Vacuum tech has been around for well over a century, and in that time it’s had plenty of chances to evolve and change with our lives. Thanks to technological improvements from simple HEPA filtration to advanced home automation, vacuum cleaners are keeping our homes, offices, and indoor spaces cleaner today than ever before. Whether someone you know has moved into a new place, or has just been hanging on to their old, worn out vacuum for a bit too long, consider brightening up their space with a new vacuum cleaner. What you’ll really be giving them is the gift of a clean home, and everybody likes that.
Here’s a list of some of the best vacuum cleaners currently on the market.
Best overall: Miele Complete C2 Hard Floor Canister Vacuum Cleaner
This powerful vacuum cleaner from Miele packs a 1200-watt motor into a stylish and compact blue canister and features an adjustable, telescoping tube as well as a combination floorhead for maximum performance and efficiency across the whole gamut of cleaning scenarios. It has an effective 33-foot cleaning radius that makes it great for cleaning everything from staircases to garages, and since it’s less than two feet across on its largest dimension, it’s surprisingly easy to pack away or take with you. Its six rotary-selectable settings are tailored for drapes, furniture, rugs, bare floors, carpet, and more.
Best combo device: BISSELL CrossWave Cordless Floor and Area Rug Cleaner
Most pet owners know too well the struggle of keeping their floors clean in the presence of a constantly shedding companion. Bissell’s Crosswave vacuum cleaner is designed specifically for heavy debris and hair collection on a variety of surfaces from sealed hardwood and laminate floors to carpet, area rugs, and everywhere in between. With one tank for cleaning solution and another for collecting dirty water and debris, this unit mops and vacuums floors simultaneously and covers a 10.5-inch-wide path in the process. When stationed at the included dock, the Crosswave charges itself and runs a self-cleaning cycle to prepare it for the next use.
Best industrial-style: Oreck Professional Upright Vacuum Cleaner
Oreck’s upright vacuums combine commercial-quality reliability and serviceability with stylish and time-tested design elements. This is a great choice for users who prefer the usage and feel of a traditional upright vacuum cleaner, and it performs at the top of its class thanks to features such as its wide 12-inch sweeping path, durable Endurolife belt, 40-foot power cable and innovative top-fill design that prevents declines in suction power. It’s designed to transition seamlessly from carpets to hard floors without the need for manual adjustment, and the wheels are soft to prevent scuffing.
Best self-emptying: iRobot Roomba i3+ Robot Vacuum with Automatic Dirt Disposal Disposal
You don’t need to be tech-savvy to love the Roomba i3+ robot vacuum, which can clean floors, charge itself, and empty its own debris automatically. You can also use voice assistants or the app to schedule or start a cleaning! It navigates indoor spaces using onboard tracking sensors. The Reactive Sensor Technology tells the cleaner where it won’t be able to reach, which will reduce the likelihood of the cleaner getting stuck. Using its Dirt Detect Sensors, the i3+ can also recognize where it needs to clean the most.
The Roomba returns to the included docking station when it’s time to recharge or empty its dust compartment, and it can continue this cycle for up to 60 days before needing to be emptied. It’s powerful, too, using high-powered suction and rubber brushes that are tailored to lift pet hair and thick grime off of a variety of surfaces.
Converts to handheld: Shark Rocket Corded Stick Vacuum
This vacuum cleaner from Shark is perfect for apartments thanks to its narrow, bagless design and ability to shape-shift between upright and handheld form factors. It has a lightweight, easy-to-empty dust cup attached to the handle and uses a motorized brush-roll head at the base for cleaning carpets that can detach to be replaced with a crevice tool, pet hair attachment or precision duster, depending on the desired application. The base of the cleaning wand is constructed to swivel, allowing for effortless maneuvering around corners and furniture, and the ergonomic handle includes a hanging storage hook as well as a floor surface mode switch.