I tested the best cordless hoovers against brand leader Dyson – and the winner was less than half the price

DOES your old vacuum suck? If so, you could be in the market for a new, cordless style.

Dyson pioneered the cable-free cleaning gadget, but now the famous Henry Hoover has released its own version for £249.

Hoovering is one of the chores that causes most arguments between couples, but having a small, nifty vacuum can make it more bearable.

There is stiff competition to be the top cordless option, and almost all electric brands with any power are in the game.

Dyson is hailed by many for providing the best vacuum, but at upwards of £300 for a cordless model it is a lot to spend.

We check out how Henry and other budget-friendly makes measure up to Dyson’s top-performing machine.

Scores are given from a total of 20 for noise, weight, value for money and suction.

BLACK + DECKER, Currys, £179

I GET into a bit of a muddle as the waste barrel falls out.

However, it is one of the lightest I’ve tried, though very loud compared to others.

I can’t even hear my doorbell go off over it.

It works well on carpet and hard floors, and lifts cat hair easily.

To empty, the waste barrel removes entirely – as I’d already found out – so you don’t get muck on the vacuum.

Noise: 1.
Suction: 4.
Weight: 4.
Value: 3.
Total: 12.

VAX BLADE 4 PET, vax.co.uk, £259.99

AN impressively quiet vacuum but with just two settings.

They are both powerful and clean with ease, though.

Frustratingly, the head judders when you pull it back towards you and it is heavier than most others I have used.

Probably best on carpets as its strong suction left scratches on my vinyl kitchen floor.

Noise: 4.
Suction: 3.
Weight: 2.
Value: 3.
Total: 12.

QX6, AEG, £299

THE only model that looks like a traditional upright vacuum cleaner and it is slightly more cumbersome than the others.

It does not rotate as far as some but is very light by design.

But it does pick up dirt and dust from my carpets, although some bits are still missed.

Gets into tight spaces and sounds like a regular vacuum – meaning it’s not that quiet.

Noise: 2.
Suction: 2.
Weight: 4.
Value: 2.
Total: 10.

SAMSUNG JET 60 TURBO, Argos, £182

I WAS pleasantly surprised by the wallet friendly Samsung vacuum.

It is light and quiet – so even my cats barely noticed it.

Great at pulling fur out of my carpet but not so good when used on the kitchen floor.

I was baffled when trying to charge this, before realising I have to remove the battery entirely.

Great value for money though.

Noise: 4
Suction: 2.
Weight: 4
Value: 4.
Total: 14.

SHARK ANTI-HAIR WRAP, AO, £349

THIS is so quiet I wasn’t convinced I had turned it on at first.

It is a little heavy but the suction makes up for that.

Also, this is so powerful I feared l’d have no carpet left when I was done.

The extension tube can unclip, so it bends, making hoovering under furniture easier.

Given that it’s less than half the cost of a Dyson, I would say this is amazing value for money.

Noise: 5.
Suction: 4.
Weight: 3.
Value: 4.
Total: 16.

DYSON GEN5DETECT, dyson.co.uk, £849

THE most expensive vacuum in the test – and half the battle was figuring out how to use the on-screen settings.

I’m a big fan of the boost, but it is noisy.

And the eco and regular settings are not great considering the price you are paying.

It lifts all the cat hair from my carpet, but it is a real faff switching between the seven attachments.

Not sure it is worth the money.

Noise: 3.
Suction: 4.
Weight: 4.
Value: 3.
Total: 14.

HENRY QUICK, myhenry,com, £299

THIS is Henry’s first foray into the cordless market and I am glad to see the makers have kept his smiley face.

Their model is largely quiet but makes an irritating whistle as you go along.

The suction is great on the high setting and it has a handy light on the front.

Emptying the bag is easy, but the crevice tool head is narrow, so leaves some dirt behind.

Noise: 3.
Suction: 4.
Weight: 4.
Value: 4.
Total: 15.