9 Best Cleaning Vacuums of 2026

This ultra-lightweight powerhouse redefines what an affordable upright can do. Weighing just 7.7 pounds, the Eureka NEU10AE5 delivers 10.5-inch wide cleaning paths and bagless convenience, making it a dream for quick cleanups across carpets and hard floors. Its washable filter slashes long-term costs while maintaining strong suction—perfect for renters or anyone tired of bulky, over-engineered vacuums that dominate closet space. If you’ve struggled with heavy machines that tire your arms after five minutes, this one’s featherlight build solves that pain in seconds.

In real-world testing, it excelled on low-pile rugs and tile, lifting cereal crumbs and pet hair with ease. The fingertip-activated crevice tool and dusting brush stay onboard, so you’re never scrambling for attachments mid-clean. However, while it handles surface debris well, deep-set dirt in high-pile carpets required multiple passes—its single-height setting limits adaptability. The corded design ensures uninterrupted power, but the 18-foot cord occasionally demanded outlet hopping in larger rooms. Still, for daily maintenance cleaning, it’s impressively agile and effective.

Compared to heavier uprights like the Shark HV301, the Eureka trades some deep-cleaning muscle for unmatched portability and storage ease. It’s not built for whole-home deep cleans on thick carpeting, but for apartments, small homes, or spot cleaning, it’s a standout. While the Kenmore 81214 offers superior filtration, this Eureka wins on simplicity and weight—delivering no-fuss performance where lightweight maneuverability matters most.

For allergy sufferers and multi-surface homes, the Kenmore 81214 is a filtration-focused beast wrapped in a sleek, maneuverable frame. Its HEPA filter traps 99.97% of particles, including dander and dust—making it a silent guardian for sensitive lungs. With a 2-motor system and four height adjustments, it adapts seamlessly from plush rugs to hardwood, delivering consistent airflow without scattering debris. If you’ve ever sneezed through a vacuum session or found fine dust reappearing hours later, this canister’s sealed bag system solves that with clinical precision.

We tested it in a two-story home with pets, and it handled transitions from tile to stair carpets with ease. The 24-foot retractable cord eliminated constant plug-shifting, while the 9-foot hose made overhead cleaning—like ceiling corners or car interiors—effortless. It pulled pet hair from area rugs effectively, though long strands occasionally wrapped around the beater bar. The bagged design means no messy dust cup emptying, but replacement bags add recurring cost. While not cordless, its under-20-pound frame glides smoothly on swivel wheels, even up tight staircases.

Against the Eureka canister (NEN110A), the Kenmore offers better allergen control and stronger suction, but at nearly triple the price. It lacks the budget model’s washable filter and auto-rewind, trading simplicity for medical-grade cleanliness. For homes with asthma, pets, or dust allergies, this vacuum is a precision instrument—delivering hospital-level air safety without sacrificing cleaning versatility.

The Roomie Tec 450W stick vacuum punches above its price tag with serious suction and a 1.2L XL dust cup—a rare find in budget corded models. Its three-in-one versatility (stick, handheld, stair vacuum) makes it ideal for dorm rooms, small apartments, or quick cleanups where storage space is tight. The HEPA filtration captures 99.9% of dust and pet dander, turning it into a stealthy ally for allergy-prone users. If you’ve dealt with vacuums that clog after one use or die mid-clean, this one’s sealed system and large capacity eliminate those frustrations with reliable, uninterrupted performance.

In testing, it handled cereal spills on hardwood and embedded pet hair on area rugs with confidence. The foot-controlled floor head lets you toggle between carpet and bare floor modes without bending down—a small but game-changing detail. The 180-degree swivel neck made navigating under desks and around legs intuitive, and the 20-foot power cord covered most rooms in a single stretch. However, the motor noise is noticeable—louder than premium models—and the wand feels slightly flimsy under prolonged use. Still, for under $40, it outperforms expectations.

Versus the Amazon Basics stick, the Roomie Tec offers double the suction (450W vs 300W) and a much larger dust cup, making it better suited for homes with pets or kids. It doesn’t match robot vacuums in automation, but for hands-on, fast, and thorough cleaning, it delivers exceptional value where power and capacity matter more than bells and whistles.

The Roomba 104 is a no-nonsense robot warrior built for pet owners who want clean floors without lifting a finger. With 70x more power-lifting suction than its 600-series predecessor, it digs deep into carpets to extract pet hair, dirt, and dust bunnies along baseboards and under furniture. Its LiDAR navigation maps your home swiftly, plotting efficient, grid-like cleaning paths while avoiding obstacles and stairs with precision. If you’ve owned older robots that spin in circles or miss entire rooms, this one’s smart mapping and self-resuming charging are a revelation—delivering full-home coverage with minimal oversight.

We ran it in a two-bedroom apartment with two cats, and it consistently cleared litter trails and fur tumbleweeds. The spot-clean mode proved invaluable for high-traffic zones like feeding areas, repeatedly scrubbing one spot for up to five minutes. Suction is strong for a robot, but it struggles with long human hair tangles—occasional brush cleaning is needed. While it doesn’t mop, its dry-only focus keeps maintenance simple, and the app scheduling lets you run it while at work. Battery life covers ~75 minutes, enough for most homes under 1,500 sq ft.

Compared to the Roborock Q7 M5+, it lacks self-emptying and mopping, but it’s significantly more affordable and easier to set up. For pet owners who want reliable, set-and-forget dry cleaning, the Roomba 104 is a focused, intelligent performer—offering smart navigation and strong suction where automation beats manual effort.

The Roborock Q7 M5+ is a premium all-in-one cleaning command center, combining 10000Pa hyperforce suction with 7-week self-emptying and dual anti-tangle tech—a trifecta that redefines hands-free cleaning. Its JawScrapers main brush and tangle-free side brush shred through pet hair like scissors, making it a top pick for homes with shedding dogs or long-haired cats. With PreciSense LiDAR mapping, it builds accurate home layouts, allowing room-by-room scheduling and no-go zones via the app—perfect for avoiding pet bowls or delicate rugs. If your robot keeps getting stuck or missing spots, this one’s navigation is a quantum leap forward.

In real use, it tackled muddy paw prints and tracked-in sand with mop and vacuum in one pass. The three water flow settings let you go light on hardwood or heavy on tile, and the sealant RockDock Plus traps odors and allergens in a 2.7L bag—meaning you forget it’s there for over a month. Mopping performance is solid, not deep, but ideal for maintenance. The app is intuitive, offering real-time tracking, filter alerts, and voice control. It struggles slightly on very dark floors (navigation confusion), but overall coverage is excellent.

Against the iRobot 104, it’s a generational upgrade: self-emptying, mopping, and smarter software for a modest price bump. For tech-savvy owners who want true set-and-forget cleaning, the Q7 M5+ delivers unmatched autonomy and power—where convenience and completeness outweigh basic functionality.

The Shark Rocket HV301 is the gold standard of corded stick vacuums, blending ultra-light design (under 9 lbs) with never-losing-suction power—a rare combo in this class. Its swivel steering makes it feel like an extension of your arm, gliding under sofas and around table legs with surgical precision. The fingertip controls let you switch between carpet and hard floor modes instantly, while the 5-year warranty signals confidence in durability. If you’ve used vacuums that lose suction as the bin fills, this one’s bagless cyclonic system maintains peak performance from empty to full.

We tested it on a mixed-surface home with dogs, and it deep-cleaned area rugs while leaving hardwood streak-free. Converting to handheld mode takes seconds, and the included upholstery, crevice, and dusting tools handled car seats and ceiling fans with ease. The easy-empty dust cup minimizes mess, and the hook storage keeps the handheld ready to grab. Cord length (about 18 feet) is average—fine for most rooms but requires outlet changes in larger homes.

Versus the Eureka NEU10AE5, it’s heavier but far more powerful and versatile. Compared to pricier canisters like the Kenmore, it wins on maneuverability and floor-to-ceiling reach. For families who need a single, do-it-all vacuum, the Shark Rocket delivers best-in-class balance of power, flexibility, and reliability—where performance meets practicality.

The Eureka WhirlWind NEN110A is a stealth performer in the canister category, offering 960W of suction and a massive 2.5L dust container—perfect for homes that hate constant emptying. Its telescoping metal wand and swivel steering make it glide under furniture and up stairs with grace, while the integrated crevice tool and dusting brush snap on instantly, eliminating lost attachments. The one-button dust release and auto cord rewind streamline cleanup, turning post-vacuum chores into a 10-second task. If you’ve wrestled with tangled cords or sticky filters, this model’s washable filter and bagless design cut maintenance to near zero.

In practice, it cleaned baseboards and upholstery impressively, with strong airflow on both carpet and tile. The 2.5L capacity allowed us to clean a full two-bedroom apartment without emptying—unheard of in most stick vacuums. However, the hose is shorter than competitors (about 6 feet), requiring more body movement during overhead cleaning. The motor is loud at full power, and while suction is strong, it’s not HEPA-rated—so it’s not ideal for severe allergies.

Against the Kenmore 81214, it lacks allergen sealing but wins on cost, capacity, and ease of use. For budget-conscious users who want a true canister experience, the WhirlWind delivers serious cleaning power and convenience—where simplicity and volume trump medical-grade filtration.

The Amazon Basics 2-in-1 is the ultimate entry-level vacuum, proving you don’t need to spend big for lightweight, effective cleaning. At just 3.9 pounds, it’s the easiest vacuum to carry up stairs or use overhead—ideal for quick spills or dorm room messes. Its 300W motor delivers reliable suction on hard floors and low-pile rugs, and the washable HEPA filter captures 99.97% of dust and allergens, making it surprisingly capable for allergy sufferers on a budget. If you’ve bought cheap vacuums that die in months, this one’s self-standing design and cord wrap suggest thoughtful engineering behind the low price.

We used it in a studio apartment, and it handled coffee grounds, cat litter, and dust with ease. The 0.5L dust cup is small—requiring mid-clean emptying for larger jobs—but the one-click release keeps mess minimal. It converts to handheld mode in seconds, great for car interiors or couch crumbs. However, it’s underpowered for thick carpets, and the plastic build feels flimsy compared to Shark or Eureka. Still, for spills, small spaces, or as a secondary vacuum, it’s unbeatable at this price.

Versus the Roomie Tec, it’s less powerful and smaller, but far more affordable. For students, renters, or minimalists, it delivers barebones efficiency—where low cost and portability matter more than deep-cleaning prowess.

The FEPPO mattress vacuum is a specialized health guardian, engineered to sanitize beds, sofas, and cribs with 16kPa suction, UV-C light, and 140°F heat—a trio that obliterates dust mites and allergens. Its 500W motor and 30,000 RPM tapping agitate deep fabric layers, loosening embedded skin flakes and debris that regular vacuums miss. The 253.7nm UV-C light activates on contact, killing 99.9% of microbes, while ultrasonic waves enhance penetration—making it a clinical-grade tool for allergy and asthma sufferers. If your mattress feels dusty despite regular cleaning, this device reveals what’s truly hiding beneath.

In testing, it reduced visible dust and improved air quality in a child’s bedroom. The dual dust cup and HEPA filter prevent clogging and maintain suction over time. The overheat protection safely shuts it down after 15 minutes of continuous use—encouraging methodical, section-by-section cleaning. However, it’s not designed for pet hair, and the cord limits mobility. It’s also heavier than typical handhelds, requiring two hands for full control.

Compared to standard handheld vacuums, it’s narrowly focused but deeply effective. For parents, allergy sufferers, or anyone serious about sleep hygiene, the FEPPO delivers unmatched deep sanitization—where health and purity outweigh general-purpose utility.