Buyer's Guide Table of Contents
Laminate floors give you the aesthetic of wood without all the hassle of actually having to maintain hardwood floors.
Since starting Modern Living 101, we've gotten the chance to test a handful of the best vacuums out there. For this post, we put together a list of the ones that performed the best on laminate floors.
According to our tests, the best vacuum for laminate flooring is the Bissell Hard Floor Expert. It is a cost effective, but high performance vacuum that sucks up large and small debris like a champ on laminate flooring.
We didn't just test one vacuum though, we tested a handful. Here are our top picks:
6 Best Laminate Floor Vacuums We Recommend:
- Bissell Hard Floor Expert - Best Vacuum For Laminate Floors
- Shark Rotator Professional
- Eureka NEU562A
- Dyson Cyclone V10 Absolute
- Tineco A10 Hero
- Shark Rocket DuoClean Apex
Pros:
- Hardwood floor vacuum turbine foot is gentle on your floors, but tough on dirt and debris
- Retractable power cord
- Compact and ultra light for easy storage when you're not using it
Cons:
- Its so lightweight that it tends to fall over while you're using it
More About Bissell Hard Floor Expert 1547
When it comes to ultra light but effective vacuum cleaners, this vacuum is one that should be on your radar. For being a canister vacuum, it was incredibly light yet powerful.
With laminate floors, you need a vacuum with strong suction that won't damage your floors. While laminate can take more of a beating than hardwood, you should still make an effort to keep it looking good for as long as possible. This vacuum has an ultra-soft brush head that works great on all types of hard floors.
It has a telescoping wand which means it can get into hard to reach areas, and makes using the vacuum relatively easy. Overall, this little canister vacuum is a great pick for laminate floors for the price. It has everything you need, including multi-cyclonic suction power, and easy to empty canister, soft brush rolls and a compact, easy to use design.
>> Related Content: Best Vacuums For Hardwood Floors
RElated Products | |
|---|---|
Bissell Expert  | Bissell Deluxe  |
Hoover Floor Vacuum  | Kenmore 81614 Bagged Canister Vacuum  |
Pros:
- Ultra light 2-in-1 design (upright with detachable canister)
- Swivel steering
- Extra large dust bin
- HEPA filter + anti-allergen complete seal is great for pet hair
Cons:
- The hose is flimsy, and may break if you use it vacuum a lot
More About Shark Rotator Professional
Shark is a brand that's been making vacuum for a while, and this means that they've got their product dialed in. The Shark Rotator Professional is a super maneuverable vacuum with great suction power and reliability.
On laminate floors, it was able to clean about 90% of debris ranging in size from sugar and flour, to cereal and other larger bits. The brush roll itself is soft enough to be used on laminate and hardwood, but it can still clean carpet just as well.
One of the best things about this vacuum is the 2-in-1 upright and canister design. If you need to use the vacuum like a traditional upright vacuum, you can. If you have a job that requires the versatility of a canister, just pop the canister off and you're ready to go.
The Shark Rotator Professional also comes with LED headlights, and XL dust bin, and a HEPA filter with anti-allergen seal. These are all features you expect from a premium-level vacuum, except this vacuum doesn't come at a premium-level price. Its affordable, and an overall excellent pick when it comes to power, maneuverability and price.
>> Related Content: Best Robot Vacuums For Wood Floors
RElated Products | |
|---|---|
Bissell Expert | Bissell Deluxe |
Hoover Floor Vacuum | Kenmore 81614 Bagged Canister Vacuum |
Pros:
- The suction works great on all flooring types
- The ball design makes it effortless to move
- Comes with premium accessories as a standard
- Long power cord
Cons:
- The design doesn't let it get underneath furniture very well
More About The Eureka NEU562A
When you’re trying to get around the tight corners in your home, you’ll want a vacuum like the Eureka and it's crevice tool attachment. It’s easy to maneuver no matter where you need to go, even if you need to get the vacuum head between items or under furniture. The big wheel technology will glide over bare floors with ease without losing any suction thanks to the multi-stage cycle.
As soon as you’re done with your vacuuming, you can empty the easy-to-empty dust cup without needing to replace bags or go through maintenance. Your hand shouldn’t hurt at all when you’re done with the ergonomic handle and easy usage, not to mention the swivel technology.
This user-friendly vacuum is great for large areas and tight spaces alike. The tools included, like the crevice tool and upholstery tools make it a versatile choice for a variety of applications.
>> Related Content: Best Vacuum For Pet Hair and Hardwood
RElated Products | |
|---|---|
Bissell Expert | Bissell Deluxe |
Hoover Floor Vacuum | Kenmore 81614 Bagged Canister Vacuum |
Pros:
- It can clean a large (3+ bedroom) house on a single charge
- It has a "beast mode" power setting for occasional intense cleaning if needed
- Can operate as an upright or handheld vacuum
- Excellent battery life
Cons:
- Can't stand up on its own and will have to be wall-mounted
More About The Dyson Cyclone V10 Absolute
When it comes to efficient power, Dyson is a household name in the world of stick vacuum cleaners. This unassuming stick vacuum packs a HUGE punch. It has 3 power settings, the first for dusting while in stick mode, the second for usual vacuuming, and the 3rd "beast mode" for intense cleaning when needed.
While the Dyson Cyclone V10 packs a lot of power into a small package, it does have it flaws. As with most stick vacuums, you need to plan on wall mounting it, because it can't stand upright on its own. For most people, this isn't that big of a deal, and can even be an added space-saving benefit.
The lightweight quality of the Dyson makes it easy to use for all homeowners, as long as you remember to charge it when you're done using it. Save some battery power with the instant release trigger that will ensure you only use power when you're cleaning. The torque drive cleaner head is the most powerful yet, while the soft roller cleaner will be gentle on your floors.
Related Content: Dyson V10 Review
RElated Products | |
|---|---|
Bissell Expert | Bissell Deluxe |
Hoover Floor Vacuum | Kenmore 81614 Bagged Canister Vacuum |
Pros:
- There are three cleaning heads, with 5 LED lights on each one to help you see
- Don’t worry about the noise since it’s very quiet
- You can hold the button to operate it or flick the switch to the "on" mode to keep it running constantly
- Effective against pet hair
Cons:
- There are some problems with the battery charging in some cases
More About The Tineco A10 Hero
You can choose the Tineco for a great stick vacuum option that’s lightweight. It includes a digital motor lithium battery and an LED brush. It’s made to be ultra-quiet while still sucking powerfully with 100 watts to lift the dirt with ease. Since it only clocks in at under 3 pounds, you can even use it to vacuum your ceiling if you need.
Unlike other stick vacuum brands, the battery on the Tineco is made to be detachable, improving the amount of time you can use your vacuum. Just change the battery to keep the vacuum working as good as new. You won't even breathe in any dirt, dust or pet hair since the fully-sealed filtration system will lock in all the small particles.
RElated Products | |
|---|---|
Bissell Expert | Bissell Deluxe |
Hoover FloorMate Deluxe | Kenmore 81614 Bagged Canister Vacuum |
Pros:
- HEPA Filter
- Includes self-cleaning brush roll
- It is a powered liftaway, which means it is two efficient devices in one machine
- Long power cord
Cons:
- To cut costs, build quality isn't the best. It is made mostly of lightweight plastics
More About The Shark Rocket DuoClean Apex
Often called classified as Sharks top-level vacuum cleaner, the Apex is a force to be reckoned with. It utilizes the now famous "duo clean" technology. In short, this means that this vacuum is able to clean debris ranging from large pieces of cereal and plastic, to incredibly small dust particles.
This vacuum is great if you have pets that shed on your laminate floors. The HEPA filter does a great job of removing allergens from the air.
The Shark Rocket DuoClean Apex is also great at cleaning up hair on laminate flooring. The Zero-M self cleaning brush rolls are able to intelligently remove things like hair from the rolls without you having to step in. This cuts down on maintenance and the chance of the vacuum needing repairs.
If you're looking for a great all around vacuum for your laminate floors, the Shark Rocket DuoClean Apex is a great choice.
Why Do You Need a Special Vacuum For Laminate Floors?
Similar to hardwood, laminate is still a very delicate type of flooring. Its prone to scratches and water damage, which means you need to take extra precautions to make sure your floors last a long time. When it comes to shopping for a vacuum for laminate floors, you need to look for the options with soft brush rolls and good suction power. This combo will ensure your laminate floors get clean without getting damaged in the process.
How To Clean Laminate Floors
Prevent Buildup Before It Occurs
One of the best ways to extend the life of your laminate floors is to clean them often. By getting ahead of dust and debris buildup, you lessen the risk of your flooring being scratched when dirt get brushed around from day-to-day foot traffic.
If you opt for something like a stick vacuum, you have the versatility to clean frequently without pulling out the full size vacuum every couple of days.
Get a Vacuum Without Beater Bars
When you're shopping for a vacuum for hardwood or laminate, you're either going to need a vacuum that has the option to switch off your beater bars, or has soft enough brush rolls that it doesn't matter.
Most vacuums are designed for carpet, and have abrasive beater bars to help dig up dirt so it can then suck it up. Laminate flooring is different. The dirt sits on the surface, so all you need the vacuum to do is to be able to lead the dirt to the suction area, and be powerful enough to actually suck up the dir.
Don’t Drag the Vacuum
It is also good to remember to not drag your vacuum cleaner wheels across your floors as this can cause scratches and damage as well. Instead, lift and place your vacuum cleaner down on the laminate floors when you are ready to clean them. It would be best to use a vacuum cleaner with rubber wheels as they will be less likely to scratch the laminate flooring.
Depending on the type of vacuum cleaner that you plan on purchasing, multi-surface vacuums will be much heavier than hard floor vacuums. This means that the vacuum will be more prone to scratching your laminate bare floor if not handled properly. However, scratches can occur with hard floor vacuums as well.
Steam
Although moisture and wood are enemies, sometimes your laminate floors will need a good steam. If you purchase a vacuum with this type of function, the versatility will be a bonus as the steam is capable of getting rid of rigid stains quickly and leaving your floors looking like new.
Pros of Using a Laminate-Specific Vacuum
There are a ton of benefits in opting for a vacuum thats designed to be used on laminate and hardwood floor types.
Multi-Floor Capabilities
If a vacuum is "designed to be used on hardwood floor types" odds are, what the vacuum really is, is a multi-floor type vacuum cleaner. When people have wood or laminate in their homes, they either also have some carpet, or at the very least have rugs. If you buy a vacuum for laminate floors, odds are you're buying a vacuum that can be used on most other flooring types as well.
Versatility
Vacuums on laminate floors provide versatility. Some vacuums can easily convert to a handheld vacuum for hard to reach areas such as under tables and behind beds and dressers.
Most Have Larger Dustbins
A good portion of the best laminate vacuums are canister vacuums, and canister vacuums have a lot of power and a larger dirt capacity which can allow for more floor cleaning time between emptying, and many options come with a HEPA filter.
Larger dustbins mean you have to empty them less often. If you want to get in the habit of vacuuming regularly, a larger dustbin can help make this an easier task.
Suction Power Is Important, But Not Critical
Good suction power is an important consideration when deciding on a vacuum for floor cleaning. Some vacuums can run on max power mode where suction power reaches 1000 pascals.
Other vacuums also use wind suction technology. This is able to create different suction channels that can lift and remove not only surface debris but also deeply embedded dirt. However, most vacuums for laminate floors won’t have the most powerful motor in the world.
This is okay because you aren’t trying to pull up dirt and grime from thick, fluffy carpets. Instead, the dirt and dust sits right on top of the surface of the floor. Suction power from the vacuum head is what matters more when looking at the pros of vacuuming your laminate floor.
Most Are Bagless
Many floor cleaning vacuums that can be used to clean laminate floors are also bagless. This is a positive thing as you will not have to worry about changing a full dusty bag. Some even have washable filters which you can just empty into your trash bin, rinse, dry, and use again without having to constantly replace the filter.
Cordless Works Great
Another benefit is that many vacuums that can be used on laminate floors are cordless vacuum options. This is great because then you do not have to worry about cleaning a large surface area and getting tangled in the power cord while doing so.
Conclusion
Choosing the best vacuum for your laminate floors is essential in ensuring that your floors stay good as new, especially if you're prone to allergies and need a vacuum with a HEPA filter. Just remember that delicate laminate floors will require meticulous care. Choosing the right vacuum for your needs will help to keep them looking brand new. Use this guide to help you find the best vacuum that will make your laminate floors look pristine.
