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We tested top options to find the ones that won’t damage your floors.

The Dyson Omni-Glide Vacuum being used to pick up food off a hardwood floor

Photo:Real Simple

The dust container fills up quickly and is hard to empty.

The compact, lightweight nature of thisDyson vacuumcomes with both pros and cons.

After three months of use, though, this vacuum has completely transformed our cleaning routine.

Dyson Omni-Glide Cordless Vacuum

PHOTO: Dyson

Overall, we can’t imagine a more convenient choice for daily use.

It can be tricky to empty and reattach the dust collection canister.

It also seemed to perform better when pushing the vacuum forward, rather than pulling it back.

Hands holding the Dyson Omni-Glide Cordless Vacuum

PHOTO: Real Simple

The dust canister tends to make a mess, and it’s very expensive.

Despite its lightweight design, this vacuum is a powerhouse.

Its battery life was impressive during testing, as was the dust collection canister.

Hand holding the Dyson Omni-Glide Cordless Vacuum’s canister full of cereal and dirt

After three months of use, the vacuum has maintained its quality.

The biggest drawback is its emptying process.

Its higher-than-average both in terms of weight and price.

Dyson Omni-Glide Cordless Vacuum cleaning popcorn kernels from a hardwood floor

After six months of use, the vacuum is still working great.

Three power levels allow you to conserve power or supercharge your cleaning, depending on your needs.

If you better clean larger spaces, those drawbacks might pale in comparison to its heavy-duty power.

Person using a Dyson Omni-Glide Cordless Vacuum to clean wood stairs

Its fairly loud and has an unusually small dust collection bin.

After six months of use, this unit continues to be our go-to vacuum.

Aside from that, its a very easy-to-use vacuum that is best suited for small spaces.

Hand removing an attachment from the Dyson Omni-Glide Cordless Vacuum

We performed a similar test on upholstery using crevice attachments.

After vacuuming, we noted theease of emptyingthe dust collection bin and looked at the battery usage.

However, it’s somewhat heavy and very expensive.

Hands holding the Dyson Omni-Glide Cordless Vacuum

Questions You Might Ask

Is it better to sweep or vacuum hardwood floors?

Can you use any vacuum on hardwood floors?

What features are most useful on hardwood floors?

Hand holding the Dyson Omni-Glide Cordless Vacuum’s canister full of cereal and dirt

Vacuums come with a variety of features, and generally, more attachments correlate with a higher price.

That said, it’s important to prioritize which features matter most to you.

Dyson Omni-Glide Cordless Vacuum cleaning popcorn kernels from a hardwood floor

Person using a Dyson Omni-Glide Cordless Vacuum to clean wood stairs

Hand removing an attachment from the Dyson Omni-Glide Cordless Vacuum

Amazon Black + Decker Powerseries Extreme Cordless Stick Vacuum

PHOTO: Amazon

Hands pulling hair from the bristles of the BLACK+DECKER Powerseries Extreme Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner

PHOTO: Real Simple

person BLACK+DECKER Powerseries Extreme Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner to clean a carpet

Hand dumping the dirt from the BLACK+DECKER Powerseries Extreme Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner tank

Hands assembling the BLACK+DECKER Powerseries Extreme Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner

Person holding parts of the BLACK+DECKER Powerseries Extreme Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner

Hands pulling hair from the bristles of the BLACK+DECKER Powerseries Extreme Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner

person BLACK+DECKER Powerseries Extreme Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner to clean a carpet

Hand dumping the dirt from the BLACK+DECKER Powerseries Extreme Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner tank

Hands assembling the BLACK+DECKER Powerseries Extreme Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner

Person holding parts of the BLACK+DECKER Powerseries Extreme Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner

Amazon Samsung Jet 90 Complete Cordless Stick Vacuum with Dual Charging Station

PHOTO: Amazon

A person vacuuming wooden stairs with the Samsung Jet 90 Vacuum

PHOTO: Real Simple

A person removing the filter from the Samsung Jet 90 Vacuum

A person weighing the Samsung Jet 90 Vacuum

A person holding a component of the Samsung Jet 90 Vacuum covered in hair

A person vacuuming wooden stairs with the Samsung Jet 90 Vacuum

A person vacuuming a chair with the Samsung Jet 90 Vacuum

A person vacuuming wooden stairs with the Samsung Jet 90 Vacuum

A person removing the filter from the Samsung Jet 90 Vacuum

A person weighing the Samsung Jet 90 Vacuum

A person holding a component of the Samsung Jet 90 Vacuum covered in hair

A person vacuuming wooden stairs with the Samsung Jet 90 Vacuum

A person vacuuming a chair with the Samsung Jet 90 Vacuum

Dyson Outsize+ Cordless Vacuum

PHOTO: Amazon

The Dyson Outsize+ Cordless Vacuum with green light on cleaning hair from a hardwood floor

PHOTO: Real Simple

The Dyson Outsize+ Cordless Vacuum cleaning a hardwood floor

Closeup of the top screen of the Dyson Outsize+ Cordless Vacuum with battery power indicator

The Dyson Outsize+ Cordless Vacuum with green light on cleaning hair from a hardwood floor

The Dyson Outsize+ Cordless Vacuum cleaning a hardwood floor

Closeup of the top screen of the Dyson Outsize+ Cordless Vacuum with battery power indicator

Shark WS642AE Wandvac Cordless Stick Vacuum with Self-Empty Charging Base

PHOTO: Amazon

Shark WS642AE Wandvac Cordless Stick Vacuum with Self-Empty Charging Base displayed on a wood floor

PHOTO: Real Simple

Shark WS642AE Wandvac Cordless Stick Vacuum with Self-Empty Charging Base and attachments displayed on a wood floor

Shark WS642AE Wandvac Cordless Stick Vacuum with Self-Empty Charging Base displayed on a wood floor

Shark WS642AE Wandvac Cordless Stick Vacuum with Self-Empty Charging Base and attachments displayed on a wood floor

Person using a Dyson Omni-Glide Cordless Vacuum to clean wood stairs

Real Simple

A person weighing the Britech Cordless Lightweight Stick Vacuum

Real Simple

A person vacuuming wooden stairs with the Samsung Jet 90 Vacuum

Real Simple