The Best Vacuum Cleaners of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

Shop our editors' most-loved vacuum cleaners for every surface and budget.

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Updated on February 15, 2024

Our Top Vacuum Cleaner Picks

Tested by HGTV Editors

When it comes to cleaning, we're a passionate group. From pets to kids to everyday dust and grime, these editor-approved vacuums get the job done with ease. Plus, there's an option for every budget and surface. (These tools make cleaning, dare we say, fun?) But with so many different types of vacuums out there, it can be difficult to start your shopping journey. We’re here to help!

We've tested tons (like, nearly 100!) of vacuums to find the very best models on the market. In our testing, we've found things like accessories, design and pricing play an important role in addition to overall cleaning performance when making our top picks. If you're in the market for a new vacuum, these are the best vacuums our editorial team has tested.

Photo by: Photo and testing by Brigitt Earley for HGTV.com

Photo and testing by Brigitt Earley for HGTV.com

How We Tested

Our editorial team has tested nearly 100 vacuums over the years to find the very best ones for every kind of household. We've tested classic canister and upright vacuums, modern cordless stick vacuums, handheld vacuums for the car, vacuums designed for pet hair, robot vacuums and carpet cleaners. In every test, we run the vacuums through a series of obstacles like vacuuming Cheerios off a hardwood floor, sucking up spilled milk and cleaning up wine spills on carpet. We consider factors like weight, size and maneuverability when choosing our top-rated vacuums to ensure the best vacuums work for most households. We also take into account pricing and availability when making our final choices. These are the best vacuums we've tested to date — and we're always trying out new ones!

What We Like
  1. More compact and lighter than other models
  2. Powerful suction on all surfaces
  3. Exceptionally easy to remove and empty canister
What We Don't Like
  1. Slightly harder to push on rugs/carpet
  2. Base can't stand vertically

At first glance, the Miele Boost CX1 Parquet stood out for its sleek, modern design and giant disk-like wheels. Assembly was intuitive, as the pieces snap together. While we wouldn't call this 18-pound canister vacuum lightweight, it's on the lighter end for a Miele.

The Boost CX1 boasts high-powered "Vortex" technology with 60 miles-per-hour air suction to effectively capture both fine and coarse particles. We're pleased to report it lives up to its claims. Though we had to place the floorhead on top of the Cheerios (rather than pushing it back and forth while flat on the floor), they were immediately sucked up. On the carpet, it picked up the Cheerios just by pushing the floorhead forward, and the mess was gone within a couple of passes. The pile of crumbs disappeared in a single pass, but it was a little harder to push on carpet than on hard floors.

You can toggle between settings using the dial, and the compact design helps with maneuvering around furniture. We found the dirt canister the easiest to empty of all bagless models we tested — it detaches with a simple lift, and the bottom releases with a squeeze lever to quickly eject the contents.

The Boost CX1 can't be positioned vertically like other canister vacs. However, the floorhead hooks to the base, so you don't have to lean the wand on a wall or place it on the floor during vacuuming breaks. We also appreciate that this vacuum has a HEPA filter, which is considered the gold standard for collecting indoor allergens, like dust and pet dander.

More of our top-rated canister vacuum picks

  1. Type Bagless
  2. Weight 18 pounds
  3. Cord Length 21 feet
  4. Attachments Upholstery nozzle, crevice nozzle, dusting brush, Parquet Twister floorhead, SBD 365-3 floorhead
What We Like
  1. Dual tank design
  2. Dry-only feature
What We Don't Like
  1. Might be heavy for some

For under $300, this relatively affordable carpet cleaner checks all the boxes for us: ample tank size, powerful cleaning capability, simple assembly, automatic shampoo release and mixing, and easy to clean. While it's not the lightest of cleaners, it handles like a standard upright vacuum, although its size may not be ideal for those with limited storage space. Dual tanks, a half-gallon dirty water tank and a one-gallon clean water tank, were large enough for our tester to clean upholstery and an 8-by-10-foot rug without emptying or adding more water. We loved being able to add cleaning solution directly into the machine's pre-measured tank for automatic mixing and dispensing. (No trigger, here!) We were also won over by an additional dry-only feature that allows you to push and pull the machine without dispensing water or cleaner to help speed up drying time. A removable nozzle gives easy access to brushes for de-gunking. Overall, we were really impressed by the design and effectiveness of this machine, and believe it's a solid choice for most households.

More of our top-rated carpet cleaner picks

  1. Weight 18.49 lbs
  2. Cord Length 22 feet
  3. Functions Wash and dry, dry only
  4. Accessories 2-in-1 Antimicrobial Bristle Brush and Rubber Nub Tool, Storage Bag
What We Like
  1. Most powerful suction
  2. Attached accessories tool
What We Don't Like
  1. Not as powerful on carpet

This 20-volt handheld vacuum cleaner gets our Best Overall pick for a reason. While its runtime is only 10 to 12 minutes, it handles everyday messes like a champ and has the most powerful suction on our list. Its 15-ounce dustbin and washable filter are removable for easy cleaning right in the sink with a “side door” for quick dirt disposal between vacuuming sessions. It comes with a built-in crevice tool, upholstery brush and features a patented nozzle that pivots to your preferred angle to help clean up high, down low and even in tight spaces. Our tester found it works better on hard surfaces than carpeted areas, though. The compact, lightweight design and attached accessory tools make it easy to store, too. We love that the battery is integrated into the vacuum so you don’t have to store it separately, and the charging base is even mountable so you can store it in a closet out of sight — a huge pro on our list.

More of our top-rated handheld vacuum picks

  1. Weight 3.8 lbs
  2. Dustbin Capacity 15 ounces
  3. Battery Life Up to 12 minutes
  4. Accessories None
What We Like
  1. Canister lifts out to help you reach under furniture
  2. Equipped with tons of special features to help with heavy messes
What We Don't Like
  1. Floor settings aren't as clear
  2. Too heavy for homes with lots of stairs

In tests, Shark was clearly a high performer. And although their pet-specific vacuum is slightly more expensive and weighs more, we found it to be a better heavy-duty option for those who regularly vacuum up a lot of hair and other large debris, especially from carpets. It’s equipped with an extra-large capacity canister to hold more debris at a time (super important for pets that shed), a grippy base to attract hair, a self-cleaning brush roll, odor-neutralizing technology (helpful for getting rid of those pet smells), and a HEPA filter. It also has a light to help you spot anything you might otherwise miss.

In tests, the vacuum, which weighs a hefty 15.18 pounds, did a fantastic job cleaning pet hair and of cleaning both full and crushed Cheerios from carpets. On carpets, the machine sucked up every Cheerio in just two passes; it removed all crumbs in a single pass. It struggled a little bit on hardwood — after a few passes, there were still some Cheerios present — though it’s worth noting that the settings aren’t as clear on this model, so this could be attributed to user error.

And although it’s heavy, it does have the same Lift Away canister our top overall and top value picks do. This makes it easier to clean under furniture and other tight spots, but we wouldn’t necessarily recommend this model for large homes with multiple sets of stairs — it’s simply too cumbersome for that kind of cleaning.

More of our top-rated vacuums for pet hair

  1. Weight 15.18 lbs
  2. Cord Length 25.69 feet
  3. Dustbin Size Not specified (3XL capacity)
  4. Battery Life N/A
  5. Accessories Crevice tool, pet multi tool
What We Like
  1. User-friendly app
  2. Works well on pet hair and harder messes
What We Don't Like
  1. Can be pricey
  2. Noisier than other robot vacuums

To determine which vacuum would hold the "Best Overall" title, it had to meet three main criteria: multisurface capability, strong suction and good navigation. Ultimately, the Roborock prevailed in all of these categories. In comparison to other models on the market, the Roborock Q5 offers the most features for your money. A user-friendly, approachable app allows for floor plan customizations like setting up no-go zones, invisible walls and cleaning schedules for the whole house or individual rooms. LiDAR navigation results in extremely accurate mapping and therefore a much deeper, more precise clean. Our tester appreciated that the map was visible in 3D and that she could easily add or subtract furniture from the map as well as note if the room had hard flooring or carpet. With a run time of 180 minutes, the vacuum adequately avoids obstacles and maneuvers around furniture with ease. We were impressed with the vacuum's suction abilities, as it successfully picked up crumbs, dirt and human hair, as well as its ability to auto-adjust its suction power to accommodate the surface it's on. However, our tester did find some debris left by the vacuum on the edges of her rugs and floor transitions. As for pet hair, let's just say it's no longer an issue for our dog-owning tester. The Roborock snagged pet hair buried in carpets, tumbleweeds floating on hardwoods and stray bits of food next to the dog bowl. The 470-milliliter (0.47 L) dustbin is one of the smallest of all the vacuums we tested, and our editor found herself emptying it two to four times per job. Overall, we had very few complaints about the Roborock Q5's performance and features. It's noisier than the eufy 11S Max but on par with the noise level of our other top picks.

More of our top-rated robot vacuum picks

  1. Dimensions 13.78"L x 13.78"W x 3.78"H
  2. Dustbin Capacity 750 ml
  3. Runtime Up to 180 minutes
  4. Phone Connectivity Yes, has an app
What We Like
  1. Included laser light
  2. Easy point-and-shoot emptying process
  3. Hair screw tool
What We Don't Like
  1. No trigger lock
  2. On the more expensive side

From small to large homes with pets, kids, carpet, hard floors and everything in between, Dyson's V15 Detect model is a solid overall cordless vacuum that will satisfy the needs of most households. Plus, the suction power, battery life and bin size are sufficient for this model to serve as your primary vacuum for both quick pickups and whole-house cleans. With suction power up to 230 AW, the V15 Detect is the second most powerful cordless vacuum Dyson offers (just barely behind the V15 Detect Absolute model, our Best Splurge pick). Our tester concluded this is the best vacuum she's ever used. She said, "In the past, I’ve needed an upright vacuum with my stick vacuum at times to get a truly deep clean, and that isn’t the case with this one."

The V15 Detect comes with seven attachments, a charger, docking station and wand clip for attaching to the stick canister that can hold more tools for storage. The Laser Slim Fluffy cleaner head is one that sets this model apart from older Dyson models — this cleaner features a green laser that allows you to see microscopic dust on hard floors you might have otherwise missed. All of the cleaner heads work extremely well on human and pet hair on both carpeted and hard floors, meaning hairs don't get wrapped around the roller brushes. This vacuum features eco, auto and boost modes that allow for efficient battery use, especially in auto mode when the vacuum can increase power automatically when it detects heavier dust and debris. While the vacuum performed well on all surfaces, our tester did notice that the auto and boost modes were too powerful on her Ruggable rugs, but switching to eco mode worked well on those thinner rugs. In testing, we found that the battery life lasted for 79 minutes on eco, 40 minutes on auto and 15 on continuous boost mode. At .2 gallons, the dust bin does need emptying frequently, but since the point-and-shoot emptying process is so easy and mess-free, it only takes a couple of seconds and doesn't require touching any of the dust.

Our tester did note a few downsides when using this vacuum. This vacuum does not have a trigger lock or on/off button for continuous vacuuming, so you have to hold down the trigger manually for the entire cleaning session. For a higher-end vacuum, this seems like a feature that should be included, but you can find off-brand accessories on Amazon like this clamp to hack a trigger lock function. At 6.8 lbs, this vacuum is heavier than most of our other recommendations, too, which our tester found a bit more cumbersome to maneuver than the Dyson V8 she previously used. If you have arthritis or mobility issues, one of the lighter models on this list might be a better choice for you. While this vacuum comes with seven attachment tools that all work really well, the docking station and wand clip can only accommodate four storage spots other than the one on the vacuum, so you'll need a box or somewhere to store extra attachments.

More of our top-rated cordless stick vacuum picks

  1. Weight 6.8 lbs
  2. Dustbin Capacity 0.2 gallons
  3. HEPA Filter No
  4. Runtime 60 minutes
What We Like
  1. Lighter than other upright vacuums
  2. Canister lifts out to help you reach under furniture
  3. Equipped with a special anti-allergen technology
What We Don't Like
  1. On the more expensive side

The Shark Navigator ADV is Shark’s bestselling vacuum, and it’s easy to see why. In tests, it expertly tackled messes on both hardwood floors and carpets. Most vacuums needed at least two passes to suck up Cheerios from hardwood, but this model lifted everything in a single pass. Comparatively, it struggled with full Cheerios on carpet, needing a back-and-forth pass, but had no issue with crumbs on either surface. In fact, the vacuum is so powerful that we found it actually propels itself forward if you loosen your grip.

Like other upright vacuums, the Shark Navigator ADV has a hard time reaching under furniture — the canister prevents full reach — but this one has a unique feature that separates it from others: The canister lifts out of the vacuum, so you can use the hose to reach under furniture, high into corners, or more easily clean areas like stairs. It’s an extra step, but one that only requires a single toggle. Because the vacuum is only 12.3 pounds — on the lighter side for upright vacuums — it isn’t all that cumbersome, either.

Overall, we found this vacuum to be worth every penny. It’s powerful and lightweight enough to use as a whole-house vacuum. Plus, it comes with the crevice and brush tools you need, as well as a special anti-allergen technology to block 99.99% of dust and allergens, a feature that we didn’t test, but think could be useful for some.

More of our top-rated upright vacuum picks

  1. Weight 12.3 lbs
  2. Cord Length 25 feet
  3. HEPA Filter Yes
  4. Accessories Crevice tool (gift with purchase)
What We Like
  1. Clear icons (steam, carpet, hardwood floor)
  2. Easy to fill the tank
  3. Great with pet hair
What We Don't Like
  1. Heavy for some
  2. Can take a couple passes to get the entire mess

This mop can do it all: vacuum, mop and steam. While it didn’t pick up the entire sticky mess on the first pass, it definitely got the job done with a few additional swipes. We like that you can clearly see if you're on steam, area rug or hardwood with the easy-to-read icons on the mop foot. It also had great suction and the mop was easy to fill and clean.

More of our top-rated vacuum mop combo picks

  1. Weight 12.5 pounds
  2. Power Type 25 ft. cord
  3. Capacity 28 fl ounces
  4. Functions Vacuum, Mop, Steam

Types of Vacuum Cleaners

First, it’s important to understand the different types of vacuums so you can find one that works for you and your household.

Canister Vacuum: Ideal for furniture and multi-surface use, canister vacuums come with a suction hose and retractable cord to make vacuuming a breeze. The motor and dustbin live in a separate unit for flexibility and ease while cleaning.

Carpet Cleaner: If your house is heavily carpeted, a carpet cleaner or carpet shampooer is a great way to tackle tough stains. While not meant for everyday use, they are great for spot and ground-in dirt removal. Carpet cleaners combine a cleaning solution, scrubbing brushes and vacuum suction to lift away hard-to-remove dirt and stains. The cleaning solution is injected deep into carpet fibers, while brushes agitate and loosen the stain, allowing the vacuum suction to remove it from the fibers entirely.

Handheld Vacuum: Handheld cleaners aren’t meant to tackle entire-home messes; they’re designed for spot cleaning in small areas. Plus, they’re particularly handy for cleaning upholstery, stairs and fabric because of how easy they are to carry. There are a few different types of handheld vacuums — corded, cordless and those with HEPA filters. While corded handheld vacuums typically offer better, more powerful suction, cordless models provide more cleaning flexibility — which is the whole point of having a handheld vacuum as a supplemental cleaning tool.

Pet Hair Vacuum: Pet hair vacuums are designed to tackle just that — pet hair. There are several important factors to consider when choosing the right one to efficiently de-shed your home. Carpet and area rugs will benefit from great suction and a rotating brush to pull hair out of the carpet fibers. Hardwood and tile require a vacuum specifically for floors and one that won’t just blow the hair around, creating a bigger mess. And if you have stairs, you should consider the weight of the machine. Plus, most pet hair vacuums come with HEPA air filters and attachments, like crevice and upholstery tools, so you can conquer the sofa, ceilings and more to pick up hair you can’t even see.

Robot Vacuum: These smart little machines excel at cutting down on manual work, and they easily fit under beds and couches, reaching places that don't frequently get cleaned. Most robot vacuums are controlled with an app, making it easy to start a cleaning session whenever you want, wherever you are. Stairs are not an issue thanks to drop-sensing technology, and voice-enabled startup is widely available. Dustbin sizes vary and some vacuums come with side brush attachments for a deeper clean.

Stick Vacuum: Lightweight and cordless (battery-powered), stick vacuums are the perfect mix between an upright vacuum and a handheld vacuum. A great stick vacuum should have both an upright configuration with powerful suction that can tackle larger floor spaces, as well as a handheld configuration for getting corners and hard-to-reach nooks and crannies. They’re most commonly used for quick cleanups in kitchens and bathrooms versus whole-house vacuuming.

Upright Vacuum: Upright vacuums are the most common vacuum cleaner. Uprights are ideal for larger carpeted areas and hardwood floors. Most feature height adjustments for easy surface transition and come with onboard attachments like crevice tools, dust brushes, upholstery tools and more. Upright vacuums may be bagless, while others have traditional bags to hold debris. FYI: Bagged vacuums can hold more dirt and release less dust into the air, while bagless vacuums require frequent emptying and often feature filters that need to be cleaned or replaced. (You will save money on bags, though.)

Vacuum Mop Combo: Also known as wet-dry vacs, these vacuums are best for cleaning up spills and messes with liquid and hard objects. While we don't recommend purchasing a vacuum mop combo to replace your everyday vacuum, it can be a nice-to-have, especially if you have messy members of your household.

How to Choose the Best Vacuum Cleaner for Your Home

There's a lot to consider when choosing a vacuum, from floor surfaces to the size of your home. These are our top six priorities.

Size and Weight: First off, you'll need a vacuum you can handle with ease. If you have lots of stairs or levels in your household, opt for something more lightweight or consider purchasing two vacuums — one for upstairs and one for down.

Cleaning Priority: What is your cleaning priority? Is it clearing pet hair? Picking up everyday dirt and grime? Quickly grabbing kid messes? You'll want to know this before starting to look for a vacuum.

Your Space: Consider the size of the space you're looking to clean, too. (Only the kitchen? Just upholstery? The entire house?) That will determine the type of vacuum you need. For example, if you want to clean your entire house and every surface, a stick vacuum probably isn't the best pick.

Suction Power: From there, consider strong suction for hard-to-tackle messes, like clingy pet hair, and your preferred dirt disposal system (bag or dustbin) while also thinking about air filtration if you or someone in your household suffers from allergies.

Attachments and Accessories: Most vacuums, even handhelds, come with attachments, so determine which ones are important to you and that you need for your home. If you're looking to hit baseboards and hidden corners, a crevice tool may be crucial for your cleaning routine. If you need to grab crumbs off the sofa, then an upholstery attachment will make cleaning a breeze.

Price: Finally, you'll want to consider the price. Not all vacuums are created equal and a top-of-the-line vacuum doesn't always equal the best clean. It's important to dive into the specs of the vacuums you're interested in to determine if they meet your cleaning expectations before purchasing.

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