Best vacuum cleaners

Top pick: Dyson V12 Detect Slim — the best all-rounder for most homes. It's light enough to carry up stairs, converts to a handheld for sofas and cars, and its laser-and-sensor head shows dust you'd otherwise miss. Thousands of ratings back it up.

Who the others suit:

• Shark PowerDetect Cordless — if you want strong suction and a long warranty for less; a solid everyday stick for carpet and hard floors.
• Shark Stratos Cordless — best for mixed flooring with pets; HEPA filtration and a wide cleaning path.
• Dyson PencilVac — for tight spaces and quick tidy-ups; the lightest here at about 4 lb.
• Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Turbo Plus — corded upright for heavy pet hair and deep carpet cleaning.
• Kenmore POP-N-GO canister — bagged, all-floor cleaning with pet tools; no dust-cup emptying.
• Tineco Floor One S5 — mops and vacuums wet messes in one pass on hard floors.
• BISSELL PowerForce Helix — a basic corded upright for a first vacuum or a spare.
• Levoit LVAC-200 — a budget cordless for light, quick jobs.