Choosing the right vacuum cleaner can make everyday cleaning quicker, easier and more effective. Whether you’re looking for a lightweight cordless vacuum for everyday use, a powerful cylinder model for deep cleaning, or a compact handheld for quick clean-ups, the best choice depends on your home, flooring and lifestyle.
The Vax team have been on the case to simplify choosing a vacuum cleaner – here’s our guide to the different types of vacuum cleaners, detailed benefit comparisons, and the key features to look for before you buy.
choosing the type of vacuum cleaner which works for your home
There’s no single ‘best’ type of vacuum cleaner – the right choice depends on your home’s layout and flooring, how often you clean and the surfaces you’re vacuuming.
cordless vacuum cleaners
Cordless vacuum cleaners have become one of the most popular choices for modern homes. Lightweight, portable and easy to manoeuvre, they’re ideal for everyday cleaning and make it simple to move from room to room without plugging and unplugging a power cable.
Many cordless models now offer powerful suction, long battery life and versatile tools for cleaning stairs, upholstery and even your car, making them a practical choice for whole-home cleaning.
A cordless vacuum cleaner could be the right choice if you:
- Want a lightweight vacuum that’s easy to carry upstairs
- Have a mix of carpets and hard floors
- Clean little and often
- Need a vacuum that’s easy to store
If you’re looking for a cordless vacuum, explore the Vax HomePro range for powerful whole-home cleaning, FlexiClean technology and HairWrap Resist, or choose the Vax Pace range for compact, everyday cleaning.
For advanced automatic suction adjustment, Vax HomePro Detect models feature Debris Detect technology, which increases suction when extra cleaning power is needed.
upright vacuum cleaners with cylinders
Upright cylinder vacuum cleaners are designed for powerful, whole-home cleaning. Their larger dust capacity means less frequent emptying, making them well suited to bigger homes or households with children and pets.
Many upright vacuums also include hose attachments and tools for cleaning stairs, upholstery and hard-to-reach areas, combining deep-cleaning performance with everyday versatility.
An upright vacuum cleaner is a great option if you:
- Have a larger home
- Vacuum frequently
- Want a larger dust capacity
- Have lots of carpet throughout your home
The Vax LiftOut range combines the powerful performance of an upright vacuum with a detachable LiftOut canister, making it easier to clean stairs, upholstery and above-floor surfaces without lifting the whole machine.
handheld vacuum cleaners
Handheld vacuum cleaners are perfect for those smaller jobs that don’t need a full-sized vacuum. They’re ideal for cleaning kitchen worktops, sofas, stairs, car interiors and everyday spills, giving you a quick and convenient way to stay on top of mess.
While a handheld vacuum won’t replace your main vacuum cleaner, it can be a useful addition for busy households.
A handheld vacuum is ideal if you:
- Want to clean your car
- Need something for quick spill
- Regularly clean upholstery
- Want a lightweight second vacuum
Vax HandVac Pro handheld vacuum cleaners are designed for life’s everyday messes, offering powerful cordless performance, up to 20 minutes of runtime and a range of tools for cleaning cars, furniture and awkward spaces.
comparing different types of vacuum cleaners
| Vacuum type | Best for | Main benefits | Things to consider |
| Cordless | Everyday cleaning and mixed flooring | Lightweight, easy to manoeuvre, simple to store | Battery runtime varies between models |
| Upright | Larger homes and deep cleaning | Larger dust capacity, powerful whole-home cleaning | Generally larger than cordless models |
| Handheld | Cars, stairs and quick clean-ups | Compact, portable and convenient | Designed for smaller cleaning tasks |
| Cylinder | Flexible hose cleaning | Easy to clean around furniture | Usually requires more storage space |
which vacuum cleaner is right for your home?
The best vacuum cleaner isn’t always the most powerful or feature-packed – it’s the one that suits your home and the way you clean. Here are some recommendations based on common household needs.
best vacuum for: homes with pets
Pet hair can quickly build up on carpets, upholstery and stairs, so it’s worth choosing a vacuum cleaner designed to tackle stubborn hair and everyday mess. Look for features such as HairWrap Resist technology to help prevent hair from tangling around the brush roll, along with specialised pet tools for cleaning furniture and soft furnishings.
The Vax HomePro Pet, HomePro Detect Pet and LiftOut Pet ranges are designed to make cleaning up after pets easier, combining powerful suction with tools for removing embedded pet hair.
best vacuum for: carpeted homes
If your home has lots of carpets, choose a vacuum with a motorised floorhead and strong suction to lift dirt and dust from deep within the fibres. Upright vacuums remain a great choice for larger carpeted homes, while many modern cordless vacuums also provide excellent carpet cleaning performance.
For powerful everyday carpet cleaning, the Vax HomePro range combines strong suction with a motorised floorhead for whole-home cleaning.
best vacuum for: hard floors
Hard floors benefit from a vacuum that’s lightweight and easy to manoeuvre. A cordless vacuum makes it simple to move between rooms, while soft brush rolls and adjustable cleaning modes help protect delicate flooring. The Vax Blade 4 is a great choice for hard floors, offering lightweight cordless cleaning that’s easy to manoeuvre around furniture and across multiple rooms.
best vacuum for: mixed flooring
Many homes have a combination of carpets, rugs and hard floors. If that’s the case, choose a vacuum that can easily transition between surfaces without interrupting your cleaning routine. The Vax HomePro range is designed for whole-home cleaning, making it easy to move between different floor types while delivering powerful performance throughout your home.
best vacuum for: flats and smaller homes
If storage space is limited, a lightweight cordless vacuum is often the best choice. Compact designs are easier to store and ideal for quick daily cleaning without taking up valuable cupboard space. The Vax Pace range is a great option for smaller homes and flats, combining a lightweight design with cordless convenience for everyday cleaning.
best vacuum for: larger homes
For larger properties, consider a vacuum with a longer runtime or larger dust capacity, reducing the need to stop and recharge or empty the bin. Upright vacuums or cordless models with extended runtime are ideal for cleaning more of your home in one go. For larger homes, the Vax HomePro Detect Dual offers up to 90 minutes of runtime with two batteries, making it ideal for cleaning more of your home in a single session. If you prefer an upright vacuum, the Vax LiftOut range also provides a larger dust capacity for extended cleaning.
vacuum cleaner quick comparisons
| If you have | We’d recommend |
| Pets | A pet-specific vacuum with HairWrap Resist technology |
| Mostly carpets | Upright or high-performance cordless vacuum |
| Mostly hard floors | Lightweight cordless vacuum |
| Mixed flooring | Cordless vacuum with versatile floorhead |
| A flat | Compact cordless vacuum |
| A large home | Upright or long-runtime cordless vacuum |
which vacuum cleaner features should i look for?
Once you’ve decided on the type of vacuum cleaner, it’s worth comparing the features that can make everyday cleaning easier.
| Feature | Why it matters |
| Runtime | Longer runtimes are ideal for cleaning larger homes in one session |
| Weight | Lightweight vacuums are easier to carry upstairs and manoeuvre around furniture. |
| Filtration | Advanced filtration helps capture fine dust and allergens. |
| Bin Capacity | Larger bins mean less frequent emptying. |
| HairWrap Resist Technology | Helps prevent hair wrapping around the brush roll, reducing maintenance. |
| Attachments | Crevice tools, dusting brushes and upholstery tools increase versatility. |
| LED Floor Lights | Help reveal hidden dust and debris in darker areas. |
Rather than focusing on a single feature, think about which combination best suits your home.
For example, pet owners may prioritise HairWrap Resist technology and vacuums with a specialised toolkit, while larger households may value longer runtime and a bigger dust capacity.
cordless vs corded vacuum cleaners
One of the biggest decisions when buying a vacuum cleaner is whether to choose a cordless or corded model. Both have their advantages, so the right option depends on how and where you clean.
| Cordless | Corded |
| Lightweight and easy to carry | Unlimited runtime |
| No cable to plug in | No charging required |
| Quick to grab for everyday cleaning | Often larger dust capacity |
| Easy to store | Well suited to long cleaning sessions |
For many households, modern cordless vacuum cleaners offer the ideal balance of convenience and cleaning performance. However, if you regularly clean a larger home in one go, an upright cylinder vacuum with continuous power may be a better fit.
Bagged vs bagless vacuum cleaners
Bagged and bagless vacuum cleaners both clean effectively, but there are a few practical differences to consider.
| Bagged | Bagless |
| Cleaner emptying process | No replacement bags required |
| Can help reduce dust exposure when emptying | Lower ongoing costs |
| Replacement bags needed | Easy to see when the bin needs emptying |
Our vacuum cleaners are all bagless, making them simple to empty and helping reduce the ongoing cost of buying replacement bags.
which vacuum should i choose?
If you’re still deciding, here’s a quick guide to help you choose the right Vax vacuum cleaner.
| If you’re looking for | Recommended range |
| Powerful everyday cordless cleaning | HomePro |
| Smart cleaning technology with automatic suction adjustment | HomePro Detect |
| Extended runtime for larger homes | HomePro Detect Dual |
| Great value cordless cleaning | Pace |
| Powerful upright performance | LiftOut |
| Quick clean-ups around the home and car | HandVac Pro |
choosing a vacuum cleaner faqS:
WHAT TYPE OF VACUUM CLEANER IS BEST?
There’s no right answer, and no single ‘best’ vacuum cleaner. The right choice depends on your home, flooring and cleaning routine. Cordless vacuums are ideal for everyday convenience, while upright corded vacuums are well suited to larger homes and deep cleaning.
ARE CORDLESS VACUUM CLEANERS POWERFUL ENOUGH TO CLEAN THOROUGHLY?
Yes. Modern cordless vacuum cleaners provide powerful suction and are designed to clean carpets, hard floors and upholstery effectively, making them suitable for most homes.
WHICH VACUUM CLEANER IS BEST FOR PET HAIR?
If you have pets, choose a vacuum cleaner for pet hair with specialised tools and technology that helps prevent hair wrapping around the brush roll, making maintenance easier.
SHOULD I CHOOSE A BAGGED OR BAGLESS VACUUM?
Bagless vacuum cleaners are a popular choice because they don’t require replacement bags and are simple to empty. Bagged models may be preferred by some allergy sufferers as they can reduce dust exposure during disposal.
WHAT FEATURES ARE MOST IMPORTANT WHEN BUYING A VACUUM CLEANER?
The most important features depend on your needs, but runtime, weight, filtration, dust capacity and the included cleaning tools are all worth considering before you buy.
Vax Staff