The right vacuum can make life infinitely easier; however, you can’t use just any hoover on hardwood. The best vacuum for hardwood floors won’t scratch or cause damage, so we tested dozens of highly rated models and spoke to experts to recommend the most ideal for your home.
“The vacuum should have soft rubber wheels, so scratching or marring does not occur when moving and manipulating the vacuum across the wood floors,” explains Paul Henthorn, owner of Slaughterbeck Floors in Campbell, California. “And power brushes on canister vacuums should be avoided in favor of the soft brush attachments.” What’s wrong with power brushes? Paul says they can potentially remove the finish and wood fibers from the grain of the floors. Beater bars can also be too hard on this type of floor.
Keeping this as well as usability in mind, we focused on cordless stick vacuums, instead of heavy corded upright vacuums (because who wants to lug around and trip over power cords?), since they are ideal for avoiding unnecessary wear and tear on your floor and your body.
We’re also including the best robot vacuums, which are not only lightweight enough that they won’t harm your hardwood floors, but offer an unparalleled level of convenience, including features such as moppingand vacuuming, self-charging, self-emptying, and programmable options.
Paul says the best way to maintain hardwood flooring is by vacuuming or sweeping them. “Vacuuming is optimal, as sweeping makes the dust/pathogens go up in the air, only to come back down.”
And that’s why Diana Rodriguez-Zaba, president of ServiceMaster Restoration by Zaba in Chicago, Illinois, recommends vacuums with HEPA filters. “They’re best for hardwood floors because floors tend to accumulate a ton of dust, pollen, and other allergens that can easily become airborne once disturbed,” she explains. “HEPA filters effectively eliminate these pollutants from your floors without spreading them in the air and contaminating your home.”
John Milligan, R&D product development manager at N-Hance Wood Refinishing in Logan, Utah, says it’s also important to understand which type of vacuum to use and when. “Robotic vacuums are for daily cleaning, so you’ll likely want to do your research and invest in one that is capable of learning your floor plan and covering the entire main floor throughout the day,” he says.
For heavier cleaning, John recommends stick vacuums above all. “Make sure your stick vacuum can go on both hardwood and carpet and that it is padded in some way, so that it glides over your flooring without risk of scratches.” In addition, he suggests looking at very flexible vacuums with attachments that can fit into every area.
At the bottom of the article, we’ve included tips from these experts on how to maintain your floor. But first, these are the best cordless stick and robot vacuums for hardwood floors.
Best Vacuum Cleaner Overall:LG Cordless A9 Kompressor with Power Mop