Table of Contents >> Show >> Hide
- How BHG Tested Vacuums (and Why That Matters)
- Quick Comparison: The BHG 2025 Winners
- 1) Shark Navigator NV360 Lift-Away (Best Overall)
- 2) Simplicity Spiffy S60 (Best Budget)
- 3) Bissell CleanView Rewind Upright (Best for Carpet)
- 4) Kenmore 600 Series Pop-N-Go (Best for Pets)
- 5) Worx Power Share Cube Vac (Best for Cars)
- How to Choose the Best Vacuum for Your Home in 2025
- Maintenance Tips to Keep Suction Strong (and Your Mood Stable)
- FAQs
- of Real-World Vacuum Experiences (So You Don’t Learn the Hard Way)
- Conclusion
Choosing a vacuum in 2025 is a little like choosing a streaming service: every option promises a “powerful clean,”
half of them come with a subscription vibe (filters! bags! batteries!), and somehow you still end up wondering why
there’s grit on the kitchen floor five minutes after you cleaned it.
To cut through the marketing confetti, Better Homes & Gardens (BHG) put a huge lineup of vacuums through hands-on tests
and crowned five winners that cover the most common real-life messes: whole-house deep cleans, tight budgets, carpet chaos,
pet hair tornadoes, and the snack-crime scene known as “the car.”
Below, you’ll find the five best vacuums of 2025 tested by BHG, explained in normal-human termsplus an easy buying guide so you
don’t end up with a machine that’s “great on paper” but “terrible in the hallway turn.”
How BHG Tested Vacuums (and Why That Matters)
A vacuum isn’t “good” because the box says it is. It’s good when it can pick up the stuff you actually dropon the floors you actually havewithout
turning your quick cleanup into a full-body workout.
BHG’s testing looked at practical factors like portability, noise level, and maneuverability, along with
design, weight, battery life (where relevant), and price. Some picks were also used over
months at home to check whether performance holds up once the honeymoon phase is over and the vacuum has seen things.
Translation: these aren’t just “best vacuums” in theorythese are top picks based on how they behave when crumbs, hair, and dust show up uninvited.
Quick Comparison: The BHG 2025 Winners
| Category | Winner | Type | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Overall | Shark Navigator NV360 Lift-Away | Corded upright | Whole-home cleaning on mixed floors |
| Best Budget | Simplicity Spiffy S60 Stick Vacuum | Corded stick | Hard floors, apartments, quick passes |
| Best for Carpet | Bissell CleanView Rewind Upright Vacuum | Corded upright | Carpet pickup without premium pricing |
| Best for Pets | Kenmore 600 Series Pet Friendly Pop-N-Go | Corded canister (bagged) | Pet hair on carpet, furniture, stairs |
| Best for Cars | Worx Power Share Cube Vac (WX030L) | Cordless compact/handheld | Car interiors, tight crevices, spot messes |
1) Shark Navigator NV360 Lift-Away (Best Overall)
If you want one vacuum that can handle most homes without drama, this is the BHG 2025 pick to beat.
The Shark Navigator NV360 is an upright with a “lift-away” canistermeaning you can detach the pod for stairs and above-floor cleaning,
then snap it back on for carpets and larger rooms.
Why it wins
- Strong multi-surface pickup: Designed to deep-clean carpet and still behave on hard floors.
- Brushroll control: Helpful when switching from rugs to hardwood (nobody wants scatter city).
- Allergen-focused filtration: Marketed with HEPA filtration and sealing features on many listings.
Real-life example
Picture this: cereal on the kitchen tile, tracked-in grit by the entry, and a rug that’s basically a lint magnet. An upright like the NV360 is the kind
of vacuum you grab when you want the mess gone now, not after you’ve swapped four heads and negotiated with a battery.
What to watch out for
- Noise: BHG measured it as the loudest of their five winners in testing.
- Bulk: It’s not the daintiest machineexpect upright-vacuum vibes.
Specs snapshot
- Type: Corded upright
- Weight: ~16 lb range (BHG listed 15.96 lb)
- Best for: Mixed flooring, deep cleaning, allergy-aware households
Who should buy it
You want a dependable, everyday workhorseespecially if you have a mix of carpet and hard floors and you’d rather vacuum once well than vacuum twice angrily.
2) Simplicity Spiffy S60 (Best Budget)
The Simplicity Spiffy S60 is the vacuum equivalent of a no-nonsense diner breakfast: affordable, fast, and surprisingly satisfying.
It’s a corded stick vacuum built for hard floorsthink hardwood, tile, and vinylwhere you want easy steering and quick pickups.
Why it wins
- Lightweight handling: Easier to carry from room to room or up a flight of stairs.
- Hard-floor friendly design: BHG noted it’s not made for carpet and doesn’t rely on a traditional brush head.
- Value: It’s budget-focused without feeling like a total compromise for the right home.
Where it shines
If your “carpet” is a small rug you bought for vibes, and the rest is hard flooring, this kind of stick vacuum can be a daily-driver.
It’s also a smart pick for smaller spaces where maneuverability matters more than brute-force agitation.
What to watch out for
- Not for carpeting: No brushroll means it won’t dig into carpet fibers like a dedicated upright.
- Bin capacity: Smaller canister can mean more frequent emptying.
Specs snapshot
- Type: Corded stick
- Weight: ~8 lb (BHG listed 7.9 lb)
- Best for: Hard floors, apartments, quick cleans, tight budgets
Who should buy it
You want a budget vacuum that’s easy to steer, especially on hardwood and tile, and you’re not trying to deep-clean wall-to-wall carpet.
3) Bissell CleanView Rewind Upright (Best for Carpet)
Carpets are where “pretty good” vacuums go to be humbled. The Bissell CleanView Rewind is BHG’s carpet winner for 2025 because it’s built to handle
the stuff rugs love to hidedust, lint, hair, and the mysterious grit that appears even when you swear you don’t wear shoes inside.
Why it wins
- Carpet pickup: BHG’s testing highlighted strong performance even on thicker carpet.
- Long-reach cleaning: Good cord reach means fewer outlet swaps (your back will send a thank-you note).
- Useful attachments: Helpful for edges, furniture, and pet-focused spots.
Real-life example
If you’ve ever vacuumed a rug, then immediately lint-rolled the same rug out of spite… you’re the audience.
This vacuum is the kind you use when you want that “fresh carpet lines” feeling without spending luxury-vacuum money.
What to watch out for
- Dustbin cleanup: BHG noted debris can stick inside the bin, sometimes requiring hands-on help.
- Noise: Like many uprights, it’s not whisper-quiet.
Specs snapshot
- Type: Corded upright
- Weight: ~13.5 lb (BHG listed 13.5 lb)
- Best for: Carpet, rugs, whole-room runs, value shoppers
Who should buy it
You’ve got carpets (or lots of rugs), want strong cleaning without a premium price tag, and you don’t mind a more traditional upright style.
4) Kenmore 600 Series Pop-N-Go (Best for Pets)
Pet hair is not a “mess.” It’s a lifestyle. The Kenmore 600 Series Pet Friendly Pop-N-Go is BHG’s 2025 pick for pet owners because it’s a
bagged canister vacuum that pairs strong carpet performance with versatile attachments for furniture, stairs, and “why is the dog on the couch again?” situations.
Why it wins
- Great on carpet pet hair: BHG highlighted solid pickup on low- and high-pile carpet with motorized cleaning power.
- Attachments for real pet zones: Upholstery, corners, beds, stairspet hair’s favorite vacation spots.
- Bagged system: Many allergy-conscious shoppers prefer bagged vacuums for cleaner disposal and dust containment.
Where it shines
Homes with shedding pets and carpeted areas tend to benefit from the combination of motorized agitation plus the containment of a bagged design.
It’s also handy for stairs because you can move the wand and head while the canister follows along like a little cleaning sidekick.
What to watch out for
- Ongoing bag cost: Bagged vacuums mean you’ll be buying replacements (no free lunch, only clean floors).
- Heavier build: Canisters can take a minute to get used toand this one isn’t feather-light.
Specs snapshot
- Type: Corded canister (bagged)
- Weight: ~23 lb (BHG listed 22.64 lb)
- Best for: Pet hair, carpet, furniture, stairs, allergy-aware cleaning
Who should buy it
You live with a dog or cat (or several) and want a vacuum that treats pet hair like a personal enemyespecially on carpets, upholstery, and stairs.
5) Worx Power Share Cube Vac (Best for Cars)
The car is where crumbs go to form their own civilization. BHG’s 2025 car-vac winner is the Worx Power Share Cube Vac, a compact cordless vacuum
designed for tight spotsseat rails, door pockets, console crevices, and the mysterious “between the seats” dimension.
Why it wins
- Compact and maneuverable: Easy to store and easy to handle in a small space.
- Hose + tools: A flexible hose helps you reach awkward corners without doing yoga in the driver’s seat.
- Battery convenience: BHG noted enough runtime to finish a full-car pass without stopping.
Real-life example
If you’ve ever tried to vacuum your car with a full-size upright and ended up vacuuming your own shoelaces instead, you’ll appreciate the Cube Vac.
It’s for daily dirt and quick resetsespecially after road trips, soccer practice, or “I only meant to eat one fry” incidents.
What to watch out for
- Not a shop vac: BHG noted it won’t replace heavy-duty shop-vac power for deep-detailing jobs.
- Runtime depends on power setting: Like most cordless tools, higher power usually means shorter runtime.
Specs snapshot
- Type: Cordless compact/handheld
- Weight: ~3 lb class
- Best for: Cars, tight spaces, quick spot cleaning
Who should buy it
You want a car vacuum that’s easy to grab, easy to aim, and doesn’t require hauling an extension cord into a parking lot like you’re setting up a tailgate.
How to Choose the Best Vacuum for Your Home in 2025
The “best vacuum” is the one that matches your floors, your messes, and your willingness to maintain it. Here’s the cheat sheet.
Start with your floors
- Mostly carpet: Prioritize an upright or powered canister with a motorized brushroll (better agitation and deep cleaning).
- Mostly hard floors: A stick vacuum can be enoughlook for good edge pickup and a design that won’t scatter debris.
- Mixed floors: A versatile upright with brushroll control is a safe bet.
Pets change everything
Pet hair behaves differently than crumbs. It clings, it tangles, and it will absolutely collect along baseboards just to annoy you.
Look for strong suction, a motorized tool for upholstery, and a system that makes hair removal less… personal.
Bagged vs. bagless: the surprisingly spicy debate
Bagless vacuums are convenient and you can see when they’re full (which is both helpful and mildly horrifying). Bagged vacuums can be better for
cleaner disposal and are often favored by allergy-sensitive households because you’re not dumping a dust cloud into the air.
Don’t ignore weight and ergonomics
A vacuum can have elite suction and still be a bad choice if it’s too heavy for you to use comfortably. If you’ll be vacuuming stairs, carrying the
machine between floors, or cleaning frequently, prioritize maneuverability and a design you’ll actually reach for.
What “HEPA” and filtration really mean for allergies
If allergies are a concern, filtration mattersespecially sealing that keeps fine particles from escaping back into the room.
Many households also prefer sealed systems paired with HEPA-grade filtration to reduce the “vacuuming made my allergies worse” paradox.
Maintenance Tips to Keep Suction Strong (and Your Mood Stable)
Empty or replace before it’s “packed full”
Bagless bins lose efficiency when overfilled. Bagged vacuums lose efficiency when the bag is stuffed like an overpacked suitcase. Either way, your
vacuum can’t breathe. Let it breathe.
Clean filters on schedule
Washable filters are greatuntil you forget they exist. A clogged filter can tank suction and make the motor work harder. Check your manual and set a
reminder if you’re the type who also forgets to rotate mattresses.
De-tangle the brushroll
Hair wrap is inevitable. The goal is to make it less frequent and less gross. A quick monthly check saves you from the dramatic “why is it smoking?”
moment later.
Use the right tool for the job
Crevice tool for edges and corners. Upholstery tool for furniture. Bare-floor tool when needed. Using the wrong head can mean more passes and less
pickupaka “vacuuming cardio,” which nobody requested.
FAQs
Is a cordless vacuum better than a corded vacuum in 2025?
Cordless models are incredibly convenient for quick daily messes. Corded models often deliver consistent power for longer deep cleans.
If you vacuum large carpeted areas regularly, corded can still be the stress-free choice.
Which vacuum is best for pet hair: upright or canister?
Both can work, but what matters most is a motorized brush for carpets, strong suction, and tools for upholstery.
Canisters can be especially handy for stairs and furniture because the wand and attachments give you more flexibility.
Do I really need a separate vacuum for my car?
Not “need,” but you’ll probably want one if you clean your car often. A compact car vacuum is simply easier to maneuver in tight spaces, and convenience
is what makes a cleaning habit stick.
of Real-World Vacuum Experiences (So You Don’t Learn the Hard Way)
Most vacuum shopping advice sounds logical until you’re standing in your hallway at 9:47 p.m. trying to clean up a spill before it becomes “tomorrow’s problem.”
That’s when the experience part kicks inand it’s why these five BHG-tested winners make sense as a lineup.
First, the “deep clean weekend” scenario. This is when you notice the sunbeam spotlighting dust you didn’t know you owned. A full-size upright like the
Shark Navigator NV360 is built for this mood: plug in, roll through rooms, and actually see carpets look refreshed. The lift-away feature becomes a clutch move
when you hit stairsbecause carrying an upright up steps is how people accidentally invent new swear words.
Then there’s the “weekday reality” scenario: you want the floor clean, but you also want to keep living your life. A lightweight stick vacuum like the
Simplicity Spiffy S60 is the kind of tool that makes you vacuum more often simply because it doesn’t feel like a project. On hard floors, it’s satisfying:
a quick pass around the kitchen island, a sweep along baseboards, and suddenly your home looks like you didn’t just cook three meals and a snack in the same day.
Carpet homes have their own unique plot twist: everything looks fine until you vacuum and discover your rug has been hoarding debris like a dragon with a secret stash.
That’s where the Bissell CleanView Rewind comes in. The “cord reach” thing sounds boring until you realize how much time you waste re-plugging, and how
quickly frustration turns a cleaning session into a short documentary titled “Why Am I Like This?”
Pet homes? Pet homes are different. Pet hair doesn’t just sit on the surfaceit weaves itself into fabric, rugs, and that one corner by the couch where your dog
has clearly been conducting secret shedding ceremonies. The Kenmore 600 Series canister setup feels odd if you’ve only used uprights, but once you get used to guiding
the canister and wand, it starts to feel strategic. You can hit carpets with the motorized head, then switch to upholstery tools for beds and cushions without
dragging a bulky upright around like you’re moving furniture in a heist movie.
Finally: the car. The car is where snacks go to betray you. A compact cordless option like the Worx Cube Vac changes the whole experience because you can aim it exactly
where the mess is. You’re not wrestling a giant nozzle into a cupholder area. You’re simply removing evidence.
The big lesson? The “best vacuum” is the one that fits your habits. If it’s too heavy, too annoying to empty, or too complicated to set up, you’ll avoid itand dirt will win.
BHG’s five winners cover the most common lifestyles so you can pick what actually matches your day-to-day, not a fantasy version of your schedule.
Conclusion
BHG’s 2025-tested lineup is refreshingly practical: a powerful all-around upright (Shark NV360), a hard-floor budget hero (Simplicity S60),
a carpet-focused value upright (Bissell CleanView Rewind), a pet-hair specialist canister (Kenmore 600 Series Pop-N-Go), and a compact car vacuum
that’s actually convenient (Worx Cube Vac).
Pick the one that matches your floors and your mess profile, keep up with basic maintenance, and you’ll spend less time vacuumingand more time enjoying
the weirdly satisfying moment when the vacuum lines look like you have your life together.