And we maneuver the vacuum around the floor, just like you would, to judge how easy it is to operate. We use the same type of litter on bare floors to observe whether the vacuum picks it up or scatters it about. We embed sand and pet hair into carpet before vacuuming to see how effective a machine is at picking it up. In our lab, CR’s engineers put vacuum cleaners from brands like Bissell, Dyson, iRobot, LG, Miele, Shark, and Tineco through a set of tough tests to evaluate how well a model picks up dirt, how much debris it retains, how easy it is to maneuver, and how noisy it is. “A robotic vacuum can help with maintaining your pristine floors, and a stick can help with quick messes alongside your bigger upright or canister.” “For some people, it might make sense to have multiple vacuums for different situations,” says Frank Rizzi, a senior lab technician who tests vacuums at CR. But while these convenient contenders may deserve a spot in your cleaning collection, they still can’t replace your trusty upright or canister, according to our experts. Robotic vacuums have also become more capable cleaners, and their prices keep dropping, making them worth a look, too.

Our tests reveal that the performance of cordless stick vacuums continues to improve, though based on our exclusive member survey, reliability remains a concern. Still, with the number of different vacuum types available-ranging from slim stick vacuums to beefy canisters -it can be difficult to figure out which one is right for your home. But CR’s tests demonstrate that you don’t need to empty your wallet to get a vacuum that cleans well. With vacuum cleaners ranging in price from under $50 to more than $1,500, you can spend a lot on a new one.

Cordless broom vac