Best Cordless Vacuum for Hardwood Floors – Guide

By William | January 21, 2020

Complete Guide to Help You Select the Best Cordless Vacuum for Hardwood Floors!

Check Out my Latest 2021 aRecommendations!

If you have wood floors in your home you need the best cordless vacuum for hardwood floors to keep them clean.

Hardwood floors are so beautiful to look at, but keeping them clean and shiny is a constant battle. I once read that up to a pound of dirt can hide in one square foot of brownish colored carpet without being seen. But the
whole world can see when just a little bit of fine dust, dirt, debris, and hair end up on your shinny wood floor.

There’s a lot of ways to clean hardwood floors, but some of them are more labor-intensive than others. A dust mop will get the job done but your neighbors might complain when you step outside to shake out the dust and dirt. For decades a canister vacuum with a horse hair floor brush was considered the best way to clean wood floors.

A Better Way to Clean Hardwood Floors!

Thanks to state-of-the art battery and D/C motor technology it’s now possible to clean wood floors efficiently, hygienically, and without the hassle of a cord. A cordless stick vacuum with the right features is the best device ever invented for wood floor cleaning since the flat mop.

But choosing the right one can be confusing and time consuming. I have done the research, testing, reviewing, and data gathering to find the best cordless vacuums for hardwood floors currently available.

So, let’s dive right in and get you connected to a really great cordless vacuum that will clean your hardwood floors.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Top 5 Best Cordless Vacuums for Hardwood Floors

(UPDATED Jan. 2020) I have meticulously researched and evaluated many cord free vacuums that appeared to be good candidates.  Only 5 made it to the top of my list.

Each of the Cordless Stick Vacuums listed BELOW are top performers on hardwood as well as engineered, Laminate, Vinyl, tile, and stone flooring.  All of them work well for cleaning and maintaining most carpet types and area rugs.

Please NOTE: For your convenience, I have provided a detailed description of each vacuum model directly below. I have also provided a Side-by-Side Comparison Table after the last listing so you can compare features, specs, and price.

NOTE: If you happen to reside in a European Country you can easily and safely charge the battery in any of the cordless vacuums listed below by using a Voltage Converter available at Amazon.com

 

STRONGEST SUCTION

#1  Dyson V11 Torque Drive Cordless Stick Vacuum

Once again Dyson has sent shock waves throughout the vacuum cleaner industry with the introduction of their new V11 Torque Drive Cordless Stick Vacuum.

Just when it seemed the bar had been locked in place with the announcement of the Dyson Cyclone V10 Absolute one year ago, another milestone has been reached.

The Dyson V11 Torque Drive is the first cordless stick vacuum that can be used as a serious multi-floor, whole-house Primary vacuum cleaner (in many instances). With just one, built-in 7 cell Lithium-Ion battery a homeowner can vacuum for up to 60 minutes without interruption.

Unsurpassed Suction Power

The previous generation of battery-powered stick vacs offers good suction power. Enough to clean hardwood floors as well as low to medium pile carpet. The new V11 Torque Drive develops a whopping 185 Air Watts of suction.

Dyson claims its new V11 has double the suction of any other cordless vacuum.  And 20% more than the highly popular Cyclone V10 Absolute.

I admit that 185 Air Watts is the highest suction rating of any cordless vacuum currently available but definitely not double.  If suction is your number one criteria for choosing a vacuum, be sure and check out the other fine products recommended here with up to 150 Air Watts and other great features.

Torque Drive Floor Brush

In addition to the outrageous suction, another feature that makes the V11 ideally suited for cleaning hardwood floors is a Torque Drive Floor Brush.

The housing is outfitted with a Dynamic Load Sensor (DLS) that detects floor surface differences. It senses when you transition from carpet to hardwood floors and sends a signal to the controller. It tells the Torque Drive motorized brush roll to slow down.

This feature all but eliminates the frustrating issue of slinging large debris, such as dry cereal or pet food, across your hardwood floor.

And when you cross back over to your carpet, it signals the controller to speed up the brush roll. This provides the necessary agitation to deep clean your carpet pile.

Cleaning Performance

Hardwood Floors

The slowed down spinning brush operates at just the right speed to whisk the clingy dust loose, and yet is gentle on any wood finish. The over-the-top suction power sucks up dust and dirt that has fallen in any cracks in the floor or along the baseboards.

The older Dyson V8 came with (2) Floor Brush heads: one for carpet and a soft roller head for hardwood floors. This worked great, except you would have to stop and change Floor Brushes each time you changed from carpet to hardwood floors. The V11 comes with only one floor brush that has a roller with both stiff and soft bristles.

This is a superior arrangement that ultimately saves you time not having to change floor brushes back and forth while cleaning.

Carpet

Most other cordless stick vacuums I have reviewed lacked the power to do a thorough cleaning of anything but low to medium pile carpet.

The Dyson V11 easily removes dirt, dust, debris, and pet hair from both low and medium pile carpet. It even has enough suction and raw power to extract dirt from Long Pile and Soft Plush Carpet.

LED Display Screen

There are three bits of information a cordless stick vacuum operator should know at all times: Remaining Run Time, Cleaning Mode, and When the Filter Needs Cleaning.

The Dyson V11 Torque is equipped with an LED Display Screen right on top of the main body. It provides the operator with Remaining Run Time in countdown format. It tells you which Mode you are using; ECO, AUTO, or BOOST.  And Maintenance Reports inform the operator of when it’s time to clean the filter of if there are any blockages.

Having this information in front of you helps you make decisions such as whether or not you have enough battery power to clean the downstairs bedroom. Or, if you should switch Modes to maximize the cleaning efficiency.

 

 

 

Check Out this Excellent Dyson Demo VIDEO!

Features

• 185 Air Watts of raw suction power
• High Torque Cleaner Head with DSL to detect floor surface differences and automatically adjusts brush roll speed for optimum performance
• LED Screen Display intelligently reports Remaining Run Time, Power Mode, and Maintenance Reports
• Point-and-Shoot Large Dust Cup that holds .8 dry qts.
• Run Time: Up to 60 min. in ECO Mode / Up to 25 min. in Auto Mode, and 15 min. Boost Mode
• 2-in-1 Handheld Vacuum versatility for cleaning above-floors, stairs, furniture, and car
• HEPA-Level Full-Machine Filtration that arrests 99.97% of dangerous particulates down to 0.3 microns
• Acoustically Engineered for Quiet Operation
• Included in Box: Dyson V11 Vacuum, Torque Drive Cleaning Head, Mini-Motorized Tool, Combo Tool, Soft Dusting Brush, Stubborn Dirt Brush, Crevice Tool, Wand Storage Clip, Docking Station, and Charger
• Warranty: 2 Dyson Year Parts & Labor (excludes filter) after registering

The Dyson V11 Torque Drive represents a refinement of all the important features a serious, top-of-the-line cordless vacuum should have. It’s intelligently designed to maximize every amp of stored electrical power for the longest run time possible.

The LED Display is a feature every battery-operated vacuum should have. The information it provides enables the operator to get the most utility from this machine.

The V11 can be used effectively as a multi-floor, whole house vacuum. And in many instances it can replace a corded upright or canister vacuum as a primary vacuum.

Bottom Line

Of all the vacuums I have reviewed, the Dyson V11 Torque Drive is currently one of the very best cordless stick vacuums for hardwood floors. It’s a feature rich machine that has the capability of being used as a whole-house primary vacuum in many situations.

If your home has a mix of both hardwood and carpet and you want the ultimate in cord-free convenience the Dyson V11 Torque Drive is the way to go!

 

Check Latest Price* This button takes you to the lowest price on Amazon

Take Me to COMPARISON TABLE

 

MOST PRACTICAL

#2  Shark ION P50 Lightweight Cordless Upright Vacuum (IC162)

SharkNinja has taken the battery-powered Stick vacuum concept to a whole new level by introducing new models with refreshing design ideas. Models like the New ION P50 Upright (IC162) for instance.

This distinctive-looking vacuum offers the advantages of a traditional Upright with the convenience and versatility of cordless operation.

And, the Shark ION P50 (IC162) is one of the Most Practical cordless vacuum for cleaning hardwood floors I have reviewed so far.

DuoClean

It comes equipped with the time-proven DuoClean feature that has revolutionized hardwood floor cleaning.  It amounts to TWO Brush Rolls in ONE Power Head. The one in the front acts as a fluffy mop for cleaning surface dust and gobbling up large debris. It easily removes such things as cereal or dry pet food from both hardwood and carpet.

Three Cleaning Modes

Activate the Hard Floor Mode by pressing the button located near the grip and it slows down both rollers. The suction is powerful enough to extract dirt hiding in cracks which has always been a challenge for any vacuum.

When you’re done with your hardwood and smooth floors activate the Carpet Mode to speed up the rollers. This provides the aggressive deep down cleaning of area rugs, and low to medium pile carpeting. Got some Plush Pile carpet in the bedroom?  Simply press the Power Surge button and get an extra suction boost to get the job done.

Handy Lift-Away Mode

Not only can you vacuum the floors just like you would with a familiar Corded Upright Vacuum. Or launch the Shark ION P50 into the Lift-Away Mode and have the convenience of a handy Portable vacuum.

Use the Extension Wand with the Stretch Hose and DuoClean Power Head to navigate around furniture and walls. Or, Snap in a tool and clean those overhead hard to reach areas like ceiling fans, book shelves, and air vents. Use it to clean those stubborn carpeted stairs or give the family car or RV a good cleaning. And you won’t have to bother with a power cord.

Check Out this Cool Demo VIDEO of the Shark ION P50!

Features

• Upright Vacuum Performance with the Convenience of Cordless operation
• DuoClean Technology w/ One Power Head and two brush rolls eliminates changing floor brushes when transitioning from Carpet to Hardwood Floors
• Powered Lift-Away® feature for Three Modes of Cleaning Versatility: (1) Upright for deep cleaning carpets and hard floors, (2) Stick mode for easily cleaning under furniture and tight places, and (3) Portable mode for above-floor cleaning
• Anti-Allergen Complete Seal Technology w/ HEPA Filtration catches 99.99% of allergy triggering particles as tiny as 0.3 microns
• Freestanding for convenient storage and easy parking
• Removable /Replaceable Battery provides up to 50 minutes of Runtime
• Bright LED Headlamps shows you the dirt
• Included: Dusting Brush, Duster Crevice Tool, Upholstery Tool, ION Core Battery, Battery Charging Cradle
• 5 Year SharkNinja Warranty, 2 Year on Battery

There are a lot of Cordless Stick Vacuums currently available. But when it comes to cleaning hardwood floors the Shark ION P50 Lightweight Cordless Upright Vacuum (IC162) is probably the Most Practical one I have reviewed.

Cleans Carpet, Area Rugs, and Plush Carpet

Not only will it do a splendid job on hardwood floors it also performs exceptionally well on area rugs, low to medium pile carpet, and even long plush carpet when used in the Power Surge Mode.

 

Verdict

The Shark ION P50 Lightweight Cordless Upright Vacuum (IC162) is one of the few Cordless Vacuums that can fill the shoes of a Corded Upright Vacuum (with certain limitations.)

It’s a bit pricy but offers very good value when compared to other the Top Competitors.  The Shark ION P50 is my number one pick for a cordless vacuum to clean hardwood floors.

 

Check Latest Price* Click here to see all the positive customer reviews
Take Me to COMPARISON TABLE

 

BEST VALUE

#3  Tineco A10 Master Cordless Stick Vacuum

Imagine being able to clean your home for up to 50 minutes (with powered floor brush) without the hassle of a cord. That is a reality with the new tineco A10 Master Cordless Stick Vacuum.

Old Company, New Division

Tineco is a new division of Ecovacs, the long-established maker of robotic vacuums.  Ecovacs Robotics, Inc., 487 Bryant Street, 1st Floor San Francisco, CA 94107, CustomerService@Ecovacs.com, 1 /844-326-8227

Double the Cleaning Time

This quality built machine comes with (2) Removable Battery Packs that deliver up to 25 minutes Runtime each in Normal Mode, and about 7 min. in MAX mode.

The Tineco A10 Master Cord-Free Stick Vac has a digital motor that develops 110 Air Watts of suction power, rivaling the Dyson V8 Absolute’s 115.

Cleans Hardwood and Carpeted Floors

Not only is this product equipped to clean all types of dirt from hardwood floors (including large debris such as cereal or dry pet food), it will also clean embedded dirt and hair from low to medium pile carpet or rugs.

The tineco A10 Master Cord-Free Stick package includes a Motorized Hard Floor Brush and a Motorized Carpet Brush for wall-to-wall cleaning.

HEPA-Level Filtration

If you or someone in your household suffers with a respiratory issue such as allergies or COPD, the tineco A10 Master has HEPA Level filtering to remove 99.9% of offending particles.

Another feature I really like about this handy tool is its extra quiet operation. It’s easy to maneuver, even in the tightest areas and has Bright LED Headlamps that helps you see where the dirt is.

Check Out this Cool Demonstration VIDEO!

Features

• 110 Air Watts of Fade-Free Suction Power
• 2X 21.6V Lithium-Ion Removable Battery Packs that provide up to 25 minutes each Runtime in Normal Mode and 7 min. MAX Mode
• Upgradable Runtime with Optional Battery Packs
• Hygienic HEPA Filtering System for a healthier home
• Bright LED Headlights reveal the dirt
• Light Weight at only 5.3 lbs.
• Includes: (2) Lithium-Ion Batteries, (1) Motorized Carpet Brush, (1) Motorized Hard Floor Brush, (1) Mini Power Brush, 2-in-1 Dusting Brush, Crevice Tool, Charger, and Tool Caddy
• 2 Year Manufacturer’s Warranty against defects and workmanship and 5 Year Warranty for main digital motor

Mini Power Brush for Cleaning Stairs

Another feature that really impressed me about the Tineco A10 Master Cordless is the Mini Power Brush. This attachment is designed to clean carpeted stairs easily without having to contort your wrist to clean the vertical surface. It also works great on upholstery or for cleaning up cars or RV’s.

Each of the attachments easily snap On or Off with one hand. The easy-empty dust bin has adequate capacity to allow you be more productive.

 

 

 

Verdict

If you are looking for a practical and affordable cord-free solution for dealing with your hardwood floors and carpet or area rugs, check out the Tineco A10 Master Cordless Stick Vacuum.  It’s worth your serious consideration.

Also SEE:  Review of the Tineco A10 Hero Cordless Vacuum review w/  a 350 Watt Digital Motor

Also SEE:  Review of NEW Tineco PURE ONE S12 Cordless Vacuum review, w/ a 450 Watt Digital Motor and other Upgrades

Check Latest Price* Click here to see special discount at Amazon

Take Me to COMPARISON TABLE

 

EDITOR’S FAVORITE

#4  Shark ION F80 MultiFLEX, DuoClean Cordless Hard Floor Vacuum (IF281)

The ION F80 Cord-Free MultiFLEX IF281 is SharkNinja’s latest model in their highly successful IF (Ion Flex) series. With their proven DuoClean floor head and the MultiFLEX wand this is one of the most versatile cordless vacuums available for hardwood and carpeted floors.

If you have been searching for a cordless stick vacuum that will make easy work of cleaning and maintaining your beautiful hardwood floors, you should take a close look at the Shark ION F80 MultiFLEX, DuoClean (IF281) Cordless.

Main Advantages of the Shark ION F80 Cord-Free MultiFLEX IF281

The Shark ION F80 Cord-Free MultiFLEX IF281 has three main advantages over other cordless stick vacuums when it comes to cleaning hardwood floors:

(1) DuoClean Technology:

This cleverly designed cleaning head is perhaps the best solution ever devised for the age-old problem of cleaning fine dust and large debris at the same time from wood floors. This SharkNinja patented technology utilizes 2 motorized roller brushes housed inside one cleaning head.

Soft Microfiber Bristle Front Brush

The front brush roll is made from soft microfiber bristles that that is designed to embraces large debris such as Fido’s Kibble & Bits or hubbie’s spilled Coco Puffs. Instead of slinging them across the floor they are rotated back and up into the suction zone. This cleaning action works incredibly well on hardwood floors and performs just as well on carpet. It has all the advantages of an old fashioned dust mop that actually leaves your wood floors with a polished look.

Stiff Bristle Rear Brush

The rear mounted brush roll is equipped with stiff bristles designed to provide the aggressive cleaning action on carpet.  This action is necessary for dislodging embedded dirt and hair from carpet pile, but cleans your delicate wood floors without scratching them.

(2) IonFLEX Technology:

This innovative feature solves two problems typically encountered while cleaning. The ability of the wand to “Flex” enables you to easily clean those hard to access areas. Instead of having to stoop down to clean under low-clearance furniture, simply articulate the wand to suit your cleaning needs. Your back will really appreciate this feature!

Problem Solved

One of the main draw-backs to stick vacuums is their inability to free-stand or park in an upright position. Other

stick vacuums must be either laid down or leaned against a piece of furniture when you need to answer the phone or check on dinner. With the MultiFLEX function, simply adjust it to the park position anywhere in the house. The Shark MultiFLEX series are some of the only cordless stick vacuums that are parkable.

(3) Extended Runtime:

Most other top-rated cordless vacs have an average runtime of only 25 minutes on one charge. Although a lot of cleaning can be accomplished in that time, it’s simply not enough to tackle a whole-house cleaning job. The Shark ION F80 Cord-Free MultiFLEX IF281 comes with (2) 25.2V Lithium-ion Battery Packs that provide up to 40 minutes each or a total of 80 minutes.

Suction Power

The Shark ION F80 Cord-Free MultiFLEX IF281 generates 24 CFM (cubic feet per minute) on the Low power setting and 38 CFM on the High setting. That translates to approximately 100 AW of suction power. While that is less air watts than the Dyson V11 Torque Drive the actual cleaning performance on hardwood floors is measurably better because of the DuoClean feature. Hidden dirt that lurks in the cracks of your wood floors and along the base boards is easily removed.

With the agitation of the rear stiff-bristled brush roll, there is plenty of suction power to eliminate deep-down embedded dirt and hair from low to high pile carpet.  * NOTE: I don’t recommend the Shark IF281 for cleaning “Soft Plush Carpet such as Stainmaster Trusoft® or Tactesse®.

Filtration

The Shark ION F80 MultiFLEX IF281 features an Anti-Allergen Complete Seal Filtration System. Consumer Reports rates it an impressive 5/5 for their Emissions Test. Because of the integrity of the air channels and filter compartments, the dangerous particulates that can trigger an allergic response are trapped in the cleanable sponge/felt filters instead of escaping back into the air and your lungs.

If you or someone in your household suffers from chronic respiratory issues you may want to consider the Shark ION P50 Upright Cordless (IC162) or the Dyson V11 Torque Drive Cordless (Listed Here)

Check Out this Cool VIDEO!

Features

• 2-in-One Cordless Handheld Vac: Easily converts to a powerful handheld vacuum to clean furniture, shelves, upholstery, and pet bedding
• Twice the Runtime: (2) Lithium-Ion Battery packs provide up to 80 minutes of runtime in Low power mode
• Parkable and Compact Storage: The MultiFLEX feature allows you to fold it over for easy storage or parking
• Flexible Reach: Easily access low clearance furniture with the MultiFLEX feature
• Bright LED Headlamps: Dirt and dust are revealed, even in a dark room with the bright LED headlamps
• Light Weight: At only 8.7 lbs, the IF281 is highly portable and easy to operate overhead
• Extended Runtime: 2 Battery Packs provide up to 40 minutes of runtime each, 80 minutes total
• Anti-Allergen Complete Seal Filtration: Highly effective filtration traps up to
• 2 Power Settings: Low setting for most cleaning tasks. Timed 60 sec. High setting for difficult to clean areas
• Large Capacity Easy-Empty Dust Cup: Holds up to .3 dry quarts before emptying
• Included in Box:  Shark ION F80 MultiFLEX IF281 Vacuum, (2) Battery Packs, Upholstery Tool, Crevice Tool, Charging Dock and Charging Cable
• Warranty: 5 Year SharkNinja Warranty, 2 Year on Battery (When purchased from Amazon)

Bottom Line

Before you get bogged down with power ratings and other stats, I highly recommend that you check out the modest price and high level of positive customer reviews of the Shark ION F80 Cord-Free MultiFLEX IF281.

This thoughtfully engineered cordless vacuum performs amazingly well on hardwood floors, area rugs, and low to long pile carpet. The unique MultiFLEX feature of the IF280 series makes among the few cordless stick vacuums that are parkable.  (2) Battery Packs and 80 minutes of runtime provide enough time to finish any cleaning tasks that you start.

If your house has carpeted stairs you might want to consider the Tineco A10 Master Cord-Free Stick Vacuum (Listed Above)

The Shark ION F80 Cord-Free MultiFLEX IF281 one of the best designed cordless vacuums for hardwood floors.

Check Latest Price* Click here to see special price at Amazon

Take Me to COMPARISON TABLE

 

BEST NEW VACUUM

#5  Eureka NEC180 RapidClean Pro Cordless Vacuum Cleaner

I was attracted to this unique-looking cordless stick vacuum the first time I saw it. Its profile is distinctive with the motor, dust cup, and handle located above the wand center line. The obvious benefit of this design is it allows you to lay the machine down flat to easily clean under low clearance furniture and shelves.

Natural Feel

The not so obvious benefit is it feels more natural in your hand and is noticeably easier to handle than conventionally designed stick vacs.

The Eureka NEC180 RapidClean Pro Cordless was designed especially for the home owner that has mostly hardwood floors and area rugs or low pile carpet. The cleaning head has specific design features that makes it perform superbly on hardwood and other hard floor surfaces.

SEE: NEC180 RapidClean Pro Cleaning Performance Test Results

Suction Power

There is nothing anemic about the Eureka NEC180 RapidClean Pro with a state-of-the art Digital, high speed DC Motor that cranks out 150 Watts of suction power. That’s more than sufficient power to remove surface dust, dirt, hair, and debris from hardwood floor surfaces and enough to lift out dirt hiding in cracks.

Runtime

The Eureka NEC180 RapidClean Pro Cordless features a built-in 25.5 Volt Lithium Ion battery that provides up to 40 minutes of Fade-Free operating time in Regular Mode. And, approximately 15 minutes in MAX Mode.

A conveniently located switch allows you to switch between modes with your fingertips without stopping.

I found that 40 minutes is plenty of time to clean a lot of hardwood square feet.

Cleaning Performance

My testing showed excellent cleaning performance on my hardwood floors.  There was minimal large debris plowing and only on the outer edges of the floor brush with no kick-back or scattering.  I was surprised to find it performed well on medium pile carpeting using only Regular Suction Mode.  You will only need the MAX Mode for the toughest cleaning tasks.  It passed all tests with flying colors!

Easy Rest Parking

One of the annoying issues most cordless stick vacuums it you have to lay them down on the floor or prop them against the wall or furniture when you have to answer the phone or check on dinner. That’s taking a chance your wonder broom will become useless if it falls and breaks

Eureka has solved that problem by simply designing a strategically located notch or nook that all but eliminates the possibility of it falling when propped against a chair or counter top.

Filtration

Eureka designed the NEC180 RapidClean Pro with a Cyclonic Filtration System that takes advantage of centrifugal force and gravity to separate dust, dirt, and debris from the rapidly spinning air. A cleanable foam filter protects the digital motor and captures any fine particles that escape the cyclone.

As of this posting, Eureka has not issued any Emission Testing results.  If you or someone in your household has allergic issues you my want to consider another product with HEPA Filtration.  SEE other listings above

Check Out this Brief Eureka Introduction VIDEO!

Features

• Powerful Suction: High efficiency high speed digital motor cranks out 150 Watts of suction power
• Low Reach: Easily clean under beds, shelves and other low clearance furniture
• Bright LED Headlights: See where the dirt is hiding that you would otherwise miss
• Lightweight: Weighing only 5.26 lbs. enables tireless floor and overhead cleaning
• Swivel Steering: Turn-on-a-dime maneuverability enables you to clean around furniture and other obstacles
• Rest Nook: Safely Park this vacuum when the phone rings or you need a break
• Long Runtime: Enjoy up to 45 minutes of fade-free operating in REG Mode, and approx. 15 minutes in MAX
• In the Box: NEC180 RapidClean Pro Vacuum w/ Floor Brush, 7“ Crevice Tool, 2-in-1 Dusting Brush, and Wall Mount
• Warranty: 2 Year Limited on Vacuum / 1 Year Limited on Battery

Bottom Line

The Eureka NEC180 RapidClean Pro is ideal for the home owner looking for a cordless cleaning solution for their hardwood floors as well as laminate, Vinyl, tile, and low pile area rugs and carpet. You will find this vacuum very handy for cleaning smaller areas such as bathrooms, foyers, and dining areas where there are lots of obstacles.

The Rest Nook feature makes a cleaning task so much easier with those inevitable interruptions. Its noise level is pleasantly low so you can hear the TV or talk on the phone while operating.

Purchasing a vacuum from a familiar name brand like Eureka gives an added sense of assurance.

This is a solid, well designed vacuum. I highly recommend the Eureka NEC180 RapidClean Pro Cordless Vacuum for cleaning your hardwood floors!
Check Latest Price* Click here for special low introductory price at Amazon

Side-by-Side Comparisons

Compare Important Features and Specs of Cordless Hardwood Floor Vacuums

Model	Dyson V11 Torque Drive Cordless Stick Vacuum	Shark ION P50 Lightweight Cordless Upright Vacuum with HEPA Filter	Tineco A10 Master Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner Lightweight 350W Digital Motor	Shark ION F80 MultiFLEX, DuoClean (IF281) Cordless w/ 2 Battery Packs	Eureka NEC180 RapidClean Pro Cordless Stick Vacuum
Battery	7 Cell Lithium-ion, Replaceable	25.2 Volt Lithium-ion Removable	21.6V Lithium-Ion Removable Battery Pack	(2) 25.2V Removable ION power pack	25.5 Volt Lithium Ion, Non-removable
Runtime	Up to 60 min. w/ torque tool LOW, 25 min. AUTO and 14 min. on BOOST	25 min. High / 40 min. Low (Upgradable to 50/80 min. w/ Optional 2nd battery)	Up to 25 min. Normal / 7 min. MAX Mode	Up to 25 min. High power / 40 Normal power per Battery, Up 80 min. Total	Up to 45 min. Regular Mode / Approx. 15 minutes in MAX Mode
Included	Torque Drive Cleaning Head, Mini-Motorized Tool, Combo Tool, Soft Dusting Brush, Stubborn Dirt Brush, Crevice Tool, Wand Storage Clip, Docking Station, and Charger	(2) Lithium Ion Battery Packs, Single Station Charger, Anti-Allergen Dusting Brush, Wide Upholstery Tool, Duster Crevice Tool	Motor-Powered Carpet Brush, Mini Power Brush, 2-in-1 Dusting Brush, Crevice Tool, Charger, Tool Caddy	(2) Battery Packs, Upholstery Tool, Crevice Tool, Charging Dock and Charging Cable	7“ Crevice Tool, 2-in-1 Dusting Brush, and Wall Mount
Weight	6.8 lbs.	8.7 lbs.	5.3 lbs.	8.7 lbs	5.26 lbs.
Recommended Use	Low, Med. and Long Pile Carpet plus Hardwood Floors and area rugs	Hardwood and smooth Floors & Low to Med Pile Carpet	Hardwood & smooth floors, low to medium pile carpet	All Carpet, Smooth and Hardwood floors	Hardwood & smooth floors, low to medium pile carpet and area rugs
Headlamps	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Filtration	Whole Machine HEPA-Level Filtration	Cyclonic w/ cleanable filters	HEPA, replaceable	Cyclonic w/ cleanable motor filter	Cyclonic w/ Washable and Replaceable Filters
Free-Standing	No	Yes	No	Yes	Parkable w/ Rest Nook
Dust Cup Capacity	0.810 Dry quarts	0.54 Dry quarts	0.428 Dry quarts	0.3 Dry quarts	Approx. 0.4 Dry quarts
Warranty	2 Dyson Year Parts & Labor	Shark 5 Year Limited Warranty, 2 Year Batteries	2 Year Warranty defects and workmanship / 5 Year Warranty main digital motor	Shark 5 Year Limited Warranty, 2 Year Battery	2 Year Limited on Vacuum / 1 Year Limited on Battery

Also See:

MAIN GUIDE:  All Vacuum Cleaner Types for Hardwood Floors

and

Best Cordless Vacuums for Pet Hair

Why Should You Trust My Advice?

As a professional Floor Care technician and certified by the IICRC (Recently Retired) I have spent a lot of hours pushing around all types of vacuums and floor care equipment. I have attended seminars and classes for hardwood floor cleaning and maintenance.

My experience cleaning hardwood floors has given me a unique perspective of what to look for when selecting a really good vacuum cleaner.

Hardwood Floors are a Significant Investment $$

Hardwood flooring represents a significant investment.  They add such beauty to any home and they deserve to be thoughtfully protected and maintained.

A quality cord-free stick vacuum is an excellent option for caring for your beautiful floors.  The prospect of being able to vacuum your house without having to deal with a power cord is pretty enticing to most people!  But, there are issues that need to be considered before you invest in one.

Most Things Lovely are Fragile!

Natural hardwood has been used down through the ages as a valued engineering material. Its natural buoyancy makes it ideal for building boats. The strength to weight ratio of wood is perfect for constructing buildings and its beauty is unsurpassed for the floors of our homes.

Although hardwood is naturally strong it is also easily scratched by anything that is harder. Stone, metal, plastic, and even the claws of your dog or cat can cause serious scratches.

Know Your Enemy!

The number one enemy to your hardwood floors is D-I-R-T!  The Dirt that gets tracked into your home is mostly abrasive.  It’s very much like rubbing your floor with sandpaper every time you walk on it. To preserve your floor it’s crucial to make sure any harmful dirt is removed on a regular basis.

That’s why I believe it’s important to give careful thought to which vacuum cleaner you use.

One Thing in Common…

All vacuum cleaners have at least one thing in common: they are all built from plastic and metal. A poorly designed machine can potentially cause damage to the floor you are trying to protect. Hard plastic wheels, loose screws and other metal parts can cause scratches.

Many of the economy-priced models currently available cut corners by using inferior components and dubious engineering. Their designers give first priority to cutting their costs with little consideration to your expensive wood floors. That’s why it’s important to stick to reputable and familiar name brands.

Choosing a cordless vacuum for your hardwood floors is not the time to go cheap! You would be better served with an old fashion dust mop than a low quality battery-powered vacuum.

Wood Species and Finishes

What you Should Know about Your Hardwood Floors before Selecting a Cordless Vacuum!

It’s important to consider what wood species your floor is made from and the type of finish used before purchasing a new vacuum cleaner.

Cordless stick vacuums have delighted millions of home owners who have discovered the convenience of cleaning their wood floors without having to deal with a cord. These wonder brooms are light weight, which is an important characteristic. That means less overall wear and tear on a wood floor and it reduces the possibility of scratching it.

Wood Hardness

The actual hardness of a wood floor depends on the wood species. Ipe is the hardest rating 16.4 kilonewtons (measure of force) but quite rare,. Hickory and Maple are also very hard and also quite popular rated at 8.1 and 6.4 kilonewtons. Other popular wood species are Walnut and Cherry which are relatively softer at 4.5 and 4.2 kilonewtons.

Any hardwood floor species rated below 5.0 is subject to possible scratching by hard plastic wheels often found on budget vacuum cleaners. This is more of an issue with traditional upright plug in vacuums which can weight 15 lbs. or more. An 8 lb. cordless stick vacuum with small wheels is less of a concern.

All Hardwood Floors are Scratch-able

The fact is that any hardwood floor can be scratched given the right circumstances. For example a loose screw or metal nozzle plate could scratch even the hardest wood.

This is why it’s important to stick with recognized name brand products with solid track records.

Hardwood Floor Finishes

Pre-Finished Synthetic Finishes

The actual finish applied to your hardwood floor is what gives it the appearance and helps protect it from everyday wear and tear. Knowing what type of finish is on your floors will help you decide on the best way to clean it.

Most home builders use pre-finished hardwood flooring that is coated with a synthetic Polyurethane and Magnesium Oxide coating applied at the mill. Magnesium Oxide is what makes the finish hard, and resistant to scratching. It’s the same substance used to manufacture sandpaper. Chances are, if your home was built in the last 10 years your wood floor is finished with a Polyurethane/Magnesium Oxide coating which makes it safe to use a good quality vacuum for cleaning.

Oil and Wax Finishes

Many older homes have hardwood floors that have been refinished with oil or Wax finishes. Also, a lot of homeowners are opting to have their new or old floors refinished with an oil or wax. These finishes give wood a warm sheen and help bring out the natural beauty of the wood. And, although they do protect the floor from day to day wear and tear they are more easily scratched.

If your wood floor has an oil or wax finish you may want to avoid using any kind of vacuum cleaner on it and go with a good old fashioned flat mop.

Micro Scratches

Any synthetic hardwood finish such as Polyurethane/Magnesium Oxide is subject to micro scratches. These are the tiny microscopic scratches that are caused by normal foot traffic and cleaning over a period of time. Fine dust clings to shoes and as you walk across the floor and has the same effect as very fine sandpaper. Also, a flat mop or a vacuum cleaner with a rotating brush has the same effect.

These micro scratches begin to take away the shine of your floor over a period of time. The good news is that the shine can be easily restored with a good hardwood floor polish product.

About the only way to avoid micro scratches is to not walk on your hardwood floors or make sure you properly pre-clean your hardwood floors before vacuuming.

The way to minimize micro scratches is to properly clean your floors before vacuuming using a damp mop with terrycloth on a regular basis. SEE: How to Clean your Hardwood Floors in Under 5 Minutes

Strong Suction is King!

If I had to name one attribute to look for when selecting a battery-powered hardwood floor vacuum, it would be Strong Suction. Natural wood floors can develop cracks and gaps over a period of time. Even sealed hardwood flooring is subject to expansion and contraction because of moisture. This can cause a separation of the planks leaving small, even large clevises for dirt to hide.

A cordless vacuum should have enough suction power to lift the dirt and dust that has accumulated in those cracks and gaps.  And not just cracks, your new cordless stick should have enough suction to extract the dirt that hides along baseboards and crevices.

Of course powerful suction isn’t the only attribute that makes an excellent hardwood floor vacuum.  It should also have a motor-powered brush for direct contact agitation to remove the fine dust that clings to the surface.

Brief History of Cordless Vacuums

The concept of a Cordless Vacuum for Hardwood Floors and other battery-powered tools is nothing new.

The very first Cordless Vacuum Cleaner was patented in 1975 that utilized a plurality of battery cells for only enough power for spot cleaning. It was very heavy, expensive, and the power lasted for a very short period of time.

But that invention allowed you the convenience of operating where there wasn’t a 110v or even a 12v receptacle and you didn’t have a cord to get tangled up in and have to coil up after use.

The concept was excellent but the available battery technology made it impractical.

 

 

Evolution of Battery Technology

Why the Development of Batteries is Important for Making Cordless Vacuums a Useful Tool!

The first practical nickel-cadmium batteries (NiCad) became available in the 1980’s that provided enough power and run time for small tools and appliances. They could be recharged relatively fast. The weight and cost made it possible to produce cordless products that really worked well for some applications.

However, for cordless vacuum to be useful, it needs to have enough suction and be able to operate long enough to complete an meaningful amount of cleaning.  Because of the weight to power ratio NiCad technology just didn’t provide that level of power with acceptable operating duration.

Lithium-ion Battery Technology Revolutionizes Cordless Vacuums

In 2012 the IEEE Medal for Environmental and Safety Technologies was awarded for developing the Lithium-ion Battery.

Early 2013 the Lithium-ion Battery had evolved to a lithium vanadium phosphate battery that had the benefit of increased energy efficiency.

The following year, 2014 Akira Yoshino, Rachid Yazami, and Yoshio Nishi lead the way in developing the Lithium Ion Battery we now have today.

These three pioneers have set us free from the power cord and made our lives easier…thank you very much!  Lithium-Ion Battery technology has made it possible to produce cordless vacuum cleaners that are highly efficient and affordable.

FAQ’s

Frequently Asked Questions and Answers About Cordless Vacuum Cleaners for Hardwood Floors!

Q. Does a Cordless Vacuum have enough power to really do a good job removing dirt from my hardwood floors?

A. Yes! You will be amazed at the powerful suction produced by the top rated models. They also have sufficient power for vacuuming low to medium pile carpet.  Only the best cordless stick vacuums have enough power to deep clean high pile carpet.

Q. Can a battery-operated vacuum replace a full-size corded vacuum?

A. Yes, No, and Maybe!  Battery powered vacuums simply do not have the level of suction power or the dirt-holding capacity of a full-size vacuum that operates with a cord plugged in to a 120V AC household current outlet.  However, they are very useful at maintaining your floors and for dealing with everyday messes.  If your home is relatively small with no children or pets it could be used as a primary vacuum.  When used as intended they can be a real time and work saver.

Q. What is the average Run Time of a Cordless Vacuum?

A. The average runtime depends on the wattage of the vacuum motor and the load. It will vary from model to model. Typically around 15 to 20 Minutes average.  When used on hardwood floors the vacuum’s battery charge will last longer because there is significantly less resistance than when vacuuming carpet.

Q. How long does it take to charge a Cordless Vacuum?

A. The current generation of Lithium-ion batteries can be fully charged in 2 to 4 hours, depending on the extent of discharge.

Q. How long will a cordless vacuum Battery last before having to replace it?

A. The life of a Lithium-ion battery is determined by the number of charge/discharge cycles it undergoes. The power capacity drops to 80% after approximately 500 charging cycles. The new generation of Cordless Vacuum batteries will typically last 2 to 3 years before requiring replacement.

Q. How much do Cordless Vacuum Batteries cost?

A. The average cost for a replacement battery is approx. $60

Q. How Safe are Cordless Vacuum Batteries?

A. Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries require a “management system.” This is actually a built-in computer that prevents the battery from operating outside the cell’s safe limits (Under-charge or Over-charge). The management system regulates the safe temperature range and eliminates charge mismatches for Safe usage. This is why Lithium-ion batteries are relatively expensive. (To assure SAFETY use only battery chargers that come with your cordless vacuum, and follow manufactures instructions in the manual.)

Q. Do Lithium-ion batteries have a Memory Effect?

A. The current generation of Lithium-Ion batteries DO NOT have a Memory Effect.

Q. What about Battery Conditioning?

A. Lithium-ion batteries Do Not require “Conditioning.”

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