The 13 Best Vacuums of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

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We’ve tested more than 300 vacuums to date, and these are the ones worth buying.

In This Article

Real Simple / Dera Burreson

Investing in the right vacuum is the easiest way to make cleaning a bit less laborious and more doable. However, choosing the right vacuum cleaner can be a daunting task, especially given how advanced (and expensive) modern models can be.

To find the best vacuums for every household’s needs, we’ve tested more than 300 vacuums to date both in our Lab and in our homes. We evaluated each vacuum on its effectiveness, maneuverability, ease of emptying, portability, noise level, setup, and value. For expert tips on choosing a vacuum, we tapped Kathy Cohoon, director of franchise operations at Two Maids.

“More expensive doesn’t always mean better, so take inventory of what you need,” Cohoon says. “Do you have pets? Make sure to look for a model designed to pick up pet hair. Live solo with no animals? A lighter, less expensive model may do the trick for your space.”

Whether you’re in the market for a model that’s upright, cordless, handheld, or something else entirely, we’ve gone through hundreds of vacuums so you don’t have to.

The cleaner head is equipped with hair de-tangling removal vanes that swiftly capture pet and long hair.

Resistance in the hose can make it difficult to use on stairs.

We thought our previous vacuums had been picking up most of the debris on our floors, but then we tried the Dyson Ball Animal 3 Extra. We were shocked by the amount of dust, dirt, and hair it picked up. Heavy-duty messes—especially pet hair and long hair—stand no chance against this powerful and substantial upright vacuum. Whether it be coffee grounds, cereal, corn kernels, hair, or lint, all debris was removed in just a few passes using this vacuum.

The Dyson Ball Animal 3 Extra is designed with pet owners in mind, equipped with a powerful Motorbar cleaner head with hair de-tangling removal vanes that automatically clear the hair as you clean. It swiftly removed even the longest and thickest hair in a single pass, resulting in no entanglement on the roller afterward. It also comes with hair-specific attachments one being the tangle-free turbine tool, which features counter-rotating heads for removing hair from carpets, cars, and upholstery. And a major bonus for pet owners: The included pet groom tool can be used to brush your pet’s fur, sending the hair directly into the vacuum.

The vacuum transitions easily from hard surfaces to carpets, allowing you to toggle between three different suction modes depending on the floor type and pile height. With the help of the hose, wand, and various attachments, the vacuum had no problem maneuvering around furniture and cleaning upholstery. Plus, the generous 35-foot cord allows you to work within large rooms and open floor plans without constantly switching outlets. The extra-large dust cup had lots of excess capacity, even after we completed our Lab testing, leading us to believe this vacuum is well-suited to tackle large spaces. Given its power, the vacuum doesn’t exactly have a quiet operation, though it’s not any louder than similar competitor models. We also commend this pick for its durability—even after six months of use, the vacuum continued working as well as new.

We did find two weaknesses in this model, the first being its tendency to split larger debris while in the upright position (as opposed to using the hose). The unit itself is also fairly heavy, and even though the included hose allows you to tackle stairs without lifting the base, we found it to have some resistance, which could make cleaning the stairs a bit difficult for those with limited mobility. Even so, the Dyson Ball Animal 3 Extra remains our favorite upright vacuum for its powerful suction and anti-tangle design.

This lightweight model boasts high-power suction, easy maneuverability, and smart features.

It requires a wall-mounted docking station.

The Tineco Pure One S11 Tango came out of our testing with a near-perfect score, earning it our Best Overall Cordless Stick Vacuum title. It has a very powerful suction that was able to pick up nearly all the debris in less than 45 seconds, including cereal, popcorn kernels, coffee grounds, hair, and cotton balls. The battery lasted the entirety of our Lab testing and showed no reduction in suction power with use.

At 6 pounds, it’s extremely light and easy to maneuver. When converted into a handheld vac, it was very effective at cleaning upholstery, too—perfect for weekly vacuuming to get rid of dust and loose soil. It comes with a number of attachments for getting into tight spaces, including a mini power brush, a dusting brush, and a crevice tool. Additional attachments include the multi-tasker power brush and the soft-roller brush, the latter of which is designed to tackle delicate hard flooring. (Note: Another version of this vacuum, the Tineco Pure One S11, is available without the soft-roller brush.) Both brushes have an LED light to illuminate your path as you clean.

Like other Tineco vacuum cleaners, the Pure One S11 Tango employs iLoop Smart Sensor Technology that automatically adjusts the suction power based on the amount of dirt and debris (which helps to prolong the runtime). Additionally, this vacuum is WiFi-enabled and connects to the Tineco app for real-time performance monitoring, maintenance reminders, and more. The maximum runtime is about 40 minutes, but the battery is removable, so you can purchase a backup battery if you want to clean for a longer duration.

Another standout feature of this stick vacuum is its quiet operation; it’s low enough to have a conversation over or to run without bothering someone in the next room. Emptying the dustbin is easy, and the brush roll can also be removed for cleaning (we did experience some hair wrapping around the brush roll). In terms of value, this vacuum provides the performance and advanced features of much higher-priced models. Just keep in mind that it comes with a wall-mounted dock, which could be an issue for renters or those who can’t drill holes into their walls.

Type: Cordless stick | Weight: 6 pounds | Cord Length: N/A | Battery Life/Runtime: 40 minutes | Dust Capacity: 0.6 liters | Attachments: LED soft-roller power brush, LED multi-tasker power brush, mini power brush, 2-in-1 dusting brush, crevice tool

The HEPA filter effectively traps irritants and seals in dust, pet dander, and other debris.

You need to purchase replacement bags.

In our Lab tests, we pushed 4 ounces of pet hair onto a carpeted surface and 2 ounces onto an upholstered dog bed, all of which the Kenmore Pet-Friendly POP-N-GO suctioned up with ease. The hair didn’t tangle around the brush roll, either. On hard surfaces, this vacuum was slightly less effective at picking up hair, although it was able to get almost all of the kibble we sprinkled onto the floor. What’s more, the vacuum was relatively quiet given its strong suction power—even on the highest setting.

For those who suffer from allergies, whether pet or otherwise, the Kenmore POP-N-GO comes with a HEPA filter to trap irritants as small as 0.3 microns, as well as a cloth bag that seals in dust, pet dander, and other debris. Once it’s at capacity, you can simply toss the sealed bag directly into the trash can without recirculating allergens back into the air. (The box includes two bags, and you can purchase more separately when you run out.)

The main unit attaches to a hose that can be used with any number of the included attachments, such as the Pet PowerMate brush, the upholstery brush, or the telescoping wand (the latter is great for cleaning curtains and drapes). We found it easy to switch between the various attachments and adjust the wand height, allowing us to tackle every corner of a particularly dusty bedroom. At 24 pounds, the canister is a bit heavier than the other vacuums on this list, although we were still able to carry it with one hand. Plus, it comes with a retractable cord that gives you plenty of slack when maneuvering around a room, despite being tethered to an outlet. The onboard tool storage even allows you to keep the vacuum and all the accessories neatly tucked away until your next cleaning, which we found especially convenient during our six months of use.

At under 5 pounds, its compact design makes it simple to navigate around hard-to-reach spaces and on all floor types.

It's fairly loud, has a limited runtime, and the brush roll can easily get tangled up with hair.

When it comes to vacuums, sometimes less is more. The Dirt Devil Versa 3-in-1 Cordless Stick Vacuum doesn’t come with any attachments or fancy features, but it gave an impressive performance in our testing. We found this vacuum to work well on all floor types, sucking up hair and other debris in just two passes. The compact design makes it easy to navigate around furniture and get all the way up to the edges of the wall, and its lightweight design (it weighs less than 5 pounds!) makes it especially easy to maneuver. Although it doesn’t come with any attachments, the detachable hand vac gives you the ability to clean hard-to-reach places, such as furniture, countertops, and more.

We did find that the unit was somewhat loud for its size, and hair had a tendency to get tangled around the brush roll, requiring us to use a seam ripper to clear it out. Plus, the vacuum has a very limited runtime of just 12 minutes. But given its price relative to its performance, we think this makes an excellent secondary vacuum for small messes, or a primary vacuum for those who either live in a college dorm or have difficulty lifting heavy objects.

It’s reasonably priced and able to clean up a variety of debris, including pet hair, cereal, and even sand from different surfaces.

It lacks advanced features like smart mapping and object avoidance.

A robot vacuum takes all the heavy lifting out of cleaning your floors, which is why they’re ideal for pet owners who need frequent cleanings and anyone who isn’t fond of vacuuming. You can even set them to run while you’re away from home, making them a great option for frequent travelers or people with busy schedules. We named the Roomba 694 our Best Overall pick out of all the robot vacuums we tested because it’s reasonably priced and was able to clean up all sorts of debris, including pet hair, cereal, and even sand from different surfaces.

This vacuum did a good job of navigating around the obstacles we placed in its path. Just keep in mind that it doesn’t have object avoidance or smart mapping technology, so it’s still recommended that you do some tidying up around the house before using it. It travels around your space somewhat at random (instead of in a grid pattern) and returns to its dock once its battery begins to run low. Some people may prefer the formulaic coverage you get with more expensive models, but at the end of the day, the 694 achieves the same goal.

The device is WiFi compatible and can be connected to an app or a voice assistant, from which you can turn it on or off or even set a schedule. After six months of use, we were actually so impressed by the robot’s performance that it’s now become the primary vacuum in some of our households.

This cordless stick model is easy to carry up and down stairs, has a tangle-free brush, and features a freestanding docking station.

The runtime may be too short, and the dustbin too small to clean the whole home.

Cordless stick vacuums are all about convenience, and the Tineco Pure One S15 Pro certainly excels in that arena. At just under 7 pounds, this vacuum is very lightweight and easy to maneuver—we could carry it up and down the stairs easily using one hand. In our Lab tests, this vacuum was effective at picking up everything from cereal to kibble to pet hair, and it transitioned seamlessly between carpet and bare floors.

The tangle-free brush kept long hair and pet hair from wrapping around the brush roll, even after months of consistent use. Tineco uses iLoop Smart Sensor Technology to automatically adjust the suction power based on the mess (which helps to prolong the runtime), and we can confirm that the motor speed frequently increased when the vacuum passed over debris. Plus, it has five layers of filtration, including a HEPA filter.

This pick from Tineco is one of the “smarter” vacuums on our list: It’s WiFi-enabled and connects to an app, where you can track your cleaning progress, adjust settings, and more. It also uses voice prompts to guide you through the cleaning process, though this feature can be turned off. The handle has a touch bar where you can adjust the suction strength, along with an LCD screen that alerts you when the vacuum detects debris and again once the debris has been cleared. We particularly liked that the display showed exactly how much battery life remained as we were cleaning.

One of the unique features of this vacuum is its freestanding charging base, which can store the vacuum upright (many cordless vacuums are unable to stand up on their own and must be wall-mounted). All the attachments store neatly on the charging base, too. In terms of cleanup, you can simply release the contents of the dustbin using the trigger, which will even scrape debris and hair from within the bin—although we did find we still had to remove some of the hair on our own. After six months of use, this pick became our go-to for quick messes, though we did find the upholstery attachment a bit too heavy. One thing to note: The Tineco Pure One S15 Pro is best suited for cleaning one room or mess at a time, as opposed to a full home, because it has a relatively small dustbin and a max runtime of 40 minutes.

A versatile vacuum that can effectively lift deeply embedded dust and dirt in the carpet and also be used on a variety of surface types.

It’s heavier and a little more cumbersome than lightweight or cordless models.

The powerful suction of this upright vacuum proved most effective on medium- and high-pile carpet, earning its spot as our Best Overall Vacuum for Carpet. This is thanks in large part to the powerful brush roll that lifts deeply embedded dust and dirt. But should you need to use it on hardwood floors, you can adjust the suction and even turn off the beater brush to minimize kickback and avoid scratching hard surfaces.

In addition to its suction power, this vacuum also scored points for versatility: It can be used on a variety of surface types (though it was less effective on hardwood floors than it was on carpets), as well as upholstery, stairs, drapes, and more. The “Lift-Away” pod detaches from the main unit so you can clean above the floor without carrying the whole vacuum, and the extended-reach hose allows you to clean hard-to-reach areas, such as ceiling fans. Plus, it comes with an upholstery tool, a dusting brush, and a crevice tool. We found the attachments incredibly easy to use and loved that the lift-away feature allowed us to bring the canister with us. Even after six months of use, the vacuum’s attachments remained in pristine condition.

The swivel head makes it easy to pivot around furniture with ease, while the 25-foot cord gives you more leeway while making your way around the room. For allergy sufferers, it features a HEPA filter that seals allergens within the 0.8-liter dust cup, which we were able to empty without having to put our hands inside the cup. The noise level is about what you’d expect from a typical upright vacuum, but it didn’t produce any grinding or whistling noises like some vacuums we have tested. Overall, this is an effective machine that will cut down on time spent vacuuming, which is exactly what anyone with lots of carpeting needs. It’s sturdy, easy to maneuver, and powerful enough to aid even the deepest cleans.

It glides smoothly over delicate hardwood floors without causing damage, quickly removing dust and debris.

It has a relatively small dustbin capacity and no beater brush to clean carpets.

The Dyson Omni-Glide+ moves smoothly over delicate hardwood floors to pick up dust and other debris without causing damage. This smart design combined with its lightweight and powerful suction makes it our favorite vacuum for hardwood floors.

The Omni-Glide+ doesn’t come with a beater brush of any kind, so it’s not going to be effective on carpet. But it excelled on hardwoods in our testing, picking up 98% of debris within a one-minute window. The Double Fluffy cleaner head comes covered in a soft nylon to capture large debris, while the anti-static carbon fiber filaments simultaneously remove fine dust. Additional attachments include a crevice tool and a mini motorized brush head for use on upholstery and other hard-to-reach areas. It glided effortlessly in our homes, tackling tight corners and navigating around chair legs with ease. Plus, this vacuum easily transforms into a handheld vacuum cleaner for quick spot cleaning or above-floor cleaning. After six months of use, we loved nearly every aspect of this device. Our only minor complaint relates to the upright handle, which we found a bit uncomfortable to grip.

The major trade-off of this vacuum’s size is its relatively small dustbin capacity—just 0.2 liters—which required us to have to empty the canister somewhat frequently. This, combined with its 20-minute battery life, makes the Omni-Glide+ better suited for quick cleanups and small spaces. The point-and-shoot mechanism ejects the contents of the canister directly into a trash can, though we found some hair that remained tangled in the dustbin. The name Dyson comes with a high price tag, but for anyone with lots of hardwood flooring, this vacuum may be worth the splurge to ensure your floors stay clean and scratch-free.

Type: Cordless stick | Weight: 4.2 pounds | Cord Length: N/A | Battery Life/Runtime: 20 minutes | Dust Capacity: 0.2 liters | Attachments: Double Fluffy cleaner head, combination crevice tool, mini motorized tool, light pipe crevice tool

Its small dustbin requires frequent emptying.

The mop function is ideal for picking up stubborn grime.

Once you try out this small yet mighty cordless stick vacuum mop, you’ll never go back. Weighing just under 5 pounds, we found this pick to be incredibly well-designed and easy to maneuver. It comes with four disposable pads and a bottle of cleaning spray, leaving your space smelling fresh post-clean. The suction proved powerful, and the no-touch disposal made it easy to discard used pads without getting our hands dirty. Able to pick up stubborn grime, we think this vacuum mop combo is ideal for kitchen messes and spills. It also has LED headlights to illuminate dark areas as you clean.

The setup was so intuitive that we didn’t even have to read the instructions (just add the cleaner and attach the pad), and the disposable canister made the cleanup process just as simple. Unlike other models that require frequent filter replacements, with this unit, you’ll only have to remember to change the pad. The battery life is about 20 minutes, which is pretty standard for a cordless vacuum of this size. While it lacks the advanced attachments of other models we tested, this efficient wet/dry vac still gets the job done. Our biggest complaint is that the dustbin requires frequent emptyings, as it only holds 0.15 liters. While this may not be suitable for heavy-duty tasks, we found it to be an effective, maneuverable vacuum mop for smaller messes.

This pick is effective on harder surfaces and carpeting.

The cord may get in the way as you clean.

This two-in-one vacuum and steam mop offers a great way to streamline your cleaning routine. The versatile vac comes with three settings: one for hard surfaces, one for area rugs, and one for steam washing. In terms of features, this vacuum mop has dual water tanks (one for dirty water and one for clean water), along with a motorized brush roll to reduce hair tangles. The handy LED lights also allow for easy cleaning, even in darker conditions. It excelled on carpet in our Lab testing, cleaning the rug in 21 seconds and leaving it completely dry. It did take a bit longer on the hardwood surface, taking one minute and 27 seconds to complete the cleaning, though the stellar results made up for it.

It is incredibly easy to use: Just put water and cleaner into the tank and press “clean.” Thanks to the pivoting handle, the unit can easily navigate around furniture and chair legs. We also appreciate the handle on the plastic filter, which made it easy to pull out and dump the water with minimal mess. The combo worked well as both a mop and vacuum, and we were impressed by its capacity; even after all four lab tests, we never had to empty the basket or refill the tank. We were big fans of the steam feature, which left our space feeling thoroughly sanitized without requiring the use of chemicals. After six months of use, we noticed no significant changes in performance.

This model was pretty loud, so you wouldn’t be able to watch a TV show or hold a conversation while in use. While we appreciate that the 25-foot cord allowed us to tackle large spaces, it did get in our way a bit as we cleaned. Regardless of these minor qualms, this Bissell model works wonders on practically every surface, making it ideal for those who want to transition between carpet and hardwood without switching units.

Type: Upright vacuum/steam mop | Weight: 12.5 pounds | Cord Length: 25 feet | Battery Life/Runtime: N/A | Dust Capacity: 0.83 liters | Attachments: LED lights, carpet compatibility, dual water tanks, motorized brush roll, steam on demand trigger

Its extra-long runtime is ideal for larger endeavors.

The top-heavy design may strain the wrist.

Dyson’s Outsize vacuums are engineered with deep, whole-home cleaning in mind. We tested a different Outsize model that’s now out of stock, but the Outsize+ is also worth considering. Unlike many stick vacuums, which are reserved for spot cleaning and small spaces, the Outsize+ is designed for regular deep cleanings in large spaces. It has an impressive runtime of up to 120 minutes (especially considering it’s a cordless stick vacuum) and an extra-large canister capacity of nearly 2 liters.

The Outsize+ employs laser technology to illuminate even the tiniest of particles hiding on your floors. And like other Dyson vacuums, this model comes with many attachments and a “point and shoot” mechanism for emptying the dust cup. We loved being able to switch between the various heads to vacuum hardwood floors, shag carpet, and even couch cushions.

However, this vacuum still has its limitations. We found that the large dust cup makes the Outsize vacuums a bit top-heavy, which can put some strain on the wrist. After six months of daily use, the vacuum, for the most part, maintained its performance. We noticed no difference in the quality of the larger cleaning attachments, although the smaller tools grew a bit less effective, and the suction power similarly weakened a bit. It’s also the most expensive model on our list. But given that it can be used for whole-home cleaning as opposed to just spot cleaning, those with larger spaces may find it well worth the investment.

Type: Cordless stick | Weight: 8 pounds | Cord Length: N/A | Battery Life/Runtime: 120 minutes | Dust Capacity: 1.9 liters | Attachments: Laser Slim Fluffy cleaner head, hair screw tool, combination tool, mini soft dusting brush, Digital Motorbar XL cleaner head, crevice tool, stubborn dirt brush

The hands-free dirt ejector empties dust and debris from the high-capacity canister straight into the trash.

It's not intended for general cleaning.

The Shark UltraCyclone Pro was the most effective of the handheld vacuums we tested at picking up debris—including hair—from carpet, upholstery, and car interiors. We found it particularly effective at picking up crumbs, becoming our go-to for quick kitchen counter messes and floor corners. It has a powerful suction and a large dust bin that holds 0.4 liters. In fact, we only emptied it once during our testing, and it wasn’t even full yet. We were also impressed by the battery life: After two months of daily use, we were still able to use it multiple times on a single charge. But all this power and capacity doesn’t make it unwieldy to use—it weighs just 2 pounds and can easily get in between couch cushions or other tight places using the extended crevice attachment. It even comes with a scrubbing brush for stuck-on dirt.

Emptying this vacuum is easy, thanks to the hands-free dirt ejector that empties dust and debris straight into the trash with the touch of a button. And it comes with a washable filter, so there’s no need to buy replacements. Overall, we love the power that this vacuum delivers in such a compact size, as well as its large dustbin that allows for uninterrupted cleaning.

It has impressive suction and a 4-foot hose that can reach every nook and cranny of your vehicle.

It takes four hours to fully charge but has a short runtime of about eight minutes.

Out of all the car vacuums we tested, we like the Black + Decker Max Flex Handheld Vacuum best because of its impressive suction and 4-foot hose that can reach every nook and cranny of your vehicle. The base is a small, lightweight unit that’s easy to hold in place with one hand while maneuvering the hose with the other hand.

It comes with several attachments that make it easier to vacuum a car, including a pet brush and a combination nozzle/flip-up brush (the latter of which allows you to easily switch between vacuuming and dusting). And while we love it for the car, it also includes a stick vacuum floor extension, so you can use it to clean your floors, too. Plus, the hose can also be used for above-floor cleaning in the home, such as high shelving or ceiling fans.

The 0.5-liter bowl is entirely washable, as is the filter. The charging station keeps everything neat and tidy, but unfortunately, the battery doesn’t keep its charge for very long. Runtime is going to depend on how much charge the unit has to begin with, but it only lasted for eight minutes in our testing. This is especially disappointing given that it takes four hours to fully charge. Fortunately, a quick car cleanup shouldn’t take too long, which is why we still recommend this as our best overall car vacuum pick.

Our favorite upright vacuum is the Dyson Ball Animal 3 Extra, due to its powerful suction and de-tangling brush head that automatically clears hair as you clean. In terms of cordless stick vacuums, we like the Tineo Pure One S11 Tango Smart Stick/Handheld Vacuum, which provides considerable suction power given its weight, as well as many advanced features. Finally, our favorite canister vacuum is the Kenmore Pet-Friendly POP-N-GO Bagged Canister Vacuum, as it’s able to effectively remove hair and allergens and keep them sealed inside.

To date, we’ve tested more than 300 different vacuums, compiling results based on our in-depth Lab tests and months of at-home use. In our Lab testing, each vacuum was evaluated on its effectiveness at cleaning different floor types (including upholstery, when applicable), as well as its maneuverability, ease of emptying, portability, noise level, setup, and value. For vacuums designed for pet owners, we tested each model’s ability to clean real pet hair. We also made sure to test special features, such as mop functions for vacuum-mop hybrids and object avoidance technology for robot vacuums.

After completing our Lab tests, we took the vacuums home to evaluate how well they held up after one month, three months, and six months of use, and whether they improved our regular cleaning routine.

Real Simple / Dera Burreson

Upright Vacuums: An upright vacuum is what most people would consider a “traditional” vacuum cleaner. These are self-contained vacuums that usually feature a hose, a bag or a dustbin, and a motor all in the same body. Upright models are well-suited for carpeted surfaces, particularly in households with pets, because the weight of the unit combined with the motorized brush attachments make them very effective at lifting embedded dirt and hair from carpet fibers. They often come with an extendable hose that can be used with different attachments to clean upholstery, stairs, crevices, and more, which comes in handy when you can only clean your microfiber couch with a vacuum. You can find both corded and cordless upright vacuums—the latter tend to be more lightweight and thus better suited for carrying up and down stairs.

Cordless Stick Vacuums: For cleaning small spaces, low-pile carpeting, or the occasional mess, stick vacuums make an excellent lightweight option. This type of vacuum cleaner has skyrocketed in popularity, and newer models are getting closer and closer to having the suction power of upright vacuums. They’re slim and easy to store, and they typically weigh well under 10 pounds. Many stick vacuums are cordless, so you’re not tethered to an outlet while you clean. Keep in mind that because they’re usually battery-powered, cordless vacuums have a limited runtime—usually anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour. For this reason, not all stick vacuums are suitable for whole-house cleaning, especially in larger homes.

Canister Vacuums: For floor-to-ceiling cleaning around the whole house, consider a canister vacuum. These versatile appliances consist of a main unit with a motor and a vacuum bag or dustbin. The main unit connects to a hose that can be used with multiple attachments for cleaning hard-to-reach areas such as within draperies, underneath low-lying furniture, or in small crevices. Plus, these vacuums typically come with onboard storage so you can keep all the attachments accessible and together in one place. Compared to upright vacuums, canister vacuums are better suited for cleaning stairs and hard surfaces. However, they take up more space and tend to be more expensive than upright vacuums.

Robot Vacuums: As the new kid on the block, robot vacuums still have their skeptics, but today’s robot vacuums are smarter and more powerful than ever. These vacuums do the hard work for you with the press of a button, and many can even be scheduled to run automatically on a regular basis. They don’t lift dirt as effectively as traditional vacuums, but they can keep your floors clean with little to no effort on your end. Pet owners may also consider a robot vacuum for picking up pet hair and dander in between deeper cleanings with a traditional vacuum. But although many robot vacuums come with object avoidance technology and smart mapping, they can still get stuck on loose objects and struggle to navigate around tight spaces, so briefly tidying up before running is often necessary.

Real Simple / Dera Burreson

It’s important to strike the right balance between a vacuum that’s heavy enough to clean effectively but not so heavy that it’s unwieldy to use. “A heavy-duty vacuum may look amazing, but if it is too heavy, lugging it around the house will become a huge chore and you can even risk injury,” Cohoon says. “Test holding a vacuum if you need to in order to make sure you can carry it comfortably.”

And don’t forget to consider storage—stick vacuums have a smaller footprint and many can even be mounted to the wall, the trade-off being that they have limited run times and less suction power. The lightest vacuum on our list, the Eufy HomeVac H30 Infinity, is a cordless stick vacuum and only weighs 1.8 pounds.

Real Simple / Henry Wortock

To get the best return on investment, Cohoon suggests looking “for a vacuum with strong suction and, if needed, multiple settings for flooring, carpeting, upholstery, etc.” Many vacuums feature variable suction for cleaning more delicate items such as curtains. Suction power is most commonly measured in air watts (AW). In general, an upright vacuum cleaner should have about 100 AW, while a canister vacuum cleaner should have about 220 AW—but we’ve found that few manufacturers disclose this specification.

Strong suction power alone is not enough to make a vacuum effective at picking up dust, dirt, and other debris. You’ll also need to consider the design of the brush roll and make sure you have the proper attachments should you need to clean upholstery, drapes, hard floors, or shelves. Common attachments include crevice tools for cleaning corners, a dust brush for gently dusting shelves and tables, an upholstery tool, and a turbo tool for deep cleaning carpets. If these are not included with your vacuum cleaner, they can often be purchased separately.

Real Simple / Henry Wortock

It’s not uncommon to find vacuum cleaners that retail for upwards of $1,000, but most people won’t need all the features that these pricey vacuums offer. For a quality vacuum that won’t require replacing within the year, you’ll likely need to spend at least $100 to $150. But if you choose to spend more than this, you’ll be rewarded with convenient features—for example, extended battery life for cordless models or smart mapping for robot vacuums.

Eureka NEC700 Innova Cordless Stick Vacuum: If you want an upgrade from our best budget pick (the Dirt Devil Versa 3-in-1 Cordless Stick Vac), but don’t want to shell out $350+ for a premium stick vacuum, this vacuum is a great middle ground. It has a strong battery life, a large dust capacity, and a powerful suction, though we found it to feel a bit heavy after a while.

Hoover Elite Swivel XL Pet Upright Vacuum: This is another great upright vacuum option with powerful suction and a large dustbin capacity. We particularly like the on-board storage for its many attachments. However, the Hart Pro Upright Bagless Vacuum, our Best Budget Upright Vacuum pick, gave a similar performance at a lower price point.

A high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter is a mechanical filter that forces air through a very fine mesh, removing even the tiniest particles from it. If you suffer from allergies, investing in a vacuum with a HEPA filter will keep particles from recirculating back into the air.

Unfortunately, this clean air will cost you: HEPA filters cannot be washed and reused, and replacement filters can cost several times what conventional vacuum filters cost. If you’re buying a vacuum with a HEPA filter, make sure it’s a “true” HEPA filter, meaning that which means it’s been proven to trap at least 99.7% of particles as small as 0.3 microns.

Allergy sufferers should also take into consideration whether a vacuum is bagged or bagless. “A bagged vacuum doesn’t run the risk of releasing debris into the air when emptying and doesn’t require filter cleanings like a bagless,” Cohoon says. The only bagged vacuum on our list is the Kenmore Pet-Friendly POP-N-GO Bagged Canister Vacuum.

However, bagless vacuums, meaning those with dustbins that you empty over the trash can, are more cost-effective. “Bagless vacuums are great for those who don’t want to spend money on replacement bags—just make sure to clean the filter on a bagless model often to avoid damage to the machine or an ineffective clean,” Cohoon says.

Real Simple / Henry Wortock

How often you need to vacuum depends on the foot traffic in your home, the type of flooring, and whether you have pets or kids. “If there’s carpeting in heavy-traffic or high-mess areas like pet spaces or playrooms, a quick vacuum each day could help to minimize long-term carpet damage and keep spaces debris-free,” Cohoon says. “Spaces that aren’t used as much can stand to be vacuumed once every week or two.”

One advantage of lightweight cordless vacuums and robot vacuums is that they can make quick work of spot cleaning or picking up pet hair in between regular cleanings.

Real Simple / Rachel Marek

Yes, you do need to clean your vacuum to keep it running efficiently. We suggest checking the brushes and bristles after each use for any stuck-on hair or debris and emptying the dustbin every few uses. Once a month, check on your vacuum’s filter, and if it’s washable, rinse it under cool running water and let it dry fully before putting it back. Finally, you should disassemble your vacuum cleaner about once a year and clean all washable parts with a little soap and water. It may sound like a lot, but it will be worth the effort to protect your investment.

This article was written by Melanie Fincher, associate commerce editor for Real Simple with three years of experience writing product reviews and lifestyle content. To compile this list, we tested more than 300 vacuums both in our Labs and in our homes over the course of several months. Each vacuum cleaner was evaluated based on its effectiveness, maneuverability, ease of emptying, portability, noise level, setup, and value. Melanie also served as one of the long-term testers, and she now uses her robot vacuum cleaner almost every day to pick up pet hair and other debris. For professional insight, she consulted Kathy Cohoon, director of franchise operations at Two Maids.

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