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Weve tested over 300 vacuums, and these are the most powerful and effective models.
Photo:Real Simple
Its a bit heavier than other options.
This vacuum exceeded our expectations by picking up 100% of the debris in just one pass.
After 48 seconds, all of the dust, sand, and hair were gone.
PHOTO: Best Buy
It glided smoothly over the hardwood floor, with very little force needed to propel it forward.
The Shark Stratos has an answer for that problem.
It comes with a self-cleaning brush roll designed to pick up pet hair without getting tangled.
PHOTO: Real Simple
The swivel on this vacuum makes it difficult to steer.
There wasnt an option to turn the lights off, which we would have liked.
Its really up to your personal preference whether that is a benefit or drawback.
Despite this con, we were pleased with its 40-minute run time.
It’s heavy and difficult to move around steps.
You cant go wrong witha classic upright vacuum, and were big fans of this option from Shark.
Plus, the dust cup is large enough for fairly long cleaning sessions.
However, we do wish the vacuum had headlights to make navigating dark crevices easier.
Despite its large size, the vacuum was surprisingly easy to maneuver around and under furniture.
But if youre okay with the devices weight, then youll be glad you picked up this affordable vacuum.
Its high price point may be a deterrent for some.
Dyson’s Gen5detect vacuum cleaner is a high-end model that we feel is certainly worth the splurge.
The handle can feel uncomfortable with prolonged use.
For those tight spaces, the nozzle piece allowed us to effectively suck up dirt in between any crevices.
Despite these drawbacks, the vacuum was easy to use.
Hair does get tangled in the roller brush.
This Miele Classic C1 vacuum cleaned up fairly quickly and easily.
For the price point, it could include extra mopping pads to offer a better value.
The Roborock S8+ can also mop your floors, making it particularly well-designed for hardwood floors.
In terms of its mopping capabilities, this pick was able to clean away sticky residue in one go.
The dustbin is very small.
Self-emptying capabilities are common for robot vacuums, but we dont often see this feature in stick vacuums.
The Shark Wandvac automatically empties into its charging basewhich holds a large amount of debriswhen placed.
It was a bit loud, especially with the voice prompts.
We all love our pets, but they definitely contribute to the home’s vacuuming workload.
We were able to pick up dog hair from rugs and hardwood flooring all on auto mode.
Once all of the hair was picked up, the Tineco Pure One was pretty easy to empty.
We only had to reach in and untangle a few pieces.
However, it can get a bit heavy in handheld mode with extended use.
The vacuum also gives voice prompts to guide you through cleaning, but they can be quite loud.
PHOTO: Amazon
However, we found that the Shark Stratos was a little more powerful and efficient at picking up debris.
For noise testing, we ran the vacuum and recorded each model’s decibel level of noise.
Our testers considered how disruptive this noise would be in a home environment.
PHOTO: Real Simple
After the lab testing process was complete, we brought the stand-out vacuums home and tested them at home.
Traditional brush rollers can scratch your floors if not designed for hardwood use.
HEPA Filter
Most vacuums have HEPA filters to capture fine dust and allergens.
Heavier vacuums can also offer greater suction power and higher airflow.
How the vacuums weight is distributed and the vacuum style can also impact how easy it is to maneuver.
For example, canister vacuums are often heavier but have their weight distributed on wheels.
In addition to the vacuum’s weight, the presence of a swivel head can also significantly impact maneuverability.
If you have pets that shed, this vacuum wont work well for your needs.
But, for any other debris, this pick gets the job done.
Questions You Might Ask
Do you need a special vacuum for hardwood floors?
Is it better to vacuum or sweep hardwood floors?
Sweeping can also scratch hardwood floors if the bristles are too stiff.
Also, when you sweep, you drag that mess across the floor which can also scratch it.
What is the best way to vacuum hardwood floors?
Move cords, clothing, or anything else that is likely to get tangled.
you might also follow up byusing a mopor ahardwood floor cleanerfor an extra-clean floor.
PHOTO: Amazon
PHOTO: Real Simple
PHOTO: Amazon
PHOTO: Real Simple
PHOTO: Amazon
PHOTO: Real Simple
PHOTO: Amazon
PHOTO: Real Simple
PHOTO: Amazon
Physical setup of the Roborock S8+ Vacuum Mop took just 20 minutes.PHOTO: Real Simple
PHOTO: Real Simple
PHOTO: Real Simple
PHOTO: Amazon
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