Getting started

Sleek shapes and trendy colors such as sienna, taupe, and goldenrod are turning some of the latest vacuums into fashion statements. Our tough tests of more than 100 models show that when it comes to cleaning, beauty can be more than skin-deep.

Our tests using more than 16 miles of carpet and floors also show that some pricey vacuums deliver less than their price tag suggests, and some of the lightest models are light on performance or features.

How to choose

Start by matching the type to your cleaning. Uprights, especially with a bag, do best overall on carpets. Canisters are easier to maneuver, particularly on stairs. Here's what else to consider before you buy:

Check the features. A brush on/off switch helps protect the finish of bare floors and avoid scattered debris. A motorized brush cleans carpets better than only suction. Also helpful: manual pile-height adjustment, which can be matched to carpets better than with automatic, and suction control for cleaning draperies and other delicate fabrics with tools.

Consider bagless carefully. Bagless vacuums save on the cost of bags but still require filters and need periodic cleaning and--for HEPA filter--replacing. And the dust and mess of emptying their bins is a concern if you have asthma or allergies, though even bags much be handled gently.

Try it out. Even if you'll order online, go to a store first. Push, pull, turn, and lift models you're considering. Check out the controls and features. If an online price is low, see if the store will match it.

Know about the noise. The noisiest vacuums we tested still don't produce 85 decibels, the level at which we recommend hearing protection, but any vacuum will seem louder in a room with a lot of echo, such as a tiled bathroom. Canister vacuums as a group tend to be quieter.

Types

Before you buy a new vacuum, learn about the different types of vacuums on the market. While one type might have features that appeal to you, it might not fit your budget or your lifestyle.

Upright vacuums

 

This traditional design is still the most popular. Uprights tend to cost less than canister vacuums.

Pros:

Uprights generally provide a wider cleaning swath than canisters, and they tend to be better at deep-cleaning carpets--particularly bagged models. Most are also easier to store.

Cons:

You must drag the entire machine back and forth for most floor and carpet cleaning. Some top performers weigh 20 pounds or more, although many competent machines are much lighter. Uprights also tend to be noisier than canisters overall.

 

Canister vacuums

 

The best ones clean carpets just about as well as uprights. (Pet owners note: The uprights and canisters that did best at regular cleaning also tended to excel at picking up pet hair.)

Pros:

Canisters tend to be better than uprights for cleaning bare floors, drapes, upholstery, and under furniture, and they're easier to handle on stairs. Most are quieter, and you mostly need to move only the hose and powerhead, not the entire machine.

Cons:

The entire vacuum tends to be heavier and bulkier than an upright, and the hose and wand make a canister harder to store.

Central vacuums

 

Although they're convenient, central vacuums are pricey, and they typically require professional installation.

Pros:

They're even easier to use than a canister. You carry only the hose and powerhead, and there's no vacuum body to pull along. Central vacuums tend to be relatively quiet, and they don't need to be emptied frequently.

Cons:

Their 30-foot hose can be cumbersome and takes up storage space. And there's no place to store cleaning tools while you work.

 

Hand vacuums

These miniature electric models come with or without a power cord.

Pros:

They're handy for light, quick surface cleaning on short-pile carpets and bare floors; some can handle pet hair on upholstery. They're also useful for cleaning up your car's interior.

Cons:

They lack the power and capacity of full-sized models.

 

Robotic vacuums

 

Earlier models we tested were more expensive novelties than practical appliances, but the category is growing up, with smarter circuitry and more flexibility. A few of the newest models can also be controlled by an app on your smartphone.

Pros:

Do the grunge work while you relax. In uncluttered rooms, a robotic vacuum can fill in between regular vacuuming sessions. The better models can find their way out of tight spots and around extension cords. And all can now be programmed not to run when guests or small children are around.

Cons:

No robotic vacuum can match the deep cleaning you'll get from the best uprights and canisters. We also suggest you think twice about any robotic vacuum if you have shag carpeting or area rugs.

Stick vacuums

 

Stick vacuums generally provide smaller capacities than upright models but they do weigh much less. Like uprights, they have long bodies and handles, and foot nozzles. Many are battery powered. They are mainly for picking up surface litter and not a replacement for a good performing deep cleaning conventional vacuum.

Pros:

They're convenient when you need to quickly clean up a mess. Plus, they eliminate your having to bend to clean up a dirty floor.

Cons:

Most don't perform as well on carpet as handheld vacuums, the capacity of their dirt bin is typically small, and most are fairly noisy. And while some can double as hand vacuums, these models had mostly unimpressive results.

Features

 

Some vacuum cleaner features improve performance or take some of the drudgery out of cleaning. But don't be dazzled by gadgets. Here are the vacuum features to consider.

Add-on cleaning tools

 

Think twice about splurging on extra cleaning tools. Most vacuums come with a narrow tool for crevices, a small upholstery brush, and a round brush for dusting. On canister vacuums, a power nozzle cleans carpets more thoroughly than a simple suction nozzle. These basic tools should suffice for most cleaning jobs. Others may include: tools that combine features of two tools, such as upholstery tools and dusting brushes; bare-floor tools and wall brushes to clean hard surfaces; and wands and stretch hoses to extend the reach of attachments.

 

Attachment reach

This is the manufacturer's estimate of the combined length of the suction hose and all the hose-extension attachments provided with the machine.

 

Bags vs. bagless

 

Some upright vacuums and canisters use bags, some collect dirt in a bin. Bag-type vacuums tend to hold more dirt, and emptying them releases less dust into the air. An indicator that tells you when the bag or bin is full reminds you to empty the dirt before it impairs cleaning. With bagless vacuums you can save money by not having to buy bags, but they still use filters (such as HEPA filters) that need to be periodically cleaned or replaced. Replacement filters tend to be significantly more expensive than bags. Another caveat: Emptying the dustbin and cleaning a filter can be messy, and handling it can expose you to dust and other allergens.

 

Bare-floor options

These include equipment and features that can help when cleaning hardwood, vinyl, and other uncarpeted floor surfaces. Most common are an on/off switch for the vacuum's brush; other options include a bare-floor setting, which is usually a very low-height setting for uncovered floors.

Brush agitator

Also known as the roller brush, it is found underneath the machine. This roller has bristles attached to it and spans the width of the base. It spins when the machine is on and dislodges dirt, dust, and grit from the carpet so that the airflow can pick it up easily. Some models have a switch to turn the brush agitator off when cleaning bare floors; a rotating brush on a bare floor can move dirt and debris around before it can be sucked up. The switch also makes it less likely that throw rugs, bedspreads, and the like will inadvertently become tangled in the roller brush. And it eliminates any hazard should the vacuum tip over while you have the hose extended.

 

Carpet-height adjustment

This feature adjusts the height of the machine's brush roll to a carpet's pile height to allow for easy movement and thorough cleaning. Adjustments are automatic on some models, but we've found manual control more precise.

 

Dirt sensor

Found on only a few models, this feature can detect when the vacuum is no longer picking up dirt. As our tests have demonstrated, however, that doesn't necessarily mean there's no dirt or debris left to be picked up.

 

Easy on/off

A switch that's located on the handle or where your foot can activate it is more convenient than one on the body of the vacuum.

 

Filter

 

A growing number of vacuums are claimed to do a better-than-standard job of filtering out fine particles that may pass through the machine and escape into the air through the exhaust, either through the bag or a separate filter. Micron filters can provide a higher level of filtration than standard models, but possibly not as high as high-efficiency particulate-air (HEPA) filtration. HEPA filtration might benefit someone with asthma. It provides the highest level of vacuum-cleaner filtration. In our tests, models with a HEPA filter have been very effective at reducing emissions. Some models that don't have HEPA filters, however, have performed just as well in our tests, and such vacuums may cost less than HEPA models.