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The right cleaning tools don't just get the job done; they reduce the time and effort it takes to keep your home in order. But cleaning tools can be an investment, and buying the wrong one can lead to a specific type of regret. To find the tools that stand up to real messes, the Business Insider Reviews team has spent hundreds of hours testing vacuums, mops, and other cleaning tools and gadgets in real homes, focusing on performance, ease of use, and long-term value.
The products featured here rose to the top for delivering consistent results where it matters most. Whether you're dealing with pet hair, maintaining your floors, or tackling tough jobs in your kitchen or bathroom, these are the tools to help you get it done right the first time.
Winners at a glance
| Category | Winner |
| Best new cleaning tool | Dyson PencilVac Fluffycones |
| Vacuum for pet hair | Bissell Pet Hair Eraser DualBrush Upright Vacuum |
| Pet hair removal tool | Chom Chom Pet Hair Roller |
| Portable carpet cleaner for pet hair | Bissell Little Green HydroSteam |
| Electric spin scrubber | Casabella Extendable Power Scrubber |
| Corded steam mop | Bissell PowerFresh Deluxe |
| Handheld vacuum | Black+Decker Dustbuster Advanced Clean |
| Carpet cleaner | Hoover FH52000 SmartWash Automatic Carpet Cleaner |
| Wet-dry vacuum | Tineco Floor One S7 Stretch Ultra |
| Robot vacuum & mop | Roborock Qrevo Series QV 35A |
| Cordless vacuum | Shark Cordless PowerDetect System |
| Mop for wood floors | O-Cedar EasyWring Spin Mop |
Best new cleaning tool of 2026: Dyson PencilVac Fluffycones
Dyson's latest floorcare innovation is the PencilVac, an ultra-thin cordless vacuum for hard floors, featuring a redesigned cleaner head that resists hair tangles and can suction up debris from any direction.
The Valued verdict: The Dyson PencilVac Fluffycones earns our pick for the best new cleaning tool of 2026 because it rethinks what a cordless vacuum can be.
It's responsive and swivel-heavy, pivoting with the smallest flick of the wrist.Jaclyn Turner, senior home editor
Most stick vacuums prioritize power at the expense of weight and maneuverability, but the Dyson PencilVac stands out for its ultra-slim design, which practically glides across hard floors. The lightweight build, responsive swivel steering, and ability to clean in any direction make everyday cleaning with the PencilVac feel faster and less cumbersome than traditional cordless models. Dyson's new Fluffycones cleaner head helps reduce hair tangles, while twin green lasers illuminate dust and debris you'd otherwise miss.
While it's not designed to replace a full-size vacuum for carpets or large debris, its compact footprint, grab-and-go charging dock, and effortless handling make it one of the most innovative (and genuinely enjoyable) cleaning tools we tested this year.
Our tester says: "Between the slim design, laser-guided cleaner head, and effortless maneuverability, the Dyson PencilVac makes quick daily cleanups almost enjoyable. It's particularly strong at cleaning around edges, but only when approaching walls and baseboards from the side, not head-on. It's very responsive and swivel-heavy, pivoting with the smallest flick of the wrist."
Pet Hair and Messes
Pet hair has a way of getting everywhere, from carpets and couches to bedding and clothes. The right tools can make a huge difference, whether you are dealing with shedding season or everyday cleanup. Over the last eight years, we've tested vacuums, cleaning solutions, and hair-removal tools to find products that lift stubborn fur, making taking care of pet messes faster and easier.
Vacuum for pet hair: Bissell Pet Hair Eraser DualBrush Upright Vacuum
The Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Dual Brush expertly handles daily shedding and general mess with less maintenance. It features a dual brush roll design that doesn't tangle with hair and bright LED headlights illuminate the path ahead.
The Valued verdict: The Bissell Pet Hair Eraser DualBrush upright vacuum removes embedded pet hair without clogging or tangling, which is where most vacuums fail.
Pet hair that clings to carpet fibers is where most vacuums fall short. The Bissell Pet Hair Eraser DualBrush stood out in our testing for picking up stubborn fur without tangling, even on high-pile surfaces. (that's why we named it our best vacuum for pet owners.) It's powerful enough for deep cleaning but still easy to maneuver, and the lift-off design makes it just as useful for stairs and furniture. For the price, it hits the sweet spot between performance, convenience, and value.
What our tester says: "My favorite feature is the bright LED 'headlights.' Even in places I didn't think were dirty, I was shocked to see the dust that they illuminated."
Pet hair removal tool: Chom Chom Roller Pet Hair Remover
The Chom Chom Roller is reusable, works well, and is large enough for a variety of surfaces but small enough for easy portability. Suitable for furniture, bed, and clothes.
The Valued verdict: The Chom Chom Roller quickly lifts pet hair from furniture, clothing, and rugs without the waste of disposable lint rollers.
The Chom Chom Roller earned top spot in our guide to the best pet hair removers for its effectiveness across nearly every surface we tested it on, making it a standout reusable alternative to single-use lint rollers. Simply roll it back and forth to trap cat and dog hair inside the chamber, and empty after each use. It easily removed fur from furniture, rugs, knit clothing, and even a well-loved Halloween hat that seemed beyond saving. While it's not a replacement for a vacuum on large areas of flooring and big pieces of furniture, it excels at picking up stubborn pet hair and light debris with minimal effort.
Our tester says: "It removed months worth of fur buildup, and we didn't need to spend a ton of time of elbow grease using it."
Portable carpet cleaner for pet hair: Bissell Little Green HydroSteam
The Bissell Little Green HydroSteam is a powerhouse for households with pets: it tackles hair without clogging and has a steam cleaning option for treating pet stains without chemicals.
The Valued verdict: The Bissell Little Green HydroSteam uses steam-powered cleaning to tackle stubborn stains and odors while cutting drying time.
For tough pet messes, the Bissell Little Green HydroSteam delivers a deeper clean than standard portable carpet cleaners. Its SteamWash, Steam, and Wash modes make it versatile enough for everything from carpet stains to hard floors, while the steam helps loosen stubborn messes and reduces the need for harsh cleaning solutions. During testing, it removed pet stains, odors, and even spills like wine and coffee with impressive results, and left cleaned areas dry in about 25 minutes. A large 64-ounce tank, generous hose, and premium build make its a great choice for frequent cleanups.
Our tester says: "The "SteamWash setting helped loosen and sanitize stubborn pet stains better than standard suction models, and the heated cleaning cut drying time to about 25 minutes, a major advantage when you're spot cleaning high-traffic areas of your home."
Kitchen & bathroom
Grease, grime, and buildup are what make kitchens and bathrooms the hardest spaces to clean. The right tools don't just get better results, they cut down the time and effort it takes to tackle the mess in the first place. These picks stood out for handling the toughest jobs efficiently, from scrubbing tile to cleaning tight spaces, without overcomplicating your cleaning routine.
Spin scrubber: Casabella Extendable Power Scrubber
Casabella's extendable power scrubber is the most powerful scrubber I've tried. It has a long battery life and comes with four interchangeable brush heads.
The Valued verdict: The Casabella Extendable Power Scrubber powers through tough grime with its high-speed spinning head, making deep cleaning faster and easier on your back.
It quickly and effectively got through some of my least favorite chores.Jaclyn Turner, senior home editor
The Casabella Extendable Power Scrubber takes the strain out of scrubbing tubs, grout, and tile thanks to its powerful 420 RPM motor and extendable handle that reaches up to 47.5 inches. Four interchangeable brush heads make it easy to tackle everything from flat surfaces to tight corners and curved fixtures, while the adjustable head helps you clean awkward angles without constant bending or kneeling. It's simple to assemble and use, and its strong cleaning performance makes quick work of some of the toughest household jobs.
Our tester says: "From scrubbing my tub to giving new life to grout lines on my kitchen floor, it quickly and effectively got through some of my least favorite chores, with the added bonus of minimizing how often I had to bend over or squat low."
Steam mop: Bissell 1806 PowerFresh Deluxe Steam Mop
The easy-to-maneuver Bissell PowerFresh Deluxe Steam Mop sanitizes and scrubs tile floors without leaving streaks after drying.
The Valued verdict: The Bissell PowerFresh Deluxe steam mop delivers consistent, no-streak results on hard floors without requiring extra tools or effort.
For sealed floors, the Bissell PowerFresh Deluxe steam mop cleaned up sticky spills and grime in our testing. Like every steam mop we tried, it occasionally struggled with dried egg yolk and couldn't fully lift deeply set stains, but it performed better with substances like mustard and cleaned up sticky spills like honey without leaving residue behind. Plus, the built-in scrub brush helps tackle tough spots with less elbow grease. It's simple, reliable, and gets the job done quickly.
Our tester says: "It's very easy to maneuver, with a swivel head to get into corners and around tables. Plus, it sanitizes while it scrubs."
Handheld vacuum: Black+Decker Dustbuster Advanced Clean
The Black+Decker Dustbuster AdvancedClean Cordless Handheld Vacuum (model CHV1410L) was the only vacuum we tested that picked up all of the pet hair on every surface, and it did a good job with other materials as well.
The Valued verdict: Every household needs a handheld vacuum, and the Black+Decker Dustbuster AdvancedClean delivers impressive cleaning power for an affordable handheld, especially on hard floors and in cars.
The strong suction and extra-large dustbin make it incredibly practical.James Brains, former home and kitchen reporter
The OG handheld vac has stood out in our testing for years, using strong suction power to handle messes — including flour and crushed cereal on hardwood — that tripped up competing models. Its lightweight, well-balanced design also makes it comfortable to use for quick cleanups in the bathroom and the car, where space is limited. Battery life is shorter than some competitors', but for everyday spills and spot cleaning, the Dustbuster punches above its size and price point.
Our tester says: "I've owned several Dustbusters over the years, and this model is a reliable workhorse for everyday messes. It may not have all the bells and whistles of pricier handheld vacuums, but the strong suction and extra-large dustbin make it incredibly practical."
Floor Care
Floors are where messes build up fastest, from daily dust to spills and tracked-in dirt. The right tools don't simply clean better, they change how much time and effort it takes to get — and keep — your living space in order. From wet-dry vacs to hands-free robot models, these picks stood out in our testing for delivering consistent results with less friction, whether you're doing a quick refresh or a deep clean.
Wet-dry vacuum: Tineco Floor One S7 Stretch Ultra
The Tineco S7 Ultra Stretch excels at cleaning unseen dirt and debris with its auto-dirt detect technology and dual-edge cleaning. It can lie flat to reach under hard-to-reach areas and boasts a self-cleaning system that uses hot water and hot air, leaving the brushroll pristine in just five minutes.
The Valued verdict: The Tineco Floor One S7 Stretch Ultra can cut your routine in half by washing and vacuuming floors at the same time.
I've tested dozens of wet-dry vacuums, and this is the one I actually use in my own home.Alex Temblador, BI Reviews tester
Cleaning your floors shouldn't take two tools and multiple passes. The Tineco Floor One S7 Stretch Ultra handles vacuuming and mopping at once, automatically adjusting suction and water based on how dirty the floor is. It's one of the few machines that actually makes routine cleaning faster instead of more complicated.
What our tester says: "I've tested dozens of wet-dry vacuums, and this is the one I actually use in my own home. It's not perfect, but it cleans more in a single pass and takes far less effort than juggling a vacuum and mop."
Robot vacuum & mop: Roborock Qrevo Series QV 35A
The Roborock QV 35A has enough of the company’s nice features to make it a virtually hands-off cleaning assistant at a value price. These include well-rounded vacuum and mop performance and a self-cleaning system with cool-air drying. It’s perfect for those who want more than an entry-level machine but aren’t ready to commit to a more expensive device yet.
The Valued verdict: The Roborock QV 35A delivers strong, reliable cleaning across floor types without the cost or complexity of higher-end robot models.
In BI Reviews tests to find the best robot vacuums, the Roborock QV 35A picked up over 90% of debris, including flour, cereal, and dust, while also mopping well enough to keep hard floors clean day to day. It reliably manages mixed surfaces, making it a practical choice if you want consistent results without spending $1,000 on a premium model.
Our tester says: "It navigated around furniture and everyday obstacles without getting stuck, so I didn't have to keep checking on it mid-clean."
Cordless vacuum: Shark Cordless PowerDetect System
Shark's Cordless PowerDetect Clean & Empty System is a versatile vacuum with automatically adjusting suction and a convenient self-emptying dock that holds weeks of dust.
The Valued verdict: The Shark PowerDetect's self-emptying dock means you don't have to bend down or handle dust after every use, which makes a real difference for anyone with mobility issues or joint pain.
The Shark PowerDetect handles everyday cleaning without the usual tradeoffs, that's why we named it the best vacuum for most homes. It picked up debris across hard floors and carpets with strong, consistent suction, and the self-emptying dock means you can go weeks without dealing with dust. It's the kind of vacuum that keeps up with daily messes and removes the most annoying part of the job.
What our tester says: "The Shark PowerDetect is a well-rounded, convenient cleaning tool that's a much better value than comparable models from competitors."
Carpet cleaner: Hoover FH52000 SmartWash Automatic Carpet Cleaner
The Hoover FH52000 SmartWash Automatic Carpet Cleaner comes with an antimicrobial pet tool, which is ideal for cleaning stains. It also has a dry-only mode.
The Valued verdict: The Hoover SmartWash+ Automatic Carpet Cleaner takes the hassle out of deep cleaning carpets with automatic cleaning and drying technology that makes everyday messes easier to tackle.
Most carpet cleaners require constant button pressing and guesswork, but the Hoover SmartWash+ simplifies the process with motion-sensing technology that automatically washes when you push forward and dries when you pull back. Its FlexForce Power Brushes lift deep-set dirt without being too harsh on carpets, while HeatForce Technology helps floors dry faster. We also liked how easy it was to maintain, thanks to the removable brush cover and rinse-friendly dirty water tank. While the automatic wet mode can lag slightly at the start of a pass, the overall experience still feels far more streamlines than traditional carpet cleaners.
Our tester says: "When it came to our stain tests, this machine got wine, egg, and Sharpie out of carpet with impressive results. Several of the other carpet cleaners we tested barely made any progress with the Sharpie stain."
Mop for wood floors: O-Cedar Easy Wring Spin Mop
Mopping has never been easier than with O-Cedar's mop and bucket design. The bucket comes with a hands-free, built-in wringer to dry the mop when needed. Plus, the mop head is washable and features microfiber strands that clean dirt and grime on hard floors.
The Valued verdict: The O-Cedar EasyWring Spin Mop and Bucket System is our favorite manual mop for hardwood floors, thanks to its excellent moisture control and easy maneuverability.
Anything that helps me avoid touching dirty mop water is a huge plus.Bronwyn Barnes, BI Reviews deputy editor
Traditional mops can leave hardwood floors overly wet, but the O-Cedar EasyWring makes it simple to control exactly how damp the microfiber head gets with its pedal-powered spin wringer. After a few spins, the mop is damp enough to safely clean sealed hardwood and bamboo floors without over-saturating them. In our most recent round of mop testing, it handled sticky messes and dirt impressively well, while the triangular mop head easily reached corners, tight spaces, and awkward areas around furniture. The bucket does take up more storage space than simpler systems, but the cleaning performance makes it worth the tradeoff.
Our tester says: "Hands-down the best thing about the O-Cedar EasyWring mop is the built-in wringer, which wrings out the mop head using a foot-operated pedal on the side of the bucket. Anything that helps me avoid touching dirty mop water is a huge plus."
Read more about how Business Insider Reviews tests and reviews home products.
The best natural cleaning products
Whether you have skin sensitivities or allergies or just want to be more environmentally conscious, there are lots of reasons people choose to buy natural cleaning products. But "natural" is a broad term, and products don't necessarily need to fit a universal standard for brands to label them as such. To find the best eco-friendly cleaning products, we tested products from the best natural cleaning brands that meet the criteria for low toxicity to humans and the environment based on third-party certifications.
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Bathtub cleanerMade without: Artificial fragrance, dyes
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Dish soapMade without: Parabens, dyes, phthalates
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Laundry detergentMade without: Enzymes, phosphates, sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate
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Floor cleanerMade without: Bleach, sulfates, petroleum, phthalates, parabens, alcohol, artificial fragrance, dyes
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Dishwasher podsMade without: Phosphates
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Odor removerMade without: Phosphates, chlorine, ammonia, artificial fragrance
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Disclosure: Written and researched by the Insider Reviews team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our partners. We may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at reviews@businessinsider.com.
