Best Lightweight Vacuum Cleaner Reviews UK 2023 – Top 10 Comparison

best lightweight vacuum cleaner

Our editors independently research the best products online to produce this list. We may receive commission on purchases made from the links below but this will never affect our product choices.

Our Favourites

Editor’s Choice: GTech AirRam MK2 K9
Choice for Pets: AEG CX7-2-45AN Animal
Value Choice: Hoover Whirlwind Bagless

Are you looking for the best lightweight vacuum cleaner on the market? We’re here to help.​

Vacuuming your home can be an exhausting and often frustrating process, particularly if you’ve got a massive machine that sticks and struggles to glide. If you’ve been looking for a way to make your cleaning routine a little easier, then a lightweight upgrade could be the ideal solution.​

Of course, it’s worth noting that there’s a vast range of different vacuum cleaner options to choose from these days – from cordless to corded options, bagged to bagless, and cylinder to upright. With such a broad selection to browse through, it’s no wonder that so many consumers end up confused and overwhelmed – spending their money on a machine they can’t trust.​

Fortunately, we’re here to clean up your confusion once and for all. We’ve scoured through hundreds of lightweight vacuum cleaner reviews to find you some of the top-rated tools in the market. Each of the vacuum cleaners listed below has been chosen not just for its compact design, but its manoeuvrability and ease of use, too.​

We’re sure you’ll find a product that will make light work of your next vacuum cleaning task.

How We Compared Lightweight Vacuum Cleaners

To find the right lightweight vacuum cleaners we considered multiple factors including:

  • Suction and Filter Power
  • Dust Capacity
  • Ease of Use
  • Maintenance
  • Weight
  • Design
  • Allergy Features
  • Energy Efficiency
  • Charging Times and Battery Life

Our team planned comparison points and specifically looked for products that would cater to all kinds of needs. We spent countless hours researching, consulting customer reviews and comparing features to come up with this list.

To find out more about our process please see here.

Best Lightweight Vacuum Cleaner Review – Top 10 Picks

1. GTech AirRam MK2 K9 (Editor’s Choice)

GTech AirRAM MK2 K9

If you’re looking for a lightweight, powerful vacuum that gets the job done week after week, then you can’t go wrong with the GTech AirRam MK2 K9.

This cordless upright vacuum cleaner prevents you from tripping over wires when you’re trying to get your home in pristine condition. It is specially designed to withstand regular use due to the cleaning demands of having pets in your home. What’s more, with its high-level 22V lithium-ion, you can rely on a battery life that will last for longer.

Ideal for both carpeted and hardwood flooring, the AirRam features a long runtime, a lightweight design, and a handy clean and eject dirt system. So, you don’t have to worry about emptying any vacuum bags. Also, there’s a unique AirLOC technology included to pick up larger pieces of debris as you push the vacuum forward. On the backstroke, the cleaner locks to the carpet, allowing a deeper level of suction power.​

The edge cleaning technology and unique construction of the GTech MK2 K9 also make it easier to get into those hard to reach areas around the house, so you never have to compromise on a beautiful home. One issue with this vacuum cleaner is that pulling it back can be quite tricky due to the high suction power. It might not be ideal for people with limited strength or the elderly, particularly if they’ll be vacuuming the stairs.

 

Pros:

  • Cordless vacuum technology means you’re not tripping over wires
  • Perfect for hard flooring and carpet alike
  • Lightweight design
  • Edge cleaning technology to get into each corner
  • High-grade battery

Cons:

  • Difficult to pull back for some reviewers
  • Not as attractive as some cordless vacuums

2. AEG CX7-2-45AN Animal (Best with Dual Function)

AEG CX7-2-45AN Animal

As you get a little older, you’ll find that it’s not as easy to push a vacuum cleaner around the house every other day. That’s why it’s so important to have the best lightweight vacuum cleaner for the elderly available to handle your cleaning tasks.

This 2-in-1 cordless vacuum from AEG combines handheld cleaning power and upright options into a single device. The rechargeable battery can handle up to 45 minutes of runtime, and there’s a motorised pet nozzle included for pesky hair and fibres in your carpet.​

It takes about 4 hours to recharge your vacuum after you’ve finished using it. Likewise, there’s a brush roll cleaning function that you can easily clean if it ends up getting tangled with hair. The AEG also comes with two separate power settings to choose from, depending on the cleaning tasks that you want to accomplish.​

The compact nature of this vacuum will make it an excellent choice for anyone who has limited space at home, as you can tuck it away into a corner or cupboard. The suction power is surprisingly strong, but it’s worth noting that the strongest setting will cut your use time by half. Additionally, the dust compartment needs to be regularly emptied as there’s not a lot of space for grime to build up.

 

Pros:

  • 4-hour quick charge feature
  • 2-in-1 cordless design
  • 45 minutes of runtime on the average performance
  • Brush roll cleaning function
  • Includes motorised pet hair nozzle

Cons:

  • Only 20 minutes of charge on a maximum suction
  • Dust compartment needs to be emptied frequently

3. Hoover Whirlwind Bagless (Best Value)

Hoover Whirlwind Bagless

Cylinder vacuums are excellent for delivering high-performance suction power – combined with a simple, compact design. The best lightweight cylinder vacuum cleaner that we’ve found on the market today comes from Hoover, in the form of their Whirlwind Bagless model.

This fantastic vacuum is easy to use and store, with a small design that makes it perfect for virtually all homes. The product comes with a 2-in-1 cleaning tool, too. Hence, you can even get rid of the pesky pet hair that clings to the carpets around your home.​

As part of the Whirlwind range, this hoover comes with a guarantee of 12 months, although you’ll have to register the appliance when you get it. Additionally, there’s a dusting brush and crevice tool included to help you get into those harder-to-reach areas in your rooms. One thing that makes this little product even more compelling is the fact that it comes with an automatic retracting cord feature. Just press a button, and the rewind mechanism will pull your cord back for you.​

It has a one-touch bin emptying feature with a 1.5-litre dust capacity. Its 1.5-metre hose is guaranteed to help you reach above-ground areas, and the variety of tools is excellent for cleaning. With all these features, the Whirlwind vacuum has it all. It’s excellent for both family life and individuals alike. Just remember that you’ll need to empty the dust canister frequently or risk losing suction, as this has a limited dust capacity. Some reviewers also said that this tool is not as quiet as other vacuum cleaners.

 

Pros:

  • Great compact cylinder design
  • Lightweight and easy to use
  • 2-in-1 cleaning tool with multiple accessories
  • 12-month guarantee included
  • Automatic cord winding feature

Cons:

  • Very loud compared to other lightweight vacuums
  • Need to empty the dust container frequently

4. Vax Mach Air Upright (Power Saver Choice)

Vax Mach Air Upright

The Mach Air from Vax is a multi-cyclonic powerful cleaner designed to tackle your entire home. Built to ensure no loss of suction – no matter how long you use it for, the Mach Air can handle both carpeted and hardwood flooring alike, for an effortless clean in every environment.

What’s more, this machine only weighs a tiny 4.9kg in use, so you shouldn’t have any problem carrying it between rooms or taking it up and downstairs.​

One of the most well-respected lightweight bagless vacuum cleaners, the Vax Mach Air comes with multiple accessories included such as a 2-in-1 crevice and dusting tool that helps you get rid of dust and dirt in a matter of minutes. There’s also a detachable handle that you can connect to the hose for more flexible cleaning above-ground.​

Unlike many of the lightweight options on the market, this device also comes with a 1.5-litre dust capacity. Hence, you don’t have to spend as much time running back and forth to the trash bin to empty the dust canister. Unfortunately, it’s not good at handling pet hair, so keep that mind if you have a lot of animals to look after.

 

Pros:

  • Excellent high-performance design
  • No loss of suction with multi-cyclonic technology
  • 1.5-litre dust capacity
  • 2-in-1 dusting brush and crevice tool
  • 1-year guarantee
  • A-class energy rating

Cons:

  • Not ideal for houses with a lot of pets
  • A little bit flimsy in places
  • Difficult to get the attachments on and off

5. VYTRONIX NIBC22 (Best Wall-Mountable)

VYTRONIX NIBC22

If you’re in the market for the best lightweight hoover, but you don’t have a lot of money to spend, then you need to find something with plenty of functionality that also suits your budget.

This affordable option from VYTRONIX comes with a 22.2-volt battery, which should be enough to get you through an entire home cleaning session with a single charge. Compact and powerful, this unique cleaning tool is mobile, efficient, and easy to use. What’s more, because there’s no cord, you’re not tripping over anything as you work.

Designed for versatility, the VYTRONIX NIBC22 is a 3-in-one tool that combines the power of an upright vacuum with a removable handheld device. You can move between hard and carpeted floor without changing settings. Furthermore, the long-reaching cleaning wand also tackles hard-to-reach areas in the corners of your ceiling, too. You can even take the handheld device outside to hoover your car’s interior.

The VYTRONIX will last about 45 minutes with each charge, and because it only weighs around 2.3kg, you shouldn’t have a hard time carrying it with you up and down the stairs. The biggest issue with this vacuum cleaner is that it struggles with managing dense pet hair and can end up getting clogged if you have a lot of animals around the house. Also, the hose on the vacuum cleaner has quite minimal give or expansion capacity, which was a problem for some of the reviewers we heard from.

 

Pros:
  • Impressive suction performance
  • Handheld or upright vacuums
  • Cord-free vacuum cleaner best for use inside or out
  • Up to 45 minutes of cleaning time with a 22.2 v battery
  • Easy to carry budget-friendly design
Cons:
  • Not excellent at handling pet hair
  • No give or flexibility in the hose
  • Struggles with deeper carpets

6. Hoover H-Free 500 (Best Compact)

Hoover H-Free 500

When it comes to cleaning your home from top to bottom, you need a versatile hoover that’s capable of tackling any challenge. Ideal for flats or small houses, this cordless and lightweight stick vacuum boasts above-floor functionality and deep-cleaning suction power.

This fantastic Hoover H-Free 500 comes with a 22-volt battery pack that allows users to clean freely for up to 25 minutes without losing any performance quality at all. What’s more, because it weighs only 2.2 kg, anyone will have an easy time using the Hoover H-Free 500.

Its 3-in-1 functionality enables you to clean floors, reach for the ceiling to get rid of cobwebs, or convert it to a handheld if you need to do your car’s interior. For stubborn ground-in dirt that requires powerful suction, press the Turbo button to effortlessly lift fine dust and large particles. You can use this function for eight minutes on full charge.

The Hoover H-Free 500 is also an excellent choice if you have a limited storage space, as the height can be adjusted to 69cm. What’s more, it can stand unaided when not in use and you can simply keep it under the cupboard. There are accessories included to help you upgrade your clean, too. To make charging your cordless vacuum easier, you can remove the battery pack and plug it anywhere. Unfortunately, the 0.45-litre capacity of the dust canister may be a bit limiting for some. Plus, it comes with only a handful of attachments.

 

Pros:
  • Ultra-lightweight design (less than 2.3kg)
  • Multifunctional design – clean homes and cars from top to bottom
  • Allergy care with silver ion treatment
  • Range of accessories included
  • 12-month manufacturer warranty
Cons:
  • May not include a wide range of attachments
  • Dust canister can fill up quickly

7. Shark NV601UKT Upright Lift-Away (Most Powerful)

Shark NV601UKT Upright Lift-Away

When it comes to tracking down the best lightweight upright vacuum cleaner on the market, you’ll probably be searching for something that has the perfect combination of powerful suction, excellent filtration, and modern features. The Shark Upright ticks all of those boxes and then some.

As a certified pet vacuum, it’s great for picking up pet hair and getting rid of embedded dust in your carpets, stairs, and sofas. There’s even a hose stretching up to 2.15 metres to help you reach difficult-to-clean areas.​

This powerful upright vacuum comes with reliable suction functionality on hard floors and carpets. What’s more, it converts into a handheld vacuum that’s great for comfortably hoovering ceilings and stairs. Remove the detachable pod, and you can use it to take the high-quality suction power that comes with your standard upright cleaner with you on the go. You’ll even be able to get rid of the dirt and dust inside of your car.​

With multiple tools and accessories to help you get a better clean, the Shark is a versatile vacuum cleaner. It even comes with a 5-year manufacturer’s warranty for peace of mind in your investment. The biggest issue is that this device doesn’t work well on deep-pile carpet, unlike other vacuum cleaners.

 

Pros:

  • Multiple functions with lift-away module
  • Pet vacuum with a power brush attachment
  • Powerful performance on hard floors and carpets
  • 5-year manufacturer’s warranty included
  • Stretchy hose included

Cons:

  • Not a cordless design
  • Doesn’t work well on deep-pile carpets
  • The cable isn’t very long

8. Dyson V8 Animal Handheld (Best for Carpets)

Dyson V8 Animal Handheld

Slim, sleek, and brimming with suction capacity, this Dyson V8 Animal handheld vacuum cleaner is an excellent choice for any household.

Complete with an impressive direct-drive cleaner head, the Dyson V8 pushes carefully designed bristles further into your carpets to eliminate even the most difficult ground-in dirt. There’s 150% stronger brush power with this device than the previous Dyson V6 vacuum.​

If you’re looking for a device that will help you to clean your home quickly and easily, then Dyson has you covered. Not only is it great at picking up ground-in dirt, but this lightweight upright hoover is likewise equipped with whole-device filtration. A feature ideal for capturing allergens and delivering better air quality for the whole family.​

The cordless design provides a maximum of 40 minutes non-fading suction with each charge, using an impressive Cobalt Aluminium battery. There’s also a handy one-push dirt ejector feature, so you can get rid of dust and grime without getting your hands dirty. The few niggles that customers had with this device were that emptying the bin isn’t as smooth as it could be. Furthermore, you’ll need to use the max setting on anything but hardwood floors to see the best results.

 

Pros:

  • High-quality cleaner head digs into the carpet to remove ground-in dirt
  • Non-stop suction power for 40 minutes, at maximum
  • One-button dust ejector
  • Included direct-drive cleaner head, motorised floor tool, and docking station
  • Whole device filtration for better air quality

Cons:

  • Slightly clunky emptying experience
  • Need to use max power on carpets
  • Can be a pain to remember to charge your vacuum after use

9. Shark IZ251UKT Cordless Stick (Best with Dual Batteries)

Shark IZ251UKT Cordless Stick

Another fantastic entry to our list of best lightweight vacuum cleaner options from the Shark brand, this stick cleaner offers flexibility and brimming with great features.

One of the popular cordless vacuum cleaners on the market, this IZ251UKT stick model from Shark comes with the ability to tackle both hard floor and carpet with ease. There’s a DuoClean feature that glides from one area to the other in your home without stopping.

Complete with flexible technology to help you get around the tougher areas in your house with ease, this cordless vacuum from Shark is an amazingly versatile product. The unit comes with anti-hair wrap technology that keeps strands of hair from collecting in the brush roll. Additionally, there’s an impressive two brush-roll design to help get rid of large messes fast.

The Shark corded stick vacuum comes with an extra-long 80-minute runtime if you opt for the twin battery model. Additionally, it converts into a handheld vacuum when you want to get difficult-to-reach areas, too. There’s a 5-year warranty included to give you peace of mind from your investment. Keep in mind that this model might not be suitable for cleaning edges. Also, it doesn’t come with a charging dock or wall bracket. Hence, you need to look for a place to prop it up and manually plug it in the mains. This model is heavier than the rest of the options on this list, too.

 

Pros:
  • LED lights to illuminate dust and dirt
  • Unique brush-roll design to get deep into your carpets
  • Flexible hose to reach all areas of your home
  • Converts into a handheld for difficult-to-reach spaces
  • Extra-long 80-minute runtime
Cons:
  • May not do well in cleaning edges
  • May not come with a charging dock
  • May be a bit heavy

10. Shark IF130UKTH Anti-Allergen (Best with Flexible Wand)

Shark IF130UKTH Anti-Allergen

Cordless vacuums are excellent for quick and convenient cleaning where you don’t have to worry about tripping over a wire. However, they can run out of battery quite quickly, which could mean that you need to stop cleaning mid-session to wait for your unit to recharge. The easiest way to overcome this problem is to invest in a vacuum cleaner with a removable battery.

The Shark IF130UKTH comes with a unique design specifically intended for users with allergies and pets. The flexible functionality of the vacuum means that you can reach even the most challenging areas – with ease. Furthermore, the DuoClean feature makes gliding over multiple flooring types quite fast. You don’t also need to switch between settings.​

Although the IF30UKTH comes with 30 minutes of runtime on a full charge, the battery is also removable, so you can get a spare one and charge it while the other option is in use. That way, you never have to run out of energy. This Shark product also comes with a 5-year warranty. The only slight issue is that the handle is a little heavy with the battery pack, and the vacuum itself might not be strong enough for bigger homes.

 

Pros:

  • Reliable cordless design great for allergy sufferers
  • Available to use on hard floors and carpets
  • Five years warranty included
  • Reaches anywhere with a flexible wand
  • Removable battery with a 30-minute runtime

Cons:

  • The handle is heavy with battery pack
  • Not ideal for larger homes or those with lots of pets or children

Why Choose a Lightweight Vacuum Cleaner?

a woman carrying a vacuum upstairs

If you’re always exhausted after pulling a heavy machine around your home each week, then a lightweight cleaner could be the ideal way to simplify your cleaning process. The most reliable lightweight vacuum cleaners still come with all the suction and filter power you need. However, they also ensure that you won’t have a difficult time moving your device around or carrying it up the stairs.​

Weight can often be an overlooked feature of most modern lightweight vacuum cleaners, as other things like suction and engine power generally demand the most attention. However, while there are other components of your vacuum that you’ll need to think about – like dust capacity, ease of use and maintenance – it’s important not to underestimate the appeal of a lightweight design.

What to Consider Besides Weight?

Once you’ve found the best vacuum cleaner that’s easy to use and move because of its compact and lightweight design, you can begin to look at other features too, such as:

a-woman-cleaning-the-wooden-floor

  • Automatic retracting cords
  • Cordless models for better flexibility
  • Removable hand-held tools
  • Edge-cleaning applications
  • Energy efficiency
  • Charging times and battery life
  • Filter functionality
  • Longevity and ease of maintenance
  • Allergy features
  • Extendable hoses for above-ground cleaning
  • Dust capacity

Choosing the Best Vacuum Cleaner

Picking the best lightweight vacuum cleaner isn’t easy. You’ll have a lot of different things to think about, from design and functionality to power and performance.

Among the vacuum cleaners we researched, our preferred option has to be the GTech AirRam MK2 K9. This cordless model boasts a 22V lithium-ion battery so that you have 40 minutes runtime before needing to recharge again – that’s plenty enough to make a dent in your chores. We especially love the lightweight design as well as the handy ‘clean and eject’ dirt system to make emptying the device easily and without those dreaded dust clouds. As if you weren’t sold already, this device also has unique edge cleaning technology and LED lights along the front so there’s nowhere you can’t reach.

Good luck choosing the vacuum that makes light work of your cleaning tasks!

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