Vax HomePro Plus Cordless Stick Vacuum HairWrap Resist Review: The Ultimate Verdict on Tangle-Free Cleaning

There’s a specific kind of sigh reserved for the vacuuming post-mortem. It’s the one you let out when you finish cleaning, flip over the vacuum head, and are confronted with a roller brush that looks like it’s auditioning for a hair metal band. A tangled, matted mess of human hair, pet fur, and carpet fibres, all clinging on for dear life. For years, my routine involved a pair of scissors and a lot of patient, frustrating snipping. It’s a chore within a chore, one that undermines the satisfaction of a clean floor. This constant battle against tangles isn’t just an annoyance; it chokes the vacuum’s performance, reducing suction and efficiency over time. The promise of a vacuum that could eliminate this single, universal frustration felt less like a feature and more like a revolution in home cleaning. That’s the promise the Vax HomePro Plus Cordless Stick Vacuum HairWrap Resist makes, and we were determined to see if it could deliver.

What to Consider Before Buying a Cordless Stick Vacuum

A cordless stick vacuum is more than just an item; it’s a key solution for modern, fast-paced living. It represents freedom from the tether of a power cord, the convenience of grab-and-go cleaning for sudden messes, and a lightweight alternative to cumbersome, heavy uprights. These devices are designed to tackle everything from spilled cereal on the kitchen floor to the dust bunnies colonising the space under your sofa. Their primary benefit lies in their sheer accessibility and versatility, transforming a planned, laborious task into a quick, effortless part of your daily routine. They excel in homes with mixed flooring, tight spaces, and stairs, where a traditional vacuum becomes a logistical nightmare.

The ideal customer for this type of product is someone facing the daily onslaught of dust, crumbs, and particularly pet hair, who values speed and convenience. It’s for the city dweller in a compact apartment, the busy parent cleaning up after kids, or the pet owner in a constant war against shedding. However, it might not be the primary vacuum for those in very large homes who prefer a deep, hours-long clean without worrying about battery life. For those users, a powerful corded upright or a canister vacuum might still be a better primary tool, with a cordless stick serving as a secondary, quick-response cleaner. The trade-off is almost always power and runtime for portability and ease of use.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Dimensions & Space: Consider the vacuum’s physical footprint, both in use and in storage. A good stick vacuum should be slim enough to manoeuvre around furniture and have a low-profile head to get under low-clearance items like sofas and cabinets. Pay attention to its height and whether it comes with a wall mount for convenient, out-of-the-way storage, as many models, including this Vax, cannot stand up on their own.
• Capacity/Performance: This is a dual consideration of battery runtime and dustbin capacity. Manufacturers often quote the maximum runtime, which is usually on the lowest power setting without a motorised tool. We found you must look for real-world figures, especially for high-power use on carpets. A bin capacity of around 0.7L, like the Vax HomePro Plus offers, is generous for a stick vacuum and reduces the frequency of trips to the bin.
• Materials & Durability: The build quality dictates the lifespan of your investment. Look for sturdy plastics for the body and high-quality components in the wand and floorhead. Some user feedback pointed to concerns about the plastics and long-term reliability of certain components on the Vax, highlighting the importance of checking warranty details—a 5-year warranty is a significant sign of a brand’s confidence.
• Ease of Use & Maintenance: This covers everything from the weight and balance of the unit to how simple it is to empty the bin and clean the filters. A top-heavy design can cause wrist strain over time. Look for features like a one-touch empty mechanism and washable filters, which save money and reduce ongoing maintenance costs. The charging process is also key; some models charge on the dock, while others require the battery to be removed, which can be an extra hassle.

Keeping these factors in mind, the Vax HomePro Plus Cordless Stick Vacuum HairWrap Resist stands out in several areas, particularly with its specialised features. You can explore its detailed specifications and features here.

While the Vax HomePro Plus Cordless Stick Vacuum HairWrap Resist is an excellent choice, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:

First Impressions: Sleek Design with Purposeful Features

Unboxing the Vax HomePro Plus Cordless Stick Vacuum HairWrap Resist, the immediate impression is one of modern utility. The graphite and titanium colour scheme gives it a serious, professional look that steps away from the often loud and garish colours of other vacuums. Assembly was intuitive and required no tools; the main components—the motor unit, the wand, the floorhead, and the battery—clicked together with a satisfying and secure feel. In hand, the main unit feels substantial. While the specs mention it’s portable, we immediately noticed the heft, a sentiment echoed by users who found it surprisingly heavy once the battery was snapped into place. This isn’t a featherweight machine, but the weight feels centred and manageable, suggesting a powerful motor and a large battery are housed within. The included wall mount is a practical necessity, as the unit is not self-standing. The array of tools, including the Pet Hair Remover, Stair Tool, and Crevice Tool, felt comprehensive, promising a versatile cleaning experience right out of the box.

A Deep Dive into the Vax HomePro Plus Cordless Stick Vacuum HairWrap Resist’s Performance

A vacuum’s worth is proven on the floors of a busy home. We put the Vax HomePro Plus through its paces on a battlefield of hardwood, deep-pile carpets, tile, and upholstery, all patrolled by a Golden Retriever and two long-haired humans. This is where features on a box become either indispensable tools or marketing gimmicks.

HairWrap Resist Technology: The Tangle-Free Promise Put to the Test

This is the headline feature, the core reason many will consider the Vax HomePro Plus Cordless Stick Vacuum HairWrap Resist. The claim is bold: preventing long, short, and pet hair from wrapping around the brush. In our testing environment, this was the ultimate trial. We focused on the high-traffic carpeted areas where hair tends to accumulate and embed itself. After several full cleaning sessions, we performed the dreaded flip-and-inspect. The result was genuinely impressive. Where our old vacuum would have a thick, matted sleeve of hair requiring surgical removal, the Vax’s brush roll was remarkably clear. A few stray strands were present, but nothing was tightly wound or tangled. The combination of uniquely shaped bristles and a built-in comb appears to actively strip the hair from the roller and direct it straight into the bin. This isn’t just a convenience; it’s a performance-saver. A clean brush roll maintains optimal contact with the floor and ensures consistent pickup, especially of fine dust and allergens. For homes with pets or long-haired occupants, this feature alone could be the deciding factor, transforming a dreaded maintenance task into a non-issue. It effectively delivers on its primary promise, making it a standout in a crowded market.

Performance and Suction Power: From Hard Floors to Deep Carpets

The 360-watt motor at the heart of the Vax provides formidable suction. We found it effortlessly lifted everything from fine dust to larger debris like cereal and cat litter on the first pass. The performance was particularly strong on carpets. Engaging the boost mode, we could see the vacuum visibly lifting the carpet pile and extracting embedded pet hair and dirt that other vacuums often miss. This raw power is satisfying and delivers a visibly deeper clean. The bright LED headlights on the floorhead, which we initially dismissed as a gimmick, proved to be invaluable. They cast light at a low angle, revealing a shocking amount of dust and hair on hard floors that was invisible in normal ambient light. However, this power comes with a caveat. As one user noted, there is no power adjustment for different floor types. On hard floors, the suction can be so strong that it “grips like mad,” making it slightly harder to push forward. It’s a minor issue, but a dedicated hard-floor mode or suction-release valve would have been a welcome refinement. Despite this, the overall cleaning performance is excellent, rivalling that of many corded models and confirming user reports of its “great suction.”

Ergonomics and Usability: A Tale of Two Halves

The design of the Vax HomePro Plus Cordless Stick Vacuum HairWrap Resist is a study in contrasts. The FlexiClean Pole is a brilliant piece of engineering. With the press of a button, the main wand hinges in the middle, allowing the floorhead to slide deep under sofas, beds, and coffee tables without requiring you to bend down. This feature is a back-saver and makes cleaning awkward spaces incredibly simple. The Easy Empty Bin is another highlight. A simple slide mechanism ejects the entire contents of the 0.7L bin directly into the trash with minimal fuss, keeping your hands clean. However, the ergonomics are compromised by the unit’s weight distribution. Without the battery, the vacuum feels light. Once the battery clicks into place, the entire unit becomes noticeably top-heavy. This was confirmed by a user with RSI who found it necessary to frequently switch hands. While manageable for quick clean-ups, it can lead to wrist fatigue during a full-house clean. Furthermore, we encountered the same stiffness one user reported when trying to detach the main wand to use the crevice tool; it required a significant amount of force, which could be an issue for some users. These usability quirks detract slightly from an otherwise thoughtfully designed machine.

The Achilles’ Heel: Battery Life and Durability Concerns

Herein lies the most significant issue with the Vax HomePro Plus. The advertised 45-minute runtime is, as one user bluntly put it, a “pipe dream.” In our tests, this runtime was only achievable on the lowest power setting, without the motorised floorhead running—a scenario that is unrealistic for most cleaning tasks. As soon as we tackled carpets on the standard power level or engaged the boost mode, the battery life plummeted. We consistently achieved between 15 and 20 minutes of runtime before the power died, aligning perfectly with numerous user reports. For a small flat, this might be sufficient, but for an average-sized house, it means cleaning in strategic, battery-conserving bursts. The charging process adds another layer of inconvenience. The battery must be removed from the vacuum and plugged into the charger separately. This means you can’t simply hang the vacuum on its wall mount to charge. While the 3-hour charge time is relatively quick, the process feels less streamlined than integrated charging docks. More troubling, however, are the widespread reports of poor long-term durability. We saw numerous user accounts detailing catastrophic failures: brush heads ceasing to work, internal wires severing, and batteries dying completely after only a year of use. One user was on their third replacement head. While our test unit performed flawlessly, this consistent pattern of feedback raises serious questions about the product’s longevity and the quality of its components, even with a 5-year warranty. Potential buyers should weigh the excellent performance against these significant reliability risks. If you are seeking a reliable and powerful cleaning solution, you can find more details about the Vax HomePro Plus here.

What Other Users Are Saying

Digging into the collective experience of other users reveals a clear and consistent narrative. On the positive side, there is widespread praise for the vacuum’s core cleaning ability. One user noted, “Great suction, easy to empty, hangs on the wall out of the way, brilliant for the car,” summarising the key conveniences. Another highlighted the effectiveness of the features, stating, “It has a fantastic bright white light on the main vacuum head to show up dust you wouldn’t necessarily see. The flexi-pole really is a useful feature.”

However, this praise is heavily counterbalanced by a chorus of criticism focused on two main areas: battery life and reliability. The sentiment that the “battery life is nothing compared to what’s advertised” is nearly universal among critical reviews. The more alarming feedback centres on longevity. Reports like, “The brush head has stopped working for the third time now,” and “I had to replace the battery at 1 year… that battery cost £70” paint a concerning picture. Another user experienced a severed wire “within a sealed unit.” A smaller but notable design flaw was also pointed out: the lack of a dust flapper in the bin, which allows debris to fall back out onto the floor if the vacuum is held vertically after use. This feedback is critical, suggesting that while the initial performance is impressive, the long-term ownership experience can be frustrating and costly.

How Does the Vax HomePro Plus Compare to the Alternatives?

No product exists in a vacuum (pun intended). To understand its true value, we must compare the Vax HomePro Plus Cordless Stick Vacuum HairWrap Resist to other options available on the market.

1. VonHaus 800W 2-in-1 Stick Vacuum Cleaner

The VonHaus stick vacuum represents a fundamentally different approach. As a corded model, it completely eliminates the primary concerns of the Vax: battery life and charging. With its 800W motor, it delivers consistent, powerful suction that never fades. It’s an excellent choice for users who prioritise raw power and unlimited runtime over the convenience of cordless freedom. While it lacks the advanced HairWrap Resist and FlexiClean features of the Vax, it offers a reliable, no-fuss cleaning experience at a fraction of the price. This is the ideal alternative for someone on a budget, or for use as a dedicated heavy-duty cleaner for a specific area like a workshop or a home with mostly carpets where deep cleaning is paramount.

2. BISSELL CrossWave 3-in-1 Multi-Surface Cleaner

The BISSELL CrossWave is less of a direct competitor and more of a specialised alternative. Its unique 3-in-1 functionality allows it to vacuum, wash, and dry hard floors and area rugs simultaneously. For homes with extensive tile, laminate, or sealed wood flooring, this machine is a game-changer, consolidating two cleaning tasks into one. It’s not a replacement for a dedicated dry vacuum for deep-pile carpets, but it offers a level of cleaning for hard surfaces that the Vax cannot match. A user who is more concerned with washing away sticky spills and muddy paw prints than with cordless convenience for quick dry pickups would find the CrossWave to be a far more suitable investment.

3. Amazon Basics 2-in-1 Cordless Vacuum Cleaner

The Amazon Basics model competes directly in the cordless stick vacuum space but at a much lower price point. It offers the core benefit of cordless convenience for quick clean-ups, making it a strong contender for those on a tight budget. However, this lower cost comes with trade-offs. It lacks the sophisticated features of the Vax, such as the HairWrap Resist technology, the flexible wand, and the powerful motor. Its performance and build quality are geared towards lighter tasks rather than deep cleaning an entire home. This is the perfect choice for a student, someone in a small apartment, or as a secondary “grab-and-go” vacuum to supplement a more powerful primary cleaner, where the advanced features of the Vax would be overkill.

Final Verdict: A Powerful Cleaner with a Risky Future

The Vax HomePro Plus Cordless Stick Vacuum HairWrap Resist is a machine of brilliant ideas and frustrating flaws. On one hand, its HairWrap Resist technology is genuinely effective, solving one of the most persistent annoyances of vacuum ownership. The suction is powerful, the FlexiClean pole is ingeniously practical, and the LED lights are surprisingly useful. When it’s working, it’s a superb cleaning tool that delivers a deep, satisfying clean.

On the other hand, its performance is severely hamstrung by a battery that doesn’t live up to its marketing claims and, more critically, by a troubling number of user reports detailing significant durability issues. The high performance in the short term is overshadowed by the risk of costly failures in the long term. We would recommend this vacuum to someone living in a small-to-medium-sized home, particularly with pets or long hair, for whom the anti-tangle feature is a top priority. However, this recommendation comes with a strong caution to be aware of the potential for a short lifespan. It’s a high-performance machine that, unfortunately, feels like a gamble.

If you’ve decided the impressive features of the Vax HomePro Plus Cordless Stick Vacuum HairWrap Resist outweigh the potential risks, you can check its current price and purchase it here.