Any vacuum can easily clean hardwood floors, but the best hardwood floor vacuum will always do a better job in getting any crumbs, hair, or dust, or anything else you might want to get off your hardwood floors, be it wood laminate or tiles. The best vacuum for hardwood floors can be corded or cordless, upright, stick, and nowadays, we even have robot vacuums that have taken over the traditional vacuums.
Want to learn more about the best vacuums for hardwood floors? Check out this article that recaps the best options if you are looking for the best hardwood floor vacuum, their advantages and disadvantages, and what features you should consider.
The Best Vacuums For Hardwood Floors
1. Bissell Featherweight Stick Lightweight Bagless Vacuum
- Powerful, convenient, and easy to use
- Powerful suction makes it great for quick pick ups with...
- Versatile cleaning three machines in one: A stick vacuum, handle...
- With a crevice tool for furniture and a floor nozzle for stairs
- Clean hard floors and surface dirt on carpets and area rugs....
Whether you are looking for a stair vacuum or a vacuum that can clean even countertops, this Bissell stick vacuum model is the best option for your needs. The hardwood vacuums usually clean up the hard floors and carpeted surfaces because the handheld vacuums usually attach directly to the floor nozzle and dust off the steps. It features a crevice tool that cleans crannies and crooks, and it is light enough to be carried around and up and down the stairs.
Bissell Featherweight stick vacuum has a dirt tank emptied from the bottom with the cord wrapping around the stand, minimizing tangling risk. This factor also makes it quite easy to store, and it is among the best stick vacuums with high cleaning power. This nimble vacuum that is three in one is suitable for anyone looking to clean with ease without breaking the bank.
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2. Shark Navigator Lift-Away Professional Vacuum
- Dust cup capacity 2.2 quarts; Lift away; Press a button to lift...
- Anti-allergen complete seal technology plus a HEPA filter; Traps...
- Powerful and lightweight; Portable and versatile at 13.7 pounds
- Brush roll shutoff; Deep carpet and gentle bare floor cleaning
- Hard floor hero attachment not included
The Shark Navigator Lift-Away is the best choice to vacuum hardwood floors, and it makes for an affordable vacuum providing decent cleaning power. It is a 2-in-1, meaning it can be used as an upright vacuum or as a canister vacuum that reaches the hard-to-reach places with plenty of suction settings, and the bagless design makes it easy to use for disposal. It features a complete seal technology and a HEPA filter that traps 99% of allergens and dust, making it a suitable choice for allergic sufferers.
The Liftaway corded vacuum packs accessories such as a dusting brush tool, a crevice tool, and a pet power brush tool. The roller brush can be used to clean bare floors, tiles, wood floors, and also, the switch to clean carpets is quite easy but ensure you switch off the brush roll off before cleaning bare floors. Also, you can use the lift-away canister vacuums to vacuum stairs or any elevated areas.
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3. Eufy RoboVac 30C
- Wi-Fi Convenience: The EufyHome app, and Amazon Alexa and the...
- Worry-Free Cleaning: Set Boundary Strips and the robotic vacuum...
- BoostIQ Technology: The robotic vacuum cleaner will automatically...
- A Quiet Clean: Up to 100 minutes** of constant, powerful suction...
- What You Get: RoboVac 30C, 13.2 ft Boundary Strips, remote...
The Eufy Robovac is the best robot vacuum in the market, and it especially cleans pet hair, fine dust, and dirt, leaving your bare floor tidy and clean. It has a 1500Pa suction power, and the 30C suctions usually help in the suctioning of crumbs, debris, carpet fibers, and pet hair with a lot of ease in tile, wood, laminate, and carpeted floors.
Eufy robot vacuum provides a 100-minute runtime on your bare floors, which is suitable for anyone looking for the best hardwood floor vacuum with no hassle. It has self-charging capabilities and multiple cleaning modes. You can manually use a remote control or by scheduling through the app or compatible smart home assistants like Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa. When the robotic vacuum finishes cleaning your bare floor, it automatically goes back to its dock and charges waiting for the next run.
It has a dust box of 0.63 quarts which is quite large for a robot vacuum but compared to other types of vacuums the container is small. This would mean if cleaning a larger room, the box would need to be emptied often.
It also comes with a year warranty.
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4. Shark Rocket Ultra Light Handheld Vacuum
- No loss of suction. To clean bare floors, area rugs, or with...
- Powerful 2 in 1 vacuum deep cleans your carpets and hardwood...
- Perfect for quick pickups; Cord length: 25 feet
- Designed to clean everywhere with the included attachments; Rinse...
- Included attachments: Handheld vacuum, motorized floor nozzle,...
Shark Rocket Ultra-Light is a super lightweight and sleek body style that helps the upright stick vacuum easily get in and out of tight spaces and under low-lying furniture. It can be easily converted to a handheld vacuum making it super versatile and has an adjustable roller speed control that helps users slow the brush rotation when operating on bare floors. It also has an option to increase the speed of carpeted and upholstered surfaces.
The stick vacuum features LED lights that help illuminate the path of both the handheld variation and the floor head of the stick vacuum. The Shark Rocket Ultra-Light also features an extendable wand that helps to reach ceilings and stays tight to baseboards, and it attacks fine debris that hides under tight spaces.
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5. Dyson Cyclone V10 Absolute Vacuum
- Up to 60 minutes run time when using a non-motorized tool....
- Dyson technology helps create a cleaner, healthier home - Our...
- Lightweight and versatile, to clean right through the home....
- Up to 40 minutes of fade-free power with the soft Roller cleaner...
- Torque drive cleaner head – Up to 20 minutes of fade-free power...
Dyson is one of the best vacuums for hardwood floors that is a cordless stick vacuum that makes it convenient and quick to clear messes anywhere. The stick vacuum features a soft roller head and a superior suction power that cleans bare floors with no hassle and quickly. It also comes with a separate head with a motor-driven beater bar that perfectly does deep cleaning and carpets. All the attachments of this model dock on a wall-mounted charging station that easily swaps accessories.
However, this cordless vacuum model has a trigger that should be held down for a user to operate the vacuum, which is hectic and saves power. It means if you are covering a lot of floor space, the Dyson Cyclone V10 stick vacuums might tire the user because of having to hold down the trigger constantly. All in all, this battery-powered vacuum can handle daily bare floor cleaning without any excuses and hesitancy and with a 0.2-gallon dust bin and a 40 minute run time.
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6. Eureka RapidClean Pro Cordless Vacuum Cleaner
- Efficient Cordless Cleaning: Powered by the latest motor...
- 40 Minutes Long Lasting Runtime: Up to 40 min of fade-free...
- Easy Rest Feature: Need to take a break. The specially designed...
- Under Furniture Reach: We moved the dust cup to the front so you...
- LED Headlights: Bright beams light the way so you can see dust...
The Eureka Rapidclean Pro is a cordless vacuum cleaner that is ideal for both hardwood floors and carpets. It is an easy to use and maneuver device as it is versatile in terms of how it can be used. It can be laid down flat allowing you to clean below large pieces of furniture without necessarily having to move them.
It also has a handy built in resting nook under the handle so in between cleaning you can rest the vacuum on a counter without the fear of it falling over. The vacuum can run for 40 to 45 minutes and it is very lightweight. It is ideal for those with pets as it can capture their pet hair and dander. It comes with LED lights that allows you to see dust and debris that you might have otherwise missed.
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7. Miele Compact C1 Canister Vacuum
- POWERFUL & LIGHTWEIGHT: Bagged canister vacuum cleaner ideal for...
- STRONG SUCTION POWER: Switch between 6 suction power settings...
- MAXIMUM MANEUVERABILITY: Vacuum easily around and underneath...
- AIRCLEAN SYSTEM: Miele's unique 3-tiered filtration system...
- INCLUDED ACCESSORIES: SBD 365-3 Combination Floorhead, Dusting...
The Miele Compact C1 Canister Vacuum has a sealed filter system that ensures that once the dust and dirt has been collected it cannot be released till the 3.5 liter dust bag is replaced. The replacement process is quite easy and doesn’t expose you to any allergens which is great for those who are prone and suffer from allergies.
The vacuum comes with a floorhead designed with hardwood floors in mind. Its rubberized wheels are designed to ensure that you floor does not suffer any scratches while the metal plate helps it glide across the floors surface hence enabling powerful suction.
The vacuum has six different suction settings depending on the location and severity. It comes with an accompanying dust brush, upholstery tool and crevice tool.
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What to Consider Before Purchasing the Best Hardwood Floor Vacuum
Before you purchase the best vacuum for hardwood floors, you should consider the most important factors, and below are some of those factors.
1. Type of Vacuum
It can be challenging to choose the right vacuum type for hard floors because there are various types in the market.
I) Stick Vacuums
Stick vacuums are ideal for cleaning hardwood floors. They tend to be lightweight and easy to move around. They often have a lower suction power but this is not a problem for hardwood floors. They are easy to store. Most stick vacuums are power operated however there are some that are cordless.
The downside is that most stick vacuums don’t come with attachments
Ii) Handheld Vacuums
They are ideal for touch ups or simply as back up devices. They are however not suitable for large surfaces. Handheld vacuums are light and often tend to be cordless.
Iii) Canister Vacuum Cleaner
Canister vacuums are made of two separate components: The wand and cylindrical engine. They are connected with a flexible hose, allowing you to reach tighter spaces.
They usually come with smaller attachments to clean areas such as under the furniture or the couch.
Iv) Upright Vacuums
An upright vacuum cleaner is ideal if you’re looking for a multi-purpose vacuum that can clean both hardwood floors and carpets. They provide strong power which is not necessary for a hardwood floor and actually poses a risk of damaging the floor. If you do decide to purchase one, ensure that the brushes can be turned off. They do have a larger footprint hence they won’t be able to clean the smaller spaces.
V) Robot Vacuums
These are the latest trendy high tech devices that act as your cleaning assistant. They can even be programmed remotely. All you need to do, is let your robot know what and where to clean and they’ll do it for you. When picking this model, ensure that the bristles are soft so as to not damage the wood floors.
Vi) Steam Vacuums
Steam vacuum cleaners are ideal if you’re looking for a machine that removes more than the visible dirt. They use steam to remove stains and kill any germs or bacteria found on the floor. The heat leaves little to no moisture behind hence your floors won’t be damaged.
2. Maneuverability
For models of the best vacuum for hardwood floors, maneuverability is mostly affected by a handle. If the handle is too long, the machine tends to feel cumbersome, but having a short handle also means you will struggle with the handle right posture, which can cause other problems. Also, it is affected by the weight of the vacuum when it comes to maneuverability because of lifting the vacuum or bringing it up and down the stairs.
To help more with maneuverability, you can choose a movable floor head as wheels can comfortably roll in any direction. Getting an ergonomic design of vacuums for hardwood floors comes in handy when emptying the dustbin, moving your vacuum across the hardwood floors, or using any attachments.
3. Battery Life
The battery life is an important aspect of cordless vacuums because it plays a part in how much a battery will keep going. Most models for vacuum cleaners feature at least 30 minutes of full run time on a single charge when it comes to price; the battery life of the vacuum matters, so you should purchase a vacuum that has a good reputation for a long-lasting battery.
Additionally, some manufacturers offer warranties on their batteries. In contrast, some only offer the machine only so before making your purchase, ensure you check your options for a vacuum for hardwood floors carefully, especially when choosing a model that relies on batteries.
4. Corded vs. Cordless Vacuum
Corded and cordless vacuums work for different areas because if you have big floor space, then cordless vacuums could be your best vacuum for hardwood floors where you need to charge your vacuum and use it when needed. These cordless vacuums usually offer at least 30 minutes of run time on a single charge, and being cordless means they can easily maneuver anywhere.
For corded vacuums for hardwood floors, you don't need to worry about batteries, whether it's charging or replacing one. However, these models mean you will limit your movement because you have to plug the cord into different outlets to cover all your floors, but you never have to worry about run time.
5. Filtration
The factor of a filtration system is more important to people who suffer from allergies or other medical conditions that are worsened by dust or fine particles. Many vacuums feature a HEPA filter nowadays that is user-friendly and allow an easy time changing filters regularly. In contrast, other filters might need a user to remove and clean it when it gets dirty.
Before making your purchase of vacuums for hardwood floors, check which filter is included in the model options and choose the one right for you and your home. HEPA filtration is very important, especially for carpeted areas where debris and dust cling more. Still, some top options usually come with simple filters that clear the air and keep your hardwood floors clean.
6. Dustbin
Most vacuum models usually feature a dustbin that can easily open up, be removed, or be dumped straight into your trash without worrying about any bags. With these bagless models, you need to shake the debris out of your hardwood vacuum and into the appropriate trash container and then close it up and put it back to the vacuum. Such dustbins may feature top button options that open the bottom or might have a top lifted to empty it with the choice depending on how much ease and convenience you are looking for.
Some vacuum models use the bag system where a bagless vacuum system collects debris in a bag over some time, and once the bag is full, it is removed from the bagged vacuum and placed in the trash with no hassle. When ready for more cleaning, you should attach another bag for more cleaning but keep in mind that the bags are an additional expense but are preferred for people who need the most convenience.
7. Attachments
The type of attachment you should choose depends on where you need to use the vacuum regularly. Some standard attachments include a dust brush or a crevice tool usable on different home surfaces. The small brush can work well as an upholstery tool, and if you are a pet owner, you could use a vacuum that comes with a tool that is meant to handle pet hair specifically. Other attachments like telescoping tools or a telescoping duster can help you reach hard-to-reach areas such as your ceiling fan blades or light fixtures.
8. Suction
Suction is the key element in a vacuum cleaner. You need a vacuum with good suction to pull up all the dirt and leave your hardwood floors feeling and looking sparkling clean. When it comes to suction, you have to be careful. If it’s too strong, your vacuum may end up scuffing and scratching your hardwood floor. The aim is get a vacuum that has a suction that is strong enough to clean your floor but not too strong that the floor will end up getting scratched after a few cleaning sessions.
9. Noise
Cleaning should be an enjoyable activity and it can be a great opportunity to pump up some music, catch up on that podcast or maybe even listen to a book. There are some vacuum models that do guarantee some level of silence even though it is hard to find any model that is completely silent. However, the aim is to find one that allows you to talk over the noise and is reasonably quiet. The best vacuums come with sound-reducing interior padding. If you have young children or sensitive neighbors, this might be costly but an important feature to keep in mind.
10. Size
When it comes to size, the bigger the vacuum, the bigger its dust container. When the dust container is big, it means that you don’t have to empty it out as much which makes it quite convenient. However, if the vacuum cleaner is too big, it will be bulky and quite irritating to use and maneuver especially when you need to clean those hard to reach places like corners and below pieces of furniture.
The aim is find a middle ground. You can always find a vacuum cleaner that is big enough to save you the time and effort of constantly emptying but is still small enough to maneuver and use. One such vacuum cleaner is a canister vacuum cleaner. It allows you to have the best of both worlds as it can clean the corners and crevices while still allowing you to enjoy having a large dust tank that can go for weeks without emptying.
Frequently Asked Questions on the Best Hardwood Floor Vacuums
1. What type of vacuum is best for hardwood floors?
According to our reviews above, the best hardwood floor vacuum is the, and we have explained why it's the best with some of its advantages and disadvantages.
2. Is it better to vacuum or sweep hardwood floors?
Sweeping or vacuuming hardwood floors depends on an individual because both ways work for particular situations. For the hardwood floors cleaning, vacuuming is the best option because it picks up fine dirt and dust particles, but when cleaning after a renovation, the best solution would be to sweep first. Both sweeping and vacuuming works for a hardwood floor, and it's up to the user to make their most appropriate choice, but generally, the vacuums offer a thorough cleaning.
