Hardwood floors make any space look a little nicer, but they do require some special care to keep them looking new. That means a good cleaning regimen including, importantly, a great vacuum for hardwood floors.
But what makes a vacuum great for hardwood floors? For starters, you'll want a vacuum with soft bristles — and you can even get away with a vacuum with no brush roller at all. Brush rollers are great for cleaning plush carpeting, but can cause fine scratches on wood flooring. For safety, make sure your hardwood vacuum either has multiple brush rolls or attachments for carpet vs. hardwood, or an option to turn the brush-roll off. A good hardwood vacuum will also have strong suction to do a better job getting into the crevices between the planks of wood.
How we test vacuums
Here at the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab, we continually test all types of vacuums, from canister vacuums to robot vacuums to handheld vacuums, for how well they remove dirt deeply embedded into pile carpet and simulated pet hair evenly spread on a carpet’s surface. We also look at how well they remove large and small debris from hard flooring like hardwood, tile, or linoleum, how well they clean along floor edges and how effective their suction is. We also test them for ease-of-use and cleaning or emptying, maneuverability and weight and battery run-time for cordless vacuum cleaners. Based on our findings, these are our favorites to keep those hardwood floors dust and scratch-free. Here are the best vacuum cleaners for hardwood floors in 2021:
Top performer for picking up dirt and debris in our tests
Brush roll can be turned on and off from handle
Has telescopic wand
More expensive than some other canister vacuums
Designed to clean low- to medium-pile carpet as well as all types of hard floors, this Miele Canister is a lab favorite. Miele Canisters consistently top our tests by proving ultra-powerful and are best at picking up and trapping dirt and debris from carpet and bare floors.
This model has a telescopic wand and tools to tackle hard-to-reach spots. You can turn the brush roll on and off from the handle and adjust the head height by tapping the foot pedal.
This rechargeable, cordless appliance combines the benefits of a Swiffer with the suction of a vacuum. The dry sweeper gets into crevices and picks up fine debris that traditional vacuums can miss and the vacuum is good for larger debris. One Amazon reviewer says, "I have two other competitor vacuum type products that are going to the garage sale. I'm amazed at how light, how powerful (but still quiet) and maneuverable."
We love this vacuum’s unique, air-powered soft brush that’s gentle on wood floors while still removing dirt and debris from crevices. The brush sweeps away particles in the wood floor crevices so they can be vacuumed up without scratching the floor like other vacuum brushes. It’s compact design also makes it easy to carry from room to room. Though we haven’t tested this model, Bissell vacuums always do well in our Cleaning Lab tests and have impressively innovative features.
Best Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner for Hardwood Floors
This vacuum automatically adjusts its suction according to whatever surface you're vacuuming, whether you're running it over high-pile carpet or a wood floor. It also comes with a screen that shows you how much run-time is remaining and how to fix any mechanical problems your vacuum may experience.
Sure, it does the usual things like pick up pet hair and clean under the bed, but that's just the beginning. Whenever Roomba finds its way "home," it dispenses the debris it's collected into the base so it's ready to go again. It's easy to program and we love the sealable, replaceable dust bag in the base. It isn't messy to empty like other robots are, so it's perfect for allergy sufferers.
Best Floor Washing Vacuum Cleaner for Hardwood Floors
The Bissell CrossWave is a unique floor cleaning appliance that uses a soft brush roll with one row of stiff bristles, suction and a rear-mounted cleaning solution and water tank to vacuum up dry and wet debris from hard floors and low pile rugs. It dispenses a cleaning solution to wash and remove dirt and stains from these surfaces, including hardwood.
In our tests, the CrossWave quickly and easily picked up the staining debris and thoroughly cleaned the flooring in just a few passes without smearing the soil or staining adjacent areas.
Best Cordless 2-in-1 Vacuum Cleaner for Hardwood Floors
Can remove canister and hose to vacuum hard-to-reach places
Automatically adjusts suction for floor type
Some debris can get stuck in wheels
We love that this combo 2-in-1 vacuum has a removable canister and hose that makes it convenient to vacuum hardwood floors, stairs, ceilings and other hard-to-reach places. Plus it's foolproof to use because it automatically adjusts suction for bare floor (or thick carpet). Testers liked that it has touch controls, a 34-minute run time and a compactor for dust that means less frequent empties. During our analysis it picked up almost 99% of debris, but a few bits got stuck on the wheels. The canister can be used with attachments, including a 3-in-1 nozzle, a crevice tool and an upholstery brush that all clip on so you always know where they are.
When we tested this Dyson stick vacuum at home, we were impressed how well it worked on wood floors. It has two soft, fluffy rollers, goes in any direction and is just the perfect size for stair treads, the edges of the room and around area rugs. The soft rollers pick up large debris and fine particles with ease, all without scratching the wood floor. Plus, it's lightweight and rechargeable.
What to Look for in a Hardwood Floor Vacuum
There’s no one size fits all for vacuums for hardwood floors, different vacuums will suit different needs. Here’s what to look for when shopping for a hardwood floor vacuum:• Look for brush rollers or attachments specifically for hardwood floors. These soft brushes will sweep away debris from the cracks and crevices between wood floor boards and nab the finest dust particles for a more thorough cleaning. Brush attachments are also usually low enough to get to the hard-reach-places like under furniture. If a model with a rotating brush is your only option, look for a vacuum that has a switch to turn the brush off. The downside is that it won’t be as effective at sweeping away debris from deep crevices.• Strong suction power is important in a good hardwood vacuum. Not only will good suction power pick up large debris, but it will also pick up pet hair and fine dirt or dust, and it will do a better job of nabbing particles lodged between the planks of wood.• Each style of vacuum will suit different needs. Cordless vacuums are ideal for someone that finds themselves switching rooms frequently while vacuuming. Canister vacuums are extremely versatile and do a great job cleaning floors, stairs, furniture, lamp shades and more. A robot vacuum will do the vacuuming for you with a push of the button. Stick vacuums are often convenient to store, taking up little storage space and tend to be lightweight.•Consider the weight of the vacuum. Be sure to check the weight of the vacuum and take into consideration how much weight you’re willing to push around while vacuuming, carry up and down stairs or room to room.
Is it OK to vacuum hardwood floors?
Yes! In fact, hardwood floors should be vacuumed regularly to remove the fine dirt and debris that can dull the finish and get lodged in the cracks and crevices. Frequent vacuuming is one of the best ways to care for them!
Is it better to sweep or vacuum hardwood floors?
While sweeping is a great way to clean up large debris, it’s best to vacuum hardwood floors to get rid of fine dust and particles that sweeping may miss, especially in the wood floor crevices.
• If you see a light scuff, buff it out with a sock or clean, fuzzy, tennis ball.
• To remove heavier scuffs, apply a little baking soda to a damp cloth and gently rub the mark until it disappears. Rinse with a damp paper towel and buff dry.
• If floors start to look worn, it's time to refinish them and call in a pro.
Carolyn Forte, Good Housekeeping InstituteExecutive Director, Home Care & Cleaning LabCarolyn Forte, a consumer products expert, is the executive director of the Home Care & Cleaning Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she oversees all testing, research and editorial production involving cleaning appliances and products, like vacuum cleaners, dishwashers, detergents and more.
Jamie KimJamie Kim is a consumer products expert with over 15 years of experience in areas of product development and manufacturing.
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