No vacuum excels at all types of cleaning— your home’s layout and even décor dictate the type you might need. That will become clear as you get ready for a thorough spring cleaning. Do you have lots of carpet or just bare floors? And it will be especially apparent if you have pets that are leaving little reminders of their winter coats everywhere you look.They’re a vacuum’s toughest job and rank highest on many people’s priority lists. Dirt tends to collect and hide in the carpet, and our feet can grind it in. The better bagged uprights, with beefy motors and wide brush rolls, clean the most deeply. But you want them to be maneuverable as well. In our tests, no bagged vacuum that was superb at deep-cleaning carpets was especially easy to handle, but five of the top bagged-upright models we recommend weigh less than 20 pounds. One of the lower-cost picks in our Ratings worth a look: the $150 Hoover WindTunnel T-Series Pet UH30310. It gets superb marks for pet-hair pickup and has a manual adjustment for carpet height.

At 17 pounds, it’s also light enough to maneuver easily.couch cleaning service long island If you have few carpets and lots of tile, bare wood, or vinyl flooring, you can get a bagless upright—say, the $260 Shark Rotator Professional Lift-Away NV501—and enjoy easy handling in a lighter-weight vacuum. best way to clean timber blindsOther full-sized vacuums might do almost as well for carpets while excelling at bare floors, a relatively easy task.best cordless stick vacuum cleaner for hardwood floors A heavy vacuum can be a true liability if you have stairs. The better canisters, led by the bagged Miele S 8590 Marin, $1,000, are heavier than most uprights—but you’re mostly moving just the hose and power head, not the entire machine.

In addition to our vacuum cleaner Ratings, our brand-repair history lists the percentage of upright and canister vacuums that failed or had a problem that was unresolved. Sometimes you need just a light cleaning before guests show up. For that, see our recommended handheld and stick vacuums. None of them can handle carpet deep cleaning, but they do a decent job. Which vacuum for which task On average, these are the lowest-cost way to deep-clean carpets. Bagged models in particular can deep-clean carpets and rugs, and all offer a wide cleaning swath. Pulling, pushing, and carrying them can be hard, especially on stairs. For maximum airflow with both full-sized types, replace the bag or empty the bin before it’s completely filled. They’re superior for cleaning curtains, upholstery, and spots beneath furniture. Canisters are also easier on stairs because you move just the hose and powerhead. The top canisters are pricier than comparable uprights. When retracting the cord, routinely letting it snap can weaken the plug.

Slow down the motion during the last few feet. Quickly picking up dry surface litter anytime you don’t want to or cannot bend. Most don’t pick up as well as hand vacuums, their dirt bin is usually small, and most are noisy. Frequently clean or replace filters, and clean out dirt cup to prevent bacterial growth when using both hand and stick vacs. Light, quick surface cleaning on carpets and bare floors, especially in tight spots that you can’t reach with a stick vac. Some can handle pet hair on upholstery. Like stick vacuums, they don’t have much power compared with a full-sized vacuum. With cordless hand and stick vacs, charge the battery according to the owner’s manual for maximum product life. Top-rated: Kenmore Elite 31150, $350 CR Best Buy: Kenmore 31140, $200 Top-rated: Miele S 8590 Marin, $1,000 CR Best Buy: Panasonic MC-CG937, $330 Top-rated: Dyson DC59 Animal, $500 Top-rated: Shark Pet Perfect II SV780, $60

—Ed Perratore (@EdPerratore on Twitter) Editor's Note: This article also appeared in the February 2015 issue of Consumer Reports magazine. View and compare all Vacuum Cleaners ratings.Hoover Hardwood Floor Cleaner FloorMate SpinScrub with Bonus Hard Floor Wipes Corded Bare Floor Cleaner FH40010B "No hesitation - the best wet/dry Hardwood Floor Cleaner!" - By (Texas, USA) I, like many of you, had been shopping for a hardwood floor cleaner for over a year. I knew they were expensive, and frankly I was exhausted with all of the options. So it's been me and my Swiffer WetJet for years. I ordered the Hoover FloorMate from Amazon after reading countless reviews, then comparison shopping. I found Amazon to have the cheapest price around. Plus, free shipping....how can you go wrong? So when it arrived in a week or so, I was ecstatic to try it out. Instructions were very easy to follow and within minutes I was experimenting with my tiled kitchen floor. One of the best features of this vacuum is that it does it ALL... full review

While cleaning tile floors is still a chore most of us could live without, the evolution of floor care tools has made it easier and more effective than ever. Finding the best vacuum for tile floors, or the best steam mop if that’s your priority is now the challenge. For more on tile and stone flooring cleaning, care and maintenance click here.The good news is that you’ve got vacuum and steam mop options to suit your style, and we explore them in this guide to cleaning tile floors and other hard flooring.What is the Best Tile Floor Cleaning Machine for Your HomeThis overview of tile floor vacuums and mops will assist you in selecting the best type for your cleaning routine. Below, you’ll find vacuum and steam mop reviews of the top products in each category.Removing loose debris before mopping means you won’t be collecting dirt in your mop – dirt that can act like an abrasive as the mop goes over the flooring while creating the need to change mop water more often. If you’ve ever spread dirt around a floor you’re trying to clean you know how frustrating that can be.

You’ve got two primary options for tile floor vacuums:A multi-function vacuum: The best and most cost-effective machine if you’ve got carpet and hard flooring is an all-purpose vacuum designed for both.The upside is better value and the need for just one tool in the closet.The downside is that you must remember to turn off the rotating brush (aka brushroll or beater bar) before using it on hard surfaces to prevent scattering dirt before it can be vacuumed up and, worse, damaging your flooring. If the brush rotation cannot be turned off, the vacuum is not an option for tile or any other hard floor types. Also, if you choose a multi-function vacuum, select one with soft or coated wheels to prevent them from scratching your floors. Click here for more on using vacuums on hardwood floors.A hard/tile floor vacuum: All the top manufacturers make vacuums designed just for hard surfaces. They are lightweight for easy use, and they don’t include a roller brush that might damage your flooring.

The obvious disadvantage is that they are not effective on carpet.If you’ve got a method you are happy with for removing the loose debris and want a machine that will replace your mop and bucket, this is your best option.Most of these machines feature a water tank, heating element, replaceable pad to do the mopping and adjustable steam setting based on your cleaning needs. For most of these types of floor care tools, a tank of water lasts 15 to 20 minutes based on the steam setting.Steam mop advantages include no hassles with water buckets and the ability to both clean and sanitize floors. Most steam mops work with just water, but some users add cleaner too. If you combine a detergent with the water, make sure it is safe for the type of floor you’re cleaning.The manufacturers recommend using distilled or demineralized water in steam floor cleaners in order to prevent the buildup of mineral deposits that can harm performance and shorten the tool’s life. Also, the floor should be free of loose debris before using a steam mop.

If the broom pad picks up excessive dirt or a small pebble, for example, the debris might very well scratch the tile and dull its finish.While there are slight variations in function among machines in this category, most offer these options:The better machines have small squeegees that direct the water to the vacuum.  The obvious advantage to using a vacuum mop is that you get both functions in one tool. Separate tanks for clean and dirty water mean you’re always applying clean water to the floor. In a pinch, these machines can be used on carpet in vacuum-only mode, but they don’t work as well as vacuums designed for carpeting.Disadvantages of vacuum mops include the fact that they are heavier than single-function tools. Some users complain of leaking tanks or cheap wheels that scratch floors. Water is the enemy of poorly sealed tile grout, so be sure that you towel-dry any water not picked up by the vacuum.As with steam mops, only use cleaner formulated for the type of floor you have.

Distilled water is highly recommended over tap water, especially hard water, for the machine’s long-term performance.Tile Flooring Cleaning Machine ReviewsNow that we’ve covered your options, let’s take a look at the top vacuum and mop floor care tools in each of the categories.Shark Navigator Lift-Away Professional Upright Vacuum ReviewThis is our favorite multi-function vacuum designed for carpet and hard flooring including tile. It gets high scores for being lightweight while having a large-capacity debris canister. The top features of the Shark Navigator Lift-Away NV356E vacuum include:This multi-surface vacuum weighs 14lbs. It is backed by a one-year limited warranty against manufacturer defect with typical residential usage. There are better warranties available on other units.A concern for some, especially those with allergies, is that the canister is bagless. Taking it outdoors for emptying will prevent dust and dirt from being reintroduced into your living space.Bissell PowerEdge Pet Hard Floor Corded Vacuum ReviewThis is an affordable, dependable tile floor/hard floor vacuum for those that don’t need a carpet machine.

It replaces a broom and dustpan with a powerful vacuum motor. Top features of the Bissell PowerEdge 81L2A Pet Hard Floor vacuum include:This stick vacuum weighs 10lbs and costs about $50, a good value for the work it does. It’s backed by a two-year limited warranty.The Bissell PowerEdge gets high marks for the powerful vacuum suction that removes pet hair quickly and we consider it the best vacuum for tile floors if that is your main shopping criteria. The biggest negatives for many are the relatively short cord and the fairly small dirt cup that makes frequent emptying a necessity. Large amounts of pet hair can clog the intake port if it isn’t cleaned out regularly.Shark Rocket PowerHead Corded Vacuum ReviewThis new versatile vacuum cleaner is a hybrid carpet/hard floor machine because it has interchangeable brush rolls. A tough, deep-cleaning carpet brush reaches and loosens dirt deep in nap. The Gentle Touch hard floor brushroll won’t harm hard floors such as tile, vinyl, wood and stone.

Top features of the Shark Rocket PowerHead AH452 vacuum include:What stands out about this hard floor vacuum is that it does a superior job collecting the fine dirt and debris that others miss. However, it isn’t great on cleaning close to walls and obstacles. The PowerHead AH452 is covered by a five-year limited warranty, one of the best in the industry.If you regularly vacuum a large amount of pet fur, you will need to clean the brush rollers frequently to keep them rotating and agitating properly, and might have to clean out the intake port too. The retail price for this vacuum is $170-$195.Bissell 1940 Powerfresh Steam Mop ReviewIf you’ve solved the problem of removing loose dirt, debris and pet hair from floors and want a tool to clean hard surfaces, this powered mop is the top choice on Amazon and most steam mop reviews. The steam both loosens stuck-on dirt and sanitizes the floor in the process. Top features of the Bissell 1940 Powerfresh mop include:Bissell recommends that you use demineralized or distilled water only to prevent sediment deposits and that you do not use cleaners in place of or in addition to the water.

The power cord is just 23 feet long, so changing outlets frequently may be necessary. Excessive use of the high-steam setting might cause damage to tile grout and hardwood flooring. Be sure to dry any water left behind during cleaning.The Bissell Powerfresh 1940 Blue steam mop weighs just 6.2lbs, and it is covered by a one-year limited warranty. The cost is $80-$110 from various retailers.Hoover FloorMate SpinScrub FH40010B Vacuum ReviewThis is one of the best do-it-all tools for tile and other hard floors – it vacuums, washes and dries them very adequately. The low cost is attractive too, but keep in mind that you typically get what you pay for with vacuums. While this one is a “jack of all trades”, it can fairly be said that the FloorMate FH40010B is a “master of none”. Its features include:The vacuum, wash and dry functions must all be done separately, so while this unit saves you from buying multiple tools, it won’t significantly reduce your cleaning time. Another potential negative is that a small percentage of these units leak due to faulty gaskets.

Hoover doesn’t discourage using cleaner in this machine, but be sure the product you use is formulated for your flooring type. Distilled water will keep the Hoover FloorMate working optimally for longer.The price of the Hoover FH40010B varies widely from about $170 to less than $100. It’s a decent value at $125 or less.Choosing the Best Tile Vacuum or Steam MopWe hope you noticed that each of our reviews included the odd negative comment along with the positives. While we think the floor cleaning machines we’ve reviewed are among the best we encourage you to make a check list of features that are indispensable to your home floors and look for them when buying.  These tips will also help you select a machine you’ll be happy with in the years to come.Browse your tile floor cleaning machine options in light of your needs, and you’ll find the best tool for keeping your home clean and comfortable.For all our guides to tile and stone flooring click here. And you may also be interested in our guide to the best cleaners for laminate floors.