The 10 Best Vacuum Cleaners of 2022, Tested and Reviewed

Best Overall

Shark IZ462H Vertex DuoClean PowerFins Lightweight Cordless Stick Vacuum

4.8

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After tons of testing, this lightweight (yet mighty) vacuum by Shark is our pick for the best vacuum overall. It sucked up everything we put in its path, including Cheerios and tough popcorn kernels, and mostly during its first pass. Upon lifting the floor head off the ground, the materials didn't sprinkle everywhere, and 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 even called the vacuum "flawless."

The Shark Vertex DuoClean PowerFins Cordless Stick Vacuum was able to slip easily under a coffee table and couch, which sits fairly low to the ground, as well. Our tester noted that the vacuum remains quiet most of the time its in operation, too, so your pet may not be as spooked by this cleaning machine. Its quietness is no sign of its strength, though: two brush heads give this pick power, and while the collection canister could be bigger, you'll find that it's easy and painless to empty into your trash can. When your chores are all done, you can easily store this cordless stick vacuum, too, because it actually folds in half. This thoughtful design feature—on top of a 60-minute battery life that's longer than most other cordless picks we've seen and tested—makes it suitable for both smaller apartments and larger households alike.

Now, there are newer versions of this particular vacuum out there. We tested the Shark Cordless Pro with Clean Sense IQ, the newest model in this line, but found that the older version achieved a much better clean. The new version dropped debris and wasn't effective at picking up pet hair on upholstery. While the older version comes with individually-wrapped pieces (which we didn't love) and a heavy handheld component, we still believe it's a top-notch option that's worth every penny. Even with the wrapping, setup took our tester about three minutes—it doesn't get much better than that!

Price at time of publish: $430

Best Budget

Kenmore DS4095 Elite Cordless Stick Vacuum with EasyReach Wand

4.3

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Spending money on a vacuum can feel as dreadful as vacuuming itself. If you're looking to stick to a budget, all while achieving a satisfying clean, check out the Kenmore DS4095 Elite Cordless Stick Vacuum that's quiet and lightweight. Our tester noted that it was super easy to push over bumps and onto a higher-pile rug, saying that it felt balanced. Notably, because the dust bin is located near the top of the handle, this balanced feeling isn't a guarantee with cordless stick models. On top of this, the swivel head was easy to use, and the vacuum had zero issues navigating around furniture or other obstacles.

Now, this Kenmore vacuum does have a few quirks. For one, you'll want to make sure you're centered over your messes so the vacuum can easily suction them up. In our experience, the vacuum pulls hair and debris behind it and along its sides a bit. You may have to go over areas a few times to pick up any leftovers. However, there's no other real issues with its cleaning effectiveness. Our tester wasn't super impressed with the included brush, but noted that the crevice tool provided great suction power, and the whole vacuum picked up small and large debris with ease in The Lab.

They were most impressed by its quiet operation—you could easily hold a conversation over it. "This was by far the quietest vacuum I have ever heard," they said, adding that it truly outperformed the more expensive, cord-free options that they tested in every way. Just know: this pick doesn't stand by itself and the attachments are a bit tricky to put on. You'll need to lean it up against a couch or wall, and spend some time getting to know the cleaning machine before tackling messes on your surfaces.

Price at time of publish: $180

Best Canister

Miele Compact C1 Turbo Team Bagged Canister Vacuum

4.2

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The Miele Compact C1 Turbo Team Bagged Canister Vacuum is worth splurging on if you're looking for a super effective vacuum that's also pretty standard in its design—and not, say, a robot vacuum that's typically highly priced. The Miele vacuum easily gobbles up debris on hard floors and carpeting, and ultimately impressed our tester. They noted that hair did clog up the otherwise-mighty canister vacuum, so this model might not be the best fit for households with pets. The instructions were a little unclear and the vacuum is a bit heavy, too, so it likely would not be ideal for carrying up and down stairs.

However, the canister vacuum—like all canister vacuums—is a great contender for homes with small nooks and crannies that need to be cleaned. The slim handle and floor head make it easy to reach under a couch or near a coffee table. The 21-foot cord of this model can be rewound automatically when you're finished as well. Plus, at 3.75 quarts, this little machine takes a while to fill up, which is convenient, since it's bagged instead of bagless. It's pricey, even before you purchase the replacement bags, but ultimately this vacuum's positives outweigh any of its negatives. Per our tester, it's "so quiet it's ridiculous." Even if you disrupt your wallet, you won't likely disrupt the members of your household.

Price at time of publish: $491

Best Upright

Hoover Complete Performance Bagged Upright Vacuum Cleaner

4.7

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Upright vacuums are known for their suction power, which is why many people opt for this style for cleaning up their carpets or tough messes, even if it's not the most space-conscious. After testing dozens of upright picks, including Shark's Navigator line, the Hoover Complete Performance Bagged Upright Vacuum is our favorite. Its powerful suction on every single surface we tested it on, including upholstery, is hard to beat. It picked up all of our debris in just two passes, making its heavier and bulkier design feel like a total afterthought.

While you certainly would fight with this vacuum a bit on the stairs, since there's no stair attachment and it has a 10-pound build, we appreciated that it's easy to navigate on surfaces. The bag is also super easy to change—just press the release button to expose and dispose the collection bag. Setup was a total breeze for our tester, who didn't even have to look at the instructions to understand where everything goes, though they did say the vacuum's noise level matches its power level. You probably couldn't hold a conversation over this pick, and may want to warn your pets before turning it on.

All in all, this pick doesn't leave much to be desired, though. It has multiple settings for bare floors and carpet, which is a major plus for those who are worried about damaging their hardwood. With a 25-foot cord, 15-inch cleaning path, and more budget-friendly price tag, we feel more than happy recommending it for your home.

Price at time of publish: $155

Best Cordless Stick

Tineco Pure One S15 Pro Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner

4.8

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Cordless stick vacuums have become increasingly popular over the years, because they're often easier to use and store than their upright counterparts. However, the caveat to cordless stick models is, by nature, they run on a battery that must be recharged and have a dust bin that's usually quite smaller in comparison. The Tineco PURE ONE S15 PRO addresses a lot of these concerns, though, with its battery that lasts up to 40 minutes and overall cleaning effectiveness that's competitive with our "best upright" pick. Our tester said that, in automatic mode, the vacuum adjusted itself to the debris it was picking up and was all-around useful at suctioning up all debris, from cereal to popcorn kernels.

Not to mention, changing out the attachments was easy and the entire model transitioned seamlessly from a hard floor to a carpet, so you won't need to worry about your cleaning session being interrupted by your living room's area rug. They could also easily pick the vacuum up with one hand—a perk for those with lots of stairs—and an included charging dock keeps everything you need in one spot when your Saturday cleaning session is complete.

Ultimately, we didn't have any major complaints about this model or the very similar Tineco PURE ONE S15 PET that we also tested. In comparison, the PET model is $100 cheaper and doesn't include the extra LED soft roller brush that the PRO has. This soft roller brush is great for hard flooring, which can be more prone to scratching or denting from your vacuum cleaner. However, if you don't have a lot of hardwood floors in your home, take the PET model into consideration in order to save a few bucks.

Price at time of publish: $599

Best Robot

Ecovacs Deebot N8+

4.8

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Robot vacuums add a level of convenience to your cleaning routines, and are the perfect option if vacuuming your floor doesn't sound even remotely satisfying or fun, or you have pets or children who frequently track all types of messes around your living space. While they are more expensive, robot vacuums (as well as vacuum-mop hybrids, like this pick) tend to be worth the splurge once they're set up the way you want them to be. We have tested dozens of robotic vacuums in The Lab, and our favorite remains the ECOVACS DEEBOT N8+ Robot Vacuum and Mop.

That's right. It will also mop your floors. Our at-home tester said this dual-functionality has been life-changing, and she loves that the model senses when it's on carpet or hard flooring—and adjusts accordingly. This model's packed with smart features, too. It maps out your home, and then you can choose to clean the entire layout or a specific room. It has laser technology to avoid large items, such as furniture or door frames, that it may come across along the way, and smaller items, like socks or jeans left on the floor. (Even so, our at-home tester says she usually picks up a bit before running this device.)

You can program the ECOVACS DEEBOT N8+ with a cleaning schedule or order it to start from your smartphone if you're expecting last-minute guests. If this hands-off cleaning experience isn't enough, it also self-empties—once it's completed its run, all you have to do is change the dust bag every so often. In our lab testing, we were impressed by how quiet this vacuum was when operating, as well, although you might brace yourself for a loud roar when it self empties.

Now, while robot vacuums may not be able to target specific messes or do a deep clean, if you have pets—and, therefore, a lot of visible and invisible pet hair—this ECOVACS robot vacuum and mop will suck up more pet hair than you ever thought possible, as it makes its daily run around your living room. Our tester found not only that it is an effective vacuum and mop, but also that it smartly navigated obstacles and could transition from floors to rugs with ease. They only had one complaint: according to the manufacturer, the mopping reservoir can only hold water (as opposed to a mix of water and floor cleaner).

They got around this annoyance by soaking the mopping pad in their favorite floor cleaner, before attaching it to the device. They then said: "I hate to be dramatic, but this device has completely transformed my life. The time I spent vacuuming and mopping my floors is now free for other activities. Before incorporating this device into my home, it felt as if my floors were always dirty, no matter how much I vacuumed. Whenever I leave the house, I pick up dog toys and other small items off the floor and turn on the auto-clean function. My floors are clean by the time I get back home."

Price at time of publish: $450

Best Handheld

Hoover ONEPWR Cordless Handheld Vacuum Cleaner

4.8

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When you have a small mess on your hands that you need to quickly zap up, reach for a handheld vacuum. A handheld vacuum is excellent for rapidly sucking up snack spills in your kitchen, or pet hair from your couch in an efficient manner. Of course, its smaller profile doesn't make it a great option for whole-home cleaning, so it should absolutely be a supplement to your cordless stick, robot, canister, or upright vacuum that tackles most of the larger or weekly messes in your household. Nonetheless, having a handheld vacuum on hand, especially the Hoover ONEPWR Cordless Handheld Vacuum Cleaner, is beyond helpful for spot cleaning, car cleaning, and much more.

The Hoover ONEPWR Cordless Handheld Vacuum Cleaner excelled at our tests in The Lab. Its powerful suction impressed our testers, as it sucked up cereal, pet hair, popcorn kernels, and other debris in its path. We gave it high marks on maneuverability since our tester was able to clean hard-to-reach areas including under a couch, in a car's cupholder, and along a baseboard with ease, thanks to its tapered nozzle. Setup also took less than two minutes, and when it came to the dust bin, emptying it was a total breeze.

The battery pack detaches from the vacuum for easy charging, but our tester noted that the pack adds some weight when inserted into the vacuum, bringing this model up to 3 pounds. It may not be the best option for a deeper clean, or someone who wants something lightweight and easy to maneuver. It's also quite expensive in comparison to other handheld vacuums, but since it's such a strong, reliable cleaner, we believe it's well worth the price.

Price at time of publication: $100

Best for Pet Hair

Tineco Pure ONE S15 Pet Smart Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner

4.8

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As we noted above, the Tineco PURE ONE S15 PET Vacuum impressed our testers with its suction power, ease of operation, and intuitive features, which ensure that you're getting the best cleaning in your home. It's super similar to the Tineco PURE ONE S15 PRO—our "best cordless stick" pick—and really only differs in price and one soft roller brush that makes the PRO more suitable for hardwood floors. However, we really appreciate how the PET is an effective and slightly cheaper option made for pet owners.

Just like other models by the brand, the S15 PET features Tineco's display screen, which turns from red to blue to signify whether there is dirt on the floor. It also clearly displays the battery's percentage. The auto mode is a great option for everyday cleaning, but our tester found that switching to max mode—within the manual mode selections—worked best for ensuring that no dirt or pet hair was left behind. Keep in mind that this vacuum is not best for area rugs, because of its suction power. However, when in automatic mode, it does automatically increase suction when it encounters hair or debris. That helps the vac to conserve energy so you can clean up to 1,399 square feet on a single charge and capture more messes around your home.

Aside from this vacuum's impressive suction power, our tester appreciated its easy-to-empty dust bin. It has a lever that scrapes debris and dust off the filter and sides of the canister. Our tester said they still had to pull out some hair that was stuck up high in the canister, but overall appreciated the ease of emptying. Tineco delivers a tangle-free brush head that lifts hairs into the dust bin, too, so they don't become trapped around the base of the vacuum.

Most importantly, this vacuum's brush head has LED lights on it that illuminate your path so you suck up every last pet hair. Our home tester noted that the LED light actually helped her to find tiny pet hairs in her home. "I thought my home was a pretty clean place, but when I used this Tineco for the first time, I realized I was very, very wrong," she said. "The LED light on the head illuminated tiny white Chihuahua hairs all over my floors—even in rooms that she doesn't usually go in! Now, I use this vacuum almost every day, and every time it illuminates and captures tiny pet hair that I wouldn’t have seen. Honestly, I had no idea my Chihuahua shed that much! I’m grateful that this vacuum can suck up all the stray hairs that I don’t see, so I can feel confident that my dog and I are lounging in a truly clean space."

Price at time of publishing: $499

Best Wet-Dry

Shark VacMop Pro Cordless Hard Floor Vacuum Mop

4.9

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Wet-dry vacuums allow you to tackle two cleaning jobs at one time, and store just one appliance in your home. When it comes to this newer style of appliance, you can't beat the Shark VacMop. This stick vacuum has limited battery life, but takes a total of two minutes to setup—including pouring in the cleaning solution and attaching a 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 also allows you to easily see what you're cleaning, even if a mess is hidden under your kitchen cart or couch.

Our tester noted that the slim profile is very lightweight, and the cleaning solution has a fresh scent that's very mild. The disposable cleaning pad makes clean-up simple—especially because it's paired with an easy-release button on the floor head that ensures you don't need to touch what you just cleaned up. Notably, the VacMop comes with four ready-to-use replacement pads as well, so you don't have to venture to the store after using it one time. The only really downsides to this model is that the dust bin isn't very large and you have to hold down the power button consistently while using it. This could be tiring, especially after cleaning a larger home.

The entire model operates very quietly though, and will be very suitable for your kitchen, bathroom, or any spot with hard floors. It also runs at a budget-friendly price, meaning you can achieve satisfying cleans for less.

Price at time of publication: $100