The latest and best Cordless Vacuum Cleaners

 Tested and Reviewed by Fred-in-the-shed

For 240v (UK) mains powered vacs click here

Updated 13th January 2012

I have tested the following  machines.

Ryobi CHV 182M

New Makita BCL180 18v Li-ion!

All Black and Decker Dustbusters

including 7.2v Cyclonic,12v,14.4v & 18v  Dustbuster Pivot

Gtech floor sweeper, SV01 & HV01 Vacuums

DYSON  DC16, DC30, DC 31, DC35

Makita 12v and 18v cordless vacuums

DeWalt 18v Cordless Vacuum cleaner

The Best 3 Cordless Hand Held Vacuum Cleaners

Over the last 20 years I have owned and used dozens of these machines and have seen them evolve into powerful and effective cleaning tools.

I have had most of the ubiquitous Black & Decker Dustbusters and currently have the latest 18v model with pivoting head.

In 2010 I would have said this was the best cordless vacuum but now new contenders have arrived. The heavyweight Dyson DC35 with its 22v battery and the 18v Makita BCL180.

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Is this the best cordless vacuum ever? This is the new Makita BCL180 using the fantastic 18v Li-ion battery that powers the huge range of professional tools. It is also available in a 14.4v version and replaces my old 12v version that I loved and used for years. I am currently using it every day and testing and comparing it against the 22.2v Dyson DC35 - Digital Slim. Both vacs have plenty of suction and come with similar accessories. The main difference is that the Makita has separate batteries that run for much longer than the Dyson. 25 mins against 15 mins max, (on half power) The Dyson is easier to empty and has a neat wall mounted charger. If had to chose between them I would have to be the Makita , mainly because I already have the battery and charger from my Makita Drill. If you just don't have any Makita tools or batteries already you will have to buy the vacuum separate to a battery and charger but the total is still less than the Dyson.      Click here for more details and best price on new Makita Cordless Vacuums

Both the Dyson DC35 and the Makita vacuum come with extension pipes and wide floor attachments. The Dyson has a built in rechargeable battery and the Makita has to be removed to charge and also fits at least 20 other powertools * the Makita battery * charge are sold separately The Dyson battery has 4v more current but way less power. Overall the Makita battery is better and can be easily replaced

The Latest and Best Cordless Vacuum Cleaners tested by Fred

( I am on a mission to find the overall winner)

 

Black & Decker Dustbusters The Dustbuster is one of Black & Decker's longest running products and has seen many incarnations. It is designed to be used for cleaning up minor spillages or quick tidy ups. It has a rechargeable battery and comes in many sizes. From my experience the batteries last 3-5 years if regularly recharged but sadly are not replaceable. B&D make the batteries and motor as one module so it is uneconomic to replace. (boo) The pivot nose version takes up less space and is ideally located on a shelf whilst the conventional longer Dustbusters are best wall mounted. Pivot Nose Dustbusters Great suction and the double filter system works well, easy to store on charger. Expelled air and dust is not blown into your face like the old dustbusters. Some niggles.... Occasionally the lid to the dustbox  has not locked in and the dust fallen out. On my one the storage for the little brush is pants so you can easily lose it. I tested the 12, 14.4v and18v versions which has the same design and filters. The 18v version  is highly rated by reviewers on Amazon and popular mechanics. update - I have used this for 5 years now and it still works but the battery only lasts 1 minute now. Apart from the non replaceable batteries it is one my favourite cordless vacuums.   The 18v model is best value of the 3 and is the the most powerful.

Standard long nose (cyclonic) Dustbuster (best wall mounted) 18 volt special edition Black & Decker Pivot Nose Dustbuster The best cordless on car mats

Dyson DC16 Handheld (21volt) and New Dyson DC31 And the Latest DC35! I used the original DC16 for a year, I liked the power and easy emptying feature. I didn't like the short battery life, so was pleased to see the new more powerful DC35 appear. The Dyson DC35 is the "big daddy" of the cordless vacuum cleaners as it has the most power at 22.2volts and a Lithium ion battery that recharges in 3.5 hours. Whilst I have no doubt that it has the best and most consistent suction,  it is large, and the battery duration is very short at around 6 minutes. This is because a big motor (hence the big battery) is needed to power the dual cyclone that is unique to Dyson. The DC35 is a  breakthrough in technology with looks to match. This hand vac is ideal for small clean-ups and use in caravans, boats etc but remember it is not designed to replace your main vacuum cleaner. I  liking the "gun like" feel and I like the filtration and emptying features. The brush attachment is too soft for my liking and the trigger has to he held in and cannot be locked on. Otherwise it is good, but I still prefer the Black & Decker for cleaning the cars. Dyson attempt to resolve the problem of  short run time by bringing out a new model with 2 speeds and a digital motor. However it has the same sort of battery and charger so I am not getting too excited about it. The Ergonomics are improved and it is lighter.  (DC30 is the single speed digital motor 14.4v and DC31 is 22v , 2 speed). The new DC35 looks like the best of the bunch with its long extension and powered head to save you bending down and enabling larger areas of floor to be cleaned on each charge.   A further footnote - I have my DC35 wall mounted on its charger but it is a bit flimsy and one little knock and it falls out.

click here for the new DC31 model with digital motor!   Dyson DC16 Handheld (21volt)

DeWalt Cordless Vacuum DeWalt are a very innovative company who respond quickly to customers needs and provide tools we want. If you buy a DeWalt cordless drill you can also find a huge range of other powertools to go with it. The 18v range is most favoured with tradesmen and builders and is widely available. 3 of the fredshed test team of tradesmen use these tools and swear by them. This is me at Interbuild trying the excellent DeWalt DC515N-XJ 18v cordless vacuum which EVERY BUILDER SHOULD OWN! - you filthy devils!

This is me, with the DeWalt 18v Li-ion Vacuum!

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Gtech SWO2 Floor Sweeper Sometimes the simplest machines are the best and this little battery powered floor sweeper fits that description. The Gtech SW02 is so light and efficient, you can wizz round the room in seconds without the noise and effort of plugging in a heavy vacuum cleaner. I was amazed how much it picks up and it is so easy to empty thanks to its nifty dirtbox that just slides out. This machine can be used with one hand and is perfect for all sorts of people including wheelchair users like me!

No bags, no cords, no filters- just picks up dirt the easy way -by brushing Surprisingly this little sweeper is ideal for DIY mess like plaster and concrete dust (small pieces). This because is does not have filters to block and just sweeps and collects. A smaller, cheaper version is also available - see below

Ibot Roomba - Robot Vacuum Cleaners Two of my friends have these excellent little bots and love them. I have spent some time studying them and am looking forward to further developments that will make them more suitable for my house. Finally in 2011  I decided that the technology has improved enough and is reliable enough for me to try one. Also the main supplier has now changed to a company I know and I am confident that the earlier reported problems with customer service will be resolved. Spare parts are widely avaialble and reasonably priced I now own a top of the range Roomba 581 and love it. Several models have already evolved ( including the i-Scooba robot mop)  and most seem to be highly regarded by their users. They are best suited to uncluttered rooms . Most reports and reviews are positive but with any hi tech rechargeable product problems can arise.  The I Scooba is more complex and as an older product is due for redesign. As new batteries become more powerful  and cheaper these machines will be more affordable and effective - just like the Robot mowers I have been using for 9 years.  watch this space!  click here for Ibot Roomba and spares

Roomba 560 costs around £300 My top of the range Roomba 581 is around £370

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The Fiskars shovels are strong enough to be used for other jobs like clearing up garden debris and horse muck.

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