8 Best House Vacuums of 2025

The Shark HV322 Rocket Pet Plus doesn’t just clean—it hunts pet hair with surgical precision. Its powerful suction and LED headlights transform invisible dust bunnies and stray fur into glaring targets, making it a standout for homes battling daily pet messes. The 0.68-quart XL dust cup means fewer interruptions during deep cleans, while the lightweight stick-to-handheld conversion solves the eternal struggle of cleaning stairs and upholstery without lugging around a bulky machine.

In real-world testing, the HV322 shines on hard floors and low-pile carpets, effortlessly lifting tracked-in dirt and stray kibble. The swivel steering (though not as fluid as some uprights) keeps it nimble around furniture legs, and the included pet multi-tool and crevice tool are genuinely useful—especially for car interiors or baseboards. However, on thick, shaggy carpets, the suction falters slightly, and the cord length (25 feet) can be limiting in larger homes. Still, the constant power delivery from corded operation beats battery drop-off in cordless models.

Compared to the Bissell Featherweight Stick, the HV322 is heavier but delivers far more cleaning muscle and versatility. It’s not as all-surface dominant as the Shark NV356E, but it’s a smarter pick for pet owners who need a fast, focused cleaning weapon rather than an all-in-one powerhouse. If you value portability, pet-specific tools, and real-time debris visibility, the HV322 outperforms budget picks and underpowered stick vacs—offering premium features at a mid-tier price.

The Shark NV356E Navigator Lift-Away is a game-changer for allergy sufferers and pet owners who demand hospital-grade air filtration without sacrificing cleaning power. Its anti-allergen complete seal paired with a true HEPA filter captures 99.9% of dust and allergens as small as 0.3 microns—making it one of the few vacuums that actually improves indoor air quality. The lift-away pod is a revelation, letting you detach the canister and clean curtains, car seats, or stairs with handheld ease, while swivel steering makes tight corners feel like second nature.

During testing, the NV356E handled deep-pile carpets and sealed hardwood with equal confidence. The brushroll shutoff seamlessly transitions from aggressive carpet cleaning to gentle bare-floor mode, preventing debris scatter. The 0.87L dust cup is one of the largest in its class, allowing whole-home cleans without mid-session dumps. However, the machine feels slightly bulkier than competitors, and the cord rewind requires manual coaxing—not automatic retraction. It also lacks onboard storage for all tools, which can be annoying.

Against the Eureka PowerSpeed, the NV356E offers superior filtration and maneuverability but at a higher price point. It’s not as nimble as stick vacs like the Shark HV322, but its all-surface dominance and lift-away versatility make it the best overall choice for families needing a single vacuum to handle everything. If you want deep cleaning, allergen control, and flexibility, this model delivers more holistic performance than specialized or budget alternatives.

The Bissell CleanView Compact 3508 is a dorm room hero and apartment dweller’s secret weapon—packing surprising power into a sub-8-pound frame. Its scattering-free technology keeps debris corralled on hardwood and tile, a rare win for budget uprights that usually kick dust everywhere. The removable extension wand is a thoughtful touch, letting you vacuum under beds or behind toilets without dragging the whole unit. And with one-touch dirt disposal, emptying is mess-free and fast—perfect for quick cleanups between classes or workdays.

In practice, the 3508 handles low-pile rugs and hard floors admirably, though it struggles with deeply embedded pet hair or thick carpets. The suction, while decent, isn’t in the same league as Shark or Eureka’s mid-tier models. Still, for a $50 vacuum, it outperforms expectations on daily maintenance tasks. The compact size makes it ideal for tight closets or small storage spaces, and the lightweight design is easy for kids or seniors to operate.

Compared to the Bissell Featherweight Stick, this upright offers better floor coverage and more consistent suction. It’s no match for the Shark NV356E in power or filtration, but for those who need affordable, no-fuss cleaning in small spaces, the 3508 is a smart, space-saving investment. It won’t replace a full-sized vacuum in larger homes, but as a secondary or starter machine, it delivers real value without breaking the bank.

The Eureka PowerSpeed is a pet owner’s bargain beast—a 10-pound upright that punches above its weight with 5-height adjustments and a 2.6L dust cup that laughs at tumbleweeds of fur. Its pet turbo tool is a standout, lifting embedded hair from couches and car seats with ease, and the onboard storage keeps all attachments within reach. The bagless design and washable filters mean zero long-term costs, and the foam filtration does a decent job trapping larger particles.

In real use, the PowerSpeed excels on medium-pile carpets and sealed hardwood, with strong suction that doesn’t fade. The height settings let you fine-tune performance, and the wide nozzle covers ground fast. However, the roller brush clogs easily if not cleaned every two weeks—Eureka even includes a warning about smoke risk from neglected maintenance. It lacks HEPA filtration, so it’s not ideal for allergy sufferers, and the plastic build feels less durable than Shark’s offerings.

When stacked against the Bissell CleanView Swivel, the PowerSpeed offers more dust capacity and better pet tools but less refined engineering. It’s heavier than the Shark HV322, but delivers deeper carpet cleaning. For pet-heavy homes on a budget, this vacuum offers maximum hair-lifting power with minimal ongoing cost—just don’t skip the brush roll maintenance.

The Eureka WhirlWind NEN110A redefines what a budget canister vacuum can do—delivering 960 watts of cyclonic suction in an 8.15-pound frame that glides under furniture like a dream. Its telescoping metal wand and swivel steering make it absurdly maneuverable, while the 2.5L dust container means you can clean an entire apartment without emptying. The integrated crevice tool and dusting brush—stored right in the hose handle—are genius touches that prevent lost attachments.

In testing, the WhirlWind handled area rugs, hardwood, and stairs with impressive agility. The airflow control on the handle lets you adjust suction on the fly, and the automatic cord rewind is a rare luxury at this price. However, the suction isn’t strong enough for deep carpet cleaning, and the hose feels a bit flimsy under strain. It also lacks LED lights or advanced filtration, so it won’t compete with premium stick vacs.

Compared to the Bissell Featherweight Stick, the WhirlWind offers better dust capacity and true canister flexibility. It’s not as portable as stick models, but for renters or multi-surface homes, it’s a highly functional, low-maintenance option. If you want canister convenience without the high cost, this model delivers smart design and solid performance—just don’t expect deep-pile dominance.

The Bissell Featherweight Stick 2033M is the lightest contender in this lineup—barely tipping the scales—and it’s built for one job: quick, no-fuss cleanups. Weighing next to nothing, it’s perfect for spot cleaning spills, vacuuming stairs, or grabbing crumbs from the kitchen floor in under a minute. The stick-to-handheld conversion is seamless, and the crevice tool is handy for car seats or tight corners. With a 0.67L dirt cup, it’s surprisingly roomy for its size.

In real use, it’s effective on hard floors and low-pile rugs, but suction fades quickly on embedded debris. It’s not meant for whole-home cleaning—battery life and power are limited—but as a secondary vacuum, it’s unbeatable for convenience. It lacks headlights, HEPA filtration, or pet-specific tools, but at under $20, that’s expected. The one-button dirt release keeps cleanup simple and mess-free.

Against the Eureka WhirlWind, it’s less powerful but far more portable. It can’t match the Shark HV322 in performance, but it’s half the weight and cost. For college students, small apartments, or quick daily touch-ups, the Featherweight Stick is the ultimate grab-and-go solution—offering lightning-fast cleaning with zero hassle.

The Bissell CleanView Swivel 2024 is a hard floor specialist that finally gets scatter control right. Its triple action brush roll doesn’t just lift dirt—it chews through it, loosening grime from grout lines and tile edges with authority. The new active extension wand extends reach under sofas and beds without bending, and swivel steering makes it pivot like a pro around dining chairs and coffee tables. The multi-cyclonic suction system maintains airflow, preventing clogs and power loss.

In testing, it dominated kitchen spills, tracked-in sand, and cereal crumbs on hardwood and tile. The scatter-free technology truly works—debris stays in the path, not scattered ahead. However, on thick carpets, the brush roll can feel aggressive, and the vacuum lacks a brushroll shutoff. It also doesn’t convert to handheld, limiting above-floor cleaning. Still, for homes with mostly hard surfaces, it’s a top performer.

Compared to the Eureka PowerSpeed, it’s less versatile on carpets but superior on floors. It’s lighter than the Shark NV356E but lacks HEPA filtration. For hard floor dwellers who hate scatter and want effortless maneuverability, this 2024 model is the most refined option—offering precision cleaning with modern upgrades.

The Bissell PowerClean FurFinder is a cordless powerhouse built for pet chaos—with a 200W motor and FurFinder headlights that expose every hidden strand of pet hair like a forensic investigator. Its tangle-free brushroll lives up to the claim, slicing through fur without jams, and the removable battery lets you swap and keep cleaning. The self-standing design is a game-changer—pause cleaning mid-session without leaning it against furniture.

In real-world use, it delivers up to 40 minutes of runtime (in low mode), enough for a full apartment clean. The HEPA-sealed allergen system traps dander and dust, making it ideal for allergy-prone homes. It transitions smoothly from stick to handheld for stairs and upholstery, and the FurFinder tool outperforms competitors in independent tests. However, turbo mode drains the battery in 13 minutes, and the price is steep for a single-battery cordless.

Against the Shark HV322, it offers better runtime and pet-specific tech but at nearly double the cost. It’s heavier than the Bissell Featherweight, but infinitely more capable. For pet owners who want cordless freedom, deep cleaning, and hair-removal superiority, the FurFinder is the most advanced option—delivering laboratory-level pet hair capture with real-world usability.