The best vacuum cleaners

Best for most people

Buy a bagless upright vacuum if:

• You want quality on a budget: The good ones are reasonably priced, have no recurring costs, and should last for at least five years.

Buy another type of vacuum if:

• You have a small home with a cozy floor plan: A cordless vacuum will almost definitely be easier to use in a layout like this—no cords to get caught on corners.
• You'll skip cleaning because you need to unravel the cord: Cordless vacuums and robot vacuums are a whole lot more convenient to use. No shame!

Deepest cleaning, longest lasting

Buy a high-end canister vacuum if:

• You want something that will last for a long time: They don't make most stuff like they used to, but great vacuums are an exception to that rule.
• You want the very best performance: The very best vacuums are the ones that suck the most dust out of all kinds of carpets, and that's what these are designed to do.
• You have allergies or asthma: Their bags and tightly sealed airways are excellent at removing allergens and irritants from your home. For bonus points, add a HEPA filter.

Buy another type of vacuum if:

• You don't like the design: Some people just can't get comfortable dragging a little pod behind them while they clean—especially with a cord attached to it.
• You don't want the responsibility: You need to put in some work—remembering to buy bags and filters, cleaning tangles and clearing clogs, taking it to the shop every few years for maintenance—to get your money's worth.
• You have lots of hairy pets: Fur fills up the bags quickly. Go bagless if you're worried about the cost of bags getting out of control.

Cordless convenience, strong-enough cleaning

Buy a cordless vacuum if:

• You live in a small apartment or house: It's much easier to clean a cramped floor plan when there's no cord getting caught.
• You don't want to deal with a cord: It takes just a few seconds to grab your cordless vacuum and start cleaning—no obstacles, no excuses!

Buy another type of vacuum if:

• You need great cleaning power: Even the strongest cordless vacuums can't pick up fine, dusty debris (including most allergens) anywhere near as well as an affordable plug-in vacuum.
• You want the most value for your money: Good cordless vacuums cost twice as much and last half as long as a good bagless, plug-in upright.

A low-effort robot for keeping tidy

A strong, versatile handheld vacuum

For pets

For really long carpets

For allergies or asthma

For bare floors

For your car