Best Vacuum Cleaners to Buy in 2019, According to Cleaning Experts

Two important questions to ask when buying a vacuum cleaner are: Is it easy to handle and maneuver and can it really remove dust and dirt from all areas of my home? We wouldn't be the Good Housekeeping Cleaning Lab if the vacuums on this list didn't pass that test with flying colors.

But choosing the best vacuum cleaner for you and your home means thinking about more than just that. Consider what surfaces you’ll be vacuuming, how your home is laid out and how much time you have for cleaning up. Immediately below are our picks for the best vacuums in eight key categories. Scroll all the way down to learn more about what to consider before you buy a new vacuum and how to choose the best vacuum cleaner to meet your needs.

The best vacuum cleaners to buy in 2019 are:

Best Upright Vacuum Cleaner: Miele Dynamic U1 Maverick

Best Value Vacuum Cleaner: Hoover REACT 

Best Cordless Vacuum Cleaner: Bissell Air Ram Cordless

Best Canister Vacuum Cleaner: Miele Compact C2 Electro+ PowerLine

Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner: iRobot Roomba i7+

Best Combination Vacuum Cleaner: Dyson Cyclone V10 Absolute

Best Handheld Vacuum Cleaner: Dirt Devil Gator Lithium 16V Hand Vacuum

Best Lightweight Vacuum Cleaner: Oreck Magnesium

How We Test Vacuum Cleaners

The Good Housekeeping Cleaning Lab tests vacuum cleaners for how well they remove dirt deeply embedded into pile carpet and simulated pet hair evenly spread on a carpet’s surface. We look at how well they remove large and small debris from hard flooring like hardwood, tile, or linoleum, how well they clean along edges and how much suction they draw at the tools.

Our tests are based on the ASTM standard test methods the industry uses and each vacuum model is tested exactly the same way. Ease-of-use testing includes evaluating maneuverability, battery run-time for cordless vacuum cleaners, the controls, how easy the dust cup is to empty and clean or the bag is to change, and weighing how heavy the vacuum is.

Consumer testers rate the vacuums’ maneuverability by running it on a bare floor and carpet, around corners and under furniture. They rate the ease of removing the dust cup or bag, and the ease of operating the vacuums’ controls. We note and test any features like a battery charge indicator, a brush roll control button, or other tools and accessories. Keep reading to see why these vacuums made the cut to win our distinction of the best vacuums of 2019.

Best Upright Vacuum Cleaner

Miele Dynamic U1 Maverick Vacuum Cleaner

amazon.com

$599.00

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This Miele model is ideal for allergy and asthma sufferers, since this Good Housekeeping Seal-holder with its HEPA filter did the best job in our tests of picking up dirt and keeping it trapped inside the vacuum. Its self-sealing bag also keeps dust out of the air when it’s time to remove and replace it. 

This powerhouse cleans everything from delicate curtains to deep carpets and though some consumers testers said it was heavy, the swivel neck makes in maneuverable. It was also the quietest model in our tests.

Best Value Vacuum Cleaner

Hoover React Powered Reach Plus Bagless Upright Vacuum Cleaner

amazon.com

$174.99

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This Hoover can go from carpet to bare floors without missing a beat. Its special FloorSense Technology automatically adjusts the brush speed to prevent scattering and damage as you move from one floor surface to the next, so you don’t even have to flip a switch or turn a dial. It has a removable canister to better reach underneath low furniture and make above-the-floor cleaning easier, too. 

The four included attachments are a crevice tool, motorized brush roll tool, stationery dusting brush and a soft bendable dusting brush to clean the tops of bookcases and ceiling fans.  

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Best Cordless Vacuum Cleaner

Bissell Air Ram Cordless Vacuum Vacuum Cleaner

amazon.com

$249.99

$209.99 (16% off)

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This GH Seal-holding cordless stick vacuum ran for an impressive 37 minutes in our lab tests and was among the quietest we tried. We also like that the handle lays flat on the ground (by rotating it at the base), which makes it easier to vacuum under furniture and other tough-to-reach places. Just keep in mind that it doesn’t come with any attachments. 

Best Canister Vacuum Cleaner

Miele Electro+ Canister Vacuum Cleaner

amazon.com

$699.00

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The motorized power nozzle on this Miele canister vacuum can tackle five different carpet pile heights. The soft parquet brush is perfect for bare floors that may be susceptible to scratching and for low loop carpets that a rotating brush might fray. Dial the adjustable suction down to clean delicate drapes and throw rugs and crank it up to deep clean heavily soiled carpets. 

We like that it comes with a HEPA AirClean filter, has durable metal wands, and has earned our Good Housekeeping Seal. No speck of dirt is out of reach

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Best Robot Vacuum

iRobot Roomba i7+

iRobot amazon.com

$1,099.00

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In our Cleaning Lab tests, the i7+ easily picked up litter, like oatmeal and sand from carpet and bare floors. Unlike other robot vacuums, when it returns home, any debris it has collected is automatically dispensed into the base and enters a sealable, replaceable bag that’s easy to swap out. It’s the perfect choice for allergy sufferers because there’s no emptying a tiny bin after each use. 

It’s smart, too. With the app, you can control where it goes and which rooms it cleans. The i7+ easily found its way around furniture legs and the carrying handle makes it easy to tote from room to room. If it needs emptying before it’s done cleaning, Roomba i7+ heads back to the base, dumps its load and picks up where it left off. 

Best Combination Vacuum Cleaner

Dyson Cyclone V10 Absolute Lightweight Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner

amazon.com

$699.99

$497.49 (29% off)

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Despite its slim look, this 2-in-1 cordless machine rivaled the full-size upright vacuums in our test when it came to pulling embedded dirt out of carpets. The Dyson stick vac is super easy to use and it comes with two heads — one for carpets and one for bare floors. This model is super lightweight and with the wands removed, it converts to a handheld vacuum for even more versatility. 

It has three power modes and includes a crevice tool and a combination dusting/upholstery tool, a mini soft dusting brush and a mini motorized tool with a rotating brush for cleaning fabric and carpeted stairs.   

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Best Handheld Vacuum Cleaner

Dirt Devil Gator Lithium Cordless Hand Vacuum Cleaner

walmart.com

$59.00

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Cordless vacuums with lithium batteries exhibit good performance and run time in our tests and Dirt Devil Gator Vacs are no exception. The powered nozzle on this handheld vacuum makes deep cleaning carpeted stairs and furniture easy and like with all Gator vacs, simply press a button to flip open (like an alligator) the dust cup for easy, mess-free emptying. An on-board crevice tool is also part of the package.

Related: 9 Best Cheap Vacuum Cleaners That Won't Break the Bank

Best Lightweight Vacuum Cleaner

Oreck Magnesium Bagged Upright Vacuum Cleaner

$409 amazon.com

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Many of the visitors to our GH Cleaning Lab complain that upright vacuum cleaners are just too heavy to push and carry. Our recommendation to them is the Oreck Magnesium. This vacuum was tops in our test of lightweight cleaners and weighs in at just under 8 pounds. Fortunately, what it lacks in heft doesn’t compromise its cleaning performance. It did a great job deep cleaning our test carpets and bare floors. 

The Oreck does use a self-sealing bag to contain allergens but doesn’t come with any attachments on-board. The speed of the brush roll is adjustable — fast for carpets, slow for bare floors — via a switch on the handle. We like its low profile and that it lays flat to more easily clean under furniture and the bed.

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What to Consider Before You Buy a New Vacuum

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Choose an upright vacuum cleaner if your home is mostly wall-to-wall carpeting and all on one floor. In our Cleaning Lab tests, upright vacuum cleaners do the best job removing ground-in, embedded dirt from carpeting because they are usually heavier than other styles and the weight of the nozzle helps it reach deep into the carpet pile for better cleaning. Uprights can weigh anywhere from 10 to over 20 pounds which can also make some heavy to carry up and down stairs. If your home has more than one level and you prefer an upright, consider keeping one on each floor.

Most uprights feature on-board hoses, wands, and tools for vacuuming crevices and upholstery and cleaning above-the-floor spaces like door frames and crown mouldings. If you’ll be using an upright vacuum to clean bare floors and low loop or pile rugs, we recommend selecting a model where you can adjust the height of the nozzle and switch off the rotating brush to avoid scattering debris and damaging flat and delicate surfaces.

Choose a canister vacuum cleaner if your home has lots of stairs and bare floors and only a few carpets. Many full-size canister vacuums come with a power nozzle that has rotating brush to mimic that on an upright. We recommend this attachment if you prefer a canister and have deep pile carpets in, say, just the bedrooms. Otherwise, you’ll see a long flat attachment or brush than can be used on bare floors and low, flat rugs.

Canisters can be heavy, too, but are easier to pick up and carry with two hands. All have hoses and attachments for dusting, upholstery and crevices. Because the motor and canister are behind you, these vacuums are easier to maneuver into tight spaces and to use on stairs than uprights are.

Choose a stick or pole vacuum cleaner if you are looking for a lightweight quick picker upper for bare floors and low pile rugs. Most are slim enough to stash in a corner or closet near the kitchen for speedy after dinner clean-ups. They come corded or cordless, though in our Cleaning Lab tests, we’ve found rechargeable ones usually run anywhere up to one hour, so you’ll need to keep them plugged into an outlet, so they stay fully charged and ready to go.

Some have rotating brushes for better rug cleaning and many convert to or have a hand vacuum on board so it’s like having two vacuums in one. Some come with attachments, like dusting brushes and crevice tools and charging stands for storage.

Choose a robot vacuum cleaner if you want to get your cleaning done while you’re out of the house or doing something else. Robot vacuums use cameras and lasers to map their way around your rooms, so they don’t miss a spot.

Today’s robots are more sophisticated than ever. Most can be controlled with an app on your phone and some are even voice enabled. They can return to the home base for a recharge and then go back to cleaning wherever they left off. Robot vacuums are great maintenance cleaners. Send them out often enough and you may never have to pull out your full size vacuum. Of course, they go under the bed and behind furniture to clean the spots you likely skip.

Choose a handheld vacuum cleaner if you need a compact tool to quickly pick up dry spills on bare floors and surfaces or nab lint, pet hair, and other surface debris on fabrics or carpeting. Some come with hoses and attachments and others can pick up wet spills, too. Handheld vacuums come corded or cordless and are easy to take outside to clean the car.

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Which is better, a bagged or a bagless vacuum cleaner?

When it comes to cleaning performance, our Lab tests show that both types clean equally well. So, which you choose comes down to personal preference. Vacuums that take bags require less emptying and cleaning. All you have to do is change the bag when it’s 2/3 full (let it go too far and you can compromise suction) and remember to keep bags on hand. Bagged models are generally the preferred type for allergy sufferers.

Bagless vacuums don’t require bags—you simply empty the dust cup after every few uses. Doing so can be messy, however, and the filters and cup require frequent cleaning to keep them working up to par. Bagless is a good choice if you hate having to remember to buy bags.

Do I need a HEPA filter?

High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters are a great way to trap the most microscopic particles, like pollen, pet dander and dust mites, so they are important to have if your family members have allergies.

But having a HEPA filter alone is not enough. For the best defense against allergens, a vacuum must also be “sealed,” meaning no air escapes from other cracks and crevices and everything that comes out of the vacuum passes through the HEPA filter. Check the box or the manufacturer’s website to find out if the entire vacuum you are considering is sealed. HEPA-type or HEPA-like filters don’t trap particles as well as true HEPA filters do.