The best vacuum cleaner 2023: top vacs for every need and budget

The best vacuums are quieter and more powerful than ever before. They can handle all sorts of messes, whether you’re trying to pick up large pieces of debris or fine particles such as allergens and other such irritants. They also come in many form factors, sizes, and even price points, so at least one of these can help you keep your home clean no matter the situation.

Not only have we made sure to include all sorts of quality options, but we’ve properly tested them to make sure they can handle regular use for all the types of messes they’re meant to handle. We make sure that the best robot vacuums are as convenient as they’re supposed to be and that the best cordless vacuums last long enough to fully clean our spaces. We consider ergonomics, weight, ease-of-use and assembly, and even price when looking at which vacuums belong on this list.

We’ve applied our expertise to brands big and small, whether it’s Dyson, Shark, or Tineco, so that you’re getting the best of the best and not just the most popular. No matter what you’re looking for, we’ve included models that will fit your needs. Since price is a consideration for most people, we also track promo codes for some of the big names, so take a gander at current Shark promo codes or Dyson promo codes so you get the best price. 

The quick list

The best vacuum cleaner for most people

The Shark Stratos Cordless with Clean Sense IQ IZ862H has Shark's Clean Sense IQ technology. That lets it automatically adjust the suction to pick up dirt and debris that you may not be able to see and tells you when the floor is clean. 

In our tests we were very impressed with the suction capabilities, especially the vacuum’s ability to remove hair from our couch when used in handheld and Boost mode. The MultiFLEX wand makes it easy to vacuum under furniture, and the flexible rotating head proved effective at picking up dirt in corners and around award pieces of furniture such as chairs.

The Stratos is reasonably priced for a high-performance cordless vacuum, and it’s more affordable than some models with similar dust-detection technology like the Dyson V15 Detect. While the dust brush attachment isn’t the best at picking up dust, it’s a minor drawback that it’s easy to overlook.  

Read our full Shark Stratos Cordless with Clean Sense IQ IZ862H review

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The best budget cordless cleaner

The Roidmi R10 doesn’t pack the suction punch of our top dust buster, but it comes in at fraction of the price. That makes it a solid pick for the title of best affordable vacuum cleaner.

We were impressed with its dust pick-up on hard floors, but it struggled to deep clean carpet. Similarly, its 40-minute runtime is no match for the Dyson V15 Detect. However, the R10 excels when it comes to noise. Even though its decibel levels are similar to other cordless vacuums its softer tone feels less intrusive, and you can chat while cleaning without having to shout.

Previously called the Roidmi S1E, we found the R10 to be lightweight and easy to use in both stick cleaner or handheld mode. It also comes with a good selection of tools, including a motorized mattress brush to make upholstery cleaning easy, making it a great everyday floorcare option for those on a budget.

Read our full Roidmi R10 cordless vacuum cleaner review

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The best premium vacuum cleaner

Dyson's V15 cordless vacuum cleaner really is its most impressive yet. It’s more powerful and cleans even better on all surfaces, yet still lasts up to 60 minutes between charges - the same battery life offered by its predecessor, the Dyson V11, which has the same price tag. 

In everyday use we felt that the best feature here is the built-in laser, which shines a green light on your floors so you can see dirt and dust that would otherwise be invisible. The V15 also comes with an LCD screen that displays the remaining runtime, and when used on Auto mode the cleaner conserves the battery by adjusting the suction power to suit the floor type and the amount of dust automatically. 

It's not all good. The V15 Detect Absolute can be very noisy when running in full power mode, it only has an average sized dust canister and it's very expensive. But we think it’s worth the money if you want a top-of-the-range vacuum cleaner.

Read our full Dyson V15 Detect Absolute review

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The best robot vacuum cleaner

Yes, the iRobot Roomba Combo J7 Plus is very expensive, especially since it comes with a self-emptying base station and mopping ability. But, those additions are also part of what makes this high-end model from iRobot so great. This robot vacuum does a great job cleaning, even if the side brush has a habit of flicking some debris across the floor, extending the needed cleaning time.

What we really appreciate about this model is how intelligently it works, retracting its mopping pad when vacuuming carpets so that you don't end up with damp results. Additionally, its mapping is superb. It’s able to register large, split rooms and will continue learning even after the initial setup phase.

Pet owners will love the fact that it can pick up particles as small as 0.7 microns so no dander or hair will escape its grasp, not to mention the fact that you can run it using a voice assistant or through the app for easy, hands-free operation. It even allows you to run it when you’re not home. Add in the self-emptying charging base and it’s obvious that anyone looking for a hands-free all-in-one cleaning experience should consider the iRobot Roomba Combo J7 Plus.

Read our full iRobot Roomba Combo J7 Plus review 

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The best vacuum and mop combo

There’s a lot to love with the Tineco Floor One S7 Pro, whether it’s the top-notch vacuuming and mopping or the fact that this vacuum does both at the same time. We were particularly impressed by its ability to self-propel so that pushing this 21+ lb appliance around was essentially effortless. It also deodorizes and disinfects as it goes, leaving floors spotless.

We were a little impressed with its 40 minute battery life, which can be a problem with those using this in a bigger space, not to mention its somewhat small water capacity or the fact that the dirty water tank has to be emptied after every single use. Of course, this model isn’t really well-suited to carpets either.

That said, if you have hard flooring, you’ll probably love the Tineco Floor One S7 Pro as much as we do, especially with its voice prompts  and bright LED display that lets you know what mode you’re using as well as water and battery levels. Being able to vacuum and mop in one go is in itself a revelation for how much time and effort it saves.

Read our full Tineco Floor One S7 Pro review 

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The best cylinder vacuum cleaner