Does anyone in your house have asthma or dust allergies? Will you be carrying your vacuum up and down stairs? Do you have bare floors or wall-to-wall carpeting? Do you mind buying vacuum-cleaner bags? Do you prefer an upright or a canister? These are questions Real Simple asked when testing two dozen state-of-the-art vacuums costing between $100 and $460. Because your needs, budget, and personality will dictate which vacuum is best for you, Real Simple selected three canisters, two uprights, and one robotic vacuum from which to choose.

Canisters

Good: Miele Naturell, $279

Pros: This most basic version of the status-symbol vacuum has suction that is equally strong on bare floors and carpets. The dust bags seal themselves automatically when removed. The streamlined design and bright yellow color make the machine feel more like a sports car than an appliance. A switch on the floor nozzle retracts the brush, changing from bare-floor to carpet mode. Retractable 21-foot cord.
Cons: You don't get all the bells and whistles found on the 75th-anniversary edition Aluminium model that sells for $979. Bags need to be replaced. The cost is $13.50 for five bags, one premotor filter (which should be replaced with every fifth bag), and one Super Air Clean filter. (Miele vacuums without HEPA filters all have this filtration system.)
Warranty: One year for parts; five years for the motor.
To Buy: www.miele.com for store locations.

Better: Hoover Windtunnel Plus, $139

Pros: Made by the Ohio company that's been manufacturing vacuums since 1908, this model has equal suction strength on bare floors and carpets. An indicator light alerts you when the bag is full. The switch for surface selection is located on the handle. A variable speed control lets you clean different materials — for example, low suction for drapes. The retractable cord, controlled by a foot pedal, is 25 feet long.
Cons: When you're not cleaning carpeting, the bare-floor attachment must be used. The WindTunnel is heavier and larger than most canisters tested. Bags need to be replaced ($6 to $9 for three bags).
Warranty: One year for parts and the motor.
To Buy: www.hoover.com for store locations.

Best: Bosch Compact Plus Hard Floor, $200

Pros: Notwithstanding its name, this HEPA-filter vacuum is equally effective on carpets. Quiet and lightweight, it's ideal for multilevel dwellings. The compact body is so attractive, you won't feel compelled to hide it away if unexpected visitors drop by while you're vacuuming. Retractable 17-foot cord.
Cons: Dust bags ($12 for five) must be replaced, and the HEPA filter ($40) must be changed annually. Suction control is manually adjusted with a dial on the canister, which involves bending down.
Warranty: One year for parts; five years for the motor.
To Buy: www.boschappliances.com for store locations.


Uprights

Better: Dirt Devil Platinum Force Bagless, $150

Pros: The suction on this sleek machine with a HEPA filter is noticeably stronger than that of most others tested. The pile height is adjusted by a lever located at foot level. The brush roll for carpets can be turned off for bare floors with a convenient switch located on the handle. Thirty-two-foot cord.
Cons: Unless you think of vacuuming as a strength-training exercise, this model is probably too heavy to lug up and down stairs. The HEPA filter ($20) should be replaced annually, and the dirt bin's design allows dust to escape during emptying if the bin is too full. For best results, empty it frequently.
Warranty: Four years for parts; six years for the motor.
To Buy: www.dirtdevil.com for store locations.

Best: Dyson DC07, $420 to $530

Pros: Debris is sucked away with one stroke. An automatic pile-height adjustment makes changing surfaces a no-brainer. The DC07 is available in four versions: All Floors ($420), Low Reach ($430), the pet-hair-friendly Animal ($520), and Full Gear ($530). You can empty the dust bin without coming into contact with the contents. Hose is 17 feet; cord is 35 feet.
Cons: Too heavy to carry up and down stairs.
Warranty: During the two-year warranty period, Dyson will arrange the pickup, repair, and return of the vacuum within approximately seven days at no cost. After two years, the same service is offered for a fee.
To Buy: www.dyson.com for store locations.

Vacuum of the Future
Though it sounds too good to be true, humans pushing vacuums may soon be a thing of the past. Enter the Roomba FloorVac ($200), a six-pound, 13.4-inch round robotic vacuum made by the iRobot Corporation. The Roomba uses navigation technology that iRobot developed for the U.S. military to sweep for land mines. With a noncontact wall sensor and a side brush, the robot is able to clean all the way up to a wall. Alas, the Roomba isn't perfect: It has a tiny dust bin, needs to be recharged after about two hours, and turns itself off if it gets stuck, then waits to be rescued. Still, because of the Roomba's low price, major vacuum manufacturers, such as Hoover, Dyson, and Eureka, are scrambling to get their own moderately priced robotic vacuums onto U.S. store shelves. To order, visit www.irobotstore.com.