Shopping·8 min read

11 of the Best Vacuums to Clean Your Floors, Car, and More

Someone using a Bissell carpet cleaner vacuum to clean a carpet
Design: theSkimm | Image: Bissell
March 30, 2023

This post was originally published in April 2022 and has been updated.

Products you buy through our links may earn us a commission. Oh, and if something's out of stock, oops, it was there (and all prices were accurate) at time of publication.

Contrary to popular belief, one vacuum does not fit all messes. If you’ve got hard-to-reach dust bunnies, pet hair in your home that just won’t quit, or a car prone to drops and spills, we’ve got you covered. From portable vacuums to car vacuums that can do it all, here are the best vacuums for every need. 

best cordless vacuum
Amazon

A tried-and-tested mop and vacuum rolled into one…

Looking for a two-in-one device that actually gets the job done? This Bissell cordless vacuum can tackle debris and dust at the click of a button. It works on linoleum, wood, tile, and rugs — wet or dry — but we rec using the vacuum function before you get to mopping. Link your vacuum to the app so you can track its battery life, filter status, formula needs, and more. Need extra convincing? Read our full review here. ($299.99, Amazon)

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Best cordless vacuums
Target

A vacuum perfect for city living that’s gone viral on TikTok for a reason…

You might have seen this one pop up on your social feeds, and we’re here to tell you — it lives up to the hype. It’s lightweight, easy to maneuver, and has great suction power. With a battery runtime of 25 minutes (ideal for smaller spaces or quick cleanups), and a HEPA filter that knocks out up to 99% of all allergens as you clean, we think it’s a worthy purchase at an affordable price point. ($159.99, Target

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Black and Decker handheld vacuum
Amazon

A portable vacuum for easy around-the-home (and outside-of-the-home) messes… 

This one’s a lightweight alternative to whipping out your heavy vacuum. With a dustbowl capacity of 15 ounces, it’ll be able to tackle most medium-sized messes — think spilled cereal, or that hard-to-reach spot above the bookshelf. It's got a pivoting nozzle so you can nab dirt at any angle, a washable filter, and a three-stage filtration system. We love the compact charging base that can fit on a tabletop for easy storage. Pro tip: If you think you’ll get a lot of use out of this, upgrade to the one that comes with a replacement filter. ($62.72+, Amazon)

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Dyson V8 cordless vacuum
Amazon

A lightweight cordless vacuum that packs serious power… 

And sucks up every bit of dirt and debris on your floor. It can run for up to 40 minutes and has two power options. The Dyson V8 Absolute Yellow is one of our go-to portable vacuums thanks to its lightweight body, straightforward design, and smooth disposal process. The V8 model can tackle carpets, tile, and hardwood, and it comes with a bunch of extras. Like its mini car brush, crevice tool, and combination tool — so you can switch between surfaces in one motion. Set up your charging dock somewhere accessible so you can hang your Dyson after use without having to worry about its battery power. Happy cleaning. ($424, Amazon

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portable car vacuum
Amazon

A portable vacuum with all the brush heads needed for your car… 

So you can get into every crack and crevice with ease. It comes with a flathead hose, extension tube, and brush head, so every cleaning day can be detailing day too. While it comes with a 16-foot cord, it can also be plugged into your car's 12V outlet — perfect for on-the-road messes. We love the washable filter for easy replacements and the carry bag that makes toting it simple. ($29.99, Amazon

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Handheld vacuum for pet hair
Amazon

A handheld vacuum perfect for picking up pet hair…  

With a brush that removes pet hair from upholstery and carpet, shedding won’t stand a chance. It’s portable and super compact, so carrying it around won’t be a chore. And thanks to its 4-foot flexible hose, cleaning up high won’t be as daunting of a task. Set it in its quick-charging station for the next clean and make sure to take advantage of the washable bowl and filter. Psst…you can also add on a cordless option or a stick-vacuum attachment. ($122.20+, Amazon

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Leaf blower black and decker
Amazon

A 3-in-1 leaf vacuum to keep your outdoor space tidy… 

Spring may have sprung, but that means fall isn't too far behind. Get prepped ahead of time with this leaf vacuum, blower, and mulcher that has all your lawn care needs covered. It's got two speeds, and its heavy-duty vacuuming and mulching functionality can take your 10 bags of yard waste and squeeze ‘em into one. It also comes with add-on options like a pair of work gloves or safety glasses. Simplifying your yard work in 3, 2, 1… ($59, Amazon)

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Bissell pet hair vacuum
Amazon

A lightweight option that’ll save your pet-hair-covered floors… 

Thanks to its tangle-free brush and hands-free emptying system, pet hair has met its match with this Bissel vacuum. We love its included extra tools, like the 2-in-1 pet dusting brush that’ll get rid of dander and Pet TurboEraser Tool that’s got so much power, fur won’t stand a chance. You can also upgrade to one with a Febreze filter that freshens as you clean and traps dust and allergens. A home covered in dog hair? We don’t know her. ($222.19+, Amazon)

But it
iHome robot vacuum that mops
Amazon

A robot vacuum that also mops as it roams around your home… 

This two-in-one robot vacuum mops while it picks up debris, thanks to its electronically controlled water tank. If you’ve got lots of different floor surfaces in the home, you can choose between three modes of clean. Carpets? No problem. Piles of dust in hard-to-reach corners? Gone. And pro tip: Download the free app to schedule cleanings and view your floor plan. It’s time to embrace the hands-free lifestyle. ($198+, Amazon)

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Pool cleaner
Amazon

A pool vacuum cleaner that’ll have it summer-ready in no time… 

The Big Sucker pool vacuum cleaner works with any standard garden hose, so assembly is easy. It's got powerful suction, and a wide mouth opening for collecting larger objects. Four multidirectional wheels allow your vacuum to move around freely, and its replaceable leaf bags ensure a gunk-free clean up every time. Say “buh-bye” to leafy pools and “hello” to splashin’ away. ($39.63, Amazon)

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Carpet spot cleaner
Bissell

A carpet cleaner vacuum that won’t break the bank… 

It’s got serious spraying and suction power perfect for targeting spots and stains, and also works on upholstery. Thanks to its compact size, you can conveniently store it underneath your sink. Prep it with the included Bissell spot and stain solution and water beforehand to save time cleaning spontaneous stains as soon as they happen. And a self-cleaning hose tool makes cleaning your machine easy. We love to see it. ($109.59, Amazon)

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