Testing the best vacuum cleaners is our bread and butter here at TechRadar – we've reviewed nearly 200 of them in the last decade, and I've had a hand in that myself. I've reviewed all kinds of vacuums, from the old barrel types to the latest robovacs. Between my colleagues and myself, we've built up a wealth of experience and knowledge that helps us figure out how to choose the best vacuum cleaner for individual needs and budgets.
After spending several hours testing, I think the Shark Cordless Detect Pro with Auto-empty Station is the best for most people's needs. There's a cheaper version without the auto-empty feature but, for the extra money, it's worth getting the more premium model although it's still plenty cheaper than a Dyson.
It's perfect for the average-sized two-bedroom home and, even if your space is larger, the auto-empty helps. That said, there's no mopping capabilities here, so it may not suit everyone. And neither is it the most powerful.
If you have very specific needs, then you'll need alternatives and that's where this guide comes in. I've picked the best vacuum cleaners available in Australia right now – each one thoroughly tested either by myself or one of my colleagues – so you can trust my recommendations. I've listed the pros and cons of each to help you make the best buying decision possible. There are different types included, from a robot vacuum to 2-in-1 floor washers.
Recent updates
April 2025: We've seen plenty of new vacuum cleaners released since the start of the year, most of them robovacs. That said, we've tested quite a variety in the last few months, giving me the opportunity to update some of the listings below.
Sharmishta has spent the last seven years testing vacuum cleaners of all shapes and sizes – Dyson, Shark, Ecovacs and other brands in between. She's fascinated by how far robot vacuums have come in the last few years, but is always on the lookout for a lightweight cordless vacuum that gets into the tight spaces of her flat.
Best vacuums: the quick list
Best for most people
This Shark vacuum is small but mighty. It's our favourite because it's versatile, effective and packs some impressive power for its size – and its price. It also self-empties into a box rather than a dust bag, so ongoing costs are minimal too.
Best budget vacuum
At a time when new vacuum cleaners are getting more expensive, it's nice to know you can find an excellent cordless option for under AU$400. And it doesn't compromise too much on performance either.
Best for suction
If you've mainly got carpets at home, you'll need the kind of suction this Dyson offers. While it's battery makes it a little top heavy that might bother some users, the Gen5detect is a powerhouse that will give your floors a thorough clean.
Best self-emptying
Newer models of the Bespoke Jet are available but they don't add much more to the range's performance, making the original model still a great option. You can opt for a variant with mopping, but its the Clean Station that really shines with its powerful suction.
Best robot vacuum
This squat robot vacuum does it all – vacuums, mops, auto empties, self cleans and dries itself. And it does it all very well indeed, without burning a hole in your pocket. It misses out on some premium features, but all the important ones are here.
Best wet-and-dry vacuum
Dyson's first wet-and-dry vacuum isn't groundbreaking, but its Submarine velvet roller really does do a marvellous mop. And it doesn't compromise its vacuuming prowess either – if you can spare the cash, this is a good all-rounder.
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Best for large homes
The love child of the V11 Outsize and the Gen5detect, both of which we have tested, the Gen5outsize inherits the 1.9L bin canister from the former and the suction power of the latter. It add up to 70 minutes of runtime and bigger cleaning heads, making it a great choice for larger homes.
Best barrel vacuum
Compact and powerful, this is arguably one of the best traditional corded vacuums you can get. And it's bagless too, with easy maintenance, although it might struggle with long hair.
Best for pet hair
Where many cleaning attachments struggle with fur and hair, the detangling floor head, strong suction and anti-odour puck of this cordless vacuum make it an excellent choice for pet owners.
Best upright
If you're constantly worried about battery life and are willing to sacrifice the versatility of a cordless vacuum, this corded upright allows for uninterrupted cleaning and delivers powerful suction.
Best for hard floors
This cordless option vacuums and mops at the same time, and can get under furniture easily too. It also makes maintenance easy thanks to its self-cleaning functionality, although you will have to clean out the tank properly yourself after each use.
Best vacuum cleaner overall
The performance that the Shark Cordless Detect Pro offers belies is size. It looks slim and compact, but it sure packs a punch when it comes to suction. Better yet, the floor-cleaning head boasts a headlight and the tube has a bendy section that allows you to get under furniture, making cleaning easier.
Suction is also dynamic, meaning it will automatically adjust its power to suit the dirt on the floor, and there are sensors to even increase suction when the floor head detects a wall, so edge cleaning is taken care of too.
The major flaw this cordless vacuum has is its small onboard bin: a capacity of 400ml isn't much, so you will need to empty it out a couple of times at least, depending on how large your home is. The good thing is that there's an additional 2L bin in the charging dock, so you can just place back to allow the self-emptying to happen, then carry on cleaning for up to 60 minutes on a single charge.
And yes, I did say 2L bin, not a dust bag. So you don't even need to worry about purchasing replacements each month – just wash out the bin, let it dry fully and place it back in the dock. And the dock itself is very compact, hardly taking up any floor space.
To make sure this larger bin doesn't cause a stink, you have the option to use a deodoriser – what Shark calls odour-neutralising technology. Purchasing this is optional, of course, but you will need make sure you clean out the dock regularly.
All this and more for under a grand is excellent value too.
Read our in-depth Shark Detect Pro Cordless review
Best budget vacuum
It may seem like you get what you pay for, but sometimes there are exceptions to the rule. The Shark IZ102 is one of those exceptions. We haven't tested this model ourselves, but the plethora of user reviews we've seen online makes me think there's something to its popularity.
Typically available at a discounted price of under AU$300, you get some decent suction here. Sure, it's not the most powerful vacuum on the market, but if you don't need too much deep cleaning, it will suffice.
It doesn't overflow with premium features, which makes it very easy to use and, despite its 3.4kg weight, it's easy to manoeuvre over hard floors. It's also got a very limited runtime of up to 40 minutes, so it's best suited for smaller homes or the quick jobs.
Despite its limitations, including a small onboard bin, the IZ102 is far from substandard. You still get three cleaning modes, and the handheld unit will easily handle cleaning up your car or boat. If this doesn't shout 'value', I don't know what will.
Best for suction
With 14 radial cyclones to create a suction of 262 air watts, the Dyson Gen5detect is one of the most powerful cordless vacuums available today. That's plenty of power to suck up even fine dust and easily clean up deeply embedded hair, pet dander or debris from within carpet fibres.
In our testing, we loved the Fluffy Optic's light that illuminated dust and hair that the naked eye would normally miss – just leave it in Auto mode and it will do the best job needed depending on the mess you've got on the floor.
Also improved is the battery life – the Gen5detect can run up to 70 minutes when using a non-motorised cleaning tool, which is better than any model than came before. This, however, means Dyson has had to use a bigger battery capacity, which makes the whole machine heavier than any of its V-series predecessors. At 3.5kg, it's a heavyweight, with most of it on the handle and that makes it cumbersome to use handheld for long periods of time and quite hard to hold up if you need to get to ceiling edges and corners.
As with the Dyson V15 Detect that came before it, you get a visual representation of the dirt and debris being sucked up, displayed graphically on the screen at the top of the handle.
If you think you're strong enough to take on its weight and have the budget to spend on a vacuum, this one's good for carpets and pet hair alike.
Read our full Dyson Gen5detect review
Best self-emptying vacuum
While Dyson has dominated the premium vacuum market for a long time, Samsung's stepped it up with competition from its Bespoke Jet range. There are newer models available now, but the OG in my opinion is still the best when it comes to design and feature set – the new ones don't really add anything much, even in terms of performance.
Not only is the older Bespoke Jet powerful, I found its Jet mode to be far superior to a Dyson's Boost power, which makes the Samsung a better choice for carpets and pets. That power is carried over to the Clean Station too, where the auto-empty function is so good that it barely leaves anything in the onboard bin.
As with most Dysons, there are a few variants of the Bespoke Jet too, so you can opt for one that has a mopping attachment, so you get versatility. There'll also be plenty of other attachments in the box, so Samsung includes a separate cradle to store those, but that also means you'll need extra floor space to tuck that away too.
While there's a maximum of 60 minutes runtime on a single charge, some variants ship with two batteries, so you can get up to 120 minutes, making it perfect for larger homes as well.
All this for a price that competes with the Dyson V15 Detect that can't do as much means there's value for money here if you're willing to make the initial high investment and take into consideration the ongoing cost of purchasing the disposable dust bags for the Clean Station.
Read our full Samsung Bespoke Jet review
Best robot vacuum
The main reason to get yourself a robot vacuum cleaner is so you can either put your feet up and get something else to do all the hard work for you, or so you get more time to do more important things – or perhaps both. And that's exactly what the Deebot T30 Omni will do, just without the very high price tag of other similar all-in-one robovacs.
The T30 Omni is the standard model available in black, but for an additional AU$50 more, you can get an additional deep-mopping mode and Ecovacs' Yiko voice assistant in the T30 Pro Omni, which is the white version. While I think the latter is superfluous, the extra mopping capability alone could justify the higher price for some.
Even without it, the mopping of the standard T30 Omni is excellent. It's able to clean up even edges of rooms, although it can miss some corners, but that's not unique to this model – nearly every robovac has this issue.
Even vacuuming is excellent, although if you have carpets and pets, its 11,000Pa suction may not be sufficient to do a deep clean. On hard floors, though, it's just as good as more expensive options out there.
I really appreciate the simple yet effective design. You can place under a countertop if you have the space, particularly since the tanks don't need to be removed by being lifted out of the dock as in other models.
The app is quite basic, but still gives you plenty of customisable options, and you can set up schedules. All in all, an easy to use robovac that requires minimal attention and won't fully empty out your bank account even if you need to pay full price for it.
Read our full Ecovacs Deebot T30 Omni review
Best vacuum mop
It's admittedly hard to recommend a vacuum cleaner that costs you well over a grand, but that's quite standard with a lot of Dyson's latest vacuum cleaners. And, honestly, if you're getting an attachment that can also mop, it could well be worth every penny you spend.
The Dyson V15s Detect Submarine is an excellent vacuum, as you'd expect from the British brand, but the new Submarine wet roller attachment is the headline act here. It's made from velvet and it's more than capable of cleaning up wet and dry spills – if it's wet, it mops your floor dry; if it's a dry spill, it can be wet enough to clean up dried-up stains.
What it isn't great at is keeping the dirty water inside the compartment when it starts filling up. It's not sealed so, when full, and you're moving the appliance, it can create its own spills. It's not a deal breaker but can be annoying, despite coming with a spill tray.
If you can spare the extra cash for the Dyson-exclusive Complete model, then you also get an upgraded Fluffy Optic that has an LED light that shines brighter and with a broader beam than the original laser-lit one that came with the older V15.
As both a vacuum and mop, the V15s Detect Submarine does well along room edges too, but be wary of the mop leaving dirty water stains on the walls if you're running it perpendicular to the edge. All in all, it's a good all-rounder for all kinds of floors, with up to 60 minutes battery life.
The only downside to this Dyson is its uneven weight distribution that makes it slightly harder to use as a handheld.
Read our full Dyson V15s Detect Submarine review
Best for large homes
If you live in a large family home, there really is no need to lug around a traditional corded machine every time you need to clean the floors. The Dyson Gen5outsize is more than capable of tackling multiple rooms, thanks to its 70-minute runtime. And if that's not enough, you can always pick up an additional battery for a little extra cash and get up to 140 minutes of use per charge.
While we haven't reviewed this specific model, it borrows elements from both the Dyson V11 Outsize (the bin) and the Dyson Gen5detect (the power). It's two cleaning heads also have larger footprints to cover your bigger floor plan quickly, so you don't need to spend hours vacuuming multiple rooms.
The larger battery, bin and attachments, however, make it a heavy beast, but if that doesn't bother you, the Gen5outsize is a fantastic investment if you need to keep a large floor space clean. And the good news is we've seen it drop in price dramatically over major sales, so hold off till you see a good discount.
Read our full Dyson V11 Outsize review and our Dyson Gen5detect review as they both embody what the Gen5outsize is like.
Best barrel vacuum
If you thought the traditional barrel vacuums with cords were a thing of the past, think again. Miele is keeping that tradition alive, but has brought its corded vacuums into the future by changing up the design. Embodying this to perfection is the Miele Boost CX1, with its compact design that can see it stored neatly away in tight spaces. It's small size, though, means you only get a bin canister of 1L capacity, although our reviewer found it very easy to clean out.
It's also just as easy to use, with a simple dial to change modes and we found that it performs best on hard floors. In our testing, the Boost CX1 struggled on thick carpets, particularly if there was hair to be sucked up, although it didn't leave any visible debris.
The only major design flaw it has is its rather short power cord that frustrated our reviewer, so be prepared to repeatedly plugging it into different power sockets as you clean your home. Thankfully its manoeuvrability isn't too bad.
While it won't have the plethora of tools that typically come with several cordless models, the Miele Boost CX1 has a pared-back selection that easily be stored on the holder that attaches to the handle.
Read our full Miele Boost CX1 review for more details
Best vacuum for pet hair
The Shark Stratos Cordless is the best vacuum if you need to tackle pet hair. It packs an impressive amount of power for a cordless model and boasts a few features that make it especially well suited to households with hairy pets (or indeed, hairy humans). The main floorhead – which is suitable for hard floors as well as carpet – is designed in such a way that it'll siphon hair off the brushroll as you clean, and direct it straight into the dust cup. This stops things getting clogged, while the built-in odor neutralizer keeps it all smelling fresh.
There's up to a full hour's cleaning on one charge, and a generously sized dust cup, which means you can clean for longer without having to empty it. A wand that can bend forwards to 90-degrees means getting right under furniture is a cinch, and on test we were also impressed with this vacuum’s ability to remove hair from furniture when used in handheld and Boost mode.
If you don't have such demanding cleaning needs, you'd be better off with the Shark Cordless Detect Pro (#1 on this list), which is lighter and more streamlined. On the flip side, if you need maximum power and are happy to sacrifice manoeuvrability to get it, you can't beat a corded upright like Shark Stratos XL Pet Pro Upright (see below).
We haven't tested the ANZ version of the Shark Stratos Cordless, but we have tried the UK model, which is very similar (but has a slightly larger bin capacity), has a different name comes in a different colour scheme.
Read our full Shark Stratos Cordless with Clean Sense IQ IZ862H review
The best upright vacuum cleaner
If you want outright power, a corded vacuum is typically the best option, and opting for an upright model means you get more versatility than a barrel. The Shark Stratos XL Pet Pro Upright is my top pick for such a situation, offering nonstop runtime, but it also converts into a handheld (aka, you need carry the main body around).
If you need something for deep cleans, it's an excellent choice, and on test we found it was great for tackling pet hair, too. The large dust bin means you won't be traipsing back and forth from the trash can, either. Like many of Shark's newer vacuums, there's an anti-odor puck that keeps things smelling fresh, but this is optional to use.
While it's clearly bulkier and heavier than the cordless vacuums in this list (including the stick option from the same range, see above), it has been designed for maximum flexibility within that upright form factor. So the dust cup / motor part can be lifted off and held in your hand, and the cleaner head added to the end of a stretch hose – super useful for tackling things like stairs.
As with the Shark Stratos Cordless listed above, we haven't tested the ANZ model of the Upright either. However, our colleagues in the UK have tested their local edition, where it goes by a different name but is otherwise very similar.
Read our full Shark Stratos Upright Vacuum review
Best vacuum for hard floors
There's a plethora of floor washers being released these days and, if you only have hard floors at home, one of these 2-in-1s would do you very nicely indeed. The Roborock F25 Ace is one of the latest to come to market, and given it's one of the few that can lie flat to clean under furniture, it's an excellent choice for vacuuming and mopping at the same time.
In our review of the F25 Ace, our tester was impressed by how well it performed, saying he was surprised at how dirty the water looked each time even though his floors 'looked' clean prior to the washing. He even implied that he found a difference when walking barefoot.
He was also impressed by the battery life, by how well it moved thanks to mechanised wheels, and having app connectivity. While some might find the last item superfluous, our reviewer found it helpful as there's very limited control on the machine itself.
Even the self-cleaning cycle was found to be effective, but our reviewer did note that it would have been nice to see a spare roller in the box, for there will be wear and tear down the line and it could reduce ongoing costs.
And price was the only complaint he had – while our tester admits there's good value here, it is an expensive machine, considering there are cheaper alternatives out there. That said, the performance more than makes up for the investment you make.
Read our full Roborock F25 Ace review
Best vacuum cleaner FAQs
What to consider when buying a vacuum cleaner
Why you can trust TechRadar We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test.
As we’ve mentioned already, knowing which type of vacuum to choose can end up leaving you confused. However, considering the type of property you have will help you decide.
These days, cordless vacuums are some of the most powerful vacuums when it comes to suction and they ensure you’re not restricted by the length of the wire. However they can also be some of the most expensive too. Check how long the battery will last between charges, and whether the battery is swappable, so you can simply replace it and carry on vacuuming, rather than the floor cleaner being out of action completely while it recharges.
Corded vacuums are often more affordable than cordless models, and many have wider floor headers, which can ensure vacuuming is a much quicker task. Although if you have nooks and crannies the vacuum may not be able to reach them. For those with stairs, consider models with extra-long hoses so you can clean the stairs without moving the vacuum.
Robot vacuums are good for regular cleans, however with suction that can’t match the best cordless vacuums they’re not suitable for a deep clean, and struggle to suck up dust embedded in carpets.
If you have hard floors, look for a vacuum cleaner that comes with a dedicated cleaner head, which has a softer brush roll to ensure the flooring isn’t damaged when vacuuming.
Whichever style you select, consider whether the dust canister is large enough to clean all of the floors in your home, without needing to stop and be emptied half way through.
Dyson vs Shark: which brand has better vacuums?
Shark and Dyson are two of the biggest names dominating the floor care market right now, so if you’re considering kitting your home out with a powerful new vacuum, it makes sense to opt for one of these brands. But which is best?
In a nutshell, Dyson vacuums are more expensive but this ensures you get a vacuum cleaner that’s extremely powerful but still lightweight and easy to maneuver around your home. Dyson vacuums are stuffed with cutting edge technology too, from lasers that highlight hidden dust to innovative floor heads that can be moved in any direction. If you prefer a cordless model, they also come with long-lasting batteries too.
Shark’s vacuum cleaners are more affordable than Dyson’s offerings, but they can still match the stalwart when it comes to suction power. Shark models are not usually as sleek and stylish as Dyson’s, and they’re often heavier too, but they do come with useful technology such as the ability to stop hair getting tangled around the brush and flexible wands to ensure you can clean in hard to reach places.
Shark vacuums tend to have larger dust canisters than most of Dyson’s models, but the battery doesn’t last as long. So are they better? It very much depends on the layout of your home and your budget. Read our Shark vs Dyson article for a more in-depth look at the two floor-cleaning brands.
How often should you vacuum?
“When the floor looks dirty” I hear you cry, but to keep your home allergen-free and your floors as clean as possible, you’ll need to vacuum more regularly than this.
We recommend vacuuming most floors once a week while increasing this to twice a week in high-traffic areas such as hallways and doorways. Especially, if you have carpet, as the longer dust is left, the more it becomes embedded in the fibres making it hard to thoroughly clean.
While this may seem like a lot, vacuuming this regularly will ensure there is less dust to suck up each time, making cleaning your floors a quicker process.
For more on this, head to our full feature on how often should you vacuum?
How we test
How we test vacuum cleaners
✅ We've tested over 185 vacuums and robot vacuums
✅ We reviewed 41 new vacuums in total over 2024
✅ 9 years of vacuum testing experience
At TechRadar, we test dozens of vacuum cleaners each year. We cover a range of cleaner types – from cordless stick vacuums to upright vacuums, even handheld vacs and robot vacuums – at a range of price points and from different brands. Each model included here has been put through its paces either by a member of the TechRadar Homes team or by one of our trusted freelance reviewers.
Our reviews are underpinned by a set of specific, standardised tests. Here's a quick rundown of our vacuum cleaner review process.
Suction tests
These are designed to test how well the vacuum can suck up different kinds of debris on different floors. For fine debris, we sprinkle a teabag's worth of loose, dry tea on a carpet or carpet-like rug, and see how many passes are needed to clear it. We'll start on the vacuum's lowest setting, then increase until there's no mess left.
To see how the vacuum handles chunkier debris, we run the same test using a handful of oats. We'll then repeat both tests on hard floor.
The final suction test is to see how well the vacuum handles hair – both human and pet. We'll see how effectively the main floorhead can pull hair from both carpet and hard flooring, and test any hair-specific detail tools on furniture too. We'll also check to see if it ends up tangled around the roller or is effectively diverted into the dust cup.
Battery tests
If the vacuum is cordless, we'll record how long it lasts on a single charge, on each available suction setting, plus how long it takes to recharge. For corded vacuums, we note how long the cable is and if it's generous enough not to be too much of a hindrance while cleaning.
General tests
To get a feel for how the vacuum performs in general use, we'll use it regularly over the course of a couple of weeks. We'll report back on how easy it is to maneuver, how usable it is, if there were any unexpected pain points in the design.
Read more on how we test vacuum cleaners.
