We test thousands of products in 63 labs at our headquarters.
Data is the basis for almost all the work Consumer Reports does—ensuring that our state-of-the-art tests and reliability surveys reflect how consumers actually use products.
In our vacuum lab, we evaluate each model for its ability to clean carpet and bare floors, among other attributes.
From sand to pet hair, CR’s testers use the same dirt and debris you’d find in your home to evaluate how well uprights, canisters, hand, and stick vacuums perform on bare floors and carpets.
CR staff shoppers buy every product we use as a test sample from retail stores, helping maintain our objectivity and independence.
Meet the Vacuum Team
Susan Booth
Senior Test Project Leader
Frank Rizzi
Assistant Test Project Leader
Tyler Ivester
Senior Test Technician
Pang-Chieh Ho
Home and Appliances Writer
We design our vacuum tests to assess the capabilities of each type of vacuum.
Each vacuum is tested on the same performance factors, but we calibrate these tests to assess the capabilities of each type. That means the tests for full-sized uprights and canisters are a bit tougher than those for smaller stick and handheld vacuums.
Bare Floors and Carpet
Pet Hair
Photo: Consumer Reports
Handling
Emissions and Noise
To test robotic vacuums, we created a mini apartment complete with obstacles like carpet fringe, cords, and debris.
Navigation
Technicians attach a tracking device to the vacuum and map its movement through a multiroom lab. We also note whether it gets entrapped in cords or carpet fringe and if it can glide under furniture.
Data Privacy and Security
Our experts use an approved digital standard to conduct security and privacy tests and score robotic vacuums on more than 70 indicators. Almost all the robotic vacuums in our ratings score worse on data privacy than security.
Look for the CR Recommended mark when shopping in stores or online for easy access to rankings and reviews of products that meet our high standards for safety, performance, value, and reliability.
Learn MoreWe factor predicted reliability and owner satisfaction into each vacuum's Overall Score.
For predicted reliability, we use our survey data to project how new models will hold up, estimating the likelihood that a vacuum will have problems or break within five years (four for robotic vacs). We don't collect reliability data for handheld vacuums.
Tested vacuum models
Vacuums assessed in our most recent surveys
Vacuum owners sharing their experiences
Cordless stick vacuums are more popular than ever, but our members have reported a number of problems with batteries that die or diminish over time, especially by the fifth year of ownership.
Because of these reliability issues, CR did not initially recommend any cordless stick vacuums. However, the median reliability rating has improved enough for CR to now recommend some cordless models. This is due largely to the introduction of several cordless brands that rate better than the cordless stick brands in our ratings from previous years.
The most common problem with all vacuums? Hair tangled around the roller brush.
We learn more from testing than just performance.
Our findings also add to our extensive library of articles designed to help you get the most out of your vacuum.
Quietest Vacuums From Our Tests
If you’re sensitive to noise, listen up for the quietest models from CR's tests.
Photo: Miele; Graphic: Getty Images
Choose the Right Vacuum for the Job
Upright or canister? Stick vac or handheld? Maybe a robovac? Here's how to decide which type of vacuum to buy.
Photo: Sarah Anne Ward
Best Robotic Vacuums for Pet Hair
After putting more than 60 models to the test, we found five that suck up pet hair with ease.
Photo: iRobot