Most and Least Reliable Vacuum Cleaners
We surveyed vacuum owners to see which brands offer years of reliable operation and satisfaction
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It’s great having a vacuum cleaner that’s a powerhouse at cleaning, but that isn’t worth much if it quits working after a few years of ownership.
That’s why we survey our members every year on the stick, robot, upright, and canister vacuums they own, asking them if their vacuums have broken down and whether they would recommend the vacuum they own to friends or family. Our most recent survey ratings data captured members’ experiences with 135,906 vacuums they purchased new between 2015 and 2025.
- Most Common Vacuum Problems
- Most Reliable Vacuum Brands: Stick Robotic Upright Canister
- Vacuum Brands With the Most Brand Loyalty
Most Common Vacuum Problems
We survey our members about any problems they experienced with their vacuums, and use the results to identify the most common issues affecting different types.
Cordless Stick Vacuums
According to survey results, the most prevalent problem plaguing cordless stick vacs is battery issues. Specifically, many owners report their vacuums’ battery life getting worse over time (18 percent), batteries dying completely (10 percent), and battery life not being good to begin with (8 percent). Apart from battery problems, the other most common issues that befall cordless sticks are hair entanglements (17 percent) and dust, dirt, and hair getting clogged in some part of the vacuum (15 percent).
Corded Stick Vacuums
For corded stick vacuums, the top problem is hair getting entangled in the vacuum’s rollers. Twenty percent of corded stick vacs in our surveys are affected by this issue. Other notable problems include filters that need to be cleaned too often (11 percent) and clogs (10 percent).
Robotic Vacuums
The most frequently reported problem for robotic vacuums is hair getting tangled in the rollers. Owners of 1 out of 3 robotics (33 percent) have had this issue. Battery problems are also prevalent, affecting 19 percent of robot vacuums, with a deteriorating battery life being the most common (12 percent). Other problems that plague robotics include clogs in the hoses or receptacles (14 percent), excessively dirty filters (13 percent), problems with the app or the vacuum’s online functions (11 percent), and WiFi connection struggles (11 percent).
Upright Vacuums
Hair entanglements are also a big problem for upright vacuums, with 23 percent of upright owners reporting this issue. Other major problems include clogs (12 percent), dirty filters (8 percent), and brush rollers or power heads not working properly (8 percent).
Canister Vacuums
Like the other vacuum types we’ve mentioned, canisters are similarly prone to hair entanglements (15 percent). Clogs are also prevalent (8 percent), as well as malfunctioning brush rollers or power heads (6 percent).
Most Reliable Stick Vacuum Brands
Stick vacuums are popular for their convenience and maneuverability, and they tend to perform well in our tests. As their overall performance has improved, we’ve increased the difficulty of our tests. Members can read on for details on how sticks and other types of vacuums did in our reliability surveys.
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