Looking for a vacuum cleaner to make light work of dusty corners, crumby carpets and grubby car seats?
Whatever your cleaning goal, vacuums aren’t one-size-fits-all. Different models suit different lifestyles, so once you’ve figured out your budget, make sure you know the difference between upright, cylinder and cordless vacuums.
Types of vacuum cleaner
Upright vacuums
You’ve probably got memories of lugging upright vacuums upstairs. Luckily, they’re much lighter these days! These traditional vacuum cleaners stand upright on their own, with big dust collection bins and powerful roller brush heads. They’re usually powered by the mains – that’s more than enough oomph to reaaally get into the nitty gritty.
Cylinder vacuums
Cylinder vacuums trundle behind you as you work. They have a super long hose with a suction head at the end, making it easy to get around furniture and into other hard-to-reach places.
Cordless vacuums
Cordless vacuums are just that – vacuums without the cord. These portable vacuum cleaners have batteries that need to be charged at the mains, but once they’re juiced up, can be taken anywhere. Handheld vacuums also fall under this category – they’re ultra-portable and perfect for cleaning the car.
Now you’re familiar with the main types of vacuum cleaners, it’s time to start thinking about which one is right for you. We’ve got a huge range of vacuum cleaners, so read on for our top picks for different lifestyles.
Handheld vacuums
Handheld vacuums are ideal for quick clean-ups and hard-to-reach areas. Lightweight and portable, they’re perfect for tidying up small messes, car interiors or stairs. A lot of models come with attachments like crevice tools and brushes, giving you the power to clean various surfaces. Their compact size makes them easy to store and they’re quite often cordless, which makes them easier to carry and move around. And despite their small size, handheld vacuums pack a punch in suction power.
Stick vacuums
Stick vacuums combine convenience and power, making them a popular choice for everyday cleaning. They’re typically lightweight and easy to manoeuvre, which makes them great for maintaining floors. A lot of stick vacuums are cordless, giving you the freedom to move around without being tied to a plug socket. And for even more versatility, you can quite often turn them into detachable hand vacuums.
Robot vacuums
Robot vacuums bring a touch of futuristic convenience to your home cleaning routine. These intelligent devices navigate around your home independently, using sensors to avoid obstacles and map out the most efficient cleaning paths. All you need to do is set a schedule, and your robot vac will keep your floors tidy without any extra effort on your part. A lot of robot vacs are equipped with Wi-Fi connectivity, allowing you to control them with your smartphone while you’re sitting comfy on the couch.
Wet and dry vacuums
Wet and dry vacuums are the heavy-duty champions of the vacuum world, capable of tackling both liquid spills and dry debris. Perfect for workshops, garages or any tough cleaning jobs, these vacuums come with powerful suction and large capacity tanks.
Best vacuum cleaner for homes with children
Everyone in your household leaves their fair share of mess – but kids are just better at it! From biscuits trampled into carpets to the remnants of arts and crafts masterpieces, you’ll want a heavy-duty vacuum that can banish those glitter specks for good.
Look for a versatile vacuum cleaner that:
picks up superbly on laminate and tiles as well as carpet
has multi-cyclone cleaning power for better suction
is bagless, making it easy to empty
is easy to push around so the kids can help with the housework (in your dreams anyway)
is hardwearing, with at least a 2-year manufacturer’s guarantee
The Dyson V15 Detect Absolute Cordless Vacuum Cleaner is packed full of floor-cleaning tech. It’s got an illuminated cleaner head that seeks out dust, a sensor that detects when to change suction power and an LCD display that shows you what’s been lifted from your floors. Job well done.
Best small vacuum cleaner
If you’re tight on space, there are loads of small vacuum cleaners with all the power you need. Whether you’re a student who needs a hoover for post-takeaway clean-ups or someone who wants it stashed quietly out of sight, a compact vacuum cleaner might work for you.
Look for a nimble vacuum cleaner that:
is cordless for hassle-free use
is light and flexible
can be wall-mounted and charged inside a cupboard
converts to a handheld vac for cleaning the car and stairs
includes crevice and upholstery tools
empties straight into the bin
Give the Shark CH950UKT Handheld Vacuum Cleaner a whirl. It’s small and powerful, with two extra tools for cleaning the sofa and sucking up pet hair. Plus, it empties at the touch of a button – so no fiddling with attachments or bags.
Best vacuum cleaner for pet hair
Unconditional love? Check. Uncontrollable amounts of hair? Also check.
We love our furry friends – but there’s no denying that their hair gets everywhere. Whilst you might not be able to wear black clothes anymore (thank you, cat hair), you can save your floors from the same fate with a reliable vacuum cleaner. Plus, if someone in your household has allergies, keeping on top of pet shedding is doubly important for staying sneeze-free.
Luckily, there are loads of vacuum cleaners designed specially to tackle pet hair. Look for one that:
has enough power to tackle embedded hair and dirt
has anti hair-wrap technology so you won’t need to grab the scissors
is easy to manoeuvre under and around furniture (and pet toys)
has anti-allergen features
can be used on different floor types
Enter: The Shark Anti Hair Wrap with Pet Tool Upright Bagless Vacuum Cleaner. It comes with the TruePet tool to make quick work of pet hair and automatically switches heads for different floor types. Plus, it features Shark’s Anti-Allergen Complete Seal to capture and trap 99.9% of dust and allergens inside the vacuum. Cue applause.
Best lightweight vacuum for elderly people
If you’re looking for a vacuum cleaner for an elderly friend or relative, its important to choose one that’s lightweight and easy to manoeuvre. That way, seniors can keep their homes dust-free whilst taking it easy on the ol’ joints.
Look for a lightweight vacuum cleaner that:
weighs 3kg or less
has a long cord length (or is cordless)
has easy-steer technology
is easy to empty
has good battery life, so can go longer between charges
Best vacuum cleaner for car interiors
Feeling sheepish at the state of your car? It happens. Whether its kids tracking in dirt from a footie match, pets shaking off muddy puddles or spills from your last takeaway, a handheld vacuum cleaner will help you stay on top of things.
Look for cordless vacuum cleaners that:
are small and light enough to easily carry from the house to the car
have an LED light so you can clean under seats
have a crevice tool to clean around the centre console, doors and other hard-to-reach places
have extra brushes to clean upholstery
have a wet and dry feature to clean up spills
Looking for a wet vacuum cleaner for your car? The Beldray Wet & Dry BEL0676 Handheld Vacuum Cleaner comes with a handy squeegee nozzle to clean up both wet and dry spills. Nice.
Best vacuum cleaner for people with allergies
If you’ve got allergies, you’ll know how important it is to keep your home dust and allergen free. It’s no easy feat – but a suitable vacuum can help keep all those nasties at bay.
Look for a powerful vacuum cleaner that:
is approved by the British Allergy Foundation
uses strong bags that won’t tear or allow particles to escape
can be used on different surface types
has different heads to clean under furniture
Vacuum cleaner brands
Currys stocks all of the biggest vacuum cleaner brands. Shark is famous for its powerful suction and innovative features, while Dyson stands out for its advanced technology and design. Bosch and Miele are well-known for their durability and efficient performance. Vax offers versatile models at affordable prices, and Hoover is a trusted name with a long history of quality. Samsung brings smart tech into the mix, making cleaning easier than ever.
What’s Best: Shark or Dyson?
Choosing between Shark and Dyson can be tough, as both brands are famous for their high performance and innovation. Shark vacuums are well known for their powerful suction, versatile designs, and affordable price points. Dyson vacuums are renowned for their cutting-edge technology, sleek design, and impressive cleaning power. Both brands offer generous warranties, giving you real peace of mind.
Need more help choosing a vacuum cleaner?
If you need more info before you choose a vacuum cleaner, our floorcare buying guide is a great read. If you’d like to talk to an expert, pop in-store and chat to one of our colleagues.
