10 best vacuum cleaners in Australia: From $122 | Finder

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The best vacuum cleaners in Australia

How did we pick this list?

Our editorial team selected the products on this list based on actual customer reviews on sites like The Good Guys, Harvey Norman, Appliances Online and more. For each category, we selected key parameters based on our research and chose the vacuum cleaners with the highest review score within those parameters.

Read more detail on our methodology below.

Why we chose it

Dyson is a name that needs no introduction. This innovative brand has well and truly shaken things up in the world of vacuum cleaners in recent years, so it’s no surprise to see the V11 Outsize take the win here as the best overall vacuum cleaner.

Why did we choose it? Well, when we reviewed this high-end model we were impressed with its wide cleaning head, larger bin size and suction performance. The option of adding an extra battery for increased runtime was another pleasing feature.

And we weren’t the only ones impressed by the performance of the V11 Outsize, with consumers in Australia and around the world singing its praises in hundreds of positive reviews. As a result, the Dyson V11 Outsize is our pick as the best overall vacuum cleaner.

With a 25% wider cleaner head than the Dyson V11, this model is designed to tackle large areas. The 1.9-litre bin is also 150% larger, so you’ll need to empty it much less frequently when cleaning. The battery offers up to 60 minutes of runtime without fading, while you can also add a click-in battery pack (sold separately) for even more runtime. And because it quickly and easily converts to a handheld vacuum cleaner, it’s one very versatile appliance to have around the home.

The major drawback of the Dyson is of course its price tag, which at $1,299 is enough to put many potential buyers off. It’ll also be overkill if you’re looking for something cheap and easy to do a quick run-around once a week.

But if you’re looking for powerful suction, a bigger bin and a host of other useful features, the Dyson V11 Outsize is a clear winner. For more information on the features and pros and cons of this vacuum cleaner, check out our Dyson V11 Outsize review.

Why we chose it

LG was chosen by Aussie consumers as the top-rated stick vacuum brand in the 2020/21 Finder Retail Awards, just beating out highly fancied Dyson. LG impressed consumers with the value for money, battery life and cleaning performance of its stick vacuums, while the CordZero A9 Ultimate also scored a mention in our guide to the best stick vacuum cleaners.

When we reviewed the A9 Ultimate, we found it to be a highly versatile vacuum that works well on most surfaces and has a wide range of attachments. It earned a 4/5 Finder Score from us, and has also picked up plenty of positive reviews from consumers. These include:

• An average score of 4.6/5 from over 70 Harvey Norman customer reviews
• An average score of 4.5/5 from over 140 The Good Guys customer reviews

As a result of all these factors, the LG CordZero A9 Ultimate is our pick as the best stick vacuum.

Powered by a Smart Inverter P9 motor, the A9 Ultimate offers 3 power modes and the impressive ability to vacuum and mop at the same time. The Power Drive Mop features 2 spinning mop pads, and there are also attachments for multiple surfaces, hard floors, bedding, mattresses and crevices. This model also comes with a dual power pack, with 2 lithium-ion batteries ensuring up to 80 minutes of runtime.

The price tag will once again be a sticking point for some buyers. But if you’re searching for a stick vacuum that’s powerful and versatile, there’s a lot to like about this impressive vacuum cleaner.

For more details of the features and pros and cons of this vacuum, check out our LG CordZero A9 Ultimate review.

Why we chose it

Dyson was voted the top-rated barrel vacuum cleaner brand by Australian consumers in the 2020/21 Finder Retail Awards. Dyson impressed consumers with the cleaning performance and storage flexibility of its barrel vacuums.

The Cynetic Big Ball Animal+ is the brand’s most powerful barrel vacuum and is designed for homes with pets. It comes with a wide range of accessories to help you clean a variety of surfaces and hard-to-reach areas, plus the convenience of being bagless and having no filters that need to be cleaned or replaced.

It’s also been well received by consumers, with positive reviews and ratings including:

• An average score of 4.5/5 from over 150 The Good Guys customer reviews
• An average score of 4.5/5 from 230 Google reviews
• An average score of 4.3/5 from over 50 ratings on productreview.com.au

That’s why the Dyson Cinetic Big Ball Animal+ is our pick as the best barrel vacuum cleaner.

This model uses the Big Ball design, which makes it easy to manoeuvre around your home and ensures that it can right itself if it ever falls over. It relies on cyclone technology to capture dirt, dust and pet hair around your home, and Dyson claims it does this without clogging so you don’t have to worry about losing suction.

Where the Dyson really shines is in the user-friendliness department. It features a large 1.6-litre bin that’s easy to empty, plus quick-release tools that can be quickly swapped in and out. The list of accessories includes a carbon fibre turbine cleaner head, stair tool, swivel hard floor tool and more, making this one versatile and convenient overall package.

Why we chose it

If you’re searching for a robotic vacuum cleaner that can take care of some of your most-hated cleaning tasks, it’s hard to go past the Xiaomi Roborock S5 Max.

Not only does this model offer the convenience of a vacuum and a mop all in one, it also boasts a whole lot of positive customer reviews. In fact, with an average score of 4.6/5 from over 200 reviews on productreview.com.au, it’s also been named a 2021 award winner on that site. These factors, combined with its ease of use and reportedly impressive performance, are why the Roborock S5 Max takes the win as the best robot vacuum cleaner.

This multi-award-winning model features a specialised fan that spins at 1,500rpm, with airflow channelled through pathways to produce suction. In fact, the manufacturer claims the suction is strong enough to pick up AA batteries.

Conveniently, the Roborock S5 Max can also mop your hard floors. It features a spring-loaded mop and a 280mL water tank, and you can set up no-mop zones and barriers so that the machine only works in the right areas.

Relying on a 32-bit quad-core processor to calculate its route around your home, the Roborock features an accelerometer, odometer, infra-red and compass to help it navigate. Other key features include up to 3 hours of battery life, voice control via Google Home and Amazon Alexa, and the ability to pre-set schedules, power modes and more from the companion mobile app.

If you’re shopping around for a robot vacuum cleaner, the Xiaomi Roborock S5 Max is definitely worth a closer look.

Why we chose it

While the popularity of cordless vacuum cleaners has been on the rise in recent years, there’s still plenty of appetite among consumers for corded models. For proof of that, you need look no further than the Miele Complete C3 Cat and Dog Vacuum Cleaner.

Offering 2,000W of power, this model is designed for use in homes with pets and includes all the attachments you need to keep your house clean and dust-free. It has also picked up a stack of positive ratings from Aussie consumers, including an average of 4.5/5 from over 200 ratings on productreview.com.au and an average of 4.7/5 from over 75 Harvey Norman customer reviews. So if you’re searching for a corded vacuum cleaner, it’s hard to go past this popular option.

The C3 features a PowerLine motor and has drawn plenty of praise from buyers for its suction performance. Accessories include the TurboBrush, which is perfect for removing hair and pet dander from your home, as well as a Mini TurboBrush, an upholstery nozzle, a crevice tool and a dusting brush.

The bag capacity of the Miele Complete C3 is 4.5 litres, while the 11-metre cleaning reach provided by the power cord is another big plus. And with plus and minus foot controls provided, it’s easy to adjust the vacuum to your desired setting.

It’s also worth pointing out that despite the C3’s quoted RRP of $779, at the time of writing we were able to find it selling for well over $100 cheaper at multiple retailers. That’s why it’s always important to shop around and find the best deal.

Why we chose it

If you’re searching for a versatile and convenient upright vacuum cleaner to help keep your home looking its best, there’s a lot to like about the NZ801 Corded Upright Vacuum from Shark.

Not only does this model offer the flexibility of being able to convert to a portable vacuum cleaner, but it also comes with a wide range of attachments to tackle a variety of cleaning tasks. And it has certainly put smiles on the faces of many Aussie consumers, earning average review scores of 4.7/5 or higher across sites like productreview.com.au, Myer and Google Reviews. As a result, it’s our top pick as the best upright vacuum cleaner.

The NZ801 is designed to make it easy to clean your entire home – not just carpets and hard floors, but on stairs and under furniture too. To achieve this, the cleaner allows you to use it as you would any other upright cleaner while vacuuming your floors, and then detaches the canister when you need something more portable to get to those hard-to-reach spaces.

The vacuum comes with a DuoClean floorhead that features 2 motorised brushrolls to clean carpets and hard floors. The self-cleaning brushroll is designed to stay tangle-free by separating and removing hair, while the Shark also comes with on-board attachments like a crevice tool and upholstery tool to help you clean a wide range of areas.

Other features include an 8-metre power cord, washable HEPA filters and a dust cap capacity of 0.83L. The Shark NZ801 is also backed by a 2-year warranty.

Why we chose it

If you’re tired of emptying and replacing vacuum cleaner bags, there’s a wide range of bagless vacuum cleaners available on the market. The Miele Blizzard CX1 Cat & Dog Bagless Vacuum is one of the best of them.

This popular model offers a host of useful features to help you rid your home of dirt and dust, and it’s also earned plenty of praise from consumers around the world. With an impressive average rating of 4.7/5 from over 1,400 Google reviews, it’s our number-one choice as the best bagless vacuum cleaner.

Offering 1,100W of cleaning power, the Blizzard uses Vortex technology to create airflow of more than 100km/h. It then separates the dust and debris it sucks up into two separate containers – one that holds coarse particles and objects, and another that captures fine dust. A Gore CleanStream filter is used to make sure those finer particles remain in their own compartment, allowing them to be disposed of easily and without you having to breathe in a cloud of dust.

The Blizzard CX1 also uses what Miele calls the ComfortClean system. This detects when the fine dust filter needs cleaning and immediately goes to work, with the cleaning process taking 20 seconds before the unit is ready to use once again.

Control is handled by a multifunctional rotary selector, while you can also take advantage of a TurboBrush designed to remove pet hair from carpet. Other features include an upholstery nozzle and crevice nozzle, 1-click emptying and a 10-metre operating radius.

Why we chose it

From the Dyson Cinetic Big Ball Animal+ to the two Mieles featured above, there are several vacuum cleaners in this guide that are designed for use in homes with pets. And while they’re all worth considering if you’re searching for the best vacuum cleaner for pet hair, so too is the Electrolux Pure C9 Animal.

This mid-range option boasts a sub-$500 price tag, powerful suction and a sealed filtration system. It has also garnered a host of positive customer reviews, including average ratings of 4.5/5 or higher across sites like Harvey Norman, The Good Guys and productreview.com.au. That’s why it gets the nod here as the best vacuum cleaner for pet hair.

A bagless vacuum cleaner, the Pure C9 Animal can create air speeds of up to 155km/h for impressive suction. The dirt, dust and allergens it picks up pass through the unit’s sealed, 7-stage filtration system, with HEPA and 3D fine dust filters helping to keep the air in your home clean and hygienic.

Large wheels make the Pure C9 Animal easy to manoeuvre, while the large capacity of the 1.6-litre dustbin is a welcome addition. The Easy Empty system is designed to ensure that the dust you tip out is emptied away from you, while the fact that there’s one access point for all of the vacuum’s filters helps make maintenance quick and easy.

So if you’re looking for a vacuum cleaner to help you clean up after your dog or cat, there are lots of good reasons to check out the Electrolux Pure C9 Animal.

Why we chose it

If you’re shopping for a vacuum cleaner and you’ve got a maximum budget of $250, there’s a surprising range of options to choose from. Of the many choices available, there are plenty of good reasons to choose the Electrolux Ergorapido Allergy.

This highly manoeuvrable vacuum cleaner offers a maximum runtime of 48 minutes, plus the flexibility of a detachable handheld unit. It’s also picked up a whole lot of glowing reviews from Aussie consumers, including:

• An average score of 4.6/5 from over 130 Harvey Norman customer reviews
• An average score of 4.5/5 from over 250 The Good Guys customer reviews

As a result, it’s our pick as the best cheap vacuum cleaner. It’s worth mentioning that the Electrolux had stiff competition in this category from Kmart’s 2200W bagless vacuum. Priced at less than $70 and with lots of positive reviews from Kmart customers and on productreview.com.au, it’s worth a look if you’re on a particularly tight budget. However, the flexibility of the Electrolux, combined with its wealth of positive reviews and its status as an established brand, saw it take the win here.

The Electrolux Ergorapido Allergy features a 180-degree swivel nozzle to ensure easy manoeuvrability on all surfaces. With 18V of power, it provides a runtime of more than 45 minutes and uses BrushRollClean technology to help prevent tangles. The “Allergy” in its name refers to the filter that captures 99.99% of micro dust.

Floor nozzle lights are a useful feature to illuminate the way when vacuuming under furniture, and when you need to clean in those hard-to-reach places, the Ergorapido’s detachable handheld unit comes in handy. With this sort of flexibility, it’s well worth a look if you’re searching for a budget-friendly vacuum cleaner.

Why we chose it

If you’re in the market for a powerful and portable handheld vacuum, there’s a lot to like about the Pivot from Black+Decker. With a handy pivoting head, simple emptying and easy storage, it’s one practical little unit. It’s also backed by a stack of positive customer reviews, including:

• An average score of 4.6/5 from over 500 Google Reviews
• An average score of 4.5/5 from over 75 Harvey Norman customer reviews
• An average score of 4.6/5 from over 50 Amazon customer reviews

With this in mind, it’s a clear choice as the best handheld vacuum cleaner.

Featuring an 18V lithium-ion battery, this clever unit would make a handy addition to your household cleaning arsenal. With a maximum runtime of 10 minutes, it’s designed for those small jobs around the home rather than for extensive cleaning.

One of its key selling points is its patented nozzle design that can swivel up to 200 degrees – this is very convenient for vacuuming those hard-to-reach spaces and makes the Black+Decker a solid option as a car vacuum cleaner.

It comes with an integrated and extendable crevice tool, an integrated soft brush and a charging base. Emptying out debris from the 440mL dustbin is as simple as opening a side door, while the unit’s foldable design ensures that it doesn’t take up too much space while charging or being stored. And with battery recharges taking 4 hours, the vacuum will be ready for use again in no time.

Amazon prices last updated on 2 March, 2023 at 08:01 ameBay prices last updated on 1 March, 2023 at 05:02 pm

Methodology

30
Brands considered

30

100+
Products compared

100+

10
Best products chosen

10

• We considered vacuum cleaners from 30 leading brands.
• We based our top picks on key product features and reviews from real customers.
• The products on this list are chosen by our editorial team and are not selected based on commercial relationships.

• • The Good Guys
  • Harvey Norman
  • Appliances Online
  • Godfreys
  • Productreview.com.au

  Every effort was made in this guide to provide a balanced view on all vacuum cleaners, from budget options through to high-end models. We started our search for the best vacuum cleaners in Australia by finding the highest-rated products among customers on websites such as:

  We then compared those top-rated vacuums against other highly rated models in the same category. We considered factors such as ease of use, functions, attachments, price and review comments to help us decide on our top pick in each category.

  In the cheap vacuum cleaners category, we compared products priced at less than $250.

  We considered vacuum cleaners from:

  • Airflo
  • Beko
  • Bellini
  • Bissell
  • Black & Decker
  • Bosch
  • Dyson
  • Ecovacs
  • Electrolux
  • Eufy
  • Hoover
  • iRobot
  • i-Vac
  • Kambrook
  • Karcher
  • LG
  • Miele
  • Neato
  • Nilfisk
  • Optim
  • Roborock
  • Samsung
  • Sauber
  • Shark
  • Tineco
  • Vax
  • Volta
  • Vorwerk
  • Wertheim
  • Xiaomi

  We value our editorial independence, basing our comparison results, content and reviews on objective analysis without bias. However, Finder may receive compensation when you click some links on our site. Learn more about how we make money from our partners and why you can trust our guides

How to compare vacuum cleaners

Amazon prices last updated on 2 March, 2023 at 08:01 ameBay prices last updated on 1 March, 2023 at 05:02 pm

Before making a decision, here are the key features you should think about:

Suction power

Suction power affects how well your vacuum cleans. Watts indicate how much power the vacuum has, but air watts are a more useful measurement of suction power. Filtration, airflow, brush head quality and nozzle and hose design can also influence suction power.

Suction control

Not all models let you alter the vacuum’s suction power. This can be a particularly useful feature when you want to lower or apply more power when cleaning curtains or getting rid of a stubborn spot on the carpet, for example.

Dust collector volume

How large do you want the capacity of your bin or bag to be? If you don’t want to empty this frequently, you may prefer a model with a larger collection volume, though this will make the cleaner potentially bulkier and heavier.

Noise

Although you can’t avoid making some noise while vacuuming, some models are designed specifically with quieter cleaning in mind. If you have young children or just prefer a quieter vacuum, look out for these specific noise-minimising models.

Filter type

For those with asthma, sensitivities or allergies, you should consider a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter, which can help to manage your symptoms. However, a HEPA filter will need to be cleaned more regularly or replaced yearly, which could cost you more.

Power head or turbo head

A power head is a built-in motor with a rotating brush for removing dirt from the carpet. A turbo head also has a rotating brush, but it isn’t motorised and is less effective. While these heads enhance a vacuum’s performance, they also make the vacuum bulkier and heavier.

Attachments

Check whether the vacuum includes an attachment for narrow corners, a dusting brush or an upholstery brush for cleaning furniture and fabric. Also, check if the attachments can be stored on the vacuum or if they require additional storage space.

Blower function

Some models can reverse the airflow to continually blow air, which is particularly helpful for moving dust out of stubborn spots for easy collection and unclogging blocked hoses. It can also be used for blowing up an air mattress.

Adjustable head height

You may want to choose a model with this feature if your carpets have different pile heights, or if you have wooden or tiled flooring.

Ease of use

How easy is the vacuum to manoeuvre and how easily does the head move on the carpet and beneath low furniture?

Dust bag full indicator

This indicator means you won’t have to keep manually checking whether your dust bag or bin is full.

Warranty

Note that the warranty period of your vacuum motor may be different from other components of your vacuum cleaner. Make sure to check all warranty conditions before buying.

Barrel vs upright vacuum cleaners

A barrel vacuum cleaner is also known as a cylinder or canister vacuum. These vacuums have a motor in a container, or barrel, that gets pulled behind the vacuum while you clean.

Compared to upright vacuums that have a motor in the main body of the vacuum, barrel models are usually more powerful. However, they can be awkward to drag around.

StateProsConsBarrel

• More versatile than upright vacuums
• Generally more powerful than other types of vacuums

• Can be heavy and awkward to manoeuvre
• Often include separate hoses and attachments that can be challenging to store

Upright

• You don’t have to pull it behind you while you vacuum
• Many models have built-in brushes that can clean carpets more effectively

• Take up more storage space
• Often not as powerful as barrel vacuums

Both barrel and upright vacuums are available in bagged and bagless versions. If you don’t think either of these vacuum types are right for you, check out our buying guides to stick vacuums and robot vacuum cleaners.

Bagged, bagless or water filter dust collection

If you’re unsure what the differences are between bagged, bagless (bin) and water filter vacuums, here’s a quick summary of the benefits and drawbacks of each type.

StateDescriptionProsConsBaggedUses bags to collect dust and dirt that need to be thrown out when full.

• Easiest to empty as the bags can be easily thrown away
• Bagged models generally don’t need to be emptied as often as bin models
• Some bags are biodegradable

• Disposable bags are not environmentally friendly
• You’ll need to buy bags regularly and can’t use the vacuum if you run out
• Your warranty may be forfeited if you use generic bags rather than the brand’s version

BaglessIncludes a bin that collects waste and needs to be emptied when full.

• There’s no ongoing cost because you don’t need to buy bags
• You can easily see and retrieve items that have been accidentally collected
• More environmentally friendly than bagged models

• Disposing of the bin’s contents can release dirt and allergens back into the air
• The filter needs to be cleaned regularly and replaced eventually

Water filterComes with an attached water container to trap dirt and dust.

• Can also be used for cleaning up any wet spills
• Powerful dust filtration can help those with asthma, sensitivities and allergies

• Must be emptied, cleaned and dried after each use to avoid mould growth
• Bagged or bagless versions with a HEPA filter are just as good as dust filtration, if not better

4 tips for cleaning and maintenance

1. Ensure you regularly check whether your bag or bin is full. You should replace the bag or empty the bin just before it’s full or else your vacuum will begin losing suction power.
2. The rotating brush in the head should be spinning around freely. You may need to clean or lubricate the ball bearings. If that is still ineffective, you may need to replace the ball bearings or buy a new vacuum head.
3. Replace the brush belt powering the brush head at least every 6 to 12 months, or as frequently as outlined in the instruction manual.
4. Make sure to clean or replace the vacuum filter in line with what’s specified in the manual instructions.

Best-rated barrel vacuum cleaner brand award breakdown

• Total Score
  Overall rating
  Value for Money
  Cleaning performance
  Ease of storage
  Quietness
  Dyson
  7.83
  4.34
  4.06
  4.26
  4.20
  3.72
  Electrolux
  7.71
  4.28
  4.00
  4.18
  3.94
  3.84
  Kmart
  7.64
  4.14
  4.36
  4.14
  4.20
  3.80
  Miele
  7.58
  4.24
  4.05
  4.15
  3.85
  3.61
  Philips
  7.38
  4.03
  3.86
  3.97
  3.69
  4.00
  Hoover
  7.25
  4.02
  3.94
  4.06
  3.82
  3.57
  Other
  7.12
  4.00
  3.93
  3.93
  3.84
  3.21
  Volta
  6.83
  3.85
  3.69
  3.62
  3.62
  3.54
  Vax
  6.77
  3.74
  3.79
  3.94
  3.59
  3.38
  Stirling (Aldi)
  6.08
  3.30
  3.50
  3.40
  3.60
  3.20
  Data: Finder Retail Brand Survey, 2020, Kantar. Metric out of 5 stars unless indicated. Methodology and more info.

• Overall ratingRecommendedCleaning performanceValue for MoneyQuietnessEase of useCleaning & maintenanceEase of storageMiele4.1792%4.54.033.734.174.174.23Dyson4.1697%4.53.753.674.414.124Hoover4.0979%4.364.163.814.1243.86Vax490%3.94.023.294.0443.81Electrolux3.7295%3.843.663.173.613.673.5Kmart3.4871%3.84.053.173.843.453.58Airflo*4100%453.5554.5Bissell*4.17100%4.673.833.674.174.174Bosch*3.5100%4.34.24.44.64.44.3Dirt Devil*3.2550%2.533.253.543.5Kogan*2.760%33.33.13.22.82.4Nilfisk*3.5100%3.53.52.7543.52.75Ozito*2.550%3.2532.53.252.752.25Philips*4.14100%4.364.433.714.54.364.36Piranha*3.680%3.53.833.83.53.5Sauber*3.5100%3.752.53.5332.75Stirling (ALDI)*3.0767%3.143.292.79333Volta*4.07100%4.364.213.934.073.863.79Wertheim*4100%4.333.833.174.174.173.5Zelmer*5100%555555

  *Brand did not meet the sample threshold to qualify for the award

  Data: Finder Retail Brand Survey, 2019, Roy Morgan. Metric out of 5 stars unless indicated. Methodology and more info.