Best vacuum cleaners 2023: top picks from Shark, Dyson, and more

The best vacuum cleaners offer more options than ever to suit the needs of everyone. That can mean finding what you want is more difficult now. This guide aims to fix that by offering only the very best vacuum cleaners, listed with their unique features front and center, so you can easily pick your perfect cleaning partner.

The main split in model types is between classic mains-powered or battery-powered vacuums. While the first means you don't need to worry about charging and get maximum suction power, it does mean the cable needs moving and plugging in throughout. 

Battery power can mean more freedom to move and, in the last few years, has offered comparable suction power to most wired models, leaving charging the only issue – but even that is less troubling now with one-hour runtimes and spare battery options.

Within those two, more categories include upright vacuums, stick models, cylinders, and, of course, robots. To get your ideal fit, think about how portable you need it to be, what types of areas you'll be covering, and how regularly you're going to be using the vacuum.

The best robot vacuum, for example, can mean lots of little cleans done automatically, so all you have to do is empty the waste bag occasionally. Of course, you do pay a premium for these and will likely need another vacuum for touch-ups here and there – but it can take the bulk of the work out of it for you – ideal if you have hairy, shedding pets.

You may also benefit from looking at the best cordless vacuum cleaners for big jobs or the best handheld vacuums for lighter tasks. Or read on below to find the best of the best to suit you.

The Quick List

The best vacuum cleaners we recommend in 2023

The best vacuum cleaner overall

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The Dyson Gen5detect Absolute is a remarkable cordless vacuum cleaner with advanced suction power, HEPA filtration, and dust detection. With these features, it wins our vote for the best vacuum cleaner overall.

Assembly: The vacuum cleaner is a great choice for those concerned about sustainability, as its packaging is 100% recyclable, with no plastic or polystyrene. Instead of a manual, the vacuum comes with a QR code that links to the My Dyson app, which provides all the information you need, including a user guide, care and maintenance tips, and troubleshooting advice. The app also includes useful videos to illustrate instructions and a digital assistant to help you find the necessary information. Assembling the vacuum is easy and intuitive, with the filters and the battery unit installed.

Design: The Gen5detect Absolute is a powerful vacuum cleaner with a new colorway featuring a deep Prussian Blue and Rich Copper finish, giving it a luxurious and high-end look and feel. One of the significant changes in this model is removing the trigger button, which has been replaced with a simple power button above the LCD screen. This makes it much easier to operate and eliminates finger fatigue and the vacuum is also quieter than previous models, making it more pleasant to use.

Performance: We tested the unit to see how it handled various types of debris and were impressed with how much dust and pet hair it picked up on its first pass in a large carpeted room. The Hair screw tool, crevice tool, and duster brush were all effective in cleaning different areas of our home, and the Fluffy Optic™ cleaner head did an excellent job of picking up even the smallest specks of dust on hard floors. The Dyson vacuum also succeeded in sucking up fine and larger particles on carpets and hard floors, leaving no dusty corners behind.

Maintenance: Clearing a blockage or cleaning the filter is made easy with the flag system, and the dust cup can also be easily emptied by pushing the lever at the side, and it can be pumped several times to eliminate any packed-in dirt. However, the battery life may vary depending on the power mode used. While Dyson claims up to 70 minutes of running time, vacuuming on Auto mode took more power, lasting just over 30 minutes before needing recharging. The battery takes around four and a half hours to fully recharge, so an extra battery may be necessary for large homes.

Value: The Dyson Gen5detect Absolute is a high-end vacuum with a price tag of $949.99. Despite the cost, the vacuum comes with top-notch features and functionality. Dyson is known for its excellent customer support, service, and quality, and the vacuum also comes with a 2-year warranty for added peace of mind.

The best vacuum cleaner for attachments

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The Levoit VortexIQ 40 Flex is a well-designed, cordless vacuum cleaner that is affordable and great at cleaning dirt, dust, and debris. It competes well against big-name brands like Dyson and is one of the best vacuums you can purchase currently, regardless of your needs.

Assembly: The vacuum offers an auto feature to adjust the power according to the level of dust in your home. It also has five customizable power settings, marked by two blue bars on the display, which can be adjusted using the + and - buttons. The unit has a standard vacuum head that can be used on hard floors or carpets, and the setup is easy, with clearly marked buttons and helpful instructions. The unit comes securely packed in a cardboard box with recyclable packaging and includes a quick start guide and a detailed user manual.

Design: The VortexIQ 40 Flex's matte black, silver, and gray plastic casing, chrome detailing, and colorful LED display give it a sleek appearance. The unit's grip is beveled rubber, which feels comfortable and provides a firm grasp. The buttons and locks are clearly marked, and the rubber edging on the crevice tool prevents scratches on the furnishings. The vacuum's LED headlights, flexible stick feature, and 90-degree folding shaft make it easy to use and operate at a reasonable noise level. The vacuum's maneuverability is impressive, and it is pet-friendly too.

Performance: The unit was tested in a family home with pets and tested in a living room and kitchen. It performed well in a general cleaning test, effortlessly picking up pet hair, dust, and debris from the hard floor and the carpet. The vacuum's ability to adjust its power automatically based on its cleaning surface was impressive, and it easily handled various crumbs, flour, and oats. The mini motorized brush and rubber-tipped crevice tools effectively cleaned carpeted stairs and dusty skirting boards, respectively, and the dusting brush was gentle enough to dust family photos and protect woodwork.

Maintenance: The vacuum lasts around 40 minutes on a single charge and takes around four hours to charge up completely. The only downside is that emptying the dust cup can be messy, but regular emptying can help avoid this issue.

Value: The Levoit VortexIQ 40 stick vacuum cleaner is priced at $199.99, cheaper than some of its leading competitors. It may not run as long as some of its rivals, but 40 minutes is usually enough to clean the entire house. The sturdiness of the accessories and the additional flexible stick feature makes it a good option for those looking for a reliable stick vacuum.

The best vacuum for carpets

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The Shark Vertex Bagless Corded Canister Vacuum with DuoClean Powerfins is a great option for busy homes with carpets that require regular deep cleaning. The 25ft power cord ensures an uninterrupted power supply, though it may be overkill for those with mostly hard floors.

Assembly: The vacuum comes in fully recyclable paper and cardboard packaging. It's easy to assemble and use with an instruction manual that's little more than a pictorial guide and comes with only two accessories - a pet crevice tool and an upholstery tool. The vacuum also has standout features such as a flexible wand that bends during vacuuming, two brushrolls for a deeper clean, and a self-cleaning design.

Design: The black vacuum with gold accents makes this feel like a premium product from Shark. It feels sturdy and well-made, with a high-quality floorhead designed to clean deep into carpets without damaging hard floors. The handle features a rubber grip and a control panel, allowing you to switch the vacuum on or off, adjust the power level, and switch between floor types, all from the handle. The lightweight canister has four wheels for easy maneuverability, and its handle doubles as the handle for the dust bin, which is easy to remove.

Performance: The vacuum's ability to remove ground-in dirt from deep within carpets and long pile area rugs was impressive. While it struggled with edge cleaning on carpets, the onboard crevice tool made it easy to collect anything left behind. The Vertex's impeccable pick-up on hard floors and the controls on the handle made it easy to transition between different floor types and adjust power. The upholstery tool effectively cleaned dust and crumbs from furniture, and the canister was lightweight for pulling along and compact enough to sit on a step while vacuuming stairs.

Maintenance: The Shark vacuum cleaner comes with a bagless dust bin that when emptied frequently, is easy to use and maintain. The washable filters are a great feature that saves money on replacements, and they only need to be washed every three to 12 months. With a five-year warranty, the vacuum is covered for non-wearable parts, and plenty of replacement parts are available to purchase directly from Shark. The vacuum is also easy to store, with numerous configuration options and a freestanding wand and floorhead that can be stored separately or clipped to the canister.

Value: The Shark Vertex Bagless Corded Canister Vacuum is the pricier of the two canister vacuums offered by Shark. However, it is packed with all the best design features of Shark and delivers excellent performance, making it the top-of-the-range option.

Read our full Shark Vertex Bagless Corded Canister Vacuum review

The best vacuum cleaner for large homes

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The Tineco Pure One S12 Pro EX is a pricey but versatile cordless vacuum loaded with smart technology and two batteries for non-stop cleaning. However, it might not be ideal for those with limited storage space or those who only need a vacuum for hard floors.

Assembly: The Tineco cordless vacuum has easily recyclable cardboard packaging with minimal plastic bags and foam pieces. The setup process is simple and requires no assembly except for attaching the accessories to the main body. The vacuum includes a wall-mounted charging dock that charges both the vacuum's and spare batteries. The setup is intuitive, and the vacuum has a large LED screen that alerts you to any issues. The instruction manual contains all the necessary information, but the Tineco app offers additional functionality and information.

Design: The S12 Pro EX has numerous attachments, making it a multi-tasking vacuum suitable for all floor types. The power level can be adjusted via a touch-sensitive slider on the top of the vacuum, and it's equipped with an auto mode that increases the power when it detects heavily soiled areas. The large, round LED display screen shows the battery level, the current suction power, and the iLoop graphic, informing you of particularly dirty areas. The app connectivity and filter usage feature are also helpful. It's not the loudest nor the quietest vacuum, with a noise level of 77dB on max suction.

Performance: The vacuum impressed us with its powerful suction and top-notch performance on various surfaces. The soft roller brush is ideal for collecting finer dust but less effective for larger debris like oats. The mini power brush is perfect for stairs, sofas, and even car carpets, and all of the extra tools are useful for cleaning tricky areas. However, when used as a handheld, it can feel heavy and cumbersome, especially in tight spaces. The vacuum is well-balanced and lightweight overall, with good maneuverability and transitions between different floor types, and the iLoop feature is useful in detecting high levels of dust and dirt.

Maintenance: The S12 Pro EX has two batteries, allowing you to alternate between them. One battery lasts up to nine minutes on max suction, but using the auto mode can increase battery life. The dustbin has a capacity of 0.13 gallons and needs to be emptied frequently, especially if there is a lot of tangled hair inside, and the filters can be washed periodically with replacements available on the Tineco website. The vacuum has a wall-mounted storage dock, but it can only hold three small tools, and the unit is bulky when not wall-mounted.

Value: The Tineco Pure One S12 Pro EX is a premium smart vacuum with the latest features and accessories. The price is slightly lower than the Dyson V15 Detect (below), but it offers great value for money with two batteries and a host of useful accessories.

The best vacuum for pet owners

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The Dyson V15 Detect is a powerful cordless vacuum cleaner with deep cleaning, dust-sensing technology, and anti-tangle brush heads. However, it's quite heavy to use as a handheld vacuum and comes with a high price tag. It's best suited for pet owners and those who prioritize thorough cleaning.

Design: Laser technology and the Piezo sensor allow for precise dirt detection and particle counting, while the LCD screen on the handle displays essential information, including remaining battery life and particle size. The V15 Detect comes with three modes, and its swivel floor-head steering makes it easy to maneuver around your home. However, its weight can be a drawback when used as a handheld vacuum, and its price tag may deter some buyers.

Performance: The V15 Detect impressed us when we tested it on carpets and hard floors with small and large debris, finding that it picked up everything without scattering crumbs further away. The Piezo sensor also detected an enormous amount of dust and dirt collected in the dust cup. Even tools like the hair screw tool worked well on stairs, and, all in all, the V15 Detect is an excellent vacuum cleaner that offers a deeper clean than anything else we've tried. It's maneuverable, easy to use, and delivers outstanding performance.

Maintenance: The vacuum can be emptied by pressing a button to release the dust cup. The vacuum has a 60-minute runtime after a full charge, but this can vary depending on the surfaces it's used on, with carpeted floors reducing the battery life to around 30-35 minutes. The vacuum automatically increases suction power when it detects more dust, impacting battery life. The device comes with a removable battery, and users can also purchase spare batteries to avoid waiting for one to charge.

Read our full Dyson V15 Detect review

The best auto-emptying vacuum cleaner

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The Shark Cordless Detect Pro has auto-sensing technology and an auto-empty system, both of which our reviewer loved during testing. She appreciated the vacuum's performance and features, including its DirtDetect, FloorDetect, LightDetect, and EdgeDetect technologies, as well as its suction modes.

Assembly: The Shark vacuum is designed to reduce waste, with assembly instructions conveniently printed on the box, but the vacuum is so easy to put together that the instructions are unnecessary. Connecting the shaft, handheld vacuum, and vacuum head takes just five minutes. The auto-empty station comes in two pieces that are easily connected, and it even includes a crevice tool and a Pet Multi-Tool brush. An Odor Neutralizer Technology piece is the final addition to the station.

Design: The Shark Cordless Detect Pro is a lightweight and modern-looking vacuum with a compact design that allows it to be stored in small spaces like the corner of a kitchen or slim closet. The auto-empty station is impressive and works flawlessly, even when the filter is covered in dust or hair. However, the vacuum has two design flaws: the shaft doesn’t bend for easy under-furniture cleaning and the vacuum head lock mechanism has a tendency to lock if vacuumed too close to the body. 

Performance: The vacuum is powerful and efficient, offering three levels of suction power. The DirtDetect Sensor is a great feature that automatically boosts the suction power when it recognizes hidden dirt, and the LightDetect sensor, EdgeDetect Sensor, FloorDetect sensor, and DirtDetect sensor can conveniently be used in auto mode. With a runtime of up to 60 minutes, the eco mode is perfect for a thorough cleaning session, and the vacuum head swivels easily, allowing you to easily vacuum in corners and around furniture legs.

Maintenance: The auto-empty station of the vacuum cleaner conveniently collects all the dirt and dust, freeing you from the hassle of frequently emptying the bin. The station can hold up to 30 days' worth of dirt, and it charges the vacuum every time it's placed on the station. The vacuum requires minimal maintenance, with only occasional rinsing and filter replacement needed. Pre-motor and auto-empty filters require cleaning once a month, while the HEPA filter should be replaced annually. The DirtDetect, LightDetect, and EdgeDetect sensors must be cleaned monthly to remove debris and hair that may obstruct the sensors.

Read our full Shark Cordless Detect Pro review

The best budget cordless vacuum

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The Aspiron Cordless Vacuum Cleaner is an affordable, lightweight, and powerful device perfect as a secondary vacuum cleaner to clean pet hair and dust. Its nicely designed body allows it to get into tight spots, making it effective for cleaning.

Assembly: The vacuum comes in an environmentally friendly, slim, lightweight cardboard box, but the manual is brief and lacks information about using and maintaining the product. It doesn't specify the use of the extra vacuum head accessories or guide how to care for the vacuum cleaner, except for replacing the sponge every three months. Despite this, the vacuum unit is easy to assemble, and the orange and black color scheme helps determine where to place the vacuum extension tube and head. 

Design: The orange and black colorway is attractive, with the pops of orange cleverly used to signify functions and features. The unit is made of plastic and features a transparent plastic dust cup so you can see how much debris you’re collecting. It can be used everywhere in the home, from floors to dusty drapes, stairs, and ceiling cobwebs. The main vacuum head can be attached to the unit or a metal extension tube, around 26 inches long, and features a motorized brush with 0.5-inch bristles. The vacuum head also features LED lights to help identify debris and dust in dark corners.

Performance: The Aspiron Cordless Vacuum was put through its paces in a home with a long-haired cat, a golden retriever, a 9-year-old boy, and two parents who work from home. Tests were carried out on a 210-square-foot living room with a thick carpet and rugs and a 73-square-foot kitchen with a hardwood floor. The vacuum made it look easy to pick up pet hair, kibble, crumbs, and general detritus from the floors. The vacuum head did a great job vacuuming fine particles and larger crumbs from the carpet but struggled a bit on the hardwood floor. 

Maintenance: The model offers two speed settings, low and high, but lacks information on the speed of these settings and their impact on battery life. The manufacturer claims the vacuum runs for 35 minutes on a full charge, and recharge takes 4-5 hours. The unit took 35 minutes to run down during testing and 4 hours and 20 minutes to recharge. The vacuum has a wall hanger and two nozzles, with screws and wall plugs for installation. The user manual provides basic cleaning instructions, recommending the replacement of the sponge every three months and rinsing the filter when necessary.

Value: The Aspiron Cordless Vacuum is a relatively affordable option at around $150. However, it lacks features you might find with other brands at the same price point, such as a flexible tube, more accessories, and spare filters.

Read our full Aspiron Cordless Vacuum Cleaner review