Comparing Our Favorite Cleaners
Honorable Mentions
Bissell PowerClean FurFinder for $200: This was our previous top pick for the best cordless vacuum, and it’s still an affordable stick vacuum. But the regular Bissell PowerClean ($150) is a touch cheap as it doesn’t come with the FurFinder upholstery attachment, while Dyson and Ryobi vacuums have powerful pet hair suction.
Black and Decker Dustbuster Flex for $110: This is another cool handheld feature that is great for cars or even indoor areas like stairs. It has a 4-foot hose, which is longer than most compact vacuums, and a small charging cradle to attach accessories to. And thank goodness for the charging mount, as the battery only lasts 15 minutes.
Dyson Gen5 Get a Cordless Vacuum for $800: This is Dyson’s current top stick vacuum, and it’s great, especially for homes with lots of pet hair. But it’s expensive and rarely sold, making it difficult to upgrade while still getting a great experience with the Dyson V15 Detect. This vacuum has a HEPA filter, while the V15 Detect does not.
Dyson PencilVac Fluffycones for $450: This is a unique take on a stick vacuum. It’s impressive with the motor and dust bin built into the slim handle. There are both the Fluffycones version, which I tested, with four cone-shaped rollers on the head, and the cheaper Fluffy version. I was impressed with how well the PencilVac Fluffycones worked and I often find myself grabbing it between my robot vacuums to manage litter and cat litter. It’s also lightweight and easy to push, and has a stand-alone charging mount. But there is a small price that it is only intended for hard floors.
Ecovacs Deebot X11 Omnicyclone for $999: If you are looking for a new 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 debris to keep it from clumping. It’s a great design, and this is an overall great place for robots, especially if you don’t want to buy dust bags over and over again.
Eufy X10 Pro Omni for $480: This was our previous top pick for a robot vacuum. It’s still a good choice and a good price for a robotic lid that can tap and screw, and has a pulling power of 8,000 Pa. But Eufy has a new model that you can take for granted if you want a self-cleaning roller mop instead of roller pads, with almost twice the power.
Roborock Saros 20 for $1,600: Roborock’s latest robotic vacuum cleaner is pretty cool, but WIRELESS reviewer Adrienne So noticed that it left debris behind on her hardwood floors, especially on the divider where it goes from its carpet to the floor. This can be a very high suction fault, reaching 36,000 Pa. There are a few other features he hopes will 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 emptying it every time, this Tineco vacuum comes with a self-discharging station. Eventually you’ll have to empty the station, but it’s a great bonus feature and it keeps the vacuum from falling around your home as it’s safely stored in the dock station.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which style vacuum is right for you?
To help you choose which one to buy, here’s what makes each style of vacuum great.
- Cordless Vacuums or Stick Vacuums: These vacuums look like the last name suggests, with a long, stick-like arm that connects the vacuum head and canister and controls. You’ll need to hold these in a way that you wouldn’t with an upright vacuum, but these are powerful and move very well. They make a great main vacuum, and are great if you have a lot of floors to clean as it’s easy to carry these ladders up and down.
- Vacuum robots: Robot vacuums are ready to clean for you and are controlled via an app. There are several models that double as a mop, too. You’ll have to spend time moving the furniture to get the best clean, and you’ll usually still want a regular vacuum of some sort. But these are great for regular cleaning in homes with children and pets.
- Portable vacuums: Handheld vacuums are ideal for targeted cleaning or cleaning specific areas such as stairs and cars. Many stick vacuums can convert to handheld vacuums, but real handhelds are much lighter and have a compact design (but they also sacrifice battery power and dust bin capacity).
What About Direct Vacuums?
An upright vacuum is the classic, original style that stands alone, is heavier than a cordless vacuum, and requires an outlet connection to operate. We don’t have a specific vacuum that we recommend, as cordless vacuum cleaners have become the primary focus of many consumers (and as regular cleaners ourselves, we often reach for cordless or robotic vacuum cleaners). We are considering specific vacuums to review in the future, however, so feel free to comment on this guide with 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 a handheld vacuum. Stick or cordless vacuums usually allow you to remove the stick section between the vacuum head and the canister base and instead connect those two pieces directly, making it a portable vacuum. It will be more cumbersome than a handheld vacuum only and may be annoying in certain use cases, but you don’t need both unless there is a specific reason. The handheld is a great addition if you already have an upright vacuum you like that doesn’t need to be replaced.
How Often Should You Clean Your Vacuum?
Vacuums last about five years, depending on frequency of use and quality of construction. Some cheap stick vacuums can only last a year or two, though, so it’s worth investing in a better one than a cheap dupe. If you want to know what signs may indicate that your vacuum needs to be replaced, check out our guide to how long a vacuum can last.
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