The 5 Best Vacuums For Apartments - Fall 2024

The best vacuum for apartments we've tested is the Shark Vertex Pro Lightweight. This cordless stick vacuum delivers good overall performance on hard surfaces like laminate or hardwood flooring. However, it can have a slightly harder time dealing with finer dust embedded in area rugs or carpets. While it's on the larger and heavier side for a stick vacuum, its folding wand goes some way to rectify that by allowing you to clean under tables and some chairs without having to bend too deeply. You can also fold the wand completely in half when the vacuum isn't in use to save on space, which is great if you need to stow it away in a small closet or nook in your apartment.

It can run for up to an hour in its most energy-efficient setting, though that is a best-case scenario, and you can probably expect somewhere in the neighborhood of 30 to 40 minutes in mixed usage. You can also keep track of its battery status in real time with the LED display on the back of its body.

If you're shopping at a mid-range price point, the Wyze Cordless Vacuum is among the best vacuums for small apartments. This cordless stick vacuum has a less potent suction motor than the Shark Vertex Pro Lightweight and a smaller dustbin. That said, it's got a lot of other things going for it, even discounting its cheaper purchase price. Its max battery life of about an hour is very good for a cordless model in this price range, though it does run out of juice very quickly in its power-hungry 'TURBO' mode, which might be necessary for clearing stubborn messes. Its onboard HEPA filter does a decent job of sealing in allergens, too, but note that emptying its dustbin can release a cloud of dust and debris.

Its performance on flat surfaces like hardwood or linoleum is very good, and the vacuum can deal with messes on low and high-pile carpets. Note that its build quality falls short of the Shark, with the vacuum's body feeling somewhat cheap to the touch, especially its dustbin and floorhead, which scratches very easily.

The best vacuum for small apartments at a budget-friendly price that we've tested is the Eureka Mighty Mite. It doesn't have the go-anywhere range of a cordless model like the Wyze Cordless Vacuum, especially considering its short power cable. That said, it's noticeably cheaper, and its corded design makes it a better option for longer cleaning sessions since you won't have to worry about running out of power. It's very compact, especially for a canister vacuum, so fitting it in a closet isn't hard, and its lightweight chassis makes it a breeze to carry wherever you may need it.

While the Mighty Mite's simple construction feels cheap to the touch, it's very easy to maintain, with its dirtbag and filter being readily accessible. It also has a relatively powerful 12-amp motor, though its bundled pure suction floorhead will struggle on shag-pile rugs. You'll also need to lift the head to pass over bulkier debris, as it sits very low to the ground.

Looking for something even more inexpensive? Check out the BISSELL Featherweight Stick. This bagless upright has a remarkably simple design and doesn't use disposable dirtbags, resulting in lower operating costs. It's also even more compact, making it a cinch to store upright in most apartments. However, its overall performance lags behind the Eureka due to its considerably weaker suction motor; this is most noticeable when trying to clean heavy, bulky debris or messes on carpets and rugs.

If you're looking for a handheld option for quick clean-ups, the Shark UltraCyclone Pet Pro+ is the best vacuum for apartment dwellers that we've tested. Unlike similarly priced full-size models like the Eureka Mighty Mite, it isn't meant for cleaning large areas. Still, it's remarkably effective when dealing with small amounts of debris on flat surfaces like countertops, shelves, and bare and carpeted floors. Its battery life of a little over 10 minutes is also poor, even by the standards of other handheld vacuums, and it forces you to work fast when dealing with more stubborn messes. The battery also isn't removable, so you can't swap in a new pack if the current unit doesn't hold onto a charge as well as it used to.

While it's on the larger side for a handheld vacuum, it's still very lightweight and takes up very little space, allowing you to store it in a cupboard or a closet when not in use. Unfortunately, while the Shark CH951 variant comes with a turbo brush attachment, it has a hard time dealing with hair on upholstered surfaces, so you're better off using its hard-bristle brush or crevice tool to clean couches or chairs. However, it does a terrible job of sealing in allergens due to its rudimentary filtration system. If that's an issue, the Shark WANDVAC is a good substitute, albeit with a much smaller dustbin and worse performance when cleaning up bulky debris, which can clog its suction inlet.