The 9 Best Hardwood Floor Vacuums of 2023, Tested and Reviewed

Best Overall

Shark Vertex IZ462H Ultra Lightweight Cordless Stick Vacuum

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Our Ratings

• Ease of Setup
  4/5
• Effectiveness
  5/5
• Maneuverability
  5/5
• Ease of Emptying
  5/5
• Noise Level
  4.5/5

The Shark Vertex DuoClean impressed us with its performance on hardwood floors—and every other type of surface, for that matter. We loved how quiet, powerful, and lightweight this vacuum is. While some vacuums scatter debris on hard floors, this Shark vacuum did not, smoothly collecting the messes we made. A bright LED light on the floor head also ensures that you can spot dirt and crumbs, making it easy to prioritize the areas of your home that need the most attention. We also liked that when the rechargeable battery runs low, its LED light flashes to alert you that it’s time to recharge. The fact that this cordless vac operates for up to 60 minutes on a single charge is impressive, too.

The front roller is super soft and has long enough fibers to effectively grab debris in the vacuum’s wide 10.6-inch cleaning path. A second roller with flexible, rubbery fins ensures that any remaining debris is also channeled into the vacuum’s suction path. This model was easy to operate and maneuver, even when reaching underneath the sofa or coffee table in The Lab. In fact, it's engineered so that it practically moves itself, and ultimately requires the user to exert minimal effort when pushing and pulling it.

As with many stick vacuums, the design is top-heavy, and the dust bin, at 1.4 quarts, isn't huge. Still, these minor inconveniences aren't unique to this particular model, so we didn't judge too harshly for them. Overall, we're big fans of this vacuum, and think others will be, too.

Price at time of publish: $430

_{Dimensions: 46.5 x 9.6 x 10.25 inches | Weight: 9 pounds | Cord Length: Cordless | Battery Life: 60 minutes | Bin Volume: 1.4 quarts | Cleaning Path Width: 10.6 inches | Bag Type: Bagless}

Best Budget

Hart Pro Bagless Upright Vacuum with HEPA Media Filter

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Our Ratings

• Effectiveness
  5/5
• Maneuverability
  4.5/5
• Ease of Emptying
  5/5
• Portability
  4.5/5
• Noise Level
  4.5/5

This HART Pro Bagless Upright Vacuum is proof that you don't have to break the bank for a high-quality vacuum. It held its own alongside models that cost twice much, even faring better than pricier name brands in some testing categories. It moved well across different types of flooring, and we'd even go as far as saying it was pretty effortless to move it across the hardwood floor in our lab, despite its heavier design. The swiveling head helped it maneuver around furniture and obstacles, and we liked using the wand without an attachment along the stair edges, and the crevice tool on upholstery. The accessories can also be stored right on the machine itself, which we always appreciate.

We had no issues with the dust bin—it's easy to remove and just takes a single push-button to empty. There was some hair tangled in the brush roll, but nothing that a seam ripper couldn't handle. Other conveniences, like a light on the vacuum's head and a HEPA filter, add to its overall usability and effectiveness.

As far as downsides, one hiccup we encountered was that the manufacturer lists two power modes, but we only found one. And, compared to other brands, HART doesn't put a lot of product specifications out, so if you're looking to compare some of the nitty gritty details and measurements of this machine, it could be tricky to find them (at least, it was for us!). Still, once we had it in-hand, it impressed us, and we think it's a great choice for anyone sticking to a budget.

Price at time of publish: $130

_{Dimensions: Not listed | Weight: 17.08 pounds | Cord Length: Not listed | Battery Life: Not applicable | Bin Volume: Not listed | Cleaning Path Width: Not listed | Bag Type: Bagless}

Best Splurge

Dyson Omni-Glide+ Cordless Vacuum

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Our Ratings

• Ease of Setup
  4.5/5
• Effectiveness
  5/5
• Maneuverability
  5/5
• Ease of Emptying
  2.5/5
• Portability
  4.8/5

The Dyson Omni-Glide+ is a sleek and cordless model that's aptly named, since it really does glide across surfaces. Made specifically for hard floors, the soft dual rollers and jointed neck combine for easy breezy maneuverability in and around your space. Plus, its lightweight design makes it nearly effortless to use (it measured just 2.52 pounds for us, less even than the manufacturer's specification of more than 4 pounds). This model also transitions to a handheld vacuum, which is always a convenient feature. With Dyson vacuums, its not uncommon for a trigger-style power button that needs to be held down while your vacuum is in use—but that's not the case with the Omni-Glide+. You can turn it on and it stays on.

While there's lots to appreciate, we'd be remiss if we didn't mention that the smaller dust cup was frustrating at times—in one round of testing, we filled it in less than 30 seconds. Though, by design, rechargeable vacuums are best for shorter spurts and spot cleaning, and with a battery that can run for eight to 20 minutes by our count, you aren't likely to get your whole house or home done in one fell swoop, so a smaller dust cup makes sense in that regard. Still, we would have preferred a bit more room to extend the time in between empties.

Price at time of publish: $500

_{Dimensions: 42.4 x 3.62 x 8.89 inches | Weight: 4.19 pounds | Cord Length: Not applicable | Battery Life: 21 minutes (according to our testing) | Bin Volume: 0.21 quarts | Cleaning Path Width: 8 inches | Bag Type: Bagless}

Best for Pet Hair

Shark WS642AE Wandvac Cordless Stick Vacuum with Self-Empty Charging Base

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Our Ratings

• Setup
  4.9/5
• Effectiveness
  4.6/5
• Noise Level
  4.2/5
• Maneuverability
  5/5
• Ease of Emptying
  4.7/5

No surprise this sleek and sophisticated model is one of our top-rated Shark vacuums. It does what few vacuums can; it allows you to go weeks at a time without needing to empty the dirt and dust it collects. How is such a feat possible? The charging base has a self-empty system. After it's been used, the vacuum essentially clears its dust bin into a container in the base, which only needs to be emptied every 30 days or so (as opposed to traditional dust cups that typically require emptying after most uses). We love this feature, both in theory and in practice. It was so smooth and efficient during our testing process, and it lightens the burden of regular vacuuming.

We're also pleased to report that the sleek self-empty feature isn't the only way that this vacuum excels; it packs a powerful cleaning punch. We challenged this lightweight and maneuverable model with pet fur, kibble, dust bunnies, and plant soil, and it was up to the task. There was a bit of struggle with kitty litter, but overall we were impressed with its powerful suction and overall effectiveness.

While this Shark vacuum wowed us during our long-term home testing, this came after a surprisingly inconsistent performance in the lab. We get to know vacuums more during our home tests, so we're willing to overlook the initial impression we had. We think this is a great option for pet owners who like to keep their hard floors clear of fluff and fuzz.

Price at time of publish: $330

_{Dimensions: 8.75 x11 x 43.5 inches | Weight: 13.85 pounds | Cord Length: Not applicable | Battery Life: 15 minutes | Bin Volume: 0.13 quarts | Cleaning Path Width: 8.35 inches | Bag Type: Bagless}

Best Upright

Hoover Complete Performance Bagged Upright Vacuum Cleaner

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Our Ratings

• Effectiveness
  3.8/5
• Maneuverability
  3/5
• Ease of Emptying
  5/5
• Portability
  2.5/5
• Noise Level
  2.5/5

Thanks to its effective performance in the lab and its sturdy design, the Hoover Complete Performance Bagged Upright Vacuum Cleaner is an easy pick for our best upright option. It did a great job on hard floors, and it also proved to be efficient on carpet and furniture alike, picking up debris and hair in just two passes each. This vac also features a 15-inch cleaning path and a 25-foot power cord, so you’ll likely be able to clean entire rooms without needing to change outlets, which is ideal in our book.

Notably, it's also a bagged versus a bagless model. The bagged design, while not seamless, is a benefit for those with allergies who don't want to be exposed to what they just suctioned up. But, if you don’t like the idea of purchasing extra bags, it may not be for you. Another potential downside is that, while this vacuum is efficient and sturdy, it features a slightly bulky design that requires extra effort on stairs. And though it does come with handy attachments—like an extendable hose, pet hair brush, and crevice tool—there’s no additional tool for stairs. However, given its strong suction power displayed in The Lab, we’re still glad to recommend it for your hardwood floors.

Price at time of publish: $155

_{Dimensions: 15 x 15 x 47 inches | Weight: 9.28 pounds | Cord Length: 25 feet | Battery Life: Not applicable | Bin Volume: Not applicable | Cleaning Path Width: 15 inches | Bag Type: Bagged}

Best Canister

Miele Compact C1 Turbo Team Bagged Canister Vacuum

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Our Ratings

• Effectiveness
  4/5
• Maneuverability
  4.5/5
• Ease of Emptying
  4/5
• Noise Level
  5/5
• Setup
  3.5/5

The appropriately named Compact C1 Turbo Team Canister Vacuum wowed us with its super quiet operation, powerful suction, and nimble wand. On average, we only had to make one or two passes over all surfaces to eliminate debris. Replacement vacuum bags are part of the commitment with this bagged canister vacuum, but it helps to know the filter bag capacity is an impressive 3.7 quarts. Plus, there’s no chance of spilling dust or dirt when emptying the canister, which is good news for those who suffer from allergies.

Due to their design, canister vacuums have a reputation for being quiet, but this Miele model was quiet even beyond our expectations. Keep in mind that the nearly 15-pound canister rolls along behind you, as you vacuum with the wand and floor head attachment. The canister was a lot heavier than we expected during assembly and might be a hassle to haul up and down stairs. 

It was incredibly easy to reach under furniture and in tight spaces, though. All in all, this Miele vacuum is an excellent choice for ensuring that every inch of your hardwood floors receives a thorough cleaning.

Price at time of publish: $579

_{Dimensions: 16.9 x 9.1 x 9.8 inches | Weight: 15 pounds | Cord Length: 21 feet | Battery Life: Not applicable | Bin Volume: 3.75 quarts | Cleaning Path Width: Not listed | Bag Type: Bagged}

Best Wet-Dry

Shark VM252 Vacmop Pro Cordless Wet/Dry Stick Vacuum

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Our Ratings

• Ease of Setup
  5/5
• Effectiveness
  5/5
• Maneuverability
  5/5
• Ease of Emptying
  5/5
• Noise Level
  5/5

For an efficient way to vacuum and mop floors, reach for the Shark VACMOP. This wet-dry stick vacuum—one of our favorite inexpensive vacuum cleaners— dispenses cleaning fluid with the push of a button, before mopping it up and vacuuming any debris using a disposable cleaning pad (as a vacuum exclusively for sealed hard surface floors, including tile and vinyl, we didn’t test this model on any carpeted flooring). 

We found that the vacuum’s suction captured particles and hair in fewer than three passes, making it easy and quick to tackle the messes we made. Instead of clinging to the replaceable mop pad, the debris is locked inside of the pad’s dirt chamber. Disposing of the dirty pad and all its debris is as easy as pushing a release button on the floor head, which we appreciated.

We only wished the dirt chamber was larger, giving you more mileage out of each mopping pad. Factor in that this wet-dry vacuum was easy to assemble, extremely quiet, and easy to maneuver, though, and there’s few reasons not to buy the Shark VACMOP as your dual approach to mopping and vacuuming your hardwood floors. As long as you're comfortable with replacing the mop heads and holding the power button, you'll likely be as pleased with it as we were.

Price at time of publish: $100

_{Dimensions: 47.8 x 9.5 x 5.3 inches | Weight: 3.3 pounds | Cord Length: Not applicable | Battery Life: 20 minutes | Bin Volume: 0.03 quarts | Cleaning Path Width: 10 inches | Bag Type: Bagless}

Best with Smart Controls

Tineco Floor One S3 Cordless Floor Cleaner

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Our Ratings

• Effectiveness
  2/5
• Maneuverability
  3/5
• Noise Level
  5/5
• Setup
  4/5
• Value
  3/5

We put this wet-dry vacuum to the test in The Lab and found that it indeed delivers an intuitive and effective clean on any hardwood floor, with user-friendly AI to elevate your vacuuming experience. A sensor calculates how dirty your floors are and automatically adjusts the power, suction, and water flow for optimal cleaning efficiency. You’ll be clued in on what is happening at the floor head with the help of the LCD screen on the top of the canister (expect a learning curve in memorizing what each of the symbols indicate, though).

It glides over hardwood floors and picked up all the debris, though it did leak some dirt. Even still, it was a 5-star cleaning experience—assuming you only use it on hardwood flooring. If you pause the cleaning session, the vacuum stands upright and "idles" without powering off. We were very impressed with this feature in our testing. The quiet operation of this vacuum is a bonus—it was easy to carry a conversation while using it. Other conveniences, like the dual water tanks and the self-cleaning system added to its overall efficiency, making it an impressive pick. It feels sleek and smart while its in use, and if you're looking to step up the technological side of your cleaning routine, it's a great choice.

Price at time of publish: $400

_{Dimensions: 43.3 x 10 x 11.3 inches | Weight: 9.9 pounds | Cord Length: Not applicable | Battery Life: 35 minutes | Bin Volume: 0.4 quarts | Cleaning Path Width: 9 inches | Bag Type: Bagless}