#vacuum-cleaners

#vacuum-cleaners

Buying a vacuum cleaner isn't as easy as you might think. With so many brands and models to choose from, it can be bewildering. Sticking with established brands isn't necessarily a safe bet, with past performance being no guarantee that the latest models will be as good. Meanwhile, prices can be deceptive, with some affordable models now closing the gap on top-of-the-range brands when it comes to cleaning performance.

I recently reviewed the Bissell CleanView Max Lift-Off and praised it for being powerful, thoughtfully designed, and even a little relaxing to use. The star feature is the detachable Lift-Off canister that turns the machine into a portable vacuum for stairs, upholstery, the car, and tight corners. It also includes a tangle-free brush roll and a HEPA-sealed allergen system that helps pull up pet hair, dust, and debris that you definitely don't want lingering around.

I've always loved to clean. Not in a "this place needs to be spotless at all times" kind of way, but because cleaning genuinely makes me feel good. There's something deeply satisfying about watching a messy space transform right in front of you - and few tasks deliver that instant gratification quite like vacuuming. The steady hum, the clean lines on a rug, the tiny bits of dust disappearing into the canister; it's all weirdly meditative to me.

We haven't tried a vacuum yet that we absolutely hate. These solid vacuums below are often more affordable than our top picks, but didn't impress us as much.