Best Vacuum Cleaner (2026): Cordless Vacuums, Robot Vacuums, Dysons
Comparison of our favorite vacuum cleaners
Honorable mentions
Bissell PowerClean FurFinder for $200: It was our previous top pick for the best cordless vacuum, and it’s still a great, affordable stick vacuum. But the Bissell PowerClean Classic ($150) is a bit cheaper because it doesn’t come with the FurFinder upholstery attachment, while the Dyson and Ryobi vacuums have more powerful suction for pet hair.
Black and Decker Dustbuster Flex for $110: This is another cool handheld vacuum, ideal for cars or even indoor spaces like stairs. It has a 4-foot hose, longer than most compact vacuums, and a handy little charging stand that accessories clip into. And thank goodness for the charging stand, since the battery only lasts 15 minutes.
Dyson Gen5 Detect Cordless Vacuum for $800: This is Dyson’s current top-of-the-line stick vacuum, and it’s fantastic, especially for homes with a lot of pet hair. But it’s expensive and rarely on sale, making it a difficult upgrade while you’ll still get a great experience with the Dyson V15 Detect. This vacuum cleaner has a HEPA filter, unlike the V15 Detect.
Dyson PencilVac Fluffycones for $450: This is a unique version of a stick vacuum cleaner. This is an impressive feat with the motor and trash bin integrated into the slim handle. There is both a Fluffycones version, which I tested, which has four fluffy cone-shaped rollers in the head, and a cheaper Fluffy version. I was impressed with the maneuverability of the PencilVac Fluffycones and often find myself grabbing it between runs of my robot vacuum to keep debris and kitty litter under control. It’s also lightweight and easy to push, and has a self-contained charging stand. But it is a little expensive because it is only intended for hard floors.
Ecovacs Deebot X11 Omnicyclone for $999: If you want a newer robot vacuum, the Ecovacs Deebot X11 Omnicyclone has a unique design without a dust bag. Instead, it has a rounded tank like a Dyson vacuum or stick vacuum, circling debris to prevent it from getting tangled. It’s a good design, and it’s overall a great robot vacuum, especially if you don’t want to buy dust bags again and again.
Eufy X10 Pro Omni for $480: This was our previous top pick for a robot vacuum. It’s still a great choice and an affordable price for a robot vacuum that can vacuum and clean and has a solid 8,000 Pa of suction power. But Eufy has a newer model that you can buy for a little more if you want a self-cleaning roller mop instead of roller pads, with almost double the suction power.
Roborock Saros 20 for $1,600: Roborock’s latest robot vacuum is pretty good overall, but WIRED reviewer Adrienne So noticed that it left debris on its hard floors, especially on the partition when it moved from its carpet to a hard floor. This could be due to the very high suction, which reaches 36,000 Pa. She also hoped that it had a few other features that would work better, including the AdaptiLift and the beta spot detection feature. We’re in contact with Roborock about these issues, but overall it’s a solid robot vacuum.
Tineco Pure One Station 5 for $459: If you want a cordless stick vacuum but don’t want to have to empty it all the time, this Tineco vacuum comes with an auto-empty dock. You’ll eventually need to empty the dock, but it’s a nice bonus feature that prevents the vacuum from falling into your home since it’s safely stored in the dock.
FAQs
Which style of vacuum cleaner is best for you?
To help you decide which one to buy, here’s what makes each vacuum style great.
- Cordless vacuum cleaners or stick vacuum cleaners: These vacuums resemble the latter name, with a long, stick-like arm that connects the vacuum head to the tank and controls. You’ll need to hold it in a way that you wouldn’t need to do with an upright vacuum, but these are powerful and super mobile. They make a great main vacuum and are especially useful if you have multiple floors to vacuum, as they are easy to carry up and down stairs.
- Robot vacuum cleaners: Robot vacuums are great for cleaning and are controlled by an app. There are several models that also serve as a mop. You’ll need to spend time moving furniture around to get the best clean possible, and you generally still want to vacuum regularly. But they are perfect for frequent cleanings in homes with children and pets.
- Handheld vacuum cleaners: Handheld vacuums are great for targeted cleaning or cleaning specific areas like stairs and cars. Most stick vacuums can convert into handheld vacuums, but true handhelds are much lighter and have a more compact design (but also sacrifice battery power and dustbin capacity).
What about upright vacuum cleaners?
An upright vacuum cleaner is a classic and original vacuum cleaner that stands on its own, is much heavier than a cordless stick vacuum cleaner and requires a plug connection to operate. We don’t recommend an upright vacuum, as cordless stick vacuums have become the top priority for most buyers (and as frequent vacuums ourselves, we generally look for cordless and robot vacuums anyway). We do, however, plan to test upright vacuums in the future, so feel free to comment on this guide with which models we should consider.
Do you need a stick vacuum and a hand vacuum?
Do you need a handheld vacuum if you already own a cordless vacuum? Probably not, as most stick vacuums can convert into a handheld vacuum. Stick or cordless vacuums usually allow you to remove the stick part between the vacuum head and the base of the tank and connect these two parts directly, making it a handheld vacuum. It will be much heavier than a handheld vacuum and might be irritating in some use cases, but you don’t need both unless there is a specific reason. A handheld is a good addition if you already have an upright vacuum that you love and doesn’t need to be replaced.
How often should you replace your vacuum cleaner?
Vacuum cleaners last about five years, depending on frequency of use and build quality. However, some cheaper stick vacuums may only last a year or two, so it’s worth investing in a better vacuum rather than a cheap dupe. If you’re curious about what signs your vacuum might need to be replaced, check out our guide to how long vacuum cleaners last.
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