The Dyson DC28 Animal is the top of the range in Dyson's lineup, and it offers extreme cleaning power in a large, bulky cleaner. It also offers plenty of cleaning tools and a long reach to make cleaning large spaces easier, and a dedicated pet hair tool.
The $299 Miele S2121 Olympus is a well-built, lightweight and quiet canister vacuum. It impressed us with its cleaning and debris performance on hardwood floors and short carpets. But without a powered brushroll or the option to add one, it's nearly useless on high pile carpet.
The is a canister vacuum that excels at cleaning wood floors, low-pile carpet and pet hair. It's maneuverable and ergonomically optimal, though a few minor design tweaks could vastly improve its usability.
The is a customizable upright with easy to use attachments and decent performance. Priced at about $145, it would be ideal for a school or office that's covered in wall-to-wall berber.
VacuumCleanerInfo.com 2011 Select Awards
Not all vacuums are created equal. That's why we tested dozens of new models to select the very best 2011 has to offer.