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The 7 Best Vacuums For Hardwood Floors of 2025

Updated Jan 27, 2025 at 03:10 pm
Best Vacuums For Hardwood Floors

Hardwood floors are easier for vacuums to clean than carpets, as they don't have small crevices or shaggy surfaces to trap debris. Still, some vacuums do a better job of cleaning this surface than others, with the best excelling at sucking up all kinds of debris, like pet hair or stray pieces of cereal. That said, cleaning performance isn't the only important thing. You'll want something that's fairly maneuverable and configurable and comes with at least a few attachments to help you clean underneath, around, or on top of furniture and shelving. A retractable bristle brush is a nice bonus to keep you from scratching your floor.

We've tested over 100 vacuum cleaners, and below are our recommendations for the best vacuum cleaners for hardwood floors to buy. These picks are selected based on their bare floor performance and feature set, design, and price. For more options, look at our lists of the best vacuums, the best vacuums for high-pile carpet, the best cordless vacuums, and the best cordless vacuums for hardwood floors.


  1. Best Vacuum For Hardwood Floors

    Current Deal: The Dyson V15 Detect has dropped in price by $100 at amazon.com.

    The Dyson V15 Detect is the best vacuum for hardwood floors we've tested. This cordless stick vacuum can easily handle a wide variety of debris on bare surfaces like hardwood floors with no significant loss in suction performance as its dustbin fills up. It comes with two floorheads, one with a bristled brushroll for carpets and the other with a soft roller for improved debris pickup on flat surfaces and in cracks and crevices. Using the soft roller reduces the chances of scratching delicate wooden floors. The V15 also features a particle counter to give you a rough idea of allergen quantities inside your home.

    This vacuum has a surface detection system that allows it to raise its suction power automatically on carpets, which is great if you have any rugs on your hardwood floor. Just note that this vacuum's strong suction can cause it to get bogged down on thicker carpeting. Battery life varies depending on the setting used; it can last over 70 minutes in its most energy-efficient mode but under 10 minutes when using its 'Boost' suction. Unfortunately, the vacuum does feel fragile in places, which is disappointing for a vacuum at a premium price point.

    See our review

  2. Best Upper Mid-Range Vacuum For Hardwood Floors

    The Shark Stratos Cordless is our upper mid-range price pick. This cordless stick vacuum sits at the top of Shark's cordless stick vacuum lineup. Like the Dyson V15 Detect, it has an automatic power adjustment system, but it works a little differently, as it raises the vacuum's suction setting depending on the amount of debris being sucked up instead of responding to changes in surface type. Its performance on bare floors is excellent—the vacuum won't have any trouble dealing with a wide range of debris types. That said, compared to the Dyson, it's noticeably heavier and bulkier, and its twin roller floorhead can be a bit of a hassle to use in tighter spots.

    The Shark features a removable cartridge in its floorhead, which masks unpleasant odors as you clean by emitting a detergent-like scent; just know this can be overwhelming if you use your vacuum to clean more than three or four times a week. Like the Dyson, this vacuum's battery life will depend on which setting you use, ranging from around 10 minutes to an hour.

    See our review

  3. Best Mid-Range Vacuum For Hardwood Floors

    If you want to spend even less, the Tineco PURE ONE S11 is among the best cordless vacuums for hardwood floors we've tested. Like the Shark Stratos Cordless, this cordless stick vacuum has an onboard dirt sensor that lets it adjust its suction power automatically when passing over an area with a lot of debris. That said, it has a lower capacity battery than the Shark, resulting in a shorter maximum runtime of about 40 minutes. Its floorhead also has a single brushroll instead of the Stratos Cordless' more complex twin roller arrangement. Thankfully, this has very little impact on its excellent performance on bare floors.

    Unlike the Shark, you can easily remove the Tineco's brushroll from its floorhead. This might not seem like much, but this design choice makes an enormous difference in everyday maintenance, as it's much easier to clear away any tangled hair or stuck-on debris. Unfortunately, the Tineco feels noticeably less robust than the Shark build-wise, sporting a body made of thinner-feeling plastic.

    See our review

  4. Best Lower Mid-Range Vacuum For Hardwood Floors

    The Wyze Cordless Vacuum is a good option if you want a strong hardwood floor performance without breaking the bank. It does a good job of handling fine debris on hard floors, and the bristles on its roller aren't so stiff that they'd create micro scratches on hardwood floors. However, it isn't as feature-rich as our higher-end options. For example, it doesn't have an automatic power adjustment feature like the Tineco PURE ONE S11, and it doesn't have a fluffy brushroll. Its max battery life of about an hour is very good for a model in this price range, especially compared to the more expensive Tineco, but like most cordless models, its runtime drops dramatically when running it continuously in its max-suction mode.

    This vacuum features a HEPA filter that does a decent job of sealing in fine allergens. Just be careful when emptying its dustbin, as it can release a cloud of dust and debris. Also, the gasket that seals the gap between the dustbin door and the dustbin sits in place pretty loosely and can fall out of place if you shake the vacuum around while emptying it. Its overall build quality isn't great either, with the vacuum's body being made mainly from thin, easily scratchable plastic.

    See our review

  5. Best Corded Vacuum For Hardwood Floors

    If none of the cordless models above appeal to you, check out the SEBO Airbelt D4 Premium. This high-end canister vacuum is expensive and bulky, especially when compared to cordless vacuums like the Dyson V15 Detect. It's also mainly only available from specialized retailers or the manufacturer itself. That said, it also provides a largely unparalleled level of power within the household vacuum market, enabling it to easily suck up heavy debris on surfaces like hardwood. The Premium variant comes with two floorheads: a powered ET-1 floorhead for cleaning carpeting and a parquet cleaner for bare surfaces. The latter attachment has a removable front bristle strip, so it can pass over larger debris without "snowplowing" it forward.

    The D4 feels exceptionally well-built, with a body made entirely from high-grade plastic, surrounded by a protective cushion to keep it from marking up your walls. Its multi-stage S-Class filtration system also does a good job of locking in allergens like pet dander, and since it uses high-capacity dust bags and long-lasting filters, costs of ownership are surprisingly low. All the same, as mentioned earlier, this can still be a somewhat unwieldy machine. If you want something easier to maneuver, the Miele Complete C3 or Miele Classic C1 might be worth a look; just note that Miele's equivalent to the SEBO's parquet tool doesn't have a removable bristle strip, and it'll struggle more with larger debris as a result.

    See our review

  6. Best Budget Vacuum For Hardwood Floors

    If you want to spend as little as possible on a new vacuum to clean hardwood floors, the Eureka Mighty Mite is a good choice. Its short power cord makes it trickier to clean far-away areas than a cordless model like the Wyze Cordless Vacuum. However, its powerful suction motor enables it to pick up a wide range of debris, as long as you lift its head to clean larger debris, as it can push around bigger material like rice or whole pieces of cereal. The vacuum's compact size and lightweight construction make it easy to stow away or carry around.

    However, this vacuum doesn't have a telescopic wand and instead uses a pair of tubes that can fall apart easily if you don't wedge them together tightly enough. Some versions of the Mighty Mite also don't have the requisite mounting clips that would allow you to attach high-efficiency aftermarket filters to improve the vacuum's allergen-sealing performance.

    See our review

  7. Best Hybrid Vacuum/Mop For Hardwood Floors

    If you want an all-in-one appliance for vacuuming and mopping, the BISSELL CrossWave HydroSteam is a solid choice. Compared to a similarly priced conventional vacuum like the Shark Stratos Cordless, it's a little down in power and lags behind in raw debris pickup as a result. But with detergent-dispersal and steaming functions that allow it to saturate and scrub away dried-on stains with a fluffy brushroll, it's more versatile. It can also handle liquid spills, making it ideal for dealing with kitchen-related mishaps. Unfortunately, this is a fairly bulky, heavy appliance, and maneuvering in cluttered areas can be a hassle. The build quality is decent for the most part, though its plastic body can creak and flex slightly when passing over obstacles.

    Alternatively, you can go for the BISSELL CrossWave Cordless Max if you're looking for a cordless equivalent and don't want to worry about staying close to a power outlet. However, it lacks the HydroSteam's steam-dispersal feature and has a less powerful suction motor, resulting in inferior debris pickup performance.

    See our review

Notable Mentions

  • Dyson Gen5detect/Gen5detect Absolute: The Dyson Gen5detect/Gen5detect Absolute is a newer version of the Dyson V15 Detect. It features a slightly revamped control scheme and a few minor improvements, but ultimately, the upgrades aren't sufficient to justify the substantial price premium over its predecessor. See our review
  • Dyson Gen5outsize/Gen5outsize Absolute: The Dyson Gen5outsize/Gen5outsize Absolute is effectively an enlarged version of the Gen5detect/Gen5detect Absolute. It's equally as powerful and won't have any trouble dealing with messes on hardwood. Still, it's also very expensive for a cordless model and far more cumbersome than the near-equally as powerful and much cheaper Dyson V15 Detect. See our review
  • Dyson V15s Detect Submarine​: The Dyson V15s Detect Submarine is a lightly reprogrammed version of the standard Dyson V15 Detect that's designed to work with a purpose-designed mopping floorhead that can wet and scrub away dried-on stains. Ultimately, the much cheaper BISSELL CrossWave Cordless Max is as effective in dealing with stains and has the added benefit of being able to clear away large amounts of water. See our review
  • Samsung Jet 75: The Samsung Jet 75 is a mid-range cordless stick vacuum that weighs less than the Shark Stratos Cordless and delivers a similarly strong performance. Still, it lacks an automatic power adjustment feature, has a smaller dustbin, and doesn't have a hinged wand to clean small spaces. See our review
  • Shark Cordless Pro [IZ562H, UZ565H]: The Shark Cordless Pro is a mid-range cordless stick vacuum that's similarly equipped to the Shark Stratos Cordless, but it has a weaker suction power and a lower-capacity battery. See our review
  • Miele Duoflex HX1:

    The Miele Duoflex HX1 is a high-end cordless stick vacuum that feels much more sturdily built than the Dyson V15 Detect. That said, while it delivers decent performance on hard floors, it still falls a little short of the Dyson.

    See our review

Recent Updates

  1. Jan 27, 2025:

    No change in recommendations, as all picks are still valid and available. Small text changes for conciseness and clarity.

  2. Nov 26, 2024:

    Added the SEBO Airbelt D4 to our recommendations as the new 'Best Corded Vacuum For Hardwood Floors' pick. Added Miele Duoflex HX1 to the Notable Mentions section.

  3. Sep 25, 2024: We've replaced the BISSELL CrossWave Cordless Max with the BISSELL CrossWave HydroSteam as it's more versatile. We've also made edits for clarity.

  4. Apr 02, 2024: Made slight in-text adjustments to further clarify product details. Removed less relevant Notable Mentions picks.

  5. Mar 01, 2024: Ensured all main picks are still available and represent the best option for user needs. Added FAQ section to provide additional information to readers.

FAQ

How often should you vacuum a hardwood floor?

You should vacuum your hardwood floors at least once a week. That said, you should vacuum more than that if you have pets, have a forced air heater that circulates dust and allergens, or clean especially high-traffic areas.

Do vacuums damage hardwood floors?

It depends! A vacuum's head design largely dictates the answer to this question. Some models have heads with built-in stiff bristles that can scratch bare floors or feature motorized beater bars with stiff bristles that leave marks. In the case of a vacuum with a pure suction head, ensure it has relatively pliant bristles. If you're looking for a vacuum with a motorized head, you'll want to consider a model that comes with a separate floorhead with a soft nylon-covered roller for cleaning delicate surfaces, like the Dyson V15 Detect, or one that has a more complex universal head that incorporates a secondary soft roller, like the Shark Stratos Cordless. If you're dead-set on a vacuum with a motorized head with a conventional bristled beater bar, ensure it has a brushroll off switch. Vacuum heads that have plastic wheels without a rubber tread can also mark up delicate hardwood.

Is it better to sweep or vacuum hardwood floors?

There's a time and place for both. Some vacuums have floorheads that can push around larger debris instead of passing over it, keeping the vacuum from sucking anything up. In those cases, you'll want to use a broom to sweep away larger material into a dustpan. However, sweeping isn't as efficient a method for dealing with dust, grit, and other lightweight allergens, which can be thrown into the air. Using a vacuum, especially a bagged model with a robust filtration system, like the Miele Complete C3, will prevent these particles from being spread around as you clean.

How do professionals clean hardwood floors?

While exact methods vary from company to company, most professional cleaning services will begin by inspecting your hardwood floor for any blemishes or gouges. If necessary, they'll also remove any polish or wax residue from previous surface treatments with a chemical remover. From there, the floor can be cleaned again with a purpose-built scrubber before a thin layer of protective polish is reapplied.

If you want to keep your hardwood floors clean without resorting to professional help, a good first step would be to vacuum regularly and prevent any significant debris buildup. Also, consider buying a microfiber duster—unlike a regular broom, a microfiber duster can trap and lock in fine debris without grounding it into the surface you're cleaning. If you notice a buildup of grime, you can mop it up using a heavily diluted solution of either dishwashing detergent or soap. Just make sure not to leave any standing water behind, as this can cause your wood floors to warp.

Will a robotic vacuum clean hardwood floors?

Yes! Generally speaking, robot vacuums are ideally suited to vacuuming bare surfaces like hardwood. In contrast to cleaning carpets, they don't have to work as hard in dealing with debris embedded deep within carpet fibers and won't have to navigate uneven terrain. Some newer models also incorporate mopping systems that are quite effective in tackling stains. That said, there are a few things you should look out for in a robotic vacuum; it's best to go for a model that uses a rubber brushroll, as opposed to a more traditional bristled roller, since you won't have to worry about it creating microscratches on bare floors. In addition, while most models on the market have plastic drive wheels with rubber treads, make sure the pivoting front wheel doesn't feel too hard or brittle to the touch, as it could also damage your floors over time.

All Reviews

Our recommendations are based on what we think are currently the best vacuum cleaners for hardwood floors. We don't just base our results on overall performance but also on factors like availability, price, and reader feedback.

If you would like to do the work of choosing yourself, here is the list of all our vacuum reviews, ranked by their performance on bare floors. Be careful not to get too caught up in the details. While no vacuum is perfect for every use, most are good enough to please almost everyone, and the differences are often not noticeable unless you really look for them.

Comments

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Best Vacuums For Hardwood Floors: Main Discussion

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  1. Update: We’ve updated the review for clarity and readability.

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