When making a decision between a hardwood floor and a carpet, it is better to choose the hardwood floor. These floors are much simpler to clean and they do not stick as much as the carpet will. Nevertheless, the hardwood floor does pose its very own challenges and you will need to know about these challenges when selecting the best vacuum for the job.
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We have decided to look at the top vacuum cleaners for your hardwood floor and these in-depth reviews should shed some light on some of the most important features you need to be aware of. We have also looked at some of the most important features you need to keep in mind when selecting a vacuum to ensure that you do get the best possible value for your money.
Best Vacuums for Hardwood Floors (Table)
CHALLENGES YOU MIGHT FACE WHEN CLEANING A HARDWOOD FLOOR
Unlike a carpet, the hardwood floor does have some challenges when it comes to cleaning them. The carpet might need some brushing, but eventually, all the dirt will be lifted. The hardwood floor, on the other hand, might have some smaller holes or slits in the wood that might hold the dirt. Having the right vacuum will suck the dirt and pet hair out of these holes or cracks and this will ensure a clean floor.
You might also find that water and wood do not mix and any liquid spills can be quite tricky to clean. The hardwood floor should be treated often or this liquid will start rotting the wood. Many vacuums also work with water suction power and these should be perfect when it comes to cleaning up these dirty stains. Steaming the floor is also a great option.
TOP 7 VACUUMS FOR HARDWOOD FLOORS
Before we let you know which feature is the most important, you will need to know which products we believe in and trust. We have chosen 7 of the top vacuums that will be effective on your hardwood floors and enable you to get the best possible result in terms of cleaning. Here are the best vacuums you could choose for cleaning your hardwood floors:
Miele Compact C1 Pure Suction Canister Vacuum
The Miele Compact C1 Pure Suction canister Vacuum is one of the best vacuums on the market today. It is completely adjustable for all different floors and made cleaning up the wall seem like a breeze.
From the start, we noticed that the vacuum includes dustbags. These dust bags each have an air filtration system that will clean the air.
Tests have shown the capabilities of this filtration system and it holds up to 99.9% of all dirt and bacteria found in the air, but after a few uses, we found this to be true and you will immediately notice the difference.
While we tested it on a hardwood floor. It has the ability to alternate between the hard floor and the carpet, ensuring that you do not accidentally damage your carpet. The stainless steel wand gives you a reach of 29.5 feet, which helped us vacuum a small room with ease and we did not have the need to move the canister.
Additionally, we found the dust brush and crevice nozzle to be very helpful. These two attachments were included in the package and we could easily use them for dusting and lifting tough dirt in small cracks on the hardwood floor.
The vacuum ensures you have multifunctional use, enabling you to save a few bucks on the different surfaces in your home. With all the different nozzles, it also works perfectly for motor vehicles. While it is a little heavier than other models, it certainly stands out as a great and durable vacuum that will give you multiple years of usage.
While none of us suffer from any allergies to dust, the inclusion of Anti-Allergen Complete Seal Technology helps to breathe new and clean air into your home. After using this a few times, you will also pick up on the difference in the air. Additionally, they have included swivel steering. Since this is one of the bigger models, this will greatly increase the maneuverability.
At a really affordable price, the vacuum is perfect for most homes. The bulky size might limit your movement and the lack of add-ons will set you back a few bucks as well. However, in general, the vacuum is quite functional and the strong suction power ensures a great cleaning experience.
PROS
What we like:
- Strong suction power
- Long range reach
- Includes all necessary accessories
- Reasonably priced
CONS
What we didn't like:
- The metal pieces in the head does occasionally scratch the floors
Shark Navigator Lift-Away Professional Upright Vacuum
Secondly, we have the Shark Navigator Lift-Away Professional Upright Vacuum. It is designed to simplify life and give you multifunctional use with extraordinary suction power.
Moving it around was quite tough and the heavy bulky design might become somewhat of an issue. The vacuum also features a lift away feature, which is great for reaching underneath tables and in those tough corners. The lift-away feature ensures the ability to easily adjust and clean your home at the comfort and level you desire.
Your hard floor might be quite delicate and if you often clean them, they generally have only a little bit of dirt. We found the dust-away attachment to be perfect for this and with it, we were able to effectively clean the hardwood floor in a matter of minutes, without having to fear damaging or scratching it. Microfiber pads made it easy to get rid of the dirt and they absorb the particles. They can simply be rinsed and left to dry.
While none of us suffer from any allergies to dust, the inclusion of Anti-Allergen Complete Seal Technology helps to breathe new and clean air into your home. After using this a few times, you will also pick up on the difference in the air. Additionally, they have included swivel steering. Since this is one of the bigger models, this will greatly increase the maneuverability.
At a really affordable price, the vacuum is perfect for most homes. The bulky size might limit your movement and the lack of add-ons will set you back a few bucks as well. However, in general, the vacuum is quite functional and the strong suction power ensures a great cleaning experience.
PROS
What we like:
- Offers great versatility
- Includes anti-allergen technology
- Includes a duster for hardwood floors
- Really affordable
CONS
What we didn't like:
- No add-ons are included
Miele Compact C2 Electro+ Canister Vacuum
The Miele Compact C2 Electro+ Canister Vacuum is designed to offer you versatility. With 6 different suction options, any environment will be easy to clean and to remove basic dirt particles.It features a 1200-Watt motor with 6 different suction options.
The strong 1200-watt motor gives you the power to remove dirt and animal fur from your carpets and floors.
The first thing we noticed was all of the add-ons that were included and the extension of the wand. This helped us reach deeper under tables and even under the bed. The wand is around 33 feet and even an upholstery tool is included for furniture.
As with all Miele vacuums, this one also features the Miele AirClean System, which filtered out all the dust and dirt from the air. Not only have tests proven this, but we also found the vacuum to easily remove close to 99.9% of all dirt in the air. After prolonged use, this difference is quite noticeable
Yes the price might be a little over the top and we understand that it will be better for commercial purposes, but having it in your home certainly, makes a huge difference. With all of the add-ons and versatility, you should have troubles cleaning your hardwood floor or your entire home for that matter. We would definitely recommend it for the value over the price.
PROS
What we like:
- Lightweight and maneuverable
- Includes an air filter
- 33-foot wand for easy cleaning
- Powerful 1200-watt adjustable motor
CONS
What we didn't like:
- Quite expensive
Hoover Linx BH50010 Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner
If you are tired of having to deal with cords, the Hoover Linx BH50010 Cordless Stick Vacuum cleaner is an ideal option for your home.
It is battery powered, removing the hassle of constantly moving the cord to a different power point
Using it for the first time is quite a different experience. You constantly find yourself looking back at the cord until you eventually realize that there is no cord to worry about. The vacuum itself is an upright model, but we found the lift-away feature quite helpful for getting underneath tables and even a few pieces of furniture.
We love the brush roll installed on the head. The bristles are soft and protect the hardwood floor. The addition of WindTunnel technology is not felt from the start, but when using similar models, you will also notice the difference. Cleaning between cracks and rough surfaces is definitely simplified with this new innovative technology.
The brushes on the side are quite unique and innovative. Corners are some of the worst places to clean without the right nozzles, but the addition of the brushes will loosen all the dust and dirt. As it slides down, the vacuum will simply remove them and ensure a clean environment anywhere in your home. This feature makes cleaning your car and smaller cluttered rooms much simpler.
As an affordable and portable vacuum, this one will be perfect for your vehicles and the farther reaches of your home. The vacuum has a decent battery life and with great suction power, it will ensure clean environments virtually anywhere. We would highly recommend this vacuum for the value of the features and the price.
PROS
What we like:
- Lightweight and portable design
- Includes a brush roll with WindTunnel Technology
- The edge cleaner simplifies the cleaning of corners
- Really affordable
CONS
What we didn't like:
- The cheap plastic does lack some durability
Miele S2121 Olympus Canister Vacuum Cleaner
The Miele S2121 Olympus Canister Vacuum Cleaner is the lightest of the bunch and it can be operated by virtually anyone.
The 6 adjustable motor options make the experience versatile and ensure you have the perfect power for the perfect job. A 1200- watt Vortex motor provides the power to remove all dirt particles in a breeze and leave any environment spotless.
At only 13 pounds, we immediately picked up on the lighter weight of this model. This helped us with maneuverability and opened up more environments for us to clean. As with all the Miele vacuums, the trademark Miele Autoseal with air filter is also included, leaving you with clean and fresh air after every cleaning session. Tests have also shown this vacuum to lift and hold up to 99.9% of dirt and dust particles.
We found the FiberTeQ tool is ideal for cleaning your low-pile carpets as well as your hardwood floors, without scratching or damaging them in any way. With a decent radius of 29.5 feet, the stainless steel wand enabled us to reach virtually any area we felt need to be reached. This definitely makes the rooms feel much smaller to clean.
With all of the unique features, the vacuum certainly stands out as one of the top vacuums on the market today. It is easily maneuverable and will reach virtually anywhere. The multiple different head attachments improve the versatility aspect, but the price is a little more expensive than your average vacuum
PROS
What we like:
- Durable and lightweight design
- Includes the Miele Autoseal
- 5-foot wand for cleaning
- Offers a ton of versatility
CONS
What we didn't like:
- Quite expensive
Hoover Hardwood Floor Cleaner
The Hoover Hardwood Floor Cleaner has been specifically designed for cleaning your hardwood floors.
It features new and uniquely designed spin scrub brushes that will gently remove any dirt or dust particles from your floors.
The first thing we noticed was the 2 different tanks included in the design. This is not something everyone is used to and might even be new to some. The 2 tanks work in unison, with one of them capturing all of the dirt and the other one supplying the washing mechanism with clean water to wash the floor.
The multifunctional use it offers stood out immediately and since it can be used to wash, vacuum, and dry the floors, it can be used almost every day if you have a cleaning habit. WE found that with this vacuum, we could eliminate the monthly expenses paid on mops and towels for wiping the floor or scrubbing it.
The handle can also be adjusted in the different height that you require. This means that you could have it upright for cleaning the open floor while bending it a little bit if you want to clean underneath the tables and behind couches. The 27-foot cord allows you to move much farther without having to switch between different power cords.
This unit is really affordable for all of these features, but unfortunately, it does lack somewhat when it comes to cleaning the carpet. You will also receive a 1-year limited warranty to keep you protected from any manufacturer defects and ensure that you have some peace of mind.
PROS
What we like:
- Lightweight and easy to move
- Includes a washing capability as well
- 27-foot cord makes it easier to clean larger areas
- Really affordable
CONS
What we didn't like:
- The vacuum is not as powerful as you might need
BISSELL PowerEdge Pet Hard Floor Corded Vacuum
Last but certainly not least, we have the BISSELL PowerEdge Pet Hard Floor Corded vacuum. The vacuum is really small and lightweight and while the head might also seem small it is designed this way for a specific reason.
The v-shaped design will direct debris to the center of the suction tube and provide you with a thorough cleaning experience.
The smaller design is actually quite useful and the new and uniquely shaped head did somewhat improve the cleaning capabilities we had. Getting into corners and cleaning around those furniture legs proved to be easier with the smaller head.
The dirt cup also simplified the disposal process. While it is often times still quite messy, it certainly beats the dust bag and all the troubles needed to eventually empty it and be ready for the next vacuum session.
We found 2 weakness that could have been made better. The first is the inclusion of a foam filter near the head. This is supposed to clean the air, but it also limits the suction power you have available. Secondly, the cord only reaches a mere 20 feet and this was quite limiting in larger rooms.
This vacuum is a decent model and we would recommend it for those tough to clean hardwood floor. Low-pile carpets can also be cleaned, but to get results, it is advisable to remove this foam filter and improve the overall suction power. The model is really affordable and will definitely be a great buy, but we do also suggest looking for a better model if you have the available funds.
PROS
What we like:
- The price
- Maneuverability and versatility
- Lightweight design
CONS
What we didn't like:
- Short power cord
- Foam filter does reduce the suction power
KEY FEATURES TO CONSIDER WHEN BUYING THE BEST VACUUM CLEANER FOR YOUR HARDWOOD FLOOR
Buying any product is quite tough if you are not sure about the features and which of them are considered the most important. We used these features to help us discern between the best and some of the not so great vacuums. By using these features, you should also be able to get exactly what you need
Suction Power
Suction power is fundamentally important and you will definitely need to look at this when choosing your vacuum cleaner. The benefit of having strong suction power is that you will not only be able to clean your carpet, but the vacuum enables you to lift years of dirt from the hardwood floor. This means that you will lift some dirt between the cracks of the floor and those sticky dust particles mixed with liquid will come off much faster.
Type
The type of vacuum cleaner is also really important and you will need to ensure that you get the right one for your needs. There are multiple different types of vacuum cleaners and we have decided to include a breakdown of the most important ones that you might consider choosing:
PORTABLE
Portable vacuum cleaners are easy to use and they do not have any chords. These vacuum cleaners are generally much smaller and lighter and they can be moved with ease. The only downside to the portable vacuum cleaner is the suction power and since it is battery-powered, you will give up some suction power for portability.
ROBOTIC VACUUM CLEANERS
These new and innovative designs are perfect for uncluttered rooms. They can be placed on the floor and they will do the job while you are relaxing. Some of the more advanced models will even find their way between all of your furniture and reach those intricate spots to get out the dirt. The only downside with these models is inconsistency.
UPRIGHT VACUUM CLEANERS
These vacuum cleaners are the most common you will find, they also have a reasonable price that makes them perfect for the average individual. The top canister or upright vacuums do limit the movement and versatility somewhat, but with the right attachments, these vacuums will reach virtually anywhere you need them to get into. These vacuums are also the best when looking at suction power.
Bag or bagless
The vacuums with bags are a little more old-fashioned and while they are cheaper, you might find that they are quite messy. Cleaning these vacuums can be quite disgusting and you will need to replace the bag every few months. This means additional costs to keep in mind.
Bagless vacuum cleaners are a little more expensive and they are much easier to clean. These vacuums will use water as the base and you can simply just dump out the water once you are done. These vacuums will be perfect for germophobic individuals and they offer a much easier for you to get rid of the dirt, without any additional costs.
Add-ons
Will you be using this vacuum for the floor only or do you have a few carpets that need cleaning as well? If you need to clean the carpets as well, you should consider looking at additional head attachments for your vacuum. This may include items like the brush or a narrow suction tool for crevices. The top rated vacuums will often times have these add-ons in the main product and ensure that you do get versatility for your hard-earned money.
Warranity
With any technological products, the warranty is fundamentally important. The warranty is a great way to give you peace of mind and they ensure that you are protected when things do not go your way.
We recommend looking at the warranty just before purchasing the vacuum and additionally, you should check if they include services. Occasionally, you might buy a top of the line vacuum and this means that you will need to have it serviced. This is fundamental when the vacuum is used for industrial purposes.
TIPS FOR CLEANING HARDWOOD FLOORS
The best vacuum will certainly help you to clean these floors and leave them spotless, but we have decided to include a few additional tips that could help you when it comes to cleaning your hardwood floors. With these tips, you will have spotless floors every day and you never need to fear any guests arriving unannounced.
Regular dusting and sweeping
Dirt will build up quickly and since hardwood floors tend to show them faster than carpets, you might think your home is really dirty. Guests will also see this and this could potentially leave a bad impression. By setting up a daily schedule of sweeping and dusting, even if you only do this for five minutes, you will greatly reduce the dirt. This also means that when you use the vacuum, things will be clean much faster.
Weekly vacuuming
Now that you have decided on a new and improved specialized vacuum, you could easily just set up a weekly schedule of vacuuming. By setting up this schedule, you will be keeping the hardwood floor clean and you will not be left with any built-up dust and dirt particles. We recommend doing this once a week as it will set up a habit of cleaning.
Monthly polishing
Keeping your floor polished on a monthly basis will ensure that it always shines and looks clean. The polish can even be extended to once every other month, but establishing a constant habit will ensure your floor always remains clean. We recommend looking for a top quality polish to complement your hardwood floor.
Our verdict and final thoughts
Since we have 7 top quality vacuums, it can be quite daunting to say which one is the best, but between these vacuums, we did find one brand that stands out as one of the best.
The Miele brand is probably a little expensive, but it certainly is one of the top vacuums on the market today. If you are looking for the best, you should be willing to pay for the best and Miele certainly stands out.
We would like to thank you for reading this article and we certainly do hope that you have found the best vacuum for your hardwood floors. We would like to encourage you to let us know in the comment section if you think we might have missed any of your favorite brands and how it has worked for you.