The 12 Best Vacuum Cleaners of 2022, Tested in Our Lab

Best Overall: Shark IZ462H Vertex DuoClean PowerFins Lightweight Cordless Stick Vacuum

4.8

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Our Ratings

• Ease of Setup
  4/5
• Effectiveness
  5/5
• Maneuverability
  5/5
• Ease of Emptying
  5/5
• Noise Level
  4.5/5

After two days of complex testing, this lightweight (yet mighty) vacuum by Shark was our pick for the best vacuum overall. It sucked everything we put in its path right up—whether it be dusty Cheerios or tough popcorn kernels—and mostly during its first pass. Upon lifting the floor head off the ground, the materials didn't sprinkle everywhere, plus the vacuum basically pulled itself around the surfaces. Our tester noted that it took very little effort on their part to get the cleaning job done, and rated it 5 stars for effectiveness on every type of surface.

Speaking of maneuverability, the Shark Vertex DuoClean PowerFins Cordless Stick Vacuum was able to easily slip under our coffee table and couch, which sits fairly low to the ground. When taking it through the obstacle course, the tester called the vacuum "flawless," and noted that it's quiet a majority of the time. Two brush heads give this pick its power, and while the collection canister could be bigger, you'll find that it's easy and painless to empty into your trash can, and worthy of our tester's 5-star rating for ease of emptying.

When your cleaning job is done, you can also easily store this cordless stick vacuum—that has a longer battery life than other cordless picks, at 60 minutes—because it folds in half. This makes it suitable for both smaller apartments and larger households with pets. All in all, our tester gave this vacuum 5-star ratings almost across the board, only docking it because the handheld component is rather heavy and the pieces are individually wrapped when they come out of the box, which can be frustrating. However, setting up this product for use did not take longer than three minutes, even with the wrapping.

Best Budget: Eureka NES510 Flash Lightweight Stick Vacuum Cleaner

4.2

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Our Ratings

• Ease of Setup
  4.5/5
• Effectiveness
  4.5/5
• Maneuverability
  4/5
• Ease of Emptying
  3.5/5
• Noise Level
  4/5

The Eureka Flash Lightweight Stick Vacuum Cleaner shouldn't be overlooked. This budget-friendly pick has all the suction power and thoughtful features of a more expensive one. To start, it's incredibly easy to assemble—our tester needed just a minute and a half to put it together and gave the process a total of 4.5 stars. In addition, on hardwood, low-pile carpet, and medium-pile carpet, this vacuum proved to be powerful and was able to collect all materials in one or two passes. Now, the motor did get warm on the high-pile carpet, and the vacuum became difficult to maneuver through the threads. However, our tester still rated it an average of 4.5 stars for its overall effectiveness, docking it for the troubling high-pile experience only.

When it came time for the obstacle course, this pick was able to slip into small spaces with total ease. It only presented one flaw: the long, but heavy and bulky cord. Most stick vacuums are designed without a cord to make them easier to maneuver throughout your space. While this feature isn't ideal, the power of this vacuum is what makes it really stand out from its competitors. For its more compact size (and price tag), it works wonders on every type of surface and doesn't produce a lot of noise in the process, which is why our tester rated it a solid 4 stars for noise level.

Emptying this product is a multi-step process, as the entire canister detaches. Overall, though, it's game for tackling all kinds of messes in your kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, and more, and will help you track them down with the floor head's light.

Best Upright: Shark NV151 Navigator Swivel Pro Complete Upright Vacuum

4.1

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Our Ratings

• Effectiveness
  5/5
• Maneuverability
  3/5
• Ease of Emptying
  5/5
• Noise Level
  4/5
• Ease of Setup
  4/5

Upright vacuums are known for their suction power, which is why many people opt for this style, even if it's not the most space-conscious. We tested eight upright vacuums and concluded the best one is the Shark Navigator Swivel Pro Complete Upright Vacuum. Shark's Navigator series is outfitted with suction power, settings for different types of surfaces, crevice and upholstery attachments, and a daintier price tag. However, this particular Navigator model shined in the effectiveness category—given 5-star ratings for both hardwood and low-pile carpet, and 4.5-star ratings for medium-pile and high-pile carpets. Our tester noted that it glided over the surfaces, while still picking up the materials quickly, and was docked in ratings only if it needed to do more than one or two passes. Despite a bulky and heavier design, they were able to use one hand for several passes, which was rewarding.

In addition, they enjoyed the multiple settings for carpet and hardwood, which aided in its effectiveness. While it had trouble moving from concrete to carpet—the floor head needed to be picked up to make this transfer—and was hard to reach under any furniture, it was pretty quiet and very easy to empty when all was said and done. According to our tester, assembling this pick is "straightforward," too. They were able to complete the assembly in just three minutes and gave this process a 4-star rating because it's easy, but the product was a little heavy at the start.

Best Cordless Stick: Dyson v11 Animal Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner

4.6

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Our Ratings

• Ease of Setup
  4.5/5
• Effectiveness
  4/5
• Maneuverability
  4.5/5
• Ease of Emptying
  4/5
• Noise Level
  5/5

Cordless stick vacuums get a lot of (often well-deserved) hype since they're easy to navigate and store in your home, in comparison to upright models. However, only one can be crowned the best, and it's the Dyson v11 Animal Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner. Dyson is known for its modern, colorful, and pricey small appliances, and this particular vacuum is no exception. It especially stands out for its full set of attachments including a dirt brush, crevice tool, and a mini motorized tool that make it especially useful for pet owners to clean hair off of cushions and in hard-to-reach places. Plus, at 60 minutes, its battery life also makes it great for tackling these types of smaller tasks, along with regular vacuuming, without having to stop and recharge.

Throughout our test, this vacuum was very effective at picking up dirt and debris on all types of surfaces. It was also lightweight and easy to move under objects including coffee tables and even low couches, earning it a 4.5 for maneuverability. With a perfect score for noise level, this stick vacuum was extremely quiet, making it easy to talk over while testing. Overall, this is a very versatile vacuum that is powerful and easy to use.

Best Canister: Miele Compact C1 Turbo Team Bagged Canister Vacuum

4.2

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Our Ratings

• Effectiveness
  4/5
• Maneuverability
  4.5/5
• Ease of Emptying
  4/5
• Noise Level
  5/5
• Ease of Setup
  3.5/5

Canister vacuums marry the maneuverability of a stick vacuum, with the suction power of an upright one. The Miele Compact C1 Turbo Team Bagged Canister Vacuum is our top pick for a canister vacuum, as it was very effective at gobbling up all materials on hardwood, low-pile carpet, and high-pile carpet. Our tester noted that hair did clog up the otherwise-mighty canister vac, so this pick might not be the best fit for households with pets. In addition, the instructions were a little unclear and the vacuum is a bit heavy, and would likely not be ideal for carrying up and down stairs. For those reasons, it was given slightly lower star ratings for categories like effectiveness and maneuverability.

However, it's the perfect fit for a home with small nooks and crannies that need to be cleaned, as it was able to get under a couch and around a coffee table with total ease. It's "so quiet it's ridiculous," per our tester, and the 21-foot cord can be rewound automatically when you're finished with your cleaning job. Not to mention, at 3.75 quarts, this little machine takes a while to fill up, which is convenient since it's a bagged model. It's pricey, even before you purchase the replacement bags, so a spacious canister is so welcomed. Ultimately, this vacuum's positives heavily outweigh its negatives, making it worth every one of your pennies.

Best Compact: NEQUARE S180 Corded Lightweight Vacuum with Self-Standing

4.5

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Our Ratings

• Effectiveness
  4/5
• Maneuverability
  4/5
• Ease of Emptying
  5/5
• Noise Level
  5/5
• Ease of Setup
  5/5

If you're cozied up in an apartment, condo, or other smaller living space, look no further than NEQUARE's S180 Corded Lightweight Vacuum. This compact vac is a hidden gem and happily surprised The Spruce's team of testers. First things first: its lightweight design makes it easy to carry from one room to another. An adjustable handle also allows every member of your household to feel comfortable using it, and you'll never have to lean it up against a couch because it stands up on its own. Our tester gave it 5 stars for its effectiveness on hardwood, and 4 stars for its effectiveness on low-pile and medium-pile carpets. High-pile carpet proved to be a little difficult to maneuver through, but overall its movement felt very fluid and easy to control.

In fact, our tester called this vacuum "extremely flexible," noting it was a breeze to clean underneath the couch and coffee table. Emptying the vacuum was also a total breeze, although needed to be done more often than other models. If our tester could change anything about this NEQUARE compact vacuum, it'd be the size of the canister. They'd also like there to be more than one setting. However, this vacuum was one of the quietest ones we tested in The Lab, and that is a luxury that can't be overlooked.

Best Handheld: BLACK+DECKER HSVB420J POWERSERIES 2-in-1 Cordless Stick Vacuum

4.6

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Our Ratings

• Ease of Setup
  5/5
• Effectiveness
  4/5
• Maneuverability
  4.5/5
• Ease of Emptying
  5/5
• Noise Level
  4.5/5

Many vacuums can be partially disassembled and transformed into a handheld vacuum, but they do not make it as easy as the BLACK+DECKER POWERSERIES 2-in-1 Cordless Stick Vacuum. It's our top pick for a handheld vacuum because its design is incredibly thoughtful. There are only two parts to this vac: the handle and floor head, and the dustbuster that clicks into it. When you're using the upright-style vac, all the debris collects in the dustbuster; it turns into the collection canister. Need the dustbuster? Just pull it out, and notice how the remaining section of the handle is a nifty storage spot for attachments.

It took our tester less than a minute to unbox and assemble this vacuum, which is pretty lightweight and has a light on the front for easy cleaning under a couch or in a dimly-lit corner. While it was a little sloppy when picking up Cheerios on the hardwood and low-pile carpet (it basically pushed them around), it was awarded 4.5 stars for effectiveness on medium and high-pile carpets. It was docked for missing some of the material that was ground into the carpet, however the handheld vac was able to complete the task. Our tester enjoyed that it stood up on its own. Emptying this vac was also quick.

Best for Carpet: Samsung VS15T7032R4 Jet 70 Pet Cordless Stick Vacuum

4

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Our Ratings

• Ease of Setup
  3.5/5
• Effectiveness
  4/5
• Maneuverability
  4/5
• Ease of Emptying
  3/5
• Noise Level
  5/5

The Samsung Jet 70 Pet Cordless Stick Vacuum's strong suit is carpet. Our tester gave this vac a 2-star rating on the hardwood since it pushed around the popcorn kernels and Cheerios. However, they rated it 5 stars on the low-pile carpet, and 4.5 stars on the medium and high-pile carpets. On the low-pile carpet, the vacuum picked up all the materials in just one to two passes. On the high-pile carpet, it was harder to maneuver but was able to pick up the materials once kicked into high gear. When it came time to do the obstacle course, our tester found that it didn't swivel too well. However, it conquered the transition from concrete to carpet with ease and could fit under the couch with no issues. It was ultimately given 4 stars for its maneuverability.

Throughout this process, the vacuum remained quiet. It did become quite heavy, and emptying is a bit of a hassle since hair does get caught up in the filter and there's no button to release the canister. You have to empty the vacuum from the top, which requires a bit of work on your part. Notably, assembly is quite easy, though, especially once you've figured out the battery and wall mount once. Plan to charge this vacuum immediately, as it doesn't come with any "starter" charge.

Best for Hardwood: TINECO Floor One S3 Smart Wet/Dry Vacuum

3.8

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Our Ratings

• Effectiveness
  3/5
• Maneuverability
  3/5
• Ease of Emptying
  3.5/5
• Noise Level
  5/5
• Ease of Setup
  4/5

After testing the TINECO Floor One S3 Smart Wet/Dry Vacuum on multiple surfaces, we can confirm that it is made for hardwood. On hardwood, this combo vacuum excelled at picking up the materials, and was given a 5-star rating by our tester. On a low-pile carpet, it even received 5 stars for its ability to lift each of the materials off the carpet in just one to two passes. Trouble ensued, in the form of error messages, the moment this wet-dry vacuum tried to take on a thicker carpet. So, if you're looking for a vacuum that will clean all the surfaces in your home, this is not the one.

However, if you're looking to make your hardwood sparkle, this TINECO model has your back. It's smooth on smooth surfaces, and can even thoroughly mop your floor if you make use of the dual tanks. It's very quiet, so you can easily hold a conversation with a member of your household while using it. During our test, our tester noted the packaging it comes in is not very eco-friendly, but that set up is simple, and a solid 4-star experience. Upon powering it on, it propels itself forward, as if to say, "I'm ready, let's go!" It also "almost knows intuitively when its job is complete," and will sit idle if need be, without fully turning off. Just don't use it on carpet, and you'll be good to go.

Best for Pet Hair: Bissell 22889 ICONpet Cordless Stick Vacuum

4.3

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Our Ratings

• Effectiveness
  4.5/5
• Maneuverability
  4/5
• Ease of Emptying
  4.5/5
• Noise Level
  5/5
• Ease of Setup
  4.5/5

Pet owners need a vacuum by their side that isn't afraid of a hairy situation. Enter, the Bissell ICONpet Cordless Stick Vacuum. This product was rated 4s and 5s by our tester across the board and was very effective at picking up hair—even on the lowest suction setting. Starting with assembly, our tester was able to put this vacuum together in three minutes, only confused by some of the attachments. The vac was a third of the way charged, to begin with, but we made sure it was fully charged before testing it on the surfaces and obstacle course.

The vacuum was most effective on the low and medium-pile carpets, and the tester noted it was super easy to maneuver. It pushed around the kernels a bit, but otherwise effectively sucked up materials in a few passes. Notably, this vacuum also features a light on the floor head which made navigating it much easier, especially when the couch and coffee table came into play. It's also quiet, and easy to empty. You just need to shake the collection canister a bit to release anything that's stuck inside. You will be slightly disappointed at the fact that this vacuum doesn't stand up on its own like our tester was. That feature—or lack thereof, we should say—became annoying over time. But, the three different suction modes were "powerful in their own ways," and ultimately earned this vacuum a 4.5-star rating for effectiveness, only being docked for the kernels.

Best Wet-Dry: Shark VacMop Pro Cordless Wet/Dry Stick Vacuum

4.9

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Our Ratings

• Ease of Setup
  5/5
• Effectiveness
  5/5
• Maneuverability
  5/5
• Ease of Emptying
  5/5
• Noise Level
  5/5

Wet-dry vacuums allow you to tackle two cleaning jobs at one time. When it comes to this newer style of small appliance, you can't beat the Shark VACMOP. This stick vacuum has limited battery life, but takes a total of two minutes to assemble, including pouring in the detergent and attaching the cleaning pad. It's super easy to glide on hardwood and has a button on the handle for spraying the detergent on the floor. A light on the floor head allows you to easily see what you're cleaning, and how effective the product is.

Our tester noted that the slim profile is very lightweight, and the detergent has a fresh scent that's very mild. The disposable cleaning pad makes clean-up simple, and the VACMOP comes with four, ready-to-use replacements, so you don't have to venture to the store right away. While the canister could be a bit larger and this product is not suitable for carpets, the entire model operates very quietly and will be very suitable for your kitchen or bathroom. It also runs at a budget-friendly price. All in all, our tester did not dock this vacuum for anything but its canister size, giving it 5-star ratings across the board.