The best vacuums in 2026, according to Consumer Reports

Dyson didn’t make the list.

Jeff Greenberg / Contributor / Getty Images

If you’re going to pay hundreds of dollars for a vacuum, you want it to work. But not all vacuums are built the same.

Experts at Consumer Reports tested dozens of vacuums on the market to find the best ones to purchase in 2026. It looked at how each model cleans both carpets and bare floors and whether it can get rid of pet hair.

If you want a workhouse and don’t mind the size, CR recommends investing in a canister or upright model. But it might not make sense for every job.

Continue reading to see which models it loved the most.

Best bagged upright vacuum

Screenshot: Amazon $AMZN.com

CR praised the Kenmore Ezlite Pet Friendly 31150 for its reasonable price at just over $250 and strong performance. “Its suction power surpasses other bagged uprights we’ve tested, and its cleaning performance is impressive,” CR wrote, though it warned the model is heavier and noisier than many others.

Best bagless upright vacuum

Screenshot: Amazon $AMZN.com

The Shark PowerDetect AZ4002 is CR’s choice for bagless upright models—though it’s significantly more expensive, selling between $450 and $570. CR said “it’s stellar at cleaning bare floors, making it ideal for kitchens, bathrooms, and hardwood floors.” CR also liked that it picked up dirt and debris whether it’s moving forward or backward.

Best bagged canister vacuum

Screenshot: mieleusa.com

The even more expensive Miele Complete C3 Marin is CR’s top choice for a bagged canister vacuum. It retails for north of $1,350, far more than most people want to spend. But CR said it performs exceptionally well and is quieter than its competition.

Best bagless canister vacuum

Screenshot: mieleusa.com

The Miele Blizzard CX1 Cat & Dog canister was named the best bagless canister vacuum. It’s cheaper than the previous Miele, going for around $800, though that’s still not very affordable. No matter, CR said it has great reliability scores and excels at cleaning bare floors, though noted it’s not the best for carpets.

Best corded stick vacuum

Back to affordable options—the Shark PowerDetect HZ4002 sells for $200 and “offers top-notch cleaning for bare floors and pet hair, and performs above par on carpets,” according to CR. They liked that it can be converted into a handle vacuum.

Best cordless stick vacuum

Screenshot: Samsung.com

Does your vacuum really need AI? CR thinks so, that is if you’re looking for the top cordless stick model. It recommends the Samsung Bespoke AI Jet Ultra VS90F40DMK/AA, which costs $1,100. CR thinks it’s worth the price, with great performance and really strong battery life. 

Screenshot: irobot.com

If you’re looking for a robot vacuum, CR suggests iRobot Roomba Max 705, which is particularly good at cleaning carpets. “It also impressed us with its navigation skills, covering a large square footage of our testing rooms while avoiding obstacles that could have trapped it,” CR testers said.

Best robot vacuum and mop combination 

Screenshot: samsung.com

If you want a two-in-one robot vacuum and mop, CR suggests the Samsung Jet Bot VR7MD96514G, but get ready to pay $1,400. The Samsung “surpasses other models in how well it mops up stains,” CR said. “It’s also excellent at suctioning up pet hair and clearing debris from bare, uncarpeted floor.”

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