Best cordless vacuums

Top pick: Dyson V12 Detect Slim — the most balanced cordless stick for most homes: light enough to carry up stairs, strong suction on carpet and hard floor, and a laser head that shows dust you'd otherwise miss. It's the one I'd buy first.

Who the others suit:

• Shark PowerDetect — best value all-rounder; strong on carpet, long warranty, and a refurbished option if you want to spend less.
• Dyson PencilVac Fluffycones — very light and quiet-ish for hard floors and quick daily tidy-ups.
• Dreame Z30 — the pick for heavy carpet and pet hair; the most suction here.
• Tineco Pure ONE Station 5 — if you hate emptying the bin; the station does it for you.
• Eureka ReactiSense 440 — a solid budget first stick vacuum.
• Dyson V15 Detect Absolute+ — the step up if you want the deepest clean and car tools included.

Skip the Roborock H60 Hub if you'll carry it upstairs — it's listed at 23 lb.