The Best Eco Friendly Vacuum Cleaner
Which vacuum cleaner brands are the most ethical and sustainable? For the answer, see our Ethical Vacuum Cleaners Ratings Table to compare brands’ ethical scores.
Our guide to the most ethical brands of vacuum cleaner…
Like laundry, washing up and cleaning, vacuuming is just one of the many household tasks that we all have to do regularly. But have you ever considered buying an eco friendly vacuum cleaner or the ethical impact of using one? Let’s have a look at the differences in the environmental ramifications of cordless vacuum cleaners, bagless vacuum cleaners, reusable vacuum bags and problematic parent company activities…
Reusable vacuum bags for your eco friendly vacuum cleaner
Though most disposable vacuum bags are made mostly from paper or fabric, the seal of the bag is often made from plastic. Opt for reusable vacuum bags to reduce the amount of plastic waste you create. Whilst paper vacuum cleaner bags may biodegrade in certain landfill conditions, synthetic fabrics take hundreds of years to break down. Moreover, reusable vacuum bags save you money. Buy reusable vacuum bags from brands that score highly in our Ethical Vacuum Cleaners Ratings Table. Try using the term ‘washable vacuum cleaner bags’ as an alternative online search option too. You may also want to consider buying biodegradable vacuum cleaner bags that you can compost at home.
Our research: Is a cordless vacuum cleaner good for the environment?
As the cost of living rises, many of us are looking for ways to cut down on our electricity consumption. You may think a cordless vacuum cleaner is a better option than one with a cord. However, a typical cordless vacuum cleaner is powered by a lithium battery, which has been associated with a range of ethical issues, due to the mining practices associated with lithium production. Lithium is a finite, unsustainable resource, and over-consumption of this chemical element is leading to its rapid depletion.
The lithium batteries in your cordless vacuum cleaner
According to Wired, approximately 500,000 gallons of water is required to mine a single tonne of lithium! This deprives local farmers and communities of their natural water supply, which is particularly concerning as lithium is typically found in water-scarce regions.
Toxic chemicals used in the process of lithium mining have been known to contaminate local rivers and lakes. Rechargeable cordless vacuum cleaners will also use your electricity supply when they are charging, so this might not necessarily cut down on your energy bill as much as you might hope!
Always check the ethics of vacuum cleaner brands on our Ethical Vacuum Cleaners Ratings Table. Some are involved in unethical activities such as human rights abuses, environmental destruction, and even the production of military equipment. Buy from brands in the green section of the table.
Our research: Vacuum cleaner companies funding conflict
Our latest research into the vacuum cleaners sector has revealed some concerning activities that several brands are involved in. Three vacuum cleaner brands, Beko, Black & Decker and Samsung have been marked down under our Armaments criteria for their parent company’s involvement in the defence industry.
For example, Koç Holding, the parent company of Beko, was found to be involved in the Turkish defence industry. The company owns Otokar, a manufacturer of military vehicles, and KoçSavunma, which produces military submarines.
Koç Holding has also been criticised by Boycott Turkey, as its Otokar Akrep vehicles were used in Turkey’s attacks against Kurdish cities. The Kurdish people have suffered through genocide, displacement, war and persecution. At The Good Shopping Guide, we believe it is unacceptable to profit from the devastation of war, and therefore encourage you to avoid brands owned by Koç Holding, such as Beko.
Our advice: Buy a bagless vacuum cleaner or reusable vacuum bags
The unethical activities that occur within the vacuum cleaner sector may seem overwhelming. But there is some good news. Purchase from the green brands in our Vacuum Cleaners Ratings Table to find the best ethical and eco friendly vacuum cleaner.
As we have previously mentioned, if you buy a cordless vacuum cleaner this risks harm to the environment. Avoid purchasing a cordless vacuum cleaner and instead opt for a vacuum cleaner with a cord. If you are concerned about your energy use, we recommend researching an ethical energy provider.
Is a bagless vacuum cleaner better for the environment?
Top tip: buy a bagless vacuum cleaner to reduce plastic waste! With a bagless vacuum cleaner, there is no need to purchase any vacuum bags, which saves money as well as waste. A bagless vacuum cleaner may therefore be a good option for you. They’re simple to use and don’t require the effort of changing bags. (Dust exploding all over the freshly vacuumed carpet, anyone?)
Brands such as Shark and Philips make and sell a bagless vacuum model, and have an 82/100 GSG Score on our Ethical Vacuum Cleaners Ratings Table.
Can I recycle my vacuum cleaner?
The Good Shopping Guide always recommends attempting to repair any broken products. This will not only save you money, but also decrease waste and demand for more new vacuum cleaners whose manufacturing methods may be unethical and environmentally damaging. You should check your vacuum cleaner regularly to keep it in good condition. However, if your vacuum cleaner has well and truly had its day, you should contact the manufacturer, who are responsible for its safe disposal and recycling. Alternatively, you can find a government-approved list of collection facilities for waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) at this website. Ethical shoppers should never just chuck a vacuum cleaner in the landfill or general waste, as their metal and plastic components could harm the environment if they rust, degrade or are incinerated.
Buy a second-hand vacuum cleaner
Buying second-hand is a good alternative to buying new if your old vacuum cleaner is totally beyond repair. The best eco friendly vacuum cleaner is a preloved eco friendly vacuum cleaner!
See our Ethical Vacuum Cleaners Ratings Table to compare brands
The Good Shopping Guide has analysed and investigated into thousands of brands that appear on our Ethical Ratings Tables. We have compiled this research that features in our ratings and rankings into articles. Read these for more information about the ethics and sustainability efforts of each of the brands.
Miele, Henry, Rowenta, Vax, Philips, Shark, iRobot, AEG, Daewoo, Eufy, Morphy Richards, Russell Hobbs, Zanussi, Beko, Dyson, Bosch, Black & Decker, Hoover, Tower, Dreame, Ewbank, Gtech, and Samsung.
Why should I choose an ethical vacuum cleaner brand?
Not all vacuum cleaner brands operate to the same ethical standards. Some are linked to concerning activities such as human rights abuses, environmental destruction, and even involvement in the defence industry. The Good Shopping Guide’s Vacuum Cleaners Ethical Ratings Table assesses brands across a range of environmental, social, and governance criteria, allowing consumers to compare brands and make more informed purchasing decisions. By choosing brands that score in the green section of the table, shoppers can help direct spending away from companies engaged in harmful practices.
Are reusable vacuum bags better for the environment?
Opting for reusable vacuum bags is a simple way to reduce household waste. Although most disposable vacuum bags are made from paper or fabric, the seal is often made from plastic. Synthetic fabric bags can take hundreds of years to break down in landfill, and even paper bags may not biodegrade reliably in all conditions. Switching to reusable or washable vacuum bags eliminates the need for regular replacement, saving both money and resources. Biodegradable vacuum bags that can be composted at home are another alternative worth exploring.
Is a cordless vacuum cleaner eco-friendly?
Cordless vacuum cleaners are powered by lithium batteries, which come with a range of ethical concerns. Lithium is a finite resource, and its extraction is associated with significant environmental damage. According to research, approximately 500,000 gallons of water is required to mine a single tonne of lithium, depriving local farming communities of their natural water supply — a particular concern given that lithium is typically found in water-scarce regions. Toxic chemicals used in the mining process have also been known to contaminate local rivers and lakes. Cordless models still draw electricity during charging, so they do not necessarily reduce energy consumption compared to corded alternatives.
Is a bagless vacuum cleaner a more sustainable choice?
A bagless vacuum cleaner can be a more eco-friendly option as it removes the need to purchase and dispose of vacuum bags altogether. This reduces ongoing plastic and paper waste, as well as saving money over time. Bagless models are generally straightforward to empty and maintain. Several brands available on The Good Shopping Guide’s Vacuum Cleaners Ethical Ratings Table, including Shark and Philips, offer bagless vacuum cleaner models for those looking to reduce their household waste.
How should I dispose of an old vacuum cleaner responsibly?
The Good Shopping Guide recommends attempting to repair a vacuum cleaner before replacing it, which reduces waste and lowers demand for new products whose manufacturing may have an environmental cost. If a vacuum cleaner is beyond repair, the manufacturer is responsible for its safe disposal and recycling under waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) regulations. Consumers can also find government-approved local collection facilities for WEEE products online. Vacuum cleaners should never be placed in general waste or landfill, as their metal and plastic components can cause environmental harm through rusting, degradation, or incineration. Buying a second-hand vacuum cleaner is another responsible alternative to purchasing new.
Is Henry an ethical vacuum cleaner brand?
Henry sits above the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Vacuum Cleaners Ethical Ratings Table, performing well across most assessed categories, including its Environmental Report, Fossil Fuels, and Animal Welfare credentials, though it falls short in its Code of Conduct rating. Without Ethical Accreditation, applying for it could provide Henry with a recognised means of formally demonstrating its commitment to ethical and sustainable business practices.
Is Miele an ethical vacuum cleaner brand?
Miele sits above the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Vacuum Cleaners Ethical Ratings Table, performing well across most assessed categories, including its Environmental Report, Fossil Fuels, and Code of Conduct credentials, though it falls short in its Political Donations rating. Without Ethical Accreditation, applying for it could provide Miele with a recognised means of formally demonstrating its commitment to ethical and sustainable business practices.
Is Numatic an ethical vacuum cleaner brand?
Numatic sits above the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Vacuum Cleaners Ethical Ratings Table, performing well across most assessed categories, including its Environmental Report, Fossil Fuels, and Animal Welfare credentials, though it falls short in its Code of Conduct rating. Without Ethical Accreditation, applying for it could provide Numatic with a recognised means of formally demonstrating its commitment to ethical and sustainable business practices.
Is Philips an ethical vacuum cleaner brand?
Philips sits above the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Vacuum Cleaners Ethical Ratings Table, performing well in areas such as its Fossil Fuels, Animal Welfare, and Human Rights credentials, though it receives acceptable rather than top ratings for both its Environmental Report and Code of Conduct. Without Ethical Accreditation, applying for it could provide Philips with a recognised means of formally demonstrating its commitment to ethical and sustainable business practices.
Is Rowenta an ethical vacuum cleaner brand?
Rowenta sits above the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Vacuum Cleaners Ethical Ratings Table, performing well across most assessed categories, including its Environmental Report, Fossil Fuels, and Code of Conduct credentials, though it receives acceptable rather than top ratings in its Other Criticisms assessment. Without Ethical Accreditation, applying for it could provide Rowenta with a recognised means of formally demonstrating its commitment to ethical and sustainable business practices.
Is Beldray an ethical vacuum cleaner brand?
Beldray sits above the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Vacuum Cleaners Ethical Ratings Table, performing well in areas such as its Fossil Fuels, Animal Welfare, and Human Rights credentials, though it falls short in its Environmental Report and receives acceptable rather than top ratings for its Code of Conduct. Without Ethical Accreditation, applying for it could provide Beldray with a recognised means of formally demonstrating its commitment to ethical and sustainable business practices.
Is Shark an ethical vacuum cleaner brand?
Shark sits above the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Vacuum Cleaners Ethical Ratings Table, performing well in areas such as its Fossil Fuels, Animal Welfare, and Human Rights credentials, though it falls short in its Environmental Report and receives acceptable rather than top ratings for its Code of Conduct. Without Ethical Accreditation, applying for it could provide Shark with a recognised means of formally demonstrating its commitment to ethical and sustainable business practices.
Is AEG an ethical vacuum cleaner brand?
AEG sits above the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Vacuum Cleaners Ethical Ratings Table, performing well in areas such as its Environmental Report, Fossil Fuels, and Human Rights credentials, though it receives acceptable rather than top ratings for its Code of Conduct, Political Donations, and Other Criticisms assessments. Without Ethical Accreditation, applying for it could provide AEG with a recognised means of formally demonstrating its commitment to ethical and sustainable business practices.
Is Daewoo an ethical vacuum cleaner brand?
Daewoo sits above the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Vacuum Cleaners Ethical Ratings Table, performing well in areas such as its Fossil Fuels, Animal Welfare, and Human Rights credentials, though it falls short in both its Environmental Report and Code of Conduct ratings. Without Ethical Accreditation, applying for it could provide Daewoo with a recognised means of formally demonstrating its commitment to ethical and sustainable business practices.
Is Dreame an ethical vacuum cleaner brand?
Dreame sits above the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Vacuum Cleaners Ethical Ratings Table, performing well in areas such as its Fossil Fuels, Animal Welfare, and Human Rights credentials, though it falls short in both its Environmental Report and Code of Conduct ratings. Without Ethical Accreditation, applying for it could provide Dreame with a recognised means of formally demonstrating its commitment to ethical and sustainable business practices.
Is Eufy an ethical vacuum cleaner brand?
Eufy sits above the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Vacuum Cleaners Ethical Ratings Table, performing well across most assessed categories, including its Environmental Report, Fossil Fuels, and Code of Conduct credentials, though it falls short in its Other Criticisms assessment. Without Ethical Accreditation, applying for it could provide Eufy with a recognised means of formally demonstrating its commitment to ethical and sustainable business practices.
Is Ewbank an ethical vacuum cleaner brand?
Ewbank sits above the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Vacuum Cleaners Ethical Ratings Table, performing well in areas such as its Fossil Fuels, Animal Welfare, and Human Rights credentials, though it falls short in both its Environmental Report and Code of Conduct ratings. Without Ethical Accreditation, applying for it could provide Ewbank with a recognised means of formally demonstrating its commitment to ethical and sustainable business practices.
Is Gtech an ethical vacuum cleaner brand?
Gtech sits above the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Vacuum Cleaners Ethical Ratings Table, performing well in areas such as its Fossil Fuels, Animal Welfare, and Human Rights credentials, though it falls short in both its Environmental Report and Code of Conduct ratings. Without Ethical Accreditation, applying for it could provide Gtech with a recognised means of formally demonstrating its commitment to ethical and sustainable business practices.
Is Tower an ethical vacuum cleaner brand?
Tower sits above the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Vacuum Cleaners Ethical Ratings Table, performing well in areas such as its Fossil Fuels, Animal Welfare, and Human Rights credentials, though it falls short in both its Environmental Report and Code of Conduct ratings. Without Ethical Accreditation, applying for it could provide Tower with a recognised means of formally demonstrating its commitment to ethical and sustainable business practices.
Is Zanussi an ethical vacuum cleaner brand?
Zanussi sits above the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Vacuum Cleaners Ethical Ratings Table, performing well in areas such as its Environmental Report, Fossil Fuels, and Human Rights credentials, though it receives acceptable rather than top ratings for its Code of Conduct, Political Donations, and Other Criticisms assessments. Without Ethical Accreditation, applying for it could provide Zanussi with a recognised means of formally demonstrating its commitment to ethical and sustainable business practices.
Is Morphy Richards an ethical vacuum cleaner brand?
Morphy Richards falls below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Vacuum Cleaners Ethical Ratings Table. The brand performs well in areas such as its Fossil Fuels, Animal Welfare, and Armaments credentials, though it falls short in its Code of Conduct rating and receives acceptable rather than top marks for its Environmental Report and Human Rights assessments. Consumers seeking vacuum cleaner brands that do reach the ethical benchmark can consult The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Vacuum Cleaners Ethical Ratings Table for more responsible alternatives.
Is Vax an ethical vacuum cleaner brand?
Vax falls below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Vacuum Cleaners Ethical Ratings Table. The brand performs well in areas such as its Environmental Report, Fossil Fuels, and Animal Welfare credentials, though it receives acceptable rather than top marks across its Code of Conduct, Political Donations, Human Rights, and Other Criticisms assessments. Shoppers seeking vacuum cleaner brands that do reach the ethical benchmark can consult The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Vacuum Cleaners Ethical Ratings Table for more responsible alternatives.
Is iRobot an ethical vacuum cleaner brand?
iRobot falls below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Vacuum Cleaners Ethical Ratings Table. The brand performs well in areas such as its Fossil Fuels, Animal Welfare, and Human Rights credentials, though it falls short in its Environmental Report, Code of Conduct, and Political Donations ratings. Consumers seeking vacuum cleaner brands that do reach the ethical benchmark can consult The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Vacuum Cleaners Ethical Ratings Table for more responsible alternatives.
Is Black & Decker an ethical vacuum cleaner brand?
Black & Decker falls below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Vacuum Cleaners Ethical Ratings Table. The brand performs well in areas such as its Environmental Report, Fossil Fuels, and Code of Conduct credentials, though it falls short in its Armaments, Political Donations, and Other Criticisms ratings. Those seeking vacuum cleaner brands that do reach the ethical benchmark can consult The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Vacuum Cleaners Ethical Ratings Table for more responsible alternatives.
Is Bosch an ethical vacuum cleaner brand?
Bosch falls below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Vacuum Cleaners Ethical Ratings Table. The brand performs well in areas such as its Environmental Report, Fossil Fuels, and Code of Conduct credentials, though it falls short in its Political Donations and Other Criticisms ratings and receives acceptable rather than top marks for its Human Rights assessment. Consumers seeking vacuum cleaner brands that do reach the ethical benchmark can consult The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Vacuum Cleaners Ethical Ratings Table for more responsible alternatives.
Is Hoover an ethical vacuum cleaner brand?
Hoover falls below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Vacuum Cleaners Ethical Ratings Table. The brand performs well in areas such as its Fossil Fuels, Animal Welfare, and Human Rights credentials, though it falls short in its Political Donations and Other Criticisms ratings and receives acceptable rather than top marks for its Environmental Report and Code of Conduct. Shoppers seeking vacuum cleaner brands that do reach the ethical benchmark can consult The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Vacuum Cleaners Ethical Ratings Table for more responsible alternatives.
Is Russell Hobbs an ethical vacuum cleaner brand?
Russell Hobbs falls below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Vacuum Cleaners Ethical Ratings Table. The brand performs well in areas such as its Fossil Fuels, Animal Welfare, and Human Rights credentials, though it falls short in its Political Donations and Other Criticisms ratings and receives acceptable rather than top marks for its Environmental Report and Code of Conduct. Those seeking vacuum cleaner brands that do reach the ethical benchmark can consult The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Vacuum Cleaners Ethical Ratings Table for more responsible alternatives.
Is Beko an ethical vacuum cleaner brand?
Beko falls below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Vacuum Cleaners Ethical Ratings Table. The brand performs well in areas such as its Environmental Report, Animal Welfare, and Political Donations credentials, though it falls short in its Fossil Fuels and Armaments ratings and receives acceptable rather than top marks for its Code of Conduct, Human Rights, and Other Criticisms assessments. Consumers seeking vacuum cleaner brands that do reach the ethical benchmark can consult The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Vacuum Cleaners Ethical Ratings Table for more responsible alternatives.
Is Dyson an ethical vacuum cleaner brand?
Dyson falls below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Vacuum Cleaners Ethical Ratings Table. The brand performs well in areas such as its Fossil Fuels, Animal Welfare, and Armaments credentials, though it falls short in its Environmental Report, Code of Conduct, and Other Criticisms ratings and receives acceptable rather than top marks for its Human Rights assessment. Those seeking vacuum cleaner brands that do reach the ethical benchmark can consult The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Vacuum Cleaners Ethical Ratings Table for more responsible alternatives.
Is Samsung an ethical vacuum cleaner brand?
Samsung falls below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Vacuum Cleaners Ethical Ratings Table. The brand performs well in areas such as its Environmental Report, Animal Welfare, and Code of Conduct credentials, though it falls short in its Fossil Fuels, Armaments, Political Donations, Human Rights, and Other Criticisms ratings. Shoppers seeking vacuum cleaner brands that do reach the ethical benchmark can consult The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Vacuum Cleaners Ethical Ratings Table for more responsible alternatives.
How does The GOOD Shopping Guide's Ethical Accreditation complement other accreditations?
The GOOD Shopping Guide doesn’t replace existing certifications, it ensures your ethical credentials are clearly recognised so they are trusted by consumers. By appearing in our comparison tables, your brand reaches an audience that is actively seeking genuinely ethical options, while also being referenced by Google and AI search tools to enhance credibility and discoverability.
How is The GOOD Shopping Guide's Ethical Accreditation different from other accreditations?
Unlike many accreditations that focus mainly on compliance or internal audits, The GOOD Shopping Guide provides scored, research-led assessments across environment, people and animals. Our tables are consumer-facing and freely accessible, making it easy for shoppers and AI tools to compare brands based on verified performance, not just promises.
How does The GOOD Shopping Guide choose who is eligible for accreditation?
The GOOD Shopping Guide audits brands for their ethical impact across a variety of criteria in the human, animal and environment categories. We research the records of brands and their parent companies, and rate them across those criteria. If they are found to be above our benchmark, they are eligible to apply for Ethical Accreditation.
How can I apply for Ethical Accreditation?
You can apply for Ethical Accreditation if your brand is assessed as above our benchmark. Click on this link to fill out our online form, and our researchers will assess your brand’s viability for Ethical Accreditation.