Coming clean: Ten cordless vacuum cleaners

Incredible suckers

Handheld wonders

With earlier models it was very easy to diss the suction power and revert to dustpan and broom or lug the mains-powered vac with extra long extension lead to the car. But like the stick vacs, these five all come with lithium-ion battery and a two-year warranty. Cylinder size for all is around 0.4 to 0.5 litres.

Black & Decker PD1820L Dustbuster

I tested the first Flexi back in 2010, it was a favourite then due to the wraparound, easy-to-store, long flexible hose that could be unwound easily to reach hard-to-get-to places. And like the original Dyson handheld, it appeared revolutionary in having a soft brush-head when most didn’t. Manufacturers have caught on and now offer this. But the latest Flexi on test is like rereading a book left on the shelf for too long with new added chapters.

The integrated 1.5m flexible hose is still the main feature, but its upgraded Lithium-ion battery tech now gives it stronger suction and fade-free power. The charging dock stores accessories making it neat and compact and cyclonic action makes it last longer. And the simple cylinder door, to empty the debris, still delights.

The modern design and build quality has hardly changed, and it’s tough on all dirt with a 15 minute running time from a four-hour charge. But the new winning feature is that it also converts to a stick vac with long wand in the PD1820LF model (yes, just an "f" is added to the code number when searching online). Am I still convinced? Very much so – but not by the price.

Price £170
Weight 1.2kg
More info Black & Decker