8 Best Vacuum Cleaners to Buy in 2019

Two important questions to ask when buying a vacuum cleaner are: Is it easy to handle and maneuver and can it really remove dust and dirt from all areas of my home? We wouldn’t be the Good Housekeeping Cleaning Lab if the vacuums on this list didn’t pass that test with flying colors.

But choosing the best vacuum cleaner for you and your home means thinking about more than just that. Consider what surfaces you’ll be vacuuming, how your home is laid out and how much time you have for cleaning up. Immediately below are our picks for the best vacuums in eight key categories. Scroll all the way down to learn more about what to consider before you buy a new vacuum and how to choose the best vacuum cleaner to meet your needs.

The best vacuum cleaners to buy in 2019 are:

Best Upright Vacuum Cleaner: Miele Dynamic U1 Maverick
Best Value Vacuum Cleaner: Hoover REACT
Best Cordless Vacuum Cleaner: Bissell Air Ram Cordless
Best Canister Vacuum Cleaner: Miele Compact C2 Electro+ PowerLine
Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner: iRobot Roomba i7+
Best Combination Vacuum Cleaner: Dyson Cyclone V10 Absolute
Best Handheld Vacuum Cleaner: Dirt Devil Gator Lithium 16V Hand Vacuum
Best Lightweight Vacuum Cleaner: Oreck Magnesium

How We Test Vacuum Cleaners

The Good Housekeeping Cleaning Lab tests vacuum cleaners for how well they remove dirt deeply embedded into pile carpet and simulated pet hair evenly spread on a carpet’s surface. We look at how well they remove large and small debris from hard flooring like hardwood, tile, or linoleum, how well they clean along edges and how much suction they draw at the tools.

Our tests are based on the ASTM standard test methods the industry uses and each vacuum model is tested exactly the same way. Ease-of-use testing includes evaluating maneuverability, battery run-time for cordless vacuum cleaners, the controls, how easy the dust cup is to empty and clean or the bag is to change, and weighing how heavy the vacuum is.

Consumer testers rate the vacuums’ maneuverability by running it on a bare floor and carpet, around corners and under furniture. They rate the ease of removing the dust cup or bag, and the ease of operating the vacuums’ controls. We note and test any features like a battery charge indicator, a brush roll control button, or other tools and accessories. Keep reading to see why these vacuums made the cut to win our distinction of the best vacuums of 2019.

1. Miele Dynamic U1 Maverick Vacuum Cleaner

BEST UPRIGHT VACUUM CLEANER

This Miele model is ideal for allergy and asthma sufferers since this Good Housekeeping Seal-holder with its HEPA filter did the best job in our tests of picking up dirt and keeping it trapped inside the vacuum. Its self-sealing bag also keeps dust out of the air when it’s time to remove and replace it. 

This powerhouse cleans everything from delicate curtains to deep carpets and though some consumers testers said it was heavy, the swivel neck makes in maneuverable. It was also the quietest model in our tests.

Features

• AirClean Sealed System
• Swivel neck technology. High suction power – 1,200 Watts
• Automatic height adjustment. FilterBag volume in litres- 6.0
• Variable suction control. Air clean filter. 39 foot cord
• For heavily used, robust carpeting.The rotating brush ensures thorough deep cleaning of hard-wearing carpets
• AirClean Sealed System
• Swivel neck technology. High suction power – 1,200 Watts

• Automatic height adjustment
• Variable suction control
• Air clean filter. 39 foot cord
• For heavily used, robust carpeting.The rotating brush ensures thorough deep cleaning of hard-wearing carpets

2. Hoover React Powered Reach Plus Bagless Upright Vacuum Cleaner

BEST VALUE VACUUM CLEANER

This Hoover can go from carpet to bare floors without missing a beat. Its special FloorSense Technology automatically adjusts the brush speed to prevent scattering and damage as you move from one floor surface to the next, so you don’t even have to flip a switch or turn a dial. It has a removable canister to better reach underneath low furniture and make above-the-floor cleaning easier, too. 

The four included attachments are a crevice tool, motorized brush roll tool, stationery dusting brush and a soft bendable dusting brush to clean the tops of bookcases and ceiling fans.  

Features

• FLOORSENSE TECHNOLOGY: Utilizes micro-sensors that detect changing floor types and automatically adjusts brush roll speed for the best results on any floor type
• EXTENDED REACH: Powered Reach Mode gives you greater access and further cleaning reach without having to move furniture
• WINDTUNNEL SURGE: Designed to capture dirt, dust and pet hair Cleaning path is 13 inches
• MULTI CYCLONIC TECHNOLOGY: Our advanced technology for No Loss of Suction ensures a continuous cleaning experience
• TOOLS INCLUDED: Deluxe Crevice Tool, Dusting Brush, Flexible Dusting Brush, Powered Stair Tool

3. Bissell Air Ram Cordless Vacuum Vacuum Cleaner

BEST CORDLESS VACUUM CLEANER

This GH Seal-holding cordless stick vacuum ran for an impressive 37 minutes in our lab tests and was among the quietest we tried. We also like that the handle lays flat on the ground (by rotating it at the base), which makes it easier to vacuum under furniture and other tough-to-reach places. Just keep in mind that it doesn’t come with any attachments. 

• 40 Minutes of Cordless Power – Removable Lithium Ion battery for 40 minutes of fade-free power and cordless convenience
• Lightweight & Compact – This cordless powerhouse weighs less than 8 pounds and has a collapsible handle for easy storage
• Powerful Multi Surface Cleaning – Innovative power foot design and multi-surface brush roll delivers high performance cleaning on hard floors and carpets
• Maximized Maneuverability – With swivel steering and a lay flat handle, Air Ram maneuvers under and around furniture with ease
• Easy Empty Dirt Bin – Removable dirt bin with built-in Easy Empty slider that pushes out debris, hair and dirt for a mess free empty.Charge Time:4 Hours to Recharge
• LED Lights – Bright wide range LED lights illuminate hard floors to assist in seeing fine dirt and debris for effective cleaning

4. Miele Electro+ Canister Vacuum Cleaner

BEST CANISTER VACUUM CLEANER

The motorized power nozzle on this Miele canister vacuum can tackle five different carpet pile heights. The soft parquet brush is perfect for bare floors that may be susceptible to scratching and for low loop carpets that a rotating brush might fray. Dial the adjustable suction down to clean delicate drapes and throw rugs and crank it up to deep clean heavily soiled carpets. 

We like that it comes with a HEPA AirClean filter, has durable metal wands, and has earned our Good Housekeeping Seal. No speck of dirt is out of reach

Features

• Air clean sealed system. Nominal power consumption in W : 1,100
• 6 stage variable speed Miele Made Vortex silence motor
• HEPA air clean filter. Filter bag volume in Liter: 3.5. Seb228 Electro+
• Optimum carpet care – electrobrush for intensive deep cleaning. Gentle on sensitive hard floors – soft parquet brush. Maximum suction power – 1,200 W
• Sbb parquett-3 hard floor nozzle.Telescopic suction wand:Electro telescopic tube

5. iRobot Roomba i7+

BEST CANISTER VACUUM CLEANER

In our Cleaning Lab tests, the i7+ easily picked up litter, like oatmeal and sand from carpet and bare floors. Unlike other robot vacuums, when it returns home, any debris it has collected is automatically dispensed into the base and enters a sealable, replaceable bag that’s easy to swap out. It’s the perfect choice for allergy sufferers because there’s no emptying a tiny bin after each use. 

It’s smart, too. With the app, you can control where it goes and which rooms it cleans. The i7+ easily found its way around furniture legs and the carrying handle makes it easy to tote from room to room. If it needs emptying before it’s done cleaning, Roomba i7+ heads back to the base, dumps its load and picks up where it left off. 

Features

• Empties on its own – you don’t have to think about vacuuming for months at a time. Clean Base Automatic Dirt Disposal with AllergenLock bag holds 60 bins of dirt, dust and hair.
• Power-Lifting Suction delivers 10X the air power for improved pick-up performance. Premium 3-Stage Cleaning System cleans the dirt and pet hair you see and the allergens and dust you don’t. (Compared to Roomba 600 Series)
• Intelligently maps and remembers multiple floor plans to clean your entire home. Patented iAdapt 3.0 technology with vSLAM navigation actively captures thousands of precise measurements each millisecond to optimize coverage.
• Imprint Smart Mapping enables the robot to learn, map and adapt to your home, allowing you to choose which rooms are cleaned and when.
• Ideal for homes with pets. High-Efficiency Filter and AllergenLock bags trap 99% of pollen, mold, and dust mites so they don’t escape back into the air.
• Unique Dual Multi-Surface Rubber Brushes adjust and flex to stay in constant contact with carpets and hard floors.
• Imprint Link Technology allows Roomba i7+ and Braava jet m6 robots to automatically clean in sequence – vacuuming and then mopping.

6. Dyson Cyclone V10 Absolute Lightweight Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner

BEST COMBINATION VACUUM CLEANER

Despite its slim look, this 2-in-1 cordless machine rivaled the full-size upright vacuums in our test when it came to pulling embedded dirt out of carpets. The Dyson stick vac is super easy to use and it comes with two heads — one for carpets and one for bare floors. This model is super lightweight and with the wands removed, it converts to a handheld vacuum for even more versatility. 

It has three power modes and includes a crevice tool and a combination dusting/upholstery tool, a mini soft dusting brush and a mini motorized tool with a rotating brush for cleaning fabric and carpeted stairs.   

Free Amazon product support included 

• The most powerful suction of any cord free vacuum. Tested to ASTM F558, against cord free stick market
• Up to 60 minute’s run time when using a non motorized tool. Cyclone technology : 14 concentric cyclones. Filtration : Advanced whole machine filtration
• Lightweight and versatile, to clean right through the home. Instant release trigger means battery power is only used while it’s cleaning. Requires charging for 3.5 hours minimum before first use
• Up to 40 minutes of fade free power with the Soft roller cleaner head (in Suction modeI). Engineered to pick up both large debris and fine dust
• Torque drive cleaner head : our most powerful yet. Up to 20 minutes of fade free power (in Suction mode II). Drives stiff nylon bristles into carpets to capture deep down dirt
• Powered by the Dyson digital motor V10 and engineered to pick up ground in dirt and fine dust from hard floors and carpets
• Quickly transforms to a handheld vacuum, to clean all around your home and car

7. Dirt Devil Gator Lithium Cordless Hand Vacuum Cleaner

BEST HANDHELD VACUUM CLEANER

Cordless vacuums withlithium batteries exhibit good performance and run time in our tests and Dirt Devil Gator Vacs are no exception. The powered nozzle on this handheld vacuum makes deep cleaning carpeted stairs and furniture easy and like with all Gator vacs, simply press a button to flip open (like an alligator) the dust cup for easy, mess-free emptying. An on-board crevice tool is also part of the package.

8. Oreck Magnesium Bagged Upright Vacuum Cleaner

BEST LIGHTWEIGHT VACUUM CLEANER

Many of the visitors to our GH Cleaning Lab complain that upright vacuum cleaners are just too heavy to push and carry. Our recommendation to them is the Oreck Magnesium. This vacuum was tops in our test of lightweight cleaners and weighs in at just under 8 pounds. Fortunately, what it lacks in heft doesn’t compromise its cleaning performance. It did a great job deep cleaning our test carpets and bare floors. 

The Oreck does use a self-sealing bag to contain allergens but doesn’t come with any attachments on-board. The speed of the brush roll is adjustable — fast for carpets, slow for bare floors — via a switch on the handle. We like its low profile and that it lays flat to more easily clean under furniture and the bed.

Features

• 30 foot cord means fewer stops and speedier vacuuming. The on/off switch is under the handle. Best choice for plush, high-pile carpets and delicate surfaces
• Constructed from incredibly durable magnesium, it delivers all of the strength and durability that you’ve come to expect in an Oreck vacuum.
• Two speeds: high speed great for carpets, lower speed gentle enough for oriental and Persian rugs
• HEPA inner bag captures at least 99.97% of particles at .3 microns from the air passing through it, including pollen, mold, dust and animal dander
• Has received Carpet & Rug Institute Seal of Approval

Source: The Good House Keeping