Finding the best vacuums for hardwood floors is important. You have spent thousands of dollars on your wood floors so cleaning these sensitive floors and not damaging them in the process is required.
A regular vacuum cleaner won’t be ideal for cleaning hardwood floors as they require soft brushes, rubber wheels, powerful suction, and some other features to clean them as well as protect them. So to help you find the best vacuum for hardwood floors we created this guide. We’ve completed hours of research to ensure they clean hardwood floors and provide the pros can cons of each so you can find one suitable for your remaining cleaning requirements
In a hurry? Here’s a quick recap of our top vacuums for hardwood floors.
Shark Rotator NV755: Top-notch and inexpensive vacuum for hardwood floors. Superb cleaning, extra-large bin, protects flooring. It’s 3-in-1: upright, handheld, and a wheeled canister. It’s our editor’s choice.
Miele Complete C3 Marin: A Canister vacuum that outperforms upright and sticks vacuums. Picks up sand like a champ, comes with a brush on/off switch to reduce dispersal of dirt, and protects the finish of hardwood floors. It’s expensive.
Kenmore 22614: This best-budget bagless Canister saves you the hassle and expense of changing bags. Protects the sensitive flooring of hard floors and picks up pet hairs even from the carpet.
Kenmore Elite Pet-Friendly 31150: Kenmore is a budget-friendly vacuum that offers strong airflow, excellent at containing the dirt and debris it collects, and has the edge overall in bare-floor cleaning.
Best Vacuum For Hardwood Floors 2024
Table of Contents
See this comparison table to quickly check out all the vacuums we have selected for you to make a better decision.
Hard Floor Vacuums | Power Cord | Brush On/Off | Check Price |
---|---|---|---|
Shark Navigator NV356E | 30 feet | Yes | |
Bissell 1161 Hard Floor Expert Deluxe | 20 feet | Yes | |
Dirt Devil Power Air SD20505 | 20 feet | No | |
Miele C1 Pure Suction | 30 feet | No | |
Miele Compact C2 Electro+ | 25 feet | Yes | |
Dyson V6 Cordless | Cordless | No | |
iRobot Roomba 690 | Cordless | Yes | |
Kenmore 31150 Elite | 25 feet | Yes |
1. Shark Navigator NV356E
The Shark Navigator Lift-Away Professional NV356E is capable to deliver superior cleaning power for cleaning wood floors. The price tag is not that expensive so you get great floor cleaning at a budget price.
The primary feature that makes it best for a hardwood floor is dust-away hard-floor attachment and a pair of washable microfiber pads which can easily grab dust and grime. Many experts stated that for bare floors and carpets it’s a top-notch choice.
Removing the canister from the base allows you to clean with a long extension wand the hard-to-vacuum cracks and crevices and tiles which are almost impossible to clean with the traditional vacuum but thanks to this 2-in-1 model you can clean every nook and corner of your house. So ultimately, this is something in between a handheld and a canister vacuum.
There is a HEPA filter to grab dust, debris, and other allergens and complete-seal technology which keeps the dust particles and blemishes inside and you won’t sniff it while vacuuming the floor. The only thing you need to do is remove the bin and empty it manually, which can release the dust into the air and might cause sniffing.
Similarly, the vacuum is lightweight at 13.7 pounds along with the weight of a dusting brush, crevice tool, and pet power brush, this much weight is not heavier and easy to maneuver for cleaning nooks, under the tables, and chairs, and between furniture. Suction is great and better than the pricier brands.
To get more from Shark Navigator VN356E get a premium brush roll attachment to clean the rugs and mats as well. Don’t think too much it’s certified by the Carpet and Rug Institute for safe use on all fibers.
- Inclusion of favorite attachments for carpet and mat cleaning.
- Certified by Carpet and Rug Institute.
- Strong suction picks pet fur, dust, debris, and other particles into the completely sealed suction system.
- Reviewers do complain about the durability but recent updates have increased the performance and reliability.
2. Bissell 1161 Deluxe
Many consumers tend to go with smaller, lighter vacuums rather than larger vacuums. That said we have Bissell 1161 Hard Floor Expert Deluxe a lightweight canister vacuum that comes optimized for wood floors. Though it contains wheels at the bottom, don’t worry they are made up of rubber so won’t mark up the floors, and the hard-floor tool has soft bristles which make the grabbing dirt and debris gentle and effective from the wood.
In addition, there is an easy-empty tank that can be opened from the bottom of Bissell 1161: Just hold it over the trash bin; no need to use your hands to scrape stubborn bits of dust and hair. Similarly, in the features, it contains a convenient automatic cord rewind, an 8-foot hose, and a fingertip suction control. Furthermore, the telescoping extension, crevice tool, dusting tool, and low-pile carpet tool come standard. The Bissell 1161 Hard Floor Expert Deluxe weighs about 9 pounds which is lightweight compared with various other types of models. Being lightweight it’s easy to move from room to room and around obstacles.
The only snag to this small vacuum is a 16-foot power cord which is short in comparison with the shark cord of 30-feet. No need to worry about the durability as it comes with a 2-year warranty.
- 2-Years warranty
- Small size vacuum
- Short power cord
3. Dirt Devil Power Air SD20505 – ( Best Cheap )
The Dirt Devil Power Air SD20505 is the cheapest vacuum for hardwood floors; don’t overthink that if it’s cheaper that means it won’t fulfill the requirements. This affordable vacuum can save you a broom and dustpan. It comes optimized for quick touch-ups of wood and other hard floors and adds a little bit of extra oomph to your daily cleaning routines. On the other hand, this is cheap as well as lightweight and weighs about 6.7 pounds which makes it easy to move around in your home.
Though the price factor is reduced due to the lower number of features and attachments it does the basics. A 10-amp motor power through messes, the canister is capable to open easily from the bottom simply by touching the button. This vacuum features a 20-foot power cord which is long enough that there won’t need to switch outlets again and again.
It’s lightweight enough that you can call it handheld which is easy to grab and use compared with a heavy upright, smaller but powerful suction. Few reviewers reportedly said that this vacuum blows too much air to the front of the vacuum, which might create issues when grabbing pet hair or dust. It comes with a two-year warranty.
- Cheap vacuum for hardwood floor
- Lightweight and easy to move
- Throws air at front
- Loud
4. Miele C1 Pure Suction
For hard flooring, Miele C1 Pure Suction is a perfect choice. It comes with superior German build quality and a handful of ingenious design features which includes adjustable suction and integrated air filtration in the dust bags.
The Miele C1 Pure Suction features a powerful motor that runs at 300-1200 watts, its much adaptive that you can choose your desired settings for it. It’s powerful enough to suck years worth of dust and fur from floorboards. With this, enough power cleaning the round edges is not a big deal.
To adjust the motor speed and suction you have a 6-setting control dial. This allows you to use for different surfaces like wood, carpet, curtains, etc. You can see the highlighted icons to choose the right settings.
The variable floor tool which can be adjusted via a simple footswitch works perfectly on hard floors and low carpeting. It’s smartly designed so that the rubber tires won’t leave marks on the floor and protects the finish on floors. Furthermore, the stuck-on hairs are also not an issue as there is a cloth strip in the center.
Due to the neck join feature the floor tool works exceptionally great around furniture. Cleaning under chairs, cabinets and other things is as easy as its low profile. You can adjust the height of the vacuum with the stainless steel telescopic wand according to your cleaning demand.
The power cord is 29.5 feet long which allows you to clear far without switching outlets and the power cord retracts automatically after you’re done the cleaning. A crevice tool, upholstery tool, and dusting brush are also included in this vacuum.
While cleaning the Miele filters your air at the same time. The efficiently designed air system traps allergens and fine particles before air is released through the exhaust vent. Similarly, the filter is integrated into the dust bag making it easy to clean both at the same time.
The canister of this vacuum is simple and elegant and features rubber caster wheels to protect your hardwood floors. The dense construction makes it work quiet. Last but not least, there is a 1-year warranty that is enough to get the maximum value based on the amount you are going to spend.
- Efficient air system
- Canister is decently designed and doesn’t scratches the floor
- Cannot be used for wall-to-wall rugs
- Small dust bags requires to be emptied frequently
5. Miele Compact C2 Electro+
Those having mixed flooring in their home need to get this top recommendation vacuum called Miele Compact C2 Electro+ vacuum. Miele vacuums are strong due to the build quailty of the 20th century and deliver amazing performance due to the 21st-century technology used in them.
Features two-floor heads which allow this vac to work on unbalanced surfaces and tiles perfectly. The Parquet 3 floor brush is perfect for hardwood floors as it’s thick and has soft brushes. Similarly, the inclusion of a powered ElectroComfort brush to tackle the thickest carpets.
The Miele Compact C2 Electro+ is a versatile vacuum that you can control right from the handle to get a quiet cleaning. Don’t worry about the safety of the floor as there are rubber wheels attached with canister and floor attachments which prevent scratches to your flooring.
From a number of smart touches on the body of this vacuum, there are two footswitches for automatic cord rewind and for power. The little buttons are responsible for locking attachments. That’s a positive factor over the non-locking, friction-based attachments that are used by other brands.
On the canister, you can see the rotary dial which allows adjusting the power, seeing the graphics on the rotary you can set settings for curtains, carpet, and more. This vacuum works in silence and doesn’t make noise while cleaning. The canister body helps to absorb the noise from the motor, even if you are using it on the highest settings. In addition, on the power dial, there is a special “quiet” setting which allows you to clean around the sleeping people.
The precision and power of the Miele motor are superb. The power generated allows for the cleaning of different surfaces for both safety and effectiveness. The attachments that Miele Compact C2 Electro+ brings with it are an upholstery brush, crevice tool, and dusting brush.
The air filtration system cleans the air and packs the dust into the bag which self-seal as you remove them. Even though the dust bags are small the vacuum sucks so powerful that the debris compresses and fills the beg making space for more dust to come in.
Completely assembled in Germany using high-end materials. Last but not least comes with a one-year warranty.
- Two brush heads
- Very quite
- power settings allows easy navigation
- Expensive
6. Dyson V6 Cord Free Vacuum – Best Cordless Vacuum for Hardwood Floors
Corded vacuum won’t allow you to go anywhere in your home cleaning hardwood floor but you have to switch outlets which you might find irritating. This Dyson V6 Cord Free Vacuum delivers the same output without sacrificing power. This cordless vacuum works perfect on both bare floors and carpets. So getting this vacuum for cleaning area rugs and hardwood floors is an ideal choice. Efficiently cleans pet hair which is a plus from Dyson. It is lightweight as 5 pounds and right now the lightest model in our list of top ten vacuums for hardwood floors.
Backed by the rechargeable lithium-ion battery you can get 20 minutes of cleaning power with one time charged at full capacity. It features a convenient charging dock which will be easy to mount on the wall of a utility room. You can make it handheld vacuum simply by detaching the wand from the vacuum and allows you to clean hard-to-clean areas like stairs or car upholstery.
In case, you want the attachments included like a crevice tool or dusting brush, then you have to upgrade to a bit more expensive model by Dyson like V8 Animal or Absolute. The manufacturer says that the suction on this model cannot be beaten by any other model on the market, and they love the cord-free convenience.
Few reviewers report issues with quick-draining batteries but ups and down have to be faced with a cordless vacuum. Last but not least it comes with a two-year warranty.
This vacuum is the deal breaker and worth your money.
- Wireless vacuum for hardwood floors
- Detach the wand and make it handheld
- Might give the quick-draining battery
7. iRobot Roomba 690 – Best Robot Vacuum for Hardwood Floors
If you are one of those consumers who want to get benefit from the modern technology rather than the corded vacuum which requires switching outlets and the cordless vacuum which requires effort from your elbows for cleaning, you need to get iRobot Roomba 690 robot vacuum which allows you to control it by Smartphone. Now cleaning the hardwood floor is as simple as pressing the button or using your voice. This robot vacuum for hardwood floors can be controlled by Smartphone and voice using Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant.
Whereas, it’s ideal for all floor types, rugs, carpets, tile, or a mix of hardwood. Just about anything your home can throw at it, this intelligent vacuum runs for up to an hour before it needs to dock and recharge.
The simplest way to use this vacuum is to schedule it and rest aside. it’s pretty easy to set up, schedule. You can easily control it with voice commands or using the Smartphone. Suction is quite impressive. It’s only 3.6 inches tall. The hard-to-find dust bunnies under the beds and furniture are not a big deal for this vacuum cleaner.
It features a virtual wall that allows you to block this vacuum in specific areas or rooms, choosing “halo mode” allows you to protect certain items in a larger wider area that you are planning to clean. Consumers enjoy the convenience of a “set it and forget it” robotic vacuum.
The only responsibility on your shoulders is to clean the dust bin which should be emptied frequently, many reviewers stated it’s much easier in comparison with the traditional vacuum models. Last but not least it comes with a one-year warranty.
- Controlled by Smartphone and voice
- The virtual wall blocks it going in certain areas
- Halo Mode allows protecting items while it’s cleaning
- Dust bin needed to be emptied frequently
8. Kenmore 31150 Elite – Best for Allergies
The Kenmore 31150 Elite is a powerful vacuum capable to handle hardwood floors while avoiding causing sniffling and sneezing. This bagged upright vacuum brings a HEPA filter which is certified by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. Experts stated that this vacuum does a powerful job on hardwood floors as well as on the carpets. Unsurprisingly, it also nails emissions testing, which makes it cooler as it won’t spew particles of dust, allergens or dander into the air.
The Kenmore 31150 Elite features an LED headlight, a telescoping wand, a pet-hair attachment, and amazing features of height adjustment which makes it compatible with all floor types. The brush can be turned off and off, which decreases the chances of scraping wood or other hard floors.
A minor snag to this powerful vacuum is its weight, it weighs about 20 pounds which is heavy, and for some users, it might be difficult to maneuver. Last but not least it comes with a one-year warranty.
- One-year warranty
- Height adjustment makes it compatible with all floor types
- Heaviest model of vacuum
- Shark Navigator Lift-Away Professional Upright NV356E
- Hoover Linx Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner – BH50010
- Miele Compact C1 Pure Suction Canister Vacuum
- Hoover Hardwood Floor Cleaner FloorMate SpinScrub with Bonus Hard Floor Wipes -FH40010B
- Bissell PowerEdge Pet Hard Floor Corded Vacuum, 81L2A
Hard Wood Floor Vacuum Buying Guide
When you are going to buy a vacuum then you need to keep in mind the different floor types and their relevant vacuums so that you get the right vacuum. The different types of floors and vacuums can be
These vacuums will be helpful for you in case you don’t know how to clean the hardwood floors.
What Type of Vacuum Do You Need?
Though all the vacuum cleaners do the same job they differ from each other depending on several factors and you need to know how individual model is different than others. In the market, there are a variety of vacuums ranging from thick carpets to small messes on hard flooring surfaces. You need to be sure about what type of vacuum cleaner you want to use for your own home.
We have discussed major vacuum types to help you pick the best one according to your needs.
Best Canister Vacuum
The Canister Vacuums consist of two things the vacuuming head and body. The vacuuming head can be connected with the mobile engine and filter through a long hose. Due to this separation moving these vacuum is easy. Similarly, they are not heavier in terms of weight. The majority of canister vacuums feature rubber wheels which make them easy to move on the hardwood floors without leaving the marks and these are typically the best vacuums for wood flooring as well as they give strong suction power to clean very well. Furthermore, you also get the option to replace canister heads and be able to use gentle brushes avoiding hard brushes that harm the floors. So this kind of vacuum is totally customizable and perfect for hardwood floors.
Best Upright Vacuum
Upright vacuums are built-in tall solid pieces of heavier machines that are capable to stand on their own and moving around this type of machine requires pushing the full weight of the appliance. In general, they allow several attachments, powerful suction, nice filtration, and many innovative features which help to make cleaning your house much easier. Few Uprights do best on hardwood floors as they use beater brushes on the main vacuum head which might scratch wood floors. Using the hose attachment only and dragging around the large body is not an efficient way for home cleaning.
Best Stick Vacuum
Stick vacuum-like upright vacuums are not effective for heavy-duty cleanups they are good for handling small messes in a compact home for those who tend to go with lightweight vacuums. They do not provide strong suction and necessary features like a canister. Stick vacuums do come in electric, battery-powered or corded but don’t contain extra heads which could be swapped to handle smaller or higher up places.
Best Handheld Vacuum
Generally, handheld vacuum is small and lightweight enough you can carry them along with the house cleaning nooks and corners. They work on rechargeable batteries which makes them portable. As the batteries can give a limited power so you cannot expect powerful suction but that doesn’t mean they are useless, you can control the speed, and depend upon that they will drain the battery. They do not offer extendable hoses or separate attachments. For cleaning long staircases and smaller messes handheld vacuums are the perfect fit for spot cleaning and touch-ups but for whole-house cleaning they might not be the right choice.
Best Cordless Vacuums
Cordless vacuums help clean the home without worrying about plugging the power cord into different outlets. Again these vacuums are generally light-weight and maneuverable. Undercover areas like under bed or furniture where many vacuums are not capable to reach the best cordless vacuums do the job by going inside. Furthermore, there is no need of plugging the cable so you get quick cleaning if you kids spill cereal on the floor. The majority of cordless vacuums for wood floors have attachments which let you clean door frames, walls, windows sills and the like.
Best Robot Vacuums
The most recent and modern technology used in vacuums is Robot Vacuums. They contain collision-avoidance software which makes them intelligent to avoid collisions and with the passage of time this software has improved to much extent. Robotic vacuums are the ones we tend to recommend to people because they can be controlled by smartphone and voice using Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. Either it’s the job of cleaning a hardwood floor, pet hair, dust from your tile floors and laminate flooring or gross hair. They are intelligent enough to go to change in case they note that the battery is getting lowered. Being robotic means they need proper maintenance instead of deep cleaning.
Vacuum Buying Considerations
Now that you are aware of the vacuum you need for your home now see a few more considerations before you buy a vacuum for hardwood floor.
What kind of wood your floor is?
Give an answer to this question that either floor is made up of a hard, delicate, softer, or coated wood. Whatever the scenario is you need to make sure you get vacuum cleaner according to that. For example, for softer floor scratching will be the bigger issue so you need a vacuum which should clean the floor more gently and should have more padding and rubberized bottom areas.
Have rubberized wheels with enough padding that the plastic surface doesn’t get in contact with the floor and avoid scratching your floor or causing any other sort of damage. Furthermore, are there deep grooves or lines in the wood? then get a model with higher suction power which could suck the grooved properly. You can look for the more best vacuum for hardwood floors if you want.
Do you have pets and pet hair?
Some people think that they need an exclusively special vacuum for pet hair, but this is not the case. There is a number of vacuum which does the job of cleaning floor and pet hairs as well. Pet hairs have a way of sticking which makes them hard to remove from tucked-away corners. So choose the best vacuum for pet hair which could be able to handle different kinds of pet hair and suck them up easily.
Similarly, pet hairs on the floor or different surfaces like the couch or the bed needed to be cleaned with the same floor vacuum. This is only possible if you have chosen the right model. So buying the best vacuum for hardwood floor makes sure that the vacuum does the job of picking up pet hairs.
carpets – To get a vacuum for the carpet you need to know a few things
pet hair – To get the best pet hair vacuum few things are important to keep in mind
tile floors
laminate floors
If you want to get the best brand vacuum then the most common and well-known brands of vacuums are
Dyson
Shark
Eureka
Canister
How to clean the hardwood floors
How to find the best vacuum for hardwood floors
Best way to get the best vacuum for hardwood floor.