These are the best vacuum cleaners for every household tested and compared
by an expert

Date:
Thu, 27 Nov 2025 14:42:14 +0000

Description:
No matter your budget or cleaning needs, one of these will be the perfect vacuum for you.

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At TechRadar, we've been testing the best vacuum cleaners for nine years and as Homes Editor for floorcare, I've personally tested dozens of vacuums of
all shapes and sizes. In this guide, I've rounded up my top-rated models for
a range of different customers.

For most people, I'd recommend the Dreame R20. This cordless stick vacuum delivers very good cleaning, is lightweight and nimble to maneuver, and comes with some useful special features. Oh, and it's very affordable too. However, if you have a busy household with lots of dust to bust (or shedding pets) you'd be better off with a corded upright like the Shark Stratos. You'll find both of these models, plus four more carefully chosen options in my list below.

All of these vacuums have been meticulously tested, either my myself or by
one of my trusted, experienced reviewers. All bring something different to
the table, and all are excellent cleaners in their own right.

All clear? Read on for the best vacuum cleaners on the market... Best vacuum 2025: the quick list Best overall 1. Dreame R20 cordless vacuum



Performs well across the board

Affordable pricing

Lightweight and comfortable to use

Other options more powerful

Read more below Best upright 2. Shark Stratos Upright Vacuum



Powerful, uninterrupted cleaning

Large dust cup

Bulky and less maneuverable

Cord could be annoying

Read more below Best premium 3. Dyson Gen5detect



Hi-tech yet user-friendly

Excellent cleaning

Investment pricing

Heavy for a stick vac

Read more below Robot vac 4. Roborock Qrevo Curv



Reliable, zero-effort cleaning

Can mop and vacuum

Not as powerful as a manual vac

Requires some tech know-how

Read more below Best for pet hair 5. Shark PowerDetect Cordless



Clears pet hair efficiently

Best cleaning scores for a stick vac

Optional auto-empty dock

Bulky and heavy for a stick vac

Read more below Allergy friendly 6. Halo Capsule X Pet Max



Bag ensures no particles escape

Very powerful suction

Bags are an ongoing cost

Basic features

Read more below These best vacuums 2025 tested and recommended by an expert The best vacuum cleaner for most people Image 1 of 4 (Image credit: Future) Image 2 of 4 (Image credit: Future) Image 3 of 4 (Image credit: Future) Image 4 of 4 (Image credit: Future) 1. Dreame R20

The best vacuum cleaner for most people Type: Cordless stick vac | Bagless: Yes | Weight: 6 lbs / 2.7kg | Bin size: 0.6L | Max runtime: 90 mins Very competitive price Good cleaning power Light and maneuverable Not the most powerful Not the most hi-tech

The best vacuum for most people is the Dreame R20. It's an excellent all-rounder at a great-value, affordable price. It also holds the #1 position in my ranking of the best cordless vacuums a spot it earned by obtaining the highest overall scores in a big group test that included several far pricier models from better-known brands.

Read more: Dreame R20 cordless vacuum review

^ Back to top The best upright vacuum cleaner Image 1 of 4 (Image credit: Future) Image 2 of 4 (Image credit: Future) Image 3 of 4 (Image credit: Future) Image 4 of 4 (Image credit: Future) 2. Shark Stratos Pet Pro Upright Vacuum

The best upright vacuum cleaner Type: Corded upright | Bagless: Yes | Weight: 14.8 lbs / 6.7 kg | Bin size: 1.3 L | Max runtime: N/A Maximum power Uninterrupted cleaning Excellent hair pickup Bulky and less maneuverable Cord may be annoying Various models with same name

If you want the most power, opt for a corded upright my top pick is the
Shark Stratos Upright. You'll sacrifice the maneuverability and freedom you'd get with a cordless stick vac, but the pay-off is more suction, a larger dust cup, and never having to pause to recharge. Shark has made buying confusing
by releasing several similar vacuums with the same name, but the good news is that we've been impressed with all the Shark upright vacuums we've tested, so you can't really go wrong.

Read our full Shark Stratos Pet Pro Upright Vacuum review

^ Back to top The best premium vacuum cleaner Image 1 of 5 (Image credit: Future) Image 2 of 5 (Image credit: Future) Image 3 of 5 (Image credit: Future) Image 4 of 5 (Image credit: Future) Image 5 of 5 (Image credit: Future) 3. Dyson Gen5detect

The best premium vacuum cleaner Type: Cordless stick | Bagless: Yes |
Weight: 7.7 lbs / 3.5kg | Bin size: 0.8 L | Max runtime: 1hr 10
Feature-packed but usable Advanced dirt detection Powerful cleaning
Investment pricing Heavy for a stick vac Unwieldy as a handheld

If you have more cash to splash, I love the Dyson Gen5detect. This cordless vacuum is meticulously engineered and boasts a range of innovative features, executed in a user-friendly way. It also delivers excellent, low-effort cleaning.

Read my full Dyson Gen5detect review

^ Back to top The best robot vacuum cleaner Image 1 of 3 (Image credit: Future) Image 2 of 3 (Image credit: Future) Image 3 of 3 (Image credit: Future) 4. Roborock Qrevo Curv

The best robotic vacuum cleaner Type: Self-empty robot vacuum and mop | Bagless: No | Bin size : 2.7L (dock) Reliable, hands-off option Mops as well as vacuuming Low-effort and easy to use Less suction than a manual Pricier option Can't do furniture or stairs

Robot vacuums are perfect for regular, hands-off, light cleaning the idea being that you run them regularly, while you're out, so the dust doesn't have a chance to build up. My favorite model in this category is the Roborock
Qrevo Curv. It's intuitive to use (although requires more tech know-how than
a manual vac), reliable, and very effective at both vacuuming and mopping. Plus, it requires next-to-no effort from you.

Read TechRadar's full Roborock Qrevo Curv review

^ Back to top The best vacuum cleaner for pet hair Image 1 of 4 (Image credit: Future) Image 2 of 4 (Image credit: Future) Image 3 of 4 (Image credit: Future) Image 4 of 4 (Image credit: Future) 5. Shark PowerDetect Cordless

The best auto-empty vacuum cleaner Type: Cordless stick | Bagless: Yes | Weight: 8lbs / 3.7kg | Bin size: 0.7L (+ 2L in dock) | Max runtime: 70 mins Superb cleaning for a stick vac Clears pet hair easily Optional auto-empty dock Heavy for a stick vac Relatively bulky Interface could be better

If you're seeking maximum suction power but are set on a cordless stick vacuum, the most efficient cleaner I've tested is the Shark PowerDetect Cordless. It's especially good at tackling pet hair, and pet owners might
also be interested to learn there's the option of adding an auto-empty base that means you won't need to mess around with manually emptying it nearly so often. This model tops my ranking of the best vacuums for pet hair .

Read TechRadar's full Shark PowerDetect Cordless review

^ Back to top The best vacuum cleaner for allergies Image 1 of 4 (Image credit: Future) Image 2 of 4 (Image credit: Future) Image 3 of 4 (Image credit: Halo) Image 4 of 4 (Image credit: Future) 6. Halo Capsule X Pet Max

The best vacuum cleaner for allergies Type: Cordless stick | Bagless: No | Weight: 5.7 lbs / 2.6 kg | Bin size: 2 L | Max runtime: 60 mins Bag keeps
dust contained Lightweight with large dust capacity Excellent cleaning power Basic features Bags are an ongoing cost Erratic pricing

Bagged vacuums and bagged cordless stick vacuums in particular are becoming less common these days. They have their benefits, though, and not least for allergy-sufferers who don't want to risk everything they just sucked up escaping back into the air when they come to empty their vacuum's bin. My top-rated bagged vacuum is the Halo Capsule X a straightforward but
extremely effective, lightweight stick vacuum with a 2L bag capacity. The
bags are made from compostable cardboard and brown paper, to minimize environmental impact, but they do represent an ongoing cost.

^ Back to top Specs comparison

Model

Type

Bagless

Weight

Bin size

Max runtime

1. Dreame R20

Cordless stick vac

Yes

6 lbs / 2.7kg

0.6 L

90 mins

2. Shark Stratos Pet Pro

Corded upright vac

Yes

14.8 lbs / 6.7 kg

1.3 L

Unlimited

3. Dyson Gen5detect

Cordless stick vac

Yes

7.5 lbs / 3.4kg

0.8 L

1 hr 10 mins

4. Roborock Qrevo Curv

Self-empty robot vacuum and mop

No

N/A

2.7 L (dock)

N/A

5. Shark PowerDetect Clean & Empty

Cordless stick vav with auto-empty base

Yes

8lbs / 3.7kg

0.7L + 2L in dock

70 mins

6. Halo Capsule X Pet Max

Cordless stick vac

No

5.7 lbs / 2.6 kg

2L

60 mins

^ Back to top What kind of vacuum do I need?

I need something for...

Buy a...

Because...

More recommendations

Carpeted floors

Corded upright or good cordless stick vacuum

You need a decent amount of power to effectively clean carpet

TechRadar's best vacuum for carpet guide

Hard floors

Cordless stick vacuum, hybrid robovac or wet-and dry vacuum

You don't need that much outright power to clean hard floor, and if could be helpful to be able to mop as well as vacuuming

TechRadar's best robot vacuum guide or best wet-and-dry vacuum guide

Pet hair

Corded upright or good cordless stick vacuum

Pet hair requires a good amount of suction, but consider also dustbin size if you don't want to be constantly emptying

TechRadar's best vacuums for pet hair or best robot vacuums for pet hair

Awkward spaces

Cordless stick vacuum or handheld vacuum

You want maximum maneuverability

TechRadar's best handheld vacuum guide, best car vacuum guide, or best cordless vacuum guide

Read more

There are a number of different types of vacuums on the market, to suit different needs. Here's a super-quick rundown of the main benefits and drawbacks of each type: Cordless stick vacuums



Pros...

Lightweight, easy to maneuver; ideal for homes with multiple floors.

Cons...

Tend to have less outright power than anything corded, and a shorter overall lifespan too. Upright vacuums



Pros...

Upright vacuums tend to have a lot of suction power, and last a long time overall, too.

Cons...

Bulkier, heavier and less easy to maneuver than a cordless stick vacuum.
Robot vacuums



Pros...

Hands-free, and clean while you're out for minimal disruption. Many can mop, too.

Cons...

Less suction than a manual vac, not great at edges and corners, can't do stairs. Canister vacuums



Pros...

Good suction and robustly built. The flexible tube great for getting into nooks and crannies.

Cons...

Dragging the canister can be annoying and especially if your home has a lot of stairs. Handheld vacuums



Pros...

Compact, lightweight and perfect for small and awkward cleaning tasks, such
as the inside of your car.

Cons...

Very short battery life, relatively low powered, and not suitable for large areas. Wet-and-dry vacuums



Pros...

Perfect for deep cleaning floors, and tackling wet spillages. Generally best for lino or tiled floors.

Cons...

While some can also vacuum your carpet, they tend not to be specialized for this. More vacuums we've tested (A-Z)

If none of the vacuums look quite right for you, here are some other models worth considering.

Vacuum

Why it missed out

Score

Bosch Unlimited 10 vacuum

Great cleaning and a useful quick-charge feature, with minor niggles
including a small, opaque dust cup.

4.5 / 5

Dyson Ball Animal 3

This upright is super sucky, but also really very heavy and awkward to move about.

3.5 / 5

Dyson V8 Cyclone

A strong all-rounder but lacking in special features.

4 / 5

Dyson V11

Superb cleaning, but lacks the advanced features of newer models.

4 / 5

Dyson V16 Piston Animal

Some useful, innovative features, but delivers poor cleaning and the new floorhead is awkward.

3.5 / 5

Henry Quick Corded

Sturdy and very cheap, but a bit too tall, and the cleaning could be better.

3.5 / 5

Miele DuoFlex HX1

A sturdy vacuum with good suction, but the dustbin is small and battery life relatively short.

4 / 5

Roborock H60 Hub Ultra

Looks slick and performs well, but lacks an Auto mode, and battery a bit limited.

4 / 5

Samsung Bespoke Jet AI

Strong cleaning and a slick-looking auto-empty base, but AI features are hit-and-miss and the price tag high.

4 / 5

Shark Detect Pro Cordless

A good ultra-lightweight option, but Shark seems to be phasing it out.

4.5 / 5

Shark FreeStyle Max

An unusual cordless upright that's very powerful but with ridiculously short battery life.

3.5 / 5 Frequently asked questions What's the best vacuum right now?

The best vacuum for most people right now is the Dreame R20 cordless stick vacuum. It's a really strong all-rounder, and comes in at an affordable
price, too. It performed well in all my cleaning tests, and it's lightweight and comfortable to maneuver. The battery life is strong, and a dirt-detecting Auto mode means you don't need to fiddle around with switching settings as
you clean. Is Shark better than Dyson?

Shark and Dyson are two of the biggest names in the floorcare market, and if you're on the hunt for the best vacuum for you, these brands will almost certainly crop up in your research. But which is best?

Dyson vacuums are high quality and meticulously engineered, and the newer models feature some seriously flashy special features (real-time dust
reports, anyone?). They're also typically very expensive, although Dyson has started offering more affordable options recently.

Sharks vacuum cleaners tend to be more affordable than Dysons offerings. This brand's special features tend to be a little less hi-tech, although that doesn't mean they're not useful. A wand that can be released to bend forwards for cleaning under furniture is a favorite.

Shark releases new vacuums far more frequently than Dyson, and it can be tricky to figure out how the different models compare (I've even seen
multiple models with the same name before). Head to my Shark vs Dyson article for a more in-depth look at these two floor-cleaning titans. (Image credit: Future)

^ Back to top How we tested these vacuum cleaners Why you can trust
TechRadar We've tested over 185 vacuums and robot vacuums
We reviewed 41 new vacuums in total over 2024
9 years of vacuum testing experience

At TechRadar, we test dozens of vacuum cleaners each year. We cover a range
of cleaner types from cordless stick vacuums, to upright vacuums, to
handheld vacs and robot vacuums at a range of price points and from
different brands. Each model included here has been put through its paces either by a member of the TechRadar Homes team or by one of our trusted freelance reviewers.

Our reviews are underpinned by a set of specific, standardized tests. Here's
a quick rundown of our vacuum cleaner review process.

Suction tests

These are designed to test how well the vacuum can suck up different kinds of debris on different floors. For fine debris, we sprinkle a teabag's worth of loose, dry tea on a carpet or carpet-like rug, and see how many passes are needed to clear it. We'll start on the vacuum's lowest setting, then increase until there's no mess left.

To see how the vacuum handles chunkier debris, we run the same test using a handful of oats. We'll then repeat both tests on hard floor.

The final suction test is to see how well the vacuum handles hair both human and pet. We'll see how effectively the main floorhead can pull hair from both carpet and hard flooring, and test any hair-specific detail tools on
furniture too. We'll also check to see if it ends up tangled around the
roller or is effectively diverted into the dust cup.

Battery tests

If the vacuum is cordless, we'll record how long it lasts on a single charge, on each available suction setting, plus how long it takes to recharge. For corded vacuums, we note how long the cable is and if it's generous enough not to be too much of a hindrance while cleaning. (Image credit: Future)

General tests

To get a feel for how the vacuum performs in general use, we'll use it regularly over the course of a couple of weeks. We'll report back on how easy it is to maneuver, how usable it is, if there were any unexpected pain points in the design.

Read more on how we test vacuum cleaners .

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