If you think you’ll be running your cleaner on max power all the time, it might be wise to look for a model with swappable batteries. That way when you run out of power you can pop in a second battery and pick up picking up from where you left off. We think the cordless vacuums we’ve listed above are the best of the best, but it’s essential to consider your personal needs. The Shark WandVac is a powerful handheld vacuum that’s good for small clean-up tasks such as cereal spills.
A lightweight 2-in-1 Lift-Away upright vacuum with a detachable canister for portable cleaning power. With the push of a button, Lift-Away technology allows you to lift the canister away and easily clean in hard-to-reach areas. This vacuum is also armed with swivel shark handheld vacuum steering for excellent control when maneuvering around furniture, and has a completely sealed system with a HEPA filter to trap dust and allergens. Additionally, it has a Brushroll Shutoff button so you can easily switch between carpet and bare floor cleaning.
We found that it picked up all the hair on the upholstery rather quickly. On the floor, we noticed clumps of hair came up easily, though some did get left behind on the edge of the carpet when the vacuum made the transition from between floor surfaces. We chose the best Shark vacuums for pet hair based shark pet vacuum on their effectiveness, portability, and maneuverability, as well as their noise level, simplicity of setup, ease of emptying the dust canister, and overall value. The last time we updated our list of the best cordless vacuums, we pointed to the Tineco A11 Hero as an outstanding midrange option.
To find the best vacuum cleaner, we’ve assessed how well each model collects everything from fine dust and dirt to larger debris such as cookie crumbs and cereal. The fresh water comes from the machine’s fresh water tank and works with a rotating soft brush roller to mop the floor. In the same pass, the mop vac sucks the used water back into a separate dirty water tank where it filters out any solid debris.
I’d also recommend the original Halo Capsule (£229.99) for a cheaper option, which has a slightly smaller capacity, no HEPA filtration, no headlights, a fixed battery and less attachments. I tested the Halo Capsule X in a friend’s flat which is home to three long-haired women and I’m pleased to say it picked up hair superbly well. There’s no special hair detangling technology, but after several sessions there wasn’t too much hair stuck around the brush roll. I have a long-haired tabby cat who moults so much it’s a wonder she has any fur left. Wirecutter is the product recommendation service from The New York Times. Our journalists combine independent research with (occasionally) over-the-top testing so you can make quick and confident buying decisions.