In recent years, luxury vinyl plank floors have turned out to be one of the most popular flooring materials for building and house remodeling projects. Apparently, the popularity of this flooring material is informed by its great appeal as well as the ability to resist heavy foot traffic over an extended timeframe. It would also be prudent to note that cleaning and maintaining this floor type can be easy if you use the best vacuum for vinyl floors, which tends to blast away the grime, pet hair, dust particles, and all sorts of debris from the vinyl surface.
As the experts in vinyl floor cleaning, we recommend finding the best vinyl floor-adopted vacuum that can never leave scratches or damage such surfaces. It is equally imperative to prioritize on the capability of the vacuum to reach hard-to-reach surfaces and get dust and dirt off those areas. For homeowners searching for the best vacuum for their luxury vinyl plank floors, we have the right solution for you.
We tested more than 20 different products from different brands, and after a meticulous consideration of their features, we can confidently endorse the ECOVACS DEEBOT N30 Omni Care Robotic Vacuum. This incredible device combines powerful suction with unique 3-stage cleaning mechanism to clean vinyl floor surfaces. In this post, we are going to cover the top 10 best vacuum cleaners for vinyl floors in 2019 (and beyond).
Best Vacuum for Vinyl Floors – Comparisons
PRODUCT | FEATURES | LATEST PRICE |
|---|---|---|
| ECOVACS DEEBOT N30 Omni Care View on Amazon |
| Check Price |
| Hoover MaxLife View on Amazon  |
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| BISSELL Hard Floor Expert Multi-Cyclonic Bagless Canister Vacuum (1547) View on Amazon |
| Check Price |
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| iRobot Roomba 690 |
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10 Best Vacuum Cleaners for Vinyl Floors : A Comprehensive Review
1. ECOVACS DEEBOT N30 Omni Care
More photo & price on Amazon.com
The ECOVACS DEEBOT N30 Omni Care is a robot vacuum and mop for homes that want hands-off cleaning on both carpet and hard floors. It pairs 10,000Pa of suction with dual spinning OZMO Turbo 2.0 mops, and it lifts the mops automatically when it detects carpet so rugs stay dry. ZeroTangle 2.0 is built to keep hair from wrapping around the brush, which helps in homes with pets or long hair.
The OMNI station does most of the upkeep for you. It empties the robot into a 2.6 L dust bag that ECOVACS says can hold up to 75 days of dust, washes the mops, and dries them with 104°F hot air. You also get a 3.5 L clean water tank and a slot for solid cleaning agents, which are sold separately.
Laser (LDS) navigation with TrueMapping 2.0 builds a map of your home quickly, and TruEdge mopping uses an extending arm to reach along baseboards. A 5200 mAh battery is rated for up to 320 minutes in quiet, vacuum-only mode. You can set suction, water flow and schedules in the ECOVACS HOME app or use Alexa or Google Assistant.
What we liked
- Strong 10,000Pa max suction
- Station auto-empties, washes and hot-air dries mops
- Mops lift automatically on carpet
- ZeroTangle 2.0 brush resists hair wrap
- Up to 320 minutes vacuum-only runtime
What we didn’t like
- Station washes mops without warm water
- Loud 83 dBA rating during dust collection
- Solid cleaning agents are sold separately
The DEEBOT N30 Omni Care is a strong pick if you want one robot to vacuum and mop with a station that handles emptying, mop washing and drying. It fits mixed-floor homes, especially ones with pets.
2. Hoover MAXLife Pro Pet
This Hoover unit has a HEPA Media filtration system that cleans as much as 99% of dust particles and allergens. There’s also an odor minimizing function that keeps the captured dust particles from getting back into the atmosphere. For dirt storage, there’s a spacious dirt cup that holds enough garbage while you clean – it gives you enough cleaning time before filling up. Apart from being the best vacuum for luxury vinyl plank floors, this vacuum is also excellent for every other floor type.
You can reach elevated surfaces with the 13-pft quick release wand. There are bright LED headlights installed in front of the vacuum cleaner. These lights illuminate dirt in dark corners. The unit is easily maneuvered around furniture and various obstacles, thanks to its swivel steering.
What we liked
- Runs on MAXLife system that delivers long-lasting suction for optimal cleaning.
- Bright LED lights are installed on the vacuum to illuminate dust and dirt in dark corners.
- Comes with 13-ft quick release wand for cleaning elevated surfaces.
- Advanced Action Brush Roll that deep cleans on various floor types.
- Swivel steering for easy maneuverability.
- Great filtration for trapping up to 99% of all debris
What we didn’t like
- It is quite heavy
This unit offers detailed cleaning with the sealed allergen system combined with HEPA media filtration; 99% of allergens, dust, and pet dander are captured from various surfaces and kept from reentering the air.
3. BISSELL Hard Floor Expert Multi-Cyclonic Bagless Canister Vacuum (1547)
More photo & price on Amazon.com
If most of your home is hardwood, tile, or other sealed hard floors, the BISSELL Hard Floor Expert Canister Vacuum (1547) is designed with you in mind. Its hard floor turbine foot and soft, non-marking wheels are meant to pick up dirt, pet hair, and debris while staying gentle on your floors, and it can still handle light cleaning on area rugs, low-pile carpet, and stairs.
Multi-Cyclonic Technology and multi-level filtration feed a bagless 2-liter dirt tank that empties easily, so there are no bags to buy. A 7.3-amp motor powers it, a swivel head helps you steer around furniture, and an airflow indicator is built in. The metal telescoping wand and 5.8-foot hose help you reach under furniture and up to drapes and ceilings, and a dusting brush is included.
The 18-foot cord tucks away with automatic cord rewind, and the compact canister has a carry handle and a space-saving shape for storage. At 13.78 pounds, it’s best suited to homes with plenty of bare floor rather than thick wall-to-wall carpet.
What we liked
- Turbine foot designed for hard floors
- Bagless 2-liter dirt tank, no bags
- Metal telescoping wand for high reach
- Automatic cord rewind for tidy storage
- Soft, non-marking wheels
What we didn’t like
- 18-foot cord is fairly short for big rooms
- Only light cleaning on low-pile rugs
- 13.78 pounds to carry between floors
The Hard Floor Expert is a strong pick for homes with mostly hardwood or tile, pairing a floor-friendly turbine foot with bagless convenience. Carpet-heavy homes should look elsewhere.
4. Shark Sonic Duo Floor Cleaner (ZZ550)
This best vacuum cleaner for vinyl floors is powerful enough to break apart caked-on grime and dirt, while also gentle enough to ensure safety for kids and pets. It weighs about 9 pounds to allow for easier movement across all your vinyl floor surfaces. Additionally, it comes with the AirGlide maneuverability alongside swivel steering for easy handling and cleaning of all vinyl floor types.
The included microfiber washable pads are specialized in cleaning vinyl floors, carpets, and area rugs. It does clean and rejuvenate vinyl floors, carpets and area rugs so they look brighter and smell fresher than ever before. The Sonic action is specially formulated to work together with the pads in getting rid of the dirt – even deep down in the cracks.
What we liked
- Powerful enough to provide 100 scrubs per minute
- Swivel steering and AirGlide maneuverability for easy handling
- Perfect for vinyl floors, carpets, area rugs, and stone surfaces
- 22 feet cord length for extended reach
- Extremely lightweight at only 9 pounds
- Includes 2 years of warranty
What we didn’t like
- Some customers have reported the handle not fitting well
- The manual doesn’t answer many questions regarding the product
Aside from the mentioned drawbacks, the Shark ZZ550 maneuvers pretty well and cleans everywhere you need, including under the edge of the couch, under the edge of the fridge, and so much more. It appears to be a jack-of-all-trades when it comes to cleaning vinyl floors, carpets, area rugs, and stone surfaces. You can even use the Shark Sonic Duo to spread the polish across your vinyl floors.
5. iRobot Roomba 690 Robot Vacuum
This best vacuum cleaner for plank vinyl floors combines a 3-stage cleaning system with Dual Multi-Surface brushes to loosen, lift and suction everything – right from miniature particles to large debris. Its advanced set of features include patented dirt detect sensors for alerting the robot to concentrate on areas with more dirt, such as high-traffic areas of your home. You can also schedule your cleaning anytime or anywhere using the iRobot Home App.
With the iRobot Home App, you are able to customize your cleaning, assess clean map reports, and get access to support from your mobile device. The vacuum includes the auto-adjust cleaning head which helps keep the multi-surface brushes in close contact with vinyl floors, effectively cleaning them. The vacuum runs for up to 90 minutes before it retreats to the charging station.
What we liked
- Sleek design to complement your home decor
- Easy control over where the robot cleans
- Picks small particles and large debris
- Compatible with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa
- Runs for up to 90 minutes before it requires another charge
- Full suite of intelligent sensors
What we didn’t like
- Easily gets stuck on cliffs like stairs and needs assistance
- Doesn’t always find its docking station
The irobot® roomba® 690 is innovatively engineered to clean anywhere by loosening, lifting, and suctioning everything from small particles to large debris. It is perfect for your luxury vinyl plank floors, carpets, and even area rugs. Besides, the robotic vacuum does focus on concentrated areas of dirt.
6. Oreck ORB550MC Floor Machine
The Oreck orb550mc does a wonderful job in terms of scrubbing and polishing all vinyl surfaces and deep-cleaning institutional grade carpets. Unlike conventional floor scrubbers that are difficult to use, this one is pretty easy to use. Its brush head rotates with no torque, swirling or gouging in a random orbit for hassle-free fingertip control.
Also, the brush head does move in a random orbital pattern so the machine can effortlessly glide over vinyl floors, thus preventing swirls, gouges, and brush marks. This versatile cleaning machine can bring your vinyl floors back to life as it can scrub, polish, as well as deep clean them. And with a 13-inch wide cleaning path, you can rest assured you will be able to make tough chores a breeze.
What we liked
- Relatively strong suction
- Easy-to-use fingertip controls
- Versatile for most flooring surfaces including vinyl, marble, wood, etc
- Cleans and polishes surfaces at the same time
- Leaves no brush marks on vinyl floors
- Overall 1 year warranty
What we didn’t like
- Not light enough to carry around
- Requires a little more strength to maneuver on carpet
The Oreck Commercial ORB55OMC is an extremely versatile, effective and multi-purpose floor machine that scrubs and cleans your vinyl floors to perfection. It also does strip, wax, buff, sand and refinish your vinyl surfaces without a hassle. This machine ensures your vinyl floors are clean, beautiful, and fresh-smelling.
7. PUPPYOO Cordless Vacuum Vinyl Floors
This versatile stick vacuum includes a direct-drive cleaner head which spins 120 degrees horizontally and 180 degrees while in use, effectively picking up pet hair under the low profile sofa. The direct-drive motor head drives stiff nylon bristles deep into carpet fibers to seize embedded dirt or pet hair. Weighing as low as 5.5 pounds, PUPPYOO Cordless Vacuum Cleaner easily reaches high, and is well-balanced for above floor cleaning. It is lightweight for ease of lifting when cleaning floor to ceiling places.
For painless home cleaning, the device comes furnished with 2200mAh rechargeable lithium battery, which offers about 35 minutes of constant fade-free suction. Additionally, the vacuum is equipped with cyclonic high-efficiency filtration system with four stages of fully-sealed filtration. It can trap above 99.97% of allergens as small as 0.3 microns (with no leakage) to provide non-allergenic fresh air without pollution.
What we liked
- Easy to assemble
- Cordless convenience
- 2-in-1 design – stick and handheld vacuum
- Easy to empty the dust bin
- Pretty lightweight at only 5.5 lbs
- Flexible floor head design for ease of turning around and cleaning corners
What we didn’t like
- Suction isn’t strong enough – but well balanced by its lightweight convenience
- 4 hours charge time seems far too long and incoherent with 35 minutes runtime
The PUPPYOO Cordless 2-in-1 handheld stick Vacuum Cleaner is lightweight unit with strong suction and decent battery life. You can complete your vinyl floor cleaning without straining your arm, overall making tough chores easier than expected. Most importantly, this pretty versatile handheld device is packed with sufficient attachments to make vacuuming a cinch.
8. Sanitaire SC3683B Canister Vacuum
Besides cleaning vinyl floors, Sanitaire SC3683B features a carpet cleaning attachment, which comes in handy in cleaning low-profile carpets and area rugs. It is a proven multi-use canister with cleaning capabilities ranging from bare vinyl floors to low-profile carpeting and above-the-floor cleanup. Also available is the HEPA filtration system which traps up to 99% of allergy-causing particles, making it suitable for asthma and allergy sufferers.
What we liked
- Relatively great suction
- Hands down simple to operate
- Removes all pet hair from vinyl floors
- Compact and pretty lightweight
- Useful HEPA filtration system
What we didn’t like
- The new version has no telescoping metal wands, having been replaced with cheap plastic
- The new extension wand has no latching mechanism
- The handle is not durable
For those of us looking for an inexpensive vacuum, the Sanitaire SC3683B might just be the right solution. It has great suction power, and it is pretty easy to operate. This canister vac works best for vinyl floors, and it deals with pet hair with utmost effectiveness.
9. Hoover FloorMate Lux Hard Floor Cleaner (FH44110V, Gen 2)
More photo & price on Amazon.com
The Hoover FloorMate Lux Gen 2 is a hard floor cleaner from Hoover’s FloorMate line, made for people who would rather wash their hard floors with a machine than push a mop and bucket around. It’s aimed at homes with plenty of hard flooring.
We couldn’t confirm the full specifications for this newer Gen 2 model on Hoover’s website, so check the product listing for current details such as tank sizes, brushes and included accessories before you buy. If your home is mostly sealed hard flooring and you want a dedicated floor-washing machine, it’s worth a look.
What we liked
- Dedicated hard floor washing machine
- Part of Hoover’s established FloorMate line
- Built specifically for hard floors
- Replaces the mop-and-bucket routine
What we didn’t like
- Gen 2 specs not published on Hoover’s site
- Hard floors only, not for carpet
The FloorMate Lux Gen 2 is a sensible option if you want a dedicated machine for washing sealed hard floors. Confirm the current specs on the listing before you buy.
10. Hoover Sprint QuickVac
The 23 feet power cord allows you to clean more areas of your vinyl floors faster without having to plug and unplug every often. Using this bagless upright vacuum for above-the-floor cleaning is easy because of the removable cleaning wand as well as 3 floor height adjustments setting. The removable cleaning wand also combines with a 5-foot cleaning hose to allow for trouble-free transition to above-the-floor cleaning projects.
Hoover QuickVac gives you up to 7 feet of above floor cleaning reach. It has a removable handle that connects to the 2-in-1 crevice tool and the stretch hose to provide maximum stretch, especially when cleaning stairs, ceiling fans, window seals, and other hard-to-reach spaces. A high-quality filter made with HEPA media ensures fabulous filtration.
What we liked
- Great suction
- Smaller size fits into narrow areas like under furniture
- 3 position height adjustment
- Cost-effective rinsable filters
- No loss of suction
- Easy to empty the canister
What we didn’t like
- The hose seems short
- Can easily become obsolete after a few uses
Generally speaking, Hoover sprint quickvac Upright Bagless Vacuum is great for people who need a small vac for picking up surface dirt from vinyl floors. Its compact and lightweight design ensures the ease of pushing around, as well as effortless storage. Above-the-floor cleaning is a breeze due to the availability of three floor height setting suitable for every floor type.
Best Vacuum for Vinyl Floors : Buyers’ Guide
There are certain things every buyer should keep in mind when shopping for a vacuum cleaner for vinyl floors. Whereas price is typically a vital decision factor across the board, you need to keep an eye on floor-specific features and functions that would make your cleaning a breeze. No matter your budget or personal preferences, the following variables should not be compromised when zoning in on the best vacuum cleaner for vinyl floors.
Suction
Suction appears to be a common theme as far as vacuums are concerned. When it comes to vinyl floor cleaning, you must consider the best vacuum with a steady, consistent and uniform suction. Choose a model whose powerful suction can suck up all the dirt and debris from your vinyl surfaces.
Weight
A lightweight vacuum is a delight to use since you can move it back and forth across the surface with utmost ease. Furthermore, there are times when you have to haul the vacuum up and down the stairways. In such a case, having a lightweight vacuum is your best bet.
Adjustable Suction Settings
A unit with adjustable suction settings can make it easier for you to tailor the power of the vacuum depending on the job at hand. For instance, luxury plank vinyl floors require standard or even low suction settings as they tend to be less resistant to scratches. Solid vinyl floors may demand high-powered settings because they are highly resistant to scratches.
No-Scuff Bumper
Of course, you wouldn’t want to get any stuff damaged while keeping your vinyl floors clean, do you? So, it would be wise to buy a vacuum which is padded with tough or resilient material all around in order to protect your baseboards and wood furniture. A no-scuff bumper vacuum also prevents the unit from leaving scratches or marks on your precious vinyl floors.
Versatile Accessories
It is not uncommon to have different types of floors in apartments. For that reason, it is imperative to get the best vinyl floor vacuum that consists of a variety of features for cleaning other surfaces like upholstery, carpeted stairs, and so much more. Often, a versatile vacuum includes accessories like extension wands for above floor cleaning and motorized brush heads for cleaning carpets.
Power Cords
Cord length plays a significant role when it comes to cleaning vinyl floors. If you are going to buy a corded vacuum that is plugged into power sockets, make sure to get one with an extended cord to avoid switching power outlets over and over again, especially when cleaning large vinyl spaces. The seemingly ideal cord length is around 25 feet, which offers a reasonable cleaning range.
On the same token, if you prefer a cordless vacuum for vinyl floors, make sure the battery is able to last for at least 30 minutes of uninterrupted cleaning. Battery-powered vacuums are undoubtedly more flexible than corded ones because they provide the freedom to clean a vast room without the hassle of a cord. You might also consider buying a vacuum with additional batteries so you can be charging one battery while actively cleaning your vinyl floors using another.
Noise
Keep an ear out for noise when shopping for the best vacuum cleaner for vinyl floors. No vacuum cleaner in our review is so noisy that it calls for some sort of hearing protection. Nevertheless, note that any vacuum cleaner unit would seem louder when used in rooms with a lot of echo, including a tiled bathroom.
HEPA Filter
Those of us who suffer from asthma or allergies may greatly benefit from a vacuum with a HEPA filter. Units with multi-stage HEPA filtration mechanism do eliminate the likelihood of coming in contact with the captured debris. A HEPA filter plays a huge role in terms of filtering the air as it enters the system, thus capturing pollens, dust and small particles without releasing them back into the air.
FAQs About Best Vacuum for Vinyl Plank Floors
What Is the Best Way to Clean Vinyl Plank Flooring?
Start by sweeping your vinyl plank flooring to loosen debris for ease of removal, and be careful not to scrub with abrasive cleaners and wired scrubbing pads. Afterward, wash your floor with a solution of apple cider vinegar and water then rinse it thoroughly with clean plain water. Lastly, run the best vacuum cleaner for vinyl floors in order to eliminate miniature particles like pet hair from dogs or cats, keeping it free of any dust and debris.
Can You Vacuum Vinyl Plank Flooring?
Vinyl plank flooring tends to look new and shiny right out of the box, but it requires regular cleaning to prevent it from getting grimy and becoming dull in the long run, particularly in heavy traffic zones. You are recommended to vacuum your vinyl plank flooring using a high-quality vacuum cleaner such as the Hoover WindTunnel Air UH70400. A top-rated vacuum cleaner like this one can neither damage nor scratch the surface of the planks.
Can You Polish Vinyl Floors?
Yes, polishing vinyl floors at least once in a while is a crucial practice to restore their shine. You must sweep or vacuum your vinyl floor to remove the surface dirt before polishing. There are several types of floor polishes available, so ask your vinyl floor manufacturer what is the best polish suitable for your vinyl floor. Also, try to avoid wax polishes on vinyl floors as they can lead to the buildup of residue over time.
Final Verdict
Keeping vinyl floors clean, shiny, and spotless requires the right equipment for the task. Having the right equipment at your disposal enables you to clean your vinyl floors with ease and receive better results without taking up a lot of time and energy. Being the unparalleled experts in vinyl floor cleaning and maintenance, we recommend the ECOVACS DEEBOT N30 Omni Care for taking care of your vinyl floors and keeping them in tip-top shape.
This best vacuum for vinyl plank floors offers the best cleaning power and easily navigates over vinyl floors, carpets, as well as hardwood floors with utmost convenience. Not only does it offer steady and uniform suction, but it also does come with a low-profile design for cleaning under furniture and hard-to-reach areas. Hopefully, this review will guide you in making a better decision when picking the right vacuum model for vinyl floors.