Best Vacuums 2024: Top Picks for Every Floor Type and Budget

Introduction

After extensive testing of 150 different vacuums, including 94 robots, 23 uprights, and 41 cordless models, we have identified the absolute best vacuums for 2024. Every device was put through a battery of objective, data-driven tests covering debris removal, hair tangle resistance, pet hair pickup, edge and crevice cleaning, sealed system performance, runtime, navigation, and noise levels. This list is organized by vacuum type and then by price, from the most expensive to the most budget-friendly.

How We Tested

Our testing process focuses on raw cleaning performance as the most important factor. We measure debris removal across all floor types, including hardwood, low-pile carpet, and high-pile carpet. We also run dedicated long hair and pet hair tests, edge and crevice tests, and for robot vacuums, a mopping test. Because testing procedures differ, robot vacuums are evaluated separately from upright and cordless stick models.

For sealed system performance, we use a fog machine to check whether dust and debris stay inside the vacuum. Runtime tests are performed exclusively on cordless stick vacuums, running each device on a single power mode until the battery is empty. Navigation tests focus on a robot’s ability to clean without getting stuck, its cleaning speed, and the effectiveness of its obstacle avoidance technology. Noise levels are measured with a sound meter from about three feet away.

Best Upright Vacuum: Dyson Ball Animal 3

The Dyson Ball Animal 3 is the top performer when it comes to raw cleaning performance. It achieved a 99.4% debris removal score across all floor types, and no other vacuum in our testing came close. In addition, none of the long hair tangled around the brush roll, and practically all of the pet hair was removed. This is thanks to an adjustable cleaning head that raises or lowers gates to adjust suction and seal on the floor.

The body of the Animal 3 is completely sealed, ensuring debris does not get scattered around the room while cleaning. It comes with a few useful accessories and attachments that aid in cleaning. Usability is solid, as the Dyson Ball Animal 3 is a relatively simple device. Both filters are washable, and the dust bin uses Dyson’s classic point-and-shoot emptying style.

The Animal 3 sits in the middle of the upright vacuum price range, making it an absolute steal if you are looking for the best raw cleaning performance in an upright package. It is also the loudest device across all vacuums on this list at 81.1 dB, so noise-sensitive users should take note.

Best Upright Runner-Up: Shark Stratos Upright

The Shark Stratos Upright is a powerful contender and the most expensive upright on this list. During testing, it removed 98.9% of all debris across all floor types. It completely avoided tangles in the long hair test and removed all of the pet hair from high-pile carpet. The 0.4-gallon dust bin is completely sealed, keeping all of the smoke inside the vacuum during our sealed system test.

Both the standard version and the upgraded Shark Stratos have the same base vacuum, but the upgraded version includes more accessories and attachments. A great advantage of the Stratos is the ability to lift the dust bin away from the device, turning it into a canister vacuum. Additionally, this upright and all vacuums in the Stratos lineup come with odor-neutralizing pods that help mask bad odors that occur while cleaning.

Best Budget Upright: Shark Navigator Lift-Away Pro

The Shark Navigator Lift-Away Pro may not look like it compares to the other upright vacuums on this list, but its asking price makes it a great pick for those on a tighter budget. It delivered solid performance in our cleaning tests, removing 83.6% of all debris across all floor types. The dip in the score really only came from high-pile carpet, as performance on low-pile carpet and hardwood was excellent.

It showed great results in our long hair tests, keeping the majority of hair from tangling, but struggled more in our pet hair test, not quite removing all of it from carpet. However, the device was completely sealed in our smoke sealant test, which is something even some high-performance vacuums fail to accomplish. It comes with useful accessories and the same lift-away features the Shark Stratos has, allowing it to function as a canister vacuum when needed.

The dust bin is the biggest on this entire list, giving you more space for dirt and debris. It also struggled in our crevice test, having difficulty removing debris from the deepest crevices. Overall, it is not the absolute best performer, but it remains a great pick considering the inexpensive price point.

Best Cordless Stick Vacuum: Dyson Gen5 Detect

The Dyson Gen5 Detect and Gen5 Outsize are the latest cordless stick vacuums from Dyson and arguably the best cordless stick vacuums ever built. In our tests, the Dyson Gen5 Detect removed 98.4% of all debris, avoided long hair tangles, and removed all the pet hair from high-pile carpet. It has an incredibly long runtime of 72 minutes on the lowest power mode, and its 0.2-gallon dust bin is completely sealed.

The Gen5 Detect keeps all the great usability features, including an auto mode, a robust display, and an adjustable cleaning head, but makes some key changes as well. Most notably, the controls have switched to a button as opposed to the old trigger design. Even more impressive is the built-in crevice tool: by simply pressing a button, the extension wand can be removed, revealing the crevice tool in its place. Additionally, the vacuum can lay down nearly completely flat and comes with a variety of useful attachments.

The Gen5 Detect is set at a high price, but if you are looking for the latest cordless stick with cutting-edge features and fantastic performance, this is it.

Best Cordless for Larger Homes: Dyson Gen5 Outsize

The Dyson Gen5 Outsize is the outsized version of the Gen5 Detect, featuring a larger dust bin of 0.5 gallons, an extra battery, and a larger cleaning head. It shares the same excellent cleaning performance and usability features as the Gen5 Detect, making it ideal for larger homes or users who prefer fewer emptying stops.

Best Mid-Range Cordless: Shark Stratos Cordless

The Shark Stratos Cordless is our mid-range pick for cordless vacuums. Released in tandem with the Shark Stratos Upright, it packs a lot of the same features and fantastic performance. In our tests, the Stratos removed 96.7% of all debris across all floor types. Long hair did not tangle, and it removed all of the pet hair from carpet.

It has the longest runtime of any cordless vacuum on this list on a single battery, coming in at just under 79 minutes. The dust bin is completely sealed, ensuring debris does not scatter around the room as you clean. It packs the same odor-neutralizing pods used on the Stratos Upright and has a few included accessories unique to the cordless Stratos, including a bendable extension wand that allows you to clean under furniture without bending over or crouching down.

While it does not have perfect performance across the board, the Stratos Cordless is still a fantastic vacuum when you consider the asking price. It is an easy vacuum to recommend.

Best Budget Cordless: Samsung Jet 75

The Samsung Jet 75 is a great budget-friendly choice. It removed 99.3% of all debris in our tests, with perfect results on hardwood flooring. Long hair and pet hair performance was not perfect but still solid. The 0.21-gallon dust bin is partially sealed, leaking a small amount of smoke into the air during our sealed system test. This is not ideal but still within an acceptable range.

The runtime was considerably shorter than other stick vacuums on this list, coming in at 44 minutes and 19 seconds, which means you will need to charge it more often. That said, our runtime test is run with the turbo action brush attached; Samsung states you can expect up to 60 minutes of runtime with no motorized attachments. It comes with a variety of tools that aid in specific cleaning situations, washable filters, and can lay down almost completely flat while still cleaning.

Best Robot Vacuum: Roborock S8 Pro Ultra

The Roborock S8 Pro Ultra comes at a steep asking price, but it backs it up with numerous bleeding-edge features. Debris removal performance was exceptional, cleaning 97.9% of all debris across all floor types. While long and pet hair performance struggled, the hair was easy to remove from the brush roll. The mopping performance was excellent thanks to the ability to raise and lower the mop pads. The S8 can vacuum and mop at the same time without getting carpets or rugs wet.

The robot is equipped with an RGB camera and internal sensors that enable excellent obstacle avoidance. Furthermore, it can quickly map and successfully navigate while cleaning without getting stuck. Maintenance is less frequent thanks to the robust docking station included. It can automatically empty the debris, refill the water supply, and wash and heat-dry the mop pads. The controls are simple and the app is intuitive.

Best Robot for Raw Suction: Roomba S9+

Despite being an older model, the Roomba S9+ still stands as one of the best-performing robot vacuums we have tested across all floor and debris types. It cleaned up 99.0% of all debris. While it struggled more with long hair performance, having 56.7% of strands tangle, the pet hair performance was excellent.

It lacks mopping capabilities and obstacle avoidance features, but navigates well all the same. Assuming you clear the floor of obstacles, the S9+ has no issues fully cleaning the space and returning to the docking station. It has helpful mapping features, an intuitive app, and an auto-empty docking station. While this station is not as robust as others, it works well and holds on average 30 days of debris.

Best Budget Robot: Shark Matrix

The Shark Matrix has excellent debris removal with 97.3% clean across all floor types. It had nearly perfect results on hardwood but lagged behind a little on low and high carpet. However, the Matrix is one of the best-performing robots at managing long hair, with only 6.7% of strands tangled around the brush roll after the test. Pet hair performance was not quite as great, and it lacks any obstacle avoidance.

Despite the lack of a camera, the Matrix navigates efficiently without getting stuck and returns to base reliably. It has a useful app and an auto-empty base. This is the only robot vacuum on this list that uses a bagless dust bin in the base, which reduces annual maintenance costs. While it may lack some of the latest and greatest features, it still performs well and has thoughtful additions that enhance usability. Considering the price point, the Shark Matrix is an easy recommendation.

Best Value Robot: Roomba i3+ EVO

The Roomba i3+ EVO is a more budget-friendly robot vacuum from Roomba that still packs excellent performance and great usability features. Across all debris removal tests, the i3+ EVO cleaned 99.0% of debris, matching the performance of the S9+. Long and pet hair performance was both solid, but it does lack mopping capabilities.

Due to the device’s age, it lacks some of the newest bells and whistles seen on current flagship models. That said, the i3+ EVO comes with an auto-empty base station that greatly reduces maintenance. It is not the highest-tech option on this list by any means, but seeing this level of performance at this price point makes the Roomba i3+ EVO an easy recommendation.

Overall Buying Advice

Price is an important factor, as is device type, but there are some key differences that set these vacuums apart. For upright vacuums, if you are looking for the best in the business, the Dyson Ball Animal 3 is it. It has powerful suction and fantastic cleaning performance across the board. The Shark Stratos Upright is a close runner-up that offers some additional functionality. If you are looking to save some cash, then the Shark Navigator Lift-Away Pro is a good choice, packing quite a bit of power at a much lower price point.

For cordless stick vacuums, the Dyson Gen5 Detect and Gen5 Outsize are the most expensive but also the highest-tech and best performing. The Shark Stratos Cordless is our mid-range pick, offering incredible performance, great features, and an odor-neutralizing pod. The budget-friendly choice is the Samsung Jet 75, which lacks some bells and whistles but is still a powerful performer at a great price.

For robot vacuums, if you want the best that the category has to offer, choose the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. It offers all the usability features that make it easier to use, paired with excellent cleaning performance across the board. If you do not need a mop but want raw vacuum power, choose the Roomba S9+, which has incredible debris removal with an auto-empty dock. The Shark Matrix is a more budget-friendly robot that offers great cleaning performance and a bagless dust bin for reduced maintenance costs. For the most bang for your buck, look no further than the Roomba i3+ EVO, which comes with an auto-empty dock, has great cleaning performance, and includes smart navigation features.

Conclusion

Across all cleaning tests, the Dyson Ball Animal 3 is the clear winner with 99.4% debris removal across all floor types. The Samsung Jet 75 surprised us with nearly identical performance at 99.3%. The worst-performing model was the Shark Navigator Lift-Away Pro at 83.6%, but its budget-friendly price makes some of that performance dip excusable.

When it comes to robot vacuums, the Roomba models are the clear winners with debris removal, whether it is the S9+ or the i3+ EVO, both achieving 99% debris removal. The Roborock S8 Pro Ultra and Shark Matrix are not far behind, with only a 1.7% difference between these four devices. Whatever your budget or floor type, there is a vacuum on this list that will meet your needs.