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Best vacuums, according to reviews: Robot vacuums, uprights, handheld

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Whether it’s best for pet hair or normal everyday dust, there’s a perfect vacuum for you.

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Every product here is independently selected by Mashable journalists. If you buy something featured, we may earn an affiliate commission which helps support our work.

2018%2f01%2f31%2f8e%2fhttps3a2f2fblueprintapiproduction.s3.amazonaws.com2.2dcddBy Dalvin Brown2018-08-22 19:35:29 UTC

Keeping a clean house is a job that never ends. Having a great vacuum that can handle it all is absolutely essential. After you’ve decluttered your junk drawers, reorganized your closet, and wiped down months of outdoor water buildup from your windows, it’s time to focus on vacuuming the rugs, carpets, cushions, and everywhere else dust, dander, and debris has been hiding.

If you haven’t introduced your home to a new vacuum in a while, you’ll be shocked at just how many modern features that vacuums have these days. From robot vacuums that both mop and suction your floors to handheld mini vacuums that collapse down to store more easily, we scoured the ‘net to find the best options to help with your spring cleaning regime and beyond. 

We read reviews, we looked at customer ratings, and we compiled a list of the best vacuums based on what users have to say. We’ll tell you the good, the bad, and the ugly to help you pick out a machine that really sucks — in a good way.

If you haven’t introduced your home to a new vacuum in a while, you’ll be shocked at just how many modern features that vacuums have these days. From robot vacuums that both mop and suction your floors to handheld mini vacuums that collapse down to store more easily, we scoured the ‘net to find the best options to help with your spring cleaning regime and beyond. We read reviews, we looked at customer ratings, and we compiled a list of the best vacuums based on what users have to say. We’ll tell you the good, the bad, and the ugly to help you pick out a machine that really sucks — in a good way.

Best upright vacuums 

Upright vacuums have long been a favorite in U.S. households, and for good reason. Aside from being cheaper on average than most canister vacuum cleaners, uprights are great for covering large carpet areas and can clean deep using motorized brushes. On the other hand, they generally aren’t the easiest to store if you have small space, and they require that you use a bit of elbow grease —pushing and pulling as you go. Nevertheless, if you grew up watching your parents use a noisy old upright vacuum and want to go with a modern take on something familiar, here are a four of the best ones according to the internet.


Lightweight • Portable • Good for hard floors

Doesn’t work as well on carpet

With powerful suction, a 30-foot cord, and portability with the press of a button, this vacuum is a great pick for hard floors.

has more than 10,000 reviews on Amazon and an average 4.4 out of 5 star rating. Why? Customers say it’s lightweight, easy to use, and incredibly powerful.
The Lift-Away comes with an attachment for hardwood floors and difficult-to-reach places. All you have to do is press a button, and this 2-in-1 upright vacuum transforms into an even-more-portable, canister-only version of itself.

Swivels • Ultra-lightweight • Inexpensive

If you’re on a budget and need an upright with serious maneuverability, this is your pick.

Aside from powerful suction, portability, and affordability, this bad boy is all about the swivel. If you’ve ever vacuumed before (which you should’ve, but we aren’t judging), you know how difficult it can be to turn corners, especially with stiff upright vacuums. But this one features a 170-degree swiveling head for ultimate maneuverability, and is meant to handle tough pet hair. 
Like the Shark Navigator Lift-Away, But the Airswivel is less than half the cost. With an average 4.0 out of 5 stars, reviewers say it offers incredible suction for the price, but can be difficult to lug because it isn’t self-propelled. Typically listed at $79.99, we’ve seen the Airswivel drop recently to $55.99 on Amazon.

Tangle-free brush • Hands-free tank emptying

Heavier than most uprights

Created for pet owners by pet owners, this pick aims to eliminate pet hair and allergens from your home.

If you really want to find out if a vacuum is reliable or not, see how it handles pet hair. Customers who bought say it passes with flying colors. The Pet Hair Eraser was created by pet owners for pet owners to help with cleaning up after household animals and the people who love them. 
to help eliminate an annoying issue with most vacuums, and it includes specialized tools that help you remove embedded hair from practically anywhere. With this Bissell upright vac, you can also capture allergens and eliminate odors and enjoy a hands-free tank empty system when you’re done. It’s one of the best sellers at BestBuy with an overall customer rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars. 
For our in-depth description of The Pet Hair Eraser and all it does, .

Extra-long hose for above-floor cleaning • Superior suction • Easily steers around corners

Works better on carpet than on rugs

Reviews of the Hoover WindTunnel Air often complain that it has too much suction. We think that’s probably a good thing for a vacuum.

With a flick of a wrist, t lets you turn corners with ease and seamlessly move from one room to another. It has a built-in telescopic wand and a multi-floor brush roll to help make precision cleaning a breeze.  
It’s made with WindTunnel 3 Technology, which creates three different channels of suction, lifting and removing dirt no matter how deeply it’s embedded in your carpet. it’s worth your consideration. 
Typically listed at $169.99, .

Best canister vacuums

If you don’t have any carpet in your home and need a versatile vacuum that is good at cleaning bare floors and then some, you may need a canister vacuum. Canister vacuums are known to be less noisy than their upright counterparts, but can also be a bit harder to store since they’re bulkier and have long hose and wand attachments. But if you want something that versatile enough to clean drapes, blinds, and spaces that aren’t on the floor — or something you can take outside to use for your car — then a canister is a good choice. 


Excellent suction • Washable filter • Retractable cord

Reviewers say superior suction, great maneuverability, and a reusable filter make this canister vacuum worth the price.

It may be pricey, but many reviewers swear by this canister vac for its superior suction and flexibility, not to mention its washable, reusable filter.
So what makes it stand above the rest? One customer said, “It’s easy to lug around the house.” Others emphasized its high quality and impeccable suction. And with a list price of almost $400, it’s required to have more features than most vacuums. It self-uprights, so if you’ve ever used a canister vacuum and had it tip over as you work around corners, you don’t have to worry about this one doing that. 
Typically listed at $399.99, .

Extremely portable • Includes blower • Lightweight

Less suction than other models

If you’re looking to clean not just your home but your car and even blow off your porch, this is the vacuum for you.

is easy to carry around since it includes a strap. You pretty much just wear it like a messenger bag as you make your way around your house picking up dust bunnies as you go. The strap also makes it super convenient for vacuuming out your car.
has a cable length of 33 inches so you can clean hard to reach spots with ease. Some 65% of reviewers gave it five stars, but the few who didn’t like it complained about lack of suction power. 
Typically listed at $149.51, .

Includes blower • Made for cars • Reusable bag

If you love your car, this very well-reviewed vacuum is the one you’ll want to keep it looking new.

, so we found a vacuum that can help you clean up the crumbs.  
The make your vehicle cleaning experience easier and more comfortable by including an extended list of features. There’s a 33-inch power cord, a built-in blower, a reusable cloth bag, and paper dust bag that allow you to switch and alternate between cleaning jobs. It may be pricey, but the reviews are stellar.
Typically listed at $329.44, we’ve seen this go 79.99. 

Best bagless vacuums 

Bagless vacuums are gaining popularity mainly because you don’t have to worry about buying, replacing, and recycling bags. Also, you always know when its time to empty your bagless vac since most have transparent canisters that display all the dirt and grime you’ve sucked up. However, if you’re an indoor allergy sufferer, bagless vacuums can allow more of the dust picked-up to re-inter the air, both while vacuuming and while emptying the contents in the trash.


Powerful suction • Easy-empty tank • Washable filter • Affordable

Requires more assembly than most vacs • Some reviewers say suction fades

This inexpensive choice boasts powerful suction, an easy-empty dirt tank, and washable foam filter, but some reviewers say the tank is prone to clogging, causing the suction to wane over time.

Unlike some other vacuum cleaners that require you to go over the same spot multiple times to get the dirt up, , so it’s intended to clean the first time, in just one pass. 
is a bit heavier than some of the others on the list at 15 pounds, but it has a 25-foot cord and an extension wand to help you reach the areas you want to clean. It also features a large, easy-to-empty dust bin. Those who love it say they’re really impressed by its suction, but those who don’t say it was short-lived. It has 4.1 out of 5 stars on Amazon.

Great for hard floors and carpet • Powerful suction • Easy-empty dust cup

This upright has powerful suction, easy-guide wheels, and great reviews.

If you like the idea of the Airswivel’s swivel technology, then
can get around corners and furniture with ease, picking up pet hair and dander on its way. It’s designed with easy guide wheels that are said to dominate any floor surface. It’s built with a multi-stage cyclone system, which means it separates smaller particles from larger ones to ensure no loss of suction, even as the dust cup starts to fill. One customer called it “fantabulous,” and several others called it the best vacuum they’ve ever owned. 
Typically listed at $179.99, .

Swivel steering • Good suction • Traps allergens

Heavier than most • Has tendency to fall

Reviewers love this upright’s swivel steering, pet hair brush, and allergen-removal abilities.

comes with premium pet tools, including a pet-hair power brush so you can clean up all that pesky dog and cat hair. It’s said to capture and hold pretty much all the dust and other allergens inside the vacuum, creating a healthy breathing environment around your home. 
The 25-foot power cord allows you to clean large rooms and like some of the others, it has swivel steering to make maneuvering a breeze. A whopping 97% of customers on , so we’re recommending it to you. 
Typically listed for $169.99, .

Best handheld vacuums 

If you want a lightweight, easy-to-store defense against messes, we strongly suggest keeping a handheld vacuum around. Although it tends to have less power than other vacuum styles due to its compact size, handheld vacuums are great for quick pick-ups.


Powerboost suction • Battery status sensor

Short battery life • Complaints about smell

This handheld boasts a washable filter and dust bowl, and the ability to boost suction. However, reviewers complain that the filter’s scent is overwhelming.

The handheld vacuum with the highest rating at  
This model senses and displays the battery status as you clean, so you’re never caught off-guard with a dead battery. It also can tell you when the washable filter needs to be changed. It has two speed-settings to give you a little customization, and it’s designed with a clear washable dust bowl so you can see whats going on. 
Vacuum on the low setting for linens or delicate fabrics, or choose Powerboost for the extra suction serious cleaners love. However, don’t expect to get more than

Powerful suction • Affordable

Not as great on non-pet messes

This powerful little corded handheld is lavishly praised for its ability to suck up pet hair even from tight spaces, but its other abilities are so-so.

If you’re looking for a handheld option that’s specialized for pet messes, this one by Bissell is one of the best according to Amazon reviewers. With a contoured nozzle, like armrests, car interiors, and in between cushions. You can even use it to pick up kitty litter, pet food, and more. 
Though already cheap at $34.99,

Pivot feature makes tight spaces a breeze

Complaints about battery life

It’s Amazon’s Choice, and its pivoting ability could make it worth taking a chance on its possibly unreliable battery.

If you missed the sale we wrote about on this Amazon’s Choice handheld vacuum, shame on you. This little vacuum boasts lithium technology to give it strong suction and fade-free power. Often listed for $15 off on Amazon, it’s totally worth your attention. 
What makes it way more interesting than the rest is its pivoting nozzle that you didn’t even realize you needed. It helps you clean corners and shelves you can barely reach. Plus, since it’s super-compact, it’s really easy to store. 

Probably the best vacuum on the market

Very expensive • Heavy for a handheld

If you want the best of the best, this is probably it. But it’s both expensive and heavy/bulky, so you’ll need to have big jobs for it to do.

Do you want a hand vacuum that looks like a ray gun? Sure. Do you really need one though? Maybe. Mashable’s Pete Pachal raves about the Dyson Cyclone V10. (Read the full review here.) 
The Dyson Cyclone V10 is probably the most powerfully capable handheld vacuum on the market. But on the flip side, its pretty freakin’ bulky, making it better for big jobs than the occasional small clean-up. Mashable Tech Editor Pete Pachal, who tried it out for a week, said that it has the power and features to clean your entire house, furniture and all, in one go. 
It comes with some really useful attachments, including one that can extend it all the way to the floor, plus various brushes and motorheads.

Best robot vacuums

If you want a vacuum that cleans for you, while you can just sit on the couch or go about your business, robot vacuums are the way to go. Robot vacuums use sensors, lasers, and motherboards to move around your space while you do whatever the heck you feel like doing. You may want to go with a robot vacuum if the idea of floors that are cleaned daily fills you with joy. Some can even double as mops. While you may not have to control the vacuum once it’s going manually, you do have to pick up things like socks and other small household items that can get stuck. 


Advanced navigation system • Includes app • Works with voice assistants

If app and voice control and advanced navigation are important to you, the Roomba 960 could be your best bet.

This robot vacuum can really change the way you think about cleaning your home. You can start, schedule, and monitor its performance from just about anywhere using the iRobot app. to seamlessly navigate an entire level of your home, keeping track of its location as it goes. It has a cleaning head that automatically adapts to multiple surfaces, efficiently cleaning both carpet and hard floors.  
Coolest of all, once it’s done, the to re-juice, so it’s ready when you need it next. since it’s relatively quiet and works with voice control via Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. This thing isn’t cheap, but it’s worth every cent. Keep an eye on the Roomba’s price to drop around big shopping days like Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Amazon Prime Day.

The most budget-friendly robo vac • Very popular

If you don’t need bells and whistles like a charging station or room-scanning capabilities, this is an excellent budget pick.

, and if you haven’t gotten one by now, you sure are missing out. It’s one of the cheapest robot vacuums you can find anywhere, and 70% of customer reviews on Amazon suggest that
Those who love said that it’s simple to set up and runs for a pretty long time on one charge. However those who hated it said that the suction wasn’t all that great, but those are few and far between. Instead of using a charging station, this one uses a cord to juice up. It doesn’t have room scanning capabilities like some more expensive versions, but it’s a smart choice to get your feet wet in the world of automated vacuums. 

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