Editor&#;s Note: This review was revised in June to include updated picks. The Levoit LVAC-200 Cordless Vacuum is now our best overall vacuum.
You can find more information on our web, so please take a look.
Our favorite vacuums clean well, last a long time (our favorite upright vacuum has stuck around for four years, and counting!), and offer features that make using, storing, and maintaining them easier.
To date, The Spruce has tested over 350 household and commercial vacuums. We&#;re no strangers to what&#;s worth your money (swivel steering or self-emptying dust bins) and what simply isn&#;t (a brush roll, the component you see in the above picture, that gets tangled up easily with hair). We've weaved cleaning machines around coffee tables and under couches in the lab, emptied dust bins filled with hair and dust time and time again, and used vacuums for months to see how they'll hold up.
Each type of vacuum helps you target a different kind of clean (which we get into more below with each of our picks), and offers a different cleaning experience. We're here to help you find your match, whether that's a robot vacuum , upright vacuum , canister vacuum , stick vacuum , or budget vacuum that costs under $200.
I've personally been covering vacuums since , helping to design and lead our tests and try out models from Shark, Dyson, Bissell, Hoover, Levoit, Tineco, Kenmore, and more in The Lab and my own home. From all the push-and-pulls on carpet and hardwood floors and messy afternoons of spilling popcorn kernels on purpose, I can tell you this: picking the right vacuum for your home will depend on your specific needs.
Best Overall Vacuum
Levoit LVAC-200 Cordless Stick Vacuum
$140 at Amazon
What We Like
Battery charges quickly and can be easily removed
Cleans carpet, hardwood, tile, and stairs well
Super lightweight
Easy to empty and clean the filter
What We Don't Like
Wish it came with a self-emptying base
Stick vacuums are the most nimble, lightweight, and easy-to-use vacuums out there. In recent years, this style has become extremely competitive with traditional upright models, because stick vacuums have begun to offer the same amount of suction power, in addition to helpful features like a battery pack and wall mount. The Levoit LVAC-200 Cordless Stick Vacuum is our latest and greatest selection for the best overall vacuum, because it's just as good as (if not better than) more expensive and high-tech models from innovative brands such as Dyson or Tineco (it just lacks the smart features that you don't totally need) and is the full package.
My household vacuums daily&#;and sometimes multiple times per day to pick up my toddler's snack leftovers&#;and every time I use this vacuum for a whole-house clean, the dust bin is packed full afterwards. It humbles me, a vacuum expert and avid cleaner, and wraps up each 30- to 45-minute clean with battery life to spare. I can usually clean my house completely twice before needing to plug it in to charge, which is also a quick and easy process since the battery pack pops right out; you don't need to plug in the entire vacuum.
Marisa, a senior editor at The Spruce, lives in a split-level home with her husband and toddler. Her home has a mix of carpets, hardwood floors, and tile&#;plus, so many stairs&#;and her vacuums are regularly tasked with deep cleaning rugs and picking up cereal puffs, tiny pieces of spaghetti, and toast crumbs lovingly dropped around a high chair.
A common complaint with stick vacuums is that they don't offer the same suction power, particularly on your carpets, as an upright or canister vacuum. The Levoit LVAC-200 leaves behind noticeable carpet lines when I clean, though&#;and all that dust in the dust bin really speaks for itself. Some hair will wrap around the filter, but you can easily pop the dust bin out of the cleaning machine when it's full, and twist the filter out to remove any tangles with your hands. (Or, I like to use a wooden appetizer skewer to help remove the tangles; the skewer is always strong enough for the job.)
I love how easy this vacuum is to navigate and lift, too. At 3.2 pounds, it's well within our limits for a lightweight vacuum (15 pounds or less)&#;and that weight includes the battery pack, which can add some noticeable heft to other vacuums. The vacuum is quiet; my toddler isn't scared of it. Plus, you don't have to hold the power button down continuously, and the light on the floor head nicely illuminates areas under kitchen carts or on stairs.
Honestly, this vacuum is a steal&#;and while fashion is not as important as functionality when it comes to your vacuum, I love that the Levoit LVAC-200 feels and looks nice. At $200, I can't recommend it enough, and only wish that the brand offered it with a self-emptying base, but that's if I'm being really picky.
Weight: 3.2 pounds | Battery Life: Up to 30 minutes (45 minutes in our experience) | Attachments: 2-in-1 crevice tool, 2-in-1 pet tool
The Spruce / Marisa Viglione
The Spruce / Marisa Viglione
The Spruce / Marisa Viglione
The Spruce / Marisa Viglione
The Spruce / Marisa Viglione
Best Upright Vacuum
Shark Navigator Lift-Away Deluxe Vacuum
PHOTO: Amazon
$170 at Amazon
$190 at Wayfair
$170 at Home Depot
What We Like
HEPA filtration system
Comfortable to use on carpet
Lift-away pod
Spacious dust bin
What We Don't Like
Feels rough to use on hardwood
Heavy and bulky
Upright vacuums offer the most suction power of any vacuum, making them a great option for cleaning your carpets and rugs of all piles. Before cordless stick vacuums came into the picture, the upright vacuum was the fan-favorite vacuum cleaner because of its effectiveness, even though its build was (and still is) bulky, heavy, and hard to navigate and store. Our favorite is the Shark NV360 Navigator Lift-Away Vacuum. It's the perfect example of what an upright vacuum is: powerful, carpet-oriented but effective on multiple surfaces, and bulky yet spacious.
I&#;ve owned this vacuum for four years, in addition to testing it in the lab, and it&#;s a cleaning powerhouse. It has two cleaning modes (one for hard floors and one for carpets), and is most satisfying to use on carpets. When you&#;re pushing it around, you have a lot of control and flexibility thanks to its swivel steering, but the vacuum also works for you by gently pulling forward as if to say, &#;Look! There&#;s a mess over there!&#; The vacuum is quite noisy, though&#;I wouldn&#;t use it while my daughter is napping. However, the noise level matches the power of the vacuum, combining the machine&#;s typical hum with the crackling of crumbs being picked up.
Notably, it's just as good with the debris and dust that you can't see, too. This vacuum has a HEPA filter, the same kind of filter that's found in air purifiers. It's able to capture 99.97 percent of particles with diameters of 0.3 microns or less, including pollen and dust mites.
Marisa, a senior editor at The Spruce, lives in a split-level home with her husband and toddler. Again, her home has a mix of carpets, hardwood floors, and tile&#;and so many stairs. Her vacuums are regularly tasked with picking up messes big, small, crunchy, and soft lovingly dropped around a high chair on a daily basis, and whole-home cleans.
On hardwood floors, you can switch the vacuum&#;s mode to its slower, softer mode. It&#;s equally as effective, however operating it doesn&#;t feel as smooth. I tend to reach for our best overall pick when I'm cleaning my hardwood floors and stairs instead. While the Shark NV360 has never left a scratch or dent in my flooring, my stick vacuum is just more comfortable in this scenario&#;especially since it&#;s cordless. I&#;m a little over 5 feet tall and exercise a few times per week, and it&#;s a chore to lug the vacuum up and down the stairs.
That being said, the Shark NV360 can handle multiple cleaning sessions within a house, and it still won&#;t need to be emptied. In our testing, hair did get wrapped in the beater bar, a part of the brush roll at the head of the vacuum that agitates carpet to better remove debris. However, it was easy to cut it off with a pair of scissors. Shark tried to remedy the vacuum's bulky design with a lift-away pod, too. The pod is just the handle and dust bin detached from the rest of the vacuum, and does make stair cleaning easier.
Overall, Shark is a top vacuum and appliance brand that pairs quality with friendlier price points. You&#;ll find this pick and others in the Navigator line on sale during the holidays and Prime Day, but it&#;s worth the original price tag, too. The main reason it got bumped from its former best overall spot? It's becoming harder to find since it's an older model that frequently goes on sale&#;but it's still one of our favorite Shark vacuums and vacuums period.
Weight: 16.96 pounds | Cord Length: 25 feet | Attachments: Crevice tool, upholstery tool
The Spruce / Phoebe Cheong
The Spruce / Phoebe Cheong
The Spruce / Phoebe Cheong
Best Robot Vacuum
ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ Robot Vacuum and Mop
PHOTO: Amazon
$400 at Amazon
What We Like
Great object avoidance
Good suction power
Mapping and scheduling
What We Don&#;t Like
Large items can cause jams
Robot vacuums offer a more hands-free cleaning experience, which is arguably the most intriguing and necessary feature any vacuum could offer. While robot vacuums may not be suitable for a house like mine with lots of stairs (since they can't climb them), through testing, we've found there is a time and place for a robot vacuum.
We recommend the ECOVACS T9+ Robot Vacuum and Mop Combo, with a few caveats. This cleaning machine will work best if your home has an open floor plan, if you&#;re not intimidated by smart features, if you&#;re looking for a vacuum that can maintain your floors in between larger cleans, and if moving obstacles and getting the vacuum unstuck occasionally doesn't bother you.
To start, setting up this vacuum isn&#;t as intimidating as it could be. You have to add the dust bag to the self-emptying station, attach the side brush to the vacuum, and insert the air freshener. Once these physical components are complete, you can begin setting up the app connection, which is simple thanks to a QR code located under the top lid.
The code quickly syncs your vacuum to the app. From there, you can begin the initial mapping process&#;your vacuum will clean while drawing a diagram of the space, so it knows exactly where to go in the future. In our experience, this process took two hours and the instruction manual was a very handy guide.
Daniela, a senior editor at The Spruce, lives in a one-story ranch with her fiancé and a dog. For a year, she relied on this vacuum to reliably pick up dog hair from her hardwood floors and prevent it from tracking onto her socks.
The ECOVACS T9+, once set up, leaves very little behind. We found it can (and will) vacuum up screws, zip ties, hair ties, bobby pins, and dog hair. You can schedule its cleaning so it can tidy up while you&#;re sleeping or at work, and it&#;s super quiet compared to others we&#;ve tried and owned. It&#;s not in the business of waking you (or your pup), especially thanks to its expert object avoidance skills. When it encounters a table, wall, or pet, we&#;ve seen it change course instead of going back to its base.
Like many other robot vacuums nowadays, this pick comes with a mop, too. While the mopping feature uses disposable pads instead of reusable ones, it&#;s a convenient addition for those with hard floors. You can activate it whenever someone tracks in mud or spills a drink, or to keep your house clean for a little one who loves to crawl. Just keep an eye out for any larger debris getting stuck in the vacuum, since strong suction power can lead to jams and clogs.
After over a year of use, we did notice that the dust bag fills up frequently, and we need to replace the brush and filter since they&#;ve expired (something to add to the cost). It&#;s also gotten a bit noisier. You can trust this vacuum to get the job done with very little interference from you, though&#;and that just can&#;t be said for every robot vacuum, even other ones at this price point.
Self-Emptying: Yes | Battery Life: 180 minutes | Smart Capabilities: Programmable schedule, object avoidance, flooring identification, 3D mapping, mobile fragrance
The Spruce Home / Dera Burreson
The Spruce Home / Dera Burreson
The Spruce Home / Dera Burreson
The Spruce Home / Dera Burreson
The Spruce Home / Dera Burreson
Best Canister Vacuum
Miele Blizzard CX1 Cat & Dog Canister Vacuum
PHOTO: Amazon
$941 at Amazon
$999 at Wayfair
$1,000 at Crate & Barrel
What We Like
Self-clean function
Cord automatically rewinds
Great for pet hair
What We Don&#;t Like
Not a good option for those with allergies
When it comes to canister vacuums, we&#;ve historically been a fan of Miele products. After recent lab tests, we&#;re loving the Miele Blizzard CX1 Cat & Dog Bagless Canister Vacuum. Miele is a top brand we recommend given the quality and durability of its vacuums. They&#;re investment pieces, but you&#;re paying for what you get: a reliable workhorse.
There are essentially two parts to every canister vacuum: the canister and the handle. The canister is usually situated on wheels so you can roll it with you as you clean, and houses the dust bin or bag. The handle is then attached to the floor head, and connected to the vacuum via a hose, which transfers the debris from the floor head to a bin or bag.
The design gives you more flexibility and portability when cleaning, and more space for dust, debris, and pet hair, making canister vacuums a good choice for households with pets. They are also a great pick for anyone who wants the navigation of a stick vacuum paired with the power of an upright vacuum&#;say, to clean up messes behind and under couches, or in a well-loved playroom.
The Miele CX1&#;s most notable feature is its self-clean function which cleans the canister of dust and keeps it in tip-top shape. The bagless design also means you won&#;t have to budget for replacement bags&#;a plus since this vacuum is what we&#;d call an investment.
The Spruce / Rachel Marek
Now, the cord doesn&#;t auto-pull as you vacuum farther away, so be sure to pull out how much cord you need for your cleaning session from the start. (It does automatically rewind later on.) There are several settings you can make use of and all will be effective at picking up messes on hard floors and carpeting. A HEPA filtration system and five attachments come in the box: a crevice tool, upholstery tool, parquet twister floor head, handheld mini turbo brush, and electro plus floor head. So each time you clean, you have a toolbox of sorts at your disposal.
Our only complaint after six months of using it is that emptying it isn&#;t easy or necessarily clean&#;there&#;s really no great way to empty the bin without causing a ruckus at the trash can. For that reason, this pick is not the best for those with allergies. (Though, we do have plenty of recommendations for vacuums for allergies, too.)
There are several versions of the CX1, but we tested and loved the cat and dog version. In our experience, it&#;s been the best option for those with animals&#;and any vacuum that&#;s suitable for picking up pet hair and kibble is suitable for households without pets (my hot take).
Weight: 19 pounds | Cord Length: 21 feet | Attachments: Crevice tool, upholstery tool, parquet twister floorhead, handheld mini turbo brush, electro plus floorhead
Best Lightweight Vacuum
Kenmore Elite Cordless Stick Vacuum
PHOTO: Amazon
$127 at Amazon
What We Like
Bends under furniture
Evenly distributes its weight
Pretty good at picking up pet hair
What We Don't Like
Battery seems to die quick
Assembly is easier with two people
Not good for deep cleaning
I&#;d define a lightweight vacuum as anything weighing less than 15 pounds, ideally 10 pounds. Most upright and canister vacuums don&#;t meet this requirement, but stick vacuums and smaller iterations (like dustbusters and handheld vacuums) absolutely can&#;and provide other elements that make them easier to navigate on carpet, hard floors, and more. After several rounds of testing, the Kenmore Elite Cordless Stick Vacuum is our favorite in this category, and not just because it weighs about the same as my two MacBook Pros (just six pounds!). This vacuum operates so quietly, and can actually bend in half to reach under furniture, so you don&#;t have to.
Setting up the Kenmore Elite is easier with a friend. While you could do it by yourself, putting it together is a bit challenging since the vacuum needs to be upright the entire time. In comparison to other stick vacuums we&#;ve tested though, this model evenly distributes its weight once you&#;re up and running. Since it's cordless, you are also free to roam for up to 40 minutes&#;less if you use the vacuum on max mode versus its eco mode. (It does sometimes feel like the battery dies quicker than we'd like.)
Jennifer lives in a one-story ranch with her husband and corgi. She uses this vacuum for both quick pickups (lots of dog hair), and more in-depth cleaning of both hardwood floors on the main level of her home and carpet on her finished, lower level.
In our experience, it&#;s best for everyday cleaning, but not deep cleaning or sprucing up a couch cushion. There is only one attachment in the box: a combination crevice and dusting tool. You&#;ll also find a wall mount, which makes the vacuum easy to store and reach for, but we&#;d love to see more tools included for tackling different tasks. Like other stick vacuums, Kenmore&#;s Elite Cordless Stick Vacuum can turn into a handheld version. We found that it picks up pet hair pretty well, too, which is a real, true signal of vacuum effectiveness, as we said above.
What drives this pick into the top spot for best lightweight vacuum is what it offers at its price. The under-$200 price tag is incredibly fair for a vacuum that covers the basics and then some, all while being light. It's a tough combination to get right, but it manages to do it.
Weight: 6 pounds | Battery Life: 40 minutes | Attachments: Combination crevice and dusting tool
The Spruce / Dera Burreson
The Spruce / Dera Burreson
The Spruce / Dera Burreson
Best Vacuum for Pet Hair
Dyson Ball Animal 3 Extra
PHOTO: Amazon
$455 at Amazon
$500 at Wayfair
$500 at Home Depot
What We Like
Pet grooming and stair tools
Detangles hair itself
Great suction power
What We Don't Like
Can spit larger debris out
Unclear instructions
Very heavy and bulky
Pets come with their own cleaning challenges, and not every vacuum is up to the task. Pet hair tends to stick to fabrics, can be fine, and can easily tangle in your rugs&#;not to mention, your vacuum&#;s brush roll. The Dyson Ball Animal 3 Extra is a corded upright vacuum that&#;s made for this sort of challenge, though. It gives you 35 feet of cord (longer than other picks we&#;ve tested and loved) to roam your house and four helpful attachments to truly tackle hair, kibble, or even non-pet-related messes.
If you&#;re a pet-loving household that needs a machine that can find dirt you can&#;t see or don&#;t want to know is there, this is the vacuum for you. It&#;s a pro at deep cleaning rugs, hard floors, and more. Its effectiveness just happens to be wrapped up in a heavy package.
A turbine tool picks up hair, keeping it detangled so there&#;s no need to break out the scissors and get rid of the suction-killing tangles yourself. A stair tool helps you navigate inclines, a thoughtful addition since this upright vacuum is bulky and not going to sit nicely on the stairs with you while you clean, like our favorite stick vacs do. The combination tool is a brush tool and crevice tool in one, and you can attach it to a long wand to clean those tough-to-reach baseboards or corners.
Jenni lives in a 1.5-story farmhouse with her partner and three dogs. There are lots of hardwood floors. She's owned this vacuum for almost a year and a half.
The pet groom tool is made for exactly that&#;grooming your pet&#;and Dyson claims it is best for medium to long-haired pets. This attachment is not a common one and certainly pushes this pick over the edge for this category.
Pets aside, the Dyson Ball Animal 3 Extra lives up to Dyson&#;s stellar reputation and has great suction power. The vacuum has a slight tendency to spit out larger pieces of debris&#;you may find yourself chasing after an already-vacuumed popcorn kernel&#;but the dust bin is spacious (as we&#;d expect with an upright vacuum). You will want to take some time to learn how to use the pet-hair-friendly vacuum, too, since there are many pieces and the instructions aren&#;t straightforward.
Weight: 17.3 pounds | Cord Length: 35 feet | Attachments: Tangle-free turbine tool, stair tool, pet groom tool, combination tool
The Spruce / Dera Burreson
The Spruce / Dera Burreson
The Spruce / Dera Burreson
The Spruce / Dera Burreson
Best Handheld Vacuum
Hoover ONEPWR Cordless Handheld Vacuum Cleaner
PHOTO: Amazon
$99 at Amazon
$99 at Walmart
What We Like
Tapered nozzle
Easy to remove filter
As powerful as a larger vacuum
What We Don't Like
Battery pack adds weight
Very loud
Most of the time, handheld vacuums are an addition to your cleaning closet, rather than the star of the show. That&#;s because they&#;re designed for picking up small, concentrated messes, sometimes tucked away in hard-to-reach, tight places. With a true handheld vacuum at your disposal (opposed to one that&#;s made from the components of a larger stick or upright pick), you&#;re able to focus your cleaning efforts and save time, and tidy up your car, too. For this category, we love the Hoover ONEPWR Cordless Handheld Vacuum Cleaner.
This vacuum brings the power of a much larger vacuum, and weighs just 3 pounds so you&#;re able to tidy up without feeling excess strain on your hand or wrist. The battery pack definitely adds weight, but also makes this pick extra portable and a good option for a heavy-duty car vacuum, too. The tapered nozzle (the opening where the debris enters it) is, notably, the perfect shape and size for sucking up crumbs in car cup holders or dust along a baseboard&#;so we&#;ve found. Plus, there&#;s a standard crevice tool located under the nozzle; you can attach it to the nozzle for even more concentrated cleaning.
The Spruce / Tamara Staples
The Spruce / Tamara Staples
The Spruce / Tamara Staples
Emptying the vacuum is also a really easy process compared to other handheld vacuums, or even full-sized vacuums. There&#;s a button to easily and quickly release the bin. In testing, it was also simple to remove and replace the filter whenever needed. Our one qualm? This vacuum is definitely loud. Compared to handheld vacuums and dustbusters we've tried, this pick also comes with a high, over-$100 price tag. However, rest assured: you don&#;t need to worry about angling the nozzle just right, which can and does happen with other picks.
Weight: 3 pounds | Battery Life: 14 minutes | Attachments: On-board crevice tool
Best Vacuum-Mop Combo
Bissell CrossWave HydroSteam Plus Wet Dry Vac
PHOTO: Amazon
$240 at Amazon
$250 at Wayfair
$309 at Walmart
What We Like
Doesn&#;t leave behind residue
Steam clean function
Comes with trial formulas and extra filters
What We Don't Like
Comes with no attachments
Very noisy
Lots of maintenance required
Vacuum-mop combos (also referred to as wet-dry vacuums) wrap two appliances into one convenient and upright-style package, saving you storage space, time, and money. While wet-dry vacuums can cost more than stick vacuums and upright vacuums (they tend to start at $250 and go up from there), you have to remember that you&#;re paying for two cleaning tools at once. Our top pick is Bissell&#;s Crosswave HydroSteam Plus, because it operates so smoothly no matter which setting or floor type it&#;s on.
On hard floors, the mop feature doesn&#;t leave behind any sticky or overly wet residues. You can enjoy a (mostly) streak-free, dry finish in just a few minutes post-mopping. There are three settings in total for hard floors, rugs, and steam cleaning. The steam clean function is a rare find and does the job of a steam mop, loosening stuck-on spills in your kitchen, bathroom, or anywhere with hard floors.
Megan and her four cats live in a two-story home built in , with original hardwood floors, area rugs throughout, and tile in the kitchen and bathrooms.
It may be surprising to hear the Bissell CrossWave comes with zero attachments. However, you will receive a few extras: three trial-size formulas, two washable filters, and an auto clean-out tray with spots for accessories like the extra filters. The cleaning formulas go into the water tank and mix with the contents to help mop your floors.
Bissell has many different formulas available, such as ones for pet owners or sanitizing&#;and this wet-dry vacuum has two different tanks to keep your clean formula and water mix separate from the dirty contents it picks up. (Just keep in mind that cleaning formulas do add to the overall cost of this pick.)
In our experience, moving the vacuum-mop around is a breeze since the handle pivots in the direction you&#;d like it to go, making it easy to pick up crumbs next to table legs or heating vents. It's corded so you have to be plugged in while you're cleaning, and you&#;re absolutely going to disrupt your household when using it&#;it's loud.
Vacuum-mop combos can also notoriously be difficult to maintain, since you need to clean the components to ensure they don't smell, ideally after every use. That said, if you use and maintain this vacuum-mop right, then it can easily become a cleaning tool you swear by.
Weight: 12.5 pounds | Cord Length: 25 feet | Attachments: None
The Spruce / Henry Wortock
The Spruce / Henry Wortock
The Spruce / Henry Wortock
The Spruce / Henry Wortock
Best Vacuum for Carpets
Levoit VortexIQ 40 Cordless Stick Vacuum
PHOTO: Amazon
$230 at Amazon
$300 at Wayfair
$291 at Home Depot
What We Like
Works quickly on carpets and rugs
Gets into tight corners well
Lightweight
What We Don&#;t Like
Average battery life
Vacuuming carpets and rugs&#;whether they&#;re low, medium, or high-pile&#;can be a tough endeavor. Unlike hard floors, carpets and rugs can have debris and dust hidden in their fibers or ground into their intricate designs. Having a vacuum at your disposal that&#;s ready to agitate the fibers (massage them) and loosen the debris is essential. The Levoit Vortex IQ 40 Cordless Stick Vacuum is our go-to vacuum for everyday carpet cleaning. It can get into the tight corners and crevices under cabinets, and won&#;t spit out what it&#;s picked up. On carpets, it&#;s a menace for messes, working quickly and accurately.
We found this pick to be equally effective on hard floors; it's simply quicker in its carpet and rug cleaning, which is why we&#;ve named it the best vacuum for carpets and rugs. We barely noticed its weight when lifting it around from one surface to another. The Levoit Vortex IQ has a handheld iteration like many other stick vacuums&#;plus two attachments (a crevice tool and a dusting brush tool). However, you don't need the attachments to get the results you&#;re after.
Erin lives with four other people plus kids and a dog in a four-bedroom house. Her house has three levels and she's been using this vacuum to spot clean tracked-in dirt, mud, food crumbs (including kibble), fireplace ash, and dog hair throughout the house.
Link to Felici Machinery
We didn&#;t mind the 40-minute runtime on this vacuum because the smaller battery pack seems to make the appliance lighter. We could carry it up and down stairs freely, especially since it doesn&#;t have a cord&#;a true win for those who, like me, live in a split-level home. The lightweight design does include a dust bin that can require frequent emptying, but just how often will depend on your home and vacuuming habits.
You can easily store this pick on its charging dock and reach for it for everyday cleans, and it's ultimately quite similar to our best overall vacuum pick, the Levoit LVAC-200. The main difference? The Vortex IQ, at 7.1 pounds, is 4 pounds heavier. This pick also has an LED display at the top of the handle, and the power button is more of a trigger than a button on the handle. The LVAC-200 also has a five-stage filtration system, while the Vortex IQ is outfitted with a four-stage filtration system; so the LVAC-200 may be slightly better for those with allergies or pets.
Weight: 7.1 pounds | Battery Life: 40 minutes | Attachments: Crevice tool, dusting brush tool
The Spruce / Rachel Marek
The Spruce / Dera Burreson
The Spruce / Rachel Marek
The Spruce / Rachel Marek
The Spruce / Dera Burreson
We Also Recommend
Tineco Pure One S11 Vacuum
PHOTO: Tineco
$300 at Amazon
$350 at Walmart
What We Like
LED display with digital readout
Four-stage HEPA filtration system
Doubles as a handheld vacuum
Quiet and lightweight
What We Don&#;t Like
Requires frequent charging
Requires frequent emptying
After years of testing, the Tineco Pure One S11 Tango still stands out to us. It rivals any Dyson counterpart, and we really love its mix of basic functionality and futuristic features, including a digital readout of what you have captured from your carpet.
Tineco&#;s original claim to fame was its Floor One S3 wet-dry vacuum, which expertly handles wet spills and dry crumbs on any hard flooring, and it remains a favorite among influencers and our editors after testing and real-world use. This pick, the Pure One S11 Tango, is purely for dry messes, but offers expert-level cleaning on hard and soft surfaces. It only struggled with larger debris like cereal.
You don&#;t need to put in much elbow grease, even if you are transitioning from an area rug to a hardwood floor. You don't even have to bend over to see if the brush roll is tangled from your dog&#;s hair. The LED display at the top of the vacuum will read out the facts (battery level, suction power) and give you a heads up if something is malfunctioning. It may not feel necessary, but you can also connect the vacuum to a smartphone app via Wi-Fi for more details on your cleaning endeavors.
Notably, these features don&#;t seem to add much to the price tag, which can&#;t be said for other stick vacuums with smart features, such as Dyson's Gen5detect. While the Dyson is also a standout in our experience, it costs about $600 more than the Tineco, with many of the same features.
Cecily lives in a two-bedroom apartment with her husband, toddler, and a long-haired cat. This vacuum gets a workout daily, picking up stray Goldfish crackers, cat litter, kitchen detritus, and hair.
Intuitiveness aside, this vacuum covers all the basics and then some. For larger debris (like that cereal), you can use one of its four attachments, each more complex than the last: crevice tool, 2-in-1 dusting brush, mini power brush, and full-size LED multi-task power brush. You can also turn the vacuum into a handheld one by detaching the handle and using it with an attachment; this process was seamless for us.
Notably, the vacuum was quiet enough and light enough for us to use while holding a 20-pound baby, too, and it didn&#;t die out over the course of our testing. (The 40-minute battery life is about average, and may diminish quicker if you use the max mode.) In the box, you will find a pre-filter cleaning tool and an extra microfiber pre-filter for the four-stage HEPA filtration system, in addition to a hair cleaning tool to get tangles out of the brush roll. There&#;s a wall mount, too, for the vacuum and two of your favorite attachments.
Weight: 5.84 pounds | Battery Life: 40 minutes | Attachments: Crevice tool, 2-in-1 dusting brush, mini power brush, full-size LED multi-task power brush
The Spruce / Henry Wortock
The Spruce / Henry Wortock
The Spruce / Henry Wortock
The Spruce / Henry Wortock
The best vacuum cleaners don't just pick up dust, they save you time and effort, too. We've put a wide range of models through their paces to find which offer the best suction, the most convenient cleaning process, and the most useful tools. In short, the best vacuum cleaners to get your home dust-free effectively and efficiently.
Our list includes cordless vacuums, upright models, cylinder vacuums and even a robot version, and we'll walk you through the pros and cons of each so you can pick the right one for you. When we test, we don't just look at suction power. We try out each vacuum on all kinds of messes, and we consider everything from how long their batteries last to whether they'll make your arms tired. And of course we take price and value for money into consideration too.
In our guide you'll find all the big brands and many lesser-known companies too, so you'll see great models from the likes of Dyson, Shark and Tineco, among many more: we're interested in finding the very best, not just the most popular. All clear? Read on for the best vacuum cleaners on the market...
The quick list
The best vacuum cleaner for most people
(Image credit: Future)
The Shark Detect Pro Cordless is the best vacuum cleaner for most people, delivering cutting-edge tech and versatile cleaning. The specially designed floorhead is as effective on hard floors as it is carpet, and there are sensors that know everything from how dirty each patch of floor is to whether you're next to the edge of a room, and optimize suction accordingly for the most efficient clean.
Even though there's only one extra tool included (a crevice tool), the Detect Pro can be used in a wide range of scenarios. The fact that the stick can be flexed so that the vacuum will lie essentially flat to the floor is useful for getting underneath furniture, and the LED headlights help you spot dust and debris in dingy areas. It's easy to transformed into a handheld cleaner, too, although a little heavy in hand in that mode.
In general, cordless vacuums have a little less power than corded models, and while that's true here, the suction is impressive for a cordless model and plenty strong enough for most people's needs. If you have mostly carpets, you might be better off with the Shark Stratos (#4), which has more outright power (but is a bit heavier) or for a truly deep clean, you can't beat a corded upright (#7).
The configuration we tested has a self-emptying base station with a huge dust bag, and anti-odor technology to keep things feeling fresh. We enjoyed how it minimized the hassle of cleaning, but if you're not so fussed about that, there's a version available without the self-empty feature.
Price-wise, at time of updating this model is discounted almost everywhere, bringing it down to the cusp between our budget and mid-range price brackets and offering incredible value for money (before buying, head to our Shark promo codes page to make sure you're not missing a discount). Overall, an excellent all-rounder that'll suit most people's needs, and our best cordless vacuum right now, too.
Read more: Shark Detect Pro Cordless review
The best vacuum cleaner for suction
(Image credit: Future)
The Halo Capsule X is a slightly quirkily designed vacuum, but when it comes to suction it's seriously impressive. It aced all of our suction tests, and works just as well on hard floors as it does carpet. It looks a little weird, but it's comfortable to hold, feels light in the hand and is easy to maneuver too.
Unusually in this list, the Capsule X is a bagged vacuum. That will be a negative for some, but it does have its benefits, including the ability to suck up fine particles like fireplace ash without ruining the motor. The bags are made from compostable cardboard and brown paper, to minimize environmental impact, but they do represent an ongoing cost.
Battery life is decent, and the batteries are swappable, so you can have two charged and ready to go at any time. If you want smart features, look elsewhere in this list, but for pure suction power in a cordless form factor, the Halo Capsule X is an excellent choice.
Read our full Halo Capsule X Pet Max review
The best premium vacuum cleaner
(Image credit: Future)
If you want a seriously clever vacuum cleaner, check out the Dyson's V15 Detect. The price will put it out of reach of many, and there are great alternatives for a less budget-breaking cost, albeit without the smarts of the V15. But if you can afford it, it's an outstanding cleaner. As with all Dysons, there are multiple different versions that have the same actual vacuum but different accessories &#; our favorite is the V15 Detect Absolute, which comes with an extra, fluffy floorhead, but you can pick the version that suits your specific needs.
Let's start with the cleaning power. 14 cyclones deliver powerful suction and the design filters 99.99% of dirt up to 0.3 microns. (It's not quite as powerful as its successor, the Gen5Detect, which has a new motor... but that one is also heavier, and on balance we prefer the V15). As ever, Dyson goes above and beyond with its feature list. Our tester loved the built-in laser, which shines a green light on your floors so you can see dirt and dust that would otherwise be invisible. You'll get up to a full hour of use on one charge. When used in Auto mode the cleaner conserves the battery by adjusting the suction power to suit the floor type and the amount of dust automatically, to ensure efficient power use and effective cleaning. The V15 also comes with a useful LCD screen that displays the remaining runtime, so you don't get caught short mid-clean.
It's not quite perfect. The V15 Detect can be very noisy when running in full power mode, it only has an average-sized dust canister. But overall, this is a super-impressive vacuum, and we think it&#;s worth the money (and even better if you find a Dyson promo code to take the price down).
Read our full Dyson V15 Detect Absolute review
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Best vacuum for pet hair
(Image credit: Future)
The Shark Stratos Cordless is the best vacuum if need to tackle pet hair. It packs an impressive amount of power for a cordless model and boasts a few features that make it especially well suited to households with hairy pets (or indeed, hairy humans). The main floorhead &#; which is suitable for hard floors as well as carpet &#; is designed in such a way that it'll siphon hair off the brushroll as you clean, and direct it straight into the dust cup. This stops things getting clogged, while the built-in odor neutralizer keeps it all smelling fresh.
There's up to a full hour's cleaning on one charge, and a generously sized dust cup, which means you can clean for longer without having to empty it. A wand that can bend forwards to 90-degrees means getting right under furniture is a cinch, and on test we were also impressed with this vacuum&#;s ability to remove hair from furniture when used in handheld and Boost mode.
If you don't have such demanding cleaning needs, you'd be better off with the Detect Pro (#1), which is lighter and more streamlined. On the flip side, if you need maximum power and are happy to sacrifice maneuverability to get it, you can beat a corded upright (#7). (If you're curious as to how the different models from this brand compare, head to our best Shark vacuum guide.)
Read our full Shark Stratos Cordless with Clean Sense IQ IZ862H review
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Best vacuum cleaner for carpet
(Image credit: TechRadar)
While we're never not impressed by the new features in Dyson's newest vacuum cleaners, there's no pretending they're not expensive. One of the oldest models in the current lineup is the V8, and even though it launched way back in , it's still an outstanding pick, and especially good on carpet. The suction is super-impressive for a cordless model, and the wide range of tools, all of which are are useful and effective, makes it very versatile too. Another big draw here is that you're getting that Dyson engineering for a price that's far more accessible.
This vacuum cleaner can be used standing with a long stick or swapped for a shorter nozzle to be used in handheld mode. It's lightweight and comfortable to use, and you're still getting some cool Dyson features &#; namely, a brush bar has polycarbonate vanes that are designed to shift tangled hair strands into the bin, and 14 cyclones to deliver reliable suction. However, the small bin means it might not be the best for bigger homes.
Read our full Dyson V8 vacuum cleaner review
The best robot vacuum cleaner
(Image credit: Future)
If you're after effort-free cleaning, you need a robovac, and our top pick in this area is the iRobot Roomba Combo J7 Plus. It's quite different from the other entries in this ranking, so if you know this is the type you want, head to our separate, dedicated guide to the best robot vacuums.
The iRobot Roomba Combo J7 Plus is designed to minimize the effort needed to get your floor sparkling. For starters, it mops as well as vacuums (like the Tineco option at #10), retracting its mopping pad when tackling carpeted areas so you don't end up with damp results. It comes with a self-emptying base station, which is especially useful given the smaller bin size, and you can instruct it using a voice assistant or through the app if you want to go totally hands-fee.
Like most robot vacuums, suction can't match the most powerful regular models. These are designed to be used regularly, to maintain a constant low levels of dust, rather than for tough deep-cleans. The remote operation means most people will set it to run when they're out in the day, so they never really even have to see or hear it (we'd especially recommend this here because the self-empty option is noisy).
Overall, we found this high-end model from iRobot does a great job cleaning. Its mapping is superb; it&#;s able to register large, split rooms and will continue learning even after the initial setup phase. Our only real complaint is that the side brush has a habit of flicking some debris across the floor, extending the cleaning time required.
Pet-owners will love the fact that it can pick up particles as small as 0.7 microns, so no dander or hair will escape its grasp (those with furry friends should also check out the iRobot Roomba i7 Plus, which is especially good with pet hair).
Read our full iRobot Roomba Combo J7 Plus review
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The best upright vacuum cleaner
(Image credit: Future / Jennifer Oksien)
If you want outright power, a corded upright is typically the best option, and our top pick in this category is the Shark Stratos Upright. If you need something for deep cleans, it's an excellent choice, and on test we found it was great for tackling pet hair, too. The cord means there's no time limit on your cleaning session, and the large dust cup means you won't be traipsing back and forth from the trash can, either. Like many of Shark's newer vacuums, there's an anti-odor puck that keeps things smelling fresh.
While it's clearly bulkier and heavier than the cordless vacuums in this list (including the stick option from the same range, at #4), it has been designed for maximum flexibility within that upright form factor. So the dust cup / motor part can be lifted off and held in your hand, and the cleaner head added to the end of a stretch hose &#; super useful for tackling things like stairs.
Read our full Shark Stratos Upright Vacuum review
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The best lightweight vacuum cleaner
(Image credit: Future)
If you're looking for something lightweight that you can grab quickly to clean up the odd spillage straight away, the Shark Lightweight 2-in-1 from the WandVac range is the best vacuum for the job. This clever design can be used as a stick vacuum or in handheld mode, depending on where you need to clean. The suction is good for the size, although in our tests it performed better at sucking up fine dust, but required a few passes for chunkier debris.
This isn't going to work as a main home vacuum for most people, because the battery life is too short and the dust canister too small to make it suitable for large areas. However, for quick and easy cleaning, it's a great choice. It's simple but effective and extremely easy to empty, too.
Read our full Shark WandVac review
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The best vacuum cleaner for hard floors
(Image credit: Future)
The best cordless vacuum for hard floors
Our expert review:
Cordless:
yes
Bagless:
yes
Weight:
9lbs / 4.1kg w/battery and dual brush
Bin size:
0.8L
Max runtime:
44 mins w/ motorized tool
Charge time:
3hrs 30 mins
Check Amazon+
Mini pet brush is superb
+
Great on hard floors
+
Comfortable to use
-
Not sold in the US
-
Okay but not great on carpet
If you're constantly vacuuming around after hairy pets, then the Samsung Jet 85 Pet could be your savior (provided you don't live in the US, where it's not currently available). This vacuum's mini motorized pet hair brush tool is the best our reviewer &#; a Labrador owner &#; had tested, making light work of dog hair on pet beds, car seats and more.
The main Jet 85 Pet vacuum cleaner head also delivers great suction on hard floors, and fine (although not amazing) dirt pickup on carpet. It'll deliver up to 44 minutes of vacuuming, depending which of the four power modes you use. (It's considerably less in the maximum 'Jet' mode, but this is so powerful you're unlikely to ever really need it.)
Elsewhere, this vacuum is ergonomic and comfortable to use, and overall a competent performer. For pet owners, and especially those with mostly hard floors in their home, it's as very strong recommendation.
Read more: Samsung Jet 85 Pet vacuum cleaner review
The best vacuum and mop combo
(Image credit: Future / Michelle Rae Uy)
The best vacuum and mop combo
Our expert review:
Cordless:
Yes
Bagless:
Yes
Weight:
9.75kg
Bin size:
0.85L / 0.72L (clean / dirty water tank)
Tools:
None
Check AmazonVisit Site+
Great suction and mopping
+
Self-propulsion makes vacuuming easy
+
Lots of features
-
Only 40 mins battery life
-
Not for carpets
If you want a more complete cleaning solution for hard floors, we rate the Tineco Floor One S7 Pro the best wet-dry vacuum on the market. This model offers top-notch vacuuming and mopping, and deodorizes and disinfects as it goes, leaving floors spotless. It's heavy at nearly 10kg, but its self-propelling capabilities make it super-easy to push about.
All that cleaning power takes a toll on the battery life, which is relatively short at 40 minutes on one charge. Our tester also found the water tank a little small, and the fact it needed to be emptied frequently a little annoying. And as you might expect, it's not for carpeted floors.
There are lots of useful features, including voice prompts and a bright LED display that lets you know what mode you&#;re using as well as water and battery levels. Being able to vacuum and mop in one go is in itself a revelation for how much time and effort it saves.
It's a bit of an investment, but we think the performance justifies the higher price. If you want something more affordable, the Roborock Dyad Pro is our favorite budget option.
Read our full Tineco Floor One S7 Pro review
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How to choose the best vacuum for you
As we&#;ve mentioned already, knowing which type of vacuum to choose can end up leaving you confused. However, considering the type of property you have will help you decide.
These days, cordless vacuums are some of the most powerful vacuums when it comes to suction and they ensure you&#;re not restricted by the length of the wire. However they can also be some of the most expensive too. Check how long the battery will last between charges, and whether the battery is swappable, so you can simply replace it and carry on vacuuming, rather than the floor cleaner being out of action completely while it recharges.
Corded vacuums are often more affordable than cordless models, and many have wider floor headers, which can ensure vacuuming is a much quicker task. Although if you have nooks and crannies the vacuum may not be able to reach them. For those with stairs, consider models with extra-long hoses so you can clean the stairs without moving the vacuum.
Robot vacuums are good for regular cleans, however with suction that can&#;t match the best cordless vacuums they&#;re not suitable for a deep clean, and struggle to suck up dust embedded in carpets.
Households with pets will need a vacuum that can handle pet hair and if you want to use it to clean more than just floors, you&#;ll need one that converts to a handheld cleaner and comes with plenty of useful attachments.
And if you have hard floors, look for a vacuum cleaner that comes with a dedicated cleaner head, which has a softer brush roll to ensure the flooring isn&#;t damaged when vacuuming.
Whichever style you select, consider whether the dust canister is large enough to clean all of the floors in your home, without needing to stop and be emptied half way through.
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(Image credit: TechRadar)
Frequently asked questions about vacuum cleaners
Shark and Dyson are two of the biggest names dominating the floor care market right now, so if you&#;re considering kitting your home out with a powerful new vacuum, it makes sense to opt for one of these brands. But which is best?
In a nutshell, Dyson vacuums are more expensive but this ensures you get a vacuum cleaner that&#;s extremely powerful but still lightweight and easy to maneuver around your home. Dyson vacuums are stuffed with cutting edge technology too, from lasers that highlight hidden dust to innovative floor heads that can be moved in any direction. If you prefer a cordless model, they also come with long-lasting batteries too.
Shark&#;s vacuum cleaners are more affordable than Dyson&#;s offerings, but they can still match the stalwart when it comes to suction power. Shark models are not usually as sleek and stylish as Dyson&#;s, and they&#;re often heavier too, but they do come with useful technology such as the ability to stop hair getting tangled around the brush and flexible wands to ensure you can clean in hard to reach places.
Shark vacuums tend to have larger dust canisters than most of Dyson&#;s models, but the battery doesn&#;t last as long. So are they better? It very much depends on the layout of your home and your budget. Read our Shark vs Dyson article for a more in-depth look at the two floor-cleaning brands.
&#;When the floor looks dirty&#; I hear you cry, but to keep your home allergen-free and your floors as clean as possible, you&#;ll need to vacuum more regularly than this.
We recommend vacuuming most floors once a week while increasing this to twice a week in high-traffic areas such as hallways and doorways. Especially, if you have carpet, as the longer dust is left, the more it becomes embedded in the fibres making it hard to thoroughly clean.
While this may seem like a lot, vacuuming this regularly will ensure there is less dust to suck up each time, making cleaning your floors a quicker process.
For more on this, head to our full feature on how often should you vacuum?
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How we tested these vacuum cleaners
To find the best vacuum cleaner, we&#;ve assessed how well each model collects everything from fine dust and dirt to larger debris such as cookie crumbs and cereal. As well as evaluating how well floors are cleaned, we&#;ve also compared how easy the vacuum cleaners are to maneuver on carpet and hard floors, as well as whether dust pick up is evenly distributed across the cleaning head, or concentrated in one area.
We rated each design on how durable it is, as well as simplicity of emptying, how loud it is during use and how long the battery lasts - if it has one. For each model we wanted to know whether it was easy to convert into other modes; such as a handheld vac, the useful tools and accessories it came with to clean edges or remove pet hair, and that it didn&#;t require reading a thick instruction manual before use.
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