VAX HomePro Pet Design Cordless Vacuum Cleaner review

VAX HomePro Pet Design Cordless Vacuum Cleaner claims to be VAX's best-ever cordless vacuum. No more struggling with stubborn dirt and cumbersome corded appliances—the new VAX HomePro's strong suction handles it all. Thanks to its accessories, it cleans on all sorts of surfaces and makes short work of pet mess too. The VAX HomePro is designed to make cleaning as quick and easy as possible.

What's more, the VAX HomePro has some next-gen features, such as the ability to self-stand. Having previously tested the VAX Blade 4 Pet Design & Car Cordless Vacuum Cleaner, Yours.co.uk puts this latest model to the test to see if it really has legs...

Overview of the VAX HomePro Pet Design Cordless Vacuum Cleaner

If you're looking for a cordless vacuum for pet hair, VAX is a top option for high-quality floorcare. We rated the VAX Blade 4 the best overall cordless vacuum for pet owners, so it is exciting to see what innovations the new VAX HomePro Pet Design offers.

Jade Gee, Product Manager at VAX explained to Yours.co.uk the USPs of the new HomePro cordless vacuum range: "Innovations in floorhead design means it’s easy to clean different surfaces, without compromising on performance."

At full price, with the extra accessories included, the VAX HomePro Pet Design Cordless Vacuum Cleaner RRP is £319.99, but it's currently on offer for £199.99. Plus, when you order direct from vax.co.uk, you can save £110 AND receive an exclusive free toolkit worth over £50, plus, enjoy free next-day delivery and a 5-year guarantee.

In comparison, the VAX Blade 4 Pet and Car Cordless Vacuum Cleaner has an RRP of £299.99 and is currently on offer for £159.99. In this review, we'll be comparing some of its features and performance to the VAX HomePro.

VAX HomePro key features:

• Powerful suction and accessories for deep cleaning a range of surfaces.

• HairWrap Resist technology prevents hair—yours or anyone else's—from tangling in the roller.

• Flexi Clean pole bends, so you don’t have to struggle to reach hidden dust.

• Hygienic and easy bin emptying system keeps dust in the bin, not in the air you breathe!

• Free toolkit worth over £50 – exclusive to vax.co.uk – comprising of a Deep Debris Tool, Stretch Hose and Fine Dusting Brush.

Who tested it?

Commercial Content Writer, Natalie Knowles is no stranger to reviewing home appliances, and VAX, for that matter. In her full review of the VAX SpotWash Max Pet-Design, she concluded it was the best overall spot cleaner. It got a tough test in an art studio, where Natalie tried out all of its cleaning tools and solutions to remove 14 years' worth of spilt ink and grime from the floor with astonishing results.

How was the VAX HomePro Pet Design Cordless Vacuum Cleaner tested?

Natalie tested the VAX HomePro Pet Design Cordless Vacuum Cleaner over the course of a month, trying it out on a range of flooring and surfaces. In order to demonstrate 'real world usage', Natalie used its tools in a home environment. Then, she took it to a shop to showcase its Flexi Clean pole and Stair Tool. Also, a lot of flour was spilt in order to demonstrate its powerful suction, in comparison to the VAX Blade 4 in a 'Flour Power' test.

What were the results?

Before we get into the nitty-gritty of this review, I'll give you the headlines: The VAX HomePro Pet Design Cordless Vacuum Cleaner is the most powerful cordless vacuum cleaner I have tested. However, it is heavy, more so when its innovative floorhead is attached. It's a good job it has a nifty self-stand feature. As a handheld vac, I found it just fine, albeit it has a long body which might be tricky for reaching into car footwells, for example.

If you want to deep clean a carpet, the HomePro will certainly make short work of it. but if you're looking for a cordless vacuum that feels slightly more agile, the VAX Blade 4 pips it.

Performance

The HomePro is a big redesign, and I'm able to compare it to the VAX Blade 4 Pet Cordless Vacuum, having previously tested that model, too. The HomePro has a more substantial floorhead that is larger and heavier, and it has a stunning set of headlights. Aesthetically, I love the ice blue lights, plus, they illuminate dirt, dust and hair extremely well.

To get started, place your foot on the floorhead. Pull the handle backwards to recline. Press the power on/off button to switch the machine on. When the main floorhead or Motorised Pet Tool is attached, the brushbar will turn. The battery level indicator will illuminate white to show the remaining runtime.

My goodness, the VAX HomePro makes a powerful sound when you start it up. I feel like this cordless vacuum could go from 0-60 in seconds!

All in all, it gives an amazing performance. I vacuumed a two-bedroom apartment with hard flooring throughout, and I loved how the floorhead could get right next to the skirting boards and into corners. For particularly dusty areas, I used the Boost button to increase the suction. Not that I needed it on LVT flooring, but Boost would be very handy on deep-pile carpets and car upholstery. Its effectiveness is evident in how much dirt I picked up in what I thought was a relatively clean apartment.

Jade Gee, Product Manager at VAX comments on the improved brushroll design, which is ideal for hard floors: "Our latest range of cordless vacuums, VAX HomePro (from £279.99, www.vax.co.uk), have silicone strips built into the brush roll that agitate and lift dirt from hard surfaces, extracting any debris without spreading it across the floor."

Some vacuum heads handle large debris better than others. Big pieces can sometimes get pushed around instead of being sucked up. VAX designed the HomePro floorhead to tackle both large and small debris on carpets and hard floors. It pulls in bigger debris, catches it and sucks it into the dirt bin efficiently.

In addition, the new floorhead design has a rubber bumper, which Jade says helps to "protect your furniture and skirting boards from bumps and marks while you vacuum right up to the edges."

Flour power comparison test

My partner and I compared the HomePro with the VAX Blade 4. In a performance test, we spilled some flour to see how well the two vacuums picked up. The Blade is great and easily picked up the flour. But we noticed a huge difference in the HomePro's powerful suction—flour was literally being pulled into it even when the floorhead was several centimetres away. It's a beast!

The addition of the bright headlights makes a huge difference in illuminating dirt. Plus, I absolutely love that the HomePro can self-stand for short periods of time—it's more convenient than I thought—and constantly, I find myself putting it down during vacuuming to move a power cable or a cushion (or a partner) that's in the way.

Comparing the VAX Blade 4 and HomePro Crevice tools

We compared the crevice tools on both models, as shown in the photo. I'll be honest and say the VAX Blade crevice tool is a slightly wider oval shape and it picked up better. The HomePro crevice tool is narrower, but it does have an integrated dusting brush on it that helps catch cobwebs and hairs. If you have the additional toolkit that's currently on offer, there's a very effective Fine Dusting Tool that combines a larger nozzle with a brush – it's the best of both worlds. So, I do recommend buying directly from VAX in order to receive the free toolkit which includes the Fine Dusting Tool.

I use the Fine Dusting Tool to reach corners, dust table surfaces, bookshelves, and the bedstead. It is very effective, but do keep checking the nozzle, as I found mine got clogged with dust and debris. There I was, thinking I had a reasonably clean apartment!

Boost!

Jade advises on the benefits of increased suction power using Boost, say it is helpful, "to efficiently pick up debris that has fallen between the cracks and crevices of tiles or floorboards." Also, a Boost function is helpful for tougher cleaning jobs such as embedded pet hair and car upholstery that's caked in dried mud.

As a handheld unit for cleaning stairs

As a handheld unit, it looks like something the Ghostbusters would use to catch restless spirits. The illumination on the main unit is very effective for showing dust in dingy places such as stairwells and car interiors. As pictured, the Stair Tool has a velour strip, which traps dust, debris and hair; then the powerful suction carries it into the main unit. On carpet, this strip agitates the pile to help lift dirt and debris. Just watch out for items that can cause blockages and pick them up with your hands rather than vacuuming them up.

Usability

The HomePro is ever so easy to assemble and use, it all clicks together. Simply push the Flexi Clean pole into the floorhead. Attach the handheld unit to the pole. All of the accessories, including the Motorised Pet Tool, can be attached directly to the handheld or Flexi Clean pole.

HairWrap Resist

Another feature that's designed to make life easier is the HairWrap Resist technology. A comparison of the brushrolls on the VAX Blade 4 and the HomePro shows the newly designed floorhead is a big departure from the previous model.

I've found that I need to keep a spare 10p coin handy in order to remove the brushroll from the last few cordless vacuums I've tested – that seems to be standard. Then it's a case of detangling hair from the roll.

What I've noticed is that the brushroll on the HomePro detaches with a lever, and the brushroll is significantly larger than any other model I've tested. It was very easy to clean with a stiff brush and easily slotted back into the floorhead. Like the Blade 4 brushroll it is antimicrobial so nasties won't grow on it.

The HairWrap Resist brushroll is a new feature to the HomePro range with silicone strips that help limit hair wrap and encourages hair to be sucked into the dirt collection bin. It's easy to refit the brushroll and turn to lock anticlockwise to lock.

Flexi Clean pole

For a full and balanced review, I took the VAX HomePro Pet Design Cordless Vacuum Cleaner to a shop where I could demonstrate its performance on carpets and stairs. It was also the perfect opportunity to wow the shop staff with a demonstration of the Flexi Clean pole... I think they'd have me back to clean regularly!

"If you also have carpets in your home, consider a vacuum that features bristles on the brushroll too, like the VAX HomePro, which are designed to dig deep to remove dirt and debris from carpet-pile," says Jade from VAX. There is no denying the VAX HomePro thoroughly lifted dirt and dust from the high-traffic rug in the shop, restoring its vivid colours.

One of the stand-out features is the Flexi Clean pole. Just like the self-stand feature, it's a function you never knew you needed until you have it. Simply pull up on the plastic shift, halfway down the pole to reveal a flexible (yet robust) hose that allows you to reach far under furniture and all those hard-to-reach places. When done, slide the Flexi Clean pole release down to lock the pole into the straight position.

Using the Pet Hair Tool

The Pet Hair Tool is a specialist silicone comb that helps to gather and remove pet hair on carpets and pet beds. I tried the Pet Hair Tool on a cat blanket that now covers the sofa. The Pet Hair Tool is gentle on the old woollen material, and it has some friction from the velour strip that grips loose hair. I was impressed with how much dirt and hair it picked up. I can see how it excels at picking up extremely fine dust particulates as you can visibly see these build up on the inside of the dust collection container.

I also tried using the vacuum as a handheld vac to reach dust under the bed. The light on the main body of the vacuum is excellent for showing up dust (and there was a lot!). I also appreciated how the body of the vacuum was just the right size for reaching under the bed. However, like the floorhead, it is heavier in comparison to others I've tested, such as the VAX Blade, Tower and the Beldray cordless vacuums. But, while it is heavy, I've no doubt this VAX HomePro is the best for its deep-cleaning power.

Using the Motorised Pet Hair Tool

Bear in mind this is not to be used on pets! The Motorised Pet Tool is a small brush head that is specifically designed to remove pet hair on all surfaces, especially pet beds, upholstery and stairs. It is excellent at picking up embedded dirt and hair on upholstery. I particularly like that it can be effortlessly pushed and pulled across a surface to loosen deeply embedded debris.

The brushbar in the floorhead and Motorised Pet Tool constantly rotates. So you must never use the floorhead on one spot for an extended period of time as the brushbar may damage the surface.

I used it on a very old rug under the bed on which we store storage boxes, and the Pet Tool lifted an enormous amount of hair and dirt—which I suspect came from previous owners!

Build

On first impressions, the packaging box was considerably smaller than I expected. I've tested a fair few cordless vacuum cleaners and this was by far the most compact in terms of its packaging. But it was heavy.

It's recommended to store the vacuum cleaner in the wall mount provided and never leave the machine in the self-stand position for long periods or unattended. Secure the wall mount to the wall using the wall plugs and screws. For a 'screw-free' option, use two adhesive mounting strips (not included) attached to the back of the wall mount. Make sure the wall mount is secured to the wall before use.

It's unlikely that you will be in any doubt about how to use the VAX HomePro because the instruction manual is so comprehensive. In addition, there are QR codes that link to How-To videos. In the event of a fault, VAX have outstanding customer support and you can guarantee your VAX HomePro for five years.

Rechargeable battery

Before first use, I fully charged the battery for a few hours before the first use which is standard with all cordless vacuums. This model is compatible with VAX ONEPWR rechargeable batteries and it comes with a battery and charger (worth £99.99). You can press the battery symbol next to the status bar lights at any time to check the battery status. The lights illuminate to show how much charge is remaining. When charged, remove from the charger and slide the battery onto the back of the handheld unit until it clicks into place. To remove the battery press both the buttons to release.

I'm very taken with the stylish circular light bar on the top of the handheld unit – it shows the battery life and subtly fades as the battery depletes. When less than 20% of charge is remaining, the indicator light will flash, indicating the battery is running low.

Overall, I think a cordless vacuum's battery life is very good. It's lasted longer than my much cheaper Beldray vacuum. I've done a couple of extended cleaning sessions (around 20 minutes), and the battery is around half-charged.

Dismantling and cleaning to check for blockages

Jade from Vax, advises: "Loss of suction is often reported as an issue, but this is usually due to a blockage in the system or an excessive amount of dirt that has clogged the filters. First remove any hair and debris from the brush roll, as well as removing any blockages with a blunt instrument from the joint or hose that connects the floorhead to the body of the vacuum."

If there is a blockage or the brushbar in the floorhead or Motorised Pet Tool is obstructed the brushbar motor protection sensor may activate. The brushbar will stop, the on/off power button will flash, and the machine will switch off. To reset, first remove the tool from the Flexi Clean pole or handheld unit and clear any obstruction. Wait one minute before refitting the tool. Switch the machine on. If the power button still flashes, check the filter or for blockages.

The on/off button will flash, and the machine will switch off if a blockage is detected.

Emptying the bin

The one-touch button for opening the dirt collection container does make it easier to open, albeit it will be fiddly if you're trying to empty it into a small bin. Don't overfill the dirt container—it can block airflow and affect performance. For the best results, keep it below the MAX line and empty it after each use. If it gets too full and clogged, the power button will flash, and the machine will shut off.

Hold the handheld over a bin, press the dirt release button, and let the debris drop out—easy and mess-free!

While I do not recommend vacuuming a large amount of flour, it was a good opportunity to take the vacuum to pieces in order to clean each part. This vacuum is being used in an arty household, so there are always bits of thread, fishing wire and scraps on the floor, which can easily cause blockages. So, I was particularly impressed by the instruction manual which clearly showed how to take the vacuum to pieces in order to clear blockages.

Cleaning the dirt container and separator is quick and easy because all the parts neatly twist apart and click back together. To remove the separator twist and pull it out from the handheld. Shake it out and tap it over a bin to get rid of dirt (or a ton of flour!), then wipe the metal shroud with a dry cloth. Slide the dirt release grip back and forth to loosen any leftover debris then close it back up.

Should you have any difficulty with blockages or maintaining the HomePro, there are comprehensive instructions and video guides from VAX to help.

Filter

The filters on this VAX have 99.9% filtration down to 0.3 microns. That means they can capture the minuscule particulates that cause allergies.

I like that the filter is much more accessible on the HomePro as I found it a bit more fiddly to access it on the Blade. To clean the filter, push the tab up to release it and lift it out. Separate the sponge from the frame, tap off any dirt, and rinse both under running water (max 40°C). Let them dry completely for 24 hours before reassembling. Once dry, place the sponge back in the frame and slide it into the machine—it will only fit one way and should sit flush when correctly fitted.

At this stage I'd only used the vacuum a couple of times for cleaning, plus the flour power test. So I was astonished to see how much fine dust the foam pad filter had picked up. It had been used in a flat that has LVT throughout – no carpets. So I can only imagine how much dust and dirt this vacuum would extract from a fully carpeted house with pets.

For best cleaning results, filters should be tapped over a bin every four to six uses to remove dirt/debris, washed every three months and replaced every year. Make sure all filters are in place before using the machine.

FREE bonus kit!

These nifty little tools are currently available for free when you buy the VAX HomePro Pet Design Cordless Vacuum Cleaner directly from VAX. I've used the Fine Dusting Tool a lot for removing dust from bookshelves, radiators and awkward little nooks around the home. With its velour strip and rubber nubs, the Deep Debris Tool is ideal for agitating stubborn dirt, such as dried mud on car upholstery. The Stretch Hose is a must-have if you are cleaning difficult-to-reach areas. Because the main unit of the VAX HomePro is long, this flexible hose comes in handy for cleaning car footwells or giving you extra control of a small cleaning tool for deep-cleaning pet bedding.

Final verdict on the VAX HomePro

The VAX HomePro Pet Design Cordless Vacuum Cleaner delivers outstanding deep-cleaning power, making it the most effective cordless vacuum I've tested. Its powerful suction, innovative floorhead and HairWrap Resist brushroll make short work of both fine dust and larger debris, outperforming the VAX Blade 4. Features like bright headlights, a self-standing design and the FlexiClean pole add to its practicality, while the included Motorised Pet Hair Tool and free toolkit enhance its versatility.

However, this power comes at a cost—it’s heavier than other cordless vacuums, especially with the floorhead attached, and noisier than expected. The long body may also be cumbersome for reaching into tight car footwells. That said, its excellent battery life, ergonomic design and easy-to-clean filters make maintenance straightforward.

If you're after a lightweight and agile cordless vacuum, the VAX Blade 4 may suit you better. But if deep cleaning is your priority, the HomePro is unmatched, tackling carpets, hard floors and pet hair with ease. It’s a beast of a vacuum—powerful, well-designed, and ideal for those who want the best in performance.

Rating: 4.5/5

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This review includes expert commentary from Jade Gee, Product Manager at VAX.

Natalie Knowles is a Homes & Garden Product Writer for Yours, specialising in home appliances. When she's not testing sparkling water makers, she flexes her creative flair as an artist.