14 Best Stick Vacuum Cleaners UK 2023 – 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.

I updated this article in 2023 to reflect all the new awesome vacuum cleaners that have come out, there are a lot of great picks now for prices that are lower than ever so it’s never been a better time to upgrade.

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 – Shark Cordless [IZ201UK] Stick Vacuum Cleaner Anti Hair Wrap
• Best Cordless Pick – Dyson Cyclone V10 Animal
• Best Corded Pick – Oneday Corded Handheld Stick Vacuum Cleaner with HEPA Filtration
• Best For Pet Hair – Vax Blade 4 Dual Pet & Car Cordless Vacuum Cleaner with Motorised Pet Tool
• Best Budget pick – Hoover 100 3in1 Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner

1. Top Choice – Shark Cordless [IZ201UK] Stick Vacuum Cleaner Anti Hair Wrap

This vacuum is one of the best purchases I made in my adult life. It’s allowed me to keep my floors cleaner than ever and I’m so happy I didn’t fork out for a Dyson. Shark vacuums are 90% as good as the top Dyson vacuums and are closer to 50% of the price, which is an excellent trade-off in my mind.

With their cordless model You get superb suction, easy charging, and it’s lightweight and nice to handle as you zip around your house. The anti-hair wrap isn’t perfect but it is far superiour to a vacuum without it, you’ll have to untangle it far less and only if you’re dealing with very long hair.

The anti-hair wrap occasionally gets tangled if I’ve left it for a week and there’s a lot of dog hair (and wife hair) on the floor. But it’s much easier to untangle than my Dyson was. You just flip it over and the hair pulls free by hand.

You can get different models from 40 minutes of run time up to 120 minutes, to me the 120 minutes is excessive, it’s not going to take you two hours to vacuum your house and you’re going to put it back on the dock where it will resume charging so to me the 40 minute is all you need which will save you some money.

You’ve also got the built-in DuoClean head which glides effortlessly from hard floors to carpet proving a thorough deep clean across all surfaces, and it deals really well with pet hair, sucking it right out of the carpet.

Then the air that passes through the Shark gets filters leaving it purified and fresh for you to breathe free from allergens and dust. Excellent if you have a pet or allergies but even great if you like breathing clean air!

An easy top choice, the perfect blend of power and price able to clean even the most stubborn carpets, you can’t go wrong.

2. Best Cordless Pick – Dyson Cyclone V10 Animal

Dyson rule the roost in the world of Vacuum cleaners, but at over £500 for the latest model I struggle to put them at the top spot, because being the best is about value.

However, they do too great a job not to be included in a list of stick vacuum cleaners, so instead of including the latest V15 model I went for the V10, which is two models back. The latest improvements are mostly about battery life and I think 60 minutes is plenty.

It does a great job at carpets and hard floors and is designed to have enough suction to even pull out all the allergens from the carpet which get filtered out leaving you with the cleanest carpets possible.

You’ll probably be a little disgusted at quite how much dust gets picked up when you first run this around your house on full power. It’s going to fill up fast and fill up often. But once you get into a cleaning routine you’ll get around all your house before you have to empty out the dust container

It also converts down to a handheld version so you can clean your car and get right in and around any upholstery you have. Pick up pet hair out of sofas and even out the curtains with ease.

An easy choice of cordless stick vacuum, if you can afford it buy it, if not the Shark above won’t steer you wrong.

3. Best budget Corded Pick – Oneday Corded Handheld Stick Vacuum Cleaner with HEPA Filtration

If you need a lightweight vacuum cleaner, you don’t want to worry about charging it, and you need it to do a good job, then this is the vacuum for you.

The Oneday stick vacuum isn’t as powerful as either the Shark or the Dyson above, but it’s a hell of a lot cheaper, and still does a pretty good job. It won’t cut the mustard if you’re dealing with pet hair but if you have a regular household that needs to be cleaned then this is perfect.

A 10m cord will have you in and out of rooms without having to constantly replug in and the storage unit helps keep it all tidy. You don’t have anywhere to store the cord which is a little annoying but if you coil it up and loop it over it does the trick.

Emptying out the dust canister could be easier but it’s certainly not a deal breaker. A great little vacuum, a perfect budget choice.

4. Best For Pet hair – Vax Blade 4 Dual Pet & Car Cordless Vacuum Cleaner with Motorised Pet Tool

This isn’t as good as the Shark vacuum at the top spot, and if you want general cleaning up after a pet then I’d go for the Shark. But what it has that the Shark doesn’t is a motorised pet tool to get a deep clean of furniture.

Spinning brushes beat up the hair and dander out of cushions and upholstery leaving you with much fresher furniture. Plus you can really get a good clean of the stairs which can be a struggle with a bigger vacuum.

The charge time and run time are standard, and this model comes with a second battery (2 with 45 minute run times) so if you are having a deep clean you’ve got all the power to do so. Plus you can get accessories that let you deep clean and detail your car too!

A really great vacuum from Vax, I don’t think they’re quite ready to join the battle for the top spot but an absolute solid 3rd place with a really great vacuum for again a little less money.

5. Best Budget cordless pick – Hoover 100 3in1 Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner

The Hoover 100 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 25 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

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 rechargeable battery 50 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.

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.

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.

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.

It’s now 3.9kg vs the 4.9kg of thw HV390 which came before this mode. This 1kg reduction is enough to make it much more comfortable to use and to get around your whole house without your writs tiring. You also get 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.

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.

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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