Best Hardwood Floor Vacuum 2020
If your home is mostly made of hard floors then purchasing a vacuum that is both effective but not damaging to the surfaces is important. In general, hard floors are much easier to clean than carpets as less dirt and debris is lodged. It is getting the right vacuum with moderate power and a soft cleaning head that is important. In this article, we will take compare the best vacuums for hard floors looking at a range of the top brands. Different types of vacuums will also be included such as canister, stick, and robot upright to provide a wider variety of options to you.
Related: Best cordless vacuum for Hardwood floors
Contents
- Dyson V11 Torque Drive - Cordless Stick
- Shark Navigator Lift-Away Deluxe
- Miele Complete C3 Marin Canister
- Bissell PowerEdge Pet Hardwood Floor Stick Vacuum Cleaner
- Bissell Hard Floor Expert Multi-Cyclonic Bagless Canister Vacuum
- Shark Rocket Ultra-Light Corded (HV302)
- Shark Rocket Complete with DuoClean (HV381)
- Miele Complete C2 Hard Floor Canister
- Miele Compact C1 Turbo Team
- Roomba S9+
- Final Word
Dyson V11 Torque Drive - Cordless Stick
Dyson is one of the leading brands when it comes to vacuum technology and their stick vacuums are particularly well known. The Dyson V11 is the most advanced model from their cordless stick vacuum V series. As a cordless and lightweight vacuum, the V11 is very high spec and has some impressive features. The digital V11 motor can spin up to 110,000 times in a minute producing up to 185 airwatts. On a good run, the V11 will run for a total of 60 minutes and have a charge time of four and a half hours. The V11 has a few unique technologies that separate it from the rest of the V series. This includes an Intelligent Suction technology that will adjust the suction of the vacuum depending on the surface and dirt that is being cleaned. As a result, the battery and energy usage is better optimized so it can last longer. There is also a screen on the motor which displays battery life, the cleaning mode is used and various videos on how to maintain the V11. Many accessories are included when you purchase the V11, but most notable is the High Torque cleaning head which uses stiff nylon bristles that are highly effective on hard floors. We compare the Dyson V11 vs V10 in another article.
The Shark Navigator Lift-Away Deluxe is a very well known and high selling upright vacuum. This vacuum is well designed for multiple surfaces but especially hard floors thanks to the brush roll shut off. When vacuuming you can quickly turn off the spinning brush roll to go easier on the hard floor surfaces you are cleaning. The Navigator Lift-Away Deluxe can easily be switched into different cleaning modes for different situations. This is exactly what Shark means by the phrase “Lift-Away”. For example, you can detach the pod from the main vacuum and use it to clean stairs or other areas without needing to transport all parts around. You can also “Lift-Away” and use the pod for cleaning elevated areas, such as ceiling corners. All of these features are backed up by solid suction power which will be more than enough for cleaning hard floors.
Miele Complete C3 Marin Canister
Miele is a German brand that produces vacuums that are of exceptional quality. The Miele Complete C3 Marin Canister vacuum is no exception to this rule. Whilst the main Electro premium Powerbrush is specially designed for carpets, there is also a Parquet Twister for cleaning smooth floors. This head is particularly agile as it is compact and can smoothly twist a full 180 degrees, making it easier to fit into smaller areas. There are six speed settings on the C3 that adjust the power to suit the surface that is being cleaned, including hard floors. A particularly useful feature is the Automatic setting that adjusts suction based on the surface you are cleaning. In general, hard floors require less suction that carpets, so accordingly the power will be reduced on these surfaces. There are three accessories that come with the C3 Marin, which are the dusting brush, upholstery tool and crevice nozzle.
Bissell PowerEdge Pet Hardwood Floor Stick Vacuum Cleaner
The Bissell PowerEdge is specifically designed to be as effective as possible on hard floors. Although it is also marketed for pet owners, this vacuum is highly effective in general as pet hair is actually harder to clean than many other types of dirt. With a unique V-Shaped foot that contradicts traditional vacuums, the PowerEdge quite effectively cleans dirt and debris in corners. This design combined with swivel steering makes this vacuum very effective and cleaning in hard to reach areas, such as around furniture legs. Rubber squeeges under the V-Shaped foot make the PowerEdge effective on hard floors, especially as this shape funnels dirt into the vacuum. With a weight of 7.5 lbs the PowerEdge is light, especially for its size, and this makes it maneuverable around the home in combination with the 20 foot power cord.
Bissell Hard Floor Expert Multi-Cyclonic Bagless Canister Vacuum
Another hard floor specific model from Bissell is the Bissell Hard Floor Expert Multi-Cyclonic bagless canister vacuum. The Turbine hard floor brush has been specifically designed by Bissell to be effective on dirt but gentle on the flooring. As hard floors are relatively easy to clean compared to carpets, it is the ability to eliminate any damage to the floor which is crucial and makes a vacuum suitable for those surfaces. There is also a switch that allows for a seamless transition to the carpeted cleaning head. The Bissell Hard Floor Expert uses Multi-Cyclonic technology to maximize suction power and motor efficiency which in turn improves its longevity. It has a lightweight design combined with a long hose that make it suitable not just for hard floors but also higher and harder to reach places.
Shark Rocket Ultra-Light Corded (HV302)
The Shark Rocket Ultra-Light is a well priced and lean vacuum that delivers performance on both carpets and hard floors. Weighing just under 8lbs, the Rocket Ultra-Light is highly maneuverable thanks to its lightweight and swivel steering. What is also very handy about this vacuum is how it easily converts into a hand vacuum which improves its ease of use on upholstery and other non floor based surfaces. The Rocket Ultra-Light also has a long 25 foot cord to help reach many areas in one go without needing to change the wall socket it’s plugged into. The suction power of the Ultra-Light is not huge, but this is reflected in the price. Hard floor cleaning doesn’t require that much suction power compared to other surfaces like carpets and rugs.
Shark Rocket Complete with DuoClean (HV381)
Another two in one style vacuum is the Shark Rocket Complete with DuoClean. This DuoClean technology refers to the interactions of the soft brush roll and bristle brush under the vacuum head. Both brushes are intended to optimize cleaning on carpets and hard floors. This both protects the hard floors but also deals with harder to clean situations on carpets. There is also a Tripe Particle cleaning technology that improves the picking up of larger particles such as cereal, smaller particles like dust and stuck-on particles. LED lights on the cleaning head allow you to see more clearly when cleaning darker spots and under furniture. Those with pets will be interested in the TruePet Mini Motorized brush which assists cleaning on upholstery and carpets.
Miele Complete C2 Hard Floor Canister
As suggested by the name, the Miele Complete C2 Hard Floor canister vacuum cleaner is designed with a focus on cleaning hard floors. The Miele soft parquet brush is used to minimize the damage and scratching done to those harder surfaces. Mieles 1,200 watt Vortex Motor provides high suction power as well as good energy efficiency. There are six suction settings that allow users to get the right level for each area they are cleaning. The Complete C2 comes with an XL floorhead that can speed up cleaning considerably. It also is reported to be worth the money it costs as it is highly effective at cleaning pet hair or softer surfaces such as rugs and carpets.
Miele Compact C1 Turbo Team
The Miele Compact C1 Turbo Team is a super light weight and highly portable option that works well on both hard floors and carpets. A simplistic approach combined with solid suction power coming from 1,200 watts makes this model an attractive vacuum. Miele produces top tier vacuums and their C range are high quality, reflecting that quality German engineering. The Combination floorhead is used for hard floors and minimizes the damage to the floor. There is a 6-setting rotary dial on the vacuum which gives the user more fine-tuned cleaning depending on the surface that is being cleaned. As well as being highly ergonomic, the Miele Compact C1 has a huge power cord that allows for a 29.5 feet radius of cleaning. Three tools are included with the C1, which are the dusting brush, upholstery tool and crevice tool.
Roomba S9+
An alternative suggestion for you is the Roomba S9+, a robot vacuum by the pioneering company iRobot. The Roomba S9+ is the super sportscar of the robot vacuum industry, with a range of highly impressive features and technologies. With WiFi connectivity, the Roomba S9+ connects and is controlled by the iRobot Home app where you can access scheduling and other features. The Roomba S9+ comes with the Clean Base, a unit that it disposes wastes into and can hold up to 30 cleans. This means that if scheduled S9+ can clean your home for you on a daily basis with no maintenance needed for up to 30 days or even longer. Smart Mapping technology builds a map of your home and uses AI to calculate the most optimal cleaning path. When there is a low battery the S9+ will return to charge before picking up exactly from where it left off. This is a very powerful robot vacuum too as it has the Superior Cleaning Motor that is 40 times stronger than the 600 series Roombas. We have an article on the best Roomba for hardwood floors too.
Final Word
It is difficult to say exactly which vacuum is the best for hard floors as there are so many different types. For example, the Roomba S9+ offers a completely unique solution compared to the other models listed as it requires no effort. When it comes to the performance all of these models will be effective on hard floors as they are in general quite easy to clean. They will also not damage your homes surfaces thanks to the accessories that come along with it. The decision to be made requires looking at your budget, what type of vacuum is wanted, whether you have pets and whether you have many carpets too. Some of our recommended options from this list include the Dyson V11, Miele C3, Roomba S9+ and Shark Navigator Lift-Away.
