Best vacuum cleaner 2025 – 9 must-have models that have been tried and tested in real homes

Finding the best vacuum cleaner for your home and needs can hugely impact your cleaning habits. However, as Ideal Home's vacuums expert, I've learned that different vacuums suit different people, and new releases offering new technology and improved features can make the buying process extremely challenging. That’s why I’ve spent the last few years testing countless vacuums, including bestsellers from Dyson, Shark, Gtech and more.

Today, a team of reviewers and I have put over 40 of those vacuum cleaners through our vacuum cleaner testing process - with even more to come. During this testing 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 one of the best vacuum cleaners 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 has done it again with the Gen5detect Absolute, creating a vacuum that's as good at cleaning up as it looks. With two floorheads (one for carpet, one for hard floor) you feel like you have more options for deep cleaning with this vacuum. The catch? The price is astronomical, which makes it hard to recommend for everyone.

With this Dyson, you're shelling out for innovation, with the hard floor head boasting lasers that illuminate dirt and dust that you'd never usually see – a cleaning enthusiast's dream. 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? No, but it adds to the experience that you're paying almost £800 for. This is truly a star buy, but we wish that we could have more of the Dyson sparkle on a smaller budget.

Although the Gen5detect Absolute really is the crème de la crème of vacuum cleaners, if you can't picture yourself shelling out nearly £800, we've found just as impressive cleaning results with more affordable Dyson vacuums; namely, the Dyson V8 Absolute, which was released in 2016. In fact, in my review, I was so impressed with this entry-level vacuum that I've since swapped out my newer vacuum for it for everyday cleaning. If you simply want cleaning power and aren't bothered by high-tech frills, we can confidently say that the Dyson V8 Absolute is still a force to be reckoned with 8 years on.

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 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 ever as a fantastic cleaning investment. During our tests, it showed unbelievable suction power, leaving carpets visibly cleaner, with no issues of leftover pet or human hair. Boasting easy-to-clean mechanisms, you can wave goodbye to the days of laborious days of appliance maintenance. The ease with which this vacuum does away with hair is astounding, making it particularly great for households with pets (and without, of course) and 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, making for a fantastic and thorough clean without having to so much as think about it.

Features we loved during testing

The capacity of this vacuum to transform into a smaller handheld model is phenomenal, 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 are 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 make are what earns it a top spot to be esteemed as the best vacuum cleaner in our guide for most people, as we wholeheartedly understand that the Dyson Gen5detect's price tag is far above average. 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 Ideal Home's Certified Expert in Training for Vacuums, I'm regularly testing new vacuums. And after testing the Miele Duoflex HX1 Cat & Dog cordless vacuum for a few weeks I'm confident that it has beat the competition to become the best vacuum for pet owners. And not just because it’s specifically designed for those with furry friends.

While it’s slightly different from the canister vacuums that Miele is known for, 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 combat all of the problems those with pets face when cleaning their homes, the Miele Duoflex HX1 Cat & Dog cordless vacuum is well-equipped to deal with 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 no matter where you are in the house.

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. But if you’re looking for an all-rounder that will clean every inch of your home, deal with light pet shedding, and offer a much larger dust bin capacity then the Halo could be a great alternative to the Miele Duoflex HX1 Cat & Dog cordless vacuum.

However, 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 from our experience, even easier to operate than the likes of Dyson's 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

Oftentimes, emptying bagless vacuum cleaners is more of a hassle than its worth, but 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.

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 Shark Detect Pro instantly caught our eye and exceeded our expectations when we got our hands on it last year. Its biggest features of note being its extremely lightweight build, coming in at only 2.76kg make it a dream for those cleaning sessions, allowing us to wave goodbye to the struggles of lugging around a heavy vacuum cleaner; and of course, its four all-new detection technologies for even smarter and more efficient cleaning.

Oftentimes, it can be difficult to find vacuums that excel at hard floor cleaning, but the Detect Pro ticked all of our boxes and more because of its smart cleaning technology, adjusting power levels and suction accordingly to ensure no mess gets left behind even on the smoothest surfaces.

Features we loved during testing

During testing, we found that the Detect Pro dealt with high-traffic areas effortlessly, automatically turning up the suction when it detected higher levels of dirt and debris on the floor. Not to mention, the clever FloorDetect technology allowed the transition between cleaning different rooms inside the home almost seamless as it adjusted the power levels accordingly, rather than you having to manually switch modes yourself as you would with other vacuums on the market.

We will say, its 0.4 litre dustbin capacity is a tad disappointing (especially when compared to the 0.8 litre capacity of the Shark Stratos) and we found ourselves having to empty it quite often, but we suppose this comes with the lightweight build. Even so, we think the Shark Detect Pro is still a fabulous investment and its power, portability, and convenience makes it a top recommendation from us.

Read our Shark Detect Pro cordless vacuum cleaner review for more details.

Best affordable vacuum cleaner

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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 cleaning versatility for an affordable price, the Henry Xtra's sub-£200 price point ticks all of our boxes and more. If you have both hard floor and carpet at home, you can rely on this Henry to get the job done, whether that be everyday refreshing or deep cleaning.

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 are its range of floor tools and accessories. You already get so much value for money with any Henry vacuum because of its robust build and helpful attachments, but the addition of the AiroBrush carpet tool that comes as standard with the Xtra is what brings this specific Henry model to a higher calibre than its brothers and sisters. 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 dust capacity

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The Halo Capsule X is one of the most recent vacuums we've tested to make it in this guide, and I was particularly eager to try it out for myself; namely for its bagged system, which is somewhat rare nowadays where so many of the top models have forgone the use of bags. However, its this bagged feature that makes it one of the best vacuums out there for bigger or particularly dust-prone homes.

It's slim, incredibly lightweight at only 2.6kg, and has a very generous 2-litre bag capacity – something you'll be pleased about if you often find yourself dealing with a lot of dust and debris, have a primarily carpeted home or have an overall busier household with multiple kids and pets. You'll be able to get quite a good amount of use out of your vacuum before it's time to replace the bag, and it's a fantastic choice if you're allergy-prone as the bagged system keeps everything sealed away without a dust cloud in sight.

Features we loved during testing

The Halo Capsule X's suction power and dedicated pet hair tools are what made an immediate impression. I tested the upholstery tool on my velvet sofa bed, which my dog has since claimed as his everyday lounging spot, and it did a 'stellar job' at removing every last strand of hair, leaving the fabric spotless. I also only replaced the bag once during my rigorous two-week testing process, where I used it every single day. And even then, it was only half-full and could have easily lasted another two weeks before needing to be emptied.

In performance mode, the vacuum did a fantastic job at picking up deep-rooted and stubborn hair on my carpets. I also found the bagged system beneficial as it securely traps pet dander and dust, making disposal mess-free. it can be difficult to know when the bag is full and you will have to buy extra bags, but for the convenience and suction power you gain, it's worth the small learning curve and adjustment if you're in need of a new cleaning accomplice.

Read our Halo Capsule X 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 robot vacuum

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This Roomba immediately impressed us during testing, being a clear step up from any of the other best robot vacuums we've tested. Yes, it is extremely pricey, but if you've got the budget to go all out on a robot vacuum and want something with extensive mapping, dual vacuum and mop functionality (which automatically switches between the two upon floor detection), and a self-emptying feature, this will be a purchase you'll be very pleased with to take the stress out of everyday cleaning. If you've got the budget to splurge, we really don't think it gets better than this.

Features we loved during testing

For a robot vacuum, the Roomba Combo j7+ Robot Vacuum and Mop exceeded our expectations with its powerful suction power and ability to react to obstructions in real-time inside the home for a smooth and efficient clean. We also loved how you can completely personalise the robot vacuum to operate to your liking, scheduling it to work around you and your routine. Of course, the automatic self-emptying was our standout feature, making it the 'lowest maintenance robot' our reviewer, Molly, has 'ever tried.'

Plus, its accompanying app is super straightforward and non-glitchy, making for a pleasant user experience.

Read our Roomba Combo j7+ robot vacuum and mop 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.

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.

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 I know 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).

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.