Most and Least Reliable Vacuum Cleaners

Their answers provide the basis for our ratings for predicted reliability and owner satisfaction in our vacuum ratings. The scores apply to all models from that brand in a particular category—upright, canister, corded stick, cordless stick, or robotic—and figure into each model’s Overall Score. Because we consider reliability and satisfaction over time so important, brands with high scores in those areas often land at the top of our ratings. 

In our most recent survey, for the first time, the median reliability rating for cordless stick vacuums improved enough for CR to recommend some models.  Previously, CR didn’t recommend any cordless stick vacuum models because of reliability problems we’ve seen with this category of vacuums.

The primary reason for this improvement was the introduction of several cordless brands, including Miele and Samsung, that rate better than most cordless stick brands in previous years’ ratings. These brands’ cordless stick models have been on the market for at least five years, and we now have a sufficient number of survey responses from our members to produce trustworthy ratings on their reliability.

“Over the last few years, the cordless stick vacuum market has changed. We now know that most cordless stick brands have demonstrated the reliability necessary to be recommended by Consumer Reports,” says Martin Lachter, who led the vacuum brand reliability surveys at CR. Eleven cordless stick vacuum brands have received recommendable ratings from CR, meaning they scored a reliability score that was midlevel or above. 

Below, CR members will find details about the most and least reliable vacuum brands based on our surveys, as well as recommended models for each type of vacuum. We also reveal the most common vacuum problems identified by vacuum owners, as well as which vacuum brands inspire the most loyalty among our members.