The most powerful, convenient and quiet vacuum cleaners around

(Image credit: vax)
With the best hoover cleaners, you can maintain a dust-free and dirt-free home without requiring a lot of time or work. The top models are included below after we thoroughly examined a wide range of models to determine which ones offer the best suction, the most practical equipment, and the simplest cleaning procedure.
There are solutions for most needs and preferences among our list of the top hoover cleaners. We’ll walk you through the benefits and drawbacks of each type of vacuum—cordless, upright, cylinder, and even robot—so you can make an informed decision. We consider more than just suction power during testing. Every hoover is tested on various types of spills, and every factor is taken into account, including battery life and arm fatigue. Of course, we also take into account value for money and price.
We’re focused in discovering the best, not just the most well-known, so you’ll find excellent models from businesses like Dyson, Shark, and Tineco, among many more, in our guide along with all the major brands. Everything OK? The top hoover cleaners available now are listed below.
QUICL LIST
- ALWAYS READY, ALWAYS CHARGED: Automatically empties and charges while docked, so it’s always ready for the next clean. No more manual emptying after every clean.
- 1000X LESS DUST EXPOSURE* VS. TRADITIONAL EMPTYING: Fine dust and debris get sealed away after every clean, keeping them out of the air you breathe—no more dust clouds. (*Based on third party-plume testing while emptying vs. Shark Navigator upright manual empty US/CAN NV130.)
- HOLDS UP TO 30 DAYS’ WORTH OF DUST & DEBRIS: Automatically empties into the bagless base, capturing and trapping 99.97%* of dust and allergens with True HEPA filtration. (*Based on ASTMF1977, down to .3 microns. Allergens refer to non-living matter.)
- FOUR DEEP-CLEANING TECHNOLOGIES: Four powerful cleaning technologies detect and react to hidden dirt, different floor types, edges, and low-light areas to boost power and increase cleaning up to 50%* when carpet and dirt is detected. (*Eco vs. Detect Boost with both Carpet and Dirt, based on ASTM F608.)
- LIGHTWEIGHT VERSATILE CLEANING: Powerful cleaning, and lightweight versatility provides an enhanced cleaning experience at a weight 25% lighter than Shark Vertex Pro
For most people, the Shark Detect Pro Cordless is the finest hoover cleaner because it offers cutting-edge technology and flexible cleaning options. The specifically made floorhead works just as well on hard floors as on carpets. Its sensors sense everything, including the level of filth on each floor tile and whether you’re close to a room’s edge, and they adjust the suction to provide the best possible clean. On our list of the top cordless vacuums, it comes in first place.
There is only one additional tool (a crevice tool) with the Detect Pro, but it can be utilised in a lot of different situations. The vacuum’s ability to stretch to lie nearly flat on the floor is helpful for reaching under furniture, and the LED lamps make it easier to see dust and debris in dimly lit places. Although a touch heavy in the hand when in that mode, it is very simple to convert into a portable cleaner.
Although this vacuum’s suction isn’t as powerful as corded ones generally, it’s nonetheless outstanding for a cordless device and more than adequate for most people’s needs. A corded upright (#7) is the best option for a genuinely deep clean, or you might like the Shark Stratos Cordless (#5), which has more power but is a little heavier if your floors are primarily carpeted.
Our test arrangement features an enormous dust bag atop a self-emptying base station, together with anti-odor technologies to maintain a fresh scent. We liked that it reduced the amount of work involved in cleaning, but if that’s not important to you, there is a version without the self-empty feature.
At the time of updating, this model’s price was virtually always reduced, putting it in the middle of our budget and mid-range pricing ranges and providing amazing value for the money. To make sure you’re not missing a discount, check our Shark promo codes page before making a purchase. All in all, this is the best Shark hoover we’ve tested and a great all-arounder that will fit the demands of most individuals.
Pros
- Excellent on hard floor + carpet
- Smart features
- Useful flexible wand
Cons
- A little heavy in handheld
- Not as powerful as a corded vac
- Powerful Suction: Our vacuum cleaner boasts industry-leading suction power, effortlessly lifting dirt, debris, and pet hair from carpets, rugs, and hard floors for a thorough clean every time.
- Interchangeable batteries for unstoppable runtime
- Improved HEPA standard filtration
- Halo Equilibrium Engineering for perfect balance and handling
Although it has a somewhat quirky look, the Halo Capsule X has incredibly powerful suction. It is our choice for the best hoover for carpet because it passed every suction test we ran, but it also performs admirably on hard floors. Although it has an unusual appearance, it is light in the hand, easy to handle, and manoeuvre.
A bagged vacuum, the Capsule X is unlike anything else on this list. Some may find that to be a drawback, but there are advantages as well, such as the capacity to collect small particles like fireplace ash without damaging the engine. Although the bags have an ongoing cost, they are produced using brown paper and compostable cardboard to reduce their impact on the environment.
Battery life is decent, and the batteries are swappable, so you may have two charged and ready to go at any moment. The Halo Capsule X is a great option if you want pure suction power in a cordless design factor; if you want smart features, go elsewhere on this list.
Pros
- Extremely powerful
- Light in hand
- Large dust bag capacity
Cons
- Bagged
- Erratic pricing
- POWERFUL SUCTION & HAIR PICKUP: The Stratos has ultra-powerful suction & hair pickup.
- DUOCLEAN POWERFINS HAIRPRO: A two brushroll system digs deep into carpets, directly engages hard floors, and picks up dirt, debris, and hair in every pass.
- GUARDS AGAINST BAD ODORS: Odor Neutralizer Technology guards against bad odors inside your vacuum to help freshen your home.
- NO HAIR WRAP: Self-cleaning brushroll delivers powerful pet hair pickup without wrapping hair.
- ANTI-ALLERGEN COMPLETE SEAL: Works with the HEPA filter to trap 99.9% of dust and allergens inside the vacuum cleaner. (Based on ASTM F1977 of particles 0.3 microns or larger. Allergens refer to non-living matter.)
The Shark Stratos Corded Stick is the greatest inexpensive hoover available if you’re on a tight budget or a student searching for something that will get the job done without going over budget. It’s corded, which is the primary compromise you’ll have to make for that low price. If you can handle that, you’ll get amazing suction (corded models frequently outperform cordless models in this regard), a lightweight, adaptable design, strong anti-hair-wrap floorheads, and even the small benefit of an odor-neutralizing puck to keep everything smelling nice.
This hoover comes in two slightly different variants: the HZ3000UKT, which has a larger dust cup and no flexible wand, and the HZ3002, which has a smaller dust cup that may be bothersomely small if you live in a large house. Both are reasonably priced.
The Shark Anti Hair Wrap cordless vacuum IZ202UK is a comparable option for UK customers who want to avoid being wall-mounted and did well in our tests.
Pros
- Powerful suction
- Budget-friendly price
- Odor Neutralizer
Cons
- Corded
- Versatile and cordless for whole-home deep cleaning.
Our favourite Dyson vacuum is the V11 because it strikes a balance between a reasonably priced tag and excellent design and careful manufacturing. In order to maximise suction efficiency, the design aligns the cyclones, motor, dust bin, and wand in a straight line. In actual use, this arrangement performs incredibly well. With ease, this hoover completed every cleaning review assignment. In the lowest-powered (but still extremely sucky) Eco mode, the maximum runtime is a full hour. In Auto mode, the device detects the type of floor it is on and adjusts power accordingly for the most effective clean.The first Dyson with an LCD screen was the V11, which shows important details like the power mode you’re in and how much battery life you still have when in current mode.
When the wand is removed, it transforms into a handheld vacuum, just like all Dyson stick vacuums. The specific equipment provided will differ depending on the model and area, but every one of the ones we’ve tested is well-made and capable of handling a variety of cleaning jobs. Our main criticism is that, particularly in handheld mode, it can feel a little top-heavy (this problem worsens with later versions, but it’s not too terrible here).
Based only on specifications, the Dyson Gen5 at number nine has several incredibly smart features that you won’t find here, making it the greatest Dyson vacuum overall. That model will be excessive, though. The V11 is our choice for the best value in terms of price to performance.Plus, it’s a valuable advance from the outdated, less expensive Dyson V8.
Pros
- Powerful suction
- Useful LCD display
- Auto adjusts for floor type
Cons
- Not the highest-spec Dyson
- A little top-heavy
- CLEAN SENSE IQ: Infrared sensor detects the dirt you can’t see and automatically increases power, giving you up to 50% better* dirt pickup. The Clean Sense IQ indicator visually shows when floors are clean. (vs. Shark Stratos Cordless in ECO Mode.)
- ULTRA-POWERFUL CORDLESS SUCTION: HyperVelocity Plus delivers ultra-powerful cordless suction.
- ODOR NEUTRALIZER TECHNOLOGY: Guards against bad odors from debris you pick up, leaving you with a fresh- smelling home.
- DUOCLEAN POWERFINS HAIRPRO: Two brushroll system digs deep into carpets, engages hard floors, and picks up dirt, debris, and hair in every pass. Experience powerful hair pickup performance.
- SELF-CLEANING BRUSHROLL: Powerful pet hair pickup and no more hair wrap.
The greatest hoover for pet hair is the Shark Stratos Cordless. For a cordless model, it has a surprising amount of power, and it has a few features that make it especially ideal for homes with furry dogs (or hairy humans). The primary floorhead’s design directs hair into the dust cup by sucking it off the brushroll as you clean, making it appropriate for both carpet and hard floors. This prevents clogging, and the included odour neutraliser maintains a clean, fresh scent throughout.
With a large dust cup that allows you to clean for extended periods of time without having to empty it, you can get up to an hour’s worth of cleaning done on a single charge. Getting under furniture is made easy by the wand’s 90-degree bend, and when we tested the vacuum in handheld and booster modes, we were also impressed with how well it removed hair from furniture. It ranks highest on our list of the greatest hoover for pet hair because of all those features.
You would be better off with the lighter, more streamlined Detect Pro (#1) if your cleaning requirements aren’t as high-maintenance. Conversely, you can defeat a corded upright like #7 if you are willing to forgo manoeuvrability in order to achieve maximum power.
Pros
- Anti hair wrap floorhead
- Powerful suction and large dust cup
- Odor neutralizer keeps things fresh
Cons
- Heavier than #1
- Floor head can’t fit into narrow spaces
How to choose the best vacuum for you
As we’ve already discussed, it can be difficult to decide the kind of hoover to buy. To assist you decide, though, you need think about the kind of property you own.
These days, cordless vacuums have some of the strongest suction capabilities available and guarantee that the length of the line won’t limit you. They may, yet, also rank among the priciest. Determine how long the battery will last between charges and whether it can be switched out so you can keep vacuuming without having to stop while the battery recharges.
In addition to having larger floor headers and being frequently less expensive than cordless ones, corded vacuums can ensure that vacuuming is completed considerably faster. But the hoover might not be able to reach your nooks and crannies. Think about models with extra-long hoses for homes with stairs so you can clean the stairs without moving the hoover.
Robotic vacuums work well for routine cleaning, but their suction isn’t as strong as that of the finest cordless vacuums, so they’re not ideal for deep cleaning and have trouble getting up dust from carpets.
Pet-owning households will require a vacuum that can manage pet hair. Additionally, if you plan to use your vacuum for tasks other than floor cleaning, you’ll need one that can transform into a handheld cleaner and has an abundance of practical attachments.
Additionally, to avoid damaging your hard floors during vacuuming, seek for a vacuum with a dedicated cleaner head that has a softer brush roll.
Regardless of the design you choose, make sure the dust canister can hold enough dirt to cover every floor in your house without having to stop and be emptied halfway through.
Frequently asked questions about vacuum cleaners
Is Shark better than Dyson?
It makes sense to choose one of these brands if you’re thinking of outfitting your house with a powerful new vacuum. Shark and Dyson are two of the largest names controlling the floor care business right now. Which, though, is the best?
In summary, Dyson vacuums are more costly, but this guarantees that you will receive a vacuum that is incredibly powerful, lightweight, and easy to manoeuvre throughout your house. Modern features found in Dyson vacuums include floor heads that can be adjusted in any direction and lasers that reveal concealed particles. In the event that a cordless model is your preference, they also have long-lasting batteries.
Shark offers vacuum cleaners at a lower price point than Dyson, yet they are just as powerful in terms of suction as the Dyson models. Shark products sometimes lack the sleek and fashionable designs of Dyson models and are also heavier, but they do have some helpful features like flexible wands that make it easier to clean in tight spaces and the ability to prevent hair from getting tangled around the brush.
Compared to other Dyson models, shark vacuums often feature larger dust canisters, but their batteries don’t last as long. Are they therefore superior? Your budget and the design of your house will play a major role. For a closer look at the two floor cleaning companies, see our post comparing Shark and Dyson.
How often should you vacuum?
“When the floor appears unclean” I understand your outcry, but you’ll need to hoover more frequently than this if you want to maintain an allergen-free home and spotless floors.
Vacuuming most floors should be done once a week; in high-traffic areas like hallways and doors, this should be done twice a week. Particularly if you have carpet, the longer dust is allowed to remain, the more it embeds itself in the fibres, making it more difficult to fully clean.
Even while this can seem like a lot, vacuuming it frequently will ensure that there is less dust to pick up each time, which will speed up the process of cleaning your floors.
How we tested these vacuum cleaners
We evaluated each model’s ability to gather little particles like dirt and dust as well as larger ones like cereal and cookie crumbs in order to determine which hoover cleaner is the best. We have evaluated the ease of manoeuvrability of the vacuum cleaners on carpeted and hard floors, as well as whether the dust pickup is dispersed equally over the cleaning head or concentrated in one region, in addition to assessing how thoroughly the floors are cleaned.
We evaluated each design based on its durability, ease of emptying, noise level when in operation, and, if available, battery life. We wanted to know if each model was simple to switch between different modes, like a portable vacuum, if it included helpful tools and accessories for cleaning edges or getting rid of pet hair, and if using it didn’t need reading a lengthy instruction booklet beforehand.