How Long Do Vacuums Last? (2025)

Be honest: how long have you been lugging around your current vacuum? How long do vacuums last, anyway?

Personally, I dragged a hand-me-down upright Dyson around for 12 years (and I can’t confirm how old it was when I got it all those years ago), across the entire state of California and across eight different apartments and places I called home. It can be hard to tell when a vacuum needs replacing when it’s not giving the obvious signs, but even a Dyson needs replacing after a few years.

Wondering if it’s time to replace yours? Here’s everything to look for, and how to care for your vacuum so that it lives as long as it can. If you’re ready to start shopping for a new one, don’t miss our guides to the Best Dyson Vacuums, Best Robot Vacuums, Best Cordless Vacuums, Best Vacuums for Pet Hair, and Best Car Vacuums.

There are some signs you can’t ignore to tell if your vacuum might be down for the count, or at least needing serious repair. You’ll want to repair or replace your vacuum if you notice the following:

• Strange noises and rattling
• Burning smells and overheating

These aren’t shocking revelations. Burning smells and rattling should be easy giveaways something’s wrong. You can start with a local repair shop to see if your vacuum needs a part replaced or fixed, and they can help determine if it’s worth fixing or if you should start shopping for a replacement. If it’s been more than five years and you see these problems, it’s likely time for a replacement rather than a fix, but that can vary depending on the quality of your vacuum.

Your vacuum might need some maintenance or be reaching the end of its lifespan when these issues arise:

• Decreased suction power
• Frequent clogs and jams
• Physical wear and tear

Decreased suction power can be harder to notice if you aren’t looking carefully. I certainly hadn’t realized how weak my old vacuum had become until I started using a new one. Frequent clogs might be a sign of age, but they can also be a sign that you need to do a better job cleaning your vacuum and making sure the tubes are clear before you start your next cleaning session.

Courtesy of Bissell; Narwal

So, how long does a vacuum last? Eufy, which makes vacuums and other smart home goods, says a vacuum lasts on average between five and eight years. Many folks also refer to Consumer Reports, which says eight years, but that research is from nearly 10 years ago. Different vacuum styles have become popular in those 10 years, primarily cordless and robot vacuums, which Eufy says only last between one and two years.

Several factors impact that lifetime, of course. Primarily the quality of the build: Vacuums with better durability and stronger materials will last you longer. You can easily find cheap knockoffs of brand-name vacuums, but you’ll likely find yourself buying a new vacuum sooner than you would have if you spent a little more.

Maintenance and timely repairs will also obviously affect the lifespan of your vacuum. You do need to take care of your vacuum to help it last. That means emptying the dust bin, changing the filters, and cleaning the hoses and accessories. Not taking care of the vacuum is an easy way to start ramping up the subtle signs that your vacuum is starting to die: decreased suction, frequent clogs, and so on.

Frequency of use also plays a big role. If you’re using a vacuum multiple times a week, versus once a week, you won’t wear down the parts as quickly. You really should vacuum at least once a week, and more often in high-traffic areas, especially if you have babies and pets in your house.

How to properly clean your vacuum varies a bit based on what style of vacuum you have. Cleaning a robot vacuum and cleaning a large upright vacuum won’t be exactly the same, after all. But no matter the style of vacuum, it’s not just emptying the dust bin.

You can usually take apart the vacuum to a certain degree to clean the removable parts, like the brushes. Check your vacuum’s manual for the best way to clean it, so that you don’t end up breaking anything. (Personally, I love a YouTube video I can follow as a visual person, but not all models will have a video you can find.) Home Depot recommends cleaning your vacuum in a well-ventilated area, and to wear a mask and rubber gloves since you’ll be exposed to dust and dirt as you clean.

You’ll also want to wash the filter if it’s washable, or replace it if it’s not. A filter is crucial to prevent the vacuum from recirculating dust it picks up back into the air. You might also want to consider a new vacuum if you find you’d like a better filter option. Newer vacuums usually have better filters, and vacuums with HEPA filters have become increasingly easy to find.

Decided you do need a new vacuum? Here are some of our favorite vacuums. Don’t miss our guides for each of these if you want to go into the weeds on what vacuum is the perfect fit for you.