In the Good Housekeeping Cleaning Lab, we have tested the hundreds of vacuum cleaners that have come through our Lab the same way. Using a custom-built vacuum testing machine, dirt is embedded into a test carpet, then each vacuum is passed over the carpet an equal number of times. By comparing the weight of the empty dust cup before testing and the dust cup's weight after testing, our experts calculate just how much dirt is picked up by each vacuum. Each vacuum cleaner's ability to pick up debris of different sizes and shapes like sand and dry pasta across hardwood, vinyl and tile flooring is also tested, along with how well they pick up faux pet hair from carpet and bare floors and how well they clean along edges.

Special consideration is also given to each vacuum cleaner's ease of use. These evaluations include testing maneuverability around tight corners and under low furniture, ease of switching cleaning modes, cleaning of the appliance, the weight and sound produced by a model and scoring each owner's manual for inclusion of all necessary information for use. Battery runtime, extra features and attachments included are also evaluated and noted for each model as applicable.

Jodhaira Rodriguez has been testing vacuums and other floor cleaning appliances in the Good Housekeeping Home Appliances and Cleaning Products Lab since 2021. During recent testing for the 2022 Cleaning Awards, she assisted Carolyn Forté, Executive Director of the Cleaning Lab, in testing 24 of the newest robots, stick, canister and upright vacuums on the market.