In this list, we’ve compiled our top picks for overall best vacuum cleaners into one handy location. As new models and new features come out and we test new vacuum cleaner categories, we regularly update all of these best vacuum cleaner lists to keep them up-to-date. The Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab most recently tested 23 new stick vacuum models to find the best picks for this guide. Over the years, our cleaning experts have tested hundreds of models and brands to find the best vacuum cleaners, the best vacuums for hardwood floors and more.
We also used the detached wand to clean the furniture, stairs, and dog beds. Cordless Shark vacuum cleaners offer convenience, but are limited to shorter cleaning jobs since run time is dependent on battery life. Our pick for best stick, the Shark Wandvac Cordless Stick Vacuum with Self-Empty Charging Base, WS642AE, comes in at 17 minutes (though it does have a quick charge time to get you back to cleaning again shortly).
Firstly, it has a dual battery pack offering 120 minutes of runtime, which is double the next best model. Secondly, you can attach an anti-odour pack to make the floors smell as good as they look. Finally, the hose folds back on itself for compact and freestanding storage and charging. Meanwhile, the Tineco Pure One S11 is the only cordless vacuum in the top 5 of our sand tests that retails for less than $500. At a price of $400 (or less, if you catch a sale), it offers a high level of performance at a strong value relative to the competition, which is a large part of the reason why it’s our top recommended cordless vacuum. To simulate small particle size, we use a mix of play sand and landscaping sand.
It combines powerful suction with a 48-ounce tank so you can flush the area with fresh water before scrubbing and sucking the mess away. You’ll also find the bigger 96-ounce Little Green Pro model discounted as well. The Black & Decker PowerSeries Extreme Max had great results across most of the cleaning tests. Even in the ones it didn’t shark pet vacuum excel at, it still had commendable performance. The front-facing bin holds .65 liters of dust, dirt and pet hair and the unit converts into a handheld vac for precision cleaning. Apart from being a strong performer in our pet hair tests, the A11 was excellent on hardwood floors, vacuuming up 97% of sand and 98% of black rice.
While they’re typically more affordable, Shark’s vacuums are not as sleek and stylish as Dyson’s, and they’re often heavier too. While they come with useful technology such as the ability to stop hair getting tangled around the brush head and flexible wands to ensure you can clean in hard-to-reach places, they’re not as high-tech as Dyson’s offerings. Dyson’s vacuums tend to have longer-lasting batteries than Shark’s models too.
This model will bump into things that get in the way, but we noticed that it does so gently; still, you’ll want to keep those cords out of its way so things don’t get tangled. These vacuums will clean pet hair, kibble, and other messes with ease. According to our price trackers, this vacuum hasn’t ever dipped lower than it’s currently on sale for, making it a smart time to buy. It’s rare to see a cordless vacuum from a respected company like Shark for $100 (that price is usually reserved for lesser-known brands), and considering you’ll pay upward of $300 for a Dyson, this is a total steal.
A good stick vacuum should be lightweight, but not necessarily light-duty. We’ve had our eye on the Shark Rocket Ultra-Light Corded Stick Vacuum since 2021, and it continues to be a great option even without the latest technology that some of the newer models bring (like our best stick vacuum). While price is greatly determined by the type of vacuum you buy, you can find Shark vacuums we love for $75 to $400, with most models costing around $180. Considering you can usually find these powerhouses on sale, Shark’s vacuums are a great find and highly competitive with options from other well-known brands, including Dyson. That said, the ones on our list that we liked the best have variable suction power, which allows you to make the transition from hard floor to carpet easier. If you have carpet with varying pile heights, you’ll especially want to look for a vacuum with adjustable suction.