The lightweight design and small frame doesn’t mean it’s lacking in power, either. This vacuum did very well in picking up all sorts of debris including rice. Narrowing down the 10 best vacuum cleaners from the myriad models available took plenty of careful consideration on our part. On top of each vacuum’s features, we considered brand reputation and user reviews. Because we’ve published plenty of stories on vacuum cleaners, our staff is well-versed on the subject. A culmination of years of research and first-hand experience among our writers and editors has given us a keen sense of which vacuums are worth your hard-earned cash.
Our editors took all of the consistently applied testing data that was gathered at The Lab and at home, and boiled it down to the Shark vacuums we believe are the very best. This handheld vac is powered by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery and a high-speed brushless motor. It runs for 10 minutes before needing a recharge, which definitely isn’t long and was one of the biggest downsides for our product tester. Clearly, it’s meant for quick clean-ups, like picking up spilled cereal or removing crumbs from car seats. The dust bin is also small but easily empties with the push of a button.
And on board storage keeps all of the tools—a dusting brush, crevice tool and extension wand—in one place and close by when you need them. It has good ratings from several other publications that test and review vacuums, but we didn’t find it to be outstanding on either bare floors or carpets. It doesn’t convert to a handheld vacuum, and the handling is stiff—though not top-heavy, as with most other cordless irobot vacuum cleaner sticks. Another useful feature on the V15 is Auto mode, which automatically adjusts the suction level depending on the situation to maximize the cleaning ability while preserving battery life when possible. For the V15, the suction automatically changes depending on the floor type, using a brush-resistance sensor, as well as on how dirty an area is, based on what the built-in particle counter finds .
Although the Shark IZ420UKT superficially looks like its predecessor, the Shark IZ320UKT, this new model retains the best features of the old cleaner and adds some new ones into the mix. It also doesn’t stand up on its own, which can be a pain if you need to move something out of its path. Still, it’s certainly versatile, and it glided well as a mop, leaving our floors sparkling and only lightly damp. If you can justify the price, you won’t regret the purchase.
While this ROIDMI vac doesn’t have the size or attachments of some of the handheld picks in our guide this is still a fantastic choice for those smaller areas. Also a top pick for cars and upholstery thanks to its powerful suction. The Anti-Odour technology will feature in all five vacuum cleaners in the new Stratos range with launched this month. They all also feature Sharks Anti Hair Wrap Plus, ideal for pet owners and Anti-Allergen Complete Seal, which promises to trap 99.9 per cent of dust and allergens inside the vacuum.
Here are the best stick vacuum deals available ahead of the sales event. If you can find it for $300 or less, we still love the Dyson V7 Motorhead, which was our favorite cordless vacuum for several years and likely still would be if Dyson hadn’t removed it from the “core lineup” in 2021. (A representative tells us that the V7 will still be available from some retailers at times, but not consistently.) The new entry-level model that should be consistently available is the Dyson V8 Animal. Its standard price is $400, which is a little steep compared with many other solid options.
Unique to LG is its Kompressor, a lever that compacts the dust, dirt and hair in the cup for less frequent emptying and less mess. When placed in the stand, both batteries — the one in the vacuum and the extra one — charge at the same time. If you’re not a fan of wall-mounting irobot vacuum cleaner a vacuum, no worries here. Simply pop off the handheld top and clip it to the base of the wand near the nozzle for compact stand-on-its-own storage. We applaud the telescoping wand, large, easy-to-clean dust bin, washable filter, fingertip controls and digital feedback.
Not only does the upright model have a high-capacity tank to house tons of dirt, but it can also squeeze into hard-to-reach areas and capture dust and irritants, thanks to its anti-allergen seal. Depending on your specific needs, there may be one model that outshines another. If corded, you want to make sure the cord is easy to wrap around and store when not in use.