The 12 Best Vacuums for Hardwood Floors We Tested for a Deep Clean Without the Damage

Mar. 15, 2025

In This ArticleView AllIn This ArticleOur Top PicksReviewsWhat to KnowBehind the ScenesWhy Trust PEOPLE?What Is PEOPLE Tested?

In This ArticleView All

In This Article

View All

Our Top Picks

Reviews

What to Know

Behind the Scenes

Why Trust PEOPLE?

What Is PEOPLE Tested?

Photo:People / Henry Wortock

People / Henry Wortock

If your home’s hardwood floors are your pride and joy, you’re going to want the right cleaning tools to take care of them. Thebest vacuumsfor hardwood floors can quickly capture dust, dirt, and debris without scratching the wood or sending particles flying across the room.

The Best Right Now

To find the absolute best vacuums for hardwoods, we tested more than 300 different models both in our labs and in real homes around the country. We evaluated each model on factors like its cleaning abilities, ease of use, maintenance requirements, and more, and the following vacuums are, hands down, the best options for keeping your hardwood floors looking sparkling clean.

Our Top PicksBest Overall:Dyson Omni-Glide+ Vacuum at Target$350Jump to ReviewBest Budget:SALEBissell Featherweight Cordless Stick Vacuum at Amazon$129$109Jump to ReviewBest for Hardwood and Carpet:Belife V12 Cordless Vacuum at Amazon$150Jump to ReviewBest for Pet Hair:Samsung Jet 75 Stick Vacuum at Amazon$649Jump to ReviewBest Robot:SALERoborock S8+ Robot Vacuum Mop at Amazon$1,000$760Jump to ReviewBest Wet-Dry:Tineco Floor One S5 Smart Wet/Dry Vacuum Cleaner at Amazon$450Jump to ReviewBest Suction:Shark Vertex Pro Lightweight Cordless Stick Vacuum at Amazon$450Jump to ReviewBest Canister:Miele SBAN0 Classic C1 Pure Suction PowerLine at Amazon$347Jump to ReviewEasiest to Maneuver:SALELG Universal Power ThinQ Stick Vacuum at Amazon$600$398Jump to ReviewBest Battery Life:Black+Decker PowerSeries Extreme Cordless Vacuum at Amazon$180Jump to Review

Best Overall:Dyson Omni-Glide+ Vacuum at Target$350Jump to ReviewBest Budget:SALEBissell Featherweight Cordless Stick Vacuum at Amazon$129$109Jump to ReviewBest for Hardwood and Carpet:Belife V12 Cordless Vacuum at Amazon$150Jump to ReviewBest for Pet Hair:Samsung Jet 75 Stick Vacuum at Amazon$649Jump to ReviewBest Robot:SALERoborock S8+ Robot Vacuum Mop at Amazon$1,000$760Jump to ReviewBest Wet-Dry:Tineco Floor One S5 Smart Wet/Dry Vacuum Cleaner at Amazon$450Jump to ReviewBest Suction:Shark Vertex Pro Lightweight Cordless Stick Vacuum at Amazon$450Jump to ReviewBest Canister:Miele SBAN0 Classic C1 Pure Suction PowerLine at Amazon$347Jump to ReviewEasiest to Maneuver:SALELG Universal Power ThinQ Stick Vacuum at Amazon$600$398Jump to ReviewBest Battery Life:Black+Decker PowerSeries Extreme Cordless Vacuum at Amazon$180Jump to Review

Best Overall:Dyson Omni-Glide+ Vacuum at Target$350Jump to Review

Best Overall:Dyson Omni-Glide+ Vacuum at Target$350

Best Overall:

Best Budget:SALEBissell Featherweight Cordless Stick Vacuum at Amazon$129$109Jump to Review

Best Budget:SALEBissell Featherweight Cordless Stick Vacuum at Amazon$129$109

Best Budget:

SALE

Best for Hardwood and Carpet:Belife V12 Cordless Vacuum at Amazon$150Jump to Review

Best for Hardwood and Carpet:Belife V12 Cordless Vacuum at Amazon$150

Best for Hardwood and Carpet:

Best for Pet Hair:Samsung Jet 75 Stick Vacuum at Amazon$649Jump to Review

Best for Pet Hair:Samsung Jet 75 Stick Vacuum at Amazon$649

Best for Pet Hair:

Best Robot:SALERoborock S8+ Robot Vacuum Mop at Amazon$1,000$760Jump to Review

Best Robot:SALERoborock S8+ Robot Vacuum Mop at Amazon$1,000$760

Best Robot:

Best Wet-Dry:Tineco Floor One S5 Smart Wet/Dry Vacuum Cleaner at Amazon$450Jump to Review

Best Wet-Dry:Tineco Floor One S5 Smart Wet/Dry Vacuum Cleaner at Amazon$450

Best Wet-Dry:

Best Suction:Shark Vertex Pro Lightweight Cordless Stick Vacuum at Amazon$450Jump to Review

Best Suction:Shark Vertex Pro Lightweight Cordless Stick Vacuum at Amazon$450

Best Suction:

Best Canister:Miele SBAN0 Classic C1 Pure Suction PowerLine at Amazon$347Jump to Review

Best Canister:Miele SBAN0 Classic C1 Pure Suction PowerLine at Amazon$347

Best Canister:

Easiest to Maneuver:SALELG Universal Power ThinQ Stick Vacuum at Amazon$600$398Jump to Review

Easiest to Maneuver:SALELG Universal Power ThinQ Stick Vacuum at Amazon$600$398

Easiest to Maneuver:

Best Battery Life:Black+Decker PowerSeries Extreme Cordless Vacuum at Amazon$180Jump to Review

Best Battery Life:Black+Decker PowerSeries Extreme Cordless Vacuum at Amazon$180

Best Battery Life:

Best OverallDyson Omni-Glide+ VacuumPHOTO: Dyson$350 at Target$350 at Wayfair$350 at Home DepotStar QualitiesMulti-directional, no-scratch floor headIncredibly easy to maneuverEffective even with full dustbinRed FlagsOnly works on hard floorsIf you’re looking for a light, maneuverable vacuum for quick messes on hardwood floors, the Dyson Omni-glide is the best vacuum on the market. It’s unique thanks to its special floor head, which is designed for maneuvering around difficult spaces and seamlessly gliding across wood floors. Instead of a brush roll, the head uses “Double Fluffy™" technology to trap debris and force it towards the suction tube, so it’s unable to scatter.Even though the dust canister reached its suggested max fill line in a pretty short amount of time, we were pleased to find that the vacuum kept working at full capacity anyway, and we were able to finish the task at hand before emptying. Just keep in mind that thisDyson vacuumis designed specifically for hardwood floors, so don’t expect to use it on other surfaces.Type:Cordless stick |Weight:4.19 pounds |BatteryRuntime:20 minutes |Capacity:0.2 litersPHOTO: PeoplePHOTO: PeoplePHOTO: PeoplePHOTO: PeoplePHOTO: PeoplePHOTO: PeoplePHOTO: PeoplePHOTO: PeoplePHOTO: PeoplePHOTO: PeoplePHOTO: PeopleExperts Say“I love using cordless vacuums because I’m able to reach all areas of the home; they are easy to take apart to access stairs, mattresses, and furniture; and they are quicker and easier to use.” —Whitney White, Airbnb cleaning specialist

Best OverallDyson Omni-Glide+ VacuumPHOTO: Dyson$350 at Target$350 at Wayfair$350 at Home Depot

Best OverallDyson Omni-Glide+ Vacuum

Best Overall

Dyson Omni-Glide+ Vacuum

PHOTO: Dyson

$350 at Target$350 at Wayfair$350 at Home Depot

Star QualitiesMulti-directional, no-scratch floor headIncredibly easy to maneuverEffective even with full dustbinRed FlagsOnly works on hard floors

Star QualitiesMulti-directional, no-scratch floor headIncredibly easy to maneuverEffective even with full dustbin

Multi-directional, no-scratch floor head

Incredibly easy to maneuver

Effective even with full dustbin

Red FlagsOnly works on hard floors

Only works on hard floors

If you’re looking for a light, maneuverable vacuum for quick messes on hardwood floors, the Dyson Omni-glide is the best vacuum on the market. It’s unique thanks to its special floor head, which is designed for maneuvering around difficult spaces and seamlessly gliding across wood floors. Instead of a brush roll, the head uses “Double Fluffy™" technology to trap debris and force it towards the suction tube, so it’s unable to scatter.

Even though the dust canister reached its suggested max fill line in a pretty short amount of time, we were pleased to find that the vacuum kept working at full capacity anyway, and we were able to finish the task at hand before emptying. Just keep in mind that thisDyson vacuumis designed specifically for hardwood floors, so don’t expect to use it on other surfaces.

Type:Cordless stick |Weight:4.19 pounds |BatteryRuntime:20 minutes |Capacity:0.2 liters

PHOTO: PeoplePHOTO: PeoplePHOTO: PeoplePHOTO: PeoplePHOTO: PeoplePHOTO: PeoplePHOTO: PeoplePHOTO: PeoplePHOTO: PeoplePHOTO: PeoplePHOTO: People

Experts Say“I love using cordless vacuums because I’m able to reach all areas of the home; they are easy to take apart to access stairs, mattresses, and furniture; and they are quicker and easier to use.” —Whitney White, Airbnb cleaning specialist

Experts Say

“I love using cordless vacuums because I’m able to reach all areas of the home; they are easy to take apart to access stairs, mattresses, and furniture; and they are quicker and easier to use.” —Whitney White, Airbnb cleaning specialist

Best BudgetBissell Featherweight Cordless Stick VacuumPHOTO: Amazon$129$109 at AmazonStar QualitiesSimple assemblyParticularly effective on pet hairEasy to maneuver and emptyRed FlagsRequires more passes to collect debrisIf you’re looking for avacuum with an under $200 price tag, this cordless model from Bissell will get the job done without a hefty price. It performed nearly as well as all our other winners, picking up almost all of our scattered debris in under a minute — it just left a few un-popped popcorn kernels behind. And it wasgreatat picking up hair, taking less than 20 seconds to pick it up in all four of our tests.This vacuum was easy to assemble, easy to maneuver, easy to empty, and effectively picked up most debris. It just doesn’t come with some of the fancier bells and whistles that other vacuums do.Type:Cordless stick |Weight:5.8 pounds |BatteryRuntime:20 minutes |Capacity:Not listedPHOTO: People / Henry WortockPHOTO: People / Henry WortockPHOTO: People / Henry WortockPro Tip!“When looking for a vacuum for hardwood floors, I look for great suction, a great swivel range, and a lightweight design.” —Whitney White

Best BudgetBissell Featherweight Cordless Stick VacuumPHOTO: Amazon$129$109 at Amazon

Best BudgetBissell Featherweight Cordless Stick Vacuum

Best Budget

Bissell Featherweight Cordless Stick Vacuum

PHOTO: Amazon

$129$109 at Amazon

Star QualitiesSimple assemblyParticularly effective on pet hairEasy to maneuver and emptyRed FlagsRequires more passes to collect debris

Star QualitiesSimple assemblyParticularly effective on pet hairEasy to maneuver and empty

Simple assembly

Particularly effective on pet hair

Easy to maneuver and empty

Red FlagsRequires more passes to collect debris

Requires more passes to collect debris

If you’re looking for avacuum with an under $200 price tag, this cordless model from Bissell will get the job done without a hefty price. It performed nearly as well as all our other winners, picking up almost all of our scattered debris in under a minute — it just left a few un-popped popcorn kernels behind. And it wasgreatat picking up hair, taking less than 20 seconds to pick it up in all four of our tests.

This vacuum was easy to assemble, easy to maneuver, easy to empty, and effectively picked up most debris. It just doesn’t come with some of the fancier bells and whistles that other vacuums do.

Type:Cordless stick |Weight:5.8 pounds |BatteryRuntime:20 minutes |Capacity:Not listed

PHOTO: People / Henry WortockPHOTO: People / Henry WortockPHOTO: People / Henry Wortock

Pro Tip!“When looking for a vacuum for hardwood floors, I look for great suction, a great swivel range, and a lightweight design.” —Whitney White

Pro Tip!

“When looking for a vacuum for hardwood floors, I look for great suction, a great swivel range, and a lightweight design.” —Whitney White

Best for Hardwood and CarpetBelife V12 Cordless VacuumPHOTO: Amazon$150 at AmazonStar QualitiesEasy-to-empty dustbinBattery lasts up to 45 minutesWorks well on carpetsRed FlagsIneffective motorized attachmentThis Belife vacuum (which looks very similar to a Dyson) picked up debris and hair off of hardwood, tile, and carpet with ease, and whatever was left after the first once-over came up right away on a second pass. The motorized brush attachment wasn’t our favorite, as hair got caught in its bristles, but we were very happy with the regular roller, which can swiftly transition between the different surfaces.We were able to complete all our tests on the low suction setting, which helped preserve battery life and was a bit quieter, and when it came to emptying the dustbin, we loved that this could be done with one hand for fast and easy cleanup.Type:Cordless stick |Weight:5.25 pounds |BatteryRuntime:45 minutes |Capacity:0.7 litersPHOTO: People / Henry WortockPHOTO: People / Henry WortockPHOTO: People / Henry WortockPHOTO: People / Henry Wortock

Best for Hardwood and CarpetBelife V12 Cordless VacuumPHOTO: Amazon$150 at Amazon

Best for Hardwood and CarpetBelife V12 Cordless Vacuum

Best for Hardwood and Carpet

Belife V12 Cordless Vacuum

$150 at Amazon

Star QualitiesEasy-to-empty dustbinBattery lasts up to 45 minutesWorks well on carpetsRed FlagsIneffective motorized attachment

Star QualitiesEasy-to-empty dustbinBattery lasts up to 45 minutesWorks well on carpets

Easy-to-empty dustbin

Battery lasts up to 45 minutes

Works well on carpets

Red FlagsIneffective motorized attachment

Ineffective motorized attachment

This Belife vacuum (which looks very similar to a Dyson) picked up debris and hair off of hardwood, tile, and carpet with ease, and whatever was left after the first once-over came up right away on a second pass. The motorized brush attachment wasn’t our favorite, as hair got caught in its bristles, but we were very happy with the regular roller, which can swiftly transition between the different surfaces.

We were able to complete all our tests on the low suction setting, which helped preserve battery life and was a bit quieter, and when it came to emptying the dustbin, we loved that this could be done with one hand for fast and easy cleanup.

Type:Cordless stick |Weight:5.25 pounds |BatteryRuntime:45 minutes |Capacity:0.7 liters

PHOTO: People / Henry WortockPHOTO: People / Henry WortockPHOTO: People / Henry WortockPHOTO: People / Henry Wortock

Best for Pet HairSamsung Jet 75 Stick VacuumPHOTO: Amazon$649$612 at Amazon$499 at Lowe’sStar QualitiesEasy-to-clean brush rollThree suction settingsHEPA filterRed FlagsLimited attachments for the pricePet owners looking for an effectivepet hair vacuum: This Samsung Jet 75 had no trouble picking up hair on all four of our surfaces, and even though some of it got caught up in the roller brush, the roller was super easy to remove from the head. This model also includes a HEPA filter, and it was one of the easiest to empty, with all of the debris falling out with just one shake.With the head measuring only 2.5 inches tall, we found that this vacuum was great for maneuvering in tight spaces, around sharp corners, and under raised sofas. Being a cordless stick vacuum, though, we did feel that it was a little expensive and wished that it came with more attachments, an extra battery, or had on-unit attachment storage for the higher price.Type:Cordless stick |Weight:6 pounds |BatteryRuntime:60 minutes |Capacity:0.8 litersPHOTO: People / Henry WortockPHOTO: People / Henry WortockPHOTO: People / Henry WortockPHOTO: People / Henry Wortock

Best for Pet HairSamsung Jet 75 Stick VacuumPHOTO: Amazon$649$612 at Amazon$499 at Lowe’s

Best for Pet HairSamsung Jet 75 Stick Vacuum

Best for Pet Hair

Samsung Jet 75 Stick Vacuum

$649$612 at Amazon$499 at Lowe’s

Star QualitiesEasy-to-clean brush rollThree suction settingsHEPA filterRed FlagsLimited attachments for the price

Star QualitiesEasy-to-clean brush rollThree suction settingsHEPA filter

Easy-to-clean brush roll

Three suction settings

HEPA filter

Red FlagsLimited attachments for the price

Limited attachments for the price

Pet owners looking for an effectivepet hair vacuum: This Samsung Jet 75 had no trouble picking up hair on all four of our surfaces, and even though some of it got caught up in the roller brush, the roller was super easy to remove from the head. This model also includes a HEPA filter, and it was one of the easiest to empty, with all of the debris falling out with just one shake.

With the head measuring only 2.5 inches tall, we found that this vacuum was great for maneuvering in tight spaces, around sharp corners, and under raised sofas. Being a cordless stick vacuum, though, we did feel that it was a little expensive and wished that it came with more attachments, an extra battery, or had on-unit attachment storage for the higher price.

Type:Cordless stick |Weight:6 pounds |BatteryRuntime:60 minutes |Capacity:0.8 liters

Best RobotRoborock S8+ Robot Vacuum MopPHOTO: Amazon$1,000$760 at Amazon$1,000$31 at WalmartView on Roborock.com

Best RobotRoborock S8+ Robot Vacuum Mop

Best Robot

Roborock S8+ Robot Vacuum Mop

$1,000$760 at Amazon$1,000$31 at WalmartView on Roborock.com

Star QualitiesEffective on debris of all sizesUser-friendly app designImpressive obstacle detection and avoidanceRed FlagsNoisy when it empties

Star QualitiesEffective on debris of all sizesUser-friendly app designImpressive obstacle detection and avoidance

Effective on debris of all sizes

User-friendly app design

Impressive obstacle detection and avoidance

Red FlagsNoisy when it empties

Noisy when it empties

Type:Robot vacuum |Weight:28.8 pounds |BatteryRuntime:180 minutes |Capacity:2.5 liters

PHOTO: People / Dera BurresonPHOTO: People / Dera BurresonPHOTO: People / Dera Burreson

Best Wet-DryTineco Floor One S5 Smart Wet/Dry Vacuum CleanerPHOTO: Amazon$450 at AmazonView on Tineco.comStar QualitiesTackles wet and dry debris simultaneouslyDoesn’t leave streaksSelf-cleaning cycleRed FlagsDoesn’t clean along edges wellIf you’re looking for an effectivewet-dry vacuum, this one from Tineco lets you tackle two cleaning tasks at once: vacuuming and mopping your floors at the same time. In our testing, it easily sucked up spilled messes like eggs and cereal, leaving the hard floors clean and streak-free — the only area it had trouble was along the edges of walls and furniture, where it often left some debris behind.This wet-dry vacuum impressed us with its long-lasting battery life, which was still at around 80 percent after all our testing was complete. We also liked that its self-cleaning cycle minimizes maintenance, automatically washing off the brush roll so it’s clean and ready for its next use.Type:Wet-dry vacuum |Weight:17.37 pounds |BatteryRuntime:35 minutes |Capacity:0.72 litersPHOTO: People / Henry WortockPHOTO: People / Henry Wortock

Best Wet-DryTineco Floor One S5 Smart Wet/Dry Vacuum CleanerPHOTO: Amazon$450 at AmazonView on Tineco.com

Best Wet-DryTineco Floor One S5 Smart Wet/Dry Vacuum Cleaner

Best Wet-Dry

Tineco Floor One S5 Smart Wet/Dry Vacuum Cleaner

$450 at AmazonView on Tineco.com

Star QualitiesTackles wet and dry debris simultaneouslyDoesn’t leave streaksSelf-cleaning cycleRed FlagsDoesn’t clean along edges well

Star QualitiesTackles wet and dry debris simultaneouslyDoesn’t leave streaksSelf-cleaning cycle

Tackles wet and dry debris simultaneously

Doesn’t leave streaks

Self-cleaning cycle

Red FlagsDoesn’t clean along edges well

Doesn’t clean along edges well

If you’re looking for an effectivewet-dry vacuum, this one from Tineco lets you tackle two cleaning tasks at once: vacuuming and mopping your floors at the same time. In our testing, it easily sucked up spilled messes like eggs and cereal, leaving the hard floors clean and streak-free — the only area it had trouble was along the edges of walls and furniture, where it often left some debris behind.

This wet-dry vacuum impressed us with its long-lasting battery life, which was still at around 80 percent after all our testing was complete. We also liked that its self-cleaning cycle minimizes maintenance, automatically washing off the brush roll so it’s clean and ready for its next use.

Type:Wet-dry vacuum |Weight:17.37 pounds |BatteryRuntime:35 minutes |Capacity:0.72 liters

PHOTO: People / Henry WortockPHOTO: People / Henry Wortock

Best SuctionShark Vertex Pro Lightweight Cordless Stick VacuumPHOTO: Amazon$450$429 at Amazon$450 at Staples$450 at Sharkclean.comStar QualitiesPicks up debris in one or two passesGood battery lifeFreestanding design for storageRed FlagsHair gets wrapped on brush rollThe Shark Vertex Pro offers truly impressive suction for a cordless vacuum — in testing, it was able to pick up all the debris from hardwood floors in just one pass, making it quick and easy to clean your home. It was easy for us to drive around the floor and reach under obstacles thanks to the bending wand, and the vacuum also stands up on its own for easy storage.Our only caveat with this vacuum is that it doesn’t perform well on long strands of hair. A lot of hair ended up tangled around the brush roll, so it may not be the best choice for households with pets.Type:Cordless stick |Weight:8.82 pounds |BatteryRuntime:60 minutes |Capacity:1 quartPHOTO: People / Henry WortockPHOTO: People / Henry WortockPHOTO: People / Henry WortockPHOTO: People / Henry Wortock

Best SuctionShark Vertex Pro Lightweight Cordless Stick VacuumPHOTO: Amazon$450$429 at Amazon$450 at Staples$450 at Sharkclean.com

Best SuctionShark Vertex Pro Lightweight Cordless Stick Vacuum

Best Suction

Shark Vertex Pro Lightweight Cordless Stick Vacuum

$450$429 at Amazon$450 at Staples$450 at Sharkclean.com

Star QualitiesPicks up debris in one or two passesGood battery lifeFreestanding design for storageRed FlagsHair gets wrapped on brush roll

Star QualitiesPicks up debris in one or two passesGood battery lifeFreestanding design for storage

Picks up debris in one or two passes

Good battery life

Freestanding design for storage

Red FlagsHair gets wrapped on brush roll

Hair gets wrapped on brush roll

The Shark Vertex Pro offers truly impressive suction for a cordless vacuum — in testing, it was able to pick up all the debris from hardwood floors in just one pass, making it quick and easy to clean your home. It was easy for us to drive around the floor and reach under obstacles thanks to the bending wand, and the vacuum also stands up on its own for easy storage.

Our only caveat with this vacuum is that it doesn’t perform well on long strands of hair. A lot of hair ended up tangled around the brush roll, so it may not be the best choice for households with pets.

Type:Cordless stick |Weight:8.82 pounds |BatteryRuntime:60 minutes |Capacity:1 quart

Best CanisterMiele SBAN0 Classic C1 Pure Suction PowerLinePHOTO: Amazon$347 at Amazon$349 at WayfairView on Mieleusa.comStar QualitiesQuieter than other vacuumsPicks up all types of debris quicklyCanister rolls smoothlyRed FlagsNo wheels on floorheadIf you’re looking for a vacuum that’s quiet and requires minimal maintenance, thiscanister vacuumfrom Miele is one of the least disruptive options we tested. It’s extremely quiet on the lowest of its six suction settings, measuring in at around 65 decibels. The canister rolls smoothly along on both carpeting and hard flooring as you clean, and it also has a large debris bag that can go longer without being emptied.Our one complaint about this vacuum is that the floorhead doesn’t have any wheels, so you have to manually push it back and forth. This can be challenging to do on thick carpeting, which is why we think this vacuum will work best in homes with mostly hardwood flooring.Type:Canister |Weight:12 pounds |BatteryRuntime:N/A |Capacity:4.5 litersPHOTO: People / Dera BurresonPHOTO: People / Dera Burreson

Best CanisterMiele SBAN0 Classic C1 Pure Suction PowerLinePHOTO: Amazon$347 at Amazon$349 at WayfairView on Mieleusa.com

Best CanisterMiele SBAN0 Classic C1 Pure Suction PowerLine

Best Canister

Miele SBAN0 Classic C1 Pure Suction PowerLine

$347 at Amazon$349 at WayfairView on Mieleusa.com

Star QualitiesQuieter than other vacuumsPicks up all types of debris quicklyCanister rolls smoothlyRed FlagsNo wheels on floorhead

Star QualitiesQuieter than other vacuumsPicks up all types of debris quicklyCanister rolls smoothly

Quieter than other vacuums

Picks up all types of debris quickly

Canister rolls smoothly

Red FlagsNo wheels on floorhead

No wheels on floorhead

If you’re looking for a vacuum that’s quiet and requires minimal maintenance, thiscanister vacuumfrom Miele is one of the least disruptive options we tested. It’s extremely quiet on the lowest of its six suction settings, measuring in at around 65 decibels. The canister rolls smoothly along on both carpeting and hard flooring as you clean, and it also has a large debris bag that can go longer without being emptied.

Our one complaint about this vacuum is that the floorhead doesn’t have any wheels, so you have to manually push it back and forth. This can be challenging to do on thick carpeting, which is why we think this vacuum will work best in homes with mostly hardwood flooring.

Type:Canister |Weight:12 pounds |BatteryRuntime:N/A |Capacity:4.5 liters

PHOTO: People / Dera BurresonPHOTO: People / Dera Burreson

Easiest to ManeuverLG Universal Power ThinQ Stick VacuumPHOTO: LG$600$398 at Amazon$499$398 at Walmart$398 at WayfairStar QualitiesHeight-adjustable telescoping wandPortable charging dockComes with two batteriesRed FlagsHard to empty dustbinThis LG model stands out thanks to its telescoping wand: It adjusts to any height, allowing you to customize it to your height preference — that makes no more hunching over as you clean. We also loved that it came with two batteries and a portable charging dock, which made it easy to throw it on the charger between tests. Although it was difficult to get all the debris out of the dustbin, the compressor lever allowed us to make the most of its one-liter capacity.Type:Cordless stick |Weight:5.95 pounds |BatteryRuntime:120 minutes (two batteries) |Capacity:1 literPeople / Henry Wortock

Easiest to ManeuverLG Universal Power ThinQ Stick VacuumPHOTO: LG$600$398 at Amazon$499$398 at Walmart$398 at Wayfair

Easiest to ManeuverLG Universal Power ThinQ Stick Vacuum

Easiest to Maneuver

LG Universal Power ThinQ Stick Vacuum

PHOTO: LG

$600$398 at Amazon$499$398 at Walmart$398 at Wayfair

Star QualitiesHeight-adjustable telescoping wandPortable charging dockComes with two batteriesRed FlagsHard to empty dustbin

Star QualitiesHeight-adjustable telescoping wandPortable charging dockComes with two batteries

Height-adjustable telescoping wand

Portable charging dock

Comes with two batteries

Red FlagsHard to empty dustbin

Hard to empty dustbin

This LG model stands out thanks to its telescoping wand: It adjusts to any height, allowing you to customize it to your height preference — that makes no more hunching over as you clean. We also loved that it came with two batteries and a portable charging dock, which made it easy to throw it on the charger between tests. Although it was difficult to get all the debris out of the dustbin, the compressor lever allowed us to make the most of its one-liter capacity.

Type:Cordless stick |Weight:5.95 pounds |BatteryRuntime:120 minutes (two batteries) |Capacity:1 liter

Best Battery LifeBlack+Decker PowerSeries Extreme Cordless VacuumPHOTO: Amazon$180$158 at Amazon$190 at Farmandfleet.comView on Blackanddecker.comStar QualitiesStrong, high-power suctionEasy to maneuverLong-lasting battery lifeRed FlagsHard to attach dustbinThe most notable element of this Black and Decker vacuum was its exceptional battery life — we didn’t have to charge it throughout our testing and, when we’d finished, the battery life indicator was still showing three out of three bars. This battery is also special because it’s interchangeable with other 20V Black and Decker tools.This vacuum offered incredibly high suction power — it was so high it pulled up our test carpet! It works well on multiple surfaces, including tile, carpet, and hardwood floors, and it is also great with maneuverability, angling around awkward shapes with ease. The only difficulty with this vacuum was snapping the dustbin back into place after emptying it.Type:Cordless stick |Weight:6 pounds |BatteryRuntime:55 minutes |Capacity:0.65 litersPHOTO: People / Henry WortockPHOTO: People / Henry WortockPHOTO: People / Henry WortockPHOTO: People / Henry Wortock

Best Battery LifeBlack+Decker PowerSeries Extreme Cordless VacuumPHOTO: Amazon$180$158 at Amazon$190 at Farmandfleet.comView on Blackanddecker.com

Best Battery LifeBlack+Decker PowerSeries Extreme Cordless Vacuum

Best Battery Life

Black+Decker PowerSeries Extreme Cordless Vacuum

$180$158 at Amazon$190 at Farmandfleet.comView on Blackanddecker.com

Star QualitiesStrong, high-power suctionEasy to maneuverLong-lasting battery lifeRed FlagsHard to attach dustbin

Star QualitiesStrong, high-power suctionEasy to maneuverLong-lasting battery life

Strong, high-power suction

Easy to maneuver

Long-lasting battery life

Red FlagsHard to attach dustbin

Hard to attach dustbin

The most notable element of this Black and Decker vacuum was its exceptional battery life — we didn’t have to charge it throughout our testing and, when we’d finished, the battery life indicator was still showing three out of three bars. This battery is also special because it’s interchangeable with other 20V Black and Decker tools.

This vacuum offered incredibly high suction power — it was so high it pulled up our test carpet! It works well on multiple surfaces, including tile, carpet, and hardwood floors, and it is also great with maneuverability, angling around awkward shapes with ease. The only difficulty with this vacuum was snapping the dustbin back into place after emptying it.

Type:Cordless stick |Weight:6 pounds |BatteryRuntime:55 minutes |Capacity:0.65 liters

Best AttachmentsInnova Cordless Stick Multi-Surface VacuumPHOTO: Walmart$196 at Walmart

Best AttachmentsInnova Cordless Stick Multi-Surface Vacuum

Best Attachments

Innova Cordless Stick Multi-Surface Vacuum

PHOTO: Walmart

$196 at Walmart

Star QualitiesSpecific hardwood and carpet settingsBrush roll doesn’t get tangled with hairEasy to maneuverRed FlagsHeavier than other cordless optionsDoesn’t perform as well on carpeting

Star QualitiesSpecific hardwood and carpet settingsBrush roll doesn’t get tangled with hairEasy to maneuver

Specific hardwood and carpet settings

Brush roll doesn’t get tangled with hair

Red FlagsHeavier than other cordless optionsDoesn’t perform as well on carpeting

Heavier than other cordless options

Doesn’t perform as well on carpeting

Our favorite thing about this vacuum was its accessories — a motorized anti-tangle pet tool attachment, an angled crevice tool, a two-in-one crevice tool and brush, and a portable charging dock. The motorized pet tool and the regular roller brush picked up hair with ease, and there was no hair stuck in the rollers afterward.

Type:Cordless stick |Weight:7.8 pounds |Battery Runtime:60 minutes |Capacity:1 liter

PHOTO: People / Henry WortockPHOTO: People / Henry WortockPHOTO: People / Henry WortockPHOTO: People / Henry WortockPHOTO: People / Henry WortockPHOTO: People / Henry Wortock

Best InvestmentDyson Gen5detect Cordless VacuumPHOTO: Amazon$950$769 at Amazon$950 at Target$1,049 at QVCStar QualitiesRuns for over 50 minutes on lowBuilt-in light illuminates dirt on hardwood floorsEasy to maneuver around obstaclesRed FlagsMuch more expensive than other cordless vacuumsDyson Gen5detect Cordless Vacuum ReviewThe Gen5detect — one of Dyson’s latest cordless stick vacuums — is worth the investment if you want to get your hard floors pristinely clean. It’s the brand’s most powerful model, and its “Fluffy Optic™ cleaner head” has a built-in laser light that shines across the floor, highlighting all the particles of dust to help you get a more thorough clean.We found that the vacuum performed excellently on debris of all sizes, and it was easy to maneuver around obstacles and empty. Plus, it has an impressive battery life that lasts for close to an hour on its lowest suction setting, and it comes with attachments for upholstery, carpeting, and dusting, too.Type:Cordless stick |Weight:7.6 pounds |BatteryRuntime:70 minutes |Capacity:0.77 litersPHOTO: People / Dera BurresonPHOTO: People / Dera BurresonPHOTO: People / Dera BurresonPHOTO: People / Dera Burreson

Best InvestmentDyson Gen5detect Cordless VacuumPHOTO: Amazon$950$769 at Amazon$950 at Target$1,049 at QVC

Best InvestmentDyson Gen5detect Cordless Vacuum

Best Investment

Dyson Gen5detect Cordless Vacuum

$950$769 at Amazon$950 at Target$1,049 at QVC

Star QualitiesRuns for over 50 minutes on lowBuilt-in light illuminates dirt on hardwood floorsEasy to maneuver around obstaclesRed FlagsMuch more expensive than other cordless vacuums

Star QualitiesRuns for over 50 minutes on lowBuilt-in light illuminates dirt on hardwood floorsEasy to maneuver around obstacles

Runs for over 50 minutes on low

Built-in light illuminates dirt on hardwood floors

Easy to maneuver around obstacles

Red FlagsMuch more expensive than other cordless vacuums

Much more expensive than other cordless vacuums

Dyson Gen5detect Cordless Vacuum Review

The Gen5detect — one of Dyson’s latest cordless stick vacuums — is worth the investment if you want to get your hard floors pristinely clean. It’s the brand’s most powerful model, and its “Fluffy Optic™ cleaner head” has a built-in laser light that shines across the floor, highlighting all the particles of dust to help you get a more thorough clean.

We found that the vacuum performed excellently on debris of all sizes, and it was easy to maneuver around obstacles and empty. Plus, it has an impressive battery life that lasts for close to an hour on its lowest suction setting, and it comes with attachments for upholstery, carpeting, and dusting, too.

Type:Cordless stick |Weight:7.6 pounds |BatteryRuntime:70 minutes |Capacity:0.77 liters

PHOTO: People / Dera BurresonPHOTO: People / Dera BurresonPHOTO: People / Dera BurresonPHOTO: People / Dera Burreson

What to Know About Vacuums for Hardwood Floors

Types of Vacuums

Several types of vacuums work well on hardwood floors, and each style has its own benefits.

Battery Life

Many of the vacuums we recommend for hardwood floors are cordless stick vacuums, and if you opt for one of these models, it’s important to consider the battery life. The best part of cordless vacuums (a.k.a. not having a cord) can quickly turn into their weakest attribute if the battery life doesn’t hold up. Take into account the battery life of each vacuum when weighing your options, and that includes both battery hold time and charge time.

We found that most cordless vacuums hold their charge for about 15 minutes on high or around 30 minutes on low. (One of our favorite things about theLG CordZero Cordless Stick Vacuumwas that it came with an extra battery and a portable charging dock.)

Alternatively, if you have a lot of ground to cover, you may want to choose a corded model like theMiele Classic C1 Pure Suction, which offers unlimited runtime and consistent suction power.

Attachments

When using a vacuum to clean hardwood floors, it’s important to keep in mind the kind of head you’ll be using to pick up your debris. This can be a stiff brush roll, just a hole/open air, or a glide head, which makes it easy to maneuver across hard flooring. When choosing a vacuum for hardwood floors, it’s essential to consider what kinds of messes you will be cleaning up. Are you just doing a quick once-over before you mop, or will you use this vacuum to deep clean? Additionally, make sure you have the attachments you need to clean up everyday messes.

Price Range

People / Dera Burreson

We’ve been testing vacuums for years, and to date, our team of testers has tried out more than 350 different vacuums, logging thousands of hours of testing in the lab and at homes across the country. We’ve done a ton of mess-making and cleaning to figure out which vacuums for hardwood floors would make our readers the happiest, evaluating products on key factors like checked runtime, noise level, weight, ease of emptying, maneuverability, and, most importantly, cleaning effectiveness.

At the end of all this testing, we scored each vacuum on the areas outlined above, and our top-scoring model was theDyson Omni-glide, which was highly effective on hard floors and a breeze to use.

People/Dera Burreson

Our Expert PanelWhitney Whiteis an Airbnb cleaning specialist based out of Denver, Colo.

Our Expert Panel

Whitney Whiteis an Airbnb cleaning specialist based out of Denver, Colo.

We created thePEOPLE Tested seal of approvalto help you find the very best products for your life. We use our unique methodology to test products in three labs across the country and with our network of home testers to determine their effectiveness, durability, ease of use, and so much more. Based on the results, we rate and recommend products so you can find the right one for your needs.

In short, PEOPLE Tested provides recommendations you can trust — every day, every purchase.

source: people.com