Best Vacuum Cleaners

Based on 8,838 reviews
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$0 to $4,000
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Dyson V8

Dyson V8

4.1 
Summary
  • Bin Capacity0.54 L
  • HEPA FilterEither
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$205Bing Lee
JaneQueensland11 posts
  Verified

Great while it’s charged. We’ve renamed it the DieSoon as it gets halfway through the house and then needs charging again Show details

Miele Complete C3 PowerLine

Miele Complete C3 PowerLine

4.4 
Summary
  • Bin Capacity4.5 L
  • HEPA FilterEither
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$239Bing Lee
ozboy37 posts
 

I bought this green colour vacuum cleaner in 2018 direct from miele we use only downstair in carpet area once a week. From day one when pulling cord… Read more

it was but hard as i have another same top of the line bronze vacuum cleaner bought from harvey norman cord pull easily. I didnt take it seriously the cord pull tight forast 8yrs till last week the cord rectractor not holding the cord and it immediately pull back inside and pull from power cable when vscuum. When i call miele repairer center at eastern creek they said labour plus part cost $240. As im a loyal miele customer since 2015 has 2 x miele top of line washer, 3 x miele vacuum including this, miele dishwasher, miele 90cm cooktop and miele 90cm.oven all i spent over 20k aud$.

Miele customer advocate first said get assessment report and then see replacement or discount for new one then when i mentioned miele centre quated me $240 for replacement and realign cord rectractor they said for the age of vacuum they csnt reemburse any money currently miele has promoton up to 350$ off rrp for vacuum and cqnt do much.

I emailed customer advocate as a loyal customer atleast share half price of repair cord rectractor share $120 and i pay $120 or 50% of new miele but no response.

I understand the vacuum is 8yrs old and motor works but with the broken cord retrsctor it useless and can get cheap electrolux for under 200$.

I think miele should have share repair cost. Not sure i overseen the cord tight rrqind from brand new made this and i feel should have repair or replace with brand new when it waa new.

Dyson V11

Dyson V11

3.9 
Summary
  • Price (RRP) $1,099 to $1,249
  • Bin Capacity0.76 L to 0.77 L
  • HEPA FilterEither
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PixiecujoQLD3 posts
 

Title: $1,100 Paperweight – Dyson is Dead to Me Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ Don’t let the premium price tag fool you; the Dyson V11 Absolute is an overpriced piece… Read more

of garbage. We paid $1 ,100 for this machine five years ago, expecting top-tier engineering for my 100-year-old mother. Instead, we got a headache.

In five short years the following has happened: the battery required replacement. However, because the serial number is not visible on the original battery, the company has refused to honor the warranty or provide any form of assistance. Also, the trigger snapped and had to be replaced (known fault of this model), the red seal on the dust bin fell out and broke and now the motor has completely died (also seems like a fault in design). When I called Dyson to ask how a $1100 vacuum fails this catastrophically, their "solution" was to tell me the entire body needs replacing (not just the motor - Alibaba $100) for another $300 but would give it to me for $200. This lack of support is extremely disappointing. The offshore call centre could not give a d#mn.

This is the third Dyson I have owned, and it is the third Dyson to end up in the bin. The build quality is abysmal, and the customer service is a joke. I’m done being fooled by the marketing—I will never buy another Dyson product again. Save your money and buy a brand that actually values durability.

Dyson V7

Dyson V7

3.7 
Summary
  • Bin Capacity0.54 L
  • HEPA FilterNo
junglehuntSA10 posts
 

Very disappointing. Within the first two years, the battery went and luckily it was still under warranty. The sales rep I spoke to at Dyson told… Read more

me, I should mostly only use on the minimum speed, however she thad he battery replaced only for it to have lasted for another couple and a half years. When I decided to buy a Dyson, I was advised against it by two other women who had owned one as they said theirs didn't last and to get one from Kmart. I should have listened to them as this cost a lot of money. I have wooden floors and a couple of rugs. I would have expected a Dyson to last for years, especially considering I have had two batteries. It is not used often, as I have a fantastic Dyson vacuum cleaner which is my main vacuum I use and I cannot fault it. Dyson lift your game for these battery operated vacuums.

Kleva Krapof Auto Clean Self Empty Slim Power Vac

Kleva Krapof Auto Clean Self Empty Slim Power Vac 🏆 2026

4.6 
Summary
  • Price (RRP) $898
  • Bin Capacity0.5 L
  • HEPA FilterYes
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J SmithQLD2 posts
 

Love the convenience of not having to manually empty the vacuum. It is ALWAYS ready to use. Love the lights at the front to show up dirt, dust and… Read more

pet hair particularly on a vinyl floor, it is brilliant. My only concern is that I wish it had stronger suction on my carpet area. It’s strangely satisfying when you put the vacuum back on its stand and hear it emptying all the dust and hair into the bag and not having to physically touch it after every clean!

Dyson V15 Detect

Dyson V15 Detect

4.2 
Summary
  • Bin Capacity0.77 L
  • HEPA FilterEither
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SHARON29 posts
  Verified

EXPENSIVE LUXURY I purchased this model even though it wasn't the newest model as the reveiws I read were better than other models. The reason I… Read more

purchased it was I was sick of lugging heavy vacuum cleaner around and wanted a quick and easy way to clean up my rooms when I didn't have a lot of time to spare

What I like is that is the ease of just grabbing the cleaner no cords or dragging a heavy vacuum around and it is really good at picking up pet fur, nothing gets caught around the head, so it remains clean at all times. The swivel head makes it easy to maneuver and there is a charging doc we have attached to the wall so the vacuum is always charged, but unfortunately there are more negatives that positives to owning one of these types of vacuums

what could be better is,

There are different connections for each for floor and carpet, not easy to pull each attachment off and unless you place on the corner attachment nothing will be picked up so a lot of time is wasted swapping the attachments over each time you see a crumb

The head has been set up so nothing wraps around it, but it will also not pick up any larger bits on your floor

An example of this is I smashed a glass on tiles, and I tried to use the Dyson to clean it up and the head would not pick up the pieces very well, I could hear the glass just going around in circles in the head so it appears only really good for pet hair or any dust.

The vacuum does get heavy after a while and as you need to pull the trigger your finger becomes sore, so I'm always swapping hands

If you have a large house the battery may not last for the whole clean

Over all I would not get rid of my usual plug-in floor vacuum

There is a place for the Dyson in your home for ease during those times you are having unexpected guests and need a quick fix but won't help if you have a real mess to clean up

Miele Compact C2 PowerLine

Miele Compact C2 PowerLine

4.6 
Summary
  • Price (RRP) $349 to $529
  • Bin Capacity3.5 L
  • HEPA FilterEither
Michele M.QLD
 

It’s one of the best vacuums I’ve owned. It’s compact and easy to store. It handles everything from pet hair to crumbs on both carpet and hard floors… Read more

without missing a beat.

It’s also pretty quiet, which is a nice bonus, and the attachments make it super versatile for corners, furniture, and even the car. The vacuum bags are easy to change and not too messy, though they do add a bit to the running cost. Still, totally worth it for how clean it gets the place.

Replaced by Dreame L10s Ultra Gen 2 4.0 
Dreame L10s Ultra

Dreame L10s Ultra

4.2 
Summary
  • Bin Capacity0.35 L
  • HEPA FilterNo
Martin LQLD14 posts
  Verified

Was initially unsure whether to get this or the Roborock qrevo L on Amazon prime day but decided on the Dreame as I previously had a D9 which lasted… Read more

for 4 years before needing major part upgrades. The quicker mop pad drying feature and anuto dispense cleaning solution also help as the deciding factor. After a month of use I’m quite happy about the purchase. It is smarter then my old D9 that often wonders into exclusion zones or gets stuck the L10s gen 2 have not had those issues.

Kleva Krapof Super Slim Power Vac

Kleva Krapof Super Slim Power Vac

3.7 
Summary
  • Price (RRP) $739
  • Bin Capacity1.4 L
  • HEPA FilterNo
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Jan
  Fair Incentive Verified

I thought the suction to clean the carpet would be better and it is very difficult to remove the dustbin from the telescopic pole.

Dyson Cyclone V10

Dyson Cyclone V10

3.5 
Summary
  • Price (RRP) $799 to $1,199
  • Bin Capacity0.76 L
  • HEPA FilterYes
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IanWA3 posts
 

I have have 2 V10 Dyson vacuum cleaners, both have had the trigger guards break off. I have fairly large fingers, consequently, when the vacuum cleaner is being held, pressure is put on the trigger guard. The trigger guard needs to be thicker. Show details

Dyson Cinetic Big Ball

Dyson Cinetic Big Ball

3.4 
Summary
  • Bin Capacity1.5 L to 1.6 L
  • HEPA FilterNo
Transregional7 posts
 

The advertising data says "Maintenance Free", but it isn't. If you want to clean the HEPA filter its impossible unless (a) you have the right tools… Read more

and (b) you are mechanically minded, because it involves a complete tear-down of the ball. The filter is buried deep inside, and after two years of use it was absolutely clogged with dust and animal fur; in fact it was so bad that it necessitated replacement, at $129! After two years of use it also developed a loud whining noise, which I took to be the motor bearing, so while I had gone to the trouble of spending hours disassembling the vacuum, I thought I would replace the motor bearing. Nope, you have to buy a whole new motor and mounting pan at $99 - thanks Dyson, so much for "maintenance free"! No I do not recommend this vacuum.

Hobot Legee

Hobot Legee 🏆 2026

4.0 
Summary
  • Price (RRP) $845 to $2,200
  • Bin Capacity0.5 L
  • HEPA FilterNo
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MaxineQLD6 posts
 

The contact number for this company is disconnected. I should have researched the reviews on the D8 before I made the purchase, it seems anybody that… Read more

has had a problem with their Legee D8 vacuum has had no satisfaction with their customer service and been left with a lemon they can not get fixed.

iRobot Roomba 600 Series

iRobot Roomba 600 Series

3.8 
Summary
  • Price (RRP) $149 to $499
  • Bin Capacity0.6 L
  • HEPA FilterNo
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tamNSW21 posts
  Verified

Worst company to deal with under warranty. Refuse warranty for reasons they technically made up. The machine with mop is extremely faulty. Just… Read more

google the complaints from 100s of people all around the world. Facebook, redit ect hundreds of the exact same complaint. Then after your machine leaks on day one, they exchange it for another faulty unit then exchange it for another faulty unit. To then blame you when that one is also faulty. Because the company is in receivership and going broke because their product is so faulty. The mops leak from day 1, they send out seals to help that leak after a few months, then apparently its our fault and deny warranty so they can save money.

They know their product is faulty, hence the seal kit that needs replacing over and over again.

Do not buy this product or anything from this company.

Numatic Henry

Numatic Henry

4.4 
Summary
  • Bin Capacity6 L to 9 L
  • HEPA FilterNo
OzwelderQLD58 posts
 

Our Henry was purchased in 1994. It is a HVR 200. Since that time it has never failed about from occasional hose damage-try not to step on them too… Read more

many times.

Henry vacuums vinyl floor covering, tiles and caret and occasionally the car. Hoses and bags have been constantly available. I think we paid $400, a lot at the time but hell we have had our money's worth. Sorry no receipt but it was 32 years back OK?

Roborock F25 Series

Roborock F25 Series 🏆 2026

4.3 
Summary
  • Bin Capacity0.72 L to 0.87 L
  • HEPA FilterEither
Tiffany NguyenVIC
  Verified

I can’t believe it broke after I had used it for less than 10 days. The battery can no longer be charged. When I contacted customer service, I was… Read more

told that I had to send the product back for inspection, along with a long list of terms and conditions. And while repairing what do I use?

So in the end, is the customer still the one who has to suffer the inconvenience? This is really unfair.

roborockstore.com.au
roborockstore.com.au    

Hi thank you for your feedback. To assist further and check your… Read more

Roborock Q7 Max

Roborock Q7 Max

4.1 
Summary
  • Price (RRP) $999
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Robyn W.QLD
 

I would strongly advise against purchasing a Roborock vacuum. We spent a significant amount of money on what we expected to be a premium, reliable… Read more

product, only for it to stop working properly within just nine months. The vacuum was sent away for repairs twice, and on both occasions it was returned with the exact same fault still present. It still does not empty properly and now doesn’t suction anything/actually vacuum, making it unusable.

To make matters worse, each repair took 4–6 weeks, leaving us without a vacuum cleaner for over a month every time. That is completely unacceptable, especially for such an expensive product.

Despite multiple attempts to resolve the issue, the customer service team has offered no meaningful resolution. We have wasted months sending the product back and forth, only to receive it in the same faulty condition each time.

This has been a complete waste of money, time, and effort. Instead of standing behind their product, Roborock has left us with no option but to spend even more money purchasing a replacement from another company.

I would not recommend Roborock to anyone. Save yourself the frustration and buy from another brand, such as Ecovacs, that offers better reliability and customer support.

Roborock
Roborock    

Dear Customer, first of all, we sincerely apologize for… Read more

Roborock Qrevo Edge

Roborock Qrevo Edge

4.4 
Summary
  • Price (RRP) $2,799
  • HEPA FilterNo
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Nick
  Verified

Rocky is incredible It mapped the whole house by itself via the Lidar and cameras. It completed its first run today Vacuumed the whole house, mopped… Read more

all tiled areas, emptied all the dust and crap automatically into the home unit. Mopped the floor and cleaned the mop discs with hot water automatically detecting when it was required, returned to the base unit 5 times, fully charged when finished. Last night when I did the mapping I left the toilet door closed because it sits at a higher level, this morning when it was doing its scheduled clean Maria had left the door open, it identified the separate level marked it on the map then navigated over it and cleaned the toilet floor and mopped it. It cross hatched both the vaccum and mopping. It recognised the different floors, carpet and tiles and adjusted the height of the mop heads acordingly. Maria is at home and mentioned the floors look amazing after it was finished. It has voice commands so I can send it to clean for example the kitchen of the loungroom.

Rocky is amazing

Roborock Qrevo EdgeC

Roborock Qrevo EdgeC

4.3 
Summary
  • Price (RRP) $2,199
  • Bin Capacity2.5 L
  • HEPA FilterNo
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Jodie v.VIC3 posts
  Fair Incentive Verified

Love love love our Qrevo! Neat looking unit, easy to use and run. Very reliable. Makes our life so much easier!

Bosch Athlet BCH6-AU Series

Bosch Athlet BCH6-AU Series

3.4 
Summary
  • Price (RRP) $399 to $449
  • Bin Capacity0.9 L
  • HEPA FilterNo
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Beverley Q.
 

Great suction power, but often have a short battery life – My first Bosch Athlet cordless vacuum cleaner was amazing. Very strong suction, picking up everything and leaving my carpet looking great.… Read more

Unfortunately it stopped working after 10 months. The battery had died. Luckily it was still under warranty so I got a replacement from Bosch- free of charge. When the battery goes - it’s useless as the battery is built-in. My friend found herself in the same situation. I have had my current one for 3 years and it hasn’t missed a beat. It’s such a great vacuum cleaner, so I hope it’s battery holds out a few more years.

Big W Contempo 2 in 1 Vacuum

Big W Contempo 2 in 1 Vacuum

4.3 
Summary
  • Price (RRP) $32
  • HEPA FilterNo
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LostinmymapsisaFATGAYPOSQLD9 posts
 

Does the job – Great value for money Good on marble and think hard carpet Show details

Kmart 2 in 1 Corded Stick Vacuum ST01

Kmart 2 in 1 Corded Stick Vacuum ST01

3.9 
Summary
  • Price (RRP) $32
  • HEPA FilterYes
Emtrays5 posts
 

Light and works fine however it is made of cheap hard plastic. The clips that join motor to vacuum bag broke not long after use. After 6 weeks it is held together with duct tape. Inexpensive but save your money.

Kmart
Kmart    

Thanks for the feedback, we’re sorry to hear the product… Read more

Pocket Vac 2-in-1 Vacuum & Blower

Pocket Vac 2-in-1 Vacuum & Blower 🏆 2026

4.0 
Summary
  • Price (RRP) $59.95
  • HEPA FilterYes
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Robert BrownNSW
  Fair Incentive Verified

I was informed that my product would arrive on a certain day and it did.I was also notified tham my parcel was outside my front door by the delivery person.No problems whats so ever. Show details

Roborock Qrevo MaxV

Roborock Qrevo MaxV

4.4 
Summary
  • Price (RRP) $2,199
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IreneQLD3 posts
  Verified

This thing has basically changed my life. We didn't know what we were missing out on with a vacuum only model before; having it vac+mop every other… Read more

day (tiles and hardwood flooring, 2 cats) has been a major step up. The floors are literally always clean, even after we've been away.

The auto mop washing is awesome. Filling/emptying the tanks rolls around more often than I expected but I don't actually mind as it just reminds me how much cleaning it's done; I do suggest putting the dock somewhere near a bathroom so it's easy to top up and empty.

The vacuum + mop works better than expected, I kind of thought I'd have to vacuum *then* mop but it works well as one mode. Super happy with this purchase.

Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra

Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra

4.0 
Summary
  • Price (RRP) $2,999
  • HEPA FilterNo
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Emma Fisher4 posts
  Fair Incentive

Wouldn’t be without our S8 Roborock now! It is a massive time-saver and has replaced daily manual hoovering up after pets. Also we have noticed an big improvement on older models in terms of collision detection.

Sebo Automatic

Sebo Automatic

5.0 
Summary
  • Price (RRP) $899 to $995
  • Bin Capacity5 L to 5.3 L
  • HEPA FilterYes
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Kathleen CNSW17 posts
  Verified

Have used Sebo vacuum for 30 Years, Chose to update to new Model with all the bells and whistles. Sebo Automatic X 7 model has exceeded all my… Read more

expectations, Is especially light to use has extra long cord, a light, able to vacuum all my apartment without having to stop. The Hepa filter is a must for my Asthma. A good range of accessories come with and more available to purchase. The SEBO video on You tube explains how to take care of the Vacuum, easy to follow. My previous SEBO cleaner was still working after 30 years. I chose to retire it for a younger model. Sebo have replacement parts readily available for their cleaners

Dreame D20 Pro Plus

Dreame D20 Pro Plus

4.6 
Summary
  • Price (RRP) $999
  • Bin Capacity0.5 L
  • HEPA FilterNo
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Jake MckinleyNSW
  Verified

Love it , I use just for the vac , it great floor never been so clean, I brought another for downstairs Show details

Shark Navigator Pet ZU62

Shark Navigator Pet ZU62

4.2 
Summary
  • Bin Capacity3 L
  • HEPA FilterYes
Big bad TupsQLD9 posts
 

MINS BLOWING!!! I was always a Dyson fan, but this vacuum has completely changed my mind. The amount of dirt and dust it pulled out of our… Read more

carpets—even after vacuuming with our Dyson—was absolutely insane. I'd buy it again in a heartbeat. For the price, it's unbelievable value and easily outperforms our $800 Dyson. We've owned three Dysons over the years, and none of them have cleaned as well as this. We have a Ragdoll cat, and our house has honestly never looked or felt this clean. We're customers for life. 10/10

Sebo Airbelt K Series

Sebo Airbelt K Series

4.5 
Summary
  • Price (RRP) $735 to $1,325
  • Bin Capacity3 L
Maia88NSW15 posts
 

Very Disappointed – After 12 months of purchasing this vacuum and minor usage, I have decided to review it. After doing a great deal of research and reading reviews… Read more

from Choice on the Sebo K3 Premium I decided to purchase one. I really needed a quality vacuum that cleaned deeply and got rid of dirt and pet hair.

Nowhere did I read that beware using the motor head on certain carpet! The motor head is so powerful with hard bristles and spins furiously.

First try using the cleaner I ran it over a section of my carpet and to my horror it fluffed up my loop pile carpet causing damage. It wasn’t until I read the small print in the paperwork that it said not to use on any form of loop pile carpet.

On my timber floors it’s not that much better than my Dyson.

It has great suction and runs really quietly. Build is quality but it’s cumbersome to drag around and the hose is always kinking and cutting the air flow. The power cord is so touchy and just starts retracing back into the cleaner and reefing out of the power point.

I am really thankful that I still have my Dyson cordless to use, so quick and easy! I use it religiously and might get out the Sebo every month or two for a deeper clean using the standard head!

Now after purchasing in September 2022 it is playing up and continuously with the power cutting off. Obviously some sort of connection issue? You have to jiggle the cord or hose to get it running. The suction is also inconsistent. Such a shame as it is a sturdy powerful and quiet machine.

I am so disappointed that I spent so much money on a corded vacuum where you even have to change the bags.

SEBO
SEBO    

Dear Maia88, Thank you for taking the time to post. For… Read more

Miele Blizzard CX1

Miele Blizzard CX1

3.3 
Summary
  • HEPA FilterEither
ChrisVIC3 posts
 

Paid $1000 for this expensive rubbish. We have 2 Labradors so thought this would be great for dog hair. Broom is better. It is heavy and doesn't pick… Read more

up dog hair any better than a cheap one. Can't be used on loops pile carpet and too heavy for stairs. Someone was smoking something bad when they designed it. The brush is part of the the handle so impossible to get cobwebs. The brush hairs fallout. (Emailed Miele and no reply) The canister is small and have to stop and go behind to see how much is in the canister. Insane design. The turbo brush is ok but hates threads or bits of paper and other things so sweep first.

Miele
Miele    

Good morning, Thank you for taking the time to reach out to… Read more (+1 reply)

Shark Corded Upright NZ801

Shark Corded Upright NZ801

4.4 
Summary
  • Bin Capacity0.83 L
  • HEPA FilterYes
Eric NoackNSW244 posts
  Verified

I had a cordless which I gave away , and to be honest I would never buy a cordless again . Why ? Well , after 3 years it would barely hold a… Read more

charge and the operating time came down to a measly 10 minutes and the suction , sucked.

Eventually I decided on this Shark .

It was smaller than the photos would have you believe ,when it arrived I pieced it together and took it for a spin.

The suction was fantastic and I found on some surfaces I had to open the relief valve to drop the suction power .

I tried it with the canister detached and then with the wand detached , using to reach up into the ceiling for stray cobwebs and going under low furniture and my bed .

I then without telling my wife , went over some rooms she had vacuumed a few days earlier with the older vacuum cleaner she swears by, and as you can see In the photo I ended up with a canister full of dust and grime .

I have included a photo of the old vacuum cleaner, a well known brand that has factories all over the planet , and a well respected brand at that.

Out of curiosity I compared the noise level to the old vacuum cleaner, because this Shark seemed very quiet in comparison but the decibel reading were 88db for the old model and 80db for the Shark.

I put what I was hearing down to a different pitch level in the noise a bit like comparing bass to a midrange or treble.

The Shark was used on mainly wooden floors with plenty of rugs and hall runners in the mix . I didn't bother to lower the suction when shifting from the rugs to the wooden floor , it was not necessary, it was only the small light weight mats than presented a problem with the suction being too strong for these .

You have heard of washing machines swallowing socks never to be seen again well, this vacuum cleaner did the same thing , at first I could not find it in the hosing but then spotted it in the actual barrel with all the rubbish.

A couple of gripes here .

I found I could not sustain vacuuming the ceiling for long because the sheer weight of the hose and fittings were too much for me, being old, tired and decrepid probably explains why.

The other thing is, the cannister when detached is clumsy, there is no up or down unless you are actually holding it with one hand a bit like those old fashion astronauts walking to the rocket with their aux air tank , it falls all over the place. One more thing , I found the brush sliding attachment would not stay in place on the wand until I physically bent the plastic locking mechanism.

All in All I am more than satisfied , it does the job , is not to heavy to push around and with being able to detach parts to suit my needs it proved more than just a common old vacuum cleaner .

Incidentally, I got this at a steal , as there was no stock so had to wait a few weeks, but when it was in stock the price shot up to the recommended retail price only to fall again a few days later, so just be careful when buying this item as the price is volatile and never pay full price, just shop around.

A vacuum cleaner with an LED light vacuuming up confetti from a carpet.

Types of vacuum cleaners

While there are many types of vacuum cleaners available, some of them may simply not be suitable for your situation. The factors most likely to influence your purchasing decision are the size of your home and the type of flooring you have. If you have allergies or pets who shed, you will want a powerful upright or barrel vacuum. Decisions about the type of filter you choose, and whether you opt for a model with a bag or a bin mostly come down to personal preference.

Here are the basics on vacuums - more detailed information can be found after the table.

TypeMain FeaturesBest ForAverage Prices
BarrelInterchangeable heads for any surface. Easy to get under furniture and into crevices. Bulkiness is their main drawback.3+ bedrooms, any carpet type, pets, multi-storey homes.$350-$500
UprightMost powerful vacuum type - best for a thorough clean of any carpet or rug. Their rigid form allows mobility in spite of their weight - although stairs can pose a problem.3+ bedrooms, any carpet type, pets, tough cleaning jobs.$400-$500
StickLightweight, cordless, and easy to store! However, limited power means they’re best for low-pile carpets or hard floors only.1-2 bedrooms, low-pile carpet, spot cleaning, secondary vacuum, limited storage space.$200-$350
HandheldHandy to store in your kitchen or garage for small, unexpected spills, or getting dirt out of your car.Spot cleaning, car cleaning, secondary vacuum.$150-$200
RobotAutomated, can extend the time between more thorough vacuums. Struggles with thick carpet.Use in conjunction with regular vacuuming, hard flooring, surface debris.$700+

Barrel vacuums • See all

Barrel Vacuum

Barrel vacuums are the most popular type on the market, and with our reviewers. Their versatility and flexibility make them an excellent choice for large households.

A basic barrel or canister vacuum can cost around $200, with better performing models typically going for between $350 and $500. A high-end machine can cost from $800 up to $1200.

Pros
A long, flexible hose, and a variety of attachments make these vacuums ideal for getting into nooks & crannies, and underneath furniture.
These units are easier to lift than upright vacuums; making them a great option for households with lots of stairs.
Barrel vacuums typically have the largest capacities, which means less trips to unload bags or bins.
Cons
The flexible connection between the hose and main unit can make them hard to maneuver. However, some vacuums showcase wheel and body designs intended to minimise these issues (such as the Dyson DC54).
Reviewers have reported that the bendable hose makes barrel vacuums more prone with blockage than other vacuums.
Our users also stated that performance with multi-floor heads can be lackluster, especially when compared to the power of an upright vacuum on carpets.

Power & Turbo Heads

Power and turbo heads are the two types of heads that are typically available with barrel vacuums. While both are designed to give your carpet a deep clean, the key difference is that a power head has its own motor, making it stronger than the turbo head which relies on the airflow of the vacuum to spin the brush.

Upright vacuums • See all

Upright Vacuum

Upright vacuums offer an all-in-one design that is easy to maneuver and control on floors.

If your home has multiple living areas and bedrooms with carpet, and you want to ensure you’re giving them a comprehensive clean, then an Upright vacuum is the type you should be looking at.

Upright vacuums typically start at around $200, with better brand-name models costing $400-$500. A top-of-the-line upright vacuum can retail for between $700 and $900.

Pros
Better suction performance than any other vacuums, making them the best vacuum for an absolute deep carpet clean.
Upright vacuums have wide cleaning heads reducing the amount of passes needed to cover the floor - a real timesaver.
Many upright vacuums have a foot lever that can be pressed to easily transition the head between low or high-pile carpet settings, or onto hard floors.
The rigid build means this vacuum can be operated while standing - suitable for those with back problems or for elderly users with limited mobility.
Cons
While they are easier to steer, upright vacuums can be cumbersome and heavy to lift. This makes it hard to use in more restricted spaces, especially staircases.
Upright vacuums can actually be too powerful! Many reviewers have reported that too much suction power on some models make them hard to push on high-pile carpets.
The attachments included with upright vacuums generally aren’t as good as those of barrel vacuums. Reviewers have criticised the shorter hose length and the inefficient attachment storage placement.

Stick and handheld vacuums • See all

Stick Vacuum

A vacuum that's gaining in popularity, stick vacuum cleaners can be a compact option for apartments, or as a secondary vacuum in larger households. Many current stick vacuums easily convert into a handheld unit, making them ideal for cleaning curtains or shelves.

Entry level stick vacuums can start from $180, although many models are available for around $300, with very elite stick vacuums costing up to $900.

Handheld vacuums share many of the attributes of stick vacuums, and are great for storing in the cupboard for unexpected spills, or for cleaning your car interior without the need for an extension cord. While very cheap handheld vacuums are found for under $100, most will cost $150 or $200, with the market maxing out at $400.

Pros
Internal, rechargeable batteries make stick vacuums extremely portable. Their charging station doubles as a dock and some can be wall-mounted.
They are perfect for anyone concerned about lugging a heavy machine around the house.
Their bins and filters are easy to access and clean.
Manufacturers are putting a lot of research and development into this category, so you can only expect these machines to keep improving over the next few years.
Cons
The suction of stick vacuums will decrease as the battery depletes, and even on maximum power they are considered to be too weak for high-pile carpets.
Most batteries only last around 20-30 minutes on a full charge, which can take up to 4 hours to reach.
They usually have less comprehensive filters than upright or barrel vacuums.
They come supplied with few (if any) extra accessories or alternate cleaning heads.

Robot vacuums • See all

Robot Vacuum

The joy and convenience of having a robot clean your home while you’re out can now be a reality! While you won’t quite be living like the Jetsons, robot vacuums are quickly escaping their image as a mere novelty, now becoming a legitimate cleaning accessory for your house.

Although a very basic robot vacuum can be had for as low as $200, most models will cost between $700 and $1000, or even more.

Pros
Convenience is their main selling point - they can be scheduled to run automatically without the user being present.
Newer models are equipped with an array of sensors to detect dirt and hair, as well as hazards such as stairs, or cables they might get stuck on.
This category is becoming a playground for innovation amongst manufacturers, and the diversity and capabilities of these products improves every year.
Cons
Even the best robot vacuum cannot fully replace the need for regular cleaning with an upright or barrel vacuum. They can, however, extend the amount of time between more thorough cleans by keeping surface mess in check.
Robot vacuums aren’t well suited to cleaning medium or high pile carpet - and shag rugs are out of the question! Hard floors work best with robot vacuums.
They have much smaller canisters than full-size vacuums and should be emptied after each run they make - especially if your household has pets.

What to consider when choosing a vacuum cleaner

Bagged vs bagless vacuum cleaners

Bagged

Choosing whether to go with a bagged unit or a bagless unit can be a tricky decision - especially with a lot of marketing hype for the latter.

These days, with newer, efficient models on the market, the decision is by and large down to personal preference.

Bagged vacuums

Bagged vacuums usually require proprietary bags, which can be difficult to find if you can’t buy them directly from the manufacturer (most supermarkets no longer stock vacuum bags).

The benefit of finding them is that a bagged vacuum will typically have a higher capacity than that of a bin. The bags are also designed to be part of the filtration system, and are easy to remove without mess - which make them a good choice for users sensitive to allergens.

However, bagged vacuums have a significantly higher running cost compared to bagless vacuums, as bags can be an expensive consumable. Additionally, as the bag fills up, bagged vacuums lose suction, and reduce the effectiveness of turbo heads.

Bagless vacuums

Currently the more popular of the two types, bagless vacuums are appealing due to their clean design. Reviewers have commented that the transparent bins on bagless vacuums are incredibly handy for finding small objects accidentally sucked up by the unit, such as coins or rings. The lack of consumable vacuum bags mean that it’s more convenient - no need to worry about running out of bags; and operating costs are much lower, too.

Bagless vacuums do have their drawbacks, though. Maintenance is more tedious with bagless vacuums, as the filter will need to be cleaned on a more frequent basis. Unfilling the bin can also be a mess, as a lack of a sealed bag means that the process can release more dust and allergens back into the air than bagged vacuums (although unfilling outside mostly mitigates this).

HEPA filters

For a filter to meet the HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) standard, it is required to filter out 99.97% of particles 0.3 microns or larger. For comparison, a standard vacuum micro filter can remove around 96% of these particles.

Vacuums with HEPA filters usually cost more up-front, and the filter will need to be replaced or, if possible, properly washed at least every 12 months.

It should be noted that a denser, more comprehensive filter will require a more powerful motor to generate the desired amount of suction.

Is a HEPA filter vacuum worth it?

HEPA filters are usually recommended for any persons with asthma or low allergen tolerance, as they can filter out triggering particles like pollen.

However, a HEPA filter should not be treated as a 'silver bullet' solution to dust and allergen control. Despite having a HEPA filter, if a vacuum cleaner is inadequately sealed, not all air will be drawn through the filter, which may result in unprocessed air leaking from the machine.

There is also a chance for collected dust to be released back into the air when emptying your vacuum’s bin or bag, although this can be avoided by disposing of waste outdoors. Last but not least, the regularity and thoroughness of your cleaning schedule also plays a big role in allergen control, and it is important to clean curtains and furniture as well as the floors.

Features

Now that you’ve got all the information you need to decide on a vacuum, we can take a look at some of the features and accessories that are available with your purchase. These include:

  • Adjustable head height: If you have carpets or rugs of different heights, as well as areas of hard flooring, you’ll want a height-adjustable head to cater for all your surfaces.
  • Head attachments: Incredibly handy, they are clip-on heads designed to reach into crevices, or clean softer surfaces like couches.
  • Contact points: Some vacuums offer soft rubber bumpers or wheels to limit scuffing walls and furniture.
  • Telescopic wand: A good barrel vacuum should allow you to change the length of the wand to suit individual users, or just to give you a bit of extra reach.
  • Retractable power cord: A standard feature in most barrel vacuums, this feature makes storing your unit a breeze. Be aware that the majority of upright vacuums do not have a retractable cord.
  • Full bag indicator: An essential feature in a bagged upright or barrel model, since suction decreases as the bag fills up.
  • Brush reverse: If your brush head gets tangled up with string or cables, this feature can help get your machine running smoothly again without having to break out the scissors.
  • Suction control: Being able to increase or reduce suction can allow you to clean loose curtains, or apply more power to a particularly dirty patch.
  • Ergonomics: Small details like the placement of buttons, the shape of the handle, and the weight of the machine can be the difference between a good machine and a great one.
  • Storage: The more contained a unit can become for storage, the better, especially Barrel vacuums, where a clip for the wand or hose can stop them from falling all over inside your cupboard.
  • Warranty: Be aware that some vacuums may have a warranty that only covers the motor, while others may have differing warranty periods between the motor and other parts of the machine.

Conclusion

Researching a vacuum cleaner goes beyond deciding on a type or feature set. Before making your purchase, take a moment to browse our vacuum cleaner reviews and read genuine opinions from other Australians on what they love (or hate) about their own vacuums.

Most reviews discuss key features such as suction power, maneuverability, and value; with many also discussing finer details such as build quality, accessible buttons, ease of use, and more - all of which can contribute to making your own purchasing decision.