Best Vacuum Cleaners: Quick Menu
1. The list in brief ↴
2. Best overall: Shark Stratos IZ862H
3. Best for small spaces: Tineco Pure One S12
4. Best wet and dry vacuum: Tineco Floor One S5
5. Best robot vacuum: iRobot Roomba S9+
6. Best handheld vacuum: Proscenic S1
7. Best affordable vacuum: Levoit VortexIQ40 Flex
8. Best Dyson vacuum: Dyson V15 Detect
9. Best canister vacuum: Miele Blizzard CX1
10. Best upright vacuum: Dyson Ball Animal 3
11. Comparison
12. What to consider
13. FAQs
14. How we test
If you're currently looking for a new vacuum cleaner, whether yours has broken or you're a first-time buyer, then we're here to help. The vacuum cleaner market is a minefield, with an abundance of brands and countless models. If you're trying to wade through the options, our team at Real Homes has done the research and the reviewing, so we're fully fit to advise you on which is the best vacuum for your living situation.
If you are confused when it comes to which type of vacuum to get, there's a reason that cordless vacuums are the most common these days — they're pretty failsafe and the perfect size for smaller homes and daily cleaning. If you do live in a larger home, a canister vacuum or upright model might be better for you, because although you'll be tethered to a cord, you won't have to stop when you're low on battery (or to empty the dust cup). Dog or cat owner? Don't hesitate to buy one of the best vacuums for pet hair. Otherwise, depending on the capabilities of your main vacuum, you might also need a handheld model to help to reach corners. There are also robot vacuum cleaners, which alongside a main vacuum, help to keep up with daily chores.
Got an idea of what you're after? Everything on this list has been tested in our own homes and rated four stars or higher. There's something for everyone, whether your budget is $300 or $1,000.
Annie has tested a range of vacuum cleaners, from stick to robot to handheld models, for Real Homes and recently updated this guide.
September 7:
Added more information on each product review. Compared the vacuum cleaners at the bottom of the list.
The quick list
Here's a quick look at all of our favorite vacuum cleaners to buy this year, and a summary of why we think they're so great.
Rated our #1 best vacuum cleaner, it's clever enough to automatically detect how clean or dirty your floors are and it adjusts its suction for you. It bends to reach under furniture and to store, and it works with scent pods to emit a lovely smell as you clean your floors. It suctions pet hair with ease and is less than $500. Best of all, it boasts a good battery life and has a decent-sized bin.
This vacuum cleaner is recommended for smaller spaces, thanks to its sleek design and easy-to-use controls. It has a shorter battery life and smaller dust cup than our first pick, but it offers superior suction and it's so easy to use. Its light guides you to dirty spots, and it auto-adjusts the suction level on its own. It comes with a full range of tools and is lightweight.
This vacuum simultaneously cleans and mops grime off your floors, saving you a ton of work. It offers a seriously deep clean. Its battery life lasts 35 minutes and it adjusts its suction based on the cleanliness of your floors. Its color ring guides you towards the mess, making it easy to use, but it's not the best for anyone with lots of carpeting. It also requires some maintenance.
A cleverly designed robot vacuum, this is the perfect second vacuum to help you keep up with chores. It fits underneath furniture, it empties and charges itself, and you can schedule it to clean. You can control it via an app on your phone and it collects pet hair, too. However, these fluffy strands often get stuck in the roller brush. But if you have $1,000 to spend...
This easy-to-use handheld vacuum is compact and lightweight. It boasts two modes and comes with two different tools. In terms of what it excels at, it's great for reaching into corners, cleaning spills, and using for quick clean-ups. Its suction is impressive, and it costs less than $100.
If you're on a budget, then this Levoit vacuum is perfect. It's easy to use and has a bendable stick to reach under furniture. It auto-adjusts suction for you. Although the dust cup is slightly small and its battery life isn't the best, it's definitely capable of cleaning a smaller home. And for less than $300, it's brilliant.
At the high price tag of $749.99, this vacuum can get your floors cleaner than you'd ever thought possible — and with proof. It has a clever laser to illuminate hidden dirt, and its sensor detects allergens and more as it cleans. It works well with pet hair, too. The downside is that it has a short battery life, and you need to continuously hold the trigger while in use. If you have the budget though, it's worth considering.
If you're more of a canister vacuum person, then this one from Miele is your best bet, but it comes at a hefty price. It has a huge bin capacity, a super long cord, and a telescopic tube to easily reach under furniture. Otherwise, it's best for larger homes with pets and lots of messes, as it's pretty bulky to store.
If your home is larger, your budget is small, and you live with a couple of pets, then this is the vacuum for you. It's upright, which means it's corded, heavy, and noisy, but it truly excels in suction on carpeted and hard floors. It seriously deep cleans your space and costs less than $400.
The best vacuum cleaners to buy in 2023
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The best vacuum cleaner you can buy
Buy it if
💕 You're a pet owner: It works hard to collect hairs and rarely gets clogged.
💕 You want a Shark vacuum: It's undeniably the best Shark vacuum there is right now and for a great price.
💕 Your budget is $500: It costs $499.99, but sometimes you can find it on sale with up to $100 off.
💕 You don't have much storage: Its design allows you to fold it down for storing, making it half its height.
Don't buy it if
❌ You're on a budget: This vacuum is $500. We've spotted it a few times on sale for $400 but never cheaper than that.
❌ Your home is large: Its battery life lasts for one hour only, so if you don't think that's enough to get around your whole home, this might not be the vacuum for you. You can buy an extra battery, though.
❌ You use your vacuum several times a day: Depending on the size of your space and how often you use your vacuum, this one might take too long to charge at 4 hours.
❌ You need a really lightweight vacuum: While it's not overly heavy, if you have a few flights of stairs to lug it up and down, it may feel burdensome. It's almost 9 pounds and there are lighter ones out there.
The bottom line
✨ Shark Stratos IZ862H This vacuum cleaner is a great all-rounder that will suit most people and most households. It deals well with pet hair, it's easy to use, and it has a decent size bin and battery life. It takes a while to charge, but its suction is second-to-none. It bends underneath furniture to reach difficult spaces and folds to store. All for less than $500, which is pretty good for a Shark vacuum.
Pet owner or not, this one is for you! I've been using this vacuum to clean my home ever since it was released, and my pug Doug has definitely given this Shark vacuum a run for its money. We know that it's pretty expensive at $499.99, but it's a lot cheaper than our top-rated Dyson, and its quality will last for years of cleaning.
Unboxing
This vacuum arrived in sustainable packaging, mostly made from cardboard. It's pretty self-explanatory to set up, but you'll want to charge it before you start whizzing around your home. You can detach and charge the battery on its own or leave it attached to the vacuum while it's charging.
In use
With very few buttons, this vacuum is so easy to use. I always put it on auto mode which means that it adjusts its suction based on how dirty or clean it detects your floors to be. This makes it so much faster to whizz around my apartment. Admittedly, it does try and eat thinner rugs but it works great on carpet and high-pile rugs. It suctions up pet hair easily and in one go, and its LED headlights are great for illuminating dirt you might not be able to see. I can use it two to three times to clean my entire two-bedroom apartment before it needs charging.
Extra features
This vacuum has a bendable stick to reach underneath furniture without you having to bend. This also makes the vacuum easy to store (at half its height) as it stands upright with its main unit folded and facing the floor. It works with recyclable pods to emit a nice smell as you clean, which is great for busting pet odor and preventing that awful vacuum cleaner smell — you know the one we're talking about. You don't have to use these pods, though.
Attachments
This particular model comes with two tools — a duster crevice tool and an anti-allergen dusting brush. You'll also get a bag for keeping all the tools together and one battery. You can buy an extra battery to extend its battery life by another hour. I usually use it with its crevice tool first and go around all of the corners and tight-to-reach spots, then I use it as normal on my floors.
Good to know
It's not the lightest vacuum ever, but that's expected with all of the technology bundled inside of it. It's easy to lift and is super light when used as a handheld, but if you are less able you might want to go for something lighter. It's fairly easy to maintain, you can simply clean its brush roll and filter and leave it in the sun to dry before putting the vacuum back together. When it comes to emptying, you can't do this with any of the attachments on, but all it takes is the push of a button.
Read our full Shark Stratos IZ420UKT review.
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Easy to use, simple to store. | ★★★★★ |
| Price | Not the cheapest but fairly priced considering the brand and its features. | ★★★★★ |
| Suction | Amazing, on all floor types and on pet hair. | ★★★★★ |
| Features | Handy extra features, especially the bendable stick. | ★★★★★ |
The best vacuum cleaner for small homes
Buy it if
💕 You're looking for something lightweight: It weighs only 6 pounds, so if you'll be carrying this vacuum upstairs or you want something light, this is great.
💕 You want something for a small home: It's a great pick for smaller spaces thanks to its smaller dust bin and shorter battery life. Its sleek design makes it easy to store, too.
💕 Your budget is $500: It retails for $499.99.
💕 You want something easy to use: It auto-adjusts its suction power to how dirty your floors are, and its colored ring guides you to dirty spots.
Don't buy it if
❌ You're on a budget: As we said, this vacuum is $500.
❌ Your home is large: Its battery life only lasts for 50 minutes.
❌ You use your vacuum several times a day: Depending on the size of your space and how often you use your vacuum, this one might take too long to charge at 4.5 hours.
❌ You have pets: This vacuum can pick up pet hair but it does get stuck in the brush roll, which is annoying.
The bottom line
✨ Tineco Pure One S12 This vacuum is lightweight and sleek, making it great if you'll be using it to clean an apartment or small home. It comes with a great range of tools and cleverly auto-adjusts its suction, taking the effort away from you. Its clever sensor can guide you towards messes while cleaning, and it works on all flooring types but does get clogged with hair.
Looking for a cordless vacuum that's perfect for your apartment or for squeezing inside a tiny closet? The Tineco Pure One S12 offers similar features to our top pick from Shark, though it has a slightly shorter battery life and a smaller dust cup. It's best for a smaller home and it's a lightweight vacuum that boasts a sleek (and not to mention quite stylish) design. Our reviewer Courtney really loved it.
Unboxing
It arrived in a box, with its various parts separated by a cardboard organizer (we love to hear it!). Putting it together was easy and it arrived almost fully charged. You can either attach the docking station to the wall or manually plug in the battery to charge.
In use
Courtney used this vacuum to clean her entire house and claims that the color ring truly senses grimy areas. The auto-setting is easiest to use as the vacuum adjusts to the dirt level on its own based on how dirty your floors are. She found that the 50 minutes of runtime was more than enough and loved how lightweight it was. Although the 0.6-liter dustbin looked small, it was surprisingly roomy and it still managed to collect the mess her three kids and dog left behind. It's easy to use thanks to its touch buttons that are self-explanatory. The only thing she didn't like? Its brush roll gets tangled with hair, so Courtney had to get her scissors out to deal with this — FYI pet owners! She said it worked magically on all surfaces and called it a winner for all flooring types.
Extra features
Tineco's signature iLoop Smart Sensor technology detects hidden dust and debris and auto-adjusts suction power in real time. You can see it as an LED ring that changes from red to blue to indicate clean floors and guide you along. It's a true standout feature that gives a visual confirmation that your floors are getting cleaner. It's not a must-do, but the onboard LED display can be connected to your phone via the Tineco app, to monitor cleaning progress, battery levels, and suction performance for additional insight into your cleaning experience.
Tools
It comes with a suite of tools that are thoughtfully designed and handy to use when cleaning your home and your car. Included are a Mini Power Brush, a 2-in-1 Dusting Brush, a Soft Dusting Brush, and a Crevice Tool. Specifically, Courtney used the long crevice tool the most, to clean her SUV. Attachments are equipped with clasps that lock into place when connected and come undone at the touch of a button.
Good to know
At 6.35 pounds, it's pretty lightweight, and although it doesn't fold to store, its sleek design will definitely fit inside a compact closet. It comes with a wall dock to save floor space, too. Admittedly, it's not the quietest vacuum around but it does offer supreme suction. When it comes to maintenance, emptying the bin of this vacuum is a piece of cake (just press one button), and the filter is stainless steel, so it can be hand-dried.
Read our full Tineco Pure One S12 review.
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Easy to use and store. | ★★★★★ |
| Price | Not the cheapest but fairly priced considering the brand and its features. | ★★★★★ |
| Suction | Great on all floor types. It suctions pet hair but it gets stuck in the brush. | ★★★★★ |
| Features | Auto adjusts suction for ease, and it can be linked with your phone. | ★★★★★ |
The best wet and dry vacuum cleaner
iLoop Smart Sensor on Tineco Floor One S5
Buy it if
💕 You're a busy person: This vacuum simultaneously sucks up debris and dirt and cleans your floors in half the time it would take for you to vacuum and then mop.
💕 Your budget is $500: It retails for $499.99.
💕 You want something easy to use: It auto-adjusts its suction power to how dirty your floors are, and its colored ring guides you to dirty spots.
Don't buy it if
❌ You're on a budget: As we said, this vacuum is $500.
❌ Your home is large: Its battery life lasts for only 35 minutes, which might only be enough to cover one floor.
❌ You need something to get into tight corners and spaces: The cleaning width of this vacuum, paired with the fact it doesn't transform into a handheld model, means you'll need to buy an extra mini vacuum to reach certain places.
❌ You don't have much storage space: Due to its nature and because it has two water tanks, it's quite hefty to store, so make sure you have closet space.
❌ You have a lot of carpeting: This isn't recommended for use on carpets as it will soak them. You need a carpet cleaning machine for that.
The bottom line
✨ Tineco Pure One S12 This vacuum mop deep cleans your floors of debris, dust, and dirt, thanks to two water tanks. It's a hefty machine that's seamless and easy to use. Its battery life isn't the longest, so you might only get one use per battery out of it. Due to its nature, it takes some time to clean afterward.
If you're looking for a wet and dry vacuum to clean your floor of debris and do the job a mop can do at the same time, then the Tineco Floor One S5 is your best buy. Our reviewer Alex loved it for cleaning her home, which is fitted with hard floors throughout, and claims it makes your floors cleaner than you thought possible.
Unboxing
This vacuum arrived in a fairly compact box, packaged using cardboard and paper. Our reviewer didn't note whether there was any plastic in the box, protecting its parts. She did say that it was very easy to put together, though. She charged it immediately, which takes around four to five hours. Admittedly, the manual was overwhelming, but luckily, when it comes to using the vacuum, it speaks to you to tell you what to do.
In use
Alex raved about this wet and dry vacuum, saying that it's so easy to use and it even manages to reach the corners. It's self-propelling, so it essentially drags you along with it. In auto mode, it adjusts suction power, roller speed, and water flow depending on how dirty your floors are. She found that the max mode was best for dealing with heavy messes and spills. Although the battery life lasts only 35 minutes, Alex found that she managed to clean her entire 1,600-square-foot house and still had half of the battery life left (though she did have to refill the clean water tank). She really enjoyed using its digital display, which detects and displays how much dirt, grime, and debris covers your floors by displaying a circular band — when the band is red your floor is dirty, when blue it's clean. Her only complaint? It's not the best for getting into tricky spaces (around the toilet, under the bed).
Extra features
You can connect the S5 to your phone via an app to see cleaning stats and more, but it's not necessary. Though this vacuum does have a self-cleaning button on its handle, which takes only five minutes to complete, it also requires additional maintenance after each use — just something to keep in mind.
Tools
Because this is a wet and dry vacuum, it doesn't come with handheld attachments and can't be used in a more compact form. You'll want to get a separate handheld vacuum for that. It does, however, come with a small charging base that can hold the extra brush roller and HEPA filter, as well as the 3-in-1 cleaning brush.
Good to know
We also tested its predecessor, the Tineco Floor One S3, but this model was much better as it has a larger tank and new technology making it easier to use.
Read our full Tineco Floor One S5 review.
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Easy to use, bulky to store by nature but looks great. | ★★★★★ |
| Price | Not the cheapest but fairly priced considering the brand and its features. | ★★★★★ |
| Suction | Only for hard floors but it's superior. | ★★★★★ |
| Features | Auto adjusts suction for ease, and it has a self-cleaning mode. | ★★★★★ |
The best robot vacuum cleaner
Buy it if
💕 You're a busy person: This vacuum can be scheduled to clean your home while you are there or away, and it does it without you even needing to press one button. It even empties itself!
💕 You want something to help clean under furniture: Thanks to its slim design, it should fit underneath all of your furniture so that you won't need to bend down yourself.
💕 You want something easy to use: It couldn't be easier, because you're technically not operating it!
💕 You don't mind smart tech: If smart tech confuses you, then this is a no-go. While it isn't confusing to set up, you do need a bit of patience. And you'll need access to the iRobot app to control it, too.
Don't buy it if
❌ You're on a budget: This vacuum is just under $1,000. This is because of special features, like self-emptying.
❌ You have lots of pets: It can pick up pet hair, and it does it well, it just gets stuck in the vacuum's roller brush. If this won't bother you, then fine!
❌ You don't have much floor space: This robot vacuum needs a good amount of space for its bin and charger to live, and it needs to be near a socket.
The bottom line
✨ iRobot Roomba S9+ The perfect second vacuum, this robot will help you stay on top of chores, especially if you live in a busy family home or with pets. It can be scheduled to come out and clean certain rooms at specific times and cleverly enough empties itself. It adjusts suction on carpets and rugs to deep clean but doesn't come cheap at $1,000.
The iRobot Roomba S9+ is a self-emptying, automatic vacuuming delight. It's great at picking up dust and more around the house, and it's even good at navigating corners, making it (without a doubt) the best robot vacuum you can buy. Now, we know our reviewer Linda rated it five stars, so it should be higher on our list. The only reason it isn't is that lots of people would prefer a vacuum they can control — and it has quite a hefty price tag.
Unboxing
Our reviewer didn't note anything about the materials of the packaging, but she did say that this vacuum was easy to set up. You need to download the iRobot app and from there it will walk you through the process. It will first go around your entire house to capture a map so that it knows where it is at all times. It took three tries to map the ground floor of Linda's home and she loved how you could label each room and send it there when a mess (inevitably) occurred. She also scheduled this vacuum to clean while she was dropping her kids off at school and enjoyed the fact she could set zones that she didn't want it to go near, such as the dog's bowl.
In use
Linda found that this iRobot vacuum was a breeze to get along with, with a great app or the option to use the manual controls on top of the unit. It also managed to collect an incredible amount of dust and can get right into the corners, plus it does pick up hair. However, she did note that it wraps hairs around its brush roll, as she had to attack it with scissors a few times. She was amazed by the fact that when it's done cleaning, it takes itself back to empty its bin and charges itself. She said it could empty itself around 30 times before she needed to change the bin. It can clean rugs, but it will get stuck on tasseled rugs and can be tricky to navigate over some long-pile rugs.
Extra features
It's pretty slim so it should be able to fit underneath most of your furniture for cleaning. It automatically adjusts its suction when cleaning carpets, ensuring it preserves battery power when gliding across hard floors.
Tools
It doesn't come with any extra tools, though it does work with a Clean Base that comes in the box. This is where the vacuum will live when it's not in use. You will need to dedicate a space (not in a cupboard) in your home for this vacuum to live. This also needs to be near a socket for continuous charging.
Good to know
It won't miss a spot thanks to its unique shape which allows it to get into corners, plus it has a protruding brush to make sure it's gathering up all of the dust it should be.
Read our iRobot Roomba S9+ review.
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Fits under furniture, squared edges to reach corners. | ★★★★★ |
| Price | Not the cheapest but fairly priced considering the brand and its features. | ★★★★★ |
| Suction | Great on all floor types, especially carpets and rugs. | ★★★★★ |
| Features | Charges and empties itself, also can be scheduled to clean. | ★★★★★ |
The best handheld vacuum
Buy it if
💕 You're on a budget: This vacuum is only $99.
💕 You want an additional vacuum: This won't act as your main vacuum but for smaller clean-ups, busier homes, and spills it's ideal.
💕 You want something easy to use: It couldn't be easier as it only has two modes and two tools.
Don't buy it if
❌ You need a main vacuum: This vacuum doesn't have the battery life to clean an entire home, and it would take a very long time. If you do need a main vacuum, then this isn't it. It's a secondary vacuum.
The bottom line
✨ Proscenic S1 The best handheld vacuum out there, it's easy to use and boasts an impressive battery life of up to 30 minutes. It has two models and two different tools, and it comes with a charging dock. All for less than $100.
If it's a handheld vacuum that you're searching for, then your hunt ends here. This is rated our top model for smaller jobs, and it comes with tools included for less than $100. Our head of reviews Millie rated it highly, as it promises up to 30 minutes of power and has a sizeable dust cup.
Unboxing
This vacuum arrived in a compact box with a little bit of charge on the battery. Charging time took around 3 hours and 30 minutes from completely empty.
In use
The S1 did a great job in our tests of picking up particles big and small. Millie found the two suction modes were plentiful for dealing with an array of messes, though choosing the lower power setting definitely helped the vacuum run for much longer. In practice, Millie confirmed it lasted 26 minutes on the lower setting, which is pretty good. It managed to pick up everything from sugar to rice.
Extra features
It has two modes — press the power button once for regular mode and again for boost mode. A third press will turn the machine off.
Tools
In the box came a Crevice Nozzle (with a moveable brush) and a Brush Nozzle. The brush nozzle was excellent for cleaning upholstery, while the crevice nozzle was unrivaled for reaching corners in her high-ceiling home. It also comes with a charging stand if you have somewhere to place it.
Good to know
It has a running time of 15–30 minutes depending on the mode that you're using it on. While this might not sound long enough, it is the longest of the handheld vacs that we've reviewed. When it comes to charging, the S1 can be housed on its charging dock or via its USB-C cable. One complaint Millie did have is a strong gust of air that emerges from either side of the handheld vacuum when in use.
Read our full Proscenic S1 handheld vacuum review.
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Small, lightweight, easy to use. | ★★★★★ |
| Price | Under $100. | ★★★★★ |
| Suction | Great for small jobs, only has a 30-minute max battery life. | ★★★★ |
| Features | Two modes, two tools included as well as a charging dock. | ★★★★★ |
The best affordable vacuum cleaner
Buy it if
💕 You're on a budget: This vacuum is the cheapest full-size model on our list at $299.99.
💕 You live in a smaller home: The vacuum itself is small, and it has a shorter battery life and a smaller dust cup than most, meaning it's ideal for small apartments or tiny homes.
💕 You want something easy to use: It couldn't be easier to use since it auto adjusts its suction to your floor cleanliness. It even tells you when its bin is full.
Don't buy it if
❌ Your home is large: This vacuum doesn't have the largest dust bin or the longest battery life, so while it will work to clean a large home, you might have to empty it and recharge it halfway through cleaning.
❌ You use your vacuum several times a day: Depending on the size of your space and how often you use your vacuum, this one might take too long to charge.
The bottom line
✨ Levoit VortexIQ40 Flex Considering its reasonable $299.99 price, this vacuum is stuffed with features. It has a bendable stick and adjusts suction automatically. Its battery life is short and its dust cup is small, so it's ideal for smaller homes and smaller budgets.
If you only have a couple of hundred dollars to spend on a vacuum (completely understandable), then consider this one from Levoit — you definitely won't regret it. Yes, it's ideal for smaller spaces but our reviewer Courtney tested it in a family home with no problems at all. It even managed to collect pet hair in the process. It's an affordable version of our top pick from Shark, essentially.
Unboxing
Inside the box was a cardboard panel that clearly indicated all of the parts included, and it was super simple to assemble. It needed to be charged for four to five hours before it was ready to use
In use
Courtney rated its suction to be impressive on both carpets and hard floors, and the fact it automatically adjusts its suction based on how dirty your floors are was a game-changer for her. She raved about how easy it is to use, as many vacuum cleaners these days aren't. Courtney found it handy that the LED screen displays "max" when the dust bin is full but does admit this can be a little messy to empty. She also addressed its battery life, which only lasts 40 minutes, meaning it's definitely better for smaller homes and apartments — unless you don't mind charging your vacuum after every use.
Extra features
For its affordable price, this vacuum offers so many incredible features. It comes with an add-on for its stick which allows it to bend underneath furniture with ease, and with that, its headlights illuminate your path. It also adjusts suction just like the Shark and Tineco vacuums in this guide.
Tools
It only comes with two attachments — a Telescoping Crevice Tool and a 2-in-1 Dusting Brush — but for $300, you can't really complain. Courtney found both of these attachments to be useful. It also comes with a wall mount so that you can store it up high to save floor space.
Good to know
It takes four to five hours to charge, which might be a pain if your home is large and you've run out of power halfway through cleaning. If your home is bigger, this would be a great secondary vacuum for spot cleaning. Its filter is washable and the vacuum is easy to detach for cleaning.
Read our full Levoit VortexIQ40 review.
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Lightweight and easy to use, it has a bendable stick to reach under furniture. | ★★★★★ |
| Price | Less than $299.99, super reasonable. | ★★★★★ |
| Suction | Best for smaller homes, it only has a 40-minute max battery life. | ★★★★ |
| Features | It auto adjusts suction but only comes with 2 tools. | ★★★★ |
The best Dyson vacuum
Buy it if
💕 You've got a big budget: This vacuum retails at $749.99, so if you have the money, it's worth it.
💕 You want something lightweight: At just over 6 pounds, this vacuum is easy to carry around your home and up and down the stairs.
💕 You want a full suite of tools: It comes with a huge range of different heads and accessories to use high and low.
Don't buy it if
❌ Your home is large: This vacuum doesn't have the largest dust bin or the longest battery life, so while it will work to clean a large home, you might have to empty it and recharge it halfway through cleaning.
❌ You use your vacuum several times a day: Depending on the size of your space and how often you use your vacuum, this one might take too long to charge.
❌ You're on a budget: This vacuum retails at $749.99, so it's not cheap.
The bottom line
✨ Dyson V15 Detect Though it sits at a top-of-the-range price point, this Dyson vacuum is worth it. It boasts the suction power of an upright model and with the addition of the latest Dyson technology — including a laser head and a clever sensor to detect dust and allergens. That and it comes with a huge suite of tools, all for $749.99.
We LOVED the Dyson V15 Detect while it was in review. Its Piezo sensor tells you the real-time dust particle collection. Gross, but cool. Our reviewer Jaclyn said its suction is really quite impressive on all floor types — and it works well to pick up pet hair. Why is it not higher on the list? Though it scored full points during testing, look at the price! It is a high-end buy, so we wanted to profile a few products that give you a fab clean for a little less money first. It is our best-rated Dyson vacuum, though.
Unboxing
Packaged in a way that avoids plastic, this vacuum arrives in a recyclable box with recyclable paper around each part. It needs charging before the first use.
In use
The Dyson V15 Detect replaced Jaclyn's previous vacuum cleaner — the Dyson Outsize — which does have a dust bin that's twice the size but it's also heavier to use. Both vacuums have the same suction performance, which leads us to how impressed she was with the V15 Detect's suction — it offers pickup that you'd expect from a traditional upright vac. She was obsessed with the green laser on the Dyson Detect's floorhead and found that it really helped to ensure her hard floors were truly clean (and all of the dog hairs had been picked up), but it doesn't work on carpets, FYI. Best of all, she liked the range of attachments it came with, and the fact it weighs under 7 pounds made it so much easier to lug up her stairs. It has three power modes, but she recommends using the max power mode in short bursts as it quickly decreases the battery life.
Extra features
The vacuum's LCD screen lets you see your stats, and it alerts you when the bin needs emptying or if an air channel is clogged. On this screen, you can see everything from a run-time countdown clock to a real-time count of the collected particles from the Piezo sensor. The Piezo Sensor continuously sizes and counts dust particles and shows how much has been picked up in a graph, so that you know it's really cleaning.
Tools
As you'd expect for the price, this vacuum comes with a huge range of tools. It comes with two full-size heads — a Digital Motor Bar and a Laser Slim Fluffy Cleaner Head. The former is specially designed so that it doesn't get clogged with pet hair, and the latter is what you need to use to see the laser. In terms of smaller attachments, it comes with five in total — a Hair Screw Tool, a Combination Tool, a Stubborn Dirt Brush, a Soft Dusting Brush, and a Crevice Tool.
Good to know
Though the laser only works on hard floors, the Piezo sensor still counts collected dirt whether you're on carpet or hard floors, and it assures you that your vacuum is still picking stuff up, even when you might be hovering over floors that already look clean. Dyson DLS technology automatically senses a change in floor type if you move from hard floors to carpeted areas. Filters should be cleaned monthly and need to be totally dry before using again.
Read our full Dyson V15 Detect review.
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Sleek with an LCD screen but it has a small dust cup and you need to continuously hold the trigger. | ★★★★ |
| Price | $749.99 which is expensive, but Dyson is a big brand and it does have the latest technology. | ★★★★ |
| Suction | Great on both flooring types and it sucks up hair with ease. | ★★★★★ |
| Features | Cool laser to detect hidden dirt, a sensor to count allergens and dust, and a whole suite of tools. | ★★★★★ |
The best canister vacuum cleaner
Buy it if
💕 You've got a big budget: This vacuum retails at $999 so if you have the money, it's worth it.
💕 You live in a large home: This vacuum is corded, so you're never on a time limit. It also has a huge dust cup, but it is bulky to store due to its design.
💕 You live with a pet: It can deal with pet hair really well.
Don't buy it if
❌ Your home is small: This vacuum isn't the best for small homes as it's quite bulky to store and heavy to lug around.
❌ You're on a budget: This vacuum retails at $999, so it's not cheap.
❌ You want something cordless: It does have a 21-foot-long cord, but you will be tethered to a wall.
❌ You need something lightweight: This vacuum, because of its design, is quite heavy at almost 20 pounds.
The bottom line
✨ Miele Blizzard CX1 Cat & Dog PowerLine This canister vacuum is perfect for large homes with lots of messes. It has a huge dust bin, a super long cord, and great suction power. It's not the best for smaller homes because it's so bulky. Its price is also high at $999.99.
Normally, you'd find that most cylinder vacuums are bagged, which can be annoying to some people. But the incredible Miele Blizzard CX1 Cat & Dog PowerLine isn't, and it's so easy to empty. It's best for anyone with a large family home (ideally with pets inside) but it does come at a hefty weight and price. Our reviewer Sarah claimed it lives up to its name on pet fur and everything else a family home will require it to clean up.
Unboxing
Our reviewer didn't note much about the unboxing and setup process of this vacuum.
In use
Sarah used this vacuum to clean tiled, carpeted, and parquet floors, and she loved how changing from one type of surface to another just needed a flip of the foot control to adjust the brushes of the floorhead. Hard flooring was easy to clean, but carpets required slightly more effort from her, and she had to turn down the suction. She found the suction impressive, saying it could vacuum everything from dried mud to large debris with total ease. Sarah did note that it wasn't the best for cleaning her staircase, not only because it's quite heavy but because it was just a pain to maneuver around each step. This is where a handheld or stick vacuum would come in handy. Sarah loved the adjustable telescopic tube, which prevents the need for users to frequently bend down. When it comes to emptying, she said this was very easy although if you have a smaller bin it might be messy.
Extra features
The mains cable retracts via a switch you operate with your foot, which is a handy back-saver. The vacuum has a self-cleaning function that can also be manually activated if you’ve tackled a storm of dust.
Tools
In the box comes an Upholstery Nozzle and a Crevice Nozzle that you can store onboard. When it comes to storage, its suction hose attaches to the main unit. It's not massively bulky but it does require a bit of floor space in a closet.
Good to know
While it isn't the smallest of models (or the lightest), the unit is efficiently designed and won't take up too much space. A maintenance-free HEPA lifetime filter makes it a good choice for anyone with asthma or allergy sufferers. The dust tank is also an impressive size for a bagless at just over a half-gallon capacity.
Read our Miele Blizzard CX1 review.
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Bulky design, long cord, bendable stick. | ★★★★ |
| Price | At $999.99, it's one of the most expensive on our list. | ★★★★ |
| Suction | Great on both flooring types and it sucks up hair with ease. | ★★★★★ |
| Features | Retractable cord, bendable stick, self-cleaning function. | ★★★★★ |
The best upright vacuum cleaner
Buy it if
💕 You live in a large home: This vacuum is corded, so you're never on a time limit. It also has a huge dust cup, but it's bulky to store due to its design.
💕 You live with a pet: It can deal with pet hair really well.
💕 You have lots of carpet: It excels in carpet cleaning and is strong because of its weight. This makes it heavier to push around, but it will collect embedded dirt from every nook and cranny.
💕 You're on a budget: For a Dyson vac, this only costs $399.99 which is pretty good value.
Don't buy it if
❌ Your home is small: This vacuum isn't the best for small homes as it's quite bulky to store and heavy to lug around.
❌ You need something quiet: Whether you like to vacuum in the evening or your dog is a little sensitive, this vacuum is pretty loud when in operation.
❌ You want something cordless: It does have a 35-foot-long cord, but you will be tethered to a wall.
❌ You need something lightweight: This vacuum, because of its design, is pretty heavy at 17 pounds.
The bottom line
✨ Dyson Ball Animal 3 A great, reasonably-priced choice for larger homes with pets and kids, this Dyson vac excels at suction and works well on carpets and hard flooring. It's difficult to use on stairs and is heavy and loud when in use. If you want something for deep cleaning, this should be it.
If you're in the market for an upright vacuum, perhaps for a large, family home that's prone to accidents and spills (and maybe a few pets), we highly recommend the Dyson Ball Animal 3. Its clever brush heads pick up all the hair our furry friends leave behind, without getting tangled up. Our reviewer Paige says it delivers on carpets and hard floors, reaching the edges with ease. However, be aware its suction is strong, which makes it a little harder to push around. It's also Dyson that costs less than $400 — another win in our books.
Unboxing
Paige noted that this vacuum was packaged mostly using recyclable cardboard. There were just two plastic/foam-type covers, but the amount of material that she had to throw out was very minimal. Assembly wasn't as straightforward as you'd think, so Paige watched a video to walk her through it. It took around 15 minutes to assemble.
In use
Our reviewer Paige found that it was an easy vacuum to use once you got the hang of it, though she did note that she would have to lift it over rugs. Pet hair was no challenge for this vacuum, and it didn't even get clogged in the head or hose afterward. This vacuum really impressed Paige when cleaning carpets, as she said it removed hairs and embedded dirt she couldn't even see was there. It was a little heavy to push around though. She turned the brush roller off and this made it easier, but the results were more than worth it as her carpet looked cleaner than it had been in years. On hard floors, it was much easier to use and she claimed it outperformed any other vacuum she has tested. Its suction was so strong it managed to get into crevices in her solid wood floors. Admittedly, it wasn't the best or easiest for using to clean stairs. This is where you'd need to get your handheld vacuum out.
Extra features
Its ball definitely made cleaning easier as this vacuum was easy to maneuver around furniture and although it doesn't bend or have a telescopic handle, Paige still managed to use it for cleaning underneath furniture. She did note it would only slide underneath things by about three inches. While the brush bar automatically rotates when the vacuum is reclined, there is a button to turn this bar off. The brush head also features three settings and a slider, so it’s easy to change the setting to reflect the surface type that you’re working on.
Tools
The Dyson Ball Animal 3 comes with two tools: a Stair Tool, and a Combination Tool. She found the specific tool for staircases to be not very helpful at all, but she used the combination tool for cleaning baseboards and removing cobwebs from ceiling corners. If you want more tools, then the Dyson Ball Animal 3 Extra and the Dyson Ball Animal 3 Complete come with more accessories included in their prices.
Good to know
Expect that you'll need the usual amount of storage space an upright vacuum would require, a corner in a closet would be enough. It doesn't have cord storage which is admittedly annoying although all accessories can be stored on the vacuum for ease. Its two filters require cleaning once a month and need to be left to dry before using again. It's quite loud, and Paige claimed it was one of the loudest vacuums she's used, especially when the brush bar was turned on.
Read our Dyson Ball Animal 3 review.
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Bulky design, long cord, easy to maneuver. | ★★★★ |
| Price | Only $399.99, super affordable for a Dyson. | ★★★★★ |
| Suction | Great on both flooring types and it sucks up hair with ease. | ★★★★★ |
| Features | Not many, quite basic. | ★★★ |
Compare these vacuum cleaners
| Vacuum | Our verdict |
| Shark Stratos IQ IZ862H | A great all-rounder, for all size homes, at under $500. |
| Tineco Pure One S12 | Best for smaller spaces and apartments. |
| Tineco Floor One S5 | A wet and dry vacuum for deep cleaning hard flooring. |
| iRobot Roomba S9+ | The best robot vacuum, and it empties and charges itself. |
| Proscenic S1 | A great handheld model that's under $100 and is easy to use. |
| Levoit VortexIQ40 Flex | Our best pick if you're on a budget — at $299.99. |
| Dyson V15 Detect | The best Dyson vacuum, with the newest technology inside. |
| Miele Blizzard CX1 | A huge canister vacuum for busy families and large, messy homes. |
| Dyson Ball Animal 3 | The best upright vac for larger homes with pets. |
What to consider when buying a new vacuum cleaner
- Type — Stick vacuums are cordless, upright vacuums are usually corded, and robot ones are cordless too, same goes for handheld models.
- Bagless — Having a bagged vacuum means more waste, although it does trap allergens and dust from escaping when you empty your vacuum. So it's great for allergy sufferers. You rarely find a bagged cordless vacuum, though it's common for upright and cylinder models.
- Cordless — These tend to have a smaller footprint, though they do come at a higher price than a corded vacuum.
- Weight — if you have stairs, bear this number in mind. If not, then still choose something lightweight if you want to use it as a handheld model with its accessories.
- Capacity — The bigger your home, the bigger you want your dust bin capacity to be. Corded vacuums usually have the biggest capacities. Robot and handheld vacuums naturally have smaller dust bins. If you have a pet, go for a bigger dustbin.
- Size — If your closet is small, then this is the floor space required for your new vacuum. Some models fold to store and have onboard storage.
- Charge time — This is only applicable for cordless vacuums. If you're someone who vacuums every day, then go for a vacuum cleaner with a short charge time. If you don't mind charging yours overnight or you vacuum just twice a week, charge time isn't a big deal.
- Battery life — Only applicable for cordless vacuums, but you should consider the size of your home and how often you'd be happy charging your vacuum.
- Cord length — Only applicable for corded vacuums, but check how many sockets you have and check the length of the vacuum's cord will reach around your home.
- Price — You probably have a budget in mind already, so choose your vacuum and then patiently wait for a sale like Black Friday or Amazon Prime Day and watch its price (hopefully) drop.
FAQs
What is the best vacuum cleaner on the market?
We think that the Shark Stratos Cordless with Clean Sense IQ IZ862H is the best vacuum you can currently buy. It's part of a new line of Shark vacuums and this particular model is great at tackling pet (and human) hair, plus it automatically adapts its suction based on how dirty or clean your floors are. It has a bendable stick so that you can reach under furniture, and this means it can be folded away to store. It also works with recyclable scent pods to emit a lovely smell while you clean. The battery life is great and it comes with attachments, too. It's a great all-rounder which is suitable for the majority of homes.
Buy the Shark Stratos IZ862H from Best Buy.
Buy the Shark Stratos IZ862H from Target.
Buy the Shark Stratos IZ862H from Lowe's.
Cordless or corded vacuum?
Cordless vacuums are a good buy for small homes; they're often lighter and smaller, so easier to store and whip around than bulkier models. Their battery life is much better than a decade ago and they make quick cleaning very convenient. You might find it handy to own a cordless vacuum alongside a corded version for spot-cleaning a larger home, too.
Larger, more powerful vacuum cleaners tend to be corded, and these are what you want to choose for larger homes or if you need a really powerful vacuum cleaner. These vacs are normally bagged and will take up more storage space. They tend to be quite heavy, too.
Bagged or bagless vacuum?
Bagless vacuum cleaners can be messy to empty depending on the size of their canister. Most stick models are easy and usually mess-free, but bagless canisters and upright vacuums might make a mess. The ongoing cost of bags for traditional bagged models will make them more expensive in the long run, and not to mention this waste is not very good for the environment. Most people with allergies opt for a bagged vacuum cleaner as they seal the dust and allergens as soon as they are cleaned up. It's all down to personal preferences and needs.
Which type of vacuum cleaner should you choose?
If you're not sure where to start when choosing a vacuum cleaner, here are a few things that you'll need to look out for.
Upright vacuum cleaners are usually heavier, although there are lightweight models available. They tend to have a larger capacity, meaning you have to empty them less frequently than a cylinder or small handheld vacs. They're best for prolonged use in larger spaces as you can use them for as long as you require, just bear in mind that you are tethered to a cord.
Stick vacuums are a lot more common these days, they are quite slimline, resembling a broom. Commonly they are cordless, but they usually can't stand upright on their own. They are known for being lightweight, easy to maneuver, and simple to store. They'll usually come with some sort of wall dock for easy hanging in between cleaning sessions and with lots of tools as the majority of them convert to be a handheld vacuum. Apartment owners, this is the type of vacuum cleaner for you.
Canister vacuums (aka cylinder vacuums) tend to be less energy-efficient but are best for deep cleaning as they usually have large dust bins and are corded so that you can clean for as long as you like. When it comes to storage, they can often be taken apart so they can squeeze into tight spaces. They are also usually bagged, so they're great for allergy sufferers.
Handheld vacuum cleaners are great for picking up quick messes, but many of today's stick and cordless models convert to easy handheld designs. A vacuum that's specifically only handheld will be a lot smaller than that of a handheld unit of a cordless model. They also usually come with a stand and they're quite affordable at around $100.
How to clean your vacuum cleaner
Don't forget that to maintain suction power you need to keep your vacuum cleaner clean. Emptying the bag or tank regularly is key, and most vacuums have a filter that may need washing every so often. This needs to be done well in advance so that the filter is completely dry in time for vacuuming.
Otherwise, every vacuum is different when it comes to cleaning. If you have a Dyson or Shark, see our top tips below.
How we test vacuum cleaners
Levoit vacuum in review
All of the vacuums featured in this guide have been tested by one of our editors or freelancers in the UK or US. These vacuums are tested for a minimum of two weeks in our own homes. In total, we've tested 60+ vacuums but the nine models featured above are just our favorites so far. When reviewing all vacuum cleaners, we use criteria in order to rank them. We consider five main features and compare each vacuum with its competitors. We think about:
1. How easy is it to set up? We unbox all of our vacuum cleaners, lay out their accessories, and snap a few photos. If it needs to be connected to an app, we'll be sure to explain how easy its setup was.
2. How easy is it to use? How many modes does it have? Sounds pretty straightforward, and for those vacuums with only one or two modes, it is. But for anything a little more technical (Dyson V15 Detect, we're talking about you) we test every single feature and mode, comparing one to another and on different floor types. The ease of use test also includes how heavy it is to lift it upstairs (if our reviewer has stairs) and how easy it is to clean underneath furniture and maneuver around furniture legs. We also check if it has LED headlights for illuminating darker spaces.
3. What is its battery life like? How long is its cord? How big is its dust cup? Yes, we know that each manufacturer tells us this, as well as the charging time, but we always check that this number is true by timing how long each vacuum can be used. We're also sure to comment on what we thought of the length of the cord if it's a corded vacuum, and if we thought it could be longer. The same goes for its dust cup, though this is a lot harder for us to test as it's all dependent on how clean or dirty our homes are. We will suggest a size home that is best for the vacuum. So, if we think that something is only really good for small spaces as it has a shorter battery life or a smaller bin, we will say so.
4. How easy is it to store and maintain? Yes, all vacuum cleaners, whether they are $200 or $900, need to be cleaned. Ugh. But, some are a lot easier to clean than others. Some have washable filters which makes life easy, and we always note how easy it is to empty each vacuum cleaner's dust cup. When it comes to storage, this will be dependent on the type of vacuum it is. Stick vacuums are the easiest to store.
5. Which attachments come with your vacuum? Some of us don't have the space to store a handheld vacuum and a main vacuum, which is totally understandable. So, we're sure to test out all of the accessories that come included with our vacuum cleaners, and we explain what we used each one to clean. As a general rule, vacuums usually come with a crevice tool for reaching corners and a brush tool for cleaning baseboards and surfaces. Less is usually more in this case, as you need to think about where you're going to store these accessories. Some have onboard storage whereas others will need to sit in a bag in your closet.
Lastly, we try to carry out pantry tests with each model, to deliberately challenge these vacuums with cereal, rice, and sugar across different floor types. We've found that this is a really great way of quickly, neatly, and (semi) professionally showing you just what the vac is capable of achieving.
Meet our in-house vacuum reviewers:
Annie is our head ecommerce editor and she tested our no #1 vacuum, the Shark Stratos IZ862H. Annie lives in a two-bedroom South East London apartment, which she shares with her husband and her pug (who loves to shed). This vacuum has officially replaced her old one, and she loves every single thing about it.
Millie is our head of reviews across Future homes titles. She has tested many vacuums in her South London apartment, including the handheld Proscenic S1. She rates this as the best handheld vacuum you can buy.
Jaclyn was previously ecommerce editor across Future homes titles, including Real Homes. In this guide, Jaclyn has reviewed the Dyson V15 Detect. Jaclyn's home features a mix of hardwood floors, carpets, and area rugs. A small non-shedding dog lives in the house but still manages to track in his fair share of dirt.
Meet our freelancer vacuum reviewers:
Sarah is reviewed both the Miele Blizzard CX1 Cat&Dog PowerLine. She lives in the UK and in her home you can find all types of flooring, from parquet to tiles and carpet, making it the perfect vacuum testing space.
Linda is a freelancer for Real Homes and she tested the iRobot Roomba S9+ in her busy home in Devon to find out how well they perform across various floor types and how well they cope with busy family life and her three super-fluffy, world-class-molting dogs.
Courtney is a mom of three young kids and a dog, so naturally, crumb trails follow her everywhere. It’s safe to say she’s spent a small fortune testing vacuums, so reviewing the Tineco Pure One S12 and the Levoit VortexIQ40 Flex was right up her alley. She lives in a four-bedroom home with all types of flooring (carpet, hardwood, and tile), the ideal environment to test and challenge a cordless vacuum.
Alex is a freelancer for Real Homes, and she reviewed the Tineco Floor One S5 for us. Alex lives in Texas and her home is roughly 1,600 square feet in size and is fitted with hard flooring throughout. She doesn't have any pets.
Paige tested the Dyson Ball Animal 3 in her home for two weeks. In which, thanks to her four cats (three longhaired), is filled with plenty of pet hair, it was given a good run for its money.
Up next: Don't miss our guide to how to vacuum like a pro (yep, there are techniques to get it done quicker and better).
