Whilst a vacuum cleaner is an essential household item, when it comes to our most used household appliance, we rarely consider its weight until we’re trying to lug it up the stairs.
Standard vacuum cleaners can often weigh upwards of 10kg, which can noticeably stretch the arm muscles after pushing and pulling for half an hour. Lightweight vacuum cleaners offer all the same functionality as their larger counterparts, but with far less faff. That means no plugging and unplugging, no heavy lifting and rechargeable batteries that can easily be changed.
Of course, it’s important to have realistic expectations of lightweight vacuum cleaners. They often have less suction but can be a preferred choice because of their manoeuvrability. If heavy lifting is not an option, you live in a small space or simply need an extra vacuum for quicker cleaning, then these lightweight models will be an ideal solution.
Lighter vacuums can be carried upstairs and out to the car, especially with the handheld mode, making cleaning much easier, especially for people with varying abilities.
This selection of our favourite lightweight vacuums will keep your floors and upholstery feeling fresh. We’ve chosen a variety of models, from the high-end Dyson to the budget-friendly Bush. They all handle everyday cleaning well, from scooping up cracker crumbs down the side of the sofa, to thoroughly cleaning dusty carpets.
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Vax Blade 4 Cordless Vacuum Cleaner
Weight: 3.1kg
With a longer runtime than some others on the market, the estimated 45 minutes of power from this cordless vacuum gives you enough time to clean the house without stopping for a tea break. The battery can be fully recharged in three hours or less for a quicker clean - and multiple batteries can be swapped around easily so you’re not waiting for one to charge. At just 3.1kg, this model is one of the lighter options on our list and easy to lift around the house.
The base can be detached to use as a handheld cleaner for even greater flexibility. Integrated LEDs light up the floor to highlight dust, meaning there’s no excuse for missing a patch of messy carpet. The brand has also considered noise levels and at 65dB operating volume, this cleaner is one of the quieter choices available in this category. Like others on our list, this vacuum can be wall-mounted and stored easily in a cupboard.
Buy now £179.00, Amazon
Dyson V12 Detect Slim
Weight: 2.2kg
Perhaps the most well-known name in the vacuum world, Dyson leads the way when it comes to innovation. At just 2.2kg, this vacuum is about as lightweight as it gets, with all the bells and whistles that you might expect from the brand - but the price tag to match. There’s a light that detects dust you might not be able to see, to ensure the most thorough of cleans. Plus they’ve found a solution to the problem of hair getting stuck in the motor - a hair-removal vane that automatically detangles, leaving the vacuum clear of debris.
If you want to get really technical, the LCD screen has a satisfying display that shows just how many particles of dust you’ve sucked up, by category. Reassuring, if a little disconcerting, there’s a tab showing allergens and pollen, microscopic dust, dust mites and particles the size of sugar.
As with most Dyson stick vacuums, the handheld section can be detached and used for those hard-to-reach areas. We find the detachable option is ideal for cleaning car seats and tricky corners behind furniture where dust and crumbs often collect.
Buy now £530.00, Argos
Henry Quick HEN.100 Cordless Vacuum Cleaner
Weight: 3.2kg
Featuring a tiny version of Henry’s trademark smiley face, this 3.2kg vacuum almost packs as much punch as its big brother. One click empties the handheld bin, meaning dust is easily contained, however, the pod within the bin itself is effectively a fancy dust bag. It is not recyclable and will need replacing fairly regularly. With that in mind, it’s perhaps not one for the environmentally conscious, but there are six pods included in the starter pack if this option takes your fancy.
On the plus side, it is a great option for smaller households to capture crumbs and clean dusty corners, but its small dustbin might struggle to keep up with larger floor spaces. Handy for those who need a lightweight cordless vacuum that is easy to manoeuvre, without breaking the back or the bank balance. The battery gives you up to 60 minutes of cordless cleaning, which is great if you’ve got time to run through multiple rooms at once.
Buy now £300.00, Currys
Bush Cordless Handstick Vacuum Cleaner
Weight: 3.5kg
If vacuum cleaners can be good looking then this choice is a winner. One of the most attractive models we spotted in our search, this sleek and streamlined 3.5kg cleaner is both practical and aesthetically pleasing. One of its best qualities is the fold-flat handle that allows the vacuum to easily glide under furniture, capturing dust in those hard-to-reach places that rarely see the light of day. It is suitable for all floor surfaces and has a decent sized dust bin that can be emptied with one click.
If you’re planning to give all the floors in your home a quick clean, the eco mode gives an extra 45 minutes of run time. As with other models on our list, this vacuum can be used as a handheld cleaner with an assortment of attachments, including a crevice tool and an upholstery nozzle. It is also the most budget-conscious option on our list.
Buy now £85.00, Amazon
Shark Lightweight 2-in-1 Cordless Vacuum WV361UK
Weight: 1kg
Well known for their quick and efficient cleaning performance, this Shark vacuum is the lightest option on our list at just 1kg. This super lightweight cleaner has a futuristic aesthetic, especially when used in handheld mode. The anti-hair wrap brush means you don’t have to manually remove long hair and pet hair from the floor head, a job nobody likes doing. Plus the crevice and multi-surface tools are handy for cleaning crumbs off upholstery or lifting dust from sideboards and around radiators.
Need to clean the curtains? The flat nozzle of this vacuum makes it easy to reach between fabric folds without having to remove curtains from their position. For peace of mind, this vacuum comes with a two-year guarantee. With only 16 minutes run time, this option is best for a quick run around the house, rather than a deeper clean.
Buy now £179.99, Amazon
Hoover Upright Pet Vacuum Cleaner
Weight: 4.9kg
If you are looking for a lightweight upright vacuum cleaner, rather than a stick vacuum, this is a solid option. Weighing less than 5kg, it’s easy to lift and push around the house. The swivelling floor head moves intuitively in the tightest spaces and even pet hairs aren’t safe from the powerful suction of the motorised turbo brush. The brush bar makes light work of cleaning carpets and comes with a vent to vary suction speed. Then, the brush can be turned off when cleaning hard floors or longer pile rugs.
Unlike the stick vacuums on this list, this model does not have a detachable handheld mode but the hose can be moved from the main chassis and paired with a nozzle to clean crevices and upholstery. When finished, empty out the dustbin with a satisfyingly simple click. Ideal if you prefer an upright vacuum to a thinner stick model, especially if you’re planning to manoeuvre it up and down stairs or around a large house.
Buy now £159.00, Amazon
GTech HyLite 2 Lightweight Cordless Vacuum
Weight: 1.5kg
If you’ve got one tiny cupboard to store all of your household appliances, then you’ll love this clever vacuum. The biggest selling point of this cleaner is that it’s small enough to fit in a drawer when broken down. The telescopic handle opens so it can stand in upright mode, then pop the pieces apart and store them away when not in use. Plus it’s one of the lightest vacuums on our list, at 1.5kg, this slick little dustbuster will breeze through your home with ease.
To get started, let the rotating brush bar do all the hard work, simply push the vacuum forward to suck up crumbs and debris, and pull back to gather any embedded dust in the carpet. After 20 minutes of runtime, the lithium battery will need to be recharged, but a handy LED indicator will remind you when the charge is running low.
This vacuum uses a bag which will need to be replaced and emptied, so if you prefer a bagless vacuum with a dust bin then this might not suit you. If replacing a bag doesn’t phase you, then this is a light and efficient little machine that’s ideal for those with limited storage space.
Buy now £110.00, Amazon
Verdict
It’s hard to ignore the bells and whistles of Dyson, but the Vax cleaner is a solid alternative for less than half the price. At just 3.1kg, this model is one of the lightest options on our list, and the base can be detached for handheld cleaning. The integrated LED light in the base unit is another clever touch.
