The right vacuum cleaner depends on the size of your home, your flooring, whether you have pets and how you like to clean. Here is how the main types compare.

Upright vacuum cleaners

Best for: larger homes with lots of carpet.

Uprights have a wide cleaning path and a powerful motorised brush bar, so they cover large carpeted areas quickly and lift embedded dirt well. They are heavier and bulkier on stairs, though most come with a hose and tools for edges and upholstery.

Cylinder vacuum cleaners

Best for: stairs, hard floors and mixed flooring.

The motor sits in a separate body that you pull along, so the wand and head are light and easy to manoeuvre under furniture and up stairs. Cylinders are often quieter and are popular with allergy sufferers when fitted with sealed systems and HEPA filters.

Cordless stick vacuums

Best for: quick everyday cleaning, flats and smaller homes.

Light, easy to store and always ready to go. Many convert into a handheld for cars, sofas and stairs. Check the realistic battery life on the normal power setting, and whether a second battery is available for larger homes.

Handheld vacuums

Best for: spills, crumbs, cars and stairs.

A handy extra rather than a main vacuum.

Robot vacuums

Best for: keeping on top of daily dust and pet hair.

Robots clean on a schedule while you are out. They cannot do stairs and still need a main vacuum for deeper cleans, but they make a big difference to how clean floors feel day to day.

If you have pets

Look for an anti-tangle brush bar, a pet tool for upholstery and strong suction. Bagged models keep pet hair and dander contained when emptying.

If you have allergies

Choose a model with a HEPA filter and a sealed system. Bagged vacuums are more hygienic to empty.

Learn more

Our floorcare technology guide explains bagged vs bagless, cyclonic suction and filtration in more detail, and our guide to cleaning your floorcare appliances shows how to keep suction strong. If your current vacuum or Dyson needs attention, our appliance repair service can help, or visit S&D Ireland in Ormskirk for advice.