Suction, run-time and weight are the three numbers
Look past marketing 'air watts' to real run-time on the mode you'll use and how heavy it is in the hand. The £200–£400 band covers most homes well.
The jargon, decoded
| Spec | What it actually means | Does it matter? |
|---|---|---|
| Suction (Air Watts) | Pickup power; more helps on carpet. | Yes for carpet |
| Run-time | Minutes per charge — check on the mode you'll use, not max. | Key |
| Weight | How tired your arm gets; stairs and overhead. | Yes |
| Removable battery | Swap/replace to extend life. | Worth having |
| Bin size / filter | How often you empty and clean. | Convenience |
The three numbers that matter
- 1Suction — enough power for your floors. Hard floors and short pile need less; deep carpet and pet hair need more. The very top numbers matter mainly for carpets and pets.
- 2Run-time — can it clean your whole home on one charge? Look for the run-time on the normal setting, not the inflated eco figure. Removable batteries let you carry a spare.
- 3Weight — you hold this the whole time. A light machine you'll actually use beats a heavy powerhouse that stays in the cupboard. Check the weight in hand-held mode for stairs and ceilings.
What else is worth having
- ✓An anti-tangle brush bar — a lifesaver for long or pet hair.
- ✓Easy, hygienic emptying — you'll do it often; awkward bins get annoying fast.
- ✓A free-standing dock or wall mount for charging and storage.
Typical UK price bands (2026)
| Budget | What you get |
|---|---|
| £80–£200 | Capable lightweight cleaners for hard floors and small homes (e.g. Shark, Vax, Eufy). |
| £250–£450 | Strong suction, longer run-time, anti-tangle — the sweet spot for most homes. |
| £500+ | Flagship Dyson/Shark with detangling, displays and high suction — premium, especially for pets. |
Buy this if · think twice if
Buy it if…
- ✓You want quick, grab-and-go cleaning
- ✓You have stairs/cars (lighter + handheld mode)
- ✓You'll use the removable battery to extend life
Think twice if…
- ✗You need to deep-clean large carpeted areas daily (corded wins)
- ✗You bought on 'air watts' alone and it's too heavy
- ✗Run-time is too short for your home on boost mode
See today's top cordless vacuums — with live UK prices
Savvey Search asks your floor type, home size and whether you have pets, then shows three current, in-stock picks with live verified UK prices. Dyson and Shark dominate, with strong value from Vax and Eufy — check what's current and cheapest now.
Get my cordless vacuum picks →Is it actually a good price?
Cordless vacuums — Dyson especially — swing hundreds of pounds across retailers and sale events, and older models are sold alongside new ones at confusing discounts. Savvey checks 40+ UK retailers for the exact model and shows the cheapest verified price against the market median, so a "£150 off" gets a sanity check.
FAQ
Is Dyson worth the premium?
Often, for suction and detangling — but Shark, Vax and Eufy now offer excellent value. Match the three numbers to your home, then buy the best-priced model that fits.
Cordless or robot?
Many people use both — a robot for daily upkeep and a cordless for deep cleans, stairs and edges.
How long do the batteries last?
A few years; removable batteries are cheaper to replace than a whole machine, so they're worth looking for.
More Savvey guides
Best robot vacuums · Best washing machines · Best dishwashers — or browse all buying guides.