Buyer's Guide Table of Contents (Click To Expand)
According to our tests, the best vacuum for small apartments is the Shark Navigator Freestyle. This lightweight cordless vacuum is ideal for small areas. It will effectively clean hard floors and carpet/rugs, and can easily be tucked away into an area as small as a hallway closet.
We tested a handful of vacuums with the intention of finding which ones are best for small living areas. Here are the results of those tests.
VAcuum | Summary |
|---|---|
Neato Botvac D7  | This Roomba-style robotic floor vacuum will independently roam around your floor picking up dirt. It’s the perfect option if you don’t have a lot of time for cleaning. |
Shark Rocket Ultra-Light  | This lightweight vacuum does it all. It is easy to use and will complete a variety of cleaning tasks in your small apartment or car. |
Shark Navigator Freestyle  | This cordless stand-up vacuum is perfect for lifting pet hair out of carpets, and it also works on hard floors. It is convenient, portable and an overall great vacuum. |
GOOVI Stick Vacuum Cleaner  | This upright vacuum cleaner is cordless and has a detachable battery. It also has many great features, such as a LED light, that make it awesome for apartment use. |
MOOSOO Cordless Vacuum Cleaner  | You will be blown away by the technology and features this vacuum comes with. For a fair price, you get a great convertible, lightweight vacuum that does its job well. |
Our Picks For Vacuums For Small Living Spaces
Apartment life often means small spaces. Ideally, a vacuum for apartment living needs to be small, lightweight and able to clean those hard-to-reach areas that all small apartments have.
And beyond that, a vacuum for a small apartment absolutely has to be easy to store. When you have limited storage, your vacuum has to fit into small spaces.
Basically, when you’re living in a small apartment, you need a vacuum that is going to be able to accommodate your lifestyle. But don't feel intimidated; there are many great vacuum options out there that are perfect for life in a small apartment.
Pros:
- Save up to 3 maps
- Not time-consuming to use
- Will pick up a variety of things
Cons:
- Gets stuck easily
More About The Neato Botvac D7
If pushing around a vacuum isn’t your thing, you may want to consider robot vacuums. This smart vacuum from Neato connects to WIFI and works with Alexa. The vacuum features a HEPA filtration and has technology that allows it to independently clean in straight lines, set up “no-go lines” to keep it out of certain areas, and set “floor maps” of your house to follow.
While this small vacuum is perfect for busy apartment life, it is not the best choice if you’re on a budget. With this vacuum, you’re paying for all the great features and smart technology.
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RElated Products | |
|---|---|
Deik Cordless Vacuum Cleaner  | Eureka NES210  |
Bissell Cleanview Upright  | Bissell Cleanview Swivel Rewind  |
Pros:
- Converts to a hand vac
- Lightweight
- Easy to use
Cons:
- Not cordless
More About The Shark Rocket Ultra-Light
The Shark Rocket vacuum is truly a do-it-all vacuum tool. It works as an upright vacuum that you push around, and it also converts to a hand vac to use on furniture and high-up spaces. It is very easy to use and it only weighs 8 pounds, making it the perfect lightweight vacuum.
The vacuum also comes with a Detail kit for hard-to-reach spaces. This means that you can use the Rocket in your car as well as your home. It is a great choice if you’re looking for a cleaner that is versatile. It even has fingertip controls so you can easily switch between carpeting and hard floor.
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RElated Products | |
|---|---|
Deik Cordless Vacuum Cleaner | Eureka NES210 |
Bissell Cleanview Upright | Bissell Cleanview Swivel Rewind |
Pros:
- Cordless
- Great for pet hair
- Easy to maneuver
Cons:
- Reported to operate only a short time
More About The Shark Navigator Freestyle
If you’re looking for a heavy-duty vacuum to tackle tough pet hair and messes, the Shark Navigator Freestyle may be the choice for you. The vacuum’s motorized brush allows it to lift pet hair out of carpets and work on multiple surfaces.
A really great thing about this vacuum is that it is cordless. You won’t have to worry about wrestling with an annoying cord while vacuuming. It is easy to use and the head swivels for maximum control.
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RElated Products | |
|---|---|
Deik Cordless Vacuum Cleaner | Eureka NES210 |
Bissell Cleanview Upright | Bissell Cleanview Swivel Rewind |
Pros:
- Easy to charge
- Lithium battery detaches for convenient charging
- Works on a variety of surfaces
Cons:
- Spare battery sold separately
More About The GOOVI Stick Vacuum Cleaner
GOOVI is a new brand in the cleaning product industry, but its products are already making a bang. Their Stick vacuum cleaner is perfect for apartment life because it is so lightweight and easy to use. It is cordless and its lithium battery detaches to be charged. Once charged, it will operate up to 60 minutes.
The vacuum also has 2 different suction modes that can be used on carpet, hard floors, furniture, and even curtains. There is even an LED light on the head of the vacuum to illuminate dark places so it’s easy to use under furniture.
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RElated Products | |
|---|---|
Deik Cordless Vacuum Cleaner | Eureka NES210 |
Bissell Cleanview Upright | Bissell Cleanview Swivel Rewind |
Pros:
- Lightweight
- Long battery life
- Strong suction power
Cons:
- Long charging time
More About The MOOSOO Cordless Vacuum Cleaner
The MOOSOO vacuum is another great option if you prefer a convertible vacuum that can also operate as a hand vac. This vacuum comes with an abundance of features, including an extremely strong motor with a long life expectancy and high speed, quiet cleaning. It’s also great for fine dust.
The vacuum is also extremely lightweight at just under 3 pounds, making it perfect for life in a small apartment. The vacuum also has 2 suction power modes so you can adjust the suction level to the mess you’re cleaning. The MOOSOO vacuum gives you a ton of bells and whistles at a fair price.
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RElated Products | |
|---|---|
Deik Cordless Vacuum Cleaner | Eureka NES210 |
Bissell Cleanview Upright | Bissell Cleanview Swivel Rewind |
Why Vacuum Size Matters for Small Apartments
If you live in an apartment, you probably know how difficult storage can be. Vacuums can be big and bulky and tiny apartment closets simply can’t fit a giant vacuum cleaner. That’s why a small, lightweight vacuum is best for apartment life.
With a smaller vacuum, you can get creative about your storage location. Store your small vacuum on a closet shelf, under your bed, or even behind the couch. You aren’t confined to digging out a large spot to store your vacuum.
A small vacuum is also quieter. Apartment buildings with thin walls aren't great for trying to use a large, loud vacuum. The motor of a smaller vacuum is, of course, smaller, and will not emit as much sound like a vacuum with a large motor. This makes a small vacuum great for living in close proximity with your neighbors.
Finally, a small vacuum can fit into those cracks and crevices that every small apartment has. Big vacuums simply can not fit into these spaces, but a small vacuum can do so easily.
This is especially true of cordless vacuums. Small, cordless vacuums can navigate easily and won’t get caught on furniture. When you need to get into that little area between the couch and the wall, the last thing you want to deal with is your vacuum cord getting caught.
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Factors to Consider Before You Decide
Weight
When you live in an apartment, a heavy vacuum can simply be inconvenient. Ideally, you should be looking for a vacuum that is under 10-15 pounds for your apartment. This will make your maneuvering a lot easier.
Size
A lightweight vacuum will most likely be a smaller vacuum. As mentioned, a small vacuum is perfect for an apartment because it can be stored in small spaces. And with a small apartment, you really don’t have to worry about a small tank filling up quickly because you don’t have much surface area to clean.
Floor Type
It’s also really important to think about the type of flooring your apartment has. If your apartment is carpeted, you’ll want to do your research and make sure the vacuum you buy works most effectively on carpeted floors.
If you have a combination of carpeting and hard floors, it’s important to make sure your vacuum works on both.
Attachments
Finally, you’ll want to think about which attachments you want your vacuum to have. Some vacuums will be convertible, some might have crevice tools and have attachments to be used on furniture. This is a really great idea for apartments because you won’t have to have multiple cleaning products that can be hard to store.
In addition, if you have pets, you may want to look for pet hair attachments. Pet hair can really build up in a small apartment. So it’s definitely an advantage for your vacuum to have an attachment for cleaning pet hair out of carpeting and upholstery.
Vacuum Storage for Small Apartment Tips
Store under the bed
Under the bed is a great place to store a vacuum that not many people think about. You’ll need to make sure the vacuum can be stored horizontally and that your bed is tall enough for the vacuum to go underneath.
Use Utility Closets
The utility closets in your apartment can definitely come in handy for storing a vacuum. You’ll just need to make sure the vacuum is kept in a good spot so you can still reach other supplies you keep in the closet.
Create your own Wooden Crate
If your closet space is limited, building a wooden crate is a really fun, creative and discreet way to hide your vacuum. You can design your crate however you want and even paint it to match your decor. The crate will also come in handy for storing other things.
Conclusion
Apartment life can be often be crammed. It’s important to make sure that the vacuum you get is small, lightweight and can be stored easily. You may even have to get creative with your storage space. You also have to consider your pets, kids or other household members to determine the power of vacuum you need.
It can seem difficult to find a vacuum well-equipped for your apartment. However, there are many great options out there that are perfect for use in an apartment. If you simply think about the features you need and consider your storage space, you’ll find the perfect vacuum for your needs.
