Buying guide for best vacuum cleaners
Ready to buy now? Shop the best: You may not think a vacuum cleaner requires careful consideration. But from personal experience, I can tell you how difficult it is to find a good one. Many don’t last very long, and some don’t offer enough suction power or versatility to make cleaning duties easier. In fact, choosing the wrong vacuum can make the job feel so difficult that you might start avoiding the chore altogether.
After struggling with my old, clunky vacuum for way too long, I finally decided to invest in a quality one, and it was one of my best recent buying decisions I’ve made. I no longer dread taking out the vacuum and my floors have never looked better.
Before I bought my vacuum, though, I did my homework on the top brands and models. You’ll want to do the same to make sure you’re getting the best one for your needs. Our favorite, the Shark Navigator Lift-Away Deluxe Upright Vacuum NV360, is easy to move around and packs enough suction power to remove dirt and debris from both hard floors and carpets. Whether you choose a stick, upright or robot vacuum, here are a few things to consider before adding one to your cart.
Expert tip
All bagless vacuums have a washable canister and washable filters. Remember to empty and clean your filters and canisters to make your vacuum last longer.
BestReviews Cleaning Expert
Editors' picks
Shark Navigator Lift-Away Deluxe Upright Vacuum NV360, Blue
Editors’ Favorite
Cord Length: 25’ | Bin Capacity: 0.9 qt | Weight: 12.5 lb | Filtration: HEPA
The Shark Navigator Lift-Away Deluxe Upright Vacuum, which comes with an extra-large 0.9-quart dust cup, combines many of the features homeowners seek in a vacuum — power, maneuverability and versatility. Its powerful suction allows you to deep-clean carpeting, easily removing embedded dirt, hair and other debris. However, it also lets you turn off the brush roll, so you can clean all hard flooring surfaces without worrying about damage.
Your home’s air will stay clean, too, because the vacuum’s HEPA filter features an anti-allergen seal. This traps even the smallest dust, allergens and other particles inside the machine, so you can breathe easier.
Despite its powerful cleaning, its lightweight design and swivel steering make it extremely easy to maneuver throughout your home. Weighing under 13 pounds, it’s easy enough to carry up and down stairs and fits in tight spaces, such as corners or around furniture.
The Navigator Lift Away is designed for versatility. In addition to floors, you can easily clean above-floor surfaces with its detachable pod. With the included upholstery and crevice tools, you can clean furniture, stairs and other upholstered areas to ensure your home is dirt-free from top to bottom. Pet owners will especially love the upholstery tool, which makes quick work of pet hair on couches, chairs, bedding and more.
Eureka PowerSpeed Lightweight Upright Vacuum NEU280, Blue
Great Value
Cord Length: 30’ | Bin Capacity: 2 qt | Weight: 11.5 lb | Filtration: Foam
The Eureka PowerSpeed NEU280 is an impressive upright vacuum and a terrific bargain pick that costs under $100. Suction power and maneuverability are the main reasons so many users appreciate this vacuum, along with its array of convenient features.
Its powerful suction and anti-tangle brush roll make it an excellent vacuum if you need to remove pet hair from your carpets or hard floors. You can adjust the height to five different positions based on your preference, and the LED headlights make it easier to see where dust has accumulated the most. It also features a quick-release handle that lets you detach it and connect it to the 7-foot stretch hose for above-floor cleaning.
This vacuum has a few drawbacks: mainly its loud motor and the need to empty it frequently after about 200 square feet of cleaning. Still, it delivers fantastic performance at an affordable price, making it one of our favorite value upright models.
Shark Cordless Pet Stick Vacuum IY143H, Moonlight Blue
Best Cordless Vacuum for Everyday Cleanups
Run Time: 40 min | Bin Capacity: 0.7 qt | Weight: 7.05 lb | Filtration: HEPA
Regular vacuums often fall short for pet owners, but the Shark Cordless Pet Stick Vacuum IY143H is designed to make lifting pet hair a breeze. The auto-cleaning brush roll lifts thick pet hair without clogging the vacuum, making it one of the best vacuums for dog or cat owners.
One of the best features is FloorDetect technology, which automatically adjusts suction power based on whether you’re cleaning carpets or hard floors. The HEPA filter traps up to 99.97% of allergens and dust, leaving the surrounding air cleaner, and the battery lasts up to 40 minutes on a full charge. Plus, it features headlights so you can clean better in low-light environments like dark basements, attics or storage rooms.
It’s a more affordable stick vacuum than many premium models, but it’s surprisingly capable. We love how it makes cleaning tight spaces more manageable. It’s a bit top-heavy, but that’s a reasonable tradeoff for a value pick like this.
Miele Classic C1 Pure Suction Canister Vacuum, Graphite Grey
Best Canister Vacuum
Cord Length: 18’ | Bin Capacity: 4.76 qt | Weight: 12 lb | Filtration: 3-tier AirClean
Whether you need to clean hard floors or low-pile carpet, the Miele Classic C1 Pure Suction Canister Vacuum is a worthwhile appliance to keep on hand at home. It’s surprisingly quiet, but it doesn’t sacrifice suction power, even rivaling some upright vacuums.
At just 12 pounds, this vacuum is lightweight and easy to carry. Its three-tier filtration captures up to 99.97% of dust and allergens, leaving room air cleaner. You can adjust suction with six settings, depending on whether you’re cleaning wood, tile or curtains, and the included accessories, like the crevice tool and dusting brush, let you tackle spills, messes and corners quickly.
Although it works well on low-pile carpet, this canister vacuum excels on hard floors. Its form factor might feel a bit primitive for some, since you have to lift it to move it around and replace the bag often, but its performance and durability are undeniable.
Dyson V15 Detect Absolute Cordless Vacuum + Car Cleaning Kit
Best Cordless for Pet Hair
Run Time: 60 min | Bin Capacity: 0.8 qt | Weight: 6.8 lb | Filtration: HEPA
The Dyson V15 Detect is one of the most popular Dyson vacuums for several reasons. For starters, its sleek, lightweight design makes it easy to push around whether you’re tackling a big cleaning job or quickly tidying up.
Its 240 air watts deliver strong suction, and the anti-hair-wrap technology in the brush roll lets you pick up thick pet hair with ease. The battery life is fantastic, lasting up to 60 minutes on a full charge, which is well over 20 minutes compared to other budget models. The green laser on the cleaner head lights up your path so you can see the dustiest parts of your floor and focus there for thorough cleaning.
The V15 Detect is an expensive vacuum, but its ability to deep-clean carpets and lift debris other vacuums tend to leave behind makes it a worthy purchase for many. Plus, its durable design makes it built to last in a way that few other vacuums are.
Shark Vertex UltraLight Corded Stick Vacuum HZ2002, Cobalt Blue
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Best Corded Stick for Tight Spaces
Cord Length: 30’ | Bin Capacity: 0.8 qt | Weight: 9.05 lb | Dimensions: 13.5” L x 11.32” W x 45.28” H
If a cordless vacuum doesn’t offer the power you want, the Shark Vertex UltraLight Corded Vacuum might be the perfect model for you. It weighs 9 pounds, so it was easy to maneuver through our testing area. It also has a swivel head, making it easy to move forward and back, change direction and clean in corners.
It offers powerful suction on both hard floors and carpet. For instance, it needed just one pass to remove sugar, faux fur and coffee grounds on vinyl tile and low-pile carpeting. For heavier debris like cereal, it required two passes only because it would sometimes blow the pieces out of its path.
While it doesn’t offer the freedom of movement of a cordless model like the Dyson V15 Detect or Samsung Jet 75+, the Shark Vertex UltraLight has a 30-foot cord, which reduces the number of times you need to switch outlets. During testing, we cleaned a 200-square-foot area with large furniture without having to unplug the vacuum.
Like other stick vacuums, it easily converts to a handheld vacuum, and we found it was much more balanced and easier to maneuver in hand-vac mode than similar models we tested. It also comes with several convenient tools, including a crevice tool, a mini roller for pet hair and an upholstery/dusting brush that allowed us to clean areas above the floor.
The Shark Vertex UltraLight is also easy to empty and maintain. It took us a minute to figure out how to empty the dustbin, but its design prevents dirt from flying out if you pull too hard. The dustbin is a good size, too: It was only three-quarters full after vacuuming a 200-square-foot area. The filters were also easy to pull out, so we had no trouble cleaning and replacing them when necessary.
Levoit LVAC-200 Cordless Stick Vacuum
Best Budget Cordless Stick
Run Time: 50 min | Bin Capacity: 0.58 L | Weight: 6.17 lbs. | Filtration: 5-stage filtration
It’s no surprise that the Levoit Cordless Vacuum Cleaner is the lightest vacuum on our list. At just over 6 pounds, its lightweight cordless design makes cleaning all over your home as easy as possible.
The vacuum still offers powerful suction, though, so you can clean messes on hard floors and low- to mid-pile carpets. You don’t have to worry about running out of power while cleaning, either. With up to 50 minutes of cleaning time, you can cover a large area before needing to recharge.
The cordless design also allows the vacuum to be highly versatile. It can lie completely flat to reach under furniture and also convert to a hand vac for cleaning hard-to-reach areas like car interiors. The included pet tool and dusting/crevice tool also let you clean above-floor surfaces like furniture, upholstery and more.
If you’re cleaning up after pets, the Levoit Cordless Vacuum Cleaner’s five-stage filtration system ensures your home’s air remains clean, too. That’s because it captures up to 99.9% of particles as small as 0.3 microns, so pet dander and other allergens stay inside the machine.
We also love how easy the maintenance is with this vacuum. It has an anti-tangle brush, so you never have to worry about untangling hair after vacuuming. The dustbin empties with a press of a button, too, allowing you to empty it without getting dirty. The filters are also washable and reusable to cut down on replacement costs.
ECOVACS DEEBOT T90 PRO Omni Robot Vacuum and Mop
Best Robot Vacuum and Mop
Run Time: 200 min | Bin Capacity: 4.76 qt | Weight: 30.8 lb | Filtration: HEPA
Our list features several stick and upright vacuums, but we thought it’d be a good idea to include a high-end robotic vacuum like the DEEBOT T90 PRO Omni. This robot vacuum has both sweeping and mopping capabilities, so you never even have to touch a broom or mop.
Its suction power is impressive, lifting all kinds of debris, including crumbs and pet hair. The built-in camera lets you stay connected with your pets at all times. AI 3D mapping helps it avoid obstacles and establishes an optimal cleaning path, leaving your floors spotless every time. Plus, you can set no-go zones through the app and set up automatic cleaning schedules.The dual-cleaning functionality alone makes this robotic vacuum cleaner worth it if you hate cleaning your home by hand. It’s pricey, but it cleans carpets and hard floors well, and it runs quietly enough that you can watch TV while it works.
BLACK+DECKER Dustbuster AdvancedClean Cordless Handheld Vacuum CHV1410L
Best Handheld for Quick Cleanups
Run Time: 11 min | Bin Capacity: 0.6 qt | Weight: 2.6 lb | Filtration: Cartridge + pre
This Black+Decker Dustbuster is the top choice for anyone who wants a reliable handheld for quick cleanups. It’s lightweight and packs impressive suction power for its size, effectively tackling mild spills and messes.
It comes with multiple accessories to make both home and car interior cleaning more manageable. It has a rotating 180-degree nozzle and pull-out crevice tool to help you reach corners and vacuum in between couch cushions with ease. It’s compact, and you can keep it on the charging dock at all times so it’s ready to go whenever you need it.
The battery life is a bit mediocre, but keep in mind this vacuum is designed for quick cleanups, not thorough house jobs. It works on various surfaces, and it's a great budget-friendly pick if you want something handy for spills or tight areas.
Dyson V8 Cyclone Cordless Vacuum + Car Cleaning Kit
Best Midrange Cordless Stick
Run Time: 60 min | Bin Capacity: 0.5 qt | Weight: 5.73 lb | Filtration: Sealed
The Dyson V8 Cyclone is a budget-friendly alternative to other Dyson vacuums, such as the V15 Detect. However, that doesn’t mean it’s not worth your time, especially if you’re looking for a high-quality stick that's both affordable and practical.
It packs 150 air watts of fade-free suction to help you remove dirt and debris from both hard floors and carpets. Dyson’s Root Cyclone system separates dirt and debris, so suction power doesn’t drop, and you can clean more efficiently in less time. The cleaner has integrated vanes that lift and spiral hair straight into the bin, keeping it tangle-free, and the kit comes with various cleaning tools.
The V8 is a fantastic mid-tier stick vacuum and a bargain pick, especially for a Dyson. It’s not as powerful as some other high-end Dyson vacuums, but for the price, you’re getting an excellent everyday cleaning tool for apartments and smaller homes.
Other vacuum cleaners we considered
Dyson Cordless V8 Vacuum Cleaner
Best for Pet Owners
Run Time: 40 min | Bin Capacity: .53 L | Weight: 5.58 lb | Dimensions: 8.7" L x 9.84" W x 49.45" H
The Dyson Cordless V8 Vacuum Cleaner may be cordless, but it’s still powerful enough to clean up the messes left by the family’s four-legged members. It delivers 115 air watts of suction power and features a Root Cyclone separation system that separates the dirt and debris it captures to ensure the suction never falters. It can even handle heavy pet hair without clogging, thanks to the hair-removal vanes on the cleaner head that send hair directly into the dustbin.
You won’t have any trouble moving the V8 around your home, either. It weighs just over 5.5 pounds, and the cordless design lets you clean anywhere without worrying about having an outlet nearby. The lithium-ion battery still provides plenty of cleaning time, though, allowing you to vacuum for up to 40 minutes between charges.
The V8 also makes it easy to clean multiple surfaces in the house. It converts to a hand vac and includes a hair screw tool for removing pet hair from upholstery, a crevice tool for cleaning hard-to-reach areas and a combination tool that can dust and make quick work of larger messes. The wall-mounted docking station conveniently stores all the tools, too, so all the vacuum’s components are in one place.
Shark AV2501S AI Ultra Robot Vacuum
Best Robot Vacuum
Run Time: 120 min | Bin Capacity: .0.1 qt | Weight: 14.42 lb (includes robot and base) | Dimensions: 13.7" L x 13.7" W x 4.1" H
When you want your floors clean but don’t have time to put in the effort, the Shark AI Ultra Robot Vacuum can help. This mighty robot features powerful suction and empties itself into its base, which can hold 30 days’ worth of debris.
Its high-tech design ensures it never misses a spot. It features 360-degree lidar vision to accurately map your home so it can avoid obstacles in its path and adapt to changes. It cleans in a grid and detects areas that need extra passes to get the job done.
Great for pet owners, it also features a self-cleaning brushroll, so you don’t have to worry about hair getting stuck in it. And the HEPA filtration system traps dust, dirt and allergens to keep the air in your home fresh and clean.
Want it to clean while you’re away? No problem. Just set a schedule for it, and it will do the rest. Able to clean for up to 120 minutes, this smart vac returns to its station to recharge and picks up where it left off.
Dyson Gen5outsize Cordless Vacuum
Comprehensive Cleaning
Run Time: 140 min | Bin Capacity: 1.9 L | Weight: 8.6 lb | Dimensions: 10.87" L x 9.84" W x 47.76" H
The Dyson Gen5 Outsize Cordless Vacuum offers the convenience of a cordless vacuum with the deep-cleaning power of a corded model. It’s larger than most cordless vacuums, but it still weighs under 9 pounds for easy maneuverability. Its bigger size also means that it has a large-capacity dustbin, so you can clean multiple rooms without stopping to empty it. Additionally, it has a wider cleaning head that allows you to cover more of the floor with each pass for more efficient vacuuming.
It offers three cleaning modes, including an auto setting for routine cleaning, a boost mode for deeper cleaning and an eco mode to maximize battery life. In the auto setting, its battery lasts up to 60 minutes, but it lasts up to 140 minutes in eco mode for longer cleaning sessions.
In addition to its standard cleaning head, the Gen5 Outsize also includes a specially designed hardfloor head that illuminates the surface, revealing hidden dirt to ensure all surfaces are thoroughly cleaned. It also comes with additional tools, such as a hair tool for furniture and other upholstered items, and converts to a hand vac to ensure you can clean above-floor surfaces. The user-friendly LCD display and one-button operation make cleaning a breeze, too.
Narwal Freo Z10 Ultra Robot Vacuum and Mop Combo
Best Robot Vacuum
Run Time: 2.5 hr | Bin Capacity: 2.5 L | Weight: 10 lb | Dimensions: 13.8" L x 14" W x 4.2" H
When you don't have time to think about cleaning your floors, the Narwal Freo Z10 Ultra Robot Vacuum and Mop Combo gets the job done for you. Offering 18,000 Pa of suction, it's powerful enough to stay on top of hair, dust and debris without issue, and quickly scrubs away stuck-on dirt with its mop.
This robot vacuum has smart features you're sure to love. With advanced AI obstacle avoidance, it can quickly identify more than 200 common household objects and steers itself around pet accidents with a 150-millimeter buffer. It can also tell the difference between spills and dirt to seamlessly switch between vacuuming and mopping.
For stubborn messes, the mopping system automatically adjusts the water temperature to dissolve the debris faster. It also cleans and dries the mop for you for an easy, hands-free experience. Plus, it features a 2.5-liter dust bag, which doesn't need to be changed for 120 days.
Pet owners will love its DualFlow Anti-Tangle System, which reduces the chance of clogging or brushes getting tangled with hair. And its pet mode can detect your furry friends and lets you check on them with live video via the app.
Shark ZU503AMZ Navigator Lift-Away Vacuum
Powerful and Versatile
Cord Length: 25’ | Bin Capacity: 5.3 L | Weight: 15 lb | Dimensions: 11.81" L x 10.17" W x 37.73" H
With a 1200-watt motor, the Shark ZU503AMZ Navigator Lift-Away Vacuum is a powerful vacuum that effectively cleans both hard floors and carpeting. But it’s also one of the most versatile upright vacuums on our list — its detachable pod allows you to easily clean under furniture, on stairs and above-floor surfaces. Its hose is also extendable to provide an extended reach for above-floor surfaces. It includes accessories that further enhance its versatility, such as the Pet Crevice Tool for cleaning pet hair from hard-to-reach spots and an upholstery tool for removing dust and debris from fabric surfaces.
The Navigator Lift-Away is also an extremely easy-to-use vacuum. Its swivel steering allows you to effortlessly maneuver into corners and around furniture, while its self-cleaning brushroll prevents pet hair and long hair from getting caught around it. Its dust bin is easy to empty, too, because it opens from both ends. It doesn’t have any nooks or crannies for hair and dirt to get stuck, either.
Along with the included pet tool, the vacuum’s filtration system makes it a perfect choice for homes with pets. It features anti-allergen complete-seal technology, which works in conjunction with the HEPA filter and two additional filters to trap 99.9% of dust, dander and other allergens. All the filters are washable, too.
Shark ZU102 Rotator Pet Upright Vacuum
Best for Pet Owners
Cord Length: 26’ | Bin Capacity: 2.9 L | Weight: 15.18 lb | Dimensions: 14.92” L x 12.05” W x 45.2” H
If your furry family members seem to shed nonstop, you’ll love the powerful Shark Rotator Pet Upright. It’s equipped with Shark’s unique Powerfins, which grip and remove pet and long hair on all flooring surfaces. The vacuum’s brushroll is also self-cleaning, so your pet’s hair won’t get tangled around it and affect its performance. It contains a HEPA filter that captures up to 99.99% of fine particles and allergens, so you don’t have to worry about pet dander triggering guests’ allergies.
The Shark Rotator Pet Upright also includes attachments for more versatile cleaning. The pet multi-tool can remove pet hair from carpeting, upholstery, bedding and other surfaces, while the crevice tool fits into tight spots. Paired with the vacuum’s extendable hose that provides 12 feet of reach, these accessories make it easy to clean above-floor surfaces, as well as under furniture.
For homes with multiple pets, the vacuum’s extra-large dust bin is another welcome feature. It has a nearly 3-liter capacity, so it can pick up plenty of hair before needing to be emptied. However, when it’s time to empty the bin, its one-button emptying design means you can dump all the hair and dirt directly into the trash without getting your hands dirty.
Shark NV356E Navigator Lift-Away Vacuum
Best for Hard Floors
Cord Length: 30’ | Bin Capacity: 0.87 L | Weight: 13.7 lb | Dimensions: 14.96” L x 11.4” W x 45.5” H
Vacuums with heavy-duty brushrolls are perfect for digging embedded dirt and debris from carpeting, but they can do a number on hard floors. But the Shark Navigator Lift-Away can effectively clean hardwood, laminate, tile and other hard surfaces without scratching or damaging them because it allows you to turn off the brushroll on more delicate floors. You can also increase the vacuum’s suction power on hard floors to prevent debris from scattering as you clean.
The Shark Navigator Lift-Away is versatile enough to clean more than hard floors, though. Its brushroll and variable suction also effectively remove embedded dirt and hair from carpeting, and it has a detachable pod that lifts away to clean above-floor surfaces like your sofa or stairs. It even comes with a crevice tool and a dusting brush to clean plenty of surfaces around the house.
This model is relatively light for an upright vacuum and has swivel steering, so it’s easy to control and get around furniture and into corners. We also love its large dust bin that holds nearly a liter of debris, so you won’t need to stop in the middle of cleaning to empty it. Its HEPA filter traps 99.9% of dust and allergens, too, to help keep your allergies at bay.
Kenmore Intuition Bagged Upright Vacuum
Best Vacuum with Bags
Cord Length: 30’ | Bin Capacity: 3.1 L | Weight: 14 lb | Dimensions: 13” L x 12” W x 34” H
Unlike typical bagged vacuums that are heavy and bulky, the Kenmore Intuition Bagged Upright weighs under 14 pounds, making it surprisingly easy to get around the house. It even has a carrying handle at the top of the vacuum body that makes taking it up and down stairs even more convenient. The vacuum body also lifts away from the rest of the machine, so you can clean stairs and above-floor surfaces without the full-size vacuum getting in your way.
This bagged model also stands out for how easy it is to change the bag. The bags are actually self-sealing, so you don’t have to worry about dust escaping or your hands getting dirty. The bag chamber also has a unique design that lets the vacuum maintain powerful suction even as the bag fills.
The Kenmore Intuition has a high-grade HEPA filter and a fully sealed system that ensures all the finest particles remain inside the vacuum. The LED headlights on the front of the vacuum also help ensure that no dirt is left behind by illuminating beneath furniture, along walls and in corners.
BLACK+DECKER Dustbuster QuickClean Handheld Vacuum
Best for Quick Cleanups
Bin Capacity: 0.09 gal | Weight: 1.4 lb | Dimensions: 17.1” L x 4.5” W x 5.5” H
The Black + Decker Dustbuster QuickClean is a convenient handheld vacuum that makes spot cleaning, quick touch-ups and picking up messes in confined areas like a car interior a breeze. At just over a pound, it’s extremely lightweight, so you can easily carry it wherever you need to clean. Its cordless design also means there’s no annoying cable to get in the way either. Its lithium-ion battery still provides impressive suction for a cordless hand vac, though, and can clean for about 10 minutes on a single charge.
The Black + Decker dustbuster QuickClean has a translucent dustcup that you see inside the vacuum. That makes it easy to see when the cup is full, so you know exactly when to empty it. We also appreciate how easy the cup is to empty — it detaches from the motor handle of the vacuum with the press of a button, so you only have to lift up the filter and shake the cup directly into your trash can.
While this hand vac works well for cleaning small areas, the built-in crevice tool lets you be even more precise with your cleaning. You can use it to vacuum between furniture cushions or in your car’s crevices. The Dustbuster QuickClean also includes a wall mount, which provides a convenient place to store and charge your vacuum.
Cord Length: 24’ | Bin Capacity: 4.8 qt | Weight: 20 lb | Dimensions: 20” L x 12” W x 12” H
Miele is widely regarded as a premium vacuum manufacturer, so it’s no wonder its Complete C3 Calima is the best canister vacuum on the market. Its outstanding suction makes it ideal for heavily carpeted homes, but the power can be adjusted with six settings to effectively clean any surface.
It has a 36-foot cleaning radius, so it can remove dirt from large homes quickly and efficiently. Its 24-foot cord reduces the need to change outlets when cleaning larger spaces, too.
In addition to its multiple suction power settings, the Complete C3 Calima has two cleaning heads: a Turbo Brush for low- to medium-pile carpeting and a Parquet-3 Floorhead that can clean even delicate hard surfaces without damaging them. It also includes several accessories, including a dusting brush, crevice tool and upholstery tool, which all fit easily inside an internal compartment for convenient storage. The dusting brush is particularly helpful because it has soft bristles that won’t damage delicate surfaces.
The Complete C3 Calima vacuum is comfortable to use. Its foot controls prevent you from bending or stooping to turn it on and off or adjust the suction. The telescopic tube is also adjustable, making it perfect for users of all heights.
Allergy sufferers will appreciate the high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter that provides maximum air hygiene. And the cord rewinds with one touch of a button to make putting it away after cleaning a breeze.
Shark Vertex UltraLight Corded Stick Vacuum
Cord Length: 30’ | Bin Capacity: 0.8 qt | Weight: 9.05 lb | Dimensions: 13.5” L x 11.32” W x 45.28” H
If a cordless vacuum doesn’t offer the power you want, the Shark Vertex UltraLight Corded Vacuum might be the perfect model for you. It weighs 9 pounds, so it was easy to maneuver through our testing area. It also has a swivel head, making it easy to move forward and back, change direction and clean in corners.
It offers powerful suction on both hard flooring and carpeting. For instance, it needed just one pass to remove sugar, faux fur and coffee grounds on vinyl tile and low-pile carpeting. For heavier debris like cereal, it required two passes only because it would sometimes blow the pieces out of its path.
While it doesn’t offer the freedom of movement of a cordless model like the Dyson V15 Detect or Samsung Jet 75+, the Shark Vertex UltraLight has a 30-foot cord, which reduces the number of times you need to switch outlets. During testing, we cleaned a 200-square-foot area with large furniture without having to unplug the vacuum.
Like other stick vacuums, it easily converts to a handheld vacuum, and we found it was much more balanced and easier to maneuver in hand-vac mode than similar models we tested. It also comes with several convenient tools, including a crevice tool, a mini roller for pet hair and an upholstery/dusting brush that allowed us to clean areas above the floor.
The Shark Vertex UltraLight is also easy to empty and maintain. It took us a minute to figure out how to empty the dustbin, but its design prevents dirt from flying out if you pull too hard. The dustbin is a good size, too: It was only three-quarters full after vacuuming a 200-square-foot area. The filters were also easy to pull out, so we had no trouble cleaning and replacing them when necessary.
Dyson V12 Detect Slim
Best Lightweight Pet Vacuum
Run Time: Up to 60 min | Bin Capacity: 0.37 qt | Weight: 5.22 lb | Dimensions: 9.92” L x 9.8” W 49.4” H
At just over 5 pounds, the Dyson V12 Detect Slim is the lightest of all the vacuums we tested. We found it extremely easy to maneuver around furniture and other obstacles, and we could carry it up and down stairs without issue.
Unlike the Dyson V15 Detect, the V12 doesn’t have a power trigger. Instead, it has a one-touch on/off button. Because of its ergonomic design, cleaning with it was very comfortable even for long periods.
With a lightweight, compact build, the V12 Detect Slim isn’t the most powerful vacuum, but it still did a great job overall. We found its cleaning performance to be on par with the other vacuums we tested, so it needed just one pass to remove most types of debris, including pet hair, on both hard flooring and carpeting.
Like the V15 Detect, the V12 also comes with a Fluffy Optic cleaner head with a green light for revealing hidden dirt. We were very impressed by how well it worked on laminate flooring, illuminating a significant amount of dirt and hair we didn’t see, which allowed us to clean hard surfaces much more thoroughly.
Like most cordless vacuums we tested, the Dyson V12 Detect has an advertised battery life of 60 minutes. During testing, it cleaned for 54 minutes in Eco Mode, 41 minutes in Auto and 9 minutes in Boost. Even the 41 minutes it ran in Auto Mode was enough to fully clean 1,000 square feet. It also has an LCD display that counts down the remaining battery life and shows a graph of the size and number of the particles it’s picked up to let you know how well it’s cleaning.
LEVOIT LVAC-300 Cordless Vacuum Cleaner
Best for Everyday Cleaning
Run Time: 60 min | Bin Capacity: 0.75 L | Weight: 6.6 lb | Dimensions: 9.8" L x 7.7" W x 43.3" H
The LEVOIT LVAC-300 Cordless Vacuum Cleaner is as convenient to use as it is powerful. It features a cordless design, allowing you to clean without worrying about where the outlets are located. Its battery provides up to 60 minutes of cleaning time, so you can cover a large area without having to stop for recharging. You can get more than 10 minutes of cleaning time in its highest suction mode, Turbo, too, which makes it easier to deep clean carpeting.
Its motor allows it to produce 12,000 sweeps per minute, enabling it to remove 99.9% of dust and debris from hard floors. The multisurface vacuum head effectively cleans not only hard surfaces but also low-pile carpeting, and the included motorized brush is perfect for cleaning furniture and bedding. It even comes with a crevice tool to get into tight spaces, such as between sofa cushions or along baseboards.
We also love this vacuum’s filtration system. It features a HEPA filter that traps up to 99.99% of particles as small as 0.3 microns, making it as efficient as many air purifiers. Because it effectively traps dust, dander and other allergens, it’s ideal for homes with pets or anyone with allergies.
Expert Tip
Once you have an idea of which style and features will work best for you, purchasing a vacuum is extremely easy. Online retailers, like Amazon, allow you to quickly search for your desired vacuum.
BestReviews Cleaning Expert
How we tested
To help us identify the best vacuum cleaners, we put several models to work in specific situations to see how well they performed. We tested them on hard surfaces like hardwood, laminate and tile and on carpeting, including low-pile and medium-pile varieties. We tested the vacuums on different types of debris to get the best idea of their cleaning performance.
Handling fine debris
We used sugar and coffee grounds to see how well the tested vacuums handled fine debris. We placed a measured amount of the substance on both hard surfaces and carpeting and then noted how many passes the vacuums needed to fully remove the particles.
Handling medium debris
We assessed how well the vacuums could remove medium-size debris using coarse kosher salt, rice and birdseed. We set out a measured amount of the substance on both hard flooring surfaces and carpeting and recorded how many passes each vacuum required to remove the pieces completely.
Handling large debris
To determine how well the vacuums handled large, heavy particles, we used cereal and dry pet food. We placed a measured pile of each on both hard floors and carpeting and noted how many passes the vacuums needed to pick up all the pieces.
Key considerations
Vacuum cleaner type
When it comes to full-size vacuum cleaners for the home, the three main types are upright, canister and stick. However, you can also find less traditional options for fuss-free cleaning.
- Upright vacuums: With a single component containing the vacuum head, motor and dust container that you push in front of you, traditional upright vacuums are probably what most people picture when they think about vacuums. Available in bagged and bagless styles, they typically offer the strongest suction and work equally well on high-pile carpet, low-pile carpet and hard surfaces. Unfortunately, they don’t have as many attachments or accessories as other vacuum types.
- Canister vacuums: A canister vacuum consists of a vacuum head connected to a tank that contains the motor and dust container. You move the vacuum head in front of you and pull the tank behind you. It usually comes with several attachments for cleaning curtains, furniture and other items higher than floor level. A canister model can be very bulky and difficult to maneuver around furniture and up and down stairs.
- Stick vacuums: Offering both corded and cordless models, stick vacuums feature a slim, lightweight design that makes them extremely easy to carry around the house and up and down stairs. However, their suction is usually less powerful than that of a full-size upright or canister vacuum, so they may not perform as well on carpeting. Many people prefer them as secondary vacuums for spot cleaning.
- Robotic vacuums: A new addition to the vacuum market, robotic or robot vacuums take on the chore of vacuuming for you, automatically traveling through your home to clean carpets and hard surfaces. Their suction power can be limited, though, and not all models are as successful at navigating furniture and obstacles as others.
If you’re trying to decide between a traditional upright, canister or stick vacuum and a robotic vacuum, there are several factors you should keep in mind.
- Price: Robotic vacuums generally cost more than traditional vacuums. You can find high-quality stick and even upright vacuums for under $100, but robotic vacuums generally go for $200 and up.
- Cleaning performance: In most cases, a robot vacuum can’t clean as deeply and thoroughly as a traditional vacuum. In homes with children and pets, you usually have to run a robotic vacuum daily to keep up with the mess, while deep cleaning with an upright or canister vacuum can usually keep your floors clean for about a week. For many homes, a robot vacuum is a supplemental cleaning tool to a traditional vacuum.
- Mapping: High-end robot vacuums can map your home’s layout to “learn” where each room is and the furniture it must work around. The goal is to keep you from having to intervene while the robot is cleaning. But not all mapping technologies are created equal, so robotic vacuums can get stuck under furniture, pinned by other obstacles or tangled in cords and require you to free them to continue their cleaning.
Weight
The weight of a vacuum cleaner affects how easy (or difficult) it is to use. Upright and canister vacuums are usually heftier than stick vacuums, but they often have increased suction to make up for it. If you’re buying a vacuum for a person with limited arm or grip strength, select a lighter model to avoid muscle fatigue and strain. One with a swivel head like the Shark Navigator Lift Away Upright Vacuum for enhanced maneuverability may be ideal.
Similarly, if you live in a multistory home, consider a vacuum’s weight before purchasing it, because unless you have a machine on each floor, you will likely find yourself carrying it up and down the stairs. In most cases, a vacuum that weighs no more than about 17 pounds is preferred.
At just 5.58 pounds, the Dyson V8 is one of the lightest models on our list. Its lightweight, cordless design makes it ideal for homes with multiple floors or individuals with reduced grip strength. The Bissell CleanView Compact Upright is about 2 pounds heavier, but it's a corded upright model that provides more power for homes that need deeper cleaning while still remaining under 10 pounds.
Bagged vs. bagless
Vacuum cleaners can be bagged or bagless.
Bagged vacuum cleaners have a disposable bag that collects debris and requires replacement when full. As a result, they have the added expense of purchasing replacement bags for the life of the vacuum. Also, it is sometimes difficult to determine when you need to replace the bag. However, a bagged vacuum can hold more dirt and isn’t as likely to release dust and particles in the air when it’s time to empty the vacuum.
Bagless vacuum cleaners have a reusable container that collects debris as the vacuum cleans. There are no ongoing costs for replacing the container, but it holds considerably less than a bagged model. You’ll have to empty a bagless vacuum more frequently and inevitably release some dust and other allergens into the air when emptying the dustbin.
The Shark NV352 Navigator Lift Away Upright Vacuum has the largest reusable dustbin of all the models on our list, holding just under a half gallon of dirt and debris. Its capacity is ideal for larger homes because you won’t need to stop in the middle of cleaning to empty the bin. If you opt for a bagless model with a smaller dustbin, ensure that it’s easy to empty. During testing, we found that bagless models, like the Dyson V15 Detect, had large enough dustbins that they didn’t require emptying during cleaning.
Vacuums like the Bissell CleanView Compact Upright have a point-and-shoot emptying design, so you can empty them directly into a trash can without getting your hands dirty. In our testing, we especially loved how well the V15 Detect’s point-and-shoot emptying design worked with just a press of a button.
Expert Tip
No cleaning products should be used when rinsing out and cleaning vacuum filters. This will clog them and cause serious damage to your vacuum, so it's important to remember.
BestReviews Cleaning Expert
Features
Filters
A vacuum cleaner is usually equipped with a filter to help remove small particles from the air, such as dust and dander. Some filters must be replaced periodically, while others are washable and reusable. The latter must be cleaned every so often, but you can save money on filter purchases this way.
It’s important to pay attention to the type of filter a vacuum uses. Standard filters provide the lowest level of filtration, while micron filters can remove smaller particles for higher filtration. If you have allergies, asthma or other respiratory issues, or pets in your home, you might want to invest in a vacuum with a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filter, like the Shark NV352 Navigator Lift Away Upright Vacuum. A HEPA filter can remove microscopic particles of dirt, dust, pollen, pet dander, dust mites and even tobacco smoke from your home, providing the highest level of filtration.
Corded vs. cordless
Nearly all upright and canister vacuums are corded, as are some stick vacuums. A corded vacuum usually provides more effective suction than a cordless vacuum, but it’s important to pay attention to the length of the cord. If you have large areas or staircases to vacuum, you need a model with a long enough cord that you won’t have to unplug and replug the machine as you work. In general, look for a vacuum cleaner with a cord at least 25 feet long, like the Shark NV352 Lift Away Upright Vacuum.
The best cordless vacuums tend to be stick vacuums that run on rechargeable battery power. If you’re wondering if it’s time for you to go cordless, here’s a look at some significant differences between corded and cordless vacuum cleaners.
- Cordless vacuums are lightweight and easy to store. Some people find it quite liberating not to be tethered to a wall outlet while cleaning.
- Cordless vacuums have a limited runtime. Once the battery depletes, you must stop cleaning until it has recharged, which could interrupt your workflow.
- Cordless vacuums can usually get into tight spaces more easily. Because of their slim designs, you can reach places with a cordless that might be harder to access with a corded vacuum.
- Cordless vacuums tend to have smaller dustbins. The bin must be emptied more often, which is a deal breaker for some people, especially allergy sufferers.
Noise level
All vacuum cleaners make noise when they’re in use, but some are noisier than others. If you are sensitive to noise or live in an apartment where loud noise may disrupt your neighbors, choosing a quieter model is important.
A vacuum’s noise level is reflected in decibels (dB) and is usually included in the product specifications. For a quiet vacuum, look for one with a decibel level between 60 and 65.
A vacuum cleaner with a decibel level of 70 decibels or greater will be fairly noisy.
Accessories
Some vacuum cleaners come with accessories that provide more versatile cleaning options. In particular, they allow you to vacuum surfaces above the floor for more thorough cleaning.
Here are some of our favorite accessories:
- Crevice tool: In our testing, we loved how easily these long, skinny attachments with vacuums, like the Dyson V15 Detect, pulled debris from tight, narrow areas, such as between furniture cushions, along baseboard and in corners. Others on our list with a crevice tool include the Shark Navigator Lift Away Upright Vacuum, the Miele Classic C1 Pure Suction Canister Vacuum and Bissell CleanView Compact Upright.
- Upholstery tool: Upholstery tools like those that come with the Dyson V15 Detect and the Miele Classic C1 Pure Suction Canister Vacuum allowed us to fully remove pet hair and other debris from the sofas, armchairs and curtains in our testing areas. The Shark Navigator Lift Away Upright is another great option for cleaning sofas, chairs and more.
- Pet tool: The Dyson V15 Detect comes with a special cleaning head for pet hair that not only pulled all the hair off the pet beds in our testing area but also never got tangled.
Floor settings
Many vacuum cleaners allow you to tailor your mode of cleaning to the type of flooring you have. A machine with a pile adjustment allows you to change the height of the brush roll, accommodating your carpet’s pile thickness for easier and more effective cleaning. If you want a vacuum cleaner you can use on hardwood floors as well, look for one with a setting for bare floors. The setting usually allows you to turn off the brush so your hardwood, tile or linoleum does not get scratched or otherwise damaged.
EXPERT tip
If you have allergies, a HEPA-filtered model is a must-have when shopping for a vacuum. Always read the descriptions of each vacuum you purchase to determine if a HEPA filter is included.
BestReviews Cleaning Expert
Vacuum cleaner prices
Low
For a basic stick or upright cleaner with adequate suction, expect to pay $80 to $130. If you opt for a handheld vacuum, you can expect to pay less, but note that these machines are not traditional “vacuum cleaners.” Rather, they are handy tools designed for spot cleaning.
Mid-range
For an upright vacuum with a lightweight design and powerful suction, you will likely pay between $150 and $400. Many excellent vacuums can be found in this price range, including the Shark Navigator Lift Away Upright Vacuum and the Miele Classic C1 Pure Suction Canister Vacuum, but there may be a few duds, too. Our best advice, especially if you’re unsure of a brand, is to purchase a new vacuum with a comprehensive warranty.
High
Models with cutting-edge technology, high-powered suction and plenty of special features and accessories, including robotic models, cost considerably more, ranging from $450 to more than $1,000. Brands like Dyson and Miele are some of the most expensive, so models like the Dyson V15 Detect can cost at least $650 when not on sale.
Again, if you are going to be investing this much, we advise you to seek a product with a warranty that backs up your purchase for a generous length of time.
Tips
- Dust the surfaces in a room before you vacuum. That way you won’t have to vacuum a second time just to remove any dust and dirt that you shake loose with your rag.
- When vacuuming, work the machine in multiple directions. If you only move it in one direction, you may miss some of the dirt, dust and debris. Regardless of whether you have high- or low-pile carpet, it’s recommended that you agitate the fibers up, down and side-to-side for the best results.
- Change or clean the vacuum cleaner filter regularly. As wonderful as these filters are, they won’t effectively remove allergens from your home if they are clogged or dirty. If your vacuum uses a HEPA filter, change it every six months. Notably, vacuums with reusable filters can save you money in maintenance costs.
- Don’t wait until your carpet or floor looks dirty to vacuum it. Dust and debris can accumulate under carpeting and other items before you actually see visible dirt, which may trigger allergies.
- Many vacuum cleaner heads are too large to fit against walls, which is why a good crevice tool is so important. The crevice tool that comes with many models makes it easy to pick up any debris along a room’s edges that the vacuum head might miss.
FAQ
How do I decide between an upright, canister, stick, or robot vacuum?
Uprights are usually the best all-around choice if you want strong suction and solid performance on both carpet and hard floors, while canisters can feel more refined for above-floor cleaning. Stick vacuums are lighter and easier to carry, but they often trade away some deep-cleaning power, and robot vacuums are better for maintenance than full deep cleans. For example, the Shark Navigator Lift-Away Deluxe gives you upright power with a detachable pod, while the Shark AV2511AE AI Ultra handles cleaning on its own.
What vacuum features matter most for allergy sufferers?
Look for a sealed system and a HEPA filter, since those are designed to trap fine dust, dander, and other particles instead of blowing them back into the air.
Bagged vacuums can also help reduce dust exposure during emptying because debris stays enclosed. A model like the Shark Navigator Lift-Away Deluxe uses a HEPA filter with an anti-allergen seal, and the Miele Classic C1 uses a bagged system that seals when removed.
Is cordless convenience worth the trade-off in runtime and dustbin size?
Cordless vacuums are easier to move around stairs, furniture, and tight spaces, but you need to pay close attention to battery life and bin capacity. If you clean larger areas, a runtime of at least 50 minutes is the way to go. For example, the Levoit Cordless Vacuum Cleaner offers up to 50 minutes of runtime, while the Dyson V11 Origin reaches up to 60 minutes and adds handheld conversion.
What should I look for if I have mostly hard floors?
For mostly hard floors, prioritize strong suction with a brush roll you can turn off or a floor head designed not to scratch delicate surfaces. A model like the Shark Navigator Lift-Away lets you turn off the brush roll on hard floors, while the Miele Classic C1 and Dyson V15 Detect are strong choices when carpet cleaning power matters.
Our expertise
Jennifer Blair has covered vacuums and other home care products for BestReviews since 2017, writing more than 100 articles. At home, she uses a traditional upright vacuum for deep cleaning, a robot vacuum for maintenance cleaning and a cordless stick vacuum for spot cleaning. She has also personally tested over 15 vacuums for BestReviews, including models from Dyson, Shark and iRobot.
Jordan Hutchinson has been at BestReviews since 2021, and he now manages people and products for the testing lab. While he specializes in testing, Jordan also writes about trending tech topics. He has extensive knowledge of computers, TVs, speakers and other handheld electronics as well as products for the home that make life better.
