Best Vacuum Cleaners of 2025
Dust, pet hair, crumbs, and stuff like pollen or dander can pile up in no time at home. Whether you’re tidying up a snug apartment with a few rugs or keeping a sprawling house with carpets under control, the right vacuum can change the game. It depends on your floors, how much effort you’re up for, and if you’re chasing down pet messes, kid spills, or allergy triggers. No vacuum does everything flawlessly, so I’ve rolled up my sleeves, tested a bunch of models uprights, cordless sticks, handhelds, and even robots to find the best matches for different homes and budgets. These picks come from real use, not just reading labels, to make sure they hold up day to day.
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The research
Best upright vacuum
The best upright vacuum
Shark Navigator Lift-Away
A versatile upright vacuum with a detachable canister for easy cleaning of stairs and upholstery.
5-Year Limited Warranty
Upright vacuums are the go-to for a deep clean. They’re built to handle thick carpets, hardwood floors, and anything in between, sucking up dust, pet hair, and bits of debris without much fuss. The Shark Navigator Lift-Away stands out with its strong pull, switchable brush heads for different surfaces, and a hose that gets into stairs, furniture, or corners. Skipping bags saves money, and it stands up neatly in a closet or corner. With a quick bin empty and filter wipe-down, it can last five years or more, which feels like a solid deal.
Best budget upright vacuum
The Shark NV752 Rotator Powered Lift-Away brings extra flexibility with its lift-away canister you can pop it off for portable cleaning. It’s got a motorized brush for digging into carpets and a soft one for delicate floors, covering all bases. Both handle pet hair and allergens well, though they might feel hefty if your wrists or arms aren’t up for it. If you don’t mind a cord and want serious cleaning power, uprights are the move.
Think about an upright vacuum if:
- Your carpets or mixed floors need a good scrub.
- You want something tough that doesn’t cost much to keep going.
Pass on an upright vacuum if:
- Pushing something heavy bothers your wrists or arms.
- You’d rather skip the cord for quicker jobs.
Best cordless stick vacuum
Light and powerful, this best cordless stick vacuum is great for small spaces, though the dustbin fills up fast. Cordless vacuums are all about skipping the cord hassle. The Super Power Suction Stick is slim, light, and easy to weave around furniture, making it a hit for apartments or crowded rooms. It cleans nearly as well as plugged-in models on rugs and floors, and it flips into a handheld for furniture, stairs, or cars. The downside? The tiny dustbin needs dumping often, and the battery around 20-30 minutes might not cut it for big spaces. They also wear out quicker (2-3 years) and cost more upfront than corded versions with similar strength.
Best cordless vacuum
Perfect for pet owners with its strong suction and special tools, but it’s a bit bulkier and trickier to move. The Bissell PowerClean FurFinder is best cordless vacuum for a pet lover’s dream, with tools like a motorized brush to snag fur from upholstery and carpets. It’s a touch heavier, though, and not as zippy as the Super Power Suction Stick. Both are awesome for fast, cord-free cleanups, but they’re not the cheapest long-haul option.
Think about a cordless vacuum if:
- You’re in a small place or hate cords getting in the way.
- You want a vacuum you can grab and start using right away.
Pass on a cordless vacuum if:
- Your house is large and needs one long cleaning stretch.
- You’re after the best bang for your buck over time.
Best robot vacuum
This best robot vacuum cleans well, avoids most obstacles, and handles debris with a dock that empties the bin on its own. Robot vacuums take the chore out of floor care. The Tikom Robot Vacuum and Mop Combo picks up pet hair, dust, and little messes, ideal for homes with pets or kids leaving crumbs behind. It learns your layout, sticks to a schedule, and dumps its bin into the dock, cutting down on work. But it can’t dive into thick carpets like an upright, and cords or clutter might stop it in its tracks. It’s more for keeping things tidy day to day than a full deep clean.
Think about a robot vacuum if:
- You’ve got pets or kids making messes all the time.
- You’d rather not bother with light cleaning yourself.
Pass on a robot vacuum if:
- Your place has cables, high steps, or too much stuff lying around.
- You need to scrub deep into carpets regularly.
Best handheld vacuum
With strong suction, a roomy bin, and long battery life, this best handheld vacuum is perfect for quick jobs at home or in the car. Handheld vacuums are made for those little messes you notice around. The Shark Pet Cordless Vacuum Cleaner has the muscle to suck up crumbs, grit, pet hair, and more, with nozzles that get into car seats, furniture gaps, or shelves. Its cordless design and big bin mean you can hit multiple spots without recharging. It’s small, cheap, and tucks away anywhere for spot cleaning.
Think about a handheld vacuum if:
- You need to zap small spills or clean car interiors fast.
- You want something light and easy to stash.
Pass on a handheld vacuum if:
- You’re cleaning the whole house in one go.
Best vacuum for pet hair
This best vacuum for pet hair motorized brush and crevice tool make pet hair disappear from upholstery and floors. Pet hair can cling to rugs and furniture like nobody’s business. The Bissell PowerClean FurGuard is built for it, with a motorized brush that pulls hair out without clogging and a crevice tool for tight spots perfect for homes with shedding pets. Most vacuums handle hair on bare floors, but this one shines on textured surfaces.
Think about a pet hair vacuum if:
- Your pets leave fur all over furniture or carpets.
- You need tools to tackle upholstery and deep cleaning.
Pass on a pet hair vacuum if:
- Your regular vacuum already gets the pet hair job done.
Best vacuum for hardwood floors
This best vacuum for hardwood floor switches between rugs and bare floors, with a gentle brush to keep hardwood safe from scratches. Hardwood floors are a breeze to clean, but the Dyson V8 Plus keeps debris from scattering or scratching with its adjustable brush. It switches modes to protect wood while handling rugs, making it a solid all-rounder. Suction-only models work for floors but might struggle with carpets.
Think about a hardwood floor vacuum if:
- You’ve got a mix of bare floors and rugs.
- Keeping delicate flooring scratch-free is a big deal.
Pass on a hardwood floor vacuum if:
- Your home is mostly carpeted and needs deep rug cleaning.
Best vacuum cleaner for carpet
This upright adjusts suction and its head to handle high-pile carpets without tangling up. High-pile carpets like shag or plush can jam weaker vacuums with tangled fibers. The Shark AZ2002 Vertex Powered Lift-Away adjusts itself to fit the height of your carpet, making sure the cleaning goes smoothly and gets everything out. This best vacuum cleaner for carpet, Its lift-away feature gives you a nice boost, letting you squeeze into tight spots and really work over those thick rugs that need a solid deep clean, especially if your home’s got a lot of plush carpeting.
Think about a carpet vacuum if:
- You’ve got thick or high-pile carpets at home.
- Deep cleaning is a top priority.
Pass on a carpet vacuum if:
- Your home is mostly bare floors with few rugs.
Best car vacuums
This little handheld packs a punch with solid suction and a decent-sized bin, making car cleanups fast and hassle-free. When it comes to best car vacuums, handheld vacuums like the MONOZEL Handheld Vacuum Cordless are the real deal. They’re easy to carry around, have enough power to get the job done, and come with handy attachments for digging under seats or into crevices. The cordless setup means you don’t have to hunt for an outlet, and that big bin lets you tackle multiple messes without stopping to empty it. It’s become my go-to for keeping the car interior looking sharp.
Think about a car vacuum if:
- You like to keep your car tidy with regular cleanings.
- You need a compact, tough tool to handle those tricky spots.
Pass on a car vacuum if:
- Your stick vacuum already does the trick for car cleanups.
Get to Know Your Expert
Meet Clara Henshaw, a seasoned home appliance reviewer with a passion for making cleaning effortless, honed through years of testing gadgets in my own busy household. I’ve tackled everything from cordless vacuums to air purifiers, always with an eye on what works best for real-life messes. Beyond appliances, I’ve explored gardening tips and pet-friendly home solutions my two dogs and sprawling backyard keep me on my toes. Keeping my home spotless amid the chaos is one of my proudest ongoing challenges.