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Whether your floor is carpeted or not, it’s a fact that it will accumulate dust, dirt, and pet hair (if you have pets). The same applies if you have rugs. The solution to keeping your floors clean and sanitized: investing in a good vacuum cleaner.
A vacuum cleaner is essential in your home for deep cleaning and eliminating allergens, dust, and more. Since vacuums come in various shapes and sizes (not to mention prices), it may be difficult to choose one. But these days, more and more people are swapping their big, clunky vacuums for a lightweight vacuum, which makes vacuuming not only a lot more efficient, but easier too.
What Makes a Good Portable Vacuum Cleaner?
The best lightweight vacuum cleaners (often referred to as a portable vacuum cleaner) effectively clean up dirt, dust, hair, crumbs and other debris on the floor, while being light enough to carry from room to room with ease.
Choosing a good vacuum cleaner is also based on personal preferences. While robotic vacuums are usually rounded and low to the ground, the best lightweight vacuums can take many forms, from upright and canister, to stick and cordless stick options.
According to Consumer Reports, upright vacuums make up about half of the vacuum market. They’re also the best at deep cleaning carpets. Canister vacuums are good for multilevel homes, since you can leave it on the floor or stairs while you vacuum with the powerhead in hand. There aren’t as many on the market, but they are effective for cleaning hardwood floors, and consumers report high reliability. Stick vacuums are increasing in the market, as they’re easier to maneuver and also good at cleaning hard floors. It’s been noted that they’ve been gradually improving, but they don’t get as deep of a clean as upright and canister vacuums. Cordless stick vacuums often have the issue of long-lasting battery power, but there are a select few that fare better and clean well.
What Are the Best Lightweight Vacuums?
We looked into top-ranked and top-reviewed lightweight vacuums on Amazon (lightweight here is listed at 10 pounds or less). For those who want to invest in vacuums that are easy to maneuver and don’t feel like they weigh a ton, while effectively cleaning your floors and corners (and stars!), a lightweight vacuum is your go-to. Below we highlight a diverse selection, so that you can determine what’s best for your type of home.
1. EUREKA Airspeed Ultra-Lightweight Upright Vacuum Cleaner
Amazon
The Eureka AirSpeed is an ultra-lightweight upright vacuum cleaner that includes a washable filter, so you don’t have to worry about paying for filter replacements. It also comes with a quick-release handle for above-floor cleaning. Just attach the crevice tool or dusting brush for cleaning other areas, like upholstery and hard-to-reach places.
This vacuum has a 10.5-inch wide cleaning path and a dust brush inside the head to clean up dirt and hair from hard floors and carpets. This compact design only weighs 7.7 pounds, making it easy to carry and store. Reviewers applaud its powerful suction and functional design, as it fits well in small spaces.
2. BISSELL Featherweight Stick Bagless Vacuum
Amazon
Currently listed as Amazon’s Number One best seller, the multi-functional Bissell Featherweight Stick vacuum transforms into a stick, handle, and stair vacuum. At only 3.84 pounds, it also delivers dual action cleaning. It can clean hard floors, carpets, and area rugs, as well as countertops if you change it to a handle.
Reviewers love that it’s a small, strong vacuum, though the cord is a bit short at 15 feet. It also has a bagless design that won’t require you to change filters. Just empty the contents into the trash.
3. Dyson V8 Animal+ Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner
Amazon
The Dyson V8 may be the most expensive pick on our list, but as a Dyson you can be sure that you’re getting your money’s worth. Dyson is known for its powerful vacuums, and this one is a favorite among reviewers. Certified asthma and allergy-friendly, the V8 is made for those with pets, as it’s designed to capture dust, animal hair, and allergens.
It’s cordless and rechargeable, lasting up to 40 minutes in “Powerful” mode and 25 minutes with the motorized cleaning head. The model also includes a mini motorized tool, soft dusting brush, combination tool, crevice tool, up top adaptor, docking station, and direct drive cleaner head. It weighs 10 pounds, but that’s still quite light for a pretty compact design.
4. Eureka WhirlWind Bagless Canister Vacuum Cleaner
Amazon
When it comes to canister vacuums, the Eureka Whirlwind bagless canister tops our list. It’s a multi-surface cleaner with three settings for cleaning carpet, upholstery, and hard floors. It has a cyclone filtration system for high performance with no loss of suction. The canister vacuum is easy to maneuver at eight pounds, thanks to its swivel wheels and telescoping metal wand for reaching. It also has a 2-in-1 integrated crevice tool in the hose handle, so you won’t have to worry about losing it.
5. ORFELD Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner
Amazon
Another cordless stick vacuum at a more reasonable price, this model by Orfeld is a 4-in-1 vacuum cleaner with up to 50 minutes of running time, thanks to its premium rechargeable battery. It’s also only 4.6 pounds, making it a great lightweight vacuum to take from room to room.
Its 20000Pa Hurricane suction almost reaches the power of a traditional canister vacuum, and it’s effective for all floor types, from carpet to tile. No worries with allergies either because it has a T10 Seal Allergen System to trap 99 percent of microscopic dust and allergens in the vacuum. Additionally, this vacuum is made with eight-stage noise reduction tech for a quieter cleaning experience. Like the rest of our recommendations, the filter is washable and recyclable. The best part is that it comes with a one-year warranty, too.
From Rolling Stone US
