{TOP 5} Best Vacuum for Apartment

Today many people are opting for apartments. But, these unique living spaces come with their own cleaning concerns. Because you do not own an apartment, you have to be super careful about hurting the floor or carpet. And, the spaces are typically smaller than a normal house—but they don’t have to be—which means that full-sized cleaning products may not work. If you are trying to clean your apartment, try on of the best vacuums for apartments.

Vacuum cleaners for small flats do not have to be hard to find. In this article we will tell you everything you need to know about these handy appliances. Plus, we will tell you what to look for when you are purchasing an apartment vacuum. Also, we will give you a list of our top 5 vacuums for apartment to choose from. So, you should walk away from this article with all of the tools you need to pick a great vacuum for small apartment.

Different Types of Apartments

Apartments are any self-contained unit in a house. Typically, there are multiple apartments in a single building. And, apartments are most often rented, not owned. A self-contained unit in a larger building that you own is called a condo.

Yet, the above definition of apartments are really the only criteria for this housing situation. This leaves room for a large number of apartment options. And, truly, you can find anything when you are looking for an apartment. The square footage and layout of an apartment will depend on multiple factors: these include location, building, and price.

Apartments in the most expensive and crowded locations, like Boston or New York City in the United States, tend to be on the smaller size. You may find a small apartment with a square footage as small as 100 square feet to a more normal 600-800 square feet.

These numbers, of course, do not encompass the larger end of the apartment spectrum. There are apartments that are thousands of square feet, multiple stories, and have balconies and private decks. But, these palatial apartments are often out of the range of the majority of Americans.

If you live in an apartment, you will likely have a space that is 500-1500 square feet and has one to three bedrooms. If this is the case, then you need to find the best types of commercial cleaning and the right vacuum for apartment to clean your living space adequately. Vacuums for small apartments with carpet are essential for living in these smaller and medium sized spaces comfortably.

Best types of vacuums for apartments

If you’ve read our other articles that focus on vacuums for homes, you will likely be familiar with the different types of vacuums. There are no apartment specific types of vacuums. But, some vacuum types are better for apartment living. This is especially true if you need a vacuum cleaner for small flat.

Below we’ve listed the top types of vacuum for small apartment in 2022.

Upright

It’s hard to overlook the upright vacuum. This traditional vacuum design is great for apartments because of its suction power. Upright vacuums are self-contained machines. Their dirt collection bins, suction heads, and motor are all housed in a single unit. You push this machine around over the floor as you clean.

Upright vacuums are typically corded, which means they need to be plugged in. But, being plugged in ensures that you can use them as long as you need to. And, their powerful motors make it easy to get your vacuuming done fast. However, the size of most upright vacuums means that they are not a good vacuum cleaner for small flat.

Pros

• Powerful motor gets the job done fast.
• Long power cords can reach almost everywhere in an apartment.
• Self-contained so easy to store.

Cons

• Too big for many small apartments.
• Can be on the expensive side depending on the model.

Stick

 For the top vacuum for small apartment with carpet, we recommend the stick vacuums. These are upright vacuums that have a pared down profile. Thus, all of the aspects of the vacuums—dirt collection bin, motor, and cleaning head—are all in the same unit. But, everything is much smaller than on an upright vacuum cleaner.

Stick vacuums typically only weigh a few pounds. And, they are often cordless, which is the most convenient cleaning option. But, with their smaller size comes less suction power. If you have a larger apartment, a stick vacuum may not be enough to clean the entire space in one go.

Pros

• Very light and easy to store.
• Cordless models are always ready to be used.
• Flexible cleaning heads can reach under furniture.
• A great cheap vacuum option for people on a budget.

Cons

• Not enough power to clean larger apartments.

Canister

 Canister vacuums have two main parts, the canister that holds the motor and dirt collection bin and the hose and cleaning head. The footprint of canister vacuums is usually quite small, which is wonderful for a vacuum cleaner for small flat.

These types of vacuums also often come with extra attachments and will clean a variety of surfaces. So, if you need an apartment vacuum that does it all, then canister vacuums are what you need. They will also not have the same suction capacity as upright vacuums, and make sure to not purchase a shop vac, they are a completely different type of canister vacuum.

Pros

• Small in size and low in weight.
• Easy to use and store.
• Cleans a variety of surfaces.

Cons

• Not as powerful as an upright vacuum.
• More expensive than a stick vacuum.

Robot

Robot vacuums for small apartment are a newer product that you should definitely consider. These types of apartment vacuums are extremely small and so will fit under a lot of furniture. Also, they are the simplest to use, just program them to start and sit back and watch them clean.

Robot vacuums do not come with any extra attachments. They will also not clean a lot of different surfaces like a canister vacuum will do. And, you will have to find a little bit of room for their charging dock. But, for the small apartment and busy person, you can’t beat a robot vacuum for small apartments.

Pros

• Will clean under most furniture.
• You don’t have to do anything but turn them on.
• Will run a long time on a single battery charge.
• Lots of different options in the current market.

Cons

• Too expensive for people on a budget.
• Do not clean apartments with multiple floors well.

What to look for in a vacuum for apartment

Obviously, before you begin looking for your next apartment vacuum you will need to decide what type of vacuum you want. Take another look at the pros and cons for each of the types of vacuums for apartment listed above. Once you’ve done that, you need to consider the factors listed below. They will help guide your research and narrow down your product choices.

Size and weight

When we’re talking about apartments, size is a major concern. If you live in a small apartment, you will not have the room for huge cleaning appliances. Vacuum cleaners for small flats need to be small enough to work well in your space and store easily. However, smallest is not always best either, as you need to juggle your cleaning power requirements with the size vacuum for small apartment with carpet you need.

Also, weight will be important, as it always is with vacuums. You need to be able to comfortably push the vacuum for apartment around. Since you will likely be looking at smaller sized apartment vacuums, weight may not be a huge problem for you. But, if you plan on hanging the vacuum for small apartment on your wall, you need to be sure that it is light enough.

Type of floor

Apartment dwellers cannot usually change their floors. This means that it is unlikely that you will be putting in all carpet or hardwood floors anytime soon. Thus, you need to take a look at the floors you currently have in your apartment.

If your apartment has all carpet, then you will need a vacuum for small apartment with carpet. However, if you have mixed flooring, a cheap vacuum that can clean hard floors and carpet is ideal. Pay attention to the recommended types of flooring section of each product. That will tell you if the product you are looking at will work in your apartment space.

Pet attachments

Pet owners have extra cleaning concerns because pets are messy. Dogs, especially, shed a lot of hair and create messes. Pets in apartments can make it extremely hard to clean because the smaller space means that there is less locations for the hair and messes to go. So, they tend to pile up on your floor.

If you have pets in your apartments, you should purchase a vacuum for small apartment that has an included pet attachment or two. Look for the products that have pet in the title. These will have special suction features and the already mentioned attachments, which will help you clean up after your pets.

Accessories

In addition to the pet attachments described above, you may want other types of attachments in your vacuum for apartments. Depending on the type of vacuum cleaner you purchase, there are a lot of different attachments you could receive with your purchase. No matter what type of vacuum, a crevice tool and upholstery tool are the most common types of attachments. Yet, there are many others that could come with your chosen apartment vacuum. When thinking about the attachments you need, consider what you will be cleaning with your vacuum cleaner for small flat.

Other accessories may come with your apartment vacuum. For example, canister vacuums may come with a bag for all of the attachments. That way they can be stored together. A robot vacuum for small apartment will come with a charging dock. Stick vacuums will likely include wall mounting accessories. We recommend researching the types of accessories that come with your chosen product and deciding if they will allow you to use the vacuum for apartment the way you want.

Bagged or bagless

A huge debate in the vacuum cleaner industry right now is whether a vacuum should be bagged or bagless. Bagged vacuums are the more traditional type of vacuum cleaner. They have a bag that lines the dirt collection bin. When the bag gets full you take it out of the product and throw it away.

Bagless vacuums, on the other hand do not have a bag in their dirt collection bin. The bin itself can be emptied by pressing a button over the trashcan. This type of vacuum for apartment was popularized by Dyson in the 1990s. Bagless vacuums are probably the most common type of vacuum you will find right now. However, if you prefer bagged vacuum cleaners for small flats, you can still occasional find those products as well.

Corded or cordless

Another big debate in the vacuum cleaner industry is whether corded or cordless vacuums are the best. These terms refer to the electrical corded. So, essentially, you need to decide whether you want a vacuum that needs to be plugged into a wall outlet or one that runs off of a rechargeable battery.

Corded and cordless vacuums for small apartments each come with their own pros and cons. Corded apartment vacuums are great because they have a never-ending supply of power. You plug them into the wall and then you can vacuum as long as you want. However, you are limited by the electrical cord and your outlets. In larger apartments you will need to move the plug around as you work.

Cordless vacuums for apartments are ready right away. As long as you keep them plugged into their charging base when they are not in use, they will always be ready to go when you need them. If you have a mess, just pick them up and get to cleaning. However, cordless apartment vacuums do not have a long charge on their battery. They will struggle with large spaces because they will likely run out of charge before you are done cleaning, which means you will need to vacuum in stages.

Cost

The final factor you will need to consider when purchasing a vacuum for apartment is cost. Yes, we mention cost a lot. However, it is even more important when you are looking for an apartment vacuum. It is likely that if you live in a small apartment you are living on a budget. This means that you need a cheap vacuum that will be the best deal you can find.

Affordable vacuums are not hard to find. However, you may not be able to get certain types of vacuums—like robots—and certain models. If you have a mall vacuum for apartment budget, you should consider a stick vacuum or small canister vacuum. These are the most affordable vacuum types that will give you the biggest bang for your buck.

Top 5 Best Vacuum for Apartment – Comparison Table

Top 5 Best Vacuum for Apartment on The Market Reviews

#1 VonHaus 2 in 1 Vacuum Cleaner

 VonHaus’ 2 in 1 Vacuum Cleaner is a versatile, light, and affordable vacuum for the apartment renter. It is called a two in one because it is both a stick and a handheld vacuum cleaner for small flats. With the push of a button you can detach the handheld vacuum from the stick base. This allows you to clean in many other plays other than just the floor.

The versatility of the 2 in 1 Vacuum Cleaner doesn’t stop there. It comes with a number of attachments. And, it has a large 19.5 foot power cord that will reach almost everywhere in a small apartment. The VonHaus 2 in 1 Vacuum cleaner is really one of the most affordable vacuums out there.

#2 Bissell Zing Lightweight Vacuum 2154A

  For a lightweight canister vacuum look no further than Bissell’s Zing Light Vacuum 2154A. This product can clean carpets and hard floors with easy. All you have to do is flip a switch and the suction will vary for either floor type.

Additionally, there this is a bagged vacuum for apartments. Between the dust bag and the pre and post moto filters, most of dirt and dust particles in your home will be caught by the apartment vacuum. The cleaning hose on this vacuum for apartment is six feet, which allows it reach everywhere in your apartment.

#3 Miele Complete C3 Vacuum

  The Miele Complete C3 Vacuum Powerhead Bundle is not an affordable vacuum. In fact, it is quite expensive. However, it gives you a lot for your money. It comes with sixteen type GN AirClean Genuine FilterBags, an AH50 HEPA Filter, and a number of attachments.

The Miele Complete C3 is a vacuum for pet hair. It is made for dogs and cats in particular. Like the Bissell 2154A reviews above, the Miele vacuum cleaner for small flats can clean hard floors and carpet. And, it filters your air as it cleans. It really doesn’t get any higher quality than the Miele Complete C3 Vacuum.

#4 MOOSOO Vacuum Cleaner D600

  MOOSOO’s Vacuum Cleaner D600 is another cheap vacuum that is still high quality enough to clean your apartment for a long time. The D600 is a stick vacuum. Its only caveat is that it is not designed for carpet. This apartment vacuum is ideal for those spaces that have only hard floors.

But, for apartments with hard flooring, you can’t beat the MOOSOO D600. It is extremely lightweight. Its powerful suction will get the job done fast. And it has a flexible cleaning head that will bend to fit under any piece of furniture.

#5 Eureka NEU100 Airspeed Vacuum Cleaner

  The final apartment vacuum on our list is the Eureka NEU100 Airspeed Vacuum Cleaner. This is the only upright vacuum for apartments. But, it is included because it is an affordable vacuum. It is also super compact.

The NEU100 comes with a quick release handle, so that you can use the included tools to clean high places. Plus, this product cleans both carpets and hard floors. And, the suction is powerful enough that you can move the NEU100 with you when you purchase your own home.

Final Words

Just because you live in an apartment doesn’t mean that you have to struggle to keep it clean. The best vacuums for apartment are here to help you keep your rented space as clean and pristine as when you first moved into it. With the help of these products you will be able to clean your apartment and protect its floors at the same time. It doesn’t get much better than that.

All of the products on our top five list above will work great in apartments, even though they will also work well in a home. But, apartment dwellers in particular will want to consider one of these products for their next vacuum cleaner for small flat. And, this article has helped you learn more about apartment vacuums and has taught you how to choose your next apartment vacuum. Now, all you have to do is go out there and find a great product that will fit into your life and space.