Thanks to innovations in design and materials, vacuum cleaners have become lighter over time. The best lightweight vacuum cleaners make cleaning feel easier. That usually means more than just having a low number on the spec sheet. The best models are easy to carry, simple to maneuver around furniture, and comfortable to use for more than a few minutes at a time. Weight matters, of course, but so do balance, handle design, floorhead movement, and how well the vacuum picks up debris on the surfaces you actually clean.
We've tested over 110 vacuum cleaners, and below are our recommendations for the best lightweight vacuums you can buy. These picks were selected based on their weight, performance across different surface types, feature sets, battery life, and price. If you're looking for more vacuums, check out our recommendations for the best cordless vacuums, the best budget and cheap vacuums, the best stick vacuums, and the best cordless vacuums for pet hair.
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Best Lightweight Vacuum
House7.1Small Apartment8.3Total Weight5.20 lbs (2.36 kg)Weight In Hand3.09 lbs (1.40 kg)Portability8.3Maneuverability8.0See all our test resultsVacuum TypeStick/HandheldThe best lightweight vacuum we've tested is the Dyson V12 Detect Slim. While this model isn't part of Dyson's newest lineup, you can still find it on their website. At just over 5 pounds, carrying it between rooms or lifting it to clean stairs takes noticeably less effort than most cordless stick vacuums, and its rotating floorhead lets you change direction without repositioning the whole machine. In addition to its primary multi-surface floorhead, it comes with a floorhead that includes a soft roller and a laser light to help identify fine debris and pet hair on hard floors. It can automatically increase suction power on carpets or when it detects a high concentration of debris. The battery lasts up to an hour, which is pretty lengthy for this type of vacuum. Its performance on bare floors is exceptional, and it handles debris on low- and high-pile carpets very well.
Unsurprisingly, given the vacuum's small size, its dirt compartment is tiny and needs frequent emptying. If that's a problem, consider the pricier and heavier Dyson V15 Detect; it has a larger dustbin, but at almost 6.5 pounds, it's noticeably heavier than the compact V12.
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Best Mid-Range Lightweight Vacuum
Total Weight5.16 lbs (2.34 kg)Weight In Hand3.15 lbs (1.43 kg)Portability8.3Maneuverability7.5See all our test resultsVacuum TypeStick/HandheldThe Samsung Jet 60 is the best lightweight vacuum cleaner we've tested at the mid-range price point. Compared to our top pick, the Dyson V12 Detect Slim, this cordless stick vacuum has a less powerful suction motor and uses a smaller-capacity battery with a max runtime of about 40 minutes. Otherwise, it's pretty similar; it also weighs just over five pounds, making it remarkably easy to pick up and carry from room to room. Despite its lightweight construction, it's made of solid-feeling plastic and sports a relatively high-capacity dustbin that won't need regular emptying. That said, the dustbin's top-mounted position can get in the way when cleaning under tables and chairs.
This vacuum's five-stage filtration system is quite effective in trapping allergens, though, like with any bagless vacuum, you have to exercise caution when emptying the dustbin to avoid reintroducing dirt into your space. Unfortunately, while the Jet 60's Jet Fit floorhead provides good debris pickup on low- and high-pile carpets, it isn't as effective as the Dyson on hard surfaces like tile or hardwood. This product can be somewhat tricky to find, but it's currently available at Lowe's.
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Best Lower Mid-Range Lightweight Vacuum
House6.7Small Apartment7.6Total Weight4.96 lbs (2.25 kg)Weight In Hand2.49 lbs (1.13 kg)Portability8.5Maneuverability7.0See all our test resultsVacuum TypeStick/HandheldIf you're looking for a relatively affordable cordless model, consider the Wyze Cordless Vacuum S. It's just as portable as the mid-range Samsung Jet 60, weighing just over 5 pounds. Not to mention, its battery performance almost matches that of the pricier Samsung vacuum's max runtime. It comes bundled with a HEPA filter that's fairly effective in sealing allergens, which is rare for a cordless vacuum in this price range. However, like any bagless vacuum, you must be careful when emptying its dustbin, or you might release a cloud of dust.
As you reach this price point, build quality tends to diminish, and the Wyze is no exception; it features a plastic chassis that feels cheap and scratches easily. It also struggles with bulky debris and fine material that has been worked into the carpet fibers. If you're okay with these compromises, there's a lot to love here.
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Best Budget Lightweight Vacuum
House7.6Small Apartment6.5Total Weight9.04 lbs (4.10 kg)Weight In Hand1.01 lbs (0.46 kg)Portability8.4Maneuverability7.5See all our test resultsVacuum TypeCanisterThe Eureka Mighty Mite is a good choice if you're looking for a lightweight corded canister vacuum. While it doesn't have the grab-and-go convenience of a cordless vacuum, it has a lighter weight in hand than any of our pricier picks. It's also considerably lighter and smaller than most other canister vacuums, making it easy to pull around, pick up, and carry with minimal effort. Debris pickup performance is impressive for the price point, and its straightforward design makes it easy to swap out filters or install a new dirtbag. Unfortunately, its power cord is short, so you'll need to swap outlets when cleaning larger areas.
This vacuum does have a few downsides. Parts of it feel a little flimsy, especially the wand, which uses two plastic tubes that can come apart if they are not pushed together firmly. Its filtration is also not especially impressive, since some newer Mighty Mite models do not include the clips needed to attach aftermarket HEPA filters. If you'd prefer a bagless option, the Eureka Whirlwind Bagless Canister is a similarly performing alternative that's very portable, though it does have an even shorter power cord.
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Best Cheap Lightweight Vacuum
House6.9Small Apartment5.7Total Weight3.00 lbs (1.36 kg)Weight In Hand0.97 lbs (0.44 kg)Portability9.3Maneuverability6.5See all our test resultsVacuum TypeUpright/HandheldIf you want to spend as little as possible on a lightweight vacuum, check out the BISSELL Featherweight Stick. At just over 3 pounds, this basic vacuum is even lighter than the vast majority of cordless stick models like the Wyze Cordless Vacuum S, making it one of the best lightweight vacuum cleaners for people with limited mobility. It does an excellent job of dealing with pet hair and other lightweight debris on hard surfaces, and it's relatively easy to maneuver.
However, unlike the Wyze and most pricier alternatives, it isn't cordless, and you'll need to frequently switch outlets when cleaning larger areas due to the power cord's short length. It also features a small, weak suction motor and a rudimentary pure suction floorhead, which struggle to lift debris from carpets and crevices, especially as its tiny dustbin fills up.
Notable Mentions
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eufy E20 (Stick):
The eufy E20 is effectively a bundle of vacuums, with a modular motor unit that can be mounted inside a robot vacuum chassis or a cordless stick/handheld vacuum. The stick vacuum is lightweight and portable, but less effective on carpeted and bare floors than the Samsung Jet 60.
See our review
Recent Updates
Apr 03, 2026:
We reworked this article and removed the BISSELL PowerForce Helix as well as the Notable Mention of the Dyson Digital Slim. We also added the Dyson V15 as an alternative to the Dyson V12 Detect Slim.
Nov 13, 2025:
We made minor tweaks to further explain product details and added the eufy E20 to the Notable Mentions.
Apr 17, 2025:
We removed the alternate Samsung Jet 90 Complete from the 'Best Lightweight Vacuum' due to availability. We replaced the discontinued Wyze Cordless Vacuum as the 'Best Lower Mid-Range Lightweight Vacuum' with the Wyze Cordless Vacuum S and revised the text. We removed the Notable Mention Shark WANDVAC due to availability and replaced it with the Dyson Digital Slim.
Jan 10, 2025:
Due to availability, we've replaced the Hoover ONEPWR Evolve Pet with the BISSELL PowerForce Helix as our recommendation for the 'Best Lightweight Upright Vacuum.' We've also made small edits for clarity throughout.
Oct 02, 2024: Due to current product pricing, we've removed the 'Best Upper-Mid Range' category and streamlined the Notable Mentions accordingly. We've also made small edits for clarity and concision.
All Reviews
Our recommendations above are based on what we think are currently the best lightweight vacuum cleaners. 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 lightweight vacuum reviews. Be careful not to get too caught up in the details. While no vacuum is perfect for every use, most are good enough to please almost everyone, and the differences are often not noticeable unless you really look for them.