Please help me find the perfect vacuum cleaner

[MixedFamily]

I would like a new vacuum cleaner with the following characteristics, can somebody please point me towards a couple of options?

• light, easy to use (I want somethting that will make me want to hoover)
• not too big as I have a small storage unit
• Ideally
• cordless but cannot have it plugged in whilst being stored away, assume this might be an issue? (How do people do it with the Dyson, is it always charging?)
• Fairly powerful. No carpets but have a DC and a pet

I would like a Dyson but have heard that it isn’t worth it. I also wouldn’t be able to have it plugged in all the time as I’d keep it in a cupboard. Budget-wise, ideally I would like to spend around £200ish

Henry cordless.

We have a Dyson V7 which needs to be on charge constantly. It is really only any good as a secondary spot vacuum for freshening up and isn't a replacement for a proper vacuum. I use a Trend wet and dry vacuum as the main one. Hepa filter, and plenty of power. It doesn't have a roller brush, but we have solid floors mainly.

We also have dogs which probably overloads the Dyson.

@HappiestSleeping thank you. My idea was that if it is cordless it will be easier to use and can use it more on a daily basis but if needs constant charging then it wouldn't work as can only really store it in a cupboard. Assume it is the case for most wireless ones?

Miele C3 cat and dog.

I have a Dyson 11 cordless and it takes ages to charge and then runs out quite quickly. I don’t think it would work unless you’re organised enough to take it out to charge 3 hours before you want to use it, seeing as you can’t just leave it plugged in. I’m also not sold on the bagless style because when you empty it into the bin the dust just puffs up - I’d rather lift out an enclosed bag that you throw away. It’s also bloody temperamental and won’t pick up things like small bits of Lego or little scraps of paper, which is infuriating. It is very powerful but I wouldn’t get another one. I really feel like they’ve over-engineered it into something that isn’t quite robust enough to do the job it’s made for.

I bought this last year. BEST hoover ever.

BoschBCS712GB Unlimited 7 Dual Battery Cordless Vacuum Cleaner, White

It deals with hair from two labradors two teenagers. It's so so light which I needed for after a gynae op. Super powerful.

I tried all the hoovers in John Lewis before going for this. It empties like a dream. My house has never been so clean. I hoover most days now, before wilgh the old Dyson, it was every couple of weeks.

I've had a couple of Dyson and like them but don't have anything to compare. I had to take my latest one to be repaired (a couple of years ago) as the button switch stopped working. The man who repaired it (recognised Dyson shop) said that I shouldn't keep it plugged in all the time as that decreased life of battery.

I second the Miele C3 recommendation. I've had it for 10 years and it's as good as the day I bought it.
ETA my MIL has a Dyson cordless model, suction is poor, it's broken several times but we have been able to get parts to repair it and it needs frequent emptying. Good for maybe a small area with wooden flooring I'd say.

We have a cordless, we plug it in to charge at breakfast time on days when we are vacuuming. Doesn't take long. We usually plug in after vacuuming for a short time before storing away.

We have a Shark - we both think it's too heavy. We also have a Vax cordless stick vac that I got from B and M. Fewer tools but much easier to use and store.

I have the Miele cordless duo flex. Best vacuum I've had. I do have it mounted on the wall to charge by a plug though.

www.johnlewis.com/miele-duoflex-hx1-cordless-vacuum-cleaner-nordic-blue/p111775720

I've just bought a levoit cordless after a bit of research. I've had cordless Dyson and sharks, and this is the best by far. They're about £170 on Amazon i think.

I don't know what the more modern ones are like, but the V7 has two power settings. Low has longer duration, but less power so is only a freshen up. High has more power, but significantly less duration even with a brand new battery.

That said, they are easier to use. Ours sits on its charging station in the kitchen and so can be popped out regularly. Little and often so to speak. Even then, and especially with dogs, I need to break out the big vacuum regularly.

Also, the dust collector gets full very quickly on the V7. On balance, I still view it as a secondary vacuum not a primary one. Newer models / manufacturers may well be better.

Thank you. Do you have to keep it plugged in though?

It's cordless. You can keep it plugged in (I don't use a charging station, just a charger plug). Or you can take the battery off and keep in charged on a charging unit somewhere and just put the battery on when you use the hoover.

You get two batteries so can rotate them. They are the same bosch batteries as you'd use for a power drill or something.

@Ilovelowry thank you! no space for a docking station so the battery thing is useful. There is no need to replace the battery, only to charge it, is that correct?

Have a Dyson that lives on the wall in the charger which is fine for a quick flick! We have long haired black cats and very light carpets do have to use the big Dyson for a proper clean.

OP what do you mean by replace? You slide it off, put it onto a battery charger (can be left anywhere with a plug). Then slide it back on when you want to use it, assuming you've charged it.

It literally slides off and on. It's abput the size of a hand.