The 9 Best Rated Self Propelled Vacuums in 2021
Who doesn’t love clean and soft carpets? Still, keeping them clean requires regular maintenance, especially if you have pets and small children.
Sometimes, the sole thought of having to pull and push a heavy vacuum cleaner is tiring. For this reason, it’s time you consider a self-propelled vacuum cleaner.
Self propelled vacuums are like every other cleaner, offering the best suction and plenty of features and accessories. The difference is in the maneuverability since these are much easier to use.
Take a few minutes to discover the best self propelled vacuum cleaners and their pros and cons. We also included a detailed buyer’s guide to help you choose.
| Product Name | Reach | Weight | Cord Length/Run Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hoover Power Drive UH74210PC | 13 ft | 16 lbs | 30 ft |
| Hoover WindTunnel MAX UH30600 | 17 ft | 14.99 lbs | 30 ft |
| Eureka NEU202 Bagless Upright Vacuum Cleaner | 8 ft | 12.3 lbs | 25 ft |
| Shark Navigator Deluxe Upright (NV42) | Unknown | 14.8 lbs | 25 ft |
| Hoover WindTunnel Air Bagless UH70400 | 12 ft | 12 lbs | 30 ft |
| Dyson Upright Vacuum Cleaner, Ball Multi Floor 2 | 40 ft | 15.6 lbs | 31 ft |
| Kenmore Elite 31150 | 10 ft | 20 lbs | 35 ft |
| iRobot Roomba 960 | Unknown | 8.6 lbs | 70 min |
Self Propelled Vacuum Cleaner Reviews
Hoover Power Drive UH74210PC
This Hoover vacuum is among the most popular models from the brand. It’s an upright bagless cleaner with a 30′ power cable and several useful accessories.
The most important thing to mention is the swivel steering. It allows easier maneuverability, especially when vacuuming larger areas with a lot of furniture pieces to avoid.
Its advanced brush roll is designed to go deep into the carpet, picking up even the most embedded dirt. This Hoover is suitable for removing long pet and human hair without wrapping it around the brush.
The great thing is that you can shut the brush off when cleaning hardwood and sensitive carpeting. It comes with a large dust cup and automatic height adjustment for more versatility.
Also, it offers an additional 13′ of above-floor reach.
Pros
- Sealed allergen system
- LED headlights
- Quick-release wand
Cons
- It tends to overheat
Looking for more Hoover vacuums? Make sure to check out our selection of the top product assortments.
Hoover WindTunnel MAX UH30600
Hoover’s WindTunnel series is well-known to include some of the best vacuum cleaners. It’s the WindTunnel 3 technology that allows supreme suction, creating channels to lift and remove all dirt and debris.
This Hoover features a HEPA filter that traps up to 99.7% dust, pollen, dirt, and other allergens. It’s bagged and pretty easy to empty since it takes only a touch of a button to release the bag.
It’s easy to maneuver with, featuring seven floor height adjustment settings, which allows you to clean all floor types. Plus, the 17′ of above-floor reach makes it easy to clean stairs, upholstery, and other similar areas.
Its 15-inch wide cleaning nozzle makes it easy to cover larger floor surfaces in less time. The vacuum also comes with a 12-inch crevice tool, a telescopic extension wand, upholstery/dusting brush, and an air-powered hand tool.
Pros
- HEPA
- 30′ long power cord
- Adjustable height
Cons
- Somewhat inaccurate bag indicator
Eureka NEU202 Bagless Upright Vacuum Cleaner
Eureka NEU202 is a bagless upright vacuum cleaner with a 25′ long power cord that automatically rewinds for easier storage. It has five height adjustment settings, allowing you to clean all kinds of floors without damaging the surface.
Its 12-inch wide cleaning path makes it easy to cover large areas in less time than usual. It’s suitable for carpets, hardwood, and tile, picking up everything from dust and dirt to pet hair and other particles.
This one weighs some 12 pounds, which is rather lightweight for an upright vacuum. Plus, it’s a self-propelled vacuum, so you probably won’t have any issues with maneuverability.
It comes with a 3.8-liter dust cup that’s easy to empty and wash. The accessories included are upholstery tool, dusting brush, pet tool, and a 7” crevice tool.
Pros
- LED headlights
- Washable filter
- 10′ of extended reach
Cons
- Some attachments tend to fall off repeatedly
Shark Navigator Deluxe Upright (NV42)
Shark Navigator features some of the best vacuum cleaners on the market, with NV42 being one of them. It’s self propelled, lightweight, and easy to maneuver with.
It weighs nearly 15 pounds, and although this may sound like a lot, it’s not. It’s a self-propelled vacuum cleaner, so you probably won’t have any issues using it across different surfaces.
Its dust cup measures some 2.6 quarts and is see-through. This allows you to see when it’s time to empty it, although you won’t have to do that as frequently due to its size.
This upright vacuum comes with premium pet hair cleaning tools, allowing you to remove the stubborn hairs regardless of the surface. Also, it has a 25′ long power cable and a hose for additional above-floor reach.
Pros
- Strong suction
- Easy to maneuver with
- 24” crevice accessory included
Cons
- Not sealed
Debating between Shark Rotator and Shark Navigator? Check out our full comparison.
Hoover WindTunnel Air Bagless UH70400
This Hoover WindTunnel is lightweight, maneuverable, and easy to work with regardless of the type of carpeting you have. It weighs some 12 pounds, which makes it easy to carry the vacuum around and even up the stairs.
The WindTunnel technology lifts and removes even the most embedded particles and dirt. It makes it easy to clean pet and human hair regardless of how long it is.
Since it’s a self-propelled vacuum, you probably won’t have any issues using it as frequently as needed. Keep in mind that this Hoover also comes with a 30′ long power cable and a quick-release hose for above-floor cleaning.
It features a wide cleaning head along with a 2-in-1 tool for some added versatility. You can shut the brush off when cleaning more delicate surfaces.
Specifications
- Wattage: 1200
- Weight: 12 lbs
- Cord Length: 30 ft
Pros
- Rinseable filter
- Intuitive power controls
- No scuff bumper
Cons
- It gets hot
Dyson Upright Vacuum Cleaner, Ball Multi Floor 2
Dyson Ball Multi Floor 2 is one of the most popular self propelled vacuum cleaners. It has a self-adjusting head that seals for better suction on carpets, tile, vinyl and wood floors.
Much like most Dyson vacuums, this one captures even the tiniest particles and allergens. It’s an ideal cleaner for pet hair and cleaning dirt, dander, and everything else that comes with having a pet.
Its Radial Root Technology picks up and captures microscopic dust, keeping it inside the filtration and canister. It comes with a 31′ long cord and an instant-release wand. You get some 40′ of total reach using the cord and its hose and pole.
This self propelled vacuum is also easy to empty, featuring one-button emptying so that you don’t have to touch any of the dirt.
Pros
- Certified Asthma and Allergy Friendly
- Self-adjusting cleaner head
- Hygienic emptying
Cons
- It tends to tip over
For more information about this Dyson model check our full review.
Kenmore Elite 31150
Kenmore Elite 31150 is a bagged self propelled vacuum that’s easy to maneuver with and maintain. It’s a multi-floor vacuum cleaner designed to clean all kinds of floors.
The air-driven turbine spins the roller brush to high RPM, removing pet hair, dander, and all other debris on your floors, stairs, upholstery, and other surfaces.
This one comes with a triple HEPA filter that traps up to 99.7% of particles and debris. It reduces allergy-induced pollutants, so it’s ideal for allergy-prone people.
The 3D inducer motor features three motors that provide strong suction power that never fades. Also, this one doesn’t feature a belt, which means less maintenance.
It comes with a 35′ long power cord, a dusting brush, crevice accessory, and a second bare floor tool.
Pros
- 10′ of additional reach (hose + wand)
- Five height adjustments
- Dirt sensor included
Cons
- The hose is somewhat stiff
If you want to learn more about Kenmore vacuums, see our reviews of the top picks from their line.
iRobot Roomba 960
Robot cleaners are among the best if you’re looking for a self propelled vacuum that cleans without your assistance. The whole idea behind robots relies on a self-propelling system, but Roomba 960 brings a bit more than just that.
It features a power-lifting suction for improved performance when compared to previous Roombas. It has a 3-stage cleaning system and is an ideal choice for pet hair and dander removal.
This one maps your house so that it can cover all areas without wasting time. Plus, the iAdapt 2.0 technology and vSLAM navigation help it to clean the entire surface while avoiding obstacles.
Roomba 960 self propelled vacuum cleaner comes with a high-efficiency filter that traps small particles and allergens. It also recharges on its own when it senses low battery life.
Pros
- Works with Google Assistant and Alexa
- Dual multi-surface rubber brushes
- 70 minutes of battery life
Cons
- Small dust bin
If you’ve narrowed your choice down to Roomba 960 and Roomba 860, our detailed comparison could help you make the final decision.
What is a Self Propelled Vacuum and How Does It Work?
The best way to understand what is a self propelled vacuum is to learn what makes it different when compared to a regular vacuum cleaner.
Regular vacuums have wheels, which means you have to pull and push them across the surface. And while this isn’t always an issue, it’s often tiring, especially if the vacuum is heavy.
A self propelled vacuum cleaner has a small motor and drive system that turns the wheels automatically. You’ll still have to push it, but the entire process will be much easier. In other words, you don’t have to use as much force to maneuver a self propelled vacuum cleaner.
The entire system makes it much easier to maneuver the vacuum even if it’s on a heavier side. This is especially suitable for people who vacuum frequently or are prone to back pain. It’s also a great choice for seniors and people with physical disabilities.
Factors to Consider When Purchasing a Self Propelled Vacuum
Choosing a self propelled vacuum is similar to choosing a regular cleaner. You should pay attention to suction power, filtration, accessories, and a few other things.
However, there are a few factors you should consider in this particular case. Read below as we discuss these factors in more detail.
Weight & Design
Although a self propelled vacuum doesn’t require as much elbow grease when it comes to maneuverability, you still want it to be lightweight.
You’ll probably have to carry the vacuum or use it for spot-cleaning at some point. Although the self-propelling system helps with moving heavy vacuums, lightweight models are always a better choice.
Filtration
Filtration is among the most critical factors to consider regardless of the vacuum type you’re buying. It should be reliable and easy to maintain, wash, or replace.
This is especially important if you have pets or you’re prone to allergies. As always, HEPA is among the best choices for trapping tiny particles in the machine.
Self-Propelled Motor Power
This motor is the one that does all the work when it comes to propelling the vacuum. You’ll only see it in self-propelled cleaners, so make sure to check if the vacuum you’re interested in has one. It’s the best way to tell whether or not it’s actually self propelled.
Internal Fan & Rotating Brush
A rotating brush is always useful to have when you’re working with carpets. However, you want to have the option of shutting it off when cleaning plush carpets, hardwood, and other delicate floors.
The internal fan is placed behind the rotating brush and is what’s providing additional suction power to guide the particles up the machine.
Conclusion
Choosing the best self propelled vacuum is rather easy once you consider all the most important buying factors. Hopefully, our buyer’s guide helped you understand why these factors are as critical and how they can affect your final decision.
We found and reviewed the best cleaners that the market has to offer when it comes to self-propelled models. Although they’re all easy to maneuver with, they are still different in terms of accessories, cord length, versatility, and a few other things.
For this reason, make sure to consider your needs and preferences while picking one of these vacuums. They’re all quality-made and reliable, but some may be better for your particular floor types than others.
These are designed to make the cleaning process easier for people who struggle with regular vacuums but have to use them frequently. They make all the difference, which we’re sure you’ll notice the very first time you use one of these innovative vacuums.
Sources and Resources
- Household vacuum cleaners vs. the high-volume surface sampler for collection of carpet dust samples in epidemiologic studies of children
– https://ehjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1476-069X-7-6 - The effect of vacuum cleaners on the concentration and particle size distribution of airborne cat allergen.
– https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8473670
