Best value cordless stick vacuums

Top pick: Dyson V12 Detect Slim — the best balance of everyday power, light weight and a laser that shows dust on hard floors, and it's the cheapest way into Dyson's detection tech. It's the one I'd buy for a whole-home daily routine.

Who the others suit:

• Eureka ReactiSense 440 — the budget hero: strong suction, HEPA, all floors; ideal for a first stick vac or a second one for upstairs.
• Shark PowerDetect Speed — best for mixed carpet and hard floors, with HEPA and a sensible weight.
• Shark IX141 Pet — homes with pets and lots of hair; long runtime, simple to empty.
• Dyson V16 Piston Animal — big homes and deep carpet, if you want maximum suction and runtime.
• Dyson PencilVac — small flats and quick tidy-ups; very light and easy to store.
• Miele Triflex Hx2 Cat & Dog — buyers who value build quality and filtration over gadgetry.

Skip the Levoit VortexIQ Pro for now — no store currently sells it at a price we could confirm.