A small apartment with a few area rugs has very different vacuum needs compared to a 2,000-square-foot house with wall-to-wall carpeting. The right vacuum for you also depends on factors such as your physical strength, ergonomic preferences, and personal cleaning standards and habits. Additionally, whether you have delicate hardwood floors, clean up after kids or shedding pets, or suffer from indoor allergies will significantly influence your choice.

No single vacuum can meet every requirement. That’s why we’ve rounded up the best vacuums across a range of categories—from powerful and long-lasting plug-in vacuums to convenient cordless sticks, budget-friendly handhelds, and even advanced robotic vacuums. This curated selection ensures there’s a perfect fit for all types of homes and lifestyles, catering to diverse cleaning needs and preferences.

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Find the right vacuum for your needs

Best upright vacuum

Best budget upright vacuum

Best canister vacuum

Best cordless stick vacuum

Best robot vacuum

Best handheld vacuum

Best vacuum for pet hair

Best vacuum for allergies and asthma

Best vacuum for bare floors

Best vacuum for high-pile carpets

Best vacuum for cars

What we’re currently testing

Frequently asked questions

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Best upright vacuum

Plug-in upright vacuums are powerful, versatile, and reliable, making them capable of cleaning every inch of your home—from thick rugs to hardwood floors. They effectively suck up dust, debris, pet fur, and pollutants, ensuring a thorough clean.

The best upright vacuums feature extra-strong suction and swappable brush heads: a motorized cleaner to agitate and lift dirt and debris from deep within carpets, and a soft parquet brush specifically designed for delicate hardwood flooring. Additionally, they come with useful hose attachment tools that make it easy to clean stairs, sofas, bookshelves, and tight corners.

High-end upright vacuums often incorporate powerful filtration systems, such as HEPA or S-class, sealing debris in bags. This makes them particularly ideal for indoor allergy sufferers, as they help maintain cleaner air quality. Because they stand upright, they can be conveniently stowed away in a closet or corner, maximizing your space. With proper maintenance, these durable cleaners can last for a decade or longer. For more information, read about the best upright vacuums available.

Consider an upright vacuum if:

• You want a classic vacuum that can deep-clean effectively. Only powerful plug-in vacuums can truly tackle even the thickest rugs, providing the robust suction needed for a thorough clean. Their bags and advanced filtration systems make them excellent choices for indoor allergy sufferers, as they help trap dust and allergens.
• You’re also willing to invest in a vacuum that can stand the test of time. The best uprights may come with a higher price tag, but they typically offer long warranties and feature replaceable and repairable parts. This durability ensures that they can last for a decade or more, making them a smart investment for anyone serious about maintaining a clean home.

Skip an upright vacuum if: 

• You have arm or wrist issues. Compared to a canister vacuum or lightweight cordless stick vacuum, an upright can feel heavy and cumbersome on your hands and wrists, making it less comfortable for extended use.

• You also dislike dealing with cords. Unfortunately, upright vacuums typically lack automatic cord rewinds, so you’ll have to manually unwrap and wrap the cord after each use. This can be an added hassle if you’re looking for a more convenient cleaning experience.

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Best budget upright vacuum

The best affordable bagless uprights perform exceptionally well with just about any type of vacuumable debris, including pet hair, and can effectively clean a variety of floor types—such as carpets, wood, tiles, and more. These vacuums should last at least five years with minimal maintenance, as they don’t require new belts and the filters are washable, eliminating the need for costly bags.

On common flooring types, like low- or mid-pile nylon carpeting and most bare floors, high-quality bagless uprights can match the performance of some of the strongest overall vacuums, often at a fraction of the price—typically less than half. However, it’s important to note that they may come with less generous warranties than pricier models, meaning you could be responsible for repairs if a part breaks. For more insights, read about the best upright vacuums available.

Consider an affordable bagless upright vacuum if:

• You want decent performance on a budget. The good bagless upright vacs are reasonably priced, have no recurring costs, and should last for at least five years. Getting one is the best way to stretch your dollar when buying a vacuum cleaner.

Skip an affordable bagless upright vacuum if:

• You have allergies. Bagless vacuums don’t seal away dust and debris as effectively as bagged models do.
• You have delicate flooring or really thick rugs. If you have hand-knotted rugs, extra-thick carpets, or soft wood or tile that’s prone to scratching, you might want a vacuum with a cleaning head that’s specifically designed for these surfaces.

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Best canister vacuum

If you like your rugs and floors to stay impeccably clean and you’re willing to invest in a vacuum that will last a decade or more, consider a high-end canister vacuum. Canister vacuums consist of two connected parts: a wand with a hose and a pod or canister that houses the motor and dustbin or bag.

While it may feel a bit unusual to use a canister vacuum at first, many longtime upright vacuum users have made the switch due to the canister’s lightweight feel and superior maneuverability, especially when navigating stairs. They tend to clog less frequently, ensuring consistent performance, and most models come equipped with a convenient automatic cord rewind, enhancing usability. Investing in a quality canister vacuum can elevate your cleaning routine, providing both efficiency and longevity.

Consider a high-end canister vacuum if:

• You want something that will last a long time. They don’t make most stuff like they used to, but great vacuums are an exception to that rule.
• You want excellent performance and maximum versatility. These vacuums can suck fine dust out of nearly any rug (even high-pile), while also offering gentle parquet brushes for delicate wood flooring. They come with a range of attachments for cleaning furniture, shelves, and even pets.

Skip a high-end canister vacuum if:

You prefer uprights. Some people just can’t get comfortable dragging a little pod behind them while they clean—especially with a cord attached to it.

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Best cordless stick vacuum

Cordless vacuums tend to cost more, don’t last as long, and often lack sufficient run time to clean larger homes in a single pass.

That said, the convenience of cordless vacuums can outweigh these trade-offs for many users. These models are especially life-changing for those living in apartments or smaller homes with cramped floor plans, as they are thin, lightweight, and easy to steer—plus, there’s no cord to get caught on corners or furniture. Even in larger homes, you might adapt to cleaning just a few rooms at a time, making battery life less of an issue.

The best cordless vacs are powerful enough to clean nearly as effectively as plug-in models, performing well on most types of rugs and surfaces. Their ease of use makes them a practical choice for quick clean-ups and everyday maintenance.

Most cordless vacuums also double as handheld vacuums, so you can buy one vacuum to clean both your floors and your car. Read more about the best cordless vacuums.

Consider a cordless vacuum if:

• You live in a small apartment or house. It’s much easier to vacuum a home that has a cramped floor plan when there’s no cord getting caught.
• You don’t want to deal with a cord. It takes just a few seconds to grab your cordless vacuum and start cleaning—no obstacles, no excuses!

Skip a cordless vacuum if:

• You want the most value for your money. When you compare cordless and plug-in models that have similar cleaning power, the cordless models cost more and die sooner.

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Best robot vacuum

Even a basic robot vacuum can keep your floors tidy with little effort on your part, handling pet hair and dust adeptly. Top-tier models can map your home, schedule cleanings, take voice commands, and empty themselves.

But while these machines excel in routine midweek cleanups, they can’t replace traditional plug-in vacuums, especially on rugs. And even the fanciest models get tangled or trapped, and miss piles of dirt. Read more about the best robot vacuums.

Consider a robot vacuum if:

• You have pets, kids, or both. Most people find it challenging to keep up with the mess created by a shedding pet or a Cheerio-trailing toddler. However, robot vacuums never procrastinate, get bored, or have other plans, so they can effortlessly pick up pet hair and crumbs almost as quickly as they accumulate.
• If you simply will not use a regular vacuum, a robot that runs for an hour every other day will keep your home significantly tidier than sporadic sessions of 20 minutes spent half-heartedly pushing a traditional vacuum a few times per month. By incorporating a robotic vacuum into your cleaning routine, you can maintain a cleaner home with minimal effort, allowing you more time to enjoy life with your loved ones.

Skip a robot vacuum if:

• Your home is filled with robot hazards. Stray charging cables, tall thresholds, and general messiness can all cause problems for bots—though some expensive models are getting a little better at dealing with them.
• Deep-cleaning carpets is a priority. Robot vacuum cleaners are great superficial cleaners but they do not have the suction power of an upright or canister vacuum cleaner that is capable of penetrating rugs and carpets deeply.

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Best handheld vacuum

It’s incredibly handy to have a handheld vacuum on hand for tackling small messes. Today’s handheld vacuums can be surprisingly powerful without breaking the bank. The best models offer enough suction to quickly pick up crumbs, grit, and other types of obvious debris. Many come with adjustable nozzles, making it easier to reach tight spots without straining your wrist.

With their convenience and efficiency, handheld vacuums are perfect for quick clean-ups around the house, ensuring you can maintain a tidy environment with minimal effort. For more insights, read about the best handheld vacuums available.

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Best vacuum for pet hair

Even the cheapest vacuums can pick up pet hair off a bare floor, and any vacuum that’s good at getting dust out of rugs will also be good at digging pet hair out of rugs.

You don’t even have to limit yourself to models that have the words pet or animal in their names. That just means they come with a tool for getting pet hair off of upholstery, or (occasionally) that a vacuum’s brush roll won’t tangle easily. Those are nice features! But plenty of vacuums with names that don’t include animal or pet have these features, too.

Read more about the best vacuums for pet hair.

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Best vacuum for allergies and asthma

If you have asthma or severe allergies, and indoor air quality is crucial to your health, a high-quality bagged vacuum is a safe bet. Our favorite high-end vacuums do an excellent job of sucking up allergens and irritants—and keeping them contained during disposal.

There’s a bit of controversy on this topic. Experts disagree on the traits a “clean-air” vacuum needs to have. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) says that some bagless vacuums are okay in this regard. (Note that AAFA is sponsored by Dyson, which makes only bagless vacuums. No other major vacuum brands sponsor AAFA. So that’s a potential conflict of interest, though the AAFA certification testing is pretty rigorous, and we don’t doubt that bagless models have produced good results on this tough test.) But most salespeople and technicians told us that they would not recommend bagless models for households in which air quality was a major concern, because the act of emptying a bagless vacuum re-pollutes your air. We’d recommend erring on the side of caution with a bagged, sealed-system vacuum that has a HEPA or S-class filter.

What if you don’t have asthma or severe allergies? Well, it never hurts to have a HEPA or S-class filter on a vacuum, but they’re overkill for many people. Also, a vacuum can come equipped with a HEPA filter but have mediocre overall filtration, if the transfer points throughout the vacuum don’t have rubber gaskets. So don’t be fooled into paying extra just because a vacuum has a HEPA or S-class filter.

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Best vacuum for bare floors

Cleaning bare floors is the easiest task for a vacuum cleaner, and you don’t need anything special. But if you want to make the job a little easier, there are a couple features to consider.

For a mix of bare floors and rugs, the surest bet is to get a vacuum that lets you turn the brush roll on or off. An aggressive brush can scatter certain kinds of debris on bare floors, or even scratch certain types of flooring, so it’s helpful to be able to switch it off. Most plug-in vacuums (including the upright and canister models we recommend) have this option, though it’s less common among cordless vacuums.

If you don’t plan to clean rugs (or at least not very deeply), you can get a vacuum that’s purpose-built for cleaning bare floors. Most of these are “suction-only” models, without a brush roll (and some of these are dirt cheap). But a few of them use a specialty soft-fabric brush roll to help “hug” the debris toward the intake. Read more about the best vacuums for hardwood floors.

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Best vacuum for high-pile carpets

High-pile carpets (like shag, frieze, saxony, cable, or long plush) pose a problem for some vacuums: The long fibers can tangle around the brush roller and/or block the intake, essentially choking the vacuum.

If you have any carpeting like that, and you want to clean it thoroughly, your best bet is to get a vacuum with an adjustable cleaning head—one that can rise or fall with the carpet height.

Alternatively, you can try to clean longer rugs by turning off the brush roll or turning down the suction (if your vacuum has those options). Read more about what makes a vacuum great on carpet.

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Best vacuum for cars

For most people, a great handheld vacuum is the best tool for car cleanups. The powerful, quick-charging Ryobi 18V One+ Performance Hand Vacuum Kit is best for most routine car cleaning, and the Black+Decker Dustbuster Advanced Clean+ HHVK515JP07 is great if you need to clean pet fur. But if you want something lighter-weight and more comfortable to handle, opt for a handheld vacuum with an extendable hose: the Black+Decker 20V Max Lithium Flex BDH2020FL or the Worx 20V Power Share Cordless Vac WX030L. You’ll sacrifice some suction and performance, though. Read more about the best car vacuums.

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What we’re currently testing

Roborock recently released the Q5 Max+ robot vacuum, an updated model of our current top pick, with higher suction and a second brush roll. We plan to test it soon. We plan to test several new cordless stick vacuums soon, including the Tineco Pure One Station Furfree Smart Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner, which is a hands-free self-cleaning vacuum that promises to empty its dustbin and clean its brush roll and filters automatically. We’ve also got our eyes on the Ryobi 18V ONE+ HP Advanced Stick Vacuum Kit, which Ryobi bills as its most powerful and quietest stick vac, and the Ryobi 18V ONE+ HP High-Capacity Stick Vacuum Kit, which carries its weight on the bottom instead of below the hand. We’re curious to see how both models compare to our current Ryobi stick-vac pick.

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Frequently asked questions

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Which vacuum has the strongest suction?

We’re not certain, and we believe it might not be the most critical factor. While suction is essential, it’s just one aspect that contributes to a vacuum’s effectiveness. Effective airflow plays a vital role in transporting debris into the dustbin, and a powerful brush-roll is necessary to extract dirt from carpet fibers. Our top pick, the SEBO Felix Premium, showcased outstanding cleaning performance, making it one of the best vacuums we’ve tested.

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Which is better, bagless or bagged vacuums?

It really depends on your needs. On one hand, bagless models eliminate recurring costs, which can be appealing. On the other hand, vacuums with bags can enhance longevity by keeping debris contained, preventing clogs in hard-to-clean areas that can affect the motor over time. Air quality experts often recommend bags for individuals with allergies or asthma, as they allow for easier disposal without spilling debris or creating a dust cloud. However, bags do need to be replaced several times a year, and if you have pets, they tend to fill up more quickly, which can lead to increased costs over time.

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Are expensive vacuum cleaners worth it?

Sometimes. Investing more in a vacuum can lead to a significantly longer-lasting machine, especially with brands like Miele or SEBO. Alternatively, spending more can provide greater convenience and extended battery life, particularly with Dyson cordless stick vacuums. In the case of Miele, SEBO, and Dyson, you’re guaranteed excellent cleaning performance. When it comes to robot vacuums, a higher price often means better control over cleaning patterns and the availability of self-emptying docks. Many people find satisfaction with vacuums priced around $150, and some of these models can endure for many years.