Best vacuum cleaners in Australia

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.

Best stick vacuum cleaner: LG CordZero A9 Ultimate

Pros

Lots of accessories
Up to 80 minutes of runtime

Cons

Expensive
Fiddly dust bin

Price (RRP): $1,349
Amazon Price: Check site for current pricing

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 three power modes and the impressive ability to vacuum and mop at the same time. The Power Drive Mop features two 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 two 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.

Best barrel vacuum cleaner: Dyson Cinetic Big Ball Animal+

Pros

Lots of attachments
Easy to manoeuvre

Cons

Plenty of cheaper options available
Some buyers report that they would like a longer power cord

Price (RRP): $749

Buy at Appliances Online

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.

Best robot vacuum cleaner: Xiaomi Roborock S5 Max

Pros

Vacuums and mops
Wide range of sensors

Cons

There are cheaper options on the market
Some buyers criticise disappointing mopping performance

Price (RRP): $999

Buy at Kogan

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 for you, 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 three 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.

Best corded vacuum cleaner: Miele Complete C3 Cat And Dog Vacuum Cleaner

Pros

11-metre cleaning reach
Lots of attachments

Cons

There are cheaper options available
Some customer complaints about reliability issues

Price (RRP): $779

Buy at Betta Home Living

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.

Best upright vacuum cleaner: Shark NZ801 Corded Upright Vacuum with Self-cleaning Brushroll

Pros

Portable and versatile
Self-cleaning brushroll

Cons

Some buyers report that they would like a larger dust canister
Too heavy for some users

Price (RRP): $699.99
Amazon Price: From $566.41

Buy at Appliances Online

Buy at Betta Home Living

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 two 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 eight-metre power cord, washable HEPA filters and a dust cap capacity of 0.83L. The Shark NZ801 is also backed by a two-year warranty.

Best bagless vacuum cleaner: Miele Blizzard CX1 Cat & Dog Bagless Vacuum

Pros

Self-cleaning system
Special brush for pet hair

Cons

Cheaper options available
Some complaints about TurboBrush getting clogged

Price (RRP): $779
Amazon Price: Check site for current pricing

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, one-click emptying and a 10-metre operating radius.

Best vacuum cleaner for pet hair: Electrolux Pure C9 Animal

Pros

Seven-stage filtration system
Large dustbin

Cons

Some users report that Turbo attachment is difficult to keep clean
Some buyers complain it is a little noisy

Price (RRP): $499
Amazon Price: From $399.00

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, seven-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.

Best cheap vacuum cleaner: Electrolux Ergorapido Allergy

Pros

2-in-1 flexibility
Micro dust filter

Cons

Dustbin isn't huge
Some buyers report that battery life is only average

Price (RRP): $249

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.

Best handheld vacuum cleaner: Black+Decker 18V Lithium-ion Dustbuster Pivot Hand Vacuum

Pros

Pivoting nozzle design
Folds away for compact storage

Cons

Some users would like more runtime
Some customers report that it is a little noisy

Price (RRP): $122
Amazon Price: From $109.00