Magic Prices: Price Comparison
Best Deals

Stick Vacuums & Electric Brooms Price Comparison 2026

Compare 425 stick vacuums from Dyson, Shark, Bosch & more. Find the best cordless models at prices from 41 £ — updated daily.

Bosch
Shark
Dyson
Hoover
Samsung

Cordless stick vacuums have quietly taken over the British home — and the numbers bear that out. With 425 models tracked across dozens of retailers, prices spanning from 41 £ to 460 £, and brands ranging from budget-friendly Tower to premium Dyson, the market has never been more competitive or more confusing. We've done the legwork so you don't have to.

What strikes us most when analysing this category is the sheer spread of the mid-range. The bulk of models sit between 113 £ and 286 £, which is where the real battle plays out — Bosch, Shark, Hoover and Dreame are all scrapping for the same buyer. Bosch leads the catalogue with 51 models averaging around £328, while Shark is close behind at 41 models. Dyson, with just 34 models, commands the highest average price of any mainstream brand, a gap that isn't always justified by real-world performance on hard floors. Samsung and Philips sit even higher on average, though their ranges are narrower.

The technology gap between entry-level and premium has narrowed considerably. Anti-tangle brush heads, HEPA multi-stage filtration and brushless motors — once exclusive to flagship models — now appear regularly in the £150–£250 bracket. That said, battery runtime remains the clearest differentiator: cheaper models often cap out at 20–25 minutes on a full charge, whereas higher-voltage platforms (25V–36V) with larger Ah ratings can sustain 45–60 minutes of continuous use. For a three-bedroom house, that difference is not trivial.

If you have pets or allergy sufferers at home, filtration quality matters as much as suction power. Look for genuine HEPA certification rather than "HEPA-style" marketing language — a distinction that's easy to miss when comparing listings. For hard floors specifically, soft roller technology prevents scratching and picks up fine debris far more effectively than a standard motorised brush head. We cover all of this in the buying guide below.

Worth noting: Tower is the most represented brand in the top-15 by-offers list, which reflects strong availability across UK retailers like Argos and Amazon rather than necessarily superior performance. For handheld vacuums that complement a stick model for car interiors or upholstery, or if you're considering a steam cleaner for hard floors alongside your stick vac, we track those categories too. And if you need replacement filters or brush heads, our vacuum accessories section covers over 700 products.

How to Choose a Stick Vacuum: What Actually Matters

Most buyers focus on suction wattage — but that's rarely the number that determines whether a stick vacuum works for your home. Runtime, brush head design and filtration quality are far better predictors of day-to-day satisfaction. Here's what our analysis of 425 models tells us to prioritise.

Runtime and battery voltage — the real deal-breaker

A stick vacuum is only as useful as its battery allows. Entry-level models running on 18V platforms with 1.5Ah–2Ah cells typically deliver 20–25 minutes of runtime — enough for a flat or a quick daily tidy, but not a full house clean. Step up to 25V–36V systems with 2.5Ah–4Ah batteries and you're looking at 40–60 minutes, which changes the experience entirely.

One important caveat: manufacturers quote runtime in eco mode. Switch to boost or max mode for carpets and that figure can halve. Always check the runtime in the mode you'll actually use. If the listing only quotes one figure, assume it's the optimistic one.

Brush head type — matched to your floors

This is where most buyers get it wrong. A motorised brush head with stiff bristles is excellent on carpets — it agitates fibres and extracts embedded debris — but it can scatter fine dust and scratch delicate hard floors. If you have predominantly hard floors (wood, tile, laminate), a soft roller head is the right tool. Many 2-in-1 models now include both heads in the box, which is worth paying a small premium for.

Anti-tangle technology is genuinely useful if you have long hair or pets. It's not just marketing — models without it can require brush head maintenance every few uses, which becomes tedious quickly.

Filtration — HEPA or not?

If anyone in your household has asthma, hay fever or dust allergies, HEPA filtration is non-negotiable. A genuine HEPA filter captures 99.97% of particles down to 0.3 microns — that includes dust mite allergens, pet dander and fine pollen. The key word is genuine: some models advertise "HEPA-style" or "washable HEPA" filters that don't meet the standard. Check the product specification carefully.

Cyclonic separation, found on Dyson and several Bosch models, helps maintain consistent suction by preventing filter clogging — a real advantage over cheaper single-filter designs that lose power as the bin fills.

Weight and balance — often overlooked until it isn't

Anything over 3kg starts to feel heavy during overhead cleaning or on stairs. The sweet spot for most users is 2.2kg–2.8kg — light enough to manoeuvre easily, but substantial enough to feel solid. Pay attention to where the weight sits: a heavy battery at the top of the handle is more tiring than the same weight distributed lower down.

2-in-1 lift-away designs add versatility but often add weight. If you rarely clean stairs or upholstery, a fixed-stick model is usually lighter and better balanced.

Dust bin capacity — small bins are a genuine nuisance

The difference between a 0.5L and a 1.5L bin might not sound significant, but in practice it determines whether you empty mid-clean or not. For a small flat, 0.5L–0.65L is manageable. For a larger home, anything under 0.8L will frustrate you. Bagless systems (the vast majority here) require regular rinsing of the bin and filter — factor that into your maintenance expectations.

Warranty and long-term battery costs

Lithium-ion batteries degrade over time — typically 2–4 years of regular use before runtime drops noticeably. Before buying, check whether replacement batteries are available and at what cost. Some brands (Makita, for instance) use platform batteries shared across power tools, which keeps replacement costs reasonable. Others use proprietary packs that can cost £60–£120 to replace, which significantly affects the total cost of ownership.

A 2-year manufacturer's warranty is the minimum we'd accept. John Lewis and Currys often extend this to 2 years as standard, which is worth factoring in when comparing prices across retailers.

  • Budget picks (From 41 £ to 113 £) : Corded models, basic cordless units with short runtime (under 25 minutes), and entry-level Tower or Black & Decker options. Fine for small flats or supplementary cleaning, but don't expect HEPA filtration or anti-tangle brush heads at this level. Makita's tool-platform models also appear here — good value if you already own compatible batteries.
  • The sweet spot (From 113 £ to 179 £) : Where we'd point most buyers. Bosch Serie 4/6, Hoover and mid-range Shark models dominate this bracket, typically offering 30–45 minutes runtime, bagless HEPA filtration and motorised brush heads. Black Friday and Amazon Prime Day regularly bring premium models down into this range — worth waiting for if you're not in a rush.
  • For the genuinely demanding (From 179 £ to 286 £) : Dyson V-series, Shark Stratos and upper Dreame models. Expect brushless motors, multi-surface brush heads included in the box, 45–60 minutes runtime and genuinely impressive HEPA filtration. The performance uplift over the sweet spot is real but incremental — justified for larger homes, pet owners or allergy sufferers.
  • Premium and flagship (Over 286 £) : Samsung Bespoke Jet and top-tier Dyson Outsize territory. Exceptional suction, self-cleaning brush heads, LCD displays and extended battery systems. Genuinely impressive machines, but the law of diminishing returns applies firmly here. Unless you're cleaning a large house daily, the extra spend is hard to justify on performance grounds alone.

Top products

Related categories

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should a cordless stick vacuum last on a single charge?

Most mid-range cordless stick vacuums deliver 30–45 minutes of runtime in standard mode on a full charge. Entry-level models (typically under 113 £) often cap at 20–25 minutes, while premium models over 286 £ can reach 60 minutes or more. The critical caveat: manufacturers quote eco-mode figures. In boost or max mode — which you'll need on carpets — expect roughly half that runtime. For a three-bedroom house, aim for at least 35 minutes in standard mode.

Is Dyson actually worth the premium over Bosch or Shark?

Not always — and that's a deliberate answer. Dyson's engineering is genuinely excellent, particularly its cyclonic filtration and brush head design, but Bosch Serie 6 and Shark models in the 179 £–286 £ bracket match Dyson's real-world cleaning performance on most surfaces. Where Dyson pulls ahead is on hard floors and in homes with pets, where its motorised heads and filtration system are class-leading. If you're comparing on price alone, Bosch and Shark offer better value. If you want the best possible hard-floor performance and don't mind paying for it, Dyson earns its price.

What does 'HEPA' actually mean on a stick vacuum — and can I trust the label?

A genuine HEPA filter captures 99.97% of airborne particles at 0.3 microns, including dust mite allergens, pet dander and fine pollen — critical for allergy sufferers. The problem is that "HEPA-style" or "HEPA-grade" labels on cheaper models don't meet this standard. Always check whether the specification states "True HEPA" or references EN1822 certification. If the listing just says "HEPA filter" without further detail, treat it with scepticism and check independent reviews on Which? or Trusted Reviews before buying.

Should I avoid stick vacuums with very small dust bins?

A bin under 0.5L is a genuine inconvenience for anything larger than a studio flat — you'll be emptying mid-clean, which defeats the purpose of a quick cordless tidy. We'd set 0.65L as the practical minimum for a one-bedroom home, and 0.8L–1L for anything larger. That said, bin size is less important than how easy it is to empty: some designs are genuinely hygienic and one-touch, while others are fiddly and dusty. Check video reviews before committing.

Are Makita stick vacuums a good buy, or are they just for tradespeople?

Makita's cordless vacuums are a smart buy specifically if you already own Makita 18V LXT batteries from power tools — the platform compatibility means you're not paying for a new battery pack. As standalone purchases, they're competitively priced but lack some of the domestic-focused features (anti-tangle heads, HEPA filtration, soft rollers) found on Dyson or Bosch at similar price points. For a builder's van or workshop, excellent. For a family home, we'd lean towards Bosch or Shark instead.

Which stick vacuum brands offer the best after-sales support in the UK?

Dyson and Shark both operate dedicated UK customer service lines and offer straightforward warranty claims — Dyson's 2-year guarantee and Shark's 5-year warranty (on registered products) are among the best in the category. Bosch is reliable but slower to respond. Tower, despite its strong retail presence, has a patchier reputation for after-sales support based on customer reviews. When buying from retailers like John Lewis or Currys, their extended warranty and returns policies often matter more than the manufacturer's own support.

What's the biggest mistake people make when buying a stick vacuum?

Buying on suction wattage alone. Motor wattage tells you very little about real-world cleaning performance — air watts (AW) is a far more meaningful figure, as it combines airflow and suction pressure. A 150W motor with poor airflow design will underperform a 100W brushless motor with optimised cyclonic separation. The second most common mistake is ignoring battery replacement costs: a model priced at 113 £ with a £90 proprietary replacement battery can end up costing more over five years than a Dyson bought at 286 £.