30 Best Vacuum Cleaners – Latest 2018 Models

If you are looking for a new vacuum cleaner to replace an existing one or as a first vacuum for your home, then you want to know what the current trends are. In this article we will review the best vacuum cleaners for 2018. You may wonder why there are certain models included in this list that are older models and that is because they have continued to remain popular among consumers throughout 2017, so they made our list too. We had a look at upright vacuums, canister vacuums, stick vacuums, cordless vacuums and handheld vacuums to ensure that we covered the range of choices so that people are aware of the variety and versatility of choices that they have for vacuums.

Top Upright Vacuums Reviewed

1. Shark DuoClean NV803 Upright Vacuum

A close second to the Dyson Ball Animal 2 (and at a lower price), has to be the Shark DuoClean NV803. This is not claiming to be the most powerful vacuum, but it certainly comes close. There are quite a few other very attractive features on the Shark DuoClean that could easily win you over.

The reason why this vacuum has been dubbed the DuoClean is because of its remarkable rollers, maybe the best there is. It combines the tough deep cleaning abilities of a bristle brush with a soft roller that’s perfect for large debris and polishes your hard floors as it cleans. Moving from carpet to hard floor cleaning is made very easy with finger tip touch controls to change the brush roller action.

The Shark DuoClean NV803 is also one of the top choices in vacuums for people with allergies and it includes high-grade HEPA air filtration. Dynamic swivel steering and powerful LED lights make for easy cleaning under furniture and you can see perfectly what’s going on down there.

Shark vacuums are fantastic when it comes to attachments. You get a great selection with the vacuum, including the usual duster/crevice tool, pet multi-tool as well as a pet power brush and a low-reach (under appliance) wand that makes it as easy to clean low areas as it does high ones. In addition to this, Shark has an almost endless range of optional extras for all their vacuums, so you can customize your Shark DuoClean to do so much more. It also comes with a bag for storing your attachments.

Shark is certainly one of the top appliance manufacturers and, get this; when you buy the Shark DuoClean NV803 you get an incredible 7-year warranty. I’d say that this is a good indication as to the quality of their products. Should be a popular shark model this year.

2. Dyson Ball Animal 2 Upright Vacuum

When talking about the best vacuums (whether it’s for 2018 or any other year), Dyson will usually be at the top of the list. The Dyson Ball Animal 2 is, by no means a cheap vacuum cleaner. Dyson appliances will never be cheap. The aim here is not to try and build the cheapest vacuum but, rather, to aim for the best. Some may not agree, but most people in the know will argue that Dyson vacuums are the best.

The guys at Dyson claim that the Ball Animal 2 has the strongest suction of all vacuums. I have no way of telling whether this is true or not. The scientific testing that they quote reads: “Suction tested ASTM F558” – don’t ask me what this means, but it must count for something. What I can make of this, it seems that the suction at the head, in terms of the dust that is collected, beats all other upright vacuums. Regardless of how they’ve tested this machine in the lab, it’s a mighty powerful beast. When you use it, you’ll never run out of power, even sucking up heavy debris with the dust cup close to full. For all intents and purposes, we can assume that their claim of the best suction power is probably true.

What makes Dyson vacuums particularly impressive to me is their fantastic air filtration system. They use HEPA filters which, on its own, is impressive but not unique. There are many vacuums that use filters of this caliber and are not necessarily as expensive the Dyson. Dyson does, however, takes the prize for their radial root cyclonic technology. This removes minute dust particles and allergens before they even enter the dust cup. The result is superior air quality and a reduced build up of dirt in the filters. The air filtration ability of the Dyson Ball Animal 2 is of such a high standard that it’s been approved by the Asthma and Allergy Association of America.

The suction head adjusts automatically to the floor surface. This means that transitioning from carpet to hard floors is effortless and the cleaner head will maintain maximum suction throughout the home. Another feature that makes for effortless cleaning is the quick release wand and hose. The extra length of the hose will also make your life much easier.

The Dyson Ball Animal 2 is certainly the best vacuum for families with young kids and pets. Not only does the incredible suction power make light work of the toughest debris, but the tangle-free turbine tool cleans up pet hair like few other attachments can.

Emptying the large capacity dust cup is a breeze. The dust cup remains completely sealed when unclipping it from the vacuum, it has a cover at the bottom that opens when you press down on a finger operated release clip. So this means that you won’t have dust escaping until you empty it by holding it over the trash can and press the release button. It’s perfectly hygienic and superbly convenient.

To look at the Dyson Ball Animal 2, you’d say it has a space age design. When you go into all the technical genius that’s gone into this design, you’ll quickly realize that this powerful vacuum is way ahead of its time. The Dyson reputation and a fantastic 5-year warranty two more reasons why you’ll want to consider this vacuum as your number one choice, despite its rather hefty price tag. This is the latest Dyson upright vacuum currently.

3. Shark APEX DuoClean Powered Lift-Away Upright Vacuum (AX951)

The Shark APEX DuoClean is a bit cheaper than the IONFlex. Then it is a corded vacuum cleaner, so one would expect it to be less expensive. While you don’t have the freedom of movement that comes with a battery-powered vacuum cleaner, there are quite a few advantages to getting the Shark APEX DouClean.

Like most Shark vacuum cleaners, this model is perfect for carpets and hard floors. It has a hard bristle brush roll for carpets and a soft one for hard floors. If you want the best vacuum cleaner for allergen-free air, the Shark APEX DouClean is going to be your number one choice for 2018. We all know that HEPA filtration is the best standard for allergen-free air. Well, the filters on the Shark APEX DuoClean not only meets HEPA standards, they exceed it by 10-times the normal requirements.

Another innovative design feature on this vacuum cleaner is the Active Glide technology that makes it one the easiest vacuum cleaners to move on any floor surface, without compromising on suction. It also has swivel steering and LED lights, to make your cleaning experience that much more pleasant. The canister detaches to give you a lightweight, portable machine for cleaning high areas and stairs. You’re getting the best of an upright and canister vacuum. One more reason why this is a big favorite this year, is that it’s one quietest vacuum cleaners that you’ll get.

So the Shark APEX DuoClean is easily the best vacuum cleaner for people with allergies, it’s excellent at removing pet hair and it’s one of the quietest. Some of the most advanced technology has gone into making this vacuum and it has a truly amazing 7-year warranty.

4. Bissell 20431 Powerglide Lift Off Pet Plus Upright Bagless Vacuum

Not only is this one of the best vacuum cleaners on the market, but the Bissel Powerglide Lift Off comes at a very reasonable price. If you consider all the amazing features on this machine, it truly is an extraordinary deal.

The two in one lift off canister makes it one of the most versatile upright vacuums. You can easily remove the canister and use it as a portable hand held vacuum cleaner, ideal for cleaning the stairs and other hard to reach areas. Even when using it as an upright vacuum, it has the advantage of swivel steer technology that makes it really easy to maneuver around furniture and other obstacles. It even has an LED light on the crevice cleaning attachment to help you see more clearly when cleaning in dark corners.

It has a triple action roller brush that can be switched on or off, making light work of any floor surface. With a 30 Ft power cord and extended wand for extra reach, there isn’t a corner of your home that you won’t reach with the Bissell Power Glide Lift Off. It has really fantastic attachments and pet owners will appreciate the array of pet hair removal attachments and design features. It also keeps the air in your home fresh and smelling great with the Febreez pet odor eliminator. It’s very effective at removing allergens from the air, trapping them inside the vacuum, a system they call SmartSeal.

With a 5-year limited warranty, you can buy the Bissell Powerglide Lift Off with complete confidence. The combination of powerful cleaning, an impressive array of attachments and really reasonable price, make this a good pet friendly vacuum.

5. Dirt Devil Razor Pet Steerable Bagless Upright Vacuum

Not everyone has a fortune to spend on a vacuum cleaner. If you’re willing to forgo some of the bells and whistles that you’ll find on the top end machines, the Dirt Devil Razor might be the ideal vacuum for you.

It provides a great level of suction power from a convenient, lightweight machine. The spin4pro roller brush is designed to clean any floor surface effectively and will match up very well to some of the best vacuum cleaners, even those that cost a lot more. It has a detachable canister and 10 Ft wand for convenient cleaning in any area of the home. You get all the basic attachments – a crevice cleaning tool that has a brush attachment for dusting and cleaning upholstery. It also has a Turboclaw pet cleaning tool – a bonus for pet lovers.

The three stage filtration system will remove dust from the air very effectively and should control most allergens. While the Dirt Devil Razor may not be as impressive as the other vacuum cleaners in this review, it offers outstanding value for money. For an affordable machine that can hold its own amongst the best vacuum cleaners, it deserves a big thumbs up.

6. Shark Rotator NV752 TruePet Vacuum

When there are lists of the top selling appliances of the year you can be sure to find Shark in there somewhere because of there range of features and functions and general public perception. The Shark Rotator NV752 TruePet Powered Lift-Away looks set to be as popular in 2018 as it was last year, and is promoted as a machine that can do it all and is pretty well received by buyers. This is a 3-in-1 vacuum with the ability to offer an upright, canister and a lift-away pod depending on the job.

It is quite heavy at 15.6 lbs but with its 30ft cord, HEPA filtration, TruePet motorized brush for pet hair and lots of tools with their own accessory bag, this multi-surface vacuum ticks most boxes for consumer needs. Buyers are generally in agreement that this model is going to be the best shark vacuum for cleaning up pet hair this year. It is simple to use with a few small flaws but plenty of conveniences.

7. Miele Dynamic U1 Cat and Dog Upright Vacuum

There are many brands that are trying to do something completely different with their designs and processes to win the crown, such as the heavily promoted Cinetic system from Dyson; however, some like the Miele Dynamic U1 Cat and Dog Upright Vacuum seem more keen to improve upon the basic and retain popular features of older models.

There is almost a retro vibe with the look of this machine and while the swivel neck, auto height adjustment, AirClean filter and LED headlight are nothing new, they are becoming more popular. This model is called the ‘cat and dog’ because it promises to capture and retain 99.9% of dirt, dust and allergens and has a turbo brush for pet hair – both of which seem to do their job pretty well. If it had a retractable cord and a lighter weight too it would certainly be one to watch in the rankings

8. Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Vacuum Model 1650A

This model does not include the pet hair tolerant detailing tool set that comes with the more expensive package. If you don’t mind the lack of tools, this is one of the best pet hair specific vacuum cleaners for the money.

Its strengths include a nearly tangle proof brush roll and vacuum design that lets you empty it without having to touch much less scrub the dirt cup. It has mid-market features like LED crevice tools and upholstery tool. It seals in pet dander well, though the Febreeze odor eliminator system (air filters) add to the cost of its continuing use.

At twenty pounds, it handles like an upright vacuum but with more versatility. The weight and bulk does make it hard for someone with limited upper body strength to use. Its suction is middling.

Bissell upright vacuum cleaners have a repair rate of 9%, a slightly better than average vacuum cleaner. The biggest problem this unit has is the challenge you face unclogging it if long pet hair strands and dirt cake together. This pet hair vacuum is ideal for homes with two or three short hair pets or one long haired pets but not for chasing furballs.

This unit does not clean well along the sides of the vacuum head, so you’ll need to break out the wand to clean along the baseboards.

9. Hoover REACT Professional Pet Plus Bagless Upright Vacuum

Hoover Vaccum cleaners have a long standing reputation for building some of the best vacuum cleaners ever. So it’s worth paying a little extra for the Hoover REACT Professional Pet Plus. It’s a new vacuum cleaner model that’s designed to give you easy operation for cleaning your home with the power of a professional machine.

The multi cyclonic bagless design gives you cleaning power that remains constant and you don’t have the fuss of cleaning out a dusty bag. It has unrivaled power thanks to its clever wind tunnel design and offers you a wide suction 13″ head with powerful LED lights to help you see better whilst providing the power to deep clean any surface. Floor sensing technology makes your life a lot easier. The Hoover REACT Professional Pet Plus will detect the floor surface for you and adjust the suction and roller brush action to optimize its cleaning efficiency for any surface.

Convenience is the name of the game and, to this end, you get a large capacity 1.5L dustbin, 30 Ft cord length and a 10.5 Ft hose. The cleaning tools include a deluxe crevice tool, pet upholstery tool, turbo pet tool and a dusting brush. It’s also one of the best vacuum cleaners for people who suffer from allergies, the sealed allergen system traps 99% of dust and allergens from the air. You can also use the Hoover app to customize your cleaning action and maintain the vacuum to optimize its performance.

The Hoover REACT Professional Pet Plus is an ideal vacuum for people who want an appliance that is user-friendly and offers top professional cleaning power. You also have the reassurance that you’re buying a Hoover product. This in itself, gives you the knowledge that you’re buying a quality item.

Top Stick Vacuums Reviewed

10. Dyson V10 Motorhead for Carpets

The Dyson V10 range is the most advanced cordless stick vacuum from the brand. It comes in three variants with the Dyson V10 Motorhead being the cheapest and most basic in the V10 lineup. While it has the latest electric motor technology, the Dyson digital motor, it doesn’t have all the features and accessories that the more expensive V10 models have.

It’s an elegant cordless stick vacuum with a compact motor, cyclone and duct cup design. The Dyson V10 Motorhead has a slightly smaller dust cup compared to the other V10 models holding 0.54-liters (0.14-gallons). The V10 Motorhead has a good length of 48.9-inches, is 10.2-inches wide, with a depth of 9.8-inches. It weighs 5.05-pounds.

The direct drive roller brush is designed for perfect cleaning of both low and high pile carpets with a rotating bristle brush that reaches deep into the carpet fibers. The roller brush performs well on hard floors too. Like all the Dyson V10 stick vacuums, it converts into a handheld vacuum quickly and easily.

The Dyson washable filters are reusable and provide a high level of filtration. These HEPA rated filters and remove 99.97% of airborne particles down to 0.3-microns. It is recommended as one of the best filtration systems for people with allergies. The battery technology is great with a charge time of 3.5 hours and up to 1-hour working time. Though, when using the full power of the vacuum, it will probably provide around 20-minutes of runtime. It has a trigger switch that cuts the power when released, increasing battery time. It also comes with a convenient docking station.

As the entry-level Dyson V10 model, it does not have the full array of attachments. The V10 Motorhead is supplied with a combination and crevice tool. The Dyson V10 range has a redesigned “point and shoot” dust cup with an easy to release latch.

11. Shark Rocket Complete with DuoClean HV382

Shark vacuums in general tolerate use and abuse better than most, and this unit does a better job handling the volume of fur produced by multi-pet households. The True Pet motorized brush and wand let you get almost all the fur up out of every crevice, too. It can pick up fine pet dander and heavy debris and everything in between. You actually get several attachments with this vacuum cleaner as well as a bag to keep them in.

The vacuum weighs around ten pounds, making it easy to use short term and long term. For many, the lack of a battery in it and the long cord make it a good alternative to pet specific stick vacuums that die after five minutes on the high power setting necessary to pick up pet fur. For those who hate dealing with clogs, the fact that you can reach the brush roll without having to flip over the vacuum cleaner is a major plus. The filters are washable. The only annoyance is that it doesn’t stay upright well by itself, though this isn’t much of an issue if you store it in a closet.

This is an ideal stick vacuum for a home or apartment with a shedding pet.

12. Dyson V8 Absolute

Before you shy away at the price tag, know that it is an industrial grade stick vacuum. The battery lasts a whopping 40 minutes at its standard strong suction and up to 25 minutes when the motorized floor tool that mimics the effect of an upright vacuum cleaner. In contrast, many cheaper stick vacuums drop dead after five minutes of high suction and last ten to fifteen minutes at average suction levels.

You do have to hold down the trigger to have the high power setting engaged. This is done to conserve energy. You can disconnect the head from the main body and use it as a handheld vacuum for spot cleaning or stairs. The Dyson V8 comes with a dusting tool and HEPA filtration.

The powerful brush bar means this vacuum does as good a job as upright vacuums. (The hard floor head is sold separately.)

The unit is quieter than average. It lets you empty the dirt bin without touching debris unless anything in it is wet, at which point, it isn’t hard to clean up.

13. Shark IONFlex 2x DuoClean Cordless Vacuum IF251

There are quite a number of reasons why many feel that the Shark ION Flex is just about the best cordless vacuum in 2018. For one thing, it overcomes the most common hassles related to using a cordless vacuum cleaner – flat batteries. All battery-powered devices have a limited working time and that’s why it’s always best to have two batteries. Naturally, this means spending more. When you buy the Shark IONFlex, you get two lithium-ion batteries with your purchase. This means you’ll always have one battery on charge while you’re using the other one. Having a second battery on standby at all times means that you never have to stop working when your battery runs out of power.

The second factor that places this vacuum at the top of the wish list for so many people is its fantastic versatility. The Shark IONFlex is a magnificent vacuum cleaner for all floor types. With an excellent brush roll for deep cleaning your carpets and a soft brush roll for hard floors, leaving your hardwood and tiled floors with a gently polished shine.

All this is pretty cool and it converts into a cordless handheld vacuum in seconds. The real wow factor to this vacuum is actually its flex system. The Shark IONFlex has a flexible mid-section on the upright pipe. This means that you can bend it to fit in wherever you want it to. You can get in easily under furniture without bending or stretching. What’s more, you can bend the pipe over completely so it will take up half the storage space.

At a total weight of 8.7 LBS, the Shark IONFlex is a nimble and easy machine to use – it’s even lighter when used as a handheld vacuum. Because it’s a Shark, you can be sure that it’s going to give you suction power that rates among the best and it comes with excellent air filters and accessories. Apart from the usual tools, like a dusting crevice tool, you also get a pet multi-tool and an anti-allergen dust brush.

As a top appliance brand, Shark service is one of the best. Their very impressive 5-year warranty on the IONFlex means that your new Shark vacuum cleaner will be cleaning your home for many years to come.

14. Fuller Brush Spiffy Maid Bagless Broom Vacuum Cleaner

This is a good stick vac for someone on a budget.

This unit has a long thirty food power cord. It has not just a standard vacuum head for cleaning carpets but a crevice tool. It performs best when cleaning hard floors and a few rugs, not long stretches of thick carpet.

It has an average HEPA filter; replacement costs less than ten dollars each. Spiffy Maid offers a wide range of replacement parts for their vacuum cleaners, unlike rivals like Dyson that essentially say send it in for service or buy a new one. Conversely, if the vacuum does break, you won’t get customer service to get it repaired.

This vacuum cleaner is not recommended for this with asthma. Some dust and debris flies up when you empty it, and it leaves traces of dirt behind as it picks up heavier debris. The small dust cup means you have to empty it often. If you like Spiffy Maid and have asthma or allergies, you need one of their models with a sealed vacuum bag instead.

Note that it doesn’t handle pet hair well, so this is not a good choice for pet owners.

If you want a cheap lightweight vacuum with a long potential operating life and don’t have respiratory problems, the Spiffy Maid is a good pick.

Top Canister Vacuums Reviewed

15. Ovente Cyclonic Canister Vacuum

For a vacuum that costs under a hundred bucks, the Ovente Cyclonic Canister vacuum is quite remarkable. In many respects, it can stand proudly amongst the other, much more expensive vacuums in this review. For a combination of affordability and high-end features, the mighty little Ovenete is the dark horse in this race to be the best canister vacuum this year.

It’s a very compact canister vacuum but there’s no compromise when it comes to dust cup volume. The transparent (bagless) dust cup holds a lot of dirt and you can see, at a glance, when it’s full. Don’t let its compact size or low price fool you, the Ovente
Cyclonic canister vacuum has a brute of a motor – 1400 watts, to be precise. This means that it has the suction power that comes very close to the sophisticated high-priced vacuums in this review. It’s like getting a 2018 vacuum at a 1970 price.

Like the premier machines, this little guy also has HEPA filters. So it’s a good choice for people with allergies. Where this one falls short of the expensive machines is that it doesn’t have roller head brushes or pet cleaning attachments. It has enough suction power to effectively clean carpets and hard floors. Though it won’t be as effective at deep cleaning high pile, plush carpets. It comes with all the standard attachments, found on most canister vacuums – a crevice/brush tool, upholstery and dusting tool, as well as a telescopic wand.

While the Ovente Cyclonic canister vacuum can’t fully compete with the big boys, the fact that a vacuum, this cheap, can even compare to the very expensive brands is an accomplishment all of its own. If you don’t have the cash to spend on the best-rated vacuums, this little power machine will make an excellent alternative, without too much compromise.

16. Dyson Cinetic Big Ball Animal Canister Vacuum

For some, the big ball itself creates hassles because of how much storage space the vacuum cleaner takes up.

The Dyson Big Ball Cinetic model has very good suction. The Dyson Canister vacuum has average to below average performance on carpets but better than average performance on hard wood floors. The vacuum cleaner head can go under most furniture.

The Dyson Cinetic Big ball gets its name for the large ball that supports most of its weight (the canister) and gives it unprecedented maneuverability. The model is even self-righting, though this is rarely an issue. You do get a very flexible wand. The attachments are easy to take on and off.

The unit doesn’t have bags and pretty much never needs the filters replaced. One of the benefits of the Dyson is picking up even the finest debris. And it seals in that debris and empties cleanly so you have very little exposure to what you’re trying to remove from your home.

If you have respiratory problems, this is a good vacuum cleaner for you.

17. Electrolux Corded UltraFlex Canister Vacuum Model EL4335A

Electrolux filters are more expensive than average, but Electrolux offers more replacement parts online for repairs than its rivals so you can keep the unit going for years. The attachments can be swapped out easily.

This vacuum’s greatest strength is the three level height adjustment and ability to do as well on carpets as hard floors. You can turn off the brush rolls so it doesn’t scratch up your wood floors. It does better than average on thick carpets. It also travels well on thick carpeting.

The self cleaning brush roll can nearly undo tangles itself but not always. You can alter the suction power so you can clean delicate carpets like silk or drapery in tasks like cleaning thick throw rugs and upholstery. Its biggest weakness is that it does not handle long dog hair at all without clogging and potentially burning up.

If you want a vacuum that adjusts to any type of cleaning job, as long as you don’t have pet hair to contend with, this modelwould be an excellent choice

18. Soniclean Galaxy 1150 Canister Vacuum

With all the odd shapes and bits of technology that have gone into some of the new models, the Soniclean Galaxy 1150 Canister looks fairly ordinary with its black body, hose and head and very little else to build a first impression off of.

Underneath this facade, the Galaxy 1150 does have some interesting features to help it compete with the top models, such as the 360 degree hose rotation, HEPA filtration and the array of attachments to boost the ability and make it a little less ordinary. Responses to the machine are varied; some point out the user-friendly nature with all these parts, the lack of noise and the long retractable cord while others say that it has a flimsy feel. Either way, most agree that the suction is good and it is a decent multi-surface vacuum with some great potential.

19. Miele Complete C2 Hard Floor Canister Vacuum

In the world of canister vacuums, one name has always stood out. Miele vacuums are, in my opinion, the best canister vacuums ever. They last forever – the Miele Complete C2 hard floor canister vacuum has a life expectancy of 20-years. I’d guess that it would, quite likely, go for a lot longer. One thing’s for sure, Miele vacuum cleaners outlast most others and this is well worth paying extra for.

It has a combination cleaning head for light to medium pile carpets and hard floors. Switching between hard floors and carpets is done the old-fashioned way – it has a lever on the suction head that you press with your foot. This is a basic way of doing things but it’s all part of the Miele philosophy of durable quality. This technology may not have the convenience of one touch electronic controls, but it will always work perfectly for years and years.

The Miele Complete C2 is specifically designed for perfect hard floor cleaning and so it includes the parquet floor brush. It moves easily under base boards and all low areas. It swivels easily around furniture and makes cleaning your wooden floors and absolute pleasure.

The ultra-powerful 1200W motor has 6 power settings. So you can go from gently cleaning loose rugs and hard floors to removing stubborn dirt with the perfect amount of suction for every situation. The motor is obviously designed to keep sucking perfectly for decades but Miele’s commitment to durability doesn’t end there. The hose is crush-proof and the stainless steel wand is going to remain perfect for a lifetime.

As with any Miele vacuum, when you buy the Miele Complete C2, you’re making a long-term investment. If you’re buying the Miele Complete C2 in 2018…., 2040 could easily come and go and your Mile vacuum will still be with you. Long after your kids have grown up, gone to college and started their own families, your faithful Miele will continue to serve you without any hassles.

Top Robot Vacuum

20. iRobot Roomba 980 Vacuum Cleaning Robot

The Roomba 980 model is the latest generation of the groundbreaking robot vacuum cleaner line. It is much more intelligent than its predecessors. While its fall prevention routines may still trip it up on strips of dark tile on a white floor, it can negotiate around these patterns and remember where it has been. This model is smart enough to recognize when it is running out of power, return to the charging station, and then resume where it left off. It is far less likely to get caught under furniture or among a forest of table legs.

This Roomba version does a much better job of picking up pet hair without getting the brush tangled up. It has similar battery life to its peers, as well as equally limited dirt cup capacity.

This vacuum does a better job of handling transitions from carpet to tile, though throw rugs may confuse or tangle it.

This vacuum needs wi-fi for you to be able to control it with an app, and you have to configure the app for the phone based controls to work. Fortunately, iRobot has tech support available if this is a problem. The app lets you set a schedule for cleaning such as telling it to run when you find out you’ll have company in an hour, and you can tell it to spot clean in front of the living room or through the hallways. Only the Roomba 980 has this app, though the 880 model shares the multi-room navigation and three stage cleaning system. This is a good buy, if you want a robot vacuum smart enough to do a better job than your kids.

Popular Vacuums from Last Year

21. Dyson Ball Animal Vacuum

Dyson is an innovative brand, created by an inventor who was tired of using vacuums that constantly lose their suction. The Dyson Ball Animal vacuum was specifically designed to handle pet hair removal from carpet and upholstery. It has twice the suction of most vacuums and uses something called Radial Root Cyclone technology. The brush bar has been reconfigured to remove more dust and dirt from the home. The bristles are shorter and stiffer which allows them to penetrate more deeply into carpet and still provide superior performance on those hardwood floors. The cleaner head seals in suction so that the debris is not re-released. There is a self-adjusting active base plate that creates the closest contact possible with each floor type.

The improved airflow reduces the air pressure and the turbulence so all particles are extracted by inner cyclones of the Dyson. This vacuum rides on a ball which allows it to get into the tightest of spaces and since the center of gravity is low, it is light enough to make it simple for anyone to push and control.

22. Hoover WindTunnel 3 Pro Pet Bagless Upright Vacuum UH70931PC

Hoover’s WindTunnel 3 Pro Pet is designed in such a way that there are three suction channels that will lift and remove debris from the surface of the floor was well as dirt that is embedded deeply in the carpet. Most other vacuums only have a single channel of suction. The HEPA media filter can be removed and rinsed under running water. It has an odor absorbing carbon layer and traps up to 99% of pollen and dust as small as 0.3 microns.

This vacuum comes with a dedicated pet tool pack with a pet upholstery tool, a pet turbo tool for furniture a telescopic wand and a crevice tool. The brushroll can be used on any surface, all you need to do is adjust it by pressing a pedal. You can get 12 feet of cleaning reach with the twenty-seven foot cord and the ten foot hose.

22. Shark Rotator Upright Vacuum NV501

The Shark Rotator does not lose suction and features 3 vacuums in a single powerful unit. There is a pod that can be lifted away instantly transforming the Rotator into a canister vacuum for portable cleaning power. The dust cup has an extra-large capacity and traps up to 99 % of all dust and allergens from your home.

The steering makes it easy for you to move the machine around furniture and any other obstacles that you may have in your home. The brushroll can be turned on or off, depending on the surface you are using the Shark on.

Popular Canister Vacuums 2016 – 2017

23. BISSELL Zing Bagged Canister Vacuum Purple 4122

If you are looking for a vacuum that is light and also easy to move around with then this is the one. It is perfect for stairs, car interiors, upholstery and curtains. This vacuum makes cleaning effortless with its carry handle and lightweight design. It has a telescoping wand that allows you to move around and under furniture as well as to clean those areas that are hard to reach. The cord rewinds automatically once you are done. Canister vacuums are low to the ground with a long hose and wand and can be perfect for homes with a lot of stairs.

24. Eureka Mighty Mite Pet Lover 3684F

If you have pets, this is one of the more popular vacuums for cleaning up pet hair. It is lightweight and contains a HEPA filter that removes nearly 100% of pet dander and dust, making your home cleaner. The bag is an Arm & Hammer odor-eliminating model which is effective for removing allergens.

The cord is over 20 feet long and the machine also has a telescoping wand and a handy crevice tool, so no dirt can escape your reach.

Popular Handheld Vacuum 2016- 2017

25. Eureka RapidClean Step Handheld Corded Vacuum 41A

This vacuum is easy to use with soft roll wheels that will not cause damage to hardwood floors or any other surfaces. It has a 28 foot reach including a 25 foot cord and a three foot hose. The crevice tool ensures that you will not miss any elusive dirty that may be hidden in the crack of a couch or in between flooring returns.

The brushroll can be turned on or off when you make the switch between bare floors and carpet. There is a bare floor brush that can be used to clean stairs without carpet and other hard surfaces in your home.

24. Hoover Air Cordless Bagless Handheld Vacuum BH52160PC

Pets are great, but when they get into your car they can leave unwanted hair all over your seats. Not to worry, Hoover has come out with a new hand held pet hair vacuum that comes with special pet hair cleaning tools that remove all of that pet hair from your vehicle. The battery runs two times longer than most battery operated vacuums and features fade free power.

There is a brushroll that can be ejected for easy cleaning. It pivots 25 degrees to allow for easy movements. There is a triple blade design on the special pet upholstery tool that removes pet hair adhering to upholstery.

25. BLACK and DECKER CHV1410L Hand Vac

This vacuum provides fifty percent more reach than its previous design which allows the user to bend less and access more places. This cordless machine is portable and very light weight making it extremely convenient for fast clean ups.

The slim nozzle targets the tightest of spaces and the all tools are on-board making them easy to find. The cyclonic action spins debris and dust away from the filter so there is no loss of suction. The bagless dirt cup lets you see just how much dirt and debris you are collecting.

Popular Cordless Vacuums 2016 – 2017

26. Hoover LiNX Cordless Stick Vacuum BH50010

Every day cleaning just got that much easier with one of the best cordless vacuums. This cordless stick vac which delivers amazing performance in an upright format. It features a battery that is guaranteed not to fade and has Hoover’s patented WindTunnel technology. You can clean up without worry about the search for an outlet.

The brushroll has enough power to remove dirt that is deep down in your carpet or on your hardwood floors. The power controls are located at your fingertips which makes it convenient and intuitive to use this vacuum. Never wonder how much power remains with a handy battery fuel gauge you can check. Bristles on the brushroll give you close access to all corners and walls and a wider cleaning path with less cleaning time needed. The dirt cup releases quickly and won’t get your hands dirty.

27. Hoover Air Cordless Series 3.0 Bagless Upright Vacuum BH50140

The Hoover Air has power that you never expected from a cordless and is completely convenient for cleaning your entire home. There are two batteries that are good for up to 50 minutes of power without fear of fading, great for hardwood floors and for carpet. WindTunnel 3 technology utilizes triple suction power, removing dirt that is deeply embedded into your carpet. This vacuum weighs less than ten pounds and can be easily steered around furniture easily. There are LED headlights which help you to see which areas need to be cleaned and you won’t lose any suction.

The dirt cup has a high capacity for debris, holding as much as 1.05 liters before it needs dumping. The easy rinse filter can be re-used which helps you to maintain enough power to clean with a removable cleaning want that is just right for furniture and stairs. There is a two in one dusting tool that can also be used to clean crevices, furniture and vents. A very popular cordless vacuum for 2016 from Hoover.

28. Shark Navigator Cordless SV1106

This cordless stick vacuum is convenient for cleaning up those messes wherever they are made. It is handy as far as cordless vacuums for 2016 because it has swivel steering that helps one to move around furniture and other obstacles. There are two speed settings which are useful for carpet and for bare floor.

There is an extra-large dust cup which is easy to empty. You can charge this vacuum up in about four hours so you know that it will be ready for the next job that you need to do. This vacuum has strong suction and extended running times and the motorized brush will lift embedded pet hair out of carpet.

Popular Stick Vacuums 2016 – 2017

29. Hoover Corded Cyclonic Stick Vacuum SH20030

If you are looking for high quality stick vacuums then the Hoover provides a stick vac with a little more. The Hoover has a vacuum that has a powered brushroll and features that famous cyclonic technology that hoover is famous for. It moves from hard floor to low pile carpeting like nobody’s business and keeps on going. The swivel steering allows you to move easily around furniture.

There is a handle that reclines so you can get right down under the furniture without any problems at all. There is a twenty foot power cord that has automatic release so you don’t have to wind up any cords. The bottom of the dirt cup allows you to see when it is full and needs to be emptied, simplifying dirt disposal.

32. Dyson V6 Absolute Cordless Vacuum

Unsurprisingly, the Dyson V6 Absolute Cordless Vacuum is a highly rated model, giving Dyson a boost in their attempts to reign in 2016. Despite being quite a new product, there are already plenty of glowing reviews about the performance, with many talking about the effortless cleaning, the high power and the versatility with the different heads and pet tools that are provided.

This is partly due to the fact that it has yet another increase in brush-bar power for an even deeper, tougher clean. The vacuum is not completely perfect, however, as it is thin but top heavy, it has a 20 minute run-time – which is fair but not amazing – and consumers have to part with a bit of cash for the privilege of owning one.

30. Shark Rocket Ultralight Vacuum HV302

Many people hear the claims that a vacuum never loses suction, but the Shark Rocket stick vacuum cleans every bit as impressively as a full-sized upright vac without the weight of it. Whether you want to clean carpet or bare floor, this machine can do it all. The swivel steering provides the best control so that you can get under or around obstacles and all types of furniture. This vacuum also has a wand which allows you to reach up high or into tight spaces. The vacuum is extremely portable and so simple to store anywhere.

The vacuum has been re-engineered to focus on the essentials like higher performance. The handle is ergonomic, has a rubber grip and helps you to get the job done without your hand slipping. The brush roll helps you to deep clean carpets by removing dirt that has become embedded. When the dirt cup fills, just press the button for quick release of the cup and empty it. There are some filters inside the machine that can be removed and washed then replaced. Released last year from Shark, this stick vacuum is very similar in style to the Dyson DC59 Motorhead

Guide on Choosing the Best Vacuum Cleaner for your Needs

What are the important features of a good vacuum cleaner, and what features can you skip? What matters most when you’re looking for a good vacuum cleaner?

Quality Brushes

A good vacuum cleaner needs brushes that pull pet fur and everything else out of the carpet and feed it into the suction path. More importantly, it needs to do this without getting tangled on pet fur, lose its ability to deep clean carpets due to debris sticking to the brushes and not get clogged with goop it comes across like sticky food stains.
If you have hardwood floors, you’ll want the ability to turn off the brushes when shifting between flooring types. You don’t want to assume automatic height adjustment will take care of this, and then realize you’ve scratched up the wood floors.

Note that if you have loop carpeting, you have to be able to turn off the beater bar or else the brushes will rip up the carpet.

Good Suction

High suction is more important when for a carpet cleaning vacuum than one that deals with hard floor surfaces. The thicker the carpet, the stronger the suction needs to be to get debris at the root of the carpet.

Height adjustments have little impact if you have low to medium thickness carpet. Height adjustment and suction controls do matter if you’re shifting from low carpets to berber rugs or thick pile throw rugs, when you need to be able to adjust the height and suction of the vacuum simply in order for it not to get stuck on the thickest carpets. If you have very thick carpets like shag or frieze, a good choice is to move to a canister vacuum with powerful suction. Then you only have to move the vacuum head and wand and can manage to clean the whole floor.

Value

The cheapest vacuum cleaners tend to break on impact or fall apart quickly. The most expensive ones may have good performance or might rival the suction and tool selection of vacuum cleaners a third the price. A good vacuum cleaner does a good job without costing a fortune.

Features That Don’t Matter As Much

If you have a vacuum with strong consistent suction, suction controls that let you increase the power on demand are irrelevant.

Pet specific branding doesn’t matter much when it comes to carpet cleaning quality. This is because many pet specific vacuums actually do a poor job on thick carpets, and a few clog on pet fur even if it is pulled up from low rise carpet. If you do have pets and carpets, look for vacuums that do a good job picking up everything – including pet hair – from carpets and don’t clog on wads of pet fur in the hoses or around the brushes.

Noise levels are high no matter what vacuum cleaner you choose unless you pick up a battery powered one, and battery powered stick vacuums simply can’t clean carpets for more than ten minutes unless you have it on low power on the low carpets often seen in doctor’s offices.

Many vacuum cleaners charge you more when the vacuum cleaner comes with a suite of tools. You may get a crevasse tool, upholstery brush, extension wand and more. What matters more is if the vacuum cleaner can clean along the edges as well as it does the area directly in front of the vacuum cleaner. Ideally, the vacuum cleaner has brushes or its main suction head designed to clean along the baseboards as you vacuum the edges of a room instead of having to break out special tools to clean those areas.

Bagged and bagless vacuums both have their advantages. Bagless vacuum cleaners have an edge over bagged vacuums in that they maintain good suction up until the dust cup is full. However, large capacity canister vacuums and high capacity bagless vacuums provide both good suction throughout the cleaning session and last a long time before needing to be emptied. (And if you have multiple shedding pets, you need a canister vacuum or high capacity bagless vacuum, because a medium sized bagged vacuum will fill up with pet fur quickly.) At the lower end of the price range, though, bagless vacuums are more convenient as long as they have good suction overall. Cheap bagless uprights, such as those that cost less than $150, typically cannot handle thick carpets like shag or frieze.

Robotic vacuums are all the rage, but none on the market handle thick carpet well. Most can handle hardwood floors and low rise carpet fine but still need to be emptied regularly and can get stuck on carpet transitions. Skip the robot vacuum except for light generic cleaning and buy a full sized canister or upright vacuum that can deep clean your carpets.