Safe pickNot sure? Start here.
Shark
Most homes, cordless or corded
Heads-up: Takes more passes than Dyson on heavy pet hair
Shark PowerPro Flex Reveal Plus (IZ382H)
$200–380
From today's sale price to full list price on the brand's own store.
Vacuum
Before you buy. Cordless vacuums are easier for quick cleanups and stairs, but batteries wear out. Corded ones clean harder and never run out.
Or, if you need something else
The best cleaning, if budget allows
Dyson V12 Detect Slim. Heads-up: Pricey; battery runs short on max power
Carpets on a budget, with no battery to replace
Kenmore Intuition Bagged Upright (BU4022). Heads-up: Heavy, nearly 15 lbs; some units fail over time
Why these three
Picked from RTINGS, which bought and tested 118 vacuums, and Tom's Guide's tests. Dyson and Shark lead both; Kenmore is RTINGS's budget pick.
- RTINGS: The 5 Best Vacuum Cleaners of 2026 (118 vacuums bought and tested, updated October 2026) (opens in new tab) · Tested review · checked Oct 2026
- RTINGS: The 4 Best Shark Vacuums of 2026 (opens in new tab) · Tested review · checked Oct 2026
- RTINGS: The 4 Best Dyson Vacuums of 2026 (opens in new tab) · Tested review · checked Oct 2026
- RTINGS: The 4 Best Vacuums For Allergies of 2026 (opens in new tab) · Tested review · checked Oct 2026
- Tom's Guide: Best vacuum cleaners 2026 (updated August 2026) (opens in new tab) · Tested review · checked Oct 2026
- Shark: PowerPro Flex Reveal Plus Cordless Vacuum (IZ382H) (opens in new tab) · Official source · checked Oct 2026
- Shark: Pet Cordless Stick Vacuum (IX141) (opens in new tab) · Official source · checked Oct 2026
- Shark: Stratos Upright Vacuum (AZ3002) (opens in new tab) · Official source · checked Oct 2026
- Dyson: V12 Detect Slim cordless vacuum (opens in new tab) · Official source · checked Oct 2026
- Dyson: Ball Animal 3 Extra upright vacuum (opens in new tab) · Official source · checked Oct 2026
- Kenmore: Intuition Bagged Upright Vacuum (BU4022) (opens in new tab) · Official source · checked Oct 2026