Best vacuum cleaners 2024: find your perfect cleaning partner with these tried and tested picks

With the best vacuum cleaner, you can clean carpets, rugs, upholstery, and floors with less effort. You'll also effectively get rid of dust, dirt, and allergens in your home. In this guide, we've rounded up the best vacuum cleaners with unique features so you can find the perfect cleaning partner for your needs. 

There are two types of vacuum cleaners: mains-powered and battery-powered. The former doesn't have to worry about charging, but you have to move the cable and plug it in as you go from room to room to get maximum suction. The best cordless vacuums are not always quite powerful, but some models are good at suction.

We have reviewed ten vacuums for this guide to help you find the best vacuum cleaner for your home. We tested each vacuum for at least two weeks, noting its performance, assembly, cleaning ability, and maintenance. We tested each vacuum with dirt and debris you usually find on carpets and upholstery, from cereal to pet hair. Keep reading to find out what we thought.

The quick list

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 cleaners we recommend in 2024

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

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Featuring HEPA filtration, advanced suction power, and innovative dust detection, the Dyson Gen5detect Absolute is an exceptional cordless vacuum cleaner.

Due to its sustainability features, it's a great choice for consumers who care about the environment. The packaging is recyclable, so it's free of plastic and polystyrene. A QR code leads to the My Dyson app, where users can find user guides, maintenance tips, troubleshooting advice, and helpful instructional videos instead of a manual.

The Gen5detect Absolute is just as impressive in design, featuring a luxurious deep Prussian Blue and Rich Copper finish. In this model, the trigger button has been replaced by a power button above the LCD screen, which makes it easier to use and reduces finger fatigue. It also operates quieter than previous models, so cleaning is a lot more fun.

On its first pass in a large carpeted room, the vacuum picked up dust and pet hair efficiently. Different surfaces were effectively cleaned with tools like the Hair screw tool, crevice tool, and duster brush, and the Fluffy OpticTM cleaner head caught even the tiniest dust particles. With the Dyson vacuum, you won't have to worry about dusty corners, because it tackles fine and larger debris effortlessly.

There's a flag system for clearing blockages, and you can easily empty the dust cup. Dyson claims a maximum run time of 70 minutes, but Auto mode usually gives you around 30 minutes before you've got to recharge. A full recharge takes about four and a half hours, so a bigger home might benefit from an extra battery.

Read more: Dyson Gen5Detect Absolute review

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The best vacuum cleaner on a budget

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Levoit VortexIQ 40 Flex is an impressive cordless vacuum cleaner that combines affordability with strong performance. It effectively competes with Dyson and other big brands, making it one of the best options out there.

One of the VortexIQ 40 Flex's standout features is its auto-adjust feature, which intelligently modifies the power based on the dust levels in your home. You can also customize five power settings with the + and—buttons. The vacuum's standard head can clean both hard floors and carpets. It's easy to set up, thanks to clear button labels, helpful instructions, and sustainable packaging that includes a quick start guide.

This vacuum has a sleek aesthetic thanks to its matte black, silver, and gray plastic casing, chrome accents, and vibrant LED display. A beveled rubber grip provides a secure hold, while clear buttons, rubber edging to prevent scratching, and LED headlights ensure comfort. Thanks to its flexible stick design and 90-degree folding shaft, this vacuum is super maneuverable and quiet.

When tested on homes with pets, it picked up pet hair, dust, and other debris on carpets and hard floors. Its auto power adjustment proved particularly useful when tackling messes like crumbs and flour. We loved the mini motorized brush and rubber-tipped crevice tools for stairs and furniture, but the dusting brush was gentle enough for delicate surfaces.

Despite lasting around 40 minutes per charge, the VortexIQ 40 Flex is a bit messy to empty the dust cup, but frequent emptying can mitigate this issue.

Read more: Levoit VortexIQ 40 review

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The best premium vacuum cleaner

Dyson's V12 Detect Slim Absolute vacuum cleaner is stylish and powerful. Its vibrant orange, purple, gray, and red color scheme complements a user-friendly LCD screen that shows battery life, power modes, and filter status. Thanks to its durable, easy-to-attach accessories, it can be used for a variety of cleaning tasks.

One of the most innovative features of the Dyson V12 Detect Slim is its laser-illuminated cleaner head, which reveals fine dust particles you can't see before. Its ability to tackle dirt and debris effortlessly makes it a good choice for households with kids and pets.

In our experience using the vacuum with a family of two adults, a child, and two long-haired pets, we found it to be a great deal. With its maneuverable brush heads, it was easy to clean tight corners, and the LCD screen let you know how long you still had to clean. The Fluffy cleaning head handled hardwood floors well, while the Motorbar head handled carpets well. Emptying the dust cup was easy.

In Auto/Med mode, it's ideal for general cleaning and offers about 30 minutes of battery life per charge. The V12 Detect Slim isn't the quietest vacuum on the market, but it works well. It takes about four hours to charge the battery. Dyson recommends cleaning the dust cup and filters regularly, and spare parts are available on their website. With a two-year warranty, it's an excellent investment.

Read more: Dyson V12 Detect Slim Absolute review

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The best wet/dry vaccum cleaner

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The Eureka RapidWash is an advanced vacuum cleaner that expertly combines wet and dry cleaning capabilities into a self-propelled, self-cleaning design. This model is exceptionally easy to use and offers impressive cleaning performance at an affordable price.

Among its standout features is its ease of maintenance. Eureka RapidWash self-cleans during operation and does another cleaning cycle when docked at its charging station. That way, the roller brush stays dry and ready to use again.

The well-organized package includes the vacuum body and roller brush, as well as the docking station, clean water tank, two-part handle, adapter, brush, filter, cleaning solution, and user manual. It's easy to assemble and set up.

While some cordless stick vacuums are cumbersome, the Eureka RapidWash's sleek, modern design emphasizes both aesthetics and functionality.

Three operational modes are available: Eco mode saves battery life and is great for routine cleaning, Turbo mode for intensive cleaning, and Dry mode for quick touch-ups. You can use the Eureka RapidWash for all kinds of cleaning, from daily maintenance to deep cleaning.

Read more: Eureka Rapidwash review

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The best robot vacuum cleaner

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The Roborock Q Revo MaxV stands out as an impressive robot vacuum, combining excellent performance with a sleek design. However, it has some software issues, like being unable to partition open floor plans and having an annoying voice assistant. Although this premium vacuum has some drawbacks, its standout features make up for them.

At its base station, it has two equal-sized water reservoirs, one for clean water and one for dirty water. The vacuum uses LiDar technology and has a window on the front to help with navigation. It has a traditional round shape, a low profile, and a raised center housing navigation sensors.

The Roborock Q Revo MaxV has a hot water wash system that keeps the mopping pads clean, so you don't have to worry about mopping with dirty ones. It doesn't clean deep enough to replace a conventional vacuum completely, but it extends the time between deep cleanings a lot. The suction power is great, and it can grab small stuff like pet hair or silica gel packets. Furthermore, it dries fast and leaves floors spotless after mopping.

Its extended mop pad design ensures that no area goes untouched, even along the edges, and surpasses many of its cheaper competitors. Roborock Q Revo MaxV is one of the top robot vacuums in its category, but it struggles with corner cleaning. With 180 minutes of battery life and fast charging, it's a great vacuum.

Read more: Roborock Q Revo MaxV review

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The best vacuum cleaner for stairs

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The Shark Stratos Cordless Vacuum is a remarkable and versatile cleaning device designed for outstanding performance and user convenience. With advanced features like Clean Sense IQ and MultiFlex, it cleans incredibly well, so it's great for pet owners and people with limited space.

With minimal, recyclable packaging, it includes the DuoClean, PowerFins, HairPro floorhead, wand, control unit, odor neutralizer cartridge, battery, and accessories. Despite some users prefer different scent options, the vacuum is easy to maneuver and comes with an odor cartridge that releases a pleasant fragrance.

It's not just a stick vacuum; its Clean Sense IQ technology intelligently adjusts suction based on the type of debris. The MultiFlex technology allows the wand to bend and fold, so it's compact storage but maintains a comfortable handle and user-friendly controls with three power modes.

When converted into a handheld vacuum, it comes with a duster crevice tool and an anti-allergen brush, making it easy to tackle a variety of cleaning jobs.

As a parent of a messy toddler, our reviewer found the Shark Stratos exceptionally effective at picking up food debris like cereal and crumbs.

We tried it with rice puffs and sugar, and it handled them well, adjusting suction as needed quickly. It recharges in just three hours and lets you use it for up to 60 minutes, depending on the setting. It keeps a low noise level of 72dB when in Eco mode.

Read more: Shark Stratos Cordless Vacuum review

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The best auto-emptying vacuum cleaner

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During testing, Shark Cordless Detect Pro vacuums got great reviews for their auto-sensing technology and auto-emptying system. In addition to its adjustable suction modes, the reviewer appreciated its overall performance and functionalities, such as DirtDetect, FloorDetect, LightDetect, and EdgeDetect.

Shark vacuums reduce waste, and the assembly instructions are right on the box. The machine's assembly is so easy, it doesn't need instructions. Connecting the shaft, handheld unit, and vacuum head takes just about five minutes. The auto-empty station is user-friendly, consisting of two easy-to-connect parts, plus a crevice tool and a Pet Multi-Tool brush. Odor Neutralizer Technology rounds out the station's features.

With its lightweight, modern design, the Shark Cordless Detect Pro fits easily in small spaces, such as kitchen corners or slim closets. The auto-empty station works well, removing hair and dust efficiently. However, the vacuum head's locking mechanism can engage unexpectedly when vacuuming too close to the body, and the shaft isn't flexible enough to get under furniture.

The vacuum is powerful and efficient and has three suction levels. Its DirtDetect Sensor automatically boosts suction when hidden dirt is detected, while the LightDetect, EdgeDetect, and FloorDetect sensors work in auto mode. With a runtime of up to 60 minutes, the eco mode is perfect for thorough cleaning. It also swivels easily to get around corners and furniture legs.

With the auto-empty station, you can clean up for 30 days, and the vacuum recharges every time it's docked. A couple of rinsings and filter replacements are all it takes. The pre-motor and auto-empty filters need to be cleaned every month, and the HEPA filter needs to be changed every year.

Read more: Shark Cordless Detect Pro review

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The best canister vacuum cleaner

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The Shark Vertex Bagless Corded Canister Vacuum with DuoClean Powerfins is a great option for busy households that need effective carpet cleaning.

This vacuum is packaged entirely in recyclable paper and cardboard, highlighting its eco-conscious design. You just need two accessories: a pet crevice tool and an upholstery tool. Assembly is really simple with a pictorial manual. With a flexible wand that bends while in use, dual brush rolls to clean deeper, and self-cleaning, you'll have no problems cleaning.

The black vacuum with gold accents exudes a premium vibe, and it feels sturdy and well-constructed. High-quality floorheads don't damage hard surfaces, so you can clean effectively. It's got a rubber grip and an intuitive control panel, so you can turn it on/off, adjust power settings, and switch floors.

This vacuum is easy to clean on carpets and long-pile rugs, but edge cleaning on carpets can be tricky. Fortunately, the onboard crevice tool helps collect any missed debris. The upholstery tool gets rid of dust and crumbs on furniture, while the lightweight canister is easy to maneuver, even for cleaning stairs. It works great on hard floors, too.

It's easy to empty and maintain the bagless dust bin, and the filters only need cleaning every three to 12 months, so you don't have to buy new ones. Shark vacuums come with a five-year warranty on non-wearable parts and a number of replacement parts are always available. They also come with freestanding wands and floorheads you can attach to your canister or store separately.

Read our full Shark Vertex Bagless Corded Canister Vacuum review

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The best vacuum cleaner for carpet

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The Dyson V15 Detect stands out as one of Dyson's premier vacuum cleaners, justifying its high price with exceptional suction power and a versatile array of attachments. If you've used a Dyson before, you'll love the click-into-place system for attaching tools, and this cordless stick vacuum is designed to handle various cleaning tasks efficiently.

What really sets this model apart is its innovative use of lasers. Positioned at a perfect angle, the laser beam illuminates smaller dirt and dust particles that normally go unnoticed. The built-in Piezo sensor counts these particles once they're caught by the floor head. On the LCD screen on the handle, users can see both particle size and quantity.

When it comes to performance, the Dyson V15 Detect excels with a noise level of 69 decibels, which is quieter than most vacuums that typically operate around 75 decibels.

The V15 can clean for up to 60 minutes on hard floors. This duration may drop to around 30-35 minutes when cleaning carpeted surfaces since the vacuum adjusts its suction power automatically if it finds more dust.

A Dyson V15 Detect vacuum cleaner is easy to clean; the canister is easy to empty, and the brushes work well to keep clogs out. For those looking for a powerful vacuum cleaner with advanced technology and user-friendly features, the Dyson V15 Detect is a great choice.

Read more: Dyson V15 Detect review

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The best handheld vaccum cleaner

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The DeWalt 20V Cordless Dry Hand Vacuum stands out, especially in workshops. Unlike typical handheld vacuums designed for quick clean-ups on carpet, this vacuum excels in heavy-duty situations where precision isn't an issue. Its robust design is unmistakably DeWalt, featuring a distinctive black and yellow color scheme paired with a frosted transparent dustbin, signaling that it's a serious tool for serious work.

Because of its durable construction, it's a little bulkier than other handheld vacuums, but still manageable even with the battery attached at the rear of the handle. With its wide nozzle and complementary accessories, this vacuum captures a lot of debris, making it a powerhouse among handheld vacuums.

Unlike other handheld vacuums equipped with brush rolls, this one doesn't have one for carpeted surfaces. This means it may take more effort to clean carpets compared to handheld vacuums that do. This DeWalt 20V Cordless Dry Hand Vacuum has a suction capacity of 46 CFM cubic feet per minute, which is way more than most of its competitors.

Read our full DeWalt 20V Cordless Dry Hand Vacuum review

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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.  

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Vacuum cleaner FAQs

What are the different types of vacuum cleaner?

Here's what you need to know about the different types of vacuum cleaners available on the market:

Upright Vacuums: Upright vacuums are typically used to clean large carpeted areas. They are powerful, have wide cleaning paths, and often contain attachments for different surfaces. Some models also include HEPA filters and bagless technology.

Canister Vacuums: Canister vacuums are known for their versatility. They have a separate canister unit connected to a long wand. With their flexible design, canister vacuums are great for cleaning stairs, hard floors, and under furniture. They're usually quieter than upright models and come with a bunch of attachments.

Stick Vacuums: A stick vacuum is lightweight and easy to use, so it's great for quick clean-ups. It's less powerful than an upright or canister vacuum, but it's great for hard floors and low-pile carpets.

Robot Vacuums: Robotic vacuums are the ultimate in convenience. They can clean floors without human intervention and are most effective on hard floors and low-pile carpets.

Handheld Vacuums: Handheld vacuums are perfect for quick clean-ups and hard-to-reach areas like car interiors and upholstery. They're less powerful but very convenient.

Wet/Dry Vacuums: These types of equipment can handle liquid spills and dry debris, making them perfect for garages and workshops. They are usually more robust and can handle heavy cleaning tasks.

How much do vacuum cleaners cost?

Vacuum cleaners can cost around $30 to $50, depending on their type, brand, features, and quality. A basic handheld vacuum or stick vacuum can start at around $30 to $50. These models are usually lightweight and designed for quick clean-ups or small spaces, but they offer limited suction power and battery life.

An upright vacuum cleaner for more robust cleaning needs usually costs between $100 and $300. With their powerful motors, multiple attachments, and bagless design, they're perfect for larger homes with carpets and a variety of floors. In this range, you can find models with advanced filtration systems and adjustable settings for all kinds of surfaces.

Canister vacuums, which separate the motor and bag from the handle, offer better maneuverability and are good for stairs and hard-to-reach areas. They typically cost between $150 and $500. These vacuums have many attachments and are known for their suction and versatility.

For those who want the best performance, you can get high-end vacuums like robotic models or premium brands like Dyson or Miele for $300 to $1,000. While robot vacuums offer automated cleaning and smart technology integration, premium brands are known for durability, superior cleaning capabilities, and advanced features like HEPA filtration or pet hair attachments.

How long do vacuum cleaners last?

There are a lot of factors that go into the life of a vacuum cleaner, such as the type, frequency of use, maintenance, and brand. In general, vacuum cleaners last about eight years on average. This number can fluctuate a lot depending on the model and how you use it, though.

There are different types of vacuums. For instance, upright vacuums and canister vacuums might last longer than robotic vacuums, which usually have a battery life dictated by their size. Batteries for robot vacuums typically last 2 to 5 years, depending on the type of battery.

In order to determine how long a vacuum cleaner will last, you have to determine how often and how intensively you use it. A vacuum used daily in a big house will wear out faster than one used weekly in a small one.

A vacuum cleaner's life can be extended with regular maintenance, like cleaning the filters, replacing bags, and checking for blockages. Simple repairs, like replacing a broken belt, can also prevent premature replacement.

Investing in a quality vacuum can lead to fewer repairs and replacements over time since better-built models from reputable brands typically last longer.

When is the best time to buy a vacuum cleaner?

In January, retailers often offer discounts to clear out inventory from the previous year, making it an excellent time to find vacuum cleaner deals on top-performing models from leading brands. The spring is another good time to buy a vacuum cleaner. Spring cleaning prompts retailers to offer discounts on cleaning appliances, including vacuums.

Black Friday and Cyber Monday, which occur in November, offer significant discounts on various products, including vacuum cleaners.

During Amazon Prime Day, which usually occurs in mid-summer and features huge discounts on electronics, it's a great time to buy robotic vacuums or high-tech models.

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.

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