Home & Garden Home The 7 Best Energy-Efficient Vacuum Cleaners of 2023 Our top pick is the Shark Rotator. By Heidi Wachter Heidi Wachter Syracuse University San Francisco State University Heidi Wachter was a senior editor at Experience Life magazine for 10 years. She has written for publications like Experience Life, Shondaland, and betterpet. Learn about our editorial process Updated October 27, 2022 Share Twitter Pinterest Email Home Green Living Pest Control Natural Cleaning DIY Family Thrift & Minimalism Sustainable Eating We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Getty Your handy household vacuum cleaner may not seem like an energy sucker, but they may use more than you suspect--and there's a wide range of how much power they consume. Some vacuums use .75kWh, while others use just just .2kWh. That's not a ton but, of course, it adds up over time and when considering all the other appliances in your house. Using a broom and dust mop regularly keeps toxic dust bunnies at bay while burning no electricity, it’s quiet, and can help reduce the number of times per week you need to bust out that vac. Repairing a broken vacuum or shopping for a second-hand one are also eco-friendly options. However, if you’re looking to buy a new eco-friendly model, consider the amount of electricity it uses, its suction power, and its filtration system to make the best choice for your household. Here are the best energy-efficient vacuum cleaners to consider: The Rundown Best Overall: Shark NV501 Rotator Professional Lift-Away Vacuum at Walmart Jump to Review Best Splurge: Miele Complete C3 Calima Canister Vacuum at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Pets: Dyson Ball Animal 2 Upright Vacuum at Walmart Jump to Review Best Stick/Cordless: Dyson Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner at Dyson.com Jump to Review Best Outdoor: Greenworks Cordless Blower Vacuum at Walmart Jump to Review Best Handheld: BLACK+DECKER MAX Flex Cordless Stick Vacuum at Walmart Jump to Review Best Robotic: iRobot Roomba 980 at Amazon Jump to Review Best Overall Shark NV501 Rotator Professional Lift-Away Upright Vacuum 4.6 Amazon View On Walmart View On Amazon View On Wayfair This upright wins for its reasonable price point and versatility. Its 8-foot-long cord and multiple ergonomic attachment tools can sweep upholstery and all of those hard-to-get-reach nooks and crannies. It’s effective on carpets or bare floors. Use it as a standard upright or sling the detachable canister over your shoulders for the added maneuverability required for cleaning stairs or under chairs. It’s lightweight and ultra-quiet. Its HEPA filter and anti-allergen technology trap dust particles and pet hair. It uses 1200 watts. Price at time of publish: $263 Do vacuum cleaners have Energy Star ratings? At this time, Energy Star does not offer ratings for plug-in vacuum cleaners. In the past, some cordless and handheld vacuums qualified for the Energy Star label thanks to their battery systems, but there are none now available. Household vacuum cleaners can use anywhere from 500 to 3,000 watts of energy. To find one that hits the sweet spot between efficiency and plenty of suction, we recommend corded vacuums that use between 1200 and 1500 watts. Battery-powered vacuums tend to use very little energy while charging, although batteries may wear out faster that their plug-in counterparts. Best Splurge Miele Complete C3 Calima Canister Vacuum Courtesy of Miele View On Amazon The Miele family is known for delivering quality no matter what price point you choose. Their products are also some of the quietest options on the market. This particular model is an excellent option, measuring 81 decibels. It uses bags to capture the most allergens and has a retractable power cord so you don't have to worry about the cord getting tangled. It comes with multiple accessories and six suction options, so you can choose the right setting, speed, and brush for what you’re cleaning — from upholstery to pile rugs to hardwood floors. That means you get the job done quickly and correctly cutting down on your electricity usage. It also comes with the company’s AirClean Sealed System combined with a HEPA filter that captures over 99.9% of dust and dirt. That’s nothing to sneeze at if you’re an allergy sufferer. It runs on 1200 watts. Price at time of publish: $799 Best for Pets Dyson Ball Animal 2 Upright Vacuum 4.5 Amazon View On Walmart View On Amazon View On Dyson.com The flexible ball design can reach anywhere your pet gets. When it can’t, grab one of the attachments. Pet owners will like the handy tangle-free turbine tool that eliminates hair from carpets and upholstery. Its whole-machine filtration ensures that pesky allergens that you just cleaned up are trapped inside the machine. The design earned certification from the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. It earns extra green points for featuring a washable lifetime filter and diverting them from landfills. You’ll save some green from having to buy replacements, too. It runs on 1400 watts. Price at time of publish: $449 The 5 Best Natural Pet Odor and Stain Removers of 2023 Best Stick/Cordless Dyson V8 Absolute Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner 4.6 Dyson View On Dyson.com No outlet? Minimal storage space? Need to clean out your car? That’s no problem for this cordless Dyson. It’s lightweight and ergonomically designed. Use the expandable handle to clean cobwebs from your ceiling one minute and suck up the dust bunnies under your furniture the next. The handheld cleaner’s battery runs about 40 minutes before needing to be juiced up again. That’s plenty of time to clean a small house or apartment, although this is one of the pricier models. Its HEPA filtration earned certification by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. While charging the 21.6 volt battery, it uses 350 watts. Price at time of publish: $500 TIP: To reduce your vacuum’s energy footprint there are some simple things you can do. Keep your environment cleaner from the get-go by leaving your shoes — along with the dirt and bacteria like e.coli. that attach to them — at the door. Make sure that the canister or bag is regularly emptied and keep any washable filters clean, so that the suction power doesn't suffer and you can clean in fewer passes. Best Outdoor Greenworks 40V 185 MPH Variable Speed Cordless Blower Vacuum Courtesy of Greenworks View On Walmart View On Amazon View On Tractor Supply Co. Need to get rid of those leaves before snow falls? Or are you looking to tidy up your outdoor patio for a family gathering? Greenworks is ready to lend you a handheld. The company’s 40-volt model is a superb, inexpensive leaf vacuum system for yards up to a half-acre. It’s powered by the company’s innovative battery technology, so there’s no need to keep polluting gas or oil on hand. That also means you’ll minimize your exposure to toxic fumes all while having the power and performance of a comparable gas-powered unit. Price at time of publish: $244 Best Handheld BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX Flex Cordless Stick Vacuum Courtesy of Amazon.com. View On Walmart View On Amazon When your home or car need a little spot cleaning, reach for this compact, lightweight, cord-free vacuum. It’s powered by a 20-volt rechargeable lithium-ion battery. Its three-stage filtration system prevents that debris you sucked up from escaping. The handy rubber pet-hair attachment forces more fur into the tube because it can’t stick to the rubber. Other useful features include a washable filter, an easy to empty bowl, a 4 foot-long hose lets you reach high and low. Price at time of publish: $131 Best Robotic iRobot Roomba 980 Robot Vacuum Courtesy of Home Depot View On Amazon Whether you want a clean home without pushing a vacuum around, simply enjoy the latest gadget, or both, the Roomba 980 is sure to be a hands-free delight. This little robot delivers 10 times the air power suction punch thanks to having the strongest battery on the market. It delivers 120 minutes of continuous cleaning per charge. The Roomba is ideal for homes with pets. Its three-stage cleaning system traps the pet hair you see and the allergens that you don’t. Its filter traps 99% of cat and dog-related allergens. Its patented navigation technology allows the robot to chart a course for cleaning an entire level of your home — including around objects and under bulky furniture. Price at time of publish: $400 Final Verdict Our top pick is the Shark Rotator Professional Vacuum. However, if you’re looking for a cordless handheld model, consider the Black + Decker MAX Flex Cordless Stick Vacuum. What to Look for When Shopping for Vacuums When choosing an option, consider the following personal and environmental factors. What's your style? Upright vacs are self-contained units that cover a lot of ground easily, making them great for cleaning large areas, carpets, and rugs. Canister style vacs have the suction power and filtration capability of an upright with increased mobility for cleaning bare floors like tile and hardwood, as well as reaching awkward spaces like staircases. Stick vacs are upright styles that are compact, lightweight, and great for cleaning and storing in tiny homes and apartments, but they tend to be less powerful. Longevity Choosing a model that’s high quality benefits the environment because it will last longer. In addition, high-end manufacturers—like Dyson—also offer repair and maintenance services that don’t come with cheaper models purchased from superstores. Amps Just because a vacuum’s motor has more juice doesn’t mean it’s better at cleaning. Many high-end models have smaller motors (with outputs of 7 amps, for example, instead of 12) but bigger fans and tubing. That means they’re potentially more efficient because you don’t have to run them as long and minimizing carbon emissions. Bag vs bagless Vacuum bags can be expensive, need replacing several times a year, and the used ones end up in landfills. It also takes natural resources to produce bags at factories. Bagless options, however, require more frequent emptying and can be a little messy. Since cleaning them can send contaminants into the air, they may not be a good option for people with breathing conditions like asthma or COPD. For eco-friendlier results, consider one with a washable filter. The right tools for your floor Models without brushes are good for tile or hardwoods. Some models might have the option to adjust the height of the brush roll, so it can be used on carpet, rugs, or bare flooring. Cut the cord? Not so fast. Cordless vacs are wonderful because they only draw energy during charging. But batteries have to be replaced and discarded eventually, so they’re not always the greenest option. They also can be less powerful so if you have thick rugs or large spaces to clean then they may suck at being the most energy-efficient option. Filtration matters One purpose of vacuuming is eliminating dirt from your environment — especially if you have allergies. To improve your indoor air quality, choose a vacuum with a High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter. These filters can capture more than 99.97% percent of particles that are at least 0.3 microns in size and won’t allow the debris to return to the air. Reduce noise pollution Let’s face it; vacuums are machines, so they’re loud. If you’re sensitive to sound, look for an option that ideally is runs at 77 decibels or lower. However, not all manufacturers list this information, so you may have a difficult time discovering it. Got pets? Consider buying a model with attachments or that are specifically designed “fur” cleaning up after your favorite four-legged family member. Why Trust Treehugger? To create this list, we looked for effective vacuums that use fewer watts to operate. We think that bagless options are more eco-friendly than vacuums that require bags that need to be replaced and thrown into landfill. However, if you have underlying health issues, such as asthma, you may need to consider a bagged option for better HEPA control. Author Heidi Wachter is a freelance writer, who is passionate about dogs, travel and adventure, solving the climate crisis, and projects that serve the greater good. Arricca SanSone fact-checked this article. She has a Dyson, which she loves, for keeping up with the fur her two very active papillons create. The 7 Best Biodegradable Trash Bags of 2023