Do you often find yourself racing home after a long shift because you are so excited to vacuum your house? There’s nothing like that feeling of powering up a suction device and cleaning those floors and rugs! OK, so maybe vacuuming isn’t exactly the most fun after-work activity, but a clean house is bound to make you both happy and healthier. Fortunately, vacuum technology has evolved to make the traditional task far less grueling than it was decades ago. Cordless, bagless and lighter vacuums may make you fall in love with vacuuming for the first time in your life.
Best vacuums for a dog/cat owner
If you have pet allergies and transform into a sneezing, wheezing and/or itching wreck due to pet dander, your best bet is to find a vacuum designed specifically for capturing pet hair.
There are a couple of essential features to look for in pet specific vacuums, but if you have pet allergies, the most important one of all is a sealed HEPA filter. HEPA filters trap almost 100% of particles that are 0.3 microns or larger (this includes pet dander), and the fact that it’s sealed ensures that particles won’t leak out of the bin once they have been captured.
The Bissell 2998 is a great choice, as it features the aforementioned sealed HEPA system and a tangle-free brush roll – a feature that actually prevents hair wrap. Not only will the latter feature be clutch for cleaning up hair from long-haired pets but also the random hair shedded via long-haired humans as well. The Bissell also has a lift-off detachable pod so you can clean trickier spots (such as stairs) with various attachments. This vaccuum features a 0.75L tank – a good place to start.
But if you need something that holds more hair between trips to dump the dust cup, consider the Eureka NEU181A, which has a 2.6L bin and some pet-specific attachment tools.
Both of the aforementioned models are corded, so If you have a smaller apartment or house and want to go cordless you could pick up the Shark IZ363HT, which is a stick-style vacuum with a sealed HEPA filter.
Best vacuums for someone who hates cleaning
As one of the millions of Americans that actively hates vacuuming, I can say with assurance that my family’s acquisition of a Dyson V8 cordless vacuum cleaner was a game-changer. I went from despising vacuuming to being just slightly annoyed by vacuuming. The key is that it’s a light and versatile stick-style vacuum and, even more importantly, it doesn’t have a cord. When you are vacuuming with a corded vacuum, you are like a dog on a leash. You really want to get to that one spot, but you can’t because that leash won’t give – and if the leash does give, then the vacuum shuts down because you have just pulled the cord out of the wall outlet.
Stick vacuums are also very versatile. They can easily transform into handheld dust-busters on steroids with a variety of cleaning attachments, such as crevice tools and a hair screw tool designed specifically for removing pet hair from upholstery. Plus, they are so light! The V8 weighs a scant 5.5 lbs.
If you have a larger house and want to stay cordless, the Hoover ONEPWR is a stick vacuum with a bit more of a traditional, canister feel and a larger (0.4L) dustbin capacity.
Best vacuum for a large house
If you recently moved into a sizeable home, then that cordless stick vacuum that worked wonders in your apartment might just start feeling like a measly twig. Stick vacuums are undeniably awesome, as long as you don’t have a large house. If you are lucky enough to reside in a McMansion, a cannister vacuum is a solid go-to device with exceptional power. Plus, you get all that power in a lighter package than traditional upright vacuums. Another bonus is that you can clean hard-to-reach areas (under beds/corners/stairs) due to the long hoses and longer cleaning wands.
The Miele Classic C1 is another dependable choice in this department. It has six suction power settings, a three-tiered filtration system, and has a bag capacity of four quarts. If you suffer from pet allergies, there is also the option to upgrade the filter to a HEPA filter, which is a stock feature of more expensive Miele vacuums like the Complete C3.
If you want an old school, warhorse upright vacuum that will get your house clean as a whistle, then the Shark NV360 is a great choice. It’s bagless, you get HEPA filtration at a bargain price, a large 0.9-quart dust cup and swivel steering. Its one drawback is common for upright vacuums – it’s a bit heavier in the weight department, coming in at 15.96 lbs. (For reference, the Miele Classic C1 weighs 10 lbs.)
Best cordless vacuum
When it comes to cordless vacuums, the Dyson V15 seems pretty tough to beat. It features a whopping 230 air watts of suction power, an extra battery, nine attachments and 120 minutes of runtime. Most impressive, though, is its auto mode in which a sensor monitors brush bar resistance 360 times per second and intelligently adapts the power of the suction across different floor types. An LCD display at the very top of the vacuum then displays scientific proof of a deep clean. This display also shows the power mode and has a countdown timer. If that weren’t enough, it comes intact with a HEPA filter. It’s not exactly cheap, but if are looking for the Rolls-Royce of cordless vacuums, then you’ve found your luxury purchase.
For the more budget-minded consumer looking for a great cordless stick vacuum at a mid-tier price point, the Tineco Pure One S15 is a great call. Similar to the V15, it also features a sensor that adjusts the suction power according to the soiling detected. Other notable features are a detachable battery and 40-minute runtime.
