There are some major advantages to having hardwood flooring in your home. It adds depth and beauty while increasing the value, but it’s also easier to clean than carpet. Brooms and dust mops are commonly used to tidy up these surfaces although a good vacuum cleaner will do the job quicker and more effectively.
The best cordless vacuum for hardwood isn’t as easy to find as you might think. Many manufacturers focus on machines built for low to medium-pile carpet and hard surfaces, which isn’t always ideal. With that in mind, we are going to focus on a few models that have hardwood-friendly features and have put together a short guide to help you narrow the field.
Cordless vacuums have been around longer than most people think, and the technology that drives them has improved considerably over the years. While modern systems are impressive, you’ll still need to consider the pros and cons of purchasing a cordless vacuum cleaner for your home.
Cordless Vacuum Pros
The main reason most people opt for this type of vacuum is the fact they are lightweight and don’t require a cord. There’s nothing to trip over, and you don’t have to unplug a cordless vacuum to reach other areas of your home. Most weight well under 10 pounds, and you can find some cordless stick vacuums under 5 pounds as well.
Another advantage are features – you’ll find more of them on this style of vacuum cleaner. Digital motors are common on premium vacuums but you’ll find interesting bells & whistles on budget-friendly models as well. Pricing is comparable on the high-end with corded vacuums, but you can find cheaper cordless models in the mid to budget-friendly tiers.
Cordless Vacuum Cons
When you buy a cordless vacuum, you’re going to be limited by the battery life to some degree. For smaller homes, condos, or apartments, it probably won’t be an issue. If you have several thousand feet of flooring to clean and multiple surfaces in your home, a corded vacuum may be a better fit.
The other drawback is also power related but in a different way. As cordless vacuums are designed for convenience, you’re going to lose some power. The suction will never be as strong, which is a problem with carpet, but typically not a huge concern for hardwood flooring.
How to find the Best Cordless Vacuum for Hardwood
We’re going to keep our guide simple as you don’t necessarily need a thousand-dollar machine to remove dust, dirt or pet hair from hardwood flooring. In fact, some vacuums can actually do more harm than good if you have delicate floors or a finish that’s beginning to fade. When looking for the best cordless vacuum for hardwood floors, keep these areas in mind…
Battery Life
Battery life is tied to the size of the home and can dictate the price of a cordless vacuum cleaner to a degree. The first specification you should consider is the runtime, which will range from 20 minutes to an hour in most cases. It can also depend on the attachment you are using as well. When considering battery life, think about the size of your home and how long it typically takes you to clean each room.
Charging times are also important, especially if you have a large home. If your vacuum dies halfway through the job, it could take up to 3 hours to recharge. That’s a fairly quick number, and we’ve seen some systems that can take 4 to 6 hours to go from zero to a full charge. While still rare, any vacuum cleaner with a removable battery has an advantage over other systems.
Cleaning Path Width
This simple measurement is important and can have an impact on your cleaning time. Cleaning path width lets you know how wide of a path your vacuum can clean in one pass. The larger the number, the better, but only if the system has good suction. The numbers will vary wildly in this range as well so you will see vacuums ranging from 7” to 13” in the cordless class.
Brush Roll or Soft Roller?
This is another area that can make or break a machine and something that ruled a lot of otherwise top-tier systems out on our list. Every vacuum cleaner will have rollers, which are referred to as brush rolls, beater bars or various other terms depending on the manufacturer. Regardless of what they are called, they all work in a similar fashion.
A brush roll with bristles is ideal for carpet and can work on hardwood as well. Most manufacturers realized long ago that those bristles need to be gentle on any material. Some missed the mark in the design department, however, which is why some vacuums tend to throw or push dirt when the brush is moving.
Soft brush rollers are geared towards hard flooring surfaces and certainly won’t mar surfaces. They are completely useless on carpet, and some will become too dirty to deal with extremely quickly. Rubber rollers are also an option and one that can work on multiple flooring styles as well including carpet, if it’s not high-pile.
Consider the types of flooring you have in your home with the brush roll. If you have 90% hardwood in your home, strong suction is more important than a roller. For homes that are half carpet and hardwood, you will need a system with a traditional roller brush. In that case, ideally, you’ll want a system that allows you to turn the brush roll off as needed.
Form Factor
Another advantage of cordless vacuums are the available form factors. While you can find convertible uprights, there are far more options with cordless vacuums. That said, the best cordless vacuum for hardwood flooring typically just comes in a few forms.
Uprights and stick vacuums are the two most popular options with hardwood vacuums. Both styles can be convertible as well, although bagged vacuums are extremely rare in the cordless range. Robotic vacuum cleaners are another option although none will be as powerful as an upright or slim stick vacuum.
The exhaust vent also comes into play with the design. We’ve seen several vacuums that are powerful enough to draw in debris on hardwood floors with ease. Some of those same systems will send the dust bunnies flying back across the room when tilted at an odd angle. That’s a deal-breaker and something that can be an issue with hardwood, tile, or laminate flooring.
Filtration
Filtration is a standard feature on any vacuum cleaner. It’s an important component if you’re concerned about dust and allergens in your home or have a pet. Our furry friends can leave hair and dander behind, but a good filtration system can handle almost anything in your home.
There are two basic styles of filtration on vacuum cleaners in this class with single and multi-stage systems. On some models, you’ll find multiple filters, while others may just have one you can rinse out in the sink. HEPA filtration is the best option and a bagged system is ideal for allergy sufferers as well.
Build Quality
A cordless vacuum cleaner can last just as long as a corded model if it’s a high-quality system. Alternatively, a cheap model with poor quality control will quickly leave you in a lurch. Build quality is not a forgettable factor with cordless vacuums, even if most come with extremely short warranties.
Many manufacturers offer warranties from 1 – 2 years for cordless vacuum cleaners. We have seen some models that buck that trend with 5-year guarantees, but those are sparse. It’s also important to keep the battery in mind. The battery isn’t likely to outlive your vacuum, so check on the cost of a replacement beforehand if it’s a viable option for the system.
The Best Cordless Vacuums for Hardwood
You’re going to find far more cordless vacuums in the isle of your favorite local store than full-size corded uprights, and the same holds true online. That can make finding the best cordless vacuum for pet hair an impossible task, especially when most of them are designed for carpet.
After careful consideration, our team chose the models below. While most perform admirably on multiple surfaces, they are all excellent options for homes with hardwood flooring.
Dyson has a vacuum cleaner for everyone, including homeowners that prefer hardwood or linoleum to carpet. Whether you have bamboo, laminate, hardwood, or tile, the Dyson V7 Fluffy cordless vacuum cleaner has you covered.
Most of Dyson’s vacuums share a similar set of features, although each generation is more powerful than the last. While their standard powered brush heads are great, they aren’t always the best option for carpet. The V7 Fluffy remedies that with a fluffy soft roller head which removes dirt, hair and dust without fail.
Battery life on the V7 Fluffy is solid at 30 minutes, which should cover most homes. You’ll lose a considerable amount of juice in Max power mode, however, or when using the mini motorized tool on rugs or to spot clean carpet. When the battery runs dry, it will take 240 minutes to get back to a full charge from the docking station. The dock doubles as storage for your tools and mounts to a wall in minutes.
The cleaning path is 9.8” wide, which is larger than similar stick vacuums in this range. At 5.3 pounds, it’s not heavy and won’t strain your wrist when fully assembled or in handheld mode. The bin system could use some work, but holds 0.2 gallons of debris before needing you’ll need to make a trip to the trashcan. Filters are also easy to access and clean on the V7 Fluffy, something you’ll be thankful for after a few cleaning sessions in your home.
It’s hard to argue with the Dyson V7 Fluffy’s capabilities on hardwood and similar flooring surfaces, considering it’s highly-regarded in that area. It’s not ideal if you have any carpet in your home, although you can pick up a powered roller head from Dyson at an additional cost. The V7 Fluffy comes with a mini motorized tool and soft dusting brush along with a 2-year warranty.
Our top option for the best cordless vacuum for hardwood comes from Shark. The ION P50 is a powered lift-away with an interesting design and a unique brush roll system that’s capable of cleaning hardwood and a variety of other surfaces in your home.
The Shark ION P50 is a 2-in-1 vacuum that can transform from an upright to a cordless canister vacuum. Dirty hardwood doesn’t stand a chance, as you can clean a 10” wide path with the brushroll. You can also transition to a portable with the crevice tool and wand for areas that are hard to access. The motorized head has LED lights on the front but also uses DuoClean technology.
This unique powerhead has two brush rolls, which sets it apart from systems with interchangeable heads or a single brushroll. The Anti-Allergen Complete Seal system will trap 99.99% of dust and allergens from your hardwood along with particles 0.3 microns or larger. The ION P50 also has a large dust bin at 0.54 gallons and a battery rated for up to 50 minutes of runtime.
When vacuuming in ION Power Mode, the runtime on this system is excellent but will vary depending on a number of factors. Vacuuming carpet, hardwood, or using it in lift-away mode will affect the battery life along with Boost mode. As a bonus, you can charge this battery on the vacuum or remove it, which means you can pick up a spare or buy a replacement down the line if needed.
This versatile vacuum cleaner can do it all and features several of Shark’s top technologies. Consumers loved the battery life in all modes, and the canister is easier to deal with than some models. The only drawbacks are the weight considering its 12 pounds and the fact you can’t turn the beater bar off due to the design although it slows down in hard flooring mode. This vacuum comes with a standard set of tools and a 5-year warranty from Shark.
Hoover has always been a brand to turn towards when you need a great vacuum, and they make several systems that are ideal for hard flooring surfaces. The Hoover Air Cordless Upright is one of them, and it’s quite powerful thinks to the company’s WindTunnel 3 technology.
Hoover built this vacuum with ease of use in mind. While it’s close to 10 pounds, it’s easy to maneuver and has built-in headlights and a 6-foot hose. This allows you to clean stairs and other hard to reach areas, and rugs or any carpet won’t be an issue as this system has a traditional brush roll. Consumers have had no problem with this vacuum on hardwood, and there’s a switch to turn the roller of if you’re concerned about the bristles.
Suction power is excellent on the Hoover Air BH50111, and it has brushed edge cleaning which gives it an advantage over many cordless stick vacs. It’s powered by a 20-volt battery with a runtime of 25 minutes which isn’t the best although it can recharge in 3 hours. It has one speed but an 11” cleaning path so it can clean a lot of ground in one pass.
If you’re looking for a vacuum that excels on hardwood but can also handle a carpeted room with ease, the Hoover Air Cordless is well worth a look. While we wish the battery life was stronger, it can cover a lot of ground and has more power than other cordless uprights in this price range. It also has a removable battery and comes with a 5-year warranty.
It’s difficult to find cordless vacuums with a soft roller head, but we managed to find a diamond in the rough with the Tineco A11 Master+. This cordless stick vacuum is a dual-purpose machine in more ways than one as it comes with two rollers but also transforms into a powerful hand vacuum.
This vacuum has a 450W digital motor and two cleaning modes that complement the 4-stage filtration system. The sealed system keeps dirt and debris in the bin while expelling clean air into your home. Consumers found the bin easy to empty and it’s washable as well. The dust bin will hold an ample amount of dirt and the system itself is light at 5.5 pounds.
You’ll get two full-size power brush rolls with the A11 Master+ with one geared towards carpet and a soft roller for hard surfaces. It also comes with two batteries, which are detachable, and the base has dual-charging capabilities. Each battery is rated for around 25 minutes, so you’ll get a total runtime close to an hour using both batteries with this system.
This Tineco A11 Master+ isn’t exactly budget-friendly, but it has everything you need to clean delicate flooring safely. There are cheaper versions of this vacuum available, although the Master+ package is top of the line as it comes with a half-dozen tools including an extension hose, and a flexible long crevice tool.
Eureka has dozens of vacuum cleaners available at any given time, and some of their older models are still going strong today. While they don’t have as many cordless systems as other brands, the Eureka RapidClean Pro grabbed our attention due to its eye-catching design and excellent runtime.
At first glance, it’s apparent this vacuum cleaner is different from a design standpoint. The dirt cup is mounted on the front with the cyclonic filtration system and there’s a notch on the bottom that works as a “rest” point when you need to take a pause. That’s a nice touch on a stick vac, and so is this machine's ability to go completely flat in order to get under beds and furniture.
You can’t turn off the brush roll on this vacuum, but it’s gentle on hardwood and laminate. There are two cleaning modes and the 25.5-volt battery is rated at around 40 minutes depending on your usage. That’s in-line with Dyson and other industry leaders, although we weren’t able to find a reliable number for the recharging times. The RapidClean Pro has a 9.5” cleaning path and weighs only 3.2 pounds when used in handheld mode.
While not as popular as vacuums from bigger name brands, Eureka did a remarkable job with the NEC180. It provides you with some flagship features at a fraction of the price, and we love how versatile it is in those hard to reach areas. You’ll get an 18-month warranty with this vacuum cleaner while the battery is guaranteed for a year.
This vacuum cleaner made an appearance on our list of the best vacuums for pet hair, but it’s also perfect for hard surfaces like tile, laminate and hardwood. The Hoover LiNX Signature is an inexpensive stick vacuum that’s an excellent choice for smaller homes and apartments.
The Hoover LiNX has a legion of fans thanks to its lightweight design and an array of features that make it easy to use. It features the company’s WindTunnel tech, which increases suction power, and you can switch the brushroll off as needed. With a low profile, it’s made to get under furniture and certainly won’t break your back considering it’s under 10 pounds.
Controls on this vacuum are only an inch away from your hand on the handle, and a battery gauge will let you know how much juice remains. Batteries are interchangeable with the LiNX, albeit underwhelming with a runtime of around 18 minutes. They recharge in 180 minutes, however, and provide fade-free power until those cells run dry.
If you have a large home with a mix of hardwood and area rugs, the Hoover LiNX may not have enough juice to satisfy your needs. For multiple rooms and smaller homes, it’s perfect and certainly won’t take up much space when it’s not in use. This vacuum comes with an edge brush and a 2-year warranty from Hoover.
All of the best cordless vacuums for hardwood are light and easy to push, but every system requires a degree of manual power. Well, a robot vacuum cleaner will handle the dirty work for you, and one of our favorites for hard flooring is the iLife V3s Pro.
Most robot vacuums cleaners are designed with low to medium pile carpet in mind – not necessarily hardwood. The opposite is true with the iLife V3s Pro as it’s designed for suction and doesn’t have a rolling brush underneath. Two side brushes will help pull in dust from the corners, so it’s easy on your floors and smart enough to avoid obstacles around your home as well. That includes a set of cliff sensors to keep this robot upright when it encounters stairs.
The V3s also relies on sensors for navigation with a bit of help from the software. There are four cleaning modes with Point, Edge, Programming, and Automatic, so it doesn’t have a high-end navigation system like a bot from Roomba or Samsung. It can return to base to charge itself back up when the battery runs low, however, and is rated with a runtime of around 100 minutes.
You may not get many bells & whistles with this robot vacuum cleaner, but it has excellent suction and no roller to scatter debris or damage sensitive flooring. The battery life is solid, and we like the fact it comes with a remote, which gives you an extra measure of control. The iLife V3s Pro comes with a 12-month warranty and is backed by a customer support team located in the U.S.
Pros
Excellent battery life
Low profile design
Four cleaning modes
Nice price tag
Cons
Navigation system
Light on features
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Does a cordless vacuum have enough battery life to clean an entire home?
A: It depends on the size of your home and the type of flooring. On average, you can expect 20 to 40 minutes from most systems although the runtime drops with powered heads and intense cleaning modes.
Q: Will a vacuum cleaner damage hardwood floors?
A: If you’re concerned about scratches on hard flooring surfaces, look for a vacuum that allows you to turn off the brush roll. There are suction-only systems as well, but you shouldn’t have to worry about scratches with any high-quality vacuum.
Q: Why did my brushroll stop spinning?
A: While there could be a variety of reasons for that to happen, it generally means the belt is broken, there’s a clog or an electrical issue. Turn off the machine, look for any obvious issues, then consult your user manual.
Q: What’s a vacuum with a sealed system?
A: When you hear that term, it means the manufacturer has designed their machine to keep dust in so it won’t leak from the vacuum while you are cleaning.
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