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Any good vacuum cleaner will help keep your floors clean, but the best vacuum cleaner for you depends on a variety of factors, including your floor coverings, whether or not you have pets, and (of course) your budget. Versatility should also be a consideration since you’ll inevitably have to clean some hard-to-reach spots in the kitchen.
When I started testing vacuum cleaners for this review, I assumed a traditional, corded upright vacuum cleaner would end up on top. They’re generally more powerful and often more affordable than other styles. But after extensively testing 16 popular corded and cordless vacuum cleaners, I found that the most powerful, most versatile vacuum cleaner was actually a corded, bagless canister vacuum from Miele—a brand that I had previously regarded as prohibitively expensive.
Relatively speaking, the Boost CX1 is an affordable model that impressed me at nearly every turn. And while the canister-style setup takes a little getting used to, this rolling workhorse is good for more than just floors; you can use it to clean couches, curtains, and even your car.
Miele Boost CX1 Bagless Canister Vacuum
Jump to the full review of the Miele Boost CX1.
Aside from discovering how much I loved using a canister vacuum, the most important thing I learned from testing 16 different vacuum cleaners is that while one stood out as superior, there is no one perfect vacuum for every home, or even every area of the home. That’s why in addition to the Miele Boost CX1, I’ve also recommended three high-performing cordless stick vacuums.
Keep reading to find my top picks, more about how I tested and what I looked for, as well as details on all of the models that didn’t make the cut. And unless you want to be forced to replace your new vacuum cleaner in a year or less, don’t skip my note about vacuum cleaner maintenance.
The best vacuum cleaner overall The best cordless vacuum cleaner Two more great cordless sticks Corded vs. cordless vacuum cleaners A very important note about vacuum cleaner maintenance How I tested vacuum cleaners Factors I evaluated Other vacuum cleaners I tested The takeaway
German brand Miele is known for its high-end canister vacuums with prices ranging from $350 to $1,700. For this review, I tested two lower-priced (for Miele) models, including a classic bagged style and the newer Boost CX1 Bagless Canister Vacuum. While bagged vacuums can be advantageous for people with severe allergies, I can’t recommend something that requires repeatedly purchasing pricey disposable bags—especially when the bagless Boost CX1 has a washable HEPA filter and more than enough suction power to clean the whole house.
If you’re used to an upright or stick vacuum, canister vacuum cleaners—which suck debris into a wheeled canister that trails behind you as you go—can take a little getting used to, but they offer incredible versatility compared to other styles. With very little reconfiguring, I used the Boost CX1 to clean my floors, my curtains, my car, and even my range hood. Miele’s TrackDrive wheels make it easy to move the main body of the vacuum on a variety of floor types and a telescoping wand means anyone can choose a comfortable height for floor cleaning. The crevice attachment can be used with the hose and wand or just the hose to get behind appliances and reach the deepest corners of the kitchen, while a soft-bristled dust brush is perfect for cleaning vents and other surfaces. The cord can be retracted with the push of a button, eliminating the need to wrap (or ever untangle) the cord. The Boost CX1 stores compactly, too.
At this price point it’s kind of shocking that theBoost CX1 swivel floorhead doesn't have a rolling brush. While it has enough suction to not need the roll brush for cleaning carpets, rugs, and other surfaces, I did have to put the floor head in “rug” mode to get cornstarch and glitter off of my textured kitchen floor. The lack of any kind of rolling apparatus, combined with the powerful suction, also makes it more difficult to push the floorhead around rugs and carpeting. Even on the lowest setting, it sometimes lifted my rugs off of the floor, though there is an option to open the air inlet valve on the handle to help prevent lifting. The cord is on the short side too (21 feet).
Cordless: No Cord length: 21 feet Weight: 18 pounds total Canister capacity: 1 liter/1.1 quarts Runtime: Unlimited
Miele Boost CX1 Bagless Canister Vacuum
Check out the other vacuum cleaners I tested to see how the Miele Miele Compact C1 Turbo Team Canister Vacuum compares.
I’ve used quite a few Dyson stick vacuums and the V12 Detect Slim is by far my favorite. Introduced in June of 2022, the V12 Detect Slim has a handful of innovative features that make it more user-friendly than any previous Dyson stick. For starters, it has a button to power the vacuum on and off, so you don’t have to constantly hold down the trigger while cleaning. There’s also an LCD display that shows the remaining battery life so your vacuum won’t die on you mid-clean and alerts you when it’s time to clean the filters (a less useful ticker indicates how many particles have been collected, but I like to ignore that one). In Auto mode, this vacuum detects debris and automatically adjusts suction power as necessary, though there’s a button that allows you to manually change between Auto, Eco, and Boost mode.
Everything about the V12 Detect Slim is smaller and more lightweight than previous models, which makes it a breeze to pop on and off of the wall-mounted charging base and easy to maneuver under and around furniture and appliances. Because I have a big dog that sheds a lot, I worried the smaller dustbin would annoy me but it’s not that much smaller than the V8 (the V12 has a .09-gallon capacity compared to the V8’s .14-gallon capacity) and I didn’t notice that I had to empty it much more often than any other standard-size Dyson stick. Emptying the bin is easy too, and as long as there’s enough room in your trash can, you can kind of lower the whole thing into the receptacle and avoid creating a dust cloud.
This vacuum fully charges in just 3.5 hours (earlier models needed 5 hours or more to get a full charge) and depending on what mode it's in, you can get up to 60 minutes of battery runtime. Should you want to clean even longer, you can buy an additional battery and click it in and out—no tools necessary.
Aside from the price tag ($650 at the time of publication) there’s not much I don’t love about the Dyson V12 Detect Slim. It would be nice if Dyson offered the option of a standalone charging base, but you can charge any of the brand’s stick vacs without using the wall mount by plugging the cord directly into the motor body.
Cordless: Yes Battery Runtime: Up to 60 minutes Weight: 5 pounds (in stick vac mode) Canister capacity: 0.34 liters/0.36 quarts HEPA filter: Yes
Check out the other vacuum cleaners I tested to see how the Dyson Outsize and the Dyson V8 Absolute compare.
The first time I turned on the Tineco Pure One S11, I thought there was no way it could compete with a Dyson because it was so quiet. But I was wrong. The Pure One S11 is a powerful cordless stick vacuum that quietly cleans as well as the comparable Dyson V8 Absolute I tested, and it tackled some jobs (including my car) even better than the V8. The Pure One S11 is a smart vacuum, and the dust sensor built into the multi-surface swivel floorhead automatically adjusts the suction power as needed when cleaning in auto mode. Beyond the dust sensor and auto-adjusting suction, an LED display on the main body tells you if there’s a clog or other malfunction in the vacuum, and shows how much battery is left. There’s also a clever little lever you can flip to keep the vacuum powered on without keeping a finger on the trigger the whole time you clean.
One of my favorite not-smart features is the pre-filter cleaning tool, an attachment that allows you to vacuum dust and debris out of the easily-accessible tube-shaped mesh filters (similar filters on the Dyson are messier to clean). This vacuum is also lightweight and comfortable to hold as a stick or configured as a hand vac, and weighs just 3.5 pounds in stick mode. Depending on the cleaning mode and attachment you use, you can expect to get 20 to 40 minutes of runtime, and if you want to double your cleaning time, you can purchase an extra battery pack. While all of the filters, including the HEPA filter, are washable they do need to be replaced occasionally.
The only real drawback is that it has to be charged on the docking station, which is meant to be mounted to the wall. So if you don’t mount the dock, you still need to put the body in the dock to charge.
Cordless: Yes Battery runtime: Up to 40 minutes Weight: 3.5 pounds in stick mode Canister capacity: 0.6 liters/0.63 quarts HEPA filter: Yes
Check out the other vacuum cleaners I tested to see how the Tineco Pure One S15 Pro compares.
A powerful cordless stick vacuum that stores compactly and neutralizes odors.
Shark claims that the Stratos is its most powerful cordless vacuum and it's certainly more powerful than the other cordless Shark model I tried. In fact, out of the box, it comes close to the suction power of a now-discontinued Shark corded stick I recommended previously, but the dust bin on the Stratos is much larger. While it's not a sleek, techy smart vac like the Tineco, this vacuum cleaner does detect dirt and debris on the floor and adjust the suction power accordingly, which helps to preserve battery life. This feature (Shark calls it Clean Sense IQ) also works when the crevice tool is attached in hand vac mode. The motorhead's two brush rolls are equipped with Shark’s Powerfins, little rubber “fins” which prevent hair wrap and help to ensure the vacuum picks up extra fine pet hairs and particles.
Beyond its suction power and debris sensing, the Stratos has a few handy features that helped land it in my top three. For starters, there's the hinge in the shaft that makes it possible to bend the vacuum almost 90 degrees and to get into nooks and awkward spaces. You also pretty much fold it in half to store it and plug the charging cord right into the motor body, so it stores fully assembled, but at about half the height of other stick vacuums. The floorhead has an odor neutralizer to help mask anything stinky your vacuum might suck up. It’s a little cartridge that smells a lot like Downy's laundry scent booster (a fragrance I don't mind in cleaning products), and it does need to be replaced occasionally.
This vacuum is on the loud side and some customers have complained about battery longevity in their reviews, but if you want a powerful cordless stick that stores compactly, this is a great option. It’s also a little pricey, but you can often redeem coupons at Shark.com.
Cordless: Yes Battery runtime: Up to 60 minutes Weight: 8.9 pounds in stick mode Canister capacity: .72 quarts HEPA filter: Yes
Check out the other vacuum cleaners I tested to see how the Shark Navigator Lift Away, the Shark Shark Wandvac Cordless, and the (now discontinued) Shark Vertex Ultralight compare.
Corded vacuum cleaners generally have far more cleaning power than similarly-priced cordless models. With a corded vacuum, you also never have to worry about the battery dying while you’re in the middle of a cleaning session. That said, dealing with a cord can sometimes be a hassle, especially if you just want to do a quick cleanup. For most people, the best vacuum cleaner is the one you will actually use. I have kids and a dog, so at my house, the cordless stick gets used daily for spot cleaning while the corded vacuum only comes out when it’s time for a more thorough deep clean, but I also know a few people who happily use a corded vacuum every day.
No matter what type of vacuum cleaner you choose, you will have to regularly clean the filters and check the hoses for clogs, or the motor will lose suction. And if you live in an old home or have pets, you may need to clean the filters (there’s usually two or three) even more often than the manual suggests. Continuing to use even the best vacuum cleaner with dirty filters will worsen its performance and shorten its lifespan. \
Over the last two years, I’ve tested 16 promising vacuum cleaners at home. My 107-year-old bungalow is a great test zone because not only does the house itself seem to manufacture a regular supply of dust, it’s also inhabited by a messy husband, two small children, and a big dog. I used each vacuum extensively on my hardwood floors and on various styles and piles of rugs. I even tested how well they picked up cornstarch and glitter from my black, textured kitchen floor. While in the kitchen, I made sure to vacuum under and around my appliances, trash can, and recycling bins using various configurations and attachments. The finalists had to face the crumbiest, hardest-to-clean obstacle: my kids’ car seats.
The most important thing to consider when picking a vacuum cleaner is: How well does it suck? I looked for vacuums with enough suction power to clean hard floors, rugs, and carpeting, keeping in mind that cordless vacuums usually have less power than their corded counterparts. When testing cordless vacuum cleaners, I also looked at battery run time.
I paid close attention to how easy or hard it was to push the vacuum around the whole house, including how well it turned and swiveled—especially on high-pile carpets and in tight spaces. I also considered how difficult it was to reconfigure each vacuum to use as a canister vac or hand vac with attachments and how easy it was to use in those different configurations.
Does the vacuum have a crevice tool that can be attached to a wand or tube for hard-to-reach places? Is there an included upholstery tool or dusting brush?
Does the vacuum have a HEPA filter to help combat allergens like dust and pet dander? Is the filter washable? And if so, is it easy to access and clean?
If a vacuum is expensive does it seem to be worth the investment? Does it have a good warranty? What do you sacrifice with a cheaper vacuum?
How big is the vacuum? Does it feel too heavy to move up and down stairs? Is it a challenge to store? Does it come with any sort of accessory storage, either for the wall or on the vacuum cleaner itself?
There’s a lot to love about the Miele Compact C1 Turbo Team Canister Vacuum. It has many of the same features of the Miele Boost CX1, plus a turbo rolling floor brush for tackling all kinds of rugs and carpeting. But it’s a bagged vacuum. Considering it costs $100 more than the Boost CX1 and requires regularly purchasing pricey bags (four for $22 at the time of publication) I can’t recommend it—especially when the Boost CX1 has more than enough suction power for the toughest residential (and automobile) vacuuming jobs. Cordless: No
Miele Compact C1 Turbo Team Bagged Canister Vacuum
I really love Tineco's floor cleaning machines; their mop vacs are among my favorite discoveries of all time, and their vacuum cleaners are truly excellent, too. For the last two years, I’ve enthusiastically recommended the Pure One S11, and lately, I’ve been testing the Pure One S15 Pro, which does a great job of cleaning my hard floors and rugs. Tineco’s proprietary iLoop Smart Smart Dust Sensor senses the debris on the floor and automagically adjusts the suction power as needed, which helps to preserve battery life. The S15 Pro also has a five-stage filtration system and I really appreciate that it comes with a freestanding charging dock—an upgrade from earlier models that came with wall-mounted charging stations similar to Dyson’s. But for as much as I love this vacuum and want to recommend it, this brand releases so many versions of what seems to be the same model of the same device that it’s not only hard to keep straight which is which—it’s hard to recommend a specific model. For example, I tested the Pure One S15 Pro but Amazon has three different S15 models, none of which are the Pro. Best Buy has yet another variation on this model, and so on with other retailers. It’s often hard to tell if the difference is just an accessory configuration or voltage, suction power, etc. and the price tag on the S15 variations ranges from about $400 up to $700. Still, if you want a powerful cordless stick and you buy the Pure One S15 Pro—especially if you get it on sale—I think you’ll be very pleased. Cordless: Yes
Tineco Pure One S15 Pro
The Dyson Outsize is the cordless stick vacuum this dog owner dreamed of for years. Because, really, how many times is too many times to empty the dustbin on a normal-sized stick vac per cleaning session without feeling like your house is truly disgusting? This vacuum’s dustbin and its powerful suction rival those of a high-end corded vacuum. It’s also relatively quiet and can run on a single charge for up to an hour. For all of those reasons and more, it pains me to admit that the Outsize is just too big. As a stick vacuum, it’s incredibly top-heavy and when it’s converted to a handheld vacuum, I feel like The Terminator when I hold it—except I’m not Arnold Schwarzenegger so I have to use two hands to keep the giant canister somewhat horizontal. When I had this set up as my main vacuum cleaner, I found myself not vacuuming as often because I didn’t want to deal with the bulk. All of that said, if you’re not bothered by the size, you won’t be disappointed by this one. Cordless: Yes
Dyson Outsize Cordless Vacuum Cleaner
Dyson is constantly innovating and the V8 Absolute cordless stick is no longer considered new, but it still has a few noteworthy upgrades from even older models that make it a solid choice—especially if you can find it on sale. The V8 has more powerful suction than the earlier V6 models when in Max mode, longer battery life (up to 40 minutes in default mode with a non-motorized attachment), and a better mechanism for emptying the canister. The updated canister design means it’s less messy to empty and it doesn’t clog with pet hair like the older Dyson stick vacs did (I had to use a chopstick to release the clumps of dog hair that built up between the filter and the wall of the dust bin in both my V6 Absolute and my V6 Animal). By this point, however, it’s missing some of the features that make newer Dyson sticks more appealing—most notably a digital display and a power button versus a trigger that you have to constantly hold down to keep the vacuum running. Cordless: Yes
The Shark Navigator Lift Away has been named not only the best upright vacuum but the best overall vacuum by several other review sites, and it definitely has powerful suction—especially for something that costs less than $200. In its upright mode, it’s fine, but it’s frustrating to use in other configurations. It’s called the “Lift Away” because you can remove the canister from the floor head and use this vacuum like a hand-held canister vacuum, but reconfiguring it is a convoluted process and using it in this way is awkward because of the short tube, and the position and shape of the handle. I also had issues with the upholstery attachment separating from the handle when I tried to vacuum my couches. Cordless: No
Shark Navigator Lift Away Upright Vacuum
I really wanted to love this self-emptying Shark vacuum, and in many regards, I did. It’s a lightweight vacuum with an appealing minimalist look and (most of the time) when you pop it back on the charging base the dust bin empties into a larger canister that only has to be emptied when full. It converts to a super lightweight hand vac and, in its stick form, it’s easy to maneuver under and around furniture. But this is not a vacuum for people with pets (sometimes my dog’s hair stopped the self-empty feature from properly opening the dust cup) or high-pile carpeting (a wool shag rug clogged up the brush head), and if you’re using it in the kitchen, the canister built into the charging base might start to smell bad before it gets full. This is, however, a great option for people who don’t have pets and do have mostly hard floors or low-pile carpets. I really liked using this on my kilim rugs because it was powerful enough to pick up almost everything on the flat weave textile, but it wasn’t so strong it sucked up the rug itself, either. Because it’s so lightweight and self-empties, I can see this being a good everyday vacuum for people with mobility issues too. Cordless: Yes
Shark Wandvac Cordless Self-Empty System + HEPA
I really wanted to love the Lupe Pure Cordless Vacuum Cleaner. The eco-friendly UK-based manufacturer developed this vacuum with longevity in mind and it has powerful suction as well as a battery that can be charged on its own while the rest of the machine is stored elsewhere (great for homes with limited outlets). Unfortunately, part of what makes it so good at picking up dust and debris—a foam roller at the front of the floor head—also makes it difficult to maneuver. I had to work hard to push the Lupe over a variety of floor types, and unless it was in the least-powerful, battery-saving mode, caught the edges of my rugs every time I tried to transition from bare floors to area rugs, even with the brush roll turned off. Cordless: Yes
Lupe Pure Cordless Vacuum Cleaner
The no-frills Hoover Commercial Portapower Canister Vacuum is a versatile canister vac that did a great job getting glitter and cornstarch out of my jute rug, but the suction doesn’t compare to other vacuums I tested, and the suction-only floorhead struggled with the same messes on my kitchen floor. It had a hard time with pet hair and dirty car seats as well as an unwieldy, thick orange power cord. Cordless: No
Hoover Commercial PORTAPOWER Lightweight Canister Vacuum Cleaner
The Eureka Power Speed Upright Vacuum Cleaner has a set-up that’s similar to the Shark Navigator Lift Away, though it’s less than half the price. In my testing it performed as well as the Lift Away and it’s easier to reconfigure to use with attachments—though it’s equally annoying to use that way given the shape and placement of the handle. Some reviewers have complained that the performance wanes (not surprising for a vacuum that costs less than $100) but I wasn’t able to test it long enough to confirm or deny that claim.
Eureka Power Speed Upright Vacuum Cleaner
The Bissell FeatherWeight PowerBrush is a versatile, corded bagless vacuum and true to its name, it’s very light. It reminds me of a long-handled Dustbuster—but with the addition of a detachable floorhead and handle that allow it to also function as an upright vacuum. It did a great job of picking up dog hair from my hardwood floors and a low-pile rug, but it didn’t fully remove glitter from my jute rug and the stiff bristles of the brush roll actually did some damage to that (admittedly cheap) rug. Cordless: No
Some reviewers have recommended the Nequare Cordless Vacuum as a budget alternative to the much pricier Dyson stick vacuums, but the suction power does not compare. Even after many passes in its max suction mode with a fully-charged battery, it was unable to fully pick up glitter from a jute rug. Cordless: Yes
This model is currently unavailable.
The Shark Vertex Ultralight (HZ2002) was a powerful, versatile corded stick vacuum with the power and functionality of a full-size upright vacuum in a compact body, and I’m sad to see it seems to have been discontinued. While not as strong as the Miele, I was impressed with this machine right out of the box, and I liked it more and more with each use. It was one of the best budget vacuum cleaners because it had the power and unlimited runtime of a corded vacuum with the weight and versatility of a cordless stick. After repeated testing, I much preferred it to the popular, bulkier Shark Navigator Lift Away. The swivel floorhead beautifully cleaned a variety of flooring types—including my textured kitchen floor and my ultra-shaggy rug—and of all the vacuums I tested, this had one of the best handheld vacuum configurations because it was lightweight and powerful. Unfortunately, if you want one, you’ll have to buy a refurbished model. At least it comes at a discounted price though. Cordless: No
Shark Vertex Ultralight Corded Stick DuoClean PowerFins & Self-Cleaning Brushroll
For unrivaled suction power and versatility, nothing beats a Miele canister vacuum, and the relatively affordable Miele Boost CX1 Bagless Canister eliminates the need to buy the brand’s pricey vacuum bags. Figuring out the best settings for different types of flooring may take some trial and error, but it’s worth the minor initial inconvenience. If you want a powerful cordless stick vacuum, the Dyson V12 Detect Slim, Tineco Pure One S11, Shark Stratos Cordless, are all great options and you should choose one of the three based on budget and the features that are most appealing to you.
Looking for a wet-dry vacuum? Check out my mop vac review. Or read our robot vacuum review to find the best robot vacuum cleaner for cleaning your kitchen? We tested iRobot Roomba, Eufy, and other models.
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