Keeping your floors spotless starts with the right vacuum, but in a market flooded with high-tech models and futuristic designs (hello robot vacs), it can be hard to know where to start.
Finding the right vacuum requires a fair bit of research — but we’ve done the hard work for you to find the top-of-the-line devices that are worth your cash.
Whether you’re after a lightweight stick vacuum for whipping around the house or a heavy-duty device to conquer pet hair, there are plenty of top-rated brands and models to choose from.
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If you’re in the market for a cutting-edge upgrade, Dyson’s slimmest model yet has recently touched down on Aussie shores. Prefer a wallet-friendly find? Airflo’s cordless stick is a crowd favourite.
Or if you’re shopping specifically for a vacuum that will work wonders on hard floors or carpets (or both), we’ve found that too.
Whatever your budget and floor type, Best Picks has rounded up seven of the best vacuums on the market right now for you and your home.
1. Best for small spaces: Dyson PencilVac Fluffycones Cleaner
Big, bulky vacuums take up too much room in apartments, but Dyson has created a space-friendly solution without compromising on suction.
Meet the PencilVac Fluffycones Cleaner, the British tech brand’s slimmest (and most powerful) cordless vacuum to date.
Measuring just 38mm in diameter, it’s roughly the size of a 20 cent coin.
Now available on Aussie shores, this compact device is perfect for tackling narrow gaps and awkward spots, with a 360 degree manoeuvrability and four rotating cones to clean in all different directions.
Weighing just 1.8kg, the lightweight PencilVac even has a non-touch ejection system so you can empty the dust bin without getting your hands dirty.
2. Best budget-friendly buy: Airflo 2 in 1 Cordless Stick Vacuum
While there are many vacuums with eye-watering price tags, there are also a fair few that get the job done without breaking the bank.
Strong suction is non-negotiable regardless of the price point, and one budget-friendly vacuum with rave reviews is the Airflo 2-in-1 Cordless Stick.
This under $200 powerful device has two motorised heads — one for carpets, the other for hard floors.
Designed to easily switch between heads for each and every room in the house, shoppers say the Airflo is “light, manageable and easy to use”.
Safe for households with allergies, it even has an integrated HEPA filtration to help remove allergens and various airborne particles as you whizz around the home.
3. Best for pet hair: Shark Navigator Pet Vacuum with Self Cleaning Brushroll
Banishing pesky pet hairs is no easy feat, but luckily there are a number of specialised vacuums to do the hard work for us.
Arguably the best of the bunch is Shark’s Navigator Pet Vacuum, a powerhouse for picking up even the tiniest of hairs and heavy-duty dirt.
Ideal for any household with furry friends, it even has a huge three litre capacity for longer cleaning sessions.
Weighing in at 7.3kg, it’s heavier than other models on the market, but its ability to reach further (the cord is up to 3.6m long) and strong suction makes it a heavy-duty addition for homes in need of a deep clean.
A favourite among shoppers, one happy reviewer says “it is perfect for pets, cleans up our long-haired golden retriever’s hair so well and other than emptying it out we have never had to clean the vacuum”.
4. Best for hard floors: Samsung Bespoke AI Jet Ultra
If there’s one thing we’ve learned — it’s worth buying a vacuum specifically for your floor type.
Samsung’s Bespoke Jet AI Ultra is a must-have for homes with hard floors, with a 400W suction that captures dust and hair while gently gliding across the surface.
If you find yourself running out of battery half way through the house, fear not — this Samsung device has a whopping 100 minutes of runtime for uniterrupted cleaning.
Not only is this vacuum perfect for hard floors, but it also has game-changing features like AI cleaning mode, automatic Clean Station and SmartThing connectivity.
Shoppers have commented on the tech-savvy specs, saying the “AI feature that adjusts suction automatically is genuinely useful and seems to make the battery last longer.”
5. Best for carpets: Bissell PowerForce Helix Turbo Rewind
Carpets often trap dust, dirt and hair deep within the fibres, so it’s important to get your hands on a heavy duty vacuum designed specifically for carpeted floors.
Wondering where to start? BISSELL PowerForce Helix Turbo Rewind is a crowd-favourite for a reason.
Built for everyday use with strong suction that works across all kinds of carpet materials, it has a clever dirt separation system to keep the filter cleaner for longer for consistent performance.
Shoppers love the automatic cord rewind feature — simply press a button and the 25-foot cord stores itself neatly. No more bending or wrapping.
It also comes with a TurboBrush tool, crevice tool, dusting brush, and extension wand to help you clean stairs, furniture, and tight corners with ease.
With thousands of positive reviews and a under $200 price tag, the PowerForce Helix Turbo Rewind is a game-changer for homes with carpeted floors.
6. Best cordless model: Dreame Z20 Station Vacuum and Dock
Sick of tangling wires or limited reach? A cordless vacuum is the ideal solution.
Dreame’s Z20 is our top pick, with a powerful 300AW suction for lifting dirt, dust and even the tiniest of pet hairs from all types of floors.
Complete with a fully automated base system, this tech-savvy model empties, charges, cleans, and dries the vacuum so it’s always ready for the next clean.
Shoppers rave about the hands-free experience and cutting-edge tech, calling it “a game-changer for daily cleaning”.
While $799 may seem like a steep price point for a vacuum, it’s worth investing in the best for a device you’ll use for years to come.
7. Best robot model: ECOVACS Deebot T30 Omni Robot Vacuum
There’s a reason we’re always raving about robot vacuums — they’re just that good.
Designed to speed up your cleaning routine by up to 30 per cent, these clever devices make it easier than ever to sit back, relax, and let the vacuuming take care of itself.
If you’re ready to take the plunge, ECOVACS Deebot T30 Omni Robot is a popular choice among shoppers.
An automatic cleaning tool that whips around every room is suitable all types of hard floors, it has powerful suction and wiping function — perfect for tackling even the tiniest bits of dirt and hair.
There’s even in-built ZeroTangle technology, making it the perfect solution to homes with furry friends.
Programmed to navigate itself around the house, simply set and forget and let the T30 get to work.