Hardwood floors are nice to have in your home, and they are in high demand. As a result, hardwood floor vacuum cleaners are also in high demand. With the consumer trends favoring hardwood floors recently, companies are constantly trying to improve their brand to make their product the latest and greatest model. But just like with anything else, how do you really know which is the best product on the market?
Companies are working on their marketing pitches so that they can claim to be the best hardwood floor vacuum in 2016. What you have to understand is that one model may be the best at one certain characteristic, but has other poor qualities. We’ve taken a look at some of the best models to give you a comprehensive review of the best hardwood floor vacuums so that you can find the perfect product.
| Image | Product name | Weight | Price | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | VonHaus 600W 2-in-1 Corded Upright Stick & Handheld Vacuum | 3 lbs | $ | 4.4 (688) |
 | Hoover FloorMate Deluxe FH40160PC | 14 lbs | $$ | 4.2 (2061) |
 | Bissell 1161 Hard Floor Expert Deluxe | 10 lbs | $$ | 4.2 (235) |
 | BISSELL CleanView Upright Vacuum | 15.1 lbs | $ | 4.4 (5284) |
Background on Hardwood Floor Vacuums
If you already have a hardwood floor, then you are probably well acquainted with hardwood floor vacuums. But if you don’t have a hardwood floor, or if you just don’t have a vacuum, then you are missing out on both. Many people think that hardwood floors are difficult to maintain because they have to be mopped and polished consistently in order to keep its shine. That’s actually not true at all.
With the help of a good hardwood floor vacuum and a little preventative maintenance, hardwood floors can keep their shine for years without getting an extra coat of polish. For your every day or weekly cleanings, all you really need is a hardwood floor vacuum.
No matter how hard you try to keep your floor clean by taking off your shoes in the house or not spilling anything on it, you are still going to collect dust and dirt. That’s where your hardwood floor vacuum comes in.
Having a vacuum is one thing, but having one that fits your needs is another. We will explain in detail a little later the different types of hardwood floor vacuums so that you know which one is best for you. Your choice of vacuum may depend on whether you have some carpet in your home as well, or if you have a pet or kids. Everyone’s living situation is different, so you can’t just go strictly by what a manufacturer says about their product.
Most companies will try to sell you a hardwood floor vacuum based on what they want you to have instead of what you actually need. That’s why we are here to break down the different types of hardwood floor vacuums and give you enough information to make an educated decision about your next vacuum purchase.
Different Types of Hardwood Floor Vacuums
Every home is different, so there isn’t one single best hardwood floor vacuum that is universal for everyone. Before beginning your search for a new hardwood floor vacuum, you should start with asking yourself a few questions:
Do you want a handheld vacuum or a larger and more powerful one?
Do you need one with more strength because of pets or kids that make messes?
Is your area suited for a robotic vacuum?
Do you want a bagless vacuum or one with a disposable bag?
These are just some of the main things to consider when shopping for a hardwood floor vacuum. We will dive into which types are best suited to answer these questions.
Handheld Vacuums
The handheld vacuums are nice because they can quickly clean up small messes. They aren’t suited for cleaning a large area because you will have to bend over for an extended period of time. They aren’t very powerful, but they are handy.
Upright Vacuums
These are the traditional style of vacuum. They have a wider suction space and are generally more powerful than most other residential vacuums. Some of them can be heavy and bulky, but some are reasonably lighter.
Canister Vacuums
This is one of the most popular types of hardwood floor vacuum. They are lighter than upright vacuums and are easy to maneuver and get into tight corners or under furniture.
Stick Vacuums
These vacuums are similar to the handheld vacuums, but they offer a little more power. You won’t get a deep clean with these most of the time, but they are handy for cleaning up a medium-sized area when there is a mess or spill.
Robotic Vacuums
Don’t have the time or energy to vacuum? A robotic vacuum may be for you. They are considerably more expensive, but will allow you to relax while your house gets vacuumed. They won’t get as deep of a clean as the traditional vacuums, but you almost can’t beat the convenience of robotic vacuums.
You can help yourself save some time and money by reading some of the different hardwood floor vacuum reviews online to see how people use these different types.
The Best Things About Hardwood Floor Vacuums
Every hardwood floor vacuum has good things and bad things about it. However, most of them are much more convenient and less work than getting out the broom and mop. You still may have to do that occasionally, but hardwood floor vacuums are more than enough to help get your through your daily or weekly cleaning.
Most vacuums have different features that you can consider. For example, if you have a home with some hardwood and some carpet, you may want to consider a vacuum that has a switch to turn on and off the brush. Some vacuums also come in versions with bags or bagless. Bags are convenient because you generally don’t have to empty them that often. Bagless versions are nice because you don’t have to deal with the hassle or cost of bags.
Although some people think that the best way to clean a hardwood floor is by using a broom, that’s actually not true. Brooms will clean off debris or hair from the surface, but vacuums will clean the deeper dust and particles that have settled on the floor. They are more powerful than brooms and can also get into the hard-to-reach corners of the room. Most vacuums come with different attachments that will allow you to reach any space, large or small, that a broom simply can’t do.
From the small handheld vacuum to the large vacuum to clean your whole house, there are plenty of options available that have specific features to help you make your next purchase.
What’s Not to Like About Hardwood Floor Vacuums?
Hardwood floor vacuums are convenient, but they also have some downfalls.
For one, most of them are pretty noisy. It’s just natural that they are going to be noisy, though, because carpet absorbs some of the noise that hardwood floors can’t. Some are less noisy than others, but even the handheld versions can be pretty loud.
Hardwood floor vacuums also tend to be dusty. This is especially true when there is a lot of dust on the floors. Most vacuums are really good about picking up the majority of the dust, but some can get blown around through the air release on the vacuum itself.
If you only have hardwood floors in your house, then you almost have no choice but to get a hardwood floor vacuum. However, if you have some carpet in your house as well, then you need to make sure that your vacuum is suited for both surfaces. Some hardwood floor vacuums are designed for that only and won’t pick up anything on carpet.
Depending on the type of hardwood floor you have, you may have small crevasses between the wood planks. Some vacuums aren’t strong enough to get inside those crevasses to pick up dirt and debris. Hardwood floor vacuums are generally not as strong as other vacuums, so you need to make sure that you get the right power for your situation. If possible, go to a store and try one out to make sure you get the right fit.
Top Hardwood Floor Vacuums for 2016
Without further ado, we present you with our top five options for hardwood floor vacuums for 2016, in no particular order.
Hoover Corded Cyclonic Stick Vacuum, SH20030
This stick vacuum is great for cleaning up little messes without having to get out your large vacuum. It is great for the hard-to-reach places and transitions from hardwood to carpet quickly and easily. Many people say that this vacuum isn’t powerful enough to replace your big vacuum, but it gets the job done for any accidents that may happen. It’s more powerful than any handheld vacuum and is versatile and light enough to help you clean your whole house. One downfall is that it doesn’t come with any attachments, so if you want a vacuum to clean drapes or curtains, you may need to look for other options.
Bissell PowerEdge Pet Hard Floor Corded Vacuum, 81L2A
This is a must-have vacuum if you have hardwood floors and pets. It is designed specifically for hardwood floors and is powerful enough to suck up a good amount of pet hair. The special technology is in the V-shape vacuum, which captures both large and small debris without having to switch attachments or use different equipment. The wipers are made of a special rubber that will attract more pet hair as well.
It may seem like a fairly compact vacuum, but most people say that it has a lot larger suction area than it appears. Some of the common downfalls of this product are that the cord is somewhat short and the dust cup fills up quickly. If you can deal with that, then this is the right vacuum for you. For a price of around $50, this model gets some of the best hardwood floor vacuum reviews out there because of the quality and value.
Miele S2121 Olympus Canister Vacuum Cleaner
Some people have qualms about canister vacuums for different reasons, but this is one of the best on the market for 2016. It is one of the lightest vacuums that is versatile enough to use for your entire house from top to bottom. With just a flip of a switch, you can transition from hardwood floors to carpet and get the same quality of suction.
One downfall about this vacuum is that it is a little pricey. You can expect to spend a few hundred dollars on it, but it makes up for it in the quality that it provides. No job is too big or too small for this vacuum. What makes it even better is that Miele is a reputable brand that backs up their products. You generally won’t have many problems with this Miele vacuum, but if you do, they will likely repair or replace it for you at a very reasonable price or not charge you at all.
Shark Navigator Lift-Away Professional Upright, NV356E
Upright vacuums are the most popular because they are the most traditional type of vacuum. Shark is a good brand that makes quality vacuums, and this model is no exception. For an upright vacuum, this one is fairly lightweight in comparison to others.
The swivel steering technology allows you to vacuum around your house with ease. It can make an easy transition from hardwood floors to carpet and is so powerful that it will pick up even the dirt that you can’t see. Most people are appalled by how good the suction is on this vacuum and are amazed at how it never loses suction. You can expect to spend around $150 on this particular model, but it will be well worth your money when you see how well it works.
Mint Automatic Hard Floor Cleaner, 4200
There’s nothing better than coming home to a clean house. That’s exactly what this robotic vacuum will do for you. It really is just as simple as giving it a charge, turning it on and letting it go. It can run for up to 3 hours on a charge and will navigate around furniture and other items on the floor.
You can run this vacuum when you are gone or even if you’re at home. It is one of the quietest vacuums on the market, so you may even forget that it’s running when you are at home. You can transform the vacuum from a sweeper into a mopper very quickly. Sweep mode will use a cloth to pick up dust and other small debris; while mop mode uses a pre-moistened cloth to pick up other grime that the sweeper can’t. For a price of around $425, this model is one of the best values for 2016. Many robotic vacuums are a lot more expensive than this one, but it does just as good of a job.
Which Hardwood Floor Vacuum is Right For You?
Now that you have all of the information you need to make an educated decision, it’s time to decide which is the best hardwood floor vacuum for you. There are a lot of different brands and models out there, so if you start by knowing exactly what you want and need, then it will make your shopping process a lot less stressful. Reading hardwood floor vacuum reviews will also help narrow down your selection, especially when it comes to the brand name.
Another thing to always consider when making a purchase is your budget. People will always try to sell you things you don’t need, so if you have a price point and stick with it, you will be sure to get the best value for your dollar. Depending on the type of vacuum you want and if your price point is reasonable, you will find the right fit for your house.
Also, depending on your situation, it may be beneficial to get a couple different vacuums rather than just one expensive one. For example, getting a handheld or stick vacuum along with an upright vacuum could save you some time and money. Most people need some sort of versatile vacuum with a lot of attachments to get the hard-to-reach places, so knowing your situation and exactly what you need a vacuum for will help minimize a lot of headaches.