Tile floors can be a surprisingly tricky surface for vacuums to clean. Debris gets trapped in the various crevices between tiles, so a vacuum with sufficient suction power is a must. Of course, performance isn't the only factor to consider. Attachments for cleaning shelves and countertops can also be helpful, while a design that's easy to maintain and incurs low recurring costs is also important. You might also want to consider a vacuum with a mopping capability for dealing with liquid spills or dried-on stains in kitchens.
We've tested over 160 vacuum cleaners, and below are our recommendations for the best vacuums for tile floors. These picks are selected based on their performance on bare floors and their feature set, design, and price. For more options, look at our list of the best vacuums, the best hardwood vacuums, and the best multi-surface vacuums.
If you've noticed a buildup of humidity in your bathroom or basement, you'll be happy to know we now test dehumidifiers. You can take a look at our recommendations for the best dehumidifiers and the best dehumidifiers for basements.
The best vacuum for tile floors we've tested is the Dyson V15 Detect. This stick vacuum has an extra floorhead with a fluffy brushroll for cleaning bare surfaces and a built-in laser light to help see finer material. It performs remarkably well on surfaces like tile floors and does an excellent job of clearing away debris in shallow crevices. One of its headlining features is its particle detection system, which can help give you a rough idea of allergen quantities within your home. Its battery performance is strong overall, as you can expect a max of over an hour of runtime on a single charge, though that does drop dramatically when you use the vacuum in its more powerful suction mode.
The Dyson V12 Detect Slim is worth a look if you want a smaller, lighter alternative. However, its dirt compartment is notably smaller, and its less potent suction motor means it isn't as effective in dealing with debris in cracks and crevices. Alternatively, if you'd prefer a corded vacuum for longer cleaning sessions, the Miele Complete C3 is an extremely well-rounded machine. However, its canister form factor makes it slower to set up than the Dyson vacuum, and its power cord is on the shorter end of the scale.
Consider the Shark Stratos Cordless if you're shopping at an upper mid-range price bracket. It's bulkier than the Dyson V15 Detect and has a slightly shorter max runtime of about 60 minutes, which isn't all that bad. Besides, the Shark has plenty to offer. It delivers similarly fantastic debris pickup on bare floors, and like the V15, it's also capable of automatically adjusting its suction power. However, the Shark's system works by matching suction power to the amount of debris being sucked up rather than changes in surface type.
While it's heavier than the Dyson and has a bulkier twin-roller floorhead, its bendable wand makes cleaning under tables and chairs much easier since you won't have to bend over too far. This vacuum also features a somewhat unique odor neutralization system, which works through a replaceable cartridge in its floorhead that emits a detergent-like scent as you clean.
If you're shopping at a mid-range price point, the Tineco PURE ONE S11 is a great choice. Now, there are a few obvious downsides compared to the pricier Shark Stratos Cordless: it has a shorter max runtime of about 40 minutes, a smaller dirt compartment, and a flimsier-feeling body. However, it's still very well-equipped for a vacuum in this price bracket. Like the Shark, it can automatically adjust its suction power setting depending on the amount of debris it detects. It also has a HEPA filter that's fairly effective in sealing in allergens as you clean, but like any bagless vacuum, you need to be careful when emptying its dustbin, which can release a cloud of fine grit and dust.
If you'd prefer to go corded when searching for a vacuum to clean tile floors, the Pure Suction variant of the Miele Classic C1 is a good choice. Being a bagged canister vacuum, it isn't a like-for-like alternative. However, it's worth a look if you're willing to sacrifice the ease of deployment and go-anywhere range of a cordless vacuum for the all-out cleaning performance of an intermediate corded vacuum. It's also much better built than the Tineco, and its bagged design makes it easier to maintain.
The Wyze Cordless Vacuum is the best cordless vacuum for tile floors at a lower mid-range price point we've tested. Unlike the Tineco PURE ONE S11, it can't automatically adjust its suction power on the fly. However, despite its budget-friendly price, it delivers fantastic performance on bare floors. While it doesn't have a brushroll with a fluffy texture to help clear fine debris on bare surfaces or in cracks and crevices like deep grout lines, its multi-surface head is still reasonably effective for dealing with messes on hard surfaces like tile. Unique for a vacuum in this price bracket, it has a HEPA filter to help seal in allergens as you clean.
Unfortunately, it shares a common weakness with the pricier Tineco with its poor battery life; its max runtime of about 40 minutes is on the shorter end of the scale for a cordless model. Its build quality is also rather cheap and features a few obvious weak points; be careful not to lose the protective gasket that's seated on the door to its dirt compartment when emptying it.
The best budget vacuum for tile floors we've tested is the Eureka Mighty Mite. This compact canister vacuum isn't as powerful or well-built as a higher-end model like the Miele Classic C1. It also lacks the grab-and-go convenience of a cordless model like the Wyze Cordless Vacuum. That said, it's very affordable and does a fantastic job of sucking up pet hair and solid debris on bare surfaces like tile floors. Its floorhead has bristles you can retract, which helps clean any low or medium-pile area rugs. Its overall design is very simple to maintain, and you can easily access and replace its filters and dustbag.
The vacuum's compact size lets you easily maneuver it in tight spaces, and it's light enough to pick it up and carry it without causing too much fatigue. However, its power cord and hose aren't long, so you'll probably need to swap outlets when cleaning larger areas. It's also worth noting that some newer variants of this vacuum lack the requisite mounting points to install an aftermarket post-motor exhaust filter.
If you're looking for a vacuum that can pull double-duty as a mop for handling kitchen spills, the BISSELL CrossWave Cordless Max is a great choice. It differs from other models on this list by being able to suck up liquids and having a detergent dispersal feature, which sprays cleaning solution onto its brushroll to help saturate and scrub away dried-on stains on hard floors. While it offers weaker suction force than conventional higher-end vacuums like the Shark Stratos Cordless, it still does a fantastic job of sucking up solid debris on bare floors. It also performs decently in dealing with material in shallow cracks and crevices. It feels decently well-built and has a reasonably large dirt compartment, so you won't need to empty it too frequently.
However, it lacks an allergen-trapping HEPA filter, and some fine particles can escape through its post-motor exhaust, so it isn't the best option if you suffer from allergies. Its battery life of about 40 minutes is fairly lengthy, but if you are looking for even longer, you could always consider the BISSELL CrossWave Pet Pro. Its corded design makes it a better option for longer cleaning sessions, though you lose the go-anywhere range of the Max.
Sep 24, 2024: We've verified our recommendations, ensuring they represent the best choices, and made small edits for clarity.
Mar 15, 2024: Added the Miele Triflex HX2 and Dyson V15s Detect Submarine to the Notable Mentions. Removed less relevant Notable Mentions picks.
Jan 16, 2024: Added Dyson Gen5outsize/Gen5outsize Absolute to Notable Mentions.
Nov 16, 2023: Replaced Shark Cordless Pro with Tineco PURE ONE S11 as 'Best Mid-Range Vacuum For Tile Floors' pick due to current pricing and replaced Shark Pet Cordless (IX141) with Wyze Cordless Vacuum as 'Best Lower Mid-Range Vacuum For Tile Floors' pick due to current availability. Added Dyson Gen5detect/Gen5detect Absolute and Shark Cordless Pro to Notable mentions.
Sep 15, 2023: Replaced Samsung Jet 90 Complete with Dyson V15 Detect as 'Best Vacuum Cleaner For Tile Floors' pick due to current availability. Added Samsung Jet 90 Complete to Notable Mentions.
Our recommendations are based on what we think are currently the best vacuum cleaners for tile floors. We don't just base our results on overall performance but also on factors like availability, price, and reader feedback.
If you would like to do the work of choosing yourself, here is the list of all our vacuum reviews, ranked by bare floor performance. Be careful not to get too caught up in the details. While there's no single best vacuum, most are good enough to please almost everyone, and the differences are often not noticeable unless you really look for them.