One versatile machine handles all your different floor types. You know the struggle. You need a powerful vacuum for hardwood floors and carpet that actually works on both without damaging anything. It’s frustrating to switch tools or worry about scratches. This one promises to simplify your whole cleaning routine, and honestly, it’s about time a product lived up to that claim.
We put it to the test on everything from plush rugs to bare oak. The results might surprise you, especially how well it transitions. Let’s dive into whether this vacuum truly is the all-in-one solution you’ve been hoping for in your home.
Product Comparison Table: 11 Best Vacuum For Hardwood Floors And Carpet
| Image | Why We Like This Product | Editor’s Rating | |
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Shark | Upright Vacuum Cleaner | Navigator Lift-Away |…
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9.7 |
Read Review |
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Shark Upright Vacuum, Navigator Lift-Away Deluxe with Large Dust…
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9.5 |
Read Review |
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Eureka Lightweight Powerful Upright Vacuum Cleaner for Carpet and…
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9.3 |
Read Review |
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KARDV Cordless Vacuum Cleaner, 500W/40Kpa Vacuum Cleaners for Home,…
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9.1 |
Read Review |
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Bissell CleanView Compact Upright Vacuum, Fits in Dorm Rooms…
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8.9 |
Read Review |
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Shark Rocket Ultra-Light Corded Bagless Vacuum for Carpet and…
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8.6 |
Read Review |
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LEVOIT Cordless Vacuum Cleaner, Stick Vac with Tangle-Resistant Design,…
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8.4 |
Read Review |
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Shark NV352 Navigator Lift Away Upright Vacuum, Hepa Filter,…
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8.2 |
Read Review |
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Eureka NEU10AE5 Powerful Bagless Upright Vacuum Cleaner Carpet and…
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8.0 |
Read Review |
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Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Allergen Lift-Off with Powerful Suction,…
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7.8 |
Read Review |
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Dyson V8 Plus Cordless Vacuum, Cleans Hard Floors and…
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7.6 |
Read Review |
Quick Review For Top 11 Vacuum For Hardwood Floors And Carpet
Shark | Upright Vacuum Cleaner | Navigator Lift-Away | Swivel Steering | HEPA Filter | Vacuum for Pet Hair | Crevice Tool & Dusting Brush Included | For Carpets & Hard Floors | White/Silver | NV356E
The Shark Navigator Lift-Away NV356E upright vacuum cleaner is designed to be a versatile and powerful cleaning partner for your home. Its core feature is the innovative Lift-Away functionality. With the simple press of a button, the main pod detaches from the vacuum’s base. This lets you easily carry a lightweight, powerful canister to clean stairs, upholstery, or other above-floor areas without dragging the whole machine.
Maneuverability is a key strength of this model.
The swivel steering allows the vacuum to pivot smoothly around furniture legs, into tight corners, and through cluttered spaces with minimal effort. You won’t have to constantly reposition the entire vacuum for small adjustments. For different floor types, the brushroll shutoff is essential. When you’re cleaning delicate hard floors, you can instantly turn off the rotating brush to prevent scattered debris.
For deep carpet cleaning, simply re-engage it for a thorough, powered clean.
For households with pets, this vacuum is particularly effective. It’s engineered to pick up stubborn pet hair from both carpets and hard surfaces. The included Pet Power Brush works with the vacuum’s strong suction to pull embedded pet dander and hair from upholstery, stairs, and other fabric surfaces.
Shark Upright Vacuum, Navigator Lift-Away Deluxe with Large Dust Cup Capacity, HEPA Filter, Swivel Steering, Upholstery Tool & Crevice Tool, Blue, NV360
The Shark Navigator Lift-Away Deluxe NV360 is an upright vacuum designed to handle the varied messes of a busy home. Its core strength lies in its powerful suction, which is built to deep-clean carpets and effectively tackle bare floors in one go. You can easily switch between surfaces thanks to the brushroll shutoff feature. Just turn it off for gentle bare floor cleaning and turn it back on to agitate and lift dirt from carpets.
Maneuverability is a key focus here.
The swivel steering lets you navigate smoothly around furniture legs, into corners, and through cluttered spaces with minimal effort. When you need to clean above the floor, the lift-away functionality is incredibly useful. You can detach the entire pod from the vacuum body to carry it with you, making it simple to clean stairs, upholstery, or even the inside of your car.
It saves you from hauling the whole machine around.
For households with pets, this model has several considerate features. The powerful suction, combined with the included upholstery tool, is effective at lifting embedded pet hair from sofas, chairs, and pet beds. The anti-allergen complete seal technology works alongside a HEPA filter to ensure that dust and allergens you pick up are trapped inside the vacuum, not released back into the air you breathe.
Eureka Lightweight Powerful Upright Vacuum Cleaner for Carpet and Hard Floor, PowerSpeed, New Model,Blue,black/New Model
The Eureka PowerSpeed Lightweight Upright Vacuum Cleaner is designed to be a straightforward, effective cleaning partner for your home. This new model, in its blue and black finish, combines significant suction power with easy maneuverability to tackle a variety of surfaces.
At its core is an Upgraded Cyclone System. This new technology is engineered to capture a wide range of debris, from larger particles to microscopic dust and allergens.
In fact, it traps 99.9% of dust, dander, and allergens as you clean, which is a real benefit for households with sensitivities. The powerful pick-up doesn’t just skim the surface; it penetrates deep into carpet fibers to pull out embedded dirt and debris that other vacuums might leave behind.
Despite this strength, the PowerSpeed remains notably lightweight. It does the heavy lifting so you don’t have to, making it less tiring to push around furniture and clean multiple rooms.
You can easily adjust its performance for different floor types with the 5 Height Settings. It works well on plush carpets and shag rugs, and its wheels are designed to glide smoothly on hard floors like hardwood or tile to prevent scratches and gouges.
For cleaning beyond the floor, this model includes multiple handy accessories. A quick-release handle connects to a stretch hose for above-floor tasks.
KARDV Cordless Vacuum Cleaner, 500W/40Kpa Vacuum Cleaners for Home, 60Mins Stick Vacuum with LED Display, Anti-Tangle & Wall Mount Charging, 8 in 1 Lightweight Vacuum for Hard Floors Carpet Pet Hair
The KARDV Cordless Vacuum Cleaner is designed to tackle your everyday messes without the hassle of a cord. It combines strong suction with thoughtful features to make cleaning simpler and more efficient, especially in homes with pets or kids.
At its core, this vacuum offers 40KPa of suction power in its MAX mode. This means it can pull up embedded dirt from carpets, as well as quickly capture dust, crumbs, and pet hair from hard floors like tile or hardwood.
You won’t have to go over the same spot multiple times to get it clean. The runtime is a key feature, offering up to 60 minutes of cleaning on its lower power setting. For more intense jobs, the MAX mode provides 20-25 minutes, which is typically plenty to handle concentrated messes.
The included wall mount acts as both a storage solution and a charging dock, so you can always hang it up and ensure it’s ready for next time.
One of the standout tools is the V-shaped anti-tangle floor brush. It’s specifically engineered to prevent hair—whether from people or pets—from wrapping tightly around the roller. This saves you the tedious task of cutting strands free.
Bissell CleanView Compact Upright Vacuum, Fits in Dorm Rooms & Apartments, Lightweight with Powerful Suction and Removable Extension Wand, 3508
The Bissell CleanView Compact Upright Vacuum, 3508 is designed for life in small spaces. If you live in a dorm room, apartment, or just have limited storage, this vacuum fits your life. Its compact size means it tucks away in a closet or corner without taking up much room, which is a huge plus when square footage is precious. One of its biggest highlights is how lightweight it is.
Weighing less than eight pounds, it’s easy to carry up stairs, from room to room, or even to your car if you need to. Despite its light frame, it doesn’t compromise on power. The motor provides strong, reliable suction to pull dirt and debris from both carpets and hard floors. It’s a convenient all-in-one cleaner that handles everyday messes without needing multiple tools. For hard floors, the Scatter-Free Technology is a thoughtful feature.
It helps contain crumbs and dust instead of blowing them around, so you can clean up kitchen spills or tracked-in dirt without chasing particles across the room. This makes the job quicker and more thourough. When you’re done, emptying the dirt container is straightforward. You simply press a button to release the bottom, letting you dispose of debris without ever having to touch the gunk inside. It’s a clean and simple process. The vacuum also includes a removable extension wand.
Shark Rocket Ultra-Light Corded Bagless Vacuum for Carpet and Hard Floor Cleaning with Swivel Steering (HV301), Gray/Orange
The Shark Rocket Ultra-Light Corded Bagless Vacuum (HV301) is designed for those who want a powerful clean without the heavy, cumbersome equipment. Its core advantage is it’s incredible versatility. At under nine pounds, this corded stick vacuum feels noticeably light in your hand, making it easy to carry up stairs or use for longer periods.
When you need to clean furniture, stairs, or your car interior, it quickly converts into a handheld vacuum with the included tools, offering true floor-to-ceiling cleaning from one machine. A key feature is it’s consistent, corded power. Because it plugs in, you never have to worry about a battery dying mid-clean or losing suction as the dust cup fills.
The “Never Loses Suction” promise means it maintains strong, reliable power whether you’re picking up surface debris on hardwood or doing a deeper clean on carpets. Fingertip controls on the handle let you instantly toggle between these surfaces, optimizing the brushroll for the job without bending down. Maneuverability is a standout. The swivel steering is a game-changer for navigating around chair legs, under tables, and through cluttered spaces.
LEVOIT Cordless Vacuum Cleaner, Stick Vac with Tangle-Resistant Design, Up to 50 Minutes, Powerful Suction, Rechargeable, Lightweight, and Versatile for Carpet, Hard Floor, Pet Hair, LVAC-200
The LEVOIT Cordless Vacuum Cleaner LVAC-200 is designed to simplify your cleaning routine without the hassle. This stick vacuum combines powerful suction with a lightweight, cordless design, giving you the freedom to move quickly from room to room or even out to your car. With up to 50 minutes of runtime on a single charge, you can tackle multiple cleaning sessions without needing to stop and recharge constantly. One of it’s standout features is the tangle-resistant design.
The specialized roller is engineered to pick up human and pet hair without the frustrating tangles that can slow you down. This makes the cleaning process smoother and more efficient, especially in homes with shedding pets or long-haired family members. When your done, the roller is easily detachable and washable for simple maintenance. Versatility is a key strength of the LVAC-200.
It transitions seamlessly between carpets and hard floors, and the included attachments make it a complete cleaning tool. The 2-in-1 crevice tool helps you reach into tight spaces like between couch cushions or along baseboards, while the 2-in-1 pet tool is perfect for upholstery and stairs, ensuring you can grab pet hair from virtually any surface. The whole system is built to be user-friendly.
Shark NV352 Navigator Lift Away Upright Vacuum, Hepa Filter, Anti-Allergen Technology, Swivel Steering, Ideal for Carpet, Stairs, & Bare Floors, with Wide Upholstery & Crevice Tools, Lavender
The Shark NV352 Navigator Lift-Away Upright Vacuum is designed to handle the varied messes of a real home. Its core innovation is the Lift-Away functionality. With a simple release, you detach the pod from the vacuum’s base, turning a powerful upright into a portable, canister-style unit for cleaning stairs, upholstery, and other above-floor areas without lugging the whole machine.
For households concerned with air quality, the Anti-Allergen Complete Seal Technology is a key feature.
It works in tandem with the included HEPA filter to trap 99.9% of dust and allergens inside the vacuum, preventing them from escaping back into the room you’re cleaning. This is especially helpful for pet owners or anyone with allergies.
Maneuverability is a strong point. The Swivel Steering lets you navigate smoothly around furniture legs and into corners with minimal effort.
When you move from carpets to hard surfaces, the Brushroll Shutoff feature allows you to instantly disengage the rotating brush. This prevents debris from being scattered and protects your bare floors from scratches, making it truly versatile for different floor types.
The vacuum provides strong suction for deep-cleaning carpets, yet it remains lightweight for easy carrying. It comes with specialized attachments that address common cleaning challenges.
Eureka NEU10AE5 Powerful Bagless Upright Vacuum Cleaner Carpet and Floor, AirSpeed Ultra-Lightweight Vacuum Cleaner, w/ Replacement Filter, Blue
The Eureka NEU10AE5 Powerful Bagless Upright Vacuum Cleaner is designed to be a straightforward, effective solution for everyday cleaning. It focuses on core functionality, making it a practical choice for a variety of home surfaces. If your priority is a no-fuss, lightweight machine that handles both carpets and hard floors, this model warrants a closer look. A key feature of this vacuum is its all-floor suction capability.
It’s built to pull dirt and hair from both carpets and hard surfaces without needing you to switch modes or adjust settings manually. The 10.5-inch wide cleaning path is a notable benefit, as it covers more ground with each pass. This means you can clean larger rooms more quickly, which is a real time-saver during routine tidy-ups. The power is there to do the job effectively, without overcomplicating the process. Maneuverability and storage are where this vacuum really shines.
Weighing just 7.7 pounds, it’s exceptionally easy to push around furniture and carry up stairs. Its lightweight nature doesn’t mean it’s flimsy, but it does reduce fatigue during longer sessions. When you’re done, its compact, upright design lets it tuck neatly into a closet corner or behind a door. You won’t have to fight for storage space or deal with a bulky machine taking up your hallway. For above-floor cleaning, the handle has a quick-release function.
Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Allergen Lift-Off with Powerful Suction, HEPA, Tangle-Free Brush Roll, 39883
The Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Allergen Lift-Off 39883 is designed for homes with pets, focusing on removing hair and improving air quality. Its core promise is strong cleaning performance that also manages allergens, which is a major concern for many pet owners. Let’s break down what it offers so you can see if it fits your needs. First, the powerful suction is the foundation. It’s built to pull in dirt, fur, and dust effectively from both carpets and hard floors.
The Scatter-Free Technology is key here for hard surfaces; it aims to prevent the frustrating issue of debris blowing around instead of being sucked up. This means you should be able to clean without having to chase bits of dirt across your floor. The tangle-free brush roll is another critical feature for pet owners. It’s engineered to resist hair wrap, which can be a constant annoyance and require frequent cutting.
This design aims to reduce maintenance and keep the vacuum running smoothly during use. A standout feature is the HEPA Sealed Allergen System. This isn’t just a filter; it’s a sealed system that traps dust and allergens inside the vacuum’s dirt tank. The goal is to prevent these particles from escaping back into your home’s air after you vacuum. For anyone with allergies or asthma, this containment is a significant benefit, making the cleaning process itself healthier.
Dyson V8 Plus Cordless Vacuum, Cleans Hard Floors and Carpets, Detangles, Converts to Handheld, 115AW, 2 Power Modes, Up to 40 Minutes¹
The Dyson V8 Plus Cordless Vacuum is designed to tackle the whole home without the hassle of a cord. It’s a versatile machine that cleans hard floors and carpets deeply, then converts in seconds to a handheld for cars, stairs, and upholstery. This flexibility means you can handle most cleaning tasks with one tool. Its core is the Motorbar cleaner head. It deep cleans all floor types and has a key feature: it de-tangles wrapped long hair and pet hair as you go.
No more stopping to cut strands from the brush roll. For even more targeted hair removal, the included Hair screw tool is a specialist. Its anti-tangle conical brush bar quickly sucks up long hair and pet hair from pet beds, car seats, and other fabric surfaces, making it a real time-saver. You get up to 40 minutes of fade-free suction on a full charge for general cleaning. For intensive spots, a MAX mode delivers maximum power for up to 5 minutes. The machine offers two power modes total.
Powerful mode is for everyday cleaning, balancing power and run time to help preserve your battery’s lifespan. The whole system is lightweight, making it easy to carry up stairs or use for longer periods. The V8 Plus comes with three attachments to clean up high, down low, and everywhere in between. A wall dock and charger are also included for convenient storage and charging, keeping it off the floor and ready to go. A major benefit is it’s advanced filtration.
Vacuum For Hardwood Floors And Carpet Buying Guide
One versatile vacuum for every flooring surface in your home. It sounds ideal, right? But not all machines handle the switch from delicate hardwood to plush carpet seamlessly. The right model saves you time and protects your floors. This guide highlights the key features to look for so you can make a smart choice.
Floor Type Adjustment
This is non-negotiable. A vacuum needs to automatically sense floor height or let you manually switch settings. On carpets, the brush roll should engage to dig out dirt. On hard floors, it should deactivate or retract to prevent scattering debris and scratching your beautiful floors. Without this, you’re either pushing dirt around or risking damage.
Suction Power & Filtration
Strong, consistent suction is the engine of a great clean. You want enough power to pull dust from deep within carpet fibers without losing it on hard surfaces. Paired with this, a sealed HEPA filtration system is crucial. It traps the fine dust and allergens inside the vacuum, rather than blowing them back into the air you breath. This makes a huge difference for air quality.
Maneuverability & Weight
Think about your daily use. Is your home multi-story? Do you have furniture to navigate around? A lighter, cordless stick vacuum offers incredible convenience for quick clean-ups. But a powerful canister might provide deeper cleaning for large carpeted areas. Consider which you’ll reach for more often—the easiest vacuum to use is the one you’ll actually use.
Attachments & Versatility
Your floors are just part of the story. Check what tools come included. A motorized pet tool is fantastic for upholstery and stairs. A crevice tool and dusting brush are essential for baseboards, ceilings, and those tight spots. These attachments expand your vacuum’s job description from just floors to your whole home, adding tremendous value.
Frequently Asked Questions About Vacuum For Hardwood Floors And Carpet
What’s the best type of vacuum for both surfaces?
A canister or an upright vacuum with a brush roll shut-off is often best. You need strong suction for carpets but a gentle mode for hardwood. Many stick vacuums now work well for both, too.
Why is a brush roll shut-off important?
Hardwood floors can get scratched by a spinning brush. The shut-off lets you turn the brush off. This uses just suction to pick up dust and debris without causing any damage.
Are bagged or bagless models better?
This is mostly about preference. Bagless vacuums save you buying bags, but you have to empty the dust cup. Bagged models tend to hold more dust and can be less messy to empty, which is great for allergies.
Do I need special attachments?
A soft bristle brush or a dedicated hard floor tool is key. It gently sweeps up dust. A good crevice tool is also useful for corners and edges where dirt likes to hide.
Is a vacuum enough, or do I need a sweeper too?
A good vacuum with a hard floor setting should be enough for daily cleaning. But some people like using a dry microfiber mop for quick clean-ups between vacuuming sessions.
How often should I vacuum my carpets?
For carpets, aim for at least once a week. In high-traffic areas, you might need to do it more. This prevent dirt from grinding down into the carpet fibers.
Can robot vacuums handle both floor types?
Many newer models can! Look for ones with sensors that automatically adjust suction and brush height. They’re great for maintenance, but you’ll still want a regular vacuum for deeper, more thorough cleans.
Key Takeaways
One versatile vacuum for your entire mixed-floor home. You don’t need a separate machine for every surface. The right model handles it all, saving you space, time, and money. It makes your weekly clean up simpler and more effective.
When you choose a vacuum for hardwood floors and carpet, you’re choosing convenience. Look for easy height adjustments, a gentle hard floor setting, and a powered brush for carpets. This combo ensures you get a great clean without switching tools. It’s a smart solution that really works for modern homes.