Hardwood floors are an increasingly popular choice in homes today.
Not all cleaning jobs are equal and for this type of flooring, it pays to think carefully before diving in and getting an unsuitable vacuum.
In today’s best cordless vacuum for hardwood floors reviews, we’ll walk you through what to look out for to get the most effective vac without damaging your precious floors.
First thing’s first, what do you need to think about before you buy?
What To Consider In A Vacuum For Hardwood Floors
Suction: Less Is More
If you have hardwood floors, you do not need to place a premium on super-strong suction. Where this comes into its own for carpet, it’s entirely unnecessary with wooden flooring.
The exception here is the kind of natural wood floor that has deeper grooves. Here, a little extra grunt might come in handy.
In general, a vac with low to medium suction is more than fit for purpose.
Say No To Brush Rolls
Beater bars, also known as brush bars, help to thoroughly clean carpets but play havoc with hardwood floors. Look out for a vacuum with no brush bar or one you can deactivate when buffing up your bare floors. Ignore this advice and risk leaving scratches and marks all over the wood.
Attachments
Putting the finishing touches onto a cleaning job often hinges on the attachments you get with your vacuum.
Soft brushes and dusting brushes come in useful while an edging tool and crevice tool are indispensable.
While it’s not worth basing your choice purely on what attachments are offered, if all else is equal, opt for the vacuum with the most generous add-on pack.
Padding
Plastic and wood don’t mix well. If you shoot for a general vacuum or one designed more with carpets in mind, you could well end up damaging your floor as you lug your plastic vacuum around.
Most dedicated hardwood flooring vacuums, on the other hand, come equipped with appropriate padding where it counts.
Pay particular attention to the wheels. If there’s no rubber or padding, you again take the chance of gouging your wooden flooring.
Hose
Ensuring your vacuum has proper reach is key if you want a slick, spotless finish without hurting yourself into the bargain.
Vacuums with longer hoses take the strain out of cleaning and let you focus on the job at hand.
With a cordless, you won’t need to worry about the power cable so make sure you don’t sell yourself short with a short hose.
Type Of Wood Flooring
Take the time to analyze what type of hardwood flooring you have. This could make all the difference between cleaning your floors impeccably and wrecking them completely.
Some hardwood is coated and treated to make it much more durable and so able to stand up to a bit more punishment.
If, on the other hand, your hardwood is softer and more delicate, it really pays to think about the padding and protection on your vacuum to make sure you don’t end up butchering it.
Do You Have Mixed Flooring?
Although hardwood floor is popular, it’s also rare that a home has exclusively bare surfaces.
If you do have just wood then feel free to choose based on that. For anyone with carpets as well, it’s worth opting for a vacuum that serves double duty.
OK, now you know what to look out for, we’ll give you a very brief snapshot of the different styles of cordless vacuum at your disposal…
Related: Top Vacuum For Laminate Floors on market
Best Type Of Vacuum For Hardwood Floors
Give that the focus of today’s reviews is purely on cordless models, here are the 4 main styles you can choose from for buffing up your hard flooring:
- Stick
- Upright
- Handheld
- Canister
Stick
Think of a stick as a slimmed-down version of an upright. You won’t get the suction power delivered by an upright but then you don’t really need that for your hard flooring.
Sticks also tend to have scaled-back functionality but they’ll get the job done well on hardwood.
The main drawback with stick vacuums is their awkwardness navigating under your furniture or in any tight spots. Think about the layout of your home and buy accordingly.
Upright
A beefier version of a stick, uprights are heavy-duty freestanding vacuums.
With strong suction, superb filtration along with all the whistles and bells, these vacuums are normally the most expensive and most effective.
If you have a spacious house with an expanse of wooden flooring, investing in a bulky upright makes sense. Just make sure that the brush roll can be deactivated and there are ample attachments to make your job easier.
Handheld
While a handheld has a tiny footprint and is the ultimate in portability, they don’t really make sense as a primary vacuum. If you want the convenience they offer when it comes to cleaning up unexpected messes or working your way up the stairs, think about adding one to your cleaning arsenal.
Although they are great with hard flooring, think twice if you experience lots of stubborn stains and ingrained dirt in your house. They might not be man enough for the job.
Canister
Made from two sections, a suction head and a hose, canisters are a breeze to move around the house.
The portable nature of canisters along with suction power which is adequate without going over the top means they can work very well on hardwood floors.
An added bonus is that canisters frequently come with interchangeable heads so you can make sure that there’s no damage to your wooden surfaces while still getting them squeaky clean.
The 10 Best Cordless Vacuum For Hardwood Floors Reviews
Now you’ve got the basic background you need, it’s time for our best cordless vacuum for hardwood floors reviews…
1. Dyson V6 Absolute Cordless Vacuum
Dyson are a true legend in the vacuum industry. It seems fitting to kick off our best cordless vacuum for hardwood floors reviews with the V6 Absolute, a true classic.
Although it’s brutally expensive, the V6 will clean both hardwood floors and carpets so your house is gleaming all over.
Many cordless vacs fall down due to insufficient cleaning time and suction fading as the battery dies. The V6 gives you a full 20 minutes before you need more juice and the fade-free suction remains strong from gun to tape.
While the direct drive cleaner head excels on carpets, use the soft roller cleaner head which will zap up both fine dust and bigger debris from your hardwood flooring without marring the surfaces.
There’s a neat detachable wand so you also enjoy the benefit of a handheld without the restrictions.
With whole machine HEPA-filtration, allergy and asthma sufferers are in safe hands. All contaminants are safely locked inside not catapulted back into your living space.
Weighing just over 5 pounds, you’ll enjoy all of this functionality without straining yourself.
You can buy without a headache knowing you’re covered by the standard 2-year Dyson warranty in case anything goes wrong.
our verdict
We can’t recommend the Dyson V6 Absolute strongly enough. It’s a very strong contender for the best cordless vacuum for hardwood floors and worth a place at the top of any shortlist.
Purchase this Product at Amazon.com
2. Hoover BH50020PC Linx Signature Cordless Vacuum
Hoover’s reputation in the vacuum space is such that in the UK, the name Hoover is used to refer to all vacuums regardless of brand.
The Linx is a superb cordless stick at an extremely keen price point.
Harnessing lithium-ion battery technology and packing a Smart Charge unit, you get all the flexibility of a cordless without wondering when your vacuum needs some juice.
The brushroll works equally well on carpets and hardwood floor. The on/off switch is placed in reach of your fingers and there is also a battery indicator here putting user experience uppermost.
With Hoover’s proprietary WindTunnel technology, suction deals with both surface dirt and more stubborn stains fuss-free.
If you want a vacuum that’s perfect for mixed flooring without needing to take out a bank loan, think seriously about road testing the Hoover Linx. It delivers fully and will keep your hardwood floors looking good as new.
Purchase this Product at Amazon.com
For an affordable but hard-hitting vacuum, Shark is a name you can trust.
The Navigator is an extremely lightweight and maneuverable stick weighing a fraction over 7 pounds while still delivering the performance you would expect from a Shark product.
The swivel steering combined with its slimline feel means moving the Navigator around is super-simple.
With a bumper-sized dust cup, you can vacuum for longer without needing to empty the container. When you do need to ditch the contents, you can do so without coming into contact with the debris, a common issue with bagless vacuums.
The dual-speed brush roll allows you to maximize your cleaning potential and work confidently on carpets or hardwood floors. You’ll get all the suction and power you need for your carpeting and no harshness when you move onto the hardwood.
Shark’s 1-year limited warranty means you can rest easy in the unlikely event of any kind of malfunction.
Purchase this Product at Amazon.com
4. Dyson V8 Absolute Cordless Vacuum
Another Dyson is up next as we continue our best cordless vacuum for hardwood floors reviews.
The V8 Absolute is even pricier than the smaller V6 but you really do get fantastic overall value. Sure, this is not a vacuum for everyone much like a Rolls-Royce is not a car for everyone. If, though, you have the budget to spare and you want a first class hardwood floor cleaning solution, read on…
With double the battery capacity of the V6, the V8 Absolute keeps running for an impressive 40 minutes before needing a charge. This drops to a still-commendable 25 minutes with the motorized floor tool hooked up and you can enjoy a burst of raw power for 7 minutes with Max Power Mode.
When you’re done cleaning, pop the V8 along with its attachments onto the docking station for space-saving storage.
With a pair of cleaner heads to choose from, the V8 is ideal for homes with mixed flooring. Whether you need to agitate stubborn grime in your carpets or glide over your hardwood floors without damaging them, the Dyson has got you covered.
For a top-tier cordless vacuum for hardwood floors, the V8 Absolute from Dyson takes some beating.
Purchase this Product at Amazon.com
5. Hoover Air Cordless Series Vacuum Cleaner
Another mid-range cordless with outstanding performance from Hoover, this time from the Air series.
If you thought the Dyson V8 gave you exceptional cleaning time, Hoover trumps this with an astonishing 50 minutes on a single charge. This is more than enough to clean even large spaces without breaking your stride.
The substantial 11-inch cleaning path lets you get more done in less time and the Air is comfortable on all types of flooring. This makes it particularly valuable for anyone with a mix of carpets and hardwood in the house.
It packs quite a punch but weighs just 10 pounds so you can navigate with ease and you won’t spoil your wooden flooring either.
The filter is washable and reusable which slashes ongoing running costs, something that can blight other vacuums that initially seem cheap but have you constantly running out for replacement filters or bags.
The dusting tool is great and there’s a removable wand to simplify cleaning your stairs.
All of this is crowned by an industry-leading 5-year warranty. This demonstrates clearly how Hoover stands behind their products.
If you want a powerful cordless vacuum that acquits itself well on all surfaces and will keep going for almost an hour, the Hoover Air is the logical choice. Check one out today!
Purchase this Product at Amazon.com
6. Eufy HomeVac Duo 2-in-1 Cordless Vacuum Cleaner
Eufy might not be a household name but their understated vacuums are a combination of affordability, slick design and capable performance.
Enjoy around 25 minutes of fade-free suction thanks to the lithium-ion battery. If you’re working in larger areas, Eco Mode extends run time to the best part of an hour.
This 2-in-1 bagless stick and handheld offers you a great deal of flexibility when you’re cleaning.
Cleaning the filter and dust collector is seamless and won’t leave you covered in dirt.
Since suction is not over the top, the HomeVac is a smart choice for anyone with hardwood floors. The cyclonic system keeps dust away from the filter and allows just enough suction without the risk of ruining your wooden floors. It’s also a strong performer on rugs and carpets so perfect for anyone with a variety of surfaces.
You won’t get too much by the way of accessories but the crevice tool and dusting brush are worthwhile additions.
For a nicely-priced cordless vacuum for your hardwood floors, check out Eufy’s HomeVac. It will not disappoint.
Purchase this Product at Amazon.com
7. Prolux Ion Battery Powered Bagless Cordless Stick Vacuum
We like to include more than just the obvious here so next up in our best cordless vacuum for hardwood floors reviews is another lesser-known brand, Prolux, and their cordless Ion stick.
You get the advantages of a lightweight and portable stick but can also detach a handheld if you want to clean up sudden spills or clean your stairs without lugging the whole unit up and down.
The lithium-ion battery ensures you have all the convenience of a cordless with around half an hour of run time so you can get your cleaning done without running out of power.
The electric brush roll means you can switch easily from hardwood to carpet while ensuring cleaning is optimized on both surfaces.
The motor is covered for 2 years while the whole unit comes with a 1-year limited warranty.
For a wonderful cordless vacuum for hardwood floors, why not give the Prolux Ion a shot?
Purchase this Product at Amazon.com
8. Dibea C01 Cordless Upright Vacuum Cleaner
Another consistently well-reviewed but less common cordless is the Dibea C01.
If you have multiple surfaces in your house, avail yourself of the powerful suction on your carpets then let the adjustable brush roll clean your hardwood floors more gently to avoid any chance of damage.
You’ll get a handheld as well as an upright with the C01 so you can deal with the major flooring inside then clean your stairs, furniture and even your car with ease.
Swivel steering makes navigation a cinch while 4 sets of LEDs illuminate darkened areas and guarantees you don’t end up missing dirty spots.
You’ll get anywhere from 30 to 40 minutes of power before you need to recharge the Dibea. This should make the nut even if you have a larger property to clean up.
All major faults are covered with a 1-year limited warranty.
For a great cordless vacuum for hardwood floor and carpets, the Dibea C01 is well worth your further investigation.
Purchase this Product at Amazon.com
9. BLACK+DECKER DB1800SV Dust Buster
BLACK + DECKER makes a staggering array of appliances and they are no slouch when it comes to vacuums.
The Dust Buster is a super-light cordless stick that doubles up as a handheld for smaller cleaning jobs.
The dust container is transparent so you can see clearly and easily when it’s time to empty it. It’s a clean and easy job to ditch the contents and get straight back to business.
You’ll get more than enough power to restore your hardwood floors to a showroom state. There’s also a high-powered brush roll so you can deal with your rugs and carpets sucking up even heavily ingrained mess.
There’s a crevice tool, dusting brush and spare filter thrown in which is about what you’d expect from a vacuum at this price point.
The standard 2-year BLACK + DECKER warranty allows you to buy the Dust Buster without fretting about breakdown.
For a multi-purpose vacuum that works effectively on all surfaces, you could do far worse than the BLACK + DECKER Dust Buster. Check one out today and enjoy sparkling hardwood floors tomorrow.
Purchase this Product at Amazon.com
10. Dyson DC35 Digital Slim Multi-Floor Cordless Vacuum Cleaner
Last on our list of the best cordless vacuum cleaners for hardwood floors is yet another Dyson, this time the DC35, a slimline vac that deals with all surfaces with comparable ease.
The powerful Dyson motor places this vacuum among the most capable cordless machines on the market.
There’s a neat motorized floor tool which will whisk all dirt away in a flash. The brushes have carbon fiber bristles so they get the job nailed without causing havoc on your hardwood. For carpets, there are stiffer nylon bristles.
The 22.2V lithium-ion battery makes sure the charge is released evenly and you won’t experience any tiresome reduction in suction as you near the end of the running time.
All of this is crowned with the usual Dyson warranty so you can buy in total confidence.
Purchase this Product at Amazon.com
Summary ( best cordless vacuum for hardwood floor)
Here’s hoping you’ve found some useful, actionable advice in our best cordless vacuum for hardwood floor reviews.
Feel free to reach out any time if you have any queries or feedback. We respond promptly and we’re more than happy to help in any way you can.
Now, ditch that cord, get the right cordless vacuum for your hard flooring and please come back soon!