Vax ONEPWR Blade 4 Review (2026)

By cordlesshoover.com · Updated 16 Oct 2026

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The Vax ONEPWR Blade 4 is a mid-price cordless stick built around a removable 4.0Ah battery, a 0.6-litre bin and solid carpet pick-up for the money. It is not as refined as a Dyson or as clever as a Shark, but bought on offer it is one of the better-value ways to replace a corded hoover in an average UK home, especially in the Dual battery versions.

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Key specs

Figures are Vax's own claims. As with every cordless stick, the headline runtime is achieved in the lowest power setting and usually without the motorised floorhead spinning, so expect noticeably less on carpet. Check the current price before buying, as Vax and big retailers discount the Blade 4 regularly.

Design and handling

The Blade 4 follows the familiar stick layout: motor and cyclone pod at the top, a slim wand and a powered floorhead. At roughly 3.1kg it sits at the heavier end of mid-range sticks, noticeably heavier than a Dyson V8, so it can feel top-heavy when you lift it to reach cobwebs or stair risers.

On the floor that weight is less of an issue. The head swivels well enough to get around table legs, and the machine is comfortable for a full-house clean on one charge. The control is a simple power button rather than a trigger, which many owners prefer for longer sessions because you are not squeezing the whole time.

The battery clicks out of the handle, so you can charge it away from the machine. That matters in flats without a convenient socket near a cupboard, and it means a worn battery can be replaced in seconds rather than requiring a repair. See our guide to cordless hoover battery replacement for what that typically costs.

Cleaning performance by floor type

Carpets and rugs

Carpet is where the Blade 4 earns its keep. Independent reviews and owner feedback consistently describe strong pick-up on short and medium pile, with the motorised brush bar lifting embedded dust and crumbs well for the price. On deep-pile or shaggy rugs it will work harder and drain the battery faster in its higher modes, and the head can drag. If thick carpets dominate your home, compare it with our picks for the best cordless hoover for carpets.

Hard floors

On laminate, vinyl and tiles it picks up general debris and dust without fuss, but a bristle brush bar is never as good as a soft roller at fine dust and larger debris at the same time. Expect some scattering of cereal or cat litter on hard floors. If most of your home is hard flooring, a model with a fluffy roller head is a better match; see the best cordless hoovers for hard floors.

Pet hair and long hair

Short pet hair on carpet is handled well, and the Pet versions add a mini motorised tool for sofas, beds and stairs. The weak spot is long human hair: the Blade 4 does not have an anti-tangle comb, so hair wraps around the brush bar and needs cutting off now and then. Owners with long-haired households often prefer the Shark Anti Hair Wrap for that reason.

Edges and corners

Edge cleaning is decent but not exceptional. You will want the crevice tool along skirting boards occasionally, as with most stick hoovers of this price.

Battery and charging

Vax quotes up to 45 minutes from the 4.0Ah battery. In real use, with the brush bar running on carpet in a normal mode, expect something closer to 20–30 minutes, and much less in boost. That is still enough for most homes up to three bedrooms in one go, particularly if you are not running boost throughout.

The Dual bundles add a second identical battery, which in practice turns the Blade 4 into a whole-house cleaner even for bigger homes: run one, swap, carry on. Charging takes around three hours per battery. Because ONEPWR batteries work across the Vax cordless range, a second battery can also power other ONEPWR products you own, such as the Glide hard-floor cleaner. For more on realistic runtimes, see cordless hoover battery life explained.

Bin, filtration and maintenance

The 0.6-litre bin is generous for a stick and empties with a push mechanism over the kitchen bin. As with most bagless sticks, very fine dust and hair can cling inside, so occasionally you will need to clear it by hand. If emptying dust is an issue for allergies, read our allergy guide, as a bagged or sealed-system model may suit you better.

Vax claims the filtration captures up to 99% of fine dust and allergens. The washable filters should be rinsed and air-dried for at least 24 hours roughly once a month, more often with pets. The brush bar can be removed for cleaning, which you will need to do to remove wrapped hair. Our step-by-step guide to cleaning a cordless hoover covers the routine.

Variants and UK bundles

The naming is confusing because Vax and retailers mix codes and bundle names. The main versions you will see in the UK:

Older and newer Blade generations (Blade 2, Blade 3, Blade 5) also appear in sales, especially at Argos and Currys. If you see a Blade 4 at the same price as a newer Vax, compare the runtime and floorhead before choosing. Our Vax cordless hoover guide explains the wider range and how ONEPWR fits together.

Pros and cons

Alternatives worth considering

• Cheaper Vax: the Vax ONEPWR Pace uses the same battery in a simpler, cheaper package and suits smaller homes.
• Long hair or pets: the Shark Anti Hair Wrap Cordless resists tangles and adds a bendable wand; see our full Shark vs Vax comparison.
• Dyson on a budget: the Dyson V8 is lighter and has better tool options, but a shorter real-world runtime and a fixed battery. Read Dyson vs Vax for the trade-offs.
• Bagged: the Henry Quick suits allergy sufferers who hate emptying bins.

For other options in the same price bracket, see the best cordless hoovers under £200.

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