According to a Consumer Reports survey, a vacuum's median life is eight years.

Leslie Tam, a cofounder of the cleaning service UrbanMop, said it might be time to replace your vacuum once it shows a drastic reduction in suction. He recommended prolonging your vacuum's life by performing regular maintenance, including cleaning the filter often, removing hairs and other debris from the brush roll, and emptying the dust bin before it gets too full.

Generally, it comes down to your needs. Upright vacuums are cost-effective and perform well with endless suction power. Stick vacuums are versatile, lightweight, and convenient but typically have smaller dust bins. Cordless models have started to rival the performance of corded ones, but battery life can range across brands. Handheld vacs are compact and can get into tight spots, but most cordless stick vacuums can also convert into handhelds. Canister vacuums are pricey yet powerful, and robot vacuums automate cleaning.

Each type of vacuum comes with its own benefits and considerations:

Our guides feature vacuums ranging in price from $40 for a handheld to $2,000 for a fully loaded robot vacuum will all the bells and whistles on the market. Expect to spend at least $100 on a new upright vacuum. If you're looking for a good stick, canister, or robot vacuum, the best can cost $300 or more.