Scent pods: You have the option of inserting a scented capsule that helps to fragrance your home as you clean. Unlike its competitors, there’s no emptying the caddy after every clean, or cleaning out the filter every two weeks.

We found we could easily vacuum a four-bedroom home from top to bottom in a single charge, with power to spare (there are four power levels indicated by LEDs and we never bled out before we were done). Admittedly, this was achieved by using low power on the hard floors (wood and tile) and low-pile bedroom carpets, switching up to high power only for a couple of rugs and the odd dog-hair strewn sofa. It did the job better compared to some similar devices, but it also didn’t perform quite as well in other respects. Although it worked well on hard floors, I found it worked best on carpets, especially compared to competitors. That’s the other thing - unlike some cordless vacuum cleaners, this one doesn’t stand up on its own at all so you’ll have to lie it flat on the floor or lean it against something with a hook if you want to set it down for a minute.Long battery life: With the suction on normal and the brush off, this device will run for approximately 70 minutes. Most cordless vacuum cleaners will only last for 30 minutes. However, in boosted mode with the brush on, it lasts for just 14 minutes, which is a bit less than some competitors. That means it’s more costly to run in the long run, and there’s more waste, but it does significantly reduce day-to-day maintenance on the device. The vacuum comes with 26 pods, which is sufficient to last roughly a year, and they’re made from 60% recycled material. Numatic also says it has put carbon offsetting measures in place to ensure its pods are climate-positive, reducing its carbon impact globally. However, the dirt-filled pods will go in your normal household waste and, ultimately, to landfill – so there is a moral conundrum of convenience versus clear eco-conscience to consider. Carbon offsetting is admirable, but not creating pollution in the first place is better.

The suction head is small enough to fit into most spaces, although it only turns slightly so it’s not as good at reaching into tight corners as other cordless vacuum cleaners I’ve tested in the past.The scent pod feature is unusual. Admittedly, it isn’t absolutely necessary, but it does add a welcome touch of luxe to household chores. Pop a scent pod (scent-infused disk) under the rubber cover on the top of the motor unit, and the air from the motor will push through the pod, emitting fragrance into the room you’re cleaning. The pods are available in vanilla, passionfruit and rose fragrances, and the one we tested (vanilla) was delicately scented and didn’t overpower. Pricing for replacement scent pods was unavailable at time of writing. Powerful Cleaning Pop in a pod for factory-fresh performance and powerful suction, time after time. For those looking for a cordless vacuum cleaner that’s minimal fuss, this is one of the few devices with a traditional vacuum bag.

It’s obvious when you turn on a vacuum cleaner that it will use a considerable amount of electricity. It’s even worse when it comes to vacuum cleaners manufactured before 2017 (before the EU’s intervention), which are likely to add a hefty amount to your monthly energy bills if you use them regularly. The sensible solution to keeping energy bills down in these times has to be switching to a cordless product that offers enough to meet your requirements.

What's the Henry Quick like to assemble?

Accessories: You get a crevice tool and a small upholstery brush. These are great for general cleaning but you might want to look for a device with a small rotating brush head if you’ve got pets at home. The Henry hoovers were the brainchild of Chris Duncan, who, in 1969, decided to build a product capable of cleaning the inside of boilers. While attending a trade show to promote his range, a bored salesperson decided to dress up the rather bland-looking oil drum-shaped vacuum, popping a hat on it and chalking a smile underneath its hose connector.