The 5 Best Cordless Vacuums for Hardwood Floors of 2023, Tested and Reviewed

Final Verdict

Our top pick is the Dyson Omni-Glide+ because it gave an impressive performance on both hardwood floors and stairs in our testing. What’s more, it’s super lightweight and comes with a soft nylon floor head designed with delicate hardwood flooring in mind.

For a more budget-friendly option, the Black + Decker Powerseries Extreme Cordless Stick Vacuum is just as effective as more expensive models at sucking up debris from hardwood flooring, including hair, and can be used on carpet and tile as well. Plus, the spinning brush has an on/off switch, so you can use just the suction when vacuuming hardwoods. 

Our Testing Process

We acquired 16 cordless vacuums and put them through a series of tests in our Lab in order to determine which ones are the best for use on hardwood floors. First, we evaluated the setup of each vacuum by timing how long it took to assemble from the moment of opening the box. Next, we ran each vacuum on the lowest setting until the battery ran out and recorded its runtime (the Hoover Onepwr Evolve Pet Cordless Vacuum had the longest runtime out of all the vacuums on our list). We then fully recharged the battery and repeated the test, this time setting the vacuum to its highest speed. During these tests, we also used a decibel reader to measure the noise level of each vacuum on the highest and lowest settings. We also took note of whether the vacuum would remain standing when leaned against a wall or if it was too top heavy to stay upright.

To evaluate the effectiveness of each vacuum on hardwood flooring, we used each to suck up a combination of Cheerios, coffee grounds, and popcorn kernels and then again to suck up wig hair. We then combined all the debris, and sprinkled it over a path that we outlined using tape. During this part of the test, we evaluated each vacuum’s maneuverability, considering its ability to pick up debris from corners, edges and tight spaces. We also evaluated the portability of the vacuums by using their crevice tools (when applicable) to clean torn up cotton balls from a high shelf. We also used the crevice tool or upholstery attachment (for those vacuums that have one) to clean debris from an upholstered chair. 

Finally, we evaluated the emptying process of each vacuum by emptying it into the garbage can or by removing the bag. For vacuums with washable filters (like our best overall pick, the Dyson Omni-Glide+), we made sure to clean those as well. After the testing was complete, our testers received the retail price of each vacuum and scored its overall value considering both its price and its performance. We will be sending these cordless vacuums home with real-world testers who will continue to provide feedback as they use them in their own homes. 

How to Shop for Cordless Vacuums for Hardwood Floors Like a Pro

Brush Roll 

While a spinning brush roll is great for agitating carpet fibers, when used on hard surfaces, it can spread debris around and even scratch your hardwood floors if the bristles are too coarse. “The most important thing to remember is to disengage your vacuum’s beater bar when cleaning hardwood floors,” says Lightfoot. 

Thus, you should look for a vacuum with an on/off switch for the brush roll, so you can turn it off as needed for hardwood floors. Some vacuums may include no brush roll at all or separate attachments intended for cleaning hard floors. If you plan to use your vacuum to clean both hardwood floors and carpet, then a switch that allows you to turn off the brush roll (or at least lower the speed) may be most convenient for transitioning between floor types.

Weight and Bin Capacity

Cleaning high-pile carpet can sometimes require a heavier vacuum to help lift deeply embedded dirt from the carpet fibers. But if you’re looking for a cordless vacuum primarily for hardwood floors, you’re better off going with a lightweight model that’s easy to maneuver and carry up and down stairs. The eufy HomeVac H30 Infinity is the lightest of all those on our list at just 1.8 pounds. The trade-off of lightweight cordless vacuums is that they usually come with a smaller dustbin, which means you’ll need to empty them more frequently.

Runtime 

Although some manufacturers claim that their cordless vacuums have a runtime of up to 60 minutes, we found most of the vacuums in our testing to range between 20 and 45 minutes of runtime when used on the lowest setting. The median runtime out of all those we tested was 33.5 minutes on the lowest setting. 

Attachments and Accessories 

Most of today’s cordless vacuums come with a number of attachments for cleaning various surfaces. Common attachments include crevice tools for getting into hard-to-reach places, upholstery tools, and pet tools for tackling stubborn pet hair. When choosing a cordless vacuum for hardwood floors in specific, be sure to look for vacuums with floor heads designed for use on hardwood floors (unless it already comes with an on/off switch that can turn off the spinning brush roll). Some vacuums even come with a mophead attachment, too.

More Cordless Vacuums for Hardwood Floors to Consider

Belife Cordless Vacuum: This compact vacuum was easy to use and fit nicely under tight spaces in our testing. It also comes with several attachments and doubles as a handheld vacuum. However, it did struggle a bit when transitioning between hardwood floors and carpet. 

Miele Triflex HX2 Cat & Dog Cordless Vacuum: This cordless vacuum from Miele did well enough on hardwood floors, but it was the most expensive cordless vacuum we tested, and we think there are better options for the price.

Questions You Might Ask

Is it better to vacuum or sweep hardwood floors?

“Either method is effective for cleaning your hardwood floors, as long as you have a soft floor attachment for your vacuum,” says Lightfoot. Vacuuming hardwood floors is generally less labor intensive than sweeping. But which vacuum you use matters: If your vacuum has a hard-bristled, spinning brush roll that cannot be turned off, you’re better off sweeping to avoid damaging your floors—this applies to cleaning laminate wood floors as well.

How often should you vacuum hardwood floors?

The NWFA recommends “sweeping with a broom or using a soft microfiber dust mop on wood floors on a daily basis, and then using a vacuum on the bare floor setting once a week or as necessary,” says Miller. “Every month, use a cleaning product made specifically for the finish on the floor, for a deeper clean, which is something your flooring professional can provide or recommend to you.” Those with pets or kids will need to clean hard floors more often, according to Lightfoot.  

Take Our Work for It

This article was written by Melanie Fincher, associate commerce editor for Real Simple with three years of experience writing product reviews and lifestyle content. To compile this list, we tested 16 cordless stick vacuums in our Lab and evaluated them on factors such as runtime, noise level, effectiveness, maneuverability, and overall value. For expert insight, Melanie spoke with Brett Miller, vice president of technical standards, training, and certification for the National Wood Flooring Association and Holly Lightfoot, director of merchandising at LL Flooring. 

What Is Real Simple Selects? 

Next to each product on this list, you may have noticed a Real Simple Selects seal of approval. Any product appearing alongside that seal has been vetted by our team—put through tests and graded on its performance to earn a spot on our list. Although we buy most of the products we test, sometimes we do get samples from companies if purchasing a product ourselves isn’t an option. All products go through the same rigorous process, whether they are purchased or sent by the company.

Love our recommendations? Check out more products that have earned the Real Simple Selects, from humidifiers to cordless vacuums.