Best Hardwood Vacuums

Annabelle Evans

By Annabelle Evans

| Updated 3 Days Ago

  • If you’re looking to keep your hardwood floors pristine, a specialized hardwood vacuum is a must. Unlike standard vacuums, these models are designed to clean without scratching, thanks to soft or bristle-free rollers and attachments tailored for tight spaces and baseboards. Some even come with mopping or polishing features for added versatility. In our tests of eight top-rated models, we found that the best hardwood vacuums strike a balance between strong suction, adjustable settings, and lightweight design for easy maneuvering, making them ideal for both small spaces and larger homes.

  • Shark Navigator Lift-Away

    10

    We think the Shark Navigator Lift-Away is a great choice for most homes thanks to its versatility and strong suction.

    10

    We think the Shark Navigator Lift-Away is a great choice for most homes thanks to its versatility and strong suction.

    Pros

    • Powerful suction on carpets and hard floors
    • Detachable pod for portable cleaning
    • HEPA filter traps allergens effectively

    Cons

    • A bit heavy at nearly 16 pounds
    • Hose could be longer
    • Dust cup needs frequent emptying

    The Shark Navigator Lift-Away impressed us with its cleaning power. We found it picked up pet hair, dust, and debris with ease on both carpets and hard floors. The suction was strong enough to pull dirt from deep in our carpets.

    We loved the Lift-Away feature. It let us detach the canister to clean stairs, curtains, and other tricky spots. This made the vacuum much more versatile than a standard upright. The swivel steering also worked well, helping us navigate around furniture without much effort.

    The HEPA filter and sealed system did a great job trapping allergens. Our allergic team members noticed less sneezing after vacuuming. We also liked how easy it was to empty the dust cup – just press a button and dump it out. The 0.9-quart capacity was enough for a few rooms before needing to be emptied.

  • Shark Rocket Pet Vacuum

    9.7

    We think this versatile stick vacuum is a great choice for pet owners looking for a powerful, lightweight cleaning solution.

    9.7

    We think this versatile stick vacuum is a great choice for pet owners looking for a powerful, lightweight cleaning solution.

    Pros

    • Very light and easy to maneuver
    • Converts to handheld for versatile cleaning
    • Effective at picking up pet hair

    Cons

    • Corded design limits range
    • Dust cup could be larger
    • Can be noisy during use

    When we tested the Shark Rocket Pet Vacuum, we were impressed by how light it felt. At under 10 pounds, it’s a breeze to push around and carry up stairs. The swivel steering made it simple to navigate around furniture and into tight spots.

    We found the suction power to be strong on both carpets and hard floors. The LED headlights on the nozzle were handy for spotting dust and pet hair in dimly lit areas. We liked how quickly it transformed into a handheld vac for cleaning furniture and stairs.

    The included pet tools worked well for removing stubborn fur from upholstery. While the dust cup isn’t huge, it was easy to empty. The cord did limit our range somewhat, but we felt the cleaning power made up for it. All in all, we think this Shark vacuum offers good value for pet owners seeking a versatile cleaning tool.

  • Bissell Featherweight Stick Vacuum

    9.5

    We recommend this vacuum for quick cleanups on hard floors and low-pile carpets due to its lightweight design and versatility.

    9.5

    We recommend this vacuum for quick cleanups on hard floors and low-pile carpets due to its lightweight design and versatility.

    Pros

    • Very lightweight and easy to maneuver
    • Converts to a handheld vacuum
    • Affordable price point

    Cons

    • Limited suction power
    • Small dirt cup capacity
    • Not suitable for deep carpet cleaning

    The Bissell Featherweight Stick Vacuum lives up to its name. At just 2.6 pounds, it’s a breeze to carry around the house. We found it perfect for quick tidying sessions on hardwood floors and area rugs.

    Its 3-in-1 design impressed us. We switched between stick, handheld, and stair cleaning modes with ease. The crevice tool came in handy for tight spots and furniture edges. While not the most powerful vacuum we’ve used, it picked up visible dirt and dust well enough for everyday messes.

    We liked how compact it is for storage. It takes up little space in a closet or corner. The 15-foot cord gave us decent reach, though we had to switch outlets for larger rooms. The bagless design made emptying simple, but we did need to do it often due to the small dirt cup. For its price, we think it’s a solid choice for small homes or as a supplementary cleaner.

  • Eureka PowerSpeed Upright

    9.4

    We think the Eureka PowerSpeed Upright is a solid choice for budget-conscious shoppers seeking a versatile vacuum for various floor types.

    9.4

    We think the Eureka PowerSpeed Upright is a solid choice for budget-conscious shoppers seeking a versatile vacuum for various floor types.

    Pros

    • Strong suction on carpets and hard floors
    • Lightweight and easy to maneuver
    • Includes useful attachments for above-floor cleaning

    Cons

    • Can be noisy during operation
    • Requires regular maintenance of brush roll
    • Dust bin capacity could be larger

    When we tested the Eureka PowerSpeed, we were impressed by its cleaning power on both carpets and hard surfaces. The cyclone system did a great job picking up large debris and fine dust. We found it easy to push around thanks to its lightweight design.

    The vacuum comes with handy attachments for cleaning furniture, car interiors, and hard-to-reach spots. We liked the quick-release handle for above-floor cleaning. The 5 height settings let us adjust for different floor types.

    One downside we noticed was the noise level. It’s not the quietest vacuum we’ve used. We also had to clean the brush roll often to keep it working well. The dust bin could be bigger, as we had to empty it more than we’d like during big cleaning jobs.

  • LEVOIT Cordless Stick Vac

    9.3

    We think the LEVOIT Cordless Stick Vac is a great choice for most homes due to its lightweight design, strong suction, and tangle-resistant brush roll.

    9.3

    We think the LEVOIT Cordless Stick Vac is a great choice for most homes due to its lightweight design, strong suction, and tangle-resistant brush roll.

    Pros

    • Tangle-resistant brush roll
    • Long battery life
    • Versatile attachments

    Cons

    • Small dust bin
    • Noisy on highest setting
    • Struggles with thick carpets

    We found the LEVOIT Cordless Stick Vac to be a handy helper for quick cleanups. Its lightweight build made it easy to carry up stairs and maneuver around furniture. The anti-hair wrap feature worked well, saving us time we’d normally spend cutting tangled hair from the brush roll.

    The battery life impressed us. We cleaned our whole first floor on a single charge using the normal power setting. The vacuum picked up dust, pet hair, and small debris from our hardwood and low-pile rugs without issue.

    We liked the LED lights on the floor head. They helped us spot dust in dark corners and under furniture. The 2-in-1 tools were useful for cleaning upholstery and getting into tight spaces. While it’s not the most powerful vac we’ve used, it handled everyday messes with ease.

  • Eureka WhirlWind Bagless Vacuum

    9.1

    We think the Eureka WhirlWind is a solid choice for those seeking an affordable and versatile canister vacuum for multi-surface cleaning.

    9.1

    We think the Eureka WhirlWind is a solid choice for those seeking an affordable and versatile canister vacuum for multi-surface cleaning.

    Pros

    • Lightweight and easy to maneuver
    • Powerful suction on various surfaces
    • Convenient integrated crevice tool

    Cons

    • Can be noisy during operation
    • Dust cup needs frequent emptying
    • Cord could be longer for larger spaces

    We recently tested the Eureka WhirlWind in our home, and it impressed us with its cleaning power. At just over 8 pounds, it’s a breeze to carry up stairs or move from room to room. The swivel steering made it simple to navigate around furniture legs and tight corners.

    The suction surprised us, picking up pet hair and debris from both our carpets and hardwood floors. We liked the airflow control on the handle, which let us adjust suction strength for different surfaces. The 2.5-liter dust cup was big enough for a few cleaning sessions before needing to be emptied.

    One feature we really liked was the built-in crevice tool. It’s right there when you need it, so no more hunting for attachments. The automatic cord rewind is also handy, though we wish the cord was a bit longer than 16 feet. While it works well for apartments or smaller homes, larger spaces might require frequent unplugging and moving to new outlets.

  • NADALY Cordless Stick Vac

    9

    We found this affordable cordless vacuum offers great value for cleaning hardwood floors and carpets.

    9

    We found this affordable cordless vacuum offers great value for cleaning hardwood floors and carpets.

    Pros

    • Strong suction power
    • Long battery life
    • Large dust cup capacity

    Cons

    • Slightly heavy at 5 pounds
    • Only two power settings
    • May struggle with very thick carpets

    When we tested this NADALY cordless vacuum, we were impressed by its cleaning ability on different surfaces. The 26,000Pa suction in max mode picked up dust, debris, and pet hair from our hardwood floors and low-pile carpets with ease.

    The V-shaped brush roll did a good job avoiding hair tangles, which is handy for homes with pets or long-haired family members. We liked the LED headlight on the floor brush, as it lit up dark areas under furniture.

    Battery life was solid in our tests. We got about 40 minutes of cleaning time on normal mode, which matches up with the advertised 45 minutes. The max mode drained the battery faster, giving us around 18 minutes of use.

    The 1.5L dust cup is bigger than many stick vacs we’ve tried. We didn’t need to empty it as often, which was nice for longer cleaning sessions. The one-button emptying worked well and kept our hands clean.

    While not the lightest option at 5 pounds, we found it manageable to use around the house. The vacuum converts to a handheld unit for cleaning stairs and furniture. Overall, we think this NADALY model offers good performance at a reasonable price point for most homes.

  • Eureka RapidClean Pro Cordless Vacuum

    8.7

    We think the Eureka RapidClean Pro is a solid choice for those seeking a lightweight, versatile cordless vacuum for hard floors.

    8.7

    We think the Eureka RapidClean Pro is a solid choice for those seeking a lightweight, versatile cordless vacuum for hard floors.

    Pros

    • Very lightweight at 5.3 pounds
    • Strong suction for its size
    • Converts easily to handheld

    Cons

    • 40-minute battery life may not be enough for larger homes
    • Dust bin could be bigger
    • Some parts feel a bit flimsy

    We recently tested the Eureka RapidClean Pro, and we were impressed by how light and easy to use it is. At just 5.3 pounds, we had no trouble carrying it up and down stairs or maneuvering it around furniture. The suction power surprised us for such a compact vacuum – it picked up dust, crumbs, and pet hair from our hardwood floors with ease.

    The LED headlights on the brush head are a nice touch. They helped us spot dust and debris we might have missed otherwise, especially in dimly lit areas under furniture. We also liked how quickly the vacuum converts to a handheld unit for cleaning upholstery, car interiors, and tight spaces.

    One downside we noticed is the 40-minute battery life. It was enough for our small apartment, but it might not cut it for larger homes. The dust bin is on the smaller side too, so we had to empty it more often than we’d like. While the vacuum feels sturdy overall, some of the attachments seemed a bit fragile – we worry they might not hold up to long-term use.

  • Shark Rocket Ultra-Light

    8.7

    We think the Shark Rocket Ultra-Light is a great choice for most people looking for a versatile and powerful vacuum for hardwood floors and carpets.

    8.7

    We think the Shark Rocket Ultra-Light is a great choice for most people looking for a versatile and powerful vacuum for hardwood floors and carpets.

    Pros

    • Very lightweight at under 8 pounds
    • Converts to a hand vac for versatile cleaning
    • Strong suction on both carpets and bare floors

    Cons

    • Corded, so limited range
    • Small dust cup needs frequent emptying
    • Can be top-heavy when using as a hand vac

    We love how light and easy to maneuver the Shark Rocket is. At under 8 pounds, it’s a breeze to carry up and down stairs or push around furniture. The swivel steering makes it feel nimble as we vacuum.

    The suction power impressed us on both carpets and hardwood. It picked up dust, pet hair, and larger debris with ease. We like that it converts to a hand vac for cleaning furniture, stairs, and hard-to-reach spots.

    One downside is the cord, which limits how far we can clean before switching outlets. The dust cup is also on the small side, so we have to empty it often during big cleaning jobs. But for quick daily cleanups, it’s perfect. We think the Shark Rocket hits a sweet spot of power, versatility, and ease of use for most homes.

  • WLOTPO Cordless Stick Vacuum

    8.6

    We think this lightweight cordless vacuum is a great choice for quick cleanups on hard floors and low-pile carpets.

    8.6

    We think this lightweight cordless vacuum is a great choice for quick cleanups on hard floors and low-pile carpets.

    Pros

    • Long battery life
    • Versatile attachments
    • Powerful suction

    Cons

    • Not for high-pile carpets
    • Small dust bin
    • Longer charging time

    The WLOTPO cordless stick vacuum impressed us with its power and versatility. We found the two-speed settings handy for different messes. The high mode tackled tougher dirt, while the standard mode was perfect for everyday cleaning.

    We appreciated how light this vacuum felt during use. It was easy to maneuver around furniture and into tight spaces. The LED headlights were a nice touch, helping us spot dust in dark corners.

    The battery life was solid in our tests. We got about 35 minutes of cleaning time on the standard setting, which was enough for most quick cleanups. The wall mount made storage and charging simple, though we wish it charged a bit faster than four hours.

Buying Guide

When shopping for a hardwood vacuum, we recommend looking at a few key features:

Suction Power

Strong suction is crucial for picking up debris from hardwood floors. Look for models with adjustable suction settings.

Brush Roll

A soft brush roll or the ability to turn off the brush is important to avoid scratching delicate wood surfaces.

Attachments

Useful attachments for hardwood floors include:

  • Crevice tool
  • Soft dusting brush
  • Hard floor attachment

Maneuverability

We suggest choosing a lightweight vacuum that’s easy to push and steer around furniture. Swivel steering can be helpful.

Noise Level

Some vacuums are quieter than others. Check decibel ratings if noise is a concern in your home.

Filtration

A good filtration system traps dust and allergens. HEPA filters offer the highest level of filtration.

Cord vs. Cordless

Cordless models offer more freedom of movement, but corded vacuums don’t need recharging.

Bag vs. Bagless

Bagless vacuums save on replacement costs, but bagged models can be better for allergy sufferers.

We recommend trying vacuums in-store if possible to test their weight and maneuverability. Reading user reviews can also provide helpful real-world insights on performance and durability.