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Weve tested nearly 300 vacuums, and these are the ones worth buying.
Photo:Real Simple
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Real Simple
Years ago, choosing a vacuum was fairly simple.
There were a few well-known brands, each of which had one or two basic models.
Today, it feels like there are a million.
PHOTO: Amazon
AtReal Simple, were pretty much always testing vacuums.
Each vacuum you see on this list has won out against every other vacuum in its category.
It has a tendency to spit larger debris when youre not using the hose.
The Dyson Ball Animal 3 Extra’s detangling brushroll clears hair as you clean, so you don’t have to cut it free after.PHOTO: Real Simple
We were shocked by the amount of dust, dirt, and hair it picked up.
Heavy-duty messesespecially pet hair and long hairstand no chance against this powerful and substantialupright vacuum.
The included pet groom tool canevenbe used to brush your pets fur, sending the hairdirectlyinto the vacuum.
Thanks to the extra-large dustbin, you won’t have to constantly empty it, either.
It requires a wall-mounted docking station.
The battery lasted the entirety of our lab testing and showed no reduction in suction power with use.
At 6 pounds, its extremely light and easy to maneuver.
Both brushes have an LED light to illuminate your path as you clean.
This vacuum provides the performance and advanced features of much higher-priced models.
Hair tends to get tangled in the roller, and there isnt a mechanism to cut it out.
It took just 46 seconds to pick up all debris using the upholstery attachment.
Whilecanister vacuumsare often bulky and unwieldy, we were amazed at how maneuverable this one was.
Unlike units that feel like work to push around, this one was smooth and effortless.
It transitioned seamlessly between surfaces, and the wheels glided with ease.
The vacuum head swiveled efficiently, too.
Interestingly, we found the sound more like that of a fan running than of a typical vacuum.
When it was full, though, the emptying process was simple and didnt create a mess.
After six months of use, this vacuum still works as well as it did on day one.
It lacks advanced features like smart mapping and object avoidance.
This vacuum did a good job of navigating around the obstacles we placed in its path, too.
Its relatively heavy, and youll need to buy replacement bags.
However, it struggled a bit on harder surfaces.
The vacuum is fairly lightweight and maneuverable, we like that the attachments can be stored onboard.
Just keep in mind that youll need to buy replacement bags as needed.
Itsheavier and a little more cumbersome than lightweight or cordless models.
This is thanks to the powerful brushroll that lifts deeply embedded dust and dirt.
Plus, it comes withan upholstery tool, a dusting brush, and a crevice tool.
Even after six months of use, the vacuums attachments remained in pristine condition.
Its sturdy, easy to maneuver, and powerful enough to aid even the deepest cleans.
It has a relatively small dustbin capacity and no beater brush to clean carpets.
The Dyson Omni-Glide+ moves smoothly over delicate hardwood floors to pick up dust and other debris without causing damage.
This smart design combined with its lightweight and powerful suction makes itour favorite vacuum for hardwood floors.
Plus, this vacuum easily transforms into ahandheld vacuum cleanerfor quick spot cleaning or above-floor cleaning.
After six months of use, we loved nearly every aspect of this equipment.
Our only minor complaint relates to the upright handle, which we found a bit uncomfortable to grip.
This combined with its 20-minute battery life makes the Omni-Glide+ better suited for quick cleanups and small spaces.
PHOTO: Tineco
The cord may get in the way as you clean.
This two-in-one vacuum and steam mop will streamline your cleaning routine.
The handy LED lights also allow for easy cleaning, even in darker conditions.
It is incredibly easy to use: Just put water and cleaner into the tank and press clean.
Thanks to the pivoting handle, the unit can easily navigate around furniture and chair legs.
After six months of use, we noticed no significant changes in performance.
It only took 45 seconds for the Tineco Pure One S11 Vacuum to clear all debris in testing.PHOTO: Real Simple
It’s not intended for general cleaning.
It has a powerful suction and a large dust bin that holds 0.4 liters.
In fact, we only emptied it once during our testing, and it wasnt even full yet.
It even comes with a scrubbing brush for stuck-on dirt.
And it comes with a washable filter, so theres no need to buy replacements.
Forvacuums designed for pet owners, we tested each models ability to clean real pet hair.
Theyre slim and easy to store, and they typically weigh well under 10 pounds.
Many stick vacuums are cordless, so youre not tethered to an outlet while you clean.
For this reason, not all stick vacuums are suitable for whole-house cleaning, especially in larger homes.
Canister Vacuums:For floor-to-ceiling cleaning around the whole house, consider a canister vacuum.
These versatile appliances consist of a main unit with a motor and a vacuum bag or dustbin.
Compared to upright vacuums, canister vacuums are better suited for cleaning stairs and hard surfaces.
However, they take up more space and tend to be more expensive than upright vacuums.
Many vacuums feature variable suction for cleaning more delicate items such as curtains.
Suction power is most commonly measured in air watts (AW).
If these are not included with your vacuum cleaner, they can often be purchased separately.
We were impressed with its maneuverability and loved the detachable motorized anti-tangle pet tool.
Unfortunately, the handle grew a bit uncomfortable over time, so we wouldnt recommend it for extended use.
Questions You Might Ask
Which is better, a bagged or bagless vacuum?
Allergy sufferers should take into consideration whether a vacuum is bagged or bagless.
The only bagged vacuum on our list is theKenmore Pet Friendly Lightweight Bagged Canister Vacuum Cleaner.
Are Shark vacuums better than Dyson?
Both brands have strong reputations for producing high-quality, reliable vacuums that consistently perform well.
For professional insight, we consultedKathy Cohoon, director of franchise operations at Two Maids.
PHOTO: Amazon
An upholstery nozzle, a crevice attachment, and a dusting brush are included for removing debris from all sorts of materials and spaces.PHOTO: Real Simple
PHOTO: Amazon
iRobot Roomba 694 Robot Vacuum succeeded in cleaning debris big and small.PHOTO: Real Simple
PHOTO: Amazon
PHOTO: Amazon
The Shark Rotator Professional Lift-Away Upright Vacuum can be used on different surface types, but on carpet, it blew the competition out of the water.PHOTO: Real Simple
PHOTO: Dyson
The Dyson Omni-Glide Cordless Vacuum was easy to maneuver around furniture.PHOTO: Real Simple
PHOTO: Amazon
With the Bissell CrossWave HydroSteam Plus Multi-Surface Wet Dry Vac, you’ll never have to cry over spilled milk.PHOTO: Real Simple
PHOTO: Amazon
The Shark UltraCyclone Pro Cordless Handheld Vacuum’s attachments make it easy to clean debris in all spaces.PHOTO: Real Simple
Vacuums were tested on their ability to pick up all kinds of debris, including cereal and pet hair.Real Simple
Consider a vacuum with a handle to make carrying it around easier.Real Simple
With a bagless vacuum, you won’t have to remember to buy replacement bags.Real Simple
