The Best Vacuum Cleaners for All Types of Floors and Homes

Editors’ Note: We have updated this article and stand by our recommendations for the best vacuum cleaners on the market as of February 2023. We’ll be evaluating this list monthly to make sure we are bringing you the most current products and industry information.

Vacuum cleaners are a must-have appliance in most homes—after all, they’re the quickest and easiest way to pick up dirt, dust, pet hair, and other debris that ends up on your floors. However, the process of shopping for a vacuum can be daunting. There are so many options to choose from today, ranging from classic bagged canister vacuums to high-tech robot vacuums that empty their own dustbins. Most vacuum cleaners are pricey as well, so you’ll want to be sure of your purchase before you buy.

Best Vacuums

The Expert: I’ve been a professional product tester for more than six years, and in that time, I’ve reviewed more than a dozen different vacuums, including upright, handheld, stick, and robot models, for sites like Forbes, The Spruce, Homes & Gardens, and more. I also own two long-haired Golden Retrievers who frequently make a mess of my home, so I know firsthand the importance of having a powerful, easy-to-use vacuum cleaner.

What to Consider When Shopping for Vacuums

Vacuums can be a big investment and a purchase lead to disappointment if your choice turns out to be too heavy, too cumbersome, or not powerful enough. Vacuums come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, which can also make it challenging to find the right fit for your home. This guide offers several important considerations to help narrow down your choice and get what is right for you.

Canister, Stick, or Robot

There are several common vacuum styles available today—upright, canister, stick, handheld, and robot—and each one has its own benefits and drawbacks. Upright vacuums are arguably the most popular style of full-size vacuum. They’re often quite powerful and can stand up on their own, making them convenient to operate. These vacuums generally have a bagless design, which means you simply have to empty its dustbin when it gets full.

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Canister vacuums are the other style of full-size vacuums, and they have a wheeled component that houses the vacuum bag or dustbin. Canister vacuums usually have a long hose and tube that connects to the vacuum head, and because you don’t have to move the whole vacuum back and forth, they’re often easier to use.

Stick vacuums have been gaining popularity in recent years, as they’re lightweight and convenient for everyday messes. These vacuums have a rigid tube that connects the dustbin to the vacuum head—hence, the name—and you don’t have to bend over to use them. Personally, I use my stick vacuum for picking up pet hair from hard floors and stairs. These vacuums are generally battery-powered, meaning you don’t have to plug them in, but they do have significantly smaller dustbins than full-size vacuum models. Handheld vacuums are even smaller and lighter than stick vacuums, and they’re mostly used for small tasks or cleaning tricky locations like your car.

Finally, there are robot vacuums, which have taken the world by storm over the past decade. These autonomous cleaning devices are able to navigate around your home on their own, avoiding obstacles as they go, and while they don’t provide the deepest clean, they’re great for light daily maintenance. Today’s top robot vacuums often have a variety of other features, including self-emptying dustbins, smart connectivity, and even mopping abilities.

Corded or Cordless

Most vacuum styles are available in both corded and cordless forms. Corded vacuums offer unlimited runtime, but you have to find a nearby outlet to plug them in. Cordless or battery-powered models are convenient to use, as you can just pick them up and start cleaning, but they have a limited runtime. The best option for you depends on how you like to clean—do you vacuum your whole house in one go? If so, go for a corded model. Or do you typically clean one room at a time? Then a cordless option might work just fine for your needs.

Floor Type

Different vacuums are better suited for cleaning hard floors or carpeting. Full-size models typically have powerful brushrolls that get deep into carpeting, pulling up dirt and dust, while many stick vacuums come with soft brush heads that work extremely well on hard surfaces. If you have a combination of flooring types, you may want to look for a vacuum with multiple heads and attachments.

Pet Hair

If you have pets, you know that pet hair can wreak havoc on a vacuum. A few passes over a dirty rug, and all of a sudden there’s a wad of hair wrapped around the brushroll, forcing you to stop and untangle it. To avoid problems like this, I highly recommend pet owners select vacuums designed with pets in mind. These models often have anti-tangle brushrolls and good filters, ensuring they capture all the dirt and dander that your furry friends bring into your home.

Maintenance

While often neglected, vacuum cleaner maintenance is key to keeping your machine running properly and ensuring it will last for years to come. You’ll want to make sure you’re emptying the bag or dustbin as often as recommended, as well as cleaning or changing filters. Some vacuums are easier to maintain than others, and you’ll want to be honest with yourself about how much maintenance you’re willing to do—otherwise, your expensive tool might break sooner than expected.