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Best Vacuum cleaners

Which Vacuum cleaners performed best in our tests?

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We tested 111 vacuum cleaners to determine the best-performing models. Our expert lab technicians tested each Vacuum cleaner based on the following criteria:

  • Handling
  • Noise
  • Bare floors
  • Carpet
  • Pet hair
  • Emissions
  • Tool airflow

Below lists the Vacuum cleaners that rated best in each of the tests our experts looked for. Learn about how these tests were performed and find out which Vacuum cleaner is rated best when you subscribe.

Consumer Reports Ratings for Best Vacuum cleaners

ratingsBest Vacuum cleaner for Handling
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Reflects how easy it is to push, pull, and carry a vacuum.


This Vacuum cleaner which tested best for Handling has the following features: Suction control, Brush on/off, Retractable cord, Easy on/off, Full-bag/bin indicator and High efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter.

ratingsBest Vacuum cleaner for Noise
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Based on measurements in decibels.


This Vacuum cleaner which tested best for Noise has the following features: Manual-pile adjust, Suction control, Brush on/off, Retractable cord, Easy on/off, Full-bag/bin indicator and High efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter.

ratingsBest Vacuum cleaner for Bare floors
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Shows how well a vacuum picked up sand without dispersing it on bare floors.


This Vacuum cleaner which tested best for Bare floors has the following features: Manual-pile adjust, Accepts tools, Brush on/off, Easy on/off and Full-bag/bin indicator.

ratingsBest Vacuum cleaner for Carpet
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Indicates how much embedded talc and sand a vacuum lifted from a medium-pile carpet.


This Vacuum cleaner which tested best for Carpet has the following features: Manual-pile adjust, Accepts tools, Suction control, Brush on/off, Easy on/off, Full-bag/bin indicator and High efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter.

ratingsBest Vacuum cleaner for Pet hair
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Reflects how well a vacuum picks up pet hair from medium-pile carpet.


This Vacuum cleaner which tested best for Pet hair has the following features: Manual-pile adjust, Accepts tools, Brush on/off, Easy on/off and Full-bag/bin indicator.

ratingsBest Vacuum cleaner for Emissions
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A measurement of the quantity of wood-flour particles that a vacuum released under two conditions: first, when only the motor was turned on, and second, while vacuuming.


This Vacuum cleaner which tested best for Emissions has the following features: Manual-pile adjust, Accepts tools, Brush on/off, Easy on/off and Full-bag/bin indicator.

ratingsBest Vacuum cleaner for Tool airflow
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Indicates the strength of airflow through the hose.


This Vacuum cleaner which tested best for Tool airflow has the following features: Suction control, Brush on/off, Retractable cord, Easy on/off, Full-bag/bin indicator and High efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter.