The Best Vacuums for Hardwood Floors Are Gentle Giants

"The right cleaning device can make life infinitely easier, but you can't use just any old vac on wood surfaces. The best vacuums for hardwood floors have a powerful cleaning performance without scratching or causing damage. "The vacuum should have soft rubber wheels so scratching or marring does not occur when moving and manipulating the vacuum across the wood floors," explains Paul Henthorn, owner of Slaughterbeck Floors in Campbell, California."

"With this advice in mind, we tested dozens of highly rated models with deep cleaning capabilities, powerful suction, and maneuverability that make vacuuming more of a dance than a chore. We also focused on the following types of vacuums: bagless models that empty with a push of a button, cordless stick vacuums with extensive run times, a self-emptying robovac, and a worthy upright vacuum with an adjustable floorhead."

Hardwood floors require vacuums that combine strong suction with nonabrasive contact to avoid scratching finishes and removing wood fibers. Soft rubber wheels and soft-brush attachments prevent marring during movement, while power brushes and beater bars can remove finish and damage grain. A variety of vacuum types suit hardwood: bagless models with easy emptying, cordless sticks with long run times, self-emptying robot vacuums, and uprights with adjustable floorheads. Dozens of highly rated models were tested for deep-cleaning capability, suction strength, and maneuverability to identify editor-approved options that clean effectively without damaging hardwood surfaces.

Read at Architectural Digest