Suck It Up

Patented more than 140 years ago, the first manual vacuum cleaner required both elbow grease and coordinated choreography, in addition to a penchant for housework. To operate American inventor Ives W. McGaffey’s 1868 machine, the “Whirlwind,” the user had to turn a wheel with one hand to create suction and steer it around the room with the other.

In the early 1900s, powered vacuums came on the market, and by mid-century, the job was easily being done with cocktail in one hand, vacuum in the other. Today, we don’t even need to get off the sofa to clean the carpets—as long as we can reach the Roomba’s remote control from the comfort of our couch’s cushions. 

Modern vacuums—many bagless, some self-propelled, and others automated—do the deep cleaning so we don’t have to. Of course, you still have to remember to vacuum beneath the bed, one of the most frequently forgotten spots and a common cause of sleeping problems (due to built-up dust). And be sure to do your due diligence: Select a model (like any of the vacuums featured here, save the Roomba 560) equipped with a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filter, which is rated 99.97-percent effective at capturing particles 0.3 microns in diameter. “The things you see on the rug don’t trouble you because they fall to the ground and are too heavy to inhale. It’s the really fine particles you want to make sure to get,” says Angel Waldron of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.

Still, if giving your home the recommended once-a-week onceover makes you cringe, you can always hire a housecleaner—at least until we reach the point where we’re all as lucky to have our very own Rosie the Robot to lend a helping hand.

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  Electrolux Versatility EL8502

  • Made by: Electrolux
  • Price: $400.00

  When selecting Electrolux's Versaility upright vacuum cleaner, you can pick your color in amethyst, tangerine, or vivid green but all will come with a HEPA filter and quick-release wand to help you clean those hard-to-reach spot.

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  iRobot Roomba 560

  • Made by: iRobot
  • Price: $350.00

  The iRobot's line of autonomous vacuums are as close as we are to having our own house-cleaning Rosies. The Roomba 560 is among the most popular but if you have a furry member of the family, you can opt for the Roomba 562 Pet Series vacuum.

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  Dyson DC23 Turbinehead

  • Made by: Dyson
  • Price: $400.00

  Though Dyson's product range is quickly expanding, its vacuums are some of the few certified as asthma- and allergy-friendly by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. The DC23 Turbinehead features its Level 3 Root Cyclone technology and between its HEPA filter and menacing looks, there's little dirt this cleaner won't suck out of the carpet.

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  Miele S 7580 Tango

  • Made by: Miele
  • Price: $849.00

  The S 7580 Tango upright vacuum can stand on its own, but the Miele name (and its accompanying quality) certainly helps hold this cleaner up among the best. In addition to its sleek look, it's fixed with an LED light on front for top visibility. (HEPA filter equipped.)

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  Oreck Halo UV-C Germ-Killing Vacuum (HALO100)

  • Made by: Miele
  • Price: $600.00

  The HALO100 works not only on carpet but tile and hardwood floors as well and uses Oreck's UV-C light chamber--in addition to a HEPA filter--to ensure that all germs, dirt, and debris are cleaned out of the carpets

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  LG LuV300B

  • Made by: LG
  • Price: $399.00

  LG's Kompressor vacuum boasts the company's DualForce+ suction system, a bagless bin, and a 40-foot cord--though we think its remote control for adjusting settings while cleaning might be a little over the top. Nonetheless, the LuV300B gets the job done and is one of the few vacuums to be certified asthma- and allergy-friendly by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. (HEPA filter equipped.)

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  Kenmore Canister Vacuum Cleaner (2029219)

  • Made by: Kenmore
  • Price: $180

  The Kenmore Canister is one of the cutest on the market and comes in a range of cheery colors, including tangerine and blue aqua. It's also the choice of our very own dog-loving (and owning) managing editor. (HEPA filter equipped.)

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  Hoover Platinum Lightweight Bagged Upright with Canister (UH30010COM)

  • Made by: Hoover
  • Price: $300.00

  Among the lower priced vacuums is a consumer favorite from the company synonymous with carpet cleaners: Hoover. The no-nonsense Platinum Lightweight Bagged Upright features Hoover's WindTunnel Technology and is equipped with HEPA filters.