The 7 Best Vacuum Cleaners on the Market Right Now

Hometalk Product Reviews
by Hometalk Product Reviews

Looking for the perfect vacuum cleaner to tackle your home cleaning needs can feel like a daunting task. With the vast array of options and price ranges available today, it's challenging to pinpoint the ideal fit for your living space. Fret not, for we are here to lend a helping hand in simplifying your search.


Introducing our carefully curated list of top vacuum cleaners, designed to alleviate the confusion and uncertainty that often accompanies such a purchase. In this comprehensive vacuum-buying guide, we'll walk you through the essential details that truly matter: from different vacuum cleaner types to their weight, bagged versus bagless options, included accessories, and, of course, price.


Armed with this invaluable information, you can confidently make an informed decision, ensuring that your investment in this home cleaning appliance is both efficient and rewarding.

Vacuum cleaner review

Top Vacuum Cleaner Picks

Man vacuuming bedroom carpet

Types of Vacuums

There are quite a few different types of vacuums out on the market today, and knowing which one is the best for you will be determined by your needs.

  • Upright Vacuums: Considered the traditional vacuum, uprights are generally what you think of when you think of a vacuum cleaner. They tend to have quite a bit of power, making them a great option for cleaning all types of flooring, and can collect debris directly either through a vacuum bag or a bagless canister.
  • Canister Vacuums: Canister vacuums are basically an upright vacuum that has been broken into two parts — the handle and brush roller on one side, and the canister that collects the debris on the other. Canister vacuums are a great option for those who want a dependable, all-flooring home vacuum that can be slightly easier to maneuver than an upright.
  • Stick Vacuums: If you have a smaller home — such as an apartment, townhome, or RV — or want a more lightweight option for quick clean-ups, then a stick vacuum is your pick. They can be found corded or cordless (meaning they run on a rechargeable battery) and some can even transition into a handheld vacuum.
  • Handheld Vacuums: These small, usually battery-operated handheld vacuums are great for cleaning up quick messes and cleaning small areas like cars.
  • Robot Vacuums: Robot vacuums are the best option for those who would prefer the vacuum do all the work on its own.


What to Consider Before Buying a Vacuum

When buying your next vacuum cleaner, there are a few specifications that you should narrow in on to make a well-informed decision:

  • Price: With so many vacuum cleaner options available today, price should definitely be part of your decision. While a higher price will normally mean more bells and whistles, there are a lot of excellent vacuum options that will not break the bank, and we tried to be conscientious of that with this guide — all the vacuum cleaners in our guide are priced at $350 or less.
  • Type: Is the product an upright, canister, stick, handheld, or robot vacuum?
  • Weight: The lower the weight of the vacuum, the easier it is to push, lift, and maneuver around the home.
  • Power: Is the vacuum corded or cordless? Are outlets easily accessible in areas you need to vacuum in your home?
  • Floor Type: Does this vacuum work better on bare floors or carpeting, or can it handle both?
  • Dirt Collection (Bagless or Bagged): Vacuums collect and trap the dirt they suck up either through a vacuum bag you change when it gets full, or a bagless canister you have to empty when it gets full.
  • Filter Type: What type of filter does the vacuum have? Many vacuums today have a HEPA filter that traps and keeps allergens out of the air of your home.
  • Included Accessories: What types of accessories the vacuum comes with — such as brushes, crevice tools, and others — can help you get to every hard-to-reach area.


Without further ado, let’s take a look at our picks for the best vacuum cleaners on the market.

Best Bagless Upright Vacuum: Shark NV352 Navigator Lift Away Upright Vacuum

Type: 2-in-1 upright and canister Vacuum Weight: 12.5 lbs Power: 25-foot cord Floor Type: Carpeting and bare flooring Dirt Collection: Bagless Filter Type: HEPA Included Accessories: Upholstery tool and two crevice tools (short and long)

If you're looking for a traditional vacuum that’s easy to empty and maneuver, you'll definitely want to take a look at the Shark NV352 Navigator Lift Away Upright Vacuum.


This 2-in-1 vacuum easily converts from a traditional upright to a canister vacuum with the push of a button, allowing you to get to hard-to-vacuum areas like stairs for a good cleaning. When in upright mode, the upright vacuum switches from carpeting to bare flooring with ease, and its built-in swivel steering means getting around corners and furniture is no problem.


This Shark vacuum comes with a HEPA filter to keep dust and allergens inside the vacuum, as well as an upholstery tool and two crevice tools for deeper cleaning.

Pros

  • No vacuum bags required
  • Transitions from an upright to a canister vacuum with the push of a button
  • HEPA filter locks in allergens

Cons

  • A bit heavy
  • Corded

Best Bagged Upright Vacuum: Kenmore Elite 31150 Pet-Friendly Bagged Upright Vacuum

Type: Upright vacuum Weight: 21 lbs Power: 35-foot cord Floor Type: Multi-surface Dirt Collection: Bagged Filter Type: HEPA Included Accessories: Pet Handi-Mate, telescoping wand, and combo dusting and crevice tool

One of the coolest upright vacuums we've ever seen and one of the best vacuums for pet hair, the Kenmore Elite 31150 Pet-Friendly Bagged Upright Vacuum has a futuristic-retro look that would have made both Alice from The Brady Bunch and Rosey the Robot from The Jetsons swoon.


Whether you have pets or not, this upright bagged vacuum will make quick work of debris on both bare flooring and carpeting. When it detects rubbish in its way, the vacuum's infrared dirt sensor will turn on an LED headlight to help you see it more clearly, so you don't miss any bit.


Its triple HEPA filter makes sure to hold on to 99.97% of all trapped dirt and allergens like dander and pollen.


And if you do happen to have furry kids in the house, the vacuum comes equipped with a precision suction attachment to make removing pet hair from upholstery and the car an easy job.

Pros

  • Infrared dirt sensor and LED headlight helps you find debris
  • Triple HEPA filter keeps dirt and allergens locked in
  • Pet Handi-Mate attachment is great for removing pet hair from furniture and cars

Cons

  • Bag that needs to be changed
  • A bit heavy to roll around

Best Canister Vacuum: Eureka NEN110A Whirlwind Bagless Canister Vacuum Cleaner

Type: Canister vacuum Weight: 8 lbs Power: 16-foot cord Floor Type: Carpet and bare flooring Dirt Collection: Bagless Filter Type: Washable filter Included Accessories: 2-in-1 integrated crevice tool, dusting brush

With a price of less than $100 and more than 14,500 ratings and 4.5 stars on Amazon, there's no wonder why the Eureka NEN110A Whirlwind Bagless Canister Vacuum Cleaner is our top pick when it comes to canister vacuums.


Weighing only 8 pounds, this vacuum is easy to move around your house, and its three power settings allow it to be used not just for carpeting and bare flooring, but for vacuuming upholstery as well.


The vacuum is bagless and its filter is washable, making for even less that you have to invest in.

Pros

  • Very lightweight
  • Filter is washable
  • Crevice tool is integrated into the hose handle

Cons

  • No HEPA filter
  • Cord is a bit small

Best Corded Stick Vacuum: Bissell 2033 FeatherWeight Lightweight Stick Vacuum

Type: Stick vacuum Weight: 2.6 lbs Power: 15-foot cord Floor Type: Carpeting and hard flooring Dirt Collection: Bagless Filter Type: One stage filter Included Accessories: Crevice tool and floor nozzle

With over 53,000 reviews and 4.5 stars on Amazon, you really can't go wrong with the Bissell 2033 FeatherWeight Lightweight Stick Vacuum. Whether you own a small home or apartment and don't need a large vacuum, or just want a budget-friendly way of cleaning up random messes, this corded stick vacuum has you covered.


The vacuum includes three suction modes for carpeting and bare flooring and can be used as a stick vacuum, handheld vacuum, or stair vacuum with its included floor nozzle.


This bagless vacuum is easily emptied and is available in four colors: purple, black, blue, and lime green.

Pros

  • Very budget-friendly
  • Extremely lightweight
  • Can convert to both handheld and stair vacuums

Cons

  • Cord is a bit short
  • No HEPA filter

Best Cordless Stick Vacuum: JASHEN V16 4-in-1 Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner

Weight: 7.48 lbs Battery Size: 2500mAh Battery Charge: Up to 40 minutes per charge Floor Type: Carpet and bare flooring Dirt Collection: Bagless Filter Type: HEPA Converts to Handheld: Yes Included Accessories: Crevice, dusting, and upholstery tools

With over 7,300 reviews and 4 stars on Amazon, the JASHEN V16 4-in-1 Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner is an all-around popular pick.


This 4-in-1 cordless stick vacuum comes with a wide variety of accessories for cleaning all around the home, including crevice, dusting, and upholstery tools, as well as soft and bristle rollers that can be easily swapped out for different types of flooring.


Featuring three power modes, the vacuum collects dirt from carpeting and bare flooring that is trapped in its high-efficiency filtration system and HEPA filter.


Depending on which power mode you're using, the vacuum cleaner can run for an impressive 40 minutes on one charge, and you can keep track of how much battery life you have through its LED display.

Pros

  • Under $200
  • Run-time of up to 40 minutes on one battery charge
  • Lots of attachments provided

Cons

  • Filter needs to be replaced every three months
  • Brush roller needs to be changed when moving from carpeting to bare flooring and vice versa

Best Handheld Vacuum: Black+Decker CHV1410L Dustbuster Cordless Handheld Vacuum

Type: Handheld vacuum Weight: 2.2 lbs Power: Lithium-ion battery Floor Type: Carpeting and bare floors Dirt Collection: Bagless Filter Type: Washable filter Included Accessories: Crevice tool and flip-up brush

The BLACK+DECKER Dustbuster Cordless Handheld Vacuum (CHV1410L) is a highly-rated cleaning tool with a 4.4 out of 5-star rating from over 97,794 users on Amazon.


It is designed for multi-surface use, effectively removing hair, dirt, and debris from carpets, car interiors, furniture, and high-traffic areas. The vacuum is lightweight, portable, and features an ergonomic design with a rotating slim nozzle and pull-out crevice tool for accessing tight spaces.


The cyclonic action technology ensures consistent strong suction, and the washable dirt bowl and filter add convenience. It runs on a lithium-ion battery, making it suitable for larger cleaning tasks. Overall, it's a versatile and efficient handheld vacuum ideal for quick cleanups on the go.

Pros

  • Time-tested for 40 years
  • Battery will hold a charge for up to 18 months
  • Dirt bowl and filter are washable

Cons

  • No HEPA filter

Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner: eufy RoboVac 11S

Type: Robotic vacuum Weight: 5.73 lbs Power: Battery with 100-minute runtime Floor Type: Carpeting and bare floors Dirt Collection: Bagless Filter Type: Combined dual-layer filter and high-performance filter Included Accessories: Charging base

The Eufy BoostIQ RoboVac 11S is a top-notch robotic vacuum cleaner that impresses with its powerful cleaning abilities and slim design.


With intelligent suction adjustments and a strong 1300Pa suction power, it efficiently cleans hard floors and medium-pile carpets. Its slim build allows it to easily reach under furniture and tight spaces.


The RoboVac 11S operates quietly, ensuring a peaceful environment during cleaning sessions. Its self-charging feature is a convenient addition, and overall, it is a reliable and efficient choice for maintaining spotless floors.

Pros

  • Vacuums on its own without any attending needed
  • Can boost its suction power when it detects an extra-large cleaning job
  • Slim profile means it can get under low furniture

Cons

  • Dust bin is smaller than conventional vacuums
  • Works best on low- to medium-pile carpeting and bare flooring

How to Get the Most Out of Your Vacuum Cleaner

Now that we've helped you narrow down the field for your next vacuum cleaner, here are some tips on how to make sure it stays in tip-top shape for many years:

  • Read Your User Manual — So many times people forget this simple step and it can make a big difference. Even if you think to yourself, "I know how to use a vacuum," the product manual can tell you all about your new vacuum and, most importantly, how to keep it clean and running smoothly.
  • Keep the Bag or Bagless Canister Empty — Emptying the vacuum bag or bagless canister can be easily overlooked, and if there's too much debris already collected, the vacuum will not use its optimum suction power. Make sure to keep an eye on it and empty it frequently to keep your vacuum cleaner running well.
  • Accurate Use of Attachments — Another bonus of reading the product manual is you'll learn about all the attachments your vacuum cleaner comes with and how to use them correctly. Those crevice tools or special brushes for upholstery can help make a huge difference in how easy it is to clean your home.
  • Keep it Clean — Keeping your vacuum cleaner clean is a great way to ensure it continues to work efficiently for many years. Make sure to keep the body and hoses clean by wiping them down, and check for any clogs that may be blocking hoses or wands. And also check the main brush roll on the vacuum — many times, human and pet hair or long fibers can get wound around those and may need to be snipped out with scissors. And keep your filter clean by washing or replacing as necessary.

Best Vacuum Cleaners on the Market

Armed with our expert insights into the top vacuum cleaners on the market, you can now confidently choose the perfect cleaning ally for your home. Upgrade your cleaning routine and embrace a tidier lifestyle today!


Do you have a particular vacuum cleaner that you love? Tell us about it in the comments below!

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