The Vax Air Lift 2 Pet Plus CDUP-PLXP is a bagless upright vacuum cleaner designed to tackle everyday mess and embedded pet hair across carpets, hard floors and upholstery. Vax has a strong reputation in the UK for practical, good-value floorcare, and this model follows that formula.
With a 1.5-litre bin, a 9-metre cord and Vax’s VersaClean twin brush bar technology, it’s built to give a deeper clean than basic uprights, especially in busy, pet-owning households. The included pet tool and turbo brush are clear signs this model is tuned for homes with cats and dogs.
Owners rate it highly, with a 4.5 out of 5 score from a large number of reviews, which suggests that real-world performance, reliability and ease of use are all strong for the money.
The Vax Air Lift 2 Pet Plus suits small to medium-sized UK homes that need a reliable, no-nonsense cleaner for both carpets and hard floors. If you have a mix of flooring and don’t want to juggle multiple machines, its adjustable head and multi-surface design are a good fit.
It’s a particularly strong choice for pet owners. The dedicated pet hair tools and VersaClean twin brush bars are designed to pull out embedded fur from carpets, stairs and sofas, making it easier to stay on top of shedding.
If you’re working to a mid-range budget and want something that feels a step up from a basic upright, but without paying premium cordless prices, this model hits a sensible sweet spot. It’s well suited to everyday family use, first-time buyers and anyone upgrading from an older bagged machine.
Those in very large homes or who prioritise ultimate manoeuvrability may still prefer a cordless or lighter cylinder, but for most households wanting dependable suction, a decent reach and pet-focused tools, this Vax will be more than capable.
The bagless design with an easy-empty dustbin keeps running costs down and makes it straightforward to see when the bin needs emptying. At 1.5 litres, the capacity is generous enough for full-house cleans in smaller properties without constant trips to the bin.
VersaClean technology, using two brush bars, is a real plus. It helps agitate dirt from carpet fibres while still being effective on hard floors, so you can move from room to room without worrying about poor pickup.
The pet turbo brush and dedicated pet tool are very handy for dealing with hair on stairs, sofas and car seats. Combined with the 1.65-metre hose, it makes above-floor cleaning much easier than with a basic upright.
A 9-metre power cord gives an operating distance of around 10 metres, reducing how often you need to switch sockets. Rinsable, washable filters and multi-cyclonic technology should help maintain suction over time with simple, low-cost maintenance.
The three-year manufacturer warranty is longer than many budget rivals, which adds peace of mind that the vacuum is built to last.
The 1.5-litre bin, while decent, won’t suit very large homes or heavy-shedding multi-pet households that prefer less frequent emptying.
This isn’t a cordless model, so you’re tied to a socket and cable management. If you’re used to the freedom of cordless cleaning, the cord and two-wheel design may feel more cumbersome, especially on stairs.
The specs list it as a “cylinder vacuum” in places, which is slightly confusing given it’s sold as an upright. In practice it behaves like an upright with hose tools, but buyers expecting a compact cylinder form factor may be disappointed.
There’s no mention of advanced extras such as automatic floor sensing, LED headlights or noise reduction, so if you want the very latest high-end features, you may need to look higher up the price ladder.
Day to day, the Vax Air Lift 2 Pet Plus is designed to be straightforward. The simple button controls and on/off switch make it easy to get started, and the indicator light confirms when it’s powered up. The adjustable head helps you move between carpets and hard floors without constantly fiddling with settings.
The 9-metre cord and 1.65-metre hose give you a practical cleaning radius for typical UK rooms and stairs. You can usually do a couple of rooms from a single socket, and the onboard cord storage keeps things tidy when it’s back in the cupboard.
Emptying the bin is quick, thanks to the easy-empty dustbin design. Because the filters are removable, washable and rinsable, maintenance is simple: a quick rinse and dry every so often should keep airflow and suction healthy. Multi-cyclonic filtering also reduces how often fine dust clogs the system.
The included crevice tool, dusting brush and upholstery tool, alongside the pet attachments, make it versatile for above-floor jobs like skirting boards, blinds and furniture. Overall, it feels like a practical workhorse focused on getting the job done rather than showing off flashy extras.
Performance-wise, the Vax Air Lift 2 Pet Plus is built around multi-cyclonic technology and bagless operation. This combination is designed to maintain strong suction as the bin fills, which is especially important when picking up heavier debris and pet hair.
VersaClean technology is the star feature. With two brush bars working together, the floorhead can dig deeper into carpets to lift stubborn dirt while still being gentle enough for hard floors. This is particularly useful in homes with older carpets where dirt tends to get embedded.
The vacuum is rated for a wide range of surfaces: bare floors, carpets, hard floors, stair steps and upholstery. Thanks to the hose and supplied tools, it can handle everything from high-traffic hallway carpets to sofa cushions and car mats. The pet turbo brush adds extra agitation for hair-prone areas.
Filtration is practical rather than high-tech. Rinsable, washable filters and cyclonic separation help trap dust while keeping running costs almost zero, as you’re not constantly buying replacement bags. For allergy sufferers, it’s worth noting there’s no specific HEPA rating mentioned, but regular filter cleaning should still keep fine dust under reasonable control.
Convenience touches such as cord storage, an indicator light and an adjustable head round out the spec. While it doesn’t boast smart features or app connectivity, the core performance and tool set are well judged for a mid-range upright, and user ratings suggest it performs reliably in real homes.
At £119.00, the Vax Air Lift 2 Pet Plus sits comfortably in the affordable-to-mid-range bracket for upright vacuums. Considering its pet-focused tools, multi-cyclonic technology, VersaClean twin brush bars and three-year warranty, it offers a strong feature mix for the price.
The bagless design and washable filters help keep long-term costs low, as there are no bags to buy and only periodic filter rinsing needed. That will appeal if you’re budget-conscious but still want decent performance.
A 4.5/5 rating from 260 reviews is a strong indicator that most owners feel they’ve had good value. You can spend more for cordless freedom or advanced features, but if your priority is dependable cleaning, good pet-hair performance and sensible running costs, this model represents very good value for money.
The Vax Air Lift 2 Pet Plus CDUP-PLXP is a well-rounded upright vacuum cleaner that delivers exactly what most pet-owning households need: strong everyday pickup, good tools for fur and fluff, and low running costs thanks to its bagless, washable-filter design.
It isn’t the lightest or flashiest cleaner on the market, and it doesn’t offer cordless convenience or advanced smart features. However, the solid feature set, generous three-year warranty and very positive owner feedback make it a dependable choice if you want a straightforward, effective machine without overspending.
If you have pets, a mix of flooring types and a sensible budget, this Vax should be high on your shortlist. Those wanting ultra-lightweight or cordless freedom may prefer to look elsewhere, but as a capable, pet-focused upright at a fair price, it’s hard to argue with.
