The 13 Best Vacuums of 2023, Tested and Reviewed
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We’ve tested approximately 280 vacuums to date, and these are the ones we think are worth buying.
Real Simple / Dera Burreson
Investing in the right vacuum is the easiest way to make cleaning a bit less laborious and more doable. However, choosing the right vacuum cleaner can be a daunting task, especially given how advanced (and expensive) modern models can be.
To find the best vacuums for every household’s needs, we’ve tested approximately 280 vacuums to date both in our Lab and in our homes. Each vacuum was evaluated on its effectiveness, maneuverability, ease of emptying, portability, noise level, setup, and value. For expert tips on choosing a vacuum, we tapped Kathy Cohoon, director of franchise operations at Two Maids.
“More expensive doesn’t always mean better, so take inventory of what you need,” says Cohoon. “Do you have pets? Make sure to look for a model designed to pick up pet hair. Live solo with no animals? A lighter, less expensive model may do the trick for your space.”
Whether you’re in the market for a model that’s upright, cordless, handheld, or something else entirely, we’ve gone through hundreds of vacuums so you don’t have to.
Tineco Pure One S11 Tango Smart Stick/Handheld Vacuum
Best Overall Cordless Stick Vacuum
Who it’s for: People who want a powerful and lightweight vacuum with smart features.
Who it’s not for: People who don’t want to mount a docking station to the wall.
The Tineco Pure One S11 Tango came out of our testing with a near perfect score, earning it our best overall cordless stick vacuum title. It has a very powerful suction that was able to pick up nearly all the debris in less than 45 seconds, including cereal, popcorn kernels, coffee grounds, hair, and cotton balls. The battery lasted the entirety of our Lab testing and showed no reduction in suction power with use.
At six pounds, it’s extremely light and easy to maneuver. And when converted into a handheld vac, it’s very effective at cleaning upholstery, too. It comes with a number of attachments for getting into tight spaces, including a mini power brush, a dusting brush, and a crevice tool. Additional attachments include the multi-tasker power brush and the soft-roller brush, the latter of which is designed to tackle delicate hard flooring. (Note: Another version of this vacuum, the Tineco Pure One S11, is available without the soft-roller brush.) Both brushes have an LED light to illuminate your path as you clean.
Like other Tineco vacuum cleaners, the Pure One S11 Tango employs iLoop Smart Sensor Technology that automatically adjusts the suction power based on the amount of dirt and debris (which helps to prolong the runtime). Additionally, this vacuum is Wi-Fi-enabled and connects to the Tineco app for real-time performance monitoring, maintenance reminders, and more. The maximum runtime is about 40 minutes, but the battery is removable, so you can purchase a backup battery if you want to clean for a longer period of time.
Another standout feature of this stick vacuum is its quiet operation; it’s low enough to have a conversation over, or to run without bothering someone in the next room. Emptying the dustbin is easy, and the brush roll can also be removed for cleaning (we did experience some hair wrapping around the brush roll). In terms of value, this vacuum provides the performance and advanced features of much higher priced models—yet another reason it’s our favorite cordless stick vacuum. Just keep in mind that it comes with a wall-mounted dock, which could be an issue for renters or anyone who can’t drill holes into their walls.
Price at time of publish: $400
Product Details:
Type: Cordless stick
Weight: 6 pounds
Cord Length: N/A
Battery Life/Runtime: 40 minutes
Dust Capacity: 0.6 liters
Attachments: LED soft-roller power brush, LED multi-tasker power brush, mini power brush, 2-in-1 dusting brush, crevice tool
Real Simple / Henry Wortock
Dyson Ball Animal 3 Extra
Best Overall Upright Vacuum
Who it’s for: People who want an upright and de-tangling vacuum for picking up long hair and pet hair.
Who it isn’t for: People with lots of stairs.
We thought our previous vacuums had been picking up most of the debris on our floors, but then we tried the Dyson Ball Animal 3 Extra. We were shocked by the amount of dust, dirt, and hair it picked up. Heavy-duty messes—especially pet hair and long hair—stand no chance against this powerful and substantial upright vacuum. Whether it be coffee grounds, cereal, corn kernels, hair, or lint, all debris was removed in just a few passes using this vacuum.
The Dyson Ball Animal 3 Extra is designed with pet owners in mind. It comes with a powerful Motorbar cleaner head with hair de-tangling removal vanes that automatically clear the hair as you clean. It was able to swiftly remove even the longest and thickest hair in a single pass, but there was no entanglement on the roller afterwards. It also comes with attachments designed specifically for hair, including the tangle-free turbine tool, which features counter-rotating heads for removing hair from carpets, cars, and upholstery. And a major bonus for pet owners: The included pet groom tool can be used to brush your pet and send the hair directly into the vacuum.
The vacuum transitions easily from hard surfaces to carpets, and allows you to toggle between three different suction modes depending on the floor type and pile height. With the help of the hose, wand, and the various attachments, the vacuum had no problem maneuvering around furniture and cleaning upholstery. And the generous 35-foot cord allows you to work within large rooms and open floor plans without constantly switching outlets. The extra-large dust cup had lots of excess capacity even after we completed our Lab testing, another reason to believe this vacuum is well-suited to tackle large spaces. Given the power of the vacuum, it doesn’t exactly have a quiet operation, though it’s not any louder than similar competitor models.
We did find two weaknesses in this model—the first being its tendency to split larger debris while in the upright position (as opposed to using the hose). The unit itself is also fairly heavy, and though it comes with a hose that allows you to tackle stairs without lifting the base, we found the hose to have some resistance, which could make cleaning the stairs a bit difficult for those with limited mobility. But even with these flaws, the Dyson Ball Animal 3 Extra remains our favorite upright vacuum for its powerful suction and anti-tangle design.
Price at time of publish: $500
Product Details:
Type: Upright
Weight: 17.3 pounds
Cord Length: 35 feet
Battery Life/Runtime: N/A
Dust Capacity: 1.7 liters
Attachments: Motorbar cleaner head, tangle-free turbine tool, combination tool, stair tool, pet groom tool, wand, hose
Real Simple / Dera Burreson
Kenmore Pet Friendly POP-N-GO Bagged Canister Vacuum
Best Overall Canister Vacuum
Who it’s for: People (especially pet owners) who want a vacuum that will effectively remove hair and keep allergens sealed inside.
Who it isn’t for: People who don't want to purchase replacement bags for a vacuum.
In our Lab tests, we pushed four ounces of pet hair onto a carpeted surface and two ounces of pet hair onto an upholstered dog bed, all of which the Kenmore Pet-Friendly POP-N-GO suctioned up with ease. The hair didn’t tangle around the brush roll, either. On hard surfaces, this vacuum was slightly less effective at picking up hair, although it was able to get almost all of the kibble we sprinkled onto the floor. What’s more, the vacuum was relatively quiet given its strong suction power—even on the highest setting.
For those who suffer from allergies, whether pet or otherwise, the Kenmore POP-N-GO comes with a HEPA filter to trap irritants as small as 0.3 microns, as well as a cloth bag that seals in dust, pet dander, and other debris. Once it’s at capacity, you can simply toss the sealed bag directly into the trash can without recirculating allergens back into the air. (The box includes two bags, and you can purchase more separately when you run out.)
The main unit attaches to a hose that can be used with any number of the included attachments, such as the Pet PowerMate brush, the upholstery brush, or the telescoping wand (the latter is great for cleaning curtains and drapes). We found it easy to switch between the various attachments and adjust the wand height, allowing us to tackle every corner of a particularly dusty bedroom. At 24 pounds, the canister is a bit heavier than the other vacuums on this list, although we were still able to carry it with one hand. Plus, it comes with a retractable cord that gives you plenty of slack when maneuvering around a room, despite being tethered to an outlet. And the onboard tool storage allows you to keep the vacuum and all the accessories neatly tucked away until your next cleaning.
Price at time of publish: $315
Product Details:
Type: Canister
Weight: 24 pounds
Cord Length: 26 feet
Battery Life/Runtime: N/A
Dust Capacity: 2.5 liters
Attachments: Pet PowerMate brush, crevice tool, dusting brush, bare floor tool, telescopic wand
Real Simple / Dera Burreson
Dirt Devil Versa 3-in-1 Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner
Best Budget Stick Vacuum
Who it’s for: People who have trouble lifting heavy objects or people who want a secondary vacuum for small messes.
Who it isn’t for: People who want a vacuum with lots of attachments.
When it comes to vacuums, sometimes less is more. The Dirt Devil Versa 3-in-1 Cordless Stick Vacuum doesn’t come with any attachments or fancy features, but it gave an impressive performance in our testing and weighs less than five pounds.
We found this vacuum to work well on all floors types, sucking up hair and other debris in just two passes. The compact design makes it easy to navigate around furniture and get all the way up to the edges of the wall. Although it doesn’t come with any attachments, the detachable hand vac gives you the ability to clean hard-to-reach places, such as furniture, countertops, and more.
We did find that the unit was somewhat loud for its size, and hair had a tendency to get tangled around the brush roll, requiring us to use a seam ripper to clear it out. Plus, the vacuum has a very limited runtime at just 12 minutes. But given its price relative to its performance, we think this makes an excellent secondary vacuum for small messes, or a primary vacuum for a college dorm or anyone with difficulty lifting heavy objects.
Price at time of publish: $90
Product Details:
Type: Cordless stick
Weight: 5 pounds
Cord Length: N/A
Battery Life/Runtime: 12 minutes
Dust Capacity: 0.4 liters
Attachments: Detachable hand vacuum
Real Simple / Dera Burreson
Hart Pro Bagless Upright Vacuum with HEPA Media Filter
Best Budget Upright Vacuum
Who it’s for: People who want an affordable upright vacuum for whole-home cleaning.
Who it’s not for: People who want a vacuum with an anti-tangle brush roll.
For less than $150, the Hart Pro Upright Bagless Vacuum will give you a fast and deep clean across a variety of surfaces. In our Lab tests, it was able to pick up more than 90 percent of debris across hardwood floors, stairs, medium-pile carpet, high-pile carpet, and upholstery, all within a one-minute window. Despite being a full-size upright vacuum, it transitioned smoothly from carpet to hardwood and vice versa, and the swivel-head allowed us to navigate furniture easily, too.
It also comes with a crevice tool and a pet upholstery tool, both of which proved useful when getting into nooks and crannies, as well as a 13-foot reach for above-floor cleaning. Integrated LED lights also help light the way as you clean. The vacuum is equipped with both high and low settings, and allows you to turn the roller bar off when cleaning delicate flooring, such as hardwood floors.
At 16 pounds, the Hart Pro is a fairly standard-sized upright vacuum, and its weight helps to aid in lifting deeply embedded dirt and debris. The generous cord length makes it easy to move around the room, and it loops around two hooks on the vacuum for tidy storage.
Emptying the vacuum is easy, too. The one-button release allows you to eject the dirt and debris directly over the trash can, and we found that it released every last bit of debris without requiring us to manually remove any hair. However, longer hair did get wrapped around the brush roll, and removing the brush roll requires the use of a Phillips head screwdriver.
Price at time of publish: $129
Product Details:
Type: Upright
Weight: 16 pounds
Cord Length: Not listed
Battery Life/Runtime: N/A
Dust Capacity: Not listed
Attachments: Cleaning brush roll, crevice tool, pet upholstery tool
Real Simple / Dera Burreson
iRobot Roomba 694 Robot Vacuum
Best Robot Vacuum
Who it’s for: People who want a robot vacuum that can be scheduled to run automatically.
Who it isn’t for: People who want a robot vacuum with more advanced features such as smart mapping and object avoidance.
A robot vacuum takes all the heavy lifting out of cleaning your floors, which is why they’re great for pet owners who need frequent cleanings and anyone who isn’t fond of vacuuming. You can even set them to run while you’re away from home, making them a great option for frequent travelers or people with busy schedules, too. We named the Roomba 694 our best overall pick out of all the robot vacuums we tested because it’s reasonably priced and was able to clean up all sorts of debris, including pet hair, cereal, and even sand from different surfaces.
This vacuum did a good job of navigating around the obstacles we placed in its path. Just keep in mind that it doesn’t have object avoidance or smart mapping technology, so it’s still recommended that you do some tidying up around the house before using it. It travels around your space somewhat at random (instead of in a grid pattern) and returns to its dock once the battery begins to run low. Some people may prefer the formulaic coverage you get with more expensive models, but at the end of the day, the 694 achieves the same goal.
The device is WiFi compatible and can be connected to an app or a voice assistant, from which you can turn it on or off or even set a schedule. We were so impressed with the results of the robot, that it’s now the primary vacuum in some of our households.
Price at time of publish: $275
Product Details:
Type: Robot
Weight: 6.8 pounds
Cord Length: N/A
Battery Life/Runtime: 90 minutes
Dust Capacity: 0.35 liters
Attachments: N/A
Real Simple / Rachel Marek
Tineco Pure One S15 Pro Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner
Best Vacuum for Pet Hair
Who it’s for: People who want a lightweight stick vacuum with smart features and a freestanding docking station.
Who it isn’t for: People who want a vacuum for whole-home cleaning may find the runtime too short and the dustbin too small.
Cordless stick vacuums are all about convenience, and the Tineco Pure One S15 Pro certainly excels in that arena. At just under seven pounds, this vacuum is very lightweight and easy to maneuver—we could carry it up and down the stairs easily using one hand. In our Lab tests, this vacuum was effective at picking up everything from cereal to kibble to pet hair, and it transitioned seamlessly between carpet and bare floors.
The tangle-free brush actually kept long hair and pet hair from wrapping around the brush roll, even after months of consistent use. Tineco uses iLoop Smart Sensor Technology to automatically adjust the suction power based on the mess (which helps to prolong the runtime), and we can confirm that the motor speed frequently increased when the vacuum passed over debris. Plus, it has five layers of filtration, including a HEPA filter.
This pick from Tineco is one of the “smarter” vacuums on our list: It’s WiFi-enabled and connects to an app, where you can track your cleaning progress, adjust settings, and more. It also uses voice prompts to guide you through the cleaning process, but this feature can be turned off. The handle has a touch bar where you can adjust the suction strength, along with an LCD display that alerts you when the vacuum detects debris and again once the debris has been cleared. We particularly liked that the display showed exactly how much battery life remained as we were cleaning.
One of the more unique features of this vacuum is its freestanding charging base, which can store the vacuum upright (many cordless vacuums are unable to stand up on their own and must be wall-mounted). And all the attachments store neatly on the charging base, too. In terms of cleanup, you can simply release the contents of the dustbin using the trigger, which will even scrape debris and hair from within the bin—although we did find we still had to remove some of the hair on our own. One thing to note: The Tineco Pure One S15 Pro is best suited for cleaning one room or mess at a time, as opposed to a full home, because it has a relatively small dustbin and a max runtime of 40 minutes.
Price at time of publish: $599
Product Details:
Type: Cordless stick
Weight: 6.8 pounds
Cord Length: N/A
Battery Life/Runtime: 40 minutes
Dust Capacity: 0.47 liters
Attachments: Mini-power brush, 2-in-1 dust brush, crevice tool
Real Simple / Dera Burreson
Shark NV501 Rotator Professional Lift-Away Upright Vacuum
Best Vacuum for Carpet
Who it’s for: People who want a vacuum that can remove deeply embedded dirt from carpet.
Who it’s not for: People who want a lightweight or cordless vacuum.
The powerful suction of this upright vacuum proved most effective on medium- and high-pile carpet, earning its spot as our best overall vacuum for carpet. This is thanks in large part to the powerful brush roll that lifts deeply embedded dust and dirt. But should you need to use it on hardwood floors, you can adjust the suction and even turn off the beater brush to minimize kickback and avoid scratching hard surfaces.
In addition to its suction power, this vacuum also scored points for versatility: It can be used on a variety of surface types (though it was less effective on hardwood floors than it was on carpets), as well as upholstery, stairs, drapes, and more. The “Lift-Away” pod detaches from the main unit so you can clean above the floor without carrying the whole vacuum, and the extended-reach hose allows you to clean hard-to-reach areas, such as ceiling fans. Plus, it comes with an upholstery tool, a dusting brush, and a crevice tool.
The swivel head makes it easy to pivot around furniture with ease, while the 25-foot cord gives you more leeway while making your way around the room. For allergy sufferers, it features a HEPA filter that seals allergens within the 0.8-liter dust cup, which we were able to empty without having to put our hands inside the cup. The noise level is about what you’d expect from a typical upright vacuum, but it didn’t produce any grinding or whistling noises like some vacuums we have tested. Overall, this is an effective machine that will cut down on time spent vacuuming, which is exactly what anyone with lots of carpeting needs.
Price at time of publish: $300
Product Details:
Type: Upright
Weight: 15.5 pounds
Cord Length: 25 feet
Battery Life/Runtime: N/A
Dust Capacity: 0.8 liters
Attachments: Upholstery tool, dusting brush, crevice tool
Real Simple / Henry Wortock
Dyson Omni-Glide+ Cordless Vacuum
Best Vacuum for Hardwood
Who it’s for: People who want a vacuum without a beater brush for use on delicate hardwoods.
Who it’s not for: People who want a vacuum that can be used on carpets in addition to hardwoods.
The Dyson Omni-Glide+ moves smoothly over delicate hardwood floors to pick up dust and other debris without causing damage. This smart design combined with its lightweight and powerful suction makes it our favorite vacuum for hardwood floors.
The Omni-Glide+ doesn’t come with a beater brush of any kind, so it’s not going to be effective on carpet. But it excelled on hardwoods in our testing, picking up 98 percent of debris within a one-minute window. The Double Fluffy cleaner head comes covered in a soft nylon to capture large debris, while the anti-static carbon fiber filaments simultaneously remove fine dust. Additional attachments include a crevice tool and a mini motorized brush head for use on upholstery and other hard-to-reach areas. Plus, this vacuum easily transforms into a handheld vacuum cleaner for quick spot cleans or above-floor cleaning.
The major trade-off of this vacuum’s size is its relatively small dustbin capacity—just 0.2 liters—which required us to have to empty the canister somewhat frequently. This, combined with its 20-minute battery life, makes the Omni-Glide+ better suited for quick cleanups and small spaces. The point-and-shoot mechanism ejects the contents of the canister directly into a trash can, though we found some hair remained tangled in the dustbin. The name Dyson comes with a high-price tag, but for anyone with lots of hardwood flooring, this vacuum may be worth the splurge to ensure your floors stay clean and scratch-free.
Price at time of publish: $500
Product Details:
Type: Cordless stick
Weight: 4.2 pounds
Cord Length: N/A
Battery Life/Runtime: 20 minutes
Dust Capacity: 0.2 liters
Attachments: Double Fluffy cleaner head, combination crevice tool, mini motorized tool, light pipe crevice tool
Real Simple / Henry Wortock
eufy by Anker HomeVac H30 Infinity Cordless Vacuum
Best Lightweight Vacuum
Who it’s for: People who have difficulty lifting heavy objects and people who want a cordless vacuum that doubles as a hand vac.
Who it isn’t for: People who want a larger dust cup that won’t require frequent emptying.
This cordless stick/hand vacuum hybrid is the definition of “tiny but mighty.” It was able to vacuum 100 percent of the debris on hardwood and medium pile carpet, and left only a few popcorn kernels behind when used on high-pile carpet. And on top of that, it weighs just 1.8 pounds, making it a great secondary vacuum for small messes or a primary vacuum for those with difficulty lifting heavy objects. In addition to the detachable hand vac, it also comes with a pet brush, a crevice tool, and a mop module for hard floors, making it one of the most versatile vacuums we’ve tested to date.
The battery life is about 20 minutes, which is pretty standard for a cordless vacuum of this size. Our biggest complaint is that the dustbin requires frequent emptyings, as it only holds 0.25 liters. And we did find that long hair had a tendency to wrap around the brush roll, too. But aside from these small flaws, we found this to be a well-balanced and effective vacuum for small jobs or places where an upright can’t reach.
Price at time of publish: $200
Product Details:
Type: Cordless stick/handheld
Weight: 1.8 pounds
Cord Length: N/A
Battery Life/Runtime: 20 minutes
Dust Capacity: 0.25 liters
Attachments: Mini-motorized pet brush, 2-in-1 crevice tool, hard floor cleaning tool, pipe tools, mopping module with disposable mop cloths
Real Simple / Henry Wortock
Bissell 1132A Symphony All-in-One Vacuum and Steam Mop
Best Vacuum and Mop Combo
Who it’s for: People who want to be able to vacuum and steam hard floors simultaneously.
Who it’s not for: People with mostly carpeting.
This two-in-one vacuum and steam mop is a great way to streamline your cleaning routine. We were pleasantly surprised by just how effective the vacuum portion of this machine was. It proved to be relatively effective at removing debris from hard flooring, though it wasn’t as effective on carpet (to be fair, it’s not really designed to be used on carpet without purchasing the carpet glider separately).
You can easily switch between vacuuming, steaming, or both by using the touch controls on the handle. And because this is a steam mop, it doesn't require any cleaning solution: It relies on the high temperature of the steam to kill germs and restore shine. Plus, it features a dry tank that keeps any debris the vacuum sucks up dry as you steam clean.
We found this vacuum and mop combo to have a balanced weight and low profile that slides easily under furniture. Just keep in mind that it doesn’t come with any attachments, nor does it swivel. But given just how much it can do, we’re willing to let this slide.
Price at time of publish: $224
Product Details:
Type: Upright vacuum/steam mop
Weight: 10.1 pounds
Cord Length: 25 feet
Battery Life/Runtime: N/A
Dust Capacity: Not listed
Attachments: Detachable mop tray pad with microfiber soft pad microfiber scrubby pad
Shark CH901 UltraCyclone Pro Cordless Handheld Vacuum
Best Handheld Vacuum
Who it’s for: People who want a powerful hand vacuum with a substantial dust capacity.
Who it’s not for: People who want a vacuum for more general cleaning.
The Shark UltraCyclone Pro was the most effective of the handheld vacuums we tested at picking up debris—including hair—from carpet, upholstery, and car interiors. It has a powerful suction and a large dust bin that holds 0.4 liters. In fact, we only emptied it once during our testing, and it wasn’t even full yet. But all this power and capacity doesn’t make it unwieldy to use—it weighs just two pounds and can easily get in between couch cushions or other tight places using the extended crevice attachment. It even comes with a scrubbing brush for stuck-on dirt, too.
Emptying this vacuum is easy, thanks to the hands-free dirt ejector that empties dust and debris straight into the trash with the touch of a button. And it comes with a washable filter, so there’s no need to buy replacements. Overall, we love the power that this vacuum delivers in such a compact size, as well as its large dustbin that allows for uninterrupted cleaning.
Price at time of publish: $80
Product Details:
Type: Handheld
Weight: 2.2 pounds
Cord Length: N/A
Battery Life/Runtime: 15 minutes
Dust Capacity: 0.4 liters
Attachments: Crevice tool, scrubbing brush
Black+Decker 20V Max* Flex Handheld Vacuum
Best Car Vacuum
Who it’s for: People who want a powerful hand vacuum with a long hose that can reach every crevice of their car.
Who it’s not for: People who want a vacuum with a long battery life.
Out of all the car vacuums we tested, we like the Black + Decker Max Flex Handheld Vacuum best because of its impressive suction and 4-foot hose that can reach every nook and cranny of your vehicle. The base is a small, lightweight unit that’s easy to hold in place with one hand while maneuvering the hose with the other hand.
It comes with several attachments that make it easier to vacuum a car, including a pet brush and a combination nozzle/flip-up brush (the latter of which allows you to easily switch between vacuuming and dusting). And while we love it for the car, it also includes a stick vacuum floor extension, so you can use it to clean your floors, too. Plus, the hose can also be used for above-floor cleaning in the home, such as high shelving or ceiling fans.
The 0.5-liter bowl is entirely washable, as is the filter. The charging station keeps everything neat and tidy, but unfortunately, the battery doesn’t keep its charge for very long. Runtime is going to depend on how much charge the unit has to begin with, but it only lasted for eight minutes in our testing. This is especially disappointing given that it takes four hours to fully charge. Fortunately, a quick car cleanup shouldn’t take too long, which is why we still recommend this as our best overall car vacuum pick.
Price at time of publish: $119
Product Details:
Type: Handheld
Weight: 5 pounds
Cord Length: N/A
Battery Life/Runtime: Not listed
Dust Capacity: 0.5 liters
Attachments: 2-in-1 nozzle + brush, pet brush
Real Simple / Dera Burreson
Final Verdict
Our favorite upright vacuum is the Dyson Ball Animal 3 Extra, which has a powerful suction and a de-tangling brush head that automatically clears hair as you clean. In terms of cordless stick vacuums, we like the Tineo Pure One S11 Tango Smart Stick/Handheld Vacuum, which provides considerable suction power given its weight, as well as many advanced features. Finally, our favorite canister vacuum is the Kenmore Pet-Friendly POP-N-GO Bagged Canister Vacuum because it is able to effectively remove hair and allergens and keep them sealed inside.
Our Testing Process
To date, we’ve tested approximately 280 different vacuums and have compiled results based on our in-depth Lab tests and months of at-home use. In our Lab testing, each vacuum was evaluated on its effectiveness at cleaning different floor types (including upholstery, when applicable), as well as its maneuverability, ease of emptying, portability, noise level, setup, and value. For vacuums designed for pet owners, we tested each model’s ability to clean real pet hair. We also made sure to test special features, such as mop functions for vacuum-mops hybrids and object avoidance technology for robot vacuums.
After completing our Lab tests, the vacuums were sent home with real-world testers who provided feedback on how well they held up over time and whether they improved their regular cleaning routine. We are still in the process of long term testing many vacuums and will continue to update this piece as we gain new insights.
Real Simple / Dera Burreson
How to Shop for Vacuums Like a Pro
Type
Upright Vacuums: An upright vacuum is what most people would consider a “traditional” vacuum cleaner. These are self-contained vacuums that usually feature a hose, a bag or a dustbin, and a motor all in the same body. Upright models are well-suited for carpeted surfaces, particularly in households with pets, because the weight of the unit combined with the motorized brush attachments make them very effective at lifting embedded dirt and hair from carpet fibers. They often come with an extendable hose that can be used with different attachments to clean upholstery, stairs, crevices, and more. You can find both corded and cordless upright vacuums—the latter tend to be more lightweight and thus better suited for carrying up and down stairs.
Cordless Stick Vacuums: For cleaning small spaces, low-pile carpeting, or the occasional mess, stick vacuums make an excellent lightweight option. This type of vacuum cleaner has skyrocketed in popularity, and newer models are getting closer and closer to having the suction power of upright vacuums. They’re slim and easy to store, and they typically weigh well under 10 pounds. Many stick vacuums are cordless, so you’re not tethered to an outlet while you clean. Keep in mind that because they’re typically battery-powered, cordless vacuums have a limited runtime—usually anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour. For this reason, not all stick vacuums are suitable for whole-house cleaning, especially in larger homes.
Canister Vacuums: For floor-to-ceiling cleaning around the whole house, consider a canister vacuum. These versatile appliances consist of a main unit with a motor and a vacuum bag or dustbin. The main unit connects to a hose that can be used with multiple attachments for cleaning hard-to-reach areas such as draperies, underneath low-lying furniture, or in small crevices. And these vacuums typically come with onboard storage so you can keep all the attachments together in one place. Compared to upright vacuums, canister vacuums are better suited for cleaning stairs and hard surfaces, however, they take up more space and tend to be more expensive than upright vacuums.
Robot Vacuums: As the new kid on the block, robot vacuums still have their skeptics. But today’s robot vacuums are smarter and more powerful than ever. These vacuums do the hard work for you with the press of a button, and many can even be scheduled to run automatically on a regular basis. They don’t lift dirt as effectively as traditional vacuums, but they can keep your floors clean with little to no effort on your end. Pet owners may also consider a robot vacuum for picking up pet hair and dander in between deeper cleanings with a traditional vacuum. But although many robot vacuums come with object avoidance technology and smart mapping, they can still get stuck on loose objects and struggle to navigate around tight spaces, so briefly tidying up before running is often necessary.
Real Simple / Dera Burreson
Weight
It’s important to strike the right balance between a vacuum that’s heavy enough to clean effectively but not so heavy that it’s unwieldy to use. “A heavy-duty vacuum may look amazing, but if it is too heavy, lugging it around the house will become a huge chore and you can even risk injury,” says Kathy Cohoon, director of franchise operations at Two Maids. “Test holding a vacuum if you need to in order to make sure you can carry it comfortably.”
And don’t forget to consider storage—stick vacuums have a smaller footprint and many can even be mounted to the wall, the trade-off being that they have limited run times and less suction power. The lightest vacuum on our list, the Eufy HomeVac H30 Infinity, is a cordless stick vacuum and only weighs 1.8 pounds.
Suction Power
To get the best return on investment, Cohoon suggests looking “for a vacuum with strong suction and, if needed, multiple settings for flooring, carpeting, upholstery, etc.” Many vacuums feature variable suction for cleaning more delicate items such as curtains. Suction power is most commonly measured in air watts (AW). In general, an upright vacuum cleaner should have about 100 AW, while a canister vacuum cleaner should have about 220 AW—but we’ve found that few manufacturers disclose this specification.
Attachments
Strong suction power alone is not enough to make a vacuum effective at picking up dust, dirt, and other debris. You’ll also need to consider the design of the brush roll and make sure you have the proper attachments should you need to clean upholstery, drapes, hard floors, dust shelves, etc. Common attachments include crevice tools for cleaning corners, a dust brush for gently dusting shelves and tables, an upholstery tool, and a turbo tool for deep cleaning carpets. If these are not included with your vacuum cleaner, they can often be purchased separately.
Price
It’s not uncommon to find vacuum cleaners that retail for upwards of $1,000, but most people won’t need all the features that these pricey vacuums have to offer. For a quality vacuum that won’t require replacing within the year, you’ll likely need to spend at least $100–$150. But if you choose to spend more than this, you’ll be rewarded with convenient features, like extended battery life for cordless models or smart mapping for robot vacuums, just to name a few.
More Vacuums to Consider
Eureka NEC700 Innova Cordless Stick Vacuum: If you want an upgrade from our best budget pick (the Dirt Devil Versa 3-in-1 Cordless Stick Vac), but don’t want to shell out $350+ for a premium stick vacuum, this vacuum is a great middle ground. It has a strong battery life, a large dust capacity, and a powerful suction.
Hoover Elite Swivel XL Pet Upright Vacuum: This is another great upright vacuum option with powerful suction and a large dust capacity. We particularly like the on-board storage for its many attachments. However, the Hart Pro Upright Bagless Vacuum, our best budget upright vacuum pick, gave a similar performance at a lower price point.
Real Simple / Dera Burreson
Questions You Might Ask
Do you need a HEPA filter?
A high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter is a mechanical filter that forces air through a very fine mesh, removing even the tiniest particles from the air. If you suffer from allergies, investing in a vacuum with a HEPA filter will keep particles from recirculating back into the air.
Unfortunately, this clean air will cost you: HEPA filters cannot be washed and reused, and replacement filters can cost several times what conventional vacuum filters cost. If you’re buying a vacuum with a HEPA filter, make sure it’s a “true” HEPA filter, which means it’s been proven to trap at least 99.7 percent of particles as small as 0.3 microns.
Which is better, a bagged or bagless vacuum?
Allergy sufferers should also take into consideration whether a vacuum is bagged or bagless. “A bagged vacuum doesn’t run the risk of releasing debris into the air when emptying and doesn’t require filter cleanings like a bagless,” says Cohoon. The only bagged vacuum on our list is the Kenmore Pet-Friendly POP-N-GO Bagged Canister Vacuum.
“Bagless vacuums are great for those who don’t want to spend money on replacement bags—just make sure to clean the filter on a bagless model often to avoid damage to the machine or an ineffective clean,” Cohoon adds.
How often should you vacuum your home?
How often you need to vacuum depends on the foot traffic in your home, the type of flooring, and whether you have pets or kids. “If there’s carpeting in heavy traffic or high-mess areas like pet spaces or playrooms, a quick vacuum each day could help to minimize long-term carpet damage and keep spaces debris-free,” says Cohoon. “Spaces that aren’t used as much can stand to be vacuumed once every week or two.”
One advantage of lightweight cordless vacuums and robot vacuums is that they can make quick work of spot cleaning or picking up pet hair in between regular cleanings.
How often should a vacuum be cleaned?
Yes, you do need to clean your vacuum to keep it running efficiently. We suggest checking the brushes and bristles after each use for any stuck-on hair or debris and emptying the dustbin every few uses. Once a month, check on your vacuum’s filter, and if it’s washable, rinse it under cool running water and let it dry fully before putting it back. Finally, you should disassemble your vacuum cleaner about once a year and clean all washable parts with a little soap and water. It may sound like a lot, but it will be worth the effort to protect your investment.
Take Our Word for It
This article was written by Melanie Fincher, associate commerce editor for Real Simple with three years of experience writing product reviews and lifestyle content. To compile this list, we tested approximately 280 vacuums both in our Labs and in our homes over the course of several months. Each vacuum cleaner was evaluated based on its effectiveness, maneuverability, ease of emptying, portability, noise level, setup, and value. Melanie also served as one of the long-term testers, and she now uses her robot vacuum cleaner almost every day to pick up pet hair and other debris. For professional insight, she consulted Kathy Cohoon, director of franchise operations at Two Maids.
What Is Real Simple Selects?
Next to each product on this list, you may have noticed a Real Simple Selects seal of approval. Any product appearing alongside that seal has been vetted by our team—put through tests and graded on its performance to earn a spot on our list. Although we buy most of the products we test, sometimes we do get samples from companies if purchasing a product ourselves isn't an option. All products go through the same rigorous process, whether they are purchased or sent by the company.
Love our recommendations? Check out more products that have earned the Real Simple Selects, from humidifiers to cordless vacuums.
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