Tested by Jump to:
- Best vacuums to buy in 2025
- Types of vacuum cleaner explained
- The GHI’s top five upright vacuum cleaners
- The GHI’s top five cylinder vacuum cleaners
- The GHI’s top five cordless vacuum cleaners
- The GHI’s top five robot vacuum cleaners
- The GHI’s top five handheld vacuum cleaners
- How we test vacuum cleaners
- Why should you trust the Good Housekeeping Institute?
There's no doubt about it, vacuum cleaners are an essential household appliance. And finding a good one will make it easier to keep your home looking its best.
But with so many to choose from, including the best stick vacuums, best handheld vacuums and best upright vacuums – not forgetting our favourites, the best robot vacuums – knowing which vacuum cleaner is right for your home can require a lot of research.
Plus, everyone's cleaning needs vary, and whether you’re dealing with carpets, hard floors, or stairs, or need the best vacuum for pet hair (or all of the above!), there’s a lot to consider when shopping for your next cleaning companion.
That's why the Good Housekeeping Institute made it their mission to find the top vacuums on the market. In fact, we've tried and tested well over 100 models to find the best money can buy.
We analyse every element of a vacuum, from how it lifts dust from different floor surfaces to how easy it is to use, as well as its overall design.
From all our research, we’ve put together this handy vacuum cleaner buying guide, covering everything you need to know. Read on for our best buys and advice on what to look for.
Best vacuums to buy in 2025
Score: 93/100
Hoover’s newest upright vacuum is a great all-rounder that lifts dust and dirt quickly. Pet hair vanished within two swipes, and the push and lift technology lets you take it up stairs easily.
Score: 97/100
With a hard-to-fault performance on test, this cylinder would make a great buy, whatever your flooring. It also had an efficient, tangle-free pet tool and was seamless to use, from canister emptying to wheeling around the home.
Score: 98/100
Available with or without its docking station, this should speed up your cleaning routine as it’s designed to pick up dirt moving backwards (as well as on the usual forwards sweep). It automatically adjusts suction when it encounters dirty spots, too, earning it excellent scores on test, no matter the debris or floor type we tried.
Score: 95/100
This brightly coloured robot vacuum from Dyson is a powerful and effective cleaner. Testers liked the way it does an initial sweep before returning to trickier spots. It also notifies you of any patches you need to revisit and it self-charges. You do have to empty it manually, though.
Score: 94/100
With a pet-hair friendly design, this Shark barely dropped a mark for its performance, thanks to its outstanding pick-up on all surfaces, no matter the debris. Its battery life is short but we were still able to clean a small car.
If you’re replacing an existing vacuum, there are plenty of places for you to safely recycle your old one. Find your nearest electrical recycling point, or read our guide on how to donate or dispose of your appliances and tech for extra guidance.
Types of vacuum cleaner explained
It can be difficult to know which type of vacuum cleaner would best suit your needs, so we’ve detailed the pros and cons for each category.
Upright
The best upright vacuum cleaners tend to be the best option for larger, carpeted households. This is because they usually feature a turbo brush in the floor head, which makes them particularly effective at picking up hair and residue from carpets. The wide floor head also means they can cover a greater area much more quickly and effectively than other vacuums.
These models are more stable and easier to manoeuvre than cylinders, as you're pushing them forward rather than dragging them behind you. There’s also no need to bend when using an upright, which makes them a good option for those with back issues.
However, their design means they can be awkward to use on stairs and can also be too bulky to reach under furniture; the weight of some may also take its toll after prolonged use. They’re typically neat to store though, and can usually hold the tools on the body so you have them to hand as you clean.
The GHI’s top five upright vacuum cleaners
Pros
- Scored full marks for dust pick-up on all surfaces
- Accessible, intuitive controls
- Accompanying crevice tool and pet hair brush for added versatility
Cons
- Could be too big for small homes
Score: 93/100
If you’re worried about an upright vacuum proving too bulky for your home, but need the larger capacity they offer, consider our winner. Its push and lift away tech allows you to separate the canister and tube from the main body to move around your home and up stairs more easily. Plus, it’s excellent at cleaning.
Pros
- Scored full marks cleaning stairs
- Comes with five different tools
- Testers found it easy to move around
Cons
- It's a relatively big vacuum
Score: 91/100
Lifting pet hair in one sweep without tangling, this is the upright to pick if you need one for moulting season. Though reliable on hard floors and room edges, it shone most on carpet, lifting 96% of dust laid on short pile and more than the set amount on deep pile. There are more compact models, and it doesn't offer onboard storage, so consider where you’ll keep it before buying.
Pros
- Scored full marks for its thoughtful design
- Easy to use
- Great manoeuvrability
Cons
- Struggled at room edges and on stairs
Score: 90/100
Designed to make vacuuming easier, this Hoover converts into a portable vac so you can reach every step and cranny in your home. It lifts pet hair in one sweep, and none got stuck in the brush head on test. Dust pick-up was also top notch. A terrific all-round buy.
Pros
- Great dust pick-up
- Easy to put together and use
- Clearly-labelled and responsive buttons
Cons
- Dust bin hard to empty
Score: 90/100
Similar in design to the HL5, this pet-specific model has a mini rotating brush that lifts fur from stairs and upholstery. This earnt it a perfect ten in our pet hair tests, and hair didn’t tangle in its brush either. It struggled on stairs and in the corners of rooms, but its suction meant it cleaned reliably. Testers liked its premium feel, too.
Pros
- Reaches under furniture well
- Impressed testers on stairs
- Large dust bin for less frequent emptying
Cons
- Struggled to lift dust on long pile carpet
Score: 86/100
Another trusty vacuum from Dyson, this lightweight upright moves smoothly around the home, picking up dust impressively from most surfaces and lifting pet hair in just one sweep. Its long cable makes it well-suited to cleaning bigger rooms, and on test we cleaned up to nine steps before needing to reposition it.
Cylinder
The best cylinder vacuums are typically lighter and more portable than uprights, as the main body sits on the floor behind you for you to pull as you vacuum. They can be bagged or bagless, depending on your preference, and often come with a good selection of tools. They’ve been around for many years thanks to their lightweight and convenient design, and are ideal for those who struggle with heavier vacuums.
They also tend to be better for reaching under and around furniture and make cleaning a flight of stairs simpler with their long, flexible hose. Take care when you’re pulling it around the home though, as it can knock into walls and furniture. Some designs can also be a bit bulky and more awkward to store than other types of vacuums, especially those with a long hose.
The GHI’s top five cylinder vacuum cleaners
Pros
- A near perfect performance when it came to pick-up
- Effective pet tool
- Variable suction for more control over vacuuming
Cons
- Expensive
Score: 97/100
Producing sparkling results, no matter the flooring, this all-rounder is an investment worth making. It glided easily around our test centre, pet hair didn’t tangle in its brushes, and its dust canister was a doddle to empty.
Pros
- Excelled across all floor types
- Hose reaches up lots of steps
- Good manouevrability
Cons
- Less effective at lifting pet hair when dedicated tool isn't used
Score: 91/100
This powerful cleaner scored full marks on carpet, gobbling up most dust. It was equally impressive on hard floors, leaving little dust in between floorboards and lifting more dust than the set amount our tester had laid on laminate. For pet hair, it’s worth switching to the ET-1 Power Head, as it picked it all up in two passes. It's got a large capacity too.
Pros
- Great suction across surfaces
- Compact body makes it easier to store
- Moves around smoothly
Cons
- Struggled to collect pet hair
Score: 85/100
This sleek vacuum put in a perfect performance on carpet, lifting nearly all dust on long pile and more than the set amount we’d laid on short pile. It moved easily across hard floors, again demonstrating reliable pick-up. For fur, it wasn’t the best but proved adept at room edges. Plus, the hose can reach 10 steps high, and it was mess-free to empty.
Pros
- Reached up ten stairs at a time
- Earned full marks for dust pick-up on hard flooring
- Turbo brush lifted pet hair in two sweeps
Cons
- Struggled on long pile carpet
Score: 84/100
Clean more efficiently with this vacuum, which has a hose that reaches up to four metres away. It’s great at dust pick-up on hard flooring and short pile carpet but is best avoided if you have long pile carpets at home, as it struggled a bit with this on test. And if you have pets, then be sure to use the dedicated turbo brush when tackling hair.
Pros
- Easy to charge and refit the battery
- Lightweight
- Cordless design means you won’t trip over any wires
Cons
- Struggled to clean along edges
Score: 83/100
The familiar smiley-faced vacuum has made it into our top five – although it’s a bit different to the original Henry we all know and love. This is Numatic’s cordless model, which is easy to manoeuvre around furniture, so you don’t get caught up.
It performed well on pick-up, too, excelling at removing dust on short pile carpets, floorboards and laminate. It did struggle more with long pile, taking a few extra sweeps and a bit more force.
Cordless
The best stick vacuums (or cordless vacuums) are one of the most popular types. Their increasingly powerful technology almost rivals traditional corded models, but there's no need for a plug socket nearby.
Originally designed for quick clean-ups, most are now capable of cleaning a whole home with ease, meaning many people use this model as their sole vacuum cleaner.
Their compact design, with a “stick” body and smaller dust canister, is more lightweight than bigger vacuums and ideal for homes where storage is tight. The canister will need emptying more frequently though, and they tend to be bagless.
Like uprights and cylinders, most come with attachments including crevice and upholstery tools. Many even have motorised brushes to lift pet hair effectively.
Note that battery life still varies across models, and you’ll need to remember to charge it when not in use. If your home is bigger, look for a machine that comes with two batteries to extend its cleaning time in between charges.
The GHI’s top five cordless vacuum cleaners
Pros
- Docking station saves time emptying and recharging vacuum
- Automatically adjusts suction to cater to dirt levels, resulting in an average pick up of 99.9% on test
- Intuitively designed
Cons
- Battery timed out after 15 minutes on max (but lasted up to 60 mins on eco)
Score: 98/100
You may assume a vacuum works just as well moving backwards as it does forwards, but that’s not the case with many due to the brush head designs. Shark has found a fix with this vacuum, meaning you won’t need to pass over the same spot twice. The basics are covered too, thanks to its all-round excellent pick-up in our tests.
Pros
- 70-minute running time (15 on boost)
- Lifted all dust, debris and pet hair laid on test
- Simple to use despite the fancy features
Cons
- Heavy in handheld mode
Score: 97/100
Dyson’s latest vacuum is a true all-rounder with updated technology (including dust-revealing lights and an LCD screen that details the particles being cleaned) and outstanding suction. It didn’t just lift the debris laid for our tests but picked up residual dirt too. Even pet hair was dealt with swiftly. You’ll just need to plan around the 4.5-hour battery charging time.
Pros
- Battery charges in a relatively quick two hours and it comes with two
- A real all-rounder performance-wise, even reaching into corners well
- Comes with lots of tools
Cons
- Expensive
Score 97/100
This good-looking vacuum is one to show off. It performed outstandingly on test, removing everything from dust to biscuit crumbs to pet hair effortlessly. It was easy to use on stairs too, reaching into every corner, and it charges in two hours. It also comes with an innovative docking system where auto-emptying technology reduces the number of times you’ll need to empty it.
Pros
- Good portability and manoeuvrability
- Good for cleaning cars
- Vacuum can be mounted on the wall and tools can be stored on board
Cons
- Slightly fiddly dust canister
Score: 96/100
This vacuum gives you near-perfect cleaning at a more affordable price than many of our other high scorers. It aced our dust and crumb pick-up tests, only losing marks for the way pet hair caught slightly on its brush. The flexible design means you can reach further under furniture too.
Pros
- Attachments fitted well and turbo brush was excellent on pet hair
- Lifted dust and crumbs brilliantly on carpet and hard floors
- Easy to use and carry around the house
Cons
- Bulky for cleaning cars
Score: 96/100
This lightweight vacuum is Miele's latest, and it didn't disappoint. Testers liked how it glided around the house, and its stand-out suction, which the brand says is up there with its cylinder vacuums and resulted in a perfect pick-up score on test.
Robot
While the best robot vacuum won’t replace your standard machine, it will allow you to cut back on how often you need to clean, giving you more time for yourself. These little gadgets use sensors to avoid bumping into furniture and map where they've been around the room to ensure no area is left neglected.
Robot vacuums are now smarter than ever, too – all the models we’ve featured are compatible with an app and either Alexa or Google Home. Some even have docking stations that allow them to self-empty, so you rarely need to think about clearing the canister yourself.
The GHI’s top five robot vacuum cleaners
Pros
- Simple to set up thanks to clear instructions
- Performed well across carpet and hard flooring
- Notifies you if there are any areas that you'll need to tackle with a traditional vacuum
Cons
- Boost mode drains the battery quickly
Score: 95/100
This Dyson stands out from the robot vacuum crowd in more ways than just its bright blue finish. It’s a powerful cleaner that adjusts to different surfaces and works quickly. It didn’t spread any dust or debris on test either, capturing it all in its well-designed brush. It doesn’t self-empty, but it does self-charge and it’s Wi-Fi compatible, with all the mapping and scheduling tech you could possibly desire.
Pros
- More affordable
- Scored full marks for dust pick-up across all surfaces and for pet hair removal
- Mop swiftly clears small spillages
Cons
- More basic design lacks some functionalities of more high-tech counterparts
Score: 94/100
With its reliable mop function, and top-scoring cleaning performance on test (from dust to pet hair), this is a simple yet highly effective robot vacuum. It doesn't have some of the more advanced features of the iRobots, but its accompanying app lets you set different modes and schedule cleans. Its battery lasts for up to 150 minutes, too.
Pros
- 'Dirt Detective' feature automatically cleans dirtier rooms first
- Particularly effective on bigger crumbs and pet hair
- Promises to detect and avoid any pet accidents
Cons
- Less effective at reaching dust around awkward spots like furniture legs (but still fared relatively well)
Score: 94/100
With a docking station designed to look like a side table, this robot vacuum and mop has style and substance. It’s easy to set up, has effective sensors, and lifts crumbs and pet hair excellently. Most dust was picked up too, while its mop function is best suited to light cleans.
Pros
- More affordable
- Performed well when picking up dust and debris
Cons
- Not the quickest cleaner
Score: 91/100
iRobot’s Roomba vacuums are iconic, so it’s hardly surprising its top-scoring models dominated our testing. This is the predecessor to the Combo J7+ (currently out of stock), meaning it shares many features, only without the added mop capabilities, so while it’s still a hefty investment, it’s slightly more affordable.
Pros
- Large self-emptying docking station
- Great pick-up
- Helpful instructions and diagrams
Cons
- Slow to clean a whole room
Score: 91/100
This vac learns as it goes, mapping out the best way to navigate your home while it cleans. It also returns to the docking station to empty itself mid-clean before continuing vacuuming. It picked up dirt outstandingly and had no trouble with pet hair either. It's expensive but effective.
Handheld
A handheld vacuum cleaner is ideal for cleaning quick spills as well as getting into tight and awkward spaces such as car interiors and staircases. Being cordless, they’re convenient to grab and go, but they do rely on battery life and tend to have a smaller dust capacity than upright and cylinder vacuums, so it’s important to check these specs before you buy.
As a general rule, look for at least 20 minutes of battery life (this will give you ample time to get around a car) and a dust capacity of at least 0.3 litres if you don’t want to empty it often. It’s also worth noting that many cordless upright vacuums can also function as handhelds, so you may already have one in the home.
But if you’re looking to invest in a new handheld, as well as battery life and dust capacity, you should also consider the weight. It may feel light at first, but it can get heavy and tiresome after a short while. The weight should be around 1-1.5kg on average.
The included tools can also vary. Some, such as a crevice and pet tools, may be essential for your cleaning. Think about what you’ll be using your vacuum for and whether any accessories will help you.
The GHI’s top five handheld vacuum cleaners
Pros
- Picked up 99% of dust
- Lifted all food crumbs laid
- 10-minute battery life was just enough for us to clean a small car
Cons
- Heavy
Score: 94/100
This handheld vacuum makes cleaning up after pets effortless; with its motorised pet tool it lifted all hair on test in just one sweep. It excelled with all other debris too, tackling everything from dust to crumbs with ease, no matter the floor type. Its short battery life didn’t impede our car cleaning either.
Pros
- LED lights make it easier to see dirt in awkward spots
- Great for small spillages
- Good 0.5-litre capacity
Cons
- Bulky so harder to reach into crevices
Score: 94/100
Food spillages are easily cleared with this trusty model; it scored full marks for lifting crumbs and debris on test. It struggled with embedded pet hair, but the bagged design makes emptying easy. Plus, the 20-minute battery (even on max power) takes the time pressure off car cleaning.
Black+Decker Wet and Dry Cordless Handheld Vacuum Cleaner
Pros
- Scored full marks for car cleaning
- Lifts liquids as well as dry debris
- Easy to use
Cons
- Lack of trigger lock isn't ideal for longer jobs
Score: 94/100
This handheld’s low price tag and compact stature belies its powerful performance – it scored highly for every test we put it through, impressing when cleaning dust, pet hair, crumbs, cars and liquids. It’s easy to set up, but only has one power setting and you must press the on button continuously when cleaning.
Pros
- Best on test for car cleaning
- Effective upholstery tool, especially for lifting pet hair
- Comes with a wall-mountable charging base
Cons
- Max power runs the battery down in just over seven minutes (lasts for 15 on standard mode)
Score 92/100
Another stand-out from Shark, opt for this model if you have hard floors as it excelled cleaning laminate and floorboards. It also lifted the most dirt from our car thanks to its well-designed crevice tool and lightweight design. Skip if you’re after one for carpets, but if you’re tight on space it’s a savvy buy as you can mount it on the wall.
Dyson Dyson Car+Boat handheld vacuum cleaner
Pros
- Only dropped one mark across carpet, laminate and floorboard tests
- Connects to the Dyson app where there’s maintenance advice and troubleshooting
- Comes with lots of useful accessories
Cons
- Heavy for a handheld
- Have to hold the trigger continuously to use
Score: 89/100
Dyson’s new handheld is a powerful performer and delivered excellent results across the board. Dust pick-up was excellent, and most crumbs were removed in one sweep, making it a great option for quick spot cleans around the home. Its battery life isn’t the best though, lasting around 10 to 15 minutes on max mode, which probably isn’t long enough for a thorough car clean. Plus, with a five-hour recharge time, it won’t be ideal if it cuts out mid-tidy.
Key features to look out for in a vacuum
Sensory technology
Some of the best vacuum cleaners are able to sense the floor type and adjust their power accordingly. This saves on energy usage and means the vacuum will automatically use the optimum power.
Battery life
This is an essential element to check if you’re opting for a cordless stick or handheld vacuum. Some will last less than 10 minutes on full power, meaning you need to rush to finish in time or wait for it to recharge. Look for at least 30 minutes of advertised battery life in a stick vacuum, and 20 minutes in a handheld.
Charging time
Keep an eye on the charging time as well if you’re going cordless. They’re not so convenient to use if you’re constantly waiting for them to charge. Most stick vacuums take around four hours to fully charge, but if you’re worried about what to do in an emergency, you can always invest in a stick vacuum or handheld that comes with additional batteries.
Capacity
Generally, the bigger the capacity, the less often you’ll need to empty it. Vacuum capacities are measured in litres, whether bagged or bagless. If you’re in the market for an upright or cylinder, and don’t want to be taking constant trips to the bin, look for no less than two litres.
For cordless models, which are slightly smaller, a minimum of half a litre is best. Lastly, for handhelds, 0.3 litres will last you for a few quick spills before you need to empty.
Headlights
Some stick vacuums also feature headlights on the floor head, so you can see better under furniture and in dark spaces.
Smart technology
Connect your vacuum to your phone to monitor its usage, battery life and even surprising statistics such as how many calories you burn in use.
Battery level indicator
This isn’t exactly groundbreaking but can be a very useful feature to have on a cordless appliance. Some vacuums will handily count down your remaining battery time in minutes and seconds.
Slit to cut hair
If you or someone in your household has long hair and you plan to buy a stick vacuum, make sure it’s one you can easily remove hair from. Long hair tends to wrap around the brush in the floor head and needs to be cut free. However, some models now feature a small slit along the bar that you can run a pair of scissors through. It’s a very convenient feature.
Weight
Be wary of the weight of your vacuum; pushing anything over 3kg can feel heavy after prolonged use. If you struggle with this, go for a cordless design where the weight is centred around the floor head rather than the handle, which makes it easier on the arms.
Variable suction
This is useful if you need more power for deep pile carpets. It’s also good to have if you’re conscious of energy usage.
Retractable cord
Using this feature, you can rewind the cord into the vacuum at the press of a button – brilliant if you’re fed up with winding the cord to tidy it away yourself.
Rotating brush
If the floor head is missing a rotating brush, it will likely drag along the floor as you vacuum because there’s nothing to raise it. This makes it harder when running over long-pile carpet. A rotating brush is also brilliant for collecting hairs and residue from carpets.
Bagged or bagless?
Some vacuums contain bags that collect all the dust and debris the machine sucks up. Once full – often shown via an indicator light – they will need to be replaced.
The benefit of this system is that you don't need to touch the dust and dirt to remove it from the canister, which can be the case with a bagless vacuum cleaner.
Bagless models also tend to be messier as the dust can spill when you empty them, so if you or a family member suffer from asthma or allergies, a bagged design may be best. You will need to keep some empty bags in a cupboard though, so you don’t run out mid-clean.
Most stick vacuums are bagless, but some models, such as the Samsung Bespoke Jet Pro Extra VS20A95973B, come with docking stations that cut down how frequently you’ll need to empty the canister. After each use, the canister automatically empties into a larger one within the station. Our winning robot vacuums also come with the same technology.
Vacuum cleaner accessories
From crevice tools to dusting brushes, today's vacs come with a generous collection of vacuum cleaner attachments that are designed to make light work of common household cleaning tasks.
You'd be forgiven for finding the assortment of extra tools and accessories a little mystifying. Here’s an explanation of each one, so you know if you’ll really need it.
Extension wand
Designed to go where other attachments simply can't, the extension wand provides the extra reach you need to banish cobwebs from high ceilings and inaccessible corners, retrieve food particles from behind appliances, and clean right to the corners and edges of stairs.
Dusting brush
With long, soft bristles, the dusting brush is a whizz at whisking away debris from window sills, lampshades, blinds, skirting boards and other awkward surfaces. It's also ideal for more delicate cleaning tasks, such as dusting furniture, the top of books or easily scratched objects.
Crevice tool
As its name suggests, the crevice tool is designed to get into tight gaps that other attachments would struggle with. With its long, slender shape, it's ideal for cleaning right into corners, along the edge of the flooring, around radiators and even between sofa cushions.
Upholstery tool
The upholstery attachment is wide with a small, flat head. Many also have a built-in fabric strip to help lift dust, dirt and hairs from fabric surfaces including sofas, mattresses, cushions and chairs.
Floor heads/brushes
Models will all come with a standard floor head, and may have interchangeable options. If you have deep-pile carpets or a pet, for example, we recommend looking for a rotating brush. Some also have rubber parts to help gather up stubborn pet hairs. Reach for this compact attachment to deep-clean upholstery, mattresses, thick carpets and rugs.
Filters
All vacuums contain filters that stop the dust you pick up from re-entering the atmosphere. Some even contain more than one filter for added retention. To keep working, these filters need to be washed regularly or replaced, although some are self-cleaning. It’s important that you keep up with this maintenance so the dust is contained, and your vacuum keeps working at full efficiency. HEPA filters are also worth looking out for as they offer a particularly high quality of air filtration and are better for allergy sufferers.
How much should I spend on a vacuum?
This is a hard question to answer, as it will vary depending on the type of model you’re looking at. While handhelds tend to be the cheapest, a robot vacuum will set you back a fair amount.
That said, you can find great models for under £200, such as the Vax ONEPWR Blade 4 Cordless Vacuum Cleaner. It’s worth considering the features you want and then looking for a model that ticks as many of your boxes as possible. Head to our roundup of the best affordable vacuums if budget is key.
Do I need a vacuum cleaner or a carpet cleaner?
Vacuums are perfect for everyday cleaning but if you’re looking to do a deep clean, then they may not be quite right. The best steam cleaners will refresh your carpet but if you’re trying to tackle stubborn stains like wine then one of our best carpet cleaners is the appliance to call on.
Carpet cleaners work by combining cleaning solutions and brush heads to delve into the pile and lift grime away, often leaving your carpet looking almost new. Our GHI experts suggest deep cleaning carpets once a year, and every six months if you have allergies or pets.
How to care for your vacuum cleaner
Without regular cleaning, a vacuum cleaner is only good for moving around dust and dirt. It’s one of the most hard-working pieces of kit in the house, so don’t forget to give it some regular TLC to keep it in top condition.
The most common cause of loss of suction is blockages. This makes the machine slow to pick up and quick to overheat. To keep this to a minimum in bagged models never reuse the bag as it's often part of the filter system. If this gets clogged with dust, it will reduce the efficiency of the machine. Always replace the bag when the indicator light comes on. With a bagless machine, empty the canister after each use.
To unblock a vacuum cleaner, always switch it off and unplug it. As well as teasing out any blockages in the tube, undo the hose and check the entrance to the machine or top of the bag for further debris.
GHI tip: If the blockage is immovable, soak the tube in warm, soapy water.
Many vacuums have at least one washable filter. Check where your machine's filters are located, then remove and tap against a hard surface to dislodge any clumps of dust – do this outside to avoid becoming surrounded by a dust cloud.
If it's washable, run the filter under lukewarm water and allow it to air dry thoroughly – for at least 24 hours – before putting it back in. Additional filters in your machine may not be washable, so make sure you check the instruction manual. If they’re not washable, just tap them against a surface to remove any clumps, then return them to your machine.
Make sure the brush on the head is free from hairs and threads. If it becomes jammed, cut – don’t pull – any threads that prevent it from rotating. Be careful to avoid cutting the bristles.
Smelly vacuums are usually the result of not emptying your machine regularly enough or possibly sucking up something. Find out which of these it is, then give the outside a wipe over with an anti-bacterial wipe or warm, soapy water and a cloth to keep it smelling and looking fresh.
For bagless vacuums, wash the canister in soapy water after emptying it and leave it to completely air dry before putting the machine together again.
How we test vacuum cleaners
We test each vacuum cleaner on four different floor types: laminate, floorboards and long- and short-pile carpet. Firstly, we assess general pick-up using a formulation of dust that we create ourselves. We lay down a set amount and then, after a fixed number of sweeps, we weigh out exactly how much each vacuum has collected.
We call in plenty of pet hair from our own four-legged friends to find out how well each vacuum copes. This is ground into the carpet to create the worst-case scenario before vacuuming. We also test performance when picking up small residue, such as crumbs, particularly when testing as a handheld.
On top of this, we run an interior car cleaning test to see how well each vacuum gets in between the crevices. We try it out on a set of stairs, too, to monitor how easily it manoeuvres.
For robot vacuums, we see how well they clean a whole room, timing how long it takes and looking closely at how well it reaches into crevices, cleans edges, and manoeuvres around furniture. We also test the battery claims of handheld and stick models.
Finally, the design, ease of use and instructions of every model are assessed, and we consider if it has any innovative features.
Why should you trust the Good Housekeeping Institute?
We’ve been testing household appliances for 100 years, so we know a thing or two about what makes the perfect vacuum cleaner (and how they’ve changed and evolved over time).
Now, we test the latest models before they even hit the market, and we’re across all the innovative new tech that's making caring for our flooring easier. Homes Editor Hannah Mendelsohn and senior homes and lifestyle writer, Megan Geall, look after all our vacuum cleaner guides, and Blossom Boothroyd (our homes testing manager) puts them through their paces in the lab, in line with our rigorous testing protocols.
Hannah is our homes editor, specialising in reviewing the latest kitchen appliances, cleaning products, mattresses and bedding, and crafting equipment. Hannah has written about hundreds of products, from air fryers to smoothie makers to pillows, and is committed to finding the most reliable and best value for money buys.
Hannah is also interested in sustainability in the home and has completed a course with the University of the Arts London in sustainable textiles, so she can help cut through the noise on what’s green and what’s not. Hannah has an MA in Magazine Journalism and has previously worked as a freelance lifestyle and women’s sports journalist, working for Stylist, Sky Sports and more.
Hannah has also previously worked in a florist and can normally be found caring for her house plants or sewing something new for her home or wardrobe.
Megan is the Good Housekeeping Institute’s homes writer. She loves diving into the latest product releases to find the very best buys on the market. When she’s not writing about the newest gadgets and gizmos for your home and garden, you’ll find her cooking, running and exploring London’s foodie hotspots – or trying to make friends with every dog she passes. Megan has an MA in Magazine Journalism and has previously written for Stylist, Glamour, TimeOut, SquareMeal, and YOU magazine. You can find Megan on Instagram @meganlouisegeall and on X @megan_geall
Blossom is passionate about finding the best home products and appliances for GH readers. As head of the homes testing team, she has led reviews across multiple categories, from pizza ovens, and smart plugs to portable fans and hobs. She enjoys delving into the intricacies of products and refining testing protocols to ensure we’re testing them against their claims. Her aim is to find the top-performing products on the market, to help take the hard work out of housework. Blossom’s most notable accomplishment in the lab has been toasting 528 slices of bread in her quest to find the best toasters money can buy. In her free time, she openly admits to being a music geek and indulges her creative side through crocheting, baking, singing and writing.
