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Most of these top picks are expert or staff-recommended models from popular brands like Dyson, Shark and Black+Decker. I included specs like run time and dustbin capacity below each recommendation.
This vacuum has a flexible design that makes everyday cleaning easier, says Kathy Turley, the director of marketing at the cleaning service company Home Clean Heroes. The main wand can hinge and bend in the center, which makes vacuuming under furniture and in corners a breeze, says Turley. It’s also great at catching hair, both from pets and people.
Like our other favorites on this list, it has a solid run time and you can convert it into a smaller handheld vacuum when needed.
This is one of the best vacuums on the market, according to Dulude and NBC Select reporter Zoe Malin. Malin has used it for years to clean every spot of her New York City apartment — hardwood flooring, bathroom tile, carpets, furniture, you name it.
It has strong suction and automatically adjusts its speed depending on the dust it senses on the floor. It also has headlights that reveal hidden dirt, making it easier to get a deep clean, says Malin. The 40-minute runtime is enough to clean Malin’s entire apartment or spot clean throughout the week. Like most competitors on this list, it converts into a handheld vacuum and comes with a wall mount.
Levoit is better known for its air purifiers, but this vacuum checks a lot of boxes without costing hundreds of dollars. It is lightweight, powerful, convertible, and even comes with headlights on the main cleaning attachments. Plus it has a run time of up to 50 minutes — cordless vacuums at this price point usually get under 30 minutes.
The vacuum has a pre-motor filter that should be replaced every three months, according to the brand.
The Dyson V11 comes with a powerful motobar cleaning head that sucks up dust and other particles, including pet hair without getting tangled, according to the brand. You’ll also get attachments for: a hair screw, a combination tool and a crevice tool. You can use it to clean all floor types, like hardwood, laminate, tile, carpet and more, plus, the included attachments are great for cleaning upholstered furniture, baseboards and walls and other areas. It also has an LCD screen that shows you how much battery is left and what mode it’s on, of which it has three (auto, eco and boost).
This model from Shark is a favorite of NBC Select editorial projects manager Rebecca Rodriguez’s, who received it as a sample from the brand. It can automatically detect debris, and increases or decreases its motor speed depending on what its sensor detects. The light on the front of the vacuum also better illuminates dirt in front of you.
It comes with attachments that let you convert it into a handheld or crevice vacuum. It also comes with a dock that automatically clears the dust bin and charges the vacuum when not in use. It is a bit large, so make sure you have enough space to store it in your home. You can read more in our Shark Detect Pro review.
If you need a vacuum under $100, Turley recommends this Dirt Devil — it’s affordable, lightweight and powerful. Part of that versatility is in the design: you can adjust it between upright, handheld and stick setups. It has a short battery life and small bin size compared to other options on our list — so it’s best for cleaning smaller spaces.
Turley describes this vacuum as “the little engine that could” — it’s the smallest and most portable vacuum on our list and one of our favorite handheld vacuums. It comes with a crevice tool and a slim nozzle that can rotate 180 degrees. Both attachments are great for cleaning behind appliances or under hard-to-reach places, says Turley. Its portability also makes it good for cleaning places outside your home, like a car or shed.
This handheld cordless vacuum has anti-tangle rubber bristles that easily pick up pet hairs, says Turley, who has two dogs. It has two speeds, plus a boost button that increases suction to help clean tough messes. Its extra-long crevice tool attachment comes in handy for nabbing hair under the sofa or in crevices in your car, says Turley.
Our experts recommend the Bissell Crosswave for anyone looking to vacuum and mop with just one tool. It has two water tanks, one for fresh water with a cleaning solution and one that stores dirty water and debris. The main roller has LED lights on the front to better illuminate your path as you clean. When you are finished cleaning, it automatically self-cleans the brush roll and the inside of the canister so it’s fresh for the next use, according to the brand.
Keep in mind that it is larger and heavier than most options on our list.
There are various kinds of vacuums on the market, but most are sorted into six types: upright, canister, stick, cordless, handheld and robot. Our experts love cordless vacuums because they are:
Our experts admit there are some downsides to cordless vacuums. If you are considering a new one, be aware of these limitations:
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
I am a reporter at NBC Select who covers technology including guides to smartwatches, air purifiers and over-ear headphones. For this piece, I spoke with cleaning experts to learn more about the complexities of cordless vacuums. I combined their recommendations with that of NBC Select staff to select the best cordless vacuums on the market.
Cory Fernandez is a commerce editor at NBC Select, who regularly writes about cleaning and kitchen appliances. He’s written extensively about vacuum sales during Amazon Prime Day, Black Friday and Cyber Monday as well.
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