Comparing the types Vacuum cleaners
Match the type of vacuum you choose to the kind of cleaning you typically do.
Match the type of vacuum you choose to the kind of cleaning you typically do.
Best for deep-cleaning carpets. Most upright vacuums are less expensive and easier to store than canister vacuums.
But you must push and pull the entire machine for most floor and carpet cleaning. When vacuuming on stairs, uprights are less stable than canister models.
Price $100 to $500 for most models.
Best for cleaning bare floors, and stairs, drapes, and upholstery using tools. More stable on stairs than uprights. Head fits under furniture and you move only the head and hose.
But the entire machine tends to be heavier, bulkier, and pricier. Most aren’t as effective on carpets.
Price $150 to $700 for most models.
STICK SWEEPERS
Best for light cleaning of carpets, bare floors, and edges. These suctionless sweepers are relatively quiet and have long battery run times.
But they’re not designed to deep-clean carpets, and on bare floors they could scatter debris such as rice, kitty litter, and other common spills for which they’re designed.
Price $20 to $80.
STICK VACUUMS
Best for light-duty cleaning on short-pile carpets and bare floors.
But they have trouble cleaning larger items off carpet, they have shorter run times than sweepers, and some are no easier to push than full-size vacuums.
Price $30 to $100.
Best for cleaning heavy dust, remodeling debris, liquids, and other tougher messes.
But dust emissions are high with some models. The largest can be hard to maneuver and store; the least expensive often aren’t very effective. All are noisy.
Price $30 to $150 for most models.
HAND VACUUMS
Best for spot cleanups on carpets and bare floors.
But they require stooping and lose power quickly, making them suitable only for occasional use.
Price $20 to $60.
ROBOTIC VACUUMS
Best for their novelty and low effort between regular vacuuming in uncluttered rooms.
But they’re expensive as a group and time-consuming to set up and run. Most also tended to miss edges and corners in our tests.
Price $200 to $1,800.
CENTRAL-VAC SYSTEMS
Best for canister-like cleaning without carrying the body. They tend to be relatively quiet and can be emptied infrequently.
But central vacs are pricey and often require professional installation. The 30-foot hose can be cumbersome and takes up storage space. And there's no place to carry tools while you work.
Price $500 to $1,250 with tools; $300 to $750 to install.
