Lightweight vacuum cleaners are the perfect choice for those who struggle with heavy, bulky vacuums. They’re easier to manoeuvre for the elderly, disabled, or arthritis sufferers, helping to reduce fatigue and muscle soreness.
Some vacuum cleaners can weigh over 10kg, making them a real effort to move up and downstairs. By choosing a lighter option with powerful suction, you’ll really take the stress out of floor cleaning.
Of course, there are tons of vacuum cleaners to choose from, and it’s not exactly practical to head down to your local Currys or Argos and weigh each one in search of the lightest. So, we’ve researched all of the leading lightweight vacuum cleaners and compiled a list of our top picks, all weighing under 5kg. In fact, we found some superb options that weigh just 2kg, for effortless vacuuming.
1. AirRam MK2: Light Upright Vacuum Cleaner (3.2kg)
The AirRam MK2 is a little more expensive, but it also has significantly more cleaning power. The upright cordless vacuum can be used to clean throughout the house without needing to connect to power, blending that traditional upright feel of a hoover that older people familiar with, while bringing the modern cordless technology into vacuuming. It can also clean deep carpeting and tile floors alike without any change in the settings.
A fully assembled model weighs only 3.2 kilograms, making it one of the most lightweight upright vacuums on the market – perfect for seniors. Similarly, weighted vacuum cleaners often lack strong power, but this machine is an exception.
One helpful feature is the addition of an LED lighting system. It’s far too easy for dust bunnies and cobwebs to hide in the shadows. The LED lights illuminate the path of the cleaning head, allowing you to see when you clean underneath furniture and in darkened areas.
Like the prior option on the list, this vacuum has a lithium-ion battery that takes around 4 hours to charge fully.
AirRam uses patented AirLOC technology to trap large debris and suck up smaller particles. The cleaning head utilizes a rotating brush that digs deeply into carpeting, loosening and removing hardened dirt. At the same time, the brush is gentle enough for use on hardwood floors without leaving scratches.
Each charge provides up to 40 hours of runtime, and a battery indicator lets you know when the power is low. The bin is easy to empty, and the vacuum is compact enough for easy storage. You can also remove the battery pack as it charges.
A speed cleaning kit comes with a speed cleaning handle and duster. These let you clean stairs, upholstery, hard-to-reach corners, and even your car.
2. Cordless Lightweight Vacuum: Vytronix NIBC22 Lithium 3-in-1 (2.3kg)
This is a powerful, yet affordable lightweight vacuum that will clean all types of flooring – from carpets to laminate – across an entire house. The 3-in-1 technology allows the machine to function as an upright, handheld, and stick vacuum.
As an upright vacuum, it can clean wide swaths of carpet and hard flooring. You can use the portable handheld setting to clean dusty crevices, couch cushions, and stairs. Since the design is cordless, you can even use it to vacuum your vehicle.
The Vytronix vacuum is powered by a powerful lithium-ion battery. On the lowest energy setting, you can get up to 45 minutes of cleaning power on a single charge, making it an excellent choice for large households or seniors with lots of floors to clean at their own pace. The Eco Mode is an environmentally friendly mode that maximizes the model’s energy efficiency.
Also part of the design is a cleaning wand. The wand reaches into far corners, so you can use it to clean the ceilings, upper shelves, cabinets, and hard-to-reach spaces beneath the furniture.
When using the floorhead, a rotating brush combs through carpet fibres to pull up hidden dirt. In addition, the head is capable of swivelling 180 degrees, so you can angle it into hard-to-reach areas.
With a total weight of 2.3 kilograms, this is a top pick for whole-home cleaning devices. A one-button system allows you to empty the vacuum directly into the trash without removing the container. Another convenient feature is the wall mount, which gives you more storage options.
A battery level indicator lets you know when the device needs charging. It takes about 3 or 4 hours to fully charge and has a half-litre dustbin capacity. A dusting and crevice tool is also included.
3. Hoover H-Free 500 Vacuum HF522STH (2.5kg)
Hoover is an old, well-known, and trusted brand in the UK, and is a favourite among older people. The H-Free is a high-performance, affordable vacuum. This cordless model has the versatility and power of a luxury vacuum, but it doesn’t have the same huge luxury price tag.
The Hoover HF522STH lithium-ion battery offers up to 40 minutes of sustained runtime on a single charge. The vacuum can be used on all floors from deep carpeting to polished hardwood. When “parked,” the height is just 69 centimetres, making it ideal for those with limited storage space.
The machine comes equipped with extra cleaning tools, including a 2-in-1 duster and furniture tool along with a crevice tool. These allow you to vacuum all the surfaces and difficult-to-reach corners in the house, even if they’re raised off the floor.
The rolling brush pulls up debris and dust of both large and small types. Cleaning is also easier with this model than with many other vacuums on the market. When the brush becomes full of dirt or pet hair, you can quickly release it without needing any tools. It’s easy to remove tangled items.
Auto Mode is an energy-saving system that allows for a runtime of 40 minutes. For deeper cleaning, you can use the motorized floorhead. This gives you up to 25 minutes to tackle stubborn messes.
The vacuum also comes equipped with a pet hair removal tool. This brush uses rotating bristles to loosen and remove pet hair from upholstery, carpeting, and fabric without getting tangled. It works even on deeply-embedded hair.
Colour-coded LED lights indicate when the battery is low. Further LED lights on the front illuminate the vacuum’s cleaning path, making it easy to see if there’s dust in the way. And at just 2.5kg, it’s one of the lightest vacuum cleaner on our list, which is the equivalent to the weight of a 1.5L water bottle.
4. Vax Mach Air UCA1GEV1 Upright Vacuum (4.9kg)
Vax, another household name, brings you this advanced lightweight upright vacuum cleaner. It’s a little bulkier than some designs – and heavier – but the large dustbin allows it to clean for hours before needing emptying and the wheels offer a smooth glide across floors. Each purchase comes with a year-long warranty.
This is a corded lightweight vacuum, so you’ll need to be within 7 meters of an outlet to use it. However, the corded design has significantly more power than a battery-operated vacuum at a similar price point. All in all, the vacuum weighs 4.9 kilograms with a 1.5-litre dustbin.
Included is a 2-in-1 crevice and dusting brush so you can easily clean corners and other surface areas.
While the vacuum doesn’t have the extra features that more expensive options do, it’s a great choice for those who need an effective and efficient tool to clean their homes.
5. Dyson V8 Animal: Premium Cordless Vacuum (2kg)
Dyson is well-known for creating luxury vacuums that far surpass anything else on the market. As such, this is the priciest option on our list. But it’s also the best choice for homes with pets. Specifically designed for animals, the V8 Animal includes specific tools and modes to pick up messes with ease.
The Reach Under tool locks to the vacuum and allows you to clean below the furniture without needing to bend over. Not only can this prevent muscle soreness, but it’s the perfect choice for elderly individuals and individuals with joint pain.
The lightweight Dyson cordless vacuum design provides up to 40 total minutes of cleaning time when used in Powerful mode. When you’re dealing with very tough messes, you can use MAX mode. This heavy-duty cleaning mode takes on the messes that other vacuum cleaners can’t, but it does drain the battery quickly.
Another great feature is the filtration system. If you have allergies to pet dander, this is one of the best vacuums on the market. It traps allergens and acts as an air filtration system at the same time.
An included combination tool allows you to move easily from carpeting to hard floors. The crevice tool lets you clean around narrow gaps and edges. You can also use the miniature motorized brush to pull up pet hair on small areas like couches, car seats, and pillows.
The lightweight design is balanced so that reaching high places is simple. You can also switch back and forth between a portable handheld design and a more traditional stick vacuum.
How to Choose the Perfect Lightweight Vacuum Cleaner
There are a few quick specifications to keep in mind when deciding what vacuum cleaner is right for you.
Vacuum Cleaner Weight
Many of today vacuum cleaner are designed with weight reduction, making them easy to move around. In part, this is to do with advancements in technology – smaller motors and components, combined with low-weight yet durable plastic casings.
We lose muscle and strength as we grow older, making housekeeping task like vacuuming hard work. Look out for vacuum cleaners that are advertised as “lightweight” if you’re experiencing age related muscle weakness. You have no trouble finding cordless and corded uprights that are light and easy to move – such as those listed in the guide.
Corded vs. Cordless
One of the first distinctions you’ll need to make is whether you want a corded or cordless vacuum.
Cordless vacuums run on battery power. They need to be charged, but they can be moved from room to room without using a wall socket. You can also use them outdoors, in your car, or in other areas that don’t have power outlets.
However, the battery will drain quickly with heavy cleaning. Battery-powered vacuums may also struggle to generate the same level of power as a corded vacuum. You can expect to pay a higher price for a cordless vacuum than a corded vacuum with the same suction power.
Handheld or Upright
Some vacuums are designed with the ability to go from a handheld to an upright position. These offer the most versatility on the market when cleaning.
Upright vacuums are designed to clean floors. Their cleaning heads are attached to long handles so you don’t need to bend down.
Handheld vacuums are designed for greater portability. They tend to be used for smaller messes and places with limited surface space. Many people keep a handheld vacuum in their car to clean the floors and upholstery.
Dustbin
There are three key aspects to consider regarding the dustbin: the capacity, the ease of emptying, and the filtration.
Some vacuums are designed with locking filtration systems that trap dust and debris inside. These are ideal for people with allergies.
Many vacuums can empty into the trash with a single push of a button. That’s a lot easier than removing the entire bin and dumping it by hand.
The dustbin capacity refers to how much debris a bin can hold before needing to be emptied. The larger the bin, the longer you can go without emptying. However, larger bins may be bulkier and heavier.
Cleaning Head
The cleaning head moves over your floors to suck up dirt.
Many cleaning heads have a rolling brush. The bristles dig into carpet fibres and dislodge dirt. Some cleaning heads may have specific suction designs that can remove dust more efficiently than the competition.
The wider the cleaning head, the more surface area you can cover. But large cleaning heads will also add to the weight and bulk of the machine.
Accessories
Vacuums will often come with accessories to help you clean other areas around the house.
Common examples are dusting tools and crevice tools. These allow you to clean hard-to-reach corners and remove dust on more fragile surfaces. Upholstery brushes are commonly used to remove stains and pet hair on delicate furniture.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re maintaining a giant home or cleaning a small apartment on a budget, there’s a lightweight vacuum cleaner for you. As long as you know what you’re looking for, it’s not hard to narrow down the options.
For portable handheld options, we recommend the Vytronix. If you want extra features and unparalleled performance at a higher price, the Dyson is your best bet. Hoover offers an affordable cordless vacuum for those on a budget, while the Mach Air is perfect for elderly of people who want a more traditional upright vacuum design.
