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 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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3. Eureka RapidClean Pro Cordless Cleaner for Hard Floors
- Efficient Cordless Cleaning: An upgraded 250W brushless digital...
- 40 Minutes Runtime: The Eureka NEC280TL cordless stick vacuum...
- 5-stage Filtration System: A 5-layer filtration system on...
- 3 Power Modes & LED Headlight Brush: Eureka NEC280TL RapidClean...
- Easy Rest Feature & Under Furniture: The specially designed Easy...
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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4. Miele Boost CX1 PowerLine SNRF0 Bagless Canister Vacuum Cleaner
- Powerful performance: The Boost CX1 uses innovative Vortex...
- Extremely agile: With wheels on the side and TrackDrive this...
- Multistage filtration: This canister vacuum is equipped with a...
- Versatile applications: The Boost CX1 features a universal...
- Compact design: Created to be small and powerful, this household...
The Miele Boost CX1 Powerline Vacuum has a sealed filter system that ensures that once the dust and dirt has been collected it cannot be released. This vacuum is quite easy to use 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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5. Shark HV301 Rocket Ultra-Light Corded Bagless Vacuum
- Never loses suction or power
- Cleans carpets and bare floors
- Lightweight - only 7 pounds. Amps- 4.2. Wattage- 500
- Versatile floor to ceiling cleaning
- Never Loses Suction or Power
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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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 attached to a flexible hose which helps to get to some pretty tight corners.
It normally has compact accessories used in cleaning areas such as below furniture or the sofa.
Iv) Upright Vacuums
If you need a vacuum cleaner that will be effective on both hardwood floor and carpet then an upright vacuum cleaner should do the job. They offer strong power which is not required for hardwood floor and which is even dangerous for the floor. However, if you do decide to acquire one, be sure that you can switch off the brushes. They do have a larger footprint hence they will not be able to clean the small areas.
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. 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. 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.
8. 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.
9. 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.
