprisingly capable vacuum considering its low price.

It has a 22 lithium battery that allows you to clean for 20 minutes on a full charge. It also comes with some useful accessories to make cleaning that much easier, such as a crevice tool.

The rotating brush head is excellent for moving around and getting into hard-to-reach areas and it can also be detached so you can use it handheld, perfect for cleaning stairs or your car.

It comes with a 12-month guarantee and free one-day delivery for Prime members.

Overall: This would make a great choice of vacuum. It’s very affordable and does the job well, even taking its relatively short battery life into account.

Corded vs Cordless

When you buy a stick vacuum, you have the choice between getting a corded or cordless model. Cordless models are very convenient to use since you don’t have to worry about plugging them in and they’re typically very lightweight too. However, they do come with downsides such as the cost of the batteries, having to charge them and the limited running time.

A corded vacuum will give you all the power you need and you don’t have to worry about the battery running out plus you don’t need to store a charger but they are usually heavier and bulkier by comparison.

What to look out for in a stick vacuum

• Size and weight – The main reason why many people buy stick vacuums is that they’re lightweight and easy to move around. If this is the main selling point for you, then be sure to check the exact size and weight of any models you’re considering.
• Included tools – Additional tools are always handy, especially if you plan to use the vacuum for smaller jobs such as hovering the stairs or your car. Most stick vacuums will come with at least a few tools included.
• Running time – If you get a cordless vacuum, then a good running time is very important. You at least want to be able to use it for one full vacuum before having to recharge it. Some vacuums come with twin batteries so you can swap one out for the other as needed.
• Charging time – The charging time is also very important if you buy a corded model and it can vary a lot depending on the brand and the power of the battery.

F.A.Qs

Why would I want corded over cordless?

Corded vacuums give you more power, can be used for as long as you need and usually have a greater dust capacity.

Is Dyson better than Shark?

This comes down to personal preference. Both brands make excellent vacuums, but Dyson vacuums tend to be heavier and more expensive when compared to Shark.

Are stick vacuums less powerful than upright vacuums?

Yes, they’re usually not as powerful and not especially well suited to deep cleans on carpets. They are excellent for hard floors though.

Would I be better with an upright vacuum cleaner?

That mostly depends on the types of floors you have in your home. If your house has mostly carpets and you want to deep clean them, an upright vacuum would be the better option. If you have a mix of carpets and hard floors, then it still might be worth getting a stick vacuum since you can use both.

Other Stick vacuums Reviewed

Russell Hobbs 29v Turbo Vac Pro 2 in 1 Vacuum Cleaner

The Russell Hobbs RHSV2901 29v Turbo Vac Pro 2 in 1 Vacuum is quite a capable bagless model that’s very affordable and simple to operate.

You can use this as an upright vacuum as well as a handheld, making it great for cleaning the car or in harder to reach spots. It’s very lightweight, at just 3kg, so you don’t have to worry about straining your arms or back when using it. It’s also very convenient to store thanks to being wall mountable. You can also charge it when it’s mounted.

You can use this on all types of floors, but it tends to perform better on hard floors rather than carpets, particularly if you’re looking for a deep clean. You can get up to an hour of battery life on the low setting, but this might not provide enough power to do a proper clean.

It comes with free delivery for Prime members.

Overall: This is a nice, basic stick vacuum that gives you the benefits of a cordless even if it isn’t quite as powerful or feature-rich as some more expensive models.

VYTRONIX Lightweight Lithium 3 in 1 Cordless Upright Handheld Stick HEPA Vacuum Cleaner

The VYTRONIX Lightweight Lithium 3 in 1 Cordless Vacuum Cleaner is an excellent and considerably cheaper alternative to bigger name brands.

It has a 22.2V lithium-ion battery, that when fully charged gives 45 minutes of operation. The motorised brush bar is flexible and very easy to use and is capable of cleaning hard floors as well as carpets. The brush bar can also be detached, so you can use it handheld with smaller attachments.

At 2.3kg, this is extremely lightweight, which is ideal if you don’t want to strain yourself when using it. It also has an energy-efficient eco mode and a continuous power mode, meaning you don’t have to keep the power button pressed down. You can get free delivery for this vacuum if you have Amazon prime

Overall: This is an excellent vacuum overall. It costs a fraction of the price of bigger brand names yet still performs very capably.

Tineco A11 Hero Cordless Vacuum Cleaner

The Tineco A11 Hero Cordless Vacuum Cleaner is a good choice if you’re looking for a powerful cordless model that has a long-running time.

It comes with twin batteries, so you get more suction power, always important when you’re cleaning carpets. This gives you approximately 50 mins of standard running time, or 40 mins if you’re using it on MAX mode.

You can wall-mount this vacuum, which makes it very convenient for storing as well as charging. This is also an excellent model if you have allergies since the filtration system puts out cleaner, non-allergenic air than it takes in.

It weighs just 2.49kg and can be used as an upright model or as a handheld. If you have Amazon Prime, then you get free delivery included.

Overall: This is a very powerful and capable cordless vacuum. The fact that it comes with 2 batteries is a big bonus and allows you to get much greater running time.

PUPPYOO Powerful Portable Rechargeable 2-in-1 Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner

The PUPPYOO Portable 2-in-1 Vacuum Cleaner has some very nice features for a cordless vacuum in its price range and is well worth considering if you’re on a budget.

Firstly, it has a potential running time of 45 mins. Admittedly this is only on normal speed, which may not be enough to deep clean carpets but it is good for hard floors and smaller jobs. You can get roughly 11 mins when using it on the highest setting.

It weighs just 1.98kg, so it’s extremely lightweight and portable. As with most cordless stick vacuums, you’re able to detach the long hose and use it as a handheld vacuum, ideal for vacuuming stairs, the settee, cars etc.

The main unit comes with a 2-year warranty and the battery is covered for 6 months. You get free delivery if you have Amazon Prime.

Overall: This is an excellent cordless vacuum that’s available at a bargain price. It’s lightweight, portable and very easy to use.

AmazonBasics 2-in-1 Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner

Last up is the AmazonBasics 2-in-1 Cordless Stick Vacuum. Despite not being from a recognised vacuum manufacturer, this is an excellent overall model for a very affordable price.

It comes with a detachable Samsung 2500 mAh battery included, that gives you 30 mins of operation on the standard-setting. If you want to use it for deep cleaning carpets, then there’s also a MAX power mode.

The motorised brush head enables you to clean any type of floor and switching between hard floor and carpet cleaning is incredibly simple and just means flipping a switch so you can pick up every last piece of dust no matter what floor type you’re on.. Weighing 3.1kg, it’s a little heavier than some cordless models but still lightweight and portable enough to use comfortably.

Amazon Prime members get free one-day delivery.

Overall: This is a very nice cordless vacuum that gets the job done well and at a reasonable price.

Conclusion

Stick vacuums come in many shapes and sizes and with a variety of functions. If you’ve read through the reviews above, then you’re hopefully now in a position to make the right choice. All have excellent floor cleaning technology and while there are other creat stick vacuums, the Dyson V11 Absolute or the Dyson Cyclone V10, for instance, I’m happy with my choices here.

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