The majority of homes in the United States have multiple types of flooring. You might have hardwood floors in your kitchen, entry way, or dining room. Your bedrooms, living rooms, and studies may be carpeted. This presents a problem for cleaning. You will need the best vacuum for hardwood floors and carpet.
Before discussing vacuums, we need to define the most common types of flooring.
In a hurry? Don't have time for the details? Here are our best picks Vacuums for Hardwood Floors and Carpet:
Contents
- All about carpet
- All about hardwood floors
- Other types of flooring
- Cleaning considerations for hardwood floors vs. carpet
- What to look for in a vacuum for hardwood floors and carpet
- Top 5 Best Vacuums for Hardwood Floors and Carpet 2022
- Comparison table
- Top 5 Best Vacuum for Hardwood Floors and Carpet On The Market Reviews:
- Tips and tricks for vacuuming a home with multiple types of flooring
- Final Words
All about carpet
So, what is carpet? Carpet is a thickly woven fabric. It can be used as a rug or a wall-to-wall covering. Carpet has been a part of human existence for thousands of years. But, only since the Industrial Revolution in the mid-19th century have carpets become ubiquitous.
Before the Industrial revolution, carpets were made solely from wool. They were also hand-woven. This changed once machines could weave the fabric themselves. Advances in science has also made the introduction of new carpet fibers a possibility. This has led to the rise in carpets made from synthetic materials. Both the industrialization of carpet making and the use of synthetic materials have reduced the price of carpet.
Different types of carpet
Carpets come in many different shapes and sizes. You may have just a small rug or two in your home. Ot you could have wall-to-wall carpets in each room. Most people have a combination of carpets. Here are a few of the most common carpet fabrics, pile lengths, and pile types.
Today, carpets are made from a wide variety of materials. Wool is still a top choice for many people. But, wool comes with its own cleaning concerns. It can also be quite expensive. A synthetic material like nylon, polyester, or olefin is easier and cheaper. You can also find carpet made from exotic materials like leather or feathers.
Pile is the loops of fabric the make up your carpet. It generally comes in three lengths: low, medium, and high. Low pile carpet typically stands less than ¼ inch tall. Medium pile carpets have a length of ¼-1/2 inches. Anything over ½ inch is considered high pile. Each pile length comes with its own cleaning and maintenance requirements. Make sure to do your research before you purchase.
Pile type is also important when picking out a carpet. Typically piles come in one of two ways: cut or looped. All carpet begins as looped piles. The fabric is looped over itself as it is woven into the backing. If that loop is cut off at the top, the carpet is a cut pile. If the loop is left, the carpet is a loop pile type.
All about hardwood floors
Carpet never been cheaper or more common in American homes. It is not, however, the only type of flooring available. Wood floors have also been around for thousands of years. Any hard floor is considered a wood floor if it is made from timber. Most of the time this timber is cut into planks.
Hardwood floor planks are made from just one piece of timber. These types of floors were originally created to help support the home's structure. Their thickness makes them a strong base for support beams. The thickness of hardwood floors also helps them wear better. This is why they have remained so popular throughout the years.
Different types of hardwood floors
Unlike carpet, hardwood floors likely stretch from one wall to another. There is no equivalent to the rug. But, some aspects of the hardwood floor can be changed. These include the design of the planks and the type of wood.
Not all woods are created equal when it comes to hardwood flooring. Some woods are naturally softer than others. Some react to humidity or other environmental factors differently. Additionally, wood comes in a variety of colors. The most common woods used in hardwood flooring are red oak, white oak, maple, American cherry, birch, walnut, and yellow pine.
Other types of flooring
We only focus on vacuums for hardwood floors and carpet in this article. There are also many other types of flooring. Another extremely popular flooring type is tile. You will also find linoleum, stone, vinyl, and laminate floors.
Each flooring type comes with its own cleaning and vacuum requirements. A good vacuum for hardwood floors and carpet will be able to clean other flooring types too.
Cleaning considerations for hardwood floors vs. carpet
Both hardwood floors and carpet can improve the look and comfort of your home. The two surfaces are wildly different, though. This makes them come with pretty different cleaning requirements. If you want to use a single appliance, you must pick a vacuum for hardwood floors and carpet.
There are many different types of vacuums on the market. Some vacuums are for laminate floors, while some vacuums are for only hardwood floors. It’s also quite easy to find a vacuum cleaner for carpet. But, finding a vacuum that performs all of these functions can be tricky.
Cleaning Hardwood Floors
A vacuum for hardwood floors should not have a beater bar attachment. At the very least, it should have one that can be turned off. Beater bars can damage your hardwood floors.
You should vacuum regularly. Dirt and grime can build up easily. They show well on hardwood floors.
Also plan on regularly washing your hardwood floor with soap and water.
Cleaning Carpet
The intensity and frequency of your carpet cleaning schedule will depend on its type. The longer the pile, the more frequently you will need to vacuum.
A good rule of thumb is to vacuum your carpet at least once per week. Carpet clean at least once per year.
You will need to clean up any spills or messes immediately.
What to look for in a vacuum for hardwood floors and carpet
Research carefully when looking for a vacuum to clean carpet and hardwood. The following features will help you find a vacuum for hardwood floors and carpet.
Power Modes
Suction requirements will vary based on the surface. To get the most for your money, you need to find a vacuum with multiple power modes.
At least two levels of power is preferable. Some vacuum models will have three or more. The more power modes, the better you will be able to clean.
Filtration System
Many products use different filtration systems. However, the industry standard is a HEPA filter. HEPA (high efficiency particulate air filters) are standardized by the United States government. These filters have to remove 99.97% of particles from the air in your home.
You should buy a vacuum for hardwood floors and carpet that uses a HEPA filter. It will keep your home's air as a clean as possible. If your vacuum does not have a HEPA filter that is still okay. However, its efficiency may not be as stellar as a HEPA filter.
Controllable Brushroll
Carpets with high piles and hardwood floors should not be vacuumed with a brushroll. They can damage these types of floors. For high pile carpet, a brushroll can pull out the fibers. Hardwood floors can be scratched by the brushroll.
A vacuum for hardwood floors should always contain a brushroll that can be turned on and off. This allows you to use the brushroll when it is needed. Your high pile and hardwood floors will remain protected.
Size and Weight
The larger the vacuum, the more power it creates. Vacuums that are extremely large and heavy, then, will be quite powerful. They can also be hard to move. Heavy vacuums struggle to work properly on high pile or dense carpets. If you have a multiple types of flooring, you need a light and compact vacuum.
Type of vacuum
There are many types of vacuum for hardwood floors and carpet. Whether you choose an upright, canister, cordless, hand, or robot vacuum will depend on your preferences. Each type of vacuum comes with some major pros and cons. Below we’ve listed some of the most important features of each type.
Upright
Upright is the most famous and traditional vacuum shape. It has the motor and suction head in the same unit. You push the vacuum in front of you to clean the floor. Upright vacuums are popular for a reason. Their efficiency, however, is dependent on their weight and size.
Canister
Canister vacuums are rising in popularity because they are lighter and easier to move. In this type of vacuum the cleaning nozzle is at the end of a long hose. The motor is in the canister. Canister vacuums come with the most attachments. They allow you to clean any surface or crevice in your home.
Cordless
Cordless vacuums do not have a cord. Instead they run on battery power. These types of vacuums are very popular for spot cleaning. They can be taken immediately to the mess and used. Therefore, they are extremely convenient to have around. They just don’t have the power to run a long time. It is hard to make a cordless model your only vacuum.
Robot
Robot vacuums are different than every other type of vacuum. They do not need a human to operate them. Most robot vacuums are programmable. They will start themselves, clean all of your floors, and return to their charger. As with any piece of elaborate equipment, robot vacuums tend to break easily.
Pets
Do you have pets? If so, you will need to purchase a vacuum for hardwood floors and carpets that includes a pet attachment. This is not necessary for properly cleaning homes and pets. It is still extremely helpful, however. As an added bonus, a pet attachment will keep your other accessories clog free.
Accessories
You may want as many attachments and extras as possible with your vacuum for hardwood floors and carpets. If so, your options may be more limited. Many vacuums now come with a few accessories. Each manufacturer will include different extra tools.
We recommend having a specific set of accessories in mind. This will help you narrow down your options. It also ensures you only receive the tools you need.
Top 5 Best Vacuums for Hardwood Floors and Carpet 2022
Comparison table
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Editor's ChoiceEditor's Choice>Shark Navigator Lift-Away Professional NV356E |
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Bissell Cleanview Upright Bagless Vacuum Cleaner OnePass Technology, 1831 |
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Dirt Devil Razor Pet Steerable Bagless Upright Vacuum UD70355B |
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Eureka Mighty Mite Corded Canister Vacuum Cleaner, 3670G |
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eufy Boost IQ RoboVac 11S (Slim) |
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Bissell Zing Canister 2156A |
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LightweightLightweight Bissell 20336 Vacuum |
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Shark Navigator SV1106 Vacuum |
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Shark Rocket HV302 Vacuum |
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Best valueBest value Dyson Cyclone V10 Absolute Vacuum |
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MOOSOO XL-618A Vacuum |
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RobotRobot Ecovacs DEEBOT Vacuum |
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Dyson Ball 2 Animal Vacuum |
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Eureka Pet Turbo PowerSpeed Vacuum |
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Oreck Commercial BB900DGR XL Pro Vacuum |
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Eureka 169K Vacuum |
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Eureka NEN110A Vacuum |
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Top 5 Best Vacuum for Hardwood Floors and Carpet On The Market Reviews:
The Lift-Away Professional NV356E by Shark Navigator is lightweight. It walks an impressive line between upright and canister vacuum. The vacuum itself is an upright, but it lifts away to become a canister vacuum. This feature alone makes the Lift-Away Professional our top pick.
This is the most flexible vacuum for hardwood floors and carpet on our list. It also comes with a lot of accessories. These include a pet power brush, dusting brush, and 8-inch crevice tool. Plus, the hose is five feet long. The power cord is thirty feet long. All of these features enable you to clean any surface or hard-to-reach area.
#2 Bissell Cleanview Upright Bagless Vacuum Cleaner OnePass Technology, 1831
Bissell’s Cleanview is an upright vacuum cleaner. It is a bagless vacuum. The container picks up all of the dirt and dust that the vacuum sucks up. Bagless vacuums are easier to clean. Plus, the Cleanview comes with a washable filter. That is another feature that makes the vacuum one of the most user-friendly around.
The Cleanview is a great vacuum for hardwood floors and carpet. It has a six-foot hose, twenty-five-foot power cord, and OnePass technology. Bissell improves suction and brush design with their OnePass vacuums. These products can clean any hardwood or carpeted floor.
#3 Dirt Devil Razor Pet Steerable Bagless Upright Vacuum UD70355B
Dirt Devil are known for their handheld vacuums. Still, their Razor Steerable vacuum is powerful. It is also flexible enough to clean your entire house. It is an extremely lightweight vacuum that cleans carpet easily. It even comes with different brushrolls.
If you have pets in your home, you need the Dirt Devil Razor. It is a vacuum for hardwood floors and carpet in homes with pets. In addition to your purchase, you will receive the Spin4Pro premium pet brushroll and TurboClaw pet tool. Both accessories allow you to keep your home clean even with the messiest pets.
#4 Eureka Mighty Mite Corded Canister Vacuum Cleaner, 3670G
The Eureka Mighty Mite vacuum for hardwood floors and carpet is the only canister type on this list. It can be used in the home and garage. Such flexibility is amazing. It even comes with a Blower Port that can blow debris from your garage.
In the home this vacuum for hardwood floors and carpet has a Power-Touch handle. It allows you to control the entire vacuum with your fingertips. It also comes with a dedicated bare-floor nozzle. Using this canister vacuum on both hardwood and carpeted floors is super easy.
#5 eufy Boost IQ RoboVac 11S (Slim)
Our final pick for a vacuums for hardwood floors and carpet is a robot vacuum. Eufy’s Boost IQ RoboVac has been re-engineered by the company to be slim and quiet. It will fit under most furniture. It even runs quiet enough that it will not disturb you will running.
Eufy includes two AAA batteries with the purchase of the Boost IQ RoboVac. These are in addition to a charging base, AC power adapter, cleaning tool, extra set of filters, four side brushes, five cable ties, and a twelve-month warranty. Essentially, they give you everything you need to get started.
Tips and tricks for vacuuming a home with multiple types of flooring
In order to get the most out of your vacuum for hardwood flooring and carpet, follow these steps.
Clean regularly. It doesn’t matter if you have all carpet, all hardwood, or a mixture of floor surfaces. You will need to vacuum them often. Create a routine and stick to it.
Use the correct attachments/beater bar for each type of floor. It may get a little tricky to keep your vacuuming running properly on multiple flooring types. This is why you should clean room-to-room. Start in one room. Then change attachments and turn the beater bar either on or off. Then move to the next room.
Clean the bag or canister often. Most vacuums will have a line on the canister or bag that tells you when it is full. Empty the bag/canister once the dirt reaches the line. Doing this regularly will provide maximum efficiency from your vacuum for hardwood floors and carpet.
Final Words
Vacuums are an essential tool for any home. Houses that have a variety of flooring types need a special type of vacuum. In order to save your money, you need to find the best vacuum for hardwood floors and carpet that money will buy.
Follow any of the suggestions on our list. You cannot go wrong. Any of the five vacuums for hardwood floors and carpets mentioned here will help you keep your home sparkling.
Jennifer is a work-from-home freelance writer, editor, and dog mom. So, like Angela, she understands how important it is to keep her floors clean. Jennifer currently lives in a home with carpet and tile floors. Therefore, she is an expert in cleaning those specific types of floors.
When you don’t find Jennifer at her computer writing and editing, you will see her with a vacuum in hand. She greatly appreciates the chance to provide content for this website with Angela and looks enjoys spreading her floor cleaning knowledge with the world.