Looking to get swept off your feet? Falling in love at first clean isn’t always easy, especially with vacuums being made for different types of tasks. Barrel vacuums are perfect for deep cleaning the whole house, while stick vacs are ideal for targeting smaller messes anywhere –high or low. Robot vacuums are in another league of their own, offering plenty of convenience with automatic functions to make daily upkeeps super easy.
For a vacuum that sucks in the best way possible, we’ve listed some of our top picks based on our own experiences and customer reviews for top-rated models.
Looking for a good deal? There are few vacuums on sale right now, including the Dyson Cyclone V10 Stick Vacuum which has dropped from $1099 to $699. Shoppers call it a “great little machine”, with some saying they can even “feel the difference” when walking around the house.
The Shark Corded Upright with DuoClean & Self Cleaning Brushroll has also been reduced to $399, down from $699. By the looks of things, it’s the perfect vacuum for anyone who struggles with hair around the home. “After years of cleaning hair and loose threads out of vacuum rollers, I’m happy to say I haven’t had to clean out more than a single hair after vacuuming the whole house,” a reviewer raved.
OUR TOP PICKS
BEST CORDLESS VACUUM CLEANER
Dyson V15 Detect Absolute Cordless Stick Vacuum, $1449 at The Good Guys
What You Need To Know
Do you know how clean your floors really are? This Dyson stick vac certainly does and thanks to the light up Fluffy Optic cleaner head, now so do you. Although the pros of this vacuum isn’t a secret, having been featured in several best vacuum roundups and garnered an average rating of a 4.6 stars on Google Reviews from more than 13900 posts.
“We were amazed at how much dirt it picked up from our recently cleaned carpets. We had to empty the canister two times during our first vac. After four cleans the amount of dirt it’s pulling out of our carpet is finally settling down,” a fan raved.
“We love the auto power setting, which not only conserves battery life but also lets you know which areas you need to concentrate on. The hair cutting feature on the main, and smaller, power head (is) also a fantastic feature. My partner has long hair and I usually have to detangle the power heads after a couple of cleans. Not with these Dyson power heads, though. They’re always free of hair.”
“I bought this V15 to replace an ageing Dyson V8. This is a definite step up. The motor is quieter and more powerful… (It) charges quickly but I never run out of power, even (when) doing the whole house in one go,” a second reviewer posted.
BEST UPRIGHT VACUUM CLEANER
Shark Corded Upright with DuoClean & Self Cleaning Brushroll, $399 (down from $699) at The Good Guys
What You Need To Know
This Shark vacuum cleaner (NZ801) offers the flexibility of cordless vacuums and the strong suction power of a corded models with its Powered Lift-Away mode. This lets you detach the pod from the nozzle to get easier access under furniture, on stairs and in tight crevices. You can also expect a self-cleaning brush roll, which removes tangled hair and debris with the press of a button.
The bagless vacuum cleaner boasts impressive customer ratings from a variety of retailer and review site, with many particularly praising how well it picks up dirt and prevents hair from getting tangled.
“After years of cleaning hair and loose threads out of vacuum rollers, I’m happy to say I haven’t had to clean out more than a single hair after vacuuming the whole house. The NZ801 has plenty of suction but is surprisingly quiet, it’s easy to clean/empty and it has all the attachments you could want. Filters are all washable and spares can be purchased online without breaking the bank,” raved a reviewer.
“(I)t’s the best ever vacuum cleaner I have ever owned in the last 40 years. I thought my carpet was clean until I purchased my Shark and then I realised just how much hidden dirt was buried in my carpet for all those years…. Highly recommended,” agreed another.
BEST ROBOT VACUUM CLEANER
Ecovacs T20 OMNI Robot Vacuum and Mop*, $1799 at Amazon Australia
Tried and Tested by Tahnee-Jae Lopez-Vito, Shopping Writer
For an all-rounder (and ultimate convenience), robot vacuums with a fully automatic base station like the Ecovacs T20 OMNI Robot Vacuum and Mop are seriously worth considering. The separate dirty and clean water tanks, and washing and drying mop functions are great for preventing any build-up of mould, bacteria and bad smells – this is especially handy if you can’t clean the mop pads after each use.
Another convenient feature is YIKO, the built-in AI voice assistant. The fact I didn’t need to sync the robot to my Amazon or Google account made setting up super easy, and I love how I can easily call on it to clean specific rooms as well as do a general sweep.
I also found this Ecovacs robot vacuum worked particularly fantastic on tiles and hardwood floors, and floors weren’t left wet or sticky after mopping.
You can find our full review here.
*Product has been loaned to us by Ecovacs for a 100 per cent independent, honest review.
Dreame L10s Pro Ultra Heat Robot Vacuum Cleaner, $1999 at Amazon Australia
What You Need To Know
Prefer to use cleaning solution? The Dreame L20 Ultra Heat refills your robot with solution as well as water, in addition to auto-emptying and auto washing and drying your mop pads.
“The cleaning power of this robot is top-notch. Its advanced features, like intelligent mapping and navigation, allow it to efficiently manoeuvre around furniture and tricky spaces, ensuring that every nook and cranny is thoroughly cleaned,” a reviewer posted.
“Plus, the customizable cleaning schedules make it incredibly convenient – I can set it and forget it, knowing that it will maintain my floors and rugs without any hassle.”
“It mapped our whole house in 18 minutes. Other robots have taken three to four hours. It mops brilliantly with the self-dosing floor cleaner and the ability to clean a variety of hard floors,” agreed another.
Roborock Q8 Max+ Plus Robot Vacuum and Mop, $1097 (down from $1299)
What You Need To Know
For a less bulky build without the hot washing and drying functionalities, this Roborock vacuum is worth checking out. It comes with an auto emptying station that can hold up to seven weeks’ worth of debris and, unlike most models, you can even use the app to adjust how often the dustbin should be emptied. This can be super useful since vacuums can start to lose suction power and efficiency once the dustbin gets too full and filters become blocked.
This robot vacuum also contains two rollers to minimise tangling and improve performance on carpets.
“This vacuum is the real deal. It does everything we need it to do and we rarely have to mess with anything having to do with it other than emptying out its container every day or two,” a reviewer wrote, rating it five stars.
BEST HANDHELD VACUUM CLEANER
BLACK+DECKER Dusbuster 18.0V Flexi Handheld Vacuum, $139 at Amazon Australia
What You Need To Know
Take hard to clean areas into your own hands with a handheld vacuum like this one from BLACK+DECKER (PD1820L). The small and lightweight model has an adjustable 1.5m wrap around hose with a flip out brush, so you can reach dust on delicate items like lamp shades and vents as well as tall shelves. It also comes with a fully removable clear dust bowl, making it easy to see when it’s time to empty the debris and helping minimise contact between you and the dirt.
“Bought this handheld vacuum cleaner to get into tight spots particularly the air conditioner and it works fantastic. Also great for the car,” a shopper posted on The Good Guys website.
This is a great little vacuum that packs a lot of punch. Would highly recommend if looking for a smaller unit. Love the flexible hose,” another wrote.
“Great suction for such a small machine. I hope they never take this off the market,” a third agreed.
BEST BUDGET VACUUM CLEANER
Bosch Serie 6 Rechargeable Stick Cordless Vacuum Cleaner, $294 (down from $499) at Amazon Australia
What You Need To Know
Get serious bang for buck with this Bosch stick vacuum (BCS61113AU). It’s part of the brand’s Home & Garden 18V cordless system, which means you can use the same battery from the brand’s power tools (green product range) to extend the runtime. It’s also great for cleaning everything from carpets and tiles to car seats and bookshelves, especially with accessories like the long flexible crevice nozzle and two-in-one furniture brush and upholstery nozzle.
“This stick vacuum cleaner has made life so much easier,” praised a reviewer.
“It picks up dirt right next to skirting boards. It’s lightweight with no cords to drag around behind you (and) hangs neatly on the wall … We are thrilled with it.”
BEST MID-RANGE VACUUM CLEANER
Miele Classic C1 PowerLine Bagged Cylinder Vacuum Cleaner, $249 (down from $419) at Amazon Australia
What You Need To Know
Want to invest in a decent vacuum without splurging on a high-end model? This Miele cylinder vacuum is an easy pick among shoppers. It features a flexible floorhead that can tackle everything from carpet to hardwood, anything in between. It’s also fairly lightweight and has a 9m reach, making it easy to vacuum without worrying about where the next power outlet is.
“Living in a multistorey house with young children I needed an effective vacuum with good suction but light enough to move up and downstairs. I have not been disappointed – six different suction options, a large dustbag and (it’s) not too heavy to push around or move upstairs,” a happy reviewer posted.
“I bought this Miele vacuum to replace one that I had for 26 years. My new Miele does a fantastic job keeping both the hard floors and carpets in my home clean and is so much lighter than it’s predecessor to move around and carry,” raved a customer on Amazon Australia.
Dyson Cyclone V10 Stick Vacuum, $699 (down from $1099) at Myer
What You Need To Know
This Dyson stick vac proves you don’t need to get the latest model to enjoy great suction and runtime. It still packs three power settings, whole machine HEPA filtration, a hygienic ‘point and shoot’ emptying system and a mountable dock where you can charge your vacuum and store the different attachments. It also comes with the Motorbar cleaner head, which features vanes to remove wrapped hair from the brush bar and prevent clogging, plus a Hair screw tool to pick up pet hair from pet beds, car seats and stairs.
“Great little machine and good runtime. Can’t fault it at all,” an impressed shopper posted, rating it five stars.
“We can feel the difference with our bare feet on the hard floor compared to our previous cheap stick vacuum. Very easy to empty and the battery lasts longer than it takes to do the house,” a second reviewer wrote.
BEST VACUUM FOR HARDWOOD FLOORS
Miele Boost CX1 Parquet Bagless Vacuum, $599 at The Good Guys
What You Need To Know
Ever wondered why product specs often list ideal surface types for vacuums? Carpet generally requires a more aggressive touch to pick up dirt from the carpet fibres, while hard floors like tile, vinyl and hardwood generally need gentler treatment to prevent things such as dirt and hard bristles from scratching the surface.
This Miele cylinder vacuum is one top-rated option worth checking out and features a flexible Parquet Twister attachment that’s not only delicate on hard floors but also great for corners and tight areas thanks to its double-swivel joint design.
It also stands out with the TrackDrive feature, which has the wheels located on the side of the unit to help with stability and manoeuvrability and direction.
BEST VACUUM FOR PET HAIR
Miele Blizzard CX1 Cat & Dog Bagless Vacuum, $719 (down from $849) at Amazon Australia
What You Need To Know
Got stubborn pet hairs and dirt? For deeper cleans, especially if you have lots of carpets or rugs, corded upright or barrel vacuums tend to be better since they usually have limitless runtime and stronger suction power compared to stick vacs and robot vacuums. This Miele vacuum (10502220) is particularly ideal for households with pets, boasting four rotating rollers and quick release air valve.
Its filtration process also traps 99.99 per cent of fine dust and separates it from solid debris, ensuring any fine dust stays in the self-cleaning filter and doesn’t get released whenever you empty the dust container.
“Our house has never been cleaner. We are extremely happy with the purchase and will recommend others to purchase,” one customer posted on The Good Guys website.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN BUYING A VACUUM
Finding the right vacuum for your home can be tricky, but here are a few factors we considered when choosing which models to include in our roundup.
Battery runtime: Most cordless stick vacuums offer up to 30-40 minutes’ runtime, while robot cleaners usually last for 120-180 minutes. Keep in mind the maximum runtime is often based on the lowest setting and any modes requiring stronger suction, such as Turbo, will use drain the battery faster.
Weight: Keep in mind the longer the cleaning sessions, the bigger of a toll the vacuum is going to have on your arms and wrists.
Dustbin capacity: The larger the capacity, the better it is for larger homes and deeper whole house cleaning.
Bagless or bagged: Bagged vacuums are ideal for people with allergies since everything is trapped inside the bag, preventing dust and dirt from blowing back outside. You can also find many robot vacuums and a small number of stick vacuums with an automatic emptying bin system, which can hold dirt in a sealed bag for several weeks before needing to be disposed. But these need to be repurchased every three months or so.
Floor surface: Most new vacuums will be suitable for different surfaces, although certain models are intended for carpet only. Don’t forget to check reviews to see how well your wishlist gadget will perform on your floors (especially for rooms with shaggy or long-pile rugs).
Trigger or single-touch power button: If your hands get tired easily, single-touch power buttons are a must-have feature that only need to be pressed when you start and end.
HOW WE CHOOSE PRODUCTS
Our team of experienced writers spend hours researching products to include in articles. We find out what factors make a good product by talking to experts, reviewing test results and analysing thousands of customer reviews.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHAT IS THE BEST TYPE OF VACUUM CLEANER?
This depends on what you need to clean. Barrel vacuums are great for cleaning the whole house because they tend to have stronger suction, while stick vacuums and robot cleaners are great for daily cleans since they’re lighter and better at targeting hard to reach areas such as under furniture or crevices. If you have carpet, sometimes investing in a carpet washer might be a better alternative for deep cleans.
Corded vacuums are typically more powerful and last for as long as you need. Cordless units provide ample flexibility, especially since stick vacuums can be converted into handheld units.
HOW LONG DO VACUUMS LAST?
Dyson Senior Design Manager, Sallahuddin Mashkuri, said the lifespan of your vacuum (as well as how long it lasts per clean) depends on how it’s used and how well it is maintained.
“Run-time can be affected by the cleaning mode used and the different power draw on varied surfaces – long-pile carpets will draw more power than short pile, for example,” Sallahuddin said.
Here are some of the expert’s tips on how to extend our vacuum’s runtime and overall lifespan.
• Adjust settings depending on the level of dirt and type of surface, rather than sticking to the most powerful for the entire clean.
• Cool cordless vacuums down after use before recharging it.
• For cordless vacuums, let the battery drain completely at least once a month so it can “naturally discharge”.
• Store the vacuum cleaner at room temperature.
• Try not to use stick vacuums in very hot temperatures.
Want more dirt on cleaning your home? Aside from vacuums, we’ve also got guides on best dehumidifiers, best air purifiers, best dishwashers, best top loaders and best front load washing machines.
More Coverage of Vacuum Cleaners
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