8 Best Vacuums for Hard Floors and Carpets 2026

This featherlight stick vacuum is a game-changer for quick cleanups, especially in compact living spaces where bulky vacuums are overkill. Weighing next to nothing and offering three-in-one versatility, it effortlessly transitions from stick to handheld mode, making it ideal for tackling cereal spills on sealed hardwood or dusting off low-pile rugs. Its 0.67-liter dirt cup may be small, but the powerful suction for its size handles daily debris with surprising efficiency—perfect for those who value speed and convenience over deep-cleaning intensity.

In real-world testing, the Bissell Featherweight shines on hard floors and light carpet messes, zipping across tile and laminate with ease. The included crevice tool makes it a go-to for stairs, upholstery, and tight corners, while the floor nozzle works well on short-pile rugs. However, it’s not built for heavy-duty carpet cleaning—its suction lacks the oomph to pull up deeply embedded dirt, and the small dust cup requires frequent emptying during larger jobs. That said, for 10-minute touch-ups or quick post-meal sweeps, it’s hard to beat.

Compared to heavier uprights like the Shark NV352, this model sacrifices power for ultra-portability and simplicity. It’s not a full-home solution, but for apartment dwellers or as a secondary vacuum, it delivers unmatched convenience. While it doesn’t tackle pet hair like the LEVOIT LVAC-200, its nimble design and instant usability make it a top pick when speed matters most—offering solid performance where bulkier models feel like overkill.

Don’t let the price tag fool you—this budget powerhouse from Amazon Basics punches well above its weight in both suction and usability. With a 720W motor and 1.7-liter dust cup, it handles everything from fine dust on hardwood to tracked-in gravel on medium-pile carpet without breaking a sweat. The washable filter and detachable handle add long-term value, making it a smart, no-frills choice for households that want reliable cleaning without the premium price tag.

During testing, the vacuum proved remarkably consistent across surfaces, thanks to its straightforward design and solid motor output. The 25-foot power cord eliminates constant outlet hopping, a rare win in this price range, and the onboard crevice and upholstery tools stay securely attached—no lost accessories. It’s not the lightest at 8.4 lbs, but the ergonomic handle and smooth glide wheels make it easy to push around. That said, it lacks brushroll shutoff, so you’ll need to be cautious on delicate hard floors to avoid scratching.

When stacked against the Bissell Featherweight, this model is clearly the better full-floor workhorse, though it’s less portable. Compared to the pricier Shark NV352, it misses out on HEPA filtration and swivel steering, but for basic, no-nonsense cleaning, it covers all essentials. It’s the ideal pick for first-time homeowners or renters who want dependable performance without complexity—delivering 90% of the function at half the cost of high-end models.

The Shark NV352 isn’t just good—it’s a benchmark for what an upright vacuum should be, blending HEPA-level allergen capture with lift-away convenience and swivel agility. Its anti-allergen complete seal technology is a standout, making it a must-have for allergy sufferers, while the detachable pod lets you clean stairs and furniture without lugging the whole unit. With instant brushroll shutoff, it seamlessly switches from deep carpet cleaning to gentle bare floor care—no manual adjustments needed.

In real-world use, this vacuum dominates on both carpets and hard floors, pulling up pet hair, dust bunnies, and cereal crumbs with equal ease. The swivel steering is a game-changer in tight corners and around furniture legs, and the 5-year warranty signals long-term confidence. We tested it on thick plush carpet and sealed hardwood—zero clogs, minimal noise, and consistent suction throughout. The only hiccup? The dust cup is smaller than competitors like the Eureka PowerSpeed, requiring more frequent emptying during whole-home cleans.

Compared to the Bissell 2254, it lacks automatic cord rewind but wins on filtration and versatility. Against the Amazon Basics model, it’s pricier but offers HEPA performance and superior maneuverability. It’s the best overall pick for families who want one vacuum to rule all surfaces, especially those with pets or allergies—delivering premium features without the luxury price, and outperforming many models twice its cost.

If you’re battling pet hair every day, the Bissell 2254 is a fur-fighting beast with a genius automatic rewind feature that makes storage a breeze. Its triple action brush roll and scatter-free technology are engineered to grab embedded pet hair from carpets, while the edge-to-edge cleaning gets within millimeters of baseboards—no more dusty lines along the wall. Weighing in at a manageable 15 lbs, it’s built for pet owners who need daily deep cleans without the cord hassle.

In testing, the 27-foot auto-rewind cord was a revelation—no more wrapping by hand. The vacuum handled thick carpet with authority, and the wide cleaning path (13.5 inches) cut down cleaning time significantly. On hardwood, it performed well when the brushroll was engaged, though it lacks an automatic shutoff like the Shark NV352, risking fine scratches over time. The onboard pet tools are convenient, but the dust cup, while large, can be messy to empty without a true one-touch release.

Compared to the LEVOIT LVAC-200, it’s heavier and corded but excels in sustained carpet performance. Against the Shark, it trades HEPA filtration for superior cord management and edge cleaning. It’s the top choice for pet owners in larger homes who prioritize deep carpet cleaning and convenience—offering robust power and thoughtful design that justifies its mid-tier price without chasing premium specs.

The VICEASE A27 is a cordless dynamo wrapped in sleek pink, delivering 45Kpa of suction in a featherlight 3.2-pound frame—a rare combo that makes cleaning feel almost effortless. Its 8-in-1 versatility stands out: convert from stick to handheld in seconds, use the V-shaped anti-tangle brush on carpets, or deploy the green LED floor head that reveals hidden dust like a blacklight. With three suction modes and a 45-minute runtime, it adapts to everything from quick spills to full-home sessions.

Real-world testing confirmed its exceptional hard floor performance, where the LED light exposed dust invisible to the naked eye. On low to medium carpet, it lifted pet hair effectively, though it struggled slightly on high-pile rugs after 30 minutes of use. The 7-stage filtration ensures clean exhaust air, making it great for sensitive households, and the detachable battery lets you charge it anywhere. However, the plastic build feels less durable than pricier rivals, and the attachments, while numerous, lack the snug fit of Shark or LEVOIT.

Against the LEVOIT LVAC-200, it offers stronger suction and better visibility but falls short in roller cleanability. Compared to the Shark Rocket HV301, it’s wireless but lacks the same sustained power. It’s the best cordless performer under $100—packing high-end features into a budget frame, even if it sacrifices a bit of longevity for innovation.

The Shark Rocket HV301 is lightning in a gray-orange shell, weighing under 9 lbs and delivering corded power without the heft of traditional uprights. Its swivel steering and fingertip controls make it a joy to maneuver under sofas or around dining chairs, while the never-loses-suction promise holds true—no drop in performance even after 20 minutes of continuous use. As a convertible stick-to-handheld, it excels at floor-to-ceiling cleaning, from baseboards to ceiling cobwebs.

In practice, it handles hard floors with precision and deep-cleans carpets thanks to consistent motor output. The easy-empty dust cup is a small but mighty feature—no messy hand contact. We used it on tile, hardwood, and area rugs, and it transitioned seamlessly, especially with the included upholstery and crevice tools. That said, the cord is only 15 feet—shorter than most—and the wand doesn’t lock perfectly, occasionally slipping during use.

Compared to the VICEASE A27, it’s less high-tech but more reliable, with zero battery anxiety. Against the Shark NV352, it’s lighter and easier to store but lacks HEPA and lift-away convenience. It’s the best lightweight corded pick for renters or small homes—offering Shark’s signature agility in a compact, plug-in package that outperforms most stick vacuums in its class.

The LEVOIT LVAC-200 is a quiet revolution in cordless cleaning, built for homes with pets and allergy sufferers who demand clean air and tangle-free performance. Its tangle-resistant roller and 5-stage filtration work in harmony to pull pet hair and dander from carpets and release 99.9% allergen-free air, making it one of the few vacuums that truly delivers on both clean floors and clean breathing. At just under 5 lbs, it’s easy to carry up stairs or use under furniture.

During testing, the 50-minute runtime easily covered a 1,000 sq ft apartment, and the one-click dust bin made emptying quick and sanitary. The roller resisted hair wrap better than most, and the washable filter and roller reduce long-term costs. It performed superbly on hardwood and medium-pile carpet, though it lacked the raw power of the Bissell 2254 on thick rugs. The onboard tool storage is clever but tight—fitting both tools requires a squeeze.

Against the VICEASE A27, it’s less flashy but more durable, with better roller access and filtration. Compared to the Shark Rocket, it’s wireless but slightly slower to recharge. It’s the best pick for allergy and pet owners who want low-maintenance, high-hygiene cleaning—balancing performance, health features, and ease of use in a way few cordless vacuums can match.

The Eureka PowerSpeed is a mid-range marvel, packing 960 watts of suction into a 10-pound body—a rare balance of power and portability. Its 5-height brush roll adjustment lets you fine-tune cleaning for everything from plush carpet to bare floors, while the giant 2.6-liter dust cup means fewer trips to the trash, even during whole-home cleans. For pet owners, the onboard pet turbo brush is a game-changer, lifting fur from furniture and stairs with ease.

In real use, it crushed deep carpet cleaning tasks, pulling up weeks-old hair and dust from high-traffic zones. The large dust cup is a standout—cleaning an entire house without a single empty. On hardwood, the adjustable height prevented scratches, and the motor maintained steady suction. However, the power cord isn’t rewind-equipped, and the handle, while comfortable, lacks the swivel agility of Shark models.

Compared to the Amazon Basics model, it’s more powerful and spacious but lacks a washable filter. Against the Bissell 2254, it has better dust capacity but no auto-rewind. It’s the best mid-range option for families who want heavy-duty performance without premium pricing—offering industrial-level cleaning in a lightweight, pet-ready package that outclasses many pricier rivals.