Comparing Our Favorite Vacuum Cleaners
Honorable Mentions
Black and Decker Dustbuster Flex for $89: This is another cool handheld vacuum that’s great for cars, or even indoor areas like staircases. It has a 4-foot hose, longer than most compact vacuums, and has a handy little charging mount that the accessories clip into. And thank goodness for the charging mount, since the battery only lasts 15 minutes.
Dyson Car+Boat Handheld Vacuum for $280: Dyson’s latest handheld vacuum was designed specifically for cars (and boats!) in mind, so if you have a vehicle to clean, this is made for it. It’s got a fantastic battery life compared to other handheld vacuums.
Dyson Gen5 Detect Cordless Vacuum for $935: This is Dyson’s current top of the line stick vacuum, and it’s fantastic, especially for homes with a lot of pet hair. But it’s expensive and rarely on sale, making it a hard upgrade when you’ll still get a great experience with the Dyson V15 Detect. But this vacuum does have a HEPA filter, while the V15 Detect does not.
Roborock Qrevo S for $800 (used): This is technically our top robot vacuum pick, but Roborock recently updated the Qrevo line with new models that aren’t shipping to the United States, and the model we like best is only available secondhand.
Tineco Pure One Station 5 for $459: If you want a cordless stick vacuum but don’t want to deal with emptying it all the time, this Tineco vacuum comes with a self-emptying docking station. You’ll eventually have to empty the station, but it’s a great bonus feature and keeps the vacuum from falling over around your home since it’s stored safely in the docking station.
FAQs
Which Style Vacuum Is Right for You?
Here’s what makes each style of vacuum great to help you choose which one you should buy.
- Cordless Vacuums or Stick Vacuums: These vacuums look like the latter name suggests, with a long, sticklike arm that connects the vacuum head to the canister and controls. You’ll need to hold this up in a way you wouldn’t have to with an upright vacuum, but these are powerful and super mobile. They make for a great main vacuum, and are especially great if you have multiple floors to vacuum since it’s easy to carry these up and down stairs.
- Robot Vacuums: Robot vacuums are great for cleaning for you, and are controlled with an app. There are several models that double as a mop, too. You’ll have to spend time moving furniture for the best clean possible, and you usually still want a regular vacuum of some kind in your home. But these are great for frequent cleans with kids and pets.
- Handheld Vacuums: Handheld vacuums are great for targeted cleans, or cleaning specific places like stairs and cars. Most stick vacuums can transform into a handheld vacuum, but true handhelds are much lighter and have a more compact design (but also sacrifice battery power and dustbin capacity).
What About Upright Vacuums?
An upright vacuum is the classic, original vacuum style that sits straight up on its own and is much heavier than cordless stick vacuums, and requires an outlet connection to work. We currently don’t have an upright vacuum we recommend, since cordless stick vacuums have become the main focus for most shoppers (and as frequent vacuumers ourselves, we usually reach for cordless and robot vacuums anyways). We’re considering upright vacuums to test in the future, however, and feel free to comment on this guide with models we should consider.
Do You Need a Stick Vacuum and a Handheld Vacuum?
Do you need a handheld vacuum if you already have a cordless vacuum? Likely no, because most stick vacuums can transform into a handheld vacuum already. Stick or cordless vacuums usually allow you to remove the stick part from between the vacuum head and canister base and instead connect those two pieces directly, making it into a handheld vacuum. It’ll be much heavier than a vacuum designed to always be handheld, and might be irritating if you have a specific use case you want it for, but you don’t need both unless there’s a specific reason. A handheld is a good add-on if you already have an upright vacuum you love that doesn’t need replacing.
How Often Should You Replace Your Vacuum?
Vacuums last about five years, depending on the use frequency and build quality. Some cheaper stick vacuums might only last about a year or two, though, so it’s worth investing in a better vacuum than finding a cheap dupe. If you’re curious what signs might indicate your vacuum needs replacing, check out our guide to how long vacuums can last.
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