We use four swipes to remove the cereal and rice and two to pick up the sand. We weigh the vacuum before and after to calculate how much debris was removed. Here is how we conduct our revamped stick vacuum tests of brands including Bissell, Dyson, Hoover, Kenmore, LG, Samsung, Shark, and Tineco.
This traditional handheld has an especially powerful motor since there’s no risk of the battery running down too quickly. The vacuum holds about 15 ounces in its dirt bin and has a triple-level filter. To determine the best cordless options out there, we analyzed top-rated devices and narrowed down the field by considering factors like suction power, ease of use and value. This handheld vacuum’s motorized brush makes cleaning up pet fur a breeze, especially on upholstery.
Lastly, when determining the overall value of each product, we considered our entire experience with the product in comparison to the price. Our editors took all of the consistently applied testing irobot vacuum cleaner data that was gathered at The Lab and at home, and boiled it down to the Shark vacuums we believe are the very best. Shark produces a variety of different vacuum types at various price points.
If you’re not playing around and need to clean your car with power, look no further. Black+Decker performed well in our tests, as shown by its occupation of the top two spots. Again, the wide-mouthed crevice dyson robot vacuum opening did very well against our five contaminants, but the most attractive feature is the pivot function, hence the name. For those of us who like our vehicles clean, a good car vacuum is essential.
We also had to pull some hair out of the dust cup from crevices that did not initially empty. This Shark model is a little bulky for a handheld vacuum, but we think the extra-large dust bin makes it worth it. The attachments are what make this vacuum really shine, but there’s no included storage for them, so you’ll need to repurpose a box or bin to make sure you don’t lose them. Overall, we said this vacuum’s performance was very impressive given its size and single suction setting.
However, when it came to hard floors, we did find the wheels on the back of the cleaner head flicked some of the oats around the floor, rather than collecting them. This meant we had to make several passes to ensure the mess was cleared. In truth, it’s a rare occasion that one would need more than 40 minutes of runtime for a single vacuuming session, and the prevalence of charging docks makes it easy to recharge in between cleaning runs. Because of this, battery life was not weighted as heavily as other features. To get started, we hauled in 15 of the latest models from leading vacuum brands with high user ratings and reviews, and ran them through a series of tests designed to measure overall proficiency.
Wirecutter is the product recommendation service from The New York Times. Our journalists combine independent research with (occasionally) over-the-top testing so you can make quick and confident buying decisions. Whether it’s finding great products or discovering helpful advice, we’ll help you get it right (the first time). Liam McCabe is a former senior staff writer for Wirecutter, and has covered the wild world of appliances since 2011.
For a mix of bare floors and rugs, the surest bet is to get a vacuum that lets you turn the brush roll on or off. An aggressive brush can scatter certain kinds of debris on bare floors, or even scratch certain types of flooring, so it’s helpful to be able to switch it off. Most plug-in vacuums (including the upright and canister models we recommend) have this option, though it’s less common among cordless vacuums. The best cordless stick vacuums are lightweight and maneuverable without sacrificing the cleaning power of a corded model (and without costing too much, either). We experimented with the three attachments when cleaning stairs and found the crevice tool to be the most helpful, as the other two attachments are really designed with upholstery and drapes in mind. While cleaning the stairs was a bit time-consuming, since we opted to use the extension hose, rather than the motor head, the vacuum’s suction was still plenty powerful through this alternative mode.
Each color-changing LED is divided into 15 segments, which can be controlled individually via the Govee Home App. The mobile Effects Lab and Color Gallery provide options and inspiration for prom, Mother’s Day, or a night under the stars. Plus, a high-sensitivity mic syncs with energetic, rhythmic, rolling, and calm music modes for producing light shows at home.
If you like your floors to stay very clean, and you’re willing to pay big bucks for a vacuum that will last a decade or more, get a high-end canister vacuum. We also test performance when picking up small residue, such as crumbs, particularly when testing in handheld mode. However, while its suction power is impressive, it’s expensive, and it’s worth noting that it lasts just over eight minutes on the maximum power setting before taking 3.5 hours to recharge. The Dyson and Tineco models all have bin volumes of about 0.6 liter, which is fairly common across the category. Our alternate budget pick, the Moosoo XL-618, has double that capacity (1.3 liters) so you’ll need to empty the bin less often. The battery lasts about 20 minutes and comes with a charging dock.