With tons of vacuums to choose from—ranging from basic models like Eureka’s Mighty Mite to newer ones with the latest tech such as the ECOVACS DEEBOT N79, a robot vacuum that comes with a smart phone app—it can be tough finding the machine that best suits your needs.

It gets even harder when you have second-generation models like Dyson’s Ball Multi Floor 2 that essentially perform the same as their predecessors (the original Ball Multi Floor made the list over its successor due to minute differences in machine weight and cleaning width) but cost more. To help you make an informed decision, we’ve created a comprehensive buying guide featuring the best vacuums currently on the market.

What to Consider

First, think about the type of flooring you’ll be vacuuming, your budget, the vacuum’s intended use, and the kinds of features that will make cleaning easier for you. Shark’s DuoClean Powered Lift-Away NV800, for example, features a brushroll that easily picks up dust and debris from both hard and carpeted flooring and comes with Anti-Allergen Complete Seal technology and a HEPA filter. Bissell’s CleanView with OnePass has attachments for hard-to-reach areas, such as ceilings, and includes BLACK + DECKER’s compact Dustbuster, which is great for cleaning up small messes in your home and in your car.

How We Rated

We researched 10 expert sources, 20 online reviews, and more than 27,o00 consumer reviews to select the top 7 vacuums of 2018. To determine our Total Expert Score, we calculated the ratings from expert review sites such as Top Ten Reviews, Modern Castle, and Good Housekeeping and converted them to a 100-point scale to make it easier for you to weigh the best options. Our Consumer Score represents the percentage of consumers who rated the product at least 4 out of 5 stars on retail sites like Amazon and Walmart.

Check out quick reviews of our top five vacuums below, or scroll deeper for full reviews of those models and other top-ranking options.

Best Budget Model
Bissell CleanView with OnePass
Bissell CleanView with OnePass
$100 at Target
Credit: Amazon

Total Expert Score:
80/100

A model both consumers and experts love equally.

Best Cordless Handheld
BLACK+DECKER Dustbuster
BLACK+DECKER Dustbuster
Credit: Amazon

Total Expert Score: 
85/100

Packs a powerful punch for such a small, portable machine.

Best High-End Model
Dyson Ball Multi Floor
Dyson Ball Multi Floor
Credit: Amazon

Total Expert Score:
90/100

Features HEPA filtration for those who suffer with allergies and asthma.

Best Canister Model
Eureka Mighty Mite
Eureka Mighty Mite
Now 25% Off
Credit: Walmart

Total Expert Score: 
85/100

High ratings and powerful suction make this a mighty fine option!

Best Robotic Model
ECOVACS DEEBOT N79
ECOVACS DEEBOT N79
Credit: Amazon

Total Expert Score:
91/100

An effective model that fits within most budgets.


Best Budget Model


Bissell CleanView with OnePass

Total Expert Score: 80/100 | Consumer Score: 80% give 4 stars or higher
A highly rated model featuring a brush design to clean more on the first pass.

Specs: 15 lb. | 2-year limited warranty | Cleaning path width: 13.5" | Cord length: 25'

Bissell CleanView with OnePass

Bissell CleanView with OnePass

Bissell CleanView with OnePass

$100 at Target

This Bissell model is great for shoppers on a tight budget. Users love the ability to change the suction control depending on the surface. On plush carpeting, for example, where some vacuums tend to get stuck, this adjustment feature allows the user to easily push the CleanView.

Top Ten Reviews loves the attachments that come with the CleanView and note that “you can keep these attachments organized and within reach [for] when you need them, since there are storage nodules on the body of the machine.”

Good Housekeeping named the CleanView its Top Budget Pick, noting an appreciation for how well this model “removed embedded dirt in our test carpet” and boasted “the highest maximum air power (or suction) of any model in our test when we measured it at the end of the hose, where the dusting and crevice tools are attached.”

One consumer appreciated the features on this model, particularly the “easy-to-use, effective attachments” and “extra-long electric cord, reducing the number of times I need to relocate to another area.”

Another plus? This model is bagless, so you don’t have to bother buying refills!

Pros:

Adjustable for different floor surfaces
Good for pet hair
Useful attachments

Cons:

Bulky

Best Cordless Handheld


BLACK + DECKER Dustbuster

Total Expert Score: 85/100 | Consumer Score: 71% give 4 stars or higher
An easy-to-use vacuum with strong suction.

Specs: 2.4 lb. | Uses a jack plug charger | Includes wall mount, flip-up brush, and extendable crevice tool

BLACK+DECKER Dustbuster

BLACK+DECKER Dustbuster

BLACK+DECKER Dustbuster

Black + Decker’s Dustbuster was ranked first in handheld vacuums by Top Ten Reviews in addition to being featured on Top Ten’s Best Overall 2018 list. Users love that it’s lightweight and easy to store.

While the experts at Top Ten wished for a longer run time per charge, they loved that the Dustbuster “packs a powerful cleaning punch that will help with quick housecleaning tasks and maintaining your automobile.”

Good Housekeeping noted that the Dustbuster is “very good at removing dirt from bare floors and carpet” and “does a good job removing pet hair.” One consumer raved about the extension that comes with the Dustbuster, saying it’s “great for getting into cracks between the wall and carpet...I also use this for my car and it helps reach all the places underneath the seats.”

Pros:

Quiet
Powerful suction
Provides lots of mobility because it’s cordless and so lightweight

Cons:

You have to remember to charge it

Best High-End Model


Dyson Ball Multi Floor

Total Expert Score: 90/100 | Consumer Score: 74% give 4 stars or higher
A machine that delivers in terms of function and power.

Specs: 17.3 lb. | Cord length: 35' | Features a washable lifetime filter and self-adjusting cleaner head

Dyson Ball Multi Floor

Dyson Ball Multi Floor

Dyson Ball Multi Floor

Dyson’s Ball Multi Floor (which was previously known as the Dyson DC65 Multi Floor) offers incredible suction, and the innovative ball technology makes it easy to swivel around corners. At 17 pounds, the Multi Floor is on the heavier side—a trade-off for having the ball, but users still found it easy to push back and forth. The Multi Floor also works well on hard floor surfaces and features a washable filter and extra-long, 35-foot cord so you can spend less time figuring out where to plug it in.

NerdWallet touts the Ball Multi Floor as “a deep-cleaning workhorse” and Clean Well Expert loves that this model “makes reaching the tight spaces and transitioning to other surfaces effortless.”

One consumer loved the Ball Multi Floor’s power and efficiency, saying “it is very easy to use and seamlessly transitions from hardwood floors to carpet to tiles in the bathroom. It is very easy to maneuver around furniture, and the long reach of the handle makes cleaning the stairs and top of the windows very easy.”

Pros:

Easy maneuverability
Unparalleled suction power
Thoughtful design

Cons:

Heavy

Best Canister Model


Eureka Mighty Mite

Total Expert Score: 85/100 | Consumer Score: 74% give 4 stars or higher
A powerful little vacuum and blower in one that’s lightweight for easy mobility.

Specs: 8.6 lb. | 12-amp motor | 1-year limited warranty

Eureka Mighty Mite

Eureka Mighty Mite

Eureka Mighty Mite

Now 25% Off

Eureka’s Mighty Mite has some great features, such as the ability to act as both vacuum and blower. And at less than 9 pounds, it’s easy to move. At this price, the Mighty Mite is hard to beat. NerdWallet praised its multipurpose abilities, stating that this model is a good fit for those who want a “vacuum that can pick up dust in the entryway one minute and blow away leaves in the garage the next.”

Modern Castle tested the Mighty Mite to see how well it picks up rice, cat litter, cereal, and sugar. On hard flooring, it sucked up 99 percent of the litter, rice, and sugar and 84 percent of the cereal. On low-pile carpeting, it picked up 94 percent of the rice, 99 percent of the cereal and litter, and 100 percent of the sugar. The Mighty Mite struggled to pick up cereal from a high-pile carpet, picking up only 63 percent, but did well with the other debris, picking up 100 percent of the rice, 99 percent of the litter, and 96 percent of the sugar.

The Mighty Mite earned a 92 percent rating from Modern Castle for its “lightweight build, powerful suction, and high degree of maneuverability.” Consumers also love this model, with one buyer praising its “great price” appreciation for it “on the stairs, since it is light and easy to carry up.” Another user commented that the Mighty Mite “has great suction and works great on all my hard surfaces—tile, wood, and vinyl.”

Pros:

Compact
One-year warranty covering defective workmanship and materials
Excellent on hard floor surfaces

Cons:

Loud

Best Robotic Model


ECOVACS DEEBOT N79

Total Expert Score: 91/100 | Consumer Score: 76% give 4 stars or higher
A great option if you’ve always wanted to try a robot vacuum.

Specs: 6.7 lb. | Comes with two side brushes, instruction manual, charging dock, and power adapter

ECOVACS DEEBOT N79

ECOVACS DEEBOT N79

ECOVACS DEEBOT N79

The ECOVACS DEEBOT N79 is a great starter machine for those who have always wanted to give a robotic vacuum a try but haven’t been willing to pay the hefty price tag (often upwards of $900) that accompanies most models. In fact, Reviewed touted the N79 as “the most affordable smart robot vacuum you can buy,” and Modern Castle loved the option to enter ‘edge cleaning mode,’ saying, “The Deebot N79 will follow the edges of your home, using its brushes to remove dust and dirt, then sucking it up.”

The N79 features app/WiFi capabilities, comes with a remote control, and features HEPA air filtration to lessen the amount of airborne particles in your living space. This model is great if you’re always on the go—just leave it running and you’ll come back to clean floors. One drawback is that this model can get stuck on high-pile carpets and may get caught on bigger items such as socks and dog toys, which could cause it to lose its charge before it’s finished cleaning.

Consumers love the N79 and consider it a budget alternative to iRobot’s Roomba. One user commented “how quiet the unit is compared to Roomba,” while another user noted how good this model is at reaching tough spots saying, “It has a very low profile and can get under my couch and bed without getting stuck.” Another plus? Consumers report that ECOVACS provides excellent customer service.

Pros:

Lightweight
Works great on hard flooring
Quiet
Features a smartphone app

Cons:

Minimal programming options

More High-Ranking Options to Consider:


Shark DuoClean Powered Lift-Away NV800

Total Expert Score: 83/100 | Consumer Score: 84% give it 4 stars or higher
Compact and powerful machine that navigates around corners and edges easily.

Specs: 15.4 lb. | Cleaning path width: 10" | Cord length: 30' | Anti-Allergen Complete Seal Technology + HEPA filter

Shark DuoClean Powered Lift-Away NV800

Shark DuoClean Powered Lift-Away NV800

Shark DuoClean Powered Lift-Away NV800

Shark’s DuoClean model features a bristle brushroll that has the ability to pull in dirt from both hard floors and carpeted surfaces. There’s also an allergen seal and HEPA filter for those who suffer from asthma and allergies.

Top Ten Reviews ranked the DuoClean NV800 first in Hardwood Floor Vacuum Cleaners and gave it an impressive rating of 9.13 out of 10 saying it loved that the “soft rolling brush on the front is perfect for cleaning hardwood flooring without scratching it.” This model was also included in Top Ten’s “Best Overall 2018” list.

Reviewed called this model “the Swiss Army knife of vacuum cleaners,” impressed by the DuoClean’s versatility (it seamlessly transitions from hard floors to carpet and can be easily converted into a canister vacuum) although it didn’t love quality of the materials that make up this model.

Consumers love this model because of its suction power, with one user noting, “My house has wood flooring and porcelain tile with three large area rugs...I only need to change the floor settings, and it picks up everything. The suction is very powerful and the vacuum is very lightweight.”

Pros:

Easy to maneuver
You don’t have to worry about buying and replacing bags

Cons:

Emptying the bin can get messy

Bissell Zing Canister Vacuum

Total Expert Score: 85/100 | Consumer Score: 79% give it 4 stars or higher
A little machine with big power.

Specs: 8 lb. | Cleaning path width: 10.3" | Cord length: 17' | Full-bag indicator

Bissell Zing

Bissell Zing

Bissell Zing

Now 33% Off

The Zing’s canister has four wheels for easy mobility (even easier at 8 pounds) and uses cyclonic action to remove allergens and dust. This model also comes with attachments such as a telescopic wand and floor tool.

The Zing was given a rating of 8.45 out of 10 by Top Ten Reviews, who said that this model is “one of the lightest vacuum cleaners you will find, which makes it great for wherever the mess happens—up the stairs, under furniture, and on different types of flooring.”

Best Reviews included the Zing on its list of Best Canister Vacuums and awarded it the title of Best Bang for the Buck, saying, “At a fraction of the price of other models, it is hands-down the best choice for the budget-conscious consumer.” Consumers agree. One user commented, “I love that the canister is so lightweight and easy to carry.” And another noted that “this vacuum also does a good job of sucking the dust off of elaborate wood trim.”

Pros:

Strong suction
Multipurpose—can be used on upholstery and stairs in addition to floors

Cons:

Loud