Comparing Our Favorite Vacuum Cleaner
Honorable Mentions
Bissell PowerClean FurFinder for $200: This was our previous pick for the best cordless vacuum, and it’s still a great affordable stick vacuum. But normal Bissell PowerClean ($150) it’s a touch cheaper as it doesn’t come with the FurFinder upholstery attachment, while Dyson and Ryobi vacuums have stronger suction for pet hair.
Black and Decker Dustbuster Flex for $110: This is another great handheld vacuum that is perfect for cars or even indoor areas like stairs. It has a 4-foot hose, longer than most compact vacuums, and a small charging mount that clips onto accessories. And thank goodness for charging, as the battery only lasts 15 minutes.
Dyson Gen5 Discover Cordless Vacuum for $800: This is Dyson’s current top-of-the-line stick vacuum, and it’s great, especially for homes with lots of pet hair. But it’s expensive and rarely on sale, making it difficult to upgrade while still getting a great experience with the Dyson V15 Detect. This vacuum does not have a HEPA filter, while the V15 Detect does.
Dyson PenseliVac Fluffycones for $450: This is a unique take on a stick vacuum. It’s an impressive feat with a motor and duster built into the slim handle. There is the Fluffycones version, which I tried, which has four cone-shaped rollers on the head, and the cheaper Fluffy version. I was impressed with the PencilVac Fluffycones’ versatility and often find myself grabbing it between runs of my robot vacuum to manage litter and cat litter. It’s also lightweight and easy to push, and has a free-standing charging port. But it is a little expensive in terms of hard floors only.
Ecovacs Deebot X11 Omnicyclone for $999: If you want the newest robot vacuum, the Ecovacs Deebot X11 Omnicyclone has a unique design without a dust bag. Instead, it has a circular canister like a Dyson or stick vacuum, which surrounds the dirt to prevent it from sticking. It’s a great design, and this is a great robot vacuum, especially if you don’t want to buy dust bags every now and then.
Eufy X10 Pro Omni for $480: This was our previous choice of robot vacuum. It’s still a great and affordable choice for a robotic vac that can vacuum and remove, and it has 8,000 Pa of suction power. But Eufy has a newer model that you can pick up for a little more if you want a self-cleaning cleaner instead of rolling pads, with nearly twice the suction power.
Roborock Saros 20 for $1,600: The latest Roborock robot vacuum is generally pretty good, but WIRED reviewer Adrienne So found that it left a mess on her hardwood floors, especially on the divider when it was moved from her carpet to her hardwood floors. This can be a fault of the very high suction, which reaches 36,000 Pa. There are a few other features he hoped would work better, too, including the AdaptiLift feature and spot detection beta. We are contacting Roborock about these issues, but overall it is a solid robot vacuum.
Tineco Pure One Station 5 for $459: If you want a cordless stick vacuum but don’t want to deal with removing it every time, this Tineco vacuum comes with an opt-out facility. Eventually you’ll have to remove the station, but it’s a great bonus feature and prevents the vacuum from dropping around your house since it’s safely stored in the parking lot.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Style of Vacuum Is Right for You?
To help you decide which one to buy, here’s what makes each vacuum style great.
- Cordless Vacuum or Stick Vacuum: These vacuums look just like the last name suggests, with a long, rod-like arm that connects the vacuum head to the can and controls. You’ll need to hold this in a way that you wouldn’t with an upright vacuum, but these are powerful and portable. They make great vacuums, and are great if you have a lot of vacuum floors as they are easy to carry up and down stairs.
- Robot Vacuum: Robot vacuums are great for your cleaning and are controlled by software. There are several models that double as a mop, too. You will have to spend time moving the furniture as clean as possible, and you usually still want a regular vacuum of some kind. But these are good for regular cleaning in the house with children and pets.
- Hand Vacuum: Handheld vacuums are great for targeted cleaning or for cleaning specific areas such as stairs and cars. Most stick vacuums can convert to a handheld vacuum, but true handhelds are lighter and have a more compact design (but also sacrifice battery power and dust carrying capacity).
What about a Straight Vacuum?
An upright vacuum is a standard, natural style of vacuum that sits directly on top of itself, is heavier than a cordless stick vacuum, and requires a socket connection to operate. We don’t have an upright vacuum that we recommend, since cordless stick vacuums have become a staple for many buyers (and as regular cleaners ourselves, we’re usually looking for cordless and robot vacuums anyway). We are considering standing vacuums to try in the future, however, so feel free to comment on this guide and the models we should consider.
Do You Need a Stick Vacuum and a Handheld Vacuum?
Do you need a handheld vacuum if you already have a cordless vacuum? Probably not, because most stick vacuums can convert to handheld vacuums. Stick or cordless vacuums usually allow you to remove the stick part from between the vacuum head and the base of the can and instead connect the two pieces directly, making it a handheld vacuum. It will be heavier than a handheld vacuum alone and may be annoying for some use cases, but you don’t need both unless there is a specific reason. The handle is a great addition if you already have a favorite upright vacuum that doesn’t need to be replaced.
How Often Should You Change Your Vacuum?
The vacuum lasts about five years, depending on frequency of use and build quality. Some cheap stick vacuums can only last a year or two, though, so it’s worth investing in a quality vacuum rather than a cheap upgrade. If you’re curious about what signs may indicate your vacuum needs replacing, check out ours guide how long the vacuum can last.
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