Vacuum cleaners
A vacuum cleaner is one of those household decisions that everyone agonizes over and spends a lot of money on. You buy it but wonder if it works as well as it should or if it’s worth the money you spent.
No vacuum is one size fits all. Choosing the right vacuum depends on many factors. How big is your home? Do you have pets? Do you need something lightweight? What material are your floors primarily? Rest assured, there is a vacuum out there for you.
Types of vacuums
Upright vacuums
When you think of a typical vacuum you think of an upright vacuum. Upright vacuums are the same kind that were sold door-to-door in the 1950s and ’60s and are still very popular. These one-piece vacuums are the most powerful type of vacuum with motorized rolls to deep clean carpet. Older models may still use high-capacity bags but the majority rely on built-in dust containers to capture dust and debris that only need to be emptied every few sessions.
Handheld vacuums
Handheld vacuums are typically battery-operated and are great for small spaces. They are also an excellent option for vacuuming car interiors as they generally have an assortment of attachments for accessing all sorts of nooks and crannies. Some handheld vacuums offer carpet cleaning options. Handheld vacuums are not the best for large spaces due to their size and battery life.
Sweeper/stick vacuums
Stick vacuums are technically upright vacuums, but lighter and bagless. They are generally battery operated, though some are corded, and have a very small removable canister attached to a long wand.
Robot vacuums
Robot vacuums are small, round automated machines that vacuum the areas you program them to vacuum by using sensors to determine their path. These vacuums are great as they do the work for you. Pet owners who struggle to stay on top of dander and hair might find these are a helpful solution to keeping their home allergen-free. They can be prone to getting stuck under furniture, tangling up in large debris and spreading a mess around without sensing it.
Canister vacuums
These vacuums are common for professional use and have better suction and airflow rate. Canister vacuums are shorter, commonly with wheels attached and a long hose and wand. They are also available in dry options or the wet-and-dry combination, a feature where you can clean up wet spills; something normal vacuums cannot do.
Touchless vacuums
Imagine never having to pick up your vacuum again. Next time you clean the kitchen, simply sweep the dirt pile in front of the vacuum and the dirt disappears. A touchless vacuum sits in one spot and sucks in any debris placed in front of its sensors. You can dump the canister at any time. Touchless vacuums are perfect for wooden floors but if you’ve got carpet, you’ll still need a regular vacuum.
Wet-dry combination vacuums
All-in-one vacuums like a wet-dry combination allow you to vacuum and mop at the same time. The vacuum contains a regular vacuum filter on one side and a water tank on the other. With a two-in-one, you no longer need to purchase a separate vacuum or mop to clean your floors.
Key features to think about when buying a vacuum
Attachments
Do you have tall ceilings? Will you be using the vacuum for your car and need a micro accessory kit? If your vacuum doesn’t come with the attachments you need, don’t fret, you can always buy extra attachment kits that include crevice and brush nozzles, wands and squeegees.
Price
Handhelds are the least expensive vacuum option, generally under $100. Most upright, canister or stick vacuums run between $100-$300. Brands like Roomba and Dyson will be a little more expensive than Hoover or Bissel, from $200 all the way up to $800 for some models, but are well worth the cost due to their excellent reviews.
Bags
Traditional upright-style vacuums use vacuum bags that require replacement when full. This allows you to avoid direct contact with the dirt if you have allergies or don’t want to make a mess all over again when you transfer your vacuum’s contents to the trash. It can sometimes be difficult to find the correct fitting bag for your vacuum in stores, so you’ll most likely need to order online in advance.
Bagless
Bagless vacuums use built-in canisters to collect dust and debris. By eliminating the need to purchase bags, they’re environmentally and wallet-friendly, but make sure you aim directly over the trash can or you’ll be vacuuming up more dirt.
Best vacuum cleaners
Best of the best
Hoover Max Life Pro Pet Swivel Bagless Upright Vacuum Cleaner: available at Amazon.
Our take: This upright vacuum has everything you could ever want: incredible suction, a bagless canister, automatic floor adjustment and it comes with several accessories including some specifically designed for stubborn pet hair.
What we like: Who knew vacuums had headlights? With these lights, dirt and grime can’t hide. You can also break through any spider web in your home with the 13-foot quick-release wand. And the Hepa filter cuts odor and allergens out of the equation so you’re not sending them back out into the air while you clean.
What we dislike: At 17 pounds, it’s a bit heavier than a typical handheld, but fortunately you don’t have to pick it up to use it.
Best bang for your buck
Bissel Featherweight Stick Lightweight Bagless Vacuum with Crevice Tool: available at Amazon and Kohls.
Our take: This lightweight and convenient vacuum transforms into a handheld vacuum for under $30.
What we like: This powerful little vacuum weighs only 2 pounds and can handle stairs, couches, rugs, car interiors and just about anything else you put in its path.
What we dislike: The suction is impressive for its small size, but if you have pets or kids, a more powerful vacuum might be necessary for deep cleaning.
Best stick vacuum
V8 Animal Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner by Dyson: available at Amazon and Home Depot.
Our take: The Dyson name precedes itself for reliable, incredibly well-manufactured vacuums and the V8 Animal is no exception.
What we like: This is a powerful stick vacuum with two power modes and multiple attachments, making this one of the best vacuums on the market. It’s lightweight, bagless and has a generous canister size. The Dyson is maneuverable and easy to use.
What we dislike: You have to hold the trigger down while the vacuum is engaged, which can tire out your hand and chafe your finger.
Best wet dry combination
Bissel CrossWave Cordless MAX Floor and Carpet Cleaner with Wet-Dry Vacuum: available at Kohls.
Our take: This lightweight, cordless powerhouse vacuums and cleans in one swoop. It’s safe for almost every floor type and it makes buying both a vacuum and a mop redundant.
What we like: It has two tanks so it’s always pulling fresh clean water. The Bissel is specifically designed to tackle baseboards and it cleans itself in its docking station. It’s also incredibly easy to maneuver.
What we dislike: Some reviewers noticed streaks left on certain floor surfaces, so be sure not to saturate your floors excessively.
Best robot vacuum
iRobot Roomba i7: available at Amazon.
Our take: Roombas are one of the easiest ways to keep your floors clean and this model has all the bells and whistles. It even cleans and empties itself for up to 60 days. It also learns as it goes.
What we like: This vacuum has less of a chance of getting stuck than traditional robot vacuums as it learns the layout of your home and can be enabled by a set schedule, or via voice command. You can even tell it to specifically clean under your couch.
What we dislike: If you have pets you’ll still need to clean the rollers every few days as longer hairs tend to wrap around them.
Stefanie Hammond is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money.
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