The 9 best vacuum cleaners of 2025, tested by experts

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We're always testing the best vacuum cleaners in various styles, sizes, and price points, all in an effort to help you find the top vacuum for your specific cleaning needs. Our expert cleaning team has identified a top-notch vacuum that exceeded expectations and outlasted a lesser-quality model that unfortunately ended up in the 'discard' pile. Our top pick is one that offers outstanding features such as strong suction power, smooth-running brushrolls that prevent hair tangles, advanced filtration, and built-in headlights to thoroughly clear floors of dust and debris.

From cordless stick vacuums that match the power and cleaning ability of their upright counterparts to lightweight handhelds designed for tackling small messes, the best type of vacuum to choose depends on where you plan to use it most and the surfaces you'll be cleaning, as well as how heavy and easy to maneuver the vacuum is.

Is dependable and a strong performer on carpets and hard floors.

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Affordable upgrade from entry-level vacuums for whole-house cleaning.

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Best cordless

This Shark Stratos cordless vacuum is one of the best cordless vacuums for most people, easily picking up dog food, coffee grounds, lentils, and pet hair from our standardized tests on hardwood and carpet, as well as everyday dirt. It's equipped with powerful suction and a dual brushroll design: a soft front brushroll catches small particles and prevents bigger debris from flying back out and a back brushroll with stiff bristles gets deep into carpet and pulls out dirt. A very convenient feature is how strands of hair don't get tangled around the brushroll, making it a great choice for households with pets or long human hair.

The Shark Stratos has three cleaning modes, including Shark's CleanSense IQ, which uses an infrared sensor to automatically adjust its suction power based on the amount of debris it's picking up, helping to extend battery life. It does have some trouble with very fine particles like flour and may require a few passes to vacuum up completely, but it still manages some extremely impressive cleaning performance overall.

The Shark Stratos can easily fit under low-clearance areas like beds or sofas because of its flexible stick and movable head, which is simple to control when moving. When it's time to store, the handle folds over for convenient storage.

The battery life can last up to 60 minutes, however, this time frame may be affected by whether you're using the device to clean carpets or hard floors.

The Stratos uses Shark's technology that eliminates unpleasant smells, making floors smell cleaner. Two test users who used Shark products with this feature didn't particularly care for it and didn't plan to replace the filters when the scent wore off.

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Best upright

This extremely powerful Shark Stratos Upright Vacuum (AZ3000) is the companion model to our top-ranked cordless vacuum. It also features incredibly effective suction and Shark's signature dual brushrolls. Its high-powered motor (1,416 watts) propels you across both hard floors and carpets, while the 30-foot-long cord lets you move across a room without having to plug in again. Built-in LED lights illuminate the path you're about to clean.

During our hardwood floor testing, the Shark Stratos AZ3000 cleaned up all the Cheerios, coffee grounds, rice, flour, and pet hair we placed on the floor. On carpet, it only left behind minimal amounts of flour, which is about the best you can expect from such a challenging material, and thoroughly cleaned up the rest of the substances. In several instances, the weight of the dust bin was greater than the amount of debris originally on the floor, so it picked up more dirt than was initially there.

At 16 pounds, this vacuum is quite heavy, making it a challenge to carry up and down stairs, but it's still relatively easy to maneuver. The vacuum's Lift-Away Technology design makes cleaning stairs and upholstery much simpler, providing extra flexibility. The vacuum comes with a straightforward non-motorized upholstery attachment and a crevice tool, which work just fine; our reviewer wishes that there was also a dusting brush attachment, which would be useful for cleaning baseboards.

The Shark Stratos also featured the same odor-neutralizing technology, resulting in a pleasant scent, although it was something our reviewer didn't plan to replace once the process was finished.

The Shark Stratos empties the dust bin using a large "trap door" mechanism. This works well if you have a large garbage can nearby, but if not, it's easy to make a mess and potentially get dirty when getting rid of the debris. Additionally, the bin looks bigger than it seems, with a Max Fill line that can quickly become full when cleaning up with carpet or pet hair.

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Best budget

The Bissell Cleanview Swivel Pet Vacuum is a traditional corded upright vacuum. Despite the limitations that come with the cords attached to these vacuums, Bissell incorporates many clever design elements to make up for the inconvenience.

The large, square cleaning head features a brush roll that efficiently picks up both small and large debris, passing all of our cleaning tests with distinction. From crumbs like Cheerios to fine powders like flour, the vacuum vacuum rapidly and effectively removes pet hair.

It features five settings for various floor types, requiring you to lower down and adjust them at the top of the cleaner head. Turning it on is as simple as pressing a lever at the base with your foot. In addition, there's a separate foot pedal to tilt the vacuum, allowing it to move in different directions.

The large dustbin is removable and its contents empty out at the bottom, making it easy to avoid direct contact with the contents while disposing of them. The dustbin has a handle on top, allowing for simple lifting and carrying of your vacuum.

With its consistent and strong suction power, along with its maneuverability, this vacuum is already an excellent value. What's more, it comes with a few attachments stored right on the vacuum itself, which can be connected to the 6-foot-long hose to sweep upholstery or get into tight spaces.

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Best splurge

The device is packed with features including automatic suction adjustments, extended battery life, and strong cleaning capabilities, but it's its innovative laser technology that truly stands out. The Dyson incorporated a green diode laser in the Fluffy Optic Cleaner Head, a soft roller for cleaning hard floors, to reveal dirt and dust that the human eye can't detect. While LED lights are helpful for illuminating your path, the laser is more effective in revealing every speck of dirt and dust bunny, and is also very satisfying.

When cleaning rugs and carpets, I switch to the Digital Motorbar Cleaner Head, which is Dyson's standard cleaner head design on most of its other products. It performs well on both carpets and hard flooring, and it's very effective at keeping pet hair or human hair from getting tangled in the cleaner head.

I tested both interchangeable floor heads through our pick-up tests, and both floor heads picked up particles easily. On hard floors, the Fluffy Optic head worked a bit better at picking up fine flour and had an easy time with the Cheerios. However, I noticed that with the Digital Motorbar Cleaner Head, flour got stuck in the crevices of the floor head, and I had to make adjustments to the suction height settings to pick up the Cheerios. Although I had to adjust the settings, I found that on carpeted floors, the Digital Motorbar Cleaner Head maneuvered very smoothly, which was my preferred surface to use this floor head with.

The Dyson V15 Detect is a lightweight and user-friendly vacuum cleaner. It runs on a battery that lasts for up to an hour – it lasts the longest on hard floors and the shortest on carpet. The piezo sensor monitors dust particles to show how much debris is picked up, but it mainly controls the suction and helps save battery life in Auto mode. The 0.2-gallon dust container uses Dyson's self-cleaning system, where the collected dirt is released straight into the trash with a lever. However, if you overfill the container beyond the Max fill mark, you might need to lean in and clean it manually, which is a common requirement for most bagless vacuum cleaners.

Best for pet hair

The Dyson Outsize has a decent-sized 0.5-gallon dustbin capacity, making it great for households with pets that shed a lot or larger homes, so you won't need to stop cleaning as often to empty the dustbin as frequently. The Outsize also has an 11.5-inch-wide cleaner head that allows it to clean more in each pass, easily picking up debris with just one pass.

The Outsize vacuum stood out in our tests because it can easily pick up pet hair from any surface without getting its cleaning head tangled. It performed extremely well on cleaning up debris on both carpeting and hardwood floors, except for a small amount of coffee grounds stuck on the carpets and small amounts of flour on both surfaces. When used as a handheld, the Outsize vacuum worked well on furniture, leaving behind only about 5% of the flour and cat litter.

A round spinning head on the Outsize cleaner makes it easy to steer. I moved it side to side by rotating my wrist gently. Although the handheld mode weighs almost eight pounds, it can be a bit tiring. The design of the power button, which is a trigger-style, means you have to keep your finger on the button for the vacuum to keep running, which limits how you can hold it.

The trapdoor mechanism on the Dyson vacuum's dust bin releases debris, letting you avoid coming into contact with it. However, you need to remove the attachments first in order to empty the dust bin, and you might end up missing the trash can if you don't position the dust bin correctly.

This model shares the half-gallon dustbin with other variations but is a premium product with the most advanced cleaning technologies, and it comes at nearly double the price.

Best lightweight

A light weight vacuum is ideal for carrying between floors, cleaning above floors, and general daily use. For example, most stick vacuums weigh between four and seven pounds, and upright models start at approximately 13 pounds. The Levoit LVAC 200 Cordless Stick Vacuum breaks the norm by weighing under three and a half pounds.

It's simple to handle and has a comfortable grip that won't cause arm fatigue. Plus, it's very affordable, with a price tag of under $200. Additionally, it has an upright standing feature.

The Levoit LVAC-200 Cordless Stick Vacuum is really easy to carry around, yet it has a lot of power to it. It has three cleaning settings: eco, mid, and turbo. Its battery lasts up to 50 minutes, but the actual time can vary a lot depending on the setting. It did a great job picking up small stuff like rice, sugar, and flour on carpets and hard floors, but it took a few extra tries to get rid of bigger debris like cereal. Plus, it didn't get tangled up with pet hair on the brush roll.

Even though it's compact, the dust bin wasn't so small that we had to empty it every five minutes, and the noise level was quiet. Our reviewer wished the LED headlights cast more light, and sometimes had to stick her hand into the dust cup to pull out stuck pieces of debris. The vacuum isn't a HEPA-rated device, though it does have a five-stage filtration system that claims to capture 99.9% of 0.3-micron particles.

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Best robot

The iRobot Roomba j9+ is packed with advanced features, including dirt detection, obstacle avoidance technology, and an automatic base that empties itself. This gives us peace of mind, letting us set it and forget it without worrying about prepping beforehand. The device navigates easily with cameras and sensors and adjusts its suction power whether cleaning carpets or hard floors. It effectively picks up most debris, including nuts, seeds, pet hair, dog food, and fine dust on both carpets and hard floors. It can also quickly pick up fine flour in just one or two passes.

Inside the app, you can schedule a cleaning session, customize the cleaning map, and designate areas you don't want it to enter. You can also adjust the suction power and view pictures of the obstacles it identifies. I was impressed by how well it detected debris and obstacles, but it did seem hesitant around the edges of a fringed area rug.

The auto-empty bin feature minimizes the need for constant monitoring of the robot after a cleaning session. It can store up to a bag's worth of debris. Once the onboard dust container is full or a cleaning cycle is complete, the robot heads back to its charging dock to automatically dispose of its contents. The sound it makes resembles a jet taking off, but this process is relatively quick.

One feature that iRobot lacks, which other robot vacuums like Ecovacs and Roborock have, is the ability to show you in real-time where the robot is currently cleaning. iRobot doesn't show its cleaning path until it's finished a cleaning cycle. You also can't guide it to go back and clean any spots it might've missed, although you can ask it to go back and clean around any temporary obstacles it's detected.

It's also truly loud. While the vacuum operates with an even whine, its operation is noticeably louder, at about 68 decibels (louder than a normal conversation) and reaching over 90 decibels when it empties. We overlook these issues for its exceptional cleaning performance and advanced obstacle avoidance.

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Best handheld

More than four decades ago. So it's not surprising that one of these vacuums, the Black+Decker Dustbuster Cordless Handheld Vacuum (model HHVI315JO42), performed the best in our tests.

This Dustbuster model, specifically the HHVI315JO42, stood out as the top performer in car cleaning tests and also excelled on hardwood and carpeting. In particular, it proved to be unbeatable when it came to picking up spills like flour and Cheerios on hardwood floors, unlike some other models that struggled with these tasks.

This well-balanced handheld vacuum tips the scales at slightly over 2 pounds, making it a comfortable fit for extended cleaning tasks. However, its battery life ranked among the shortest of the models we tested (12 minutes), and it lacks a low battery indicator light.

It has a simple on/off switch and a button that lets you remove and empty the dust container. To clean the filter, you can simply rinse it with water, let it air dry, and then put it back in place. The dust container is nearly twice as big as similar products on the market.

The Dustbuster was one of the quietest handheld vacuums we tested, but it was still as loud as the noise you'd find in a busy restaurant.

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Best wet-dry

Upright and cordless stick vacuums aren't ready to be replaced by wet-dry vacuums just yet, especially for homes with carpets or attachments you can't live without.

Tineco leads the way with its collection of cordless wet-dry vacuums. As our overall best wet-dry vacuum, the Tineco Floor One S7 Pro comes equipped with features such as the iLoop Smart Sensor that detects dirt and stains on the floor, adjusts its suction power accordingly, and alerts you when your floor is clean; a self-cleaning system that also dries the brush roll; better-edge cleaning capabilities; self-propulsion; a cleaning assistant with a simplified display; and more. It also boasts a lengthy 40-minute battery life and a clean water tank with a large capacity, capable of lasting through multiple cleaning sessions.

The Tineco Floor One S7 Pro comes in four modes: auto, max, ultra, and suction. The max and ultra modes use more water for tough stains, while the suction mode is specifically designed to pick up liquid spills. Typically, it only takes one or two passes of the Tineco Floor One S7 Pro to thoroughly clean up any type of debris, liquid, or stain.

You have to clean wet-dry vacuums right after using them to stop mold and bacteria from building up. Tineco's maintenance is actually pretty easy, although getting rid of the accumulated dirty water from the tank can be a bit gross but also kind of satisfying. The Tineco Floor One S7 Pro has two self-cleaning modes: a fast one that takes two minutes and a super self-cleaning mode that takes six minutes and also dries the brush roll.

It has excellent cleaning capabilities, however, it lacks a suction mode to handle spills and liquids and has a slightly shorter battery life compared to the others.

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Including a reliable suction and cleaning performance, mess-free disposal of debris, a comprehensive warranty, a long-lasting battery life if cordless, a well-designed brush head, and user-friendly design.

Here are some additional noteworthy characteristics:

Cleanerhead and attachments

Your vacuum needs a well-designed cleaning head (brushroll) to pick up dust and dirt on your floors. These can differ in material, ranging from soft roller to silicone or hard plastic with strategically placed bristles, and should have some sort of hair-resistance feature. In addition to a long-lasting brush head, you'll also want to look for vacuums with the following attachments:

• A long, narrow attachment with a pointed tip. It's suitable for reaching into tight spaces, such as baseboards, stairs, and gaps between couch cushions.
• A broad, wide adhesive tool that generates powerful suction. It is beneficial for furniture covered with fabric upholstery, such as mattresses, chairs, and sofas.
• These attachments feature soft bristles that are perfect for dusting baseboards, molding, blinds, and various other surfaces without causing any damage.
• Frequently found on stick vacuums, the detachable wands can be removed to provide access to areas the vacuum's head cannot reach. They are particularly useful for cleaning stairs, corners, and upholstered furniture.

Weight

When cleaning your whole house, you'll want a machine that's light enough to carry from room to room and up and down stairs, and not too hard to push. Cordless stick vacuums typically weigh under 10 pounds, while upright vacuums generally range from 15 to 20 pounds. For smaller tasks and above-floor cleaning, a handheld vacuum or a cordless model that converts into a handheld is preferred, with a weight limit of under 5 pounds to minimize strain on your arms, and even lighter is more ideal.

Dust bin

Most of the vacuums we recommend are bagless models. These machines are designed to allow clean air to pass through the motor without blocking suction or getting clogged. The dirt and debris collect in a reusable container that can be simply emptied after each use.

Conventional vacuum bags have microscopic holes that serve as filters, collecting dust and dirt while allowing air to pass through. Nevertheless, they can be more difficult to empty and clean. Some vacuums come with disposable bags, but this adds an extra expense you'll need to consider when calculating the overall cost of owning the vacuum. Bagged vacuums are a suitable choice for individuals who suffer from severe allergies and sensitivities to dust.

Also, consider the size of the dust bin. If it's too small, you'll find yourself constantly stopping to empty it. Those with carpets and pets that shed will want to consider high-capacity bins. We like bins that can hold at least 0.2 gallons, though the Shark Stratos falls just below that at 0.18 gallons.

Filter

We suggest searching for vacuums with HEPA filters, especially if someone in your household suffers from allergies. To qualify as a HEPA filter, a vacuum's high-efficiency particulate filter must catch 99.97% of airborne particles. Typically, high-end vacuum cleaners come equipped with HEPA filters. Many of these are washable and reusable, and need to be cleaned frequently.

Warranty

If issues come up, it's a good idea for a vacuum's warranty to be in place to handle them. Typically, vacuum warranties last from one to five years. Look for a complete refund guarantee when purchasing so you can return the vacuum if its performance doesn't meet your expectations.

We also examine the vacuum cleaners' filtration systems, suction power, and ease of use. Our evaluation is based on industry standards and consumer feedback.

We tested the vacuums on carpets, hardwood floors, and tile, by picking up flour, ground coffee, cat litter, Cheerios, and fur. We determined how well each vacuum collected the materials and weighed the dust containers to see how much was collected. We also tested any attachments that came with the vacuum on surfaces such as baseboards and furniture. Additionally, we tested the obstacle avoidance and corner cleaning features of the robot vacuums.

We tested how long cordless vacuums ran on a single charge and how long it took to charge them back up.

We evaluated the experience of operating the vacuum, its ease of maneuverability, the comfort of holding it, and the level of noise it makes. We also considered whether it could fit under low-profile furniture and if it had any added features, such as a built-in light.

After cleaning sessions, we assessed how easy and convenient it was to empty the dust container. The vacuum lost points if we encountered any debris while disposing of it or if it was otherwise messy.

We evaluated how simple it was to store the vacuum, including whether it readily broke down into a smaller size or came with a docking station or wall mount for convenient storage.

Vacuum cleaner FAQs

What kind of vacuum cleaner is the most effective?

It all comes down to what you need. Generally, upright vacuums are cost-effective and work well with strong suction, while stick vacuums are versatile, lightweight, and hassle-free but usually have smaller dust containers. Cordless models are now giving corded ones a run for their money in terms of performance, but battery life can differ between brands. Handheld vacuums are compact and can fit into tight spaces, but most cordless stick vacuums can also be converted into handheld models. Canister vacuums are more expensive but pack a lot of power, and robot vacuums automatically do the cleaning for you.

Let's take a closer look at the advantages of each of the top-rated vacuums:

• In the United States, most people picture a typical vacuum cleaner when you say the word "vacuum." The dust container, head, and motor are all located in one main section. This upright vacuum usually has a self-contained body that can be adjusted to different angles, making it versatile and powerful. However, it can sometimes be a bit awkward to maneuver. Most models generally come equipped with a detachable hose that allows you to reach areas that are hard to get to.
• Cordless stick vacuums have gained popularity due to their portability and convenience. However, these lightweight vacuums lack the power of traditional upright and canister vacuums and often need to be recharged frequently. The dust containers of these vacuums are also smaller. One drawback is that they typically can't stand on their own upright. On the plus side, their slim design makes them ideal for cleaning spaces under furniture, and they are lightweight and easy to maneuver with minimal effort.
• The canister vacuum's head and handle are connected to the main body by a long hose. The dust container and motor are contained within the canister, which is often mounted on wheels to enable easy mobility around the house. Although this design makes it somewhat cumbersome to maneuver, canister vacuums are often the most powerful type available. Canister vacuums are also sometimes called cylinder vacuums.
• Robot vacuums automate your floor cleaning but are usually not as powerful as other types of vacuums. They are ideal for routine cleaning but may not be able to provide a deep clean. You set a schedule, and the vacuum cleans independently and returns to its charging dock when finished. However, you still need to dispose of the small dust container after each cleaning, unless the vacuum has an auto-empty feature, and the devices can sometimes get stuck on cords or in tight spaces. Models become more expensive when you choose options with features such as home mapping, auto-empty dust bins, and mopping.
• Often referred to as "Dustbusters," after the well-known Black & Decker vacuum, handheld vacuums are small and made for small messes, such as dust after sweeping, stray cat litter, and spilled cereal. They're great for quickly cleaning messes, but you shouldn't rely on one to clean your entire house.
• Don't confuse it with industrial-style shop vacs, wet-dry vacuums or vacuum mops, which can wash and vacuum your hard floors at the same time. Many have separate storage for clean water and the dirt it picks up. They come in both corded and cordless options.

What's a reasonable amount to spend on a vacuum cleaner?

You can expect to spend around $100 for a good upright vacuum. If you're looking for a high-quality stick, canister, or robot vacuum, be prepared to pay $300 or more.

How long does a vacuum last?

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It may be more efficient to replace your vacuum when its suction significantly decreases. According to him, you can extend the lifespan of your vacuum by performing standard maintenance tasks, such as regularly cleaning the filter, removing hair and other debris from the brush roll, and emptying the dust container before it reaches maximum capacity.

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