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Laminate flooring is aesthetically pleasing, low maintenance, and strong. Regular vacuuming lifts dust, dirt, crumbs, pet hair, and other debris from the surface with ease.
However, a vacuum with a stiff rotating brush can leave scratches and scars when cleaning laminate floors. Elizabeth Shields, operations manager at Super Cleaning Service located in Louisville, Kentucky, advises shoppers “look for models with adjustable suction power.” She also recommends nonmarking wheels, which will prevent scratches. “A handy feature to consider is a brush roll that can be turned on and off, making it gentle for laminate while effectively removing dirt from crevices.”
We found a number of vacuums for laminate flooring that feature soft brushes designed for use on softer hard flooring varieties, keeping flooring intact and scratchless. Overall, the best vacuums for laminate floors help keep flooring and carpeting in top condition for years. Here are our top picks.
- BEST OVERALL: Shark NV356E S2 Navigator Lift-Away Upright Vacuum
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Bissell Featherweight Lightweight Stick Vacuum
- BEST BAGLESS CANISTER: Eureka WhirlWind Bagless Canister Vacuum Cleaner
- BEST CORDLESS UPRIGHT: Eureka RapidClean Pro Cordless Stick Vacuum
- BEST ROBOTIC VACUUM: iRobot Roomba i3 EVO Robot Vacuum
- BEST FOR PET HAIR: Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Turbo Plus Vacuum Cleaner
- BEST FOR ALLERGIES: Shark Vertex DuoClean PowerFins Upright Vacuum
How We Chose the Best Vacuums for Laminate Floors
Ronald Kendrick, founder of Company Clean, which is located in Denver, Colorado, mentions that the industry is seeing a shift toward vacuums with precision suction control and specialized brushes to prevent damage. “Surprisingly, the weight of a vacuum, often overlooked by the average buyer, plays a pivotal role in preserving the integrity of laminate surfaces, making lightweight models a rising trend in the market.”
With this information in mind, we looked for vacuums that included these useful features and more. After extensive product research, we included vacuums for laminate flooring that were suitable for other types of hard floors as well as carpets. Plus, the vacuums we chose come in upright, stick, canister, and robot designs to suit a wide variety of user preferences. As for effectiveness, we included options that had strong suction power of up to 2,000 Pascal units (Pa) to pick up dirt, debris, allergens, and pet hair.
Many of these vacuum cleaners for laminate flooring also come with attachments for a variety of cleaning tasks, including crevice tools, dusting brushes, pet-specific cleaning tools, and even remote controls. Finally, some of these picks operate via voice-command through a smartphone app, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant.
Our Top Picks
Considering a variety of designs, power options, and cleaning purposes, this list of top picks for the best vacuum for cleaning laminate floors represents corded, cordless, and robotic vacuum cleaners; bagged and bagless varieties; upright and canister designs; vacuum cleaners intended to rid the home of allergens and pet hair; and models with overall value.
Best Overall
Shark NV356E S2 Navigator Lift-Away Upright Vacuum
Pros
- Detachable canister pod; suitable for hard-to-reach areas
- Suitable for multiple surfaces: flooring, upholstery, furniture, lighting fixtures, etc.
- Swivel-steering design; easy to maneuver
- Bagless design with a HEPA filter; easy to empty allergens and debris with the push of a button
Cons
- Pricey compared to similar options on the market
- Rotor brush may get tangled once in a while
Product Specs
- Type: Upright
- Compatible floor type(s): Hard floors and carpeting
- Suction power: 1,200 watts
- Attachments included: 5-foot hose, Pet Power brush, brush-roll feature (optional)
This corded, 120-volt upright vacuum from Shark cleans multiple surfaces with or without the rotating brush. Turn on the brush for carpets, and turn it off for laminate and other hard surfaces. The advanced swivel steering design helps this 13.7-pound vacuum maneuver around furniture and corners with ease. With the push of a button, the canister lifts away to become a handheld unit for hard-to-reach places.
The Shark Navigator traps and holds 99.9 percent of dust and allergens inside a completely sealed high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filtration system. This helps rid the home of pollen, dust, mold spores, pet dander, and other invisible irritants. The extra-large dust cup in this bagless vacuum holds 2.2 quarts of dust and dirt. The vacuum is 14.96 inches by 11.4 inches by 45.5 inches.
What Our Tester Says: Amanda Lauren, Bob Vila writer and product tester, notes in The Best Upright Vacuums Tested that “the suction on this vacuum is astounding, picking up so much deeply embedded dog hair in carpeting that we were almost horrified. It was a truly deep clean that we had not experienced with other models.”
Get the Shark Navigator vacuum for laminate floors at Amazon.
Best Bang For The Buck
Bissell Featherweight Lightweight Stick Vacuum
Pros
- 2.6-pound construction; easy to maneuver and carry up stairs
- 3 configurations: full length, handheld, and stair cleaning
- Compact size; easy to store and cleans hard-to-reach places
Cons
- May require frequent emptying
- Limited durability compared to similar options
- No special attachments included for specific tasks
Product Specs
- Type: Stick
- Compatible floor type(s): Hard floors and carpets
- Suction power: 550 watts
- Attachments included: N/A
Breeze through quick cleanups on laminate floors with this economical and convenient 2.6-pound stick vacuum. This three-way unit converts quickly from a full-length upright stick into handheld and stair-cleaning configurations. At full length, it is 8.3 inches by 9.5 inches by 44.25 inches.
The Bissell Featherweight Stick is well suited for laminate and other hard flooring, but it also picks up dirt from carpet and area rugs. A drawback to keep in mind is that the dust cup in this bagless vacuum is relatively small and may require frequent emptying. Choose from several bright colors or classic black.
What Our Tester Says: Kristen Mosier, Bob Vila writer and product tester, notes in The Best Vacuums for Stairs Tested that “though this model is corded, at 15 feet long, it proved adequate to reach the top of our average-size stairway. The ample suction was powerful enough to lift away smaller pieces of paper and larger beads in one pass.”
Get the Bissell Featherweight vacuum for laminate floors at Amazon or Wayfair.
Best Bagless Canister
Eureka WhirlWind Bagless Canister Vacuum Cleaner
Pros
- Integrated airflow control cleans multiple floor types
- Filtration system; dust cup, dust separator, and washable filter
- 2.27-quart capacity; suitable for large cleaning projects
- Push-button dust cup emptying
Cons
- No attachments included for specific tasks
Product Specs
- Type: Canister
- Compatible floor type(s): Hard floors and carpets
- Suction power: 960 watts
- Attachments included: N/A
Eureka’s corded, bagless canister vacuum cleans laminate floors and other surfaces throughout the home. An integrated airflow control located on the handle toggles through hard-surface, carpet, and upholstery settings. The Eureka WhirlWind employs 240 volts of electricity to produce powerful suction and rid the home of dust, dirt, pet hair, spills, and messes. The 8-pound device includes smooth oversize wheels for easy maneuvering.
No need for vacuum bags, as the filtration system features a dust cup, dust separator, and a washable filter to avoid any loss of suction as the dust cup fills to its 2.27-quart capacity. When it’s full, push one button to instantly release the dust cup and empty the debris. Rinse the filter, and the vacuum is ready for the next use.
Get the Eureka WhirlWind vacuum for laminate floors at Amazon.
Best Cordless Upright
Eureka RapidClean Pro Cordless Stick Vacuum
Pros
- Lithium-ion battery-powered; runs an impressive 40 minutes per charge
- Built-in LED headlights illuminate dirt and debris in hard-to-reach areas
- Reaches tight corners or under furniture due to its the front location of the dust cup
- Stands upright on its own thanks to its easy-rest feature
Cons
- Small dustbin can fill up quickly, meaning more trips to the trash
- Lower wattage than comparable options
Product Specs
- Type: Upright/stick
- Compatible floor type(s): Hard floors and carpet
- Suction power: 150 watts
- Attachments included: Crevice tool and 2-in-1 dusting brush
Powered by a rechargeable 25.2-volt lithium-ion battery, this convenient cordless vacuum from Eureka runs at full power for up to 40 minutes. Use the fingertip-controlled settings to switch from carpets and rugs to hard floors.
The 150-watt DC motor provides ample suction power. It features LED headlights to illuminate the dust and dirt within its 9.8-inch cleaning path. Additionally, it flattens to allow cleaning under beds, sofas, and other large furniture pieces. The vacuum is 9.8 inches by 6.3 inches by 43.3 inches at full length, the Eureka RapidClean also converts to a handheld vacuum for cleaning small areas or hard-to-reach places with the help of the included crevice tool. A wall mount is also included for storage.
What Our Tester Says: Amanda Lauren, Bob Vila writer and product tester, notes in The Best Electric Brooms Tested that “the electric broom’s cyclone filtration system traps dirt and dust, leaving room air cleaner after use. When life momentarily interrupts cleaning, use the built-in rest nook to securely position the electric broom against a counter, sofa, or table.”
Get the Eureka RapidClean vacuum for laminate floors at Amazon.
Best Robotic Vacuum
iRobot Roomba i3 EVO Robot Vacuum
Pros
- WiFi-enabled for automated cleaning when and how the user desires; cleans the whole space in neat rows
- Smart Mapping Technology guides the unit around a home; will not bump into or get stuck on furniture
- Comes with a 3-stage cleaning system and power-lifting suction for effective cleaning
- Dirt Detect Technology finds dust, debris, and pet hair and cleans it automatically
Cons
- No air wattage listed on the manufacturer’s website
- Dustbin may be on the smaller size; may require frequent emptying
Product Specs
- Type: Robotic
- Compatible floor type(s): Hard floors and carpet
- Suction power: Unlisted
- Attachments included: Dual multisurface rubber brush, Smart Mapping Technology, and Dirt Detect Technology
Those who prefer the hands-off approach to vacuuming laminate flooring can benefit from the iRobot Roomba i3 EVO robot vacuum. This WiFi-enabled vacuum cleans hard and carpeted flooring in neat rows with the help of its three-stage cleaning system and power-lifting suction. Plus, this option is ideal for large and small spaces with its ample 75-minute runtime.
For added convenience, the Imprint Smart Mapping technology navigates any home how, when, and where the user desires through the iRobot OS software that connects to smart-home systems as well as smartphones. Need more? This robot vacuum also comes with dual multisurface rubber brushes for picking up debris, dust, and pet hair, and the Dirt Detect Technology goes where the dirt is and cleans it automatically.
Get the iRobot vacuum for laminate floors at Amazon or Best Buy.
Best For Pet Hair
Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Turbo Plus Vacuum Cleaner
Pros
- Fingertip-controlled brush setting switches between floor types quickly
- Cycloning spooling system reduces tangles and malfunction
- Quick-release crevice tool reaches into hard-to reach areas
- Smart-seal allergen system reduces particles in the air and on the floor
Cons
- Pricey compared to similar options
- No lift-off technology integrated
Product Specs
- Type: Upright
- Compatible floor type(s): Hard floors and carpets
- Suction power: N/A
- Attachments included: LED crevice tool, Pet Turbo Eraser Tool, and 2-in-1 pet dusting brush
Pet hair rolls and collects on laminate floors like tumbleweeds in the desert. Bissell’s Pet Hair Eraser clears it away with powerful suction. The fingertip-controlled brush setting makes it a great choice for both laminate floors and carpeting.
Bissell’s cyclonic spooling system moves pet hair through the machine rather than creating a tangled mess on the brush. The quick-release LED crevice tool gets into hard-to-reach places. Hair, dirt, and dust go to a dustbin where they’re trapped in the smart-seal allergen system. From there, users can empty the dustbin contents with the press of a button—without touching the mess.
Keep in mind, its size of 13 inches by 15.75 inches by 44.5 inches and weighing 19.3 pounds makes this electric vacuum not particularly portable.
Get the Bissell Pet Hair Eraser vacuum for laminate floors at Amazon.
Best For Allergies
Shark Vertex DuoClean PowerFins Upright Vacuum
Pros
- HEPA filter reduces particles and irritants in the house
- PowerFin roller digs deep to remove excess dirt and debris
- Lift-away pod; converts into a handheld vacuum
Cons
- Pricey compared to similar options
- Heavier and larger than comparable options; may be hard to maneuver and store
Product Specs
- Type: Upright
- Compatible floor type(s): Hard floors and carpets
- Suction power: 1,344 watts
- Attachments included: LED lights, dusting brush, pet crevice tool, and self-cleaning pet power brush
The anti-allergen technology in this corded upright vacuum from Shark includes a HEPA filter that traps 99.9 percent of dust and allergens inside a completely sealed dustbin. A soft brush roller pulls in both large particles and fine dust from laminate and hard floors, leaving behind a polished appearance rather than scratches and scuffs. The PowerFin roller, when activated, digs deep into carpet to lift out hidden dirt. Bright LED lights illuminate tiny dust particles in this machine’s path.
Weighing in at 22.9 pounds, it is 31.6 inches by 13.1 inches by 12.1 inches. This vacuum is neither compact nor lightweight. But its lightweight lift-away pod facilitates handheld use for high places and under furniture.
Get the Shark Vertex vacuum for laminate floors at Lowe’s or Best Buy.
Jump to Our Top Picks
What to Consider When Choosing a Vacuum for Laminate Floors
Vacuum manufacturers offer numerous competing choices in vacuums for laminate floors, including corded or rechargeable, upright or canister designs, and bagged or bagless units. People with allergies may prefer vacuums with completely sealed HEPA filtration systems.
If automation is a goal, users can activate robotic vacuums via smartphones or voice-controlled assistants, such as Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. Read on for more information about these important considerations.
Type
Several types of vacuums are available on the market today, each with different advantages.
- Upright vacuums are designed for users to push in front of themselves. They incorporate all parts in one unit, including the dust cup or dustbin. Some models include additional attachments, such as hoses and crevice-cleaning tools, to enhance functionality. Many upright vacuums have a detachable top section that functions as a handheld vacuum.
- Canister vacuums are designed for users to pull. The dustbin is in the canister unit that rolls on the floor. The machine picks up dirt and dust through the hose attachment and wand-shaped handle. This design may be easier for many users to handle as the weight is pulled rather than pushed.
- Robotic vacuums offer effortless cleaning. Users can activate them through smartphones, remote controls, or voice-controlled home assistants. With built-in sensors and agile maneuvering, robotic vacuums traverse laminate floors and suck dirt and dust into an interior dustbin, then dock in an included charging base.
Corded vs. Cordless
Both corded and cordless vacuums perform useful functions and offer distinct advantages. For powerful suction, corded vacuums operate on 15-amp, 120-volt electricity from standard home electrical outlets. Cords vary in length, with some reaching as long as 20 to 30 feet. Although manipulating the electrical cord while vacuuming might present an unwanted hassle, these vacuums offer the strongest cleaning power.
Cordless vacuums, including stick vacuums, are convenient and lightweight. They operate on rechargeable batteries—generally, lithium-ion batteries that run for approximately 30 to 60 minutes on a charge. These vacuums do not have the suction power of corded vacuums, but they’re handy for tidying up. Due to their slender profile and minimal weight, stick vacuums are convenient and easy to grab and go. The downside is remembering to recharge the battery so it’s ready for a quick cleanup without any notice.
Bagged vs. Bagless
In some vacuums, dirt and dust go into a disposable bag. When the bag is full, users remove and replace it. The downside is that as bags fill, the motor efficiency and suction power of the vacuum may decrease. Additionally, it’s necessary to purchase bags regularly and keep them on hand so that cleaning goes off without a hitch.
In recent years, bagless vacuums have become increasingly popular. Many of these units feature dustbins with a push-button release so that the contents drop directly into a trashcan. The downside is that they do require some maintenance to keep the removable filters and dustbins clean for the next use. Some also hold far less dust than traditional bags can contain.
Suction Power
A vacuum’s effectiveness is a direct result of its suction power. Greater pressure created by the vacuum translates into greater suction power. This capacity is measured in pascal units. A typical corded vacuum can create approximately 20,000 Pa of suction, which is enough to suction dust, hair, crumbs, and small particles of debris from the floor. A vacuum that produces 8,000 Pa of suction pressure can pick up dust and hairs from the floor’s surface.
Corded vacuums have greater suction power than cordless and robotic ones. For reference, robotic vacuums produce up to about 2,000 Pa of suction, which facilitates vacuuming on both carpeted and hard surfaces.
Filtration System
A vacuum with an efficient air-filtration system won’t send allergens or other potentially harmful particles back into the air after sucking them up. The air filter traps those particles inside the vacuum.
High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filtration systems offer top-level cleaning. The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) certifies the efficiency of HEPA filtration systems in some vacuums. To get that certification, a HEPA filter must trap at least 99.97 percent of particles that are 0.3 microns or more (a micron is 1-millionth of an inch). With a certified HEPA filter and a fully sealed filtration system, a vacuum may provide peace of mind for users who seek an allergen-free home environment.
Accessories
Add-on accessories contribute to the functionality of vacuums. Whether they’re corded or cordless, upright or canister, vacuums perform a greater variety of cleaning tasks with the help of attachments.
A crevice tool, for example, helps clean between cushions or reach the narrow spaces between the furniture and the wall. This narrow, plastic tube with a tapering tip attaches to the end of a vacuum hose. Extension hoses and extension wands attach to vacuums to clean stairs, vacuum behind large pieces of furniture, and reach up high to clean drapery, walls, and corners.
Versatility
The best vacuums for laminate flooring often offer ample cleaning power for carpets and rugs, too. The primary consideration is to prevent scratching the surface of the laminate with a stiff rotating brush. For this purpose, many vacuums offer an on-off switch for the brush. With the switch conveniently located on the handle, users may activate the rotating brush for carpets and rugs and then turn it off for laminate flooring.
As an alternative, some vacuums feature a soft brush for use on laminate and other hard-surface flooring as well as a stiff brush for carpet. These vacuums simultaneously suction dirt and treat the floor to a soft, nonabrasive brushing for a polished look.
FAQs
While choosing the best vacuum for laminate flooring, some common questions may remain. Here are answers to some of the most popular queries about vacuuming laminate floors.
Q. Is it OK to vacuum laminate floors?
Yes, it is OK to vacuum laminate floors. Avoid vacuuming with a stiff rotating brush, though, as it may scratch laminate floors and mar their appearance. Choose the soft-brush feature or take off the stiff rotating brush.
Q. What is the best vacuum for all floor types?
For all floor types, look for a vacuum that features an on-off switch for the rotating brush. Turn on the brush for carpet or rugs, then turn it off for laminate and other hard-surface flooring.
Q. What is good suction for a vacuum?
Vacuum suction is measured in Pascal units (Pa). A measurement of 20,000 Pa in a corded vacuum is considered strong suction, which is more power than a cordless model can produce.
Q. How long does a vacuum cleaner last?
On average, a vacuum cleaner usually lasts around 8 years. The longevity of a vacuum cleaner depends on its original quality, frequency of use, size of the home, maintenance of the vacuum cleaner, and the type of dirt and debris it picks up.
