Who makes the best vacuum cleaner? Is it Dyson with their slick, stick cordless models? Or Shark’s powerful, innovative designs? And what about someone else, like SEBO, Bosch, Miele, and Samsung? There's only one way to find out.
Whether you want to find the best vacuum for pet hair or a robot vacuum to clean up after you, the best way to work out which one is for you is with personal experience. In the absence of you buying twenty different vacuums, I’ve tested over thirty of the best vacuums on the market and narrowed them down to just six models that you need to know about.
It’ll come as no surprise for you to see the Shark in top spot, but it was fierce competition between the endlessly clever PowerDetect and the stylish Dyson V11 and V15. I’ll give you all my notes on suction power; performance on carpets, hard floor, and linoleum; as well as what you need to think about when cleaning and storing each model. Plus, there’s one unexpected member of my top six too.
The quick list
If you want a whistle-stop tour around the best six vacuums on the market, here's the place to get it. I'll give you a summary of why each one earned its place in our prestigious buying guide and if you like what you see, you can keep scrolling to get more details on what the vacuum is like to use.
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 don't have to cost a fortune and this is the perfect example of why. The Eufy can mop, vacuum, and map out your home, meaning it bested the likes of all other popular robot vacuum brands.
The best vacuum cleaners, tested for a tidy home
When it comes to vacuums, I've seen it all. I've put Shark's best vacuums head-to-head against Dyson's. I've tested the best vacuums for pet hair, the best wet vacuums, and I've even asked carpet cleaners which models they use. Two years and over 30 vacuums later, I've curated this list for you. These are the very best vacuums on the market.
Best vacuum overall
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.
You can 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 offers incredible value, giving you the power and sleek design of Dyson’s more modern models at a reduced price, simply because it’s an older version.
head-to-head testing with the V15, its suction power was virtually identical across most surfaces. The V15’s soft brush head gave it a slight edge on polished floors, like those in a bathroom, but that’s splitting hairs. In my experience, the 60 minute run-time was a little ambitious, but I got a good 45 minutes of cleaning done before the Dyson V11 needed charging. The only vacuum that can last for longer is the Shark PowerDetect (it ran for 70 minutes) and that's why it's in the top spot.
The moment that I knew this one had to go down in our buying guide as the best cordless vacuum was when I reached for it at the end of the testing day. I had 12 vacuums scattered around me and the V11 was the one that I knew would clean up the mess left by other, cheaper, less capable vacuums.
While some might not love Dyson’s trigger-hold design, the V11’s nimble and lightweight body is hard to argue against. You won't need to use it for a long time, because it outperforms almost every other brand in dust and debris collection. What else would you expect from a Dyson?
You can find out 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. Plus, it’s surprisingly affordable—especially if you catch it in the sales, where there’s always a great deal to be found.
You can find out 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? Well, Dyson should know. With each new cordless vacuum, they set the standard—first the V8, then the V11, then the V15, and now the V15s Detect Submarine. You may not need all the bells and whistles (in which case, the V11 is a savvy pick), but for me, the V15 is worth every penny.
Its standout features? A laser that exposes dust in shocking detail; real-time feedback on what type dust and dirt you’re vacuuming; and a suite of accessories tailored to different floor types. Now we get to the extra exciting accessory: the new Submarine attachment. This tackles fresh spills and dried-on messes with ease. Just keep an eye on the dirty water tank if you’re cleaning large hard-floored spaces—it fills up fast.
Some prefer the Shark PowerDetect's auto-adjusting floorhead to swapping Dyson’s attachments, but I’d argue Dyson’s specialised tools deliver more precise results—plus, it’s lighter and sleeker. If you’re vacuuming for a long time (and a good time), this is the one.
You can find out 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. 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.
You can find out more in my full review of the Ultenic U12 Vesla Vacuum.
Best robot vacuum
I resisted robot vacuums for a long time, but the Eufy X8 Pro won me over. Compared to pricier models like the Roomba S9+ and Shark, it’s surprisingly affordable—and just as impressive. If you're unfamiliar with the brand, you might know them better as an offshoot of the parent company, Anker, a Chinese home tech brand. They're reliable both for their build quality and prices. Rest assured, I've checked.
For the price, 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 Eufy.
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 Eufy 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.
My only concern was that the Eufy struggled a bit with floor transitions and ledges in my home, and its mopping can’t rival Dyson’s Submarine. But as a hands-off vacuum, you won’t find better.
You can find out more in my full Eufy X8 Pro 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.
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.
You can't go wrong with an upright model for a family home, and this is still one of my favourite vacuums of that type. It's also a standout bargain at less than £150, so if you're looking for a budget buy, this is brilliant. For that, you get a lightweight machine with tools for lifting pet hair from your sofa and a generous 1.5 litre capacity bin. Sure, the controls are a little basic, but this is a reliable workhorse for pet friendly homes.
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—including its dimensions and weight, which would in turn affect how easy the vacuum was to maneuver and store.
- Additional tools and attachments—our expert assessed how easy they were to clip on and detach, whether there was storage for them on the vacuum, and their general usefulness when using the product.
- Ease of use—we also looked at how simple the vacuum was to put together, how intuitive the controls were, and what it was like to use over an extended period of time.
- Cleaning power and performance—arguably the most important factor, our tester spent hours assessing the cleaning power for each model, using both fine dust and larger debris on hard and soft floors, testing in its standard mode unless otherwise noted.
- Value for money—like the best air purifiers, vacuums can be pricey, so we judged whether the more expensive models were worth the money, or whether a more affordable option provided as good an experience.
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?
Like chefs with the best induction pans, 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.
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.
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