To date, we have tested 150+ different vacuums, including 94 robots, 23 uprights, and 41 cordless vacuums. We put vacuums through a battery of objective and data-driven tests to find the absolute best vacuums for 2024.

We’re organizing this list by type of vacuum and then by price, from most expensive to more budget-friendly.
What’s on this page?
Best Uprights | Best Cordless Stick | Best Robot Vacuum | Cleaning Performance | System Sealing | Run Time | Navigation | Noise | Usability | Maintenance | How We Test
#1 Overall Upright

Dyson Ball Animal 3
Odor Neutralizing; High performance

Shark Stratos Upright
Upright with Canister Features

Shark Navigator Lift-Away Pro
#1 Overall Cordless

Dyson Gen5 Detect
Odor Neutralizing Cleaning

Shark Stratos Cordless
Budget Cordless; Great Cleaning

Samsung Jet 75
#1 Overall Robot

Roborock S8 Pro Ultra
Best Vacuum Performance

Roomba S9+
Great with long hair

Shark Matrix
Budget with a dock

Roomba i3+ EVO
Video Best Of
Best Upright Vacuums
First up, let’s discuss the best upright vacuums.

#1 Overall Upright

Dyson Ball Animal 3
Odor Neutralizing; High performance

Shark Stratos Upright
Upright with Canister Features

Shark Navigator Lift-Away Pro
Also see our deep dive best upright vacuums guide for more.
Dyson Ball Animal 3

Best For
- Fantastic 99.4% overall debris removal score
- Cleaning head is adjustable for variable suction and sealing
- Great for pet hair and long hair
Considerations
- Not available at all retailers
Our Verdict
The Dyson Ball Animal 3 isn’t too different from the previous Ball Animal 2. However, it improves in small ways like the adjustable cleaning head to increase/decrease suction.
In terms of performance, the Animal 3 is fantastic removing 99.4% of all debris, managing pet and long hair with ease, and being completely sealed.
While it can be a bit pricey at times, the performance of the Animal 3 is undeniable. If you are looking for the best, this is it.
Type: Upright
Bagless: Yes, 0.45 gal (1.7 L)
Cordless: No, 35 ft. (10.7 m)
Across the entire list of vacuums we recommend, the Dyson Ball Animal 3 is the top performer when it comes to raw cleaning performance. While other vacuums come close, nothing compares to the 99.4% debris removal across all floor types. In addition, none of the long hair tangled around the brush roll, and practically all of the pet hair was removed. Thanks to an adjustable cleaning head, which raises or lowers gates to adjust the suction and seal on the floor, the Animal 3 cruised through our tests with ease.


The body of the Animal 3 is completely sealed, ensuring debris doesn’t get scattered about the room as you clean. Plus, it comes with a few useful accessories that aid in cleaning.

Usability is solid as the Dyson Ball Animal 3 is a relatively simple device. Both of the filters are washable and the dust bin utilizes Dyson’s classic point-and-shoot style. The Animal 3 finds itself in the middle of the pack of the upright vacuum price range. By all accounts, it is an absolute steal if you are looking for the best raw cleaning performance in an upright package.
Test Type | Test Data |
---|---|
Overall Debris Tests | 99.4% |
Hardwood Floor Test | 99.5% |
Low Pile Carpet Test | 99.3% |
High Pile Carpet Test | 99.5% |
Long Hair Test | 100% |
Pet Hair Test | 99.0% |
Edge Cleaning Test | 100% |
Crevice Test | 100% |
Sealed System Test | Fully Sealed |
Build Quality Test | Exceptional |
Noise Test | 81 dB |
Shark Stratos Upright

Best For
- Excellent debris removal, 98.9% across all floors
- Great for pet hair and long hair
- Multiple accessories and detachable pieces
Considerations
- Most expensive upright on this list
- Slightly struggled with sugar on high pile carpet
Our Verdict
The Shark Stratos Upright is an upright packed with multiple features, configurations, and accessories to aid in cleaning performance. It has lift-away features to act as a canister vacuum, an odor-neutralizing pod, and an under-appliance tool for under-furniture reach.
It had fantastic performance across the board removing 98.9% of all debris across all floor types. Furthermore, both hair types weren’t an issue, and crevices and edges posed no threat. In addition, the vacuum is completely sealed.
While it is the most expensive upright vacuum at times, the Stratos packs the performance and features to make it a great choice.
Type: Upright
Bagless: Yes, 0.37 gal (1.4 L)
Cordless: No, 30 ft. (9.1 m)
Being the most expensive upright vacuum on this list, the Shark Stratos Upright is a powerful contender. During our testing series, it removed 98.9% of all debris across all floor types. In addition, it completely avoided tangles in our long hair tests and removed all of the pet hair from the high pile carpet. Furthermore, the 0.4-gallon dust bin is completely sealed, keeping all of the smoke in our tests inside the vacuum.


Both the standard version and the TruePet upgraded Shark Stratos have the same base vacuum, but the TruePet has more accessories. This wide range of accessories gives you the perfect tool for the cleaning situation.

Another great advantage the Stratos has is the ability to lift the dustbin 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.

While Shark makes other excellent models including the Apex DuoClean Zero-M and the Vertex DuoClean (both of which made it onto our best uprights list), neither of these models is quite as good as the Stratos.
Test Type | Test Data |
---|---|
Overall Debris Tests | 98.9% |
Hardwood Floor Test | 99.5% |
Low Pile Carpet Test | 99.0% |
High Pile Carpet Test | 98.3% |
Long Hair Test | 100% |
Pet Hair Test | 100% |
Edge Cleaning Test | 100% |
Crevice Test | 99.6% |
Sealed System Test | Fully Sealed |
Build Quality Test | Exceptional |
Noise Test | 75 dB |
Shark Navigator Lift-Away Pro

Best For
- Multiple cleaning configurations
- Set at a budget-friendly price
- Strength of suction can be adjusted on carpet
Considerations
- Struggled on high pile carpet, removing 60.5% of debris
- Filters need to be replaced
Our Verdict
The Navigator Lift-Away Pro is an older upright that has a few shortcomings but still is an excellent choice. It has lift-away functionality to act as a canister vacuum and a large dustbin
But performance wasn’t perfect for the Navigator. It removed 83.6% of all debris across all floor types, struggling more on high pile carpet. However, it had exceptional performance with long and pet hair, and was completely sealed.
It isn’t perfect, but the Shark Navigator Lift-Away Pro still packs an appealing package at a great price. If you are looking for upright power on a budget, this is a great pick.
Type: Upright
Bagless: Yes, 0.55 gal (2.1 L)
Cordless: No, 30 ft. (9.1 m)
Compared to the other upright vacuums on this list, the Shark Navigator Lift-Away Pro may not look like it compares. However, the asking price for this vacuum makes it a great pick for those on a tighter budget. It has solid performance in our cleaning tests, removing 83.6% of all debris across all floor types. The dip in score only came from high pile carpet, as performance on low pile carpet and hardwood was excellent.

It showed great results in the long hair test, keeping the majority of it from tangling, but struggled more in our pet hair tests, not quite removing all of it from the carpet. However, the device was completely sealed in our smoke sealant tests, 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. Additionally, that dustbin is the biggest on this entire list, giving you more space for dirt and debris. Overall, it is again, not the absolute best, but still a great pick considering the price.
Test Type | Test Data |
---|---|
Overall Debris Tests | 86.4% |
Hardwood Floor Test | 92.0% |
Low Pile Carpet Test | 94.8% |
High Pile Carpet Test | 72.5% |
Long Hair Test | 55.0% |
Pet Hair Test | 99.9% |
Edge Cleaning Test | 100% |
Crevice Test | 95.0% |
Sealed System Test | Fully Sealed |
Build Quality Test | Excellent |
Noise Test | 80 dB |
Best Cordless Stick Vacuums
Next up, let’s talk cordless stick vacuums.

#1 Overall Cordless

Dyson Gen5 Detect
Odor Neutralizing Cleaning

Shark Stratos Cordless
Budget Cordless; Great Cleaning

Samsung Jet 75
Also see our best cordless stick vacuums guide for more info.
Dyson Gen5 Detect

Best For
- 98.4% debris removal across all floor types
- Practically perfect long and pet hair performance
- Intuitive design with built-in crevice tool
Considerations
- Expensive cordless stick
- Powerful suction may blow away smaller debris in specific situations
Why It’s Best
The Dyson Gen5 Detect is a great improvement upon previous generations, keeping excellent performance and adding great usability features. It adds a built-in crevice tool which makes handheld cleaning even simpler.
In addition, you can choose between the standard and Outsize versions of the Gen5, which comes with an additional battery, larger cleaning head, and increased dust bin capacity.
Performance was fantastic for these vacuums, removing 98.4% of all debris across all floor types. In addition, it avoided long hair tangles, managed pet hair, and were both completely sealed.
However, all this power comes at a higher asking price. The Dyson Gen5 vacuums are not cheap, but if you want the best cordless stick out there, then these are it.
Type: Cordless Stick
Bagless (Standard): Yes, 0.20 gallons
Bagless (Outsize): Yes, 0.50 gallons
Cordless: Yes, 72:19 run time
When we picked our top contender for the best cordless stick vacuum, we chose the Dyson V15. It is still an excellent cordless stick vacuum, but since the time of that comparison, the Dyson Gen5 Detect & Outsize was released. It keeps the incredible performance the V15 had while improving usability.

In our tests, the Dyson Gen5 Detect removed 98.4% of all debris, avoided long hair tangles and removed all of the pet hair from the high pile carpet. It has an incredibly long run time of 72 minutes on the lowest power mode and the 0.20 gallon dust bin is completely sealed.


The Gen5 Detect keeps all the great usability features like an auto mode, robust display, and adjustable cleaning head, but makes some key changes as well. The controls have switched to a button which reduces the chance of accidentally turning on the device while holding it.
But 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 accessories.

In addition, the Gen5 comes in an Outsize version with a larger debris bin of 0.50 gallons, an extra battery, and a larger cleaning head.
While the Dyson Gen5 Detect is the latest and greatest from Dyson, they have a history of making excellent high-performance cordless stick vacuums. Even models that are a few years old, including Dyson V11 and V10, have incredible cleaning performance.

Due to their age, a lot of these older models come at a cheaper price while still offering great performance. If you want Dyson, but don’t want to pay for the Gen5 Detect, take a look at the V10, V11, V12, and V15. Each of these offers incredible performance, suction, and usability in a cordless vacuum.
All in all, the Dyson Gen5 Detect is set at a high price point, but if you are looking for the latest cordless stick with cutting-edge features and fantastic performance, this is it.
Test Type | Detect Test Data |
---|---|
Overall Debris Tests | 98.4% |
Hardwood Floor Test | 99.3% |
Low Pile Carpet Test | 98.4% |
High Pile Carpet Test | 97.6% |
Long Hair Test | 100% |
Pet Hair Test | 100% |
Edge Cleaning Test | 93.0% |
Crevice Test | 91.1% |
Sealed System Test | Fully Sealed |
Build Quality Test | Exceptional |
Run Time Test | 72:19 |
Noise Test | 78 dB |
Test Type | Outsize Test Data |
---|---|
Overall Debris Tests | 98.1% |
Hardwood Floor Test | 100% |
Low Pile Carpet Test | 96.7% |
High Pile Carpet Test | 97.7% |
Long Hair Test | 100% |
Pet Hair Test | 100% |
Edge Cleaning Test | 100% |
Crevice Test | 100% |
Sealed System Test | Fully Sealed |
Build Quality Test | Exceptional |
Run Time Test | 72:22 |
Noise Test | 78 dB |
Shark Stratos Cordless

Best For
- Great cleaning performance removing 96.7% of overall debris
- Exceptional management of long and pet hair
- Bendable extension wand and odor neutralizing pods
- Long run time on a single battery
Considerations
- Weighing 9 pounds makes it fairly heavy
- Struggled slightly with smaller debris on carpets
Why It’s Best
The Shark Stratos Cordless is the stick vacuum variant of the Stratos Upright, packing great usability, performance, and an odor-neutralizing pod.
Additionally, the cleaning performance for the Stratos was excellent, removing 96.7% of all debris across all floor types. Furthermore, it managed long and pet hair without issue, and was completely sealed.
What makes the Stratos an appealing offer is the asking price. Considering the performance of the vacuum and the usability features available, it is a great deal.
Type: Cordless Stick
Bagless (Standard): Yes, 0.10 gallons
Cordless: Yes, 78:50 run time
Our mid-range pick for cordless vacuums easily fell to the Shark Stratos Cordless. 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 didn’t tangle and it removed all of the pet hair from the carpet.


It has the longest run time of any cordless vacuum on this list on a single battery, coming in at just under 79 minutes. Additionally, the dust bin is completely sealed ensuring that debris doesn’t scatter around the room as you clean.
It packs odor-neutralizing pods, the same that are in the Stratos Upright, and has a few included accessories. Unique to the Cordless Stratos is a bendable extension wand, that allows you to clean under furniture without bending over or crouching down.

While it doesn’t have perfect performance across the board, the Shark Stratos Cordless is still a fantastic vacuum. When you consider the asking price, it is easy to recommend this stick vacuum.
Test Type | Test Data |
---|---|
Overall Debris Tests | 96.7% |
Hardwood Floor Test | 98.4% |
Low Pile Carpet Test | 96.3% |
High Pile Carpet Test | 95.3% |
Long Hair Test | 100% |
Pet Hair Test | 100% |
Edge Cleaning Test | 100% |
Crevice Test | 99.1% |
Sealed System Test | Fully Sealed |
Build Quality Test | Exceptional |
Run Time Test | 78:50 |
Noise Test | 76 dB |
Samsung Jet 75

Best For
- Exceptional cleaning performance at 99.3% debris removal
- Washable filters reduce annual maintenance costs
- Useful accessories
Considerations
- Low run time at 44:19
- Dust bin wasn’t completely sealed
Why It’s Best
The Samsung Jet 75 isn’t the most flashy cordless stick vacuum, but it packs a solid feature set along with great performance. In addition, it maneuvers well and has the ability to lay down completely flat.
Performance for the Jet 75 was great, removing 99.3% of all debris with perfect results on hardwood flooring. It has a partially sealed dustbin, and long and pet hair performance were good, but not perfect.
However, the Samsung Jet 75 is still a great pick despite these shortcomings. When you consider the Price, it is a great pick for anyone looking for a budget-friendly stick vacuum.
Type: Cordless Stick
Bagless (Vacuum): Yes, 0.21 gal
Cordless: Yes, 44:19 run time
Despite being the budget-friendly pick, the Samsung Jet 75 is still a fantastic performer in its own right. It removed 99.3% of all debris in our tests, having perfect results on hardwood flooring. Long hair and pet hair performance wasn’t perfect, but still solid. In addition, its 0.21-gallon dust bin was partially sealed, leaking a small amount of smoke into the air during our test. This isn’t ideal, but still within an acceptable range, in our view.


The run time was quite shorter than the other stick vacuums on this list, which means you’ll need to charge it more often. That said our run time test is run with the Turbo Action Brush attached, Samsung states you can expect up to 60 minutes of run time with no motorized accessories attached.

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.
Test Type | Test Data |
---|---|
Overall Debris Tests | 99.3% |
Hardwood Floor Test | 100% |
Low Pile Carpet Test | 98.8% |
High Pile Carpet Test | 99.2% |
Long Hair Test | 40.0% |
Pet Hair Test | 99.0% |
Edge Cleaning Test | 99.9% |
Crevice Test | 100% |
Sealed System Test | Partially Sealed |
Build Quality Test | Exceptional |
Run Time Test | 44:19 |
Noise Test | 78 dB |
Best Robot Vacuums
Finally, let’s discuss robot vacuums.

#1 Overall Robot

Roborock S8 Pro Ultra
Best Vacuum Performance

Roomba S9+
Great with long hair

Shark Matrix
Budget with a dock

Roomba i3+ EVO
Also see our best robot vacuums deep dive guide for more info.
Roborock S8 Pro Ultra

Best For
- Fantastic Debris Removal at 97.9%
- Lift-away excellent mopping performance
- Excellent cleaning efficiency, always returning to base
- Feature-packed docking station
Considerations
- Struggled more with long and pet hair
- Failed to avoid the cord and mug in our obstacle avoidance test
- High asking price
Why It’s Best
The Roborock S8 Pro Ultra is a robot mop combo packed full of tech to make cleaning less of a hassle. The robust docking station can automatically handle daily maintenance, and the robot has smart features to avoid making messes while cleaning.
Cleaning performance for the S8 was great, removing 97.9% of all debris across all floor types. While it struggled with long hair and pet hair, it had no issues with edges or crevices. In addition, the robot cleaned a healthy amount of debris while mopping.
By no means is the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra budget-friendly. However, if you are looking for the most advanced and best robot vacuums out there, then the S8 is a great choice.
Type: Robot Mop Combo
Bagless (Robot): Yes, 10.1 oz. (300 mL)
Bagless (Dock): No, 0.8 gal. (3.0 L)
Self-Empty: Yes
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. However, the mopping performance was excellent. Thanks to the ability to raise / lower the mop pads, the S8 can vacuum and mop at the same time without getting carpet or rugs wet.


The robot is equipped with LiDAR, 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.

If you like the idea of Roborock but need something less expensive, the Roborock Q Revo and S7 series are both great choices. Both are less expensive, while still offering most of the same features that we see with the S8.
Test Type | Test Data |
---|---|
Overall Debris Tests | 97.9% |
Hardwood Floor Test | 99.5% |
Low Pile Carpet Test | 97.2% |
High Pile Carpet Test | 96.9% |
Long Hair Test | 36.7% |
Pet Hair Test | 67.0% |
Crevice Test | 100% |
Edge Cleaning Test | 100% |
Mop Test | Excellent |
Cleaning Speed | 65 min. |
Obstacle Avoidance | No |
Build Quality Test | Exceptional |
Noise Test | 75 dB |
Roomba S9+

Best For
- 99.0% debris removal across all floor types
- Handles pet hair well, removing 87.0% from the carpet
- D-shaped body to improve edge and corner access
- Auto-empty base and helpful usability features
Considerations
- Lacks RGB camera and obstacle avoidance
- Lacks mopping capabilities
Why It’s Best
The Roomba S9+ is an impressive robot vacuum despite its age. Designed with a D-shaped body, auto-empty base station, and user-friendly app experience, the S9+ still has a lot to offer.
Where it shines is in cleaning performance as it removed 99.0% of all debris across all floor types, managed pet hair well, and cleaned effectively along edges and in crevices. That said, it struggled with long hair, having the majority tangle around the brushroll.
Despite that one setback, the Roomba S9+ has a lot to offer. Due to its age, the S9+ has come down in price, making it a great choice for a robot vacuum solution.
Type: Robot
Bagless (Robot): Yes, 12.8 oz. (379 mL)
Bagless (Dock): No, 0.5 gal. (1.7 L)
Self-Empty: Yes
Despite being an older model in terms of when it was released, the Roomba S9+ still stands as one of the best-performing robot vacuums we’ve tested. Across all floor and debris types, it cleaned up 99.0% of the debris. While it struggled more with long hair performance, having 56.7% of the strands tangle, the pet hair performance was excellent.

It lacks mopping capabilities and obstacle avoidance features but navigates well. 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 isn’t as robust as others, it works well and holds, on average, up to 30 days of debris.

As with Roborock, Roomba has a much larger model lineup if you need something less expensive. The Combo j7+ is a vacuum mop combo that empties its own dust bin and did great in our tests. In addition, the budget-friendly i3+ EVO has fewer bells and whistles, but still maintains exceptionally good vacuuming performance.
Shark Matrix

Best For
- Excellent debris removal and tangle avoidance
- Bagless dust bin reduces annual maintenance costs
- Navigates quickly and well
Considerations
- Lacks obstacle avoidance or mopping features
- Struggled with pet hair
Why It’s Best
The Shark Matrix is a robot vacuum with an auto-empty base and bagless debris bin. It is a fairly simple device that lacks obstacle avoidance technology but navigates efficiently.
In our cleaning tests, the Matrix removed 97.3% of all debris and had fantastic performance with long hair. That said, it had issues with pet hair, but cleaned well along edges and in crevices. Furthermore, it has no mopping functionality.
What gives the Shark Matrix the edge is the price relative to performance and the reduced maintenance costs from the bagless debris bin. If you don’t need some of the higher-tech features, then the Matrix is a fantastic pick.
Type: Robot
Bagless (Robot): Yes, 6.4 oz. (189 mL)
Bagless (Dock): Yes, Unknown
Self-Empty: Yes
The Shark Matrix, like the previously mentioned robot vacuums, has excellent debris removal with 97.3% cleaned across all floor types. It had nearly perfect results on hardwood but lagged behind a little on low and high pile carpet.


However, the Matrix is one of the best-performing robots at managing long hair. Only 6.7% of the strands tangled around the brush roll after the test. Pet hair performance wasn’t as great and it lacks any obstacle avoidance.
Despite the lack of a camera, the Matrix navigates efficiently, without getting stuck and returning to base. 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 features, it still performs well and has thoughtful additions that enhance usability. Considering the price point, the Shark Matrix is an easy recommendation.
Test Type | Test Data |
---|---|
Overall Debris Tests | 97.3% |
Hardwood Floor Test | 99.7% |
Low Pile Carpet Test | 95.3% |
High Pile Carpet Test | 96.9% |
Long Hair Test | 93.3% |
Pet Hair Test | 43.0% |
Crevice Test | 100% |
Edge Cleaning Test | 89.0% |
Mop Test | Exceptional |
Cleaning Speed | 45 min. |
Obstacle Avoidance | No |
Build Quality Test | Excellent |
Noise Test | 65 dB |
Roomba i3+ EVO

Best For
- Excellent debris removal performance with 99%
- Auto-empty base for reduced daily maintenance
- Budget-friendly price
Considerations
- Lacks obstacle avoidance or more robust mapping features
- No mopping functionality
Why It’s Best
The Roomba i3+ EVO is a slightly improved version of the original i3+ released in 2018. The robots are essentially the same, with the only difference being improved mapping features with the i3+ EVO. In addition, there is a non-plus version that doesn’t include the auto-empty docking station.
In regards to performance the i3+ EVO did well removing 99.0% of all debris, handling pet hair well, and having no issues in our edge and crevice tests. That said, it had the majority of long hair tangle in the brushroll.
What makes the Roomba i3+ EVO great is the price relative to performance. It may not come with the latest and greatest features, but still offers a great package at a cheaper price.
Type: Robot
Bagless (Robot): Yes, 16.9 oz. (500 mL)
Bagless (Dock): Yes, Unknown
Self-Empty: Yes
As mentioned previously, 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 lacks mopping capabilities.

Due to the device’s age, it lacks some of the newer features like improved navigation and virtual walls or zones. However, it still creates a map for you to view, but virtual walls can’t be set and zones can’t be identified. That said, the i3+ EVO comes with an auto-empty base that reduces the amount of time you spend with your hands on the robot.

It’s 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.
Cleaning Performance
Cleaning performance is the most important factor we consider when choosing the best vacuums. We test many factors depending on the vacuum type, including long and pet hair tests, edge and crevices tests, and mop tests for the robot vacuums.

Due to the difference in testing procedures, we will separate robot vacuums from the other devices to make a more accurate comparison.
Upright & Cordless Stick Vacuums
Across all cleaning tests the Dyson Ball Animal 3 is the clear winner. With 99.4% debris removal across all floor types, no other vacuum comes close, except the Samsung Jet 75. Surprisingly the Jet 75 had nearly identical performance with 99.3% debris removal.


The worst-performing model was the Shark Navigator Lift-Away Pro with 83.6% debris removal. However, it’s also incredibly budget-friendly, so some of that missed performance can be excused.
In regards to long hair, practically every single vacuum recommended on this list managed long hair well. Many vacuums had perfect scores, while others were practically there themselves, with the notable exceptions being the Shark Navigator and Samsung Jet 75.

For comparison, the average upright we test has 10.6% of long hair tangle in the brush roll. The average cordless stick has 14.2% of the strands tangle, based on all of our tests to date.
Pet hair performance was great for all devices and the edge test was no threat to any vacuum. The same could be said for the crevice test, except for the Shark Navigator, which struggled removing debris from the deepest crevice in our testing lane.
Shark Stratos Upright | Dyson Ball Animal 3 | Shark Navigator Lift-Away Pro | Average Upright Vacuum | Dyson Gen5 Detect | Dyson Gen5 Outsize | Shark Stratos Cordless | Samsung Jet 75 | Average Cordless Stick Vacuum | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Vacuum Type | Upright | Upright | Upright | Upright | Cordless Stick | Cordless Stick | Cordless Stick | Cordless Stick | Cordless Stick |
Overall Cleaning | 98.9% | 99.4% | 84.0% | 88.2% | 98.4% | 98.1% | 96.7% | 99.3% | 90.2% |
Hardwood Overall | 99.5% | 99.5% | 93.0% | 80.2% | 99.3% | 100% | 98.4% | 100% | 90.6% |
Low Pile Overall | 99.0% | 99.3% | 98.0% | 95.5% | 98.4% | 96.7% | 96.3% | 98.8% | 92.3% |
High Pile Overall | 98.3% | 99.5% | 61.0% | 86.8% | 97.6% | 97.7% | 95.3% | 99.2% | 87.0% |
Long Hair Tangle Avoidance | 100% | 100% | 99.0% | 86.7% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 40.0% | 85.7% |
Pet Hair Removed | 100% | 99.0% | 99.0% | 98.8% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 99.0% | 99.2% |
Edge Test | 100% | 100% | 100% | 99.7% | 93.0% | 100% | 100% | 99.9% | 93.8% |
Crevice Test | 99.6% | 100% | 59.4% | 92.9% | 91.1% | 100% | 99.1% | 100% | 98.5% |
Robot Vacuums
When it comes to robot vacuums, the Roomba’s are the clear winners with debris removal. Whether it is the S9+ or the i3+ EVO, both have 99% total debris removal. However, neither the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra or Shark Matrix are that far behind. There is only 1.7% difference between these 4 devices.

Robot vacuums struggle more with long hair compared to other vacuums. However, we still have a clear stand-out winner. While the performance wasn’t perfect, the Shark Matrix only had 6.7% of the hair tangle in the brush roll. The Roomba S9+ was second but was still far behind having 56.7% of the hair tangle by weight.

Pet hair performance wasn’t nearly as good as the other vacuum types with the closest device being the Roomba S9+, which removed 87% of the pet hair.
Edges and crevices weren’t a major issue for any robot vacuum, and the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra was the only robot with a mop, which had excellent performance while cleaning.
Roborock S8 Pro Ultra | Roomba S9+ | Shark Matrix | Roomba i3+ EVO | Average Robot Vacuum | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Overall Cleaning | 97.9% | 99.0% | 97.3% | 99.0% | 92.5% |
Hardwood Overall | 99.5% | 99.0% | 99.7% | 99.0% | 97.1% |
Low Pile Overall | 97.2% | 99.0% | 95.3% | 99.0% | 89.7% |
High Pile Overall | 96.9% | 99.0% | 96.9% | 99.0% | 90.3% |
Long Hair Tangle Avoidance | 36.7% | 43.3% | 93.3% | 46.7% | 51.8% |
Pet Hair Removed | 67.0% | 87.0% | 43.0% | 93.0% | 75.6% |
Edge Test | 100% | 100% | 89.0% | 98.7% | 87.2% |
Crevice Test | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 99.1% |
Mop Test | 92.0% | n/a | n/a | n/a | 88.8% |
System Sealing Comparison
For the sealed system test, we want to determine how well the entire vacuum system is sealed. Vacuums that are fully sealed ensure that dust and debris vacuumed stays inside the vacuum. Vacuums that are not fully sealed may spread dust and debris around your home.
To test this, we set up a fog machine and place the tube of the vacuum directly in front of the output nozzle. We then turn the vacuum on and release short bursts of smoke into the vacuum, checking how well the device is sealed.
This test is performed on upright and cordless stick vacuums, not robot vacuums.
Every single vacuum was completely sealed except the Samsung Jet 75. That said, only a small amount of the smoke escaped the device during the test. I would still consider this level of performance acceptable.
Machine Sealing | |
---|---|
Shark Stratos Upright | Completely Sealed |
Dyson Ball Animal 3 | Completely Sealed |
Shark Navigator Lift-Away Pro | Completely Sealed |
Dyson Gen5 Detect | Completely Sealed |
Dyson Gen5 Outsize | Completely Sealed |
Shark Stratos Cordless | Completely Sealed |
Samsung Jet 75 | Partially Sealed |
Cordless Stick Run Time Comparison
To test the run time of cordless stick vacuums, we fully charge the battery and run it on a single power mode until the battery is empty.
This test is performed exclusively on cordless stick vacuums. A majority of robot vacuums can recharge and resume making run time a non-factor and upright vacuums have cords, giving them endless run time.

Our testing showed the Shark Stratos Cordless had the longest run time at 78:50. The Dyson Gen5 Detect wasn’t too far behind, but the Samsung Jet 75 was. It had a considerably lower run time at 44:19.

On average, based on all of our cordless stick vacuum tests to date, run times on the lowest power mode reach 59:03.
Vacuum | Power Mode 1 (Lowest) | Power Mode 2 | Power Mode 3 (Highest) |
---|---|---|---|
Dyson Gen5 Detect | 72:19 | 45:47 | 7:26 |
Dyson Gen5 Outsize | 72:22 | 47:00 | 7:15 |
Shark Stratos Cordless | 78:50 | n/a | 13:56 |
Samsung Jet 75 | 44:19 | 25:30 | 9:59 |
Average Cordless Stick Vacuum | 55:09 | 33:24 | 9:01 |
Robot Navigation Comparison
Navigation focuses on the robot’s ability to clean a space without getting stuck, its cleaning speed, and the effectiveness of the obstacle avoidance technology.
As the user controls upright and cordless stick vacuums manually, this test is performed exclusively on robot vacuums.
In terms of navigation, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra is the only robot on this list with an RGB camera and obstacle avoidance technology. While that tech isn’t perfect, it gives it an edge in cleaning on a broader scale. The other robot vacuums clean well, but might need some obstacles moved to make that process easier.

When there are no obstacles, the Shark Matrix is the fastest, cleaning the space in 45 minutes.
Navigation Score | Cleaning Speed | Shoe Avoided | Mug Avoided | Cord Avoided | Pet Waste Avoided | Return to Base? | Fully Cleaned? | Get Stuck? | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Roborock S8 Pro Ultra | 91.9 | 65 min. | Yes | Partial | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
Roomba S9+ | 82.4 | 55 min. | Partial | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | No |
Shark Matrix | 79.3 | 45 min. | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | No |
Roomba i3+ EVO | 77.3 | 90 min. | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | No |
Noise Comparison
Vacuums can be loud while cleaning, whether it’s upright, cordless stick, or robot. To measure how loud, we run each device on each power mode available and measure the level of noise generated. We do this with a sound meter from about 3’ away.
For comparison, we also take a baseline measurement of the ambient noise in the room. Additionally, we measure the noise created when a device self-empties, if that feature is available.
Across the board, upright and cordless stick vacuums are consistently louder than robot vacuums. At 81.1 dB the Dyson Ball Animal 3 was the loudest device across all vacuums on this list. On the other end, the Shark Matrix was the quietest device at 65.1 dB on the highest suction mode.
Ambient Noise | Power Mode 1 (lowest) | Power Mode 2 | Power Mode 3 | Power Mode 4 (highest) | Self-Empty | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Shark Stratos Upright | 40.7 dB | 73.3 dB | 73.8 dB | 74.7 dB | n/a | n/a |
Dyson Ball Animal 3 | 39.4 dB | 79.5 dB | 81.1 dB | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Shark Navigator Lift-Away Pro | 39.4 dB | 72.5 dB | 77.1 dB | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Average Upright Vacuum | 39.5 dB | 79.1 dB | 78.2 dB | 78.1 dB | n/a | n/a |
Dyson Gen5 Detect | 40.3 dB | 69.2 dB | 75.2 dB | 78.3 dB | n/a | n/a |
Dyson Gen5 Outsize | 40.3 dB | 69.5 dB | 72.9 dB | 77.8 dB | n/a | n/a |
Shark Stratos Cordless | 39.4 dB | 67.2 dB | n/a | 75.8 dB | n/a | n/a |
Samsung Jet 75 | 39.8 dB | 71.5 dB | 75.5 dB | 78.0 dB | n/a | n/a |
Average Cordless Stick Vacuum | 39.9 dB | 68.3 dB | 71.0 dB | 75.5 dB | 73.3 dB | 73.3 dB |
Roborock S8 Pro Ultra | 40.7 dB | 64.5 dB | 66.9 dB | 70.7 dB | 74.5 dB | 82.2 dB |
Roomba S9+ | 40.1 dB | 66.7 dB | 69.5 dB | 72.2 dB | n/a | 76.3 dB |
Shark Matrix | 49.3 dB | 59.7 dB | 62.4 dB | 65.1 dB | n/a | 70.7 dB |
Roomba i3+ EVO | 39.8 dB | 65.8 dB | n/a | n/a | n/a | 86.0 dB |
Average Robot Vacuum | 41.1 dB | 60.7 dB | 64.1 dB | 67.0 dB | 69.1 dB | 78.5 dB |
Usability Comparison
Usability varies across each device largely dependent on the type of the device. Robot vacuums are designed to be more hands-free, while cordless stick vacuums are lighter-weight, more maneuverable alternatives to uprights.
Upright & Cordless Stick Vacuums
Each vacuum comes with a set of accessories and features that aid in cleaning performance. Upright vacuums are larger, require a cord, and often have a larger dust bin. Whereas cordless stick vacuums are lighter weight and easier to move around, but require a battery and have a smaller dust bin.

The table below outlines the included accessories and features related to usability. Please keep in mind that some vacuums have multiple variations that may come with different accessories.
Accessory/Feature | Shark Stratos Upright | Dyson Ball Animal 3 | Shark Navigator Lift-Away Pro | Dyson Gen5 Detect | Dyson Gen5 Detect Outsize | Shark Stratos Cordless | Samsung Jet 75 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Vacuum Type | Upright | Upright | Upright | Cordless Stick | Cordless Stick | Cordless Stick | Cordless Stick |
Standard Cleaning Head | Yes, DuoClean PowerFins | Yes, Motorbar | Yes | Yes, Motorbar | Yes, Motorbar XL | Yes, Brush Head | Yes, Turbo Action Brush |
Combination Tool | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
Crevice Tool | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes, Built-in | Yes, Built-in | Yes | Yes |
Stair Tool | No | Yes | No | No | No | No | No |
Upholstery Tool | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | No |
Dusting Brush | No | No | Yes | No | No | Yes, Anti-Allergen | No |
Pet Hair Tool | No | No | Yes, Pet Power Brush | No | No | No | No |
Dust-Away | No | No | Yes | No | No | No | No |
Under Appliance Tool | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | No |
Odor Neutralizer | Yes | No | No | No | No | Yes | No |
Bagless Dust Bin | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Powered Lift-Away | Yes | No | Yes | No | No | No | No |
Washable Filters | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Soft Roller Brush | No | No | No | Yes, Laser Fluffy | Yes, Laser Fluffy | No | Yes, Soft Action Brush |
Mini Motorized Cleaning Head | No | No | No | Yes, Hair Screw Tool | Yes, Hair Screw Tool | No | Yes, Mini Motorized Tool |
Click-in Battery | n/a | n/a | n/a | Yes | Yes, 2x | Yes | Yes |
Dock | n/a | n/a | n/a | Yes, Wall Mount | Yes, Wall Mount | No | Yes, Wall Mount |
Dust Bin Capacity | 0.37 gal | 0.45 gal | 0.55 gal | 0.20 gal | 0.50 gal | 0.19 gal | 0.21 gal |
Cord Length | 30' | 35' | 30' | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Robot Vacuums
Usability for robot vacuums focuses on the features that make it more convenient to use. Features like app connectivity or an auto-empty docking station enhance the user experience.
Every robot vacuum recommended has app connectivity, however, the Roomba i3+ EVO lacks some of the newer functionality. That said, every device includes an auto-empty base.

The docking station for the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra is by far the most impressive. It automatically empties debris, washes and dries the mop pads, and refills the water supply. In turn that means more maintenance on the dock itself, but it makes it more infrequent.

Another standout is the bagless dust bin on the Shark Matrix. Removing the bag reduces annual maintenance costs for the user.
Feature | Roborock S8 Pro Ultra | Roomba S9+ | Shark Matrix | Roomba i3+ EVO |
---|---|---|---|---|
App Connectivity | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Mapping Features | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Obstacle Avoidance | Yes | No | No | No |
Bagless Dustbin | No | No | Yes | No |
Dustbin Capacity | 10.1 oz. (300 mL) | 12.8 oz. (379 mL) | 6.4 oz. (189 mL) | 16.9 oz. (500 mL) |
Auto-Empty | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Auto-Wash | Yes | No | No | No |
Auto-Dry | Yes | No | No | No |
Maintenance Comparison
Maintenance takes into consideration how expensive and difficult it is to maintain a device.
Vacuum | Estimated Annual Maintenance Costs |
---|---|
Shark Stratos Upright | $35.00 |
Dyson Ball Animal 3 | $00.00 |
Shark Navigator Lift-Away Pro | $19.00 |
Average Upright | $29.01 |
Dyson Gen5 Detect | $26.00 |
Dyson Gen5 Outsize | $26.00 |
Shark Stratos Cordless | $14.99 |
Samsung Jet 75 | $19.99 |
Average Cordless Stick | $29.01 |
Roborock S8 Pro Ultra | $25.99 |
Roomba S9+ | $22.99 |
Shark Matrix | $19.99 |
Roomba i3+ EVO | $16.49 |
Average Robot Vacuum | $23.51 |
Robot vacuums tend to lean on the more expensive side of things while upright vacuums tend to be the cheapest. However, robot vacuums often also have robust docking stations and make daily maintenance less of a hassle.
How We Test
We test and score vacuum cleaners using a battery of 11 data-driven tests for uprights, 12 for cordless sticks, and 13 for robot vacuums. Our tests are a mix of objective testing and subjective assessment, taking into consideration multiple factors depending on the device type.
To choose the best vacuums, we based our selection on the top-performing / highest-scoring vacuums according to our objective testing.
Additionally, price and value were also taken into consideration. While there are a number of other vacuums that could have appeared on our list, we wanted to include the best options available for different price ranges.
Our testing process is detailed and rigorous. The links below have detailed write-ups and graphs to explain our testing process, scoring formulas, and the criteria for how we choose the best vacuums.
How We Test & Score
How We Test & Score Upright Vacuums
How We Test & Score Cordless Stick Vacuums
How We Test & Score Robot Vacuums
All Vacuum Reviews
While these vacuums were the ones we considered the best recommendations, we’ve tested many other vacuums all with their own pros and cons. Below is a comprehensive list of all the vacuums we’ve tested to date, separated by device type.
Upright Vacuums
Model | Price | Debris Removal | Review |
---|---|---|---|
Shark APEX DuoClean Zero-M | $$$ | 99% | Read Review |
Dyson Ball Animal 3 | $$$ | 99% | Read Review |
Shark Vertex DuoClean | $$$ | 99% | Read Review |
Shark Stratos Upright | $$$ | 99% | Read Review |
Dyson Ball Multi Floor 2 | $$$ | 98% | Read Review |
Dyson Ball Animal 2 | $$$ | 96% | Read Review |
Shark Rotator Lift-Away | $$ | 86% | Read Review |
Bissell Pet Hair Eraser | NA | 85% | Read Review |
Hoover Windtunnel T-Series | $$ | 84% | Read Review |
Bissell CleanView 9595A | $ | 84% | Read Review |
Oreck Commercial XL | $$ | 84% | Read Review |
Shark Navigator | $$ | 84% | Read Review |
Hoover Sprint QuickVac | $ | 83% | Read Review |
Hoover Tempo Widepath | $ | 58% | Read Review |
Dyson Ball Animal Compact | $$ | 53% | Read Review |
Cordless Stick Vacuums
Robot Vacuums
Other Best Of Comparisons
- Best Upright Vacuum 2024
- Best Cordless Stick Vacuum 2024
- Best Robot Vacuum 2024
- Best Air Purifiers 2024
Upright Vacuum Comparisons
Check out our vacuum comparisons.
- 9 Best Dyson Vacuums & Reviews
- 10 Best Shark Vacuums
- Shark vs. Dyson
- Miele vs. Dyson
- Hoover vs. Dyson
- Hoover vs. Bissell
- Best Vacuum Cleaners for
- The 7 Best Vacuums for Hardwood Floors
- 8 Best Vacuums for Pet Hair
- Dyson Animal vs. Animal 2 vs. Multi Floor 2 vs. Multi Floor Origin
- Dyson Animal 2 vs. Animal 3
- Shark Stratos vs. Vertex vs. Apex
- Shark Vertex vs. Apex
- Shark Navigator vs. Rotator
- Bissell Crosswave vs. Hoover Floormate
Cordless Vacuum Comparisons
- Dyson V15 vs. Outsize vs. V11 vs. V10 vs. V8
- Dyson V6 vs. V10
- Dyson V6 vs. V7
- Dyson V6 vs. V7 vs. V8 vs. V10 vs. V11
- Dyson V6 vs. V8
- Dyson V7 vs. V10
- Dyson V7 vs. V8
- Dyson V7 vs. V11
- Dyson V8 vs. V10
- Dyson V8 vs. V11
- Dyson V10 vs. V11
- Dyson V10 vs. V12
- Dyson V11 vs. V12
- Dyson V12 vs. V15
- Dyson V15 vs. V7
- Dyson V15 vs. V8
- Dyson V15 vs. V11
- Dyson V15 vs. V10
- Dyson V15 vs. Outsize
- Dyson Outsize vs. V11 Outsize vs. Outsize Absolute+
- Dyson V11 Torque Drive vs. Outsize vs. Animal vs. Outsize Origin
- Dyson Animal vs. Animal 2 vs. Multi Floor 2 vs. Multi Floor Origin
- Dyson vs. Samsung vs. LG Cordless Stick Vacuums
- Samsung Jet 90 vs. LG CordZero vs. Dyson V15
- LG CordZero vs. Dyson V11
- Samsung Jet 90 vs. Dyson V11
- Samsung Jet 90 vs. Samsung Jet 75 vs. Dyson V11 vs. Dyson V10
- Hoover vs. Dyson
- Miele vs. Dyson
- Shark vs. Dyson
- Shark Stratos vs. Vertex Cordless
- Samsung Jet 90 vs. Jet 75 vs. Jet 70
Robot Vacuum Comparisons
- Roomba S9+ vs. S9 vs. i7+ vs. i7 vs. e5
- Roomba i7+ vs. i7+ vs. e5
- Roomba e5 vs. e6
- Shark vs. Roomba
- Neato D3 vs. D5
- Roomba 960 vs 980
- Roomba 690 vs. 960
- Roomba 650 vs. 690
- Roomba 690 vs. 890
- Roomba 890 vs. 980
- Roomba 890 vs 960
- Roomba 860 vs. 890
- Roomba 614 vs. 690
- Neato vs. Roomba
- Bobsweep vs. Roomba
- iLIfe vs. Roomba
- Eufy vs. Roomba
- Roomba 675 vs. 690
- Neato D5 vs. D7
More Resources
- How to Get Acrylic Paint Out of Carpet
- How to Remove Blood Stains from Everything
- How to Clean Windows like a Professional
- How to Remove Dog & Cat Hair Around Your Home
- How to Make a Natural Wood Floor Cleaner
- How to Make Natural Household Cleaners
- How to Make a Natural Grout Cleaner
- How to Clean & Sanitize Your Kid’s Toys
- How to Vacuum
- Home Cleaning Schedule
- What is dust made of?
- 21 Dirty Spots in Your Home That Need Vacuuming
- 5 Mistakes You’re Making When Cleaning Hardwood, Tile, & Carpet
The Last Word
If you still are not sure which vacuum is the right choice for your home, please drop us a comment below or send us an email, and we’d be happy to help you decide.
In addition, if you feel like we’ve missed out on a particular model, let us know!