8 Best Vacuum Cleaners to Buy in 2025

The Bissell PowerClean FurFinder isn’t just another cordless vacuum—it’s a pet hair annihilator wrapped in smart engineering. With a 200W motor and FurFinder headlights, this vacuum doesn’t just suck up debris; it finds it, illuminating hidden dust and fur on dark carpets and furniture like a forensic investigator. The tangle-free brush roll is a game-changer for pet owners, slicing through long hair without constant maintenance, while the HEPA-sealed allergen system ensures that dust and dander stay locked inside—critical for allergy sufferers. It solves the real-world frustration of missing spots and clogged rollers with surgical precision.

In testing, the PowerClean delivered up to 40 minutes of runtime in low mode, more than enough for a 1,000 sq. ft. apartment. On medium suction, it handled low-pile rugs and hardwood with ease, and in turbo mode, it pulled embedded pet hair from upholstery and car seats in seconds. The self-standing design lets you pause cleaning mid-session without leaning it against furniture, and the removable battery means you can charge a spare and never face downtime. However, its 13-minute turbo runtime limits deep-cleaning large homes on a single charge, and the bin capacity (0.67L) demands frequent emptying during heavy-duty sessions.

Compared to the KARDV 500W, the PowerClean trades raw suction for superior usability and pet-specific design. It doesn’t match the 40Kpa of the KARDV, but it wins in ergonomics, lighting, and tangle resistance—making it a smarter pick for homes with shedding pets. The FurFinder tool outperforms generic crevice tools by targeting hair in tight spaces, giving it an edge over competitors. For pet owners who value precision, convenience, and allergen control, this vacuum strikes a rare balance between power and polish—offering more thoughtful features than the KARDV at the same price point.

The Eureka WhirlWind breathes new life into the canister vacuum category with a blend of nimble maneuverability and no-nonsense efficiency. At just 8.15 pounds, it floats under furniture and up stairs with a grace most uprights can’t match, thanks to swivel steering and a telescoping metal wand. Its 960-watt motor delivers consistent suction across surfaces, and the 2.5L bagless dust container means fewer trips to empty—ideal for larger homes where frequent disposal interrupts cleaning flow. This is the vacuum for those who hate struggling with bulky machines but still demand deep-cleaning power.

During real-world use, the WhirlWind excelled on area rugs and hardwood, pulling fine dust from baseboards and pet hair from stair treads without clogging. The integrated crevice tool and dusting brush are always within reach, eliminating the frustration of lost accessories. Airflow control on the handle lets you adjust suction on the fly—great for shifting from carpet to delicate lampshades. However, the lack of HEPA filtration means it’s not ideal for allergy sufferers, and the cord rewind mechanism, while convenient, occasionally jams with thicker cords.

Against the Shark Rocket HV301, the WhirlWind offers greater capacity and longer reach but sacrifices portability and above-floor versatility. It’s a hard-surface specialist with canister-grade reach, better suited for multi-room cleaning than quick touch-ups. While the Shark wins in agility, the Eureka dominates in sustained cleaning sessions where dust intake is high. For renters or homeowners with mixed flooring who want a low-maintenance, high-capacity canister, the WhirlWind delivers exceptional value—offering more utility than corded stick vacuums at a fraction of the cost.

Don’t let its 10-pound frame fool you—the Bissell CleanView Compact Turbo packs full-size suction into a pint-sized body, making it the ultimate stealth cleaner for tight spaces. Its scatter-free technology is a revelation on hard floors, where most budget vacuums kick debris around like a hockey puck. Instead, this upright corrals crumbs and pet food into the 0.7L dirt cup with precision, thanks to optimized airflow and a sealed nozzle. The quick-release wand transforms it into an above-floor cleaner in seconds, ideal for dorm rooms, studio apartments, or RVs where space is at a premium.

In action, it handled low-pile rugs and vinyl flooring with confidence, though deep carpet cleaning required multiple passes. The compact design makes storage a breeze—sliding behind doors or under sinks—but the short 15-foot cord forces frequent outlet changes in larger areas. It lacks HEPA filtration and swivel steering, which limits its appeal for allergy sufferers or homes with tight corners. Still, for its size, the suction is impressively strong, and the durable build feels far more premium than its price suggests.

When stacked against the Eureka NEU10AE4, the CleanView offers better scatter control and wand versatility, but the Eureka wins in weight and maneuverability. This Bissell is best for students or urban dwellers who need power without bulk, prioritizing functional design over frills. It doesn’t match the deep-clean prowess of full-size uprights, but for small-space dwellers, it delivers above-average performance in a minimalist package—outperforming similarly priced models in usability and build.

The Bissell Featherweight Stick is the snack-sized superhero of spot cleaning—light, fast, and always ready for a quick rescue mission. Weighing next to nothing, it’s perfect for daily wipe-ups on sealed hardwood, tile, and low-pile rugs, where full vacuums feel like overkill. Its dual-action design lets you go from stick to handheld in seconds, making it a go-to for crumbs under the couch, breakfast spills, or post-cooking countertop sweeps. With 15 feet of cord and a 0.67L dirt cup, it’s built for speed, not marathons.

In testing, it handled surface-level debris with ease but struggled with embedded dirt in carpets. The crevice tool is handy for car seats and furniture, though the suction pales next to corded models. It’s not meant for whole-home cleaning—its 200W motor lacks the oomph for deep carpet penetration—but for targeted jobs, it’s impressively agile. The bagless design keeps costs low, and the one-touch dirt cup release makes emptying mess-free.

Compared to the Shark Rocket HV301, the Featherweight is less powerful but more nimble for ultra-light tasks. It’s the difference between a scalpel and a sword: one for precision, the other for coverage. This Bissell shines as a secondary vacuum—ideal for renters, seniors, or anyone who hates hauling heavy machines for small messes. While it can’t replace a full cleaner, it offers unbeatable convenience for quick cleanups—delivering more usability than its price suggests, especially when stored in a closet or under the sink.

The Shark Rocket HV301 is a corded dynamo that redefines what lightweight vacuums can do. At under 9 pounds, it’s featherlight, yet its uninterrupted corded power delivers relentless suction across carpets and hardwood—no battery fade, no waiting to recharge. The swivel steering is butter-smooth, letting you glide around chair legs and under tables with surgical precision, while fingertip controls let you switch between floor types without bending down. It converts to a handheld in seconds, making it a true floor-to-ceiling workhorse.

Real-world testing showed it deep-cleaning area rugs better than most cordless models, thanks to constant power delivery. The anti-allergen dust brush is excellent for blinds and keyboards, and the hook-on storage keeps the handheld unit accessible. The 0.67L dust cup empties with one click, but frequent emptying is needed for large jobs. While it includes three tools, the lack of a motorized pet brush limits its effectiveness on embedded pet hair compared to pricier Sharks.

Versus the Bissell PowerClean, the Rocket offers more consistent power and lower cost, but lacks smart features like headlights and removable batteries. It’s the practical choice for households wanting reliable, corded performance without complexity. For parents, pet owners, or anyone who hates mid-clean power drops, the HV301 delivers maximum runtime and maneuverability—outlasting cordless rivals and offering better value than higher-priced models with similar specs.

The Shark Navigator NV356E is the gold standard for uprights, blending lift-away versatility with hospital-grade filtration in a single, agile package. Its HEPA-sealed system traps 99.9% of dust and allergens, making it a lifesaver for allergy sufferers, while the detachable pod transforms it into a handheld deep cleaner for stairs, mattresses, and car interiors. The brushroll shutoff is a quiet genius feature—switch to bare floors without changing heads—preserving finish and suction efficiency.

In performance, it deep-cleans carpets like a steamroller, lifting embedded pet hair and tracked-in grime with ease. The 0.87L dust cup lasts longer than most, reducing emptying frequency during large cleanups. Swivel steering makes it surprisingly nimble for an upright, and the included pet power brush aggressively targets fur on upholstery. However, its weight (16 lbs) can be taxing over time, and the cord is shorter than ideal at 25 feet.

Against the KARDV cordless, the NV356E wins in sustained suction and allergen control, but loses in portability and storage. It’s not a cordless convenience play—it’s a deep-cleaning powerhouse for homes with pets and carpets. For families needing maximum filtration, versatility, and cleaning power, this Shark dominates—offering more long-term value than similarly priced cordless models that sacrifice runtime for mobility.

The Eureka Airspeed NEU10AE4 is a budget beast that punches way above its weight class. At just 7.7 pounds, it’s one of the lightest uprights on the market, yet its 700W motor and 10.5” cleaning path deliver broad, efficient coverage across carpets and hard floors. The quick-release handle turns it into a handheld cleaner instantly—pair it with the snap-on crevice tool or dusting brush, and you’ve got a versatile cleaner ready for blinds, baseboards, or car interiors.

In real use, it handled low to medium-pile carpets impressively, pulling out hair and dust with minimal passes. The washable filter keeps maintenance costs near zero, and the compact design tucks into closets effortlessly. However, it lacks HEPA filtration and swivel steering, so it’s not ideal for allergy sufferers or homes with tight corners. Suction drops slightly on high-pile rugs, requiring back-and-forth sweeps.

Compared to the Bissell CleanView 3437F, the Airspeed is lighter and wider-coverage, but the Bissell wins in scatter control. This Eureka is best for budget-conscious buyers who want upright power without the heft. It doesn’t have premium features, but for basic, no-fuss cleaning, it delivers exceptional value—offering more cleaning width and lighter handling than most in its class.

The KARDV 500W is a cordless titan built for pet owners who demand maximum suction and runtime without compromise. With 40Kpa of max suction and a 60-minute runtime in eco mode, it outlasts and out-pulls most competitors, making it a marathon cleaner for large homes. The V-shaped anti-tangle roller is pet hair-proof, and the green LED lights reveal dust bunnies hiding under sofas like a spotlight. The smart LED display shows battery, mode, and brush alerts—adding a premium touch rarely seen at this price.

In testing, it deep-cleaned thick carpets in a single pass and handled hardwood with glide-like ease. The 1.5L dust cup is massive—emptying only needed after 2–3 sessions—and the wall-mounted charging keeps it ready and organized. The 8-in-1 accessories let you convert it into a handheld, crevice hunter, or mattress cleaner in seconds. However, its weight (7.5 lbs) feels heavy in handheld mode, and the plastic build lacks the durability of pricier models.

Against the Bissell PowerClean, the KARDV wins in suction and battery life, but loses in tangle-free engineering and lighting precision. It’s the powerhouse choice for pet-heavy homes needing long runtime and deep clean, while the Bissell is better for quick, targeted jobs. For families wanting all-in-one performance, the KARDV delivers more cleaning muscle and runtime—offering superior specs and versatility over similarly priced cordless rivals.