2017 Best Rated Vacuum Cleaners: Top 5 Comparison Reviews
Do you have a large home with carpet, hardwood floors or both and need to find the best rated vacuum cleaner to get your house really clean? We’ve compiled this list of the Top 5 of 2017 just for you. With comparisons, reviews, specifications and all the information you need to know below, hopefully your search ends here.
These top five have performed well in household tests from users just like you and have been put through the paces including the challenge of picking up everything from tough or fine pet hair, long human hair, cat litter, regular dust and dirt and even breakfast cereal.
They’re all good values, and the one you decide to buy should really come down to the features, tools and attachments that work best for you as well as which one works best with the size of your budget.
Best Vacuum Cleaners of 2017
#1. Dyson Ball Allergy
The Dyson Ball Allergy is quite the innovation in upright vacuum cleaners, and according to user reviews, it is certainly the best all around machine. As an added bonus, it has HEPA filtration, meaning those small particles that can make you and your family sneeze and irritate allergies get swept away from the air and floors in your house.
One of our favorite features is its self adjusting cleaner head. What this means for you is you don’t need to mess with changing any settings when vacuuming between different floor types. It will hug hardwood as closely as deep pile carpet, and the bristles are soft enough to not leave any scratches.
Video Review
Quick Stats
- HEPA Filter
- Bagless
- Self adjusting cleaner head
- Retractable cord
Specs
- Weight: 17.3 Pounds
- Suction: 270 Air Watts
- Dust Bin: 0.55 Gallons
- Cord Length: 35 Feet
- Maximum Reach: 51.7 Feet
- Dimensions: 42.4” x 13.4” x 15.4”
- Height Adjustments: Automatic
- Filter: Washable
- Volts: 110
- Warranty: 5 Years
Included Attachments
- Soft dusting brush
- Mattress tool
- Reach under tool
- Combination tool
- Instant release wand
Pros
- Great attachments
- Fantastic suction
- Long reach
- Easy to empty
- Cleaner head adjusts automatically
- Quiet compared to other uprights
Cons
The only thing users have had a problem with is locking this machine in the upright position, as it takes a little getting used to. You have to make sure it clicks twice so it’s fully locked in. If you don’t, it’s not locked and will probably fall down when you turn your back.
The second thing is that while it does have a lot of power, it tends to get bogged down if you’re trying to mow tall damp grass. This really is to be expected with any electric lawnmower, as even though they do a great job on maintenance, they’re really not cut out for tougher jobs.
Are the tools interchangeable with other Dyson models?
How well does it work on hardwood floors?
The Ball Allergy does have a button to push to turn the brush roll on and off, so you’ll want to have it off when cleaning any bare floor like hardwood, stone, vinyl or tile. This way, debris won’t get flung around by the powerful rotating brush head.
There are not settings to change when going from one floor type to another, as it’s all done automatically for you.
Is it good for dog and pet hair?
This model works fantastic for getting rid of pet hair. In fact in one review from a user who has an English bulldog, a German Shephard and a long haired cat says it’s just amazing. She says the suction doesn’t stop and she’s amazed at how much junk comes out of her carpet. 2 thumbs up!
Another user says she’s shocked at the amount of hair it picks up from 3 cats. Another review from a man with an Australian Shephard (long floaty hair) says the dog sheds so much and he can’t believe how much hair was on the furniture and in the carpet that the Ball Allergy pulled out and continues to find.
How do I clean the filter?
All you need to do to keep the filter clean is to rinse it out. You can also wash it by hand by rubbing it with a mild detergent. Let it dry, put it back in, and you’re back in business.
How often you clean the filter really depends on how often you use the vacuum and the amount of dirt, hair, etc. in your house. For most users, checking it once per month is a good idea.
How well does it pick up long hair?
How heavy is it?
Does it tip over?
Is it easy to push?
How does it compare to the Dyson Animal Allergy?
There are a few different models in this line, and they are all the same basic machine. The only difference is in the attachments you get. We’re recommending this one as a best vacuum because it comes with a few attachments that will actually get used as opposed to higher priced models with a lot of extras that might end up collecting dust in the closet.
The Dyson Cinetic Animal plus Allergy is a great option as well if you have pets. In fact, we rated it very high as one of the best vacuums for pet hair.
Final Verdict
The Dyson Ball Allergy is a great vacuum cleaner. It has the most powerful suction and it’s easier to use than just about any other available on the market today. It comes with a variety of very useful attachments to clean anything along with an incredibly long extension hose that lets you reach everywhere you need to reach.
While it’s on the higher end of the price range, Dysons do hold their value and last a very long time. Not only that, but it also has a 5 year warranty. All of these features combined with the reliability make this one a very good investment. If you’re ready to get one, Amazon has it on sale for a great discount right now.
#2. Shark Rotator Powered Lift Away
There are a few special things to love about the Shark Rotator Powered Lift Away. First, it has LED headlights, a rare feature in any vacuum cleaner. While it may not seem like much, they really help illuminate corners and spaces under furniture so you know you’re getting them clean.
Second, it really is two vacuums in one due to the removable canister. You can use just the canister, or you can remove it to make the profile of the upright slimmer so it will slide easily under furniture like the bed or the couch.
Video Review
Quick Stats
- LED Lights
- Anti-Allergen Technology
- Lift Away Canister
Specs
- Weight: 13.3 Pounds
- Suction: 800 Watts; 6.7 Amps
- Dust Bin: 0.24 Gallons
- Cord Length: 30 Feet
- Dimensions: 46” x 12” x 12”
- Filter: Washable
- Height Adjustments: 3
- Volts: 110
- Warranty: 5 Years
Included Attachments
- Crevice Tool
- Dusting Brush
- Pet Upholstery Tool
- Hard Floor Attachment
- Removable Canister
- Micro Tools
Pros
- Good power
- Controls on the handle
- Removable canister
- Washable filters
- Headlights
- Allergy sealed
Cons
One drawback to this model is that it doesn’t have retractable cord. While this doesn’t affect its cleaning power, some people are really set on having this feature.
The other complaint is that if you extend the hose out all the way, the upright tends to tip over. This seems to be the case with most upright vacuums with rare exception. The only ways to get around this are to either use the canister with the attachments so you’re not stretching the hose from the main unit or make sure it’s braced well, like against a wall, before extending out the hose.
Will it pick up cat litter?
Is it self-propelled?
Will it pick up long hair?
How does the canister work?
You can lift off the canister and use it separately from the main unit. This option makes it much easier to vacuum stairs. You can also leave it on the main vacuum and use the attachments and extension hose that way, which might be good for cleaning things like mini blinds or window ledges.
If you want to clean under furniture, having the option to take off the canister is a great one because it’s rather bulky. When removed, the main vacuum will easily lie flat to fit under most furniture.
Will it suck up small rugs?
How does the hard floor attachment work?
Will it work on shag rugs?
Is it powerful enough?
Powered Rotator vs Rocket?
Does it work on carpeted stairs?
How is it for pet hair?
Although the Powered Rotator isn’t designed to deal with pet hair, it still seems to do a good job. While it doesn’t have a HEPA filter, it does have a sealed allergy system that makes it better equipped to deal with dander.
One user who has three large dogs says this Rotator does a fantastic job of cleaning up after them. She says she’s amazed at how much hair lived deep down in her carpet fibers.
NV683 vs NV682 vs NV681?
Final Verdict
While it doesn’t have all the bells and whistles of the pricier Dysons on the market, the Shark Rotator Powered Lift Away is still one of the best vacuum cleaners of the year, and in reviews users love it. It’s very versatile and comes with enough tools to do everything you’ll need to do. In comparison with other models, it gets very high scores and will serve you well for years to come. (Amazon has this Rotator on sale right now, but prices can change daily.)
#3. Bissell 1650A Pet Hair Eraser
Bissell vacuums have been known for years as lower priced, heavier models that do a decent job of cleaning, but the Pet Hair Eraser is a step up. A mid-priced machine with a hearty build and built-in allergy system, this one is specifically made for pet owners. However, it works well as an all around vacuum even if you don’t have furry friends in the house.
Video Review
Quick Stats
- Tangle free brush roll
- Bagless
- Allergen System
- Edge Cleaning
Specs
- Weight: 18 Pounds
- Suction: 8.5 Amps
- Dust Bin: 0.4 Gallons
- Cord Length: 30 Feet
- Dimensions: 46.8” x 13.5” x 12.4”
- Filter: Washable
- Height Adjustments: 5
- Volts: 110
- Warranty: 5 Years
Included Attachments
- Crevice tool with LED light
- Pet turbo tool
- Pet brush
- Quick release wand
Pros
- Tangle free cleaner head
- Strong suction on attachments
Cons
While the Bissell Pet Hair Eraser is an overall good vacuum cleaner, it is heavy. It does have the swivel steering so it’s fairly easy to move, but it may be hard on you to lug it up and down stairs on a regular basis.
The second thing to note is that it doesn’t have much of a reach compared with other models. The hose is eight feet long, so it will go most places, but it’s not going to work for leaving the unit at the bottom of the stairs and using the wand to clean all the way up.
Does it have a retractable cord?
Will it vacuum long pet hair?
This Bissell works fantastic on long hair of every type because it doesn’t get tangled around the brush roll. It also has a pet hair spooling system that makes it really easy to empty out the dust cup without having to dig it out. One review from a user with a Husky says it works fantastic on this type of long and floaty hair.
As for furniture, the pet hair tool is air powered and does a great job at getting hair from your upholstery.
Can I order more attachments?
Does it work on hardwood?
What about the Febreze filter?
This one comes with a special Febreze filter to keep the air in your home smelling nice and fresh. The scent seem to last a good long time, but once it dissipates you may want to replace the filter with a new scented or unscented one.
If you don’t want a scented filter, it’s best to just use the regular filter that comes with the vacuum as it doesn’t have a scent.
Will it go under furniture?
Where are the tools stored?
Do the wheels scratch?
Does it have a HEPA filter?
Does it need batteries?
What about the pet tools?
Final Verdict
This is one sturdy vacuum at a reasonable price point. While it’s heavier than some others you can compare it to, it does have some nice features like edge to edge cleaning, a light up crevice tool and best of all, a brush bar that doesn’t get tangled with long hair.
It has the long standing reputation of Bissell, is solidly built and comes with a five year warranty. Though it doesn’t have some of the fancier features like swivel steering or an automatic retractable cord, its features are plenty diverse enough to provide basic cleaning of your home, especially if you have pets. After searching everywhere online, we discovered Amazon has the best deals on this Bissell. Click here to see today’s best sale price.
#4. Shark Navigator Lift Away Professional
With a slightly smaller profile and one less height adjustment, the Shark Navigator pro lift away is much like its Rotator counterpart. The price tag is slightly less and it comes with fewer attachments, but if you have a smaller space and don’t need so many tools, it may be a good choice for you.
Like the Rotator, this one also combines a canister vacuum into the design, making it very versatile for a variety of jobs. It’s also available with either a standard or gentle brush roll, making it work very well from everything from shag carpets to the finest hardwoods without scratching.
Video Review
Quick Stats
- Swivel Steering
- Bagless
- HEPA Filter
Specs
- Weight: 13.7 Pounds
- Suction: 1200 Watts
- Dust Bin: 0.29 Gallons
- Cord Length: 30 Feet
- Dimensions: 45.47” x 10” x 8”
- Filter: Washable
- Height Adjustments: 2
- Volts: 110
- Warranty: 5 Years
Included Attachments
- Dust away hard floor cleaner
- Pet power brush
- Crevice tool
Pros
- Good suction
- Lift away canister
- HEPA filter
- Swivel cleaner head
Cons
One thing we don’t like about the Navigator is it only has two height settings: One for bare floors and one for carpet. While these settings will work great for most jobs, it’s nice to have more versatility if you have both low and high pile carpets in your home.
Standard vs Gentle Brush Roll?
How well does it do on pet hair?
Overall, the Shark Navigator Lift Away Professional does a good job on both dog and cat hair. If you have pets that shed a lot, it will definitely help keep the hair and dander at bay. Many reviewers who are pet owners are very impressed with its abilities in this regard. In fact, one review from a woman with two dogs (one with very long hair) and two short-haired cats says she no longer has any pet hair on her carpets or furniture. She says it works that well.
On the other hand, reviews like those of Consumer Reports don’t rate this machine as high for pet hair removal, stating that other models work much better. If you have a lot of pet hair in your home and want to play it safe, you’d be better off going with one of the other top models above. However if you don’t have much, this Navigator will get the job done for you.
Does the brush roll turn off?
How about large crumbs?
Will it damage the carpet?
How is it for long hair?
Will it clog up?
How good is it for hardwood floors?
This model comes with a special attachment made just for hardwood floors. It includes a microfiber pad that acts as a power mop, getting the dust up and sucking it into the vacuum instead of just pushing it around. The microfiber pads are washable, so when they’re dirty, you can just toss them in the washing machine.
You can also use it as a regular vacuum by turning off the brush roll so it stops spinning. It’s probably best to do this first to get up any larger crumbs or debris, and then go over the floor with the microfiber pads to collect any dust left behind.
How high is the profile?
If you lay the cleaner head as flat as it will go, it’s about three inches high. So, while it will go under furniture like the bed and most chairs, you may have trouble getting into some lower places depending on the clearance under your furniture.
It will go most places like up against the toe kicks under kitchen cabinets, and for those places it won’t go, you can always use the extension wand and tools or remove the canister and use it that way, where you can get it to fit under anything.
Is it good for serious allergy sufferers?
While it does have a HEPA filter and will help keep down allergens, if you have serious allergies and asthma, it might be better to get a different model that is specifically designed to handle those conditions.
All vacuums in the Dyson line are specifically designed for this purpose and while they tend to be more expensive, they’re worth it if the air in your home is making you sick. Dyson has an in-house microbiology lab where they analyze dust mites and allergens so they can engineer their vacuums to best deal with those irritants.
How do I clean it?
The filters are hand washable, so you can rinse them under running water with a mild detergent if needed. As for the other parts, the ones that are removable – like the attachments – you can wash by hand as well. The rest of the parts are best kept clean by wiping them with a damp cloth.
Some people like to keep the dust container really clean, which is not a bad idea. You can wash it manually under running water or spray it out with the garden hose if you want to keep it sparkling.
What else will it clean?
Final Verdict
For a mid-priced vacuum, this is a good one. Because of the canister and tools, it has good versatility and good suction. Users love the lower price, the suction and most of all – the removable canister vac. With it removed, you can easily maneuver this machine under all your furniture.
It has a nice long power cord, a large dust cup and is easy to assemble right out of the box. All of these features along with its impressive vacuum cleaner reviews make it a no brainer for our list of the top 5 best. We found a great price on this model at Amazon. Click here to get a great discount.
#5. Hoover Windtunnel 3 High Performance Pet
With a slightly larger profile and heavier weight then other vacs on our top 5 list, the Hoover WindTunnel 3 Pet also has the most height adjustments and the longest power cord, so it’s definitely a give and take. It comes with a decent amount of tools for most jobs, including getting pet hair off your furniture and while it’s intended more for use on carpet, it does a good job on hardwoods as well.
Video Review
Quick Stats
- HEPA Filter
- Long Power Cord
- Headlights
- Bagless
Specs
- Weight: 18.5 Pounds
- Suction: 12 Amps; 1440 Watts
- Dust Bin: 0.38 Gallons
- Cord Length: 40 Feet
- Dimensions: 44” x 15.5” x 14”
- Filter: Washable
- Height Adjustments: 7
- Volts: 110
- Warranty: 5 Years
Included Attachments
- Pivoting tool for dusting
- Pet turbo tool
- Crevice tool
- Telescoping extension wand
Pros
- Good suction
- Long hose
- LED light
- Conveniently located controls
Cons
Some users in their reviews have commented on how warm this vac gets when you use it. While the suction is good and the motor doesn’t seem to overheat, the outside of the base does tend to get warm.
Does the cord auto rewind?
Unfortunately, you have to rewind the cord by hand on this model.
Can I turn the brush off?
The Hoover WindTunnel 3 has a foot pedal that turns the brush roll on and off so you can use it on a variety of different floor surfaces. While it doesn’t have a separate attachment specifically made for use on hardwood floors, turning off the brush roll will prevent it from scratching and kicking dirt around instead of sucking it up.
How does it do on long hair?
Like most uprights, long hair is an issue. It will occasionally tangle around the brush roll and need to be pulled or cut out to keep the brush spinning.
Does it work for cat litter?
With the brush roll in the off position, it seems to work well in picking up kitty litter from bare floors.
Is it self-propelled?
That’s one downfall in this unit – it’s not self propelled nor does it have swivel steering like the Sharks or a roller ball like the Dysons. However, users claim it’s still not too difficult to push around as it doesn’t weigh a whole lot.
Can I adjust the suction?
While it does have seven different settings for height and the brush roll on / off, you can’t adjust the suction on the Performance Pet. The suction works the same for the attachments as it does for the main cleaner head.
Are the tools on board?
Yes, there is on-board storage for all of the included tools.
Will it fit under the bed?
While it does have a higher profile so it may not fit under some furniture, the attachments work great for this purpose.
Will it clog with pet hair?
In user reviews, owners of the WindTunnel 3 say no, it doesn’t clog up with even tough or matted dog and cat hair. To make sure it never does, never overfill the dirt container and make sure to keep the filters wash to keep the suction at its max potential.
How do I use the tools?
On some vacuums, getting the attachments and tools on and off is a real pain. With this one, you’ll need to take a few steps. First, make sure it’s turned off. Then, tap the floor switch from floor to hose (red to green). Attach the hose and whichever tool you use, then switch the vacuum on. While it does take a few steps, it’s really a very easy and quick process once you’ve done it a few times.
Final Verdict
It takes just a little more work to operate the Hoover Windtunnel 3 Performance Pet than it does some of the others on our list, and it’s not quite as versatile or easy to steer. However, if price is a big concern for you and you’re willing to sacrifice a few bells and whistles, it’s still a good buy.
It has good suction, works very well on pet hair and is good for both bare floors and carpeting. Overall, users give it a high rating in review after review, and there are very few complaints.
It carries with it the reliability of the Hoover brand and does what it claims. If you have a lower budget and are looking for a good vacuum cleaner for the money, this one is a good choice. Amazon.com has these on sale right now at a big discount with free shipping.