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We've compiled a list of the best vacuums of every kind. Credit: Reviewed / Jackson Ruckar

The Best Vacuum Cleaners of 2024

Recommendations are independently chosen by Reviewed's editors. Purchases made through the links below may earn us and our publishing partners a commission.

We've compiled a list of the best vacuums of every kind. Credit: Reviewed / Jackson Ruckar

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Reviewed's mission is to help you buy the best stuff and get the most out of what you already own. Our team of product experts thoroughly vet every product we recommend to help you cut through the clutter and find what you need.

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Editor's Choice Product image of Shark NV352 Navigator Lift-Away
Best Affordable Upright Vacuum Cleaner

Shark NV352 Navigator Lift-Away

3.7
Check Price at Amazon

Between the swivel joint in the brush head and the detachable canister, the Shark Navigator Lift-Away is a fine choice for small apartments. Read More

Pros

  • Can transform into a pseudo-canister vac
  • Average dirt pickup

Cons

  • Difficult to use
2
Editor's Choice Product image of Eufy RoboVac 11s
Best Affordable Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Eufy RoboVac 11s

4.0
Check Price at Walmart

The combination of good dirt pickup and quiet operation make the 11s one of our favorite robot vacuums. Read More

Pros

  • Slim design allows it to clean more areas
  • Excellent dirt pickup

Cons

  • Can get caught on throw rugs
  • Clean cycles can last up to two hours
3
Editor's Choice Product image of Dyson V15 Detect
Best Cordless Vacuum

Dyson V15 Detect

4.3
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This Dyson has powerful suction power and long battery life, plus it has a great built-in laser that illuminates even the finest bits of dust on your floors and furniture. Read More

Pros

  • Dirt detection
  • Excellent handling
  • Long battery life

Cons

  • Small brush head
4
Editor's Choice Product image of Dyson Big Ball Multifloor
Best Canister Vacuum

Dyson Big Ball Multifloor

4.7
Check Price at Amazon

This Dyson canister model features a specialized self-righting design and a superior reach, but it doesn't have great suction for its price. Read More

Pros

  • Self-righting design
  • Superior reach

Cons

  • Expensive
5
Product image of VacMaster VBV1210
Best Wet/Dry Vacuum

VacMaster VBV1210

4.5
Check Price at Amazon

This isn’t the most powerful vacuum, but we loved its versatility, and it performed well in our dirt-and-debris tests. Read More

Pros

  • Eight different attachments
  • Instantly converts into a leaf blower

Cons

  • Middling suction
  • Best Affordable Upright Vacuum Cleaner Shark NV352 Navigator Lift-Away
  • Best Affordable Robot Vacuum Cleaner Eufy RoboVac 11s
  • Best Cordless Vacuum Dyson V15 Detect
  • Best Canister Vacuum Dyson Big Ball Multifloor
  • Best Wet/Dry Vacuum VacMaster 12 gallon, 5 peak horsepower wet/dry vac
  • Which Type of Vacuum Cleaner Should You Get?
  • How to Choose the Best Vacuum for You
  • How We Tested Vacuum Cleaners
  • More Articles You Might Enjoy

The best vacuum cleaner for you will depend on a few different factors. What kind of floors you’re looking to clean, how much furniture you’ll need to maneuver around, and the available space you have for storing your vacuum are all important considerations when shopping for a new vacuum.

Over the past five years, we've tested hundreds of vacuums to determine which ones are worth the money.

The Shark NV352 is an affordable upright that can transform into a wheelless canister.
Credit: Shark

The Shark NV352 is an affordable upright that can transform into a wheel-less canister.

Best Affordable Upright Vacuum Cleaner
Shark NV352 Navigator Lift-Away

When it comes to value, it’s hard to beat a Shark vacuum cleaner. The Shark Navigator Lift-Away NV352 is a prime example. During our cleaning tests, the Navigator picked up 38% of the testing dirt off our lab’s carpets. Vacuums that clean more than 33% get a thumbs up from us.

This Shark also boasts a swivel joint in the brush head, which allows it to pivot around corners, furniture, and other obstacles. When you combine this nimble upright with its small brush head, it can more easily reach tight spaces.

And for stairs and cleaning atop furniture, we need to mention this Lift-Away feature: Users can detach the motor from the handle to create a wheel-less canister. You can’t use attachments in this mode, which is a major downside, but we think it’s a good trade-off for certain scenarios.

Pros

  • Can transform into a pseudo-canister vac

  • Average dirt pickup

Cons

  • Difficult to use

$174.59 from Amazon
Eufy makes robot vacuums that provide great value.
Credit: Reviewed / Jonathan Chan

The Eufy 11S is thin enough to fit under toe kicks and most furniture.

Best Affordable Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Eufy RoboVac 11s

The Eufy Robovac 11S is one of the most popular robot vacuums ever with our readers. This budget robot vacuum offers powerful suction and good navigation at this price point. One of the reasons why the 11S is so good at cleaning is because of its slender size. Standing at only three inches tall, this robot vacuum is shorter than average, allowing it to slip under more furniture to get at dust and debris.

The Eufy 11S proved its cleaning prowess on our robot vacuum obstacle course where it picked up an average of 11.6 grams of debris per cleaning session. That put it in the same caliber as most Roombas. We also noted that this robot runs pretty quietly compared to other robot vacuums in its price range.

Pros

  • Slim design allows it to clean more areas

  • Excellent dirt pickup

Cons

  • Can get caught on throw rugs

  • Clean cycles can last up to two hours

$159.99 from Walmart
The Dyson V15 Detect cleaning a table.
Credit: Reviewed / Jonathan Chan

The Dyson V15 Detect is an all-around great cordless vacuum.

Best Cordless Vacuum
Dyson V15 Detect

The Dyson V15 Detect is a cutting-edge cordless vacuum. It has two major features that we think set it apart from its competitors: a dust-illuminating laser and a more powerful battery. Manufacturers sometimes add features as a gimmick, but our lab tests show that these new features enhance the cleaning experience.

First off, the V15 Detect is an excellent carpet cleaner. This vacuum picked up 92% of the dirt we left for it on our testing floors. On max power, the battery lasts 15 minutes, six minutes longer than the previous generation of Dyson cordless.

Based on the extra-long battery life and its cleaning prowess, we decided to crown the V15 the top cordless vacuum. Its laser and dirt sensor help you seek out and find dirt even under furniture. Lots of cordless vacuums have LED headlights, but this Dyson’s laser is placed at an angle so it better illuminates low-lying dust.

While the Dyson V15 Detect has seen several major upgrades, it still has the smooth glide and easy pivoting joint that previous models had. It also still has that high sticker price that Dyson is known for. However, with the V15, you’re getting what you pay for.

Pros

  • Dirt detection

  • Excellent handling

  • Long battery life

Cons

  • Small brush head

Buy now at Amazon

$804.99 from Walmart
Dyson Big Ball Multifloor cleaning white carpet
Credit: Reviewed / Tim Renzi

The Dyson Big Ball Multifloor is powerful and easy to use.

Best Canister Vacuum
Dyson Big Ball Multifloor

If you’re looking for a canister vacuum, the Dyson Big Ball Multifloor is worth checking out. It has powerful suction and an easy-to-use design. In our cleaning tests, the Multifloor picked up an average 47% of the dirt on our lab carpets in a single pass. The average is around 30%.

Power is great, but the Multifloor is also easy to use. The self-adjusting head means this vacuum can seamlessly go from bare floors to carpet without the need to push buttons or levers. The chassis is also designed to always self-right. This means if the canister gets tipped over, it well get back on its wheels without any assistance.

We also liked the lightweight wand, which allowed us to clean high-up areas like vents with the combination tool and not put a lot of strain on our wrists.

Finally, we appreciated the Dyson engineering on this canister. Every aspect on the Multifloor feels well made. Parts come together with a satisfying click, the brush head pivots on a dime, and cord retracts quickly. Whether you’re looking for a general carpet cleaner or need something to clean hardwood floors, the Dyson Big Ball Multifloor is worth checking out.

Pros

  • Self-righting design

  • Superior reach

Cons

  • Expensive

Buy now at Amazon

$464.09 from Walmart
Someone is using a VacMaster to clean up spilled sand on a hardwood floor.
Credit: Reviewed / VacMaster

Versatile suction—that's Vacmaster.

Best Wet/Dry Vacuum
VacMaster 12 gallon, 5 peak horsepower wet/dry vac

The VacMaster is a versatile wet/dry vacuum that we think will suit most people. You can easily place the hose on the exhaust and tote just the motor around. That means this wet/dry vacuum can transform into a leaf blower in seconds.

During our suction tests, the VacMaster moved 1.36 gallons of water in 10 seconds. It’s not the most powerful shop vac, but did handle dirt and debris well. For its relatively low cost, we think it provides great value.

Pros

  • Eight different attachments

  • Instantly converts into a leaf blower

Cons

  • Middling suction

$154.10 from Amazon

$154.14 from Walmart

Which Type of Vacuum Cleaner Should You Get?

Upright Vacuum

Upright vacuums tend to be easier to use. All the controls focus on a single brush head, which cuts down on confusion. We also find them easier to store. That’s partly because they tend to have fewer attachments. If you just want to clean your floors, an upright vacuum is a good style to purchase.

Robot Vacuum

The Eufy L70's cleaning path makes sure it covers every inch of the floor.
Credit: Reviewed / Jonathan Chan

The Eufy L70's cleaning path makes sure it covers every inch of the floor.

A robot vacuum’s ability to pick up dirt pales in comparison to that of a full-sized vacuum and can only really compete over the course of a week. We found that consumers experience the most satisfaction with their robot vacuums when they view them as floor maintainers that run in between manual cleanings.

We should also point out that most robot vacuums are designed for bare floors and medium carpet. If you have throw rugs taller than a half inch, your robot vacuum might not be able to climb atop them or may get stuck.

Cordless Vacuum

The Tineco A10 Hero may not be the best performer, but it is a good value cordless vacuum.
Credit: Reviewed / Jonathan Chan

For the most part, cordless vacuums should be viewed as supplementary cleaning tools to be used in between uses of heavier cleaning equipment or in situations where a full-sized vacuum is too cumbersome. That said, if you’re willing to pay a higher price for the privilege, you can find a cordless vacuum that can stand toe-to-toe with a full-sized vacuum.

However, there's usually a trade-off between suction and battery life. For instance, a cordless vacuum could do a stellar cleaning job at its highest suction setting, but its battery might only run for ten minutes before it runs out of power and needs to be recharged.

Shop Vacuum

While a wet/dry vacuum cleaner is a versatile tool, we don’t recommend having it replace your regular floor cleaner. First, most wet/dry vacuums do not come with a HEPA cartridge filter. Typically, if a HEPA filter is offered at all, it has to be purchased separately.

Second, because a shop vacuum has to be able to deal with water, there’s no such thing as a motorized brush head for this type of vacuum. This lack of spinning brushes means a wet/dry vacuum can’t clean carpet or upholstery as effectively as even a moderately priced regular vacuum.

Finally, a wet/dry vacuum is designed to live in the garage, not inside your home. They are bulky and awkward to store indoors, and many can’t even fit inside a normal closet.

Canister Vacuum

Canister vacuums have the potential to be more powerful since they can have bigger motors while still being easy to carry. They tend to come with more attachments. People who are interested in regularly cleaning upholstery or curtains would be best served by a canister vacuum.

How to Choose the Best Vacuum for You

The Bissell Zing 6489 is much smaller than most other canisters.
Credit: Reviewed.com / Jonathan Chan

Some vacuums may look the same, but small details might them not right for you

Bagged vs. Bagless

Bagged vacuums often offer better filtration and dust management. When you empty a dirt cup from a bagless vacuum, a percentage of the dirt gets back into the air. However, bagged vacuums get emptied less and can develop a bad odor.

Types of Floors

Carpet can be divided into low-pile, high-pile, and ultra-plush categories. Most vacuums can deal with low and high-pile carpets, but only a select few are designed to deal with ultra-plush. This special type of carpet feels super-soft because it’s so dense, causing some vacuums to get stuck on it.

For bare floors, cordless vacuums with soft brush rolls are your best bet. Be aware that pine and other softwoods can get scratched and dinged by heavy vacuum use. When in doubt, use a broom and dustpan.

Budget

After testing vacuums for the past five years, we have an understanding of what you get for your money. In the sub-$100 price tag category, every extra dollar you spend usually goes towards more power. The models we tested at this price range all carried the same, bare-minimum array of attachments, like just a crevice tool.

When you spend a bit more, around $100 to $300, you start to see stratification in usability and features. We’re talking about more attachments, better joints so the vacuum moves with you, and better warranties.

Anything above the $300 range is showing for a premium market. When we test these vacuums, we’re looking for brush heads that won’t scratch delicate flooring, designs that won’t tip over, and motors with enough power to tackle the thickest of carpets.

Your cleaning style should also match your lifestyle. For example, if you live in a small apartment and spend lots of time in your car, you should shift your focus toward cordless models. Do you have a multi-level home with mostly hardwood floors? A canister is going to serve you the best.

How We Tested Vacuum Cleaners

We've compiled a list of the best of the best vacuums.
Credit: Reviewed.com / Jonathan Chan

We test everything from cordless to shop vacs in our lab

The Tester

Hi, I’m Jon Chan, the senior lab technician at Reviewed. If you clean with it, it’s likely I oversee its testing, whether you’re asking about a vacuum or laundry detergent. Over the years, I’ve gotten my hands on hundreds of vacuums, and this article is about the best of every type I’ve tested. When it comes to the absolute pinnacle, it’s all about how well each model can clean up a mess.

The Tests

Full-sized vacuums: We hold uprights and canisters to the same standards. Each vacuum is subjected to a battery of tests on surfaces ranging from deep-pile carpet to bare kitchen floors. The carpet tests revolve around the ability of each vacuum to pick up pet hair and embedded dirt. On bare floors, we’re more focused on seeing if a vacuum can pick up large debris like uncooked rice and macaroni.

Aside from raw cleaning power, we also test how easy to use each vacuum is. We check to see how easy it is to lug up the stairs, and the length of the power cord. We even count the number of attachments.

Robot vacuums: Every robot vacuum that comes into our labs gets placed in our obstacle course. The course contains simulations of tight furniture legs, low shelves, high thresholds, and three different types of carpet. At each obstacle, we sprinkle in a custom-ground cork mixture. The mixture allows us to measure not only how much the robot picked up but also how far it can clean into each obstacle without getting stuck.

Aside from just suctioning up dirt, other, “softer” metrics interest us. We check out any available smart features, including Alexa and Google Home skills. Inside the box and online, we look for replacement parts and how easy they are to order. Finally, we make note of how easy the robot vacuum is to use, including factors like how often you need to empty the bin or when it requires human intervention.

Wet/Dry Vacuums: Shop vacuums differ from the rest on this list because they are more at home in the garage than in your living room. To test the “wet” part of “wet/dry vacuum,” we measured how much water each model could suction up in ten seconds and used that as a benchmark for their overall power.

We tested this way because the horsepower rating on the box signifies only its peak horsepower, which quickly fades after startup. We also tested to see how well each model dealt with wet sand and metal bolts.

Moving away from cleaning, we made a note about how easy it was to use each vacuum. We checked to see if it was easy to assemble, easy to empty, easy to move, and easy to swap out attachments.


Meet the tester

Jonathan Chan

Jonathan Chan

Senior Manager of Lab Operations

@Jonfromthelab1

Jonathan Chan currently serves as the Lab Manager at Reviewed. If you clean with it, it's likely that Jon oversees its testing. Since joining the Reviewed in 2012, Jon has helped launch the company's efforts in reviewing laptops, vacuums, and outdoor gear. He thinks he's a pretty big deal. In the pursuit of data, he's plunged his hands into freezing cold water, consented to be literally dragged through the mud, and watched paint dry. Jon demands you have a nice day.

See all of Jonathan Chan's reviews

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