Who actually makes the best vacuum cleaner? Is it Dyson, with its sleek, cordless sticks that everyone seems to swoon over? Or Shark, whose powerful designs are as clever as they are practical? And don’t forget the other big names: Miele, SEBO, Bosch, and even Samsung are upping their game with high-tech models. With so many options, finding your perfect match can feel a bit like speed dating for vacuums.
When it comes to the best vacuum cleaner for your lifestyle, it’s all about matching your floors, your household, and your daily habits. Maybe you’re battling endless pet hair, or you want a robot vacuum to quietly do its thing while you’re out. I’ve personally tested more than thirty models across carpets, hardwood, laminate, and tiles, narrowing it down to just six standout designs. These picks slot beautifully into daily habits to keep your home clean, whether that’s a quick cordless refresh after breakfast or a deep clean at the weekend.
It’s probably no surprise that Shark snatched the top spot, but competition was fierce between Dyson’s elegant V11 and V15 and their brand new V16 Piston Animal Vacuum, plus Bosch’s clever PowerDetect. In my roundup, I’ll walk you through suction power, ease of use, and how each one performs on carpets, hard floors, and even tricky linoleum. I’ll also share the insider tips I’ve learned about cleaning and storing your vacuum so it actually lasts. And yes. There’s one unexpected contender in my top six that might just become your new favourite.
The quick list
Best overall
This is the smoothest, most powerful, most versatile vacuum that I tested. The wand is flexible, so it can reach under your furniture and the suction automatically adjusts to the obstacles and floor types in your home.
Best cordless
The V11 is one of Dyson's best value vacuums. The simple stick boasts dexterity, a feather-light body, and 60-minutes of run time. It's the one I use to after testing all of our other models, so it cleans up in every sense.
Best for pet hair
Upright vacuums are well known for being more powerful than a stick model, but it's rare to find them cordless too. This boasts impressive power and with the clever LiftAway canister, it transforms into a handheld model for your car, stairs, and upholstery.
Best wet vacuum
This takes all the elaborate features of the much-loved Dyson V15 and pairs them with a mop attachment, making it easy to leave your floors sparkling clean. It's pricy, but nothing cleans quite like it.
Most affordable
After two years of use in my home, this remains a steadfast workhorse. It's lightweight, with reasonable suction power, and a £130 price tag. It might not have the power or convenient extras that Sharks and Dysons do, but it's a brilliant basic.
Best robot
Robot vacuums aren't all made equally. This is my favourite by far: it can mop, vacuum, and map out your home with sensitivity, accuracy, and thoroughness, meaning it bested the likes of all other popular robot vacuum brands.
The best vacuum cleaners, tested for a tidy home
As a devoted Dyson owner, I didn’t expect to be won over so easily, but the numbers spoke for themselves. When I scattered 100g of flour and sugar on a hardwood floor, this vacuum picked up every last gram. It powered through a pack of hair extensions without tangling and had no trouble clearing two large handfuls of granola from the carpet. I honestly can’t imagine a vacuum outperforming those results.
Beyond sheer power, the Shark is packed with smart features. The folding wand makes it easy to reach under furniture without straining your back, the floorhead adjusts suction near skirting boards to catch more dirt, and it even stands upright on its own if you need to pause mid-clean.
For those reasons, and many more, I enjoyed using the Shark far more than any other vacuum I tested. It felt nimble and flexible, and I never had to think about emptying or charging; the docking station handled it all.
That makes it tough to find fault with the Shark. If I had one wish, it would be for a lower price, but I say that about almost everything: chocolate, wine, and diamonds. And if the Shark belongs in that category, well, that’s a good sign.
Read more in my full Shark PowerDetect Clean & Empty Cordless Vacuum review.
Best cordless vacuum
I’ve praised the Dyson V11 in plenty of reviews, and for good reason: it’s the best cordless vacuum I’ve tested. It delivers the power and sleek design you’d expect from Dyson’s newer models, and indeed plenty of cordless models, but at a far more accessible price simply because it’s an older iteration.
In head-to-head testing with Dyson's famously good V15, its suction power was virtually identical across most surfaces. The V15’s soft roller gave it a marginal advantage on polished bathroom floors, but in real-world cleaning, the difference was negligible. Dyson claims a 60-minute run time, which I found optimistic, but a solid 45 minutes of powerful, consistent cleaning is still impressive. Only the Shark PowerDetect lasted longer (70 minutes), which is why that model edges ahead in battery life alone, but not overall performance.
What truly cemented the V11’s place as the best cordless vacuum in our buying guide was instinct. At the end of a long testing day, with 12 vacuums scattered around me, it was the V11 I reached for without hesitation. I knew it would clear up the mess left behind by cheaper, less capable models, quickly and thoroughly.
While Dyson’s trigger-hold design isn’t for everyone, the V11’s lightweight, nimble build is hard to fault. You rarely need to vacuum for long anyway, because it consistently outperforms almost every other cordless I’ve tested when it comes to dust and debris pick-up. And really, what else would you expect from a Dyson?
Read more in my full Dyson V11 Advanced Vacuum review.
Best vacuum for pet hair
As much as we love our pets, I know I’m not alone in cursing the way dog hair seems to weave itself into every inch of the home. That’s why finding the best vacuum for pet hair was my top priority in testing. And after putting this one through its paces, I can confidently say, it delivers.
The Shark Upright Pet Vacuum has a reputation for corded-level power, and my tests proved it lives up to the hype. Faced with a whole-home clean, including a pack of hair extensions scattered across different floor types, 100g of flour and sugar, two handfuls of granola, and a week’s worth of daily mess, this vacuum cleaned up. Literally.
Despite its size, the main body is impressively nimble, easily reaching under sofas and kitchen islands. And when it came to tackling my narrow staircase, the canister ejected from the main body, transforming into the most powerful handheld vacuum I’ve ever used. Even with demanding tasks, the battery lasted a full 45 minutes, and by the end, my home was cleaner than I ever thought possible.
Yes, it’s a little bulkier than the Dyson V11 and Shark PowerDetect (it's actually the heaviest on this list), but that extra size translates to more power and more accessories, which makes cleaning up after pets much easier. Plus, it’s surprisingly affordable, especially if you catch it in the sales, where there’s always a great deal to be found.
Read more in my full Shark Lift Away Cordless Upright Pet Vacuum review.
Best wet vacuum
They say cleanliness is next to godliness, but what happens when you’re the gods of cleanliness? Dyson should know. With each new cordless vacuum, they’ve set the benchmark: first the V8, then the V11, then the V15. Now, with the Dyson V15s Detect Submarine, they’ve created the most effective wet vacuum I’ve tested.
You may not need every bell and whistle (in which case, the V11 remains a savvy pick), but if wet cleaning is part of your routine, the V15s is worth every penny.
Let’s be specific. The Submarine attachment is what makes this the best wet vacuum. It’s a dedicated wet roller head, meaning you’re not simply sucking up liquid with a standard floorhead. Instead, the motorised roller is continuously washed with clean water from a 300ml clean-water tank, while dirty water is scraped off and collected into a separate 360ml tank as you go. In practice, this means you’re always cleaning floors with fresh water, not redistributing grime. It will pick up spilled drinks, muddy paw prints, dried-on kitchen splashes, and everyday floor grime in one pass, leaving hard floors clean and evenly damp, not soaked.
As for run time, Dyson claims up to 120 minutes, but that’s split between different modes. In real-world use, I consistently got around 40–45 minutes of dry vacuuming, and 15–20 minutes of wet cleaning with the Submarine attachment — enough to tackle a kitchen, hallway and bathroom in one go. The only caveat? If you’re cleaning large hard-floored spaces, you’ll need to empty the dirty water tank mid-clean, as it fills up quickly — a sign it’s doing its job properly.
Emptying and cleaning the wet system is refreshingly fuss-free. The dirty water tank pops out with one click and empties cleanly without splashing, while the roller can be rinsed under the tap and left to air dry. Compared to traditional wet vacuums or mop systems, maintenance is minimal.
Some people prefer the Shark PowerDetect’s auto-adjusting floorhead to Dyson’s attachment swapping, but I’d argue Dyson’s specialised tools deliver more precise results. The V15s is also lighter, sleeker, and easier to manoeuvre than most wet-and-dry rivals. If you want a cordless vacuum that genuinely replaces both a vacuum and a mop, this is the one to buy.
Read more in my full Dyson V15s Detect Submarine review.
Most affordable vacuum
It doesn't take a detective to see which vacuum inspired the Ultenic U12 Vesla's design. Doesn't it remind you of the wet vacuum that's in the spot above it? Whilst the two share lasers that show up dirt; a clear control screen; and a light, cordless design, there are plenty of differences. The biggest one is the price.
At just £130 the Ultenic is a really affordable vacuum. In my tests, it vacuumed up flour, sugar, and cereal really well. Yes, the filter clogged much quicker than any Dyson or Shark vacuums, but it still managed to clean the floor. I did have to make a few more passes over specific spots, but, again, at 20% of the price, you'd expect to make some compromises.
In my first assessment of the Ultenic, I thought it was a vacuum that might not stand the test of time and end up on my list of common mistakes people make with vacuums. The brand is relatively unknown (it was only founded in 2021) and it's one of the ones that pops up on Amazon, so you're not sure if it's even genuine. And yet, two years and one dog later, the Ultenic is still serving me well. More recently, I've noticed that the floor looks clean, but that other vacuums can pick up a lot more of that invisible dirt, so I'd say this is a good basic vacuum. If you're not willing to shell out for a big name brand, I think you'd be happy with this.
Read more in my full review of the Ultenic U12 Vesla Vacuum.
Best robot vacuum
I resisted robot vacuums for a long time, but the Shark ThermaCharged PowerDetect Wet & Dry Robot Vacuum won me over. This one offers impressively easy function, incredible mapping skills, and stand-out versatility across floor types. It shouldn't come as a surprise though, this is Shark, after all.
Whilst this looks expensive, it delivers solid build quality, excellent cleaning on different floor types, a mop function, and a self-emptying system. It's easy to win any homeowner over with that kind of performance, but when you throw in the smart mapping, you'll wonder how you lived without the Shark.
Using the app, you can control exactly where it vacuums, whether that’s focusing on high-traffic areas daily or responding to voice commands via Alexa or Google Home. Then, once it’s done, the Shark empties itself into a bagged base station, so you only need to think about it once a month. That makes it perfect for busy families and professionals alike. In this case, your vacuum really does all of your dirty work.
You can find out more in my full Shark ThermaCharged Wet & Dry Robot Vacuum Cleaner review.
The ones that just missed the list
I tested over 30 vacuums to narrow down this list, and some missed the cut by a hair’s width, literally. The ones below are still solid picks if you’re looking to sweep up a few more options.
Brand new to the market, this Dyson is unlike lots of its predecessors. The anti hair wrap technology is the best I've tested so far and there's a special compacting device in the bin that's perfect for lazy cleaners (like me). The only reason it hasn't stolen top spot yet is because I'm giving it a long term test before it gets a full seal of approval.
When I was having my carpets fitted, this is the vacuum that the experts recommended. The German brand's vacuums haven't changed in 50 years, because they don't need to be. The bagged design is perfect for allergies and was by far the best vacuum on carpets. The reason it's not on my shortlist is that it's heavy, cumbersome, and not as flawless on harder surfaces.
The Vax Evolve is a delight when it comes to value for money. During testing, I found it a fantastic addition to the home, with a sizable dust tank, efficient cordless design and simple-to-use feel. It lacks the extras you get by paying a little more, such as tools for cleaning upholstery, but for an inexpensive pick, you cannot go wrong.
How we tested the best vacuums
To help you find the best vacuum cleaner, our selection includes larger and compact vacuums at a range of price points, from good-value cordless models to more expensive, high-tech machines. You’ll find the most popular brands as well as a few newer names too.
Each vacuum cleaner has been tested on a number of criteria. This included:
- Design and handling: We record each vacuum’s exact weight (kg) and dimensions, then assess how those figures translate in real use. During testing, we look at how easily the vacuum manoeuvres around furniture, under sofas and beds (typically 15–20cm clearance), and up onto stairs, as well as how comfortably it can be used one-handed. Storage is also considered, including whether the vacuum can stand on its own or requires wall mounting, and how much space it takes up when docked.
- Tools and attachments: Each vacuum is tested with every included tool. We assess how long attachments take to clip on and remove, whether this can be done one-handed, and whether tools are stored on the vacuum itself or separately. We also judge usefulness in practice, for example, whether crevice tools can reach skirting boards and corners, and whether specialist heads (such as soft rollers or pet tools) make a measurable difference to cleaning results.
- Ease of use: From unboxing to first clean, we time how long assembly takes and note whether instructions are required. Controls are judged on intuitiveness, including how easy it is to switch modes mid-clean and read any onboard display. Each vacuum is used for extended cleaning sessions of 30–60 minutes, during which we assess comfort, noise fatigue, balance, and whether handling becomes tiring over time.
- Cleaning power and performance: This is the most heavily weighted category. Each vacuum is tested on both hard floors and carpets, using measured amounts of fine dust (flour and talcum powder) and larger debris (rice, cereal and pet hair). We record how much debris is picked up in a single pass and how many passes are needed for a visibly clean floor. Tests are carried out in the standard mode unless stated otherwise, with additional spot tests in boost or eco modes where relevant.
- Value for money: Finally, we weigh performance against price. Like the best air purifiers, premium vacuums can be a significant investment, so we assess whether higher-priced models genuinely offer better cleaning results, durability and features, or whether more affordable options deliver a comparable experience for less.
If you want to find out more, you can visit our dedicated page for how we test vacuums.
FAQs
What vacuum cleaner do professionals use?
We all want to know what the professionals actually use in their own homes when it comes to appliances. When it comes to choosing a vacuum, professional cleaners and cleaning companies tend to prize reliability, durability and a solid performance over other factors (such as design, extra tools and storage), with many preferring:
- Numatic’s hard-wearing Henry Hoover machine
- Miele’s cabled and bagged models
- Dyson’s cordless vacuum cleaners
It's also interesting to know that Sebo makes a wide range of vacuum cleaners for the commercial market (including hotels, airports and hospitals) and uprights for professional use, often including similar features and technology on its domestic models, such as the Sebo Felix recommended by my carpet fitters.
However, while these models are expert-approved, it's worth noting that they aren't always right for domestic homes (as opposed to large corporate buildings, where cleaning teams tend to be employed mostly). Whether you want to know how to deep clean a carpet or how to clean an upholstered chair, the vacuums within this guide should be more than powerful enough to tackle any hoovering job you have.
Are expensive vacuums worth it?
Up to a certain point, the price of a vacuum cleaner corresponds to its build quality (with more durable parts) and how many added extras are included. For example, a £300 vacuum cleaner is likely to last longer than one that costs around £100, and should offer more versatility.
However, at the more expensive end of the market, price is more of an indicator of how much technology is packed in, meaning you’ll find features such as app compatibility, voice control, digital displays, and sensors. They may do a slightly better job of cleaning, or make some jobs more convenient. Whether the price makes it worth it depends on how much you value those high-end features in your regular cleaning routine.
Is a Shark as good as a Dyson?
Shark and Dyson both make excellent vacuums, so you can't go wrong with either. The answer of whether one is better than the other will depend on you and your cleaning needs. I find Dyson's vacuums to be generally lighter, more nimble, and much more elegant. Shark's are less pretty, but do a more thorough job, often for less of the price. If you don't like faff and you prioritise practicalities, Shark might have the edge.
How much suction power do I need on a vacuum?
A decent vacuum will offer 100-300 air watts of power. Stick vacuums tend to sit around 100-150 air watts; upright vacuums can reach up to 200 air watts; and canister vacuums will go up to 250 air watts. If you have mostly hard floors, you don't need to worry about the suction power. However, homes with carpets and pet hair will certainly want to go for vacuums with more suction power.
Is a bagged vacuum better than bagless?
As with most comparisons, the answer will depend on what you want. Generally, I've found that bagged vacuums tend to have more duction power, as the filter is generally integrated into the bag. This makes it much less likely to clog. You'll find that the filtration control comes hand-in-hand with allergen limitations, so bagged vacuums are much better if you have allergies.
On the other hand, bagless vacuums are a lot less faff and often a lot lighter and more modern. I much prefer maintaining a bagless model, especially since buying bags is an ongoing cost that also comes with environmental impacts too.
Should I get a corded or a cordless vacuum?
Generally, corded vacuums come with more power and suction, but they're heavier and harder to store. If you know you'll forget to charge your batteries; you want a bagged vacuum; and you're shopping on a budget, a corded vacuum is perfect. However, if you have a big house and you need a vacuum that's easy to handle, a cordless vacuum will be much better.
Not only are cordless vacuums lighter, technology has developed so that they often come with suction power that rivals corded vacuums anyway. The only downside is that these can be expensive.
How often should I vacuum?
Most experts recommend vacuuming once a week, but that depends on your home: high traffic areas, combined with kids and pets, might need more regular attention in the same way that rooms you never use might be able to last a little longer. We have all the expert advice covered in detail in our article on how often you should vacuum.
How do I clean a vacuum?
To clean a vacuum, start by unplugging it and emptying the dust bin, tapping it gently to release trapped debris. Wash any removable filters with lukewarm water (if the manufacturer allows), then leave them to air-dry completely for at least 24 hours before reinserting. Check the brush roll for tangled hair and fibres, cutting them away with scissors and wiping the housing clean. Use a damp cloth to wipe down the exterior, hose and attachments, and check for blockages in the nozzle or tube. Regular cleaning like this keeps suction strong, reduces odours and helps your vacuum last longer.
You could pick any of the six vacuums that I've put on this list and be happy with a sparkling, clean home. Make sure that you know what you want from your vacuum with regards to floor types, pet hair, and other dust and debris and you won't go wrong. And, if you can shop around some of the best vacuum deals, you could bag yourself a bargain too.
