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The latest and best Cordless Vacuum Cleaners Tested and Reviewed by Fred-in-the-shed
Updated 4th March 2025
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Breaking news Convert Dyson Cordless Vacs to Makita , Dewalt and other better batteries
Over the last 24 years of running Fredshed I have owned and used dozens of cordless vacuums and have seen them evolve from disappointing gadgets into powerful and effective cleaning tools. I have had most of the ubiquitous BLACK+DECKER DUSTBUSTERS but sadly ALL went prematurely to landfill. The Dustbuster was once the most popular cordless vacuum but due to it's wired in, non-replaceable battery it has a limited lifespan. In my opinion products like this should be banned since they are uneconomic to repair and become landfill prematurely.
My favourite and longest used cordless vacs are from Makita and Dyson. My 10 year old Makita BCL180 uses a 3 or 5 amp hour amp hour, 18v REPLACEABLE Li-ion battery, as found in builders tools like drills and saws. Dysons use different 22v batteries around 2 amp hour which can be replaced but involve dismantling, so you can't use 2 batteries for longer run time. Results from my long term, extensive testing of cordless vacuums show that the quality of the battery and the filter type are the most important factors to consider when choosing a cordless vacuum. Whilst Dyson has the edge on suction and filtration they are really let down by poor batteries and cheap chargers. Makita 18v Cordless Vacuum
Makita 18v cordless vacuum without battery and charger Makita 18V 3.0Ah LXT Lithium Battery BL1830 + Fast Charger
This superb 18v vacuum from Makita of Japan has been around for years and is powered by the same range of Li-ion batteries that builders use in their drills and saws. I use 5 amp hour 18v Li-ion batteries but other sizes are available.
All models use conventional dual layer cloth and plastic washable filters which is simple and effective. In 2020 Makita added the option of a clip-on cyclone attachment that collects particles in a see thru container before the main filters. For me this is a game changer as the cyclone has a large capacity and is easier to empty. Plus the debris rarely gets further than the cyclone so the main filters need much less cleaning. The 18v model was upgraded with 2 speeds and an improved on/off button that can be left on for easier use A lighter weight 12v model was added and is shown below at the front of the image
Updated Makita 18v Cordless Vac with 2 speed function The optional add-on canister increases collection capacity, makes emptying easier and means less filter cleaning - what a fantastic idea! Makita 443060-3 Paper filter - Cordless Vacuum The vacuum is also available in a 12v version and also now a brushless 18v version identified by model no 280 rather than 180. I am testing and comparing my 18v Makita against my 22.2v Dyson DC7 model. Both vacs have plenty of suction and come with similar accessories. The main difference is that the Makita has a bigger battery that runs for longer than even the most expensive newer Dysons. The Makita battery can be used in hundreds of other powertools but the Dyson battery is specific to each model, and cannot be switched out like the Makita ones.
However there is now a solution to annoying and expensive Dyson batteries.
You can buy a simple adapter that lets you use batteries from all of the most popular power tools like Makita, Dewalt, Bosch and Ryobi. This is such a good idea and the adapter is easy to fit. I fitted this adapter and now use my Makita 18v battery in my Dyson V7. Run time is massively increased and the Makita battery is available in several sizes and can be used in 300 other tools. Buy an adapter to use Makita batteries in your Dyson V7 handheld
The Dyson is easier to empty and has a neat wall mounted charger. If had to choose between them it would have to be the Makita, mainly because I already have the battery and charger from my Makita drill. I also use the battery in a lamp, chainsaw, hedge trimmer, leaf blower and jigsaw. Replacement Dyson battery are expensive and aftermarket copy batteries can be dodgy.
Either way you will need to dismantle your Dyson to replace the battery. Dyson handhelds and the Makita cordless vacs both all include extension tubes and floor attachments. The Dyson crevice nozzle is longer so better under car seats. The Dyson battery has 4v more current but way less duration (lower amps) than Makita batteries. Replacement batteries are easily available but the Makita battery is available in several sizes and can be used in 300 other tools.
Dyson or Makita ? Which is best?
Dyson V7 Versus Makita 18v Cordless Vacuum Though I have utter disadain for the Dyson batteries I am a huge fan of their suction technology and the unique Dual cyclone. I have had most models since they came out. The V7 is my favourite due to its more reasonable size and price. Later models are much more expensive and loaded with gimmicks. The elephant in the room with both is that the battery is built in and cannot be easily replaced thus causing many otherwise working machines to become landfill. I would urge caution buying any product with a built in battery if you are environmentally conscious. Luckily Bosch now offer a cordless vacuum with a replaceable battery. The Unlimited model which has several improvements including a replaceable battery from its extensive 18v range of garden and DIY tools. The entry level BCS111GB model comes with one battery and charger and the £100 more BCS122Gb comes with 2 so I would advise getting the cheaper one and buying a battery separate if and when you need it. DYSON HANDHELD CORDLESS VACUUMS TESTED AND REVIEWED Is the Dyson as good as the adverts make out?
My Original Dyson DC16
My old Dyson DC35 - (purchased March 2011) and newer V7 (purchased Sept 2017) I have owned and tested 3 Dyson cordless vacuums and currently use my V7 nearly every day. I have also tried several others belonging to friends. The unique selling feature of a Dyson is the dual cyclone technology. Other brands have single cyclone but it is the dual cyclone invented and patented by James Dyson that really does give his product better performance - at a price! Over the last 10 years I have owned and used the original DC16 and a number of the upgraded models that followed. The first models had very short battery life. My DC35 has been fantastic and is used at least 3 times a week. It is powerful and particularly good at cleaning my car and visitors often ask to borrow it to clean theirs. Overall I love the design and the fact that the filters do not need cleaning as often as other makes and the suction stays strong. The Dyson DC35 is easy to empty and has a neat wall mounted charger. A small thing I don't like is that the trigger has to he held in and cannot be locked on. This makes your hand ache after a short while, which is okay as the battery only lasts a short while on full power. My DC35 is still available but the higher number models now have improved digital motors and Hepa filtration to trap pollen and smaller particles. The Dyson V11 is now the most powerful Dyson cordless vacuum cleaner, It still uses a 22 volt battery but starts at £500! If you own a cordless Dyson then I recommend getting this extra tool holder that clips onto the charging station.
The extra tool holder means you can keep all your accessories together. The image above shows just one clip in tool holder on the right hand side but if you have more accessories you can clip a second holder into the other side too. A commendable feature of Dyson is the easy availability of spare parts. click here for the spares for all Dyson handheld cordless vacuums Gtech Multi - Test and Review The Gtech Multi undergoing its first Fredshed trial It is well balanced and easy to operate
I am very impressed with the flexible tool.
With the small motorised brush head it is perfect for stairs
This handheld cordless vac has a 22v Li-ion battery similar in
size and power to the Dyson handheld models. It is at least £100 cheaper and looks similar. When using the tool it is clear that it has less suction than a Dyson with its patented dual cyclone feature. The Gtech Multi has enough suction to do the job and the powered head attachment is great at brushing up particles into the air flow. So far I am impressed with the Multi, it is comfortable to use and collects more dust and debris than I expected. One improvement over the Dyson is the ability to leave it switched on, with the Dyson you have to hold the trigger, which I find a bit tiresome. The main issue is that the foam filter needs to be washed regularly to maintain its suction and it takes ages to dry. I bought another spare filter and would like to see products like this supplied with 2 from the start. Click here for Gtech cordless vacuum cleaners Mk2 Foam Filter for Gtech Multi Handheld Vacuum Cleaners (2016 onwards) Gtech Air Ram
The Gtech AirRam MK2 Cordless Vacuum Cleaner hits the Fredshed bedroom carpet I love the LED headlights and was amazed how well it collects debris of all sizes. This updated model is so light and easy to use, even from my wheelchair. My elderly cleaning lady also loves the Air Ram for the same reasons. It is a bit noisy on hard floors but has many good features such as easy emptying of the collection box and a big on/off button and battery charging indicator light.
The adjustable length handle pivots and lowers to get right under furniture and also locks into place to stand upright for storage and recharging.
I have the basic model but there is a more expensive AirRam K9 Cordless Vacuum Cleaner Washing the filter is a messy horrible job and it takes ages to dry out so I recommend having a spare one so you always have a clean dry one ready. Using a vacuum with a blocked up filter will also stress the motor and hasten the demise of your vacuum. Filters are there to be cleaned or changed!
Black & Decker Dustbusters
Pivot Nose Dustbusters The Dustbuster is one of Black & Decker's longest running products and has seen many incarnations. The pivot nose version takes up less space and is ideally located on a shelf whilst the conventional longer Dustbusters are best wall mounted. These compact little vacs have great suction and the double filter system works well. The folding design makes it easy to store on the charger, and ideal on a kitchen worktop or shelf. Expelled air and dust is no longer into your face like the old dustbusters. I tested the 12, 14.4v and 18v versions which have the same design and filters. From my experience the batteries last 3-5 years if regularly recharged but sadly they are not replaceable. Even worse, B&D make the batteries and motor as one module so it is uneconomic to replace. Handy for them as you have to buy a new vacuum if either component fails.
BLACK+DECKER Lithium Compact Pivot Vacuum, 18 V, Dark Titanium
Black + Decker Dustbuster Filter to Fit PV9625N/ PV1225NPM/ PV1225NB/ PV1425N/ PV1825N The 18v model is best value and is the the most powerful.
The neat folding brush on a slide-out nozzle. This solves the problem with losing small accessories.
Dustbuster Filters The Dustbusters use the typical twin cone, 1 plastic, 1 paper (or foam) affair that is found in the Gtech, Makita and other vacs. It works well if kept clear but is a messy horrible job to clean properly. The Dyson filter stays much cleaner and needs cleaning or changing less often.
New model is much improved with a see thru dust bin and improved Li-ion batteries BLACK+DECKER Lithium Compact Pivot Vacuum, 18 V, Dark Titanium Black + Decker Dustbuster Filter to Fit PV9625N/ PV1225NPM/ PV1225NB/ PV1425N/ PV1825N Bosch 10.8v and 12v Cordless Vacuums Blue Bosch tools are tier professional range so when I tried this 10.8v GAS cordless vacuum I was underwhelmed by the poor suction and lack of tools. Recently Bosch have bought out the Easyvac 12 in their green range and this is a much better product with a full range of accessories and plenty of suck.
Bosch GAS 10.8v cordless vacuum uses battery from the Bosch Blue range of professional power tools Bosch GAS108VLIN 10.8 V-LI 10.8v Li-ion Vacuum Bare Unit GAS108
Bosch Easy Vac 12
This model appeared in 2017 and part of the power For All 12v range. It used to be known as the 10.8v range but many companies are now reclassifying 10.8v as 12v. This little vac comes with a range of accessories and is only sold naked, so you need to buy the battery and charger separately if you don't already have other powertools in the range. So far only used it for a week but am very impressed as it has plenty of power and includes a full range of accessories. It is very similar to my beloved Makita 18v vac but even lighter and easier to use. I really like this product and hope that Bosch start selling it in a kit together with the battery and charger.
Bosch EasyVac 12 Cordless Handheld Vacuum Cleaner (Without Battery and Charger)
BOSCH AL1115CV Li-ion Standard Battery Charger KARCHER WV50 ELECTRIC WINDOW VACUUM A Totally New Way To Clean Windows
Its a squeegee that vacuums the soap and dirt clean away!
Great on car windows too! This excellent invention from Karcher of Germany is a sort of cross between a wet -n-dry dustbuster and a window squeegee. Firstly you soap up the window using a sponge or the sheepskin clad spray gun accessory, then swipe down the window with the vac and in seconds you will have a perfectly clean window with no smears or mess. All the dirty water is sucked into the integral tank and kept away from the window. My original Karcher WV50 window vacuum was great on tiles and cars too. I often use the Karcher when I wash my car to dry it off quickly after rinsing. This stops those annoying water spots appearing. I find that the new smaller 170mm head is best on my cars as it copes with the curved glass better. I am a pretty hard person to please when it comes to new gadgets but this one beat my expectations. It also impressed my window cleaning friend Chris and Polish cleaning lady, who calls me MacGyver, due to the enormous amounts of gadgets in my house. The Karcher WV50 did come with a spray bottle with a built in cleaning head and can be used with just a drop of washing up liquid or you can buy special Karcher window cleaning fluid, designed for this gadget. The spray bottle/soaping head is a bit small in my opinion and tiring on the hand to use for large areas. KARCHER WV5 Kärcher Window Vac WV5
with Exchangeable Battery The WV5 has a removable battery which should be good but is still only 3.6v. Kärcher Window Vac WV5
with Exchangeable Battery
Or you could go old school and use this simple Draper 2 sided window cleaner. This product is very light and easy to use. It could do with being a bit wider but I totally love it. Draper 200 mm Telescopic Squeegee with Sponge
For best results use the yellow coloured or the superb and cheaper HG window cleaning fluid. Kärcher Window Cleaner Concentrate
NEW PRODUCT! - TELESCOPIC HANDLE FOR YOUR WINDOW VAC!
Kärcher Window Vac Extension Pole for All Kärcher Window Vac Models
Also available - narrower 170mm head for small Georgian type windows!
Kärcher Window Vac Small Suction Blade for WV2, WV2 Premium and WV5 Premium The smaller head is better on curvy car windscreens too.
Coming soon - Cordless spin mops. 3 in 1 Cordless Spin Mop with 4 Microfiber Pads and 2 Polisher Pads
I bought this £200 AirCraft Powerglide model and a similar looking £25 Chinese bargain from Super Maid. The Powerglide is great and sprays water from its own tank from controls on the handle. This makes for fast easy cleaning and the 14v Li-ion battery can be charged in or out of the mop and can be replaced if necessary. The Supermaid has a smaller, inbuilt 7v battery and no spraying facility. It still does the job and comes with 2 different cleaning heads. Both of these cordless spin mops are light and easy to use. The added power of the Powerglide means it virtually floats over the floor but still cleans incredibly well since its weight is well placed over the pads. AirCraft Powerglide Cordless Floor Cleaner
If you found my advice helpful and would like to support my work, please return to this page and use my links when purchasing your tools. Also any other products bought from Amazon at the same time will produce a small commission that helps cover my hosting costs.
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for pet
hair issues. I like my Air Ram 2 as it is quick and easy to use and is lighter than my cordless Dysons. The one thing that is not as good as my
Dysons is the filter. The Air Ram uses an old style 
that
will need washing out regularly to maintain its performance.
