An essential piece of equipment that we've used to professionally clean thousands of clients homes? A hard surface floor vacuum. Some other names that this type of vacuum might referred to;
• Hard floor vacuum
• Bare floor vacuum
• Multi-surface vacuum
• Tile floor vacuum
• Wood floor vacuum
• Cordless floor vacuum
A hard floor vacuum falls on our must-have list of items for your home cleaning toolkit. A hard floor vacuum is going to provide a different function than a traditional carpet vacuum.
What the main difference to spot in a hard floor vacuum?
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The main difference between a carpet vacuum and a hard surface floor vacuum? Whether it has a beater bar or not.
Hard Floor Vacuum:
No beater bar for increased air flow, which results in better suction against a flat surface.
Carpet Vacuum:
A beater bar / brush roll to comb carpets for debris.
Why should I use a hard floor vacuum?
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Using a hard floor vacuum removes microscopic dirt, debris, and dust. It's going to make cleaning more efficient...and effective.
Floors are typically one of the last tasks to be cleaned. We do this because dirt and debris falls to the floor in the process of cleaning. Brooms tend to push dirt back and forth and kick up dust. This means that the areas you’ve JUST cleaned, will get dirty again. Counterintuitive, right?
A hard floor vacuum is more hypoallergenic and minimizes the overall dust in a space. While brooms are the less expensive route, a good hard floor vacuum is a one time investment. It's worth it.
An added benefit to investing in a hard floor vacuum is that it will replace two tools (yay, consolidation);
1) Broom
2) Hand vacuum.
Most hard floor vacuums include a hand vacuum feature or an attachment to help remove dust off of furniture, upholstery, and other small crevices.
The largest continuous surface in any home? The floors. This is a surface that you’ll want to prioritize if you want your home to look and feel cleaner.
Your guide to buying a hard floor vacuum.
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If you're in the market for a new hard floor vacuum, here's what to look for.
Corded/Cordless Options
There are quite a few cordless options available when it comes to hard floor vacuums. But the best investment? If you're looking for power, might be the corded Hoover Backpack Vac (pick #2 below). Technology is always advancing, so keep your eyes and ears open. We'll update this article as we find new innovative options for cordless backpack or stick vacuums.
Suction Power
Not every hard floor vacuum is going to have the best suction power. This is the difference between picking up microscopic dust particles...and not.
Upholstery Attachment Options
A good hard floor vacuum will also have options to detach the floor wand so that you can vacuum furniture, stairs, and other upholstered surfaces. However, there is such a things as too many attachments to these devices. It might be tempting to purchase the hard floor vacuum with extra attachments...but focus on finding one with the upholstery attachment and how powerful it is.
Bags or Bagless
Consider one maintenance cost that might go into a hard floor vacuum: vacuum bags. One bag might cost $5 - $10, which can add up over time. Instead, opt for a bagless hard floor vacuum that can be emptied out. Most of these have a filter that does need to be replaced eventually. However, the filter should last for a while.
Pick #1 - Dyson V15
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"The easy to use, grab and go cordless vacuum."
Dyson has really upped their game over the last few years. Their technology has significantly improved across the board on all of their appliances. One of which is the Dyson V15 stick vacuum. Not only is the V15 highly effective for vacuuming floors, the experience in using it? It's quite seamless. After you install the mount, your V15 sits on a wall mounted charger when not in use. Keep this in an accessible location to easily vacuum up floor debris as you make a mess.
This hard floor vacuum is easily accessible for kitchen floor cleanup after cooking a meal. It’s one less step than a broom. You don’t have to empty the contents of a dustpan. And when you do need to empty the canister, it’s an easy eject button.
If you have a larger home, you might benefit from their larger version, which is their Outsize. The canister is larger and it comes with two rechargeable batteries.
Bonus, the V15 also vacuums carpets too. Its built in sensor will automatically adjust to the carpet floor pile.
Pick #2- Hoover Backpack Vacuum
"The floor vacuum with the most power."
These hard floor vacuums are true workhorses. They're great for both commercial and residential settings. They’re powerful and make the experience of cleaning SO MUCH EASIER.
They come with a series of attachments, but we highly recommend this additional one that attaches to the hose to vacuum upholstery.
You can easily switch between using the wand for floors and use the hose to easily get into crevices for a more focused cleaning.
With this being a corded hard floor vacuum, the power is a bit greater than the Dyson V15. If you’re looking for a vacuum that’s going to pack a punch and get the job done, this is your vacuum. If you have carpets, you’ll need to keep a carpet vacuum on hand separately.
Pick #3- Milwaukee M18 Fuel Cordless Backpack Vacuum
"The hard floor vacuum that gives you the best of both worlds: cordless and power."
The Milwaukee M18 FUEL Backpack Vacuum is cordless and surprisingly quiet for how much of a powerhouse it really is.
The backpack design is ergonomic and light enough to not feel like a workout, and the adjustable harness means you're not constantly yanking it back into place. Plus, it runs on Milwaukee’s M18 batteries, so if you’re already in their ecosystem then this hard floor vacuum is a no-brainer.
Pick #4- Prolux 2.0 Bagless Backpack Vacuum
"The low profile super-fast hard floor vacuum."
The Prolux 2.0 Commercial Bagless Backpack Vacuum weighs in at a mere 9 pounds, this hard floor vacuum is designed to be light on your shoulders but heavy on performance.
Its ergonomic straps are crafted for comfort, making it feel like you're carrying a small backpack rather than a cleaning machine.
The bagless design means you can say goodbye to constantly buying and replacing vacuum bags, and the 0.64-liter dust receptacle is easy to empty, keeping maintenance hassle-free.
Plus, with a 35-foot cord, you can cover a lot of ground without constantly searching for a new outlet.
Pick #5 - Bissell CleanView XR 200W Lightweight Cordless Vacuum
"The best quality stick vacuum for your buck."
The BISSELL CleanView® XR 200W Cordless Stick Vacuum is a sleek, lightweight powerhouse offering up to 35 minutes of cordless freedom in standard mode.
The tangle-free brush roll means you won't have to pause to cut out trapped hairs.
It's got 3 cleaning modes and a removable battery. This hard floor vacuum easily converts into a handheld unit, perfect for upholstery or car interiors, and the included dusting and crevice tools help you reach every nook and cranny.
Here's what seals the deal: it weighs in at just under 6 pounds.
Pick #6 - Makita XCV17PG Cordless Backpack Vacuum
"The backpack vacuum that matches your power tools."
This cordless Makita XCV17PG Cordless Backpack Vacuum delivers performance.
Weighing in slightly heavier than other backpack vacuums, stick vacuums, and hard floor vacuums...at 15lbs. It does however feature padded shoulder straps and a waist belt with multiple adjustments for a customized fit.
It comes with 139 minutes of continuous run time on the normal setting and 40 minutes on max.
Whether you're a professional cleaner or just serious about your workspace tidiness, this Makita hard floor vacuum combines power, portability, and comfort in one sleek package.
Pick #7 - Atrix VACBP10 Backpack Vacuum
"The versatile backpack vacuum that's both a vacuum and a blower."
The Atrix VACBP10 HEPA Backpack Vacuum Premium Bundle is a solid contender. Designed with ergonomics in mind, this lightweight hard floor vacuum allows for comfort, even with extended use.
Its low-profile design ensures you can maneuver this hard floor vacuum easily through tight spaces and around furniture without hassle.
What sets the Atrix VACBP10 apart is its comprehensive four-stage filtration system, featuring an eight-quart HEPA bag, cloth shake-out bag, HEPA pre-motor filter, and an exhaust filter, ensuring that even the smallest particles are captured.
Pick #8 - Sanitaire Transport Commercial Cordless Backpack Vacuum
"Cordless commercial power."
The Sanitaire Transport Commercial Cordless Backpack Vacuum offers two-speed settings: a regular mode for extended runtimes during everyday cleaning and a boost mode for maximum suction power.
The 4-quart capacity provides ample space for debris, reducing the need for constant emptying.
Tipping the scales at just under 15 pounds it's on the heavier side for a backpack vacuum or a hard floor vacuum. However, it offers the freedom of cordless technology, allowing you to navigate spaces without the hassle of cords.
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