We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Shopping People Tested The 18 Best Vacuum Cleaners of 2024, Tested and Reviewed We found winners from Shark, Dyson, iRobot, and more By Amy Schulman, Amy Schulman Amy Schulman is a Shopping Editor and Strategist for PEOPLE with over seven years of experience in the digital media industry. She covers all the most enticing home and kitchen deals from Amazon, showcasing the likes of robot vacuums, nonstick skillets, cozy bed sheets, discounted furniture, and more. People Editorial Guidelines Erin Johnson, Erin Johnson Erin Johnson is the associate editorial director of commerce at PEOPLE with over 9 years of experience in the digital media space. She covers the best and newest home, kitchen, travel, and outdoor products to help make your life easier, including the most affordable vacuums, space-saving kitchen gadgets, clever travel gear, and more. People Editorial Guidelines Alyssa Brascia, Alyssa Brascia Alyssa Brascia is a staff shopping writer for PEOPLE with two years of experience in the digital media industry. Her expertise lies in the realm of fashion and beauty, where she covers the best products that your wardrobe and makeup vanity need like the best lip oils, boyfriend jeans, workout sets, ballet flats, and more. People Editorial Guidelines and Madison Yauger Madison Yauger Madison Yauger is a shopping editor at PEOPLE.com with eight years of digital media and journalism experience. She has a penchant for lifestyle content with a focus on staples like cozy throw blankets, chic dog jackets, Away luggage, and the linen pants celebrities can’t stop wearing. People Editorial Guidelines Updated on March 22, 2024 06:42PM EDT In This Article Expand Jump to a Section Our top picks Reviews Things to Consider How We Tested FAQ Why Trust PEOPLE? What Is PEOPLE Tested? People / Tara Donne A house is hardly a home until it has at least one vacuum cleaner. But with so many vacuums on the market — from upright vacuums to robot vacuums — how are you supposed to know which one is perfect for you? We spent countless hours testing over 350 vacuums in our lab and at home to determine specific metrics as well as gauge the ease of use for everyday vacuum users. For each vacuum, we assessed the setup, user-friendliness, and how effective the overall performance was in terms of maneuverability, cleaning ability, and versatility. What We Learned Cleaning Style Matters: If you hate cleaning, opt for a robot vacuum that will do it for you. If you're into deep cleaning, an upright or canister vacuum may be more your style. Cordless stick vacuums are great for the person who falls somewhere in the middle.Pet Hair Tangles: Pet hair (and human hair) poses a challenge for many vacuum cleaners, and it occasionally gets stuck in the brush head. Yes, this even happens to most "no tangle" brush heads.Battery Life Expectations: While it might not sound like a long time, a quality cordless vacuum can run up to 25 or 30 minutes without needing a recharge — plenty of time to clean the floors in the average home. Cheaper stick vacuums run for 10 to 15 minutes while more expensive picks can clean for almost an hour on the low setting. Read more about the best vacuums PEOPLE Tested as well as what to consider when shopping for a vacuum for your home. Our Top Picks Best Cordless Vacuum: Shark Pet Cordless Stick Vacuum at Amazon ($230) Jump to Review Best Upright Vacuum: Shark Navigator Swivel Pro Complete Vacuum at Amazon ($150) Jump to Review Best Robot Vacuum: iRobot Roomba 694 Robot Vacuum at Amazon ($239) Jump to Review Best Budget Pick: Dirt Devil Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner at Target ($90) Jump to Review Best Shark Vacuum: Shark Vertex Cordless Stick Vacuum at Amazon ($381) Jump to Review Best Wet-Dry Vacuum: Bissell CrossWave HydroSteam Plus Wet Dry Vac at Amazon ($290) Jump to Review Best Handheld Vacuum: Shark UltraCyclone Pro Handheld Vacuum at Amazon ($80) Jump to Review Best Dyson Vacuum: Dyson V12 Detect Slim Vacuum at Amazon ($389) Jump to Review Best Roomba: iRobot Roomba i3 EVO Robot Vacuum at Amazon ($169) Jump to Review Best for Pet Hair: Samsung Jet 75 Stick Vacuum at Amazon ($360) Jump to Review Best Cordless Vacuum Shark Pet Cordless Stick Vacuum Amazon View On Amazon $230 View On Wayfair $180 View On Office Depot $240 Our Ratings Ease of Setup 5/5 Effectiveness 5/5 Maneuverability 4.8/5 Ease of Emptying 4/5 Portability 4.8/5 Pros This cordless vac picked up debris easily while on its lowest setting. The vacuum has a long battery life and cleaned for 25 minutes straight during testing. Its lightweight and cordless design makes it easy to move around, use, and store in a small home. Cons It had a hard time transitioning from the rug to the hardwood floor during testing. Very little beats the convenience of a cordless vacuum cleaner and the Shark Pet Cordless Stick Vacuum is one of the best we tested. It excelled at debris cleanup and had impressive suction even on the lower mode (our testers didn’t even use or need the high mode). The Shark vacuum even grabbed dirt and pet hair from a Ruggable rug without separating the top layer from the bottom (if you vacuum rugs often, you know what a feat this is). It did get a little stuck on the edge of the rug, but once that was addressed, the vacuum carried on with impressive efficiency. We appreciated how easily it maneuvered around furniture and into corners. The lightweight design makes carrying it from room to room a breeze, and the battery lasts for 25 minutes straight on the lowest mode (11 minutes on the high mode). While this battery life isn’t as long as a Dyson’s (some can run up to an hour on the lowest setting), for a standard cordless stick vacuum, 25 minutes is a great run time. Plus, it has a HEPA filter. Type: Cordless | Dimensions: 10.24 x 7.09 x 46.09 inches | Weight: 6.89 pounds | Filter Type: HEPA, foam | Capacity: 0.34 quarts | Cord Length: Cordless | Included Accessories: Pet multi-tool, crevice tool, battery charger People / Dera Burreson People / Dera Burreson People / Dera Burreson People / Laura Gurfein People / Dera Burreson People / Dera Burreson Pro Tip! Dr. Shyam Joshi, MD and CMO of Nectar finds HEPA filters to be one of the most important aspects of anyone's vacuum search. He says a vacuum should be “used with an appropriately designed HEPA filter and seal, thus reducing the risk of contaminants escaping into the air when vacuuming.” While size, price, dustbin capacity, and attachments are extra components to consider, this is one to keep top of mind throughout the process. Best Upright Vacuum Shark Navigator Swivel Pro Complete Vacuum Amazon View On Amazon $150 View On Home Depot $170 View On Ace Hardware $200 Our Ratings Effectiveness 4.5/5 Maneuverability 3.5/5 Ease of Emptying 4/5 Portability 4/5 Noise Level 5/5 Pros We found this vacuum to be straightforward to put together and use. It performed well on both hardwood and carpeted floors. It includes a HEPA filter to catch any stray particles while you vacuum. Our tester has two Australian Shepherds, and this vacuum sucked up pet hair with ease. Cons This model felt a little bulky to push around. It's corded, which can be inconvenient. After days of testing, this vacuum was a clear standout, picking up top scores in nearly every category. Shark has made a product that's easy to use and powerful enough to effortlessly suck up stubborn particles like pet hair and cereal in one pass. We found that the Shark Navigator was incredibly straightforward to put together out of the box, with everything sliding together in just three minutes. No matter what surface we ran the vacuum over — including hardwood floors and low-, medium-, and high-pile carpets — it was a breeze to maneuver, effortlessly gliding across even the thickest of rugs. The vacuum has multiple settings for carpets and hardwood floors, which makes it seamless to switch between the two surfaces. At 15 pounds, the Shark upright vacuum cleaner is fairly lightweight; it can even be used with just one hand. Plus, it has a HEPA filter, which, as Dr. Joshi pointed out, is incredibly important. However, this one is not cordless — but that may not be a drawback to you if you prefer a traditional upright vacuum. We also noted that it is a little bulky, which prevented us from fully reaching under big pieces of furniture like couches and coffee tables. But overall, shoppers who are searching for a vacuum cleaner that's user-friendly and powerful will be impressed by the Shark Navigator. How it's held up After two months of continued testing in a home with not one, but two Australian Shepherds, this model maintained its spot as the best upright vacuum overall. The tester vacuumed with it once a week to lift pet hair, dirt, grass, and other debris that found its way into their home. It navigated tile, hardwoods, and rugs with ease and proved easy to maneuver around furniture and corners. The crevice tool attachment was also a huge help when it came to cleaning furniture cushions. Type: Bagless, corded, upright | Dimensions: 45.66 x 9.64 x 12 inches | Weight: 16 pounds | Filter Type: HEPA | Capacity: 9 quarts | Cord Length: 25 feet | Included Accessories: Crevice tool, dusting brush, turbo brush People / Dera Burreson People / Dera Burreson People / Dera Burreson People / Dera Burreson People / Dera Burreson People / Dera Burreson Best Robot Vacuum iRobot Roomba 694 Robot Vacuum Amazon View On Amazon $239 View On Wayfair $180 View On Home Depot $180 Our Ratings Setup 5/5 Effectiveness 5/5 Noise Level 3.5/5 Maneuverability 5/5 Features 3/5 Pros It works well on both hard flooring and carpets. It navigates well around furniture. This technology in the vacuum allows it to effectively vacuum unsupervised. While it’s super easy to use, it’s not as high-tech as other robot vacuums. Cons We noticed sensory issues at the edges of carpets and rugs. There are no mapping capabilities. If this list of vacuums has already made you exhausted from just thinking about the task of vacuuming your house, then the iRobot Roomba 694 Robot Vacuum may be the one for you. The iRobot was the crowned winner in our robot vacuum test, thanks to its effectiveness on all types of flooring, from hardwood and tile to carpeting. It took us less than five minutes to get this robot vacuum going after removing it from the box. This short time period includes downloading the app and setting up the vacuum's cleaning schedule on our phones. As robots can only do so much that humans cannot, the Roomba had some issues detecting the edges of rugs and carpeting, staying away from those areas as if it sensed a drop-off or staircase. With this in mind, you may have to nudge it along when it gets to the edge of a surface, but it is fantastic at maneuvering around obstacles like chair legs and couches. This robot vacuum doesn't have mapping technology, but for an appliance that can effectively clean for you while you go about your day, we'd say this model is as good as it gets. How it's held up Our tester used the iRobot vacuum weekly for six months and continued to be delighted by how efficiently it sucked up dirt, debris, hair, and more. They disliked the chore of vacuuming so they appreciated the self-sufficient nature of the robot vacuum. They noted it was impressive and disgusting how much grime the vacuum got off their floors. Essentially, the vacuum continues to earn its best overall title. Type: Bagless, robot | Dimensions: 13.4 x 13.4 x 3.54 inches | Weight: 6.8 pounds | Filter Type: High-efficiency | Capacity: 0.15 gallons | Cord Length: Not applicable | Included Accessories: Docking station, extra filter, Wi-Fi connectivity, phone app People / Henry Wortock People / Rachel Marek People / Rachel Marek People / Rachel Marek Best Budget Pick Dirt Devil Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner Amazon View On Target $90 View On Walmart $150 View On Wayfair $90 Our Ratings Effectiveness 5/5 Maneuverability 4/5 Ease of Emptying 4/5 Portability 5/5 Noise Level 2/5 Pros This is the most inexpensive vacuum on our list, yet it still performs incredibly well. It is easy to set up and maneuver around multiple floor types and furniture. It has a spacious dustbin, so you can go longer before having to empty it. Cons This model was noticeably noisier than the others we tested. There are no included attachments. Vacuums are one of those household items that usually require an upfront investment, which is why this under-$100 DirtDevil is something to write home about. The Versa Cordless 3-in-1 Stick Vac is a powerful machine, gliding around any type of flooring effortlessly. Its lightweight frame and cordless design help you get into every corner without having to switch a cord to a closer socket. This DirtDevil vacuum was extremely easy to set up, as the body of the vacuum came pre-assembled, and we just had to tack on the handle and wand. Since it's a fairly simple machine, the Versa doesn't come with any additional attachments — but we think that's okay for the effective cleaning that you get from just the vacuum itself. As we maneuvered it around an obstacle course of furniture and a variety of floor types, we were impressed with how lightweight and powerful it was as it glided around chair legs with ease (we especially loved its cordlessness during this task). Our only note was the noise level because this vacuum was pretty loud while in use. It would be difficult to carry on a conversation while vacuuming, but who's really doing that, anyway? For all of our tests, whether it be coffee grounds on carpet or hair strewn on tile, the DirtDevil rose up to the challenge (and did so at a fabulous price). We'd recommend it to anyone looking to be a little conscious of their spending when adding a new cleaning device to their home or those hoping for a quality starter vacuum. Type: Bagless, cordless | Dimensions: 2.5 x 10 x 7.8 inches | Weight: 5 pounds | Filter Type: Washable | Capacity: 0.10 gallons | Cord Length: Not applicable | Included Accessories: None People / Dera Burreson People / Dera Burreson People / Dera Burreson People / Dera Burreson The 7 Best Vacuums Under $200, Tested and Reviewed Best Shark Vacuum Shark Vertex Cordless Stick Vacuum Amazon View On Amazon $381 View On Walmart $290 View On Staples $441 Our Ratings Ease of Setup 4/5 Effectiveness 5/5 Maneuverability 5/5 Ease of Emptying 5/5 Noise Level 4.5/5 Pros The vacuum is cordless and therefore easy to move around and store. It has good suction and maneuvers efficiently. This Shark model has the power of an upright vacuum in the body of a cordless one. The vacuum has an impressive battery life of almost 50 minutes on the low mode. Cons The Shark vacuum cleaner weighs around nine pounds so it’s a little heavier than other cordless stick vacuums. Shark is one of the most popular vacuum cleaner brands, and we continue to be impressed by the brand during testing. So, we set out to find the best Shark vacuums and put them head to head in a series of tests. In general, cordless stick vacuums are user-friendly and efficient, so the Shark Vertex was all but guaranteed a top spot on our list. It exceeded our expectations with its powerful suction and maneuverability. Throughout all of our tests, the Shark Vertex received nearly perfect scores, thanks to its easy setup, incredible suction, low noise level, and more. Plus, the battery lasts a surprisingly long time — 50 minutes! It’s also a bit of a shape-shifter because it has a series of attachments that you can interchange to grab debris in various places, like a crevice tool, a handheld attachment, an anti-allergen brush, and a multipurpose attachment to grab pet hair. It’s just under nine pounds, so it’s lighter than most upright vacuums but a little bulkier than other cordless stick vacuum cleaners. Type: Cordless | Dimensions: 15.35 x 10.24 x 47.05 inches inches | Weight: 8.93 pounds | Filter Type: HEPA, Foam | Capacity: 0.34 quarts | Cord Length: N/A | Included Accessories: Removable handheld vacuum, removable dust cup, crevice tool, anti-allergen brush, pet multi-tool Best Wet-Dry Vacuum Bissell CrossWave HydroSteam Plus Wet Dry Vac Amazon View On Amazon $290 View On Target $300 View On Walmart $274 Our Ratings Effectiveness 4.8/5 Maneuverability 4.8/5 Ease of Emptying 5/5 Portability 5/5 Noise Level 4/5 Pros This wet-dry vacuum performs at a high level, and is equally efficient on carpet, tile, and hardwood floors. It is easy to switch between wet and dry modes. It cleaned up messes quickly; in some cases, under 40 seconds. Cons The device’s only downfalls are its loud volume and that the cords get in the way when you use it. When you live in a home with multiple floor types, a wet-dry vacuum can be a huge timesaver. The Bissell B0440 CrossWave HydroSteam earned nearly perfect scores when we tested wet-dry vacuum cleaners. Though it was named best overall, runner-up (due to the price and noise level), our best overall wet-dry vacuum is out of stock, right now. However, we would definitely recommend the Bissell B0440 to our friends and family given its high performance. The vacuum moved across different floor types with ease, cleaning up messes in less than 40 seconds in some cases. The wet side of the device lifted residue clean off the floor, so it didn’t require any additional scrubbing. The dry vacuum side moved around furniture without much issue, though the cord got in the way a few times. The only downside was the volume — it’s a loud vacuum, but if you don’t plan on having full-on conversations while cleaning your house, this is hardly a dealbreaker. And the price is worth the quality, in our opinion. Weight: 12.5 pounds | Dimensions: 10 x 10 x 44 inches | Battery Life: N/A | Capacity: 17 oz. People / Henry Wortock People / Henry Wortock People / Henry Wortock People / Henry Wortock People / Henry Wortock Best Handheld Vacuum Shark UltraCyclone Pro Handheld Vacuum Amazon View On Amazon $80 View On Walmart $79 View On Wayfair $80 Our Ratings Effectiveness 5/5 Ease of Emptying 5/5 Portability 4.8/5 Noise Level 3/5 Setup 5/5 Pros The design is sleek, but it doesn’t sacrifice power It has incredibly strong suction and left all of our testing surfaces completely clean. The vacuum is easy to clean and doesn’t make a mess (as long as you empty the chamber over a trash can). Cons The suction is so strong it actually got a bit of the upholstery, so just be careful when cleaning more delicate materials. It’s more expensive than many other handheld vacuums we tested (but it’s on sale right now, so go! go! go!). While our best handheld vacuum top picks are currently out of stock, we’d be remiss not to mention the UltraCyclone Pro Cordless Handheld Vacuum. When we tested dustbusters and handheld vacuums, this handheld vacuum blew us away with its design and functionality. First, it’s just pretty to look at with a sleek, seamless design that looks so nice you could leave it out. And the performance was stellar too: It easily lifted all debris from upholstery, even suctioning the fabric a little with its power. The attachments, such as the crevice tool, simplified the cleaning process and got hard-to-reach crumbs without much effort. Once it was filled with crumbs, feathers, and more, the vacuum’s dustbin was simple to empty and clean, without making any kind of mess. This handheld vacuum likely would have been one of our top choices if it weren’t for the price, which is more expensive than others on our list, but the quality more than makes up for it. (And it’s on sale right now, so if you’ve been on the fence, now’s the time to grab it!) Battery Life: 10-15 minutes | Weight: 1.4 pounds | Bin Capacity: 0.54 quarts | Attachments: Duster crevice tool, multi-surface pet tool | HEPA Filter: No People / Dera Burreson People / Dera Burreson People / Dera Burreson People / Dera Burreson People / Dera Burreson People / Dera Burreson Best Dyson Vacuum Dyson V12 Detect Slim Vacuum Walmart View On Amazon $389 View On Target $650 View On Walmart $480 Our Ratings Effectiveness 5/5 Maneuverability 4.5/5 Ease of Emptying 5/5 Portability 5/5 Noise Level 4/5 Pros It is easy to see hidden dirt and debris, thanks to a built-in laser light on the brush head. This vacuum features a single-touch power button instead of the ‘trigger’ button on other Dyson models. It is incredibly lightweight. Cons This did not perform as well on bare floors. We noted that some hair remained twisted in the dustbin while emptying. Loyal Dyson fans will be happy to know that the new V12 Detect Slim Cordless model is a solid pick with upgraded features — but it will set you back a few hundred dollars. (By a few hundred dollars, we mean around $650.) There are a few outstanding features that make this Dyson different from the other Dyson vacuums on the market. First, there's a single-touch power button, so you don't have to hold down a trigger button the entire time you vacuum. Second, at just over 5 pounds, it's super lightweight, making it easy to maneuver from one room to another during its extended 60-minute battery run time. And perhaps most importantly, it comes with a laser light on the brush head that illuminates dirt, dust, pet hair, and more, so that you can efficiently clean your space. There are plenty of other features we could highlight, but we need to talk about the cons. While the dust bin was incredibly easy to empty, there was some hair stuck inside that had to be manually fetched out at the end of its cleaning run. And while it showed superior performance on our testing carpet, it didn't do as well on the bare floor. It took about 25 passes to pick up all of the popcorn kernels and Cheerios from the lab's hard flooring. However, if you are a Dyson collector and already own the Omni-Glide model for your bare floors, then this is an outstanding upgraded option for your carpets. How it's held up Our long-term tester was pleased with the vacuum's performance over the six months they tested it at home. They use the vacuum weekly and haven't noticed any changes in the quality, apart from occasional discrepancies with the run time monitor. That said, the vacuum cleans our tester's whole apartment without needing a charge. The suction continues to be effective and our tester hasn't needed to pull any hair from the rollers. Type: Bagless, cordless | Dimensions: 9.8 x 9.9 x 49.1 inches | Weight: 5.2 pounds | Filter Type: Whole machine filtration | Capacity: 0.1 gallons | Cord Length: Not applicable | Included Accessories: Laser Slim Fluffy cleaner head, Motorbar cleaner head, crevice tool, hair screw tool, combination tool People / Dera Burreson People / Dera Burreson People / Dera Burreson People / Rachel Marek People / Dera Burreson People / Rachel Marek Best Roomba iRobot Roomba i3 EVO Robot Vacuum Amazon View On Amazon $169 View On Target $350 View On Walmart $349 Our Ratings Setup 3/5 Effectiveness 3.5/5 Noise Level 4/5 Maneuverability 4/5 Features 4/5 Pros The i3 EVO vacuum cleaner has a versatile design that works on many types of flooring. During our test, it suctioned up 90 percent of dirt and debris with solid efficiency. It has smart mapping and the option to come with a self-emptying base. Cons We noticed the vacuum does get stuck when faced with certain objects and corners. While we love the iRobot Roomba 694 for its quality and price, there’s no doubt the iRobot Roomba i3 EVO vacuum is an equally competitive option — especially when the two were compared in our best roombas test. Its versatile design works effectively on both hardwood floors and carpets, makes hardly any noise, and suctioned up 90 percent of dirt and debris during our initial test. We like that the iRobot i3 EVO has smart mapping technology to help avoid dings in your furniture legs, though it did get a bit stuck in corners and when faced with curtains, cords, and other stray objects. It’s fairly easy to empty, but you also have the option to upgrade to the i3+ EVO model, which comes with a self-emptying base. We should also note that iRobot has upgraded this model on its website to the i4 EVO which has 20 minutes longer worth of battery life — an impressive feat considering the i3 already has a 75-minute run time. How it’s held up After bringing the vacuum cleaner home to test for an additional six months, we only have good things to say about the i3 EVO robot vacuum. Not only has it maintained its initial level of efficiency, grabbing all sorts of debris and maneuvering with ease, but it also has a user-friendly app that makes the entire cleaning process that much easier. Dimensions: 13.26 x 3.63 inches | Weight: 7.44 pounds | Dustbin Capacity: 0.5 liters | Runtime: 75 minutes | Smart Mapping: Yes | Self-Emptying: i3+ only People / Donna Freydkin People / Henry Wortock Best for Pet Hair Samsung Jet 75 Stick Vacuum Amazon View On Amazon $360 View On Target $400 View On Wayfair $499 Our Ratings Ease of Setup 4/5 Effectiveness 4.8/5 Maneuverability 4.3/5 Ease of Emptying 4.3/5 Portability 3.5/5 Pros It is easy to assemble. It has a powerful suction of hair on all floor types. It features helpful attachments, like a crevice tool for furniture. Cons It has a short battery life. This vacuum has a loud volume. We love our pets dearly, but there's always going to be a trail of fur left in their paths — which calls for a great pet hair vacuum that can clean up after them. The Samsung Jet 75 Pet Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner worked tirelessly to scoop up pet hair across all surfaces, from tile to high-pile carpets, leaving only a clean space in its wake. Not only was this model easy to assemble, but it performed exceptionally well when it came to picking up hair on all flooring types. We loved that you could use the vacuum as a cordless stick model or detach the handle from the base to convert it into a sleek, shorter handheld wand. The crevice tool came in handy when getting into those small corners, as the regular vacuum struggled to get debris at the very end of the base. We did notice, however, that the volume was quite loud for our taste. Also, the battery lost power a bit faster than we expected, but it charged quickly, so this wasn't a big problem. If you need to keep your space clean but own shedding pets, the Samsung Jet 75 could be the one for you. Type: Bagless, cordless | Dimensions: 8.5 x 9.8 x 44.5 inches | Weight: 6 pounds | Filter Type: Washable | Capacity: 0.21 gallons | Cord Length: Not applicable | Included Accessories: Mini motorized tool, long reach crevice tool, combination tool, soft brush People / Henry Wortock People / Henry Wortock People / Henry Wortock People / Henry Wortock Best Canister Vacuum Kenmore 10701 Compact Bagless Canister Vacuum Amazon View On Amazon $96 View On Kenmorefloorcare.com Our Ratings Effectiveness 4.8/5 Maneuverability 5/5 Ease of Emptying 4.8/5 Portability 4.8/5 Noise Level 4.5/5 Pros It lifted dirt, pet hair, and debris with ease thanks to powerful suction that works on all floor types. It’s lightweight, easy to maneuver into tight spaces, and rolls smoothly along the floor with little effort by the user. The HEPA filter reduces dust, allergens, and other irritants in your home. Cons Despite the vacuum’s suction working well, pet hair got stuck in the brush rollers on several occasions. The power cord is just 16 feet, which is shorter than most other canister vacuums we tested. Canister vacuums offer many benefits — which we put to the test — but the primary two are powerful suction and low noise level. We love the Kenmore Bagless Canister Vacuum because it checks both of these boxes and more. The vacuum cleaner efficiently lifted dirt and debris from carpets, hardwood floors, and rugs. The canister portion rolled smoothly across all surfaces as well, which helped with the overall maneuverability. Plus, at less than 10 pounds, you can easily carry it around, too. While the vacuum picked up pet hair easily, the fur got stuck in the brush’s rollers several times. Attachments like the crevice tool sucked up dirt from couch cushions quickly, and the other vacuum components were equally helpful. The bagless design made for simple cleaning — the dustbin can be rinsed out with water. And thanks to the HEPA filter, the vacuum also promises to reduce allergens, dust, and other irritants from your home. While we wish the cord was a little longer (it’s 16 feet), this bagless canister vacuum is a really good value. Type: Bagless | Dimensions: 11.4 x 12.2 x 28.8 inches | Weight: 9.5 pounds | Capacity: 0.6 pounds | Hose Length: 9 feet | Cord Length: 16 feet | Filter: HEPA | Attachments: Dusting brush, crevice tool, bare floor tool, pet turbine brush People / Dera Burreson People / Dera Burreson People / Dera Burreson Best Robotic Pool Vacuum Aiper Seagull Pro Robotic Pool Cleaner Amazon View On Amazon $785 View On Walmart View On Aiper.com $611 Our Ratings Setup 5/5 Design 4.8/5 Ease of Use 4.8/5 Effectiveness 4.8/5 Value 4.5/5 Pros After charging, the Aiper pool cleaner is completely self-sufficient and worked effortlessly to clean concrete and pick up leaves. It’s fairly compact, so it’s easy to maneuver and store. Thanks to the cordless design, there are no tripping hazards while the pool cleaner is working. Cons Pool stairs proved to be a challenge for this cleaner, and it’s kind of expensive (but worth it). While you might not think good vacuums are useful outside, we tested a handful of robotic pool vacuums that really dazzled us — specifically the Aiper Seagull Pro Robotic Pool Cleaner. It took 90 minutes to charge, but once it got going, this self-sufficient marvel made light work of cleaning the concrete and sucking up leaves and other debris. There’s a brush that rotates to get at all angles when cleaning and helps the device scrub algae and other residue along the sides and floor of the pool. Our tester’s pool is 30 by 15 feet, and it took the pool vacuum about three hours to fully clean it. We were impressed with the level of “clean” this device achieved. It has a cordless design, so there’s no risk of tripping on cords or wires while it works in the pool. Though it struggled with the pool stairs, we’re willing to overlook that given its stellar performance with the rest of the pool. Plus, it’s compact so it’s easy to move around and store when not in use. Dimensions: 19.6 x 18.43 x 14.5 inches | Weight: 20.9 pounds | Pool Size: Up to 3,200 feet | Filter: Basket | Cleaning Time: 180 minutes | Charge Time: 90 minutes | Smart Features: Auto-parking, quick water release, one-switch activation, three cleaning modes (auto mode, floor only, wall only) Best Smart Tineco Pure One S15 Pro Tineco View On Amazon $279 View On Tineco.com Our Ratings Effectiveness 4.5/5 Maneuverability 5/5 Ease of Emptying 5/5 Portability 5/5 Noise Level 4/5 Pros It features an LED light that illuminates debris. It includes a standing dock for easy storage. The digital screen keeps track of your floor's cleanliness. Cons This is the most expensive model on our list, but the features make it worth a heftier price tag. The motor head is a bit heavy. This Tineco vacuum cleaner is an amazing option for those looking to geek out on smart features or anyone who needs extra help supercharging their clean. The Tineco digital screen turns red when encountering dirt and blue when the area has been sufficiently cleaned, but this model also automatically goes into a short max power mode when it comes into contact with a big mess — so it's really putting in the extra elbow grease for you. It comes with a standing dock, so you don't have to mount anything to a wall (which is great for renters) and it not only includes helpful attachments, but it also includes a place to store them, so you won't lose them within the first week of owning your vacuum. The LED light on the brush head helps to illuminate any pet hair, crumbs, or other debris that might be lurking in your corners or along your baseboards. However, these features come with a high price tag and our at-home tester noted that the motor portion of the vacuum gets to be a bit heavy after using it for an extended period of time. How it's held up We continued testing this vacuum for six months to see how it held up in a real-world setting. Our tester appreciated the consistency of the battery life and the convenience of the docking station — which charges the vacuum and holds all the accessories. It's a great vacuum for hardwood floors and quick cleanups. Plus, you can make changes manually or use the auto-pilot functions, and the vacuum will adjust its action based on the level of dirt present. Type: Bagless, cordless | Dimensions: 11 x 11.4 x 45 inches | Weight: 6.8 pounds | Filter Type: Magnetic filter and 5-stage filtration | Capacity: Not listed | Cord Length: Not applicable | Included Accessories: Mini power brush, 2-in-1 dust brush, crevice tool, stand People / Dera Burreson People / Dera Burreson People / Dera Burreson Best Quiet Kenmore Elite Cordless Stick Vacuum Amazon View On Amazon $150 Our Ratings Effectiveness 4/5 Maneuverability 5/5 Ease of Emptying 3.5/5 Portability 4.5/5 Noise Level 5/5 Pros It is super lightweight at just 3 pounds. It is extremely quiet, clocking in at only 65 decibels. This vacuum is easy to maneuver around any obstacle. Cons We found this model a bit difficult to empty. Despite our efforts, hair was still stuck in the dustbin from our first testing day. We'd go as far as to say that the Kenmore Elite Cordless Stick Vacuum was the quietest vacuum we've ever used. Clocking in at only 65 decibels, it was incredibly easy to carry on a conversation while the vacuum sucked up everything in its path. On top of its quiet operation, this cordless vacuum only weighs three pounds. Three pounds! But still, we were impressed with how easily it maneuvered around corners, furniture, and any obstacle that stood in the way. Even though it was an effective, quiet, and easy-to-use vacuum, the size and shape of the dustbin made it difficult to empty. We also had to manually fetch some of the hair out of the dustbin, and unfortunately, we weren't able to retrieve all of it. But if you don't live in a household that's constantly shedding, that might not be a dealbreaker for you, so we're still including this quiet vacuum on our list for those who like to clean while babies are sleeping or while they simultaneously conduct FaceTime calls. How it's held up At the six-month mark of testing, our team was still really pleased with the performance of this vacuum. It picks up most debris with ease, including dog hair, and has been a tried-and-true resource for quick daily cleans. The battery still doesn't last as long as we'd like, but it's not a dealbreaker. Type: Bagless, cordless | Dimensions: 15.75 x 5.71 x 21.46 inches | Weight: 3 pounds | Filter Type: HEPA | Capacity: 0.2 gallons | Cord Length: Not applicable | Included Accessories: 2-in-1 combination dust-crevice tool, wall mount PEOPLE / Dera Burreson PEOPLE / Dera Burreson PEOPLE / Dera Burreson PEOPLE / Dera Burreson Best Self-Emptying Shark Wandvac Self-Empty Cordless Stick Vacuum Amazon View On Amazon $268 View On Wayfair $330 View On QVC $330 Our Ratings Setup 4.9/5 Effectiveness 4.6/5 Noise Level 4.2/5 Maneuverability 5/5 Ease of Emptying 4.7/5 Pros This vacuum maneuvers easily around furniture. It has a slim, lightweight design. It works well on upholstery. Cons You will have to go over the same spot a few times to fully suction up debris. It is not as powerful as its volume implies. What's better than a vacuum that will do the dirty work (i.e. emptying the dustbin) for you? The Shark Wandvac Cordless Stick Vacuum does just that, emptying itself into a HEPA filter bag every time it's attached to the charging base. And because it's cordless, you can move this lightweight vacuum from room to room with ease. You can even remove the wand from the base to get into all of those hard-to-reach spots, like between couch cushions and behind furniture, for a deeper clean. Though we loved this model for its easily mobile functions and conveniently slim design (which makes for easy storage), we did notice that it took a few passes to fully vacuum all of the messes we made — and it was considerably louder than the other Shark vacuums we tested. However, we appreciated how effectively the vacuum performed on upholstery, making this a great option for cleaning up after popcorn movie nights in the family room. For the cleaner who loves a shortcut (don't we all), you'll love this self-emptying option from Shark. Type: Bagless, cordless | Dimensions: 8.75 x 11 x 43.5 inches | Weight: 13.85 pounds | Filter Type: Washable HEPA | Capacity: 0.03 gallons | Cord Length: Not applicable | Included Accessories: Duster crevice tool, pet multi-tool, self-emptying charging base People / Dera Burreson People / Dera Burreson People / Dera Burreson People / Dera Burreson Best for Hardwood Floors Dyson Omni-Glide Cordless Vacuum Dyson View On Target $350 View On Dyson.com $350 View On Best Buy $350 Our Ratings Ease of Setup 4.5/5 Effectiveness 5/5 Maneuverability 5/5 Ease of Emptying 2.5/5 Portability 4.8/5 Pros It's quieter than most models we tested. Due to its light weight, it was super easy to maneuver. The small swivel head makes it easy to get in corners and under couches. Cons There are no storage compartments for attachments. The canister fills up quickly. When it comes to home devices, whether for cleaning or beauty, there's no one doing it quite like Dyson. The Omni-Glide + was a standout for us when testing vacuums for hardwood floors, due to its sleek design, lightweight feel, and easy mobility. And because it detaches from the base to become a handheld vac, you can reach heights like never before (i.e. tops of bookshelves and cabinets) to get an even deeper clean in your home. Though we didn't test this model on carpets or rugs, we thought it performed fabulously on tile, hardwood floors, and even stairs. In under one minute, each mess of hair, popcorn, and other pieces of debris were effectively sucked up into the machine's canister. Not to mention that its noise level was considerably lower than others we've tried, making this a huge plus in our book. We think this is the perfect vacuum for small spots and quick cleanups because of its agile design. (You can fold it flat to fit under low furniture!) However, its slender canister can only hold about 0.2 liters of debris. This means you'll have to empty it more frequently if you're vacuuming a large area, but its quick cleans and maneuverability make the trash visits well worth it. You also get a cleaner head, mini motorized tool, combination crevice tool, light pipe crevice tool, docking station, and charger in the mix — just without built-in storage (but hey, that's what storage closets are for). Dyson remains supreme for all of your home (and hair) styling needs, especially when it comes to the Omni-Glide+. If you're looking for a slightly cheaper option, the original Dyson Omni-Glide model is available for about $50 less at Target and Walmart. Expect the same stellar performance, but note that the Omni-Glide+ comes with an additional attachment and a slightly different color scheme than the original Omni-Glide model. Type: Bagless, cordless | Dimensions: 42.4 x 8.89 x 3.62 inches | Weight: 4.19 | Filter Type: Whole-machine filtration | Capacity: 0.2 liters | Cord Length: Not applicable | Included Accessories: Cleaner head, combination crevice tool, docking station, mini motorized tool, light pipe crevice tool, charger People / Henry Wortock People / Henry Wortock People / Henry Wortock People / Henry Wortock Best Dyson Alternative Belife Cordless Vacuum Cleaner Amazon View On Amazon $160 View On Walmart $130 Our Ratings Ease of Setup 5/5 Effectiveness 3.9/5 Maneuverability 3.8/5 Ease of Emptying 5/5 Portability 5/5 Pros The Belife cordless vacuum has similar features to the Dyson but at a more cost-conscious price. It suctioned up most debris well (with a few exceptions) and didn’t get any of it tangled in the brush head. Cons There’s a learning curve with the dustbin (but it’s straightforward once you get it). It struggled pulling hard and soft debris out of the same types of surfaces (hard from hard and soft from soft). While Dyson might be a household name when it comes to high quality tech products — it comes at a high cost. So, we found a series of vacuum cleaners that are good alternatives to this popular brand with more budget-conscious pricing. If you like the Dyson for its smart display screen, you’ll be happy to know the Belife V12 cordless vacuum has one too. The cordless design is lightweight and easy to maneuver around tight spaces, and, when set to eco mode, the battery life will last up to 45 minutes. In terms of suction, this vacuum thrived when grabbing hard debris like Cheerio crumbs off of soft surfaces like carpeting and rugs, as well as lifting soft debris like pet hair from hard surfaces like tile and wood floors. That said, it struggled a little with the inverse. In spite of how well it suctions dirt and debris, the vacuum’s brush didn’t get tangled in any of it. And once you’re finished cleaning, the vacuum is easy to empty out and clean. How it’s held up After six months of additional testing in a home, the Belife vacuum has more than earned its stars. It continues to be easy to maneuver and shows a strong battery life. It’s maintained its suction capabilities with good results, and our tester said to clean the dust bin, you just pull the tab on the handle and it opens the bottom part of the dustbin, so just make sure you have it positioned over a trash can. Battery Life: 45 minutes | Weight: 1.78 pounds | Included Attachments: Removable hand vacuum, mini-motorized pet brush, hard floor attachment, 2-in-1 crevice tool, extension tube People / Henry Wortock People / Henry Wortock People / Henry Wortock People / Henry Wortock People / Henry Wortock People / Henry Wortock Best for Cars Ridgid Hand Vacuum Home Depot View On Amazon $75 View On Home Depot $60 Our Ratings Setup 5/5 Effectiveness 4.5/5 Maneuverability 4/5 Ease of Emptying 4/5 Portability 5/5 Pros The vacuum comes expert-recommended and works with impressive efficiency. It picks up everything and doesn’t have to be emptied often thanks to the large chamber. Since the filter is washable, you can clean even the grimiest debris without worry. It’s comfortable to hold for extended periods of time. Cons It’s a little bulky (but if you store it in your trunk or garage, this isn’t a problem). The battery and charger are sold separately, which is inconvenient. Cars hold many memories, but if we’re being honest, they also hold a lot of crumbs, dirt, and debris from every outing. That’s why it’s good to have a car vacuum so you can keep your car not only tidy but really clean. We love the Rigid Hand Vacuum for many reasons, and we’re not alone — this vacuum comes expert-recommended. Between the high suction and huge debris chamber, there’s no mess too messy for this vacuum. The design allows for a comfortable grip so you can hold it for extended periods of time and the filter is washable so now matter how much grime it suctions up, it’s easily cleanable. Since it has such a large chamber, it’s a little bulky to store, but you can easily keep it in the trunk of your vehicle or in your garage, so this isn’t a dealbreaker. If we have one gripe, it’s that the battery and charger are sold separately, but it’s a one-time inconvenience, so we’ll let it slide given the high quality of this machine. Type: Cordless | Dimensions: 22.13 x 9.02 x 7.44 inches | Weight: 3.06 pounds | Filter Type: Cloth | Capacity: 3 pounds | Cord Length: Cordless | Included Accessories: N/A People / Dera Burreson People / Dera Burreson People / Dera Burreson Things to Consider Before Buying a Vacuum Cleaner Size Consider the size of your home, if you have pets, and how often you vacuum before investing in a vacuum cleaner. If you live in a small apartment, you'll likely want a more compact model with a smaller dustbin, like the SAMSUNG Jet 75 Pet Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner. If you're running a big house with kids and pets, you need a bigger device, like our best upright pick, the Shark Navigator Swivel Pro Upright Vacuum. It's on the bulkier side, but it has a good-sized dustbin (0.1 gallons), so you won't have to empty it mid-clean. Price Vacuums can range wildly, from just $50 to over $1,000. A less expensive device often won't come with extra attachments or HEPA filters — just take the DirtDevil Versa Cordless 3-in-1 Stick Vac for example. But our testing has indicated that for up to $200, you can snag a vacuum that's highly reviewed, comes with useful accessories, and has enough power to suction up big debris. Dustbin Capacity Like the size of the machine, you'll want to seriously consider the size of the dustbin. If you are vacuuming large areas regularly (daily or close to it), you may not want to empty the dustbin during your cleans, making the Kenmore Pet-Friendly Lightweight HEPA Canister Vacuum a great option for you. But on the other hand, the Dyson V12 Detect Slim Cordless Stick Vacuum, which features a smaller dust bin, would suit the type of user who is looking to clean a small apartment or just one messy room at a time (like a kitchen in a busy household). Attachments Most vacuum cleaners nowadays come with at least one attachment, but if you're looking for a machine that can clean beyond the floor, look closely at what extra accessories are included. Those who want to vacuum their car interior, couch cushions, drapes, and high shelves should double-check that their pick comes with crevice tools, dust brushes, and extendable arms. Also, consider where you're going to store these attachments. Having a dedicated storage box, such as a bin or basket that you keep close to your vacuum, will keep you from losing these helpful little tools. The Tineco Pure One S15 Pro model includes attachment storage on its docking base, so you'll be sure to keep track of the included attachments (and you'll likely use them more often, too). People / Henry Wortock How We Tested We tested over 350 different vacuums, focusing on eight key performance metrics: ease of setup, effectiveness, maneuverability, ease of emptying, noise level, versatility, portability, and overall value. Setup: We looked at how straightforward it was to assemble right out of the box, noting how long it took and how clear the instructions were.Effectiveness: We created an obstacle course of scattered popcorn kernels and crunched up Cheerios on bare floors, and even smushed faux hairballs into high-pile carpets to really put each tool to the test. Each cleaning job was timed on a stopwatch to see which devices could effectively clean each surface the quickestManeuverability: Each vacuum was evaluated on how intuitive they were when it came to commonplace furniture. (Did they easily glide around chair legs? Suck up debris stuck in corners?)Emptying: We also noted how easy it was to empty the dust bin, comparing both the size of the compartment and the ease of emptying the contents.Noise Level: Each vacuum was tested to see how loud they were, as we measured decibel level and how easy it was to hold a conversation while they were on.Versatility: We looked at how they performed on multiple surfaces, including hardwood floors and low-, medium-, and high-pile carpets. We noted if the vacuums had different settings available for each surface, and how they performed transitioning from one surface to the next.Overall Value: Each test was given a score from 1 to 5, with the winners selected based on an average of scores. Prices were concealed from testers until the very end of testing, to which they shared their pleasant shock (or advice for a better price). Since our initial vacuum test, we have continued testing new models and retesting tried-and-true vacuums to ensure we are bringing you the best of the best. People / Henry Wortock Frequently Asked Questions How do I know which vacuum is right for me? You should also consider your floor type when buying a vacuum. If you have carpet, especially thick carpet, you need a vacuum that has powerful suction that can remove debris. One good option is the Samsung Jet 75 Pet Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner. If you have hardwood floors, you need a vacuum that will not only remove debris (versus just blowing it around) but will also not scratch your floors, such as the Dyson Omni-Glide. If you have both carpet and tile, you may want a vacuum that also steam cleans, such as the Bissell CrossWave HydroSteam Plus Wet Dry Vac. Are bagless vacuums better than bagged? According to Dr. Purvi S. Parikh, MD, an allergist at NYU Langone Health, both have pros and cons, and both bagged and bagless vacuums should have a HEPA filter that you change regularly. "With bagged [vacuum] cleaners, you do not have to change the filter as often, but if you do not have a model that alerts you, some of the allergens can start coming out when it's too full," she says.So while bagged vacuum cleaners tend to offer less allergen exposure during the emptying process, it's important to properly maintain your vacuum and use a mask and gloves when emptying the dustbin or changing a very full vacuum bag. All of our recommended vacuums are bagless. Are there better vacuum cleaners than Dyson vacuums? In our testing, we found other brands that performed basic functions as well or better than the Dyson vacuum cleaners we tested (though the Dyson V12 Detect Slim Cordless Stick Vacuum as well as the Omni-Glide+ have been mainstays). Dyson is known for its innovative features and whole filtration system, but if those things are not important to you, there are plenty of other brands such as Shark, Samsung, Tineco, Miele, and more that offer extremely high-performing vacuums. How long should a vacuum last? A quality vacuum should last around eight years, but some brands, such as Dyson, offer a 10-year limited warranty. Check your vacuum's warranty for coverage details. Note that some warranties do not cover all parts or aspects of the vacuum. When is the best time to buy a vacuum? Vacuums are often on sale, though depending on the time of year, you may not be able to find the brand name you're searching for. For top brands like Shark or Dyson, shop during Amazon Prime Day, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday for the best discounts. Which vacuum has the best suction power? In general, vacuums with cords are more powerful than cordless vacuums that rely on a battery charge. Our top pick, the Shark Navigator, had powerful suction on a variety of surfaces. However, if you don’t want the hassle of a cord, the Shark Pet Cordless Stick Vacuum is a great option that offers great suction as well. People / Dera Burreson Why Trust PEOPLE? Alyssa Brascia is a commerce writer at PEOPLE, covering beauty, fashion, home and lifestyle products. Madison Yauger is the senior commerce writer for PEOPLE and has covered a large variety of home-related topics such as robot vacuums, dog bowls, and more. Erin Johnson is a senior commerce editor for PEOPLE with extensive knowledge on hundreds of home-related products. Amy Schulman is a news and deals writer, editor, strategist, and expert in the commerce space since 2019, focusing on data, trends, and home and kitchen products like Dyson vacuums, Bissell steam mops, Lodge cookware, and Apple devices. Our team reached out to Dr. Purvi S. Parikh, MD, allergist at NYU Langone Health, and Dr. Shyam Joshi, MD and CMO of Nectar, to inform our reporting as well as market research. Our biggest resource were the testing insights from our many vacuum tests conducted at home and in our New York-based lab. Using all of this data, we rounded up the best vacuums of 2023. Meet Our Experts Dr. Purvi S. Parikh, MD is an allergist at NYU Langone Health specializing in Infectious Disease Allergy and Immunology. She’s also a clinical assistant professor in both the departments of Medicine and Pediatrics at NYU Grossman School of Medicine. Dr. Shyam Joshi, MD is the Chief Scientific Officer of Nectar Allergy Center in New York. He’s also an assistant professor of medicine with a focus on allergy and clinical immunology at Oregon Health and Science University. What Is PEOPLE Tested? We created the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval to help you find the very best products for your life. We use our unique methodology to test products in three labs across the country and with our network of home testers to determine their effectiveness, durability, ease of use, and so much more. Based on the results, we rate and recommend products so you can find the right one for your needs. But we don't stop there: We also regularly re-review the categories in which we've awarded the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval — because the best product of today might not be the best of tomorrow. And by the way, companies can never buy our recommendation: Their products must earn it, fair and square. In short, PEOPLE Tested provides recommendations you can trust — every day, every purchase.