7 Best Vacuum Cleaners of 2026

This is the most intelligent vacuum we’ve tested—bar none. The Shark AZ4002 doesn’t just clean; it thinks, adapting in real time with six Intelli-Sense sensors that detect floor type, direction, edges, and even hidden dirt. Its DuoClean Detect system combines a soft roller for hard floors and a bristle brush for carpets, while 50KPa of sealed suction power obliterates pet hair, fine dust, and debris with surgical precision. If you’re tired of manually adjusting settings or missing spots along baseboards, this vacuum erases those frustrations with autonomous performance tuning that feels like magic.

In real-world testing, the POWERDETECT shines across mixed-surface homes. On thick carpets, Direction Detect ensures full suction in both forward and reverse passes, eliminating the need to double-back. When transitioning to hardwood, Floor Detect instantly downshifts brushroll speed to protect floors while maintaining pickup. The Edge Detect feature boosts suction within two inches of walls, capturing dust bunnies under baseboards without a crevice tool. However, its 17.4-pound weight makes upstairs cleaning a two-hand lift, and the dustbin fills quickly on pet-heavy days—though the one-touch release helps. It struggles slightly on ultra-low-pile rugs where the soft roller can drag, but overall performance is unmatched.

Compared to the budget-friendly Eureka PowerSpeed or even the solid Bissell CleanView, the Shark AZ4002 operates on another plane—closer to premium Dyson models but with smarter automation. It’s overkill for small, pet-free apartments, but for large, multi-surface homes with pets or allergy sufferers, it’s the ultimate hands-off cleaning solution. With anti-allergen sealing, HEPA filtration, and odor-neutralizing tech, it doesn’t just pick up messes—it improves indoor air quality. It delivers flagship performance and intelligence that justifies its premium stance, outpacing even the feature-rich VIAFLY cordless in adaptive cleaning, despite the latter’s longer runtime.

Step into the future of cordless cleaning with the VIAFLY 600W stick vacuum, a powerhouse that redefines endurance and control. Boasting 50KPa of suction—rivaling many corded models—and a massive 70-minute runtime, this vacuum is built for sprawling homes where battery anxiety kills efficiency. The smart LED touch screen puts mode selection, battery status, and error alerts at your fingertips, while the anti-tangle V-brush with soft-hard composite bristles slices through pet hair like scissors, eliminating the dreaded hair-wrap nightmare. For anyone who’s abandoned a cordless vacuum mid-clean due to weak suction or short battery life, this model delivers uninterrupted, high-power performance.

We tested it across 2,000 sq ft of mixed flooring—long-pile rugs, hardwood, tile, and laminate—and it completed the job on a single charge in standard mode. The 8-layer filtration system captured 99.99% of particles down to 0.1 microns, making it ideal for allergy sufferers, and the 1.6L dust cup reduced emptying frequency. The 180° swivel head glides under beds and sofas with ease, and the 6 bright LEDs illuminated every dust mote in dark corners. However, the motor can get loud in max mode, and the wall dock requires permanent installation, limiting portability. While it handles thick carpets well, deep cleaning high-pile rugs drains the battery fast in turbo mode.

Against the Vacusion B0F62WKVQC, the VIAFLY offers double the runtime and stronger suction, making it a better fit for large homes. It lacks the self-standing convenience of some competitors but compensates with superior power and filtration. It’s not as agile as lightweight models, but for homeowners who prioritize battery life, suction strength, and smart features, this vacuum is a top-tier contender. It outperforms mid-range cordless models in raw capability and matches premium brands in filtration and runtime, though it trades some finesse for brute-force efficiency.

The Bissell CleanView Swivel is a pet owner’s best friend, engineered from the ground up to tackle fur, dander, and tracked-in grime with confidence. Its Triple Action Brush Roll aggressively loosens, lifts, and removes embedded pet hair from carpets and rugs, while Scatter-Free Technology keeps debris contained on hard floors—no more chasing clumps around the kitchen. The 2024 model’s Active Extension Wand extends reach for ceiling fans, blinds, and high corners, turning an upright into a near-canister performer. With swivel steering, it pivots like a dream around furniture legs and tight corners, solving the #1 frustration of rigid uprights.

In hands-on testing, it excelled on medium-pile carpets littered with dog hair and cereal crumbs, lifting both with minimal passes. The multi-cyclonic system maintains strong suction by preventing clogs, and the easy-empty dirt tank releases clumps with a single button—no hand contact needed. It weighs 13.5 pounds, which is manageable but not ideal for stairs. The hose is short (6 feet), making overhead cleaning a stretch without moving the base. While it transitions smoothly between surfaces, it lacks automatic adjustments—you manually set the height—so performance dips slightly on very low-pile rugs.

Compared to the Eureka PowerSpeed, it offers better pet hair removal and easier emptying, though it costs more and isn’t as lightweight. Against the Shark AZ4002, it lacks intelligent sensors and HEPA sealing but delivers solid performance at half the price. It’s perfect for pet households with mixed flooring who want reliable, tangle-free cleaning without overspending. It doesn’t match the Shark’s smarts or the VIAFLY’s runtime, but it strikes a sweet spot between pet-specific power and user-friendly design, making it a high-value mid-tier pick.

Meet the featherweight champion of quick cleans—the Eureka Airspeed at just 7.7 pounds, this upright vanishes into closets and flies up staircases with zero strain. It’s the perfect grab-and-go vacuum for apartments, dorms, or spot-cleaning between deep sessions. Don’t let its size fool you: the 700W motor and 10.5” cleaning path deliver solid suction across carpets and hard floors, lifting everyday dust, crumbs, and light debris with ease. The quick-release handle doubles as an above-floor wand, letting you snap on the crevice tool or dusting brush to clean car seats, blinds, or baseboards without lugging the whole unit.

In real use, it handled light messes on tile and low-pile rugs efficiently, but struggled with deep carpet embedded dirt—no surprise given its compact size. The washable foam filter keeps maintenance costs near zero, and the onboard tool storage means attachments are always within reach. It’s loud under load and lacks height adjustment, so it can drag on thick rugs. The dust cup is small (1.5L), requiring frequent emptying during whole-home cleans, but that’s the trade-off for its ultra-portable design. It’s not built for pet hair marathons, but for quick daily sweeps and tight storage spaces, it’s unbeatable.

Compared to the heavier Eureka PowerSpeed or Bissell CleanView, it sacrifices power and capacity for extreme portability. It’s less advanced than the Vacusion cordless but more durable and simpler to use. Ideal for elderly users, small homes, or secondary vacuums, it fills a niche no cordless model fully owns: lightweight, reliable, no-battery-needed cleaning. It doesn’t match the Shark’s intelligence or the VIAFLY’s runtime, but for hassle-free, immediate cleaning, it delivers effortless convenience at a fraction of the weight.

The Vacusion cordless stick vacuum is a versatile, user-first design that brings premium features to a budget-friendly price. With three suction modes, 45 minutes of runtime, and five tool attachments, it transforms from floor cleaner to car detailer in seconds—ideal for pet owners, parents, or anyone who hates switching machines. The 2-in-1 roller head grabs pet hair on both hardwood and carpet, while the 5-stage HEPA filtration captures 99.97% of particles down to 0.3 microns, making it a solid choice for allergy sufferers. Its 180° swivel neck and LED headlights let you clean under furniture with precision, and the self-standing design means no more leaning against walls or falling over.

In testing, it handled daily pet hair and tracked-in dirt well on medium-pile rugs and tile, though max mode drained the battery in under 20 minutes. The one-click empty bin is a game-changer—no mess, no fuss. The detachable battery allows for spares (sold separately), extending usability. However, the build feels plasticky, and the handle lacks a screen or battery indicator, so you’re guessing remaining runtime. It struggles on high-pile carpets and can’t match the VIAFLY’s 70-minute marathon, but for most homes, 45 minutes is sufficient.

Against the Eureka Airspeed, it offers more versatility and smarter ergonomics, though it’s not as durable. Compared to the Bissell CleanView, it’s lighter and cord-free but less powerful on deep carpet cleaning. It’s best for small to medium homes where convenience and flexibility trump raw power. It doesn’t have the smarts of the Shark AZ4002 or the runtime of the VIAFLY, but for easy, cordless, whole-home cleaning with minimal effort, it delivers exceptional value with a focus on user comfort and adaptability.

The Eureka PowerSpeed is the budget king that refuses to compromise on core performance. At just 10 pounds, it’s easy to carry up stairs, yet packs 5 height adjustments and a 2.6L dust cup—a rare combo in this price range. Its Pet Turbo tool is a standout, lifting embedded hair from upholstery and stairs with ease, and all attachments store onboard for instant access. The foam filter is washable, eliminating ongoing costs, and the bagless design means no surprises at checkout. For under $80, it delivers deep-cleaning power that rivals models twice its price.

In real use, it transitioned smoothly between hardwood and thick carpet, with strong suction that handled cereal spills and pet fur without clogging. The wide cleaning path speeds up large rooms, and the large dust cup reduces emptying frequency. However, the roller brush clogs easily with long hair, requiring bi-weekly cleaning per the warning label—neglect risks smoke or belt failure. It lacks swivel steering, making tight turns awkward, and the cord is short (16 feet), requiring frequent outlet changes.

Compared to the Eureka Airspeed, it’s more powerful and better for pets, though heavier. Against the Bissell CleanView, it’s cheaper and lighter but lacks scatter-free tech and easy-empty features. It’s ideal for renters, pet owners on a budget, or secondary homes where performance matters but spending big doesn’t. It doesn’t have the intelligence of the Shark or the runtime of the VIAFLY, but for no-nonsense, reliable cleaning at a rock-bottom price, it’s hard to beat—delivering serious bang for the buck without fluff.

The Eureka WhirlWind proves canister vacuums still have a place in modern homes—especially for stair climbers, allergy sufferers, and detail cleaners. At 8.15 pounds, it’s lighter than most uprights, and its telescoping metal wand and swivel steering make it a dream to maneuver under furniture and around banisters. The 2.5L bagless dust container holds more than many stick vacuums, and the integrated crevice tool and dusting brush are always within reach—no losing attachments in a closet. With 960W of suction and fingertip airflow control, it adapts instantly from carpet to hardwood, delivering consistent performance.

We tested it on a two-story home with stairs, rugs, and hardwood—its canister design let us carry only the lightweight head upstairs, while the body stayed below. The automatic cord rewind is a luxury feature at this price, saving time and frustration. However, the hose is prone to kinking, and the suction drops slightly on high-pile rugs. It lacks HEPA filtration, so it’s not ideal for severe allergies, and the motor noise is noticeable. Still, for above-floor cleaning and whole-home flexibility, it outperforms most uprights in agility.

Compared to the Eureka Airspeed, it offers better reach and stair cleaning, though it’s less convenient for quick floor sweeps. Against the Vacusion cordless, it’s corded but more durable and consistent. It’s perfect for multi-level homes, pet owners who clean stairs weekly, or anyone tired of lugging heavy vacuums. It doesn’t have the smarts of the Shark or the portability of cordless models, but as a no-nonsense, agile canister workhorse, it delivers old-school reliability with modern touches at a bargain price.