The Best Vacuums for Cleaning Hardwood Floors

Hardwood flooring has different cleaning needs than carpet does. For starters, firm, flat, wood-based surfaces require a lower cleaning head; they also don't require as thick of a bristle brush as some higher pile carpets do. Because rug- and carpet-free floors require less clearance to clean, you have more freedom with the vacuum you employ to do so: Your model can be lightweight and run off of smaller power sources, so battery operated and handheld machines are at your disposal, as well.

There's one catch: Since your options truly aren't limited (just about any and every model on the market is designed to handle a hardwood surface), it can be difficult to narrow down the best possible choice for your home. That's where we come in. The vacuums on this list are state of the art and are known for the ability to tackle hardwood surfaces with ease. They are also instrumental for cleaning specialized or smaller rooms (think bathrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms), that may not have as many free outlets to plug in traditional heavy-duty vacuums—or space, for that matter, to navigate a larger machine.

Of course, if you're supremely tight on space, you might want to find a vacuum that pulls double duty and can clean both hardwood and carpets (bookmark the Blizzard by Miele, which does just that) or one that can cut your cleaning time in half by doing twice the work (like the Swiffer Sweep and Vac, which doubles as both mop and vacuum). A model that doesn't need you at all, like the Samsung Robot Vacuum, is also an option. No matter what your cleaning needs are, you're sure to find the perfect vacuum for your hardwood floor on this list. Choose from canister vacuums, upright models, and even cordless stick varieties—all will help you get the job done, stat.