10 Best Vacuums for Hardwood Floors – Our Top Picks and Reviews

Vacuuming hardwood floors brings the added challenge of attempting to avoid damaging the surface in the process. By contrast, safely and effectively vacuuming carpets and other floor coverings is comparatively easy. But what some fail to realize is that not all vacuums are suitable for hard floors. Unsurprisingly, arming yourself with the best vacuums for hardwood floors can and will made the job significantly easier.

But what is the best hardwood floor vacuum you can pick up right now at an acceptable price? If looking to clean wood floors quickly, safely and effectively with a vacuum you can trust, what should you be looking for in the best vacuums for hardwood floors available?

10 Best Vacuums for Hardwood Floors

• Best Overall: Bissell PowerEdge 81L2A Stick Vacuum
  “Fantastic job of cleaning hardwood floors, powerful and versatile”
• Best Stick: Hikeren Stick Vacuum
  “Portable, extensive warranty, dual-filtration technology”
• Best Smart: Shark Rocket HV302 Corded Vacuum
  “Reviewers say it does a great job removing dirt from hardwood floors.”
• Best for Bamboo Floors: Dyson Ball UP13 Upright Vacuum
  “Value for money, Perfect for all hard floors, Unrivaled cleaning power”
• Best for Allergies: Shark Navigator NV352 Upright Vacuum
  “Anti-allergen technology, advanced cleaning power, value for money”
• Best Lightweight: MOOSOO D600 Stick Vacuum
  “Weighing 2.8 pounds, this small-but-mighty vacuum meets messes wherever they fall.”
• Best Cordless: Shark ION F80 Cordless Vacuum
  “Top-rated, impressive amount of power, advanced noise reduction technology.”
• Best Handheld: Onson D18E Handheld Vacuum
  “Excellent filtration efficiency, exceptionally lightweight, Long Lasting Battery”
• Best Robot: Coredy R500+ Robot Vacuum
  “Cleaning power and performance, Edge Cleaning, Max Vacuuming Cleaning”
• Best Corded: Black & Decker BDST1609 Handheld Vacuum
  “Top-rated, top-selling, portable and easy to use”

Best Vacuums for Hardwood Floors

As with all domestic appliances, there are a couple of important things to take into account when shopping for a hardwood floor vacuum. The first of which being your preferences and priorities, which must be considered alongside your budget.

After which, it’s a case of using real customer reviews to help guide your decision. In the following listings, we’ve featured a selection of the very best vacuums for hardwood floors of 2021 available on Amazon and Walmart right now.

Which has been extensively tested and verified for both quality and value for money. It’s simply a case a deciding which suits your preferences and your pocket best:

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1)Bissell PowerEdge 81L2A

Bissell PowerEdge 81L2A

The unique design of the Bissell PowerEdge 81L2A enables it to clean hardwood floors and other hard floor coverings more effectively and efficiently than most.

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One look at the Bissell PowerEdge 81L2A is enough to know you’re looking at an entirely different type of bag less vacuums. Along with being designed and manufactured by one of the most renowned names in the business, the Bissell PowerEdge 81L2A features a unique V-shaped cleaning head that does a brilliant job on all types of hard floors. It’s also surprisingly powerful and versatile, given its comparatively low price.

Features and Benefits

The primary defining feature of the Bissell PowerEdge 81L2A is its eye-catching V-shaped head, which has been designed to maximize its cleaning performance on all types of hard floors. The squeegee system to the front effectively funnels dirt, debris and pet hair into the vacuum, while the powerful suction system gets to work on even the most stubborn spills.

Easy-to-empty bag less cleaning technology makes for a more convenient clean, while the latest filtration components effectively reduce allergens and dust particles from the air. The whole thing has also been designed to minimize weight and maximize possibility, making it quick and easy to reach into awkward corners and crevices around the home.

From top to bottom, the Bissell PowerEdge 81L2A represents exceptional value for money and does a fantastic job of cleaning hardwood floors in a safe and hygienic manner. It may lack the total versatility of a cordless, but what you take home for such a low price is an excellent appliance you won’t regret investing in.

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2) Hikeren Stick Vacuum

This simple yet effective rechargeable device has been designed to make cleaning hard floors and awkward corners around the home as quick and easy as possible. Delivering up to 40 minutes of powerful cleaning and weighing in at just 5.1lbs, the Hikeren Stick Vacuum combines the cleaning power of a traditional upright with the practicality and portability of a handheld vacuum – all for a price that’s hard to beat.

Features and Benefits

Lightweight and durable, the Hikeren Stick Vacuum is a robust two-in-one that quickly converts from an upright to a handheld for total convenience. Unlike most low-cost rechargeable cleaners, this thing is capable of running for up to 40 minutes from a single charge. All while delivering up to 12kpa suction, which is more than enough to deal with even the most stubborn and difficult debris around the home.

The Hikeren Stick Vacuum is suitable for all types of hard floors, though can also get the job done on the vast majority of soft floor coverings and furnishings around the home. Suitable for all types of wet and dry spills, the Hikeren Stick Vacuum also features dual-filtration technology to remove 99.97% of microscopic dust particles and allergens from the air.

As an added bonus, each Hikeren Stick Vacuum ships with an extensive warranty and the guarantee of dedicated 24-hour support from the manufacturer. Easy to use and way more powerful than you’d expect, the Hikeren Stick Vacuum is perhaps the ultimate sub-$100 two-in-one cleaner for hardwood floors.

Read Full Review: Hikeren Stick Vacuum Cleaner Review

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3) Shark Rocket HV302

Weighing in at a slender 8lbs, the Shark Rocket HV302 is by far one of the most powerful vacuums you can buy right now within its category. Boasting a convenient convertible designed for reaching all corners of the home with ease.

The Shark Rocket HV302 is one of the best hardwood vacuums available by a considerable margin. If you can cope with a cord, you’ll be rewarded with the kind of relentless cleaning power that really does make all the difference.

Features and Benefits

The ultra-lightweight properties of the Shark Rocket HV302 propel it into a league of its own, making it quick and easy to give the entire home a hygienic clean from floor to ceiling. The kit comes complete with a home and car detail kit for getting into every possible corner and awkward space, while the ‘Hard Floor Hero’ tool is pretty much self-explanatory.

Swivel steering makes it easy to get around the home and manoeuvre under awkward furniture, while the fingertip controls allow for simple switching between carpets and hard floors settings. The way this thing whizzes around the home without having to go over the same patch repeatedly really is something else.

While it may lack the total convenience of a cordless, what you get in terms of raw power from the Shark Rocket HV302 is simply superb. It’s got the grunt needed to replace just about any heavy upright, with the added bonus of converting into a lightweight handheld to tackle the entire home.

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4) Dyson Ball UP13

These days, you know exactly what to expect from a Dyson. The Dyson Ball UP13 being no exception to the rule, which inside and out has been designed to keep every inch of the home as clean and hygienic as possible. Along with the advanced cleaning power and performance you’d expect from a top-tier cleaner, the Dyson Ball UP13 also brings advanced HEPA filtration and a bunch of fantastic additional tools into the equation.

Features and Benefits

All Dyson cleaners are designed to be the only cleaner you will ever need for your home. The unusual design of the Dyson Ball UP13 makes it incredibly easy to steer around the home, with additional tools included for getting into awkward corners and crannies.

Radial root cyclone technology enables the vacuum to capture dirt and microscopic dust particles, which are held inside by its advanced HEPA filtration technology. The HEPA filter is also washable and has been designed to provide superior filtration indefinitely, without ever being replaced.

Importantly, everything about the Dyson Ball UP13 makes it an absolute superstar for cleaning hardwood floors. Not to mention, dealing with problematic pet hair and embedded dirt and debris around the home. All with the peace of mind that comes with an extensive five-year warranty from the manufacturer, adding up to exceptional value for money.

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5) Shark Navigator NV352

Give just a single room a quick once-over with the Shark Navigator NV352 and you’ll see what makes it a top-seller on major retail sites like Amazon. In terms of power, versatility, convenience and quality, there’s little available for this kind of money that comes close. Particularly when considering its filtration efficiency of over 99.9%, making it perfect for pet-friendly households.

Features and Benefits

The innovative ‘Lift-Away’ design of the Shark Navigator NV352 takes practicality and convenience to an entirely higher level. Tackle larger spaces and hard floors in the normal way, before lifting away the canister to reach more awkward corners and crevices. All with the same relentless power and performance it delivers in its standard upright mode.

Incredibly, the whole thing weighs in at a slender 12lbs or so, while its easy-steer design makes it comprehensively manoeuvrable. As already mentioned, the Shark Navigator NV352 also features complete seal anti-allergen technology, removing more allergens and dust particles from the air than most comparable cleaners. Just one use is enough to feel a real difference in the freshness of the air around the home.

Supplied complete with a wide pet upholstery tool, a dusting crush roll and two cevice tools for maximum convenience, the Shark Navigator NV352 makes one of the most laborious domestic duties that little bit easier. All at a price that’s almost too good to be true, having been reduced several times over the past year or so.

Read Full Review: Shark Navigator NV352 Review

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6) MOOSOO D600

Now several generations down the line, the current version of the MOOSOO Vacuum Cleaner is the most powerful and versatile to date. From suction power to build quality to whole-home practicality, everything about the MOOSOO Vacuum Cleaner has been taken to the next level. Apart from its price, which once again has shrunk dramatically since its introduction.

Features and Benefits

Everything about the MOOSOO D600 is designed to showcase just how much vacuum cleaner you can take home these days for next to nothing. Under the hood, the new-generation 500W motor is good for an exceptional 60,000 rpm motor speed, making light work of difficult dirt and debris around the home.

The kit comes complete with a selection of tools for reaching awkward corners and crevices, making it great for tackling fragile and delicate surfaces. Its convenient convertible design makes it ideal for floors, furnishings and high corners, coupled with its impressive lightweight properties and economic grip.

Simple yet effective, the MOOSOO Vacuum Cleaner focuses on everything that matters and nothing that doesn’t. In terms of power, portability, convenience, filtration efficiency and overall value for money, you can’t help but be impressed by what the MOOSOO Vacuum Cleaner brings to the table. The perfect choice for anyone planning to pick up a budget cleaner that doesn’t compromise on quality.

Read Full Review: MOOSOO D600 Review

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7) Shark ION F80

The Shark ION F80 is the kind of vacuum cleaner you have to experience first-hand to fully appreciate. The sheer power and performance this thing delivers for such a lightweight and practical handheld is absolutely astonishing. From polished hardwood floors to the deepest carpets and soft furnishings, this thing makes light work of absolutely anything you throw its way.

Features and Benefits

Unstoppable cleaning power is the party-piece of the Shark ION F80, which has been designed to give every inch of the home a thorough and hygienic clean. Supplied with two removable batteries for maximum convenience, the F80 delivers an unprecedented 80 minutes of cleaning time from a single charge, with absolutely no fade or loss of suction throughout.

Designed to deliver a deep and powerful clean on hard and soft floor coverings alike, the Shark ION F80 is also flexible enough to reach into almost every corner of the home. For the tightest of corners and crevices, simply switch the Shark ION F80 to a hand vacuum in seconds.

Exceptional filtration efficiency, advanced noise reduction technology, compact storage, extensive manufacturer’s warranty – the list just goes on and on. Even when considering its slightly elevated price tag, the Shark ION F80 is an absolute superstar of a hard floor cleaner and represents exceptional value for money.

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8) Onson D18E

The Onson D18E is the latest in a long line of premium-quality cordless vacuum cleaners from this renowned manufacturer. Once again, the Onson D18E impresses with its powerful and consistent cleaning performance, exceptionally lightweight design and superior filtration efficiency. All from an affordable vacuum cleaner that’s just the thing for all types of hard and soft floor coverings across the board.

Features and Benefits

Powerful yet quiet, the Onson D18E delivers high-impact 150-W cleaning in a surprisingly discreet manner. Designed to get the job done with ease on all types of hard floors, it’s also powerful enough to pull embedded dirt and pet hair out of all types of carpets and bare floor coverings.

The latest lithium ion battery technology extends cleaning times, while eliminating the potential drawbacks of a power cord. Weighing in at less than 5lbs, this is a seriously lightweight vacuum cleaner that makes it easy to get into every corner and crevice around the home. The kit also comes complete with a couple of additional tools for added versatility.

As you’d expect, the whole package comes backed by an extensive warranty from the manufacturer for total peace of mind. Now up for grabs at its lowest price to date, the Onson D18E is everything you’d expect from a quality cleaner and a fair bit more besides.

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9) Coredy R500+

Slowly but surely, robot vacuum cleaners are beginning to take over as the new standard for the discerning household. Designed to simplify one of the most time-consuming all domestic tasks, the Coredy R500+ is one of the most advanced and capable robot cleaners of its kind on the market right now. Not to mention, a versatile and reliable hardwood floor vacuum that represents excellent overall value for money.

Features and Benefits

Prestigious, sophisticated and bursting with cutting-edge technology, the Coredy R500+ really is the future of all domestic vacuum cleaners. Suitable for all types of soft floor coverings, the Coredy R500+ features a unique three-point cleaning system and dual edge-brushes to outperform the vast majority of robot vacuum cleaners.

Incredibly, a single charge is enough to keep this high-end cleaner operational for up to 120 minutes. The five selectable cleaning modes maximise its versatility around the entire home – Spot Cleaning, Edge Cleaning, Max Vacuuming Cleaning, Single Room Cleaning and Manual Cleaning – while its whisper-quiet performance makes it ideal for keeping noise and disruption to an absolute minimum.

The kit comes complete with an extensive range of accessories and replacement components, ensuring consistent long-term performance at an affordable price. If you’re on the lookout for a reliable robot vacuum to take care of your hard floors on your behalf, the Coredy R500+ is just about as good as it gets right.

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10) Black & Decker BDST1609

Black & Decker’s focus on practicality and versatility is evident across the board this thing. Weighing in at less than 3lbs and fitted with a huge 16-foot power cord, the Black & Decker BDST1609 makes it an absolute breeze to reach each and every corner of the home. All with significantly better cleaning power and performance than you’d normally expect for this kind of money.

Features and Benefits

With a total weight of approximately 2.7lbs, the Black & Decker BDST1609 is one of the most practical and convenient cleaners in its class. Perfect for everyday touch-ups, the two-in-one design makes it an absolute breeze to deal with occasional spills and everyday dust bunnies.

Powerful yet gentle, the Black & Decker BDST1609 ideal for all types of hard floors, pile carpets, furnishings and pretty much all other surfaces. It’s also great for giving the car a deep and hygienic clean, with a convenient crevice tool for reaching into tricky corners.

Simplicity meets sophisticated technology with the Black & Decker BDST1609, which has been designed with no-nonsense everyday cleaning in mind. If you’re simply looking for a powerful yet affordable cleaner to sit alongside your primary upright, you won’t go wrong with this new-generation dustbuster.

If you would like to get reviews of other popular vacuum cleaners, kindly visit our Guide page.

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How to Vacuum Hardwood Floors?

Here’s a question – what’s the best thing to use to clean hardwood floors? Can you vacuum hardwood floors safely, or is it better to use a different technique entirely?

Contrary to popular belief, it is in fact perfectly possible to clean hardwood floors safely and effectively with a vacuum cleaner. It’s simply case of ensuring you use a device that’s designed with wood floors and other hard floor coverings in mind.

Theoretically, cleaning hardwood floors should be no more difficult then cleaning carpeted floors. Just as long as you have the right vacuum cleaner for the job, it’s no different than vacuuming elsewhere.

In any case, a few additional tips and guidelines from the experts could prove useful. So from those who know best, here’s how to vacuum hardwood floors like a pro:

Clean Often

Rather than waiting for dirt and grime to accumulate, it’s far easier to clean hardwood floors little and often. This will help maintain the quality and lustre of the finish, by avoiding the requirement for deep cleaning.

Use the Right Equipment

Under no circumstances should you ever use a vacuum cleaner that has not been approved specifically for use with hardwood floors. Doing so could cause irreparable damage to the surface, while at the same time failing to deliver a consistent and hygienic clean.

Use Mats and Rugs

One of the easiest ways of protecting hardwood floors and keeping them clean is to strategically distribute mats and rugs around the place. All of which can bring a pleasant visual aesthetic to your interior spaces, while providing an extra layer of protection for your wood floors.

Be Careful with Cleaners

Always remember that when cleaning wooden floors, you’re cleaning the substance used to finish the floor – not the actual wood itself. This means you need to be exceptionally careful when choosing and working with cleaning products, which again must be approved for your exact type of floor covering.

Vacuum Slowly and Carefully

Rather than simply ‘throwing’ your vacuum cleaner all over the place in a haphazard and aggressive manner, it’s far better to vacuum hardwood floors slowly and carefully. Start in one corner and gradually work your way towards the other, taking your time as you go.

Clean Spills and Mess Immediately

Last but not least, you’ll find it much easier to keep your hardwood floors in pristine condition if you tackle everyday spills and mess as quickly as possible. Rather than waiting until your next planned clean, address wet and dry mess as soon as you notice it to help keep your wood floors clean and pristine.

How We Have Ranked the Best Vacuums for Hardwood Floors?

Choosing the Best Vacuums for Hardwood Floors can be difficult given the multiple factors to consider. The main considerations should include pricing, type, and features of the vacuum cleaner.

Price

The budget you set for your vacuum cleaner will determine how effective it is on your hardwood floors. You can expect more features and efficiency from a higher-end vacuum cleaner.

Type

Stick vacuums are the best for hardwood flooring because they are highly versatile in their usage. Not to mention, they are lightweight and easy to move around. Without enough portability and mobility, reaching corners is more difficult. Additionally, you and will tire out after just a few minutes of cleaning.

However, if you have a larger house, an upright vacuum can also be advantageous. They still hold a high rank because they deliver thorough cleans and hold more dirt than their counterparts. You can choose which suits you best, depending on how frequently you clean. Upright vacuums will give your floors a heavy-duty clean but might not be suitable for frequent cleaning due to their weight.

Other Features

Consider whether you want a corded or cordless vacuum. Corded vacuums don’t require charging, but cords can become a hassle. On the other hand, cordless vacuums might run out of charge in the middle of cleaning. To decide, consider the length of time you clean and the surface area of your house. Also, consider factors like the tools you need for reaching corners, cleaning stairs, and so on.

Frequently Asked Questions

1) What type of vacuum is best for hardwood floors?

Deciding the best vacuum for hardwood floors will depend on your requirements entirely. However, stick-type vacuums are some of the best for hardwood floors. They easily adjust to multiple floor types and are powerfully built as well. They are also easy to move around the whole house for a thorough clean.

2) Which features or upgrades could be useful in a hardwood floor vacuum?

Hardwood floor vacuums should not have beater brushes that can scratch the floor. In case they do, a setting should be present to switch between carpet brushes and hardwood settings. Moreover, they should be lightweight, come with a maneuverable head, and have powerful suction for picking up even heavy debris.