The 5 Best Vacuum Cleaners With Good Suction - Winter 2021 Reviews

The best vacuum with good suction that we've tested is the Miele Complete C3 Alize PowerLine. This canister vacuum is exceptionally good at cleaning bare floors, where it easily sucks up pet hair and debris like rice and cereal. Its performance stays consistent even as its dirtbag fills up, which is convenient for long cleaning sessions.

There are seven different surface type settings to allow you to adjust its suction power depending on what you're cleaning. This includes a "Bare Floor" setting as well as settings for carpets and rugs, and even a low-suction setting for curtains. It's very maneuverable and can be used in a semi-handheld configuration, which is useful when you're cleaning areas like staircases. The dirtbag is a good size, meaning it should last a while before you need to dispose of it, and it's a very easy vacuum to assemble and maintain.

Unfortunately, it has quite a few recurring costs since its dirtbag and filters need to be replaced regularly. Also, while it has a fairly long power cord, its hose is on the short side, which you may find limits your reach when you use it in its semi-handheld configuration. That said, it's a very versatile option with exceptional performance on bare floors and is one of the best vacuums we've tested.

The best vacuum cleaner with good suction for carpet that we've tested is the Dyson Ball Animal 2. This upright model rolls on one large, ball-like wheel, which makes it easy to maneuver in tight spaces despite its somewhat bulky design. It has a good-sized dirt compartment and a very long power cord, so you can clean a big area without emptying it or swapping outlets very often.

It's fantastic at cleaning low and high-pile carpets, where it easily clears pet hair and most debris without losing suction as its dustbin fills up. You can detach the wand from the head to use the vacuum in a semi-handheld configuration, which is useful for cleaning stairs and other awkward areas. It also comes with a lot of tools and brushes to help with different cleaning jobs, including a turbo brush to dislodge dirt from fabric-covered furniture and a pet grooming tool.

Unfortunately, it lacks the easy-clip mechanisms that some Dyson models have, so it can be a bit tricky to assemble and attach tools. It also has a plasticky build quality that doesn't feel extremely sturdy. Otherwise, it's an exceptionally versatile vacuum and also one of the best vacuums for carpets that we've tested.

The best vacuum with good suction that we've tested in the budget category is the Eureka Whirlwind Bagless Canister. This canister model delivers outstanding performance on bare floors, and it's good on low and high-pile carpets as well. Its suction stays consistent even as its dirt compartment fills, so you don't need to worry about its performance getting worse during a long cleaning session.

It feels lightweight and has good maneuverability. You can adjust the suction power and raise or lower the bristles on the main head, depending on what surface you're cleaning. If you're cleaning stairs or furniture, it's easy to switch it into a semi-handheld mode by detaching the wand. There's also a built-in soft bristle brush you can use on delicate objects like curtains or lampshades. Also, because it uses a bagless design and washable filters, it incurs practically no recurring costs.

Unfortunately, it has a short power cord, so you may need to swap outlets fairly often, especially if you're cleaning a big room. The hose is also on the short side, which can be annoying when you're trying to clean out-of-reach spots. Still, thanks to its versatile performance and affordable price, it's also one of the best multi-surface vacuums we've tested.