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This Dyson canister model features a specialized self-righting design and a superior reach, but it doesn't have great suction for its price.
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The Samsung Bespoke Jet AI is a powerhouse when it comes to cleaning—dealing with pet hair and dust with ease. It can also self-empty its dust bin.
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Written by Jonathan Chan, senior manager of lab operations with a decade of experience testing products. Ben Yoder, SEO editor with more than 25 years of journalism experience.
Updated August 16, 2024
Choosing the best vacuum is not an easy task. Shoppers looking for a new vacuum are confronted with lots of different options, from upright vacuums to robot vacuums. But which type is best?
The best vacuum for you depends on your individual cleaning situation. Someone with a small apartment may want to choose a cordless stick vacuum, while a person with wall-to-wall carpet will likely want to opt for an upright or a canister vacuum. In many cases, you’ll want more than one type of vacuum for your home, because different cleaning tasks are better handled by different types of vacuum cleaners.
Here at Reviewed, we've tested hundreds of vacuums over the years to determine which ones are worth the money. When it comes to testing vacuums, we rely on several science-based tests to determine performance and usability—and to find out how they stack up against manufacturer claims. In short, we’re serious about cleaning. (We even make our own dirt!)
We put together this list of the very best vacuums of every type, so you can find the right one—or right ones—for you.
Credit:
Reviewed / Jonathan Chan
We think most people will fall in love with the Shark Apex AZ1002
Best Upright Vacuum Cleaner
Shark Apex AZ1002
The Shark Apex AZ1002 is not just our favorite upright vacuum cleaner, it’s also the best vacuum for hardwood floors that we’ve ever tested, thanks to its DuoClean feature.
Shark’s top-of-the-line model, this upright vacuum cleaner aced our debris test—it was able to pick up uncooked rice, macaroni, and pet hair better than more expensive vacuums on regular carpet, shag, and linoleum. It also excels at vacuuming up dirt, scoring in the top third of all the vacuums we’ve tested, and works with a HEPA filter to trap dust and allergens.
Shark vacuums often come with lots of attachments, but this one only has a crevice tool, upholstery tool, and motorized brush head. However, the brush head is powerful and versatile, so you may not even notice the limited number of attachments.
The overall deep-cleaning power of the Shark Apex means you won’t find a better full-sized vacuum cleaner, especially when you factor in the price.
The Dyson Big Ball Multifloor is powerful and easy to use.
Best Canister Vacuum
Dyson Big Ball Multifloor
If you’re looking for a canister vacuum, the Dyson Big Ball Multifloor is worth checking out. It has powerful suction and an easy-to-use design. In our cleaning tests, this Dyson vacuum picked up an average 47% of the dirt on our lab carpets in a single pass. The average is around 30%.
Suction power is great, but the Multifloor is also easy to use. The self-adjusting cleaner head means this vacuum can seamlessly go from bare floors to carpet without the need to push buttons or levers. The chassis is also designed to always self-right. This means if the canister gets tipped over, it will get back on its wheels without any assistance.
We also liked the lightweight wand, which allowed us to clean high-up areas like vents with the combination tool and not put a lot of strain on our wrists.
One of our favorite Dyson vacuums, this canister has engineering we can appreciate. Every aspect on the Multifloor feels well made. Parts come together with a satisfying click, the brush head pivots on a dime, and cord retracts quickly. Whether you’re looking for a general vacuum for carpet or need something to clean hardwood floors, the Dyson Big Ball Multifloor is worth checking out.
The Samsung Bespoke AI Jet is the best cordless vacuum cleaner.
Best Cordless Vacuum Cleaner
Samsung Bespoke Jet AI VS28C9762UK
There’s a lot to love about the Samsung Bespoke Jet AI, our favorite cordless stick vacuum. Weighing only 6.3 pounds, it’s among the lightest cordless vacuums we’ve tested, but the Bespoke Jet AI is no lightweight in the cleaning department.
During testing, this cordless vacuum cleaner sucked up 90% of the dirt and fine dust we laid out for it during our carpet cleaning test. It comes with plenty of attachments and features to make cleaning a breeze. The Jet AI also has a powerful battery, which can last up to 17 minutes on high.
One of the things we appreciate most is the Jet AI’s ability to automatically adjust suction based on dirt and floor type. Another way this cordless vacuum tops the competition—it can empty itself. When it’s in the charging dock, you can press a button that activates a secondary vacuum to suction out the dust bin. The contents are placed into a self-sealing bag, so you never have to touch anything nasty.
For someone looking for a superb cordless vacuum cleaner, the Samsung Bespoke Jet AI checks all the boxes.
The Bissell Pet Hair Eraser provides plenty of power and versatility
Best Handheld Vacuum Cleaner
Bissell Pet Hair Eraser 2390
The Bissell Pet Hair Eraser 2390 handheld vacuum may be small, but it has the suction power to tackle messes around the house and in your vehicle.
When we tested the best handheld vacuums, the Pet Hair Eraser picked up a remarkable 94% of the dirt we sprinkled on medium-pile carpet in a single pass.
Our tests also confirmed that this hand vacuum is aptly named—the Pet Hair Eraser was able to tackle pet fur from a couch cushion, vacuuming it up in a single pass, earning it a spot on our best vacuums for pet hair list.
This handheld vacuum weighs just 3 pounds and can last up to 19 minutes of continuous cleaning. Combine those two stats with a 24-ounce dirt cup, and you’ll be able to handle almost any mess around the house or in your vehicle.
The iRobot Roomba j9+ is a superb robot vacuum cleaner.
Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
iRobot Roomba J9+
The iRobot Roomba j9+ robot vacuum combines superior floor cleaning, exceptional navigation, and useful smart features to earn the nod as best robot vacuum.
During testing, the Roomba j9+ picked up an average of about 9.45 grams of our testing debris per run, scoring in the 90th percentile of robot vacuums we’ve tested. Using lidar technology, the j9+ is able to navigate from floor to carpet while avoiding furniture, cods, and pet accidents. When moving from bare floors to carpet, this robot vacuum increases suction with its automated Carpet Boost feature.
After it has returned to its charging base after cleaning, the dirt and debris is automatically suctioned from the robot vac’s dust bin and it’s placed in a self-sealing bag. This process, however, is loud, at about the same noise level as a blender. This robot vacuum is fairly loud when it’s operating on its highest setting, as well.
Controlling the j9+ with iRobot’s OS smart platform is simple—using the app is intuitive, and includes useful features.
There’s a reason that the Roomba is synonymous with robot vacuums. The iRobot Roomba j9+ is yet another outstanding robot vacuum in the Roomba lineup.
The iRobot j7+ Combo is elegantly designed and powerful, making it the best robot vacuum and mop hybrid you can buy.
Best Robot Vacuum Mop
iRobot Roomba Combo j7+
The iRobot Roomba Combo j7+ improves on what the brand is known for by adding a mop to clean hard floors. The result is our favorite robot vacuum and mop.
The j7+ vacuums floors and carpeting incredibly well, picking up an average of 9.85 grams per run. It ranks among the top robot vacuums we’ve tested and earned a spot on our best robot vacuum cleaners list.
The Combo does a good job mopping, too, but what really sets its mopping function apart from the competition is how it’s deployed. While other mops can get carpeting wet, the Combo avoids this problem by flipping its mop attachment on its top when it detects carpet. You’ll have no wet carpets with this robot vacuum mop.
With its forward-facing camera, the j7+ Combo can easily avoid obstacles like power cables and pet accidents. Like the iRobot Roomba j9+, the Combo is compatible with the company’s OS software platform, which is easy to use and intuitive. The Combo also features a secondary vacuum on its dock that can empty the dust bin after it’s done cleaning.
Someone looking for one device to vacuum and mop won’t go wrong with the iRobot Roomba j7+ Combo.
Ever popular, the Big Green Machine is a powerhouse of a cleaner.
Best Carpet Cleaner
Bissell Big Green Machine 86T3
Even with the best vacuum cleaners, you will need to occasionally give your carpets a deep cleaning. Enter the Bissell Big Green, our favorite carpet cleaner.
Anyone who’s rented a commercial carpet cleaner knows that there’s dirt that’s hidden in a home’s carpet. That’s especially true for people who have children or pets. Rather than renting a machine every time your carpet gets a little dingy, we recommend you buy the Big Green, which will help you keep your carpets fresh. In addition to saving money in the long run, you also won’t have to touch other people’s gunk, like you do when you rent.
With the Big Green’s two massive tanks, 10.5-inch cleaning path, and 25-foot cord, you’ll be able to clean a living room in no time. It also has a 9-foot attachment hose and handheld tool so you’ll be able to clean stairs, upholstery and hard-to-reach areas with ease.
This carpet cleaner is heavy, weighing in at more than 50 pounds, so if the Big Green is a bit too big, you might want to consider another Bissell that we also like, the Little Green Pro. It’s much lighter while still offering excellent cleaning performance.
The VacMaster is a versatile wet/dry vacuum that we think will suit most people. You can easily place the hose on the exhaust and tote just the motor around. That means this wet/dry vacuum can transform into a leaf blower in seconds.
During our suction tests, the VacMaster moved 1.36 gallons of water in 10 seconds. It’s not the most powerful shop vac, but it did handle dirt and debris well. For its relatively low cost, we think it provides great value.
Some vacuums may look the same, but small details might them not right for you.
As with a lot of household items, the best vacuum cleaner for you should also match your lifestyle. For example, if you live in a small apartment or spend lots of time in your car, you should shift your focus toward cordless models. Do you have a multi-level home with mostly hardwood floors? A canister is going to serve you the best.
Here’s a quick look at some of the pros and cons of different vacuum types.
Upright Vacuum
Tend to be best at cleaning carpets
Can do a good job on bare floors
Typically easy to use and store
Heavier than cordless vacuums
Sometimes lack a wide array of attachments
Cordless Vacuum
Lightweight
Typically less powerful than full-size vacuums
Limited by battery life
Smaller dirt bins than uprights
Typically work best as supplementary tool between deeper cleanings
Canister Vacuum
Potential to be more powerful since they can have bigger motors
Tend to be easy to carry
Frequently come with wide array of attachments
Most can be used to clean upholstery or curtains
Take up more storage space than uprights and cordless vacuums
Handheld Vacuum
Convenient
Lightweight and portable
Less powerful than full-size vacuums
Limited by battery life
Small dirt bins
Robot Vacuum
Convenient
Designed for bare floors and medium-pile carpet
Only as good as navigation system
Small dirt bins
Typically work best as supplementary tool for floor maintenance between deeper cleanings
Robot Vacuum Mop
Dual function increases convenience
Designed for bare floors and medium-pile carpet
Some struggle with transition from mopping to carpets
Small dirt bins
Typically work best as supplementary tool between deeper cleanings
Shop Vac
Versatile tool but not meant to be a regular floor cleaner
Designed to vacuum up water
Tend to be loud
Bulky and awkward to store
Carpet Cleaner
Designed for deep cleaning of carpets, not bare floors
Many include tool for upholstery
Tend to be large and difficult to store
Typically are heavy
How To Choose The Best Vacuum Cleaner
The best vacuum cleaner for you will depend on a few different factors. For example, how much furniture you’ll need to maneuver around and the available space you have for storing your vacuum are both important to think about.
Here are some other things to consider.
Types of Floors
Carpet can be divided into low-pile, high-pile, and ultra-plush categories. Most vacuums can deal with low and high-pile carpets, but only a select few are designed to deal with ultra-plush. This special type of carpet feels super-soft because it’s so dense, causing some vacuums to get stuck on it.
For bare floors, cordless vacuums with soft brush rolls are your best bet. Be aware that pine and other softwoods can get scratched and dinged by heavy vacuum use. When in doubt, use a broom and dustpan.
Bagged vs. Bagless
Bagged upright and canister vacuums often offer better filtration and dust management. When you empty a dirt cup from a bagless vacuum, a percentage of the dirt gets back into the air. However, bagged vacuums get emptied less and can develop a bad odor.
Budget
After testing vacuums for more than a decade, we have a comprehensive understanding of what you can get at different price points and what makes for a good value—or a bad one.
For vacuums (not robot vacuums) under $100, every extra dollar you spend usually goes toward more power. The models we tested at this price range all carried the same, bare-minimum array of attachments, like just a crevice tool.
When you spend a bit more, around $100 to $300, you start to see stratification in usability and features. We’re talking about more attachments, better joints so the vacuum moves with you, and better warranties.
Any vacuum above $300 in price is meant for a premium market. When we test these vacuums, we’re looking for brush heads that won’t scratch delicate flooring, designs that won’t tip over, and motors with enough power to tackle the thickest of carpets.
How We Test Vacuum Cleaners
We rely on scientific testing and data to find the best vacuum cleaners. Because different vacuum types tend to have different strengths and weaknesses, it can be difficult to judge one type of vacuum against another, but data-driven results are consistent.
For this roundup, we included top performers from across the spectrum because they exceeded our expectations for their respective vacuum type. Beyond cleaning power, some other things we analyze are usability, design, attachments, smart functions, if they have them, and more.
Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.
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Jonathan Chan currently serves as the Lab Manager at Reviewed. If you clean with it, it's likely that Jon oversees its testing. Since joining the Reviewed in 2012, Jon has helped launch the company's efforts in reviewing laptops, vacuums, and outdoor gear. He thinks he's a pretty big deal. In the pursuit of data, he's plunged his hands into freezing cold water, consented to be literally dragged through the mud, and watched paint dry. Jon demands you have a nice day.
A journalist for more than 25 years, Ben Yoder uses his news, editing, and search experience to help consumers find the best products possible as an SEO & Updates Editor with Reviewed. Based in Iowa, his work has appeared in the Des Moines (Iowa) Register, HawkCentral, and Cyclone Insider, among other websites.
Our team is here for one purpose: to help you buy the best stuff and love what you own. Our writers, editors, and lab technicians obsess over the products we cover to make sure you're confident and satisfied. Have a different opinion about something we recommend? Email us and we'll compare notes.