The 5 Best Vacuum Cleaners
Start a vacuum search with the floor and the stairs, not a suction number. A substantial upright can handle a carpeted family room and feel miserable on a narrow staircase. A tiny stick is lovely for crumbs and cannot replace a deep clean of thick carpet. I would also check the filter path, cord reach, and whether the brush can stop on delicate hard flooring.
Shark Navigator Lift-Away is my broad household pick because the detachable canister gives an upright a second job. Bissell Zing is the canister option; FeatherWeight is the light quick-clean tool. Shark Rocket Pet Plus serves someone who prefers a corded stick, while Bissell CleanView Swivel Pet is the simpler pet-hair upright. The right order changes if your home is mostly stairs or mostly rugs.
Our top 5 vacuum cleaners
Swipe to compare price, rating and best use →
| Product | Price | Rating | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
01 Shark Navigator Lift-Away NV356EDetails ↓ | $199.99 | 4.3/5Amazon | Best mixed-floor upright |
02 Bissell Zing Bagless 2156ADetails ↓ | $89.99 | 4.3/5Amazon | Best canister for furniture routes |
03 Bissell CleanView Swivel Pet 3836Details ↓ | $119.97 | 4.5/5Amazon | Best straightforward pet upright |
04 Shark Rocket Pet Plus HV322Details ↓ | $199.99 | 4.4/5Amazon | Best corded stick flexibility |
05 Bissell FeatherWeight 2033MDetails ↓ | $39.98 | 4.4/5Amazon | Best lightweight quick clean |
01 — Shark
Best mixed-floor uprightShark Navigator Lift-Away NV356E
Navigator is the vacuum I would consider first for a home with both carpet and stairs. Its Lift-Away body can leave the floor head behind for above-floor work, and the listing describes sealed HEPA filtration.
It leads on versatility, not lightness. An upright takes storage space, and you still carry part of the machine on steps; check hose reach for your layout.
Specifications: Exact Amazon product listing ↗
View on Amazon ↗Carpet, stairs and above-floor cleaning.
You need a very light quick-clean tool.
What I like
+Lift-Away format and sealed filter claim.
What to weigh
−Bulky upright storage.
- Model
- NV356E
- Floor modes
- Hard floor and carpet
- Filtration
- Washable HEPA plus foam filters
- Format
- Lift-Away upright
- Power
- Corded
02 — Bissell
Best canister for furniture routesBissell Zing Bagless 2156A
Zing suits the person who moves around chair legs and uses a hose often. Its separate canister can feel easier to steer than pushing an upright into every corner.
It ranks second because the 16-foot cord asks for outlet changes and no HEPA specification is listed. I would choose it for maneuvering, not allergy claims.
Specifications: Exact Amazon product listing ↗
View on Amazon ↗Furniture-heavy rooms and hose work.
You need long cord reach or sealed HEPA.
What I like
+Canister maneuverability.
What to weigh
−Short cord and no HEPA claim.
- Model
- 2156A
- Dirt tank
- 2 L
- Power cord
- 16 ft
- Power
- 9 amps
- Filtration
- Three-stage
03 — Bissell
Best straightforward pet uprightBissell CleanView Swivel Pet 3836
CleanView is for a pet household wanting a conventional upright at a less imposing price than some premium systems. The 25-foot cord and one-liter cup suit repeated room-to-room cleaning.
It is third because the brush does not have a stated off switch, which matters on some hard floors. The cord also needs winding by hand.
Specifications: Exact Amazon product listing ↗
View on Amazon ↗Routine pet hair on suitable floors.
You need brush-off control for delicate floors.
What I like
+Longer cord and upright pet format.
What to weigh
−No brush-off switch or cord rewind.
- Model
- 3836
- Weight
- 13 lb
- Dirt tank
- 1 L
- Power cord
- 25 ft
- Brush system
- Triple Action
04 — Shark
Best corded stick flexibilityShark Rocket Pet Plus HV322
Rocket Pet Plus makes sense when the user likes a slimmer stick but does not want to watch a battery gauge. It converts for handheld work and weighs less than a large upright.
It is fourth because its small cup needs more emptying and the brushroll keeps spinning on the bare-floor setting. It is a better fit for frequent touch-ups than a large debris job.
Specifications: Exact Amazon product listing ↗
View on Amazon ↗Corded stick and handheld cleaning.
You need a large bin or brush-off floor head.
What I like
+Slim, battery-free format.
What to weigh
−Small cup and spinning brushroll.
- Model
- HV322
- Weight
- Under 10 lb
- Floor settings
- Bare floor/small rug and carpet
- Format
- Corded stick/handheld
- Headlights
- Floor nozzle
05 — Bissell
Best lightweight quick cleanBissell FeatherWeight 2033M
At a listed 2.9 pounds, FeatherWeight is the vacuum I would leave handy for kitchen crumbs or a small apartment. Its simple body is easy to move between rooms.
It finishes fifth because a 0.67-liter cup, 15-foot cord and basic filtration limit it as a whole-house cleaner. I would buy it alongside, rather than instead of, a stronger main vacuum for carpet.
Specifications: Exact Amazon product listing ↗
View on Amazon ↗Small messes and easy carrying.
You need a single deep-clean vacuum.
What I like
+Very light and easy to store.
What to weigh
−Small cup and basic filtration.
- Model
- 2033M
- Weight
- 2.9 lb
- Dirt tank
- 0.67 L
- Power cord
- 15 ft
- Cleaning path
- 9.5 in
Price information
Amazon price and availability checked Oct 17, 2026, 10:29 PM Lisbon time. Prices and availability are subject to change; the information shown on Amazon.com at purchase applies.
Our process
How we picked.
We compare five relevant products for different needs, using documented specifications, clear use cases and practical trade-offs. Our goal is to make the differences clear and help you choose with confidence.
- 01Relevance
Each product must fit the guide’s intended use, audience and requirements.
- 02Specifications
We compare the key product details that meaningfully affect the buying decision.
- 03Use case and fit
We compare the intended use, configuration and practical fit of every selected product.
- 04Strengths and limitations
We explain where each option performs best and the compromises to consider.
Good questions
FAQ — Vacuum Cleaners
01Is a sealed HEPA system the same as a HEPA filter?+
No. A sealed system is intended to keep exhaust air passing through the filter; a HEPA filter alone does not describe the whole airflow path.
02Should a brushroll spin on bare floors?+
Check the flooring and vacuum manuals. A brush-off option can be useful for some delicate hard floors and loose debris.
The short answer
Start with the Shark Navigator Lift-Away NV356E.
I recommend it for carpet, stairs and above-floor cleaning. Choose something else if you need a very light quick-clean tool.
View on Amazon ↗Keep looking
Related guidesThe 5 Best Lightweight Vacuum Cleaners
Five lightweight vacuums, including Shark Rocket Pet Plus and Eureka AirSpeed, compared by floor handling, carry weight and attachments.
The 5 Best Vacuums for Homes with Pets
Five Bissell and Shark vacuums for carpet, stairs, quick pickups and pet hair on furniture.
The 5 Best Cordless Vacuum Cleaners
Five Shark, BLACK+DECKER and lighter cordless sticks for mixed floors, pet hair, quick pickups and small flats.