The best vacuum cleaners make life easier. They can help you clean your carpets, rugs, upholstery, and floors with less effort. And with the right vacuum cleaner, you can quickly and easily tackle dust, dirt, and allergens, making your home healthier.
This guide was created by our experts to help you find the best option among the endless models available. We have only included the best vacuum cleaners with unique features listed, making choosing the perfect cleaning partner for your needs much easier.
Vacuum cleaners come in two main types: classic mains-powered vacuums, and battery-powered or cordless cleaners. The former kind delivers maximum suction power without worrying about charging, but you'll have move the cable and find somewhere to plug it in as you move from room to room. The best cordless vacuums aren't usually quite so powerful – although some more advanced models deliver serious suction power – but they provide more freedom of movement.
We have reviewed ten vacuums for this guide to help you find the best vacuum cleaner for your home. We test each one for at least two weeks, noting the assembly and performance, cleaning ability, and maintenance. We challenge each vacuum with debris you typically find on carpets and upholstery, from cereal to pet hair. Our thorough reviews ensure you can trust our top ten vacuum cleaners to meet your needs.
Quick list: Top 3 picks
Below, we’ve provided an overview of the important details you need to know about each product immediately so you can buy quickly if you're in a hurry. If something catches your eye, use the links to delve deeper into the analysis provided for each product further down the page.
The best vacuum cleaner overall
The Dyson Gen5detect Absolute is the best vacuum cleaner overall, with HEPA filtration, powerful suction, and dust detection. It's expensive, but worth it for the quality and features.
The best vacuum cleaner on a budget
The Levoit VortexIQ 40 Flex is an affordable, well-designed, pet-friendly cordless vacuum cleaner. Its automatic power adjustment feature and flexible stick make it a great choice for general cleaning.
The best premium vacuum cleaner
The Dyson V12 Detect Slim is a stylish and powerful cordless vacuum cleaner with a laser-illuminated cleaner head and an LCD screen. It's an excellent all-rounder with superb suction.
Quick list: Best by use case
The best wet/dry vacuum cleaner
Lightweight, tangle-free, self-cleaning, and self-drying, it’s easy to see why the self-named Eureka RapidWash cleans floors in short order. The digital control panel and voice assistant make using it stress-free.
The best robot vacuum
The Roborock Q Revo MaxV is a stellar robot vacuum in performance and design, held back by a few software-related issues and a high price. It cleans exceptionally well, though, so if you can afford it we think you'll like it.
The best vacuum cleaner for stairs
The Shark Stratos Cordless Vacuum has Clean Sense IQ tech, odor-neutralizer, and MultiFlex, making it powerful, easy to use, and great for pet owners.
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The best auto-emptying vacuum cleaner
The Shark Cordless Detect Pro is a powerful and efficient vacuum with auto-sensing technology, an auto-empty system, easy assembly, lightweight design, and minimal maintenance.
The best canister vacuum cleaner
Shark Vertex Bagless Corded Canister Vacuum with DuoClean Powerfins is an impressive vacuum for deep cleaning carpets. It has a self-cleaning design, washable filters, and a five-year warranty.
The best vacuum cleaner for carpet
The Dyson V15 Detect offers exceptional suction power and there's an attachment to clean pretty much everything, although it's quite expensive.
The best handheld vacuum cleaner
The DeWalt 20V Cordless Dry Hand Vacuum is powerful with lots of accessories and an easy-to-empty dustbin containing a HEPA filter.
The best vacuum cleaners we recommend in 2024
Why you can trust Top Ten Reviews Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.
Our team has thoroughly reviewed the products featured in our buyer's guides. We strive to provide comprehensive and unbiased rankings based on our hands-on testing and expert research. Our evaluations consider top-rated brands and essential features to assist you in making informed purchasing decisions at the best value.
The best vacuum cleaner overall
✅ You need power: it is equipped with advanced suction power, HEPA filtration, and dust detection.
✅ You want easy assembly: Assembling the vacuum is easy and intuitive, and the flag system makes clearing a blockage or cleaning the filter easy.
✅ High-end design: Removing the trigger button has made operating easier and eliminates finger fatigue.
❌ You're on a budget: it is expensive compared to other vacuum cleaners.
❌ Limited battery life: vacuuming on Auto mode took more power, lasting just over 30 minutes before needing recharging.
❌ You have pets or children: it is best suited for households with minimal debris and dust.
🔎 Dyson Gen5detect Absolute is a remarkable cordless vacuum cleaner with advanced suction power, HEPA filtration, and dust detection. It has a luxurious, high-end design with a deep Prussian Blue and Rich Copper finish. The vacuum also delivers excellent performance, is easy to maintain, and has top-notch features and functionality. However, it is expensive and may not be suitable for households with pets or children who frequently make a mess. ★★★★★
The Dyson Gen5detect Absolute is a remarkable cordless vacuum cleaner with advanced suction power, HEPA filtration, and dust detection. With these features, it wins our vote for the best vacuum cleaner overall.
Assembly: The vacuum cleaner is a great choice for those concerned about sustainability, as its packaging is 100% recyclable, with no plastic or polystyrene. Instead of a manual, the vacuum comes with a QR code that links to the My Dyson app, which provides all the information you need, including a user guide, care and maintenance tips, and troubleshooting advice. The app also includes useful videos to illustrate instructions and a digital assistant to help you find the necessary information. Assembling the vacuum is easy and intuitive, with the filters and the battery unit installed.
Design: The Gen5detect Absolute is a powerful vacuum cleaner with a new colorway featuring a deep Prussian Blue and Rich Copper finish, giving it a luxurious and high-end look and feel. One of the significant changes in this model is removing the trigger button, which has been replaced with a simple power button above the LCD screen. This makes it much easier to operate and eliminates finger fatigue. The vacuum is also quieter than previous models, making it more pleasant.
Performance: We tested the unit to see how it handled various types of debris and were impressed with how much dust and pet hair it picked up on its first pass in a large carpeted room. The Hair screw tool, crevice tool, and duster brush were all effective in cleaning different areas of our home, and the Fluffy Optic™ cleaner head did an excellent job of picking up even the smallest specks of dust on hard floors. The Dyson vacuum also succeeded in sucking up fine and larger particles on carpets and hard floors, leaving no dusty corners behind.
Maintenance: Clearing a blockage or cleaning the filter is made easy with the flag system, and the dust cup can also be easily emptied by pushing the lever at the side, and it can be pumped several times to eliminate any packed-in dirt. However, the battery life may vary depending on the power mode used. While Dyson claims up to 70 minutes of running time, vacuuming on Auto mode took more power, lasting just over 30 minutes before needing recharging. The battery takes around four and a half hours to fully recharge, so an extra battery may be necessary for large homes.
Value: The Dyson Gen5detect Absolute is a high-end vacuum with a price tag of $949.99. Despite the cost, the vacuum comes with top-notch features and functionality. Dyson is known for its excellent customer support, service, and quality, and the vacuum also comes with a 2-year warranty for added peace of mind.
Read more: Dyson Gen5Detect Absolute review
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Assembly | 100% recyclable packaging; My Dyson app; Easy and intuitive assembly | ★★★★★ |
| Design | Luxurious design; Easy to operate; Quieter operation | ★★★★★ |
| Performance | Impressive suction power; Effective cleaning tools | ★★★★★ |
| Maintenance | Easy maintenance; Battery life may vary; Long recharge time | ★★★★ |
The best vacuum cleaner on a budget
✅ You want auto adjustment: it can automatically adjust the power according to the level of dust in your home.
✅ You're on a budget: it is an excellent option for an affordable yet reliable stick vacuum.
✅ Sleek design: the matte black, silver, and gray plastic casing, chrome detailing, and colorful LED display give it a stylish appearance.
❌ You need advanced features: it lacks advanced features such as Wi-Fi connectivity or voice control.
❌ Limited battery life: the vacuum lasts 40 minutes on a single charge.
❌ You hate mess: emptying the dust cup can be mucky.
🔎 Levoit VortexIQ 40 Flex is an affordable, well-designed cordless vacuum that competes well against big-name brands. It offers customizable power settings, has a sleek appearance, and is pet-friendly. The vacuum's impressive performance, maneuverability, and sturdiness make it a reliable option for a stick vacuum. ★★★★★
The Levoit VortexIQ 40 Flex is a well-designed, cordless vacuum cleaner that is affordable and great at cleaning dirt, dust, and debris. It competes well against big-name brands like Dyson and is one of the best vacuums you can purchase currently, regardless of your needs.
Assembly: The vacuum offers an auto feature to adjust the power according to the level of dust in your home. It also has five customizable power settings, marked by two blue bars on the display, which can be adjusted using the + and - buttons. The unit has a standard vacuum head that can be used on hard floors or carpets, and the setup is easy, with clearly marked buttons and helpful instructions. The unit comes securely packed in a cardboard box with recyclable packaging and includes a quick start guide and a detailed user manual.
Design: The VortexIQ 40 Flex's matte black, silver, and gray plastic casing, chrome detailing, and colorful LED display give it a sleek appearance. The unit's grip is beveled rubber, which feels comfortable and provides a firm grasp. The buttons and locks are marked, and the rubber edging on the crevice tool prevents scratches on the furnishings. The vacuum's LED headlights, flexible stick feature, and 90-degree folding shaft make it easy to use and operate at a reasonable noise level. The vacuum's maneuverability is impressive, and it is pet-friendly too.
Performance: The unit was tested in a family home with pets and tested in a living room and kitchen. It performed well in a general cleaning test, effortlessly picking up pet hair, dust, and debris from the hard floor and the carpet. The vacuum's ability to adjust its power automatically based on its cleaning surface was impressive, and it easily handled various crumbs, flour, and oats. The mini motorized brush and rubber-tipped crevice tools effectively cleaned carpeted stairs and dusty skirting boards, respectively, and the dusting brush was gentle enough to dust family photos and protect woodwork.
Maintenance: The vacuum lasts around 40 minutes on a single charge and takes around four hours to charge up completely. The only downside is that emptying the dust cup can be messy, but regular emptying can help avoid this issue.
Value: The Levoit VortexIQ 40 stick vacuum cleaner is priced at $199.99, cheaper than some of its leading competitors. It may not run as long as some of its rivals, but 40 minutes is usually enough to clean the entire house. The sturdiness of the accessories and the additional flexible stick feature make it a good option for those looking for a reliable stick vacuum.
Read more: Levoit VortexIQ 40 review
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Assembly | Customizable Power Settings; Easy setup | ★★★★½ |
| Design | Sleek Appearance; Comfortable Grip; Easy to Use | ★★★★★ |
| Performance | Strong Performance; Automatic Power Adjustment; Effective Cleaning Tools | ★★★★★ |
| Maintenance | Messy Dust Cup; Shorter Battery Life; Lengthy Charging | ★★★ |
The best premium vacuum cleaner
✅ You want powerful suction: it offers great suction power, making it an excellent choice for tackling dirt and debris.
✅ You like having innovative features: the laser-illuminated cleaner head is a standout feature that detects particles invisible to the naked eye.
✅ Design is important: The Dyson V12 Detect Slim Absolute is a colorful, stylish, and well-designed cordless vacuum cleaner.
❌ You're on a budget: Dyson vacuums are costly, and the V12 Detect Slim Absolute is no exception.
❌ Limited battery life: The battery lasts around 30 minutes in Auto/Med mode and takes four hours to charge.
❌ You want something quiet: While the Dyson V12 Detect Slim Absolute is not the noisiest vacuum cleaner, it may still be too loud for some users.
🔎 The Dyson V12 Detect Slim Absolute is an outstanding cordless vacuum cleaner with great suction power, useful accessories, and many useful features. It's the most efficient and easy-to-use vacuum cleaner, and we highly recommend it. ★★★★★
The Dyson V12 Detect Slim Absolute is a well-designed and powerful cordless vacuum cleaner with useful accessories and features. It's perfect for precise cleaning and offers great suction power.
Assembly: The Dyson V12 Detect Slim uses 100% recyclable packaging and a paper-free manual. The base unit comes partially charged, and filters are already in place, making cleaning easy. Other companies should follow Dyson's lead and adopt plastic-free packaging.
Design: The Dyson V12 Detect Slim is a colorful, stylish, and well-designed cordless vacuum cleaner. It boasts a distinctive orange, purple, and gray colorway with flashes of red and an LCD screen that displays information such as run-time, power modes, and filter updates. It is easy to hold and comes with a suite of accessories that are sturdy and clip-on easily. Its standout feature is the laser-illuminated cleaner head, which detects particles invisible to the naked eye. This makes it a game-changer for vacuuming hard floors.
Performance: With a child, two adults, and two long-haired pets in my household, this vacuum cleaner proved to be a great help in tackling all the dirt and debris. The maneuverable brush heads made it easy to clean tight corners, and the LCD screen indicated the time left for cleaning.
Emptying the dust cup was hassle-free, and the Fluffy cleaning head effectively cleaned all kinds of particles on hardwood floors. The Motorbar cleaner head also worked wonders on carpets. While the Dyson V12 Detect Slim Absolute was not the quietest machine, it functioned well in Auto/Med mode, which is recommended for general cleaning. The battery lasted around 30 minutes in this mode and took four hours to charge.
Maintenance: Dyson recommends regularly cleaning the V12 Detect Slim's dust cup and filter. Spare parts and repair services are available on their website or at service centers in the US and UK. Regular servicing is advised to extend the motor's life, and the warranty lasts two years.
Value: Dyson vacuums are costly but offer unparalleled features, customer support, and a 2-year warranty. The Levoit VortexIQ 40 is cheaper but lacks some Dyson features. The Aspiron is affordable and light, with LED lights, but lacks maneuverability. Alternatively, the Yeedi Vac 2 Pro is a robot vacuum that maps rooms, vacuums, and mops and is controlled by a smartphone app.
Read more: Dyson V12 Detect Slim Absolute review
The best wet/dry vaccum cleaner
✅ You don't like to spend time cleaning vacuum cleaners: It's self-cleaning.
✅ Hair is a problem: If you have pets or shed a lot of hair yourself then you’ll appreciate that hair doesn’t get tangled around the vacuum cleaner's roller.
❌ You like to know what's going on: The digital control panel lets you easily see which mode has been selected, tells you when the dirty water tank is full, and provides a battery status indicator.
❌ You have a large home or all hard floors: you’ll be stopping quite often to fill and empty the tanks.
❌ Your home has a lot of sticky and hard-to remove stains: Turbo mode drains the battery quite rapidly.
🔎 The Eureka RapidWash is a cordless wet/dry vacuum with self-propulsion and a tangle-free brush head. Battery life isn't brilliant but it makes light work of all kinds of floors. ★★★★½
The Eureka RapidWash is a self-propelled, self-cleaning wet and dry vacuum cleaner that offers a lot of features for a reasonable price. It's user-friendly and cleans well.
Maintenance is minimal since the Eureka RapidWash is self-cleaning in real time, and then again when placed on the charging station. Afterwards, it dries the roller as well.
Assembly: The vacuum was easy to put together. Inside the box there's the body of the vacuum cleaner (which includes the dirty water tank and roller brush), docking station, clean water tank, 2-part handle, adapter, cleaning brush, filter, cleaning solution, and manual).
Design: Some cordless stick wet/dry vacuum cleaners can be quite bulky, and this is understandable, since they have to hold a motor and both a clean water tank and a dirty water tank. However, Eureka has managed to design a model that looks sleek and modern.
Performance: For such a lightweight wet/dry vacuum, honestly, we were expecting performance to be rather light as well. However, we were pleasantly surprised. There are three modes to choose from. It defaults to Eco mode, which helps to save battery life. Eco mode is great for regular cleaning. However, there’s also a Turbo mode and a Dry mode.
Value: The Eureka Rapidwash is relatively affordable and loaded with features. It’s self-propelled to eliminate strenuous activity, and cleans well – even along edges.
Read more: Eureka Rapidwash review
| Attribute | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Relatively affordable and good value given its many features | ★★★★ |
| Design | The user-friendly vacuum is smart, with a large display, tangle-free brush, and is designed to clean and dry itself | ★★★★ |
| Performance | The RapidWash cleans well – even along edges | ★★★★ |
The best robot vacuum
✅ You want a robot vacuum that does both vacuuming and mopping well: both are top-notch here as far as robot vacuums go.
✅ You want your robot vacuum to get the edges: Since the Roborock Q Revo MaxV has an extendable mop pad, it can clean edges, something beyond most robot vacuums.
✅ You can afford it: The Roborock Q Revo MaxV is good, but it's expensive.
❌ You have an open floor plan: Though it does a good job mapping out a space, there are some interface design issues that make separating out an open floor plan very difficult.
❌ You don’t want an overly talkative voice assistant: Though the voice assistant only knows a few phrases, it will respond to anything if left on.
🔎 The Roborock Q Revo MaxV is expensive and that means there's lots of competition. Where the Roborock Q Revo MaxV still wins is in pure performance as it's much better getting to the edges of a room. ★★★★
The Roborock Q Revo MaxV is a stellar robot vacuum in performance and design, held back by a few software-related issues, namely it can’t partition open floor plans and has a voice assistant that’s more annoying than helpful. It’s also very expensive. However, there are some excellent features on offer to offset those issues.
Design: The base station holds two water reservoirs of the same size – one for clean water and one for dirty water. The robot vacuum itself has the standard round design and is fairly flat, though it does have a raised center where some of its navigation sensors presumably sit. The LiDar navigation also has a window peeking out the front of the vacuum.
The Roborock Q Revo MaxV does a hot water wash to clean the mopping pads so that you’re never unintentionally mopping your floors with dirty pads.
Performance: As with other robots, the Roborock doesn't clean quite deep enough for you to skip a more standard vacuum, but it is good enough to push back your next deep clean quite a bit. And it's up there with the very best. It’s able to suck up small debris like pet hair and dander to larger items like a packet of silicon beads, and when mopping it dries quickly with spotless results.
It moves in an orderly fashion, leaving no spot uncovered including the edges thanks to the fact that the right mop pad extends out reaching farther out than what most (at least much cheaper) robot vacuums are capable of. Of course, it hasn’t mastered corners and won’t get those any better than any other robot vacuum.
The battery life is 180 minutes and it has fast charging.
Value: If you look at our top premium pick from our robot vacuum guide, the Samsung Jet Bot AI+ Robot Vacuum, you’ll see that it’s actually slightly cheaper than the Roborock, going for $1,299.99. So there's very intense competition at this level. However, the Roborock does clean exceptionally well; if you can afford it, we don't think you'll be disappointed.
Read more: Roborock Q Revo MaxV review
| Attribute | Notes | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Price & availability | It’s very expensive. However, it has more on offer than most vacuums. | ★★★★ |
| Design | This robot vacuum is very well-designed, with innovative additions like retractable mop pads and hot water mop pad washing. | ★★★★★ |
| Performance | It has excellent vacuuming and mopping, but issues with its voice assistant and mapping capabilities. | ★★★★ |
Best for stairs
✅ You want something powerful: With its MultiFlex technology, CleanSense IQ technology, and odor-neutralizing feature, cleaning is efficient and convenient.
✅ You have pets: It can easily pick up pet hair and other dander, making it a must-have for those with furry friends.
✅ You're short on space: Its compact and freestanding design makes it easy to store in small apartments or homes.
❌ You're on a budget: The Shark Stratos Cordless Vacuum has a hefty price tag.
❌ You have a large home: On Boost mode, it only runs for 12 minutes, which may not be enough for larger cleaning tasks.
🔎 The Shark Stratos Cordless Vacuum with odor-neutralizer tech is great for pet owners and those with limited storage space. It easily picks up long and short hair, but its small dust cup and 60-minute runtime may not suit larger homes. ★★★★½
The Shark Stratos Cordless Vacuum is a powerful, innovative cleaning tool with exceptional performance and convenience. Featuring Clean Sense IQ technology, an odor-neutralizer, and MultiFlex technology, this vacuum is a great option for pet owners and those with limited storage space.
Assembly: The Shark Stratos Cordless vacuum came with minimal, recyclable packaging. It includes DuoClean, PowerFins, HairPro floorhead, wand, control unit, odor neutralizer cartridge, battery, and accessories. It was easy to maneuver and had an odor cartridge that emitted a pleasant smell, but some may prefer alternatives.
Design: The Shark Stratos Cordless Vacuum is not your average stick vacuum. It features Clean Sense IQ technology, an odor neutralizer, and MultiFlex technology, allowing the wand to bend and fold for compact freestanding. It also has a comfortable handle, easy-to-use controls, and three power modes.
The dust cup is well-balanced and positioned on the other side and underside of the controls. The vacuum comes with a duster crevice tool and an anti-allergen brush when converted into a handheld device. It's a powerful cleaner that solves space and convenience problems.
Performance: Our reviewer vacuums their home daily because their messy toddler tends to drop food on the floor. The Shark Stratos Cordless easily handled this daily challenge, effortlessly picking up cereal, biscuit crumbs, cake, and chunks of toast. The vacuum's self-cleaning abilities also prevented my hair from tangling around the brush roll.
The vacuum's performance on specific tasks was equally impressive. Rice puffs and sugar were picked up superbly. The Clean Sense IQ increased suction when lifting sugar granules, showing its effectiveness in adjusting to different cleaning challenges.
The vacuum's duster crevice tool and anti-allergen brush attachments made it easy to clean upholstery and reach cobwebs in corners. The vacuum takes only three hours to fully recharge and can run for up to 60 minutes, depending on the suction setting. The noise level was also reasonable, measuring 72dB on Eco and CleanSense IQ and 84dB on Boost.
Value: The Shark Stratos Cordless Vacuum, priced at $499.99, can be purchased from various retailers, including Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, and Target. It features odor-neutralizing technology and could be a better option than the Shark Vertex due to its advanced sensor-based cleaning, superior pet hair handling, and extra battery warranty.
Read more: Shark Stratos Cordless Vacuum review
| Attribute | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Price | For all the tech and functionality, you're getting a fabulous vacuum cleaner for the money. | ★★★★★ |
| Design | It's pretty perfect but I feel that some may struggle with the weight of the floorhead and / or prefer a different odor | ★★★★½ |
| Performance | I can't fault it. All debris on-test was lifted, and no hair became wrapped around the brushbars. | ★★★★★ |
The best auto-emptying vacuum cleaner
✅ You like smart features: auto-sensing technology and auto-empty system make cleaning easy.
✅ You have hard-to-clean areas: DirtDetect, FloorDetect, LightDetect, and EdgeDetect sensors provide thorough cleaning.
✅ You want something easy to store: lightweight and compact design allows for easy storage in small spaces.
❌ You need to clean under things: the vacuum's shaft doesn't bend for easy cleaning under furniture.
❌ Your mobility is limited: you might need to stoop down to reach under beds, dressers, etc.
❌ You're on a budget: the vacuum's price point may be too high for some.
🔎 The Shark Cordless Detect Pro boasts auto-sensing technology, an auto-empty system, and DirtDetect, FloorDetect, LightDetect, and EdgeDetect sensors. The assembly is straightforward, and the vacuum is lightweight and easy to store. The vacuum's performance is powerful and efficient, with minimal maintenance required. ★★★★½
The Shark Cordless Detect Pro has auto-sensing technology and an auto-empty system, which our reviewer loved during testing. She appreciated the vacuum's performance and features, including its DirtDetect, FloorDetect, LightDetect, and EdgeDetect technologies, as well as its suction modes.
Assembly: The Shark vacuum is designed to reduce waste, and assembly instructions are conveniently printed on the box. However, the vacuum is so easy to put together that the instructions are unnecessary. Connecting the shaft, handheld vacuum, and vacuum head takes just five minutes. The auto-empty station comes in two easily connected pieces, including a crevice tool and a Pet Multi-Tool brush. An Odor Neutralizer Technology piece is the final addition to the station.
Design: The Shark Cordless Detect Pro is a lightweight and modern-looking vacuum with a compact design that allows storage in small spaces like the corner of a kitchen or slim closet. The auto-empty station is impressive and works flawlessly, even when the filter is covered in dust or hair. However, the vacuum has two design flaws: the shaft doesn’t bend for easy under-furniture cleaning, and the vacuum head lock mechanism tends to lock if vacuumed too close to the body.
Performance: The vacuum is powerful and efficient, offering three levels of suction power. The DirtDetect Sensor is a great feature that automatically boosts the suction power when it recognizes hidden dirt, and the LightDetect sensor, EdgeDetect Sensor, FloorDetect sensor, and DirtDetect sensor can conveniently be used in auto mode. With a runtime of up to 60 minutes, the eco mode is perfect for a thorough cleaning session, and the vacuum head swivels easily, allowing you to easily vacuum in corners and around furniture legs.
Maintenance: The auto-empty vacuum cleaner station conveniently collects all the dirt and dust, freeing you from the hassle of frequently emptying the bin. The station can hold up to 30 days' worth of dirt and charges the vacuum every time it's placed on the station. The vacuum requires minimal maintenance, with only occasional rinsing and filter replacement needed. Pre-motor and auto-empty filters require monthly cleaning, while the HEPA filter should be replaced annually. The DirtDetect, LightDetect, and EdgeDetect sensors must be cleaned monthly to remove debris and hair that may obstruct the sensors.
Read more: Shark Cordless Detect Pro review
| Attribute | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Assembly | Easy to put together | ★★★★★ |
| Design | Sleek, modern, and lightweight with attachments; would be perfect if the shaft could bend to reach underneath beds, dressers, etc. | ★★★★ |
| Performance | Powerful and versatile vacuum with self-emptying technology. | ★★★★½ |
| Maintenance | Only needs emptying every 30 days; washable filters | ★★★★½ |
The best canister vacuum cleaner
✅ You have carpets: excellent deep cleaning performance on carpets and long pile area rugs.
✅ You like extra attachments: the flexible wand bends during vacuuming, and two brush rolls give a deeper clean.
✅ You want washable filters: washable filters and a five-year warranty on non-wearable parts make it easy to maintain and keep in good condition.
❌ You have hard floors: it may be overkill.
❌ You have messy edges and corners: it struggles with edge cleaning on carpets, although the onboard crevice tool can help.
❌ You're on a budget: it is the pricier of the two canister vacuums Shark offers.
🔎 Shark Vertex Bagless Corded Canister Vacuum is a top-of-the-range option for busy homes with carpets that require regular deep cleaning. It has a sturdy and well-made design, with standout features such as a flexible wand and two brushrolls for a deeper clean. Its excellent pick-up performance and washable filters make it easy to maintain. Although it is the pricier option, it is packed with all the best features and delivers excellent value for its price. ★★★★½
The Shark Vertex Bagless Corded Canister Vacuum with DuoClean Powerfins is a great option for busy homes with carpets that require regular deep cleaning. The 25ft power cord ensures an uninterrupted power supply, though it may be overkill for those with mostly hard floors.
Assembly: The vacuum comes in fully recyclable paper and cardboard packaging. It's easy to assemble and use with an instruction manual that's little more than a pictorial guide and comes with only two accessories - a pet crevice tool and an upholstery tool. The vacuum also has standout features such as a flexible wand that bends during vacuuming, two brushrolls for a deeper clean, and a self-cleaning design.
Design: The black vacuum with gold accents makes this feel like a premium product from Shark. It feels sturdy and well-made, with a high-quality floorhead designed to clean deep into carpets without damaging hard floors. The handle features a rubber grip and a control panel, allowing you to switch the vacuum on or off, adjust the power level, and switch between floor types, all from the handle. The lightweight canister has four wheels for easy maneuverability, and its handle doubles as the handle for the dust bin, which is easy to remove.
Performance: The vacuum's ability to remove ground-in dirt from deep within carpets and long pile area rugs was impressive. While it struggled with edge cleaning on carpets, the onboard crevice tool made it easy to collect anything left behind. The Vertex's impeccable pick-up on hard floors and the controls on the handle made it easy to transition between different floor types and adjust power. The upholstery tool effectively cleaned dust and crumbs from furniture, and the canister was lightweight for pulling along and compact enough to sit on a step while vacuuming stairs.
Maintenance: The Shark vacuum cleaner comes with a bagless dust bin that when emptied frequently, is easy to use and maintain. The washable filters are a great feature that saves money on replacements, and they only need to be washed every three to 12 months. With a five-year warranty, the vacuum is covered for non-wearable parts, and plenty of replacement parts are available to purchase directly from Shark. The vacuum is also easy to store, with numerous configuration options and a freestanding wand and floorhead that can be stored separately or clipped to the canister.
Value: The Shark Vertex Bagless Corded Canister Vacuum is the pricier of the two canister vacuums offered by Shark. However, it is packed with all the best design features of Shark and delivers excellent performance, making it the top-of-the-range option.
Read our full Shark Vertex Bagless Corded Canister Vacuum review
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Assembly | Fully Recyclable Packaging; Easy to Assemble | ★★★★ |
| Design | Premium design; Rubber Grip Handle; Lightweight Canister | ★★★★★ |
| Performance | Impressive Deep Cleaning; Struggles with Edge Cleaning; Upholstery Tool | ★★★★ |
| Maintenance | Bagless Dust Bin; Washable Filters; Easy to Store | ★★★★★ |
The best vacuum for carpet
✅ You want a powerful cordless: This vacuum cleaner has Dyson's most powerful engine yet, delivering great performance.
✅ You don't want to miss bits: The V15 Detect makes it easy to see rogue bits of dust and dirt.
✅ You've got pets: Pet owners will really benefit from the anti-tangle brush heads and a deeper clean on their pet’s bed
❌ You're on a budget: It's a Dyson, with a typically Dyson price tag.
❌ You want a lightweight: The V15 is comparatively heavy for a cordless cleaner.
❌ You have lots of deep carpets: Long carpets mean shorter battery life.
🔎 The Dyson V15 Detect is a superb cleaner but it's quite heavy and very expensive. However, it delivers exceptional suction power and lots of useful attachments to make your life easier. ★★★★½
The Dyson V15 Detect is one of Dyson's best vacuum cleaners, and while that comes with a high price tag it means superior suction and an excellent selection of attachments.
Design: The Dyson V15 Detect is a cordless stick vacuum that comes with a selection of attachments to tackle pretty much anything. If you’ve had a Dyson before, you’ll be familiar with the simple click-into-place system for cordless vacuum attachments.
While LED lights on the front of a vacuum floor head aren’t anything new, laser beams are. The laser is positioned at the optimal angle so that your eye can detect smaller particles of dirt and dust that you wouldn’t otherwise spot. Once the dust has been sucked up the floor head, a Piezo sensor counts the particles, and an LCD screen (built into the top of the vacuum’s handle) tells you the size and number of particles it’s sucking up.
Performance: The Dyson V15 Detect seriously impressed us when it came to performance. It operates at 69 decibels, which is quieter than average for vacuum cleaners (usually around 75 decibels), and when you’re cleaning hard floors, the noise is reduced slightly because the level of suction needed isn’t normally as high.
When you’re cleaning hard floors, the battery will hold for a full 60 minutes, but if your home has lots of carpeted floors, expect around 30-35 minutes of cleaning time. The V15 automatically increases its suction power when it detects more dust, so if your home is fairly dusty, you won’t get as long out of the battery as you might have hoped.
Maintenance: Like all Dysons the V15 Detect requires very little care. Its canister is easy to empty and the anti-tangle brushes do their job well.
Value: The only significant rival is another Dyson, the Gen5detect Absolute. That's even more expensive but it's even more powerful and flexible.
Read more: Dyson V15 Detect review
The best handheld vaccum
✅ You have a workshop or garage: The DeWalt is perfect for cleaning up messes in a workshop, garage, or basically anywhere a regular handheld might not hold up.
✅ You need to clean up large debris: Not only is the DeWalt 20V Cordless Dry Hand Vacuum powerful, but it has a wide mouth including on all the attachments, so it can easily suck in larger debris.
✅ You need lots of features and accessories: This handheld comes with six accessory attachments, a belt hook, and a light.
❌ You mainly need a vacuum for carpeting: Since none of the accessories have a brushroll, pushing this handheld back and forth on a large spill on carpeting is taxing.
❌ You don’t plan on getting other DeWalt tools and are on a budget: The whole removable battery to be used with tools concept can be a money saver, if you plan on buying other tools from the same manufacturer
🔎 The DeWalt 20V Cordless Dry Hand Vacuum is somewhat unique and an ideal vacuum for a workshop. It's not hugely powerful but it has enough horsepower for most jobs. ★★★★
The DeWalt 20V Cordless Dry Hand Vacuum is one of the best handheld vacuums for very specific circumstances. This is not the kind of unit you necessarily use to spot clean a mess on the carpet, though you can certainly do that. Instead, this vacuum is more ideal for workshop cleanup where you need heavy duty cleanup and finesse is not so much a consideration
Design: As with of DeWalt’s products, the DeWalt 20V Cordless Dry Hand Vacuum comes in a black and yellow colorway (along with the frosted transparent dustbin) that lets you know that, first, this is definitely a DeWalt tool, and, second, that this is a serious one as well.
It’s a bit bulkier than most hand vacuums and actually feels a bit overbuilt. It can be heavy when you attach the battery, which slides on the butt of the handle. Yet, it’s still manageable enough.
Performance: The DeWalt 20V Cordless Dry Hand Vacuum is quite the powerhouse for a handheld. Since it has a wide mouth for its nozzle, not to mention the fact that all the accessories are similarly wide mouthed, it will easily suck up all sorts of debris.
The only real drawback is the lack of an accessory with a brushroll to use on carpeted surfaces. So, if you have a mess that’s accumulated on a carpet, you have to put in a little extra elbow grease than with other handhelds. Otherwise, the 46 CFM (cubic feet per minute) of suction it provides is unlike anything else we’ve seen in a handheld vacuum.
Value: There are very few rivals to this kind of cleaner. If you want to spend even less, you could consider the Dirt Devil QuickFlip BD30025B, which comes in around $50. However, it doesn’t have quite the cleaning prowess as it struggles with things like pet hair.
Read our full DeWalt 20V Cordless Dry Hand Vacuum review
How we test the best vacuum cleaners
Top Ten Reviews aims to provide customers with honest and unbiased product reviews. Our team of experts conducts thorough research and testing to find the best products in each category. We test a wide range of products - not just the most popular or well-known brands - to ensure we can recommend the best products to our readers.
Our comprehensive testing protocols allow us to assess each product against specific criteria, including design, features, performance, care and maintenance, price and availability, and user reviews. We never accept compensation from brands, ensuring our reviews remain objective and neutral. For more information, head over to our page on how we test.
How to choose the best vacuum cleaner for you
Aside from selecting the brand of vacuum cleaner you want to buy, which would depend on your budget, there are a few factors to consider when you purchase a vacuum cleaner for your home.
Type: Depending on your house size, the space you have to store your vacuum, and the accessibility you require, you’ll need to think about what type of vacuum is best for you. Would you prefer an upright, cylinder, or cordless cleaner? Upright options will do the job best for a bigger home, and a stick or cylinder design is better if you have hard floors and a smaller space. Plus, they’re more lightweight and easier to store. Cordless options are effortless to maneuver as they don’t come with cables that trail behind you.
Bag or bagless: Once you’ve decided on a type, choose between a bagged or bagless vacuum. We suggest a bag for allergy sufferers to keep the dust and dander enclosed and reduce exposure to allergens. Remember, replacing the bags is an added cost you’ll need to factor in. Not forgetting the faff it is to change them. Either way, consider the capacity to gauge how long it will take to fill up.
Suction: The stronger the suction, the more spotless the finish. If you've recently replaced your carpets or are prone to making a mess, you’ll want to invest in a good vacuum with great suction power. But a more powerful vacuum can often mean a weightier model. If mobility is a problem, ensure you can carry your vac to where you need to clean. Lightweight models are better if you go upstairs or span large surface areas.
Noise levels: Equally, a vacuum cleaner with strong suction may be louder, so don’t overlook the noise level to avoid waking up family members.
