Recent updates
22 November 2024. The five best vacuum cleaners in this guide are discounted in the Black Friday sales. I've included the vacuum deals from Dyson and Shark at the top of the page, or keep scrolling for the full guide.
NEW It's more than a gadget; finding the best vacuum cleaner for your home is a vital investment. Effective vacuums will remove dust, dirt, debris and dander from your floors, but they're not all made equal. Making sure you find the right one for your home's needs will keep you cleaning as efficiently as possible.
I'm Homes & Gardens' home tech editor, and my team of product testers and I have reviewed 48 of the world's best vacuum cleaners. This guide covers the vacuums you should consider, whether you're looking for a cordless model that can tackle pet hair, or a corded upright to deep clean your carpets.
Across the best cordless vacuums, best robot vacuums, and best upright vacuums, each of the models on this list have excelled in their own way. Whether you're here to splash out on one of the most premium vacuums available, or to find out the best you can get on a budget, these are the very best vacuums for the home.
The Verdict
Right now, the best vacuum cleaner we've ever tested is the Dyson Gen5detect, surpassing all others in every single way. It's closely followed by its predecessor the Dyson V15 Detect, which also happens to be our pick for the best vacuum for pet hair.
The Shark Cordless PowerDetect isn't quite as powerful as the Dysons, but it still offers effective and flexible cleaning for a much more reasonable price. The best upright model is the Shark POWERDETECT – which is no surprise as Shark now dominates the upright vacuum market since Dyson pivoted towards cordless models.
The Quick List
Here's a quick overview of the tried-and-tested best vacuum cleaners. You can scroll down or click the navigation links for more in-depth info.
Best vacuum overall
This is the best vacuum you can buy, for all floor types, with best-in-class cleaning power. It will pick up all types of debris and hair in a single pass while revealing dust that the naked eye can't see. It's expensive, but there's nothing better.
Runner-up best cordless vacuum
With a flexible wand, a multi-surface brushroll and the option of a self-cleaning station, the Shark Cordless PowerDetect offers something a little different to set it apart from the competition. It also doesn't hurt that it's incredible at vacuuming dust, debris and hair on all floor types.
Best upright vacuum
A relentless powerhouse of a vacuum that can effortlessly pick up all debris, especially pet hair, while being able to dig deep into carpets with its dual-brushroll floorhead. It also neutralizes odors and has a lift-away pod for more mobility when cleaning stairs, cars or furniture.
Best vacuum for pet hair
This incredibly powerful cordless will utterly banish pet hair while picking up dirt that can't be seen with the naked eye. It's bested only by the Dyson Gen5detect, but shares many of the same features like dust and floor detection and a green laser to illuminate invisible dust.
Best value Dyson vacuum
The most affordable way to bring Dyson's market-leading detection tech into your home, with dust sensors, adaptive suction power, and a green laser to reveal hidden dust. It's smaller than the V15 Detect and Gen5detect, so you'll need to empty the dustbin more, but it costs and weighs less.
Best robot vacuum
The flagship model from eufy, the S1 Pro Omni provides the deepest mop cleaning we've seen in our robot tests, as well as a vacuum that makes light work of dust, large debris and hair. It's expensive, but thorough.
Best vacuum for allergies
Samsung's Bespoke Jet combines HEPA filtration and a unique bagged base that's great for allergies, minimizing how often you empty it yourself and your exposure to dust and allergens.
Best budget cordless vacuum
For under $200, our experts were impressed with how this handled hair in particular. It could vacuum big bits of debris without a problem too. However the filter clogs quickly, and hair can wrap around the brushroll.
Best budget upright vacuum
This upright vacuum is lightweight and uber-easy to maneuver. There's a built-in odor-neutralizing cartridge to keep things fresh while you dig up dirt, for a fraction of the price of more premium Shark uprights.
Best vacuum 2024
You can trust Homes & Gardens. Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing the latest products, helping you choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.
We've tested every single one in person so we know exactly which are worth your time and money.
The best vacuum cleaner
The Gen5detect is Dyson's top-of-the-line vacuum cleaner. Dyson is at the forefront of vacuum cleaning tech, and the Gen5detect is the best Dyson vacuum we've ever tested, hands down.
Our expert reviewer Helen has tested more than 100 vacuum cleaners and found that the Gen5detect surpassed all of them in terms of power and performance. It certainly aligns with Dyson's claim that it's the most powerful HEPA vacuum in the world. This is thanks to the motor that spins at up to 125,000 RPM - pulling more embedded dirt from deep within the carpets than our tester thought was possible.
The Gen5detect's HEPA filter can capture 99.99% of particles down to 0.1 microns, and has a screen to display just how much it's picked up. It has a 'Fluffy Optic' cleaner head that is able to illuminate dust and dirt that's invisible to the naked eye, and our tester was genuinely surprised by how much exists on our floors without us knowing.
While it detects how many particles it's captured, the Gen5detect also detects how dirt-heavy particular sections of the floor are. This means that, as you're going over your floors, the vacuum will automatically adjust suction power for the most thorough clean possible, while preserving power when it isn't needed. This automatic adjustment can happen in under a second.
On test, the Gen5detect excelled on all floor types. The selection of tools allow you to easily and quickly switch between carpets and hard floors, and the crevice tool was able to tackle any corners and out-of-reach spaces with ease.
It's the best vacuum cleaner you could buy for the home, but it's also one of the most expensive. If you can afford it, you won't find anything better.
Read more in our full Dyson Gen5detect review.
Best runner-up cordless vacuum
Shark's latest vacuum stands out from the competition thanks to an impressive and genuinely useful feature set. Like many recent cordless vacuums from brands like Kenmore and Ultenic, the Shark Cordless PowerDetect has a flexible wand (called the telescopic tube) that can reach under furniture without you having to strain your back, and easily snaps back into place afterwards.
It also has the best suction power found across any of Shark's cordless vacs, with our tester James Holland writing that 'it had no issues sucking up debris and dust' across all floor types, and it even pulled an impressive amount of dust and dirt from two floors that appeared to be clean.
As it can detect the floor type (just like the best Dyson vacuums), the floor's edges, and the volume of dust on the floor, the PowerDetect is able to maintain optimal suction power, increasing on carpets and dirtier areas, and preserving battery on hard floors and cleaner areas. It has a a floorhead with dual-brushrolls so that it can seamlessly pass between floor types; the soft brushroll helps to capture dust and fine particles while the bristled brushroll helps to avoid hair wrap.
Aside from its cleaning capabilities, it has an LED screen displaying suction mode and battery life, a HEPA post-motor filter and washable foam pre-motor filters, and the option of a self-cleaning and self-emptying charging station. It is a bit on the pricier end however; if you're looking for Shark cleaning for a little less, consider the Shark Vertex Pro. It's a few years old but still gets the job done.
Read more in our full Shark Cordless PowerDetect review.
Best upright vacuum
The best upright vacuum from our tests was once the Shark Stratos, but the newer Shark POWERDETECT is an upgrade in virtually all aspects – and they both cost the same.
It's the best upright vacuum for a number of reasons but, most importantly, it's an absolute powerhouse. Our tester James Holland found that, regardless of the debris or floor type, it had no problem cleaning up whatsoever. 'It’s able to suck everything up in its path efficiently and proficiently, no matter the debris. And, it’s equally capable regardless of the surface I used it on,' he noted.
Thanks to his cat's heavy shedding, James was also able to find out just how effective the POWERDETECT can clean pet hair. 'With one pass, the Shark POWERDETECT had basically picked up every visible piece of hair (as well as litter near the litter box) from the carpet, filling the dust bin with an amount of hair equal to a second cat. The carpet itself was left spotless and smelling ever-so-slightly fresh thanks to the odor neutralizer cartridge.'
So, as well as being able to clean pet hair from the most difficult floor type, the POWERDETECT goes a step above what most vacuums offer: it uses an anti-odor cartridge to actually leave the room smelling fresher than before.
To make things easier too, the POWERDETECT can be lifted from its main, heavier component whenever you need more mobility, like on the stairs or when reaching above. This feature is paired with a hose (an albeit limited one at only two feet long), to help make the most of the attachments for any non-floorcare related cleaning.
It also matches the detection tech we've come to love from Dyson's vacuums. This upright vacuum can detect floor type, dust volume and the floor's edges so that it can automatically adjust suction power when it's needed. So, when you move from hard floor to carpet, or from a clean area to a dirty area, the vacuum will up the power to make sure everything's picked up.
It is a little on the heavy side at 17.57 lbs, but that's not too far from what we expect from upright vacuums (the Shark Stratos weighs in at 16.71 lbs). It's available for around $400-500 which, in my view, is more than reasonable considering the cleaning power on offer.
Read our full Shark POWERDETECT review for more info.
Best vacuum for pet hair
Before the Gen5detect came out, the Dyson V15 Detect lead the line up of best vacuums. Along with its market-leading suction power, this is thanks to its unique dust-hunting feature; a green diode laser that reveals what the human eye can't see.
This couples with a Piezo sensor which measures microscopic dust particles in real time, giving clear proof of a deep and effective clean. It sounds like a gimmick, but our tests found that it's incredibly effective, as the vacuum automatically adjusts its suction according to how much dust is detected. This is not only the best vacuum for pet hair we've tested, but also one of the best vacuums and best cordless vacuums in the market right now.
It has an an effective anti-tangle brushroll that will save you the horrible job of picking hair out of the vacuum to clean it, and a bright LCD screen that makes it easy to use, demonstrating runtime and if the bin is too full. This is what puts it at the top of our list of the best vacuums for pet hair.
'I took the Anti-Tangle Hair Screw tool to task on my dog's lounge mat, and it is one of the only vacuum tools I've tried that not only revived the faux-sherpa bottom that is an absolute magnet for dirt but brightened the fleece top from a dusty blue back to its original turquoise,' our expert tester Jaclyn Turner noted.
Like most Dyson products, this quality comes at a cost. This is one of the best vacuums you can possibly buy, but it will set you back more than $700. We also aren't fans of the fact that dust occasionally gets stuck in the dust bin, and that you have to hold down the trigger to keep it running, which might become uncomfortable if you have mobility issues with your hands.
Read more in our full Dyson V15 Detect review.
Best value Dyson vacuum
When we look at the best vacuum cleaners in the world, the Dyson Gen5detect and the Dyson V15 Detect, the smaller, more affordable counterpart often gets forgotten about. The Dyson V12 Detect Slim is the entry-level model in Dyson's flagship Detect range, and it's the cheapest way to bring this market-leading tech into your home.
It still carries the same core features, like dust/floor detection, the green laser that illuminates hidden dust, the particle counter and the adaptive suction power. The sacrifice is in dustbin capacity and battery life, but if you're willing to empty it more often and leave it charged between cleans, this shouldn't be too much of a task.
On test, it picked up everything (no matter the debris size) in one pass, on every floor type. I tested it alongside other vacuums from brands like Shark, Henry and Tineco, and I was really able to see just how much it excelled in comparison. Suction power adjusted within a fraction of a section whenever the floor was particularly dirty, and the green laser genuinely does reveal dust that you wouldn't otherwise see.
The V12 Detect Slim retails for around $650 but, more often that not, it's discounted at around $450. This is one of the leading cordless vacuums in the world so, while $400+ is still a bit of an investment, it's certainly a worthwhile one. Previously, the Dyson Cyclone V10 was our pick for the best value Dyson, but they sell for a similar price these days. The Dyson V8 is another great option, costing a few hundred dollars less, and without any of the detection tech or suction modes.
Read our full Dyson V12 Detect Slim review for more info.
Best robot vacuum
The S1 Pro is the new flagship model from eufy's range of robot vacuum cleaners. It's hailed as 'the world's first floor washer,' and although many robots have a similar mopping function, the S1 Pro is said to have a mop that continuously stays clean throughout the mopping.
On test, 'it tackled sticky, sugary liquid spills with ease, and much like the tests available to view on the manufacturer’s website, blasted through coffee, milk and ketchup stains with zero issue, residue or spread,' Punteha, Head of Solved at H&G noted. Many robot vacuums struggle to offer any deep cleaning with their mop functions so it's a pleasant surprise eufy have managed to do so.
As well as top-class mopping, the S1 Pro also shines as a vacuum. 'Nothing in my testing found it was unable to handle day-to-day debris, dust and mess (human, pet and otherwise),' Punteha added. On top of that, the robot vacuum proved to have excellent navigation, avoiding obstacles within a two-inch radius while the two spinning brush arms make sure no part of the floor gets missed.
The main downside however is, of course, the price. It retails at full price at $1,499.99 – which is difficult to justify unless money isn't an issue. But I have learned that robot vacuums are almost always reduced by $100s during major sale events, so look out for the S1 Pro during the next Black Friday or Prime Day.
If it's still out of your budget, consider the iRobot Roomba Combo j9+ or the iRobot Roomba j7+ – they're two of the most capable robots we've tested, and they cost hundreds of dollars less (as they're now a few years old).
Read more in our full eufy S1 Pro Omni review.
Best vacuum for allergies
If vacuuming always sets off your allergies, the Samsung Bespoke could be the solution. It uses a 5-layer HEPA filtration system to keep allergen particles inside the vacuum. However, it goes even further. The Bespoke is charged on a 'clean station', which not only powers the vacuum but sucks out any collected dust into a sealed and bagged system. You can throw away dust and dander without releasing any into the air, stopping allergic reactions before they start.
On test, we appreciated the telescoping wand and the sleek digital screen, which displays notifications of the power level and alerts about airflow issues, clogs, missing filters, and more.
If you're curious about Samsung's floorcare products, we've also tried and enjoyed Samsung Jet 90 Complete, which also has the unique telescoping wand that extends reach, excellent suction performance, and a 5-layer HEPA filtration system that traps the most microscopic irritants and particles from escaping. It's also relatively cheaper but does not include the clean base station as the Bespoke design.
Read more in our full Samsung Bespoke Jet Pro Extra review.
Best budget cordless vacuum
The Ultenic 12 promises all of the features you'll find in the best vacuums on the market: cordless cleaning, useful cleaning monitoring, a tangle free brush, a laser sensor, and plenty of cleaning accessories. The one thing it doesn't share with out top performers is the price tag. This is under $200 and that's before you bag a discount on top too.
Our experts were pleasantly surprised with every aspect of the Ultenic 12. It comes in a box smaller than some that I've received shoes in. It's quick to assemble and lightweight to use. There are buttons for every feature you could possibly need and you don't need to constantly depress a trigger to use it.
'It sucked up cereal effortlessly and quietly from hardwood, linoleum, and carpet floors: a totally faultless performance,' tester Laura wrote. This performance was similar when vacuuming hair, too, although the brushroll's anti-tangle brushroll didn't live up to its claims.
The LED screen, which looks a lot like a dashboard, provides a countdown of how long you have vacuuming alongside the range of power options, which you can adjust at the touch of a button.
As you can see, there's a lot to love and at $200, there's even more to love. However, there's a few things you should know before jumping in to a purchase. As is inevitable, this feels cheaper than models which are five times the price. If you haven't got money to spare, this is a great option, but if you're looking for luxurious, you should know that there are more premium options available. This also won't stand up on its own, so if you're used to vacuums which can, expect a few surprising drops.
There's more detail in our full Ultenic U12 Vesla review.
Best budget upright vacuum
The Shark Rotator Pet Upright Vacuum does everything you need a cleaner to do, at a price that everyone can afford. It comes with a HEPA filter to detect and dispose of dust and dander, as well as an odor-neutralizing cartridge to keep things smelling fresh.
The Shark Rotator Pet Upright Vacuum is essentially a smaller, lighter, cheaper version of the Shark Stratos. For a corded vacuum, it's easy to maneuver, and features a Lift-Away function to help you clean stairs and high areas. Those non-tangle brushrolls would give the best vacuum for pet hair a run for its money.
Our tester was particularly impressed by the vacuum's performance on hard wood floors. It sucked up small rocks, larger clumps of dirt, and even fine pieces of cat litter without spraying them all over the floor. Just don't try to use it on area rugs: the suction is far too powerful and you'll only pull the fabric.
The Shark Rotator Pet Upright Vacuum doesn't have the most capacious dustbin, nor the latest technology, but it's a quick, quiet cleaning companion. If you're looking for an upright vacuum that can deliver premium results without the premium price tag, look no further.
Read more in our full Shark Rotator Pet Upright Vacuum review.
How we test the best vacuums
Testing the Dyson Cylone V10 Absolute on a hard floor
At Homes & Gardens we like to get hands-on experience with all the products that make it feature in our buyers' guides. You can learn more in in our behind-the-scenes look at how we test vacuums, and there's an overview of our principles in our guide to how we test products.
Each new vacuum we get the opportunity to review is tried and tested in our own homes, undergoing rigorous testing on a range of flooring and household challenges. We also test vacuums in a dedicated test studio, standardising our examination across different messes and floor types.
We look out for factors such as maneuverability, run-time, emptying of the dust bin (or bag), and general controls so you know exactly what you are getting for your money.
We test the vacuum cleaners for a number of weeks (sometimes months) so we get a feel for the longevity and durability of each model. In some instances, we are also fortunate enough to keep the vacuum cleaners after writing up the review so we can continue to learn about them and share our findings with you.
Meet our testers
I am H&G's home tech editor, covering vacuums and floorcare on a near-daily basis. I've tested 12 vacuums in my time at H&G, including the Dyson V12 Detect Slim.
Laura is a former eCommerce editor for Homes & Gardens. She's two years and 100+ hours testing 21 vacuum cleaners in her time as a product tester, including the Ultenic U12 Vesla in this guide.
Jaclyn was an eCommerce editor for Homes & Gardens. She's been testing vacuums for four years, spanning 300 hours, and she's reviewed more than 16 vacuums including the Dyson V15 Detect.
Camryn Rabideau is a freelance writer and product reviewer who has been testing home goods - including vacuums and floorcare cleaning tools - for several years. She tested the Shark Stratos Upright from her small homestead in Rhode Island, using it to pick up after two dogs and a cat..
How to choose the best vacuum
Consider a variety of factors before choosing a vacuum as some details are more important to one than they may be to another.
Type
Vacuums come in a variety of types. Some common terms you may come across include:
- Cordless: Cordless vacuums are battery-powered and do not require a wall outlet nearby to operate. As technology evolves, these vacuums become more powerful, run longer, and increasingly more lightweight. They will require a period of time to charge between cleans.
- Upright: Upright models do as they sound, they are stable and can sit upright. They are usually heavier, more stable, and offer the most consistent suction and larger dust cup capacity. Most upright vacuums are corded.
- Stick: Those looking for a lightweight, easy to maneuver vacuum or are short on storage space, may prefer a stick vacuum for its slim profile that makes it lighter and easier to store. However, they can't stand on their own, so it will need to be propped up or placed on the floor if you pause cleaning. Stick models can be found in either corded or cordless operation, but they usually don't offer as much suction power as an upright.
- Canister: Canister vacuums have a separate canister that house the motor and dust bin with a long hose that works with a variety of attachments. They're usually much lighter and easier to maneuver than upright counterparts, and just as powerful. They are very convenient for stair cleaning and make it easy to get into tight spaces. Due to their low profile, they also take up less space to store.
- Robot: Robot vacuums autonomously clean your home on your own schedule without you having to lift a finger. Many can be paired with smart home assistants, provide detailed home mapping, and can run on your own schedule. However, you will need to remove any obstacles before running.
- Handheld: Many cordless models convert into handheld units, but for smaller jobs and quick clean-ups, handhelds, either corded or cordless, are great to have on hand for getting into tighter spaces or cleaning above ground.
Dust bin
Here, we consider two factors. Dust bin size, and bagged or bagless designs. Consider how large your home is, or how often you're willing to empty the dust bin. Bagged dust bins will seal in collected dirt and debris, but there is the added cost of repeatedly keeping the bags on hand. Meanwhile, most bagless designs are clear and allow you to see how much dirt has been collected. They can be dumped directly in the garbage, but there is still the risk of a few particles escaping back into the air.
Weight
Taking into account the maneuverability of your vacuum, if you will be using a vacuum between levels, it is necessary to choose a vacuum that is lightweight enough for you to carry up and down the stairs. An appropriate vacuum weight is around 10lbs.
Floor Type
Consider if you have more hard, smooth floors or carpets, and be sure to select a vacuum that is built to handle that surface. Some handle both excellently (or come with interchangeable attachments), while others work on hard floors or carpets much better.
Cord length
If you've already determined that cordless is for you, disregard, but the length of a vacuum can really make or break one's cleaning experience if you're constantly having to plug into different outlets. Look for vacuums that offer between 25 and 30 foot long cords for plenty of space to roam.
Run time
On the contrary, if you're after a cordless, or even a robot design, you'll want to focus on how long you'll have to clean before having to recharge. We've tested models with a battery of just 20 minutes, to those that can run up to two hours. Our sweet spot of recommendation is choosing a vacuum that lasts 45 to 60 minutes on average, as that's usually an adequate amount of time to get through your cleaning. Battery life varies significantly depending on if you're cleaning carpets, hard floors, or simply whipping out the crevice tool. Note, battery runtime and price are typically directly correlated, and longer battery life means a higher price tag as well.
Special Features
Increasingly, more and more vacuums highlight special features like support for pet hair, no hair wrapping, or specialized HEPA air filtration. Some vacuums will highlight this directly, while some brands, like Shark or Bissell, are known for their pet-friendly vacuums.
Vacuum FAQs
Do I need a vacuum with a HEPA filter?
HEPA filters aren't essential but the best vacuums tend to have them as they're the most effective type of filter you can get. HEPA filters trap tiny particles like pollen, dust, and even some bacteria, whereas lower-quality filters don't.
For allergy sufferers and pet owners, a HEPA filter is a must. They capture at least 99.97% of particles as small as 0.3 microns, including most airborne allergens.
For further insight, we explore do I need a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter in our separate piece.
Can you use a vacuum to clean up liquids?
No, you shouldn't use a vacuum to clean up liquids as this can damage the motor. The best appliances for cleaning up spills on carpets are carpet cleaners or wet-dry vacuums. We look into reasons to upgrade to a wet-dry vacuum in our dedicated feature, along with things you can clean with a wet-dry vacuum.
Can you use a vacuum to dust?
Yes, vacuums are a good option to use when removing dust from the home, especially for cleaning upholstery (we explore how to vacuum furniture without damaging upholstery in our guide). However, when dusting more delicate surfaces like mirrors, TVs, or books, you should use a microfibre cloth, or a product such as the Scrub Daddy Damp Duster, available on Walmart.
Vacuum cleaning tech is constantly improving, so we're always reviewing the newest vacuums to keep up with what's best.
If you find that you're spending a bit too much time cleaning up after your pets, it might be worth choosing one of the best vacuums for pet hair.
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