Best Vacuum Cleaners (2026): Cordless Vacuums, Robot Vacuums, Dysons

Nena Farrell GearJul 30, 2026 8:01 AMThe Best Vacuum Cleaners We’ve Ever TriedLooking for all our top recommended vacuums? Here are our favorites in every category, from cordless models to robot vacs.CommentLoaderSave StorySave this storyCommentLoaderSave StorySave this storyFeatured in this articleBest Cordless Stick VacuumShark PowerDetect SpeedRead more$430 Shark (Vacuum Only)Best Dyson Stick VacuumDyson Gen5DetectRead more$1,050 $949 (10% off) AmazonBest Affordable Cordless VacuumBissell PowerClean Cordless Stick VacuumRead more$200 $160 (20% off) AmazonBest Robot VacuumShark PowerDetect UV RevealRead more$1,300 $850 (35% off) AmazonIn my quest to find the best vacuum cleaner, I’ve tried every kind, from robot vacuums to cheap stick vacs. As a toddler mom plagued by sand and snacks, you can find me vacuuming almost daily, rotating between powerful Dysons, automated robot models, and even vacuums made for car cleaning. And I'm not alone in this pursuit; many other WIRED staffers also regularly test vacuums in their homes to find the best of the best.If you’re looking for all of our vacuum cleaner recommendations in one place, this is it. From my favorite Shark and Dyson stick vacuums to a powerful budget robot vacuum from Eufy, there’s a vacuum cleaner here for every kind of cleaning task, home, and lifestyle.Looking for our guides that dive into each category? Check out the Best Dyson Vacuums, Best Robot Vacuums, Best Cordless Vacuums, Best Handheld Vacuums, and Best Pet Hair Vacuums.Updated July 2026: I've updated this guide with my new top cordless vacuum picks: the Shark PowerDetect Speed and Dyson Gen5Detect. I've also added notes on Dyson's newest vacuum models to Honorable Mentions.Love WIRED? Add us as a preferred source on Google to see more of us.Jump to SectionAccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevronComparing Our Favorite Vacuum CleanersHonorable MentionsWhich Style Vacuum Is Right for You?Do You Need a Stick Vacuum and a Handheld Vacuum?How Often Should You Replace Your Vacuum?Best Cordless Stick VacuumPhotograph: Nena FarrellPhotograph: Nena FarrellPhotograph: Nena FarrellPhotograph: Nena FarrellChevronChevronSave to wishlistSave to wishlistSharkPowerDetect Speed$430 Shark (Vacuum Only)$500 $400 (20% off) Amazon (Clean & Empty)Shark continues to be my go-to for great, well-priced cordless vacuums. My new favorite is Shark’s latest addition to its PowerDetect vacuum lineup, the PowerDetect Speed. It’s a lighter and slightly cheaper version of my previously favored PowerDetect but still packs 350 watts of power, three cleaning modes, intelligent floor-type detection, and a bendable vacuum wand so you can get under furniture without bending over.Compared to the original Shark PowerDetect, you’ll save a little bit of cash with this vacuum while losing only 10 minutes of battery life, edge detection, a smidge of power, and a bit of dust-cup size. There is a Clean & Empty version of both the PowerDetect and the PowerDetect Speed that includes a self-emptying base station. There’s also a Luxe line of PowerDetect Speed Clean & Empty vacuums in prettier colors, so you can choose one that won’t be an eyesore in your house. The Clean & Empty version includes a light on the vacuum to illuminate dust, and that version is easier to find at most retailers.Capacity0.47 literAdditional attachmentsCrevice tool and pet hair multi-toolPower350WRun timeUp to 60 minutesFilterHEPA FilterWarrantyTwo-year parts warranty, five-year limited warrantyBest Dyson Stick VacuumPhotograph: Nena FarrellPhotograph: Nena FarrellCourtesy of Best BuyChevronChevronSave to wishlistSave to wishlistDysonGen5Detect$1,050 $949 (10% off) Amazon$1,050 WayfairEven though it’s three years older than the newest Dyson stick models, the Gen5Detect remains my top pick. It earned a near perfect score in five rounds of comparative testing.The Gen5Detect has 262 air watts of power and comes with both the Digital Motorbar head for carpet and the Fluffy Optic head fo