Small, compact cleaning gadgets are having a real moment right now, especially as more of us look for easier ways to stay on top of everyday mess without constantly hauling out a full-sized vacuum or heavier cleaning equipment. The latest ALDI Find taps neatly into that shift – and it lands just in time for the busy summer season.

Launching in stores on 1 July, the Ambiano Portable Vacuum Cleaner comes in a choice of black or white, offering a sleek, minimalist finish that feels more like a modern home accessory than a bulky utility appliance. Its compact, lightweight design is exactly what makes it so appealing – it is small enough to sit neatly alongside other vacuum cleaners without taking up the same level of space, while also offering a quick alternative to dragging out a cordless vacuum for smaller everyday messes.

It is easy to leave on a countertop, tuck on a shelf, or store in a kitchen cabinet without taking over valuable space. I currently own the Shark WANDVAC Cordless Hand Vac from Amazon, and I wouldn't be without a cordless vacuum. It is a godsend for small spills, messes and sucking up my cats fur, which just seems to get everywhere.

Given ALDI’s reputation for new launches selling out quickly, we expect this one to fly off shelves once it arrives in stores.

A Compact Design That Fits Real Life

There is no setup, no fuss, and no reason to delay tackling a mess. It is the kind of tool you can grab in seconds – whether it is crumbs after breakfast, flour spilled while baking, or bits of soil tracked in from the garden.

The small size is a genuine advantage in busy homes, particularly in kitchens and open-plan spaces where mess tends to happen in real time. Instead of waiting for a 'proper clean,' it encourages quick, immediate tidy-ups that keep things feeling under control throughout the day.

It is especially useful for those in-between moments when you would not bother pulling out a full-sized vacuum or cordless vacuum, but still want surfaces looking presentable in seconds.

Why Choose a Handheld Vacuum?

I have to admit, I have always been a fan of a handheld vacuum for exactly this reason. There is something incredibly satisfying about spot-cleaning as you go – whether it is clearing crumbs from the dining table after lunch, tidying around the hob while cooking, or doing a quick pass over the sofa before guests arrive.

It takes the pressure off those small messes that would not usually justify pulling out a full-sized vacuum or cordless vacuum, removing that mental load of ‘I will deal with it later’ because it takes seconds rather than becoming a full cleaning task. In a busy household, that small shift makes a noticeable difference to how calm and put-together a space feels throughout the day.

A Surprisingly Useful Tool For Floorcare

In terms of floor care, the Ambiano Portable Vacuum works best as a supporting tool rather than a replacement for your main vacuum. It is particularly useful for hard flooring such as laminate, vinyl, tile, and engineered wood, where small debris like crumbs, dust, and grit can gather quickly. It really shines in those awkward in-between areas – along baseboards, in corners, and around dining chairs – where larger vacuums are less convenient to manoeuvre. It is also ideal for entryways, where dirt and debris are regularly tracked in and can easily spread further through the home if left. Used alongside a regular vacuuming routine, it helps maintain a consistently cleaner floor with minimal effort.

Tackle Pet Hair, Spills, And Everyday Mess

While you may still need a vacuum for pet hair with stronger suction for deeper cleans, this compact option is ideal for everyday spot cleaning and quick touch-ups. For pet owners, it is especially handy for lifting loose fur from sofas, cushions, stairs, and pet beds before it has a chance to build up or spread through the home.

Rather than waiting for a full cleaning session, it allows you to tackle shedding as it happens – keeping surfaces looking tidier with minimal effort. It is just as useful for everyday messes, from dried crumbs in the kitchen and cereal under the dining table to dust and debris that quickly reappear in high-traffic areas like entryways and living rooms.

Shop Alternative Handheld Vacuums

The Ambiano Portable Vacuum is an affordable handheld cleaning tool that fits easily into everyday routines and stores almost anywhere, making it more likely to be used regularly rather than left out of reach. With strong demand expected, this ALDI Find is likely to sell out quickly once it hits stores.

In cases where a second vacuum cleaner is required for more robust cleaning (que tidying up after some DIY or sweeping up patio debris), a wet and dry vacuum cleaner will give you the versatility you're after since, after all, you should already have one of the best vacuums to use day to day.

I've tested the Karcher WD5 P Wet & Dry Vacuum to see if it can fulfil its mission of providing a 'powerful, convenient cleaning performance'. For one week, every other day, I have challenged it with: removing debris from the patio, blowing leaves out from underneath a table on the patio (using the blower function), lifting cereal and flour from hard flooring, and even removing water from the kids' sandpit.

The WD5 P has a 1100-watt motor to deliver superior air flow, and a 6.6-gallon container capacity for wet or dry debris. It'll remove the debris that you do not want your household vacuum to tackle, and I've found that it's a good appliance to have before pressure washing the patio (for example).

My One Minute Verdict

Easy to set up and simple to use with brilliant results, the Karcher WD5 P wet & dry vacuum cleaner is certainly one of the better wet & dry vacuums that I have used in a long time.

The 1100-watt motor delivers powerful suction to clear fine dust and heavy debris, and the built-in blower will quickly move dirt and debris from hard-to-reach places. It is a top-mounted design, which means that it is suitable for dry and wet debris, indoors and outdoors, but you'll need to swap out the fleece filter bag for any liquid pick-up.

It's one of six wet and dry vacuum cleaners by Karcher, with the WD5 P positioned toward the higher end. For example, it'll dent the wallet by $249, whereas the Karcher WD4 is $199, and the WD3 is $99.99. It is, however, robust. I've also tested the Karcher WD4, and I found that it is overall more powerful (despite having the same 1100-watt motor), more robust, and much easier to move around.

Throughout testing, though, the 26ft/5m power cable came up short. The 11.5ft suction hose is also gangly. And the 84dB noise level causes a stir.

A wet and dry vacuum cleaner that more closely resembles a cordless vacuum, such as the Dreame Z30 Pro Aqua Wet-to-Dry Vacuum, may be the better option if this noise and practicalities are likely to bother you. Alternatively, the Shark Messmaster Portable Wet/Dry Vacuum is compact enough to take outside to the car and leave it there to clear up after any little accidents, like spilled coffee or chip crumbs.

Karcher WD5 P Wet & Dry Vacuum Cleaner: Specifications

Karcher WD5 P Wet & Dry Vacuum Cleaner: Design and Features

The Karcher WD5 P Wet & Dry Vacuum Cleaner is designed to be used on dirt created by home projects outside of the home, which your standard vacuum simply can not handle.

It has a large 6.6-gallon (25L) container, which is suitable for holding wet and dry debris. The top-mounted filter allows for quick and easy removal from the filter box – without coming into contact with dirt. This means that there is no need to remove the filter as you switch between wet and dry cleaning, but you will need to remove the fleece bag to remove any wet stuff.

The top-mount can be released to access the fleece bag by folding down the handle and lifting to remove.

The WD5 P is packed with a 1100-watt motor, which can either clean up or blow away debris. To alternate between the two functions, attach the 11.5 ft. (3.5m) suction hose to either one of the outlets. You do only have the one power setting to use either function, but I found this ample enough for lifting dry or wet debris – and blowing it too.

It has a 26ft power cable and, unless you have a power outlet outside, you may benefit from an extension cord like this 10ft Amazon Basics cord ($6.99, Amazon). And while the 11.5ft suction hose with bent handle provides some extra length during cleaning, it can make it a difficult appliance to store because it doesn't like being wrapped around the container, and it increases the height required in the shed to house it.

At the base of the container are five wheels that help to maneuver the WD5 P. These are installed as part of the setup. You can either wheel it around by the fixed handle or lift it with this handle when taking it to another space to clean.

What Is the Karcher WD5 P Wet & Dry Vacuum Cleaner Like to Use?

The Karcher WD5 P wet and dry vacuum cleaner is a large appliance that'll need to be stored in the utility room or, better yet, in an outbuilding. It measures 25.7(H) x 15(W) x 16.5(L)in and weighs 19.2lbs, and when it's in use, it will get dirty.

It's designed to be used with either the floorhead or crevice tool attached to the suction tubes while removing debris off the floor, or while using the blower function. I found it easy to switch between the two different functions – blower and suction – by removing the suction tubes and tools, and turning the appliance with the one-speed dial.

The WD5 P is noticeably louder than a standard vacuum cleaner and is more in line with a pressure washer. I recorded a noise level reading of 84dB using the decibel meter reader app on my smartphone. This noise level is the same as that of the Karcher WD4, and it's equivalent to that of a passing vehicle.

Test 1: Flour and Sugar

In instances when you'll be wanting to clean up dust and dead skin, I wanted to see if the Karcher WD5 P could handle it by sprinkling half a cup of flour and half a cup of sugar on our tiled floor in the utility room. The flour is also an excellent visual test, as we can spot when it's left on the floor or stuck in any of the vacuum's parts.

With the floorhead attached to the suction hose and powered by the 1100-watt motor, the WD5 P effortlessly cleared a pathway through the flour and sugar in one clear pass. All the debris made it into the fleece bag; no clouds of 'dust' escaped before, during, and after the removal, either.

Test 2: Pantry

For my next test, I spilled cereal and rice on the tiled floor in our utility room. This was to replicate a scenario where the WD5 P could face larger debris, indoors and outdoors, such as small stones, sawdust, and wood chippings.

The floorhead made a clear pathway through the rice with no grains getting stuck or blown off course. However, the cereal got pushed along by the floorhead unless I lifted and dropped the floorhead on it so that it could be vacuumed. No cereal became stuck or lodged in the hose.

Test 3: Water

As a wet and dry vacuum, I wanted to demonstrate how the WD5 P removed liquid. To do this, I used it in the yard and challenged it with the removal of rainwater from my kids' sandpit after a deluge of rain over the past few days. I figured that it would be a big help to remove and contain the rainwater prior to emptying, rather than to flood the patio and make it wet for play.

When removing liquids, you'll need to remove the bag by lifting off the top of the canister. This will prevent the fleece bag from getting weighed down by liquid and avoid frequent replacement in case the fleece starts to degrade.

For the purpose of the test, I also removed the floorhead to get a clear visual, although it is suitable for use on liquids when the bristles are raised by flipping the switch on the floorhead.

All the liquid was quickly removed from the sandpit and deposited in the container. When I turned off the appliance, water ran back down the suction tubes that were being held in by the strong suction. This is something to be aware of, especially if you're removing floodwater or spilt liquids from washing machine leaks or gas can drops.

Test 4: Attachments

The Karcher WD5 P only comes with one attachment other than the floorhead, and that is the crevice tool. This tool is suitable for targeting the suction and blower delivered by the 1100-watt motor air flow. However, over time, I wouldn't expect this attachment to get much use because you can just use the handle to the same effect.

Throughout the week-long tests, I also used the Karcher WD5 P to clear up the patio in the yard. It was littered with sand from the kids' sandpit, leaves from fall, moss from the roof, and rotting vegetation.

I stretched the 5m-long cable and reached as far round as I could before pulling the plug out of the outlet, and my toddler son wanted to take over.

The WD5 P did a great job at removing everything within its path, with all debris contained in the container. However, some debris did become lodged in the floorhead and suction hose, which limited the suction power. I noticed a shift in gears when this occurred, so I switched off the power to dislodge the tissue and twigs.

Karcher WD5 Wet & Dry Vacuum Cleaner: Setup and Maintenance

The Karcher WD5 P wet and dry vacuum cleaner is a large appliance, so it arrives in a large delivery box. This big, branded yellow box doesn't have any handles, which makes it difficult to move into a space to set up, so I recommend having an extra pair of hands to help out.

A combination of cardboard and plastic packaging secures the parts inside the box. Inside the box are all the parts required to start using the WD5 P from the get-go. This includes: an 11.5 ft. (3.5m) suction hose, (2x) 1.8 ft. (0.5m) suction tubes, hand nozzle, crevice nozzle, a switchable wet/dry floor nozzle, automotive-style pleated filter, and a fleece filter bag. If you're buying the WD5 P in the States, you'll also receive a power tool adapter for attaching to an industrial DN 35 suction hose.

It also comes with the addition of a clip-on storage belt for securing the crevice nozzle and floor nozzle, which, although it isn't classed as an 'accessory' per se, it is a part that doesn't come with the Karcher WD4.

Upon opening, you'll find that the suction hose and five castor wheels are located inside the 6.6-gallon container. It also comes with instructions to "help" with setup, but, as with all Karcher instructions, I found these difficult to interpret and follow because there are no words to support the minuscule diagrams.

Fortunately, I could figure out what goes where using no fewer than some essential DIY skills, such as clipping and slotting together, and some thought.

To set it up, I clipped on the storage belt; attached the suction hose to the container; connected the suction tubes to the hose and hand nozzle; installed the fleece filter bag and popped on the five castor wheels. The pleated filter was already in place. This took no longer than five minutes.

All these parts will need some level of maintenance.

The fleece filter bags will need replacing when they get full, or if they get too damp from removing wet debris. How often you replace it will depend on the type of dry debris that you're removing. Replacement bags can be bought from Amazon for $16.19 (pack of 4), which can be attached by simply opening the bag and placing it inside the vacuum.

The filter bags will need to be removed when vacuuming wet debris or liquids. When this type of debris is being removed, the container will need to be wheeled over to a drain for emptying, which is OK in itself, but the container is large, so it's a bit cumbersome to lift or tip. The liquid will also be filthy dirty, and you won't want that being taken into your home.

In use, I found that the switchable wet/dry floor nozzle and suction tubes became lodged with larger debris, which stopped me in my tracks. I removed the blockage by unclipping the floor nozzle or suction tube (depending on the blockage location).

Over time, a cleaning tip that I would recommend is to wipe each part of the WD4 to keep it in a good working order. The top-mounted filter may also begin to perish and become damaged, so you'll need to replace it with a new one ($22.99, Karcher.com).

How Does the Karcher WD5 P Wet & Dry Vacuum Cleaner Compare?

The Karcher WD5 P is one of eight wet and dry vacuum cleaners from the German brand, which is available in the United States and the UK. As with half of the category, it's mains powered, whereas the other four wet and dry vacuum cleaners by the brand are battery-powered.

It's priced at $249.99 and is available to buy directly from Karcher or resellers such as Amazon (where you might find it a little cheaper). It is one of the more expensive wet and dry vacuums from the brand, with the more expensive tagged at $349.99 (Karcher WD6 PS) and the more affordable at $99.99 (Karcher WD3).

I've also reviewed the Karcher WD4 wet and dry vacuum cleaner and, after comparing the two, note that the WD5 P is generally more robust with sturdier onboard storage; one button to remove the top mount (rather than two clips at the side) and a stronger, fold-down handle. While it has the same 1100W motor as the WD4, it has a greater suction power (260 watts) and can pack away more debris into its 6.6-gallon container.

The wet and dry vacuum cleaners with a plug do fall short on what it can reach to clean because of the length of the power cable – it's just 5m in length, which can be restrictive when working on different jobs around the home. Karcher also has battery-powered wet and dry vacuums, like the WD2-18 Cordless Wet and Dry Vacuum, which is powered by an 18V / 2.5 Ah Karcher battery and has the largest container capacity (3.17 gallons) in the battery-powered category.

Alternatively, I appreciate that not everyone would be looking to have a wet and dry vacuum quiet as big as these Karchers (including the battery-powered), so, if you're after a second vacuum of this nature that is perhaps even more portable, then I'd be looking at the Shark Messmaster Portable Wet/Dry Vacuum.

This option retails for around $100, and our reviewer, Camryn Rabideau, found that it’s a powerful and versatile cleaning tool that can be used all around your home. On test, Camryn found that it had no problem sucking up spider webs, debris under car seats, and even spilled milk, and unlike a full-size shop vac, this model is quick and easy to clean. Plus, it’s compact enough to tuck into a closet when it’s not in use, so it’s ideal for anyone who has limited storage space in their home.

A wet and dry vacuum that more closely resembles a cordless vacuum is the Dreame Z30 Pro Aqua Wet-to-Dry Vacuum. As a stick vacuum, it is a lot lighter to use, and it'll do a great job of removing pet hair from hard flooring and carpets. Our reviewer, Victoria Woollaston, found that 'it's an impressive multitasker that delivers on its core promise of being a full-power cordless vacuum and floor washer in one.' The Z30 also has a self-cleaning station. However, it is almost double the price of the Karcher wet and dry vacuums, which isn't a drawback, just something to think about.

How We Test Vacuums

At Homes & Gardens, we have a dedicated and thorough procedure for how we test vacuums so we can get a like-for-like comparison between models, and to make sure we're recreating real-life circumstances.

I tested the Karcher WD5 P Wet & Dry Vacuum Cleaner as and when it was required over a two-week period. It was used on hard flooring (laminate and tiles), liquids and solids, indoors and outdoors. In addition to running all three standardized tests – flour and sugar; rice and cereal – I used it to clean the moss-heavy patio, and to remove water from the kids' sandpit. This included removing leaves, small stones, and moss fallen from the roof. I then recorded how noisy it was using the DecibelX app.

This gave me the complete picture of how this wet dry vacuum would perform in real conditions, rather than a single test session, including the practicalities of cleaning and storage, and its overall condition after the two weeks of testing.

If you're sold on getting the Karcher WD5 P Wet & Dry Vacuum Cleaner, then it would be wise to know about the things that you can clean with a wet-dry vacuum. However, if you only need a vacuum cleaner for removing dry debris, then check out these vacuum cleaners for pet hair, which are equally as good; just a different spec.

Sometimes, you need more than just a vacuum cleaner when cleaning. I'm thinking of the times when cereal has been spilt; the car is in need of a deep clean and the outbuildings need a vacuum. Fortunately, the Karcher WD4 Wet & Dry Vacuum Cleaner is designed to handle these messes, and more.

It'll effortlessly remove wet and dry debris, and all the things that you're best vacuum can't or won't want to get involved with. I know this first hand because I've been using it over a long weekend in my own home in other scenarios including to vacuum-away spilt dried cereals; clean-up the porch and suck-up water from the kids' sandpit after a deluge of rainfall.

On paper, the specification says that the 1100W of suction power will clear fine dust and heavy debris. Was it any good? Keep reading to find out what I think about it, and how it compares with similar wet and dry vacuums.

My One Minute Verdict

The Karcher WD4 wet and dry vacuum cleaner has been designed for substantial home projects where a standard vacuum cleaner lacks the durability required.

It provides 1100W of suction power to clear fine dust and heavy debris, including the removal of all the things that you really don't want your household vacuum to get involved with. The top-mounted design means that it is suitable for dry and wet debris, indoors and outdoors; you'll need to swap out the fleece filter bag for liquid pick-up, though, admittedly, I did find it to be a bit of a faff.

It's one of six wet dry vacuum cleaners in the product category, with the WD4 positioned as a mid-range appliance. For example, it has a greater capacity than the WD3 (17L), yet smaller capacity than the WD5 (25L). The price of Karcher wet dry vacuum cleaners ranges from $89.99 to $349.99, and the WD4 is marked up as bang in the middle of this range with a price of $199.99.

On test, I found it bulky to maneuver around; it has a restrictive 26.2ft power cable and 7.2ft suction hose that I felt like I was wrestling with. If you're after a wet dry vacuum that is perhaps more portable then I'd be looking at the Shark Messmaster Portable Wet/Dry Vacuum. Alternatively, the Dreame Z30 Pro Aqua Wet-to-Dry Vacuum more closely resembles a cordless vacuum, so it's more portable and versatile, and it handles pet hair on both carpet and hard floors.

Karcher WD4 Wet & Dry Vacuum Cleaner: Specifications

Karcher WD4 Wet & Dry Vacuum Cleaner: Design and Features

The Karcher WD4 Wet & Dry Vacuum Cleaner is designed to be used on the inside of the car, garage floor, or on yard jobs that your standard vacuum cleaner can not handle. I see it as the larger cousin to a canister vacuum.

It has a large 5.3-gallon (20L) container that'll hold large debris and liquids. The tear-resistant fleece bag slots inside the container and clips over the hose. When you're vacuuming liquids, it's advised to remove this bag, although it can easily cope with damp debris such as soggy cereal and wet houseplant soil.

To access the bag, the motor can be removed and lifted off the container by releasing the two clips on the side.

You'll find that the filter is top-mounted too. This is enclosed in the filter box, which can be easily removed without coming into contact with any dirt. This means that in the event that the filter becomes damaged, it can be easily replaced with a new one ($22.99, Karcher.com).

The WD4 is kitted out with 1100W of suction power, and the 2025 model (that I have) has a blower function too. There is only one power setting when using the "suction" or "blowing" function, which is strong enough to remove small stones or empty a 200lb sandpit full of water, and blow away dropped damp compost.

I found that the 26.25ft power cable was sufficient for the cleaning tasks I set. However, I will need an extension cord like this 10ft Amazon Basics cord ($6.99, Amazon) so that I can clean the car and further around the patio area.

The WD4 also has 7.2ft suction hose that connects to two suction tubes to add a further 3.28ft to the overall length when vacuuming; the floorhead or crevice tool accessory (included) simply slots onto the end of a tube. These can then all be taken apart just as easily as they connected together for storing onboard.

It can all be maneuvered as one appliance unit on four castor wheels that slot onto the base of the container as part of the setup. You can either wheel it around by the handle or lift it with this handle when taking it to another space to clean.

What Is the Karcher WD4 Wet & Dry Vacuum Cleaner Like to Use?

To look at, the Karcher WD4 wet dry vacuum cleaner is big. Measuring 20.7(H) x 14.4(W) x 15.1(L)in and weighing 15.2lbs, it is positively a unit and one that I needed to allow a generous amount of space for while cleaning my allocated spaces. It's also one that I would use and store at ground level because its size would be difficult to carry up/down stairs.

It's designed to be used with either the floorhead or crevice tool attached to the suction tubes while removing debris off the floor, or with the bent handle attached to the suction hose while using the blower function. I found it easy to switch between the two different functions – blower and suction – by removing the suction tubes and tools, and turning the appliance with the one-speed dial.

The WD4 is noticeably louder than a vacuum cleaner and is more in line with a pressure washer. I recorded a noise level reading of 84dB using the decibel meter reader app on my smartphone. This noise is equivalent to that of a passing vehicle.

Test 1: Flour and Sugar

In an instance where you'll be wanting to use the Karcher WD4 to clean up flour and sugar, I spilled some on our tiled utility room floor. I used half a cup of flour and sugar (about 50/50 split) to see how well the suction coped with fine debris.

The 1100W suction meant that the floorhead was firmly attached to the floor, but because this debris was so fine, the suction created a clear radius around it, and it removed all the flour and sugar within its path in one clear pass.

Test 2: Pantry

Next up, I spilt cereal and rice on the floor to emulate the type of larger debris that the WD4 could face, indoors and outdoors. I poured half a cup of cereal and half a cup of rice onto the tiled flooring in our utility room.

The floorhead effortlessly removed the rice with no grains getting stuck or blown off course from the floorhead. The cereal, however, got pushed along with the floorhead unless I lifted and dropped the floorhead on it so that it could be vacuumed. No cereal became stuck or lodged in the hose.

Test 3: Liquid

As a wet-dry vacuum, I wanted to demonstrate how the Karcher WD4 removed liquid. To do this, I took it into the yard and challenged it with the removal of rainwater from my kids' sandpit, which is more used to holding 200lbs of play sand, rather than rainwater. I figured that it would be a big help to remove and contain the rainwater prior to emptying, rather than to flood the patio and make it wet for play.

When removing liquids with the WD4, you'll need to remove the bag by lifting off the top of the canister and removing it. For the purpose of the test, I also removed the floorhead, although the floorhead is suitable for use on liquids because it doesn't have any bristles.

All the liquid was quickly removed and contained in the 5.3-gallon container. When I turned off the appliance, water ran back down the suction tubes that were being held in by the strong suction. This is a testament to the powerful suction and versatility.

Test 4: Attachments

The Karcher WD4 wet-dry vacuum only comes with one attachment other than the floorhead, and that is the crevice tool. This tool is suitable for targeting the vacuum suction. However, this would get seldom used if the WD4 is going to be used as an outdoor vacuum (porch, shed, and patio). It'll be better used to help clean the car, although I find it easier with a cordless vacuum cleaner.

I've also tested the WD4 in our grubby porch, which was shamefully littered with debris such as dirt, old receipts, cobwebs, and even Christmas tree branches. It's one of those jobs that I didn't want my household vacuum to clean, so I'm glad I had the WD4 around.

The only item it struggled to lift was a scrunched-up piece of tissue because it was larger than the diameter of the hose. Everything else was removed and banished into the 5.3-gallon bag in the container.

I then thought it would be prudent to try out the "blower" function. To do this, I dropped some old, damp compost on the patio in the yard. The WD4 had enough power to propel it in an onwards direction, and in any direction I wanted it to go. I imagine that this function would also be great for blowing away leaves, but this test will need to wait until fall, when the leaves are off the trees.

Karcher WD4 Wet & Dry Vacuum Cleaner: Setup and Maintenance

As a large appliance, the Karcher WD4 arrived in a big and heavy box. The box doesn't have handles either. To move it I managed to get my arms around it to lift but I imagine that, for some, it may be too difficult to move without some help.

The WD4 arrived as a complete kit, packaged using cardboard to secure each part inside the box and plastic bags around each part. I don't think that the use of plastic bags was necessary because with cardboard packaging securing it all within the box, there was no risk of movement and, therefore, no risk of damage.

Inside the box is: the main unit (WD4), a 7.5 ft. (2.2m) suction hose, (2x) 1.8 ft. (0.5m) suction tubes, hand nozzle, crevice nozzle, a wet/dry floor nozzle, an automotive-style pleated filter, and a fleece filter bag.

It also comes with some instructions, as with all Karcher instructions, I really struggled to read them. Fortunately, as all the parts were laid out, it was obvious how it all fitted together using no more than just a few essential DIY skills.

To set it up, I attached the suction hose, connected the suction tubes to the hose and hand nozzle, installed the fleece filter bag, and popped on the four caster wheels. The pleated filter was already in place. This took no longer than five minutes.

The fleece filter bags can hold up to 53 gallons of debris. How often you replace it will depend on the type of dry debris that you're removing, or if you end up cleaning more damp dirt than dry. Replacement bags can be bought from Amazon for $16.19 (pack of 4), which can be attached by simply opening the bag and placing it inside the vacuum.

When removing liquids, this will need to be poured away – ideally wheeled over to a drain because the size and weight of it is difficult to lift, and you may not want the dirty liquid poured down a sink plug inside the home.

Over time, a cleaning tip that I would recommend is to wipe each part of the WD4 to keep it in a good working order. The top-mounted filter may also begin to perish and become damaged, so you'll need to replace it with a new one ($22.99, Karcher.com).

How Does the Karcher WD4 Wet & Dry Vacuum Cleaner Compare?

The Karcher WD4 wet and dry vacuum cleaner is one of eight in the category from this German brand, and it's positioned in the middle of the range. For example, it has a greater capacity than the WD3 (17L) yet smaller capacity than the WD5 P (25L). The price of Karcher wet dry vacuum cleaners ranges from $89.99 to $349.99, and the WD4 is marked up as bang in the middle of this range with a price of $199.99.

I've found that the Karcher WD5 P wet and dry vacuum cleaner is generally more robust than the WD4 with sturdier onboard storage; one button to remove the top mount (rather than two clips at the side) and a stronger, fold-down handle. While it has the same 1100W motor as the WD4, it can pack away more debris, so it's made for bigger projects. This one costs $249.99 and, for the money, it must be said that I feel a lot more confident with it.

I appreciate that not everyone would be looking to have a wet-dry vacuum as big as these Karchers. If you're after a wet-dry vacuum that is perhaps more portable, then I'd be looking at the Shark Messmaster Portable Wet/Dry Vacuum.

This retails for around $100, and our reviewer, Camryn Rabideau, found that it’s a powerful and versatile cleaning tool that can be used all around your home. It had no problem sucking up spider webs, debris under car seats, and even spilled milk, and unlike a full-size shop vac, this model is quick and easy to clean. Plus, it’s compact enough to tuck into a closet when it’s not in use, so it’s ideal for anyone who has limited storage space in their home.

Alternatively, the Dreame Z30 Pro Aqua Wet-to-Dry Vacuum (LINK WHEN LIVE) more closely resembles a cordless vacuum, so it's more portable and versatile, and it handles pet hair on both carpet and hard floors. Our reviewer, Victoria Woollaston, found that 'it's an impressive multitasker that delivers on its core promise of being a full-power cordless vacuum and floor washer in one.' The Z30 also has a self-cleaning station, but it costs around $470, which puts the Karchers' indoor and outdoor versatility back into perspective.

How We Test Vacuums

At Homes & Gardens, we have a dedicated and thorough procedure of how we test vacuums so we can get a like-for-like comparison between models, and to make sure we're recreating real-life circumstances.

I tested the Karcher WD4 Wet & Dry Vacuum Cleaner as and when it was required over a two-week period. It was used on hard flooring (laminate and tiles), liquids and solids, indoors and outdoors. In addition to running all three standardized tests – flour and sugar; lentils and cereal; hair – I used it to clean the grubby porch and moss-heavy patio, and to remove water from the kids' sandpit. This included removing leaves, dried mud, bits of Christmas tree, and moss fallen from the roof. I then recorded how noisy it was using the DecibelX app.

This gave me the complete picture of how this wet-dry vacuum would perform in real conditions, rather than a single test session, including the practicalities of cleaning and storage, and its overall condition after the two weeks of testing.

If you're sold on getting the Karcher WD4 Wet & Dry Vacuum Cleaner then it would be wise to know about the things that you can clean with a wet dry vacuum. However, if you only need a vacuum cleaner for removing solely dry debris then check out these best vacuum cleaners for pet hair which are equally as good; just a different gig.

After a month of use, the Dreame Z30 Pro Aqua is the closest thing I've tested to a vacuum that can (nearly) do it all. It clears debris well, mops properly, and the self-cleaning station means you rarely, if ever, have to touch a dirty brush head.

The anti-tangle brush roller came through a month of cleaning up after a shedding Labrador without needing a single manual hair removal. The LED lighting on the dry head consistently revealed dust I would have missed, and the wet cleaning head dealt with the kind of sticky, dried-on kitchen mess that most other wet-to-dry vacuums struggle with.

With the Z30, you're getting what is effectively two of the best vacuums and floor care appliances in one. Buying a comparable cordless stick vacuum and a decent floor washer separately would cost much more. Plus, for homes with a mix of floors and carpet – especially with pets – it's a hard combination to beat at this price.

My One-Minute Verdict

Dreame has spent the last couple of years making vacuums that look and perform a lot like Dyson's, usually for a lot less money. The Z30 Pro Aqua is something a tad more ambitious – a premium, full-power cordless stick vacuum that also mops the floor and has a self-cleaning base.

If wet cleaning isn't something you need and your home is mostly hard floors, the $649.99 / £399.99 Dreame H15 Pro offers better wet cleaning coverage for less money as a dedicated floor washer.

For homes that are mostly carpet and don't need wet cleaning, the $849.99 / £649.99 Dyson V15 Detect remains the best dry cordless I've tested.

Or if you want the Z30 Pro Aqua's suction without the wet cleaning, the standard Dreame Z30 is $599.99 / £299.99 and does an excellent job for considerably less.

Dreame Z30 Pro Aqua Specifications

Design and Features

Inside the box are two dedicated floor heads – the TangleCut multi-surface brush for dry cleaning, and the AquaCycle 2.0 wet cleaning brush – along with the self-cleaning charging station, a bendable extension rod, a crevice nozzle, a wide fluff tool, and a soft dusting brush.

Each of the attachments has dedicated storage ports on the base and clicks and locks into place.

Inside the dry floor head is a motorized brush roller fitted with a pair of internal cutting blades that slice through hair as it wraps around the roller. This is a more effective, albeit slightly aggressive, approach to the hair problem than the plastic combs on most anti-tangle brush rollers that just catch the hair, but don't cut it.

Once cut, the smaller strands can then more easily be sucked into the dustbin, and this leaves the brush roller much cleaner for longer than other vacuums I've tested. This is a real benefit if you live with pets or anyone with long hair.

Elsewhere on the dry floor head, a row of LEDs set at 140 degrees light up the floor ahead, making fine dust, pet dander, and crumbs more visible, especially on hardwood and stone floors where debris can easily be missed.

The second floor head is the wet cleaning brush, and this is where the Z30 Pro Aqua earns its name. Rather than a simple damp pad that smears water around, this runs a four-stage process:

• Water is sprayed onto the floor through eight nozzles
• The spinning roller scrubs the surface
• A wiper blade scrapes dirty water away
• Suction pulls the residue into a dirty-water tank

The two tanks – 13.5 fl oz (400ml) of clean water and 10.8 fl oz (320ml) for dirty – are kept separate throughout.

The extension rod is another feather in the cap for the Z30 Pro Aqua. Press a release button, and it bends up to 90 degrees, letting you angle the floor head almost parallel to the floor to get under low sofas and beds.

Combined with the wet brush's 180° lie-flat swivel, you can reach spaces that would typically be off-limits to a regular vacuum. It sounds like a minor detail, but in practice, particularly in homes with low-slung furniture, it's the kind of thing you'll appreciate every time you clean.

Where Dyson typically leans into bold colors and visible cyclone hardware, Dreame has gone for a more muted design with the Z30 Pro Aqua. The base, its three attachments, and both wet and dry floor heads are made of black plastic. The extension stick comes in the Dreame-branded gold and there are smaller, gold accents across the main body of the floor heads, too. The brush rollers themselves then have geometric purple, yellow, and black patterns.

Overall, this aesthetic makes the Z30 Pro Aqua look more premium than it is and means it will blend in with most home styles. The build quality is similarly solid and premium, and at 45in (115cm) tall, it's a standard size. Even if this does mean you need to store it somewhere with enough height for the stick, and enough floor space for the base.

Speaking of the base, this is the main feature that separates the Z30 Pro Aqua from conventional cordless vacuums. In addition to being a charging station, when you park the vacuum on the base after a wet-cleaning session, it automatically flushes the roller with fresh water. It then blows 70°C hot air through it for 30 minutes.

Power on the Dreame Z30 Pro Aqua is managed across three modes: Eco, Auto, and Turbo. All of which are shown on the handle's built-in LCD. The LCD also shows battery percentage and a real-time readout of particulate matter type and quantity.

Turbo mode delivers maximum suction, and Eco extends runtime but is better suited to light maintenance cleans than deep cleaning. In Auto mode, sensors detect how much dust and debris is being picked up to continuously adjust suction power to match. For instance, it will increase power on a thick rug or a concentrated patch of dirt and then pull back on a bare floor.

Filtration runs through five layers, finishing with a HEPA H14 filter that captures 99.99% of particles down to 0.1µm. This is the level at which bacteria and viruses become relevant and is the same filtration standard you'd find on the Dyson Gen5Detect, which we have also reviewed and rated to be a 5-star appliance.

What Is the Dreame Z30 Pro Aqua Like to Use?

When you pick up the Z30 Pro Aqua, the first thing you notice is how heavy it is. At 4.9lbs / 2.2kg, it's on the bulkier side for a cordless stick vacuum, but it's not uncomfortable to use.

The handle sits at a comfortable height, and the controls – a power button, suction mode switch, and dust cap release – are all within easy reach. Swapping between the two floor heads is relatively straightforward; the weight and bulk of the vacuum make it slightly awkward, but it's a quick job.

I'd prefer if just one floor head handled both types of cleans, in the way the best robot vacuums offer vacuuming and mopping together, but this is a minor complaint.

On the flip side, I like that both floor heads have been more precisely engineered to do one thing well, rather than trying to be a Jack of all trades.

Auto mode is where the vacuum spends most of its time in normal use, and the dirt detection does make a difference. You can hear and feel the suction change as it crosses from a hard floor onto a rug.

This takes some getting used to, and the automatic changes in suction (and thus noise) can be irritating. It also took me a while to trust that it was adjusting the suction correctly, which made the fact that I could see a real-time readout of what was being picked up on the built-in LCD another surprisingly useful feature.

In terms of battery life, Dreame's claim of 90 minutes on Eco mode fell short during my tests. In real-world use, I managed an average of 50 minutes on Eco, which is significantly less than the brand's numbers. In Auto mode, it was closer to 30–40 minutes. Turbo drains the battery considerably faster (in around 15-20 minutes) and, as such, is best used in short bursts for stubborn areas rather than as a default mode.

These Auto mode times were enough for a single, basic run of my medium-sized home, and based on how often I vacuum, which averages three to four times a week, this was plenty for me and my needs.

For the times I wanted a deeper clean, after we'd had friends over or when my brown Labrador had made a mess, I had to recharge mid-clean, which was annoying, but also is standard for many cordless vacuum batteries. I deliberately own an upright, corded vacuum for such scenarios where longer cleaning sessions at higher power are required.

On hard floors, the TangleCut dry brush head glides smoothly and quietly, with none of the scraping sounds you sometimes get from motorized heads on stone or tile. The LED lighting is a feature that sounds cosmetic but proves its worth on hardwood or stone.

You'll almost certainly find yourself cleaning areas you thought were already clean, or going back over areas to pick up missed pet hair, once you see what the light reveals. After two weeks of cleaning sessions, the brush roller still looks largely clean, which is not something I can normally say in my home.

Switching to wet cleaning mode is where the Z30 Pro Aqua really differentiates itself. Setting up the water tank takes under a minute, and once running, the AquaCycle 2.0 wet brush leaves hard floors much cleaner than a dry pass alone. It's particularly good at tackling the kind of dried-on stains around the stove, droplets from the coffee machine, or sticky patches near the sink that even the mopping feature of robovacuums often struggles with.

I also loved the fact the base deals with all the hassle that typically comes from wet cleaning. It's one of those features that have been standard on robo vacuums – including the brilliant Dreame Aqua 10 – for a while and is one you'll soon wonder how you ever did without. You never have to handle a wet, dirty brush head directly or deal with damp smells. It also stops mold and bacteria from forming between cleans and both are genuine quality-of-life improvements. The only thing you need to remember is to top-up/empty the tanks.

On a full tank, I managed an average of 40 minutes of wet cleaning. In theory, few people will need (or want) to be cleaning their floors for 40 minutes but it's impressive nonetheless. Obviously if the floors are particularly dirty or you have a house full of hardwood floors, you may need to top the tank back up mid-clean.

In terms of noise, it runs at around 91dB on Turbo and 61dB on Eco. It's loud in the way that most high-powered cordless vacuums are loud, but on Auto and Eco it's perfectly manageable for everyday use and you can easily hear a podcast playing, or your child shouting at you from another room.

Test 1: Flour and Sugar

For this test I used half a cup of flour and sugar spread across carpet, hardwood and laminate, covering enough ground to clearly see where the vacuum had been.

Flour and sugar are good stand-ins for the kind of fine mess that builds up on floors day to day: flour behaves like dust and dead skin, sugar's closer to the sticky, granular debris that tends to gather around kitchen counters and dining tables.

Flour is also a good visual indicator because you can immediately see what's been picked up and what's been left behind, and whether any has worked its way into the brush roll.

On carpet, the Z30 Pro Aqua was excellent. One pass was all it took to clear everything, with Auto mode kicking up the suction as soon as it hit the debris. Nothing was left behind and nothing got stuck in the brush.

On hard floors the fine flour and sugar were handled well on both laminate and hardwood, although it took a couple of passes to clear it all fully. The blue light that shines from the floor head came in handy here as it revealed what had been left behind.

Across all floor types, no flour was caked onto the brush roll, which is something that tripped up a lot of motorized heads I've tested.

Test 2: Pantry

For this test I used half a cup of cereal and red lentils spread across carpet, hardwood and laminate. Cereal mimics the kind of larger debris, like pasta or rice that you'd find on a kitchen floor after a spill, while the lentils are smaller and denser, with a habit of sticking to hard floors and rolling away from the suction path.

On carpet, like with the flour and sugar tests, the Z30 Pro did a great job. The brush roller drove everything into the suction path and both the cereal and lentils were cleared in a pass or two without any fuss.

On hard floors, it was more of a mixed bag. The lentils came up well on both laminate and hardwood; a few got flung around, but on the whole, the head passed over them easily. The cereal was trickier. On laminate, the brush head pushed the larger pieces forward and into corners rather than picking them up, so you end up chasing the mess a bit.

So much so, the only way to get rid of it all was to swap the dry floor head and the crevice nozzle. On hardwood, it was even worse, with pieces scattering away from the head more easily. Slowing down and working in shorter strokes helps, but it does take more effort than you'd want on what should be a quick kitchen clean-up.

It's worth saying this isn't unusual for a powerful motorized head on hard floors. The Dyson Gen5 Detect performs in a similar way, but it's something to be aware of if your home is mostly hard flooring and you're regularly dealing with larger debris.

Test 3: Pet Hair

We have a chocolate Labrador, and while labs aren't the heaviest shedders, compared to something like a Husky or a Golden Retriever, her short, fine hairs have a way of working themselves into carpet fibers and corners, which can make it trickier to keep the house clean with pets. You can't see these hairs easily day-to-day, but when you're building LEGO with the kids or setting up a board game on the floor, they're very noticeable.

I tested the Z30 Pro Aqua's performance on pet hair on both carpet and hard floors. In Eco mode, it made very little difference. The lower suction didn't even pull the hairs up from the lino, let alone from deep in the carpet.

Switching to Turbo made a major difference, and on both carpet and hard floors, Turbo mode cleared the hair more effectively than even my upright, corded vacuum does, leaving very little behind and making it a strong contender for our best vacuum for pet hair guide.

Crucially, the TangleCut dual-blade design stayed clean and free of hair throughout, with no need to stop and pull hair out any of it by hand.

The Attachments

In addition to the two floor heads and stick, the Dreame Z30 Pro Aqua comes with three attachments as standard:

• Crevice nozzle: A narrow, angled tool for tight spaces between sofa cushions, along baseboards, inside car door pockets, and around radiators.
• Wide fluff tool: A broad, soft-bristled head for more delicate surfaces like upholstery, curtains, mattresses, and lampshades.
• Soft dusting brush: A smaller brush for surfaces that need light attention rather than suction: shelves, blinds, keyboards, and other areas where you want to collect dust rather than scatter it.

Each one clicks and locks into place on the base, meaning they won't fall off or get lost. Getting them aligned takes a bit of trial and error, but once you've got it down, it's genuinely fast to switch between them mid-clean.

The crevice nozzle was the standout for me. It helped me clear all of the large debris that was flung into the corners of my kitchen following my tests. The angled end means it fits into even awkward spaces and pulls the debris up cleanly in a single pass. It's the attachment I reached for most often, and it's particularly good for baseboards.

The wide fluff tool does a decent job on upholstery and softer surfaces where you don't want a motorized brush roll making contact. It's gentler than it looks and picks up surface dust and pet hair from sofas and cushions without being too aggressive on the fabric. It's not an attachment you'll use every time, but it is useful when you need it.

The soft dusting brush is the most niche of the three. It's best suited to shelves, blinds, and surfaces that need a light touch rather than serious suction, and it works best on Eco mode. Even then, though, it's easy to accidentally vacuum up Lego pieces, and I'd love for the Z30 Pro to recognize when the dusting brush is attached and drop the suction down to a minimum.

Setup and Maintenance

The Z30 Pro Aqua isn't a small piece of kit and extends to its packaging. It arrives in a huge box that is primarily packed with cardboard and minimal plastic. Everything inside is then separated by molded cardboard inserts rather than foam.

Inside the box is the vacuum body, the TangleCut dry floor head, the AquaCycle 2.0 wet cleaning floor head, the self-cleaning charging station, the bendable extension rod, a crevice nozzle, a wide fluff tool, a soft dusting brush, and the power cable.

Assembly of all this kit minimal. The extension rod clicks into the vacuum body, one floor head clicks onto the bottom of the rod and the other slots into the dedicated floor head storage slot in base. The other storage slots on the base are for the different attachments and you can choose to distribute those as you like.

The charging connection is on the back of the extension rod, so you need to make sure that's correctly lined up with the connectors on the base before parking the vacuum. The docking mechanism itself uses a small hook that you push in to release and push back to lock. It's simple enough once you know it's there, but it's also easy to knock accidentally. This can cause the vacuum to release unexpectedly (and land on your head while you're adjusting the location of the base...) It also means it needs extra space around the entire unit in order to use this feature.

Once all the pieces are in place, the charging station plugs into the wall. The cord is short which doesn't leave many options when it comes to positioning. Dreame then recommends charging fully before first use. The manual claims this takes around four hours but during our setup it was closer to two. You can also see the current battery level on the LCD display, and the station's self-cleaning button lights up blue when it's powered on and charging.

The charging station handles the part of wet vacuum maintenance that I usually dread. After a wet cleaning session, it automatically cleans and dries the brush roller with zero intervention other than placing the vacuum on the base. The only thing you have to remember occasionally is to top up and empty the clean and dirty water tanks as needed.

After a dry vacuum session, you empty the dust bin by pressing a button on the main vacuum body to release the cap. This was one of my surprise favorite features. I find emptying the bagless bin on Dyson vacuums unnecessarily fiddly, and being able to do it largely one-handed on the Dreame Z30 Pro Aqua was, well, a dream.

For deeper cleaning, most of the Z30 Pro Aqua's components are washable. The dust cup, the AquaCycle 2.0 brush roller, the clean and dirty water tanks, and the pre-filter can all be rinsed under water.

The HEPA H14 filter is also washable. Dreame recommends cleaning it every month and allowing it to air dry for at least 24 hours before reinstalling, which means it's worth having a cleaning day routine where the filter wash happens at the start so it's dry by the time you're done. The filter is a lifetime component rather than a consumable, so there's no ongoing replacement cost.

The parts that need more careful handling are the motorized components, such as the TangleCut brush head's blades, and the vacuum body itself, which you can wipe down with a cloth. To clean the brush roller, press the release button to remove it, cut away any remaining hair, and wipe with a cloth.

Given that the TangleCut blades are actively cutting hair during use, the amount of manual hair you'll have to remove will be minimal. I didn't have to clear or clean it once during my month-long test, although I chose to take it off and clean it for hygiene purposes.

One point worth noting: the vacuum can only be charged with the AquaCycle 2.0 wet brush attached. The connectors on the rod can't reach the charging port on the base with the dry brush head attached. This means you can't simply park the vacuum on the base mid-session with the dry brush head attached and expect it to charge.

How Does the Dreame Z30 Pro Aqua Compare?

The most natural comparison for the Dreame Z30 Pro Aqua is the H15 Pro from Dreame's own wet-dry lineup. The $649.99 / £399.99 H15 Pro is a dedicated floor washer with 21,000Pa suction, a self-cleaning base with 100°C hot water wash, and a clever AI robotic arm that edges right up to skirting boards.

Where the H15 Pro has the advantage is in pure wet cleaning coverage – 60 minutes in floor washing mode covering up to 400m2 versus the Z30 Pro Aqua's 45 minutes and 290m2. The trade-off is that the H15 Pro is exclusively a floor washer. It can pick up dry debris, but it isn't a full-power cordless stick vacuum like the Z30 Pro Aqua.

The closest rival from outside Dreame is the Tineco Floor One S7 Pro, which retails for $799.99 / £599.99. Like the Z30 Pro Aqua, it combines vacuuming and mopping in one with smart dirt detection that automatically adjusts suction power and water flow. It also deodorizes.

If your home is mainly hard flooring and wet cleaning is your priority, the H15 Pro is worth considering, but if you want a single machine that genuinely replaces both your vacuum and your mop, the Z30 Pro Aqua makes a stronger case.

How We Test Vacuums

At Homes & Gardens, we standardize how we test vacuums so we can get a like-for-like comparison between models, and to make sure we're recreating real-life circumstances.

I tested the Dreame Z30 Pro Aqua for a month in my home, across carpet, hardwood, and laminate. In addition to running all three standardized tests – flour and sugar; lentils and cereal; pet hair – I used it for everyday cleaning throughout. This included picking up after Maisie, my chocolate Lab, tackling the kitchen floor after cooking, and using the wet cleaning function on the hard floors throughout the house. I then tracked how noisy it was using the DecibelX app.

This gave me a much more complete picture of how the vacuum performs in real conditions than a single test session would, including how the self-cleaning station holds up over repeated wet cleaning sessions and how the brush roll fares after weeks of regular use rather than just a single controlled test.

Overall, this would make one of the best Dyson alternatives, and is a worthy contender for versatile floor care. It is worth noting that if you have a lot of hard flooring, the water tank will need a top-up mid-session.

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My One Minute Verdict

The Karcher WD 6 P is not a vacuum for the faint-hearted. At 21.2lb / 9.6kg with a 7.9-gallon / 30-liter stainless steel tank, it most definitely earns its industrial, wet/dry shop title. It's a machine built for the kind of mess your everyday cordless won't touch, like flooded garages, workshop sawdust, post-renovation rubble, and anything liquid or heavy that has no business going near a regular vacuum.

When it works, it really works – and it’s a strong contender for the best vacuum for pet hair in the right setting. The suction is impressively powerful; my chocolate Labrador’s hair disappeared from hard floors and upholstery in a single pass. The blower function is equally effective, making quick work of leaf clearing and even blasting away water balloon debris scattered across the garden.

On carpet, the brushes on the main vacuum nozzle make the head stick and drag rather than glide, and on smooth hard floors, the same brush strips pushed debris around rather than picking it up cleanly.

This made it abundantly clear that the Kärcher WD 6 P is designed for rougher, uneven surfaces – garages, patios, workshops – rather than everyday flooring. Switching to wet mode, where the rubber lips take over from the brush strips, is a much more satisfying experience, and the machine's true strength lies in liquid pickup and heavy outdoor tasks.

Elsewhere, it's not an easy vacuum to build. Setup took close to 20 minutes – longer than any vacuum I've tested. Once built, it's also a beast of a machine and takes up a lot of space, which saw it quickly relegated to the garage.

At $349.99, this is a premium investment in a very specific kind of cleaning. If you have a garage, workshop, or outdoor space that regularly generates mess, it may well be the most capable tool you own. Especially if you have the storage space to match. For DIY fans, the integrated power tool socket on the front lets you plug your sander or drill directly into the machine and the vacuum starts and stops in sync with your tool, capturing dust at the source without any extra effort. Yet it is ultimately a niche recommendation.

If you're hoping for a versatile everyday vacuum that also handles the odd spill – especially if you have a low tolerance for noise and friction – you're better off with a standard wet-to-dry upright, like the Dreame H14 Pro or the Dyson V15 Detect.

Kärcher WD 6 P: Specifications

Kärcher WD 6 P: Design and Features

There is nothing subtle about the WD 6 P. It's unapologetically large, bulky and bright yellow. The 7.9-gallon / 30-liter stainless steel tank sits on five castors and is topped by a yellow motor head that houses the controls, filter system and accessory storage.

As with the rest of the Karcher range, it's a design that says workshop rather than home, which is exactly what Karcher intends – this vacuum is built for the kind of heavy-duty mess that a domestic canister or cordless simply can't handle.

The motor delivers 1,300W of rated input power and 300W of suction power – figures that put it well ahead of the Kärcher WD 5's 1,100W, and on par with the Bosch AdvancedVac 20's 300W suction, despite the Bosch drawing only 1,200W. The stainless steel tank is noticeably more durable than the plastic containers on lower-priced wet-dry vacs and is designed to withstand abrasive debris.

One of the WD 6 P's standout features is its push-button filter cleaning system, which Kärcher calls pulse technology. A single press sends a burst of air through the flat pleated filter, dislodging accumulated hidden dust back into the tank and restoring full suction power. This is particularly useful when vacuuming fine dust without a filter bag.

The flat pleated filter is also designed to stay dry during wet pickup – it sits in a top-mounted filter box that doesn't come into contact with liquid. This means you can switch between wet and dry tasks without removing or changing the filter. You do have to remove the fleece dustbag when switching to wet vacuuming, though (which I have forgotten on several occasions to my despair.)

On the front of the motor head is a rotary dial that you turn left to control the suction/blow power of the vacuum, and to the right to control the integrated power tool socket. This socket sits next to the dial and lets you plug in external tools to either provide power without the need for a separate extension lead, or it can be used to set the vacuum to switch on and off in sync with the tool. This is a useful feature during sanding or drilling and is something its predecessor, the WD 5 lacked.

An 8m (26.2ft) cord and 2.2m (7.2ft) hose then give the WD6 P a total working radius of just over 10m (33.5ft), which is more than enough for most workshops or large rooms. I could vacuum all rooms on my entire ground floor and into my garden without having to swap to different plugs.

The hose connects to two stainless steel extension tubes, a removable handle, and the floor nozzle. The other attachments include a crevice nozzle for baseboards, stair edges, and corners. A 1m (3.3ft) flexible hose is also included for connecting to the dust port on a power tool, and there's a bent handle you attach to the tubes to give you better control across the floor.

The floor nozzle is relatively narrow for a machine this size, which does limit how well it covers open floor areas, but allows it to get into tighter spots. It has a lever on the side that switches between two modes – dry, where brush strips extend down to sweep debris toward the suction inlet, and wet, where rubber squeegee lips take over to drag liquid toward it.

There is no neutral position; the nozzle is always in one mode or the other, so for bare suction without either the brushes or the rubber lips, you need to switch to a different attachment.

Both the cable and hose have dedicated storage positions on the machine, and the floor nozzle has a parking position so it can be hooked onto the body during work breaks.

For wet tasks, a drain screw at the base of the tank allows liquid to be emptied without lifting the machine – a practical consideration given that a full tank of water on the Kärcher WD 6 P will weigh around 66lb / 30kg.

The blower function works by moving the hose to the outlet port on the machine, reversing airflow to dislodge debris from hard-to-reach areas such as gravel beds or patio crevices. It's a small and simple touch, but it's super effective and useful, especially outdoors.

What Is the Kärcher WD 6 P Like to Use?

One of my favorite features of the Kärcher WD6 P is its castors. I never thought I'd celebrate something so innocuous, but having reviewed dozens of vacuums, these genuinely elevated the experience for me.

They make the machine incredibly easy to pull across hard floors and carpet, despite its bulk. I often get frustrated with the cord on upright and domestic vacuums always getting in the way, but the smooth way the castors navigate and pass over the WD 6 P's cord, plus having 26.2ft / 8m of cord to play with, means this was never an issue.

At 9.6kg (21.2lb) without accessories, there's no denying this is a heavy machine, and the weight is still felt when maneuvering in tight spaces or changing direction frequently, but the castors again make it feel much lighter and easier.

Due to the brushes on the floor nozzle, the Karcher WD6 P's performance on carpet and hardwood floors depends on getting the nozzle angle right. You have to tilt it slightly in order to pick up debris, rather than just move it around, and this doesn't always feel comfortable.

On carpet in particular, the brush and powerful suction work against you: the head drags and sticks, requiring real effort to push, and the brush strips tend to bury finer debris deeper into the pile rather than lifting it. This is not a machine built for carpeted rooms, or certainly not without switching to a different nozzle.

Switching to wet mode is a much better experience. The rubber lips glide across hard floors and pick up liquid cleanly and confidently, which is where the WD 6 P really earns its price.

On noise, the Kärcher WD 6 P is loud. The specification lists 73dB, but in my test, it was closer to 89dB on the minimum suction power, and 92dB on maximum. It's not comfortable for long periods.

Test 1: Flour and Sugar

For our flour and sugar test, I scattered a half-cup mixture across carpet, hardwood, and laminate to see how well the Kärcher WD6 P handles fine dry debris. This test is a proxy for the dust, skin cells, and fine dirt that build up across real homes.

On hard floors and laminate, the WD 6 P performed well, with the floor nozzle in dry mode picking up the mixture cleanly. The brushes on the underside of the nozzle come into their own here and guide the dust towards the suction inlet. Residue was minimal after a single pass.

Carpet was a different story. The suction and brush combo ended up simply pushing the flour and sugar deeper into the pile, leaving streaks across the carpet.

Working the nozzle repeatedly at different angles helped, but even with effort, some residue remained. If your home is predominantly carpeted, a dedicated upright or canister vacuum will serve you considerably better.

Test 2: Pantry

For my pantry test, I poured half a cup of cereal and lentils onto the same three floor types as before – carpet, hardwood and laminate.

On the laminate and wood, the Kärcher WD 6 P did an OK job with the lentils but struggled with cereal – you can clearly see in my review videos how the floor nozzle pushes the Cheerios around the surface rather than drawing them in cleanly, scattering pieces rather than collecting them.

Again, this is managed by angling the nozzle slightly, but the trade-off is that this isn't comfortable for long.

The brush strips work well on rougher, more uneven surfaces, such as garage floors or patios, where they have something to grip against, but on smooth flooring, they don't have enough purchase to guide lighter debris toward the suction inlet.

Test 3: Pet Hair

Maisie, my chocolate Labrador, is a dependable supplier of dark, dense, medium-length hair across my hard floors, upholstery, and carpets – and a solid real-world test for any vacuum claiming to be the best vacuum for pet hair.

On hard floors, the WD 6 P performed extremely well. Maisie’s hair vanished in a single pass, pulled straight into the hose without wrapping or leaving stray strands behind.

Suction is more than strong enough to handle even heavy concentrations of pet hair, and the lack of a brushroll means there’s nothing for hair to tangle around. A few strands do collect in the nozzle brushes, but they’re quick and easy to remove.

On carpet, the same angle-dependent performance applies, although longer pet hair is easier for it to lift and capture than fine dust and powder.

For pet owners with mostly hard floors and upholstery, the WD 6 P is highly capable. For carpet-heavy homes, however, a more dedicated pet-focused vacuum like the Miele Guard L1 Cat & Dog, available on Amazon, would be the better fit.

Test 4: Attachments

Swapping between attachments is refreshingly simple – in fact, it was the easiest part of the entire process. Everything twists and clicks securely onto the hose or extension tubes with a firm push, and detaches with a quick thumb press.

Nothing felt loose during use, although the fittings do require more force than you might be used to with a standard domestic vacuum – a reminder that this is built for tougher, more industrial-style cleaning.

The floor nozzle saw the most use. In dry mode, the brush strips are better suited to rougher, more textured surfaces than smooth floors, as noted in the tests above. In wet mode, however, the rubber lips performed noticeably better, giving a more controlled, purpose-built feel for handling spills and wet debris.

The lever switch between the two modes is easy to access and can be operated with your foot, making transitions quick and low-effort mid-clean.

The crevice nozzle proved genuinely useful. Dust in corners and along edges was removed cleanly in a single pass, with the strong suction doing most of the heavy lifting. It also came into its own for clearing the residue left behind during my flour and sugar tests, and it’s equally effective on baseboards, stair edges, and the gaps between appliances.

The bent handle noticeably improves control when pushing the floor nozzle across surfaces, particularly on carpet. It also detaches easily, allowing you to connect a nozzle directly to the hose for overhead cleaning or awkward angles without fuss.

One notable omission is the lack of an upholstery nozzle in the box – surprising at this price point – although a range of compatible accessories can be purchased separately from Kärcher.

Kärcher WD 6 P: Setup and Maintenance

The Kärcher WD 6 P was one of the most frustrating vacuums I’ve tested when it came to setup. Every step introduces more friction than you’d expect, from trying to attach the rotating castors to a wobbly, upside-down base, to repositioning the carry handle just to remove and refit the motor head.

Figuring out where everything goes isn’t intuitive either, and because the manual is mostly illustrated rather than genuinely explanatory, I ended up having to look up additional guidance online. The whole process took around 20 minutes and tested my patience more than once.

Emptying the WD 6 P is very dependent on what you’ve been cleaning. For wet waste, the drain screw at the base of the tank is the cleanest method – simply unscrew it, tilt the machine forward, and the liquid flows out without needing to lift the tank.

For dry waste, you need to move the carry handle forward to unlock the motor head, then twist, lift, and tip the tank into a bin.

Both emptying methods are straightforward enough, although the size and weight of the tank mean the process is less elegant than simply emptying a compact dustbin.

On the upside, the tank takes a long time to fill – unless you’re tackling a particularly large job – so this isn’t something you’ll need to do frequently in everyday use.

When used for dry tasks, the fleece bag does a good job of containing dust and can be lifted out cleanly without releasing a cloud of debris. That’s a meaningful advantage over bagless designs, especially after vacuuming fine dust or sawdust.

Replacement bags are readily available from Kärcher as well as third-party suppliers, and they’re simple to fit when needed.

The flat pleated filter is the component you’ll interact with most regularly. The push-button cleaning system takes care of the bulk of day-to-day maintenance, but when a more thorough clean is needed, the filter box releases with a press, folds open, and the filter lifts out cleanly without requiring you to reach inside the tank.

It can be rinsed under a tap and reused – Kärcher describes it as a lifetime filter when properly maintained – but it must be fully dry before being reinserted, which does require a bit of planning ahead.

The stainless steel tank interior is smooth and easy to wipe out, and shows less staining than a plastic container would over time. The hoses and tubes are straightforward to clear if blocked – disconnect, run water through if needed, and allow to dry.

Overall, the machine feels built to last, with the stainless steel tank and solid connection points giving it a durability that cheaper plastic wet-dry vacs don't match, and which helps justify the higher price.

How Does the Kärcher WD 6 P Compare?

The Kärcher WD 6 P sits at the mid-to-higher end of the wet-dry vacuum market at $349.99, and whether it justifies that price depends almost entirely on what you need it for. The most direct comparison is its predecessor, the $249.99 Kärcher WD 5. It shares the same core wet-dry design, but omits several key upgrades – including the power tool socket, push-button filter cleaning, and drain screw – all of which make a noticeable difference in day-to-day usability on the WD 6 P.

It also uses a smaller plastic container rather than the WD 6 P’s stainless steel tank, and the 16ft / 5m cord feels more restrictive in comparison. At $100 less, the WD 5 makes sense for lighter or occasional use, but for regular DIY work or more demanding wet cleaning tasks, the WD 6 P’s added features comfortably justify the step up.

How We Test Vacuums

We test every vacuum we review in real-world conditions across a range of floor types and debris categories. Each model goes through a consistent set of tests: flour and sugar on carpet, hard floors, and laminate to assess fine debris pickup; a pantry-style test using larger, heavier debris to evaluate general performance; and a pet hair test using real fur from Maisie, my chocolate Labrador, across both carpet and hard flooring.

We also assess each vacuum across setup time, ease of use, noise, manoeuvrability, and ongoing maintenance – including how simple it is to empty, clean, and reassemble. Every attachment is tested individually as well to understand its real-world practicality.

For wet-dry vacuums, we run additional tests covering wet pickup performance, evaluate any blower or secondary functions where included, and measure noise levels using the DecibelX app.

For full details of our testing methodology, see how we test vacuums.

When offered the chance to review the eufy Omni E25, I was delighted to oblige. Anything that can help keep the constantly-building layer of dust and hair at bay and leave my kitchen and bathroom floors sparkling is an excellent floorcare upgrade for a busy home such as mine.

As I live in a cottage with wonky floorboards and nooks and crannies that collect all manner of hair and debris that comes from a busy life as a family of four, including two young children, I'd always imagined that even the best robot vacuums would find my higgledy-piggledy home something of a nemesis.

However, I have been deeply impressed with how well this sleek and efficient automatic appliance performs, handling all floor types and obstacles with ease, and saving me around 80% of my usual manual cleaning.

My One-Minute Verdict

On the whole, I found the eufy Omni E25 did a great job of keeping on top of my day-to-day cleaning, and, as it's so easy to use once you've set it up, whether from home, remotely, or with the scheduling option. I cleaned far more regularly with this than when I have to use a manual vacuum or mop; my house definitely feels cleaner.

It's not perfect, of course, and despite the corner-roving arm feature, there was still some dust and dirt to deal with manually in those pesky crevices, and spot cleaning after an accidental spill was more fiddly and time-consuming than simply getting my trusty old cordless Dyson out.

I won't be giving up my cordless vacuum for quick cleaning tasks, but it is also fair to say that I haven't gotten my stick vacuum out once since owning the eufy Omni E25 - a testament to its ease of use and efficiency. The dual brushes have also saved me the usual hair-wrap frustration, disposing of hair cleanly and neatly by itself. This feature will be a big win for pet owners, too.

Plus, if you suffer from chronic pain, a robot vacuum like this could be life-changing. No more bending and reaching into awkward spaces, as it does the work for you.

Eufy Omni E25: Specifications

eufy Omni E25: Setup and Maintenance

On delivery, the box was very heavy, and I was unable to lift it myself, so you might want to ensure that you have someone on hand to help you put it in place for unboxing. The eufy Omni E25 was very well packaged with a handy quick-start guide right at the top of the box, featuring a QR code for the e-manual and app download.

Inside, another smaller box, with a handle, was easy to pull out, and contained the vacuum itself, along with the power cord, base plate from the Omni station and a bottle of mop cleaning liquid (a nice bonus, as some products require you to buy these separately from the outset at extra cost).

The base station could then be easily lifted out and placed in position. I'd recommend choosing a designated spot for this before you start unboxing, as eufy suggests a 1.6ft clearance on either side and 4.9ft in front.

In my small cottage, finding a spot with the right clearance proved tricky, but it's worth noting from our other eufy robot vacuum testers that if you don't have the larger clearance on each side, the appliance will still function as expected. The clearance in front, however, is a must.

I positioned mine in the corner of my kitchen near the bins (with a much smaller clearance space) and haven't experienced any issues. The video below shows the robot locating and docking in the base station.

The power cable was too short to reach my socket on the kitchen counter, so I had to use an extension cable. It's not a deal breaker, but a minor irritation and worth considering before positioning.

Once I'd filled the clean water tank, the circular ring light lit up, indicating it was ready to go. I slotted the robot into its charging position and got to work downloading and exploring the app.

I added my eufy Omni E25 as a device on the eufy app and it indicated over 90% battery power, so it was good to go straight out of the box without the need for charging. All in all, I'd say the setup and mapping took me around 1-1.5 hours, but it's a one-time job and worth spending the time to get it right. Read on for more details, or jump to design and features, or the results of the tests we ran to determine its vacuuming performance and mopping power.

Then I followed a series of voice commands, triggered by the app, including connecting the device to my WiFi network, which was easily done, then mapping my floor to create 2D and 3D maps of each room.

When you select 'start mapping', the robot does a cursory sweep of the space, using its cameras and laser sensors to detect any furniture or obstacles. Eufy's advice is to remove as many obstacles as possible, such as power cables, toys, shoes and lightweight furniture, such as dining chairs, for the initial mapping to give a full scope of the area to be cleaned. Once complete, a map of my ground floor appeared on my phone.

This wasn't as accurate as I'd hoped initially, and the map indicated additional rooms where there weren't any, but luckily, there's an 'edit' option which you can use to merge, divide, rename, and expand rooms on your map. Additionally, the map updates with each cleaning to improve accuracy, and it produced a much better representation of my space after the first full floor clean.

Once happy with the map, you can create cleaning tasks and schedules for individual rooms or zones, adjusting the settings to vacuum, mop, or both, and the suction power and water levels to suit your floor surfaces.

The vacuum also automatically recognises when a surface changes from hard floor to carpet or rug and raises the mop head accordingly, but you can also add elements to your map, such as carpet, and even update the specific floor material to wood, marble, tile, and terrazzo, for more tailored cleaning.

Adding furniture, no-go zones (like staircases), or vacuum-only zones to your map allows for an even more tailored result. This does take a little time, but once it's done, you shouldn't need to repeat the process, and you can make small tweaks at any point.

There's no messy dustbin emptying to do with the eufy Omni E25 as it automatically collects dust from the vacuum into the dust bag in the base station after every 15 or 30 minutes of cleaning, or after every clean, which can be adjusted in your settings.

This is the loudest it gets at nearly 80dB, but it's very short-lived, and the clever 'do not disturb' setting will ensure this doesn't happen between certain hours of the day, such as when the children are asleep, or overnight.

The 3L dust bag is large enough for 75 days of continuous cleaning, according to eufy (but it does only come with one bag included, so you'll need to buy replacements, which come in a set of three 3L bags directly from eufy for $16.99).

I can't comment on ease of emptying yet, as I haven't had it for long enough. However, others on our team who have been using eufy robots for over a year say it's as simple as opening the compartment lid on the dock, pulling the bag up and out, and then slotting a new one in its place. The eufy app also provides a prompt and visual step-by-step for all maintenance as it arises, making switches fast and simple.

The self-cleaning mop scrapes away dirt and washes the extra-long brush in real time whilst in use, then performs a more thorough wash and dry afterwards – this can take as long as five hours, but it's quiet enough that you'll barely notice. This stops mold and bacterial growth, causing any odors or sanitation issues.

You can cut short the drying time if you want to perform other tasks, but it's advisable to revert back afterwards to complete the process, as it will prolong the life and hygiene of your mop.

You can empty the dust, clean or dry the mop in the app easily, at other times, too. I haven't had to empty the dirty water tank yet, even after two weeks of use, but I only have a small area to mop, and eufy says this usually needs emptying around once a week, so it will depend on how big your mopping area is.

Our colleagues who have tested for longer tend to empty it weekly to avoid odors building up inside that area, although this is not something you can smell unless you open the compartment.

The high-performance filter is easy to remove and clean with running water, which eufy recommends doing every two weeks, with a full replacement every six months.

There's a handy maintenance guide in the e-manual, which recommends manually cleaning the mop and brushes once a month and replacing them every six months.

While this sounds like a substantial outlay, the most cost-effective way of doing this is to buy a eufy accessories package for $69.99, which includes at least one of everything, and actually works out as quite a good deal.

Design and Features

The eufy Omni E25 has a good range of features, as you'd expect for the $1300 price tag, including a 250% improved turbo suction power of 20,000ps, compared to the brand's previous generation models.

Then there's the HydroJet™ Self-Cleaning Roller Mop, which distributes water evenly through 32 ports, cleans as it mops (120 times per minute).

And, as it removes the dirty water as it goes, my floors were nowhere near as wet as they are when I use a manual mop, even on the high water level setting, meaning they dried quickly, too (no more being banished from the kitchen for hours when I'm craving a coffee).

The 11.4" brush head is nearly the full width of the vacuum itself, allowing for the maximum cleaning area, and it applies 1kg of downward weight as it goes, designed to replicate the pressure you'd apply with a manual mop.

The Edge-Cleaning CornerRover™ Arm extends from the vac body and has thin, flexible bristles that navigate around corners and baseboards, where dust, hair, and crumbs gather, and flick them underneath the vacuum to be sucked up. I found this to be reasonably effective, but sometimes larger debris was flicked away from the vac and missed if it didn't do a second pass of the room.

The AI.See™ Obstacle Avoidance claims to offer superior object recognition, enabling the robot to dodge over 200 common objects as opposed to getting stuck or attempting to climb over things.

It did successfully dodge rogue toys and cables, but proved a little tricky when I actually wanted it to vacuum larger debris, such as in our cereal tests.

However, for the most thorough clean, you'll want to pick up any obstacles before starting a full room vacuum. On the plus side, this has meant I've been keeping my floors tidier and clutter-free more regularly – one of the unexpected benefits of owning a robot vacuum.

The eufy Omni E25 also has built-in carpet detection, automatically increasing its suction power, which is audibly noticeable, and it worked perfectly in my living room, which has wooden floors and a large rug.

And if, like me, you have an ongoing battle with hair, from people or trying to keep your house clean with pets, the DuoSpiral™ Detangle system is a revelation.

As the name suggests, it features not one, but two roller brushes, which direct collected hair into a gap in the middle, where it's sucked up, rather than getting wrapped around repeatedly and caught up.

Head of Solved and cat owner, Punteha Van Terheyden, also wrote about how her eufy robot vacuum was a game-changer for tackling pet hair, too.

Before this robot, I was having to constantly manual unravel hair from my old vacuum's brushroll, which was a deeply unpleasant task.

What Is the eufy Omni E25 Like to Use?

Once the app and mapping were set up, I found the eufy Omni E25 really simple to use. I simply selected 'start' on the app to begin cleaning, or choose a room and tailor the cleaning preferences (mop, vac, turbo etc).

I also liked the option to add custom cleans by room, as this allows for pre-programming cleaning preferences. Another option is to 'draw' out a zone, which is handy if you want to just clean a specific area, like under the dining table, rather than the whole room. I also enjoyed setting it to clean from the comfort of my car (via the app), while I was travelling back from a weekend away, then coming home to a freshly mopped kitchen.

Whilst the vacuum re-charges automatically whenever it's in its base station, I've not noticed it drop below around 80% during my testing period, so losing charge during a clean hasn't been an issue for me. However, I will caveat that by saying that my home does have a relatively small square footage compared to some.

The manufacturer says that the standard run time for the E25 is 125 mins, which is comparable to most of its models and only a touch less than the older, but more expensive eufy Omni S1 Pro at 140 mins.

One of my concerns was whether I'd be able to use the eufy Omni E25 on different floors of the house (I have friends who have invested in one robot vac for each floor).

This proved surprisingly easy with the multi-map function, which allows you to create and edit up to three different maps. I carried the E25 upstairs and placed it on floor, then put a physical barrier at the top of the stairs so that it didn't fall down during the initial mapping process, though it has anti-tip technology to prevent this anyway.

I also added a 'no-go' zone as an extra precaution. Once the cleaning upstairs was complete, the robot returned to where it started, so I could carry it back down and place it back in the base unit to empty and recharge.

The eufy Omni E25 navigated corners and edges really well, stopping short of my wooden furniture and baseboards by a hair's breadth, meaning no bumps and scratches, but allowing for close cleaning.

It even managed to get in between the legs of my dining chairs (with enough force to slightly nudge them out of the way), as well as under my sofa without getting stuck – if you do encounter this problem, these easy ways to stop your robot vacuum getting stuck could help.

The corner rover arm did whip up most of the dust and debris stuck around the edges of the rooms, but this feature isn't faultless, as some larger debris was simply flicked too far away from the machine for it to register, meaning it gets missed. I do like that you can visibly see where it has vacuumed on carpeted floors – like stripes on a freshly mowed lawn – as it adds to that 'just cleaned' feeling.

Whilst the eufy Omni E25 coped well with the transition from my wooden parquet flooring to the central flat rug in my living room (auto-adjusting the suction power when it recognised the change of surface), it did struggle with my smaller, more lightweight rug, which has a fringed edge and got tangled in the brushes.

I followed the advice in the app to tuck it underneath, and the vacuum attempted to get up and over the edge before giving up and going around it, instead.

If you're concerned about noise, it's not loud – around 51-55dB for normal cleaning (which equates to 'quiet home' noise levels according to the decibelX app that I used), and 59dB at maximum in turbo mode. It certainly wasn't enough to interrupt my work or even a call if I closed the door. This is also considerably less than comparable robot vacuum models, like the Dreame X50 Ultra which runs at 73dB.

The mop function coped with day-to-day surface dirt well, but did struggle to remove more dried-on stains (like coffee) even after a few attempts on the same spot. Having said that, I think it did loosen the stains as they wiped cleanly away with a damp cloth afterwards. I also liked the fact that the floors weren't sopping wet after use, thanks to the excess water being vacuumed up, meaning they dried almost instantly.

It's a huge improvement on manual mopping.

Vacuuming Performance

I performed three specific suction tests (sugar, lentils, and cereal) on two different surface types (tile and carpet), to gauge how successfully the eufy Omni E25's vacuum function performed.

At Homes & Gardens, we carry out the same standardized vacuum tests to create an even playing field for comparing and rating performance.

Here's how the eufy Omni E25 got on.

Test 1: Sugar

I poured a quarter of a cup of sugar out onto my kitchen flooring for the first test to see how the eufy Omni E25 coped with fine debris. The thing I found most fiddly about this test was working out how to clean a small area. There is a spot cleaning function, but it's quite well hidden in the settings part of the app. This cleaned around a 2ft square area, but I did find it difficult to pinpoint where I actually wanted the vacuum to go.

I found the most effective option to be the remote control function, which gives you freedom to decide where the vacuum goes. With this option, I cleaned up most of the sugar, but some did get stuck in the grooves between my kitchen tiles, and I had to finish the job manually.

The same test on the carpet was more successful (no tile grooves to contend with), and the turbo suction cleared the fine sugar from my thick-pile carpet with ease, although it did need a few passes to get all the granules.

Test 2: Lentils

This time, I scattered a quarter of a cup of dried lentils on my tiled kitchen floor, ensuring some landed in the grooves and along the baseboards.

Using the remote control function again, the eufy Omni E25 crunched through the lentils, sucking up most of them, but quite a few were scattered further away thanks to the brushes on the corner rover arm.

When you're in spot cleaning mode, the vacuum doesn't detect the debris that has been flicked to the opposite side of the room, but with the manual controls, I was able to pick up all the loose lentils.

On the carpet, the performance was similar, and the lentils seemed to prove tricky to suck up from the thick pile, even in turbo mode. I did manage to clean up most of them, but the weight-to-size ratio of the lentils made this a more challenging task.

Test 3: Cereal

For the final vacuuming test, I spilt a quarter cup of O-shaped cereal on the kitchen floor and another on the carpet. Initially, the eufy Omni E25 backed up when it encountered some of the large pieces of cereal, acting as if they were objects to avoid (small Legos, perhaps) rather than clean up.

But when I switched to remote control mode, it actually coped better with this larger debris than with the lentils and crushed the cereal into a powder before sucking them up from the tiled flooring.

On the carpet, the odd few Os were flung into corners, but again the remote control function allowed me to go back and forth over the same area a few times to pick most of them up.

It's also worth noting that a few days (and a few bin empties) after all three tests, I was still finding remnants of sugar, lentils and cereal in the base unit, and when I took the filter out to clean it, there were lentils left in the vacuum's small dustbin compartment, indicating that they hadn't been sucked into the main unit, so I did have to empty it manually.

How It Performed on Hair

While this isn't a specific test, it's worth a mention here, as hair can be troublesome for vacuum cleaners, getting tangled in the brushes and negatively affecting performance. It's especially important if you own pets or have long-haired members of your household who are constantly shedding.

I fall into the latter category (no pets, but three long-haired family members, me included), and one of my most heinous chores involves taking apart my vacuum brushes to untangle handfuls of tightly wound hair from the mechanism.

I was interested to see how the eufy Omni E25 would tackle this, having read about its dual brushes, which claim to prevent tangling. Well, this was one of my favorite features.

When I turned the robot upside down after vacuuming the whole of my first floor (all carpet, and the worst offender when it comes to hair), the brushes were clean as a whistle. I picked out a very dense hairball that was in the middle of the brushes and about to be sucked up for disposal, and one or two of these were also dropped on my carpet during the process (which were easily popped in the trash), but – crucially – none in the brushes themselves.

I did notice a little bit of hair tangled around the wheels, though, which I had to unwind, but compared to the alternative, I can live with that.

Mopping Performance

To put the mopping power of the eufy Omni E25 to the test, I put it through its paces with Ketchup and mustard spills – the same tests Homes & Gardens use for all robot vacuums with a mop function. This helps us to make a fair comparison and you to decide what to spend your money on.

Test 1: Ketchup

The eufy Omni E25 features a built-in camera to detect stains. For this test, I squirted a quarter cup of ketchup across my tiled kitchen floor and set the mop to work. There's no mop-only function, so the only option is to vacuum and mop. Before it starts cleaning, the base station performs a mop clean in situ, dispensing clean water and cleaning fluid onto the roller.

While the robot did seem to detect the spillage, honing in on it (in the zone cleaning mode), it did leave a fairly substantial smear on the floor, with more between the tile grooves, before returning to the base station. Once a mopping task is complete, the base station auto-cleans the mop, and you have to wait until this is finished before starting another task. It then moves on to drying the mop, but you can interrupt this to do more cleaning, which is a good thing, as a full dry can take up to five hours.

I was able to start the mop again in remote control mode and cover the ground that it had missed before, but I still needed to wipe the remaining Ketchup up from between the tile grooves with a kitchen towel to complete the job.

Test 2: Mustard

The eufy Omni E25 did a good job of cutting through the thick mustard spillage (again, around a quarter cup's worth), on the tiled kitchen floor. It didn't seem to smear it around as much as it did with the ketchup, but it did still leave some in the grooves and a slight residue on the tiles.

When I flipped the vacuum over, I also discovered a fairly sustantial about of ketchup and mustard in the brush and the tread of the wheels. This was a concern as I didn't want to risk vacuuming the rest of my home afterwards, without thoroughly cleaning off the residue, for fear of smearing sticky sauce on my other floors and carpets.

Whilst in general I really like the mop function of this robot vacuum, and think it's really effective at day-to-day cleaning, I think it has some way to go in terms of being effective at spot cleaning. It's also worth noting that the spot clean and remote control options aren't available in mop mode, so you'll need to rely on full room or zone cleaning to tackle spills like this.

How Does the eufy Omni E25 Compare?

The only difference that you'll find the eufy Omni E25 and its upgraded sister model, the eufy Omni E28, which we're in the process of reviewing, is the lack of a detachable portable deep cleaner, which puts the price tag up by $100.

This would be useful for tackling problem areas and dried-on stains, but it depends on what you're looking for in a robot vacuum and how much you want to spend.

If you do like the versatility of having a stick and handheld vac as well, you might want to try the eufy 3-in-1 E20, which includes all three options that share a canister for dust collection. It's around half the price and will save on storage compared to three completely separate items, but the robot vacuum power is considerably lower than the eufy Omni E25, with 8,000pa compared to 20,000pa.

The eufy Omni S1 Pro is a good bet if you have cats or dogs. This robot vacuum still comes highly recommended for pet hair, by Home Tech Editor Dan Fauzi, despite being an older and less powerful model.

But, the eufy Omni E25 swings it for me thanks to the higher suction power (20,000pa vs 8,000pa), more rotations per minute, and the improved detangling brushes, as well as for its more compact base station (the S1 stands at over 26" tall, compared to the E15 at 17"). The E25 is also $200 cheaper, so it's a win-win. It can often be discounted by hundreds of dollars at a time during retailer events, so look out for good deals.

If you have a lot of hard flooring, you'd do well to check out the newer, but more budget-friendly eufy Omni C28, which has similar functionality but slightly lower suction power (15,000pa), for around half the price of the E25.

As for other brands, the Dreame X50 Ultra comes at a similar price point to the eufy Omni E25, and our reviewer said it offered 'outstanding' cleaning performance, was 'a breeze to set up,' and she liked its 'lightweight design'. It's a bit louder at 73db, compared to the much quieter eufy Omni E25, which maxed 55db on turbo mode. But if that's not an issue, this is a good alternative.

How I Tested the eufy Omni E25

At Homes & Gardens, we have a dedicated and thorough procedure for how we test vacuums. We recreate real-life circumstances by putting each vacuum through its paces, making note of how it performs with different substances on different surfaces.

I tested the eufy Omni E25 with sugar, lentils, and cereal on both hard and carpeted floors, using various vacuuming modes (from spot cleaning to zone cleaning and remote control) to find the most effective, and recorded how successful it was at vacuuming each substance. I noted down any issues and where the vacuum struggled or excelled in my home, and took photos and videos to give an accurate representation of daily performance over the course of two weeks.

To test the mopping functionality of the eufy Omni E25, I spilled ketchup and mustard on a tiled kitchen floor, and recorded how effectively it cleaned the spillages up. I noted whether it left smears or residue between tiles and whether it required an additional clean to finish the job, as well as what was left on the vacuum after the task was complete.

Once you've mastered using the eufy Omni E25, (or a different model, if you prefer), you'll want to know how to clean your robot vacuum to ensure it performs at it best and lasts for as long as possible.

The Dyson PencilWash is a sleek, lightweight hard floor cleaner that promises clean floors with minimal effort, using only fresh water and a fast-spinning mop roller. It's one of Dyson's latest releases that focuses primarily on hard floor cleaning.

On test, the Dyson PencilWash certainly lived up to its name as a near-effortless appliance to use, but its cleaning performance left much to be desired. However, if you're looking for a gentle cleaner to handle daily messes on your hard floors between your weekly cleans, then this is perfect.

If you're in the market for one of the best vacuum-mop combos to streamline vacuuming and mopping for truly spotless floors, the PencilWash may not be for you – and I'd recommend other models from Dreame and Tineco that have shone from our rigorous testing sessions.

My One-Minute Summary

The Dyson PencilWash is a smooth, maneuverable wet floor cleaner that is so lightweight and nimble, it almost feels like it's an extension of your arm. It's sleeker than other vacuum-mop combos out there, and its metallic, bronzed aesthetic would make a nice addition to a kitchen or laundry room.

However, it's only really useful as a light, gentle cleaner. It can't handle thick spillages easily, nor can it pick up medium or large debris. It takes repeated passes to clean stains, and its suction is a little poor when it comes to picking up residue that's stuck between any cracks.

In reality, this means you'll still need your best vacuum cleaner, as well as a regular mop, to be able to deeply sanitize your floors.

At a similar price, I would recommend the Dreame H14 Pro or the Tineco Floor One Strech S6. Both vacuum-mops clean much more thoroughly, while being less messy to empty, and with a charging station that cleans and dries the mop roller to avoid bacteria buildup.

Dyson PencilWash: Specifications

Dyson PencilWash: Design and Features

The Dyson PencilWash is a slimmer, more stylish vacuum-mop than those popularized by brands such as Dreame, Tineco and Bissell. It has a sleek, metallic aesthetic, with a bronzed orange wand that will blend nicely into chic kitchen interiors and laundry rooms.

Other than the floorhead and the coloring, it's designed almost the same as the Dyson PencilVac Fluffycones, Dyson's latest and slimmest cordless vacuum:

Both models are part of Dyson's latest push to release sleek appliances that can easily blend into the home, take up minimal storage space, and are lightweight and effortless to use.

Like most vacuum-mop combos, the PencilWash has multiple suction modes, but only two: Normal and MAX. There is no dirt detection, so it won't adjust its cleaning based on how dirty your floors are.

Instead, when you need to spot clean stubborn stains, press the MAX button, and the roller will clean using more water for five seconds. Or, you can hold it down to use for longer.

The Dyson PencilWash is designed to be used with just water, but you can use the Dyson 02 Probiotic Hard Floor Cleaning Solution (that costs $23.99) for a more thorough clean. It isn't included with the initial purchase.

The roller spins while being continually refreshed by clean water from eight hydration points, while a fine scraper removes dirty water and debris with every spin.

The Dyson PencilWash keeps all clean and dirty water within the floorhead, so it doesn't move up through the machine, eliminating the need for a filter and minimizing potential durability issues.

However, this means that the water tanks are tiny. Compared to the 20-30 fluid ounces you'd typically expect for each tank, the PencilWash has a 10.1 fl. oz. clean tank and an 11.5 fl. oz. dirty tank.

The vacuum has a maximum runtime of 30 minutes, and charges on the charging dock in around two hours.

What is the Dyson PencilWash Like to Use?

The Dyson PencilWash has the best manoeuvrability out of any vacuum-mop I've tested. The straight handle offers natural, controlled movements, swivelling around objects and into tight spaces with ease.

That, in my view, is this vacuum's greatest strength. It's a lightweight and nimble appliance that can swiftly mop hard floors, removing light debris and liquid spills.

But after testing the Dyson PencilWash throughout my home, which has a mix of tile, wood, and laminate flooring, I felt that it was only carrying out a light clean.

On normal mode, it felt as if the mop roller wasn't cleaning as thoroughly as a regular mop. There was occasionally a thin, dry gap in the cleaning path, showing that the wet roller wasn't always consistently touching the floor, and afterwards, the floor still felt a little sticky, and by no means sanitized.

This may be improved with the addition of the Dyson 02 Probiotic Hard Floor Cleaner, but even if so, the suction wasn't strong enough to pick up many visible pieces of debris on my floor. Onion peels, crumbs, and other debris were either left on the floor after repeated passes or sucked up only to fall back out of the floorhead minutes later.

I wouldn't rely on the PencilWash to be your home's only wet floor cleaner, which may be somewhat excessive considering the $350 price point. But, if you're happy to always vacuum first, and perhaps spray some of your own cleaning solution on the floor to help with the deep clean, then the PencilWash could make a sleek, easy-to-use addition to your cleaning toolkit.

Dyson PencilWash: Cleaning Tests

I tested the Dyson PencilWash using our standardized vacuum-mop tests, to assess its ability to clean up messes of different consistencies and sizes. This includes ketchup, mustard, chunky pasta sauce, a raw egg and its shell, and milk and cereal.

I first attempted to clean the ketchup and mustard stains in normal mode, but a significant amount of residue was left behind. But unfortunately, in MAX mode, the results were quite similar.

The PencilWash cleaned the majority of the mustard in about four passes, but it then took a lot longer (and cleaning from different angles) to get the mustard that was between the cracks. Plus, watery mustard residue seeped out of the floorhead, meaning I had to go over the patch a few more times to make sure that was cleared, too.

This problem persisted when cleaning ketchup, too. As the vacuum passed through the ketchup stain, mustard residue spilled out of the floorhead again. This is indicative of the dirty tank design. It isn't completely self-contained; rather, it is essentially a drip tray with no secure lid, allowing dirty liquid to easily spill out.

The stain removal performance on the ketchup and pasta sauce was similar to that of cleaning mustard. Most of it was cleared in three passes, but it took longer to vacuum between the cracks and what had spilled out of the floorhead.

Attempting to clean the egg, milk and cereal demonstrated how poorly the PencilWash handles debris. Granted, these can be challenging tests for even the most robust vacuum-mops, such as the Dreame H14 Pro, but the PencilWash was virtually unable to vacuum any eggshell pieces or cereal crumbs, leaving me to wash the entire floorhead by hand to remove the stuck-on mess.

To summarise, the PencilWash can clear sauce spillages faster than your regular mop, but for any debris, you'd be better off cleaning it by hand.

Dyson PencilWash: Setup and Maintenance

Setting up the PencilWash was a quick process. Attach the handle to the main wand, insert it into the charging base, and plug it in until fully charged (for me, this took two hours).

The charging dock doesn't clean or dry the roller. Instead, the floorhead must be removed and placed into a separate drip tray (pictured above), while the 'Pencil' wand attaches to the charging station.

This doubles the floor space needed to store the vacuum. But more importantly, it makes the floorhead more easily prone to unwanted odors, bacteria and mold growth.

Dyson recommends that you rinse the roller and the floorhead parts after each use, however there's no way to do so without getting your hands dirty:

The dirty water tank is essentially the entire bottom of the floorhead, so all of the vacuumed-up mess gets into every part. Each part is small and needs to be taken apart by hand.

Thoroughly cleaning the floorhead after every use would undoubtedly minimize the risk of smells and bacteria growth, but as it's such a messy process, this would naturally be an off-putting step for many, especially when alternative models such as the Dreame H14 Pro and the Tineco Floor One Stretch S6 can be emptied and rinsed largely without having to touch the mess yourself.

That said, every part is small and therefore easy to rinse with minimal splashing, even if you have a small sink.

How Does the Dyson PencilWash Compare?

The Dyson PencilWash costs $349.99 at Dyson. That's more affordable than the $600 to $800 you can typically expect to pay for flagship models from brands such as Dreame and Tineco, but still quite a high price when you consider the PencilWash's lackluster cleaning performance.

The Dreame H14 Pro, our best-on-test vacuum-mop, cost $699.99 when released, but now you can find it for around $350 to $450 at Dreame. It cleans more thoroughly than the PencilWash in every way – handling thick spillages and large debris as easily as small stains – and it also self-dries the mop roller to avoid bacteria growth and odors.

The Tineco Floor One Stretch S6 is another great option, with similar maneuverability to the PencilWash, including the ability to lie completely flat. It costs $349 at Tineco, and again, cleans more effectively than the PencilWash, with more robust debris pickup, and a less messy emptying mechanism.

For more vacuum shopping advice, learn how the best robot vacuums from our rigorous testing sessions can make your weekly cleans less intensive.

Banishing dust and allergens that have built up in your home is a never-ending cycle, especially with pollen counts rising sharply. But there's one secret dust trap that most householders forget to clean: Fabric headboards.

These headboards can act as magnets for airborne particles. Much like carpets, sofas, and pet beds, the soft, fibrous surface of your headboard collects dust, dander, and pollen daily, and if left uncleaned, will expose you to allergens while you sleep.

Fortunately, the fix is simple. Use the correct attachment for your vacuum cleaner, and the accumulated dust and pollen will be cleared with ease in seconds this spring.

How to Clean This Common Household 'Dust Trap' This Month

Scott Levene, air quality expert and VP of Levco, recommends the right tools for cleaning the dust trap that is your fabric headboard: 'Smaller handheld vacuums with soft brush attachments work the best.'

This $11.59 set of universal soft brush attachments at Amazon is perfect for the task, with an adjustable nozzle to fit different vacuum models.

'However, it’s ideal to use a crevice tool for cleaning tufted buttons, seams, and decorative crevices where dust and debris accumulate the most,' he adds.

The process of vacuuming a fabric headboard is easy, as Rhonda Wilson, quality lead cleaner at FreshSpace Cleaning, recommends. She says, 'Always move from top to bottom, in slow and overlapping strokes.'

This is important when cleaning upholstery, as vacuuming from top to bottom captures dust that floats down below from higher areas.

Alternatively, a lint roller, such as this $12.99 pack of six rollers at Amazon, will capture micro-sized particles on your headboard, but they won't be able to reach into crevices or around buttons.

Why It's Important to Clean Your Headboard In Spring

'Fabric collects dust and allergens and is harder to clean than a wooden headboard because it is like magnets for dead skin cells, pet dander, and body oils,' says Scott. 'Without routine cleaning, they can harbor allergens.'

Rhonda also explains how certain fabrics and designs can worsen the allergen buildup: 'If you have a tufted headboard, the piping along the edges acts like a ridge collecting dust.'

'As for the fabric, anything heavier in texture, like chenille or tweed style, poses a problem, as thicker yarns and a more pronounced weave trap dust. And if you run your hand over velvet, the upright fibers are where the dust will cling,' she continues.

This accumulation, which can grow exponentially in spring when your windows are more likely to be open for extended periods before the haze of summer humidity hits, makes your headboard prime for catching the allergens that will end up setting you off overnight.

Removing this as part of your weekly cleaning routine will help you sleep better and avoid seasonal allergy flares. Adding a good air purifier to your sleep space, such as the Shark NeverChange Max we reviewed and rated highly, will also capture rogue floating particles, maximizing your comfort further during the spring season of pollen spikes.

What to Shop

To be able to deep clean your headboard of any dust, pollen, and household allergens, you'll need a few tools in your cleaning toolkit: A soft brush attachment and crevice tool for your vacuum cleaner, a lint roller for quick cleans, and a microfiber cloth for removing any visible marks. Here is a selection recommended by our product experts.

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

Next, learn the surprising things making your allergies worse, and how a steam cleaner could be your next solution to allergies.

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Most people vacuum in a similar fashion, 'rowing' the vacuum cleaner in straight, horizontal lines. But when it comes to carpet, this isn't the most effective technique, as the upright carpet fibers aren't being cleaned from every angle.

Instead, you can clean carpets more thoroughly by vacuuming in a 90-degree cross-hatch pattern. It's one of the major learnings I've gathered from testing the best vacuums for pet hair in a cat and dog shelter.

For definitive results, I put it to the test with my Dyson V15 Detect that counts particulate matter. While it may seem like more work, you will pull up a tremendous amount more.

Vacuum in a 90-Degree Cross-Hatch Pattern to Clean More Thoroughly

Whether looped or not, carpet fibers stand upright, and dust, dirt, and hair cling to every side of them. This means that vacuuming forwards and backwards only agitates them from two angles.

Instead, vacuuming in a cross-hatch pattern allows your vacuum's brushroll to agitate every side of each carpet fiber, dislodging what's trapped to allow the suction to pull it up.

I have spent more than 400 hours testing the world's best vacuum cleaners, and a significant portion of that has been spent deep cleaning Bristol ARC, a local cat and dog shelter, finding the most effective ways to pull up as much fur as possible from the low, medium, and thick-pile carpet.

I have learned that this is a simple but highly effective solution that can make even the best vacuums for carpet clean deeper than ever before.

The Results

To find out definitively, I vacuumed two areas of my entryway: One using horizontal lines and the other using the cross-hatch pattern. My entryway has consistent foot traffic along the whole stretch of the floor.

Each area was 4'' by 4'', and I vacuumed each one in ten passes. My Dyson V15 Detect counts individual particles as they're vacuumed, up to the millions, so I was able to accurately compare how much each vacuuming pattern picked up.

The results were clear:

• Using horizontal lines, the vacuum cleaner picked up 51 million particles.
• Using the cross-hatch pattern, the vacuum cleaner picked up 72 million particles.

So, vacuuming in horizontal lines means you're missing almost a third of the dust, debris, and hair that is trapped within your carpet fibers. To maximize your carpet cleaning, the cross-hatch pattern at a 90-degree angle is your best solution.

What to Shop

To help clean your carpets as thoroughly as possible, here are a few tried-and-tested tools that our product experts use at home.

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

Next, see which vacuums top our guides of the best Dyson alternatives after our rigorous testing sessions.

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Vacuuming your home doesn't tend to spread the most pleasant scents around the house, especially if you have pets. Dust, pet hair, dander, and household mess all carry their own odors, and as air flows through your vacuum, these odors can be expelled into the rooms you're cleaning.

But this $6.46 pack of vacuum fragrance tablets at Amazon, costing just 81 cents each, can solve this enduring issue, while demanding little effort. Simply crush up a tablet, sprinkle it on your floor, vacuum it up, and the constant airflow will release the lemony scent throughout your home.

It's an easy, inexpensive way to turn your vacuum cleaner into your next best home fragrance, effortlessly replacing musty odors so that your home can finally smell like an Anthropologie store.

Your Vacuum Cleaner Can Fill Your Home With Fresh Aroma

Dog and cat fur can leave a persistent odor in your home, regardless of how often you vacuum. Even if you have one of the best vacuums for pet hair with robust HEPA filtration, odor particles can easily seep out of your vacuum's exhaust, as HEPA filters aren't able to capture them all.

That's why many of us, myself included, use alternative methods to mask the smell of household mess and hair.

The EnviroCare Vacuum Cleaner Scent Tablets at Amazon are one of the easiest, safest solutions I have found in my two years as Homes & Gardens' Home Tech Editor and professional vacuum tester, during which I have spent 400 hours testing and speaking to dozens of householders to find the most effective vacuuming methods.

Unlike essential oils and baking soda, other odor-releasing hacks that can actually damage your vacuum, crumbled up tablets are safe to vacuum up, and EnviroCare asserts that they're made from non-toxic materials, contributing to your calm, non-toxic home.

Shoppers have praised the fresh, lemon scent that it gives off, and how long-lasting the aroma is in the room. One reviewer at Amazon said, 'it works perfectly', while another Amazon reviewer said, 'These tabs get rid of any leftover mustiness. Definitely recommend.'

The EnviroCare Vacuum Scent Tablets are available at Amazon for $6.46, for a pack of eight.

More to Shop

The EnviroCare Vacuum Scent Tablets are one of many solutions to beat household odors while vacuuming. Here are six more recommendations.

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

Next, learn the best natural deodorizers to use around your home.

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If you find your dustbin fills up too quickly, forcing you to stop mid-clean to empty it, then your vacuum cleaner isn't equipped for the size of your house.

Large spaces need a large vacuum, such as the Shark POWERDETECT Upright, that can cover more than double the area a cordless vacuum can, without stoppages or interruptions.

And as the Shark POWERDETECT Upright is one of the best vacuums we've tested for deep-cleaning suction, with a 12-inch-wide floorhead that covers a lot of ground at once, its large dustbin is important for holding all the messes of a big, messy home.

The Shark POWERDETECT Upright Is the Ideal Cleaning Companion for Large, Messy Homes

The Shark POWERDETECT Upright has a 2.02qt dustbin, meaning it can cover more than double the floor space of most of the best cordless vacuums, which average around 0.8qt.

It also has a 12-inch-wide floorhead, so its cleaning path is significantly larger than that of smaller vacuums, making quick work of bigger areas. Cordless vacuums, and some canister vacuums, typically have floorheads that are 7-10 inches wide, so with the Shark POWERDETECT Upright, you're covering more of the floor with each motion and getting to the finish quicker, without compromising the thoroughness of the clean.

When you pair this with immensely powerful suction that, on test, removed all visible dust, dirt, and hair in one go, each pass with the Shark POWERDETECT Upright deep cleans a large area of your floor, making it the perfect floorcare solution for big homes.

Other features make it a convenient helper for large homes, too, such as sensors that adapt to your floors, meaning if you move from hard floors to carpets, it automatically changes the settings for the best and fastest clean.

Family homes with pets often need cleaning as frequently as multiple times a day, and fiddling around with the settings, as well as stopping mid-flow to empty the dust bin, can become frustrating amidst a busy environment. That's where the Shark POWERDETECT Upright makes life easier by handling those adjustments and giving you a heavily bolstered dust capacity.

The Shark POWERDETECT Upright is available for $449 at SharkNinja.

More to Shop

As Homes & Gardens' home tech editor and resident vacuum tester, the Shark POWERDETECT Upright is the model I consistently recommend to consumers looking for a deep-cleaning floorcare solution for their large homes.

But it isn't the only vacuum cleaner I recommend to make life easier when cleaning big, busy spaces.

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

Next, learn how often you should vacuum to maintain a calm home without overworking yourself, and see how the best robot vacuums we've tested can free up hours of chore time a week by cleaning your floors for you.

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Even floorcare with the most robust filtration can trigger allergy symptoms. I experience this first-hand with my flashy cordless, because every time I empty it, the dust blows into the air.

But while bagless vacuums have been the popular, convenient choice for some time, I recently switched to the bagged Miele Guard L1 Cat & Dog (now on sale at Walmart) – and my allergies have never been quieter.

This corded canister vacuum traps dust particles, pollen, and dander in its sealed bag – and paired with its best-in-class suction power and decades-long lifespan, this best Miele vacuum not only keeps my home effortlessly spotless, but my allergy symptoms at bay.

This Bagged Miele Is the 'Pro-Level' Return to Flawless, Allergen-Free Vacuuming

As a lifelong asthma and allergy sufferer, I am always searching for solutions that will ease my symptoms and improve my daily comfort – and my most recent upgrade has arrived right as allergy season is dawning.

The Miele Guard L1 Cat & Dog is an ultra-powerful canister vacuum that, during our rigorous testing, left no trace of dust. It is the strongest performer of the 93 vacuums we've thoroughly vetted in our test center and in real homes.

But it's more than a shining example of world-class cleaning, as without a dustbin to empty, your floor's dust, hair, and other household allergens are sucked into a sealed, disposable vacuum bag that you simply throw away once full.

So, there is no more dust blow-back every time I have to empty my appliance. The symptom-inducing dust particles that I spend time vacuuming (effortlessly, as you'll see in my video below) stay locked in the bag, meaning that routine appliance maintenance and vacuum emptying no longer trigger my allergy reactions.

This is such a relief in spring as pollen counts rise and symptoms can level up seemingly overnight.

After James Dyson invented the first high-performing bagless vacuum cleaner and paved the way for all the best cordless vacuums that followed, bagged alternatives have largely been forgotten about.

But while bagless vacuums bring convenience and fewer recurring costs, the bagged design allows for greater durability and tighter allergen retention. It's a major point of comparison between bagged vs bagless vacuums.

It's precisely why Miele canister vacuums can last decades and end up costing you less per use, even against budget cordless options, especially if you pick one up at the current sale price:

As you can see in the comparative table above, the Miele has superior suction power and floor cleaning performance, alongside allergy-trapping sealed vacuum bags and the lowest cost per use.

If you were to pick the Miele up at full price, the cost per use is similar to the budget cordless, which cannot compare in performance or dust-trapping capability.

As for longevity, while the Miele vacuum is still cleaning at its best, many years down the line, you will have most likely replaced your cordless or upright vacuum in that time, once, if not more, not to mention the cost of spare filters or replacement parts after things start wearing out.

The Miele Guard L1 Cat & Dog is an investment appliance that cleans more effectively than the competition and traps allergens more securely.

How It Works

As dust, pollen, and dander are pulled directly into its sealed bag, the appliance's internal parts aren't quietly being eroded away by debris. The motor is housed separately, meaning there's a reduced risk of electrical damage and wear-and-tear over time.

It also requires less maintenance. A major part of vacuum maintenance is routinely cleaning the filter – a task that most people do less frequently than they should – but with this bagged Miele vacuum, the bag is the filter, so every time it's replaced, the performance and suction power return to its peak once again.

Naturally, this means that the Miele Guard L1 Cat & Dog comes with recurring costs. A pack of four Miele TU HyClean bags costs $28.99 at Miele, or you can get a pack of eight for $40 at Amazon. This ongoing spend is why many get put off by bagged vacuum cleaners, but it isn't as expensive as it may initially appear.

Plus, this appliance is more robust and a lifelong investment in quality and longevity that is expected to last 20 years, bringing the cost per use (if you vacuum once a week) to just $1.12 cents. If you vacuum more than once a week, even less.

The Miele Guard L1 Cat & Dog is discounted to $569.99 at Walmart.

More to Shop

The Miele Guard L1 Cat & Dog is a durable and powerful floor cleaning investment for your hardworking home, and a secure solution to finally banishing allergy symptoms when vacuuming.

Not only is it the most effective bagged vacuum we've tested, but the current offers available also make it more affordable than every other bagged vacuum we've tested. If you're looking for the ultimate floorcare experience, look no further.

But it isn't the only appliance that can reduce allergies and deep-clean your home. Here are a few more of our vetted recommendations to help you keep allergy season at bay this spring and beyond.

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

Next, see which vacuums top our guides of the best vacuums for pet hair and the best robot vacuums after weeks-long testing sessions.

If you are averse to damp odors, you will know the discomfort of having a mop that never seems fresh and sanitized, even when fully dry. For such a vital cleaning tool, this ineffective process need not be the standard in your home.

Consign the lingering smell from your traditional mop to history with the Dyson Wash G1, which is now discounted to its lowest price ever with $370 off for a limited time. Having vetted it myself in our test center, I highly recommend it.

It not only clears debris in the high-caliber performance Dyson is renowned for, but it also sanitizes hard floors and its mop roller with every spin, so only fresh water reaches surfaces. In my Dyson Wash G1 review, I noted how it was expensive compared to some of the best vacuum-mops I've tested, but at this rare price, it's a worthy and well-timed upgrade.

The Dyson WashG1 Prevents Manual Scrubbing and Lingering Mop Smells

I test the best and latest floor care and spend many hours in our dedicated test center every month, but the effort-heavy tasks involved with traditional mopping put me off from doing it at home, as well as the odor that builds in the mop head as it dries, which is a result of bacteria. These organisms thrive in moisture and protein-rich environments.

Similarly, I don't want to have to wring out a mop every few seconds while it moves dirty water across my floor. I also don't like how disposable these mops are by nature, as I prefer to be as sustainable at home as possible.

These issues are exactly what the Dyson WashG1 vacuum-mop is designed to solve. It does the scrubbing for you, with counter-rotating rollers that spin 455 times per minute. And instead of having to repeatedly wring out a fabric head and freshen the water as you mop your floors, the WashG1 takes care of the task as it operates. In a matter of seconds, it removes the dirt and brown liquid it has lifted from your floors, then soaks the rollers with fresh water before its next rotation.

This privilege usually costs $769.99, but it's now discounted by $370 – its lowest price since its release in August 2024. I'm a strong believer in streamlining your chores and reclaiming precious time in the fast-paced nature of modern life, and investing in high-quality, high-performance floor care is one of the most valuable purchases you can make for your hardworking home without compromising the quality of your cleaning. In fact, it will improve your cleaning standard.

The way that dirty water is scraped away and fresh water is applied to the WashG1's rollers is an engineering marvel, as even without any cleaning solution, the dirt that's removed from your floor is never returned to the surface the way a traditional mop would. Dyson engineers detailed to me how it works at their HQ in Malmesbury, UK, but I'm still impressed to this day.

And during my rigorous testing of this appliance, I was impressed at how effortless it was to use. It glides across the floor as smoothly as the best cordless vacuums, requiring minimal effort to push, and with constant fresh water coming into contact with the floor, sanitation is guaranteed.

What's more, once you've finished cleaning your floors, the charging station runs a self-cleaning cycle, so that any leftover bacteria or odors on the rollers are banished, leaving it dry, odorless, and ready for the next time you need to refresh your floors.

It also delivers streak-free cleaning, compared to traditional mopping that pushes dirty water across floors almost constantly, even if you know the best way to use your mop. As the Dyson WashG1 is simultaneously vacuuming and mopping, this dirty water is actively being removed at all times.

And on top of getting rid of having to wring out your mop, this method also means you're able to vacuum up solids, which protects your floors from damage from any hard debris being caught in the mop.

A common floor cleaning mistake is having tiny, often imperceptible debris on your floor when mopping. This could be because your best vacuum isn't vacuuming enough, or because your floors are prone to trapping debris, but if these pieces remain when you get the mop out, they can easily damage your floors in the process.

The debris and dirty water are split into separate containers, too, so when it comes to emptying them, one can go in the trash while the other goes down the drain.

The Dyson WashG1 is discounted to $399.99 for a limited time.

More to Shop

The Dyson WashG1 frees you from the physical and time-consuming tasks traditional mopping brings, without any additional cleaning solution costs, as it only needs fresh water to effectively sanitize.

But it isn't the only cleaner we've tested that solves this problem. Here is my curated selection of alternatives, as Homes & Gardens' resident floor care tester.

All prices correct at time of publication.

Technology is transforming floorcare to be easier and faster than ever, and as Homes & Gardens' home tech editor, I love watching this market grow and expand. The best vacuums for pet hair that I've tested in a local cat and dog shelter are shining examples and will help keep your home clean with pets.

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It could be the snowy sludge of the past few weeks or the trodden-in mud of the summer months, but it really doesn't take long for our shoes to make our entryway floors filthy.

But there's a simple (yet handsome) fix: This stylish boot tray at Amazon, which catches dirt and moisture in a waterproof container, and takes just seconds to clean. Sure, it's not a brand new invention, but it's a chic take on the usual plastic offerings.

Your floors will stay spotless, your entryway will look less cluttered, your socks will stay dry, and your vacuum might even last longer, without you having to vacuum up wet debris endlessly.

This simple boot tray is all that's needed to contain all of the outdoor mud and sludge that we track inside daily. Rather than stepping it into our entryways, spreading germs around, and dirtying our precious floors, all of that debris and moisture stays within a self-contained, waterproof tray – and it takes only seconds to clean.

It takes less time and effort to keep your entryway clean this way, compared to vacuuming and mopping more than you need to.

Galvanized steel is a more durable and waterproof material than plastic, and while we aren't understating the value of a doormat, that alone won't protect your floor from moisture, as it continues to seep through and remain on the floor until cleaned.

If your entryway is already cluttered, you may not have thought about bringing another addition into the mix. But professional cleaners and interior designers repeatedly tell us that a clutter-free entryway includes elements like a launch pad for daily essentials, so it makes sense that keeping dirty shoes in their dedicated spot is one of the essential things that people with clean entryways always do.

Having places for storage – rather than shoes dotted around with mud falling off them – is essential for a calmer, more considered look. And if the aesthetic isn't quite what you had in mind for your home, this piece comes in more finishes.

Not only will this mean you can enjoy the benefit of a cleaner, less cluttered entryway, but you will also be protecting your floors. Accumulated dirt and moisture damage floors over time, especially delicate surfaces such as hardwood, so exposing these surfaces to it again and again will only deteriorate the quality, finish, and lifespan of your precious flooring.

I test the best vacuums for a living, and a big part of that involves speaking to appliance engineers and homeowners about the common faults that vacuum cleaners face.

Incorrectly vacuuming up moisture (like the moisture in wet dirt) is a major cause of vacuum breakages, and by confining it to one tray, you're not only protecting your floors – you're preserving your vacuum's lifespan, avoiding more costly repairs down the line.

This boot tray is available at Amazon in a range of different finishes.

What Else to Shop?

Often overlooked, the entryway is one of the hardest-working spaces in the home – your first line of defence against muddy boots, rain-soaked shoes, and everyday debris.

A few thoughtful additions – alongside the clever tray above – can transform it into a beautifully considered, highly practical zone. I’ve rounded up my favourites below: Smart solutions that protect your floors and ensure your space feels polished and welcoming from the moment you step inside.

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

Next, learn how to clean a floor without streaks.

When a stain happens on upholstery or your carpets, it doesn't take long for certain substances to take hold for good, hence the need for suitable appliances that will clear that stain easily and fully.

The Shark CarpetXpert, now $70 less at QVC for Presidents' Day, sucks stains right out of fabric. This edition comes with the Shark StainStriker, a spot cleaning powerhouse that can take care of upholstery, while the CarpetXpert can deep clean carpet.

Together, this package forms one of the best vacuum cleaners we've tested at Homes & Gardens for dealing with both new and old stains.

The Shark CarpetXpert and StainStriker Can Banish Stains From Carpets and Upholstery

There's a special place in your essential cleaning toolkit for a carpet cleaner and spot cleaner. They do the work that our human hands would need a lot more time and physical energy to complete, dabbing and scrubbing over and over until stains disappear.

Instead of patiently hoping that your hard work will get rid of stains, the Shark CarpetXpert and StainStriker can simply pull them right out of the fabric. This can take seconds (genuinely) while being much safer, as you avoid the risk of scrubbing stains deeper into the fabric, a classic rule of stain removal that is all too easy to forget in the moment.

So if you have carpets and soft furnishings in your home and you often find yourself patiently scrubbing away stains to varying effect, the Shark CarpetXpert, currently on offer at QVC for Presidents' Day, is for you. It saves time, cleans more thoroughly, and is safe to use on your precious fabrics.

We saw this first-hand when testing the Shark CarpetXpert. Mystery stains on an outdoor lounge chair, that were more than six months old, were cleared after two quick rounds of spraying and scrubbing.

And it's the spraying that helps the CarpetXpert and StainStriker work as such effective stain removers, and such strong carpet and upholstery cleaners in general. This dedicated Shark cleaning solution is designed to deep clean these soft furnishings to break down stains, remove odors, and wash out bacteria, while protecting the fabric from damage and being safe for pets to sniff and walk on.

The Shark CarpetXpert does what traditional upright vacuums can't. Vacuum cleaners are essential appliances for removing dust, hair, and debris from our carpets, but they don't actually wash them. The stains, bacteria, and odors that are rife within the carpet fibers are still left to grow, affecting our physical well-being, the comfort of our homes, and even damaging the floors down the line.

After one pass over a seemingly clean 8x10' rug, the dirty tank was full of murky brown liquid, and afterwards, the rug had some of its original color restored, while smelling and looking much fresher.

And if you're a pet owner who has long wished for your best vacuum for pet hair to be able to get rid of accidents, the Shark CarpetXpert is your savior. It has a special pet tool with a self-contained dirty tank to avoid nasty messes from getting into the main tank.

It was able to clear a gross mess left behind by a cat, and luckily, the dedicated pet tool has silicone nubs that are much easier to clean than the bristles on the other attachments. After a minute or two of scrubbing, the majority of the mess and stain was gone, and the floor tool was able to clear the rest of it – along with cleaning other old stains and spots of discoloration after being outside all summer.

The Shark CarpetXpert with StainStriker is discounted to $299.98 at QVC for President's Day.

What to Shop

Next, learn how to deep clean carpets to keep yours fresh all year round.

Having to cut hair out of a vacuum cleaner is truly one of the most frustrating and disliked cleaning tasks. But it's also essential, as failing to do so can result in less suction and potential damage to your appliance.

But the Dyson Ball Animal 3, now $200 more affordable than usual, solves this problem. As a seasoned Dyson vacuumer, these appliances truly are the best at avoiding hair wrap at all times, saving you from the annoying task of regularly removing it.

And anti-tangle aside, it's one of the best vacuums for pet hair that thoroughly cleans fur and all manner of household dust from carpets, floors, and upholstery.

The Dyson Ball Animal 3 Never Wraps With Hair, and Boasts Relentless Suction

The Dyson Ball Animal 3 is touted as 'automatically detangling hair', something almost all vacuum brands claim, but on test, we found this to be absolutely true.

It has hair removal vanes: Angled bristles that follow a spiral helix design to guide hair along the brushbar from left to right. It's a clever design, and one that I've seen in other beloved Dyson vacuums from our tests, like the cordless Dyson V15 Detect and Dyson V11.

And still to this day, the Dyson Ball Animal 3 offers some of the highest, most unbeatable suction power that we've ever witnessed in a vacuum cleaner. 'The Dyson does an unbelievable job pulling dirt and dog hair out of the fibers,' Camryn Rabideau wrote in her review.

'Even though I thought the surface was pretty clean, the powerful suction of the vacuum pulled out a disturbing amount of pet hair from the carpet that was hiding under the surface,' she added, highlighting just how effective this cleaner is.

You will no longer have to worry about stubborn hairs being left behind when cleaning carpet, or not being able to pull fur from sofas and upholstery using the attachments. Its suction is so powerful that it grips tight enough to carpets that it can be difficult to push forward (if you leave the wrong setting on).

What's more, having a vacuum that leaves behind no trace of hair is how you can properly combat allergy symptoms at home. Pet dander, dust mites, and other household allergens cling to pet hair (and human hair, but less so, as I learned at Dyson's labs). If there are hidden hairs stuck in the carpet or wrapped around the brushroll, your household is still being exposed to allergens that can trigger sneezing, dry eyes, and irritated skin.

While this performance on hair is essential for pet-filled households, it isn't the only factor you consider when choosing a vacuum cleaner, and fortunately, the Dyson Ball Animal 3 also happens to be one of the highest-performing vacuums we've tested.

Whether it was dust, dirt, or large debris, we didn't find a single drawback in the Dyson Ball Animal 3's cleaning performance, aside from the fact that it can be a bit hefty (as most corded vacuums are), and it doesn't come with any of the smart features you'd find in newer upright vacuums, like dust detection or LED headlights.

But these are fancy add-ons. The vacuum cleaner itself is astoundingly effective, never wraps with hair, and is able to pull even the most stubborn furs out of thick carpets. And as it's a Dyson, you can rest easy knowing it'll last you a good 6+ years, maybe longer with the right care.

The Dyson Ball Animal 3 is discounted to $399.99 at Dyson.

More to Shop

Here are six more solutions to banish fur from your home without getting it stuck in vacuum rollers.

Next, see which vacuums top our rigorously tested guide of the best Dyson alternatives.

I have grown to love Miele vacuums during my time as Homes & Gardens' resident vacuum tester. These premium, robust appliances boast some of the strongest suction and durability on the market, and there are so many models that pretty much every floorcare need can be dealt with.

The Miele Guard M1 Parquet XL is a canister vacuum that is only designed for hard floor cleaning. There are no spinning brushrolls to clean carpets; use soft, padded floorheads that pick up debris using their large surface area and powerful suction.

I tested the Miele Guard M1 Parquet XL in our dedicated test center and a local cat and dog shelter to find out if it could be the next best Miele vacuum for hard floors.

My One-Minute Summary

The Miele Guard M1 Parquet XL is great for vacuuming hard floors, particularly delicate surfaces such as hardwood and tile. There are no spinning brushrolls that can leave marks; instead using padded floorheads and super-strong suction to pick up large amounts of debris at once.

But there are some drawbacks, notably that it's expensive for what it is. There are cheaper vacuums out there that can vacuum hard floors just as well, like the Dreame R20, which is also able to tackle rugs and carpets (unlike the Miele).

Miele Guard M1 Parquet XL: Specifications

Miele Guard M1 Parquet XL: Design and Features

The Miele Guard M1 Parquet XL is designed specifically as a vacuum for hard floors, so neither of the two floorheads (pictured above) has a motorized brushroll. A brushroll can be important for carpet vacuums as the spinning bristles agitate carpet fibers and dislodge debris and hair, but bare floors don't trap dirt, so flat floorheads can do the trick if the suction is strong enough.

And the Parquet XL's suction power is strong. Reaching a maximum of 41.1mph, it generates more airflow than almost all of the 92 best vacuums we've tested at Homes & Gardens. For comparison, the Miele Guard L1 Cat & Dog, one of our all-time best-on-test vacuums, reaches 31.1mph (but has other features that make it such an effective cleaner).

The Parquet Twister XL floorhead has a design I hadn't yet seen in a vacuum. It's 16 inches wide, with small, soft pads around the edge to guide dust and debris inside. The other standard floorhead is included in most Miele vacuums, and has two grip settings to help it glide across different surfaces.

There are four suction modes, but as the Guard M1 Parquet XL doesn't have a brushroll to help pick up dirt, the best performance will always be on the maximum setting. The others can be useful when using the attachments – say, if you're vacuuming curtains or a mattress and the strongest suction would create too much resistance.

The Miele Guard M1 Parquet XL uses vacuum bags. So, no emptying the dustbin – instead, you simply dispose of the vacuum bag once it's full. It helps avoid exposure to allergens, but it also results in recurring costs and more of an impact on landfill, even though Miele's bags are made of 80% recycled material. A four-pack of Guard M1 vacuum bags cost $28.99 at Miele USA and £13.99 at Miele UK.

What Is the Miele Guard M1 Parquet XL Like to Use?

The Parquet Twister XL is so good. It easily maneuvers and swivels as a mop pad does, making it easier to cover more ground at once. It glides smoothly, too.

This also means it is safe on delicate surfaces, like when cleaning hardwood or tile, which appears to be the main USP here. It's designed for 'large hard floors' and gentle cleaning, and after having tested it out, Miele nailed it.

I wanted to see whether these floorheads could still be used on rugs and carpets, so that homes with some soft flooring could still make use of this high-powered vacuum. I delve more deeply into the results below, but although it's hard to push the floorhead across soft flooring – it is as if you're scrubbing with a brush – it was still surprisingly effective.

I like that Miele make button a foot button, as it avoids you having to reach down to the canister every time you need to turn it off or change a setting. It also isn't a given – the Dyson Big Ball Turbinehead has flimsier buttons that could break if kicked too hard (or over time).

The noise levels range from 59.6 to 73.6 decibels, which is a tad quieter than other vacuums but still relatively standard (likely owed to the lack of a spinning brushroll).

Miele Guard M1 Parquet XL: Vacuum Tests

I tested the Miele Guard M1 Parquet XL on hard floors using our standardized vacuum tests on a half cup of flour and sugar (to test for dust and fine debris) and a cup of cereal and lentils (pantry test for medium-large debris).

Great performance on the flour and sugar test. Nothing was left behind after one pass with the regular floorhead. Then, using the Parquet Twister XL, the brushes pushed a little around, but there are gaps between them, so it just involved going over the patch again to make sure everything was picked up.

I ended up running the pantry test twice, because in my first attempt, the floorhead pushed the cereal forward rather than sucking it up. I expected this as the floorhead's opening is narrow and there's no roller to crush down the food pieces, so I removed the floorhead. Then, the suction was powerful enough to vacuum everything up – pieces were being collected from 1-2 inches away.

My testing unit didn't come with the attachments, but I've used all three – the upholstery nozzle, crevice tool, and dusting brush – in four other Miele vacuums, and found them to work really well. As Miele vacuums have such strong suction (the Guard M1 Parquet XL included), these small cleaning tasks are made quick.

Miele Guard M1 Parquet XL: Pet Hair Tests

I tested the Miele Guard M1 Parquet XL at a local cat and dog shelter, Bristol ARC. This is how we gather proven results on real fur to hunt down the best vacuums for pet hair, while also seeing how the vacuum can handle a busy, messy environment with high foot (and paw) traffic.

Super satisfying performance. Everything was picked up instantly, and when using the Parquet Twister XL it felt as if I was simply moving a cushioned pad across the floor.

I also tried using the Guard M1 Parquet XL on carpet, just to see if it does anything, and with my expectations managed as it is designed as a hard floor vacuum.

Movement was limited, I was mostly only able to slowly pull it backwards, but with enough force I pushed it back and forth and achieved a pretty decent clean by doing so. Every patch I vacuumed had no hair or debris left behind, but I wouldn't quite recommend it as one of the best carpet vacuums, as mess was caught in the floorhead pads:

Miele Guard M1 Parquet XL: Setup and Maintenance

While paying for Miele HyClean Air CO vacuum bags is an extra step compared to bagless vacuum cleaners, it means that there's very little to do in terms of setting up and maintaining the vacuum.

There's no dustbin to empty, and as the bag is self-contained, some of the internal parts aren't being worn as much as they would be in a bagless vacuum. All that'll be required is to keep the floorheads clean, or remove canister blockages with a quarter if you ever need to.

The only setup involved is to attach the hose, handle, and floorhead together; then it's ready to use.

How Does the Miele Guard M1 Parquet XL Compare?

The Miele Guard M1 Parquet XL costs $599 at Miele USA and £349 at Miele UK. For a hard floor vacuum, that's pretty expensive – which is my biggest criticism of this model. It vacuums hard floors well, undoubtedly, but you can find other vacuums for a lot less that achieve a similar clean.

The Bissell Hard Floor Expert, costing $239.99 at Bissell, is the closest competitor we've tested. Like the Miele, it's a canister vacuum that's easy to use, has a large dust capacity, and vacuums hard floors well, but it's bagless and doesn't come with those recurring costs.

Alternatively, budget cordless sticks are great options for hard floors. They're lightweight and more convenient, while taking up less space, and without having your cleaning sessions restricted by a power cord.

The Dreame R20, often on offer for around $147.99 at Dreame, is a strong choice, with more powerful suction than other vacuums at that price point. Plus, it has a soft roller that helps to more effectively capture super-fine particles such as dust and allergens.

How I Tested the Miele Guard M1 Parquet XL

I tested the Miele Guard M1 Parquet XL using our usual vacuum testing methodology, consisting of standardized tests across flour and sugar, cereal and lentils, and pet hair.

But as this is a hard floor vacuum, I only ran the tests on hard floors (wood and linoleum), but I tested the suitability for carpet at the pet shelter.

I also assess the usability of all the features, and compare the price to similar models we've tested.

For more floorcare inspiration, see our tested guides of the best Dyson alternatives and the best robot vacuums.

I recently saw a viral video on TikTok of someone vacuuming a rug as slowly as possible, after they heard that the cleaning trend reveals how much secret dust you can pull up by doing so.

As Homes & Gardens' resident professional vacuum tester, I had to try it out for myself, and the results echoed what I've already seen in years of testing: Vacuuming with fast strokes is nowhere near as effective as taking your time.

Before trying this trend, I hadn't vacuumed this slowly, and luckily, I have one of the best vacuums to try it out with: The Dyson V15 Detect.

This clever Dyson counts how many particles you've picked up during your cleaning sessions, up to the millions, so I was able to see whether this technique is as effective as it seems. Spoiler alert: It's astounding.

What Is the Trending 'Slow Vacuuming' Method?

TikTok user @itsmorganstarr revealed how simple the 'Slow Vacuuming' method is: Just vacuum your rug or carpet as slowly as possible. Doing so allows the bristles to repeatedly agitate the same carpet fibers, dislodging the dust, dirt, and household debris that is buried deep within.

Leaving dust and other household allergens on floors with fast strokes often leads to sneezing, dryness, and poorer health for anybody who suffers from allergies (I know this first-hand), so learning how to banish them from carpets is key.

And if successful, this could demonstrate that even weaker vacuums can still be your best carpet vacuum, and maybe you don't have to fork out $500+ on those with the most powerful suction, after all.

So, I set my Dyson V15 Detect to work on my favorite IKEA rug, and cleaned it slower than I've ever done in my life, to find out how effective slow vacuuming is.

Slow Vacuuming: The Results

As you can see, the beauty of using this smart Dyson vacuum is that I could see precisely how much debris was being picked up as I cleaned.

I was truly amazed at the numbers, given that it had only been a week since the rug was last vacuumed. I wasn't expecting that particle number to climb so rapidly, especially while the vacuum was barely moving. Usually, the cordless vacuum needs to travel across a long stretch of floor for the number to rise that sharply.

By the end of it, I'd reached more than 300 million sucked-up particles, and the dustbin had been filled with so much more dust than I could have possibly thought was there.

To put this into perspective, after the usual weekly deep clean of my entire bedroom – the biggest room in the house – I typically reach around 100-200 million particles. So, to have picked up more than that from one 6.6' x 4.1' rug, is astounding.

Sure, it takes a little longer, but the results speak for themselves. My Dyson also revealed that if I just keep the vacuum still, it can take as long as 10 seconds for it to stop collecting new dust, showing just how deeply embedded it can be when it comes to soft flooring.

I've just found my favorite new way to deep clean my rug that requires hardly any extra effort, just a few more seconds of my time.

What the Success of Slow Vacuuming Reveals

It should come as no surprise that dust, dirt, and other household mess can settle deep into carpets and soft flooring, but vacuuming slowly has revealed just how deep it goes, and what you need to do to get it out.

If you've ever found that your allergy symptoms persist after vacuuming, and you've wondered whether it's the fault of your vacuum, you may find some reassurance in the fact that, actually, all you need to do is vacuum more slowly.

What's more, letting dust build up can actually damage and deteriorate the quality of soft flooring. So if your cleaning sessions are leaving lots behind, that doesn't bode too well for the lifespan of your precious rugs and carpets, and you can potentially save money down the line by cleaning more attentively.

And personally, I'm thrilled to discover how much of a difference this technique achieves. I vacuum for a living, and I'm always on the lookout for ways to make affordable vacuums more effective. My rugs and carpets will be cleaner than ever, and my allergies and asthma triggers will be quashed even more.

What to Shop

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

Next, discover how the best robot vacuums will keep your home clean for you, with strong winners from our weeks-long testing sessions.

When everyone's home for Christmas, and with all the food, unwrapped presents, and pet hair contributing to more mess, sometimes we're faced with a stark reminder: Our vacuum cleaner can no longer keep up like it used to.

If you're finding missed patches on the floor, or that you're having to go over and over the same area to vacuum up the dirt, I've got the fix for you. The Shark POWERDETECT Upright, discounted by $200 right now, cleared all dust, dirt, and hair in a single pass on test.

It's been one of the best vacuums we've tested for some time now, and with this discount, you can finally say goodbye to your suction-less old appliance.

The Shark POWERDETECT Upright Is the Cleaning Upgrade That Will Keep Up With Holiday Hosting

I'll keep this simple: The Shark POWERDETECT Upright is one of the most powerful vacuum cleaners we've tested. It banishes pet hair from thick carpets, effortlessly picks up mud and dirt, and removes dust and other household allergens like it's nothing.

After vacuuming in a room that was ridden with cat hair, tester James Holland wrote, 'With one pass, the Shark POWERDETECT had basically picked up every visible piece of hair (as well as litter near the litter box) from the carpet, filling the dust bin with an amount of hair equal to a second cat.'

This, along with the fact that its rollers never tangle with hair, is why this is our all-time best vacuum for pet hair. It also has an odor-neutralizer to combat pet smells, which is so useful this time of year when everyone's at home and sharing the space together.

Any vacuum that can banish fur is a robust all-rounder. I've tested 31 vacuums at this point, most of them in a local pet shelter, and fur is absolutely the most difficult thing for a vacuum to clean.

So, it makes complete sense that the Shark POWERDETECT Upright also excels when cleaning every other mess. 'It’s able to suck everything up in its path efficiently and proficiently, no matter the debris. And, it’s equally capable regardless of the surface I used it on,' James wrote in his review.

Whether you're looking for your next best carpet vacuum or a model that can make hard floors immaculate – or both – the POWERDETECT Upright has you covered. And as it can handle everything from fine material to large debris, you won't be struggling next time you're hosting the family.

It's one of the top three vacuum cleaners we've ever tested, alongside the Miele Guard L1 Cat & Dog and the Dyson V15 Detect, but both of these models are $100s more expensive.

Instead, the Shark POWERDETECT Upright is the ideal balance of cleaning power and affordability, where you can run it along the floor with the comfort that nothing's being left behind.

Read more in our five-star Shark POWERDETECT Upright review.

More to Shop

The Shark POWERDETECT isn't the only vacuum we've tested that will keep up with the mess and woes of hosting. Here are a few more of our best-reviewed picks.

All prices correct at time of publication.

Next, find out how to choose the right vacuum cleaner for your home.

I've tested a few Dreame products at this point – including three of their vacuum-mop combos – and I've recommended them plenty for people who want to cut their floorcare time in half.

The Dreame H15 Pro CarpetFlex is their latest to date, and the first to introduce dry vacuuming alongside the usual wet floor cleaning, promising to be the full package in cleaning every surface across your home.

So, I put it through its paces in our dedicated test center to see whether it's worth its $799.99 price tag as one of the best vacuum-mop combos.

My One-Minute Verdict

The Dreame H15 Pro CarpetFlex demonstrated some of the strongest hard floor cleaning I've seen in a vacuum-mop combo so far. Whether it was sucking up all traces of a large egg and shell pieces, milk and cereal, or humble ketchup and mustard stains, the mess was vacuumed in one or two passes.

But the dry carpet vacuuming – the major USP of this wet floor cleaner – was a bit of a let-down. It had no issues vacuuming large food pieces, but a lot of fine debris was left between the carpet fibers, showing that dust and dead skin would likely remain if you were to use this as your main carpet vacuum.

The self-cleaning and self-drying are easy, and you can choose between a quick clean or a long, 30-minute one. The vacuum-mop also automatically detects how dirty your floors are and adjusts power accordingly, and it can lie completely flat to reach under furniture.

But the carpet cleaning functionality makes this model more expensive, and as that element of performance was not the most effective during my extensive tests, I would recommend going for the cheaper Dreame H14 Pro and simply pairing it with your best vacuum for carpet. It cleans hard floors just as well (if not better), and costs $100s less.

If, however, you would like a two-in-one for a second home or to have on hand for an upper floor of your home, this is a great purchase.

Dreame H15 Pro CarpetFlex: Specifications

Dreame H15 Pro CarpetFlex: Setup

The only setup involved was to slot the handle into the vacuum, then fully charge it. My unit started on 33% and took just under two hours to reach 100% battery.

The Dreame H15 Pro CarpetFlex includes two rollers (one for carpets and one for hard floors), a charging dock, cleaning solution, a spare filter, and a cleaning brush. Everything was heavily plastic wrapped – not the most sustainable design choice – but it meant that every part's finish was unscratched.

Dreame designs their products with care for a premium feel, so it makes sense that they'd want to protect them from damage during transit.

Dreame H15 Pro CarpetFlex: Design and Features

What makes the H15 Pro CarpetFlex a rare type of vacuum-mop combo is that it can wet vacuum hard floors and dry vacuum carpets. I've seen this before in the Bissell CrossWave OmniForce Edge, but that's only designed for area rugs, and on test, it didn't prove to be too useful as there was only one roller, so you could only tackle rugs when they're dry.

Instead, the Dreame H15 Pro CarpetFlex has two rollers, one for dry vacuuming carpets and one for wet vacuuming hard floors. It makes sense this way and means you're not having to clean in a specific order.

There are three cleaning modes: Smart, turbo, and quiet. Smart mode adjusts the suction (and moisture, if using) to however dirty the floors are, while turbo and quiet are maximum and minimum power, respectively.

Everything goes into the same dirty tank, so while this vacuum doesn't have a HEPA filter, dust becomes wet debris once it mixes with the dirty liquid. That stops it from circulating into the air and being re-released into your home (then needing the best air purifiers to capture it).

One feature I'd never seen before is the large debris toggle. It's a nice touch to make sure that larger pieces can get sucked up – say, if there's a cereal spillage – but when there are no big pieces, the roller can spin closer to the ground and wash more thoroughly.

The Dreame H15 Pro Heat (that I tested alongside the CarpetFlex) has a deodorizer cartridge that captures some of the smells from the dirty tank, but there wasn't one in the CarpetFlex.

What Is the Dreame H15 Pro CarpetFlex Like to Use?

The Dreame H15 Pro CarpetFlex is a straightforward appliance to use. It glides along floors in a satisfying motion, has a handy LED screen that shows cleaning modes and dirt levels, and is painless to fill up and empty.

Being able to swap out the rollers is a welcome feature, and means I could pass onto different surfaces as and when I need to. Swapping out is a quick motion, as seen above, although the vacuum has to be tilted backwards, which risks dirty liquid coming out of the sides.

I haven't yet experienced this while swapping rollers, but sometimes there's a spillage when moving the vacuum after cleaning. This isn't uncommon for vacuum-mops – pretty much every model I've tested from Dreame, Tineco, and Bissell has had some leakage – but I worry about having to tilt it every time the rollers swap, especially as it'll occasionally be over carpet.

But in fairness, with these cleaners, you should always be dry vacuuming first. Even the vacuum's wheels can become a bit wet after cleaning, and rolling liquid onto carpets can lead to smells, mold growth, and carpet damage.

The LED screen is super useful, clear, and quick to understand. It tells you if there are blockages, if a roller needs cleaning, and if a tank needs emptying or refilling, and it does so using voice prompts, too, but you can turn these off. I find them a bit annoying personally, but they can be useful.

Filling the water tank involves pouring in water and half a bottle cap of cleaning solution. Emptying it is painless, with liquid that pours down the drain, and a debris catcher that you can shake out into the trash, then rinse.

And when it comes to cleaning the roller, the charging base does all the work. It washes the roller at 212°F then dries it at 194°F, preventing odors and bacteria from building up, and making sure it stays in a healthy condition for longer.

It's easy – just place the vacuum onto the base, press the self-cleaning button at the top of the vacuum, and choose between 'normal' and 'deep'. Deep uses hot water and takes longer (about 30 minutes), while normal is ideal if you want a quick 5-10 minute clean to refresh it.

Dreame H15 Pro CarpetFlex: Cleaning Tests

To test the vacuum-mop combo's ability to clean messes and stains of different consistencies, with our pantry tests. These include:

• 1 tablespoon ketchup
• 1 tablespoon mustard
• 2 tablespoons lumpy tomato and veg pasta sauce
• 1 egg, dropped from 5 feet
• 1 cup of cereal and milk

Overall, this is a great cleaner, getting rid of every mess swiftly. It seems as though it uses more water than others I've tested – on turbo mode, it took around 10 minutes for the floors to dry, compared to around 3-6 minutes for the Tineco Floor One Stretch S6 and Dreame H14 Pro.

The ketchup and mustard stains were vacuumed in two passes. No smearing, no instant staining of the roller. The vegetable pasta sauce (in the video above) was cleaned almost in one, but a tiny veg chunk took a few goes to vacuum up.

As it leaves the floors free of residue, and can vacuum up the oily and stain-inducing substances in ketchup and mustard, this is a great choice for cleaning your kitchen in a pinch. Especially if the family is constantly spilling things.

It vacuumed the broken egg with no issues at all. The mix of gel-like egg and large shell pieces makes this one of the toughest tests for our best vacuums, so it was great to see everything but one large piece of shell cleaned without fuss. Other vacuum-mops like the Dyson WashG1 couldn't handle this test, and instead ended up leaking all over the floor.

And finally, the flawless performance on the cereal test, captured in the video above, demonstrated how well-equipped the H15 Pro CarpetFlex is for major spillages – like whole bowls of food falling onto the floor. It's a very impressive performance.

Dreame H15 Pro CarpetFlex: Carpet Tests

As this is somewhat of a carpet vacuum, I tested it using a half cup of flour and sugar, then a half cup of cereal. I also used it to vacuum crumbs and the daily mess that was already on the carpet to see how it fared.

It vacuumed up the cereal with no issues at all, showing that it's great on larger pieces like food crumbs or pet kibble. But the flour test demonstrated that its suction isn't very powerful.

The vacuuming performance is similar to what you'd find in a budget cordless stick, like the Ultenic U16 Flex, which shouldn't really be used on carpets. Flour is a fantastic proxy test for dust and dead skin, so if you think about how many household allergens are inside our carpets, leaving that much behind would be detrimental to your health and carpets.

So, if your home has a lot of carpets, I don't recommend completely replacing your main vacuum with this.

It is, however, ample if you have some thin area rugs and carpets, and would like to be able to clean them with the same device between getting your main vacuum out. But to actually deep clean carpets, you need much higher suction than this, like one of the best vacuums for carpets from our tests.

How Does the Dreame H15 Pro CarpetFlex Compare?

The Dreame H15 Pro CarpetFlex costs $799.99 at Dreame at full price, and is often discounted to $499.99-$649.99. That makes it one of the most expensive vacuum-mop combos we've tested, alongside the Dreame H15 Pro Heat that costs $100 more.

The 15 Pro Heat is a similar model, but it doesn't offer carpet cleaning. Instead, it can hot water mop, and I found this to be effective at removing the more stubborn stains. But when it came to general cleaning, the H15 Pro CarpetFlex performed notably better and was able to vacuum different-sized debris without leaving as much behind.

But our favorite model on test is the Dreame H14 Pro. It's the predecessor to these two H15 Pro vacuums, making it around $200 cheaper, but it's actually a better cleaner. It didn't leave a mess behind and left the floors drier faster, but it doesn't have the special carpet or hot water cleaning modes.

Alternatively, the Bissell CrossWave OmniForce Edge is the most like-for-like compared to the H15 Pro CarpetFlex, as it can clean area rugs. Its suction on carpet was better, but its one roller meant that you're limited in when you can clean. It also only costs $299-$399, making it a great alternative if you're on a budget.

How I Tested the Dreame H15 Pro CarpetFlex

I tested the Dreame H15 Pro CarpetFlex in our dedicated test center on linoleum and wooden floors. I ran five standardized tests across wet substances (outlined above) to assess their ability to vacuum different messes and clear stains with different properties.

I also tested its ability to vacuum carpet using flour, sugar, and lentils – from our robust vacuum testing process – to see how well it can remove dust and dirt from within carpet fibers.

Cleaning aside, I evaluated how easy it is to move and use, how safe it is on delicate surfaces, how painless it is to refill and empty, and whether the smart features are actually useful.

Next, see why I rate the best robot vacuums and the best vacuums for pet hair so highly after our testing sessions.

The Dreame team has steadily been releasing floorcare innovations since its relatively recent inception, spanning vacuum-mop combos and robot vacuums that have introduced firsts to their respective markets.

The Dreame H15 Pro Heat is one of the brand's latest vacuum-mop combos, and the first to have hot water cleaning and the AI DescendReach robotic arm for edge cleaning.

As their previous model has topped our best vacuum-mop combos guide for some time now, I was excited to test the new and improved version. Here's what I learned after rigorously testing.

My One-Minute Verdict

The Dreame H15 Pro Heat introduces some new features, notably an AI robotic arm and hot water cleaning, but they work to varying effects. The AI robotic arm certainly cleans edges more effectively than vacuum-mop combos without it, but the 'AI' software isn't quite there, as it drops randomly and often, stopping the vacuum from gliding and getting in the way when vacuuming solids.

But generally, this is a strong cleaner that can deep clean your floors in two or three passes, and leave them dry within 3-10 minutes (depending on cleaning mode). It automatically detects dirt and can adjust on the fly, and it self-cleans and self-dries to avoid bacteria build-up.

But it costs $899.99 at full price (though it is sometimes discounted to around $599.99), and honestly, having tested its predecessor, the Dreame H14 Pro cleans faster, is easier to use, and costs just $399.99 at Dreame.

My advice: Unless you specifically need hot water cleaning for old, stubborn stains and frequently heavily-soiled floors, go for the H14 Pro. It's better and cheaper.

Dreame H15 Pro Heat: Specifications

Dreame H15 Pro Heat: Setup

The instructions to assemble the Dreame H15 Pro Heat were helpfully printed on the packaging. All that's involved is slotting the handle into the vacuum, then inserting the deodorizer into the dirty water tank.

After that, I charged it to full before using it (this is always recommended with new appliances to promote and preserve battery health), which took around two hours to go from 49% to 100%.

I always like to see brands' efforts to keep packaging sustainable (the best Dyson vacuums always do well here), so it's a shame how much excessive plastic was used in the Dreame. Everything was plastic wrapped, then underneath the plastic was plastic film stuck to almost every surface. I know this prevents scratching, but cardboard molds would have been a more eco-conscious alternative.

There's the option to connect to the Dreamehome app so you can set your own moisture and suction levels for the 'Custom' cleaning mode, but the app wouldn't let me connect after repeated attempts. Without it, Custom mode is automatically set as Turbo mode, with maximum suction and moisture (but not hot water).

Dreame H15 Pro Heat: Design and Features

A major upgrade compared to the Dreame H14 Pro (our long-time best vacuum for wet floor cleaning) is hot water cleaning. It can heat water to 185°F, which helps break down bacteria and really stubborn stains that cold or room temperature water can't clean as effectively.

When you select hot water mode, it takes under a minute for the water to heat up, and the percentage is shown on the screen as it quickly rises (as seen in the photo above).

In this mode, the runtime is cut down to 20 minutes, compared to a maximum of 72 minutes when using less intensive settings. When I use vacuum-mop combos at home, I tend to keep it on auto as it detects the dirt levels and adjusts by itself (it's called 'Smart' mode on the Dreame H15 Pro Heat), but as I often have to switch to turbo mode when cleaning more stubborn stains, having a heated setting takes things up a notch.

Suction mode doesn't refresh the roller with any moisture, useful at the end of a clean to remove that last bit of moisture (it dries by itself in 3-5 minutes, anyway). Custom mode is useful if you prefer a specific moisture-to-suction ratio – like if you're cleaning hardwood floors or other delicate surfaces and want to limit moisture exposure, for example.

Another key upgrade from Dreame is the introduction of 'AI' cleaning and drying, including a robotic arm that lowers when the vacuum nears a wall edge to catch the remaining bits of dirt that the roller can't reach. I go into how well this works in more detail below, but I'm not convinced that the AI mentioned has any sophisticated learning capabilities.

It's easy for tech brands to insert the term 'AI' when describing any smart or innovative feature, but often it's just a bit of coding, rather than software that is actually learning and adapting. Dreame has also mentioned how the self-drying function is 'AI Drying', but it seems to take a standard 30 minutes every time. Really, using innovative AI at home involves systems that respond and adapt to our behavior and improve user experience.

Regardless, it's great that the dock has self-cleaning and self-drying. It's essential to avoid mold growth, bacteria, and nasty smells from emanating from the roller. It washes the roller at 212°F, taking around five minutes, and dries the roller at 194°F, taking around 30 minutes.

For comparison, one of our best robot vacuums from eufy takes up to three hours on average to self-dry its roller, so Dreame's timing on this feature is fast.

What Is the Dreame H15 Pro Heat Like to Use?

I was excited to try out the Dreame H15 Pro Heat, as I've enjoyed using the H14 Pro in my home for almost a year. But after using it around the test center and running our standardized cleaning tests, I was disappointed that it wasn't as effortless to use as its predecessor, and didn't clean as effectively.

My main gripe is with the AI robotic arm. It doesn't feel to me that the software is quite ready – it's designed to descend when it reaches wall edges to capture that tricky dirt, but in reality, it drops very frequently and at random points. It's made of a gripped rubber or silicone material, and every time it drops to the floor, it stops you from smoothly gliding the vacuum forward.

This becomes frustrating quickly. Every vacuum-mop combo I've tested, even cheaper picks like the Bissell CrossWave OmniForce Edge have smooth gliding, and it's one of the reasons why they're such satisfying hard floor cleaners.

When the Dreame H15 Pro Heat does get to the edges, it reaches more than what other models can, but it's not a total clean:

And as I found out later in the cleaning tests, the arm being there makes the vacuum less able to vacuum large debris. As a trade-off for cleaning capability, I'm not sure that bit of 'AI' is worth it for most homes.

Otherwise, the Dreame H15 Pro Heat is still a straightforward cleaner. It cleans hard floors quickly, removing new and old stains with a fresh-smelling cleaning solution that's safe across different floor types.

It lies completely flat, making it easy to clean under furniture without having to move heavy items. It's easy to fill up, needing just half a bottle cap of the cleaning solution and water. When you place it on the dock, it cleans and dries itself automatically and prompts you to empty the dirty tank once done.

Unlike the Tineco Floor One Stretch S6, which can be messy to empty, no debris is stuck to the dirty water tank when emptying, and as it has moving parts, you can rinse each surface more carefully.

However, a load of murky water started dripping out when I removed the dirty water tank from the Dreame H14 Pro Vacuum Mop – so it's best to do this step once you're next to wherever you're disposing it.

It also has a deodorizer, which I haven't seen before in these appliances, consisting of a long black cylinder that stays in the dirty water tank. While cleaning, I noticed that I never smelled any nasty odors, but it didn't do much when it came to the heated self-drying, as the roller odors still seeped into the room.

Floor dries within 3-5 mins, or about 8-10 minutes when using the maximum moisture level. I noticed there were occasionally a few tiny puddles, as when you leave it still on the floor, a thin layer of water will seep from the roller. It might be useful to do a suction pass after cleaning to make sure everything’s been removed.

It will alert you if there’s a blockage of any kind, and there’s a brush included to get into the pipes.

Dreame H15 Pro Heat: Cleaning Tests

I tested the Dreame H15 Pro Heat using our standardized vacuum-mop tests, covering substances with different properties and consistencies:

• 1 tablespoon ketchup
• 1 tablespoon mustard
• 2 tablespoons lumpy tomato and vegetable pasta sauce
• 1 egg, dropped from 5 feet
• 1 cup of cereal and milk

Overall, the Dreame H15 Pro Heat demonstrated strong performance cleaning these different substances, but I've seen better.

The ketchup and mustard stains were cleaned quickly in one pass, but because of the AI robotic arm, a tiny amount was pushed forward. The roller was great at leaving the floor completely free of residue, though, and it managed to clear the sauce from between the wooden panels.

I found the same with the pasta sauce, too. As it's mostly a wet consistency but with a few lumps, the chunks of vegetables carried the sauce forward, meaning it wasn't all able to be vacuumed in one. When I ran these tests with the older and more affordable Dreame H14 Pro, they were vacuumed in one.

And again, the same results with the egg. The vacuum-mop combo managed the white and yolk, but couldn't really tackle any of the shell pieces as the floorhead opening is quite narrow.

But when vacuuming milk and cereal, the H15 Pro Heat rolled over the pieces and had no issues vacuuming almost all of it in one, highlighting that it does actually have strong suction and a robust roller, but it is let down by the AI robotic arm getting in the way.

How Does the Dreame H15 Pro Heat Compare?

The Dreame H15 Pro Heat is a relatively new release, and $899.99 at Dreame at full price, but I've seen it discounted to as low as $569.99 (as it is at the time of writing).

That's more expensive than the other vacuum-mops we've tested. The Dreame H14 Pro, our best on test, costs around $399.99 at Dreame, depending on promotions. It doesn't have hot water cleaning, so if you often need to clean heavily soiled floors, the H15 Pro Heat is probably still for you. But otherwise, the H14 Pro cleans faster, especially large debris, as there's no robotic arm in the way.

If you're on a tighter budget, the Bissell CrossWave OmniForce Edge costs $299.99 at Bissell. It's not the most efficient, taking a few passes to clean rather than the one or two from Dreame's models, but it also has a dry suction setting for cleaning area rugs.

The Tineco Floor One Stretch S6 and Tineco Floor One S7 Pro are also excellent cleaners, and if your floors are more sensitive to moisture, the Tineco vacuum mops leave surfaces drier a minute or two faster. They cost $379.99 at Tineco and $699 at Tineco, respectively.

How I Tested the Dreame H15 Pro Heat

I tested the Dreame H15 Pro Heat in our dedicated test center, using it to clean the floors generally and assess its maneuverability, its ease of use, and how effective every feature is.

I then run standardized tests that we perform on every vacuum-mop combo to judge them all under the same criteria. These tests span substances with different consistencies and staining properties, with a variety of debris sizes to find out how strong each model's suction and roller is.

I measure noise levels using the Decibel X app, I note the charge time from out of the box to 100%, and I evaluate how easy and mess-free it is to fill and empty the water tanks.

For more floorcare inspiration, see the stand-out vacuums from our tests that top our guides of the best vacuums for pet hair and the best robot vacuums.

There's truly nothing better than a real Christmas tree over the festive season – there's just something about the look and smell that can't be replicated by faux alternatives. But, there is one major drawback – falling pine needles.

Your tree will begin dropping slowly, but soon, there will be a mass of needles pooling under your tree. This will be amplified if you have pets or children and if you have carpeted floors, it can be a real nightmare to capture them all without blocking or damaging your vacuum cleaner.

To simplify the process, we asked professional cleaners for their best cleaning tips. Here's what they said.

How to Easily Get Pine Needles Out of Carpets and Rugs

1. Use a Carpet Scraper and Broom to Loosen Embedded Needles

Cleaning up Christmas tree sap and resin can be tricky, but if there's one thing you really want to avoid doing, it's ruining your best vacuum.

As Dan Fauzi, our home tech editor and resident vacuum expert here at Homes & Gardens, advises, 'For so many reasons, I do not ever recommend vacuuming pine needles.

'Firstly, these sharp materials can scratch up the vacuum's internal parts, which will cause wear and tear over time, similar to vacuuming glass. Pine needles also contain sap, and no moisture should ever go inside a vacuum unless it's designed as a wet/dry vacuum, as it'll clog up the airways and damage the motor.

'And if you think it's fine if the pine needles are dry, this is where it gets the most dangerous, as dry pine needles could ignite next to a warmed-up vacuum motor.'

This is something that Punteha van Terheyden, Head of Solved, learned the hard way.

'A few Christmases ago, I got my first real Christmas tree, and towards the end of its life span, the pines began to drop en masse,' she says. 'I vacuumed the high volume of pine needles with my canister vacuum. That was a big mistake. It entirely clogged up the bendy pipe that attached the floorhead to my canister. I had to stick a broom handle through to break up the clog.'

So, how best to avoid these issues once your Christmas tree starts dying?

For starters, advises Karina Toner, cleaning expert and operations manager at Spekless, use a carpet scraper to loosen embedded needles.

'Pine needles wedge deep into carpet fibers, especially dense or looped carpets,' she explains. 'Hold the scraper at a low angle and pull toward you in short strokes to lift needles to the surface. I personally love the FURemover Original Rubber Broom available at Amazon, because the rubber edge creates static that pulls debris up, instead of pushing it down.'

Karina advises using firm, short strokes to gather the needles into a pile, then pick them up by hand or with a dustpan.

If you do need to vacuum up any pine needles, ensure the numbers are minimal.

'Reducing the volume of pine needles you're vacuuming is the key, as a high volume will quickly cause a sizeable block due to the intermittent stickiness of the tree sap on some of those needles,' continues Punteha.

And, to avoid any issues altogether, vacuum pro Dan advises simply sweeping them up and disposing of them. The OXO Good Grips Dustpan and Brush Set available at Amazon is ideal for this.

2. Use Packing Tape or a Lint Roller for Delicate Rugs

Some rugs, such as wool runners or flat-weave rugs, aren't suitable for brushing or scraping, says Karina, as aggressive tools can cause pulls. For that reason, doing so is a carpet cleaning mistake to avoid at all costs.

'Instead, tape or a lint roller lifts needles gently,' she adds. 'Press the tape firmly into the fibers and lift straight up; replace tape as it fills. The Scotch-Brite Everyday Clean Lint Roller available at Amazon is safe for delicate fibers, and catches the tiny broken-off tips that other tools leave behind.'

Ultimately, being more gentle and careful on more delicate surfaces, like when cleaning a wool rug, for example, will prevent you from having to fix a ripped carpet.

3. For Shag Rugs, Use a Blow Dryer on Cool

Finally, for cleaning pine needles off of shag rugs without making any rug cleaning mistakes, use a blow dryer set to cool air.

'Shag piles trap needles like Velcro,' explains cleaning pro Karina. 'Airflow helps lift them to the top for easier removal. 'Set the dryer to cool or low, blow across the rug while combing your fingers through the fibers, then use a rubber broom [such as the TidyBliss Broom available at Walmart] or a lint roller.'

The gentle and cool airflow will separate rug fibers without causing heat damage and make those pine needles visible and easier to reach and remove.

How to Reduce Pine Needle Drop

You can also take steps to stop your Christmas tree from shedding needles.

'I keep the tree away from radiators and turn off the one that's closest to it,' says Punteha. 'My tree is in a cast-iron tree stand from Amazon with a water reservoir, and I make sure it is well watered as pine drop increases when the tree is dehydrated.'

You can also cleverly use hairspray to stop needles from dropping. In general, it's crucial to care for your Christmas tree correctly to stop it dying before the big day, going brown in places, becoming smelly, or having lots of pine needles dropping off.

Pine Needle Cleaning Essentials

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

Meet the Experts

Additionally, avoiding these real Christmas tree mistakes will keep yours looking fresh and fluffy all season long.

If the doorbell has ever rung before you’ve finished cleaning, you’ll know that pre-guest prep never feels quick enough. Floors always take too long – vacuuming, then mopping, then hoping things dry before anyone sets foot on them.

That’s why I’m relieved to have found a solution that does all three in one. The Bissell CrossWave OmniForce Edge, $100 off right now, is a cordless vacuum-mop combo that vacuums and mops simultaneously, leaving the floors dry a few minutes later.

I’ve reviewed this exact model, and it genuinely halves the time it takes to make floors guest-ready. Plus, it's one of the only vacuum-mop combos that can dry vacuum area rugs, too.

Speed up the Pre-Guest Clean-up With Faster Floors in Fewer Steps

Most of us already know the drill: Vacuum crumbs, get mopping, then wait for wet patches to dry before anyone walks in.

With the Bissell CrossWave, those steps disappear. It sucks up debris and washes the floor in one smooth pass, so you can blitz the kitchen and living room right before guests arrive, without sacrificing the results you’d expect from using your best vacuum and mopping the floors separately.

What impressed me most during testing was how confidently it handled different surfaces. My home has a mix of hardwood, laminate, and rugs, so I'm used to swapping tools, but this cordless Bissell transitions seamlessly – even dry-vacuuming rugs – meaning there’s no time-wasting pause in chores or running a mental checklist of what you need next to continue cleaning.

I once used my vacuum-mop to clean my kitchen, living room and hallway in under 10 minutes, after my friends announced they were arriving early. With a regular vacuum and mop, that'd take at least half an hour.

The cordless Bissell is also brilliant for reducing those small habits that make floors feel dirty fast – like crumbs under the dining table or drips near the kitchen counter. A quick once-over helps prevent grime from building up without committing to a full cleaning session.

The way it handles hard floors is especially satisfying if streaks usually bother you. Its brushroll lifts dust and sucks away spills, while the cleaning solution scrubs away stains, cleaning your floors without streaks. And because it sucks the moisture away, it's dry within a few minutes, which is often not the case with regular mopping.

This makes it great on sensitive surfaces, such as when you are cleaning hardwood floors, but if you're worried about particularly precious floors, you can also lower the moisture levels when cleaning, then use its dry vacuum function afterwards to remove the remaining water.

This speed and convenience are also owed to it being a cordless vacuum. There’s no wrestling a cable around furniture or unplugging halfway through the kitchen. And as someone who many times has rushed to clean up kitchen spills or mysterious crumbs before guests land, having a single tool that deals with everything – wet, dry, rugs, and hard flooring – is honestly a game-changer.

The Bissell CrossWave OmniForce Edge is discounted to $299.99 for Cyber Week.

More to Shop

Here are a few more tried-and-tested pre-guest cleaning essentials that'll make your life easier when visitors are on their way.

All prices correct at time of publication.

Next, learn how to use the guest scanning method to prep for visitors, and the seven overlooked areas to clean before hosting.

I've been testing vacuum cleaners for nearly three years now. In that time, I've put dozens of vacuums from Miele, Dyson, Shark, and other brands through their paces, and it's been enlightening seeing what these cleaning titans can really offer.

Now, after testing this in a pet shelter, my own home, and our dedicated test center, I have a new favorite: The Miele Guard L1 Cat & Dog. This incredible vacuum banished every single mess I threw at it with its sheer cleaning power.

So, read on to find out why this is not only the best Miele vacuum, but the most effective vacuum you could bring into your home out of the 86 we've tested at Homes & Gardens.

The One-Minute Summary

The Miele Guard L1 Cat & Dog is the best vacuum cleaner I've ever used. After testing it in a pet shelter, my own home, and our dedicated test center, the canister vacuum knocked it out of the park in every test, picking up messes of every kind swiftly and effortlessly.

Its suction is incredible, reaching an airflow speed that's 10mph faster than our current top vacuum, the Dyson V15 Detect. This translates to efficient pulling up of dust, dirt, and hair – even from thick rugs and carpets – and a handheld nozzle that can dust hard surfaces better than a cloth.

It's also an absolute breeze to use, with thoughtful features like built-in attachment storage, one-handed cleaning, and being able to dock the floorhead into the canister with ease.

Its only downsides are the price – a whopping $899 in the US (but only £399 in the UK) – and the fact that hair wraps around the brushroll. The latter can be solved by a simple pair of scissors or seam ripper, but the price can naturally put people off, so if you're in the US, I'd recommend waiting until you find a stellar deal. With Black Friday sales around the corner, a great vacuum deal should be on the horizon any day now.

Miele Guard L1 Cat & Dog: Specifications

Miele Guard L1 Cat & Dog: Setup

Considering the bulky design of a canister vacuum, I was surprised that the Miele Guard L1 Cat & Dog arrived in a fairly compact box, similar to boxes I've received some of the best cordless vacuums in.

Assembly is straightforward if you've used this type of vacuum before: Attach the hose to the canister, then attach the handle, wand, and floorhead. If you follow the instructions, it'll take 10 minutes at most.

There's no battery to charge, and the filter and vacuum bag are already in place, so by that point, it's ready to use.

Miele Guard L1 Cat & Dog: Design and Features

I may be a vacuum nerd, but after the 31 best vacuums I've reviewed for Homes & Gardens, I can't help but admire the slick designs of Miele canister vacuums. The Guard L1 has a glossy finish with a premium feel, and even the way it wheels around is satisfyingly smooth.

When it comes to suction, the Miele Guard L1 Cat & Dog outperforms every vacuum we've tested, and this isn't an accolade I give lightly.

I measured its airflow using an anemometer, and it reaches an incredible 33.1 mph at the max suction level. Our current best-on-test, the Dyson V15 Detect, reaches 23mph in comparison (granted, that's a cordless vacuum with a smaller, battery-powered motor).

You can choose between four suction modes, which aren't super clear on the vacuum itself, but are outlined in the operating manual:

1. Curtain symbol (minimum): Curtains, fabric
2. Sofa symbol: Upholstery, cushions
3. Rug symbol: Cut pile carpets, rugs, and runners
4. Flooring symbol (maximum): Hard floors and heavily soiled carpets and rugs

You set suction levels using the foot buttons on the canister, and there's a light to display which mode is activated.

The Miele Guard L1 Cat & Dog includes two floorheads – a universal one for all surfaces, and the Miele TurboTeQ, designed specially for carpets and pet hair. It also includes a two-in-one upholstery and crevice tool that's stored inside the canister vacuum itself, as well as a dusting brush that's built into the handle.

As the Miele Guard L1 is designed for pet owners it has advanced filtration, made up of the TU HyClean Air vacuum bags and an Active AirClean exhaust filter. You can buy a set of four vacuum bags and one filter for $28.99 at Miele USA or £13.99 at Miele UK. They're made of 80% recycled materials, too, so although they're disposable, the environmental impact is minimized.

This filtration system is said to achieve 99.99% dust retention – surpassing HEPA standards. Plus, the Active AirClean filter has activated charcoal that deodorizes air after it’s already gone through the vacuum bag, which majorly helps to eliminate odors as I've seen first-hand when testing the best air purifiers. It means the air that comes out of the vacuum smells fresh and free of nasty smells from pets, dust or smoke.

Miele states that the Guard L1 has been durability tested to last for a minimum of 20 years, based on the idea that we spend 37.5 hours vacuuming a year. You can find more information here, but I'll say that I've spoken to dozens of consumers who've also explained that their Miele vacuums have lasted longer than a decade, including our Head of Solved, Punteha van Terheyden.

What Is the Miele Guard L1 Cat & Dog Like to Use?

Immediately, it was clear that the Miele Guard L1 had been thoughtfully designed with the user in mind.

The buttons are big, durable, and easy to press with your feet without accidentally hitting the wrong one. The canister can easily be pulled using one hand, freeing up the other for opening doors or picking up objects. And the two-in-one upholstery and crevice tool is stored directly in the canister, so you don't have to carry anything with you while you clean or risk losing it whilst storing separately elsewhere in your home.

This is a major benefit to choosing one of the best canister vacuums over the upright or cordless alternatives. With other vacuums, you have to keep the attachments nearby to be able to swap them out as you clean, but the Miele Guard L1 keeps everything together neatly.

There are two floorheads, but to be honest, the universal one isn't anything special, and during testing, I found that the TurboTeQ performed better every time. And there's no need to swap it out to protect delicate surfaces (like cleaning hardwood or tile floors), as the TurboTeQ is safe to use on these surfaces, too.

I like that the floorhead slots into the back of the canister, allowing for easy vacuum storage without the hose and wand lying loose in a closet. It also means you can quickly prop it up if you need to park it mid-clean, without then having to bend down to pick it up again. This is particularly handy if you are cleaning with health conditions and need to avoid bending down, or have limited mobility in your hips and knees.

I also enjoy how the canister effortlessly glides in every direction. You don't need to turn it so that it faces the direction it's moving; it can go left to right as well as forward and back.

You can easily extend the wand by pushing on the toggle. At its longest, it almost doubles in size, and there are 20 increments before then to achieve your ideal reach. I find this super helpful, especially compared to the best upright vacuums, which have limited reach in comparison. It's great to be able to cover an entire entryway while standing in one spot.

I dive into this in more detail below, but my only gripe with the Guard L1 is that the TurboTeQ floorhead wraps with hair. In the manual, it advises to safely cut it out with scissors, which wasn't the biggest vote of confidence, but I see this as a minor inconvenience offset by the vacuum's outstanding performance...

Test 1: Flour and Sugar

I tested the Miele Guard L1 Cat & Dog using a half cup of flour and sugar to assess its ability to pick up fine debris and powder. This emulates dust and dead skin while being a great visual test, as we can see where residue is left behind on the floor or in the vacuum's parts.

On hard floors, when using each of the highest three suction levels, the Guard L1 picked up everything in one pass (aside from residue on a couple of sticky spots, so that was my own fault for not mopping). This is one of the best performances I've ever seen on this test, and on max mode, I really felt the high-powered motor with the brushroll spinning immensely fast.

On carpet, using suction modes three and four/max, everything was vacuumed up instantly. The floorhead gripped the carpet without too much suction, and you can adjust it if it does. Incredible performance – at this stage, I already knew it'd rank highly as one of our best vacuums for carpet.

Test 2: Pantry

I also tested the Miele Guard L1 Cat & Dog using a cup of lentils and cereal (20:80 ratio) to assess its ability to pick up medium and large debris.

The cereal poses the biggest challenge – we don't expect a vacuum to pick up such large pieces (it's great if they do), but it's useful to find out whether the vacuum flings them around, crushes them down, or becomes clogged by the crumbs.

The cereal pieces didn’t fit in the floorhead, but they were pushed forwards rather than being flung across the floor or crushing down and blocking up the airways, as we've seen in other vacuums like the Dyson Big Ball Turbinehead.

The suction power on offer here is immense – once I took the floorhead off and turned it to max mode, every small piece got sucked in at a rapid speed.

On carpet, thanks to the grip provided by the soft surface, the cereal pieces were able to be crushed down and sucked up easily, without any clogs or blockages. This is easily one of the best performances I've seen for this test.

Test 3: Pet Hair

I tested the Miele Guard L1 Cat & Dog in Bristol ARC, a local cat and dog shelter. It's how we test vacuums on real pet hair, as well as being able to clean a building with high foot traffic, that's full of dust, debris, hair, and a variety of surfaces to clean.

On the entrance mat – a rough, bumpy surface that tends to pose the biggest fur challenge for vacuums – the Miele Guard L1 Cat & Dog cleared most hairs after 2-3 passes, and after a few more runs, barely any visible hairs remained. One of the top three performances I’ve ever seen – similar to the likes of the Dyson V15 Detect and Shark POWERDETECT, our two best vacuums for pet hair.

On low-pile carpet, all strands of pet hair were pulled up in one or two passes, even when they were stubbornly embedded in the fabric.

On laminate flooring, everything was vacuumed instantly. Every time I passed over an area, every strand of fur, small stone, food crumb, or bit of mud was gone once the vacuum had passed just once. The suction was so strong that the laminate flooring was sometimes pulled upwards, but this didn’t affect performance.

It became a bit tougher to push forward when vacuuming a thick rug, but everything was vacuumed swiftly regardless. Even when I vacuumed things I probably shouldn’t have – like a large bit of plastic – the vacuum made a whirring sound for a second while the inlet was blocked, then sucked it up without issues. It was only on this thick rug that I needed two hands to pull the canister.

Overall, I learned that not only is the Miele Guard L1 Cat & Dog an outstanding pet hair vacuum – potentially one of the best-ever – it also works incredibly effectively on any surface you're cleaning, even upholstery, as I detail below.

Its only downside is that hair gets caught in the brushroll. For a pet hair vacuum, that will undoubtedly become frustrating over time as you'll have to regularly cut hair out of the roller.

However, considering the all-around outstanding performance this vacuum has, I'd say this is a trade-off that's worth it. It can be made easier, too, as a seam ripper is the perfect hair-wrap fix, safer and precise than a pair of scissors. This affordable seam ripper set at Amazon is all you need to make this task a two-minute job every time.

Test 4: Attachments

The staff at the pet shelter asked me to clean the pet hair-ridden sofas in the waiting room, as their vacuum cleaner wasn't able to. It was a stubborn surface, and for each area, I probably went back and forth around four times, but it did vacuum every pet hair, almost.

The remaining strands had to be plucked out using my fingers, and then they could instantly be vacuumed. A motorized attachment would’ve perhaps been more effective, but at least this one doesn’t damage the fabric.

Plus, I'm a big fan of the fact that the attachment is both an upholstery and crevice tool. When you turn it between modes, it blocks the air from coming in the other end, so you’re still getting the full suction.

This is a thoughtful design: You don’t have to carry anything around with you. It is extremely loud using this attachment; however, on max mode, which helps pull fur from stubborn surfaces, it reached as high as 86.8 decibels, similar to the noise of a food blender. Prolonged exposure to this level of noise can be harmful to hearing.

Another nice touch from Miele is that, as you can park the floorhead at the back of the canister, you can quickly detach these parts when you need to do some handheld cleaning:

I also used the Miele Guard L1 Cat & Dog to dust my bedroom, and it pulled thick layers of dust from every surface I could find, and for the first time, I felt it actually suction itself to hard surfaces like my TV and mirror.

Miele Guard L1 Cat & Dog: Care and Maintenance

As the Miele Guard L1 Cat & Dog is a bagged vacuum, you're not able to quickly empty it after a cleaning. Instead, once the vacuum bag is full, you dispose of it and then swap it out with a new one.

While this comes with recurring costs ($28.99 at Miele USA or £13.99 at Miele UK for a pack of four bags and one filter), it does mean that the vacuum maintenance is incredibly minimal. As dust isn't travelling through loads of internal parts, you don't have to clean out the insides as you would with other vacuums.

It also means that you're not exposed to household allergens, as the bag contains all the dust and hair without you having to release it to empty.

I actually received a faulty sample at first, but doing so meant that I had a good look under the bonnet of the Guard L1, and realized how easy it is to replace the bag and filter.

The vacuum bag slides in and out easily; you don't need to follow any instructions to see how it's done. The same goes for the air filter; it pops out by pulling the tab at the top, then slots in simply by pushing it in.

I also want to commend Miele for their rapid response as soon as I'd informed them that the machine was faulty. First thing the next morning (as I'd let them know in the evening), I had a call from a Miele technician who talked me through troubleshooting steps, then, after realizing the appliance wasn't fixable, they sent a new unit within two days.

This level of customer service is something Miele consumers have reported to me previously, too, so it's not just because I was testing for review purposes.

How Does the Miele Guard L1 Cat & Dog Compare?

The Miele Guard L1 Cat & Dog costs $899 at Miele USA, or £399 at Miele UK. Those are wildly different prices, most likely due to Miele being a German brand, and the shipping and tariff prices involved when selling in the US.

$899 is quite expensive, but only $50 more than our current best-on-test, the Dyson V15 Detect. These are two very different vacuums, as the V15 Detect is a lightweight cordless stick that offers greater convenience and takes up less space. But after testing both models myself, I can confirm that the Miele performs better, even if its price is a tad out of reach.

Alternatively, the Shark POWERDETECT Upright is another best-on-test from the 86 vacuums we've tested, costing $449.99 at full price but frequently on offer for around $340-$400. It's less versatile than the Guard L1 Cat & Dog, with a more limited reach and more weight to carry around with you, but it's a self-contained unit that can be easier to store in certain homes, and can come with more attachments depending on the model.

But while the Dyson and Shark may cost less and offer different kinds of convenience, the Miele Guard L1 Cat & Dog is the most likely to last for years, potentially up to two decades. Consider it an investment, where all you'll need is to buy vacuum bags a couple of times a year.

The Miele Guard L1 Cat & Dog is undoubtedly one of the most effective vacuum cleaners I've tested, so if you can afford it (and have the space for storing it), I'd look no further.

Next, read through our tried-and-tested guide to the best Dyson alternatives, or find out more about our robust vacuum testing methodology.

If you're hunting down the ideal new vacuum for your home, it's a smart idea to consider a canister vacuum. These versatile cleaners are super easy to use around the house, thanks to the motor being housed in a separate unit that you drag around.

And of course, it's smart to consider a Dyson. Even if the British brand mostly focuses on cordless vacuums now, I was excited to get my hands on their only canister vacuum, the Dyson Big Ball Turbinehead.

So, I tested it in a pet shelter, our dedicated test center, and in my own home to find out if it could be your new best vacuum cleaner.

The One-Minute Verdict

The Dyson Big Ball Turbinehead is a strong choice if you're looking for a versatile, easy-to-use vacuum cleaner that performs excellently on hard floors and can vacuum pet hair from thin carpets and upholstery.

It has some of the strongest performance on hard floors like linoleum and hardwood that we've tested, with a brushroll that instantly sucks away all manner of debris. It also performs well on low-pile carpets, but I wouldn't recommend it to anybody with thick carpets, as the brushroll will either slow down or completely stop spinning.

It's intuitive, easy to carry around the house, and maneuverable enough for effortless cleaning of tight spaces and furniture. But if you're looking for something with fewer quirks for a similar price, I'd recommend the cordless Dyson V11 or the corded Shark POWERDETECT Upright.

Dyson Big Ball Turbinehead: Specifications

Dyson Big Ball Turbinehead: Setup

When unboxing the vacuum, I was surprised by the amount of soft plastic packaging. Dyson is one of my favorite brands for shipping their products in sustainable packaging (cardboard and paper), so I wasn't expecting to see everything wrapped in plastic this time around.

Setting it up involves connecting the floorhead, wand, handle, and hose to the vacuum, one by one. Different canister vacuums do this differently, so I looked to the instructions for guidance, only to find them – in my view – confusing and overwhelming.

Maybe others will find this more straightforward, but I had to rely on my experience testing canister vacuums. Luckily, once I got started, it all made sense. If you know what to do for each step, it shouldn't take more than 10 minutes until the vacuum is ready to use.

I tested the UK model of the Dyson Big Ball Turbinehead, the Dyson Big Ball Animal 2. It's the same vacuum unit as the US, just with a slightly different set of attachments and a gray and purple colorway (compared to the Turbinehead's yellow colorway).

The main floorhead is the same across both: The turbine head. It's similar to the Motorbar floorhead that we love in the Dyson V15 Detect and other top models, but a little smaller and without the same anti-tangle credentials.

But the UK version comes with an extra attachment that you won't find in the US model: The pneumatic head. I'd never seen a vacuum attachment like it and was excited to try it out – but if you're in the US, don't worry. The turbine head performed better in every way.

What Is the Dyson Big Ball Turbinehead Like to Use?

The Dyson Big Ball Turbinehead is the only canister vacuum currently sold by Dyson. The brand now focuses mostly on cordless vacuums and floor cleaners (and they're some of the best in the world...), but the canister vacuum still has its USPs.

It comes down to versatility and maneuverability. As you're only holding the handle and not the entire vacuum unit, it's lightweight to carry, and it means you can get into tight spaces more effectively without maneuvering a big appliance.

But while the best cordless vacuums also share this benefit, they're limited by a battery, while canister vacuums can still house large motors that plug into the mains, leaving them unrestricted when it comes to suction power.

However, the Big Ball Turbinehead boasts 250 air watts of suction, which is the same as our best-on-test cordless vacuum, the Dyson V15 Detect, which costs more than twice as much.

The power and cord pullback buttons on the Turbinehead are on the canister 'ball, positioned so you can press them with your feet, although they seem a little delicate, and I wonder about their durability.

Others, such as the best Miele vacuums, have buttons that depress into the unit, while the Dyson Big Ball has the buttons sticking out, in a way that feels like the right amount of force could snap them off:

The power button also isn't the most responsive, so you have to press it firmly to make sure the vacuum turns on.

I tested the airflow using an anemometer, and it reached 27.2mph. That's higher than every cordless vacuum we've tested with the anemometer, demonstrating how much suction power a corded vacuum can pack.

I also tested the vacuum's noise levels using the Decibel X app, and it averaged 70.4 decibels. Vacuums range from around 60 to 80 decibels, depending on size and suction level, so the Big Ball Turbinehead sits comfortably in the middle.

A design note I love about the Big Ball Turbinehead is the fact that its 'ball' can never be toppled over. It was designed in a spherical shape to make maneuvering around corners easier, but this also allowed Dyson to design an anti-toppling mechanism:

There's also a suction release toggle on the handle. If you vacuum curtains, socks, or other un-vacuumable fabrics, you can quickly pull the toggle and air will flow out of the handle, releasing any suctioned objects.

And generally, like all of our favorite Dysons, it glides across the floor smoothly. I like that the wand extends, almost doubling in size to provide extra reach. My model also came with a wand clip that can store two attachments.

It'll certainly be safe when cleaning hardwood floors, and after testing the cord pullback four times in a row from different angles, I don't worry about it accidentally hitting your hand as it winds up.

Test 1: Flour and Sugar

In our dedicated test center, I tested the Dyson Big Ball Turbinehead using a half cup of flour and sugar on linoleum, wooden, and carpet flooring. These substances assess a vacuum's ability to pick up fine debris like dust and dead skin, while being clear visual tests, as we can see where residue is left behind.

On hard floors, everything was cleared in one forward pass, even between the wooden floor panels. That's super impressive – it's not often that a vacuum boasts such strong, neat performance.

On carpets, it took around 4-5 passes using the turbine head, and much longer using the UK-only pneumatic head.

At this stage of the testing, it seemed as if neither of the floorheads was designed for carpets. The pneumatic one doesn’t have any bristles to dig in, while the turbine head doesn’t have any grip adjustment, so it becomes quite hard to push forward, and the brushroll doesn’t spin as quickly. Strong suction is evident, though, as it gripped tightly to the surface.

The only adjustable setting is to stop the brushroll from spinning, which then makes the suction too hard to effectively move across the carpet. I'd look elsewhere for the best vacuums for carpets.

Test 2: Pantry

I also tested the Dyson Big Ball Turbinehead on linoleum, wood and carpet using a cup of cereal and green lentils. The lentils are slightly sticky and represent medium-sized debris, while the cereal poses a particular challenge for vacuum cleaners as it tends to be too large to fit into the floorhead. Some vacuums crush it down, some fling it around, and some vacuum it with no issues.

On linoleum and hardwood, the Dyson Big Ball Turbinehead crushed some cereal, but most was pushed forward and flung around. It struggled with a large amount of crumbs as it got caught in the small floorhead nozzle. Also, as the dustbin is on a tilt, some food got stuck in the side, and I had to shake it around to dislodge it.

Any sizable food pieces struggle to get sucked up in one attempt, and take a bit of back and forth or placing the floor head directly on top. But once I took the floorhead off, the suction was strong enough to pull up the large pieces from a 1-2 inch distance.

Now, it's normal for even the best vacuums for hard floors to get clogged with high volumes of food crumbs. The real test is in the vacuum's ability to deal with that mess afterwards, and whether the suction is strong enough to vacuum large pieces without the floorhead. The Big Ball Turbinehead passed this test.

On the carpet, it took a while. There were lots of flinging crumbs around, or getting caught in the floorhead and the wand. Neither the turbine nor pneumatic heads were able to properly pick up big pieces from the carpet.

Also, the inlet to the dustbin was clogged with food – not completely abnormal with a mess of this volume – but I expected better from a corded Dyson. Cordless models like the Dyson V11 performed much better, without these issues.

Test 3: Pet Hair

To see if the Dyson Big Ball Turbinehead could be one of the best vacuums for pet hair, I tested it in a local cat and dog shelter on hard floors, entrance mats, low-to-high-pile carpets, thick rugs, and upholstery.

The entrance mat is the toughest challenge for a vacuum with its bumpy, high-friction surface. The Big Ball Turbinehead did a really solid clean in about two passes, followed by a few strokes to get the rest of it. That's certainly better than average, but not as effective as what we've seen with other models like the Miele Blizzard CX1 Cat & Dog.

A few hairs remained, but that’s expected with this surface. And unlike the carpet tests above, the brushroll actually spun on this mat, likely because of the bumpy texture providing more breathing room.

The results were instant when vacuuming pet hair from hard floors. As soon as the floorhead neared any mess – whether pet hair, leaves, or dust – it pulled it in, sometimes from about half an inch away.

The long wand is great for reaching far from where you’re standing, providing more reach compared to other vacuums. The floorhead also vacuums right up to the edges without having to approach them at annoying angles.

On low-pile carpet, it was great, and again, the brushroll had no issues spinning at full speed. Everything was picked up instantly, and I could see great clumps of pet hair filling up the dustbin – more than I could see on the floor.

It grips low-pile carpet nicely, and the low profile of the floorhead lets it slide under furniture and doorstops. Its small shape also makes it easy to maneuver when cleaning stairs:

While the brushroll had no issues spinning properly on the entrance mat and thin carpet, it stopped spinning on the pet shelter's thick rugs, just as it did at the test center.

When you move it forward, it starts spinning again, but you can feel that it’s not as fast, and it makes a noise as if it’s struggling. More debris was left over when vacuuming this surface than on hard floors and low-pile carpet. If your home has lots of carpets or thick rugs, I'd look elsewhere, such as the Shark POWERDETECT Upright.

After a few hours of vacuuming at the pet shelter, the dustbin was almost filled with fur, but there were a few wrapped hairs in the brushroll, showing that it isn't completely anti-tangle:

Test 4: Attachments

The upholstery tool doesn't tend to be the strongest attachment for a vacuum cleaner, but the Big Ball Turbinehead's is incredible. It pulled all manner of dirt, dust, and pet hair from sofas and padded chairs, and would be a perfect tool for keeping your home clean with pets.

My UK model also came with a unique detangling hair attachment. I haven't seen this in any of the Dyson vacuums we've tested, which is surprising considering it's genuinely one of the best pet hair attachments I’ve used on padded upholstery.

Dyson Big Ball Turbinehead: Care and Maintenance

Many canister vacuums are bagged, using disposable vacuum bags that you dispose of once full. But Dyson is the brand that invented the bagless vacuum, so the Big Ball Turbinehead is one of the few canister vacuums that doesn't come with recurring bag costs.

It also has a lifetime washable HEPA filter that won't need replacing so long as you rinse it thoroughly with cold water every 1-2 months.

You detach the dustbin by pressing a button on the top of the canister. Then, hold it over the trash can and push the lever, and the dust will descend. It's quick and painless, with minimal blowback of dust and fine debris.

How Does the Dyson Big Ball Turbinehead Compare?

Costing $379.99 at Dyson (or £299.99 at Dyson UK), the Big Ball Turbinehead is reasonably priced. In fact, it's one of the cheapest vacuums that Dyson sells, with my personal favorite, the Dyson V15 Detect, costing $849.99 at full price.

Our best-on-test canister vacuums so far are the Miele Blizzard CX1 Cat & Dog [Amazon] and the Miele Complete C3 Cat & Dog [Amazon] – and they both cost around $1,000. They perform better in most aspects (except for being a little less maneuverable), but considering the steep price hike, I'd go for the Dyson over them.

But if you're looking at spending around $300-$400, I'd also recommend considering the Dyson V11 and the Shark POWERDETECT Upright. They both performed outstandingly on our tests, with high suction and easy usage, and can be found for around the same price. They also both work wonders on pet hair, without any hair wrap.

Next, look at the best Dyson alternatives for more affordable floorcare, and see our full deep-dive into how we test vacuums.

Shark has introduced an upgrade to the best-selling PowerDetect 2-in-1 robot vacuum range. The new PowerDetect ThermaCharged promises cleaner floors and fewer odors than previous Shark robots, leaving homes feeling spotless without having to lift a finger.

Now with heated mop washing and drying, the robot cleans floors with a roller that's always freshly sanitized, and banishes the nasty smells that come from leaving it dirty. And for the new release, Shark has discounted the PowerDetect ThermaCharged by a huge $400.

If you've been waiting for the chance to free up hours of your precious free time, this is it. The Shark PowerDetect was already one of our best robot vacuums after testing, and this new model is an upgrade that costs $100s less.

The Shark PowerDetect ThermaCharged Robot Vaccum: Everything You Need to Know

The PowerDetect ThermaCharged upgrades from the previous PowerDetect robot vacuum with heated mop washing and drying, promising cleaner results than all other Shark robots. Washing the mop with 185°F and drying it with 175°F air, it prevents the growth of mold, bacteria, and odors that thrive in cold, wet conditions.

It also comes in a new colorway, in a sleek but subtle black and gold. As a robot vacuum and its station are on show in your home at all times, it's a nice touch to go for one with more of a lush aesthetic.

Otherwise, its specs are the same as the model we tested – and we love how low-maintenance it is. It's designed to do as much of the work as possible, emptying its own debris and navigating around obstacles effortlessly.

It can vacuum and mop your floors so thoroughly that it removes old stains from hard floors, and pulls dust and debris from carpets. It even lifts itself over small thresholds and obstacles so that it hardly ever gets stuck, so you can confidently leave it running while you sleep and wake up to spotless floors.

The Shark PowerDetect ThermaCharged Robot Vacuum and Mop is discounted to $799.99 for a limited at SharkNinja.

What to Shop

A robot vacuum handles floorcare for you, freeing up your time while revolutionizing the amount of effort required to maintain our homes. We've tested 82 of the best vacuums and robot vacuums and here a few more of our top recommendations.

All prices were correct at time of publication.

Next, see why we rate the best Dyson alternatives and the best vacuums for pet hair so highly after our test sessions.

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Vacuum Tips & Care

With four dogs at home, vacuuming can be a real chore to keep on top of. And, with holiday hosting just around the corner, I'm on a mission to get my carpets looking as clean, plush, and fur-free as possible.

That's why I'll be picking up the Uproot Cleaner Pro Pet Hair Removal Tool available at Amazon during the Amazon Prime Big Deal Days, which end today – it's now at its lowest ever price.

Here's why I think it's essential for keeping a clean home when you have pets.

This $15 carpet scraper makes vacuuming pet hair easy

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

To find out whether this Uproot Cleaner Pro Pet Hair Removal Tool available at Amazon really will help to make using my best vacuum for pet hair easier, I spoke to someone who swears by theirs – Punteha van Terheyden, head of Solved here at Homes & Gardens.

She says, 'I have two cats that shed a lot and a house that is 85% carpet. That means vacuuming alone isn't enough, even with the best vacuum. That's why our household has the bi-weekly task of using these nifty carpet rakes to pull up dust, dander, and deeply embedded fur from our carpets,' which also has the added benefit of being a brilliant cleaning tip for those with pet dander allergies.

'As I have to consider my chronic pain when cleaning, and limited on mobility,' Punteha continues, 'my husband lends a hand for this task, but it's still doable in short bursts, even if you are in pain, fatigued, or injured.

'Stick with smaller zones to keep the manual strain low, and the impact on your carpets high. Every time we use these, it pulls up a shocking amount of hair and dust, and makes our carpets look brand new.'

If that's not convincing enough, this clever carpet scraper removes even the most embedded of dander, helping to make carpet fluffy again, and requires no batteries, sticky rolls, or vacuum bags, helping you to be more sustainable at home and to save money at the same time.

It's not just suitable for carpets, either. You can also use this cleaning tool on all non-knit fabrics, from upholstered couches and chairs, to your clothes, and to make washing dog beds fair easier, too.

Plus, it's quick, easy, and, dare we say it, fun to use.

Like Punteha, almost 20,000 shoppers have also given this carpet scraper a five-star review. As one user, Michelle Kim, puts it, 'Finally, a pet hair remover that actually works!'

They explain, 'As a long-time pet owner, I’ve tried just about every tool on the market to keep my furniture, rugs, and car hair-free, and I can confidently say the Uproot Cleaner Pro is in a league of its own. From the moment I tried it, I could tell it was designed with real pet hair problems in mind.

'The edge design is ingenious as it grabs every strand of hair without damaging fabric or upholstery. I’ve used it on my couch, carpet, pet towers, and even the car seats, and it literally pulls up hair that other brushes and lint rollers leave behind. The ergonomic handle makes repeated use comfortable, and the scraper works quickly without feeling like a chore.

'What sets this apart from other pet hair removers is how thorough it is across different surfaces. Even stubborn hair embedded in rugs comes up effortlessly. Cleanup is also easy. Just run it under water or wipe the collected hair off the scraper.

'If you’ve ever felt frustrated by pet hair that seems impossible to remove, this tool is a game-changer. It’s efficient, versatile, and genuinely saves time, making it one of the best investments for any pet household. Honestly, I wish I’d discovered it years ago!'

So, take it from Punteha and Michelle, or another user who dubs it an 'excellent cleaning tool,' and make this essential for pet owners part of your routine. It will help to banish pet odors, too, and guarantee a fresh and comfortable home that's ideal for both you, your furry friends, and any guests you're hosting over the holidays.

What to shop

We're also big fans of the Mr. Siga lint roller for pet hair removal here at Homes & Gardens.

Alongside the best pet hair vacuums, your floors will never look cleaner.

Anyone with dogs will know how tricky it is to eliminate hair around the home. With four dogs, I know this better than anyone.

Having tried countless vacuums in a quest to find the perfect solution, I'm convinced I've found it – the Miele Blizzard CX1 Cat & Dog Vacuum available at Amazon, which is currently on offer for a limited time only.

Here's why I think it's a worthy investment if you've been searching for the best vacuum for pet hair, and well worth the splurge. Get it before this popular appliance sells out!

I swear by this vacuum cleaner with four dogs at home

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

In my opinion, the Miele Blizzard CX1 Cat & Dog Bagless Canister Vacuum available at Amazon is the one essential you need if you live with pet. Although admittedly, it doesn't come cheap, which why I am shouting about the current discount.

As one reviewer puts it, 'It's the best vacuum I have ever owned, and also the most expensive I have ever purchased.'

What makes it so good, primarily, is that it's a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter, which works to remove and retain 99.999 % of even the smallest of fine dust and allergen particles, ideal for tackling the common allergens that plague our homes, like dander.

In terms of keeping a clean home when you have pets, it also features a 36-foot operating radius, which is handy for long-range cleaning without having to change outlets, while the electrobrush allows for intensive deep cleaning of all carpet types, further helping to banish pet odors all around the home.

It's also fully equipped with three high-quality standard attachments: an integrated upholstery nozzle, crevice nozzle, and dusting brush, and it's bagless, too, for maximum hygiene and easy dust container emptying.

The only thing to note is it's not the lightest option on the market, which is definitely something to keep in mind if you're someone with limited mobility or who relies on adaptive pacing for cleaning, for example.

Head of Solved, Punteha van Terheyden has chronic pain, weak wrists, and mobility issues, and she adds, 'I have this exact model at home and the turbo feature on the floor head alleviates any strain, and the usual wrist strain you'd otherwise feel on a heavier canister vacuum. It's been great with two shedding cats in the house and I highly recommend it. I bought it at full price and it was worth the spend, so this $209 discount makes it a great buy right now ahead of the Amazon Big Deal Days when vacuum deals can sell out quickly.'

All in all, it's the model I always recommend for people looking to reduce pet dander in a bedroom or anywhere else.

What to shop

During shedding season, the eufy robot vacuum was a game-changer for pet hair in Head of Solved Punteha van Terheyden's home and reduced canister vacuum use by 90%.

As if Dyson's vacuums weren't already renowned for their incredible performance and innovative features, their newly announced cordless V16 Piston Animal vacuum promises to take Dyson's cleaning excellence to the next level.

At this year's IFA in Berlin, where tech brands from across the world showcase their latest and greatest developments, I was there to see founder James Dyson unveil the new V16, coming to the US in 2026.

It boasts higher suction power than any of the best Dyson vacuums, which top most of our vacuum guides already. As an expert home tech editor who spends my days testing the latest releases, I love the look of Dyson's new and improved Submarine wet vacuum head, which promises to clean even deeper by washing your floors.

Why I'm excited about the powerful new Dyson V16 Piston Animal

The Dyson V16 Piston Animal marks a shift for Dyson's cordless vacuums, taking its latest release to a whopping 315 air watts of suction – higher than any consumer vacuum out there. In comparison, the Dyson V15 Detect is currently our best-on-test, and that delivers just 250 air watts of suction.

I've written extensively about the Dyson V15 Detect and other Dyson vacuums, which repeatedly outperform all of the best vacuum cleaners we've tested, so I'm thrilled to see our favorite vacuum brand up its spec in this way.

The V16 Piston Animal also has a new conical floorhead that promises long hair pickup with no tangling. As Dyson's vacuums are already some of our best vacuums for pet hair, I'm intrigued to see how they've improved performance in this area.

Keeping a home clean with pets, especially furry ones, is no easy task, so any added power for clearing hair from carpets will land well, in my view.

What's more, the Dyson V16 has the same smart features that I adore in Dyson's Detect vacuums (such as the Dyson V12 Detect Slim and the Dyson Gen5detect). A green laser reveals dust that the naked eye can't usually spot, and using floor sensors, the vacuum knows the floor type you're vacuuming and how dirty each area is to automatically adjust the suction and brushroll speed.

This means you don't have to worry about changing the settings yourself. You can pass from hard floors to carpet, and these Dysons know the right level of cleaning power needed, and will preserve the battery life on easier surfaces, including when cleaning hardwood floors.

Less frequent emptying

Another new and exciting feature is the 'CleanCompaktor' dustbin that compresses dust as it's collected, so you don't have to empty it for up to 30 days. Frequent emptying is one of the biggest gripes with the best cordless vacuums, and I'm intrigued to find out if this real-world dust compression comes with a loss of suction as the dustbin fills, or if Dyson's engineers have finally found a way to solve this issue.

In line with the floorcare industry's growing trend towards complete cleaning solutions – as seen in the Roborock 4-in-1 appliance announced at IFA or the best robot vacuums that vacuum, mop, and clean themselves for you – the Dyson V16 Piston Animal has the option for a Submarine floorhead and a self-cleaning dock.

The Submarine floorhead is an upgrade from the one used in the Dyson V15s Detect Submarine, using a motorised, microfiber roller to wash, mop, and remove stains from your floors.

The self-emptying dock has been a key feature in many of the best Shark vacuums, so it's great to see Dyson introduce this as a way to save time and store the vacuum more neatly.

Suffice to say, I was excited about what I heard as part of an early press cohort on this Dyson update. As someone who tests vacuums for a living, this is one of the most significant announcements from a floorcare brand that we've seen in some time and I can't wait to get my hands on the V16 and put it to the test.

The Dyson V16 Piston Animal is available in the UK for £749.99 at Dyson and across Europe for 849€, and will be available in the US in 2026.

What to shop

While the Dyson V16 Piston Animal is only available in select countries, here are some other top-rated vacuum recommendations from our rigorous testing sessions.

If you're considering shopping for a new Dyson now but perhaps want to wait for the V16 Piston Animal, remember: You can trade-in your appliance to get money off an upgrade, direct at Dyson.

All prices were correct at time of publication.

For more floorcare inspiration, check out our guides to the best Miele vacuums and the essential cleaning tools every household should have.

When the Dyson V8 was released back in 2016, it reimagined the cordless vacuum design into what it is today.

James Dyson shared this sentiment at IFA in Berlin on Thursday when announcing the V8's upgrade: The Dyson V8 Cyclone. It combines the V8 with Dyson's latest tech for a cordless vacuum that cleans better, has a longer runtime, and even has a self-emptying dock.

It was already one of the best Dyson vacuums, but this new model, set to be released next year, will make cleaning even easier and cheaper.

Why I'm excited about the new Dyson V8 Cyclone

The Dyson V8 Cyclone brings a suite of upgrades compared to the previous model, to make cleaning more effective without sacrificing on weight or ease of use. In my view, the most significant is the suction power increase, going from 115 air watts to 150.

For reference, that's the same as the advanced (and expensive) Dyson V12 Detect Slim – which on test, had no issues vacuuming hair, dust or large debris from any surface. It's one of the best cordless vacuums we've ever tested.

Plus, like Dyson's newer vacuums, the V8 Cyclone will have three suction modes: Eco, Medium and Boost. As someone who's tested 28 vacuum cleaners, I'm a big fan of this option in cordless vacuums, as it gives you the oomph necessary to deep clean carpets when needed, while giving you the option for lower suction on easier surfaces, like when cleaning hardwood floors, to preserve vital battery life.

Runtime on the latest upgrade has also been extended from 40 minutes to 60, and it's now powered using a single button rather than a trigger to reduce hand strain while cleaning. There's also the option of a self-empty dock that charges and cleans the vacuum between uses – a feature we love in other cordless vacuums such as the Shark PowerDetect Cordless and the Tineco Pure One Station.

The Dyson V8 has long been our top pick for the best budget Dyson, costing around $400 less than the flagship Dyson V15 Detect. But while this used to come at a sacrifice in cleaning power, now it isn't as much of a downgrade.

The Dyson V8 Cyclone will be released in 2026, with pricing information revealed closer to the release date.

What to shop

While the Dyson V8 Cyclone isn't available just yet, its attachments will be compatible with the existing Dyson V8. And as Dyson encourages trade-ins, to take money off a new purchase while responsibly recycling old materials, you could invest in the budget-friendly model for now and upgrade when the new vacuum is released.

We've also tested 82 of the best vacuum cleaners and can recommend some fantastic alternatives.

All prices were correct at time of publication.

For more tried-and-tested floorcare inspiration, browse through our list of the best Dyson alternatives or the best Shark vacuums.

Robot vacuums are evolving, with the tech world's latest advancements pushing the market to answer household needs like never before.

Every September, Berlin becomes the stage for the latest in home technology – and this year’s IFA has been dominated by robots promising to transform floorcare.

From tank-like stair-climbing vacuums to all-in-one cleaning solutions, brands are racing to overcome the biggest limitations of even the best robot cleaners. As a home tech editor and professional vacuum tester, here's what I was most excited about seeing at IFA.

The robot vacuums announced at IFA, pushing the boundaries of home cleaning

Among the exciting announcements I witnessed at IFA, including the AI home systems that are beginning to look after us, the latest innovations in the robot vacuum market stole the show.

Dreame and ECOVACS have announced some of the most exciting advancements, with stronger cleaning performances and measures to overcome what previous robots have failed at. It marks a significant step towards these automated helpers doing more work, with less input from us.

Dreame Cyber X

One major downside to robot vacuums is their inability to traverse stairs. Dreame's latest innovation solves this automated cleaning nuisance, with huge, almost tank-like legs that can roll up and down steps without any intervention from humans.

Instead of adapting their robot vacuums to do the job, Dreame's created a robust stair-climbing shell for its floor cleaning robots. These can attach to existing models, instantly upgrading how easily they can move across your home. Gone are the days when you had to carry your robot upstairs to clean your first or second floor. Now, it can do it by itself, sensing the height and depth of each step and climbing up like a smooth, silent mini tank.

The Cyber X can climb stairs up to 9.8 inches in height at 7.9 inches per second. That's impressive considering it's a world-first for steps of this size. Its rubber treads avoid damaging hardwood floors or delicate tile, meaning you won't have to worry about unintended scratches dampening the convenience.

There's no word just yet on exactly which models the Cyber X will be compatible with, and there isn't an official release date either. But I'm excited to witness such exciting developments in the world of automated cleaning and see with my own eyes how smoothly this contraption works.

ECOVACS DEEBOT X11 OMNICYCLONE

ECOVACS, one of the global leaders in robotic cleaning, unveiled their brand new flagship: The ECOVACS DEEBOT X11 OMNICYCLONE that can climb steps and thresholds up to 1.57 inches. It's similar tech to what we've seen in Dreame's X50 Ultra that can climb small steps.

It does this using ECOVACS' new TruePass Adaptive 4WD Climbing System. It's a mechanical lift system that doesn't rely on cameras or sensors, but small levers that automatically engage when needed.

This is a direct response to the common robot vacuum fault of steps and different floor types posing issues for a robot's navigation path.

Climbing abilities aside, this robot boasts some impressive specs for vacuuming and mopping your floors. The DEEBOT X11 OMNICYCLONE's 19,500Pa suction is stronger than any robot we've tested at Homes & Gardens – with our current favorite the eufy Omni S1 Pro only boasting 8,000Pa.

It also has a high-density nylon, reinforced mop to break down tough stains, that can adapt up to 0.6 inches to reach into corners and tight spots.

And in between cleans, the cleaning station has fast charging, which can power up the robot while simultaneously rinsing the mop pads or emptying the dustbin.

Next, discover how immaculately the best Dyson vacuums can clean your floors, or consider the best Dyson alternatives to do so on a budget.

You're likely using your vacuum cleaner weekly, or even daily – but are you getting the most out of it?

As detailed by our appliance experts, purchasing an effective vacuum is only the very beginning of using it to clean your floors. You'll be able to get the most out of it by keeping a few key tasks in mind.

Here, we've compiled all our expert-approved advice on maximizing the performance of all the best vacuums, including cleaning, maintenance, and storage.

Getting to know your vacuum cleaner

So, you've taken the plunge on a purchase – but what do all those parts and attachments actually do?

• Crevice tool: The crevice tool is invaluable for focused cleaning and anywhere that the usual brushroll can't reach, getting into tight spots like corners, baseboard edges, gaps between carpeting or wooden panels, under appliances, and between stairs. It's also effective for small spot suction, like cleaning crumbs from the car seat, or getting debris stuck under the oven.
• Dust brush: Soft brushes help dislodge dust particles from windowsills, lampshades, picture frames, or any surface above the floor where dust can sit. They're great for more gentle cleaning, like cleaning TV screens or clearing the dust on delicate items.
• Upholstery tool: Around four to six inches wide, this tool is designed to suck up any hairs and debris when you clean upholstery, and they'll often have strips specifically to draw out lint. They're also great for vacuuming carpets, to make carpets fluffy again, and vacuuming mattresses and cushions.
• Extension wand: Extension wands are fantastic at reaching higher-up places, with many versions offering an extra 18 inches – perfect for reaching things like fan blades, door frames, and air vents. You can often attach a separate attachment to the end, making it the ideal long-reach dusting companion for high-up shelves.
• Mattress tool: Similar to the upholstery tool, mattress attachments can suck up lint, dirt, and debris from mattresses thanks to their flat, wide shape. Perfect for cleaning your mattress for a well-needed refresh, or spring cleaning a bed.
• Pet hair tool: Designed for hands-on pet grooming, these attachments can often come with a variety of combs to brush loose pet hair into the vacuum cleaner. This avoids the hair falling onto carpets and furniture, but of course, make sure to be gentle with your furry friends. The best vacuum attachments for pet hair can solve the never-ending fur problem on every surface.
• Radiator brush: This brush is thin enough to fit between the radiator fins, making light work of a task that would otherwise require a lot more time.

How to keep your vacuum clean

It can be easy to overlook the fact that the cleaning supplies themselves require upkeep; however, cleaning your vacuum is essential to maintain its longevity, performance and prevent dirt and dust from spreading.

Not only will this improve the suction power of your vacuum, but it will also ensure it lasts longer and even contribute to a healthier home microbiome, too.

While we always recommend checking your vacuum's user manual for specific cleaning instructions, as models can vary, these are the general principles you need to know about to get the job done.

1. Unplug the vacuum

It may seem obvious to begin with unplugging your vacuum, but is highly important when it comes to your safety. Then, systemically disassemble the necessary parts, such as the dustbin, filters, and brushes, to ensure a thorough clean. Looking at your user manual can help you here, and it should be available online.

Simply search for your vacuum make, model, and 'user manual' and it should pop up.

2. Empty the canister or replace the bag

For bagless vacuums, empty the dustbin or canister regularly to prevent it from getting too full and causing a loss of suction power.

This will also help to stop your vacuum cleaner from smelling, and should be done either after every use or when it gets about halfway full, as it's generally best to avoid overfilling your vacuum, depending on the size of the canister.

As Scott Schrader, cleaning expert at CottageCare, says, 'This helps keep the vacuum’s ability to suck at its highest efficiency.’

For bagless models, emptying outside and away from vents can help prevent allergens from being released back into your home.

Replace the bag fully at least every three months, and always take note of any warning lights that indicate the bag is full.

3. Sanitize the compartment where dirt collects

As Muffetta Krueger, cleaning expert and founder of Muffetta's Housekeeping, says, 'This will prevent unpleasant odors and bacterial growth.'

To do this, turn off the power and remove the dustbin from the vacuum, removing the filter to be cleaned later. Use a dry microfiber cloth to wipe down the inside of the canister. We recommend these HOMEXCEL Microfiber Cloths, available Amazon as they are hardwearing, easy to wash and dry, and reusable.

Then, soak the canister in warm, soapy water and rinse thoroughly to get rid of the soapy film. Hashi Mohamed, president of Ivy Cleans reminds us, 'Before reinstalling the canister, make sure it is completely dry to avoid trapping moisture, which can lead to mold growth and decreased suction power.'

You can also gently wash the vacuum bag with soapy water, then rinse it and let it air dry. Some vacuum bags are also machine washable, so check the instructions.

4. Clean the filters

Filters play a vital role in trapping and reducing common household allergens and maintaining good air quality indoors, and should be cleaned every two to four weeks.

Remove dust before washing a filter by taking it out, wrapping it in a trash bag, and tapping it on a hard surface outdoors. This is particularly important after you've vacuumed a pest problem.

Callum Stokes, from House Vacuum Cleaner says, 'Clean the vacuum's filters (HEPA, foam, or felt filters) according to the manufacturer's instructions. Each type will have different requirements to avoid damage.

'Wash washable filters with cold water, and air-dry fully before returning to the unit,' which will usually take at least 24 hours. 'Replace non-washable filters as advised,' adds Callum.

Importantly, if the manufacturer hasn't recommended soap or cleaning solutions, don't use them.

5. Clean the head

While our information mainly pertains to cleaning the best Dyson vacuum heads, as our home tech editor and resident vacuum tester, Dan Fauzi, took one apart and gave it a deep clean, these tips can be used for any model.

1. Remove the head from the wand or vacuum. For more access, you can take upright vacuum heads apart using a screwdriver, but be careful about removing what you can't reassemble. Check your user manual's guidance.
2. Remove the brush roll using the release mechanism. Different heads do this differently; it may be a latch to pull up, or a thin slot to turn with a coin.
3. Wash the roller with warm water and mild detergent. Andy Shu, founder of Zapfixers, advises, 'Avoid soaking it, and ensure it’s completely dry before reassembling.' For any areas that are accessible within the vacuum cleaner head, avoid using anything damp. A dry, lint-free cloth or soft brush will remove any stuck-on dirt and grime.
4. Remove hair using scissors or a blade, as Lina DaSilva, founder at Toronto Shine Cleaning, recommends. This is important as hair can impede rotation and generally reduce the effectiveness of your vacuum, and is particularly important for the best vacuums for pet hair. Some better brushes will be removable, making it easier to get the scissors in to snip at the hair. If it is not, use a Retractable Box Cutter available at Amazon, to carefully slide under the hair and slice it away. Remember to always cut away from you to decrease the likelihood of an accident. If you have pets, this should be done once a week.
5. Clean the underside of the vacuum head. Vacuum pro Dan recommends an old toothbrush or crevice brush, such as the OXO Good Grips Deep Clean Brush Set available at Amazon.
6. Wipe the exterior with a dry cloth and reassemble when completely dry.

6. Brush out the hoses and pipes

Blockages are the leading cause of your vacuum losing suction power, which is why you should regularly check the vacuum's hose, attachments, and pathways for clogs. Proper maintenance can greatly increase how long a vacuum lasts – make sure you're clued up on all the things you should never vacuum.

Henrique Conceicao, manager at Total Clean advises, 'Your best bet for clearing out any hair and debris in these places is a straightened coat hanger or a brush with a long and flexible handle. These tools are great for clearing out any obstructions and keeping your vacuum’s suction power in its best form.'

We recommend this Holikme Dryer Vent Cleaner Kit available at Amazon.

Angela Rubin, a cleaning expert at Hellamaid also recommends, 'Follow the vacuum's user manual to clean the internal air pathway, which may involve removing panels or accessing the internal components. Ensure it's free from obstructions and dust.'

Additionally, don't forget about the wheels. 'Casters and wheels are another area that collect high amounts of debris and hair,' says Henrique. 'Your best bet is to again use a pair of scissors [such as the Westcott Multipurpose Scissors available at Walmart] to remove the unwanted obstructions.'

7. Wipe the exterior

To finish, Muffetta suggests, 'Use a damp cloth to clean the vacuum's exterior, including the handle, body, and button. This prevents the transfer of dirt from the vacuum to your hands.'

'Disinfect high-touch areas like the handle and power buttons,' adds Angela Rubin. 'A simple solution of water and mild dish soap [such as the Seventh Generation Dish Soap Liquid available at Walmart] or a disinfectant wipe works well for this purpose.'

Why is my vacuum cleaner smelly?

As they're responsible for so much of our home cleaning, it makes sense that vacuum cleaners smell foul from time to time. Fortunately, it isn't too difficult to resolve the problem, and many of these issues will be negated if you make tackling your vacuum cleaner a regular part of your achievable cleaning routine.

1. Your vacuum's dustbin, bag or canister needs emptying

You'd be surprised at how many people overfill their vacuums. But, keeping messes in your vacuum will inevitably release them back into your home over time, as appliance expert Andy affirms, 'Accumulated dirt, dust, and debris can start to smell if not emptied regularly.'

2. Your vacuum needs cleaning

Logan Taylor, professional cleaner and founder of Dazzle Cleaning Company, advises, 'One of the most common reasons is the lack of regular cleaning and maintenance. Over time, dirt, dust, and debris can build up in your vacuum filters and other components, leading to unpleasant odors.'

3. Your filters are clogged, dirty, or overused

David Buckler, president and general manager of MaidPro Calgary, explains, 'Modern vacuums tend to have several different filters, and they will eventually get plugged up and a little smelly.'

4. Moisture buildup

Another common denominator to bad odors emanating from your vacuum is a buildup of moisture, says Rocky Vuong, founder and owner of Calibre Cleaning. 'Trapped moisture can create a breeding ground for mold and mildew, adding another layer of stink,' he warns. To prevent this, you should always avoid vacuuming damp materials. Unless yours is a wet-dry vacuum, it likely won't be able to handle the moisture.

5. Pet hair and dander

Our precious pets have natural odors, and these don't go away once their hair and dander are vacuumed up. As Andy Shu puts it, 'Pet hair and dander can start to smell over time, especially if it's mixed with dirt and moisture.'

6. Electrical issues

'If you have tried all of the above and still have a smell, you may be nearing the end of your vacuum life,' says David from MaidPro. 'Electric motors will wear out, and you’ll start to smell a sharp burnt electrical odor as the motor itself nears the end of its life.'

A burning smell doesn't necessarily mean your vacuum is on the way out, but it most likely will cost you. 'Typically a vacuum motor costs $100+ for just the parts, so unless it’s under warranty still or a really expensive vac system, you’re generally better off to replace the whole thing,' adds David.

Vacuuming by different surface type

How to vacuum carpet

Vacuuming your carpets is a crucial task for keeping a home clean, and doing it regularly means it takes less time each time, too.

Doing so will also extend the lifespan of your carpet, as Karina Toner, cleaning expert and operations manager at Spekless, says, 'Dirt particles can wear down carpet fibers over time. Vacuuming prevents buildup, helping your carpet maintain its appearance and texture.'

When dealing with carpets, especially high-pile carpets, it's best to move slowly to give the brushroll enough time to agitate all the trapped debris and vacuum in multiple directions to ensure you lift dirt embedded in fibers. It's helpful to start at one end of the room to avoid missing any spots, and use attachments for edges and corners, as these are areas that often trap dust and dirt.

Karina also reminds us not to forget to adjust the vacuum height. 'Match the height to your carpet type for optimal suction, and empty the vacuum bag or bin regularly, as a full bag reduces efficiency,' she says.

You can also, if you would like, freshen up carpets with powders before vacuuming. While not every carpet deodorizer is safe for the vacuum, as some can clog the vacuum's parts like the filter and motor, you can deodorize floors using baking soda, such as the ARM & HAMMER Pure Baking Soda available at Walmart. This is a safe substance for your home, pets and vacuum cleaner, that will leave your home feeling fresher.

And, if you're wondering how often you should vacuum carpet, Karina advises that moderate-traffic areas should be tackled one to two times a week, while high-traffic areas, such as entryway ideas and living room ideas, should be vacuumed daily, or at least three to four times a week to keep dirt and debris under control.

Then, for low-traffic or rarely-used areas, once every one to two weeks is sufficient.

How to vacuum furniture

Keeping furniture clean can be a laborious task, but it is vital to reducing allergies and keeping it in top condition. And, while you can use any vacuum to clean furniture, there are a few things you should consider before cleaning upholstery, whether you're cleaning a fabric couch, cleaning a velvet couch, or tackling any other upholstered surfaces. Here's how to get the job done properly, without damage:

1. Check for loose threads and snags to avoid causing irreversible damage.
2. Choose an upholstery attachment or soft brush. Scott Johnston, carpet and upholstery cleaning expert at Carpet Care of the Carolinas, advises, 'If the attachment has a brush, do not rub with force when going over upholstery, as you do not want to damage your textiles.' Instead, you should allow a built-in beater brush to do most of the work when stirring up embedded dust, he suggests. While you can use a regular vacuum on a couch, we always recommend that it's best to use a dedicated attachment for the job.
3. Use a low suction setting, starting with the lowest setting and adjusting as needed if you need a more powerful pull.
4. Test in an inconspicuous area to make sure you won't damage your furniture in an obvious spot.
5. Vacuum in a pattern, starting at the top of your furniture and working from the high back to the arms if required, to the cushion pad, and then to the base. 'Always keep the attachment moving,’ says Scott. ‘If you hold it in place, the beater bar could damage your textiles.’ This also allows any dislodged dust or dirt to fall down without muddying your work and ensures you pass over every area without missing a spot. 
6. Use alternate tools for stubborn pet hair, as this has an unfortunate habit of working its way between the fibers of upholstered furniture, making it trickier to get out with a regular vacuum. We recommend the BISSELL Pet Hair Eraser available at Amazon for this.

You might not know it, but you should actually be vacuuming your upholstered furniture almost as often as your flooring. This way, your upholstery will stay clean, and dust and debris will not accumulate if you vacuum frequently, Jenna Shaughnessy, cleaning expert and lifestyle blogger at Jenna Kate at Home, says.

‘Vacuuming your upholstery regularly, around once a week if you have pets or every other week otherwise, is essential to keeping it spick and span and free of allergens and dust,' she explains.

Like carpets, you can also use baking soda to deodorize your upholstered furniture, sprinkling over a light layer, and letting it sit for 30 minutes before vacuuming it up.

How to store your vacuum cleaner

Finding the sweet spot between concealing your vacuum cleaner and having it readily available in an accessible spot takes a bit of fine-tuning, as well as a familiarity with your home's storage options.

If you're lucky enough to have an under-stairs closet or utility room, this is generally the best bet, but there are plenty of alternatives if you don't. There are just a few things to note before finding the ideal new spot in your home for your vacuum to live when not in use, but the most important is that you consider the safety of you and your machine.

Petya Holevich, cleaning expert at Fantastic Services, advises, 'The best place to store a vacuum cleaner is in a cool, dry, and clean space, away from direct sunlight and humidity. Sunlight can cause the vacuum cleaner's plastic parts to fade and become brittle, while humidity and moisture can cause rust and damage to the appliance.

'Make sure also that the power cord is securely and neatly wrapped to prevent it from tangling and getting damaged. Always wrap the cord separately and store it next to the vacuum cleaner and avoid wrapping it around the appliance, as this may cause damage to both the appliance and the cord itself.'

Here's our expert advice for each model:

• Cordless stick vacuums: Pop these in a closet, on a shelf, under your bed, or hang them on a hook to maximize space. 'Just be sure not to cram them in tightly,' says Tina Priestly, professional organizer and owner of Ready, Set, Refresh. Many cordless sticks also come with a dedicated wall mount that charges the vacuum when it's docked. If yours didn't come with one, you can find plenty of wall mount options for different vacuum cleaners at Amazon. Vacuum brands like Dyson and Shark have their own mounts for specific vacuums, but other manufacturers have jumped on the opportunity to provide compatible ones at a typically lower price, so it's worth a browse on Amazon for universal vacuum mounts to see if there's one that will fit your model at a budget that suits you.
• Upright vacuums: The obvious choice for these is under the stairs. You can also, as Tina recommends, 'Install custom-built cabinets or create a small closet with a door to hide the vacuum away,' if you don't already have a space to accommodate it. As with cordless vacs, you can still hang an upright vacuum from a wall, it'll just require a sturdier mount. 'This not only saves floor space but also protects the vacuum from being knocked over or damaged,' says cleaning expert Karina.
• Canister vacuums: According to Joseph Passalacqua, CEO of Maid Sailors, 'Canister vacuums, with their detachable hose and nozzle, can be stored in a dedicated cabinet or on a garage shelf where they are easily accessible but out of sight.' Canister vacuums are shaped more awkwardly, so hanging them in closets like a cordless or upright vacuum won't work. Their long hoses and separate canister and floor head parts are best kept on a strong shelf, or tucked underneath a bed or furniture, as mentioned above.

Vacuum maintenance essentials

FAQs

How often should you clean a vacuum?

As for how often to clean your vacuum, it largely depends on your usage.

In general, pros recommend cleaning yours every three to six months, but keep in mind that this should be done more often if you have pets, live in a particularly dusty environment, or you're prone to allergies.

Why is my vacuum losing suction power?

If you're vacuum is losing suction power, there are a number of things which could be causing the issue. Luckily, most are fixable:

• The dust container is full: Always begin troubleshooting a loss of suction power with this simple step.
• Clogged parts: It's likely there's something stuck in the suction hose, so inspect this for any items that may be preventing proper airflow. You may have to disassemble your vacuum and pull it out by hand. An easy test is dropping a quarter through the hose whilst you're holding it upright. If it drops out of the other end, it's unlikely to be an issue here. If it doesn't come out, you've located the clog.
• Your filters need checking: Check your filters for clogs, and clean and replace them regularly as needed.
• Air leaks: Conversely, vacuums can also suffer from too much air. Leaky hoses can be taped or replaced. Leaky cases can also be taped, or epoxy can be used to seal them. Duck Brand Duct Tape available at Amazon is a cheap fix.
• Worn our or damaged parts: A vacuum cleaner is made of many parts, including a hose, gasket, seals, belts, fan blades, and rotating brushes. All of them can become worn out or damaged over time.

Importantly, vacuums will generally gradually lose suction power over time due to general wear and tear on the motor.

Meet our experts

If you have noticed the signs you need to replace a vacuum and are in the market for a new model, you can check out our guide on how to choose a vacuum cleaner.

Having spent more than a decade testing home tech, I’ve seen my fair share of 'groundbreaking' features, but few have failed to pique my interest quite as much as the Roborock Saros Z70 and its mechanical arm.

As the first consumer robot model capable of tidying, vacuuming and mopping, the Saros Z70 promises to solve one of my biggest gripes with all of the other best robot vacuums I’ve tested – having to clear the floor of clutter.

The robot automatically spots and picks up items like socks, tissues, and lightweight shoes and either throws them away, or stores them in the correct place.

Of course, such innovation does come at a price so, I’ve spent the past four weeks living with the Saros Z70 to see if it lives up to the hype, and its unique offering is worth paying a significant premium for.

Roborock Saros Z70: Specifications

Roborock Saros Z70: Setup

Unboxing the Roborock Saros Z70 feels more like unpacking a major kitchen appliance than a home tech gadget. The box is huge and heavy – at 47lbs, I struggled to lift it myself – and inside is the robot itself, its multifunctional dock, mop pads, a starter set of disposable dust bags, power cables, and a cardboard container with QR codes for the arm to practice with.

It's one of the more difficult builds I've done for a smart home setup.

It’s not difficult to get everything out, but it is time-consuming, not to mention messy. Every roller, sensor, and mop pad is wrapped in sealed plastic with foam spacers, and it took me at least 10 minutes just to strip everything down and sort the packaging before I even had the chance to plug it in.

The dock makes up the majority of this bulk, taking up about as much space as a side table. It needs to sit against a wall with access to power, and enough room for both its built-in ramp and for the robot to maneuver in and out of.

It’s also worth setting it up somewhere easily accessible, too, because it washes mop pads with hot water and uses detergent, so you’ll be topping up its tanks occasionally.

Once everything is unwrapped, the setup largely lives in the Roborock app. Like other smart home tech, you’ll need to create an account, connect the robot to your Wi-Fi network and – in my case – download a firmware update before you can get started.

Roborock’s app is one of the best in the business. It’s intuitive, well laid-out, and full of customization options. It walked me through the Saros Z70 setup smoothly, with the robot being connected on the first attempt. Which is rarely the case, sadly.

Out of the box, the robot had around 80% charge and that’s more than enough to run the first mapping mission. Unlike Roborock’s older models, the Z70 uses its trademarked StarSight Autonomous System.

It took just under 30 minutes to fully map my 700 square foot ground floor – and the payoff is a highly accurate map with nooks and crannies, walls, furniture, thresholds, and individual rooms all identified and labelled.

This new system also means the Saros Z70 does away with the protruding sensors seen on other models, which can so often get stuck under low furniture. You can then divide spaces on the app into rooms, set no-go zones, and even assign cleaning preferences per room. It's a sophisticated map that should ensure your robot vacuum stops getting stuck.

If you want to, then use the OmniGrip arm, you need to activate it via the app, as well as define where objects should be relocated – such as tissues into a bin, socks into a laundry basket or shoes on a rack. Roborock includes a cardboard box with QR codes to act as a target, although you can set your own zones instead. It’s clever, but it feels slightly finicky.

Overall, the setup is straightforward but not quick. From unboxing to the first mapped clean took me almost an hour. That’s much longer than the average 15 minutes and means you have to set some time aside to get it all sorted.

However, once it’s done, you won’t need to revisit setup often – except perhaps to tweak object zones for the arm – so it’s short-term pain for longer-term gain.

Roborock Saros Z70: Design and features

On first impression, the Roborock Saros Z70 is sleek and modern. There’s no tall LiDAR tower; instead, it’s a matte-finish disc in black or silver with sensors, camera,s and bump guards fitted around its circumference. I tested the silver mode,l and it looks slightly dated compared to photos I’ve seen of the full black model, but this is a minor complaint.

Thanks to the lack of LiDAR tower, the Z70 measures just 3.14 inches tall, making it one of the slimmest high-end robot vacuums available. It slides under sofas, sideboards, and beds easily, and its 13.8 x 13.9-inch size means it’s compact enough to maneuver around table legs and corners without bumping or scraping, but robust enough to not feel flimsy or like it could get damaged.

At 10.18lbs, it’s also relatively lightweight, which makes it easy to pick up and carry between floors if you don’t want to rely solely on multi-floor mapping.

On top of the disc is a plastic flap that protects the OmniGrip arm, which sits inside a small hatch. The five-axis arm folds into place neatly when not in use. The flap then opens automatically, and the arm, complete with cameras, LED lights, and weight sensors capable of lifting objects up to 0.66lbs, extends on its own. Or you can manually control it via the app. Just above this hatch is an emergency stop button, which sits below a dual power and dock button.

We were excited to test this model after Roborock announced a robot that could pick up objects, and it was great to see this futuristic tech in action.

Flip the Roborock Saros Z70 over and you'll find dual spinning mop pads, a FreeFlow main brush, the roller and a single rotating wheel. The base of the robot is fitted with a so-called AdaptiLift chassis that helps it climb taller thresholds (up to 4cm) and lifts its mop out of reach of carpets, making it easy and mess-free to transition between floor and cleaning types. This is something that often trips up other robots, excuse the pun.

Beyond design, the suction spec is one of the Saros Z70’s standout features – offering up to 22,000 Pa. Far higher than the 8,000 Pa eufy Omni S1 Pro, which retails for a similar price.

Elsewhere, you can control the Saros Z70 straight out of the box with built-in full voice control. You don’t have to connect it to use voice assistants, including Alexa and Google Assistant if you don’t want to, just say 'Hello Rocky' followed by one of the pre-programmed commands, and the robot is ready to do your bidding.

That said, it is compatible with smart home assistants if you prefer to control it that way. I should note that not all of the pre-programmed 'Hello Rocky' commands are obvious, so it’s worth keeping the voice command card that comes in the box handy while you get used to them.

Alongside app and voice control, the Z70 also doubles as a mobile camera to improve your home security. Through the Roborock app you can watch it drive remotely around your home with its Remote Viewing feature.

If you need or want to, you can also take over the robot itself and even remotely control the mechanical arm, with the built-in Remote Control feature. You can even make video calls through its front-facing camera. In practice, this is a bit of a novelty, but for pet owners or frequent travelers, the ability to see and not just clean your floors could be genuinely handy.

Onto the dock and the Saros Z70 offers everything you need to clear and clean your floors in one place – hot water mop washing, warm-air mop drying, automatic emptying, and detergent dispensing. While simpler models still require manual mop removal or water tank refills, the Z70’s dock is almost entirely hands-off.

What is the Roborock Saros Z70 like to use?

Using the Saros Z70 day-to-day is a mix of wow moments with occasional exasperation. Its navigation and mapping is among the best I’ve seen, with the robot easily navigating wires, chair legs, and toys, rarely needing rescue. The maps it created of my home were accurate, and I could quickly send the robot to specific rooms or ask it to skip others entirely at the press of a button. Noise levels were surprisingly good, too.

In quiet mode, the motor never exceeded 51 dB, but even in standard mode, the Z70 averaged only 58 dB. This means you can still watch TV while it cleans and there were times I forgot it was running, and it just appeared over a threshold (making me jump).

Its noise levels on maximum suction, and when emptying the dock dustbag, are slightly more intrusive – at 65 dB and 68 dB on average respectively – but both were still much quieter than the best handheld vacuums. The robot’s voice prompts can be a bit chatty, but thankfully, you can tone them down via the app.

Then there’s the mechanical arm. It’s great in theory, entertaining to watch and feels super futuristic – with a slow and smooth stretching motion that makes you feel like you’re in a sci-fi movie – but in daily life, its limitations quickly became clear. It reliably picks up socks and paper, but only about half the time.

If it picks up anything larger, like my seven-year-old’s T-shirt, it tends to panic and move round in circles saying it’s “trapped.” This is because larger items block its sensors and cameras and it can’t “see.” In my youngest child’s room, a quick vacuum run became an almost staged performance, adding to cleaning time significantly.

This feature, while clever, feels more novelty than necessity right now. Plus, it’s painfully slow. I could go around an entire floor of my house and pick up everything off the floor in the same time it took for the robot to take a single item to the storage basket. What’s more, no matter which types of shoes I placed in its path – Crocs, soft slippers, flip-flops – it could never quite manage to pick them up. In fact, it rarely identified them as shoes and just thought they were obstacles to avoid.

In terms of the Remote Viewing and Remote Control features, both are useful if you want to check in on it while you’re away or if you get a warning notification that the robot is stuck somewhere when you’re out of the house. I used the Remote Control via the Remote Viewing screen a few times, largely to move the robot from wherever it was stuck, and for picking up awkwardly shaped clutter when the arm was struggling to grab it. Both are fun but are nice-to-haves rather than must-haves.

Interestingly, the most truly impactful features that are more than worth the extra money are those found in the dock. It handles almost everything and my favorite feature is the mop washing and drying. It’s genuinely a gamechanger. The only times you really need to intervene is when replacing the dock dustbag, or topping up and emptying the water tanks. That said, the dock dustbag hasn’t needed emptying in the whole time I’ve had this robot, which is four weeks and counting. You can even get away with only managing the water tanks around once a week, but if you want to avoid mold and mildew I recommend keeping on top of it more regularly.

Generally speaking, the Saros Z70 is at its best when it’s left to run scheduled routines in fairly open spaces. Its navigation and dock features, coupled with its advanced sensors, make the robot accurate and reliable with minimal human effort and there’s a strong chance that anything you don’t like or want to change can be managed in the brilliant app. Just don’t expect miracles.

Roborock Saros Z70: Vacuuming

To put the Saros Z70’s vacuuming through its paces, I ran six tests, three on carpet and three on hard floors – sugar for fine debris, lentils for medium debris, and cereal for large debris. Each test involved scattering a quarter cup of each food stuff across the floor, including edges and corners and recording two runs.

When cleaning hard floors, the Z70 did well with sugar, collecting almost everything in a single pass. It did leave a faint trail in one corner, though a second pass caught it. With lentils, it impressed even more, pulling nearly everything in on the first attempt with very little scatter.

Cereal was the weakest of the three. The side brush sometimes flicked Cheerios across the room, and the suction pulled a few pieces halfway through before spitting them back out. A repeat pass usually fixed this, but it wasn’t spotless and often involved me having to finish the job with my best Dyson vacuum.

Carpet was a similar story. The Z70 picked up most of the fine debris, but I could still see granules left behind in the fibers. Lentils fared better, although it took two slow passes for a clean sweep. The cereal run was, again, the most frustrating, with large pieces occasionally getting dragged or half-chewed before being spat back out. Even weeks after the test, I’m still finding Cheerios stuck in parts of the vacuum or dock. This is where that headline-grabbing 22,000Pa suction didn’t quite live up to what I was expecting.

Pet hair was another weak spot. While the robot can grab surface fur easily, it struggles with embedded hair in rugs and thicker carpet unless you set it for a Deep Clean. This is easy to do and it works really well but I feel like, at this robot’s price, I shouldn’t have to.

After two weeks, I found myself still reaching for my upright vacuum to properly lift pet hair. Hair tangling is also an issue. Roborock’s “Zero-Tangling” brush didn’t quite live up to its name and twice in three weeks I had to stop, flip the robot over, and clear strands. This is far from a disaster, but it’s also far from the hassle-free experience I expect when looking for the best vacuum for pet hair.

Day-to-day vacuuming is much better, though. The Z70 genuinely slashed my manual vacuuming by about 70%. I could leave the robot to run and come back to visibly cleaner floors, especially in the kitchen and hallway. On average, I was still hauling out my main vacuum once or twice a week to finish what the Z70 couldn’t or to just deep clean carpets, but I usually run the vacuum twice a day minimum so this was a huge help.

Roborock Saros Z70: Mopping

To test the Roborock Saros Z70’s mopping skills, I poured a quarter cup of ketchup, and a quarter cup of mustard to clean my laminate floor. These thicker, sticky stains are a good way to see whether a robot mop can scrub or if it simply drags mess around.

With ketchup, the Z70’s dual spinning mop pads removed around 80% of the stain on the first pass, but a faint red smear remained. The robot returned for a second pass, and after about three minutes the area looked clean. That said, on closer look under bright light there was still a faint red residue that I had to manually mop to fully get rid of.

The mustard was more of a challenge. The pads picked up some of the stain immediately, but the yellow streaks were spread out in a thin film across the surrounding area. After two passes, most of the obvious mess was gone, but I had a similar problem with residue as I had with the ketchup test. Also, while the floor didn’t feel sticky afterwards, there was a noticeable odor until I manually wiped the area with fresh water and, even now, the vacuum still has an aroma of mustard. Despite me attempting to wash it all from the wheels, mop cloths and underside.

Outside of these tests, everyday mopping was impressive. The Z70 automatically drops its mop pads for hard floors, applies consistent downward pressure, and can lift them out of the way when it senses carpet. In my kitchen, it handled dried coffee splashes and dusty footprints in one pass. In my hallway, it left a uniform shine with no visible streaking. I absolutely recommend it for day-to-day cleaning and stain removal.

One of its biggest advantages is how dry it leaves the floor. After a full mop cycle, I could comfortably walk across the floor in socks within about five minutes. There was no sticky film, and thanks to the dock’s use of hot water and detergent, the air carried a faintly “fresh” scent – closer to just-washed laundry than the musty smell some robots leave behind.

Overall, the Z70’s mopping performance is better than most hybrids I’ve tested. It won’t replace a deep manual mop for heavy, sticky spills, but for day-to-day maintenance, it’s thorough, quick-drying, and reliable. I spent noticeably less time reaching for a traditional mop and I loved the fact the dock handled most of the mop and water maintenance.

Roborock Saros Z70: Cleaning and maintenance

One of the Saros Z70’s biggest selling points is how much of the routine it takes off your hands. The multifunction dock empties the dustbin, washes the mop pads with hot water, dries them with warm air, and even dispenses detergent. It's super easy to avoid common robot vacuum faults as it maintains itself well.

It works great and it made me realize how much time I spent before manually filling and emptying buckets and maintaining mops. Of course, it doesn’t remove you from the equation entirely, but it’s enough to be noticeable.

Even though the built-in dustbin is tiny at 0.19 quarts, the dock’s 2.8-quart bag solves that, lasting roughly six to seven weeks in a medium household. And if the integrated dustbin becomes too full mid-clean, the robot will go back to the dock, empty the bin into the dustbag and then resume its session.

After each mopping cycle, the cloth pads are flushed with hot water and they come out fresh and odor-free, even with daily use. Drying takes a few hours but is fully automatic, a big step up from earlier docks where damp pads quickly turned musty.

You’ll still need to roll up your sleeves occasionally. Long hair wraps around the roller brush, despite Roborock’s “Zero-Tangling” design. Over three weeks, I had to cut strands away twice, not bad, but not tangle-free. The side brush can also snag threads. The filter is washable and needs rinsing every couple of weeks, depending on dust levels.

Both the app and manual have clear guides for removing rollers, pads, and filters, and everything clicks in and out without tools.

Overall, the dock gets rid of most day-to-day chores by dramatically reducing both the physical and mental load, which means when you do need to intervene, it doesn’t feel that bad.

How does the Roborock Saros Z70 compare?

At $1,600-$2,600 (depending on promotions), the Roborock Saros Z70 sits firmly in the premium tier of robot vacuums.

The eufy Omni S1 Pro undercuts the Z70 at $1,499 and impressed us with its balance of vacuuming and mopping. It handled pet hair better and never once wrapped with fur in testing. Its mop pads also self-clean, though without the hot-water wash and drying cycle on the Z70 dock. Its 8,000Pa figure sounds modest compared to the huge numbers promised by the Saros Z70 but in real-world tests it picked up debris on carpet reliably. If you want consistent deep cleaning at a lower price, the S1 Pro may be the smarter buy.

Elsewhere, the Roborock Saros 10R is effectively the Z70 without the mechanical arm, coming in at around $1,300-$1600. It has an almost identical dock, mop system, and StarSight sensors, but its larger internal bin makes it less dependent on dock emptying. What it lacks is the novelty arm but if you don’t see this as essential – and for most people it won’t be – the 10R offers a similar experience for almost $1,000 less.

That leaves the Z70 in a strange position. It’s more futuristic and has a host of features that just about warrant charging the extra money for, but in terms of raw cleaning performance, especially on carpets and with pet hair, it falls short of cheaper models. You’re paying a premium for innovation and the “wow” factor, not necessarily better results.

Should you buy the Roborock Saros Z70?

The Roborock Saros Z70 is, without doubt, one of the most innovative robot vacuums I’ve tested. Its StarSight navigation is superb, its dock takes care of nearly all the messy upkeep, and its slim, tower-free design makes it easy to slot into most homes. On hard floors, its vacuuming and mopping performance is good, although not excellent, and the mop drying feature is a standout that keeps things fresher than other rivals I’ve used. If you’re tech-savvy and want to experience the future of home robotics, the Z70 delivers plenty of “wow” moments.

Yet innovation doesn’t always equal performance. The OmniGrip arm is more novelty than necessity right now and carpet performance and pet hair pickup are weaker than some cheaper competitors, which, when you’re spending more than $2,000, is a bit galling. For spacious, open-plan homes with mostly hard flooring or with fewer inhabitants, the Z70 makes sense and could genuinely reduce your day-to-day workload. For busier, cluttered households, or if you need deep carpet cleaning, you may find better value elsewhere.

How I tested the Roborock Saros Z70

I tested the Roborock Saros Z70 over a four-week period in my family home with a mix of hard floors and carpet, two children, and a dog. To measure vacuuming performance, I ran a series of tests, including scattering sugar for fine debris, lentils for medium debris, and Cheerios for larger debris across both hard floors and carpets.

For mopping, I made ketchup and mustard stains on my kitchen floor to see how well it could mop away larger, wet and stickier stains. Noise levels were then recorded using the DecibelX app throughout these tests.

Alongside these controlled trials, I used the Z70 for everyday cleaning, tracking how often I still needed to reach for a manual vacuum or mop, and making a note of how clean the floors looked after runs. I also kept track of how often I had to empty the bin, cut hair from rollers or manually maintain the robot and dock.

Next, browse our tested picks of the best Dyson vacuums and the best Shark vacuums.

If you have a vacuum, you've probably felt the grossness and frustration of having your brushroll wrapped in hair and being tasked with removing it.

The good news is, you can get this nasty job over and done with in seconds, with one surprising sewing tool reigning supreme. I've spent 250 hours testing vacuums and this tiny $4 seam ripper from Amazon will help you quickly slice through caught-up hair and have you back to cleaning your floors in no time.

Better yet, this regular maintenance task will mean your best vacuum will stay in tip-top shape for longer.

Why a seam ripper is your vacuum cleaner's best friend

Whether you own one of the best vacuums for pet hair to clean up after your beloved animals, or you simply have long hair yourself, you'll be familiar with gross task of cutting hair out of your vacuum's brushroll. It's a task you're also likely also tackle when keeping a house clean with pets.

But instead of taking to the brushroll with a large pair of scissors and risk damaging it (yes, this easily happens), a simple sewing seam ripper is the solution.

It's precise, and the small blade can effortlessly cut through clumps of hair without reaching the vacuum's brushes and bristles that are essential for deep cleaning carpets and floors.

Not doing so can harm your vacuum by putting unnecessary strain on the roller's moving parts, which in turn can overload the vacuum motor. This can cause your vacuum to lose suction power and eventually result in it breaking down sooner than it should.

With your own seam ripper set, you won't have to worry again.

The Ortarco Seam Ripper Set is available for $3.99 at Amazon.

More to shop

Aside from cutting out hair that's gotten tangled up in your vacuum's brushroll, a few other simple maintenance tasks will keep your appliance running at its best and make your life easier when cleaning.

All prices were correct at time of publication.

Next, learn more about the best robot vacuums we've tested to take cleaning chores off your hands.

Today at IFA in Berlin, which showcases the latest innovations in consumer electronics, Roborock unveiled a revolutionary 4-in-1 Homewide Cleaning Combo that combines a washer-dryer with a robot vacuum and mop to save you time on chores without taking up lots of space.

It's a compact machine at the forefront of a new generation of seamless, intuitive automated home appliances, which the brand named today as 'the future of home tech', and I can see why.

With it, you can load your laundry before you go to bed, and wake up to it washed and dried, with your floors vacuumed and mopped, all whilst saving space and cutting energy bills.

It speaks to a wider trend at this year's IFA of brands creating innovations that aren't just more 'powerful,' but more in tune with our human behavior, where the best robot vacuums make up part of a comprehensive system that does housework as you go about your day. And, you only need space for a regular washer to enjoy its benefits.

A smart system that saves space, reduces chore time, and cuts bills

'This is the future of home tech,' says Yuxin Li, marketing manager at Roborock, 'combining appliances together, saving space, saving on energy, and doing so much of the work for you.

‘Modern homes have less space, and instead of having all of these different appliances, we wanted to combine them into one smart system, especially for small homes and apartments.'

But don't be fooled – this isn't just a small space design. Anyone who prefers not to have appliances take up their precious space will appreciate an intuitive machine that drastically reduces how much time you spend on housework.

The combo unit is the same size as Roborock’s Zeo X washer-dryer, which doesn't include a robotic helper, and the team was determined not to compromise on either side of the design.

‘The biggest challenge was bringing it all together without making it taller or reducing the size of the drum, while making sure the robot dock is as comprehensive as it would be usually. It hasn’t compromised on functionality at all,' Yuxin proudly shares.

With the help of AI and automation, this is an engineering marvel, one that can drastically reduce how much time and effort you're dedicating to chores, and as part of your smart home setup, can be controlled from your smartphone.

The washer-dryer has sensors to identify soil levels and weight to determine the optimal wash cycle and the ideal dryer temperature. And at the same time, the robot senses what's on your floors, maps your home, and identifies behavior patterns to optimize its cleaning, vacuuming, and mopping.

What’s more, Roborock has built in a clever sustainability feature: Overflow water from the washer is recycled to wash the mop pads. The sustainability credentials go further, as the 4-in-1 design cuts down on the need to manufacture, house, and power separate appliances.

Answering my concerns on durability, Yixin explained that the dryer element and the motor will come with a ten-year guarantee – a strong statement of confidence given the number of moving parts involved.

Elsewhere at the enormous IFA in Berlin, which is the largest home and consumer electronics event in the world, Samsung erected a 'Smart Modular Home', complete with smart pillows to reduce snoring and improve sleep quality, and smart mirrors with daily weather displays. There was a 'smart' version of just about every domestic gadget you can think of.

Other floorcare brands such as Narwal and Tineco are showing off their multi-functional cleaning systems, while LG and Miele tout their AI-powered home appliances.

Tech brands are leading the charge for a new type of home living. Gone are the days where an appliance serves one simple function. We're now living in the future, where our homes listen to us, observe us, and work around us while we live our lives, becoming increasingly free from the constraints of traditional housework.

The Roborock 4-in-1 Homewide Cleaning Combo will be available in the coming year.

What to shop

While Roborock's 4-in-1 system isn't available just yet, the smart home world has already brought us some wonderful devices to ease the strain on our time and energy when it comes to housekeeping.

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

I'll be continuing to report on the latest smart home releases showcased at the IFA in Berlin this week. In the meantime, delve into the best pet vacuums and our tried and tested favorite robot vacuums, which can reduce your canister use by up to 90%.

Robot vacuums are sold as the ultimate time-saver by promising to take at least one household chore off your plate. In reality, having spent more than a decade testing them, they sit much more on a spectrum.

Some offer near hands-free cleaning, some need as much manual input as an upright vacuum, while others actually make the whole process harder. The Roborock Q7 M5 falls nearer to the latter.

For the past two weeks, I’ve been putting the budget-friendly hybrid model through its paces around my home, seeing how well it can handle a range of specialized tasks as well as the real-life impact of two children and a labrador living across three levels of mixed floors – to find out if it could be one of the best robot vacuums if you're on a budget.

One-minute review

The Roborock Q7 M5 cleans as well as you'd expect at this price point. Using it is a breeze – it has no issues navigating, and the smartphone app is intuitive and useful. But it occasionally misses debris when vacuuming, can smear stains when mopping, and requires a great deal of upkeep between cleans.

Instead, I'd recommend spending a little extra for the eufy 3-in-1 E20, the eufy X10 Pro Omni or the Shark PowerDetect 2-in-1 – all performed much better on test, and have more useful features such as actual self-cleaning or the ability to capture missed messes.

Roborock Q7 M5: Specifications

Roborock Q7 M5: Setup

Getting started with the Roborock Q7 M5 was straightforward, although not entirely without problems. In the box is the robot, its charging dock, a mop module with two mop cloth attachments, a moisture-proof mat, an adapter and the user manual.

The box is compact but each of these components comes wrapped in mixed plastics and polystyrene, with mixed recycling options. Plus it’s not immediately clear, out of the box, what each part is and the manual leaves a little to be desired. It’s full of diagrams and text, but it’s far from intuitive, with different components having random number and lettering labels. We’ve tested 82 of the best vacuums and robot vacuums, and this was one of the most confusing to get started with. For anyone new to robot vacuums, this could easily feel overwhelming.

Luckily, Roborock’s app fills this gap.

After plugging in the dock in a clear area with good Wi-Fi, as the manual suggests, I installed the app and paired the device by scanning the QR code found on top of the robot.

I then slid the dustbin and water tank unit into the robot, and attached the mop underneath using the Velcro strips. Once connected to Wi-Fi, the app (with the help of voice alerts on the robot) walks you through the setup and mapping process step-by-step. It took around 10 minutes to create a map of my downstairs, meaning the whole setup from start to finish only took around 15 minutes.

This map was detailed enough to identify rooms, hallways, and obstacles, and I was able to draw no-go zones directly within the app. There’s enough charge out of the box to create the first map of one floor, however if you want to run a first clean or map multiple floors, you will need to put it on charge, which takes around 30 minutes to get to 100%.

Overall, the setup was relatively painless but not as seamless as it could be. The app does most of the heavy lifting, while the manual and packaging let it down. For anyone comfortable with tech, it’s unlikely to be a problem, but if you’re less confident you may find the onboarding more daunting than necessary when adding to your smart home setup.

Roborock Q7 M5: Design and features

The Roborock Q7 M5 is a budget-friendly hybrid robot that offers vacuuming and mopping in a single device, via a detachable 0.50-quart dustbin that doubles up as a 0.37-quart water tank.

The robot measures 12.8 x 12.8 x 3.9 inches and weighs 7.28lbs, making it slim and light enough to move around, especially if the robot gets stuck somewhere, and means it will fit under most furniture. A raised LiDAR sensor – one of the most effective robot vacuum navigation types – sits on the top of the body, with bump guards and cliff sensors around the circumference.

The Q7 M5 doesn’t have a self-empty or self-clean dock, which isn’t a surprise at this price point but means you have to empty it yourself between uses.

Onboard controls are minimal, with just a power/clean button and a dock/stop button, It has a practical and functional aesthetic with a mix of matte and glossy surfaces. I tested the black model (it’s also sold in white) and its simplicity means it won’t look out of place in most homes.

The LiDAR system combined with the Roborock app gives the Q7 M5 a surprising level of control for the price. You can use it to identify rooms, spot and avoid obstacles, draw virtual boundaries, adjust suction and water flow levels depending on the floor types in different regions of the house and more.

You can even send it to clean specific zones, which is great for high-traffic areas or when spot cleaning in case something is spilled. Overall, the design is smart and practical and the features are well thought-out, but this robot doesn’t innovate much beyond the basics.

What is the Roborock Q7 M5 like to use?

Living with the Roborock Q7 M5 day-to-day was a mixed experience. On one hand, navigation is great. The LiDAR system means the robot doesn’t blunder around aimlessly. It cleans in logical, back-and-forth paths, avoids furniture well, and consistently found its way back to its dock. It also handled thresholds and uneven floors with ease, moving from hard flooring to carpet without needing help.

The app is a standout, packed with useful features you should look for in a robot. Setting schedules, sending the robot to specific rooms, and marking off zones you don’t want it to enter is quick and intuitive. As is adjusting suction and water flow levels. I loved that I could save different settings for different floors and in practice, this level of control made the Q7 M5 feel smarter than other robot vacuums I’ve used in the mid-range price bracket.

However, while mapping and controls are strong, the actual day-to-day use left me underwhelmed. Noise-wise, the robot registered between 72 and 76 dB, on average, during regular vacuuming before spiking to around 80 dB when clearing large debris like cereal from hard floors, which is what you'd expect in one of the best upright vacuums. It was loud enough to distract my family from watching TV when in the same room and meant we had to be selective about when we ran the device. There is a setting in the app that stops it running between certain times though, so this is a small complaint.

The robot avoided most obstacles well, particularly furniture but it was less effective for smaller items like toys. On more than one occasion I had to rescue it from entanglement and because of the sensor that protrudes from the top, there was one sofa in particular that the robot would always get stuck under. So much so, I resorted to blocking access to this sofa if we were out to avoid this happening. Not ideal.

Plus, with the accuracy of its LiDAR, I expected the Q7 M5 to be better at spotting hazards, or even recognizing areas where it had got repeatedly stuck previously.

Cleaning times varied by room size but the robot managed my 700 square foot ground floor in around 65 minutes on standard mode. Battery life was strong too and it never ran out of charge during my tests, with the claimed 180-minute runtime being true to form. However, for comparison, the eufy Omni Pro S1, which we rated five stars, completed a 500 square foot vacuum in 30 minutes.

The mop module uses a washable microfiber cloth and Roborock recommends dampening it before each use. This adds another step before every run and initially seemed like overkill, considering the robot has a built-in water tank. However, having tried mopping with and without completing this step, dampening it beforehand does improve its performance.

Even though the onboard controls are minimal, in practice, you’ll spend nearly all your time in the app. This isn’t a bad thing. The app is intuitive and well laid-out, and far more flexible than button controls could ever be. Voice assistant support via Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri Shortcuts adds another layer of control (and convenience), although in my experience the app was the most reliable way to use it.

Despite these largely positives, the real sticking point was effectiveness. After test runs, I often found myself following up with my best Dyson vacuum. Whether it was sugar on hard floors, cereal dust on tiles, or sticky mop residue, the Q7 M5 didn’t leave my floors in the state I wanted.

Add to this the fact that everything from dustbin emptying to mop cloth washing is manual and the Q7 M5 ended up adding to my chores, not reducing them. While such manual features keeps the cost lower, it undermines the hands-free appeal that makes robot vacuums so attractive in the first place.

In short, the Roborock Q7 M5 is great at finding its way around, but less great at delivering results. It’s a robot that looks clever in the app but doesn’t quite translate that into real-world performance.

Roborock Q7 M5: Vacuuming

To test the Q7 M5’s vacuuming performance, I used three standardized debris types – sugar for fine particles, lentils for medium debris, and Cheerios for large debris. Each was scattered in quarter-cup amounts across both hard floors and carpet.

When cleaning hard floors, sugar was its biggest challenge. Much of the sugar was left behind after a single pass, and even after multiple runs the robot failed to capture it all. Fine dust tends to get pushed around rather than lifted, and the edge performance was especially weak, leaving visible lines of debris at skirting boards and corners.

Lentils were handled better. The robot picked up most on hard floors with only a few stragglers remaining around edges.

By contrast, instead of lifting Cheerios cleanly, the Q7 M5 crushed them, scattering crumbs and dust that it then struggled to collect. The result was messier than when I started and I would have had better luck quickly cleaning the kitchen floor with a brush. I even found myself spotting crumbs and dust for a while, even after manual vacuuming.

Results were better on carpet, across the board. Sugar was still problematic but not as bad as on hard floors, and lentils were picked up well. Cereal was better than on hard surfaces too, mainly because the crumbs and dust couldn’t fly about as easily. Yet it still wasn’t perfect and with the exception of the lentil test, I had to manually finish the job in each case.

One positive was consistency. Once a room was mapped, the robot covered it well in neat lines, rarely missing areas. But coverage means little if the suction and brush design can’t actually pick up debris effectively.

Beyond the standardized tests, pet hair was dealt with well. It only wrapped around the roller on days when my dog was shedding a lot and even then I never had to cut it free. I could just remove it with my hand, meaning that at the very least, this could be a good choice in our hunt for the best vacuum for pet hair. More expensive models such as the Shark PowerDetect 2-in-1 struggled more here.

Ultimately, the Q7 M5 proved average at vacuuming. It can manage everyday crumbs and dust on carpet, but struggles with fine particles on hard floors and makes a mess of large debris. For a product positioned as a convenient choice, I noticed I was still vacuuming with my Dyson most days to achieve a good enough clean, which was disappointing.

Roborock Q7 M5: Mopping

To test the Roborock Q7 M5’s mopping capabilities, I created two stains: a quarter cup of ketchup and a quarter cup of mustard to clean my laminate floor, dried slightly to mimic real spills. I then sent the Q7 M5 over each in Mopping mode. Instead of lifting the stains, both were smeared around, leaving sticky streaks across the floor. The mustard, particularly, ended up leaving a yellow tinge to the floor that I had to scrub twice to remove.

In everyday mopping, performance was better but not significantly so. The robot left my floors looking and smelling clean, removing light dust but failing with any sort of mark or stain removal. The lack of any real friction or pressure from the mop cloth means the mopping function largely just drags a wet cloth across the floor, rather than scrubbing. The plus side was that the floors dried quickly, as they don’t get that wet.

Roborock claims the water flow can be adjusted in the app, and this does make a small difference, but even at higher settings, it didn’t remove stains as well as I’d have liked. The mop doesn’t dry itself either, so it must be removed and washed after each run, which adds another layer of maintenance.

Compared with competitors that have oscillating mop pads or self-cleaning docks – such as the iRobot Roomba Combo j9+ – the Q7 M5 feels rudimentary. For light surface dust, it just about suffices, but it’s certainly no substitute for manual mopping. In fact, after using it I often had to mop by hand anyway.

Roborock Q7 M5: Cleaning and maintenance

One of the big appeals of robot vacuums is that they cut the time you spend cleaning. Unfortunately, with the Q7 M5, I ended up spending more time not only cleaning my floors, but cleaning and maintaining the robot itself.

The dustbin fills quickly. By only holding 0.50 quarts and in a busy house full of people, dust, debris and pet hairs, we found ourselves emptying it every three or so cleans. Similarly, the 0.37-quart water tank is enough for a large kitchen but needs emptying after each use to avoid dirty water sitting in it for too long and leading to mold and mildew.

For all the convenience that comes with having a combined dust and water tank, you can’t just switch from one to the other in a single session because the dust and water mixes. This is highly unpleasant to clean and dispose of. In fact, I recommend cleaning and properly drying the water tank before vacuuming – and vice versa – if you don’t want to deal with what I can only describe as a sticky, dusty paste.

The mop cloth must be washed and air-dried after each time it mops the floors, too. The physical act of doing so isn’t difficult – you can just remove the cloth, rinse and put it in the washer – however, because of its poor performance, any wet spills (including the ketchup and mustard from my standardized tests) have a tendency to work their way into the roller underneath. This was not only unpleasant to manually clean, it also meant that I found marks on my carpet for a couple of days following the test because I’d failed to get rid of it all from the roller before setting it on its next vacuum cycle. This undermines the convenience factor significantly.

By comparison, higher-end models with self-cleaning docks can go days or even weeks without needing hands-on maintenance. With the Q7 M5, intervention is needed every time. If low-maintenance convenience is your priority, this robot will disappoint.

How does the Roborock Q7 M5 compare?

At $240-300, the Roborock Q7 M5 is the most affordable robot vacuum we've tested (that's still readily available online).

The Dreame D9 Max Gen 2, sold for around $150-300 depending on promotions, offers similar navigation and suction strengths, although mopping requires the same level of manual upkeep. We're still working on our review of this model but its price puts it at the same entry-level range.

Doubling in price is the eufy X10 Pro Omni, our favorite mid-range robot vacuum. It surprised us on test with good vacuuming and mopping abilities, and if you buy a $21.99 replacement roller from eufy, it never wraps with hair.

Should you buy the Roborock Q7 M5?

The Roborock Q7 M5 looks smarter on paper than it performs in real life. Its LiDAR mapping and app are genuinely impressive for the price, giving you room-by-room control, no-go zones, and customizable suction and water settings that rival expensive models. Navigation is reliable, and on carpet it manages crumbs and medium debris without much fuss.

However, where it falls down is its consistency. Fine dust on hard floors, larger debris like cereal, and anything beyond light surface dirt it struggles with. Mopping is basic and tends to smear rather than scrub, and because there’s no self-cleaning or self-emptying dock, you’ll be emptying the bin, washing the mop cloth, and cleaning the rollers by hand after almost every use. Noise levels are also higher than expected, which makes timing your cleans important if you don’t want to be disturbed.

At $240-300, it undercuts premium rivals by quite some margin, and if your goal is accurate mapping paired with a good app and complementary cleaning skills, it delivers. But for busy households, pet owners, or anyone looking for a truly hands-free clean, you may find it adds to your plate rather than clearing it.

How I tested the Roborock Q7 M5

I tested the Roborock Q7 M5 over two weeks in a family home with hard floors, carpets, two children, and a dog. I ran standardized vacuuming tests using sugar, lentils, and Cheerios on both hard floors and carpets, and standardized mopping tests using ketchup and mustard stains. Noise levels were measured with the DecibelX app.

I also used the robot in everyday cleaning, tracking how often I needed to vacuum or mop manually. Maintenance was monitored by recording how frequently I needed to empty, clean, or untangle the robot. This combination of controlled tests and real-world use allowed me to achieve good insight into its performance and practicality.

For more floorcare inspiration, read our tested guides to the best Dyson vacuums and the best vacuum-mop combos.

Robot vacuum cleaners already feel like a step into the future. These small, slick devices roam around the house, vacuuming and mopping whilst we go about our days.

But now, they're becoming even more helpful, as Dreame's latest model can actually climb steps up to 2.36 inches in height. And for a limited time, the Dreame X50 Ultra is discounted by a whopping $440.

The beauty of the Labor Day sale season means you can bring home one of the most technologically advanced and best robot vacuums at a steal of a price.

Why I'm buying the Dreame X50 Ultra at this bargain price

The Dreame X50 Ultra is the first (and only) robot vacuum to successfully climb steps and thresholds, up to 2.36 inches in height. For anybody that's used a robot vacuum to clean and mop your floors, you'll appreciate this is a gamechanger to avoid having to pick it up every time it gets stuck.

It's a major step, no pun intended, forward for robots becoming completely hands-free.

Technological advancements aside, this is also an excellent robot vacuum in terms of its features and spec. It boasts 20,000Pa suction, which is among the strongest in the market – our current best-on-test, the eufy Omni S1 Pro, has only 8,000Pa suction in comparison.

It has five cleaning modes, whether you want to mop hard floors, vacuum carpets without wetting them, or provide ultra-deep cleaning. And if you're looking for the best vacuum for pet hair, the X50 Ultra promises to tackle hair up to 11.8 inches long without getting tangled.

We're still in the process of fully testing the Dreame X50 Ultra, but it's shaping up to be one of the strongest options out there. Grab it now before the price shoots back up.

The Dreame X50 Ultra is available for $1,259.99 at Dreame.

More to shop

Still browsing? Here are a few extra options to consider from our rigorous testing.

All prices were correct at the time of publication.