The 9 Best Vacuum Cleaners to Buy in 2017

Powerful, lightweight, and an overall value, the Shark Navigator Lift-Away Professional claims the top spot for vacuum cleaners and is ideal for most families. What’s great about this model is that it’s easy to assemble and use, plus it maintains powerful suction whether you’re using it on carpet or bare floors. For those suffering with allergies, the Anti-Allergen Complete Seal Technology traps dust and irritants, plus the vacuum comes equipped with a HEPA filter. The swivel steering makes it...MORE easy to maneuver, and the detachable and portable canister is ideal for hard-to-reach places.

Of course, the bagless vacuum isn’t completely perfect—some users have warned that it tips easily, especially when you’re using the wand or attachments. But overall, customers rave about how much dirt, dust, and hair the Shark Navigator can pick up, and that it even makes carpet look “fluffier.”

The Shark Navigator Lift-Away Professional weighs about 14 pounds and comes with a Dust-Away bare floor attachment and one reusable microfiber pad, a pet power brush, dusting brush, and crevice tool along with a 30-foot power cord.

If you vacuum frequently, and know you’ll be picking up lots of debris and hair, a bagless vacuum is the right choice. Why? They are easier to empty, and won’t have the added cost of a bag you have to change often. Our bagless canister pick, the BISSELL Zing Rewind, is ideal for small spaces as well since it doesn’t take up a lot of storage space.

This vacuum is powerful considering its size and low price. It works on both carpet and hard wood or tile floors, plus it has variable suction control...MORE so you can use it on more delicate surfaces like upholstery and curtains too. Other features include an easy-empty dirt cup, a combination crevice tool/dusting brush, and an automatic cord rewind.

A bestseller in canister vacuums, the Zing Rewind gets major points for its suction, although some reviewers note that the machine is a bit noisy. But if you can handle a loud appliance, it’s worth it for the combination of high power and low price.

This 13-pound, bagless vacuum from Hoover is a great value for anyone who wants a powerful machine for less than $50.  It features three levels of height adjustment to match your cleaning surface, whether it be carpet or hardwood, while maintaining good cleaning power for a vacuum this affordable.

Hoover's multi-cyclonic technology separate dirt particles inside the vacuum so they don't get trapped in the filter and require less maintenance.  The vacuum comes with a seven foot removable...MORE cleaning wand extension and a 2-in-1 crevice tool and dust brush for hard to reach corners.

This top-selling model has been well-rated by reviewers, though buyers should note that it still won't match the suction power and reliability of models in the $100+ range.

 Living in a smaller home or apartment? A cordless vacuum is a great choice since being tangled up in a cord can make cleaning a hassle. The two most important factors with a cordless model are the weight and battery power.  The Shark Freestyle comes in at just 7.5 pounds, but has a rechargeable extended run 14.4V battery powerful enough for effective cordless cleaning of a one to two-bedroom apartment.  The battery takes four hours to fully charge once depleted.

It is excellent at picking up pet...MORE hair, and has a 2-speed brushroll that allows easy switching between floor and carpet.  The extra-large bagless canister empties with the touch of a button so you won’t end up getting your hands dirty.

If you suffer from allergies, a bagged vacuum will give you the best results, plus they tend to last longer than their bagless counterparts. The downside, of course, is that you have to buy replacement bags and change them when they fill up. But if it eases your allergies, it’s a small price to pay. This Oreck model is a category leader, especially at the price point. The 12-inch wide cleaning brush means dirt doesn’t stand a chance in its path. And the vacuum itself only weighs eight pounds,...MORE making it easy to maneuver for everyone.

A bestseller in its category, the Oreck Commercial XL2100RHS8 has received rave reviews from customers who appreciate its suction power and the fact that it feels like it’s almost vacuuming by itself since it’s so light.

The one thing you will be giving up with this model is a wand attachment for vacuuming upholstery, curtains, and hard to reach places. So you might have to end up supplementing it with a handheld vacuum as well.

 If you’re looking for a powerful vacuum with a few extra design bells and whistles, the Dyson Cinetic Big Ball is likely to please those willing to absorb the higher price.

It's ergonomically designed and features a cleaner head that self-adjusts to tackle carpet or hard floors, and the unique ball innovation makes it easy to maneuver into tight corners.There are no filters that need to be washed or replaced – this is a zero-maintenance vacuum. Allergy sufferers will love the HEPA filtration...MORE and easy-to-empty bin, and a tangle-free turbine makes cleaning up after pets easy.

Of course, there are a few complaints: Some owners find the vacuum heavy, while others say the build quality feels cheap for the price. However, it’s worth noting that Dyson backs the Cinetic Big Ball vacuum with a five-year warranty on parts and labor.

The Dyson Cinetic Big Ball weighs 19.2 pounds and has a 35-foot power cord. It comes with a dizzying array of attachments: a tangle-free turbine, a dusting brush, a reach-under tool, a multi-angle brush, a mattress cleaning tool, and a bag to keep everything organized.  

While we love our furry friends, we’re not so wild about their hair covering every surface in our homes. Pet owners know just how important finding the right vacuum is. If you’re in the market for a new one, this newly released model from Hoover is a stellar choice.

Hoover's WindTunnel 3 tech creates 3 suction channels to lift and remove pet hair and dirt. The bagless model and washable filter mean you won’t have to purchase replacements, or find yourself without a bag and unable to vacuum...MORE before company arrives.  It comes with a unique Pet Turbo tool to remove upholstery stains, and HEPA filtration to keep pet dirt out of the air.

Those with larger spaces will appreciate the 40-foot cord length that will mean you can avoid unplugging.  It also has a quick-pass brushroll to allow 2X faster cleans. 

Small but mighty, this is a great vacuum for picking up small spills or getting to hard-to-reach spots. The battery can hold a charge for an impressive 18 months, so it’ll be ready to go even if it’s not stored on the charger. Although, if you want to keep it on there, you can—it automatically shuts off when the battery is full. Not only does the lightweight design make this model easy to use, but the narrow nozzle, with an optional brush attachment means you can even reach those previously...MORE inaccessible spaces like the crevice between your counter and your refrigerator.

The bagless canister is translucent, making it easy to see when the vacuum is full, and it’s time to empty it. Plus, the filter is washable, meaning you won’t have the extra cost of replacing it down the line. Reviewers rave about the power and the battery life, two of the factors that have made it a bestseller.

It’s the priciest option on our list, but having a machine do all the work for you is worth the splurge, right? The iRobot Roomba 650 is the top robot vacuum thanks to its cleaning power and smart technology. Built-in sensors can easily navigate and adjust to all floor types throughout your home—it can even be programmed to do a sweep of your home every day at a specific time, and then it automatically docks and recharges itself when done cleaning. One of the best parts about the low-profile of...MORE the Roomba is that it can easily clean underneath your furniture without having to move it—a feat few other vacuums can boast.

If you do schedule the Roomba to do a sweep daily, don’t forget that you’ll also need to empty the bin occasionally. You can also opt for a high capacity cleaning bin so you don’t have to empty it as often.

Before you write off the Roomba as an expensive novelty item, know that reviewers have praised both its cleaning ability and its long battery life. The only word of caution is that some customers have reported that it can scratch hard wood floors, so it’s best to test the unit in your home before you program it and let it run wild.