It’s my job to test vacuums, and these are the 9 best vacuum cleaners that have impressed me the most

Finding the best vacuum cleaner for your home and needs can hugely impact your cleaning habits. However, as Ideal Home's vacuum expert, I've learned that different vacuums suit different people.

That's why my team and I have put over 50 of those vacuum cleaners - including the best cordless vacuum cleaners - through our vacuum cleaner testing process, with even more to come. During this process, we use these vacuums for at least two weeks at a time, assessing everything from suction power to ease of use, performance, and even the overall design and affordability of the model. The 9 top-rated vacuum cleaners are then included in this guide.

Currently, the Dyson Gen5detect Absolute takes the top spot as the best vacuum cleaner we’ve tested, thanks to its innovative engineering and build quality, hefty run time, and overall suction power. However, my other eight choices all offer equally impressive features that may be better suited to those looking for the best affordable or the best for carpets.

Quick list

Best vacuum cleaner

Best vacuum cleaner overall

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Dyson's Gen5detect Absolute has sat at the top of our guide for almost two years now, and is undoubtedly the best Dyson vacuum cleaner you can buy right now - and for good reason. With two floorheads (one for carpet, one for hard floor), you can protect your flooring while also deep cleaning it at the same time. The catch? The price is a little high, which makes it hard to recommend for everyone.

With this Dyson, you're investing in innovation, as the hard floor head features lasers that illuminate dirt and dust you'd never usually see – a dream for cleaning enthusiasts. The anti-tangle feature on the Digital Motorbar (the head for carpet cleaning) works as well as offerings from Shark and revealed a huge amount of sunken-in dirt during our at-home tests. The three modes are perfect for toggling between everyday and deep cleaning, too.

Features we loved during testing

It really is the fine details that make a vacuum better to use, which is why you can't overlook the magic of a Dyson bin mechanism. Point the dust bin, pull the trigger, and everything will come out the first time without a fuss – something that pretty much no other vacuum brand has achieved.

The LCD control panel is very good to use, too, with indicators showing exactly how many microscopic dust particles you've eradicated from your home. Is it necessary to have scientific proof of how clean your house is? Not for everyone, but it adds to the experience that you're paying almost £800 for.

Although the Gen5detect Absolute really is the crème de la crème of vacuum cleaners, if you can't picture yourself shelling out nearly £800, the Dyson V8 Absolute is a much cheaper alternative. In my review, I was so impressed with this entry-level vacuum that I now use it when my Gen5detect has run out of charge. It's not as powerful, but it is more affordable. But, if being ahead of the tech trends is something extremely important to you and your cleaning needs, that's where the Gen5detect Absolute takes the cake.

Read our Dyson Gen5detect Absolute vacuum cleaner review for more details.

Best budget vacuum cleaner

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The best Henry vacuum cleaners come in many different shapes and forms, but the Henry Xtra is a step above the classic Henry, offering even more bang for its buck for just £20 more than its original predecessor. Equipped with a larger capacity and three floorheads to cater to varying floor types, if you're looking for a budget vacuum cleaner, the Henry Xtra's sub-£200 price point ticks all of our boxes and more.

Henry's classic bagged design is also perfect for those who suffer from allergies, as it ensures that all the dust, debris, and hair that you vacuum up stays put and secure until it's time to replace the bag. Not to mention, it ensures that its suction power doesn't falter – and while the Henry Xtra does only offer one power level, you can rest assured that it is more than enough to clean up all sorts of messes.

Features we loved during testing

The beauty of the Henry Xtra is its range of floor tools and accessories. You already get a lot of value for money with any Henry vacuum due to its robust build and helpful attachments, but the addition of the AiroBrush carpet tool, which comes standard with the Xtra, is what elevates this specific Henry model to a higher calibre than its siblings. If you want one vacuum to do it all, this fits the bill.

However, it is worth noting that because of its corded and decently large body, if you often struggle for storage space, available plug sockets, or only have one floor type in your home, you might be better off opting for the classic Henry HVR160 vacuum cleaner instead, or considering other cordless models altogether.

Read our Henry Xtra vacuum cleaner review for more details.

Best vacuum cleaner for most people

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It's been some time since the release of the Shark Stratos IZ420UKT, but it's still holding up as great as one of the best vacuum cleaners we've ever reviewed. It's also a constant bestseller on the Shark website, making it one of the best Shark vacuums, too.

During our tests, it showed unbelievable suction power, leaving carpets visibly cleaner, with no issues of leftover pet or human hair. The ease with which this vacuum removes hair is astounding, making it particularly great for households with pets (and without, of course). Our Kitchen Appliances Editor, Molly, found that it was unmatched when it came to suction.

The Clean Sense IQ Technology works brilliantly to detect and then act upon the level of dirt or debris on your floors, resulting in a fantastic and thorough clean without requiring much effort.

Features we loved during testing

A major perk of this vacuum is that it'll transform into a smaller handheld in seconds, and you'll be reaching for the smaller attachments all the time to resolve smaller messes all over your home quickly. One standout feature that we are obsessed with is the anti-odour capsules that slot right into the dustbin to help banish those musty smells when you're emptying your vacuum, which you can imagine is a huge plus that we wish more vacuums offered.

These features combined are what earn it a podium spot as one of the best vacuum cleaners in our guide for most people, as we wholeheartedly understand that the Dyson Gen5detect's price tag is far above average. And while the Shark Stratos IZ420UKT is, of course, still an investment, you can regularly find it on sale for less than £250, making it an extremely viable alternative if you want to indulge in the benefits of advanced cleaning technology and suction power without breaking the bank.

Read our Shark Stratos IZ420UKT cordless vacuum review for more details.

Best vacuum cleaner for pet hair

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As the paw-rent of a particularly fluffy cocker spaniel, I'm regularly testing the best vacuum cleaners for pet hair. And after testing the Miele Duoflex HX1 Cat & Dog cordless vacuum for a few weeks, I'm confident that it has beaten the competition to become the best option for vacuuming pet hair in a home. And not just because it’s specifically designed for those with furry friends.

While it’s slightly different from the canister vacuums for which Miele is known, this model features a modern design, up to 55 minutes of run time, and impressive suction power for a cordless vacuum. And while it may be on the pricier side, you really do get what you pay for when it comes to this German manufacturer. It’s sturdy, stylish, and extremely innovative.

Features we loved during testing

Designed to address the challenges faced by pet owners when cleaning their homes, the Miele Duoflex HX1 Cat & Dog cordless vacuum is well-equipped to handle pet hair, dander, and everyday household dust. The intelligent electrobrush with automatic power adjustment makes it easy to spot (and clean) the problem areas of a house with very little effort, and it leaves the whole area feeling clean and fresh thanks to the 99.99% dust retention capacity and additional hygiene filter.

With handy accessories and tools, it’s also easy to carry the Miele Duoflex HX1 Cat & Dog cordless vacuum around the house - and I've used them on everything from a dog bed to a hair-covered sofa and carpeted stairs. This vacuum even comes with a handy accessory holder so you can carry the attachments around on the main unit.

It’s this focus on pet ownership and pet-specific problem-solving that has allowed this model to replace the Halo Capsule X, a non-pet-specific vacuum that previously took this spot in our buying guide. And while the Halo is a bagged vacuum that has a much larger dust capacity, if you want a pet vacuum that really gets the job done and don’t mind the smaller dust bin, the Miele can’t be beaten. Not yet, anyway.

Read our full Miele Duoflex HX1 Cat & Dog Cordless Vacuum review for more details.

Best vacuum cleaner for carpet

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A big issue with vacuums is that they only function and pick up dirt and debris on the forward stroke, leaving the back stroke useless more often than not. However, the Gtech AirRAM Platinum recognises this issue and utilises the brand's innovative AirLOC technology to ensure that no mess is overlooked, forming a strong suction to get right into the fibres of carpeted floors, in particular. In fact, the suction is so notable, that during testing we found that it even created vacuum lines in carpet with little to no effort, leaving floors visibly cleaner after just one pass.

The foot controls of the AirRAM Platinum are simple to use, and, based on our experience, even easier to operate than Dyson's old, infamous trigger controls. There's no need to keep holding down a button; simply press the power button with your foot and get to vacuuming.

Features we loved during testing

One of the things that we loved during testing was that the Gtech AirRAM Platinum wasn't a messy hassle to empty. Gtech's bin-emptying system is something we'd even put on par with that of Dyson's. Simply pop the lid of the bin open and use the lever located on the outside of the bin to push all the dust, dirt, and debris out. We love how easy it is, and general maintenance with the AirRAM Platinum is pretty fantastic all across the board.

Of course, you need to be happy to choose an upright vacuum instead of the many cordless options on the market (which means you may struggle if you have steep, narrow stairs), but it's a powerful, impressive machine. And when paired with the Gtech Multi Platinum, which we dubbed the best handheld vacuum money can buy as per our buying guide, these two stellar vacuum cleaners make for an outstanding cleaning duo for the home.

In fact, I recently tested the Gtech AirRAM 3 Dual Edge-Clean cordless vacuum (this vacuum's successor) and felt as though the Gtech Multi Platinum was still the far superior Gtech model. Especially with the longer run-time and the scented cartridges.

Read our Gtech AirRAM Platinum Anti Hair Wrap cordless vacuum review for more details.

Best vacuum cleaner for hardwood floors

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The beauty of Dyson vacuums is that they come with interchangeable heads suitable for different floor types. Due to this, the Dyson V12 Detect Slim Absolute is ideal for any home, but it excels particularly on hard flooring. So, it would thrive in flats or smaller homes with mostly hard flooring, or as a secondary vacuum for the downstairs area of your home.

With up to 60 minutes of run time, three power modes and 150 Air Watts of suction power, it easily cleaned every speck of dust and dirt during testing - and I particularly loved how lightweight it was. In fact, it was virtually weightless in my hands, which made it perfect for grab-and-go cleaning.

Features we loved during testing

The USP of the Dyson V12 is undoubtedly how lightweight it is. At just 2.2kg, it's significantly lighter than the other best vacuum cleaners in this guide. Despite this, it's still powerful enough for whole-home cleaning.

The famous Dyson laser and the 'Auto' function mean that no speck of invisible dust or dirt will stay on your floors, and the single-button control is a nice step up from older models that still offer a trigger button.

Of course, there are many other Dyson vacuum cleaners on the market, and the sacrifice with this particular model is the small size of the dust bin. Because of this, those with larger spaces may find that the V12 is just too small to tackle their entire home. In this case, I'd suggest weighing up the Dyson V12 vs Dyson V15 debate, as you'll most likely find that the V15 will suit you better.

But if you're willing to sacrifice this smaller dust bin for a handy, lightweight vacuum that thrives on hardwood flooring, the V12 is your guy.

Read our Dyson V12 Detect Slim Absolute review for more details.

Best dust capacity

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Although it's not the newest Shark vacuum we've tested (that honour goes to the Shark PowerPro), the Shark PowerDetect is still a relatively new addition to the Shark team. And it also offers a novel new feature that means you don't have to waste your time emptying your vacuum all the time.

The dock that comes with this Shark vacuum will obviously take up more space in your home, but it will also store up to 45 days' worth of dust and dirt and automatically charge it at the same time. So, it's worth it if you're looking for a high-capacity vacuum.

Features we loved during testing

Offering up to 70 minutes of run time, which is exactly the same as the Dyson Gen5detect at the top of this guide, I think this Shark vacuum is a premium product with a slightly more affordable price tag for the everyday cleaner.

It uses four impressive dirt detection technologies and anti-odour capsules to help your home look and feel clean, and it was also the first Shark vacuum to introduce Direction Detect. During testing, this allowed us to pick up debris both on the forward and reverse motion, meaning our reviewer spent even less time actually vacuuming.

It's worth noting that our reviewer did find it a little top-heavy when in handheld or flex mode and that hair sometimes gets stuck in the auto-empty dock (so be wary if you have long-haired animals), but aside from that, she gave it a glowing 5-star review.

Read our Shark PowerDetect Clean & Empty Cordless Vacuum Cleaner review for more details.

Best upright vacuum cleaner

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The Shark ICZ300UKT Anti Hair Wrap Cordless Upright Vacuum Cleaner is one of the best Shark vacuums on the market and our absolute favourite upright vacuum overall. It performed consistently across carpet, parquet, hardwood and tiles, and PowerFins lifted a huge amount of deep-rooted pet hair from around the dog's bed in our tester's home, leaving a brand-new carpet look.

It made the vacuuming process straightforward, requiring only one pass on all floor types, although we did find that it ran out of battery on the normal cleaning mode after 31 minutes.

Features we loved during testing

Powered LiftAway means you can transform this cordless vacuum by lifting it away from the stick to carry the canister upstairs and out to car interiors. This is great for getting up the stairs, although getting the vacuum assembled once more will take getting used to.

The LCD screen also allows you to switch between the carpet brush and hard floor brush with the touch of a button, thanks to Shark's DuoClean, which is a real time-saver for homes with a mix of floor types.

Read our Shark ICZ300UKT Anti Hair Wrap vacuum review for more details.

Best vacuum mop

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If you're wondering whether vacuum mops are worth it, take this as a sign they are. This 2-in-1 appliance has become increasingly popular, but the BISSELL CrossWave OmniForce Edge is a cut above the rest because it's the only model I've tested that also offers a vacuum-only function for rugs.

Featuring a delicious-smelling cleaning solution and both clean and dirty water tanks, you can vacuum up large debris and mop your floors at the same time without having to worry that you're making your floors dirtier. The machine also has a self-cleaning function, so there's minimal maintenance. The only downside is that you can't use it to clean larger areas of carpet, only small areas and rugs.

Features we loved during testing

This Bissell vacuum mop has become a staple in my home, and I now use it more than my vacuum cleaner, as the majority of my flooring is hard flooring. And with up to 30 minutes of run time, I found it to be more than enough to clean my entire downstairs - living room, dining room, kitchen and bathroom.

What I loved most, however, was just how powerful this vacuum mop combo was. It mopped my floors without making them sodden, and it picked up everything from pet hair to a whole egg and cereals.

The bonus is that this vacuum mop can completely replace one of the best mops if you're struggling to store it or your old one is past its prime. It won't replace one of the best vacuums if you have carpet, though.

Read our BISSELL CrossWave OmniForce Edge review for more details.

Vacuum comparison at a glance

How we test vacuum cleaners

At Ideal Home, we take how we test the products that come through our doors very seriously. We believe that the only way to give our honest verdict on the best vacuums and to rank them is to test them in a home environment or in our dedicated testing facility, where we can mimic cleaning conundrums that others face on a daily basis. You can find the detailed process in our how we test vacuum cleaners guide.

In short, however, a member of our team has reviewed every vacuum in this list, and we all follow the same testing process to ensure validity across the board, no matter which review you are reading.

Where we can, we've also sought to keep hold of these vacuums for long-term testing so that we can give feedback on just how they deliver after years of use so you can rest assured in the investments you're making.

For each vacuum we test, we ensure to see how it fares on three different floor types: hardwood, carpet, and linoleum. For each floor type, we scatter cereals (both crushed and whole), a mix of flour and sugar, as well as hair in individual tests. The vacuum's ability to pick up these examples of fine and heavy debris will determine how we score them on performance and suction power.

These tests are what allow us to see how well the vacuum lives up to the manufacturer's claims; namely, their ability to pick up large amounts of dust and debris and how effective their smart features are. These can include anything from hair-repelling functions, to LED headlights, lasers, and more.

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When we test vacuums, we try to consider everything to mimic the consumer's journey, starting from unboxing, assembly, use, and even cleaning and maintenance. As well as suction power and performance, we assess factors like runtime for cordless models, how easy they are to empty and maintain, and how effective any included accessories and attachments are.

Where possible, we always try to compare the review vacuum with other vacuums on the market too. This may be different models from the same brand (for example, there may be a newer model with different functionalities that would suit you better), or models from a different brand that has similar functionalities but at a different price point.

With all of the above at our disposal, we can then assign the vacuum cleaners a dedicated star rating. They are as follows:

5 stars - an exceptional vacuum cleaner that does exactly what you expect and cannot be faulted.

4.5 stars - we always look at products with a critical eye, so any vacuum that leaves us wishing for a bit more will take that crucial half-mark.

4 stars - an amazing vacuum cleaner that is worth your money but may need some fine-tuning before it suits everyone.

3 stars - a good vacuum cleaner that works well but doesn't blow us away. It may be under-specced, too expensive, or difficult to use.

2 stars - the vacuum lacks key features but is affordable, so it may suit someone if they're in a rut.

1 star - the vacuum does not work as intended, and we would advise you not to buy it.

Meet our testing team

Lauren Bradbury

Lauren is the Content Editor for House Manual, meaning she's an expert in all things cleaning and home maintenance. Before joining the team permanently, she was a freelance contributor for Ideal Home and tested everything from vacuum cleaners to electric mops.

Lauren is also Ideal Home's Certified Expert in Training for Vacuums, so she knows all of the ins and outs of vacuuming - from using a vacuum cleaner more efficiently to effectively vacuuming pet hair (something that comes in handy as the pawrent of a very fluffy pooch).

Molly Cleary

Molly is Ideal Home's Kitchen Appliances Editor but was formerly an Ecommerce Editor, covering vacuum cleaners and other cleaning products.

During her time in the role, she tested dozens of vacuums, including at Future's test facility several times, and tried new releases from Dyson, Shark, Miele, and more. She also visited Dyson and Shark's offices in that time to get a behind-the-scenes look at how they design and produce their vacuums.

Jullia Joson

So far, Jullia has spent over 60 hours testing vacuums - many of which have made their way into this buying guide - all completed while she worked towards becoming a fully qualified Ideal Home Certified Expert.

She's got hands-on experience with vacuums from leading brands such as Dyson, Shark, Henry, Gtech and Bosch. She's using her testing experience to fine-tune our testing criteria for vacuums, starting with new comparative testing for vacuums for pet hair.

Helen McCue

Helen is a freelance contributor who trained as a Home Economist. After starting her career in the food industry, she moved into home appliance reviews and has since reviewed countless vacuums for Ideal Home and other publications.

With a wonderful home in a beautiful Berkshire village, Helen is our go-to for testing vacuums in a real-life setting.

Millie Fender

Millie is Ideal Home's former Head of Reviews, where she worked hard to ensure the products we featured were thoroughly tested before we recommended them to our readers.

Before that, she was the Small Appliance and Cookware Editor, so she's no stranger to reviewing essential home appliances.

How to choose a vacuum cleaner

If you buy cheap, you buy twice, which is why I consider a new vacuum cleaner to be an investment. In fact, a high-quality vacuum cleaner will last you years if you choose the right one - and you can even extend your vacuum’s life expectancy if you care for it properly. That’s why I’d suggest checking out our larger guide on how to choose a vacuum cleaner so you don’t waste your money on the wrong one.

If you don’t have time to read a larger guide and want a condensed version, a considerable portion of choosing the right vacuum cleaner for you and your home revolves around the type of vacuum.

Upright vacuum cleaners are very ergonomic to push around, so they’re ideal for cleaning large floor areas in open-plan kitchens. Their powerful, rotating brush bars are great for picking up hair from pets and humans in thick living room carpets. But they are tall and bulky to store and not so good for cleaning stairs or if you want to hide a vacuum cleaner.

Stick vacuum cleaners, on the other hand, are convenient for quickly cleaning around the house because of their often compact and lightweight build. However, they tend to have smaller dustbin capacities and may deliver less suction power than their upright counterparts. On top of these factors, there are plenty of other nuances to consider, which we cover in more detail in our stick vacuum vs upright vacuum explainer.

Cylinder vacuum cleaners are usually smaller and lighter, so they pack away better. The power cable is typically stored neatly inside, and hopefully, there's onboard storage for tools. But, they might not have a motorised brush head and its capacity may be smaller, so they might not suit every home.

It’s essential that you weigh up your needs and decide which type of vacuum is right for you and your home, but you also need to consider if you want a corded or cordless vacuum and whether you want a bagless or bagged vacuum cleaner. They all come with their perks and downsides, so proper research is key.

If, after making these choices, you're wondering which set of accessories you need alongside your vacuum to ensure it works its best, then our guide to what vacuum tool is right for each job makes for essential reading - especially if you live in a home with children or pets (or particularly hairy humans!).

Then, you should feel confident enough to make your purchase and start using your new vacuum cleaner. Just make sure you don’t forget the places you're probably forgetting to vacuum.

FAQs

When is the best time to buy a vacuum cleaner?

To shop discounts year-round, head to our vacuum cleaner deals page, which has you covered on all sorts of brands and discounts available and is regularly updated.

If you're looking for a nailed-on answer, however, certain periods are undoubtedly better than others to shop. Vacuum sales always pick up around Black Friday and Christmas time, as people prepare for house guests and in the springtime, as people get their homes in order before a long summer period.

It's also worth comparing prices before parting with your money, as many retailers often run their own discounts throughout the year which could save you some extra pennies.

How much should I spend on a vacuum cleaner?

As a general rule of thumb, you should budget around £250 for a vacuum cleaner with decent cleaning power. But you can spend twice that or more on premium models if your budget allows for it. More money can buy you more powerful cleaning and better tools for dealing with challenges such as pet hair.

If you're worried about costs in general, then we've also got a dedicated write-up of how much it costs to run a vacuum cleaner, so that you can factor that into your budgeting too.

Is Shark or Dyson better?

There's plenty of debate around which vacuum cleaner brand is best, but on the whole, after testing countless vacuum cleaners, the Ideal Home would conclude it's a tough battle between Dyson and Shark at the top.

There are other contenders from Miele, VAX and Hoover, but the vacuums we had the most difficulty placing in this list are from those top two contenders.

If you want to learn more about which brand might best suit you, our write-up of Dyson vs Shark vacuums will come in handy, as well as our take on Miele vs Dyson vacuums to help inform your decision.

How can I make my vacuum cleaner work better?

While you might think you know how to vacuum, there are a few things you can do to improve the efficiency of your machine. The first tip for getting the most from your vacuum is to make sure that you're utilising all of the features that your chosen model has to offer. If you've got a different floor head for carpet as opposed to hard floor, make sure to use it – manuals are the first place to go if you want to get more familiar with how to best use your vacuum.

Similarly, properly getting to grips with any attachments that come with your vacuum is essential. And once you are using it, frequent maintenance is essential. Our explainer on vacuuming mistakes you might currently be making has more detail, as well as frequently asked questions on using your vacuum cleaner wrong. We've also thoroughly explained how to unclog a vacuum hose and common causes as to why your vacuum is losing suction, if you're currently facing those particular problems, too.

However, if even after all your many efforts of cleaning your vacuum cleaner and regularly checking it for maintenance, you're still encountering issues; these could be tell-tale signs that it's time to replace your vacuum cleaner.

Hopefully after reading through our extensive guide, you're better equipped with the knowledge of what the best vacuum cleaner is for your needs. But if you're looking for something a bit more powerful to clean your carpets, one of the best carpet cleaners may suit you better.