Best Vacuums for Hardwood Floors 2021 – Reviews and Buyers Guide

Having hardwood flooring is the modern trend. It is a source of pleasure for those who like the aesthetics of wood in their décor. However, maintaining a hardwood floor is not easy at all. Proper cleaning is highly important to keep it in a good condition and to save expenses on burnishing the floor.

Luckily, the advent of vacuum cleaners for hardwood floorings has made the task easier and faster. Mopping and dusting hardwood floors is a story of the past. Vacuum cleaners can perform as efficiently as mops and sometimes even better at removing dust, debris, and pet dander in the cracks, corners, and small openings where mops cannot reach. Mops and brooms may even leave behind dust particles, but a vacuum cleaner will suck in all the dust, whether they are thick particles or very fine.

A study shows that cleaning your wood floor with a good vacuum cleaner reduces the demand of the floor to be burnished by 60 percent. Another study proved that cleaning a wood floor with a dust mop took a total of 47 minutes, while the same floor was cleaned by a vacuum cleaner in just 25 minutes. Hence, a vacuum cleaner not only cleans the floor better but is also more efficient.

Currently, there is a wide variety of vacuum cleaners that are marketed for hardwood floors, but choosing one among them can be a confusing task. Worry no more, as we have combed through the market to find out the top 10 vacuums for hardwood floors and reviewed them for you below.

Top 10 Vacuums for Hardwood Floors

1. Shark Navigator NV356E – The 2-in-1 Vacuum Cleaner

Built for wooden floors, rugs and other surfaces, the Shark Navigator is one of the top vacuum cleaners for its ability to suction the toughest dust.

It has a traditional upright vacuum cleaner design with minute changes here and there.

The machine has a total weight of 13.7 lbs. and a cleaning path of 9.5″. It is definitely able to perform better as compared to the previous models.

Attachments

The machine comes with a round dusting brush, a tool to clean the crevices, and a tool for upholstery. The dusting brush is especially designed to do its magic on wooden floorings.

HEPA Filter

The HEPA filter cleans the air along with the floors and carpets. The vacuum cleaner takes in the dirty air from the room, purifies it, and releases the air with a scent back into the room.

Multiple Functions

The best part of this machine is that it has multiple functions. By default, it is built as an upright vacuum cleaner to clean the hard and soft floors, carpets and rugs, but it can be converted into a canister model as well for cleaning spots which are not easy to reach and steam-cleaning rugs.

Microfiber Material

If you are still wondering why you should buy this product, you need to know that the cloths and attachment this cleaner comes with are made up of microfiber, which is ideal for protecting your hardwood floor from scratches and dents.

Cost-Effective

This vacuum cleaner is cost-effective as it does not require a dust bag. It has a dust canister, which is desirable for people who are allergic to dust as it makes it very easy to clean and dump.

2. Eureka Mighty Mite 3670G – Ideal for Hardwood Floors

Another great vacuum cleaner for hardwood floors is the Eureka Mighty Mite 3670G, belonging to the canister family.

The cleaner is 11.9 lbs. heavy and has a cleaning path of 10″. It comes with a nozzle that perfectly cleans the wooden floor.

Along with this, the suction capacity is quite powerful.

What makes this cleaner different from the others is that it has an automatic shut-off system in case of overheating.

Its design and features make this canister vacuum cleaner stand out among the other models.

Blower

The blower plays a great role in removing the stubborn dirt and debris. The blower is used to disperse the dirt before it can be sucked up.

Power Touch

Another amazing feature of this vacuum cleaner is that it has a Power Touch handle, which contains all the controls so that you do not have to bend over to use it.

Two Openings

Generally, vacuum cleaners have only one opening that fits the hose. However, this cleaner contains two ports. One is for fitting a hose for sucking in the dirt to clean the floors, while the second port is for the blower that can help you clean your garden by blowing away fallen leaves.

Washable External Filter

Generally, a canister vacuum cleaner uses an internal filter, but this model uses an external one. It is placed over the exterior air intake to suck the dust particles and allergens around it. This filter gives you the benefit of being washed, so you can easily clean the filter.

Accessories

This vacuum cleaner is compatible of fitting a lot of extra accessories, making cleaning a lot easier and more efficient. Be it rollers, brushes, or leather paddings instead of rubber ones for extra-sensitive floors, this product can work with them all.

3. Oreck Commercial XL2100RHS – A Long-Corded Vacuum Cleaner

The Oreck Commercial XL2100RHS is only 8 lbs. heavy and is basically made for commercial use. It belongs to the upright family of vacuum cleaners.

]It is not only durable but also very affordable while giving you commercial-grade cleaning.

Most importantly, this model is built for all sorts of floors such as carpet, hardwood, tile and laminate.

This machine is capable of cleaning carpets too. Efficient in performance and lightweight, this cleaner will give you a deep and thorough cleaning.

Cord

It beats other vacuum cleaners because of its excellent cleaning power and a 35-ft. long cord that does not require you to switch outlets again and again. This cord is secured by a cord guard that makes sure the cord does not get damaged.

Design

Its low-profile design enables it to suck all the dirt from under the furniture. It has a bagged system that seals the bag when you take it off the cleaner, and the high-performance side brushes enable better cleaning of the edges. The manufacturing ensures that this vacuum can work for hours.

Hand Controls

The machine can give you all kinds of ease while cleaning. The hand controls enable you to manage the machine on your fingertips. Furthermore, the soft wheels ensure you do not have to put in a lot of effort to move the machine, and the auto height adjustment makes transition from one type of floor to another really easy.

4. Bissell PowerEdge – An Affordable Vacuum Cleaner

Another vacuum cleaner specifically designed for hardwood floors is the Bissell PowerEdge stick vacuum cleaner.

It is lightweight at only 7.5 lbs. and has a cleaning path of 11.35″ in width.

The company never fails to fulfill user expectations, and the same can be said about this product.

It has been developed to thoroughly clean wooden floors without leaving a scratch.

V-Shape

The Bissell PowerEdge has a 5-amp motor that gives strong suction, which picks up all the dust and dirt and leaves the floor shining. Its V-shaped design makes it easy to clean hard-to-reach angles, edges and corners. The larger debris is pushed toward the center of the V by the bristles on its lower side, whereas the arms collect all the smaller particles.

Heavy-Duty Motor

The machine has a heavy-duty motor that enables a powerful suction. As a result, this machine is absolutely amazing for houses that have pets. Extra accessories like filters, clothes and brushes are also available in the market, which makes it even more efficient at the task.

Swiveling Head

This is great for households with a lot of rugs and furniture as the swivel steering makes it easier to use. Furthermore, its adjustable height allows it to work under the furniture and on stairs.

Bagless

This machine is bagless and comes with a dirt cup instead of a bag or canister. Although this dirt cup is smaller and might fill quickly, it is easy to empty and clean. Above all, you are free from the worry of a shortage of bags and being unable to use the machine until you get a bag.

5. Hoover Linx SH20030 – The Corded Cleaner

If you are in search of a vacuum cleaner to clean small spaces in your house, this one will be perfect for you.

This small machine is great for hardwood floors. Very light and handy, it only weighs 8 lbs. and is an upright vacuum cleaner.

The model comes with a reasonably long warranty of 2 years.

The Hoover Linx SH20030 is easy to maneuver and is great for daily cleaning.

Moreover, the reclining capability of the handle helps it clean the hard-to-reach spots and under the furniture.

Corded

This machine is corded with a 20 ft. wire, which is suitable for small areas where a long cord is not necessarily required. It is designed for floors only, so no attachments come with the machine for cleaning curtains, upholstery, furniture and crevices. It also has the ability to recline, which gives thorough cleaning under and around furniture.

Suction

Its suction power is up to the mark. The machine is able to clean debris, dust, human hair and pet hair. The impressive part about this vacuum cleaner is that it does not get stuck or clogged due to human hair. Furthermore, its brush on/off switch makes it desirable for hardwood floors.

Can Work on Carpets

People are also happy with its performance on low-pile carpets. With the bristles on the brush roll, the machine is able to clean properly. However, mid- and deep-pile carpets are beyond its cleaning ability.

Price

This piece definitely offers value for price. Its price is hard to beat in spite of being cordless and having immense suction power.

6. Shark Rotator NV501 – A Rotating Vacuum Cleaner

This is well-rounded upright vacuum cleaner that weights 15.5 lbs., has a good design and offers effective performance and remarkable features.

This machine is comparatively less expensive as its competitors.

This machine is famous for its functionality and design. It is a shiny white machine with a combination of red.

It is made of solid parts that ensure its durability for a long period.

Multiple Accessories

The machine is easy to carry around and comes with a pivot and headlights. The suction is adjustable, and the crevice tool helps you clean the corners properly. You also get a nozzle that will pick up the trash from bare floors. Then, there’s the power brush, which is excellent for picking up pet hair. Moreover, to remove dirt and dust from upholstery, a separate tool is given.

Convertible

The best part about this machine is that it can be adapted according to the situation. You get a switch that will convert it into an upright or canister model so that you can use it according to your requirements. The bin is also easy to take out and put back in, making for easy cleaning.

Can Work on Combination Floors

This vacuum cleaner works pretty well on hardwood floors as well as low-pile and mid-pile carpets. It is capable of cleaning pet hair, human hair, dust, sand, debris, small metallic things like coins and bobby pins and other such trash.

7. Bissell Zing Rewind Bagless – The Cord Rewind Cleaner

This machine belongs to the canister family of vacuum cleaners.

As the name suggests, it has an automatic cord rewind system that frees you from folding cable manually. All you need to do is press the button.

It comes in two joyful shades of blue with a weight of 6.2 lbs. and a cleaning path of 10.1″.

Along with two dirt cup filters, it offers a 15 ft. cable which is relatively shorter than its competitors.

Hence, its working is limited to small areas. If you want to use it in larger areas, you will have to change the outlet again and again.

Three-Step Filtration System

Bissell has managed to provide a benefit that is generally not found in other vacuum cleaners: the three-step filtration system. The air passes through three stages, ensuring that even the fine dirt particles end up in the dirt bin. Furthermore, both the bin and filter are washable, which will save you from the extra cost of dirt bags and filters.

Easy to Use

This is a compact machine which is easy to maneuver and can work on multiple surfaces. It has a nozzle that can clean any type of floor and a cleansing head that is flat in shape to work under the furniture. It also has multiple tools to reach tough areas.

The brush roll on/off switch enables it to work efficiently on hardwood floors. The bristles are also easy to manage as there is only one strip, so if any trash is stuck on them, you can easily detach and clean them.

However, this machine has a lot of plastic components which might get damaged if not handled with care. The cleaning path is also not very wide, so you might need to put in a bit more effort to clean your home.

8. Dyson V7 Trigger – A Quiet Vacuum Cleaner

The V7 Trigger by Dyson is a compact and handy vacuum cleaner.

It is a handheld cleaner and is ideal for small hardwood surfaces.

The lithium-ion battery in the motor gives a strong suction power to the machine.

As the V7 Trigger is the newest version in Dyson’s line of handheld vacuums, it is pretty expensive, but it is definitely worth the price.

Low Noise

Perhaps the best part about this machine is its noise dampening features. While you will still hear it, it is nowhere as noisy as most other vacuums.

Powerful Performance

While it is small, that does not mean it is any less than other powerful vacuum cleaners. It has the capacity to filter allergens as small as 0.5 microns. It is powered by the digital V7 motor and comes with a 2-year warranty, which is not bad at all.

Additional Tools

The machine comes with some additional equipment that include a combination tool, a crevice tool and a small motorized tool. The good part about this cleaner is that even if you have a combination floor in your house or office, this machine will work perfectly. It gets an extra point for being cordless.

Short Battery Life

It can only run for 30 minutes in one go without needing to be charged again. It is basically designed for small places and needs to be charged frequently, especially if you want to clean a large space. Another drawback of this machine is that it may let dust particles escape into the air due to an inefficient filtration system.

9. Fuller Brush Spiffy Maid – An Excellent Performer

The Fuller Brush Spiffy Maid is a stick vacuum and comes with a warranty of 1 year.

This machine has a total weight of 8 lbs. and a cleaning path of 10.5″. What is special about this vacuum cleaner is its telescopic handle.

There are many features of this machine that make it one of the most popular vacuum cleaners, but the most important one is its ability to spotlessly vacuum hardwood floors, leaving them with a glossy and scratch-free finish.

Ease of Use

The portability of this machine is remarkable. Its 30 ft wire makes it moveable to a long distance without having to change sockets. Furthermore, its ability to work on stairs is just the cherry on top and it even comes with a tool to clean crevices thoroughly.

Washable Filter

It has a washable filter, which comes in a red color and looks aesthetic. This HEPA filter can easily remove dust and allergens and make your home cleaner. Furthermore, the Spiffy Maid is bagless, so you can save costs on replacing bags again and again.

Rubber Wheels

The rubber wheels underneath make sure that the floor stays damage-free. You can also use this vacuum cleaner to clean cushions, the inside of a car, and corners. However, it is not ideal for cleaning pet hair and is a little difficult to maneuver. This machine can also not be used under the furniture.

10. Zenith Technologies Soniclean – A Durable Vacuum Cleaner

The Soniclean is famous for its quiet working and will be a breath of fresh air among all the noisy cleaners out there.

It weighs 12 lbs. and belongs to the canister family of vacuum cleaners. It has a 1150-watt motor that gives a powerful suction.

It is very durable and even comes with a long warranty. It is definitely a worthy investment.

Design

It has been developed with the technology of sonic cleaning patented by Zenith Technologies. The machine has a brush roll covered with gentle bristles to softly clean natural and synthetic fiber rugs without damaging them.

Rotatable Hose

The hose can be rotated 360 degrees, making cleaning super easy. Furthermore, it has a reach of 31 ft. and can automatically rewind, so you can clean faraway corners without exerting yourself. The pivot wheels also make it easy to move around.

Three-Step Filtration System

The three-step HEPA filtration makes sure to remove everything, from pet dander to dust and allergens. It is affordable and due to its HEPA filter, it helps prevent allergic and asthmatic people from getting a reaction. This vacuum cleaner is ideal for hard surfaces such as hardwood and tile floors.

Additional Attachments

This model is way quieter than its previous versions and its competitors while giving an amazing suction power. Additional equipment is also provided, which includes a crevice tool, dusting tool and upholstery tool. All these parts are easy to assemble, attach and detach. It also comes with a 1.5-quart filtration bag, which leads to less occurrences of changing the bag and offers an indicator to show when the bag is full.

Good Performance

Overall, this is a great vacuum cleaner if you want one for your bare floors. The controls are easy to use, and its maneuverability is surprisingly good. Made in Germany, this machine offers high-quality components that will work for many years.

Buyers Guide

Vacuums play a vital role in keeping your hardwood floors as good as new. They remove dust and grime from the floors and make sure the floors are not damaged while cleaning. Hence, the right vacuum cleaner can even extend the lifespan of your floor. When used correctly, there is no better way to clean hardwood floors than a good vacuum cleaner. It can even reach crevices to make sure the corners are as clean as the main floor.

On the other hand, using a wrong vacuum cleaner on a hardwood floor will not clean it properly and can result in scratches and dents being left behind. Of course, you would want to avoid such an outcome at all costs, which is why choosing the correct cleaner is so crucial.

To help you in this endeavor, we have come up with this buyers guide with the important factors you need to consider before you buy one. You do not have to consider only the type of flooring before making a decision; there are many other factors that go into making the decision. We have discussed all these factors that need to be taken into account when you find yourself confused in the face of a variety of options.

Type of Vacuum Cleaner

Vacuum cleaners come in different types such as upright, canister, robot, stick, and handheld. The most appropriate one for hardwood floors is a canister vacuum. It was specially built to be used on hard surfaces such as hardwood and tile floorings. This is because they do not spread the dust while cleaning the floor and have a brush for this purpose. They are easy to maneuver too and turn to be much lighter than upright vacuums so that you do not get easily tired while cleaning your home.

Another important thing about this type of cleaner is that it maintains the finish and shine of the wood flooring. It saves it from scratches and keeps it looking like new, maintaining the beauty of the floor. Furthermore, it works great on combination floors, so whether you have tiles, hardwood floors or carpets, it will not drop its suction power on any surface and will be able to clean efficiently.

However, a drawback of a canister vacuum is that it requires considerable space for storage. Furthermore, if the vacuum does not have easy controls, it might result in back pains as it will need you to bend more frequently.

While canister vacuums are generally great for hardwood flooring, there are some models in other types that can work too.

Type of Wood Flooring

Hardwood flooring also comes in different types. Your floor might be made up of hard, coated wood or it might have a softer wood. The vacuum cleaner you buy needs to be suitable for the type of wood flooring you have. For instance, if the floor has deep groves, the vacuum should have a higher suction power to properly clean the grooves.

Features

A vacuum cleaner might come with a lot of attributes. What you should really look for in a vacuum cleaner for your hardwood floor is as follows:

Brush Switch

A vacuum cleaner must have a switch that can turn off the brush to protect the shine of bare floors and avoid spreading dust.

Vacuums With and Without Bags

It is always better to buy a vacuum without a bag or else you would have to spend extra on purchasing bags. On the other hand, bagless vacuums can be a chore to empty, so if the cost isn’t much of a problem for you, you might want to go for a vacuum with bag.

Filtration Power

In the older versions of vacuum cleaners, fine dust particles managed to escape into the air. These vacuums did not effectively filter dust particles, which was especially irritating for people with allergies. With the advancement in technology, HEPA filters have been invented that not only stop dust particles from escaping the machine but also help asthmatic people by not making their disease worse. Make sure the vacuum you choose has a certified HEPA filter, not HEPA-style or HEPA-type.

However, HEPA filters can be expensive to maintain, so if you do not have any serious breathing conditions, you might want to go for a simple filtration system.

Corded or Cordless

A corded vacuum must have a long wire that covers a great distance so that you can clean large areas without changing sockets again and again. On the other hand, a cordless vacuum cleaner must have a solid battery life that works for a long time so that you do not have to stop your cleaning efforts frequently to charge the vacuum.

Weight

The weight is an important factor to consider, especially if you don’t have a lot of strength or want to clean your entire house in one go. A lightweight machine is always a better option. You should also keep in mind that heavier machines are more likely to scratch or dent your floors, ruining your beautiful wood flooring.

Rubber Padding or Cushioning

In order to protect your wood floors from scratches and dents, it is necessary to make sure that your vacuum cleaner has proper cushioning or rubber padding underneath.

Suction Power

The suction power of a vacuum cleaner matters a lot. Suction is basically the pull of air. It describes the velocity of a given amount of air and is controlled by the vacuum motor. The greater the suction, the more effective the vacuum.

While some models come with pre-determined suction power, many give you the choice to manually change it. Suction control enables you to control the airflow through the hose, so you can use the vacuum for different tasks (such as cleaning your car or upholstery).

Vacuum Airflow

The airflow of a vacuum cleaner is a measurement of the amount of air being dispersed in the vacuum cleaner. It is measured in cubic feet/minute and sometimes in liters/second. Airflow allows the dust that has been suctioned to move within the vacuum. Airflow and suction are both interconnected and must be high for the vacuum cleaner to give a good performance.

It is important to know that the design of the vacuum cleaner is also important to consider here. A poor design can cause a problem in airflow as the filter, hose, and vacuum tools can affect the airflow.

Noise

If you prefer a quiet environment, you need to look into getting a vacuum cleaner that is comparatively silent. With modern technology, vacuum cleaners have become a lot quieter than before. Some even provide special technologies to further reduce the noise.

Price

A vacuum cleaner with multiple features can be a little expensive, but you need to consider the extra features you will be getting. When considering the price, weigh the features against the price and see how much value you are getting.

Warranty

Vacuums with longer warranties are usually preferred. A longer warranty would indicate the company’s confidence in its products and would imply that the product is more likely to be durable.

Additional Features

Self-Driving Cleaners

This feature means you would only have to put in a little effort when cleaning with the vacuum. However, this would greatly increase the price.

Adjustable Height

If the height of the vacuum cleaner is controllable, you would be able to clean under the furniture and hard-to-reach places without bending. Keep in mind that the height should not be set too low or else the vacuum would start dragging on the floor and result in scratches.

Mopping

Many vacuum cleaners come with a mopping feature as well for better cleaning. If you are getting this feature, make sure that your chosen vacuum does not leave puddles of water behind instead of a thin layer of water.

Additional Attachments

Apart from the basic cleaning tools such as a round dusting brush and an upholstery brush, some models come with extra attachments as well for better cleaning. For instance, you might get an edge cleaner, which can suck dust beneath the whole area of the cleaning head.

Points to Ponder

Every vacuum cleaner you look at will have some pros and cons. It will have some features that you are looking for and some that you might not want. It would be almost impossible to find a product that would meet all your needs. For instance, you might get a cleaner with the additional tools you want, adjustable height, and a long cord but does not have cushioning underneath. At this point, you need to assess the weight of advantages and disadvantages of the vacuum cleaner. You should only buy the vacuum if the advantages outweigh the disadvantages.

Conclusion

After a detailed research and comparison, we recommend you purchase the Shark Navigator NV356E for your hardwood floors, especially if you have combination floor. Most houses have a combination of carpeting and wooden flooring, so when you can get benefits of these two in one machine, why go for anything else?

The long cord lets you clean a large space without changing outlets. Moreover, the machine comes with a couple of additional attachments to keep your floor clean while keeping its shine and finish intact. The advanced filtration technology also prevents the dust particles from escaping and will keep your allergies in check. Long story short, it has everything you might need in a vacuum cleaner.

Of course, this is just our recommendation. Your choice might differ, depending on your specific requirements and budget. Before you go out into the market, be clear about your needs and budget and see what features you can live without in case you need to make a compromise.