Hardwood floors are a great flooring option for just about any home.
They are durable, match with just about every décor, and they are easy to keep clean.
However, many people avoid installing hardwood or think that hardwood floors are not a reality for their busy home, because they take too long to clean.
Sure, this might have been true 20 or more years ago, when vacuum technology was not as advanced, but today, cleaning hardwood floors can be a breeze.
You no longer have to rely on the time consuming method of sweeping or using a dust mop.
Standard vacuums can easily transition from your rugs and carpet to hardwood and even tile.
That doesn’t mean however, all vacuums work the same or are as effective at cleaning your hardwood floors.
It can be a daunting task to shop for a great vacuum that will not only be powerful enough for carpet and big messes, but also gentle enough to clean your hardwood, without scratching.
So which do you chose? How do you know you’re getting the best product for your home?
We’ve done our research, and put many vacuums to the test, and in this review, we’ll share our results, telling you about the best vacuums for your hardwood floor.
Each review will give you pros and cons, but also some handy hints for buying each product.
Then, we’ll answer some of your burning questions about using a vacuum on hardwood floors, and how a vacuum will make cleaning your home easier and more effective.
Best Cordless: Eureka NEC222 HyperClean Cordless Vacuum Cleaner
The Eureka HyperClean is a handy, convertible and rather convenient little vacuum.
In apartments or smaller homes, it can be employed as the main vacuum cleaner, or as an additional vacuum cleaner in larger homes with hardwood floors.
Also, it can be used as an excellent utility vacuum cleaner for elderly people or individuals that don’t have the strength to lug around a full size vacuum. All, solid reasons for making it our top choice for best vacuum for wood floors.
Eureka’s NEC222 Lightweight cordless vacuum is an exchangeable 2-in-1 cleaner, designed to be utilized as a solid handheld unit as well as a cordless stick vacuum
This Eureka HyperClean is powered with a power fade-free lithium battery, providing up to 30 minutes of use when set to normal suction mode.
The core cleaner head is well suited for both carpet and hardwood floors, while the included attachments enable you to clean hard to reach spots.
Also, the main head features LED headlights which are pretty bright, helping you clean under beds, in low light conditions or underneath sofas.
Benefits
Long battery life, great suction, replaceable battery.
Drawbacks
Doesn’t stand upright on its own, the filter isn't HEPA.
Extra features
LED Headlight, 2-1 upholstery tool.
Buying advice
Be sure to register your new Eureka to ensure it is covered by warranty.
Product Specifications
| Type: | Cordless stick vacuum |
| Power: | 21.6-volt lithium battery, maximum power is 220 watts |
| Size: | 8.5 x 9.5 x 43.5 inches, 6.5 pounds |
| Capacity: | (Max Fill) 0.6L |
| Warranty: | 2 Year Limited on Vacuum- 1 Year Limited on Battery |
RUNNER-UP: Hikeren 12000 Pa Powerful Stick Vacuum
The powerful Hikeren cordless stick vacuum has 2 modes and utilizes a 120W motor for extensive cleaning power.
The low setting is great for sucking up dust or pet hair on hardwood floors; while the high power mode provides ample suction to clean unseen debris, dirt, and hair on carpets.
This vacuum is simple to put together and a perfect solution for a variety of cleaning needs.
Made of lightweight ABS material, the HIKEREN stick vacuum, considerably reduces bodily strain when vacuuming elevated places, like ceilings, and high vents around the house.
It is easy to maneuver with its folding handle and 180° swivel so you are able to reach pet hair or dust from under the sofa, bed, or around shelves effortlessly. Moreover, bright LED lights help you clean in darker areas to capture dirt other cordless vacuums miss.
Without the hassle of a cord, HIKEREN’s cordless vacuum freely converts into a handheld vacuum for a large assortment of cleaning tasks.
This Hikeren cordless cleaner only takes about 3-4 hours to fully charge the 2500mAh lithium-ion battery, on high power you get 30 minutes of cleaning time, but up to 40 minutes on low power.
This allows you to clean up your home without worrying about the battery will die halfway through the task. Moreover, the battery shows the remaining capacity to ensure in-time charging.
If your current vacuum cleaner upsets you, take a look at this epic Hikeren Cordless Stick Vacuum with 12000PA strong suction which won’t let you down.
Featured specs
2 modes- low & high, swivel design.
Benefits
Up to 40mins work time, lightweight swivels great.
Drawbacks
Lacks suction, louder than others.
Extra features
LED Headlight, wall mount.
Buying advice
Great vacuum for smaller areas and vehicles as well.
Product Specifications
| Type: | Convertible stick to a handheld vacuum |
| Power: | Lithium-ion battery 2500mAh, 120W High-Powered motor |
| Size: | 5.1 pounds, 43.3 x 9.8 x 6.7 inches |
| Capacity: | 0.6L |
| Warranty: | 18 month warranty |
Best Canister: Bissell Zing Green Bagless Canister Vacuum
The Zing 2156A from Bissell is a compact, lightweight canister vacuum that produces extraordinarily strong suction for a vacuum a smaller cleaner and users like that it has washable filters and that it is on the quieter side of vacuums.
This Bissell vacuum is so compact and lightweight it makes it highly maneuverable and easy to lift. The handy handle makes it easy to carry up and down stairs or from room to room.
The whole cleaner is so light that you will be able to hold the canister in one hand and maneuver the wand with the other for hard to reach areas.
It is perfectly suited for smaller houses or even apartments, however, due to its smaller stature, it's not a great fit for larger homes. It can also be a good option for car or RV cleaning.
Featured specs
15 feet of cord with automatic cord rewind.
Benefits
Strong suction, not too loud, very light, washable filters.
Drawbacks
No HEPA level filtration, no pet hair features.
Extra features
Multi surface floor tool, crevice tool, dusting brush, airflow regulator.
Buying advice
Very lightweight and well suited for smaller spaces.
Product Specifications
| Type: | Canister/Bagless |
| Power: | 9 amps |
| Size: | Weighs less than eight pounds |
| Capacity: | Dirt cup capacity 2 liters |
| Warranty: | 1 year |
Best Stick: MOOSOO Cordless Stick Handheld Vacuum Cleaner
Constructed to over-deliver to customers, the MOOSOO vacuum comes in a polished silver finish with a detachable main body and a very bright LED dust searchlight to locate any hidden dust.
The cleaner also includes one cleaning attachment and a mini brush.
A huge plus of this cleaner is definitely the flexible joints. Armed with low-position cleaning capabilities, vacuuming tight spaces can easily be accomplished. Just slide it under the couch, there’s no need for heavy-lifting
It is very quiet as well, making your job even more pleasurable. When you’re done return it to the included wall mount to keep things tidy.
The MOOSOO works wonders for those with furry friends. With its powerful suction, you can vacuum up all that hair effortlessly.
This cleaner is cordless, leaving you free of the hassle of hunting down a plug every time you change rooms. It gives you 30-45 minutes of cleaning time after only five hours on the charger.
At a weight just over 3lbs, you can move around the office or the house with this vacuum with no trouble at all.
Featured specs
2 adjustable modes, washable filters.
Benefits
Lightweight, high-efficiency cyclone + HEPA filtration system, long-lasting battery.
Drawbacks
Not great for pet hair, lots of parts.
Extra features
Led light, 2 in 1 dusting brush, light aluminum alloy tube, wall bracket, cleaning tool.
Buying advice
It performs well on all kinds of hard floors, carpet, stairs and window sills.
Product Specifications
| Type: | 4 in 1 Stick or Handheld |
| Power: | 120-watt- 2200mAh Li-ion Batteries |
| Size: | 44.1 x 9 x 10.2 inches, 3.3 pounds |
| Capacity: | 1.3-liter large dust bin |
| Warranty: | Backed by 45-day money-back and 24-month warranty |
RUNNER-UP: Eureka NES210 Blaze 3-in-1 Swivel Lightweight Stick Vacuum Cleaner
We were impressed with the Eureka Blazes capabilities.
A 3-in-1 stick to handheld vacuum that is a bagless corded cleaner. This is very affordable vacuum that can be used as a lightweight stick or handheld cleaner and does a great job on stairs.
You will appreciate the stress-free swivel steering, it will help when cleaning those areas with obstacles, like large furniture without problems. It also makes an admirable, second vacuum, for those quick messes and smaller cleanups.
One of the best features of the Eureka Blaze is the detachable handle. This permits you to convert the unit from a stick to a handheld vacuum and back easily.
To better allow you to clean hard to reach places, the main cleaning nozzle can be detached, which comes in handy for those precarious top of bookshelves.
These Eureka’s are economy-priced vacuums, suited for any home. They offer low maintenance costs, average suction, respectable air filtration, and in the end, they do a suitable job.
Featured specs
18' Power cord, large capacity bin.
Benefits
Long cord, maneuverability and cleaning efficiency, value priced.
Drawbacks
Not great at picking up hair, not as durable.
Extra features
Crevice tool.
Buying advice
Does a great job for daily cleanups.
Product Specifications
| Type: | 3-in-1 Swivel Stick |
| Power: | 240 W 2 amp motor |
| Size: | 6 x 10 x 44 inches, 4 pounds |
| Capacity: | 0.55 L |
| Warranty: | 3 year limited |
Hardwood Floor Vacuums FAQ
So now that you know our picks for the best hardwood floor vacuums, it’s time for us to answer some burning questions that you might have about cleaning your hardwood floors.
Cleaning hardwood used to be a time consuming and tedious task.
You once upon a time needed a broom, dustpan, and a dust mop to get your hardwood floors clean.
Today, you can do the same job, with the same results in just a fraction of the time, with your vacuum.
But, there can be questions about how to best use a vacuum on your hardwood floors, to get the best results.
So you don’t have to spend more of your valuable time, searching the internet for the answers to your questions, we’ve compiled some of the most frequently asked questions about vacuuming hardwood, and we’ve answered these questions, in one place, so you can get on with buying a vacuum, and on to more important things.
Can you vacuum hardwood?
Yes, you can absolutely vacuum hardwood floors.
However, this hasn’t always been the case.
Up until about 15 years ago, the best way to clean your hardwood floors was to use some elbow grease and sweep, dust mop, and dust.
The time-consuming effort it took to clean hardwoods is one of the reasons that carpet became so popular during the 1980s.
Busy families, with two working parents, just didn’t have time to spend cleaning hardwood floors.
That has all changed today.
Today, hardwood floors are becoming a standard flooring option in many new homes, and homeowners that once had carpet are ditching the soft floors in favor of beautiful hardwood.
Why the change in preference, you might ask?
Well, the reality is, hardwood flooring has become more durable, and our cleaning tools have become gentler.
The vacuums of yester-year were great at cleaning carpet, but the brushes on the beater bars were just too rough for hardwood floors.
Not to mention that older vacuums were set to one height only.
While the beater bars may have been rough, the height of the vacuum was just too high to be fully effective on your hardwood floors.
Vacuuming on hardwood floors, or any hard surface flooring for that matter, just wasn’t as effective, and many people found that it was just better to clean with the old school tools.
Today’s vacuums have durable, yet gentle beater bars and brushes, and upright vacuums are now built with adjustable height, so you don’t have to worry about scratching your beautiful hardwood with rough brushes, but you still get great suction that picks up even the finest of dust, without the need for a follow-up with a dust mop.
Is it better to vacuum or sweep hardwood floors?
This can be a matter of preference or a matter of health, depending on which way you look at it. There are also pros and cons to each method as well.
Sweeping
This is the traditional, old-school way of cleaning. It is tried and true and is effective at getting most of the junk off of your hardwood floors.
The great thing about sweeping is that it is low tech, and since brooms are relatively lightweight, it can be a good option if you don’t want to haul around a heavy vacuum.
Your broom also doesn’t need power, so if you need a quick clean up, and don’t want to plug in a vacuum, a broom is a great way to clean your hardwood floors.
However, if you have individuals in your home that suffer from allergies or asthma, sweeping may not be your best option.
Sweeping can send dust, dirt, and allergens into the air, making the air quality in your home, less than ideal for allergy and asthma sufferers.
Additionally, sweeping can leave behind fine dust which may not seem problematic, but in high traffic areas can cause more rapid wear on your hardwood floors.
Vacuuming
Vacuums today are made to work on a variety of flooring surfaces.
There are even vacuums designed specifically for your hardwood floors.
Vacuuming puts all of the benefits of sweeping and using a dust mop into one tool.
Not only are you able to pick up big debris from your floor, but the suction of your vacuum is great at picking up fine dust, that can damage your floors over time.
Vacuuming is a great option if someone in your home has allergies or asthma since a quality vacuum will keep dust and allergens from becoming airborne.
This keeps your home’s air cleaner and healthier for everyone.
On the downside, vacuums can be heavy for some individuals, and if you just need to make a quick clean-up, it can be a pain to drag out the vacuum, plug-it in, clean, then reverse the process.
So what is best?
We think that if you can manage a vacuum, that you and your home will see far better cleaning and health benefits from switching from your old fashioned broom and dustpan to a vacuum.
The efficiency of a vacuum in picking up even the smallest debris, far outweigh the cons that may come with using this tool.
How often should you vacuum your hardwood?
Like the choice of cleaning tool, this is also a matter of preference, and how clean you want or need your home to be.
If your home is relatively low traffic and if you don’t have pets or kids, you don’t need to vacuum your hardwood floors as frequently as you would if you have kids or pets, or just a busy home.
A good rule of thumb for vacuuming your home’s hardwood floors is that a weekly vacuuming should be sufficient for regular or low traffic areas.
High traffic areas will benefit from additional vacuuming, simply to reduce the wear and tear that fine dust and dirt can cause on your hardwood floor finish.
If you have an allergy or asthma sufferers in your home, it is always better to vacuum more frequently.
However, hardwood doesn’t come with the same cleaning demands for allergen reduction that carpet does.
While you may be vacuuming daily on the carpet, you can easily cut down to two or three days per week on your hardwood floors.
Should you dust before vacuuming?
This question creates heated discussions on internet message boards.
However, while you can dust after vacuuming, it isn’t the best way to achieve high-quality cleaning in your home, and it can also aggravate allergies and asthma.
When you clean, make sure that you always dust before you vacuum.
First, this allows you to brush any large debris that can be sucked up with your vacuum, on to your “dirty” floor, instead of dumping dust and debris onto a freshly vacuumed floor.
Second, dusting first, allows any airborne dust to settle on your floor, before you vacuum.
Not only is this method better for maintaining good air quality in your home, but it also ensures that every time you clean, you get the most benefit from your efforts.
Instead of leaving dust here and there, you are more likely to get more dust and dirt from your home, by dusting first, than if you dust after you vacuum.
Conclusion
So, there you have it.
Our favorite vacuums for hardwood floors, and answers to some of your burning vacuum questions.
While you don’t have to spend a ton of money on a vacuum, make sure that the one you buy, will meet all of your needs, and will provide your home with an effective cleaning tool, that keeps your home clean and healthy.
We hope that we’ve answered all of your vacuum questions and have given you great options for the best cleaning tools for your hardwood floors.
If you think we’ve missed a great vacuum, or if you have other thoughts or questions about keeping your house clean, please let us know in the comment section below.
