For most of us, keeping our houses clean is a never ending chore. None of us really like to do it, but we have to anyway. One thing, however, that most people can tolerate is vacuuming the home. Because the vacuum does all of the work, all you have to do is make sure that you cover every inch of surface area and you’ll be clean in no time.
While vacuums have been around for decades, they’ve come a long way in the last few years. Today we’ll be looking at the best stick vacuum for hardwood floors, which can help you reach into tight areas and nooks and crannies. Vacuums are no longer just for floors anymore; now they can be used anywhere and everywhere.
If you’re not familiar with the term, these vacuums are designed to be as thin and lightweight as possible. Many of them resemble standard uprights, but the biggest difference is that they don’t use bags to collect dirt and they can either be corded or cordless. Another primary feature of a stick vacuum is that they can have a hand-vac option, meaning that you can use it as a floor cleaner or a handheld unit for surfaces and ceilings. Overall, stick vacuums are intended for quick and easy cleaning.
Top 5 Stick Vacuum for Hardwood Floors
Picture | Name | Price | Rating |
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 | $ | 4.2 | |
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 | $$ | 4.1 | |
 | $ | 4.3 |
Reviews of the 5 Best Stick Vacuum for Hardwood Floors
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Our first stop is a vacuum that looks unlike anything you’ve ever seen before. You’re probably used to vacuums with flat, square heads that look identical to the ones you could buy in the 50’s. However, Bissell is changing the game by having their device come with a V-shaped head. Why is it this way? So that you can create a better feed system and ensure that you’re picking up everything possible. The way this vacuum works is that the outer edges have small bristles and suction to pick up light debris, while the center of the V is designed to get everything else.
What also makes this design so amazing is that the sides have suction, meaning that you can vacuum along the edge of your walls without leaving a small trail of dirt behind. The other features that we like about this vacuum are the swivel head for tighter turns, the extra long twenty-foot power cord, and the cyclonic technology that does not lose suction. In fact, this vacuum is so good at what it does that Bissell says no attachments are needed, and we’re inclined to agree.
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As far as vacuum brands go, Hoover is one of the oldest and most respected. Essentially, they’ve been around long enough to know what makes a good vacuum, which brings us to the Linx Bagless Stick Vacuum. What makes this model unique is its super thin design and flexibility. While it doesn’t come with a handheld unit, you can maneuver into tight spaces much easier than with other designs.
One of the best features of this vacuum is that it comes with a powered brush roll, which means that you can pull it up for hard floors and push it back down for carpeting. As we mentioned, vacuums that don’t have this feature won’t work equally well on different flooring, but this one can and does. As far as flexibility goes, its swivel head allows you to make tight turns, and its extreme recline option means that you can go under even the shortest of furniture, making it even easier to clean since you don’t have to move everything beforehand. Another excellent bonus is that there is a recoil option for the power cord so that you don’t have to spend as much time re-wrapping it around the base.
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Since this brand came out several years ago, Dyson Vacuums have become some of the best in the industry, with their world famous “no loss of suction” design. That same attention to detail and precision engineering comes to this handheld stick vacuum, the V6 Motor Head. This is also a cordless unit, meaning that you have a full range of motion at your disposal.The only major downside to this vacuum is that it lasts for twenty minutes on a full charge.
One positive thing about it though is that it doesn’t slow down as the battery dies, meaning that you can get almost full suction all the way until it gives out. Also, the vacuum is trigger-operated so that you don’t waste power. The design of the vacuum is such that you can use it on both floors and for other surfaces. You can detach the floor scrubber and use the vacuum to reach into corners and various other nooks and crannies. This model even comes with a mini detail scrubber brush so you can use it on electronic devices like your computer’s keyboard.
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Next, we have another vacuum that is both cordless and does double duty. This stick vacuum from Anker is great because it lasts longer than other battery-operated models such as the Dyson above, and it has a powerful cyclonic system that doesn’t lose suction. As far as power goes, you can operate for up to sixty minutes in Eco mode, or up to twenty-four minutes if you want full suction. .
That also applies to the handheld vacuum that attaches to the base. Best of all, the amount of power doesn’t die as the battery runs out, meaning that you get full suction all the way through. Another fabulous feature that we like about this vacuum is that it comes with an HEPA-style air filter to ensure that dust and debris don't blow back out into the air. Overall, this is a low-maintenance device that can help you clean much easier than before.
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Our final stop is with another 2-in-1 Vacuum. This particular model reminds us a lot of the Anker above as it has a lot of the same features and benefits. One of the main selling points of this vacuum is that it is cordless and can last for up to fifty minutes on a single charge..
Other features that we like are the easy detaching dust cup, the swivel turning head, and the HEPA-style air filter. This is another excellent vacuum that can make cleaning a lot more enjoyable overall.
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Read more about the 10 best hardwood floor vacuums in 2018!
How to Choose a Stick Vacuum for Hardwood Floors
Cord vs. Cordless
These days it seems like everything is moving away from cords. Phones, computers, and now cleaning supplies are unplugging from the outlet, at least for a temporary amount of time at least. While it is nice to have a free range of movement, cordless vacuums are only able to clean for a short period before they become corded again. The only difference is that when they are charging, they can’t be used unless you get an extra long charging cable.
Overall, we prefer the old methods of plugging in your vacuum, assuming that you have to do more than a half-hour’s worth of cleaning. That being said, you can buy a stick vacuum for spot cleaning on your countertops and cabinets, which shouldn’t require a power cord at all.
When trying to decide if you need a cord, first figure out what kind of cleaning you will be doing and then time yourself. If you can manage with a short amount of battery life, then get a cordless model. Otherwise, it might not be worth the added maneuverability.
Size and Weight
As we mentioned, the stick vacuum is designed to be as lightweight and portable as possible. With that in mind, choose a model that is light enough that you can carry it anywhere in your home with ease. Also, be sure that if it has a handheld option, you can hold it up to the ceiling for extended periods if you want to use it for cobwebs and ceiling fans.
Another thing to think about regarding size is whether or not you’re getting it for speed or agility. If you get a stick vacuum for hardwood floors, for speed, then that means it has a wide mouth and can pick up more dirt in less time (fewer passes). However, if you want one that is more agile, that means it can go into tight corners and remove dirt and dust from the hardest to reach places. For best results, you will want to get a 2-in-1 model, which we’ll go over shortly.
Versatility
When we say versatility, you might be thinking about the speed vs. agility thing we just went over. However, what we really mean is whether it can handle carpet and hard floors equally well. Most vacuums that claim that they will work on both have a disadvantage towards one of them, meaning that it’s incredibly difficult to find a vacuum that can truly do the job on both floor types all the time.
As a rule, if it has brushes, it’s best on the carpet, but if it doesn’t, then you should use it on hard floors more. Some higher end models will have brushes that you can turn on and off depending on the floor type, meaning that it can do equally well.
2-in-1 Design
This style refers to a vacuum that also has a handheld unit inside. The upright body will handle carpeting and rugs with ease, while your hand vacuum can clean surfaces and hardwood floors much better. If you want to make sure that you save time in the long run, sweep your hard surfaces first and then vacuum up the pile of dirt and hair that you collect. This way you don’t have to worry about running out of juice with a cordless model.
Final Verdict
After looking at each of these vacuums, we have to say that our top pick is the Anker 2-in-1 Vacuum Cleaner. Because it has both units, you can clean your whole house from top to bottom without having to give up on the quality of service. The only downside is that you have a limited amount of time as it is cordless, meaning that you have to be strategic in where you clean.
For those that prefer a corded model, we highly recommend the Bissell PowerEdge. We love the V-shape design that sucks up all kinds of material with ease. While not technically a stick vacuum, it is perfect for both carpet and hard floors, as long as you don’t have too much hair on your tile or hardwood.