The best vacuum cleaners in the UK for hard floors, carpet and pet hair – tested

From handheld to corded, self-emptying to stick models, these are our resident cleaner’s favourite vacuums for a spotless home• The best cordless vacuum cleaners, tested• How to make your vacuum cleaner last longerBuying a vacuum cleaner isn’t as easy as you might think. With so many brands and models to choose from, it can be bewildering. Sticking with established brands isn’t necessarily a safe bet, with past performance being no guarantee that the latest models will be as good. Meanwhile, prices can be deceptive, with some affordable models now closing the gap on top-of-the-range brands when it comes to cleaning performance.You can’t know all this by browsing through a department store or online. The ideal thing to do would be to take a few models home to try them out – but good luck pe…