The best vacuum 2024: Which vacuum cleaner should you buy?
We’ve tested and reviewed some of the best vacuum cleaners from the biggest brands, as well as smaller ones and independents. If you have problems with your current vacuum, you’ll definitely find a much better replacement below.
Browse our round-up below to find the perfect vacuum cleaner for you. If you’re looking for a wet and dry vacuum, see our recommended wet and dry vacuums round-up.
Black Friday sales
If you’re looking for a vacuum cleaner in the Black Friday sales, here are some online retailers to check out.
Halo Capsule vacuums: There are savings of up to 60% off to be had on the original Capsule and the new Capsule X. We’d recommend these vacuums as some of the best value cordless cleaners available.
Dyson: Dyson has discounts of up to £150 on its vacuum cleaners right now.
Shark: Shark also has discounts of up to £150 on its vacuums.
Samsung: There are discounts available on both stick vacuums and robot vacuums.
Hoover: Hoover is offering up to £100 off a selection of cleaners.
There’s a lot more tech in your average vacuum these days. If you haven’t upgraded for a while, you might be surprised at what newer models can offer, including Dyson’s lasers and LCD screens, which are designed to help you spot and remove more dust and dirt. Meanwhile, the Samsung Bespoke Jet AI comes with an auto-empty dock that means you’ll never again have to empty your vacuum by hand.
But it’s not all high-tech solutions. Some of the vacs we’ve looked at have brilliant practical problem-solving features, such as Shark’s jointed wands and washable filters. The Capsule X meanwhile, offers a bagged system and HEPA filtration that make it a good choice for people with hay fever or a sensitivity to dust.
When you check out our round-up, you’ll notice that the majority of our top-rated vacuum cleaners are cordless. Cordless cleaners are where companies are focusing their energies – so that’s where the innovations are. But we’ve chosen a best corded and best compact corded cleaner for households that need them.
Still if you have a larger home, you can still opt for a cordless – but maybe look for one with a swappable, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, so you can keep a spare charged and won’t run out of juice mid-clean.
Why you should trust us
Tech Advisor has been reviewing vacuum cleaners since 2018. In 2019, I joined the team to focus on home tech. I recruited two experienced floor care reviewers and we ramped up our coverage, testing dozens of vacuum cleaners in the years since. This means that we’re in a strong position to compare models and brands.
We don’t rely on manufacturers’ specs or use a testing centre. Instead, we take the vacuum cleaners home and use them for several weeks, just like you would. We think that the best way to test how well a vacuum cleaner performs in day-to-day life is to use it in day-to-day life.
If you want some tips on specs, features and terminology to help you make your choice, have a look at the guide that follows our top ten rundown.
The best vacuum cleaners
1. Halo Capsule X – Best cordless vacuum
Pros
Two-litre dustbin
HEPA filter
Great on all surfaces
Excellent accessories
Cons
Basic battery indicator
Challenging to use holding overhead
Price When Reviewed:
$499.99
The Capsule X is the independently made follow-up to the excellent Halo Capsule and it’s unlike any other cordless on the market. It’s an exceptionally light (2.6kg) bagged vacuum cleaner that uses biodegradable dust pouches to capture dust and dirt, so you don’t have to deal with it. It has a 2-litre dustin, which means you won’t have to empty it often either. It’s also our top recommendation for people with allergies or asthma.
It has a running time of up to 60 minutes and its battery recharges from flat to full in a phenomenally fast two hours.
The Capsule X has a host of great new features and accessories, including swappable batteries, headlights and motorised cleaning tools for carpets, hard flooring and upholstery – it’s great on all surfaces. Our one quibble with the design is that the way it’s weighed makes it tougher to use holding overhead, although you can use the hose attachment to get around that.
To get all the tools and the extra battery, you’ll need to go for the Ultimate Accessories bundle. But there is another option. As it’s a completely modular vacuum, you can buy any accessories or parts separately (and all parts are reasonably priced). If a part fails or is damaged later on, you can easily replace it. This makes it a sustainable choice as well as a sensible option for anyone who wants to buy a vacuum once and keep it for years.
Sadly, it’s not available in the US.
Read our full
Halo Capsule X review
2. Samsung Bespoke Jet AI – Best auto-empty vacuum
Pros
Beautifully designed Clean Station, which automatically empties and charges the vacuum
Cleaning tools for every surface
Powerful suction
Swappable battery
Cons
Expensive
AI features aren’t life-changing
Price When Reviewed:
Not yet available in the US
Samsung’s new flagship cordless vacuum is named for its AI features. It has a sensor-based system that adjusts the vacuum’s suction power and roller speed to handle the surface and dust level it detects. Use it in the AI mode and you won’t need to adjust any settings while you clean. It makes vacuuming simpler but it’s only one of the many excellent features the Bespoke Jet AI offers to simplify and streamline its use.
Its best feature, without a doubt, is the slim, elegantly designed Clean Station, into which you dock the vacuum. It’ll empty and charge it, so that every time you pick it up, the Jet AI is ready to go.
Still, its running time is as good as anything on the market at over 100 minutes (on its lowest setting, without a motorised tool) but in day-to-day use, you’ll get over 40 minutes before it needs to charge. And, as it comes with a second battery and separate charger, you can double that running time for marathon cleaning sessions.
It’s powerful, lighter than the Gen5detect (although I found it slightly heavy to use overhead, in handheld mode) and comes with all the cleaning tools and attachments you could want. Altogether, this is the ultimate luxury vacuum and if price is no object, we can’t see how anyone would be disappointed with it.
If the price is prohibitive, have a look at the Samsung Bespoke Jet. It doesn’t have the AI tech of the newer model, or a few of its upgrades, but it’s much more reasonably priced and has most of the same features, including the auto-empty Clean Station.
Read our full
Samsung Bespoke Jet AI review
3. Dyson Gen5detect – Best Dyson vacuum
Pros
Incredible suction
Great design
Excellent cleaning accessories
No trigger
Long battery life
Cons
Heavier than earlier models at 3.5kg
Wildly expensive
Pricey spare batteries
Price When Reviewed:
$949.99
There are two problems with this cordless cleaner: the price and its weight. But everything else is pretty close to vacuum cleaner perfection.
We were blown away when testing it. It’s hugely powerful – with 262AW of suction versus the V15’s 230 – something that’s evident when you’re testing it.
It has all of the features of the V15 Detect, including the green laser and piezo sensor – and some new clever bits of design. One of the best is the crevice tool built into the top of the wand for instant handheld cleaning. But you’ll also get all the other accessories you’ll need, including the hair screw tool and the jointed low reach adapter that lets the Gen5 lie flat to get under sofas.
But all this tech means that it is Dyson’s heaviest cordless yet at 3.5kg/7.7lbs. And then there’s the matter of its extraordinary price. But we think if you can afford it, you won’t be disappointed.
If you’d like a Dyson, but don’t know which one to choose, you can see how we rate all the brand’s cordless cleaners in our round-up of the best Dyson vacuums.
Read our full
Dyson Gen5detect review
4. Shark Detect Pro – Best features for its price
Pros
Very lightweight & compact
Detection features a genuine plus
Headlights
Easy to empty bin
Cons
Runtime far less than 60 minutes if you use detection features
No HEPA filter
Combi tool ineffective
Small bin
Price When Reviewed:
$299
What we love about the Shark Detect Pro is that it’s so easy to use. If you hate vacuuming, this is definitely one to consider. Stick it in auto mode and all you need to do is steer it around the house. When it spots more dust or needs to vacuum along a wall, it’ll increase suction; when it hits carpet, it’ll automatically increase the roller speed; and when it encounters a dimmer spot, it’ll switch on its headlights. It’s lightweight as well, and the bin is very easy to empty.
However, you won’t get anywhere near 60 minutes of running time if you use it in auto mode and the one additional cleaning attachment that comes with it is pretty feeble. The bin is small as well, but you can buy spare batteries and an auto-empty station, which will obviate these shortcomings – although it will cost you more. Speaking of price, its UK sale price is £279. Buy it for this amount and you’ll get a very good deal.
Read our full
Shark Detect Pro review
5. Miele Boost CX1 – Best compact corded cleaner
Pros
Well-priced
Compact
Manoeuvrable
Powerful
Quiet
Cons
Hard work on carpets
Difficult to use on stairs
Basic accessories
Price When Reviewed:
$449
Corded vacuum cleaners are making it back into this round-up as brands are releasing more innovative designs. That’s certainly the case with Miele’s Boost CX1, a corded vacuum cleaner with many of the design features of a cordless, including a bagless system, adjustable wand length and 360° manoeuvrability.
It’s a very compact canister vacuum (its body can sit within the footprint of an open magazine) with impressive suction and an automatically retracting cord.
It telescoping wand means you’ll be able to remove cobwebs from your ceilings with the vacuum on the floor. However, even though it has a useful carry handle on top, it’ll still feel heavy if your stairs aren’t deep enough to stand it on while you vacuum. And, although it has the power to clean carpets, it’s not as easy to use as it is on hard flooring, and there’s no brush bar for deep cleaning.
Still, if you have a smaller place and are looking for a compact alternative to a corded vacuum, with better cleaning power, this well-made, well-priced appliance should be a contender. Don’t buy it if you have acres of carpet though.
Read our full
Miele Boost CX1 review
6. Shark Stratos Pet Pro Upright – Best corded vacuum
Pros
Amazing cleaning performance
Modular design
Three suction levels
Effective anti-hair & anti-odour tech
Cons
Somewhat cumbersome
Heavy (6.7kg)
Not the most aesthetically appealing vacuum
Price When Reviewed:
$499.80
If you’ve had your fill of stick vacuums and need something with more power, this is our recommendation. The Stratos Pet Pro Anti Hair Wrap Plus Anti-Odour Upright Vacuum NZ860UKT (to give it its full, and very long, name), can tackle just about anything from muddy floors to dusty carpets to fur-covered pet beds. We’d recommend this model as the best for tough to remove pet hair.
It has a host of excellent features as well, including headlights, impressive anti-hair wrap tech, and anti-odour technology that leaves a pleasant fragrance behind.
For a very reasonable price, you’ll get a highly versatile cleaner with astonishing levels of performance. The only downsides are that it’s heavy at 6.7kg, not hugely manoeuvrable and not the most attractive vacuum around. But if you have a busy household, it’s well worth the trade-off.
Read our full
Shark Stratos Pet Pro Upright review
7. Hoover HFX – Best for cluttered homes
Pros
Excellent corner cleaning mode
Display with remaining cleaning time in minutes
Storage mode
Effective headlights
Cons
Heavy with main vacuuming head attached
Learning curve for use
Dustbin can jam
Price When Reviewed:
Not available in the US
If you have a cluttered home, or lots of awkward spots that need cleaning and you’re tired of shifting furniture around, Hoover’s HFX could well be the vacuum you’re looking for. It’s a modular cordless vacuum, with three cleaning modes: as a regular carpet or hard flooring cleaner, with an anti-tangle brush bar and LED headlights; as a handheld, with either a combi brush or crevice tool; and as a full-size vacuum optimised for corners, edges and difficult bits.
This last mode – the Corner Genie – is really the reason to buy it. Just use the foot pedal to remove the main cleaning head and you can whip it around to deal with difficult spots like down the side of the fridge or behind the sofa, without having to stoop or shift furniture.
Other advantages of its design are its display, which shows the minutes left in each cleaning mode, its headlights and its large, 1.2-litre dustbin. But it has its downsides as well. With the main cleaning head attached, it’s heavier than the Gen5detect at a hefty 3.65kg/8lbs. You’ll also only get 30 minutes of running time in normal mode, although its charging time is a fairly speedy 3.5 hours.
Read our full
Hoover HFX review
8. Bissell SpotClean Cordless/Little Green Cordless – Best spot cleaner
Pros
Turbo and eco modes
Easy to use and clean
Portable
Useful tools
Cons
Not as powerful as corded models
No storage for tools
Limited run time in turbo mode
Price When Reviewed:
$199.99
In the UK, it’s called the Bissell SpotClean Cordless. In the US, it’s the Little Green Cordless. The difference between the two is that the UK model comes with a two-in-one sliding crevice tool, as well as the the Tough Stain tool and the HydroRinse tool (for self-cleaning) that both models have. Wherever you buy it, it’s a handy cordless portable vacuum that’ll help you to wet clean carpets, sofas, car interiors and more.
The chief problem of spot cleaners is that they can be heavy and bulky, especially when they’re filled with water. But this one weighs just 7.2lbs/3.4kg and is compact as well, which means it’s easy to take out to the car or use on stairs.
This vacuum can be used with cleaning fluid as well as water, for tough stains and messes. As it has a dirty water tank, it’ll suck up and store the wastewater produced during cleaning.
It has two cleaning modes: Eco and Turbo. We found that the Eco mode was sufficient for day-to-day cleaning, but you’ll need to switch to Turbo for serious stains. This does limit the running time to 20 minutes, after which you’ll need to let it charge for 4 hours.
We especially liked its HydroRinse tool, which allows you to flush out the vacuum’s interior, for easy maintenance.
Read our full
Bissell Little Green Cordless Carpet Cleaner review
9. Ultenic U12 Vesla – Best value cordless
Pros
Clever features
Light and manoeuvrable
Great for cleaning corners and blinds
Cons
Better results on hard flooring than thick carpets
No HEPA filter
Manual not very clear
Price When Reviewed:
$199.99
There are plenty of budget-friendly cordless vacuums around, and we reckon this model from Ultenic is one of the best. For its price point, it’s good value and its spare batteries are much more affordable that those from the likes of Dyson and Shark, making buying a second one a good option.
It’s an effective cleaner, although we think it would struggle with ingrained dirt in deep pile carpets. It has good features as well, including a pretty effective tangle-free brush bar, headlights and a crevice tool light. It has an excellent (although weirdly car dashboard themed) display that shows the battery life left in minutes too.
Altogether, it’s a good all-rounder and we were impressed.
Read our full
Ultenic U12 Vesla review
10. VacTidy V8 Pro – Best cheap vacuum
Pros
Great suction
Telescopic wand
Lightweight
HEPA filter
Cons
Cleaning head can get stuck at an angle
Budget build
No frills
Price When Reviewed:
$199.99
Buying a product for long-term use is the most economical thing you can do. But when money is tight, it’s not always possible to invest hundreds in a new vacuum. If you need a quick solution that doesn’t cost the earth, we’d recommend the VacTidy V8 Pro. It won’t last you forever but it will give your home a really good clean.
Of course, given its price point, there are compromises to be made. As we’ve suggested, the build is not as robust as pricier models, and it’s a no-frills cleaner as well. Still, it does have LED headlights to illuminate darker corners.
Plus, there’s a small annoyance in the form of the vacuum cleaner head, which can get stuck up at an angle from the floor, meaning you’ll need to press it back down with your foot as you go.
Altogether though, it has plenty of suction for its price point, HEPA filtration, a fairly generous 35-minute running time as well as a short, 2.5-hour charging time.
Read our full
Vactidy Blitz V8 Pro review
Frequently asked questions
FAQ
1.
How do we test our vacuum cleaners?
Rather than performing a series of tests in lab-style conditions, we take the vacuum cleaners home and try them out. We keep products for several weeks and use all of their functions in as many situations as we can, so we can give you an honest evaluation of how well they’ll work in your life.
We think that’s how you get to know the advantages and annoyances of each model.
We then compare the vacuum cleaners and come up with an overall rating that reflect their price and specs, our experience using them, where we believe they sit in the marketplace and how much easier they’ll make your life.
2.
Which vacuum has the best suction?
Of all types of vacuum overall, a corded cylinder is likely to have the strongest suction. Miele makes some of the best and most reliable of these. They’re reasonably priced, as well. An even more budget-friendly option is the ever-reliable Henry. He is an icon for a reason, after all. But this level of power does mean dragging a heavy cylinder and cord around after you.
Still, cordless cleaners have ramped up so much in the last few years that a high-quality cordless will provide as much suction as most people need. If you’re after a cordless cleaner, newer models from Dyson (including the V15 Detect and the Gen5detect), Samsung (the Jet 90 and Bespoke Jet) and Miele (TriFlex) are among the most powerful.
However, it’s difficult to compare them using on-paper figures alone. For a start, manufacturers can be cagey about it, which is understandable, as suction power can be hard to quantify. Measurements have traditionally been in watts (W), which is only rating the power behind the suction. However, cleaners with a long distance between the motor and the vacuum head will use more power to create the same amount of suction.
Dyson has since pioneered the use of air watts (AW), which measure the suction itself. But it’s still a somewhat controversial measurement. And some brands prefer Pascals (Pa), a unit of pressure that is also used as the standard for measuring robot vacuum suction.
Given the fact that comparing different units of measurements isn’t straightforward, and that design plays a big part in how well a vacuum cleaner works, figures alone shouldn’t be used to judge effectiveness.
3.
Which vacuum cleaner is the lightest?
The lightest cordless vac we’ve tested is the Halo Capsule X, at 2.6kg, but anything below 3kg is likely to be comfortable to use. Now that cordless vacuums have more tech and features packed in, they’re becoming a bit heavier. The Gen5detect, Dyson’s latest at 3.5kg/ 7.7lbs, is heavier than its previous flagship vacuum, the V15 Detect. That will be too heavy for some.
4.
Should you buy a bagged or bagless vacuum?
Bagless is characteristic of most high-end cordless cleaners now. It’s certainly the more environmentally-friendly choice. However, if you are dust-sensitive, go for a bagged vacuum cleaner as it means much less contact with dust and dirt.
We’ve tested two cordless, bagged vacuum cleaners. The Halo Capsule X and the Henry Quick. One of the advantages of the Halo Capsule is that its dust pouches are environmentally friendly and can be composted at home.
But there’s another option to minimise your contact with dust. Samsung’s cordless and bagless Bespoke Jet range comes with an auto-emptying dock. When you return the vacuum to charge, it uses suction to empty the onboard bin into a bag in the dock. So does the Ultenic FS1. Meanwhile, you can buy the Shark Detect Pro with or without one.
If you have an earlier Samsung Jet vacuum, you can upgrade it separately with a suction bin, called the CleanStation. Bear in mind that this suction bin won’t be compatible with other makes and models.
5.
How long does a cordless vacuum battery last?
The best cordless cleaners, using lithium-ion batteries, will promise up to an hour on a single charge – perhaps up to 70 minutes in the case of the Gen5detect. This will be on the lowest setting, without motorised attachments. On a medium setting, you’ll be lucky to get half an hour. On a high setting, your charge will probably last less than 10 minutes.
One of the innovations from new, top-of-the-line cordless cleaners like those from Dyson, Samsung and Miele, are removable lithium-ion batteries that can be charged separately. With another battery ready to go, you can instantly double your cleaning time.
The snag is that additional batteries tend to be pricey, so check their cost before you invest in a cordless if a swappable battery is a key reason you’re buying.
6.
How long does the battery take to charge?
In more budget-friendly models, charging time could be as much as 5.5 hours. Three to four hours is normal for a more expensive model. Anything less than this is very good. The Capsule X charges in around two hours.
7.
What is a HEPA filter and do I need one?
This is the current industry standard for a filter in a high-quality vacuum cleaner. HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filters must trap 99.97% of particulates that are 3 microns or larger. (A human hair is 50-70 microns thick.) If you have a HEPA filter with a bagless cleaner, don’t forget that although it’s useful, it’s not perfect. When you empty it into your kitchen bin, you’ll still release some of the dust back into the air, which is where a bagged system comes in handy.