Finding the best vacuum for hardwood floors is challenging for any homeowner. Hardwood floors are delicate, and using the wrong vacuum can leave scratches or marks on a hardwood floor, and they will look worn out. A good vacuum is not only one that cleans well but also one that will protect your damaged floor.
The good news is that there are vacuums made specifically for hardwood floors. A gentle yet powerful suction and special attachments for deep cleaning without damaging furniture and carpets are what make these vacuums. Using the right floor cleaner, you can have your floors shining, but not at the expense of breaking a sweat.
Are you ready to find the right vacuum for your hardwood floors? Keep reading to see our top 10 picks for making your cleaning routine faster and safer. Now, let’s help you choose the best option for your home.
How to Choose the Best Vacuum for Hardwood Floors
When looking for the top hardwood floor vacuum, a few things to consider. Hardwood floors are a sensitive material, so it is important to have a vacuum that will clean effectively without damaging the floor. Here are the main factors to look for:
1- Suction Power
Deep cleaning must be done in a vacuum with strong suction. But that can damage the fine hardwood floor surface. Choose models that have an adjustable suction setting option, which lets you balance the power and protect it.
2- Soft Brushes or Rollers
If you have hardwood floors, they scratch easily, so use a vacuum with a soft, nonabrasive brush or roller. The gentle bristles lift away dirt and dust without scratching or leaving marks on hard floors.
3- Weight and Maneuverability
A lightweight vacuum will allow you to pick it up and move it around your home more easily. Pick a model that is easy to push and has a swivel head so you can clean up around furniture and tight corners.
4- Filtration System
If you have an allergy, consider a vacuum with a good filtration system. A good option if you want your home to be fresh and clean is HEPA filters that trap dust and allergens.
Knowing these factors, you will be able to locate a vacuum that is effective and safe for your hardwood floor.
Best Vacuums for Hardwood Floors
Deciding on which type of vacuum is best for your hardwood floors can easily mean the difference between beauty and dirt on your floors. Below are the first two top-rated vacuums for hardwood floors, each offering unique features to suit different needs:
1. Best Overall: Shark Navigator Lift-Away Professional NV356E
Pros
- Pro: Lift-away functionality for portable cleaning
- Pro: HEPA filter for allergen removal
Cons
- Con: Cord is a bit short
- Con: May be too bulky for smaller spaces
Weight: 13.7 lbs | Cord Length: 25 ft. | Bag or Bagless: Bagless | Run Time: N/A | Dust Cup Capacity: 1.2L | HEPA Filter: Yes
Versatile and providing superior hardwood floor and other surface cleaning power, the Shark Navigator Lift-Away Professional NV356E is a great vacuum. Its lift-away function makes it convenient to clean stairs and upholstery. It comes with a HEPA filter that catches allergens and dust, providing better indoor air quality.
The vacuum is easy to manoeuvre, but the cord doesn’t feel very long for bigger areas. It still has some decent suction power. The efficient cleaning across a range of floor types is well suited to both hardwood floors and carpeted surfaces.
2. Best Cordless: Dyson V11 Torque Drive Cordless Vacuum
Pros
- Pro: Cord-free convenience with powerful suction
- Pro: LCD screen for battery and performance monitoring
Cons
- Con: Expensive
- Con: Smaller dustbin capacity
Weight: 6.68 lbs | Cord Length: Cordless | Bag or Bagless: Bagless | Run Time: 60 mins | Dust Cup Capacity: 0.2L | HEPA Filter: Yes
The Dyson V11 Torque Drive is a cordless vacuum world changer. With powerful suction and long battery life, it’s great for cleaning hardwood floors and large surfaces without being cabled. Battery life and performance mode can be easily monitored while cleaning on the LCD screen, displaying important data like that.
The high price may be a drawback, but its cordless convenience and strong cleaning power are unmatched. If you want efficiency and portability along with a high-performance vacuum, then the V11 is perfect for you. The only downside here is the smaller dustbin, meaning it’ll take more emptying when you’re changing your cleaning sessions for longer.
3. Bissell Zing Bagless Canister Vacuum
Pros:
- Lightweight and portable
- Affordable price for a canister vacuum
- Easy-to-use retractable cord
Cons:
- No HEPA filter
- Not ideal for deep carpet cleaning
Weight: 10.23 lbs | Cord Length: 16 ft. | Bag or Bagless: Bagless | Run Time: N/A | Dust Cup Capacity: 2 liters | HEPA Filter: No
The Bissell CleanView Rewind Pet Vacuum is an exceptional option if you need a vacuum that works well on hardwood floors and is on a budget. With powerful multi-cyclonic suction, its great cleaning power comes at an affordable price. The included Pet TurboBrush tool is perfect for removing stubborn pet hair from floors and upholstery and is a great addition for those who have pets. It also includes automatic cord rewind for easy storage.
But know that this vacuum doesn’t have a HEPA filter like some of the more expensive models do, so it probably won’t be as good at trapping allergens. It cleans very well on hardwood and other surfaces, but those prone to severe allergies may want to look for a better filtering vacuum.
4. Shark Navigator Lift-Away Professional Vacuum
Pros:
- Lightweight and versatile
- HEPA filter for allergen removal
- Can be used as a handheld vacuum for tight spaces
Cons:
- May be slightly louder compared to other vacuums
- Corded design limits reach
Weight: 13.7 lbs | Cord Length: 25 ft. | Bag or Bagless: Bagless | Run Time: N/A | Dust Cup Capacity: 2.2 quarts | HEPA Filter: Yes
If you are in need of a very lightweight vacuum for hardwood floors, the Shark Navigator Lift-Away Professional Vacuum is one that is popular. It has a detachable canister, which is for easy cleaning of stairs and upholstery. Allergy sufferers love the HEPA filter. While it’s a little loud, its maneuverability and the powerful suction it has is great for homes with different types of floors especially hardwood floors. It also has swivel steering and big dust bin so the frequency of emptying is less frequent making it a more convenient cleaning for large homes.
5. Dyson V11 Torque Drive Cordless Vacuum
Pros:
- Powerful suction
- Automatic floor type adjustment
- Long battery life
Cons:
- Expensive
Weight: 6.68 lbs | Cord Length: Cordless | Bag or Bagless: Bagless | Run Time: 60 minutes | Dust Cup Capacity: 0.2L | HEPA Filter: Yes
For its huge suction power and deep cleaning of hardwood floors, the Dyson V11 Torque Drive Cordless Vacuum Cleaner is worth the shout. Automatic floor type adjustment helps this vacuum switch modes as you move from carpets to hardwoods, so you always get the most thorough cleaning each time. It also comes with a long battery life of up to 60 minutes on a single charge.
The heavier price tag of the Dyson V11 is the biggest downside. It may be one of the most expensive vacuums out there, but for what it can do, it’s a legit money maker. It’s also equipped with a HEPA filter, which makes it an all-around good vacuum choice for allergy sufferers.
6. Best for Pet Hair: Kenmore Pet Friendly Pop-N-Go Canister Vacuum
Pros
- Pro: Hardwood floor brush stored in canister
- Pro: HEPA filter
Cons
- Con: Very heavy
Weight: 24 lbs | Cord Length: 26 ft. | Bag or Bagless: Bag | Run Time: N/A | Dust Cup Capacity: N/A | HEPA Filter: Yes
This vacuum is meant for pet owners. It is heavy at 24 lbs, but still covers in excellent performance. The hardwood floor brush is conveniently stored on the canister, and this canister vacuum is ideal for transitioning surfaces. A motorized Pet PowerMate attachment makes it easy to lift pet hair up from floors and upholstery.
This is actually a bagged vacuum, but the true advantage here is the HEPA filter that traps pet dander and allergens to keep your home’s air clean. Featuring large wheels and flexible hose, it has great manoeuvrability, even on tight corners and under furniture.
7. Best for Budget: Bissell Zing Canister Vacuum
Pros
- Pro: Lightweight and easy to manoeuvre
- Pro: Affordable price
Cons
- Con: Shorter cord length
- Con: Not ideal for larger spaces
Weight: 10 lbs | Cord Length: 16 ft. | Bag or Bagless: Bagless | Run Time: N/A | Dust Cup Capacity: 2.5L | HEPA Filter: No
For those on a budget who still want solid cleaning performance, the Bissell Zing Canister Vacuum is a good pick. At its inexpensive price, this canister vacuum performs well on hardwood floors, carpets, and even small rugs. It’s small and light enough to carry around and move, perfect for quick clean-ups around the house.
The cord length is smaller, however, so it’s better for small spaces or quick spot cleaning. It’s not equipped with a HEPA filter, but it still offers a lot of value, especially for homes that have little space or for quick jobs, where you don’t need a full-size unit anyway.
8. Best Corded Stick Vacuum: Shark Rocket Corded Stick Vacuum
Pros
- Pro: Ultra-lightweight design
- Pro: Works on both carpets and hardwood floors
Cons
- Con: Can be noisy
- Con: Smaller dustbin capacity
Weight: 7.5 lbs | Cord Length: 25 ft. | Bag or Bagless: Bagless | Run Time: N/A | Dust Cup Capacity: 0.68L | HEPA Filter: Yes
If you like a corded stick vacuum, then the Shark Rocket Corded Stick Vacuum is a lightweight and powerful option. It has strong suction power that’ll work excellently on both hardwood floors or carpets, as well as other surfaces. Easy slims design lets you get into tight spots, corners and under furniture.
Although it does have a cord, which makes it less mobile than corded vacuums, it’s high suction and lightweight frame have made it a favourite for things like quick cleanup and thorough cleans. It has a smaller dustbin capacity, which means you need to empty it more frequently, but the HEPA filter traps fine particles and makes for cleaner air when cleaning.
9. Best for Deep Cleaning: Dyson Ball Multi Floor 2 Upright Vacuum
Pros
- Pro: Excellent suction power
- Pro: Ball technology for easy maneuvering
Cons
- Con: Expensive
- Con: Heavy
Weight: 15.6 lbs | Cord Length: 30 ft. | Bag or Bagless: Bagless | Run Time: N/A | Dust Cup Capacity: 0.55L | HEPA Filter: Yes
With deep cleaning capabilities and specific to families with any type of flooring, the Dyson Ball Multi Floor 2 is a must for your household. It has very fine suction power and easily picks up dirt or debris from your floors or even fine dust particles. The ball technology lets you roll down tight corners without breaking a sweat.
Although this might be a bit on the heavy side, its powerful performance and simplicity make this one of the best all-around vacuums available for its price when you need to vacuum hardwood floors and do stubborn dirt. This HEPA filter also captures allergens and dust to make the air clean as you vacuum.
10. Best for Hardwood Floors: Miele Complete C3 Marin Canister Vacuum
Pros
- Pro: Superior cleaning performance
- Pro: Quiet operation
Cons
- Con: High price
- Con: Bulky design
Weight: 24 lbs | Cord Length: 21 ft. | Bag or Bagless: Bagged | Run Time: N/A | Dust Cup Capacity: 4.5L | HEPA Filter: Yes
When it comes to cleaning the hardwood floors, the Miele Complete C3 Marin Canister Vacuum is the zenith of cleaning, and it has the best suction and most efficiency among canister vacuums. This vacuum has a motorized brush head for hardwood floors that offers powerful yet quiet operation. Without scratching your flooring or damaging it, it comes up with dust, dirt, and debris.
While it might seem expensive, the Miele C3 Marin is worth the investment for those who want superb cleaning power and long-lasting performance. The vacuum bag system is cleaner, perfect for anyone with allergy sufferers, and the HEPA filter.
How We Tested, Used, and Reviewed These Vacuums
We put each model through real-world tests to find the best vacuums for hardwood floors. So, we measured how well they cleaned various kinds of hardwood floors, examining everything from bits of fine dust to big chunks of debris. Another important one was manoeuvrability — how easily the vacuum could glide around furniture, corners, and tight spots.
In addition, we also took a look at comfort and usability, particularly for prolonged cleaning sessions. We tested how long battery life lasted and how long it took to charge for cordless models. To make the air cleaner vacuums with HEPA filters were tested for their efficiency in trapping dust and allergens. Finally, we tested them for durability over several weeks of use to see how the vacuums would perform over time.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for the best vacuum for hardwood floors, performance, ease of use, and durability are key factors to consider. From lightweight options to insanely powerful suction at affordable prices or specialized attachments for pet hair, each of the vacuums we’ve reviewed has its own set of benefits. Your ideal vacuum will largely depend on the specific type of cleaning, such as light or heavy duty.
Home size, the type of debris, and how easily a vacuum is stored are all things worth considering before making a buying decision. With the proper vacuum, you can easily keep your hardwood floors spotless without a hassle.
Happy cleaning!
FAQs
1. What’s the best vacuum for hardwood floors?
Look for a vacuum that has good suction, a soft brush or a special hardwood floor brush, and is lightweight. HEPA filters are great for cleaner air, especially if you have allergies.
2. Can I use a carpet vacuum on hardwood floors?
Yes, but be sure to adjust the vacuum settings or use one with a hardwood floor brush. Carpet vacuums with spinning brushes might scratch your floors.
3. Are cordless vacuums good for hardwood floors?
Absolutely! Cordless vacuums are light, easy to move around, and great for quick cleaning, as long as they have strong suction.
4. Do HEPA filters help with hardwood floors?
While HEPA filters don’t directly clean the floor, they trap dust and allergens, making the air cleaner, which is especially helpful for those with allergies.
