Best vacuum 2024: tested & reviewed for every home

Finding the best vacuum cleaner for your home is essential. Effective vacuums will remove dust, dirt, debris and dander from your floors, but they're not all made equal. Making sure you find the right one for your home's needs will keep you cleaning as efficiently as possible.

We've tested countless vacuum cleaners at Homes & Gardens and, from our many hours of testing, we've found the absolute bests out there. Across the best cordless vacuums, best robot vacuums, and best upright vacuums, each of the ones in this list have excelled in their own way.

Our guide covers the best vacuums you can buy, whether you're looking for a cordless model that can tackle pet hair, or a reliable HEPA filter to help with allergies at home. Our expert testers assessed suction power, noise levels, dust bin capacity, run time and even how these vacuums impact your allergies. 

Whether you're here to splash out on one of the most premium vacuums available, or to find out the best you can get on a budget, these are the very best vacuums for the home.

The Quick List

Here's a quick overview of the tried-and-tested best vacuum cleaners. You can scroll down or click the navigation links for more in-depth info.

Best vacuum 2024

We've tested every single one in person so we know exactly which are worth your time and money. 

The best vacuum cleaner

The Gen5detect is Dyson's top-of-the-line vacuum cleaner. Dyson is at the forefront of vacuum cleaning tech, and the Gen5detect is the best Dyson vacuum we've ever tested, hands down (and we've tested a lot).

Our expert reviewer has tested more than 100 vacuum cleaners and found that the Gen5detect surpassed all of them in terms of power and performance. It certainly aligns with Dyson's claim that it's the most powerful HEPA vacuum in the world. This is thanks to the motor that spins at up to 125,000 RPM - pulling more embedded dirt from deep within the carpets than our tester thought was possible.

The Gen5detect's HEPA filter can capture 99.99% of particles down to 0.1 microns, and has a screen to display just how much it's picked up. It has a 'Fluffy Optic' cleaner head that is able to illuminate dust and dirt that's invisible to the naked eye, and our tester was genuinely surprised by how much exists on our floors without us knowing.

While it detects how many particles it's captured, the Gen5detect also detects how dirt-heavy particular sections of the floor are. This means that, as you're going over your floors, the vacuum will automatically adjust suction power for the most thorough clean possible, while preserving power when it isn't needed. This automatic adjustment can happen in under a second.

On test, the Gen5detect excelled on all floor types. The selection of tools allow you to easily and quickly switch between carpets and hard floors, and the crevice tool was able to tackle any corners and out-of-reach spaces with ease.

It's the best vacuum cleaner you could buy for the home, but it's also one of the most expensive. If you can afford it, you won't find anything better.

There's more in-depth info in our Dyson Gen5detect review.

Best cordless vacuum

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On test, we found superior pick-up, anti-hair wrap, excellent battery runtime, and an easy-to-use design. The DuoClean Powerfins glide across both carpets and hard floors, and the self-cleaning brush roll is a must-have feature for pet owners to prevent clogs from hair. It's not just a bunch of marketing jargon; it genuinely stops hair from wrapping around the brush roll. 

Better than that, it does a fantastic job on all floor surfaces and picks up a lot of dirt. We found that the soft head brush roller is perfect for hard floors but it still excels at pulling pet fur and dander out of carpets and rugs.  

The Shark Vertex Pro is great value versus other vacuums, as it's usually half as expensive as the Dyson V15 Detect. It's often on sale, too, saving you even more money. Personally, I go for the Shark over the Dyson just for the sake of money, but if you have the money, the Dyson is simply better.

The Multi-Flex technology makes it super easy to fold down the vacuum for easy storage. However, we didn't find it as useful for actual cleaning, as the design made the vacuum a little bit more difficult to handle, and the slim profile still made it very easy to reach low-profile spaces. You'll also need both hands to unfurl the vacuum back up to full height. Over the years, I've found that this vacuum has a pretty small capacity, so while it's very effective, that means lots of trips to the trash can in the middle of cleaning. 

Our Shark Vertex Pro Lightweight Cordless Vacuum review goes into more details.

Shark Vertex Pro Lightweight Cordless Stick Vacuum | was $449.99, now $399.99 at Amazon This is the best alternative vacuum to a Dyson cordless. It's reasonably priced and performs excellently. Reduced by $50, it's a great Prime Day deal.

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Best upright vacuum

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The best upright around, with an odor neutralizer that banishes pet smells. Our expert tester Camryn Rabideau tested this vacuum in a house with two long-haired dogs, and found that it was more than a match for their fur. Like many Shark vacuums, it stops hair wrapping around the floor brush and saves you the gross job of detangling your vacuum. 

The standout feature here is Odor Neutralizer Technology. This unique innovation a releases a 'light, fresh scent that makes the room feel cleaner', getting rid of the usual hot pet smell that results after vacuuming pet hair.

Another genius update on the standard upright vacuums is the Powered Lift-Away mode. This means you can pop our the cylinder and bin while you use the vacuum, leaving just the stick. This makes the vacuum far nimbler and lets you get into tight spaces where other upright vacuums can't reach. 

While Power Lift-Away makes it a little lighter to hold, this vacuum weighs in a hefty 17lbs. My biggest warning is to keep an eye out for the two different versions. The AZ3000 model only includes the vacuum, but the AZ3002 listing comes with an effective motorized HairPro Pet Power Brush, a duster-crevice combination tool, a multi-angle dust brush, an anti-allergen dust brush, an accessory bag, and two extra odor cartridges.

Camryn's Shark Stratos upright vacuum review has more details. 

Best value Dyson vacuum

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Testing the Dyson Cyclone V10 Absolute on pet hair

It might be half a decade old by now, but when we revisited this vacuum it was still incredibly good on test. It was so good that we found ourselves reaching for it to clean up after poorer-quality vacuums before we even noticed we were doing it. It excelled on every floor type we test. 

Whether linoleum, carpet, or wood, this vacuum removed all debris in a single pass. It was great on flour, sugar, cereal and hair. It's lightweight and agile, sliding across every surface with no resistance or difficulty. While it doesn't have all the bells and whistles of the other cordless Dysons on this list, its pick-up is almost as good. If you're prepared to compromise on a particle sensor and a laser - which are nice to have but not essential - you can save hundreds of dollars on a Dyson. 

While we think this is the best value Dyson you can get, maintaining excellent performance at a fair price, it's still much more expensive than the competition. We also aren't fans of the fact that you have to keep your finger on the trigger to keep the vacuum running, as well as the remarkably short 6 minute runtime on maximum power. 

There's more detail in our full Dyson Cyclone V10 Absolute review.

Best vacuum for pet hair

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Before the Gen5detect came out, the Dyson V15 Detect lead the line up of best vacuums for its unique dust-hunting feature; a green diode laser that reveals what the human eye can't see. This couples with a Piezo sensor which measures microscopic dust particles in real time, giving clear proof of a deep and effective clean. It sounds like a gimmick, but our tests found that  it's incredibly effective, as the vacuum automatically adjusts its suction according to how much dust is detected.  

It has an an effective anti-tangle brushbar that will save you the horrible job of picking hair out of the vacuum to clean it, and a bright LCD screen that makes it easy to use, demonstrating runtime and if the bin is too full. This is what puts it at the top of our list of the best vacuums for pet hair.

Like most Dyson products, this quality comes at a cost. This is one of the best vacuums you can possibly buy, but it will set you back more than $700. We also aren't fans of the fact that dust occasionally gets stuck in the dust bin, and that you have to hold down the trigger to keep it running, which might become uncomfortable if you have mobility issues with your hands. 

Our Dyson V15 Detect cordless vacuum review goes into more detail. 

Best robot vacuum

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Right out of the box, we loved the iRobot Roomba j9+. Once you've cleared a space for your clean base to stand, all that's left to do is attach the mop, fill up the water tank, and set the robot in its base to charge. After an hour or so, your robot should be ready to map your rooms and get to work. 

The j9+ Combo is a smart vacuum that keeps learning while it cleans. It detects which areas in your home tend to pick up the most dirt, and that's where it spends the most energy and time. Once it's got the lay of the land, the j9+ Combo should start making straight, simple strokes across your floors. 

The app is accurate and easy to use, but the star of the show is the automatic mop feature. There's no need to detach the dustbin and screw in a water tank: the mop sits on the back of the robot while it vacuums, and flips straight into place. The j9+ Combo can scrub and shine, though it struggles to navigate corners and awkward spaces. 

This robot vacuum isn't perfect. The self-emptying dustbin gets up to 80dB, which is too loud to even hold a conversation, and however smart it is, it isn't as good for spot-cleaning as a quick stripe with an upright. With that said, if you're set on a robot vacuum, this is the best of the best. 

You can find more detail in our iRobot Roomba j9+ Combo Robot Vacuum and Mop review.

Best vacuum for allergies

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If vacuuming always sets off your allergies, the Samsung Bespoke could be the solution. It uses a 5-layer HEPA filtration system to keep allergen particles inside the vacuum. However, it goes even further. The Bespoke is charged on a 'clean station', which not only powers the vacuum but sucks out any collected dust into a sealed and bagged system. You can throw away dust and dander without releasing any into the air, stopping allergic reactions before they start. 

On test, we appreciated the telescoping wand and the sleek digital screen, which displays notifications of the power level and alerts about airflow issues, clogs, missing filters, and more. 

If you're curious about Samsung's floorcare products, we've also tried and enjoyed Samsung Jet 90 Complete, which also has the unique telescoping wand that extends reach, excellent suction performance, and a 5-layer HEPA filtration system that traps the most microscopic irritants and particles from escaping. It's also relatively cheaper but does not include the clean base station as the Bespoke design. 

Our full Samsung Bespoke Jet Pro Extra review has more detail.

Best budget cordless vacuum

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The Ultenic 12 promises all of the features you'll find in the best vacuums on the market: cordless cleaning, useful cleaning monitoring, a tangle free brush, a lazer sensor, and plenty of cleaning accessories. The one thing it doesn't share with out top performers is the price tag. This is under $200 and that's before you bag a discount on top too.

Our experts were pleasantly surprised with every aspect of the Ultenic 12. It comes in a box smaller than some that I've received shoes in. It's quick to assemble and lightweight to use. There are buttons for every feature you could possibly need and you don't need to constantly depress a trigger to use it. 

The LED screen, which looks a lot like a dashboard, provides a countdown of how long you have vacuuming alongside the range of power options, which you can adjust at the touch of a button. 

As you can see, there's a lot to love and at $200, there's even more to love. However, there's a few things you should know before jumping in to a purchase. As is inevitable, this feels cheaper than models which are five times the price. If you haven't got money to spare, this is a great option, but if you're looking for luxurious, you should know that there are more premium options available. This also won't stand up on its own, so if you're used to vacuums which can, expect a few surprising drops.

There's more detail in our full Ultenic U12 Vesla review.

Best budget upright vacuum

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The Shark Rotator Pet Upright Vacuum does everything you need a cleaner to do, at a price that everyone can afford. It comes with a HEPA filter to detect and dispose of dust and dander, as well as an odor-neutralizing cartridge to keep things smelling fresh. 

The Shark Rotator Pet Upright Vacuum is essentially a smaller, lighter, cheaper version of the Shark Stratos. For a corded vacuum, it's easy to maneuver, and features a Lift-Away function to help you clean stairs and high areas. Those non-tangle brushrolls would give the best vacuum for pet hair a run for its money. 

Our tester was particularly impressed by the vacuum's performance on hard wood floors. It sucked up small rocks, larger clumps of dirt, and even fine pieces of cat litter without spraying them all over the floor. Just don't try to use it on area rugs: the suction is far too powerful and you'll only pull the fabric.

The Shark Rotator Pet Upright Vacuum doesn't have the most capacious dustbin, nor the latest technology, but it's a quick, quiet cleaning companion. If you're looking for an upright vacuum that can deliver premium results without the premium price tag, look no further. 

You can find more detail in our Shark Rotator Pet Upright Vacuum review.

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How we test the best vacuums

At Homes & Gardens we like to get hands-on experience with all the products that make it feature in our buyers' guides. You can learn more in in our behind-the-scenes look at how we test vacuums, and there's an overview of our principles in our guide to how we test products. 

Each new vacuum we get the opportunity to review is tried and tested in our own homes, undergoing rigorous testing on a range of flooring and household challenges. We also test vacuums in a dedicated test studio, standardising our examination across different messes and floor types. 

We look out for factors such as maneuverability, run-time, emptying of the dust bin (or bag), and general controls so you know exactly what you are getting for your money.

We test the vacuum cleaners for a number of weeks (sometimes months) so we get a feel for the longevity and durability of each model. In some instances, we are also fortunate enough to keep the vacuum cleaners after writing up the review so we can continue to learn about them and share our findings with you.

Meet our testers

Dan Fauzi

Dan is our home tech editor, covering everything from vacuums and floorcare to air purifiers and sound. They've been testing and writing about home products for years, and will always look for ways to genuinely improve life at home. 

Alex David

As Head of eCommerce, Alex makes sure our readers find the right information to help them make the best purchase. After graduating from Cambridge University, Alex got his start in reviewing at the iconic Good Housekeeping Institute, testing a wide range of household products and appliances, particularly focusing on vacuums. He then moved to BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine, assessing gardening tools, machinery, and wildlife products.

Laura Honey

Laura is our eCommerce editor. Before Homes & Gardens she studied English at Oxford University. Alongside her studies, she qualified as a barista and trained as a master perfumer. This makes her our certified expert for all things coffee, candles, and fragrance, but Laura also tested the Dyson Cyclone V10 Absolute for this guide.  

Jaclyn Turner

Jaclyn was an eCommerce editor for Homes & Gardens, where she oversaw sleep content including mattresses and bedding. She tested a number of vacuums on our site, including the Dyson Outsize, the Shark Vertex, the Dyson Ball Animal 2 and the iRobot Roomba j7+ robot vacuum. 

Camryn Rabideau

Camryn Rabideau is a freelance writer and product reviewer who has been testing home goods - including vacuums and floorcare cleaning tools - for several years. She tested the Shark Stratos Upright from her small homestead in Rhode Island, using it to pick up after two dogs and a cat..  

How to choose the best vacuum

Consider a variety of factors before choosing a vacuum as some details are more important to one than they may be to another. 

Type
Vacuums come in a variety of types. Some common terms you may come across include: 

• Cordless: Cordless vacuums are battery-powered and do not require a wall outlet nearby to operate. As technology evolves, these vacuums become more powerful, run longer, and increasingly more lightweight. They will require a period of time to charge between cleans. 
• Upright: Upright models do as they sound, they are stable and can sit upright. They are usually heavier, more stable, and offer the most consistent suction and larger dust cup capacity. Most upright vacuums are corded. 
• Stick: Those looking for a lightweight, easy to maneuver vacuum or are short on storage space, may prefer a stick vacuum for its slim profile that makes it lighter and easier to store. However, they can't stand on their own, so it will need to be propped up or placed on the floor if you pause cleaning. Stick models can be found in either corded or cordless operation, but they usually don't offer as much suction power as an upright.  
• Canister: Canister vacuums have a separate canister that house the motor and dust bin with a long hose that works with a variety of attachments. They're usually much lighter and easier to maneuver than upright counterparts, and just as powerful. They are very convenient for stair cleaning and make it easy to get into tight spaces. Due to their low profile, they also take up less space to store. 
• Robot: Robot vacuums autonomously clean your home on your own schedule without you having to lift a finger. Many can be paired with smart home assistants, provide detailed home mapping, and can run on your own schedule. However, you will need to remove any obstacles before running. 
• Handheld: Many cordless models convert into handheld units, but for smaller jobs and quick clean-ups, handhelds, either corded or cordless, are great to have on hand for getting into tighter spaces or cleaning above ground. 

Dust bin
Here, we consider two factors. Dust bin size, and bagged or bagless designs. Consider how large your home is, or how often you're willing to empty the dust bin. Bagged dust bins will seal in collected dirt and debris, but there is the added cost of repeatedly keeping the bags on hand. Meanwhile, most bagless designs are clear and allow you to see how much dirt has been collected. They can be dumped directly in the garbage, but there is still the risk of a few particles escaping back into the air. 

Weight
Taking into account the maneuverability of your vacuum, if you will be using a vacuum between levels, it is necessary to choose a vacuum that is lightweight enough for you to carry up and down the stairs.  An appropriate vacuum weight is around 10lbs.

Floor Type
Consider if you have more hard, smooth floors or carpets, and be sure to select a vacuum that is built to handle that surface. Some handle both excellently (or come with interchangeable attachments), while others work on hard floors or carpets much better.  

Cord length
If you've already determined that cordless is for you, disregard, but the length of a vacuum can really make or break one's cleaning experience if you're constantly having to plug into different outlets. Look for vacuums that offer between 25 and 30 foot long cords for plenty of space to roam.

Run time
On the contrary, if you're after a cordless, or even a robot design, you'll want to focus on how long you'll have to clean before having to recharge. We've tested models with a battery of just 20 minutes, to those that can run up to two hours. Our sweet spot of recommendation is choosing a vacuum that lasts 45 to 60 minutes on average, as that's usually an adequate amount of time to get through your cleaning. Battery life varies significantly depending on if you're cleaning carpets, hard floors, or simply whipping out the crevice tool. Note, battery runtime and price are typically directly correlated, and longer battery life means a higher price tag as well. 

Special Features
Increasingly, more and more vacuums highlight special features like support for pet hair, no hair wrapping, or specialized HEPA air filtration. Some vacuums will highlight this directly, while some brands, like Shark or Bissell, are known for their pet-friendly vacuums.

Vacuum FAQs

Can you use a vacuum to clean up liquids?

No - this can damage the motor. The best appliances for cleaning up spills on carpets are carpet cleaners. Otherwise, mops and towels are your best best. 

Can you use a vacuum to dust?

Yes, vacuums are a good option to dust, especially for cleaning upholstery. However, when dusting more delicate surfaces like mirrors, TVs, or books, you should use a microfibre cloth. 

Do I need a vacuum with a HEPA filter?

HEPA filters aren't essential but the best vacuums tend to have them as they're the most effective type of filter you can get. HEPA filters trap tiny particles like pollen, dust, and even some bacteria, whereas lower-quality filters don't. 

For allergy sufferers and pet owners, a HEPA filter is a must. They capture at least 99.97% of particles as small as 0.3 microns, including most airborne allergens.

Vacuum cleaning tech is constantly improving, so we're always reviewing the newest vacuums to keep up with what's best.

If you find that you're spending a bit too much time cleaning up after your pets, it might be worth choosing one of the best vacuums for pet hair.