The 10 Best Vacuum Cleaners of 2021

What to Look for in a Vacuum

Bagged vs. bagless

While bagged vacuum cleaners were the mainstay of the cleaning world for decades, many new vacuum cleaners are bagless. This means that you won’t need to buy and replace the bag inside your vacuum cleaner regularly. Instead, you’ll just need to empty the dust collection canister into your trash can, and occasionally wash it out. The downside to bagless vacuums is that you’ll have to open up a dusty, dirty bin over a trash can, which can result in some dust escaping back out.

Bagged vacuum cleaners, on the other hand, collect everything into an easy-to-dispose-of bag that can simply be tossed in the trash. However, as the bag fills you may notice a reduction in suction. Plus, you’ll have the recurring cost of purchasing new vacuum bags—and sometimes they can be hard to track down for older, discontinued models of vacuum cleaners.

Weight

If you’ve ever pushed around a vacuum cleaner for an extended cleaning session or lugged it up and down a flight of stairs, you know that the weight of a vacuum matters! It can be a pain to push and pull a heavy vacuum cleaner. Fortunately, many vacuum cleaners are designed to weigh less and be more nimble than the unwieldy machines that first entered home cleaning closets decades ago.

Upright vacuums tend to weigh the most—but they often have wide floorheads, more powerful motors, and larger dust bags to account for the added weight. Many upright vacuums weigh between 12 and 18 pounds, with some models weighing less or more. Canister vacuums vary widely in terms of weight. Some lightweight models barely tip the scale to 8 pounds, while others that offer performance and features to rival upright vacuums can weigh as much as 18 or 20 pounds. Cordless and stick vacuum cleaners are generally the most lightweight vacuums available. Intended for lighter cleaning, these vacuums are meant to be easy to pick up for spot cleaning or light duty vacuuming. They typically weigh between 3 and 7 pounds.

Brush Roll

The presence—or absence—of a brush roll on a vacuum cleaner may determine what type of flooring it’s best suited for. Vacuums with no brush roll are good for hardwood floors or tile flooring, since the stiff fibers of the brush roll may scratch the finish on your flooring or send dirt in all directions. Alternatively, some vacuums with a brush roll offer the ability to turn the rotation of the brush off—making it safe for use on hardwood floors and more effective on any type of hard surface flooring.

When it comes to plush carpeting, the brush roll gently agitates the carpet fibers to lift surface-level dirt along with debris at deeper layers—including dust, dander, and pet hair that may have settled into the carpet. And while most brush rolls will have no problem accomplishing this task on flat weave or low-pile carpet, medium-to-high pile rugs may require an adjustable pile height setting to ensure that the fibers of the rug won't get tangled in the brush roll or stifle the suction coming from the nozzle.

Filter

Many vacuums are equipped with a filtration system intended to trap fine particles of dust and dander that might otherwise be released with the exhaust of the vacuum cleaner. Some filters are washable, making them an affordable, easy-to-maintain choice. These are usually made of a sponge-like material that rinses easily and air dries quickly. Other filters are more paper-like in appearance and must be replaced on a schedule (usually every 6 months or so) to maintain effectiveness.

The gold standard in vacuum filtration is a HEPA filter, which stands for High-Efficiency Particulate Air. These ultra-fine filters will trap the tiniest of particles—as small as 0.3 microns in the case of true HEPA filters. A HEPA filtration system can be a major plus for anyone looking to reduce dust, dander, pollen, and other small particles in their home. HEPA filters will usually need to be replaced on a schedule to maintain their filtration capabilities, but a few newer versions offer the advantage of being washable.

Accessories and Warranties

Once you pick your perfect vacuum cleaner, make sure it’s equipped with the right accessories to complete your cleaning package. Many additional tools are available to make the most of your vacuum’s suction power and sometimes these are included with the purchase of your vacuum, but other times you may need to purchase them separately. Items such as crevice tools, extension wands, upholstery brushes, and more will come in handy when you are trying to deep clean your home.

Some of the most popular cleaning accessories for vacuums are pet cleaning tools. These include nozzle attachments with grippy surfaces, fine-tooth combs, or stiff brushes to extract pet hair from your furniture upholstery, drapes, and more.

One other thing to consider is whether the vacuum you purchase is backed by a manufacturer’s warranty. Many models are covered by a 1- to 5-year warranty, depending on the make and model. These warranties typically cover defects in materials and workmanship but exclude items subject to normal wear and tear—like filters, brushes, and more. Some companies are known for outstanding warranties and customer service, including Dyson and Miele. Keep in mind that with most warranty services, there is a freight charge to ship the vacuum that can cost $20 or more depending on the company.

FAQs

How long should vacuum cleaners last?

Most vacuums last around a median of eight years according to Consumer Reports. However, an important factor to consider when preserving the lifespan of your appliance is the type of vacuum it is. If it's cordless, these vacuums tend to have a shorter lifespan due to the use of a battery instead of regular electricity.

There are many things you can do to ensure your vacuum lasts as long as it possibly can. Emptying the bag and cleaning the filter regularly are both ways to make sure it doesn't overfill or clog the machine (this can later cause significant damage). In addition to cleaning your bag and filter, clearing appliance attachments of any debris is also key in helping your vacuum last its full lifespan. Any type of hair or tangled fibers in attachments can still cause clogs and other damage to the unit as a whole.

Why do vacuum cleaners lose suction?

The most common cause of vacuum suction loss is clogging. If the filters become blocked in your appliance, it restricts the flow of air. By regularly cleaning out your appliance of dirt and debris, you'll ensure it has a longer lifespan and won't lose power. It's also important to check the operating belts of the vacuum to make sure there isn't a problem with the base unit. You can check the belts by following the instructions in your appliance's operating manual.

How do you know what type of vacuum cleaner to buy?

Your vacuum cleaner needs will be determined by your household priorities. Common factors to consider are the size of your home, what kind of floors you have (hardwood, carpet, etc.), and if you have pets. For smaller households like a studio apartment, a hand-held cordless vacuum may work, but for a larger family home, you may want to consider a more powerful canister vacuum. Homes with hardwood floors should consider a vacuum specifically designed for this type of surface. If you have pets, there are plenty of options on the market to help eliminate dander and allergens.

How often should you clean a vacuum?

Generally, you should deep clean your vacuum and its parts at least every 12 to 18 months. It also depends on how often you use your appliance. If you use it weekly or daily, cleaning it more often will be beneficial. As an example, bagless vacuums with washable filters used once or twice a week should be cleaned at least once a month. Refer to your appliance's specific owner's manual for a breakdown of cleaning information as this will give you the best instructions on model maintenance.

Why Trust The Spruce?

We've purchased and tested many of the most popular vacuum models in real-world situations, including homes with pets, kids, and spilled cereal. Camryn Rabideau, the author of this article, has also done firsthand testing of numerous vacuums in the course of her career, including the Dyson Ball Animal 2, which is included as the best vacuum for carpets. While selecting other products for this list, she considered insights from The Spruce’s team of product testers, as well as dozens of customer reviews. All the vacuums included deliver powerful suction and come with useful accessories to clean different areas of the home.