6 Facts Everyone Should Know About Vacuum Cleaners
Vacuuming.
It's on all of our to-do lists -- a lot.
Minutes to an hour each week vacuuming for the rest of your life, according to Craig Amick,
Director of commercial development at Electrolux Small Appliances. That is more than a full
Day each year simply spent on dust, dirt, and debris.
The wrong vacuum (heavy, loud, flat-out doesn't work) turns a simple task into a serious
Chore, but after testing 19 versions, we're delighted to say that it does not have to be this bad. We
Looked at the top upright vacuums from the leading brands to find which ones needed strong
Suction (100 percent pickup within two passes) and simple maneuverability (so agile you
could take it salsa dancing). Our pick for the best vacuum, the Hoover Air Cordless Lift, is
Easy to catch and go -- it is lightweight and zippy, with no cord to slow you down -- and has
1 thing that was shocking in our search (but not shocking to anyone who's ever shopped
For a vacuum): The price range on these guys is ridiculous. You can find a vacuum for $50
Or for $1,000, even though basic performance and quality don't vary much between midrange
With those guys, you are paying more for a lot of bells and
Whistles -- from floor tools which light up to automatic suction control. With budget models,
It's a total mixed bag.
four-figure counterparts. Case in point: Should you forfeit some oomph and get lowerquality
Plastic structure, the Bissell CleanView 9595A ($80) outperformed much more
Expensive models such as the SEBO 9807AM Felix 1 ($600) in both cleaning power and simplicity of
Use in our hands-on testing.
Do a quick Amazon search, and suddenly you've got over 13,000 vacuums to pick from.
With no apparent hierarchy of models or brands (coupled with the bewildering task of
Deciphering what is a marketing gimmick and what's a valid feature), searching for a
Vacuum ends up as much a chore as vacuuming itself.
We knew finding the best was going to be a down-and-dirty mission.
Hands on plenty of vacuums and see how they stacked up doing their most fundamental task:
sucking up gunk. Before we did this, though, we had to whittle down the list of thousands of
Cleaning, while canister vacuums are great for hard-to-reach spots and
furniture. For those with too many to-dos, robot vacuums do the job for you.
We just looked at uprights.
Vacuums come in all shapes and sizes -- canister, stick, robotic, hand-held, upright -- and
To narrow the field, we looked at the hottest: uprights.
Compared to other models that are designed for specific purposes, upright vacuums are
Great at quickly removing dirt and dust from large regions of carpet, while also working well
on hardwoods and area rugs. They are the most things to most people.
We looked at vacuums at two price categories: cheap and mid-range.
Both benchmarks were below $250 and $250-$600. Any version over $600 we nixed.
Why? Determining what bells and whistles were a priority really comes down to a matter of
preference. Like shopping for a car, we would not assume that heated leather seats and
Satellite radio are must-have features for you.
And we chose the flagship models of top vacuum manufacturers per price point.
Within each of the price points, we then dug deeper to determine which models stood out. Some
Vacuums, such as the Oreck XL Classic, have an avid fan base. (Really! Check out
Its reviews and you will find tons of loyal clients touting this lightweight version as the only
Vacuum they'll ever own.) If a model was hands-down the most talked about, it made our
Listing; if a brand didn't have such a following, we defaulted to its highest-priced model within
Both pricing categories -- we wanted to place each brand's top vacuums to the test.
Then we began vacuuming.
On medium-pile carpet, then on hardwood, we measured how many moves each vacuum
Took to thoroughly suck up the mess we made. To test each version's ability with large
Particles, we evenly spread sand (a few cups) and Cheerios (generous handfuls), and then,
Sprinkled cinnamon and talcum powder to test fine-grain mayhem. The best vacuums sucked
Everything up in two passes -- one forward, 1 back. The worst could never quite get the
floor clean.
Riccar, which frequently garners ecstatic comments, had the least cleaning power of all 19
It took so many tries to pick up any sand and Cheerios, we took it apart
To make sure we'd assembled it correctly. (We'd.)
It may have a loyal following, but the Riccar's performance didn't impress us during
testing. Note the large trail of debris left behind after the Riccar's initial pass on
hardwood.
The Kenmore Elite, by comparison, had great cleaning power, which at first we thought was
The result of its "dirt detector" -- it sounded fancy, but turns out it is just another way to increase
Or lower the brush based on carpet height. Gimmicky advertising, but overall a great
vacuum.
Wet MessWe also tried moist potting soil for those muddy moments You Might Have
To tidy up, but we found upright vacuums aren't really designed to handle wet
materials. Surprisingly, our funding selection, the Bissell CleanView 9595A, was an
Overachiever and blasted right through it. But, vacuuming mud tends to clog the
brush roll, which reduces its cleaning power -- avoid doing it!
We also put each model through an obstacle course: multiple tables and chairs that
Mimicked the layout of a small room. We took each vacuum for a spin, requiring them to
Make at least two sharp, 90-degree turns in both directions, and to squeeze through the
narrow slots between furniture. If it cornered like it was on rails and was not too heavy to
Among the key features for increased maneuverability is some form of swiveling joint
Between the body and the cleaning head; some vacuums do so better than others. Looks
Were deceiving with the Miele Dynamic U1 Twist: It appeared much bulkier than a number of the
Slimmer swivelers, but its patented SwivelNeck was something to behold -- it handled
Each corner like a fantasy. The Shark Professional Rotator, on the other hand, looked slick,
rolling caddy! -- that dropped tools all over.)
Compared to this Miele Dynamic U1 Twist (high), the Shark Professional Rotator
(underside) felt wobbly and out of control.
Best Overall
Hoover Air Cordless LiftWe did not anticipate a battery-powered vacuum to pile up to
its corded competition, but this Hoover truly impressed.
Our unanimous top pick was Hoover's Air Cordless Lift for its exceptional cleaning power and
maneuverability. We were stunned that our sole cordless version went straight to the top of
the list. Most agree that cordless versions aren't quite there yet in terms of power (Sir James
Dysons "for a few years"), yet this small Hoover defies the trend. It's everything you want in
An upright, and there is no cable to trip you up.
It provides only two settings: carpeting or no carpeting, and a "boost" button for more cleaning
Power, though both settings worked well without boosting.
passes. On hardwoods, it took another two or three, but squeezed up every Cheerio and
Plowed through each pile of sand we put in its route. Then we turned on the increase and
Bingo: hardwood performance was just as great as carpet.
The Hoover Air Cordless Lift made quick work of our messes on both carpet and
hardwood, and its maneuverability made navigating around furniture a breeze.
It maneuvered around our test furniture without a single collision in a way which can only be
Granted, this pep did cause some bizarre handling in large expanses of
Carpeting -- it kept trying to maneuver even when we wanted it to keep pointing straight ahead.
If you want it to run circles around Grandma's curio cabinet or your 12-piece dining set, this
Wide-open rooms might be frustrating -- if that
Sounds like your house, we recommend the Oreck XL Classic, our very best carpet pick, or the
Samsung VU7000 Motion Sync, our pick for hardwood.
The Air Cordless Lift converts to a small canister vacuum cleaner with an easily detachable liftaway
The parts fit in so cheaply, we did not even notice them at first.
It wasn't much of a noisemaker, either: Coming in at 81.1 decibels, it was on the quieter
high 80s). And, at just 12 lbs, it was among the lightest.
While the power of these batteries was rock solid, they can't vacuum all day. Consumer
Reports says that every battery (it comes with two, so one charges whereas another is in use)
Lasts only 25 minutes.
Additionally, lithium batteries generally only last between two to three years, which would be
More of a concern if each Hoover battery didn't come with a five-year warranty. Ultimately
Though, the convenience of moving cord-free might not be worth it for larger homes or if you
Think swapping in brand new battery packs is a nuisance.
Bursts as opposed to marathon sessions, the Hoover Cordless Air Lift's cleaning power and
Maneuverability are really striking.
Best for Carpet
Oreck XL ClassicIt looks plain. It looks simple. But in this case, minimalism works:
the Oreck XL Classic does its thing really well.
For a carpet-heavy home, the Oreck is a winner. It has enormous cleaning power no matter
How big or small the mess.
Previous 85 decibels, the loudest of any vacuum we analyzed. Other than the Hoover, it's the only
Vacuum we evaluated with edge-cleaning bristles, which are supposed to help pick up debris
Close to the wall. But we are not convinced these little whiskers do too much -- the fact that
Two of our best picks have them is just a coincidence.
Sprinkling talcum along the perimeter of the space, the bristle-free Bissell performed only as
well.)
In comparison to another popular vacuum, the Miele Dynamic U1 Twist, the Oreck
Pushed our sound-level meter much higher.
On hardwoods, the Oreck cleaned well enough, sucking everything in its path in 2 passes,
And many longtime users say they use it with great results. But neither of those Oreck versions
We analyzed has a bare-floor option, which means its brushroll is constantly rolling; over time,
That wear and tear could be damaging to your floors and finishes.
Design-wise, it's pretty commercial, like something you'd see in a hotel, and undoubtedly
Minimalist -- we are talking zero attachments. It has only one setting: on. And its back
Wheels can be found on the underside of the vacuum, as opposed to on the back edge, so you
Can not tip it back to transfer it from one room to the next. It scrapes along the ground and
Bumps awkwardly over carpet. Picking it up and just carrying it's your best option -- in a
Featherweight nine pounds, this isn't a big deal (especially in contrast to the heaviest vacuum
We tested, the Kenmore Progressive, which weighs a burly 23 pounds), but it also is not the
most convenient. That said, if you're a sucker for simplicity, the Oreck XL Classic is zerofuss
Best for Bare Floors
Samsung VU7000 Motion SyncHeavy and stiff, this vacuum isn't the most
Comfortable to maneuver from room to room, but it's absolute power on bare floors.
When it came to pure hardwood flooring performance, the Samsung VU7000 Motion Sync
Wowed us over any other vacuum, including our top pick, the Hoover Air Cordless
Lift. In only one easy movement, it sucked up everything we put in its route. (On carpeting, it did a
good enough job with finer debris, like sand, but its low-slung carpet setting pushed chunks
And Cheerios around in front of it.)
One of the Motion Sync's shiniest features is its advanced anti-allergy and hygienic
Filtration system (HEPA filter), which captures airborne allergens while removing dust and
dirt. "If you or someone in your family suffers from allergies, a HEPA filter is ideal,"
Says Dr. Felix Rivera-Mariani, an aerobiology adviser and adjunct professor of biology
and immunology. This type of filter collects and -- most importantly -- keeps more than
It is the most complete and effective Sort of allergen filter
On the sector and this version is our only top choice to offer it.
Like the Hoover Air Cordless Lift, the Samsung VU7000 Motion Sync Includes a small
canister with detachable wand for off-the-floor cleaning. Contrary to the Hoover, this one was
More challenging to use: The button stuck, and we really needed to yank pretty tough to get the
wand out. If we hadn't read how to do it in the manual, we would have believed we had been
We had a similar response to reclining the vacuum too. We had to stomp
Down on the cleaning head and glue the handle back. Is this this stiffness because our
Version was brand new? Possibly -- but still not good.
Its black and chrome finish gives it a sleek appearance -- a little more refined than some of
The flashy purple and electric orange versions we tested. But do not let its streamlined color
This model is a tank. At 18 pounds, it is heavy, and it does not glide along
Either carpet or hardwoods; moving it from room to room isn't an effortless task. For multisurface
Use, we favor the Hoover, but if you have mostly bare floors, this version's cleaning
power blew away the competition.
Best Budget Pick
Lineup ended up with some of the best cleaning power of all.
"One Pass Tech" is one of Bissell's flagship technologies, and it's designed to do just
What it seems like: Eat everything up on its initial pass. We do not know whether Bissell
Considers "one pass" as only the forward motion, or forward and then backward, but we could
Tell you how it really works. On the forward pass, it suctions roughly half of all debris we
On the backward pass, it picks up
Everything it tossed, and your floor is 100 percent clean. Is that "One & A Half Pass
Technology"? We are not certain, but bottom line: This best-selling model is a best-seller for a
reason. It cleaned way better than we thought it would, and it is really affordable.
The Bissell won't win any awards in the design department -- it's a plain and basic 15
Pounds of purple and black plastic. It lacks a molded handle with a grippy texture, so it's
Not particularly ergonomic or comfortable; if you get distracted, the handle could slide right
Out of your hand. However, its washable dirt room is easy to empty and it has a washable filter,
Which saves you the extra cost of having to buy replacements. (The Hoover and Samsung
Have washable filters also). So while it may resemble the vacuum you would buy for your first
Studio apartment, it's got the cleaning power and convenience you need for your first home.
It's on all of our to-do lists -- a lot.
Minutes to an hour each week vacuuming for the rest of your life, according to Craig Amick,
Director of commercial development at Electrolux Small Appliances. That is more than a full
Day each year simply spent on dust, dirt, and debris.
The wrong vacuum (heavy, loud, flat-out doesn't work) turns a simple task into a serious
Chore, but after testing 19 versions, we're delighted to say that it does not have to be this bad. We
Looked at the top upright vacuums from the leading brands to find which ones needed strong
Suction (100 percent pickup within two passes) and simple maneuverability (so agile you
could take it salsa dancing). Our pick for the best vacuum, the Hoover Air Cordless Lift, is
Easy to catch and go -- it is lightweight and zippy, with no cord to slow you down -- and has
1 thing that was shocking in our search (but not shocking to anyone who's ever shopped
For a vacuum): The price range on these guys is ridiculous. You can find a vacuum for $50
Or for $1,000, even though basic performance and quality don't vary much between midrange
With those guys, you are paying more for a lot of bells and
Whistles -- from floor tools which light up to automatic suction control. With budget models,
It's a total mixed bag.
four-figure counterparts. Case in point: Should you forfeit some oomph and get lowerquality
Plastic structure, the Bissell CleanView 9595A ($80) outperformed much more
Expensive models such as the SEBO 9807AM Felix 1 ($600) in both cleaning power and simplicity of
Use in our hands-on testing.
Do a quick Amazon search, and suddenly you've got over 13,000 vacuums to pick from.
With no apparent hierarchy of models or brands (coupled with the bewildering task of
Deciphering what is a marketing gimmick and what's a valid feature), searching for a
Vacuum ends up as much a chore as vacuuming itself.
We knew finding the best was going to be a down-and-dirty mission.
Hands on plenty of vacuums and see how they stacked up doing their most fundamental task:
sucking up gunk. Before we did this, though, we had to whittle down the list of thousands of
Cleaning, while canister vacuums are great for hard-to-reach spots and
furniture. For those with too many to-dos, robot vacuums do the job for you.
We just looked at uprights.
Vacuums come in all shapes and sizes -- canister, stick, robotic, hand-held, upright -- and
To narrow the field, we looked at the hottest: uprights.
Compared to other models that are designed for specific purposes, upright vacuums are
Great at quickly removing dirt and dust from large regions of carpet, while also working well
on hardwoods and area rugs. They are the most things to most people.
We looked at vacuums at two price categories: cheap and mid-range.
Both benchmarks were below $250 and $250-$600. Any version over $600 we nixed.
Why? Determining what bells and whistles were a priority really comes down to a matter of
preference. Like shopping for a car, we would not assume that heated leather seats and
Satellite radio are must-have features for you.
And we chose the flagship models of top vacuum manufacturers per price point.
Within each of the price points, we then dug deeper to determine which models stood out. Some
Vacuums, such as the Oreck XL Classic, have an avid fan base. (Really! Check out
Its reviews and you will find tons of loyal clients touting this lightweight version as the only
Vacuum they'll ever own.) If a model was hands-down the most talked about, it made our
Listing; if a brand didn't have such a following, we defaulted to its highest-priced model within
Both pricing categories -- we wanted to place each brand's top vacuums to the test.
Then we began vacuuming.
On medium-pile carpet, then on hardwood, we measured how many moves each vacuum
Took to thoroughly suck up the mess we made. To test each version's ability with large
Particles, we evenly spread sand (a few cups) and Cheerios (generous handfuls), and then,
Sprinkled cinnamon and talcum powder to test fine-grain mayhem. The best vacuums sucked
Everything up in two passes -- one forward, 1 back. The worst could never quite get the
floor clean.
Riccar, which frequently garners ecstatic comments, had the least cleaning power of all 19
It took so many tries to pick up any sand and Cheerios, we took it apart
To make sure we'd assembled it correctly. (We'd.)
It may have a loyal following, but the Riccar's performance didn't impress us during
testing. Note the large trail of debris left behind after the Riccar's initial pass on
hardwood.
The Kenmore Elite, by comparison, had great cleaning power, which at first we thought was
The result of its "dirt detector" -- it sounded fancy, but turns out it is just another way to increase
Or lower the brush based on carpet height. Gimmicky advertising, but overall a great
vacuum.
Wet MessWe also tried moist potting soil for those muddy moments You Might Have
To tidy up, but we found upright vacuums aren't really designed to handle wet
materials. Surprisingly, our funding selection, the Bissell CleanView 9595A, was an
Overachiever and blasted right through it. But, vacuuming mud tends to clog the
brush roll, which reduces its cleaning power -- avoid doing it!
We also put each model through an obstacle course: multiple tables and chairs that
Mimicked the layout of a small room. We took each vacuum for a spin, requiring them to
Make at least two sharp, 90-degree turns in both directions, and to squeeze through the
narrow slots between furniture. If it cornered like it was on rails and was not too heavy to
Among the key features for increased maneuverability is some form of swiveling joint
Between the body and the cleaning head; some vacuums do so better than others. Looks
Were deceiving with the Miele Dynamic U1 Twist: It appeared much bulkier than a number of the
Slimmer swivelers, but its patented SwivelNeck was something to behold -- it handled
Each corner like a fantasy. The Shark Professional Rotator, on the other hand, looked slick,
rolling caddy! -- that dropped tools all over.)
Compared to this Miele Dynamic U1 Twist (high), the Shark Professional Rotator
(underside) felt wobbly and out of control.
Best Overall
Hoover Air Cordless LiftWe did not anticipate a battery-powered vacuum to pile up to
its corded competition, but this Hoover truly impressed.
Our unanimous top pick was Hoover's Air Cordless Lift for its exceptional cleaning power and
maneuverability. We were stunned that our sole cordless version went straight to the top of
the list. Most agree that cordless versions aren't quite there yet in terms of power (Sir James
Dysons "for a few years"), yet this small Hoover defies the trend. It's everything you want in
An upright, and there is no cable to trip you up.
It provides only two settings: carpeting or no carpeting, and a "boost" button for more cleaning
Power, though both settings worked well without boosting.
passes. On hardwoods, it took another two or three, but squeezed up every Cheerio and
Plowed through each pile of sand we put in its route. Then we turned on the increase and
Bingo: hardwood performance was just as great as carpet.
The Hoover Air Cordless Lift made quick work of our messes on both carpet and
hardwood, and its maneuverability made navigating around furniture a breeze.
It maneuvered around our test furniture without a single collision in a way which can only be
Granted, this pep did cause some bizarre handling in large expanses of
Carpeting -- it kept trying to maneuver even when we wanted it to keep pointing straight ahead.
If you want it to run circles around Grandma's curio cabinet or your 12-piece dining set, this
Wide-open rooms might be frustrating -- if that
Sounds like your house, we recommend the Oreck XL Classic, our very best carpet pick, or the
Samsung VU7000 Motion Sync, our pick for hardwood.
The Air Cordless Lift converts to a small canister vacuum cleaner with an easily detachable liftaway
The parts fit in so cheaply, we did not even notice them at first.
It wasn't much of a noisemaker, either: Coming in at 81.1 decibels, it was on the quieter
high 80s). And, at just 12 lbs, it was among the lightest.
While the power of these batteries was rock solid, they can't vacuum all day. Consumer
Reports says that every battery (it comes with two, so one charges whereas another is in use)
Lasts only 25 minutes.
Additionally, lithium batteries generally only last between two to three years, which would be
More of a concern if each Hoover battery didn't come with a five-year warranty. Ultimately
Though, the convenience of moving cord-free might not be worth it for larger homes or if you
Think swapping in brand new battery packs is a nuisance.
Bursts as opposed to marathon sessions, the Hoover Cordless Air Lift's cleaning power and
Maneuverability are really striking.
Best for Carpet
Oreck XL ClassicIt looks plain. It looks simple. But in this case, minimalism works:
the Oreck XL Classic does its thing really well.
For a carpet-heavy home, the Oreck is a winner. It has enormous cleaning power no matter
How big or small the mess.
Previous 85 decibels, the loudest of any vacuum we analyzed. Other than the Hoover, it's the only
Vacuum we evaluated with edge-cleaning bristles, which are supposed to help pick up debris
Close to the wall. But we are not convinced these little whiskers do too much -- the fact that
Two of our best picks have them is just a coincidence.
Sprinkling talcum along the perimeter of the space, the bristle-free Bissell performed only as
well.)
In comparison to another popular vacuum, the Miele Dynamic U1 Twist, the Oreck
Pushed our sound-level meter much higher.
On hardwoods, the Oreck cleaned well enough, sucking everything in its path in 2 passes,
And many longtime users say they use it with great results. But neither of those Oreck versions
We analyzed has a bare-floor option, which means its brushroll is constantly rolling; over time,
That wear and tear could be damaging to your floors and finishes.
Design-wise, it's pretty commercial, like something you'd see in a hotel, and undoubtedly
Minimalist -- we are talking zero attachments. It has only one setting: on. And its back
Wheels can be found on the underside of the vacuum, as opposed to on the back edge, so you
Can not tip it back to transfer it from one room to the next. It scrapes along the ground and
Bumps awkwardly over carpet. Picking it up and just carrying it's your best option -- in a
Featherweight nine pounds, this isn't a big deal (especially in contrast to the heaviest vacuum
We tested, the Kenmore Progressive, which weighs a burly 23 pounds), but it also is not the
most convenient. That said, if you're a sucker for simplicity, the Oreck XL Classic is zerofuss
Best for Bare Floors
Samsung VU7000 Motion SyncHeavy and stiff, this vacuum isn't the most
Comfortable to maneuver from room to room, but it's absolute power on bare floors.
When it came to pure hardwood flooring performance, the Samsung VU7000 Motion Sync
Wowed us over any other vacuum, including our top pick, the Hoover Air Cordless
Lift. In only one easy movement, it sucked up everything we put in its route. (On carpeting, it did a
good enough job with finer debris, like sand, but its low-slung carpet setting pushed chunks
And Cheerios around in front of it.)
One of the Motion Sync's shiniest features is its advanced anti-allergy and hygienic
Filtration system (HEPA filter), which captures airborne allergens while removing dust and
dirt. "If you or someone in your family suffers from allergies, a HEPA filter is ideal,"
Says Dr. Felix Rivera-Mariani, an aerobiology adviser and adjunct professor of biology
and immunology. This type of filter collects and -- most importantly -- keeps more than
It is the most complete and effective Sort of allergen filter
On the sector and this version is our only top choice to offer it.
Like the Hoover Air Cordless Lift, the Samsung VU7000 Motion Sync Includes a small
canister with detachable wand for off-the-floor cleaning. Contrary to the Hoover, this one was
More challenging to use: The button stuck, and we really needed to yank pretty tough to get the
wand out. If we hadn't read how to do it in the manual, we would have believed we had been
We had a similar response to reclining the vacuum too. We had to stomp
Down on the cleaning head and glue the handle back. Is this this stiffness because our
Version was brand new? Possibly -- but still not good.
Its black and chrome finish gives it a sleek appearance -- a little more refined than some of
The flashy purple and electric orange versions we tested. But do not let its streamlined color
This model is a tank. At 18 pounds, it is heavy, and it does not glide along
Either carpet or hardwoods; moving it from room to room isn't an effortless task. For multisurface
Use, we favor the Hoover, but if you have mostly bare floors, this version's cleaning
power blew away the competition.
Best Budget Pick
Lineup ended up with some of the best cleaning power of all.
"One Pass Tech" is one of Bissell's flagship technologies, and it's designed to do just
What it seems like: Eat everything up on its initial pass. We do not know whether Bissell
Considers "one pass" as only the forward motion, or forward and then backward, but we could
Tell you how it really works. On the forward pass, it suctions roughly half of all debris we
On the backward pass, it picks up
Everything it tossed, and your floor is 100 percent clean. Is that "One & A Half Pass
Technology"? We are not certain, but bottom line: This best-selling model is a best-seller for a
reason. It cleaned way better than we thought it would, and it is really affordable.
The Bissell won't win any awards in the design department -- it's a plain and basic 15
Pounds of purple and black plastic. It lacks a molded handle with a grippy texture, so it's
Not particularly ergonomic or comfortable; if you get distracted, the handle could slide right
Out of your hand. However, its washable dirt room is easy to empty and it has a washable filter,
Which saves you the extra cost of having to buy replacements. (The Hoover and Samsung
Have washable filters also). So while it may resemble the vacuum you would buy for your first
Studio apartment, it's got the cleaning power and convenience you need for your first home.
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