This article was updated in March to bring you the correct prices and offers.
There’s no doubt about it, vacuum cleaners are an essential household appliance. And finding a good one will make it easier to keep your home looking its best.
But with so many to choose from, including sticks, cylinders, handhelds and uprights – not to mention robot models too – knowing which vacuum cleaner is right for your home can be confusing.
What’s more, everyone’s cleaning needs vary, and whether you’re dealing with carpets, hard floors, stairs, pet hair (or all of the above!), there’s a lot to consider when shopping for your next cleaning companion.
That’s why the Good Housekeeping Institute made it their mission to find the top vacuums on the market. In fact, we’ve tried and tested over 100 models to find the best money can buy.
We analyse every element of a vacuum, from how it lifts dust from different floor surfaces to how easy it is to use, as well as its overall design.
From all our research, we’ve put together this handy vacuum cleaner buying guide, covering everything you need to know. Read on for our best buys and advice on what to look for.
Best vacuums to buy in 2024
With a hard-to-fault performance on test, this cylinder would make a great buy, whatever your flooring. It also had an efficient, tangle-free pet tool and was seamless to use, from canister emptying to wheeling around the home.
This is a powerful addition to Dyson’s line-up and will suit all homes, whether you’ve got lots of carpet or hard floors, or pets, thanks to its flawless suction across all our tests. It’s heavy when used as a handheld and has a long battery charging time, but it’s pleasing to use thanks to its intuitive set-up, comfortable handle and well-designed dust bin.
This brightly coloured robot vacuum from Dyson is a powerful and effective cleaner. Testers liked the way it does an initial sweep before returning to trickier spots. It also notifies you of any patches you need to revisit and it self-charges. You do have to empty it manually, though.
If you’re replacing an existing vacuum, there are plenty of places for you to safely recycle your old one. Find your nearest electrical recycling point, or read our guide on how to donate or dispose of your appliances and tech for extra guidance.
Types of vacuum cleaner explained
It can be difficult to know which type of vacuum cleaner would best suit your needs, so we’ve detailed the pros and cons for each category.
Upright
Upright vacuum cleaners tend to be the best option for larger, carpeted households. This is because they usually feature a turbo brush in the floor head, which makes them particularly effective at picking up hair and residue from carpets. The wide floor head also means they can cover a greater area much more quickly and effectively than other vacuums.
These models are more stable and easier to manoeuvre than cylinders, as you’re pushing them forward rather than dragging them behind you. There’s also no need to bend when using an upright, which makes them a good option for those with back issues.
However, their design means they can be awkward to use on stairs and can also be too bulky to reach under furniture; the weight of some may also take its toll after prolonged use. They’re typically neat to store though, and can usually hold the tools on the body so you have them to hand as you clean.
The GHI’s top five upright vacuum cleaners
Score: 93/100
If you’re worried about an upright vacuum proving too bulky for your home, but need the larger capacity they offer, consider our winner. Its push and lift away tech allows you to separate the canister and tube from the main body to move around your home and up stairs more easily. Plus, it’s excellent at cleaning.
Score: 91/100
Lifting pet hair in one sweep without tangling, this is the upright to pick if you need one for moulting season. Though reliable on hard floors and room edges, it shone most on carpet, lifting 96% of dust laid on short pile and more than the set amount on deep pile. There are more compact models, and it doesn’t offer onboard storage, so consider where you’ll keep it before buying.
Score: 90/100
Designed to make vacuuming easier, this Hoover converts into a portable vac so you can reach every step and cranny in your home. It lifts pet hair in one sweep, and none got stuck in the brush head on test. Dust pick-up was also top notch. A terrific all-round buy.
Score: 86/100
Another trusty vacuum from Dyson, this lightweight upright moves smoothly around the home, picking up dust impressively from most surfaces and lifting pet hair in just one sweep. Its long cable makes it well-suited to cleaning bigger rooms, and on test we cleaned up to nine steps before needing to reposition it.
Best for pet hair
Hoover Hoover HL5 Upright Pet Vacuum Cleaner with Anti-Twist & PUSH&LIFT
Now 43% Off
Score: 84/100
Similar in design to the HL5, this pet-specific model has a mini rotating brush that lifts fur from stairs and upholstery. This earnt it a perfect ten in our pet hair tests, and hair didn’t tangle in its brush either. It struggled on stairs and in the corners of rooms, but its suction meant it cleaned reliably. Testers liked its premium feel, too.
Cylinder
Cylinder vacuums are typically lighter and more portable than uprights, as the main body sits on the floor behind you for you to pull as you vacuum. They can be bagged or bagless, depending on your preference, and often come with a good selection of tools. They’ve been around for many years thanks to their lightweight and convenient design, and are ideal for those who struggle with heavier vacuums.
They also tend to be better for reaching under and around furniture and make cleaning a flight of stairs simpler with their long, flexible hose. Take care when you’re pulling it around the home though, as it can knock into walls and furniture. Some designs can also be a bit bulky and more awkward to store than other types of vacuums, especially those with a long hose.
The GHI’s top five cylinder vacuum cleaners
Score: 97/100
Producing sparkling results, no matter the flooring, this all-rounder is an investment worth making. It glided easily around our test centre, pet hair didn’t tangle in its brushes, and its dust canister was a doddle to empty.
Score: 91/100
This powerful cleaner scored full marks on carpet, gobbling up most dust. It was equally impressive on hard floors, leaving little dust in between floorboards and lifting more dust than the set amount our tester had laid on laminate. For pet hair, it’s worth switching to the ET-1 Power Head, as it picked it all up in two passes. It’s got a large capacity too.
Score: 85/100
This model weighs 4.1kg, notably less than the others on our list, making it ideal if you need something easy to manoeuvre. It’s so compact it sits stably on stairs, and it’s affordable too. Despite its smaller size and lower price, its pick-up was powerful on carpet and laminate. For floorboards, we’d suggest trying a different vac, but cleaning up pet hair was quick and straightforward.
Score: 85/100
This sleek vacuum put in a perfect performance on carpet, lifting nearly all dust on long pile and more than the set amount we’d laid on short pile. It moved easily across hard floors, again demonstrating reliable pick-up. For fur, it wasn’t the best but proved adept at room edges. Plus, the hose can reach 10 steps high, and it was mess-free to empty.
Score: 84/100
Clean more efficiently with this vacuum, which has a hose that reaches up to four metres away. It’s great at dust pick-up on hard flooring and short pile carpet but is best avoided if you have long pile carpets at home, as it struggled a bit with this on test. And if you have pets, then be sure to use the dedicated turbo brush when tackling hair.
Cordless
Cordless – or, as they’re also known, stick – vacuums are one of the most popular types of vac. Their increasingly powerful technology almost rivals traditional corded models, but there’s no need for a plug socket nearby.
Originally designed for quick clean-ups, most are now capable of cleaning a whole home with ease, meaning many people use this model as their sole vacuum cleaner.
Their compact design, with a “stick” body and smaller dust canister, is more lightweight than bigger vacuums and ideal for homes where storage is tight. The canister will need emptying more frequently though, and they tend to be bagless.
Like uprights and cylinders, most come with attachments including crevice and upholstery tools. Many even have motorised brushes to lift pet hair effectively.
Note that battery life still varies across models, and you’ll need to remember to charge it when not in use. If your home is bigger, look for a machine that comes with two batteries to extend its cleaning time in between charges.
The GHI’s top five cordless vacuum cleaners
Score: 97/100
Dyson’s latest vacuum is a true all-rounder with updated technology (including dust-revealing lights and an LCD screen that details the particles being cleaned) and outstanding suction. It didn’t just lift the debris laid for our tests but picked up residual dirt too. Even pet hair was dealt with swiftly. You’ll just need to plan around the 4.5-hour battery charging time.
Score 97/100
This good-looking vacuum is one to show off. It performed outstandingly on test, removing everything from dust to biscuit crumbs to pet hair effortlessly. It was easy to use on stairs too, reaching into every corner, and it charges in two hours. It also comes with an innovative docking system where auto-emptying technology reduces the number of times you’ll need to empty it.
Score: 95/100
This model scored top marks for its pick-up on carpet and hard floors, performing well as an upright and a handheld and removing pet hair in a single sweep. It’s not one of Dyson’s newest models, but the trusty design feels light and easy to manoeuvre. It lasts just over eight minutes on maximum power, but it runs for much longer on lower settings.
Score: 95/100
This vacuum has a uniquely designed dust cannister that can carry nearly twice as much as many of the other cordless models we’ve tested. It’s an excellent cleaner too, excelling across all floor types and dirt – even pet hair. Only its car cleaning let it down as it struggled to quickly lift larger debris.
Score: 95/100
Here’s a vacuum that will make you smile, and not just because of Henry’s iconic face. Its pick-up is impressive, lifting dust across all floor types, and its lightweight design means it’s easy to manoeuvre. Unusually for a stick model, it collects dust in a bag (26 are included), making emptying mess-free.
Robot
While a robot vacuum won’t replace your standard machine, it will allow you to cut back on how often you need to clean, giving you more time for yourself. These little gadgets use sensors to avoid bumping into furniture and map where they’ve been around the room to ensure no area is left neglected.
Robot vacuums are now smarter than ever, too – all the models we’ve featured are compatible with an app and either Alexa or Google Home. Some even have docking stations that allow them to self-empty, so you rarely need to think about clearing the canister yourself.
The GHI’s top five robot vacuum cleaners
Score: 95/100
This Dyson stands out from the robot vacuum crowd in more ways than just its bright blue finish. It’s a powerful cleaner that adjusts to different surfaces and works quickly. It didn’t spread any dust or debris on test either, capturing it all in its well-designed brush. It doesn’t self-empty, but it does self-charge and it’s Wi-Fi compatible, with all the mapping and scheduling tech you could possibly desire.
Score: 94/100
With a docking station designed to look like a side table, this robot vacuum and mop has style and substance. It’s easy to set up, has effective sensors, and lifts crumbs and pet hair excellently. Most dust was picked up too, while its mop function is best suited to light cleans.
Score: 94/100
With its reliable mop function, and top-scoring cleaning performance on test (from dust to pet hair), this is a simple yet highly effective robot vacuum. It doesn’t have some of the more advanced features of the iRobots, but its accompanying app lets you set different modes and schedule cleans. Its battery lasts for up to 150 minutes, too.
Score: 93/100
Vacuuming and mopping its way around your home, this is an excellent cleaning assistant. Its tech worked well, and it lifted most of the dirt laid by our testers. It mopped reliably too, and the docking station cleans the mopping pads automatically afterwards.
Score: 92/100
Another robot vacuum with a mopping feature, this is a savvy buy, which comes with a host of great tech features (it takes photos of hard-to-clean areas, for example). It was a stellar cleaner, whether on carpet or hard floors, and its mopping was also reliable, leaving our floors glistening without using too much water. It’s a standout buy.
Handheld
A handheld vacuum cleaner is ideal for cleaning quick spills as well as getting into tight and awkward spaces such as car interiors and staircases. Being cordless, they’re convenient to grab and go, but they do rely on battery life and tend to have a smaller dust capacity than upright and cylinder vacuums, so it’s important to check these specs before you buy.
As a general rule, look for at least 20 minutes of battery life (this will give you ample time to get around a car) and a dust capacity of at least 0.3 litres if you don’t want to empty it often. It’s also worth noting that many cordless upright vacuums can also function as handhelds, so you may already have one in the home.
But if you’re looking to invest in a new handheld, as well as battery life and dust capacity, you should also consider the weight. It may feel light at first, but it can get heavy and tiresome after a short while. The weight should be around 1-1.5kg on average.
The included tools can also vary. Some, such as a crevice and pet tools, may be essential for your cleaning. Think about what you’ll be using your vacuum for and whether any accessories will help you.
The GHI’s top five handheld vacuum cleaners
Score: 94/100
This handheld vacuum makes cleaning up after pets effortless; with its motorised pet tool it lifted all hair on test in just one sweep. It excelled with all other debris too, tackling everything from dust to crumbs with ease, no matter the floor type. Its short battery life didn’t impede our car cleaning either.
Score: 94/100
Food spillages are easily cleared with this trusty model; it scored full marks for lifting crumbs and debris on test. It struggled with embedded pet hair, but the bagged design makes emptying easy. Plus, the 20-minute battery (even on max power) takes the time pressure off car cleaning.
Joint best handheld vacuum and best budget buy
Black+Decker Wet and Dry Cordless Handheld Vacuum Cleaner
Score: 94/100
This handheld’s low price tag and compact stature belies its powerful performance – it scored highly for every test we put it through, impressing when cleaning dust, pet hair, crumbs, cars and liquids. It’s easy to set up, but only has one power setting and you must press the on button continuously when cleaning.
Score 92/100
Another stand-out from Shark, opt for this model if you have hard floors as it excelled cleaning laminate and floorboards. It also lifted the most dirt from our car thanks to its well-designed crevice tool and lightweight design. Skip if you’re after one for carpets, but if you’re tight on space it’s a savvy buy as you can mount it on the wall.
Score: 88/100
An outstanding and affordable performer, this handheld vacuum has a great selection of tools to help make vacuuming easy. There’s an extension hose for awkward spaces and pet tools that make your fluffy friend’s hair vanish quickly. The running time isn’t quite enough to clean a whole car and the handle can vibrate a tad uncomfortably, but it’s a reliable steal.
Key features to look out for in a vacuum
Sensory technology
Some of the best vacuum cleaners are able to sense the floor type and adjust their power accordingly. This saves on energy usage and means the vacuum will automatically use the optimum power.
Battery life
This is an essential element to check if you’re opting for a cordless stick or handheld vacuum. Some will last less than 10 minutes on full power, meaning you need to rush to finish in time or wait for it to recharge. Look for at least 30 minutes of advertised battery life in a stick vacuum, and 20 minutes in a handheld.
Charging time
Keep an eye on the charging time as well if you’re going cordless. They’re not so convenient to use if you’re constantly waiting for them to charge. Most stick vacuums take around four hours to fully charge, but if you’re worried about what to do in an emergency, you can always invest in a stick vacuum or handheld that comes with additional batteries.
Capacity
Generally, the bigger the capacity, the less often you’ll need to empty it. Vacuum capacities are measured in litres, whether bagged or bagless. If you’re in the market for an upright or cylinder, and don’t want to be taking constant trips to the bin, look for no less than two litres.
For cordless models, which are slightly smaller, a minimum of half a litre is best. Lastly, for handhelds, 0.3 litres will last you for a few quick spills before you need to empty.
Headlights
Some stick vacuums also feature headlights on the floor head, so you can see better under furniture and in dark spaces.
Smart technology
Connect your vacuum to your phone to monitor its usage, battery life and even surprising statistics such as how many calories you burn in use.
Battery level indicator
This isn’t exactly groundbreaking but can be a very useful feature to have on a cordless appliance. Some vacuums, including the Dyson V15 Detect, will handily count down your remaining battery time in minutes and seconds.
Slit to cut hair
If you or someone in your household has long hair and you plan to buy a stick vacuum, make sure it’s one you can easily remove hair from. Long hair tends to wrap around the brush in the floor head and needs to be cut free. However, some models now feature a small slit along the bar that you can run a pair of scissors through. It’s a very convenient feature.
Weight
Be wary of the weight of your vacuum; pushing anything over 3kg can feel heavy after prolonged use. If you struggle with this, go for a cordless design where the weight is centred around the floor head rather than the handle, which makes it easier on the arms.
Variable suction
This is useful if you need more power for deep pile carpets. It’s also good to have if you’re conscious of energy usage.
Retractable cord
Using this feature, you can rewind the cord into the vacuum at the press of a button – brilliant if you’re fed up with winding the cord to tidy it away yourself.
Rotating brush
If the floor head is missing a rotating brush, it will likely drag along the floor as you vacuum because there’s nothing to raise it. This makes it harder when running over long-pile carpet. A rotating brush is also brilliant for collecting hairs and residue from carpets.
Bagged or bagless?
Some vacuums contain bags that collect all the dust and debris the machine sucks up. Once full – often shown via an indicator light – they will need to be replaced.
The benefit of this system is that you don’t need to touch the dust and dirt to remove it from the canister, which can be the case with a bagless vacuum cleaner.
Bagless models also tend to be messier as the dust can spill when you empty them, so if you or a family member suffer from asthma or allergies, a bagged design may be best. You will need to keep some empty bags in a cupboard though, so you don’t run out mid-clean.
Most stick vacuums are bagless, but some models, such as the Samsung Bespoke Jet Pro Extra VS20A95973B, come with docking stations that cut down how frequently you’ll need to empty the canister. After each use, the canister automatically empties into a larger one within the station. Our winning robot vacuums also come with the same technology.
Vacuum cleaner accessories
From crevice tools to dusting brushes, today’s vacs come with a generous collection of vacuum cleaner attachments that are designed to make light work of common household cleaning tasks.
You’d be forgiven for finding the assortment of extra tools and accessories a little mystifying. Here’s an explanation of each one, so you know if you’ll really need it.
Extension wand
Designed to go where other attachments simply can’t, the extension wand provides the extra reach you need to banish cobwebs from high ceilings and inaccessible corners, retrieve food particles from behind appliances, and clean right to the corners and edges of stairs.
Dusting brush
With long, soft bristles, the dusting brush is a whizz at whisking away debris from window sills, lampshades, blinds, skirting boards and other awkward surfaces. It’s also ideal for more delicate cleaning tasks, such as dusting furniture, the top of books or easily scratched objects.
Crevice tool
As its name suggests, the crevice tool is designed to get into tight gaps that other attachments would struggle with. With its long, slender shape, it’s ideal for cleaning right into corners, along the edge of the flooring, around radiators and even between sofa cushions.
Upholstery tool
The upholstery attachment is wide with a small, flat head. Many also have a built-in fabric strip to help lift dust, dirt and hairs from fabric surfaces including sofas, mattresses, cushions and chairs.
Floor heads/brushes
Models will all come with a standard floor head, and may have interchangeable options. If you have deep-pile carpets or a pet, for example, we recommend looking for a rotating brush. Some also have rubber parts to help gather up stubborn pet hairs. Reach for this compact attachment to deep-clean upholstery, mattresses, thick carpets and rugs.
Filters
All vacuums contain filters that stop the dust you pick up from re-entering the atmosphere. Some even contain more than one filter for added retention. To keep working, these filters need to be washed regularly or replaced, although some are self-cleaning. It’s important that you keep up with this maintenance so the dust is contained, and your vacuum keeps working at full efficiency. HEPA filters are also worth looking out for as they offer a particularly high quality of air filtration and are better for allergy sufferers.
How much should I spend on a vacuum?
This is a hard question to answer, as it will vary depending on the type of model you’re looking at. While handhelds tend to be the cheapest, a robot vacuum will set you back a fair amount.
That said, you can find great models for under £200, such as the Vax ONEPWR Blade 4 Cordless Vacuum Cleaner. It’s worth considering the features you want and then looking for a model that ticks as many of your boxes as possible. Find all our tried and tested best affordable vacuums here.
Do I need a vacuum cleaner or a carpet cleaner?
Vacuums are perfect for everyday cleaning but if you’re looking to do a deep clean, then they may not be quite right. Steam cleaners will refresh your carpet but if you’re trying to tackle stubborn stains like wine then a dedicated carpet cleaner is the appliance to call on.
Carpet cleaners work by combining cleaning solutions and brush heads to delve into the pile and lift grime away, often leaving your carpet looking almost new. Our GHI experts suggest deep cleaning carpets once a year, and every six months if you have allergies or pets.
How to care for your vacuum cleaner
Without maintenance, a vacuum cleaner is only good for moving around dust and dirt. It’s one of the most hard-working pieces of kit in the house, so don’t forget to give it some regular TLC to keep it in top condition.
The most common cause of loss of suction is blockages. This makes the machine slow to pick up and quick to overheat. To keep this to a minimum in bagged models never reuse the bag as it’s often part of the filter system. If this gets clogged with dust, it will reduce the efficiency of the machine. Always replace the bag when the indicator light comes on. With a bagless machine, empty the canister after each use.
To unblock a vacuum cleaner, always switch it off and unplug it. As well as teasing out any blockages in the tube, undo the hose and check the entrance to the machine or top of the bag for further debris.
GHI tip: If the blockage is immovable, soak the tube in warm, soapy water.
Many vacuums have at least one washable filter. Check where your machine’s filters are located, then remove and tap against a hard surface to dislodge any clumps of dust – do this outside to avoid becoming surrounded by a dust cloud.
If it’s washable, run the filter under lukewarm water and allow it to air dry thoroughly – for at least 24 hours – before putting it back in. Additional filters in your machine may not be washable, so make sure you check the instruction manual. If they’re not washable, just tap them against a surface to remove any clumps, then return them to your machine.
Make sure the brush on the head is free from hairs and threads. If it becomes jammed, cut – don’t pull – any threads that prevent it from rotating. Be careful to avoid cutting the bristles.
Smelly vacuums are usually the result of not emptying your machine regularly enough or possibly sucking up something. Find out which of these it is, then give the outside a wipe over with an anti-bacterial wipe or warm, soapy water and a cloth to keep it smelling and looking fresh.
For bagless vacuums, wash the canister in soapy water after emptying it and leave it to completely air dry before putting the machine together again.
How we test vacuum cleaners
We test each vacuum cleaner on four different floor types: laminate, floorboards and long- and short-pile carpet. Firstly, we assess general pick-up using a formulation of dust that we create ourselves. We lay down a set amount and then, after a fixed number of sweeps, we weigh out exactly how much each vacuum has collected.
We call in plenty of pet hair from Battersea Dogs and Cats Home to find out how well each vacuum copes. This is ground into the carpet to create the worst-case scenario before vacuuming. We also test performance when picking up small residue, such as crumbs, particularly when testing as a handheld.
On top of this, we run an interior car cleaning test to see how well each vacuum gets in between the crevices. We try it out on a set of stairs, too, to monitor how easily it manoeuvres.
For robot vacuums, we see how well they clean a whole room, timing how long it takes and looking closely at how well it reaches into crevices, cleans edges, and manoeuvres around furniture. We also test the battery claims of handheld and stick models.
Finally, the design, ease of use and instructions of every model are assessed, and we consider if it has any innovative features.
Hannah is our homes editor, specialising in reviewing the latest kitchen appliances, cleaning products, mattresses and bedding, and crafting equipment. Hannah has written about hundreds of products, from air fryers to smoothie makers to pillows, and is committed to finding the most reliable and best value for money buys.
Hannah is also interested in sustainability in the home and has completed a course with the University of the Arts London in sustainable textiles, so she can help cut through the noise on what’s green and what’s not. Hannah has an MA in Magazine Journalism and has previously worked as a freelance lifestyle and women’s sports journalist, working for Stylist, Sky Sports and more.
Hannah has also previously worked in a florist and can normally be found caring for her house plants or sewing something new for her home or wardrobe.
Blossom is our Senior Homes Tester. Passionate about finding the best home products and appliances for our readers, she has tested everything from blenders to pizza ovens. Blossom enjoys delving into the intricacies of products and refining testing protocols for hundreds of items. Innovative items like robot vacuum cleaners and wine coolers are among her favourite tests to date, and her most notable accomplishment is toasting 360 slices of bread in a determined bid to find the best toaster. In her free time, Blossom openly admits to being a music geek and indulges her creative side through crocheting, baking, singing and writing.