Buyer’s guide

Make light work of your spring clean with our top hoover picks

Do away with dust and dander and invest in a new vacuum

The sheer number of vacuum cleaners on the market nowadays seems endless, but somewhere in between cylinder, cordless and upright models, there’s the perfect match for you. So, to take the hassle out of finding the ideal fit for your cleaning needs, we’ve narrowed it down to eight top-notch, affordable vacuums that meet a range of criteria.

Before you take the plunge, though, Tori Miller, Floorcare Appliance Expert at AO.com, offers her tips on what you should consider first. ‘Before purchasing a new vacuum, it’s important to think about the types of rooms you plan to use the appliance in and the flooring that you have in each of those spaces. This will determine which vacuum is most suitable for your home.’

There are three main types of hoovers that you can choose from, each of which has a specific set of advantages. Tori explains this in more detail: ‘Upright vacuums are extremely powerful as the full weight sits at the front, plus they have belt-driven floor rollers that provide strong suction, which can get deep into the dirt within carpet fibres. They are designed with foot control pedals, so you don’t have to bend down to switch them off or change the settings – this is particularly useful if you have different surface types in your home. Most upright vacuum cleaners are corded, so they don’t require charging and they are easy to store away’.

Cordless vacuums are a fabulous option if you’re looking for a model that is much more easily portable. Tori gives more information on this type of hoover: ‘These are ideal if you’re looking for a lightweight vacuum, as some models weigh as little as 2kg. There’s no need to scour your home for a free plug socket either, as they are battery-powered, which means you’re not bound by a cord and can move freely from room to room. Most models are easy to detach into a handheld mode too, which is ideal for small spaces or if you want to give the inside of the car a clean’.

A cylinder vacuum is another handy hoover for tight spaces, as Tori explains: ‘These compact appliances are great for small rooms and they can be folded away and stored easily, too.

They also feature a flexible hose to help clean tricky, hard-to-reach places. Another bonus of a cylinder vacuum is that it tends to be quieter than upright or cordless models, but they don’t compromise on suction power’.

DYSON SMALL BALL ALLERGY BAGLESS UPRIGHT VACUUM CLEANER, £199.99, ARGOS

Want to suck up even the dust you can’t see?

The Radial Root Cyclone technology on this Dyson will see to that. Plus, it’s an incredibly quiet model, which pivots on a ball to make it easy to manoeuvre.

• Includes mattress, crevice, upholstery, dusting and combination nozzles

• HEPA filtration to trap small particles

• 9.4m cord

• Easy to steer

• Lightweight

SEBO FELIX VOGUE EPOWER VACUUM CLEANER, £289, AMAZON

This light, powerful and easy-to-use model has met with rave reviews – and for good reason. It can clean all surfaces, from delicate carpets to hard flooring, and its L-shaped head is ideal for tricky spots.

• Powerful brush motor

• Includes a floor head as well as crevice and upholstery nozzles

• Superb manoeuvrability

• Soft bumper to protect the head against knocking furniture

• Upright model

SHARK ANTI-HAIR WRAP HZ500UK UPRIGHT VACUUM CLEANER, £249, AO.COM

For effortless cleaning, choose this Shark option. The easy-to-empty model has anti-hair wrap technology, so it’s ideal for those with pets. Plus, its DuoClean function interchanges seamlessly from being suitable for carpets to hard floors.

• Self-cleaning brushroll

• HEPA filtration to remove allergens

• Bagless model

• Easy to manoeuvre around awkward areas

• DuoClean function

LUPE PURE CORDLESS VACUUM CLEANER, £699, LUPE

This model is pricey, but we can assure you it’s well worth the investment. You don’t need multiple heads for this vacuum, as its high-power brush bar and counter rotating design is able to pick up the smallest particles.

• Cordless cleaner

• Large 1-litre bagless bin capacity

• HEPA filter, which captures 99.9% of fine dust and allergens

• 60 minutes of power from one charge

• High-power suction technology

MORPHY RICHARDS SUPERVAC 731007 CORDLESS VACUUM CLEANER, £77, AO.COM

This bargain-buy model has everything you need to make cleaning a breeze. It’s super easy to move around the house due to its cordless design, plus its special upholstery tool is fab your furnishings.

• Cordless design

• Up to 40 minutes running time

• Upholstery tool

• Use it as an upright, handheld or lightweight stick

• Suitable for carpets and hard floors

AMAZON BASICS POWERFUL CYLINDER BAGLESS VACUUM CLEANER, £57.02, AMAZON

Not only is this bagless vacuum cleaner energy efficient with an AAA rating, it’s also ideal for compact homes with its 1.5-litre capacity and lightweight design.

• Bagless

• Lightweight and easily portable

• Works well on carpet, hard floors and upholstery

• Energy efficient

• Cylinder model

DYSON UP24 BALL ANIMAL TWO UPRIGHT VACUUM CLEANER, £299, JOHN LEWIS & PARTNERS

For a hoover that will stand the test of time and has all the functions you’ll ever need, choose the Dyson. This clever model can self-adjust between carpets and hard floors and has a 15-foot hose to keep cobwebs at bay.

• Upright model

• Automatic self-adjusting head

• HEPA filtration, which picks up microscopic dust

• 10.8m cable length

• Bagless design

BUSH CORDLESS HANDSTICK VACUUM CLEANER, £79.99, ARGOS

Bust dust and dander with this Bush vacuum. It’s suitable for all floor surfaces and has a bagless design, which makes it incredibly easy to empty without the need to replace the bag.

• Multi-filtration system to pick up small particles

• Glides easily under furniture

• Can convert to a handheld vacuum

• Cordless design

• Upholstery nozzle