Such a vacuum capable of removing dirt and dust without a moment’s hesitation.
Hardwood floors may be popular when it comes to interior design as of the present, there is another factor that comes with it: They are also easy to clean provided that you have the best tools to clean the floor such as a right vacuum cleaner.
The best vacuum cleaner for use on hardwood floors should also be fairly easy to maneuver and adjustable and at least one or two attachments must be provided for use under, around and over furniture and shelves. There is a retractable bristle brush which is quite useful so that you don’t have to scratch your floor.
We consider the filtration systems and focus on the vacuum cleaners that have the HEPA filters, as they capture more dirt and dust. We can attest that they are not difficult to operate, are not heavy to haul up and down the stairs and have dust cups that are easy to clean or bags that are easy to remove. Among our top favorites, you’ll find – cordless stick vacuums, robot vacuums from popular brands –Miele and Dyson, so you can select as per your convenience and need.
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1
Best Overall Vacuum for Hardwood Floors
Miele Boost CX1 Canister Vacuum Cleaner
PROS
- Four suction modes
- Wand attaches to canister for neat storage
CONS
- Some users have a hard time pushing it on carpet.
We found that Miele vacuums have always done well when it comes to our tests, and the Boost CX1 is no different. This canister vacuum aims to help you clean your home effectively and efficiently without taking up too much space with its compact and slender design as well as a flexible hose, thus we include it in our top canister vacuum list.
It was able to effectively pick up dry oats on all of the examined floor types, including carpets, and it did not push dirt forward as some other vacuums are known to do. There is a universal floor head that only needs one switch to flip when moving from carpet to hardwood floors and no need for attachment change. A few consumers, though, report that with carpet, the vacuum does not glide as smoothly as they expected it to.
And if you want to give your hardwood floors the best treatment possible, this Miele is equipped with a parquet floor brush attachment for even better operation on hardwood flooring. The Boost CX1 is a bagless vacuum cleaner, featuring the Hygiene AirClean filter that captures particles of any size in the canister. People with allergies will be glad to know that dust is not being returned to the air with the use of this canister vacuum.
Weight: 13.8 lbs | Cord Length: 22 feet. | Bagless: Yes | Run Time: N/A | Dust Cup Capacity: 1 Liter | HEPA Filter: Yes.
2
Best Value Vacuum for Hardwood Floors
Bissell Hard Floor Expert Canister Vacuum
PROS
- Multiple levels of filtration
- Air-powered soft brush helps protect floors
CONS
- Lacks a HEPA filter
Bissell vacuums have always scored well in our tests – they very often boast truly remarkable features. It is a budget-friendly product that comes with an air-powered soft brush that sweeps particles from the grooves of the hardwood floor without scratching. It is also lightweight and portable from one room easily to the other due to its small size.
Compared to our other best-tested affordable vacuums, it is a bit more expensive but it is still cheap. Although it does not possess the HEPA filter, it does come with multiple tiers of filtration. The large 2-liter dirt tank is also easy to empty. It flips open from the bottom to reduce the amount of particles emitted back into the air when disposing of the used tissue.
Weight: 13.8 lbs | Cord Length: 18 feet | Bagless: Yes | Run Time: N/A | Dust Cup Capacity: 2 Liter | HEPA Filter: No
3
Best Upright Vacuum for Hardwood Floors
Shark Stratos Upright Vacuum with DuoClean
PROS
- HEPA filter
- Converts from an upright to a stick
CONS
- On the heavier side
Shark is a great company that always creates user-friendly vacuums which usually show good results in our test. We especially recommend this one for hardwood floors as it comes with a couple of features that make it stand out from other narrators. It has a brush roll and a soft fluffy roller which makes it ideal for use on hardwood floor surfaces without causing any scuff or scratches.
Besides, it has an odor elimination feature that prevents the dust bin from having any smells within the vacuum particularly when you own pets. A good addition is that the vacuum can be used as an upright vacuum and as a stick vacuum—for the days that require intensive cleaning and for those moments when you need to give your floor a quick clean.
There is also an option of converting it into a portable canister vacuum for cleaning above the floor and even stairs. The bagless vacuum has a sealed body and a HEPA filter to ensure that dust and dirt particles are not released into the air. It is also rather heavy, it is more than 4 pounds heavier than our overall choice of the best vacuum.
Weight: 17.2 lbs | Cord Length: 30 feet | Bagless: Yes | Run Time: N/A | Dust Cup Capacity: 4 Liter | HEPA Filter: Yes.
4
Best Cordless Vacuum for Hardwood Floors
Dyson V12 Detect Slim Cordless Vacuum
PROS
- Attachments are very useful
- Light on the bare floor head makes dust easier to see.
CONS
- Doesn’t include a second battery
Dyson is one of the leading manufacturers of high end technological vacuums, and the V12 Detect did well in our test. This vacuum comes with soft nylon and anti-static carbon fiber filaments on the brush roll to ensure it cleans the hardwood floors and leaves it without scratch marks. It also has a detangling brush bar that enables it to suck hair into the dustbin without the hair wrapping round the brush.
To ensure that all the corners within your house are cleaned, it comes with a brilliant light at the front part of the vacuum head that helps to highlight small dust particles to ensure none is left behind. The digital display indicates the amount and size of the particles that are being picked up, time remaining in the current session and battery charge level.
The V12 Detect is accompanied by useful accessories; the set includes a cone tool that is designed to help pickup pet hair. It has also high suction power, together with a feature that enables it to operate for up to 60 minutes when fully charged. It only supplies one battery though, so if you have a large space to clean, you’ll likely have to swap batteries midway to let the current one recharge.
Weight: 5.2 lbs | Cord Length: N/A | Bagless: Yes | Run Time: 60 minutes | Dust Cup Capacity: 0.35 Liter | HEPA Filter: Yes.
5
Best Compact Stick Vacuum
Dyson V15 Detect vacuum cleaner
PROS
- Includes a washable filter
- Converts to handheld vacuum
- Lays flat to clean under low furniture.
CONS
- Doesn’t stand on its own.
The Dyson V15 Detect is our top pick for the best stick vacuum for hardwood floors. This cordless stick vacuum can easily handle a broad range of debris on bare surfaces such as hardwood floor and it maintains good suction power when its dustbin is full. One has a bristle brush roll for use on carpets and the other has a soft roller that enhances debris pick up on the flat surface and in between cracks. Employing the soft roller minimizes instances where the wooden floors are scratched.
The Dyson V15 also has an integrated particle counter that will help you estimate allergen concentrations in your house; moreover, the vacuum has a surface detection system that increases suction power on carpeting, in case you have any rugs on your hardwood floor. Just bear in mind that due to a very strong suction force, this vacuum may get stuck on thicker carpets.
Weight: 6.8 lbs | Cord Length: N/A | Bagless: Yes | Run Time: 60 minutes | Dust Cup Capacity: 0.75 Liter | HEPA Filter: Yes
6
Best Upper Vacuum for Hardwood Floors
Shark Stratos Cordless Vacuum
PROS
- Powerful suction
- Automatically adjusts suction
- Flexible wand for under furniture
- Great on carpets, hard floors and furniture
CONS
- Floor head a little bulky
- Corded models will have more power
The Shark Stratos Cordless is the best vacuum for hardwood floors in the upper mid-price range. This cordless stick vacuum is one of the best from Shark’s cordless stick vacuum series. Similar to the Dyson V15 Detect, it also features an automatic power switch that increases the suction power of the vacuum depending on the amount of dirt that has been detected to be present instead of changing based on the type of surface that is being cleaned.
Cleaning performance on bare floors is extremely good because the vacuum will not encounter any issues in handling diverse types of debris. The Shark vacuum also has a removable cartridge located in its floor head, which generates a fresh scent similar to detergent every time you clean but can be suffocating when you vacuum more than three or four times a week.
Weight: 8.9 lbs | Cord Length: N/A | Bagless: Yes | Run Time: 60 minutes | Dust Cup Capacity: 0.68 Liter | HEPA Filter: Yes
7
Best Combo Vacuum and Mop for Hardwood Floors
BISSELL CrossWave X7 Cordless Pet Pro Vacuum
PROS
- Has a self-cleaning cycle
- You control how much water is dispensed
CONS
- Hardwood floor brush roll needs to be purchased separately.
A vacuum cleaner that also sweeps dry dirt and cleans the floor with a mop simultaneously?Yes, in our recent category test of vacuum mops, this two-in-one from Bissell was very good at cleaning up dry debris including cereal, coffee grounds and baking powder. Even a bowl of cereal and milk became a thing of the past in one protraction and pulling back.
It can provide up to 30 minutes of continuous cleaning on a single charge. Notably – and crucially for maintenance – this vacuum mop has a self-cleaning function that you can initiate with the press of a button once you’re done. Although the included brush roll is not for use on hardwood floors, which you can buy as a hardwood floor brush, it uses a soft brush roll with a few rigid bristles all over for picking up dry and wet debris on hard floors and area rugs.
You are able to control the quantity of water and cleaner that is dispensed which is very useful when cleaning wood floors because they are damaged by too much water. Finally, it makes floors relatively wet after cleaning but dries them faster than other methods of cleaning.
Weight: 10.6 lbs | Cord Length: N/A | Bagless: Yes | Run Time: 30 minutes | Dust Cup Capacity: 0.4 Liter | HEPA Filter: No
8
Best Robot Vacuum for Hardwood Floors
iRobot Roomba S9+ Self Emptying Robot Vacuum
PROS
- Automatically empties itself
- Can map multiple floor plans
CONS
- Pricey.
For maintenance cleaning you don’t have to even consider, there is the iRobot Roomba S9+. Yes, it is expensive, but most robot vacuum cleaners are relatively expensive and this one is no exception, especially because of its positive attributes and incredible cleaning abilities. According to our latest test of 13 robot vacuums out there, the S9+ came out tops with the best performance in cleaning hard floors, spot cleaning and general performance.
It has a charging base which also serves as the large dust bin for the robot hence people do not often have to empty it. The rubber brush rolls of this product are also self-cleaning hence reducing hair tangling. There is a possibility of mapping many floor plans within the app, which means you can set your robot to operate at a time you prefer and clean a particular room in your home.
It also has a very handy double pass feature to give enhanced cleaning results when the floor is very dirty. The S9+ will pause the cleaning process if the battery is low and proceed from where it left off after it is fully charged. In households with limited floor space, the iRobot S9+ skillfully navigates around obstacles. Upon completion of its cleaning cycle, it autonomously empties its contents into the docking station, which has the capacity to store debris for up to 60 days.
Weight: 8.2 lbs | Cord Length: N/A | Bagless: Yes (self-empty dock is bagged) | Run Time: 75 minutes | Dust Cup Capacity: 0.4 Liter (on-board dustbin), dock holds up to 60 days of debris | HEPA Filter: No
What to look for in a vacuum when cleaning hardwood floors
A universal vacuum cleaner for hardwood floors does not exist. Various vacuums cater to distinct requirements. Here are the key features to consider when selecting a vacuum specifically designed for hardwood flooring:
✔️ Attachments: Brush rollers are excellent for cleaning plush carpets, they scratch wooden floorings since they feature fine bristles and ridges. In safety, ensure that your vacuum comes with multiple brush rolls, a specialized attachment to handle hardwood or the ability to disable the brush roll.
While soft brushes are useful in the general cleaning of wood floorboards they are better suited for sweeping debris from in between the gaps in the floorboards and for nabbing the tiniest of dust particles. Brush attachments are also commonly designed to have a low profile so they can easily reach tight corners such as under furniture.
✔️ Suction Power: It is important in a good hardwood vacuum has a strong suction power. In addition to the ability to gather large pieces, better suction power also gathers pet hair, fine dust, and dirt, and it is better at collecting particles that have settled in between the boards of wood.
✔️ Vacuum Type: It is important to understand that every type of vacuum cleaner will be good for something. Cordless vacuums are preferred if you bounce from one room to another while cleaning. Canister vacuums are very handy, they are very effective in cleaning the floor, stairs, furniture, lampshades among others. A robot vacuum will vacuum your house for you, all you need to do is to press a button. Stick vacuums are usually easy to store, have a small footprint and usually are not very heavy.
✔️ HEPA Filter: The best models are those equipped with a high-efficiency particulate air HEPA filter which works effectively in collecting dust and dirt as the particles are trapped within the vacuum and not expelled through the exhaust. If this feature is crucial to you, make sure you look for true HEPA filters – vacuums labeled as containing HEPA-type or HEPA-like filters may look like traditional pleated HEPA filters and will effectively trap small particles but will miss the microscopic particles that only true HEPA filters can suck up.
✔️ Weight: Also ensure that you calculate the weight of the vacuum cleaner and how much weight you are willing to pull or carry around the house when using the vacuum cleaner.
Which vacuum would not scratch the hardwood floors?
If you don’t want the possibility of scratching up the floor, avoid those vacuums with a rotating brush roll. These can scrape the wooden floor and kick debris that is hard across the room. Cleaners that have a fluffy brush for cleaning bare floors or the parquet brush like the Miele CX1 should also be considered. Some vacuums also have brushes rollers which are removable to give more versatility in their usage.
Is it better to sweep or vacuum hardwood floors?
Though both sweeping and vacuuming will clean the floor, the vacuum cleaner is better suited for cleaning, because it can pick up the tiny dust particles that a broom cannot sweep well. With brooms, dirt can be sometimes trailed on the floor, picked up in the pan, or while it is on its way to the garbage can.
How often should you take time to vacuum a hardwood floor?
It is recommended that hardwood floors should be vacuumed at least once a week. However, it is recommended that you vacuum even more than that if you have pets, use a forced air heater that stirs dust and allergens around or when cleaning very busy parts.
What methods do professionals use to clean hardwood floors?
Though specifics of each precise technique may differ, most commercial cleaning companies will likely first sweep the surface of your hardwood floor for any flaws or divots. In case this is required, they will also strip off any polish or wax that was applied during the previous surface treatment processes with a chemical stripper. From there, it can be cleaned once more with a specially designed scrubbing machine before a thin coat of protecting wax is added.
So for those who would not hire proficient services for cleaning, here are some tips that you can follow: Always vacuum to avoid accumulation of dirt on the floor. However, you should also go for the microfiber duster – in contrast with a normal broom, a microfiber duster is capable of collecting and immobilizing dust particles in a surface without integrating them with other particles. However, if there is some accumulation of dirt, you can wash the surface using a diluted solution of either dishwashing soap or hand soap. However, be sure not to leave any water residue on the floor as this will make your wood floors to warp.
Will a robotic vacuum cleaner work on hardwood floors?
Yes, In most circumstances, robot vacuums are most effective in vacuuming bare floors such as hardwood. It is however different from cleaning carpets where they cannot deal with riggers since they will not be working amidst debris that has settled beneath carpet fibers nor invest a lot of time and energy working over irregular surfaces. Some of them have integrated mopping systems that less techniques are rather good at removing stains.
However, there are few things you need to check at the robotic vacuums and in fact, it is always suggested to go for the one which has rubber brush roll as compared to the bristle brush because this will not let the small scratches on bare floors at all. Besides, most models now come with a plastic drive wheel with rubber bonding alongside the pivoting front wheel; ensure that the wheel is not hard or brittle; because it will also harm your floor in the long-run.
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