The 6 Best Cordless Vacuums For Hardwood Floors - Winter 2023 Reviews

The best cordless vacuum for hardwood floors we've tested is the Samsung Jet 90 Complete. The Complete variant of this vacuum comes with two floorheads; one with a multi-surface bristled roller and the other with a soft roller to avoid creating micro-scratches on hard surfaces like hardwood. You can bundle it with Samsung's Spinning Sweeper attachment, a uniquely-designed floorhead that uses rotating disposable mop pads to scrub away dried-on debris, though it doesn't suck anything up.

Maneuverability is good, although the top-mounted dustbin can get in the way when trying to reach to clean under tables and chairs. The vacuum can run for up to 60 minutes on a charge, which is fairly good for a cordless vacuum, though its runtime does drop dramatically if you run it continuously in its high-power 'Max' mode. Thanks to its powerful 200 AW motor, it does a fantastic job of handling pet hair and solid debris on hard floors. However, unlike the Dyson V12 Detect Slim, it isn't capable of automatically adjusting its suction power on the fly, though it's worth noting the Dyson is flimsier and has a tiny dustbin that'll need emptying very often.

Check out the Shark Stratos Cordless if you want something more affordable than the Samsung Jet 90 Complete. Unlike the Samsung, you can't use it to tackle stains, as there's no compatible mopping floorhead. It also takes longer to recharge without offering a longer overall runtime. That said, it's just as effective at sucking up debris on hard floors and offers a wide range of convenience features. Chief among them is its Clean Sense IQ system, which automatically adjusts its suction power in real time depending on the amount of debris being sucked up. There's also its odor-neutralization feature, which uses a replaceable cartridge that emits a pleasant detergent-like scent as you clean.

While it weighs more than the Samsung and has a bulkier twin-roller floorhead, its flexible wand makes it very easy to clean under the furniture. Build quality is also quite sturdy, and it isn't especially difficult to clean either. The sole exception to the latter is its non-removable primary brushroll, which, despite its self-cleaning billing, can still get tangled with pet hair. Check out the Miele Triflex HX1 if you're looking for a sturdily-built cordless vacuum with strong performance on bare floors and a removable brushroll, but do note that it has a smaller dustbin and a much shorter battery life.

The best mid-range cordless vacuum for hardwood floors we've tested is the Tineco PURE ONE S11. This cordless stick vacuum feels flimsier than the Shark Stratos Cordless, and its max runtime of 40 minutes is notably less than the Shark's peak battery life of an hour. That said, the Tango variant of this vacuum comes with a wide array of attachments for a much cheaper price, with a secondary soft-roller floorhead intended for use on easily-scratched surfaces like hardwood. While it doesn't have the Shark's odor-neutralizing system or flexible wand, it does have a somewhat similar automatic power adjustment feature that allows it to raise its suction power when passing over an area with a lot of debris.

If you're willing to give up the Tineco's automatic power adjustment feature in exchange for improved deep-cleaning performance, the Samsung Jet 75 is another very good option, though you'll have to pay a premium for a variant that comes bundled with a soft roller attachment.

If you're on a budget, the best cordless vacuum for hardwood floors we've tested is the Wyze Cordless Vacuum. While you're giving up the Tineco PURE ONE S11's automatic power adjustment feature and soft roller floorhead, this cordless stick vacuum still offers a lot of bang for the buck. It easily clears away pet hair as well as small household debris, though while its suction motor is powerful enough to lift away heavier debris, larger material can clog the narrow entry point to its dustbin. On the plus side, it has a HEPA filter that's reasonably effective in sealing in allergens like dust or pet dander.

At up to about 50 minutes on a single charge, battery life is also pretty impressive, especially for a vacuum in this price range. Its plastic construction is pretty lightweight, though this does come at the cost of overall durability. Still, if you can't do without an automatic power adjustment feature, the Tineco PURE ONE X is worth a look, even if it has a weaker suction motor than the Wyze and a smaller dustbin.

If you're looking to buy a cordless vacuum that weighs very little and is pretty well-suited to cleaning hardwood floors, the Xiaomi Mi Vacuum Cleaner Light is a solid option. At a little over four pounds, this cordless stick weighs even less than other lightweight cordless stick vacuums like the Wyze Cordless Vacuum, making it a cinch to carry around. Despite its budget-friendly price point and flyweight construction, the build quality is also relatively sturdy. However, its highly compact design comes at the cost of a tiny dirt compartment that'll need emptying at the end of every cleaning session and a weak suction motor that struggles with lifting debris from crevices. While it doesn't have a completely soft floorhead, the bristles on its brushroll are very soft and aren't likely to damage hardwood floors.

The Dyson Omni-glide is another good option for cleaning hardwood floors if you're looking for something lightweight. Its pivoting multi-directional floorhead makes it highly maneuverable, but unlike the Xiaomi, it's completely useless for cleaning the occasional rug, as its twin nylon rollers provide almost no surface agitation on carpets. It also has a much harder time dealing with bulkier debris, has an even smaller dustbin, and has a shorter battery life.

Check out the BISSELL CrossWave Cordless Max if you're looking for an all-in-one machine for all kinds of messes on hardwood floors. This vacuum uses an absorbent fluffy roller and a detergent-dispersal function to scrub away dried-on stains. Unlike the more conventional Samsung Jet 90 Complete when used with its Spinning Sweeper attachment, the BISSELL is also fully capable of sucking up liquid spills. That said, it doesn't exert as much in the way of raw suction power compared to a conventional cordless model. Battery life is fairly unremarkable, with a runtime of about 40 minutes.

Unfortunately, it can be a bit of a hassle to maneuver in tight spaces due to its heavy weight. It feels decently well-built but does have a few parts that need periodic washing. Thankfully, you can keep track of its maintenance schedule with the vacuum's smartphone companion app.