The 13 Best Vacuum Cleaners of 2024, Tested by Real People

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We found winners from Shark, Dyson, iRobot, and more

In This Article

People; Tara Donne

If there’s one cleaning tool that’s absolutely necessary in every household, it’s a high-quality vacuum. The right vacuum will make it easy to keep your floors spotless, and many can also help clean furniture, curtains, and even car upholstery.

We’ve spent countless hours testing nearly 400 vacuums both at home and in our lab. We’ve tried everything from high-end cordless stick vacuums to powerful handhelds, and we evaluate them all on key factors like suction power, cleaning performance, and ease of use.

Read more about the best vacuums PEOPLE tested in every category, as well as tips to find the best option for your home.

Powerful suction

Effective on all types of debris

Transitions smoothly between different floor types

Not the easiest to maneuver

Of all the vacuums under $200 that we’ve tested, the Kenmore DU2015 is one of the best. Despite its budget-friendly price, it packs a serious punch in terms of suction, creating a tight seal for efficient cleaning on hard floors and carpeting. It easily picked up debris of all sizes during testing, and we love that it transitions smoothly from rugs to hard floors and vice versa. Plus, you can turn off the brush roll as needed if you’re vacuuming debris like cat litter.

This vacuum isn’t as easy to maneuver as other more expensive picks, but it’s still manageable. It would work well in households with pets, as hair doesn’t tangle up the brush roll, and overall, it’s a well-priced option that will deliver a deep clean in your home.

Powerful suction, even on low setting

25+ minute battery life

Easy to move around and store

Hard time moving from rugs to hard floors

It’s hard to beat the convenience of a cordless vacuum cleaner, and the Shark Pet Cordless Stick Vacuum is one of the best we tested. It excelled at debris cleanup with impressive suction even on the lower mode (our testers didn’t even need the high mode). The Shark vacuum even grabbed dirt and pet hair from a Ruggable rug without separating the top layer from the bottom.

It did get stuck on the edge of the rug, but once addressed, the vacuum carried on with impressive efficiency. It easily maneuvered around furniture and into corners. Its light weight makes carrying it from room to room a breeze, and the battery lasts for 25 minutes straight on the lowest mode (11 minutes on the high mode). While this battery life isn’t as long as a Dyson’s (some can run up to an hour on the lowest setting), for a standard cordless stick vacuum, 25 minutes is a great run time. Plus, it has a HEPA filter.

Dr. Shyam Joshi, MD and CMO of Nectar finds HEPA filters to be one of the most important aspects of anyone's vacuum search. He says a vacuum should be “used with an appropriately designed HEPA filter and seal, thus reducing the risk of contaminants escaping into the air when vacuuming.” While size, price, dustbin capacity, and attachments are extra components to consider, this is one to keep top of mind throughout the process.

Powerful suction picks up all types of debris

Built-in odor neutralizer

HEPA filter seals in allergens

Loud volume

Not stable when using hose

This Shark vacuum has exceptionally powerful suction, effectively removing cat hair, outside dirt, and crumbs. It also has "Odor Neutralizer Technology," which aids in eliminating pet odors and other unpleasant household scents. Its HEPA filter captures and contains airborne allergens such as pet dander, dust, and pollen. We evaluated its performance in a multi-level home with two shedding cats and two young children, and we can confirm that it delivers on its promises.

However, due to its high-powered design, this vacuum operates at a relatively loud volume. On a positive note, the large canister requires less frequent emptying compared to other models. While the detachable hose and attachments are beneficial, the vacuum tends to tip over during their use. Despite these minor drawbacks, this Shark model is our top pick for a pet hair vacuum.

Works well on hard flooring and carpets

Navigates around furniture well

Super easy to use

Some issues at the edges of rugs

No mapping capabilities

This basic Roomba model was the crowned winner in our robot vacuum test, thanks to its effectiveness on all types of flooring, from hardwood and tile to carpeting. It took us less than five minutes to get this robot vacuum going after removing it from the box, including downloading the app and scheduling setup on our phones.

As robots can only do so much that humans cannot, the Roomba had some issues detecting the edges of rugs and carpeting, staying away from those areas as if it sensed a drop-off or staircase. With this in mind, you may have to nudge it along when it gets to the edge of a surface, but it is fantastic at maneuvering around obstacles like chair legs and couches. This robot vacuum doesn't have mapping technology, but for an appliance that can effectively clean for you while you go about your day, we'd say this model is as good as it gets.

Our tester used the iRobot vacuum weekly for six months and continued to be delighted by how efficiently it sucked up dirt, debris, hair, and more. They noted it was impressive — and disgusting — how much grime the vacuum got off their floors.

Self-cleaning function

Lightweight to maneuver

Cleans wet and dry debris effectively

Struggles with large debris

Small water tank

If you like to vacuum and mop the floors in your home, a wet-dry vacuum can be a huge timesaver. The Bissell TurboClean was the best option we tested, proving equally effective at cleaning dry and wet debris. It vacuums and sanitizes, though we did learn that it’s not the best for sucking up large pieces of debris.

The wet-dry vacuum has a sleek design that's easy to maneuver around your home. Your floors will definitely have that shiny clean look to them, you just might have to stop once or twice to empty the water tank because it's small and dirties as quickly as the machine cleans.

Sleek, yet efficient design

Incredibly strong suction

Easy to empty

Strong suction gets stuck to upholstery

More expensive than other handheld models

When we tested dustbusters and handheld vacuums, this Shark model blew us away with its design and functionality. First, it’s just pretty to look at with a sleek, seamless design that looks so nice you could leave it out. The performance was stellar, too: It easily lifted all debris from upholstery, even suctioning the fabric a little with its power.

The attachments, such as the crevice tool, simplified the cleaning process and got hard-to-reach crumbs without much effort. Once it was filled with crumbs, feathers, and more, the vacuum’s dustbin was simple to empty and clean without making a mess.

Great value for a Dyson

Separate cleaner heads for hard floors and carpets

Effective on pet hair

Short battery life on max suction

If you want the powerful cleaning abilities of a Dyson without the sky-high price tag, we recommend the Dyson V8 Absolute, a tried-and-true model that’s one of the most affordable options in the brand’s lineup. It comes with two floorheads — a fluffy option for hard floors and the Motorbar cleaner head for carpeting — and the latter has hair-removal vanes that prevent pet hair from tangling around its brushroll as you clean.

We found that this vacuum runs for around 40 minutes on its standard suction setting, but if you turn it up to “Max” mode, that runtime drops to around 10 minutes. The vacuum’s dustbin is easy to empty without removing the wand, and it comes with a convenient wall-mounted charging dock.

A quality vacuum should last around eight years, but some brands, such as Dyson, offer a 10-year limited warranty. Check your vacuum's warranty for coverage details, as some warranties do not cover all parts or aspects of the vacuum.

Extremely powerful suction

Effective on thick carpeting

Self-propelled design

Long hair tangles in brush roll

Heavy to move around

If you’re searching for sheer suction power, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better option than the new Shark Powerdetect, which is the most powerful Shark vacuum we tested. This upright vacuum automatically detects the floor type and amount of debris and adjusts its suction power accordingly for a deeper clean, and it’s able to pull in debris from several inches away — that’s how strong it is!

This Shark vacuum is quite heavy, but its self-propelled design makes it easier to push across the floor. It works equally well on hard floors and thick carpeting thanks to its dual-brush roll design, but we did notice that long hairs occasionally get tangled in the floorhead and need to be cut off.

Works on all floor types

Large dustbin

Quieter than other uprights

Tough to maneuver on carpet

Not great for stairs

The Shark Navigator Deluxe is one of those vacuums that makes the chore go by faster due to its ease of use and powerful suction. Assembly was quick — it only has three sections that clip in together easily. When it came to performance, this upright vacuum was lightweight to maneuver around furniture and across floors like hardwood and tile (carpet requires a little extra push). It suctioned up all stray crumbs, pet hair, and dirt. Plus, the HEPA filter grabs any pollen and other allergens. Other reasons to love this vacuum: It's quiet, simple to empty, and reasonably priced compared to other large vacuums.

The Shark Navigator Deluxe continues to impress. It has some wear but suctions up pet hair and other debris without issue. It's simple to maneuver, lightweight to carry and store, and easy to clean out when you're finished vacuuming.

Highly efficient

Larger-than-average dustbin

Washable filter

Slightly bulky

Battery and charger sold separately

We love the Rigid Hand Vacuum for many reasons, and we’re not alone — this vacuum was recommended by experts when we tested the best car vacuums. Between the high suction and huge debris chamber, there's no mess too big for this vacuum. The design allows for a comfortable grip so you can hold it for extended periods of time. Plus, the filter is washable, so no matter how much grime it suctions up, it’s easily cleanable.

Since it has such a large chamber, this vacuum is a little bulky to store, but you can easily keep it in the trunk of your vehicle or your garage. If we have one gripe, it’s that the battery and charger are sold separately, but it’s a one-time inconvenience, so we’ll let it slide given the high quality of this machine.

Quieter than most models

Lightweight and easy to maneuver

Gets in corners and under couches

No storage for attachments

Canister fills up quickly

If your home has mostly hard flooring, the Omni-Glide was a standout for us when testing vacuums for hardwood floors due to its sleek design, lightweight feel, and easy mobility. It performed fabulously on tile, hardwood floors, and even stairs — in less than a minute, it was able to suck up debris like hair and popcorn, and its noise level was considerably lower than others we've tried.

We think this is the perfect vacuum for small spots and quick cleanups because of its agile design. (You can fold it flat to fit under low furniture!) However, its slender canister can only hold about 0.2 liters of debris, so you'll have to empty it more frequently when vacuuming large areas.

The advertised battery life of cordless vacuums generally isn’t accurate when it comes to real-life use. If a brand lists a maximum run time, it’s generally based on the vacuum’s lowest suction setting with a non-motorized tool attached (a.k.a. not the floorhead).

Easy, intuitive setup

Automatic suction adjustment

Edge-cleaning mode

No app integration

In homes with pets, you’re going to need a special robot vacuum that can keep up with large amounts of hair, and the Eufy BoostIQ 11S Max is the best robot vacuum for pet hair we’ve tested. This vacuum automatically detects the flooring type and debris and adjusts its suction for maximum efficiency, and its low-profile design can fit under furniture that others can’t.

We particularly love this robot vacuum’s edge-cleaning mode, which is great for picking up dust bunnies in the corners of your home, and the Eufy does a great job transitioning between different flooring types. However, this vacuum doesn’t have an app, so its features are quite basic and you’re not able to schedule more than one cleaning per day.

Easy to carry around and push

Effective laser dirt detection

Longer-than-average runtime

Not the best for larger debris

Small dustbin

Weighing in at just over 5 pounds, the Dyson V12 Detect Slim is a great option if you want a lightweight vacuum that’s easy to handle. It’s compact enough for anyone to use, yet it still offers powerful cleaning prowess that will have your floors looking spic and span. We were especially impressed with its fluffy floorhead, which does a great job on hardwoods and has a laser that illuminates specs of dirt and dust for a more thorough clean.

Unlike many Dyson cordless vacuums, this model has an on/off power switch — not a trigger — and it can run for up to an hour on its low suction setting. It also has a countdown timer on its screen that shows you exactly how much battery is left. Its dustbin is smaller than most, though, which often results in frequent trips to the trash can for emptying.

There are so many different types of vacuums that it can make your head spin. Here’s what you should know about the major players, so you can find the best option for your home.

There are perks to both corded and cordless vacuums, so it’s really a matter of which option fits your lifestyle best. Corded vacuums offer unlimited cleaning time and consistent suction, and they’re often a bit more powerful. However, you’re limited by a power cord and may have to move from one outlet to another as you clean throughout your home.

On the other hand, cordless vacuums are much more convenient, as you can clean anywhere without worrying about whether there’s a plug nearby — you can even take them outside to your car. The caveat is that their runtime is limited and can range anywhere from 10 minutes to more than an hour per charge. Keep in mind that higher suction settings drain their batteries faster, and in cheaper models, battery life can decrease over time.

People / Dera Burreson

As your vacuum sucks up dirt and debris, it’s also collecting smaller particles of dust, pollen, and dander. A vacuum with a good filter — namely, a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filter — will trap these particles and keep them from being expelled back into your home. This is especially important if someone in your household has allergies. Both bagged and bagless vacuums should have a HEPA filter that you change regularly.

"With bagged [vacuum] cleaners, you do not have to change the filter as often, but if you do not have a model that alerts you, some of the allergens can start coming out when it's too full," says Dr. Purvi S. Parikh, MD, an allergist at NYU Langone Health. While bagged vacuum cleaners offer less allergen exposure during the emptying process, it's important to properly maintain your vacuum and use a mask and gloves when emptying the dustbin or changing a very full vacuum bag. All of our recommended vacuums are bagless.

Consider the size of your home, if you have pets, and how often you vacuum before investing in a vacuum cleaner. If you live in a small apartment, you'll likely want a more compact model with a smaller dustbin. If you're running a big house with kids and pets, you need a bigger device, like our best upright pick, the Shark Navigator Swivel Pro Upright Vacuum. It's on the bulkier side, but it has a good-sized dustbin, so you won't have to empty it mid-clean.

On a similar note, consider the weight of each vacuum before you buy. Powerful upright models like the Shark Powerdetect can be quite heavy — close to 20 pounds — which makes them more strenuous to operate and challenging to carry up and down stairs. For those with mobility limitations, it’s best to opt for a lightweight vacuum, such as the Dyson V12 Detect Slim, which is just 5 pounds.

Like the size of the machine, you'll want to seriously consider the size of the dustbin. If you’re vacuuming large areas regularly (daily or close to it), you may not want to empty the dustbin during your cleans, making a model like the Shark Powerdetect a great option.

On the other hand, the Dyson V12 Detect Slim, which features a smaller dustbin, would suit the type of user looking to clean a small apartment or just one messy room at a time (like a kitchen in a busy household).

People / Henry Wortock

Most vacuum cleaners come with at least one attachment, but if you're looking for a machine that can clean beyond the floor, look closely at what extra accessories are included. Those who want to vacuum their car interior, couch cushions, drapes, and high shelves should double-check that their pick comes with crevice tools, dust brushes, and extendable arms.

Also, consider where you're going to store these attachments. Some vacuums have on-board storage, while others, such as the Dyson V8 Absolute, have a docking station with space for cleaning tools. Otherwise, having a dedicated storage box will keep you from losing these helpful little accessories.

Vacuums can range wildly, from just $50 to over $1,000. A less expensive device like the Kenmore DU2015 Upright Vacuum won’t have as many bells and whistles as, for instance, a Dyson, but you’ll still get solid cleaning performance. Our testing has indicated that for up to $200, you can snag a vacuum that's highly reviewed, comes with useful accessories, and has enough power to suction up big debris.

People / Dera Burreson

We have tested nearly 400 vacuums, focusing on eight key performance metrics: ease of setup, effectiveness, maneuverability, ease of emptying, noise level, versatility, portability, and value.

Since our initial vacuum test, we are constantly trying new models and retesting tried-and-true picks to ensure we are bringing you the best of the best in each vacuum cleaner guide.

People / Dera Burreson

Madison Yauger is a shopping editor for PEOPLE who has covered a variety of home-related topics such as robot vacuums, vacuums under $200, and more. Amy Schulman is an Amazon shopping editor and strategist, focusing on data, trends, and home products like Dyson vacuums and Bissell steam mops. Camryn Rabideau is a freelance writer and product reviewer specializing in home, kitchen, and pet products. In her over eight years of experience as a product tester, she's reviewed dozens of vacuums firsthand, as well as many other cleaning products. Our team reached out to experts Dr. Purvi S. Parikh, MD, and Dr. Shyam Joshi, MD, to inform our reporting. Our biggest resource was the testing insights from our many vacuum tests conducted at home and in our New York-based lab. Using all of this data, we rounded up the best vacuums of 2024.

We created the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval to help you find the very best products for your life. We use our unique methodology to test products in three labs across the country and with our network of home testers to determine their effectiveness, durability, ease of use, and so much more. Based on the results, we rate and recommend products so you can find the right one for your needs.

But we don't stop there: We also regularly re-review the categories in which we've awarded the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval — because the best product of today might not be the best of tomorrow. And by the way, companies can never buy our recommendation: Their products must earn it, fair and square.

In short, PEOPLE Tested provides recommendations you can trust — every day, every purchase.

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The 13 Best Vacuum Cleaners of 2024, Tested by Real People