Remember that one type of vacuum might have features that appeal to you, but it should also fit your cleaning needs. What matters most is how well they clean. Today’s vacuums come in a range of designs, sleek shapes, and cool colors. Problems with battery-powered stick vacs are just too prevalent.Īnd because many robotic vacuums use WiFi to upload cleaning data, our Digital Lab tests each robotic vacuum model for any security or privacy issues for consumers. So in our most recent surveys we analyzed the reliability and satisfaction of cordless stick vacuums separately from those of corded stick vacuums, and the results were eye-opening: While there are cordless stick vac brands in our ratings that earn high performance scores, none rate high enough for predicted reliability to be recommended by Consumer Reports. Including reliability, along with results from our performance tests, elevates some vacuums in our ratings while driving others down.Īccording to our survey data, corded stick vacuums are more reliable than cordless models. Vacuums that perform well but don't hold up over time aren't winners, so we incorporate predicted reliability and owner satisfaction ratings from our exclusive member survey into a comprehensive Overall Score for each model. And we maneuver the vacuum around rooms and furniture, just like you would, to make sure it's easy to handle. We use the same recipe of litter on bare floors and observe whether the vacuum picks it up or scatters it about. We embed talc, sand, and pet hair into carpet before vacuuming. To find out how well a vacuum picks up dirt, how much debris it retains, how easy it is to maneuver, and how noisy it is, Consumer Reports puts vacuum cleaners through a battery of tests. For example, you wouldn't expect a stick, handheld, or robotic vacuum to have the same cleaning power as a full-sized canister or upright, but they all have their pluses and minuses. To determine how well a vacuum cleans, we conduct a different set of tests on each type, based on what they're designed to clean.