- Whether your home has carpeting or hardwood, you need a good vacuum cleaner to keep the floors tidy.
- Our favorite vacuum is the Miele C2 Electro+, which is extremely powerful, long-lasting, and is well-outfitted with several brushes, crevice attachments, and an easy-to-change filter/bag system.
- Read more: The best robot vacuums, the best vacuums for pet hair, and the best vacuum cleaners under $300.
A vacuum is the type of temperamental appliance that most of us neglect to maintain until it’s too late, or it simply starts to underperform over time. Maybe your vacuum has begun to leave undesirable matter behind, prompting you to dream of a sturdier, more efficient model – or, at least, a cleaner floor. Maybe it’s time for a new vacuum.
As with most electronics these days, there are more than enough options to drive you mad in your search for the best replacement. There are lightweight cordless vacuums, canister vacuums, upright vacuums that are beholden to wall outlets, handheld dustbusters, and of course, robotic vacuums. So which do you choose?
The best vacuum for your home depends on a number of things, the most important ones being the size, floor plan, floor material, and inhabitants of your abode.
How big is your home?
If your home is over 1000 square feet, and you don’t want to have to clean in shifts between charging your appliance, then a cordless vacuum may be out of the question. But, if storage is tight, maybe it is worth vacuuming in shifts to save on the closet space a larger vacuum would consume.
What kinds of surfaces will you be vacuuming?
The vacuums we recommend are for all surfaces, and some even have settings for particular types of carpet and other floorings, but before you buy a vacuum, make sure it’s well suited for the predominant flooring in your household.
How often do you vacuum?
If you always like to have your floors squeaky clean - that is, if you vacuum daily, or almost daily - you might want to consider the Miele C2 Electro+, which will stand up to regular use much better than a cordless vacuum with a battery that won't last nearly as long.
Do you have pets?
Having pets adds another layer of considerations when it comes to choosing the right vacuum for your abode. Do they shed? Are they well-trained, if you catch my drift?
You'll want a bag vacuum with pets that shed. Otherwise, repeatedly cleaning hair from your vacuum's filters quickly becomes a problem. You also might want to skip out on the robotic vacuums - sorry, but imagine what might happen when your dog or cat decides to leave you a present and your new Roomba encounters it, only to stage what might appear to be a horrific crime scene.
Here are our picks for the best vacuums:
- Best overall: Miele C2 Electro+
- Best cordless: Dyson Cyclone V10
- Best on a budget: Shark Navigator Lift-Away
- Best for pet hair: Dyson Ball Animal 2
- Best robotic vacuum: Roborock S6
Prices and links are accurate as of 6/16/20. We replaced our pick for the best vacuum for pet hair to reflect our best overall pick in our larger guide on the subject. We're in the process of researching and reviewing new vacuum cleaners, including the new Dyson Cyclone V11 for a future update.
The best overall
The Miele C2 Electro+ has a high-powered sealed motor that creates superior suction and a belt system that's repairable and built to last years longer than cheaper vacuums.
It may be hard to envision yourself spending more than $500 on a vacuum - it certainly is for me - but judging by the Insider Reviews team's own experience, the longevity of the Miele C2 Electro+ is unparalleled. You might run through several less expensive vacuums before the Miele even starts to think about kicking the bucket.
If you have the extra money and don't plan on moving too far away anytime soon, it's probably worth the investment. Even if something does start to go wrong with your Miele, it can be repaired when other cheaper vacuums cannot.
One thing to consider when shopping for high-end vacuums like this one is whether you want a model that uses bags or a canister. While we hate to advocate for more waste, a quality bagged vacuum can last for over a decade, while cheaper canister vacuums typically perform well for a few years, tops. That's because bags help prevent grit, hair, and whatever else from collecting within the machine and damaging the motor.
The Miele will also clean much deeper into your carpet than our other picks, and, being a true workhorse, it's the best option for meticulously clean souls who feel compelled to run their vacuums daily.
Pros: Extremely powerful, long life
Cons: Extremely expensive
The best cordless
Foto: Source: Amazon
The Dyson Cyclone V10 is a sleek, cordless, easily-stowed vacuum that holds its charge for up to 60 minutes with non-motorized tools.
Cordless, compact, battery-powered "stick" vacuums are ideal for smaller homes and apartments where space is precious and vacuuming doesn't consume large amounts of time. Collectively, the Insider team has tested a host of cordless vacuums, and several of us agree that the Dyson Cyclone has impressed us the most.
There are three models of the Dyson Cyclone to choose from: the Motorhead, the Animal, and the Absolute. All three are good, but the Animal and Absolute come with a miniature motorized tool and a more powerful torque drive as opposed to the Motorhead's direct drive.
That said, the two more powerful options bring the price tag pretty close to the Miele C2 Electro+, though they're not likely to last anywhere near as long, mostly due to the rechargeable battery.
Still, if you want the best vacuum you can get and don't have space for the Miele C2 Electro+, we're convinced that the Dyson Cyclone (whichever model you choose) is the best you can do based on compact size and performance.
Pros: Lightweight, very powerful for a cordless vacuum, stores almost anywhere
Cons: Hair jams up the direct-drive cleaner head, a lot of money to spend on a rechargeable battery-powered appliance, batteries aren't removable
The best on a budget
Foto: Source: Amazon
The Shark Navigator Lift-Away offers excellent performance, a useful set of tools, and best of all, a reasonable price tag.
A fraction of the price of our other picks, the Shark Navigator Lift-Away is not quite as powerful, but it will most certainly get the job done. We especially like that it works both with and without a cord, allowing you to get into hard-to-reach spots.
The "Lift-Away" portion of the name refers to the option of lifting the canister and hose right off the base to more easily vacuum stairs, clean underneath furniture, navigate tight corners, and reach those pesky cobwebs dangling from your ceiling. You won't need super-strength to get into those high spaces, either: the vacuum weighs just 12.5 pounds, or around eight pounds if you're only using the canister and hose portion.
This is a bagless vacuum cleaner, which is fine for vacuums designed to last less than five years. Still, the Lift-Away does use a HEPA filter and what the manufacturer calls "Anti-Allergen Complete Seal Technology," so you'll be somewhat protected from dust, pollen, animal dander, and other nose-provoking allergens when it's time to empty the vacuum's dirt canister. Speaking of which, cleaning the Lift-Away is easy: you simply unclip the dirt canister's fasteners, hold it over the garbage bin, push the button, and watch the dirt and dust tumble into the trash.
This vacuum is both reliable and durable. The Shark Navigator Lift-Away has quality belts and filters, rather than the flimsy ones usually found in similarly-priced models, so you'll get your money's worth and then some before this vacuum even begins to consider giving up the ghost.
The powerful suction, the ability to access high or tight spaces, the beater that quickly removes dirt from carpets but switches off to safely clean hardwood floors, the low noise level, and the ease of washing filters rather than replacing them are all standout features on this model.
On the downside, some owners have noted they wish the electrical cord was longer, while others say the vacuum cleaner is a bit top-heavy.
The Shark Navigator Lift-Away comes with a dusting brush, 8-inch and 24-inch crevice tools, and a wide pet upholstery tool.
Pros: Low price, superior performance, five-year warranty, lift-off canister and hose
Cons: Hose is a bit short at five feet, the electric cord is also relatively short at 25 feet (but an extension cord will fix that)
The best for pet hair
Foto: Source: Amazon
The Dyson Ball Animal 2 prioritizes maneuverability, but the tangle-free brush setup is really what sets this machine apart for pet owners.
If you're a pet owner, you know the struggle of finding fur and hair in every corner of your home. Managing shedding cats, dogs, and other furry friends' cast-offs can be a full-time job, so you need a vacuum that's up to the task. The Dyson Ball Animal 2 has a powerful motorized brush bar and self-adjusting head that maintains suction no matter what kind of flooring you're vacuuming.
The detachable turbine tool is specifically engineered for cleaning up pet hair from smaller surfaces like dog beds and that one specific stair that your cat has decided to make her domain. Two brush heads counter-rotate to suck up hair and dirt, and there's no brush bar for hair to wrap around and gum up the works.
The entire machine is sealed and utilizes HEPA filtration, ensuring that dander, hair, and other allergens stay in the machine instead of being expelled back into the air. The entire dirt canister is removable and emptiable with one touch. The filter is washable, so you won't have to worry about replacements.
The Dyson Ball Animal 2 is certified by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, so even if you don't have pet hair to wrangle, this is a great choice for those with sensitive respiratory systems.
We chose the Dyson Ball Animal 2 as the best overall pick in our guide to the best vacuums for pet hair. If you're looking for other options in this category, check out our full guide here.
Pros: Powerful suction, great maneuverability, keeps dust and allergens in the machine, tangle-free turbine tool gets into tight spaces
Cons: Rollerball prevents you from getting under furniture, power cord does not retract
Read our full guide to the best vacuums for pet hair.
The best robotic vacuum
Foto: Source: Malarie Gokey / Business Insider
The Roborock S6 has excellent suction power, runs quietly, is easily programmable, and comes with a bunch of extras that make cleaning up cat hair, cereal, and dust a breeze.
I've dreamt of having robots do many things for me, but somewhere near the top of that long list is cleaning my floors. If you're anything like me, the incessant, whirring drone of a vacuum, along with the imagery of tangled cords, toppled machines, and seized motors - especially on the weekend when time would be better enjoyed doing almost anything else - all conjure up Colonel Kurtz' last words in "Heart of Darkness": "The horror ... the horror ..."
But, lo and behold, here comes our knight in shining armor: the Roborock S6. It has all of the features you'll find in pricier robotic vacuums, but with better suction and mopping capabilities.
In our experience with the Roborock S6, setup took about 15 minutes, and it was fully charged within an hour. As for testing, reporter James Brains wrote that it has the best suction of any robotic vacuum he's tried. His methodology? Apart from generous contributions from his cat and children, he throws all-purpose flour, coffee grounds, and kitty litter onto both hardwood floors and low-pile carpeting. The real tell was that the Roborock S6 picked up 90% of the flour off of his rugs.
The mopping feature (complete with a water reservoir and disposable mop cloths) is much appreciated, though it's best used to keep things tidy in between regular (by which we mean human) mopping sessions.
Potential downsides are the app, which some customers find to be a little on the clumsy side, and the Roborock's relatively tall 3.8-inch height, which prevents it from cleaning underneath any furniture with low clearance.
If you can splurge, you may also want to check out iRobot's Roomba i7+. This Wi-Fi-enabled robot vacuum uses iRobot's latest tech to map out your home, providing a deeper, more customizable cleaning routine. Having seen it in action, we can vouch for the Roomba i7+'s ability to get into tight corners. And, best of all, once it returns to its charging base, it automatically empties any dirt and debris into a canister.
If you suffer from allergies or you have pets, iRobot's new Roomba S9+ works similarly to the i7+ and comes equipped with a filtration system that traps pollen, fur, and other allergens. Pros: Excellent suction, works with Amazon Alexa, extra attachments, mopping capabilities, quiet, one-year warranty Cons: Pricey, doesn't do a thorough mopping job, clumsy app, too tall to clean under some furniture
Read our full review of the Roborock S6.
Check out our other vacuum buying guides
Foto: Source: Bissel
The best cordless vacuums
A great vacuum can make a world of difference when you're trying to suck up that dirt and animal hair. Many prefer the convenience of the cordless vacuum, which eliminates the annoyance of being tethered to a much-too-short cord that limits where your vacuum can reach.
The best vacuums under $300
Some inexpensive vacuum cleaners cost you more in disappointment than they do in dollars. Sure, those ultra-expensive vacuums promise to extract every last speck of grime from your flooring, but do they really deliver results superior enough to justify their price? We decided to solve this mystery once and for all, and to our surprise, we found that you can buy an excellent vacuum cleaner for under $300.
The best robot vacuums
A high-quality robot vacuum is easy to schedule, picks up most debris from an array of surfaces, and runs quietly while going about its work. Our guide features vacuums that performed well in our tests, have useful features that justify their price, and are designed to make cleaning your floors as seamless as possible.
