Looking for a lightweight vacuum? I'm a professional reviewer and these are the models I swear by for effective cleaning with minimal strain

Cordless stick vacuums were initially developed as a lighter, smaller, more maneuverable alternative to clunky corded uprights. However in my two years as TechRadar's Homes Editor specializing in floorcare, I noticed a definite trend for increasingly heavy, bulky cordless stick vacuums. These days, the big brands are in a battle to offer the most suction power and longest runtimes, and sacrificing on weight and compactness to deliver it.

For some, that's a major inconvenience or even a deal-breaker. Luckily, there are still some excellent lightweight vacuums on the market, if you know where to look. Below, I've rounded up my favorites — the lightest of which clocks in at just 4lbs / 1.8kg. All of these models deliver capable cleaning in a streamlined, easily maneuverable build.

My favorite lightweight vacuums

Which lightweight vacuum should I pick?

The standout all-rounder is the Dreame R20, which is the best cordless vacuum I've tested, delivering capable cleaning on carpet and hard floor, plus helpful automatic suction adjustment, all for a very affordable price. A close runner up is the Shark Detect Pro Cordless, which is smaller and lighter than the R20, but with slightly less suction.

If you're just dealing with hard flooring, you'd struggle to beat the Dyson PencilVac Fluffycones, a broom-shaped cordless vac that I praised for being 'incredibly nimble'. (For shoppers in the US, I'd recommend going for the PencilVac Fluffy, which replaces the slightly annoying cone-shaped floorhead with a more practical parallel one.)

Finally, there are couple of more specialized Shark models to consider. The unusual FreeStyle Max is an ultra-maneuverable cordless upright that stands up on its own, so might be a more practical choice for those with mobility issues. The suction is powerful but the runtimes are short. The WandVac System is essentially a handheld vacuum with a compatible wand and floorhead. It's very light and versatile, but beware the suction is relatively weak and the battery very short.

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