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Coming clean: Ten cordless vacuum cleaners
Incredible suckers
Bosch Athlet BCH625KTGB
The larger capacity cylinder is appreciated compared to other cordless options, as is the 60 mins run time, if used on hard floors. By contrast you only get 12 minutes if cleaning carpets. Charging time takes an excruciating six hours but if in a hurry the battery charges to 80 per cent in just three hours and it’s an easy one to grab for spot cleans.
There are three levels of power, with the Turbo power level needed for mixed-pile carpets and rugs. The stand-out feature comes from the shoulder strap accessory for use with the long hose attachment. Stairs and cars are a doddle with it, but possibly not best for Gran.
The build is solid and the monochrome design looks good and at 72 decibels, it’s on the quieter side of many vacs. Both the dirt container and brush roller can easily be removed from the vacuum cleaner for emptying and cleaning. And "SensorControl" gives reassuring LED light if the filter cartridge needs cleaning.
Worth buying? If you live in a small home and want just one handy-to-reach vac that isn’t an eyesore when left out to charge, this is it.
Price £250
Capacity/Weight 0.9litres, 3kg
More info Bosch
Dyson DC59 Animal cordless vacuum
Powerful and modern in design, it’s the one urban dwellers have stick envy for. Too cool in look and touch, with trigger action to fire it up but you need to keep your finger on the trigger to stay powered. Not great for a glamorous granny who will probably prefer other cordless types that you just switch on with a button.
The run time is 26 minutes from a 3.5-hour charge but drops to just six minutes if in boost mode. Still, as a second vac or just for small homes it should be just enough to get the job done. The Max button activates the boost and more than triples the suction power, so useful for getting at really stubborn dirt in kitchens.
The lightweight aluminium wand makes it easy to reach up to ceiling cobwebs and curtains – manoeuvring the DC59 is aided by the weight of the DC59 being concentrated at hand level, whereas the mass of most others is in the middle or base.
Dyson has spent £150m on motor development with early models featuring the V1 and now this model fitted with the V6 that spins at up to 110,000 times per minute – some three times faster than standard vacuum motors.
The floor-cleaning head has a version of Dyson's ball design as a pivot, to turn sharply and follow corners easily. However, the USP is in the detachable wand for having a handheld for stairs, upholstery, cars and the like. Additional accessories clean the tough-to-reach spots with a device for getting at stuck in pet hairs, which is why it’s called the Animal.
Storage is faff-free, with a wall-mounted docking station, but I’m happy to leave it standing proud in a corner. For emptying the cylinder, Dyson has a push button, which makes it easier than most but some larger lumps of compacted dust can mean you have to get your hand in to pull out. Never nice but something we’re use to in most vacs.
For suction alone I’m convinced, but the price is premium – if you don’t have pets I strongly recommend you save some dosh and opt for predecessor DC44 at £240.
Price £299
Capacity/Weight 0.4 litres, 2kg
More info Dyson