Here at the Strategist UK, we like to think of ourselves as crazy (in the good way) about the stuff we buy, but as much as we’d like to, we can’t try everything. Which is why we have People’s Choice, in which we find the best-reviewed products and single out the most convincing ones. (You can learn more about our rating system and how we pick each item here.)
And while we’ve written about home essentials before — including the best coffee tables and the best knife sets — here, we’ve rounded up the best vacuum cleaners, as praised by the most enthusiastic reviewers on Amazon.
Best-rated overall vacuum cleaner
It might be surprising that the best-rated overall vacuum cleaner is a goofy Henry the Hoover model. But it carries 6,719 reviews on Amazon, with over 300 specifically praising the suction. Satisfied customers included the owners of a German Shepherd who said the hoover made light work of the dog’s thick hairs, and one user who said it even managed to accidentally swallow a pair of socks without her noticing. Though it is noticeably bulkier than the cordless and upright models featured elsewhere. In total, over 95 percent of all reviews are five stars.
Best-rated (less expensive) vacuum cleaner
At just over forty pounds, Amazon’s own basics vacuum cleaner is the best-rated at a low price. The model is a cylindrical vacuum cleaner which uses vacuum bags (compatible with several brands, including AmazonBasics G51, Swirl Y05, and Menalux 1840). It has 6,594 reviews in total, with almost 70 percent of them being five stars, and around one in 20 reviews praised it for being great value. It’s also a lighter model than other upright vacuums — over 65 reviewers noted how easy it was to carry, including a 74-year-old who had to do her own housework, and a woman who had to vacuum after her long-haired chihuahua every day. Despite being light and cheap, it doesn’t skimp on power, though. In fact, there are almost 700 reviews commenting on the strong suction, whether it’s across heavy shag carpets or on awkward stairs.
Best-rated upright cordless vaccum
British company G-Tech specialise in cordless vacuums and appliances, and their upright vacuum has 5,132 reviews in total. The company claims the lightweight model (3.5kg) matches the performance of mains-powered upright vacuums, able to handle wood, carpet and dirt with ease. Just under one every 12 reviews says it’s easy to use, and one in 30 reviews says the charge is exceptional. G-Tech say this model can clean an average house twice in forty minutes thanks to its powerful charge, and reviews seem to agree. Over 45 reviewers cleaned their whole house on one battery charge, with one writing that they can do their three-bedroom house in one go, and there’s also plenty of customers who say its the best model on the market. In fact, over 100 reviewers say this model is better than their Dyson.
Best-rated extra-long vacuum cleaner
Vax’s Air Stretch Vacuum comes specially designed to cover large spaces; the retractable extension cord stretches to 17 metres, and according to the product listing, it was designed to clean an entire home, including stairs, without having to unplug and move it around. It has 3,335 reviews in total, with almost 70 percent being five stars. Though it’s listed as lightweight (almost 100 of the positive reviews specifically agree), it’s worth noting that, at 5kg, it’s 30 percent heavier than the G-Tech model listed above. Almost 300 reviewers said the powerful suction was one of its best features, and due to its heftier size, customers said it stayed upright and rarely toppled over.
Best-rated vaccum for pet hair
With a five year guarantee, and 80 minutes of running time, this vacuum’s anti hair wrap technology “actively removes hair from the brush as it cleans”, according to the manufacturer (this didn’t ring true for a small minority, though, more on this later). Its flex structure is designed to make the process of getting around tight spots smoother. Reviewers who upgraded to this model from its predecessor also commented on how high powered it is by comparison. One reviewer with a Dalmatian that sheds profusely said this vacuum worked perfectly, and that it was miles better than their Dyson. But FYI, 16% of the 155 reviews that mentioned the anti hair wrap feature claimed it didn’t work well, or at all. Almost 95% of reviewers gave it a thumbs up for pet hair overall, though.
Best-rated hybrid vacuum
Shark’s Lift Away model features an upright mode as well as allowing the central cylinder to detach and be taken to other rooms. It has 2,470 reviews in total, with 155 saying the lift-away function was a particularly helpful alternative to lugging the vacuum around every room. One customer, who ran a cleaning agency for years (and owns ten white-haired dogs) said this model was better than any model she used in her client’s homes, and made her rug look brand new.
Best-rated robot vacuum cleaner
A more modern alternative is to get an automatic vacuum (a.k.a. a robot vacuum), and this model from Eufy is the highest rated according to Amazon. Due to its neat size and weight (just 2.7kg), it’s able to get into spaces easier than a bulkier model, and the smartphone controls mean you can control where it cleans easily. It has 3,849 reviews in total, with almost 78 percent of them being five stars. Over 160 people said it’s far easier to use than they imagined, and it’s converted hundreds of people — over 120 people say the Eufy is great on hard surfaces, and a further 45 people said it tackled pet hair no problem. Though the smaller size meant it did fill up quicker, many reviewers set it off every day — in fact, over 100 rated it highly for quietness.
Best-rated vacuum with steam mop
This 3-in-1 cleaner by Bissell features a steam cleaner, a vacuum cleaner, and a drier combined, and was highly rated by customers for its ability to do several different tasks. One Airbnb host said it was the best thing for her uneven slate floors – after hoovering, mopping, and sweeping had all failed to keep her property clean. Another customer, who owns eight dogs, said the combination cleaning meant that she could vacuum the dog fur and lift any stains at the same time. 77 customers said it was easy to use, including a self-confessed cleaning obsessive who said they were frankly horrified at the colour of the dirty water when they emptied this out after a clean. Customers agreed it was easy to set up and use, with many saying they didn’t even bother reading the instructions.
Another Strategist-recommended vacuum cleaners
Spice Girl Melanie C told us that she can’t live without this Dyson vacuum cleaner. She calls it “a bit of a lifesaver.”
The Strategist UK is designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Read about who we are and what we do here. Our editors update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.