Vacuums keep homes clean by getting rid of the dirt and dust that covers carpet, hardwood, and other floorings. In this article, we search for the best vacuums to help you choose one that’s suitable for your home. The products mentioned in this context are available at various local home improvement stores, local home centers, and online retailers like Amazon.
A high-end vacuum is an essential piece of your cleaning lineup. Vacuums pick up weeks’ worth of dirt and debris from your home’s surfaces to maintain them healthy and safe. With too many vacuums available online, choosing the right one for your house can be a challenging task. That’s why we research for you, testing the best vacuum cleaners to fit a series of cleaning needs.
Our Target
Vacuums come in different shapes and sizes, all intending to deliver a quality clean to your hardwood floors and carpets. Due to numerous vacuums to choose from, it can be a chore to seek out one that is useful for your home. So we are not just looking at price, features, but also customer reviews to offer you a condensed list of the five best vacuum cleaners available online.
Vacuum Purchasing Guide
Before purchasing a vacuum cleaner, you’d better consider the following factors:
Weight and Size
The upright vacuums we chose are usually a little heavier than various other handheld or cordless models. Most of the vacuum cleaners we tested were about 15 pounds, even though lighter vacuum cleaners are available. For instance, the Shark Navigator Lift-Away Professional Upright Vacuum supplies a high-quality clean at only 13.7 pounds.
Bear your personal preferences and circumstances in mind when looking for a vacuum. If you have a multi-level home and require to carry the vacuum up and down the stairs, you might have to consider a slightly lighter model. In addition, if you suffer from arthritis, seek a vacuum that has an ergonomic handle that doesn’t need a strong grip.
Size is important likewise in terms of storage. If you only can store your vacuum in a tiny deck locker, you don’t desire a big, bulky vacuum. On the contrary, you might intend to select a compact-sized one with a space-saving design.
Bagged vs. Bagless
Vacuum cleaners often include a bag or bagless dirt and debris compartment. Vacuum bags are connected directly to the machine and collect the dirt, dust, and debris that the machine picks up. The advantage of a bagged vacuum is that you don’t need to empty the contents. Instead, bags can be toss immediately into the trash. The shortcoming to bagged vacuums is that they need to be replaced with a new bag before every clean.
Bagless vacuums are always convenient as result from users can simply empty the dust cup’s contents into the trash and then use it at the next cleaning. The one weakness of bagless vacuums is that debris particles can flutter into the air when you dump their contents, which can cause allergies.
Filters
For households with pets or allergy sufferers, upright vacuums with a HEPA filter are preferred because they can trap particles effectively. Before investing in a vacuum, you’ll have to consider the maintenance needs of its filter. A few filters are disposable, in which case you’re supposed to replace them after a certain period of time. Other types of filters can be washable and reusable.
Noise
While many upright vacuum cleaners are noisy based on their suction power, some are quieter than others. Examine the decibel level of the vacuum you’re interested in to make sure whether it is within the decibel range you desire. Remember, the average sound of an upright vacuum is between 78 and 80 decibels.
Accessories
When opting for your vacuum, think over the accessories that you’ll need as cleaning your home. If you’re looking for a targeted and thoroughly clean, look for a model that is equipped with a variety of cleaning attachments and tools. The majority of the vacuums we reviewed provide extension wands and upholstery tools for a more efficient clean.
Making the Most of Vacuum Attachments
Attachments are a necessary part of the vacuum cleaner and permit you to offer your house a more thorough clean. A number of the most popular accessories are the crevice tool, dusting brush, upholstery/pet hair removal tool, and extension wand.
Crevice tool—This tool is good for cleaning tight spaces between couch cushions or under car seats.
Dusting brush—The dusting brush is used for cleaning delicate surfaces like curtains or window blinds.
Upholstery/pet hair removal tool—This tool can be used to deep clean surfaces like sofa cushions or window seats.
Extension wand—The extension wand is wonderful at cleaning hard-to-reach areas such as your ceiling vent or crown molding.
Canister vacuum cleaners
Canister vacuums are good at hard surfaces or smaller, carpeted areas like a vehicle or the stairs. They come with a suction hose and a telescopic cord for easy maneuvering. Canister models usually have a separate unit for the motor and socket for easy maneuverability, flexibility, and versatility. That allows these vacuums perfect for furniture and multi-surface use.
Upright vacuum cleaners
Upright vacuum cleaners are ideal for huge, carpeted floors of the house. They use a motor-driven beater brush that loosens and eliminates dirt via suction. Many upright vacuums feature onboard attachments for versatile use. Several designs are bagless while others have bags to collect dust and debris. Features can contain height adjustments to facilitate the transition from dense carpet cleaning to hardwood floor by turn over switch. Upright vacuums tend to be suitable for hardwood floors and carpets.
Stick vacuum cleaners
Stick vacuums are the middle ground between an upright and a handheld vacuum. Lightweight and battery-powered, they supply the convenience of a handheld but come with the upright construction of a conventional vacuum, making them better for cleaning up spills on hardwood floors. They are most commonly used for quick cleaning areas, like the kitchen and bathroom floors. Most stick vacuums have a dirt cup, instead of bags, to collect debris.
Handheld vacuum cleaners
Handheld vacuums are commonly cordless and compact, which makes them an excellent tool for cleaning your car or a small mess at home. Because of their mini size, handheld vacuums aren’t a whole-home cleaning device, but instead a complement to an existing vacuum.
Our top recommendation for handheld vac cleaner is the BLACK+DECKER Handheld Vacuum. There is a wide mouth design of the hand vacuum for picking up big debris and contains an upholstery brush and crevice tool to meet your cleaning needs.
Robot vacuum cleaners
The robot vacuum cleaner cleans your home automatically every day, programming through mobile apps and even voice control. These hands-free devices take you out of the chore, saving you time to do other things you like around the house.
Our most recommended robotic vacuum cleaner is the Roomba i7+ from iRobot. The model provides a three-stage cleaning system with powerful suction. Besides, users can schedule personalized cleaning paths based on specific rooms within the home.
What type of vacuum cleaner is the best for dealing with pet hair?
Dyson Ball Animal 2 is an upright vacuum is our vacuum recommendation for pet owners. This device offers a tangle-free turbine tool clean that’s great for loosening pet hair without creating a tangled mess. Besides, its self-adjusting floorhead helps ensure a tight seal against both carpeted and bare floors.
Do you need a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter?
Although you don’t need to use a vacuum with a HEPA filter, using one can eliminate ultrafine particles such as dander, dust, and allergens, thus improving air quality. High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter vacuum is a great way to capture the most microscopic particles, like pollen, pet dander, and dust mites, hence they are vital to have if your family members have allergies.
However, having a HEPA filter alone is not sufficient. For the best defense against allergens, a vacuum must also be “sealed,” indicating no air escapes from other crevices and everything that comes out of the vacuum passes through the HEPA filter.
How often should I vacuum my home?
The frequency in which you vacuum is decided by a variety of factors, such as the square footage of your home, the number of pets you own, and your sensitivity to allergens. For allergy sufferers, it’s recommended to vacuum at least twice a week. For others, vacuuming should be done at least once a week.
Product Overview
Best Canister: Miele Compact C2 Electro+
The case for canister vacuums is attributed to maneuverability and accessibility. Sure, you will need to pull the vac behind you when you clean from room to room. This set-up, however, maintains you from pushing the weight of the motor, which in general accounts for the workout you feel as you push and pull a classic upright vacuum. Plus, you’ll be able to vacuum under furniture and in tall cobwebby corners with ease with a canister vacuum like the Miele Compact C2 Electro. The motorized floorhead accessory is a force to be seen in its own right, and deep cleans carpeted surfaces by using 5 different height adjustments.
Miele has set a high standard for canister vacuum and has more than 100 years of engineering experience. So it’s no wonder that this model performs well in terms of cleaning and stands the test of time for durability. The C2 model is a compact canister with HEPA filtration system that Miele is designed to be quieter, thanks to great insulation of the shell and a quiet—but still powerful—motor. The C2 has six suction settings, controlled by a rotary dial on the canister which you have to bend down manually to adjust. However, choosing to adjust various pile heights for bare floorings or carpets makes this vacuum a real winner for most floor types.
Best Handheld vacuum: BLACK+DECKER Dustbuster Handheld Vacuum
Deal with small messes or reach tight spaces with a handheld vacuum, like this prevalent model from Black + Decker. The Cordless Lithium Hand Vacuum is super easy to use but provides impressive suction for fine particles like dirt and baking soda powder or bigger items like cereal. The dust cup holds 31.8 ounces and is easy to damp, plus the washable and all-plastic filter allows it easy to keep this dustbuster clear with a quick rinse.
This incredibly handy vacuum is powered by a lithium-ion battery, which can be charged using the added fast-charge base. The run time is a bit limited,15 to 20 minutes at most. Nevertheless, it’s a convenient option to keep the surroundings clean up quickly. Adding to its versatility and availability when compared to other handheld vacuums is this model’s rotating nozzle, retractable crevice tool, and flip-up brush—all of which help to thoroughly get rid of dirt or debris from hard-to-reach areas.
Best Robot Vacuum: iRobot Roomba 690 with Wi-Fi Connectivity
If you’re searching for the best vacuum to handle your dirty work, absolutely place the Roomba 690 at the leading of your list. This robot vacuum cleaner stands out from the ever-expanding category of robot vacuums for its overall value, iAdapt Navigation with dirt sensors, and capable multi-surface brushes that can effectively clean on both low-pile carpet and hard surface floors.
There are more pricey models of robot vacuums with advanced mapping features and tons of other options to further automate the cleaning process, but the Roomba 690 comes with a variety of required features. It contains dirt detection sensors that help the vacuum offer extra attention to certain dirty areas in your home, for example, kitchen floors, entryways, and so on. It can automatically return to the docking station for charging within 90 minutes of operation. And, unlike a few of the most fundamental and early generations of robot vacuums, the Roomba 690 can be scheduled for automatic cleaning sessions through the iRobot application or making use of voice commands with Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa.
This robotic vacuum includes a virtual wall barrier, to prevent it from out of no-go zones like your pet’s food and water bowls or a bundle of power cords that might stumble the vacuum. Remember that carpets with heavy edges or deep piles may be a bit of a challenge to this robot vacuum, but if you have hard floors and occasional low pile carpets or carpet rooms, then this model should do well.
Best Upright: BISSELL Pet Hair Eraser Turbo Plus Upright Vacuum Cleaner
Pets can make a mess at any moment – that’s why BISSELL created the Pet Hair Eraser Turbo. It doesn’t matter whether you vacuum a few hours before Fido leaves a pile of fur or not, you need to be ready for any mess. The Pet Hair Eraser Turbo is equipped with powerful pickup packaged into a flexible and lightweight vacuum for easy and convenient daily cleanup. Enjoy the Quick Release Extension Wand which is always on and ready to deal with those tricky, hard-to-reach pet messes in a cluttered home. In addition, with features like the Hands-Free Empty Dirt Tank and a Tangle-Free Brush Roll, you don’t have to worry about cleaning your vacuum after cleaning your home. You can breathe easy with the Smart Seal Allergen System with Febreze as well which can lock up dust and allergens, clear up odor, and make you enjoy a fresher and cleaner home.
This vacuum tackles all the vacuum cleaner problems that pet owners may face, and its whole function can suck up every last bit of pet hair. A tangle-free brush roll prevents the bristles from clogging up with pet hair, and the hair winding system inside the canister can hold the messy hair, which makes it easier and cleaner to empty.
Its sealed allergen system captures fine particles and the filter using Febreze technology to remove those stale odors that vacuuming up pet hair can produce.
Best Lightweight and Budget Vacuum: Eureka Whirlwind Bagless Canister
The best vacuum cleaner that we’ve examined so far is the Eureka Whirlwind Bagless Canister. This relatively affordable vacuum is quite lightweight and is easy to maneuver and carry to another room or maneuver in messy rooms. Its bagless design and washable filters bring about almost no recurrent cost, as well, and it isn’t too much in terms of maintenance.
It provides superb cleaning performance on bare floors, where it can effortlessly suck away pet hair and small or large pieces such as rice or cereal, even when its dirt compartment is full. It also does an amazing job of cleaning up the mess of low-pile carpets and removing a lot of debris from high-pile carpets, although you may need to do an extra pass to clear everything.
However, its power cord and vacuum hose are relatively short, which makes it difficult to clean a larger room without changing outlets or clean high-placed shelves and furniture. Despite its compact size, its storage can be a bit cumbersome due to the lack of any type of onboard storage. Nevertheless, its versatile performance, operational design, and budget-friendly price also help make it one of the best apartment vacuum cleaners we’ve ever tested.
Best upright vacuum cleaner for Pet Hair: Dyson Ball Animal 2 Upright Vacuum
The Dyson Ball Animal 2 is an upright vacuum designed for tackling the dirty work of owning pets. Geared with full machine filtration, powerful suction, and specialized accessories, pet hair, dander, dirt don’t stand a chance when Dyson ball 2 rolls into the room.
Its two most prominent features, as a pet hair vacuum cleaner, are incredible turbo-powered suction and tangle-free turbine tool. Vacuum Dyson is famous for engineering vacuum with impressive suction, and the Ball Animal 2 is no exception—it flaunts incredible suction performance for upright vacuums. The self-adjusting floor head helps to ensure a tight seal to hard surfaces and carpet floors, making the absorption of dust and hair impressive. But the tangle-free turbine tool is the champion if you have pet hair on upholstery or carpeted stairs. With counter-rotating brush heads, this accessory does an admirable job of loosening pet hair without causing a tangled mess that you have to clean by hand. This model also has a self-adjusting cleaner head that automatically adjusts to carpet or hardwoods and gives a deep clean using its stiff-bristled brush.
While this vacuum cleaner weighs 17.6 pounds, which is not, to be honest, lightweight, it is well-balanced thanks to the low center of gravity because of the pivoting ball design. So it is ergonomic and user-friendly while proving to be a great pet hair vacuum.
Best cordless stick vacuum cleaner: Dyson V11 Torque Drive Cordless Vacuum Cleaner
The Dyson V11 wons our highest rating in the tests for cleaning carpet, floors, edges, and pet hair as well as for clean emissions. And In our rating, it’s one of the quieter models, better than the v10.
In our test, the V11 vacuum had the longest running time of all Dysons, more than 43 minutes, second only to Bissell Air Ram. But like most stick vacs, it takes around full 4 hours to recharge. At 6.6 pounds, it’s one pound heavier than the Dyson V8 but is still lighter than a lot of stick vacs from other brands.
With twice the suction of any other cordless vacuums and an LCD screen that displays run-time countdown and performance, Dyson V11 Torque Drive is engineered to deep clean anywhere.
An integrated digital motor makes the brush rod rotate 60 times per second. It penetrates hard nylon bristles into carpets to remove dirt, while carbon filaments capture fine dust from hard floors. There are three cleaning modes optimized for a variety of tasks and they can provide the right balance of power and run time, where you need it.
What’s impressed us most is the ‘point and shoot’ mechanism hygienically ejects dust and debris deep into your dustbin, in one action – it’s very easy to empty, so you don’t need to touch the dirt.
All Reviews
Our above suggestion is that we think the best vacuum cleaner for most people at present. We consider price, visitor feedback, and usability.
If you want to do the work of choosing yourself, here is a list of all our vacuum reviews. Take care not to get tangled up in the details. Despite there is no right vacuum cleaner for all kinds of uses, most of them are enough to satisfy almost everyone. Unless you really care for them, the difference is not obvious.