(Last Updated: April, 2024)
What Changed?
- Added Tineco A10 Hero sale opportunities with release of A11
- Removed discontinued products
- Adjusted pros/cons of Bissell Power Edge
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We've tested literally hundreds of corded and cordless vacuums since starting Modern Living 101.
For this post, we've narrowed down the list to show you our top choices for hardwood. From corded to canister to cordless, this list will dig into the best of the best. Hardwood floor vacuums need to have soft rollers or microfiber pads and powerful suction in order to keep dirt at bay.
When carpet meets wood, not all vacuums are the same. The vacuums on this list are versatile and can handle carpet, as well as hardwood and tile. Versatility is essential when it comes to choosing a good vacuum, and was the main factor in us selecting our top pick.
Based on our tests, the best vacuum for hardwood floors is the Shark IonFlex Duo Clean. The "DuoClean" rollers are designed to be gentle on hardwood, but the cleaning power it provides removes around 90% of debris in a single pass!
14 Best Hardwood Floor Vacuums Worth The Money
Hardwood floors are arguably one of the most difficult to keep clean because the material can easily be ruined by using the wrong tools, so it's important to choose your vacuum with care.
Disclaimer: None of these vacuum manufacturers asked us to be on this list. They all earned their spot. While all of these vacuums naturally have strengths and weaknesses, any one of them will be a solid choice if you're looking to keep your hardwood floors and bare floors clean and protected.
Choosing A Cordless Vacuum For Hardwood Floors
If you're specifically looking for the best cordless vacuum, we have great news! The overall editors choice pick for this review category The Shark IonFlex DuoClean is cordless!
Yea, it beat out other corded/canister vacuums. It's incredibly versatile, strong, and honestly one of the best vacuums we've ever tested.
Here is our list of the best cordless vacuums for hardwood floors and bare floors. To learn more about each model, click on them and you'll be directed to the section of the article that talks about that best cordless vacuum.
9 Best Cordless Vacuum For Hardwood Floors:
- Shark IonFlex DuoClean - Best Cordless Vacuum For Hardwood Floors
- Tineco A10 Hero - Runner Up
- Bissell Power Edge Pet Stick Vacuum - Best For Kitchens
- Hoover Linx Signature Vacuum - Budget Friendly
- Dyson Cyclone V10 - Premium
- Hoover Air Vacuum - Lightweight
- Eureka NEC122A PowerPlush - Most Versatile
- Shark ION Rocket Ultralight Vacuum - Strong suction
- Dyson V7 Cord-Free Vacuum - Multi-Floor
If you didn't come here for cordless vacuum reviews, you may be wondering why someone would willingly opt for a cordless vacuum cleaner as opposed to a corded one?
Very rarely do you actually need the cleaning power of a canister vacuums or a corded vacuum for wood floors. Cordless vacuums have come a long way in the past 5 years. These options are all very powerful for cordless vacuums, and almost all of them are good enough to completely replace a traditional upright.
This section of the guide was specifically created to help homeowners with wood floors and bare floors find the best cordless vacuum to take the worry out of having a tidy home.
You'll find out some of the best brands, what to expect, and get help choosing the best cordless vacuum for hardwood floors and bare floors.
Editor's Choice
The Shark IonFlex DuoClean is perhaps one of the best cordless vacuums we've ever tested. Period. Its a cordless vacuum that performs like an upright, but with less bulk and much more versatility, and is arguably one of the best vacuums for wood.
It has a "duo clean" roller. This means that there's two brush rolls on this stick vacuum, each serving a unique purpose. The front dusting brush roll is extremely soft and plush, which is designed to clean hardwood floors in a single pass without scratching or damaging them. This product gets our editor's choice award because no other product on the market has a dusting brush this soft.
The best part about this stick vacuum isn't the dusting brush roller, its the MultiFlex technology built into the middle of the vacuum. As you can see in the photo, theres a section in the middle of this vacuum that can be locked and unlocked. When its unlocked the vacuum can BEND. This is incredibly useful for getting underneath furniture or in hard to reach areas. Its the only cordless vacuum on the market that does this.
Key Features:
- Free standing when collapsed
- Up to 3 hours of run time
- Safely and effectively cleans both hardwood floors and carpet
- Also comes with great accessories
- "DuoClean" roller is the softest dusting brush we've tested, and works great on hardwood floors
Key Stats:
- Weight - 16lbs
- Type - Cordless vacuum
Pros:
- Collapsible, so it is a breeze to store
- Picks up about 90% of debris on hard surfaces in a single pass
- It can fold in half, making it easy to get under furniture
- Single press canister emptying, low maintenance
- Quiet compared to traditional vacuum cleaners
Cons:
- Isn't free-standing unless it's broken down, so if you take a break cleaning you'll have to collapse it or lean it against a wall.
- Relatively small debris container that can get clogged with things like hair.
- No height adjustment
RElated Products | |
|---|---|
Bissell Hardwood Floor Expert  | Bissell Deluxe  |
Hoover FloorMate Deluxe  | Kenmore 81614 Canister Vacuum  |
The Tineco A10 hero is essentially a Dyson alternative. It has comparable features and is specifically designed to do a great job on your sensitive wood floors and bare floors. The A10 isn't the latest vacuum from Tineco, they recently released the A11 earlier this year so its very common to find the A10 model on sale.
The Tineco A10 Hero is made by the same company that makes EcoVacs, an entry level robot vacuum. They have a reputation for a reliable product at a reasonable price point. With its power and HEPA filter, in its price range, this stick vacuum cleaners an absolute no brainer.
If you're on the fence about buying a cordless vacuum, give this one a shot. It has a 2 year warranty so if you have any problems with it Tineco will help you out.
The Tineco A10 Hero held its own against Dyson. If you're fine with going with a lesser known brand, this one is the one to get instead of the pricier Dyson cordless vacuums.
Key Features:
- Can be converted to handheld mode for spot cleaning
- Comes with a mini power brush, 2 in 1 dust brush heads and crevice tool
- Includes 2 batteries and 2 charging stations, giving you 50 minutes of cleaning time
- Includes LED lights so you can see when cleaning hard to reach areas
- Converts to handheld vacuum
- Hepa filters for superior air filtration included
Key Stats:
- Weight - 2.87 lbs
- Type - Cordless vacuum
- Run Time - Up To 50 minutes
Pros:
- With two fully charged batteries, you can get up to 50 minutes of house cleaning time
- Comes with a hardwood floor specific brush and crevice tool
- The main unit weighs under 3lbs, making the handheld configuration one of the best on the market
- HEPA filtration that captures 99.99% of particles
Cons:
- To go from carpet and area rugs or shag rugs to hardwood floors , you have to change the brush. However, this means that you get a more optimized clean for the surface you are using it on.
RElated Products | |
|---|---|
Bissell Hardwood Floor Expert | Bissell Deluxe Canister Vacuum |
Hoover FloorMate Deluxe | Kenmore 81614 Canister Vacuum |
The quirky design of the Bissell PowerEdge Pet Stick Vacuum Cleaner makes it a definite eye catcher amongst other upright vacuums options, but it is a big contender in a small package, especially pet owners with issues with pet hair. The head design of this bagless vacuum makes it easier for debris to be channeled in towards its relatively small suction system and into the dust bin, and also makes it perform above average on edge cleaning.
Stick cordless vacuums tend to get an unfairly bad rap, but this cordless vacuums design does come at a price though, and it's not just because you miss having a dust bag. Where this vacuum really struggled was on its cleaning path with corners. If you are vacuuming along the edge of the room and come to a corner, you won't be able to channel debris and dust particles into the head and into the dust bin. You have to approach for a perpendicular corner to pick everything up.
Apart from this small flaw, for the money, this vacuum is an absolute steal and easily among the best options for hardwood that you can buy at its pricepoint. It is lightweight and maneuverable and was able to clean up a surprising variety of messes even though it is tiny. This vacuum explicitly designed for hardwood and it performs amazingly for its price point.
It had no issues with dirt and debris in grout, large particles like cereal, and was even able to clean up the majority of dog and cat hair messes. It is a highly rated model especially with pet fur or hair, so we suggest reading what other people have to say about it. Overall, this vacuum is a no-brainer if you have a budget of under $100.
Key Stats:
- Weight - 5.8 lbs
- Type - Cordless vacuum
Pros:
- Strong suction power for its size
- Can handle large or small debris into the dust bin (no dust bag needed)
- Swivel steering head makes it very maneuverable
- Lightweight
- Traps hair so it doesn't get in the motor
Cons:
- Loud
- Corner cleaning can be tricky
- Tends to push around wads of pet fur
Want To See More Vacuums?
If you're not sold on any of these cordless vacuums, why don't you check some of the highest rated models we may have not tested?
If you're looking for a quick vacuum to clean up small messes in areas like your kitchen or laundry room, this little guy is perfect for the job. The Hoover Linx Signature Vacuum is a relatively small machine that is designed for quick cleanups on wood floors.
It is a cordless vacuum, which means you can go anywhere without a power cord, but it also means you have to worry about keeping it charged. On a full battery, it can clean at full power for around 15 minutes, a relatively low run time. For most quick cleaning jobs, this should be plenty. However, if you're looking for something that can clean more, you may want to go with a corded vacuum.
When it comes to power, for being cordless, its power was impressive. It didn't have any issues cleaning up debris ranging from flour to pasta. It also did well when testing with hair, and didn't have any problems with the hair getting stuck or clogging up.
The area where the Hoover Linx Signature Stick Vacuum struggled is maneuverability. In short, it's awkward to move around tight spaces or around things like table legs. This also makes it hard to use on stairs. It was evident that this vacuum is suited best for quick messes in open spaces like your kitchen and not for the whole house.
Overall, for the price, this vacuum is hard to beat. You get the new-age convenience of a cordless vacuum without sacrificing power. Its short battery life isn't really an issue in most cases. It is a great value, as long as you know what its strengths and weaknesses are.
Key Stats:
- Weight - 10 lbs
- Type - Cordless vacuum
Pros:
- Low profile means it can get just about anywhere
- Excellent suction for being cordless
- Great price
- Quieter than most comparable models
Cons:
- Short battery life - only up to about 15 minutes at once
- Not very maneuverable
- Small particles can escape from the exhaust
Want To See More Vacuums?
If you're not sold on any of these cordless vacuums for hard floors, why don't you check some of the highest rated models with the best reviews.
The Dyson Cyclone V10 is the latest cordless vacuum from Dyson, and they claim that it is so powerful, they will no longer be creating new vacuums with cords. Considering Dyson has some very popular corded vacuums out there, this is saying something. They will still be producing these older models, they just won't be upgrading or pushing out anything new.
The V10 has the smallest, lightest, and most powerful motor they have ever created, and it has been called one of the best vacuums for hard floors...ever.
It truly is impressive and will revolutionize how you clean, and that's not just sales jargon. It is that good. It has been in development for over five years, hence the tiny list of cons.
Key Features:
- Easy to clean, large debris container
- Strongest motor of any Dyson so far
- Comes with a bundle of accessories for use with the wand or handheld configurations
- Very lightweight and maneuverable
- Comes with a soft roller head specially designed for hard floors
- You can swap out the soft roller for a version specific to carpet cleaning if your home has both.
- Lithium-Ion Battery
Key Stats:
- Weight - 5.8 lbs
- Type - Cordless
- Run Time - Up To 60 minutes
Pros:
- Incredibly light & powerful
- Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America certified
- Cleans large and fine debris in a single pass
- Can be converted to a wand to use on high areas or a hand vacuum for furniture and vehicle interior cleaning
- Comes with tons of accessories
- Design features 40% larger bin than previous models
Cons:
- Expensive
Related Content: Dyson V10 Review
Shop Related Products | |
|---|---|
Shark Upright Vacuum  | Bissell Stick |
Roomba 650  | Shark Ultralight 7.1 6.6 7.2  |
This vacuum made it onto our list because it has a roller specifically for hardwood floors, and will get the job done. However, there isn't much special about it. It is a good overall option, but nothing about it stands out from the competition when it comes to best options for wood floors.
It has decent power and will clean small messes, but don't expect it to replace your current vacuum completely. The Hoover Air Vacuum is more of a cordless addition to tackle smaller messes on your hard floors.
At its price point, it is pretty hard to beat. It can be found for under $200 in most places and comes with hardwood floor specific accessories and attachments. This combination makes it hard to pass up if you are looking for something specific to hard floors and are on a budget.
Key Features:
- Comes with two 20v batteries
- Battery life around 25 minutes
- Weights just under 10 lbs
- Enough powerful suction to clean small messes on hardwood floors and bare floors.
Key Stats:
- Weight - 9.6 lbs
- Type - Cordless vacuum
- Run Time - Up To 25 minutes
Pros:
- Lightweight, less than 10lbs
- Comes with accessories and attachments
- Comes with a soft roller specific for hardwood floors and bare floors.
Cons:
- Loud
- Small dust bin
- To use attachments, you have to detach the hose from the head. It doesn't leave much room to get to hard to reach spaces.
- Average Suction power
Want To See More Vacuums?
If you're not sold on any of these vacuum cleaners for hard floors, why don't you check some of the highest rated models we may have not tested?
The Eureka NEC122A PowerPlush is a reliable, reasonably priced hardwood-specific handheld, stick vacuum. It is not great on carpet fibers but does very well on hardwood and tile floors which gets it a spot amount the best cordless vacuums for hardwood. If you have carpet in your home, you will need a second vacuum to clean those areas.
It was able to pick up a variety of debris, ranging from dog food to baking flour without any issues or trails left behind. It also handled hair very well, making it a good choice if you have pets and struggle with keeping your floors fur free.
Overall, it's a good vacuum if you only have hardwood flooring and not carpet. It comes in at a reasonably low price, but you are sacrificing versatility of other flooring applications. However, if you just have hardwood flooring, this is an excellent choice to save some money and still get a very powerful vacuum.
Key Features:
- "Power Plush" roller makes it specific for hardwood and tile floors
- Includes wall-mount for storage and charging in a utility room
- Picks up hair effectively
- Can be converted to wand-style or handheld for cleaning places other than your floors
- The motor can be attached directly to the head to effectively clean stairs.
Key Stats:
- Weight - 5.3 lbs
- Type - Cordless vacuum
- Run Time - Up To 15 minutes
Pros:
- Includes anti-allergen filter
- Can be converted to wand vacuum or handheld
- Comes with upholstery tool and crevice attachments (can also be used on car upholstery)
- Picks up large debris as well as fine dust bunnies & dirt
- Great against pet hair
Cons:
- Only 15-minute runtime
- Small dust bin
- Isn't freestanding
Shop Related Products | |
|---|---|
Shark Navigator NV356E | Bissell Stick |
Roomba 650 | Shark Ultralight Pet Hair Vacuum |
The Shark ION Rocket Ultra Light Vacuum is a mid-priced versatile multi-functional cord-free vacuum. It is not specific for use with hardwood floors and bare floors, but instead has a hardwood floor option that turns off the otherwise damaging brushes by simply flicking the power switch.
If you have carpet in your home, this can be used effectively on there as well. The fingertip suction control allows you to switch between the two modes easily. It's literally simple enough to do with a single finger.
It is an excellent option if you are looking for a vacuum that can do all jobs ranging from carpet to hardwood and tile floors, to upholstery and car cleaning. It can get everything done, as long as you can clean your home quickly. The battery lasts anywhere from 15-30 minutes depending on the power setting, which is fine more most applications but could always be better.
Key Features:
- Power source gives around 15-30 minutes of battery life per charge
- Has headlights so you can see dark, hard to reach areas
- Lightweight enough to be used with a single hand
- Can be converted to a handheld for use with stairs, upholstery, or vehicle cleaning.
Key Stats:
- Weight - 11.2 lbs
- Type - Cordless vacuum
- Run Time - Up To 30 minutes
Pros:
- Comes with pivoting upholstery and crevis attachments
- The battery can be plugged in continuously
- Lightweight
- Has option for power save or max power options
Swivels and maneuvers nicely
Cons:
- Small dust bin
- Larger debris needs more than one pass
- Average suction
Want To See More Vacuums?
If you're not sold on any of these vacuum cleaners for hard floors or bare floors, why don't you check some of the highest rated models we may have not tested?
A less expensive alternative to the Dyson V10, the Dyson V7 is still an excellent option if you are willing to skimp on a few features but want the power of a Dyson.
The key differences between the Dyson V7 and the Dyson V10 are 1. The V10 has a canister that is almost twice as large. 2. The V10 will run for just about twice as long as the V7. 3. The V10 has 40% more suction and 4. The V10 requires no maintenance apart from emptying the bin, whereas the V7 will cost you around $18/year to maintain, a relatively low price.
If these differences don't deter you, the Dyson V7 is about $300 less expensive than the V10 but does a comparable job at cleaning hardwood floors and bare floors. The V10 is clearly a superior vacuum, but only if you are willing to drop the extra money for all of the upgraded features.
Key Features:
- Comes with wall mounted charging base for convenient storage and charging
- Comes with a crevice tool and brush roll for upholstery cleaning
Key Stats:
- Weight - 11.02 lbs
- Type - Cordless vacuum
- Run Time - Up To 30 minutes
Pros:
- Great suction
- Lightweight enough to use with one hand
- Converts to a wand or handheld vacuum for stairs and vehicle cleaning
- Easy to clean the canister body
- Multiple cleaning modes for extra power or battery conservation
Cons:
- Limited battery, only 20-30 minutes on a full charge
- Small dust bin
Shop Related Products | |
|---|---|
Shark Navigator Upright Vacuum | Bissell Stick |
Roomba 650 | Shark Ultralight |
5 Best Corded & Canister Hardwood Floor Vacuums:
According to our tests, the best corded vacuum for hardwood floors is the Shark Rocket DuoClean. The DuoClean technology means it has two brush rolls that help ensure no dust or debris is left behind. The brushes are ultra-soft, which is what you need when dealing with hardwood floors and bare floors.
Here are the rest of our picks for the best corded and canister vacuums for wood floors and bare floors.
The Shark Duoclean is a truly innovative design that was created with the consumer in mind. This is one of the few vacuums that has been known to blow people away with its cleaning ability for its size.
What is "Duo Clean"?
The main selling point for this hardwood vacuum is its duo clean dust brush rolls. Rather than having a single roller like a traditional vacuum, Shark has added a velvety soft second brush roll that serves multiple purposes. First, it helps push larger debris into the rear brush roll so it gets more in one pass. Second, for hardwood floors, the front brush roll acts as a dust tool. With most hardwood vacuums, you have to follow them with either a mop or a dust tool to get the fine dirt. This isn't the case with the Duo Clean. It collects everything in the dirt cup.
Shark has an excellent reputation for creating this type of vacuums with strong suction, and the Shark Duoclean lives up to that. It had no issues with cleaning any dust or messes we threw at it. It worked just as well on carpet too, which was astonishing.
The only negative thing we have to say about this vacuum compared to other vacuum cleaners is that it is loud and it does not stand upright on its own. In order to store the vacuum, you have to fold it on top of itself.
Overall, if you have the budget, this hardwood vacuum will not disappoint. It has everything you want in a hardwood vacuum, and then some. It will make a tremendous all-around vacuum as well for homes with tile or carpet.
Key Stats:
- Weight - 9.9 lbs
- Type - Ultralight Corded Stick Vacuum (cord length 30-ft)
Pros:
- Comes with a variety of attachments including an Under-appliance floor tool
- "Duo Clean" double dust brush rollers get fine debris as well as large in one pass
- Cord rewind
- Works equally well on carpet without needing a unique carpet tool
Cons:
- Loud
- Doesn't stand upright by itself
RElated Products | |
|---|---|
Bissell Hardwood Floor Expert | Bissell Deluxe |
Hoover FloorMate Deluxe | Kenmore 81614 Bagged |
The Bissell Hardwood Floor Expert Deluxe is a quality built canister vacuum with features that make it a great choice not only for wood and wood furnishings, but all other flooring surfaces as well compared to other vacuum cleaners.
This canister vacuum comes with a handful of accessories and attachments including a crevice tool, wand tool, hardwood floor head, and carpet head.
It is one of the most recognized canister vacuums, which means by default it has a larger motor than an upright vacuum would and has powerful suction. It had no issues with almost all debris on wood floors when using the wood floor attachment. However, it did struggle with larger debris such as cereal and pasta.
This canister vacuum is on the more expensive side, but you can tell just from using it that it's a very high build quality machine. The steel wand tool is an excellent example of this. Typically, vacuum manufacturers cut costs in areas like this by using plastic to lower the price, but Bissell did not. The same can be said for the overall build of the hardwood vacuum; you can tell that you're getting what you pay for.
>> Related Content: Best Vacuum Cleaners For Laminate Floors
Key Stats:
- Weight - 15.8 lbs
- Type - Canister vacuum
Pros:
- Comes with a specific hard surface cleaning head
- Also works just as well cleaning carpet
- Retractable Power Cord
- Steel extension wand so you can clean hard to reach areas
Cons:
- Struggles with large debris on hardwood floors
- Louder than average when cleaning
- Canister vacuums can be hard to maneuver upstairs
Want To See More Vacuums?
If you're not sold on any of these vacuum cleaners, why don't you check some of the highest rated & best vacuums for hardwood floors we may have not tested?
If you're looking for versatility, the Shark Navigator Lift Away Professional may be the best upright vacuum. The amount of work this little machine can do is incredible. It comes with more accessories than any other hardwood floor vacuum we have tested, and here's the kicker, they are all useful!
The accessories range from more traditional options like the upholstery cleaner head, all the way up to entirely interchangeable vacuum cleaning heads to handle different floor surfaces without sacrificing effectiveness for versatility.
If you want to switch between cleaning your wood floors and cleaning carpets or other flooring surfaces, this best upright vacuum won't have any issues. Its only real weak point is grout in between tile, but otherwise, it cleaned up almost all types of debris on all floor surfaces.
The Shark Professional is a favorite vacuum of ours and is on multiple "best of" lists we have put together. This is because it is truly efficient and effective. It's not often that you find a product that offers so much, doesn't skimp on cleaning quality and comes in at a reasonable price point.
This vacuum is an excellent choice for most people if you have multiple types of flooring and want a vacuum that will perform highly cleaning all of them.
>> Related Content: Vacuums For Pet Hair and Hardwood
Key Stats:
- Weight - 13.7 lbs
- Type - Upright
Pros:
- Comes with a lot of accessories, some specifically for wood
- Extremely versatile
- Great suction
- Large debris & dust bin, so you don't have to empty very frequently.
- Good for any floor type
Cons:
- Doesn't do well with grout, missed some dirt on tile
- So many accessories that they cannot be stored on the actual machine
RElated Products | |
|---|---|
Bissell Hardwood Floor Expert | Bissell Deluxe |
Hoover FloorMate Deluxe | Kenmore 31150 Hose Canister Elite |
The Shark Ultralight is a brilliantly designed corded ultralight vacuum. It has extra soft brush roll heads, making it an excellent choice for all types of hardwood floors. The roller speeds can be adjusted which can allow the user to be as aggressive or gentle as the job demands. If you have more than just hardwood floor and need a vacuum that can do well on carpet and tile as well, this is hands down the best choice.
Transitioning to different floor surfaces can be done by simply flicking a switch on the top of the unit. The Shark Ultralight also comes with and LED headlight which makes it great for getting under wood furnishings and furniture like couches and chairs.
Another great feature of the Shark Ultralight is its ability to be converted into a hand vac or wand vacuum. Cordless vacuums give you the versatility to clean for floor to ceiling all with one machine. With a hand vac option, you can clean areas you couldn't clean before.
Key Stats:
- Weight - 9.1 lbs
- Type - Corded Ultralight
Pros:
- Weighs just over 9 lbs
- Stick vacuum is lightweight and more maneuverable than traditional upright vacuums
- Multi-stage filtration
- Can be stored in small areas
- Easy to change from one floor type to another
Cons:
- It is top heavy and cannot stand up by itself
- Power cord can be difficult to manage when cleaning large areas
Want To See More Vacuums?
If you're not sold on any of these vacuum cleaners, why don't you check some of the highest rated & best cordless vacuums we may have not tested?
The Bissell Hard Floor Expert stands out in its category as one of the best canister vacuum cleaners. It is one of the lightest vacuum cleaners money can buy. Even though it is incredibly light, it is still powerful enough to pick up dirt, hair, and other debris from your wood floor. It has a specially designed turbine engine that is powerful, but won't result in scratched floors.
Its low profile vacuum head means it can get under and around furniture easier than a traditional upright vacuum can. For its size, the debris dust cup is large enough to clean your entire home without having to empty it. If you only have a 2-3 bedroom home, you can clean everything multiple times without having to empty the vacuum.
The big thing to note about this canister vacuum is that is struggles with nearly no debris. Unlike some other options on this list, the Bissell Hard Floor expert can suck up everything from cat litter to dust, and even larger particles like cereal.
Key Stats:
- Weight - 8.3 lbs
- Type - Canister model
Pros:
- Canister vacuum means it is portable with strong suction from the hose
- Quiet running noise
- Can transition from carpet to hardwood
- Soft floor brush won't scratch your wood
Cons:
- Short power cable
- Bulky to store
What To Look For In A Vacuum For Bare Floors
- do you only have bare floors? consider all flooring surfaces including carpet
- how much suction do you need and what power source is best?
- get a vacuum with a gentle roller brush
- consider quality & overall durability
- know the attachments you need
- look for good value (not just lowest price)
- what noise level are you comfortable with a vacuum?
- do you need a hose for cleaning areas other than the floor?
- is pet hair a concern when looking for a vacuum cleaning for hard floors?
- will you need to get around furniture?
Most vacuums are created with carpeting and powerful suction in mind. Some of the brushes that are great for digging up dirt and debris in carpet can ruin your beautiful hardwood floors.
Before you pick the right vacuum, you need to know what to look for in these home appliances and our expert recommendations are in. If you don't look into this first, you run the risk of simply going with the option that has the most marketing dollars behind it. Often times, the best cordless vacuums and corded vacuums for wood might be newer brands that are just now making their way into the marketplace.
Here are some of the factors you need to look for before purchasing a stick vacuum for a home that has primarily hardwood floors.
1. Is Your Home All Wood Flooring?
If you have a mixture of carpet and hardwood floors, you may want to consider a vacuum that will do a good job on both, not just the best vacuum for wood. Many options are great just for dirt on carpet, just like many options are great for just hardwood.
Choosing a decent hybrid will help you get the most bang for your buck. This is one of the most important factors to consider. Often times, people have issues with a certain type of floor and search for a vacuum designed to solve that specific problem.
However, for a home with multiple floor surfaces, getting a cord-free vacuum that can clean all of your surfaces is critical. Unlike carpet, hardwood floors are very sensitive, and require a special type of vacuum with different suction, however, other materials such as tile and carpet don't need to be treated as gently, but may require extra suction power.
Related Content: Best Mop For Tile Floors
2. Suction Power & Power Source:
Generally speaking, you should baby your hardwood floors to make sure they last a long time by preventing dirt buildup, and the home appliances you choose to clean them is critical to get the job done properly. However, this doesn't mean you need to skimp on suction with the vacuum you choose for the job. The damage to your flooring generally comes from the brushes, not the suction, so be sure you go with a vacuum that has plenty of sucking power. Not all vacuums are created equally. Some are much more powerful than others, and some will keep their suction over time while others may not. Choosing a powerful vacuum for your hardwood floors can mean the difference between clean floors and floors with dirt all over them.
If you're considering going for the best cordless options, keep in mind that using a battery as a power source can limit long cleaning sessions.
3. Gentle Brushes & Rubber Wheels:
As mentioned above, the brush heads are what will do damage to your floors rather than get your floors clean. You have to be careful here and pick an option that says explicitly that the brushes are gentle enough to use on wood or has the option to turn them off altogether; otherwise, you risk doing more harm than good. Some vacuum cleaners come with softer brushes, while others are able to tackle the challenges associated with hardwood floors by having brushes that can be turned on and off. If your vacuum brushes can be turned off with the power button, it really doesn't matter how abrasive or gentle they are, because if they are not running while you're cleaning your hardwood floors, they can't do any real damage.
Especially if you just got new wood flooring, you want to start off strong and make sure they don't get scratched from the beginning. If you don't properly care for your hardwood floors, they will need to be repaired sooner rather than later.
Choosing a wood floor vacuum that has a soft brush roll and/or rollers that have the option to shut off rotation will help protect your wooden floors and extend the life of them. Microfiber pads work great when it also comes to protecting your floors.
4. Quality/Durability:
A $500 vacuum is likely a better investment than 5 $100 vacuums for the same job. Most of the options on this list aren't the cheapest home appliances on the market. Rather, they are the best. Investing in your hardwood floors now means you won't have to replace them later. Similarly, investing in a quality vacuum up front means you won't have to buy another one for years. A vacuum that is highly durable will last your years. Nowadays, products are made to be replaced, rather than to stand the test of time. However, every so often you run across a company that sees things differently. While you may have a higher price point up front, opting for a vacuum of higher quality and durability can be a great choice in the long run.
5. Attachments:
Especially if you have issues with fur and dirt, determining which vacuum attachments you want can be a big choice. Some cordless vacuums come with a variety of suction accessories, others come with none. If you have hard to reach areas in your home, choosing a vacuum with attachments is probably a good idea. Similarly, if you don't have issues with dirt and debris in hard to reach areas, this is less important. Often times, vacuum manufacturers will include several attachment bundles you can purchase to help with dirt on places other than your floor. Make sure you determine any attachments you want beforehand, then search for a bundle that has all of the attachments you want. On a similar note, if you don't want any attachments, check for a deal that includes only the vacuum. This will save you money, since you won't be buying things you don't need.
6. Price vs. Value:
Whenever you shop for any home appliances, a smart consumer should always opt for the product with the best value to them. Sometimes a more expensive option can give the illusion of superiority when in reality it is just as good, if not inferior to it's less expensive competitor.
The same is true when shopping for a wood or bare floor vacuum.
You always want to compare quality and features for the job (like including a HEPA air filter and suction) on a broad level when shopping for a wood floor vacuum. You want to get the best possible vacuum at the best possible price when planning on cleaning hardwood floors.
Sure, a premium price. $800 vacuum might be great, but is it four times as good as its $200 counterpart? Maybe, maybe not! Don't let a big price tag give you the illusion of quality. Make sure to check product reviews and consider all of the features a particular model has and how well it will work for your needs.
7. Noise Level:
This isn't a huge area of concern for some people, but it is worth mentioning. Not all vacuum cleaners are loud! Having a quiet vacuum is a premium feature you usually find in machines in the $250+ price range.
If you live in an apartment complex or don't want to disturb the other members of your family every time you clean your floors, vacuum volume will be a core feature to consider.
Whats The Right Hardwood Vacuum For You?
The answer to this cleaning question depends on your budget and your home layout. If you have a bigger budget and can splurge for a vacuum that has powerful suction and more features, the Tineco A10 Hero is an excellent choice with great features and customer service. It will give you plenty of power and a ton of great features that are designed to favor wooden floors.
We understand this is out of some peoples budget, so if you are looking for something under $100, the Bissell PowerEdge Pet Stick Vacuum is a clear winner if you need to get a vacuum on a budget. It is comparable to more expensive models and will do a good job overall, but it lacks the power you get with a more expensive vacuum and may leave some debris behind.
If you don't have much time to vacuum, you may even want to consider one of the many robot vacuums available for getting dirt off of hardwood. Many robot vacuums are actually great for removing dirt and debris hardwood. If you're new to the world of the robot vacuum, make sure you do your research first. A robot vacuum is a considerable investment and some are much better than others, especially for hardwood. A low price robot vacuum can actually damage your floors, whereas a high quality robot vac can do wonders.
Wood Floor Cleaning Hacks
Now that you know how to get a hardwood floor vacuum, whether its corded, canister, cordless or a robot vac, let's go over a few quick floor cleaning hacks to keep your hardwood floors looking like new. These cleaning hacks are great for all people:
- Cleaning Hack 1: Use Canola Oil For Scratches on Floors and Furniture - When it comes to hardwood floor maintenance, canola oil is a great little trick to help remove scratches without damaging your floors. Note - this floor cleaning hack is only really effective for surface level scratches, but can extend the life of your wood floors none-the-less.
- Cleaning Hack 2: Use Ice For Stuck Gum - Gum is one of those things that if you don't get it off right away, it can be a pain in the a** to get off later. Don't worry though, juts pull out an ice cube and ice the gum for a bit. This will chill and solidify the gum, making it a breeze to remove.
- Cleaning Hack 3: Tooth Paste Removes Permanent Marker - If you have kids, you know how easy it is for their art to spread across your home. Not just on paper though! If you're not keeping an eye on the kiddos, before you know it your walls and flooring can be their next great art project. If you have a little artist on your hands, know that toothpaste is a very effective and safe cleaner to remove permanent market from hardwood floors.
- Cleaning Hack 4: Irons Can Remove Dents - If you're unlucky enough to have dropped something heavy on your floors and dented them, take a wet cloth and an iron to the dent and watch it come back to normal. Just wet a towel and gently iron over the area to soften the wood and help it return to its original position.
- Cleaning Hack 5: Magic Erasers Are a MUST for dirt - If you've never used a magic eraser....what are you doing with your life? But seriously, these things are great, especially for getting things off of your hardwood without having to use hard chemicals. You can use a magic eraser on anything from market to set in food stains to scuffs and more. They are a great thing to have one hand all the time.
Having a vacuum that works for all people is tough. Do you need a canister? one that can get around furniture? Or simply just sone that can clean your floor. Find the best vacuum with everything you need for hardwood including the right hose, cleaning power for your floor, and more. Cleaning your floors isn't easy, but with the right cleaning supplies like a great vacuum with great suction, cleaning your floors the right way can be an easy task.
