Shark DuoClean
Eureka Mighty Mite
Dyson V7
Shark DuoClean
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The soft rotating brush at the front gently cleans without damaging floors.
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It has strong suction on different types of debris, including sawdust and flour.
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An extra-long cord means you don't have to stop to find a new outlet as often.
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This vacuum is more expensive than most in our comparison.
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The DuoClean created a rather large dust cloud when it was time to empty it.
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It is lightweight and portable for an upright, but it will seem heavy if you are used to a stick vac.
Eureka Mighty Mite
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Strong suction means you can clean up different types of debris with ease.
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The blower feature makes it handy for use in the shop.
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A large dust bag means you don't have to stop to change it out very often.
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This is a relatively loud vacuum that might be annoying for neighbors.
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You cannot adjust the suction on this vacuum cleaner.
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It has a relatively short warranty.
Dyson V7
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The cordless operation is convenient, especially for spot cleaning.
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This one was amazing at picking up flour, meant to simulate fine dust in our testing.
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The long wand makes it easy to clean draperies and other things besides floors.
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A small dustbin means you have to stop and empty more often.
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This one is relatively loud so it might be annoying to housemates and neighbors.
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The battery life is pretty short so you will have to stop and recharge periodically.
Why Trust Us?
We've spent more than 180 hours comparing the best options for bare floor vacuum cleaners since 2014. We've also spent many more hours comparing all types of vacuum cleaners, so we have a broad idea of what matters for this type of flooring specifically. While you do not need a vacuum cleaner that is specifically designed for hardwood floors, you do need one that has the features to protect and clean them most effectively. There is more than one type of vacuum that is effective for cleaning hardwoods, including uprights, canister and stick designs. We looked for the ones from each of those categories that will do the best job of cleaning your floors without damaging them.
We also interviewed experts in the field to get an idea of what to look for when selecting the best of the best. Keith Quimby is a Utah-based vacuum dealer and repairman with more than 30 years of experience. He said quality vacuum cleaners now are so well designed that they can take good care of even the most delicate wood flooring so there is no need to do the extra work of sweeping – just glide over it all with a good vacuum cleaner.
"I don't ever use a broom," Quimby said.
He strongly recommends bagged vacuum cleaners for anyone with allergies, and investing in the best possible unit you can afford. "Cheaper is never better," he said.
How We Tested
We put equal amounts of sawdust and flour on hardwood flooring to see how each vacuum cleaner would respond to different types of messes in your home. We counted passes to gauge suction power. The fewer the number of passes, the better the score. We also emptied dustbins or bags and located and cleaned filters on each vacuum cleaner. We used our observations about those tasks, along with general notes on our experience, to score overall ease of use for each unit. We also made note of things that can impact convenience and cleaning capability, including weight, cord length and bag capacity. We used a sound meter to evaluate noise levels, too, which can impact overall convenience.
Quick Tips
If you can't find a vacuum cleaner without a rolling brush, find one that lets you turn off the rolling brush so you don't damage your floor or scatter debris.
Place plastic or felt pads on your furniture legs so you can move things around when vacuuming without scratching floors.
Key Features to Look
Performance
In addition to strong suction, the best vacuum cleaners for hardwood floors have features designed to protect flooring. Look for units that let you turn off the rolling brush when you are on your hardwood flooring. Those brushes are designed to coax hair and other embedded debris out of carpeting. On hardwoods they scatter debris and even scratch flooring, in some cases.
Convenience & Design
Look for long cords so you don't have to keep finding a new outlet. Also try to find a lightweight device you can easily carry to different areas of your home. And since most manufacturers list the decibel level for each vacuum cleaner, be sure to find one that is relatively quiet.
Design Extras
Look for wheels that are not plastic. Some plastic wheels can damage delicate wood flooring. It is also worth noting what accessories you get with each vacuum cleaner. The more there are, the easier it is to clean your whole house with just one machine.
Help & Support
A long warranty is a good sign that the manufacturer has confidence in the vacuum cleaner. Look for a manufacturer that you can contact in lots of different ways, too, in case you have problems with your vacuum.
