Best Vacuum Cleaners 2026

The Shark Navigator NV352 has been a bestseller for years, and it's earned that status the hard way — by being genuinely good at a price that doesn't require a second mortgage. At around $150, it delivers corded upright performance that competes with vacuums costing twice as much. The swivel steering makes it easy to navigate around furniture legs and tight corners, and the brush roll handles both carpet and hard floors without needing to switch modes manually.

The Lift-Away feature is the real differentiator. Press a button and the canister detaches from the upright body, turning it into a portable unit you can carry to clean stairs, upholstery, under furniture, and inside cars. It's a simple idea that works extremely well in practice — we used it more than expected. The anti-allergen complete seal with HEPA filtration traps 99.9% of dust and allergens, which is impressive at this price point.

Pet hair performance is strong. The brush roll picks up embedded fur from carpet without tangling as badly as older designs, and the large-capacity dust cup means fewer interruptions on bigger cleaning sessions. It's not the quietest vacuum we tested, and the cord (25 feet) can feel limiting in large open-plan spaces. But for a corded upright that handles everyday cleaning, pet hair, and allergen control at $150, the NV352 is hard to beat.

Best for: Families, pet owners, anyone who wants reliable corded upright performance without overspending.

At $80, the Bissell CleanView Swivel Pet punches well above its weight class. It's designed specifically for pet hair, and that focus shows in the results. The tangle-free brush roll is the standout feature — it's engineered to prevent hair from wrapping around the brush, which is the single most annoying maintenance task on cheaper vacuums. In our testing with a golden retriever's worth of fur, the brush stayed clear through multiple full cleaning sessions.

The scatter-free technology uses a specialized suction channel that pulls debris straight into the cup rather than pushing it around the floor first — a common problem with budget uprights on hard floors. It works. Lightweight debris like cereal and dry pet food went straight in rather than scattering ahead of the vacuum head. Swivel steering keeps it maneuverable around furniture, and the large-capacity dust cup reduces how often you need to stop and empty it.

It's not a premium vacuum. Suction on thick carpet is adequate rather than impressive, and there's no HEPA filtration — the filters capture allergens reasonably well but won't satisfy serious allergy sufferers. The build quality reflects the price. But for a budget-conscious pet owner who needs a reliable daily driver for hair and debris on mixed flooring, the CleanView Swivel Pet is the best $80 you can spend on a vacuum.

Best for: Budget-conscious pet owners, renters, secondary vacuum for quick daily cleanups.

Miele has been making vacuum cleaners in Germany since 1927, and the Classic C1 carries that engineering heritage in every detail. The 1200W motor delivers consistent, powerful suction across all floor types, and the six suction settings on the rotary dial give you precise control — from delicate curtains and upholstery all the way up to maximum power for embedded carpet dirt. It's the kind of thoughtful design that makes a vacuum feel like a tool rather than a chore.

The canister format is genuinely better for certain homes. The lightweight wand and flexible hose make it easy to clean stairs, reach under low furniture, and switch between floor attachments without bending awkwardly. The canister rolls smoothly on its wheels and follows you around the room without tipping or catching on furniture. For multi-story homes or anyone who finds upright vacuums physically tiring, the ergonomic advantage is real.

Noise levels are noticeably lower than most uprights at equivalent suction — Miele's motor insulation is genuinely effective. The AirClean filtration system with HEPA filter captures fine particles and allergens, and the sealed bag system means you never touch the dust when changing it. Bags are an ongoing cost, but they last longer than you'd expect and the hygiene trade-off is worth it for allergy sufferers. At $320, the Classic C1 is the entry point to Miele quality — and it's a very good entry point.

Best for: Multi-story homes, allergy sufferers, anyone who prefers canister ergonomics, buyers who value build quality and longevity.

The Tineco Floor One S5 does something no traditional vacuum can: it vacuums and mops simultaneously, then cleans itself when you're done. For homes with hardwood, tile, or LVP flooring throughout, it replaces two separate appliances with one. The iLoop sensor continuously monitors how dirty the floor is and automatically adjusts suction and water flow in real time — more power over a muddy footprint, less over a clean stretch. It's genuinely smart, not just a marketing claim.

Self-cleaning is the feature that makes this practical rather than just clever. After each session, you run the machine over its dock for 30 seconds and it flushes the brush roll with clean water, preventing the sour smell that plagues cheaper wet/dry vacuums. The brush roll itself is designed to resist hair tangles, and in our testing it handled pet hair on hard floors without clogging. Battery life runs to about 35 minutes of continuous use — enough for most apartments and medium-sized homes in a single charge.

The trade-offs are real. The Floor One S5 is not a carpet vacuum — the wet brush roll isn't designed for it, and you'll want a separate machine for rugs and carpeted rooms. The water tanks (clean and dirty are separate) need refilling and emptying regularly, which adds a step to the routine. At $450, it's a premium price for a specialized tool. But if your home is mostly hard floors and you're tired of vacuuming and mopping as two separate tasks, the S5 makes a compelling case.

Best for: Hardwood and tile homes, anyone who wants to vacuum and mop in one pass, open-plan living spaces.