For over half a year, we rigorously evaluated the best vacuums from various categories, including cordless sticks, robots, canisters, handhelds, and upright models. Our aim? To simplify your decision-making process.
Regardless if your living space is a cosy apartment or a sprawling house, whether you’re tidying up after pets or children, or if you’re keen on addressing spills immediately, our curated list of top-performing vacuums ensures you have the ideal equipment for your cleaning needs.
Features to Consider Before Buying
Suction Power
It’s the heart of every vacuum cleaner. We believe that powerful suction is vital for efficient cleaning, ensuring that even the smallest dust particles are sucked in.
Filtration System
For households with allergy sufferers, the filtration system is paramount. We recommend looking for vacuums with H.E.P.A. filters, which capture 99.97% of particles, ensuring cleaner air.
Battery Life (for cordless models)
In the cordless realm, longer battery life translates to extended cleaning sessions. We find that a vacuum with at least 30 minutes of run time is ideal for most homes.
Bagged vs. Bagless
While bagged vacuums ensure dust-free disposal, bagless ones are cost-efficient in the long run. We advise assessing your personal preferences and needs.
Top 5 Vacuum Cleaners of 2023
Shark NV501 Rotator Professional Lift-Away.
Best Upright Vacuum.
Brand: Shark.
Special Feature: Portable, Lightweight, HEPA Filter, Headlight.
Filter Type: Foam.
Surface Recommendation: Hard Floor, Upholstery.
Power Source: Corded Electric.
Shark NV356E Navigator Lift-Away Professional.
Best Upright Vacuum.
Brand: Shark.
Special Feature: HEPA.
Filter Type: Foam.
Surface Recommendation: Upholstery, Carpet, Bare Floor.
Power Source: Corded Electric.
Bissell Featherweight Stick Lightweight Bagless.
Best cordless stick and Handheld vacuum.
Powerful, convenient, and easy to use.
Versatile cleaning three machines in one: A stick vacuum, handle vacuum, and stair vacuum.
Clean hard floors and surface dirt on carpets and area rugs. Surface type: Countertops, sealed hard floors, low pile carpet. Dirt cup capacity: 0.67 liters. Power Cord Length 15′.
Miele Classic C1.
Best canister vacuum.
Brand: Miele.
Special Feature: Portable, Bag, Compact.
Filter Type: Air Clean filter.
Surface Recommendation: Hard Floor, Upholstery, Carpet.
Power Source: Corded Electric.
Shark AV2501S AI Ultra Robot Vacuum.
Best Robot Vacuum.
Model Name: AI Ultra.
Surface Recommendation: Carpets & Hard Floors.
Special Feature: Self-Cleaning Brushroll, Pet Hair Pick Up, Bagless, Self-Emptying
Color: Dark Grey.
Shark NV501 Rotator Professional Lift-Away Overall.
In our evaluation, the Shark Rotator Professional Lift-Away NV501 stood out as one of the most user-friendly upright vacuums, largely due to its swiveling head. Weighing in at 15.8 pounds, it was also hassle-free to lift and relocate. A prominent button lets users effortlessly detach the canister from the base for independent carrying, and an adjacent button releases the wand.
The Shark Rotator is equipped with handy accessories, including an upholstery tool, dusting brush, and crevice tool, all of which seamlessly attach to the handle’s end. Additionally, it features headlights, which prove invaluable when cleaning hard surfaces.
When assessing suction capability, the primary brush head and other attachments swiftly collected pet hair across various floor types. The brush head particularly excelled in extracting cat litter from thick carpets.
Another highlight is the Shark’s spacious, bagless dustbin, which promotes uninterrupted cleaning and is a breeze to release and clear out. Given the vacuum’s triple-filter system, there’s no concern of dust escape or blowback during the emptying process.
We did note a minor drawback: the vacuum had a tendency to tip backward if the dustbin was removed, causing a few unexpected crashes. While we would’ve preferred a retractable cord feature, none of the models we examined offered this, so it wouldn’t be fair to single out the Shark for this omission.
Bissell Featherweight Stick Lightweight Bagless Review.
The Bissell Featherweight stick Lightweight vacuum is an affordable model that delivers a subpar performance compared to other vacuums in its category. It is lightweight and straightforward with a one-button design, yet the 15ft cord and lack of attachments limit its convenience. While it excels at picking up rice and pet hair on hardwood floors, its performance on other surfaces, especially carpets, is lackluster. The device struggles with flour, cereal, and oatmeal tests, often leaving debris behind. Its design limitations make it difficult to clean edges or under furniture, and its sound can be somewhat irritating. Despite its budget-friendly price, the review suggests that better alternatives are available, such as the Eureka RapidClean, which offers more value for a similar cost.
