Vacuum for Laminate Floors

The 5 Best Vacuum Cleaners for Laminate Floors (2024 Reviews)

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Dirt, pet hair, shoes, spills, and more, laminate floors can take a beating, but they need proper care to look good and last long. Laminate floors require a different way of cleaning than carpet or hardwood. For instance, vacuums for laminate floors don’t typically have tough brush rolls, since the hard bristles could damage the floor. Some vacuum cleaners for laminate flooring combine the process of vacuuming with the follow-up of washing with a special soap solution.

Our home and family expert for Safe Smart Family chose five of the best vacuums for laminate floors, including cleaners that are lightweight, made for hardwood, and feature great all-around suction. Coming in at the top spot is the Bissell Featherweight Stick Lightweight Bagless Vacuum for its ease of use, versatility, and light weight.

Our Home and Family Expert’s Top Pick

Bissell Featherweight Stick Lightweight Bagless Vacuum

Lightweight and easy to use, the Bissell vacuum for laminate floors delivers high power and is versatile enough to clean your home.

Whether you have a small or large area to live in, vacuums, mops, brooms, and other cleaning tools are pretty much essential for keeping a clean home.

Our Home and Family Expert’s Top 5 Vacuums for Laminate Floors

Here are the top picks from our home and family expert. Compare the ratings and key features for each of the different brands and models.

Editor’s Picks Brand Rating Under 6 Pounds in Weight Converts to Handheld Cordless
Best Overall Bissell Featherweight Stick Lightweight Bagless Vacuum 4.4
Best Suction Dyson V8 Animal Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner 4.6
Best Wet-Dry Tineco iFloor3 Cordless Wet Dry Vacuum Cleaner 4.6
Best Lightweight Eureka RapidClean Pro Lightweight Cordless Vacuum Cleaner 4.3
Best for Hardwood Floors Shark HV302 Rocket Pet Corded Stick Vacuum 4.6

*Ratings are on a scale of 1 to 5 and based on reviews, feedback, and opinions of actual customers

Who Should Buy a Vacuum for Laminate Floors

  • Your home has mostly hard floors and area rugs. Vacuums for laminate floors often have a lower head. The suction area sits closer to the floor so you can effectively capture dust and hair from hard floors. These types of vacuums are unable to adequately clean standard or thick carpets. A regular vacuum may have a bristle-brush roll that could scratch your hard flooring.
  • To save time and energy. Consider a wet-dry vacuum for laminate floors to save yourself time and effort from vacuuming and then washing the floor separately with a mop. The 2-in-1 option allows you to vacuum and wash at the same time.

Who Should Not Buy a Vacuum for Laminate Floors

  • Your home has mostly thick carpet. If most of your home is carpeted, look for a vacuum that is effective for deep-cleaning a carpet. A vacuum for laminate floors will not be able to do the job of picking up dirt and hair from within thick carpet fibers.

Research Tips (from a Home and Family Expert)

As a home and family expert, I’m often asked how to pick a good vacuum for laminate floors. Here are some tips and best practices when purchasing a vacuum for laminate floors. Be sure to do adequate research on the product you’re considering, look for key features, and ask your friends and family about their recommendations for a vacuum for laminate floors.

  1. How do you want to care for your laminate floor? You have a choice of dry vacuuming and wet-dry cleaning. While a wet-dry vacuum can be used without the wash function, it’s not recommended for getting the best results from the machine. If you don’t plan on washing your floor, consider a regular vacuum for hard floors which should be vacuumed at least once per week. If you want to save time and energy by vacuuming and washing at the same time, consider a wet-dry vacuum for hard floors.
  2. Corded versus cordless. Vacuums for laminate floors are either corded vacuums or cordless. Cordless vacuums for hard floors are often stick vacuums with the option of converting to a handheld or stair vacuum. These types of vacuums are also often lightweight, so they’re easy to use and maneuver around your home. Cordless vacuums can take time to charge and are typically limited to under an hour of run time.
  3. Big messes or little messes. Consider what your daily or weekly cleaning entails. Are you constantly chasing pet hair around your home or does your home require a quick clean only once a week? A cordless stick vacuum might be better for quick cleanups, while a corded vacuum with heavy-duty suction might aid you better in frequent cleaning.
  4. Versatility. Most homes feature a myriad of surfaces and areas that need cleaning, not just floors but also stairs, furniture, crevices, and more. Think about how versatile you need the vacuum to be. Consider a vacuum for laminate floors that converts to a handheld so you can vacuum the stairs or couch. Likewise, consider a vacuum for laminate floors that can also switch to vacuuming carpet if you have a variety of flooring in your home.
  5. Extra features and attachments. Vacuuming usually requires more than just pushing a rolling brush around your floors. If you have furniture, tight corners, or small spaces, consider what else the vacuum comes with. Does it have handy tool attachments so you can clean your ceilings or baseboards? Some vacuums are equipped with special tools to help you clean your upholstery as well.

How Much Do They Cost?

Between $100 to $200

From budget-friendly to an investment, vacuums for laminate floors range widely in price. The average price is between $100 and $200, but vacuums for laminate floors can be found for as little as $25 and as much as $700. The amount you spend depends on the motor, suction power, versatility, and other features such as attachments, dust cap capacity, and weight. Typically, wet-dry vacuums for laminate floors are more expensive.

Our Methodology: Why Trust Safe Smart Family

With the help of my home and family experience, as well as some in-depth research, I selected the top five vacuums for laminate floors based on power, effectiveness, durability, and ease of use. There are several factors to consider when choosing a vacuum for laminate floors, such as versatility, dust cup capacity, and corded versus cordless. It’s important to consider what’s best for the job at hand.

The Best Vacuums for Laminate Floors: Full Reviews

Our Home and Family Expert’s Top Pick

Bissell Featherweight Stick Lightweight Bagless Vacuum

Lightweight and easy to use, the Bissell vacuum for laminate floors delivers high power and is versatile enough to clean your home.

The best overall vacuum for laminate floors is the Bissell Featherweight Stick Lightweight Bagless Vacuum, according to our home and family expert. Affordable and versatile, Bissell is well-known for its connection to the animal community. The Bissell vacuum picks up pet hair with the best and the company donates a portion of the proceeds to animals in need. This lightweight model weighs only 3 pounds and transforms from a stick to a handheld to a stair vacuum cleaner for laminate floors.

The Bissell Featherweight Bagless Vacuum comes in a variety of colors and has a 15-foot cord so you can vacuum without having to plug and unplug numerous times. The dust cup holds .67 liters and easily empties into the trash. Use the crevice tool or floor nozzle for hard-to-reach areas or stairs. The Bissell vacuum for laminate floors does not feature a brush roll but is still effective on low-pile carpets.

Pros
  • Lightweight
  • Converts to handheld
  • Multiple attachments
Cons
  • Not for use on standard carpets
  • Does not swivel
Best Suction

Dyson V8 Animal Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner

Effectively and efficiently clean up your home using the Dyson cordless vacuum with up to 40 minutes of run time.

The best suction for a vacuum for laminate floors is the Dyson V8 Animal Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner. The Dyson digital motor V8 in this cordless vacuum is powerful enough for more than just your laminate floors – it’s effective on carpets, too. The battery runs for 40 minutes when you’re not using a motorized tool but will run for up to 20 to 25 minutes when you are. Take advantage of maximum power for up to 6 minutes. The battery only loses power when it’s in use.

The Dyson vacuum cleaner is lightweight and features a washable, whole-machine filter that captures allergens and more for better breathing air. Fifteen cyclones in two tiers help capture fine particles and aid in airflow. Good for those with pets, this vacuum is outfitted with a nylon brush that helps get deep into carpets to pick up embedded hair and fur. Note: the nylon bristles may or may not scratch laminate floors. Convert the vacuum to a handheld to reach high areas or out-of-the-way places. Empty the dust bin easily so it’s always ready for the next use.

Pros
  • Washable vacuum filter
  • Lightweight but powerful
  • Good for carpets
Cons
  • Features a bristle brush roll
Best Wet-Dry

Tineco iFloor3 Cordless Wet Dry Vacuum Cleaner

Vacuum and wash your laminate floors at the same time with the Tineco Wet-Dry vacuum cleaner.

When you want to save time cleaning your home, consider the Tineco iFloor3 Cordless Wet Dry Vacuum Cleaner. Our home and family expert chose this vacuum as the best wet-dry vacuum for laminate floors because it combines vacuuming and washing into one action. The cordless vacuum delivers up to 25 minutes of run time and is equipped with two tanks – one each for clean and dirty water – and a self-cleaning, non-bristle, soft brush roll. The powerful suction captures dirt, spills, hair, and more while the roller washes and dries the floor. The vacuum is easy to push around since the head swivels and the unit is self-propelling.

Note: Even though this is a wet/dry vacuum, it’s not meant to vacuum a wet carpet. For that, use a wet/dry shop vacuum.

The Tineco wet-dry vacuum for sealed hard, non-carpeted floors, such as tile, laminate, vinyl, hardwood, and linoleum uses a specially-formulated deodorizing and sanitizing solution from Tineco that comes with the vacuum. It’s recommended to use only the solution from Tineco to keep the machine working at its best. The vacuum also comes with two filters and a 3-in-1 cleaning tool. The unit has a recharging base that also allows the vacuum to self-clean at the push of a button. The digital display shows you indicators, such as battery life, power level, unit issues, and the self-cleaning option.

Pros
  • Separate tanks for clean and dirty water
  • Self-cleaning option
  • Self-propelling
Cons
  • Should use Tineco’s cleaning solution
  • Cannot use on carpet
Best Lightweight

Eureka RapidClean Pro Lightweight Cordless Vacuum Cleaner

Weighing about 5 pounds, the Eureka vacuum for laminate floors features up to 40 minutes of run time.

Our home and family expert chose the Eureka RapidClean Pro Lightweight Cordless Vacuum Cleaner as the best lightweight vacuum for laminate floors. Weighing only 5 pounds, it features 40 minutes of cordless run time with the option of using maximum power for better cleaning. Use the lightweight Eureka vacuum on laminate, tile, wood, or low-pile rugs or carpets. It also converts to a handheld vacuum and includes two tool attachments for easier cleaning around your home.

The Eureka vacuum features a cyclonic filtration system that aids in capturing dust and dirt. The unit lies flat and features a swivel head so you can easily reach under and around furniture. The head also features LED headlights so you can see under the furniture. The stick vacuum can’t stand on its own but has an “easy rest” feature that allows you to prop the vacuum up against a piece of furniture. The unit comes with a wall mount so when you’re done using the vacuum, it stores up and out of the way.

Pros
  • Low-lying, swivel head
  • Lies flat for reaching under furniture
  • Converts to handheld
Cons
  • Not effective on standard carpets
Best for Hardwood Floors

Shark HV302 Rocket Pet Corded Stick Vacuum

The Shark changes from carpet to hard-floor vacuuming with a flip of a switch.

For those who have different types of flooring throughout their home, from carpet to laminate to hardwood, the Shark HV302 Rocket Pet Corded Stick Vacuum is recommended by our home and family expert. The Shark stick vacuum converts from carpet to hard floor seamlessly by shutting the brush roll off without losing power and suction. Strong enough to effectively pick up pet hair from within the carpet fibers, the Shark also vacuums hard floors without risking damage to the finish from the bristles.

The Shark vacuum is a stick vacuum that features an extension tool for reaching high places and converts to a handheld unit with multiple attachment tools to clean stairs and upholstery as well. The vacuum lies flat so you can reach under furniture while the swivel head allows you to maneuver around the legs and corners. Finish an entire room without running out of power or having to unplug the unit with the 25-foot power cord. Store the stick vacuum on a wall in the closet using the hook on the back for hanging.

Pros
  • Multiple flooring options
  • Swivel head, body lies flat
  • Converts to handheld
Cons
  • Does not stand on its own

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best vacuum for a laminate floor?

The best vacuum for a laminate floor depends on your specific flooring needs. Check out our top five choices for vacuums for laminate floors to find the one that suits you and the job at hand.

Is it OK to vacuum laminate floors?

Yes, it’s OK to vacuum laminate floors. Keep in mind that a brush roll with hard bristles may scratch or damage the finish of your flooring. Consider a vacuum made specifically for hard floors.1

Can you use a Shark vacuum on laminate floors?

Yes, you can use a Shark vacuum on laminate floors. Consider the Shark HV302 Rocket Pet Corded Stick Vacuum, which is highlighted above under best for hardwood floors. It’s versatile and can be used on both carpet and laminate with a simple push of a button.

What is the best way to clean my laminate floor?

The best way to vacuum your floor is with great care. Experts recommend dry mopping with a microfiber cloth, vacuuming without a bristle-brush roll, and spot-cleaning. Spot-clean with a gentle cleanser or damp cloth and dry the area right away. Do not get the laminate floor overly wet when washing it and avoid using heat.23

Is it better to dust or vacuum first?

This is a question many want answered. The correct answer is always to dust first, vacuum second. Reason being, when you dust you can cause dust particles to become airborne and wind up on the floor.

Article Sources

Safe Smart Family uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

  1. This is How to Clean Laminate Floors the Right Way. Nationalfloorsdirect.com. Published August 13, 2020. Accessed April 29, 2022
  2. This is How to Clean Laminate Floors the Right Way. Nationalfloorsdirect.com. Published August 13, 2020. Accessed April 29, 2022
  3. Fazio E. How to Clean Laminate Floors. Hgtv.com. Accessed April 29, 2022
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Richard J. Bartlett
Home and family advisor for Safe Smart Family with more than a decade writing about home and family lifestyle topics and expertise in home product reviews