The best vacuum cleaner 2024: top vacuums for every need and budget

The best vacuums don't just pick up dust. They save you time, too. And when our lives feel busier than ever, that's a good reason to want one of the best vacuum cleaners: an old, inefficient one means you're spending time cleaning that you could be spending on yourself instead.

It might sound weird, but with some of the very best vacuums you might even find cleaning to be fun. It's definitely much less of a chore when you've got a good vacuum with plenty of power, smart design and useful attachments. So how do you choose the best one for you?

Vacuums come in all shapes, sizes and prices, so the first job is to decide what kind of vacuum suits you best. If you don't want to vacuum at all then we'd suggest one of the best robot vacuums. And if you want to do it yourself with maximum convenience, one of the best cordless vacuums might be a better bet. And you'll typically find that the best models are more powerful and more lightweight than their cheaper counterparts. They're usually quieter, lighter and easier to move around too.

We've tested hundreds of models in real homes to find the best vacuums for every conceivable kind of cleaning, And when we test, we don't just test simple cleaning power. We test vacuums on all kinds of messes, and we test everything from how long their batteries last to whether they'll make your arms tired. And of course we take price into consideration too.

In our guide you'll find all the big brands and many lesser-known firms too, so you'll see great models from the likes of Dyson, Shark and Tineco, among many more: we're interested in finding the very best, not just the most popular. And if you decide you're going to go for a Shark or a Dyson, don't forget to check out our Shark promo codes and Dyson promo codes to see if you can get yours for an even better price.

The quick list

The best vacuum cleaner for most people

Shark Stratos Cordless with Clean Sense IQ IZ862H

(Image credit: Future)
Our #1 recommended vacuum cleaner to buy in 2023

Specifications

Power supply: Cordless
Weight: 4kg
Bin Size: 0.8L
Run time: Up to 60 minutes

Reasons to buy

+
Flexible wand lets you easily vacuum under furniture
+
Clean Sense IQ can detect how dirty a floor is
+
Powerful suction on carpets, hard floors and furniture

Reasons to avoid

-
Dust brush only moderately effective
-
Floor head can’t fit into narrow spaces

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. And then there's its brilliant and innovative MultiFLEX wand. As the name suggests, this is flexible, rather than merely extendable, which makes vacuuming under furniture a cinch. The rotating head also proved effective at picking up dirt in awkward places; this is a seriously smart bit of kit. 

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, that's a minor drawback that is easy to forgive.  

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

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The best budget cordless cleaner

Roidmi R10

(Image credit: Future)
The best budget cordless vacuum

Specifications

Power supply: Cordless
Weight: 2.4kg
Bin size: 0.4L
Run time: Up to 40 minutes

Reasons to buy

+
Super lightweight
+
Quiet
+
Sleek Design

Reasons to avoid

-
Suction could be stronger on carpet
-
Shorter runtime than rival vacuums

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 V15 Detect Absolute

(Image credit: TechRadar)
The best vacuum cleaner if money is no object

Specifications

Power supply: Cordless
Weight: 3.1kg
Bin Size: 0.75L
Run time: Up to 60 minutes

Reasons to buy

+
Powerful Suction
+
Laser highlights hidden dust
+
Informative LCD Screen

Reasons to avoid

-
Average-sized dust canister
-
Noisy on full power

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

The rear of the iRobot Roomba Combo j7+, featuring a button to eject the dust bin and water tank.

(Image credit: Future)
The best robot vacuum cleaner

Specifications

Power supply: Cordless
Weight: 7.35 lbs (3.33 kg)
Bin size: 14 oz (0.4L)
Run-time: Up to 120 minutes

Reasons to buy

+
Mops and vacuums
+
Accurate room mapping
+
Easy setup and use

Reasons to avoid

-
Very expensive
-
Side brush flicks debris
-
Self-emptying bin is very noisy

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

Tineco Floor One S7 Pro in use by author

(Image credit: Future / Michelle Rae Uy)
The best vacuum and mop combo

Specifications

Power supply: Cordless
Weight: 21.5 lbs (9.75 kg)
Bin size: 0.85L / 0.72L (clean water / dirty water tank)
Run time: Up to 40 minutes

Reasons to buy

+
Great suctioning and mopping
+
Self-propulsion makes vacuuming easy
+
Easy to set up and use
+
A whole slew of features

Reasons to avoid

-
Only 0.85l water capacity
-
Must clean dirty water tank after each use
-
Only 40 minutes of battery life

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

Shark Bagless Cylinder Pet Vacuum CZ250UKT hero image

(Image credit: Future)
The best cylinder vacuum

Specifications

Power supply: Corded
Weight: 8.4kg
Bin size: 1.9 quart/ 1.6L
Cord length: 9m

Reasons to buy

+
Large dust cup
+
Comfortable handle
+
Good pick-up

Reasons to avoid

-
Bulkier to store than a cordless vacuum
-
Brushroll can’t be switched off
-
Wand can be cumbersome for overhead cleaning

Shark has become one of Dyson's best rivals, especially in cordless cleaning. Because this is a Shark it's packed with familiar features such as a flexible wand and an anti hair wrap brush roll - things which are genuinely useful to have on a vacuum cleaner.

We found that pick-up and manoeuvrability was good on hard and carpeted floors, and equally as impressive reaching overhead and on upholstery. The 1.9-quart / 1.6litre dust cup capacity is a large size which we feel will suit large homes or indeed, homes with pets, very well.

The wand and hose make this a bulky vacuum cleaner to store. We also found that the wand can be cumbersome when cleaning overhead and, unlike some other Shark vacuum cleaners, the brushroll can't be switched off.

Read our full Shark Bagless Cylinder Pet Vacuum CZ250UKT review

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The best upright vacuum cleaner

The Dyson Ball Animal 2 with all its accessories

(Image credit: TechRadar)
The best upright vacuum cleaner

Specifications

Power supply: Corded
Weight: 7.34 kg
Bin size: 1.8 litres
Cord length: 30 ft / 8 meter

Reasons to buy

+
Powerful suction
+
Large dust canister
+
Glides well on carpet and hard floor

Reasons to avoid

-
No LEDs on the floor cleaning head
-
Heavy and bulky

For those seeking an upright vacuum that doesn't run on battery power, this Dyson model is the best you can buy right now. It's a little older than many designs in this list - it's from 2017, shortly before Dyson decided to concentrate solely on the cordless market. 

On test, it proved to be extremely effective at sucking up the surface and ground-in dust from carpets and hard floors, while the 1.8-liter dust canister is the largest on any of the vacuums in this list. We were also impressed by the extension tube, as it reached the top of a flight of 13 stairs, meaning you don't need to carry the heavy floor cleaning appliance to clean the steps in your home. 

However, it is a bulky appliance so it may be a problem to store. We were also disappointed there were no LEDs on the floor cleaning head - a feature offered by some vacuums in this list - which makes it easier when cleaning in dark spaces under furniture. 

Read our full Dyson Ball Animal 2 review 

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The best budget vacuum and mop combo

Roborock Dyad pro på trägolv

(Image credit: Daniel Hessel)
The best budget vacuum and mop combo

Specifications

Power supply: Cordless
Weight: 10 lbs (4.3 kg)
Bin size: 0.9L / 0.77L (clean / dirty water tanks)
Run time: up to 3230 square feet on a single charge

Reasons to buy

+
Does a fantastic job cleaning
+
Easy to set up and use
+
Easy to clean out
+
Decent battery life

Reasons to avoid

-
A little on the heavy side
-
App is somewhat redundant
-
Floor-drying mode not effective

The Roborock Dyad Pro is pretty affordable considering the fact it can both suction up debris and mop at the same time. And, it does a great job at both jobs, though we don’t like the fact that you can’t separate the functions, making this vacuum useless for carpeting and rugs.

When testing, we also didn’t like its weight or floor-drying mode that didn’t seem to actually do what it’s supposed to. However, we found the Dyad Pro easy to use and easy to clean, leaving our floors spotless even if we have to wait a little bit for them to dry. We also appreciated its decent battery life, though you probably won’t be able to cover a large space on a single charge.

If you’re looking to save time and effort but are working with a smaller budget, this appliance might be the best way to go as the few vacuum-and-mop alternatives tend to cost a bit more. 

Read our full Roborock Dyad Pro review 

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The best vacuum for big homes

dyson v11 outsize stood next to wall

(Image credit: Future / Jennifer Oksien)
The best cordless vacuum cleaner for large homes

Specifications

Power supply: Cordless
Weight: 3.5kg
Bin size: 1.9L
Run time: Up to 60 minutes

Reasons to buy

+
Powerful suction
+
Much larger bin
+
Wider cleaning head speeds up vacuuming

Reasons to avoid

-
Most expensive vacuum we've tested
-
Cumbersome to use in handheld mode

If you’ve got a bigger home, a larger dust canister is a necessity if you want to ensure your floor cleaning session isn’t interrupted, and thankfully the Dyson V11 outsize offers just this. At 1.9-liters it can hold 150% more debris than the Dyson V15 Detect Absolute (above), and the wider-than-usual cleaning head, means you’ll be able to vacuum your floors quicker than ever too. 

On test, it offered powerful suction that whipped away discarded biscuit crumbs, ground-in dirt, cereal and cat biscuits almost instantly. However, we found the larger size made the vacuum cumbersome to use in handheld mode. Performance is top-notch but it’s also the most expensive vacuum we’ve tested, putting it out of reach of some.

Read our full Dyson V11 Outsize review 

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The best vacuum for small spills

Shark WandVac

(Image credit: Future)
Particular good if you want to clean up small spills

Specifications

Power supply: Cordless
Weight: 3kg
Bin size: 0.25L
Run-time: 16 minutes

Reasons to buy

+
Lightweight
+
Strong suction

Reasons to avoid

-
Noisy
-
Much shorter battery life
-
Small dust canister

If you’re looking for a compact vacuum that you can grab quickly to clean up the odd spillage straight away, the Shark WandVac is the best stick vacuum for the job. Straightforward and simple, the Shark WandVac can be used as a stick vacuum or in handheld mode. In our review testing we found it extremely easy to empty, too - although with a smaller than usual dust canister, you'll find yourself having to do this often.  

The vacuum cleaner performed better at sucking up fine dust, but when we tried to pick up large debris it did take a few sweeps back and forth to scoop up all of the mess. The Shark WandVac is loud in use and the runtime is around a quarter of that offered by rival cordless cleaners. 

Read our full Shark WandVac review

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How to choose the best vacuum for you

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. 

Households with pets will need a vacuum that can handle pet hair and if you want to use it to clean more than just floors, you’ll need one that converts to a handheld cleaner and comes with plenty of useful attachments.

And 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. 

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iRobot Roomba i7+

(Image credit: TechRadar)

Frequently asked questions about vacuum cleaners

Is Shark better than Dyson?

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? 

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How we tested these vacuum cleaners

To find the best vacuum cleaner, we’ve assessed how well each model collects everything from fine dust and dirt to larger debris such as cookie crumbs and cereal. As well as evaluating how well floors are cleaned, we’ve also compared how easy the vacuum cleaners are to maneuver on carpet and hard floors, as well as whether fust pick up is evenly distributed across the cleaning head, or concentrated in one area.

We rated each design on how durable it is, as well as simplicity of emptying, how loud it is during use and how long the battery lasts - if it has one. For each model we wanted to know whether it was easy to convert into other modes; such as a handheld vac, the useful tools and accessories it came with to clean edges or remove pet hair, and that it didn’t require reading a thick instruction manual before use. 

Michelle Rae Uy
Contributor

Michelle Rae Uy is the former Computing Reviews and Buying Guides Editor at TechRadar. She's a Los Angeles-based tech, travel and lifestyle writer covering a wide range of topics, from computing to the latest in green commutes to the best hiking trails. She's an ambivert who enjoys communing with nature and traveling for months at a time just as much as watching movies and playing sim games at home. That also means that she has a lot more avenues to explore in terms of understanding how tech can improve the different aspects of our lives. 

With contributions from