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Vax Blade 2 32V: can this cheap cordless vacuum compete with pricier rivals?
The Vax Blade 2 32V cordless vacuum cleaner is the cheaper and slightly less powerful version of the Vax Blade 2 Max cordless vacuum, the brand's flagship launch of 2018.
This version costs less than £200, versus £250 for the Vax Blade 2 Max and is essentially slightly less powerful as it has a 32V battery rather than a 40V one.
It has features to rival pricier models from brands such as Dyson and Shark, including a claimed 45-minute run time, and 12-minute turbo run time (which beats Dyson's 8 minutes). Could this be a great-value option if you're keen to go cordless but put off by the high prices?
Our tests have shown that many cheap cordless vacuum cleaners are disappointingly poor at cleaning, so you shouldn't be tempted by the price alone.We reveal whether it's worth buying in the full Vax Blade 2 32V cordless vacuum review.
Vax Blade cordless vacuums: how they compare
Vax's Blade 2 models are its main cordless offering. The Blade models feature a sideways-angled dust container, which Vax says creates a direct airflow path from floorhead to bin, for better results. The dust container is removable, too, which should make it easier to empty.
The 45-minute claimed run time is pretty good, although we're seeing more cordless vacs offering up to 60 minutes these days. LED headlights on the floorhead can help to highlight dust and dirt: we've seen these on some Shark and Hoover vacuums, but Dyson models don't tend to have headlights.
Check our independent cordless vacuum cleaner reviewsto see how the Vax Blade models compare with popular cordless vacuums from Bosch, Dyson, Gtech, Hoover and Shark.
New AEG and Shark cordless vacuums reviewed
We've also just tested the latest models from AEG and Shark, both of which cost at least £150 more than the Vax Blade 2 32V.
AEG FX9 Ultimate Pet cordless, £500
The FX9 marks a major departure from AEG's older range of Ergorapido cordless vacuums and is its answer to premium models like the Dyson V10.
It has a movable vacuuming unit that can be used in different positions depending on the job at hand. Like the Vax Blade, the dust container can be completely removed for emptying, which should make it less fiddly.
The battery lasts for 1 hour 10 minutes on its lowest setting, which is one of the longest we've seen, but is it actually any good at cleaning and is it worth the sky-high price? Read our full review of the AEG FX9 Ultimate Pet cordless vacuum to find out.
SharkDuoClean Powered Lift Away TruePet IC160UKT, £379
This Shark aims to offer a truly flexible whole-home clean, thanks to its lift-away vacuum unit with long flexible hose.
It has Shark's patented DuoClean floorhead which has two spinning brush bars: one with carbon fibres for digging deep into the pile of carpets, and the other with a soft dusting exterior for cleaning on hard floors.The battery lasts for 20 minutes on turbo mode and 30 minutes on its standard setting. That's pretty good for turbo, but relatively short otherwise.
Like the Vax Blade models, it has LED lights on the floorhead, but is this unusual cordless vac easy to use and great at sucking up dust, or an expensive dud?
Latest cordless vacuum reviews for 2019
Two of the seven cordless vacuum cleaners we've just tested were so poor at cleaning we made them Don't Buys, while just one impressed enough to be named a Best Buy.
Here are all the latest models we've reviewed. You can click on the individual links to see the reviews, or head to our cordless vacuum reviews to compare all the latest models side-by-side.
Cordless vacuum cleaner reviews
- AEG FX9 Ultimate, £400
- AEG FX9 Ultimate Pet, £500
- AEG FX9 Ultimate Reach, £450
- Pifco 4-in-1 Cordless vacuum 18.5V, £90
- Russell Hobbs Sabre Plus 22.2V, £90
- Shark DuoClean Powered Lift Away IC160UK, £350
- Shark DuoClean Powered Lift Away TruePet IC160UKT, £379
- Vax Blade 2 32V, £180
Vacuum cleaner reviews
See our latest corded vacuum reviews.
- Bush Multi Cyclonic Pet VCM40A16LOB, £55
- Hoover Optimum Power Pets & Allergy OP30ALG, £100
- Russell Hobbs RHCV3011 Atlas, £50
- Shark DuoClean Lift Away NV700UKT, £180
- Shark DuoClean Powered Lift Away AX910UK, £330
- Shark DuoClean Powered Lift Away AX950UK, £250
- Shark DuoClean Powered Lift Away Pet AX910UKT, £350
Prices correct as of 25 February 2019.
