The majority of vacuum cleaners today are a far cry from the bulky contraptions that used to be pulled around the home many, many years ago. Not only are we using them to clean our lovely, soft carpets these days, but also as a tool to keep laminate flooring in tip-top condition.
It is no secret that we love a hard floor to shine, but with all the heavy traffic of feet (and shoes), and our lovely pooch Fido, it is hardly an easy job.
Over time, the build-up of dirt can create a scrappy looking floor which may end up needing to be fixed if left alone.
This can all be avoided, however, just by giving it a clean. Most of us do not want to spend hours a week on our hands and knees scrubbing away at the floor, so the best option is to invest in a hard floor vacuum which does all the hard work for you.
One quick search brings up a fair number of vacuums which can be time consuming to explore and confusing, so take a read of our handy guide for a quick and insightful look at our top 5 hard floor vacuums.
OUR TOP PICK
Simplicity Stick Vacuum Cleaner
If it is simplicity that you are after, then the Simplicity vacuum is a good choice (see what we did there?). With two powerful suction modes, you cannot really go wrong with this vacuum. It will do the job effectively, especially with its squeegee on the head that helps to draw dirt into the suction area.
The brand also takes your height into consideration due to being able to adjust the length of the vacuum helping to make it more comfortable to use, no matter if you are smaller or taller.
It also comes with a crevice tool so you can get to hard to reach areas of the floor, like under furniture items you cannot move.
A built-in 4 stage filter includes a certified HEPA filter that can help to purify the air of up to 99.7% of pollen, dirt and other small particles at 0.3 microns or larger, making this great for those who are health conscious or have allergies.
The bagless compartment is an easy way to get rid of the dirt quickly without any mess or fuss. The only downside would be the 30ft cord, rather than it being cordless. However, it is 30ft. That is a long bit of wire that will suit the majority of people.
Pros
- Two speeds – allows for different cleaning abilities depending on how much you need to clean up
- Bagless – just a quick button release to remove the mess
- Lightweight – good for convenience of movement
- 4 stage filter – to filter out particles 0.3 microns or larger
Cons
- Not cordless – so you will have to use the plug socket in each room
EDITORS CHOICE
Eureka Cordless Vacuum Cleaner
The Eureka has been designed as a ‘grab and go’ cordless vacuum cleaner. It is a lightweight product making it extra convenient to use around the home quickly and efficiently when you need it.
This is particularly handy for when you have the odd accidental spill on a laminate floor.
It also comes with a crevice tool for those difficult areas in a room, and what is even better is that you can convert the vacuum into a ‘Handvac’. It is a great option if you want to clean up those messes without getting a full vacuum out.
Perhaps someone has spilt cereal on the counter top and the hard flooring? The Eureka would be a great choice to clean it all up.
It has an easy dust cup to remove dirt, and also has washable filters to keep the vacuum clean in the hope of the buyer not needing to pay any maintenance costs due to it being easy to do. Now that is pretty good if you are on a budget!
The charge will last for around 30 minutes, but for a few spills here and there and a hard flooring or two, it should be absolutely fine.
Pros
- Cordless – it is portable making it convenient to use around the home
- ‘Handvac’ – can convert it into a smaller hand vacuum
- Dust cup – easy to empty the dirt
- Washable filters -keeps any maintenance costs low
Cons
- 30 minutes run time – okay for quick cleaning but not so good if you need it for a longer amount of time
BEST VALUE
Bissell Crosswave Pet Pro All in One
The Bissell Crosswave is perfect for those with pets, especially a dog or cat whose hair gets everywhere. Plus, with every Crosswave bought, the buyer can activate a $10 donation from Bissell towards the Bissell Pet Foundation where they save homeless dogs.
It has been expertly crafted to be used with pet hair due to its Tangle-Free Brush Rolls, though these will need to be replaced over time. Fortunately, you get two free with your purchase.
As well as being able to use a roller brush to pick up hair, you can also clean the laminate floor at the same time. The multi-surface cleaner will safely wash the floor with detergent, and for extra power it will also use its suction for debris removal.
It can also be used on hard and soft floors making this a good investment if you only want the one vacuum. It has a 25 feet plug in cord, but it is long enough not to get in the way.
Each purchase comes with two Tangle-Free Brush Rolls, a docking tray for the vacuum and two 8 oz. PET multi-Surface bottles.
Pros
- Multi-surface cleaning – wet and dry for different areas of the home, as well as vacuum and wash the floor at the same time
- Two-Tank Technology – helps to keep the formula and clean water away from the dirty water, plus any dry dirt
- PET Multi-Surface Formula – used to clean floors uses Febreze to eliminate pet odours around the home
- Tangle-Free Brush Roll – means any pet hair will not tangle around the roll of the vacuum and tangle up
Cons
- Accessories will need to be replaced – the Tangle-Free Brush Roll will have to be replaced over time
RUNNER UP
Hoover FloorMate Deluxe Hard Floor Cleaner Machine
The Hoover FloorMate is another vacuum that lets you clean and vacuum at the exact same time. At the touch of a button you can release more detergent for those tricky areas you might find on a hard floor. This is especially handy if you have pets!
The SpinScrub Brush within the head has been created specifically to clean and scrub the hard flooring without leaving any scratches. This helps to give the floor an extra way to clean, helping to pick up grime as it moves along.
The dual-tank leaves the clean and dirty water separate to avoid cross contamination. It is also really easy to release once finished too.
The accessories you need will not be included, so you will have to buy the brand’s cleaning fluid separately. Also, like all vacuums, it will need proper care and cleaning to keep it working for much longer.
Pros
- SpinScrub Brush – made specifically to clean and gently scrub hard flooring like a laminate
- Dual-tank – to keep both the clean and dirty water separate to avoid contamination
- Wash and dry mode – cleans with water and uses the vacuum at the same time
- Lightweight – weighs under 14 pounds and easy to transport
Cons
- Accessories not included – you will have to buy the cleaning formulas separately
- Needs proper care – has been known to stop working if proper care is not taken
RUNNER UP
Bissell 81L2W Hard Floor Expert
If you want a vacuum that has been created solely for hard flooring, then this is it. The Bissell 81L2W vacuum’s head has been designed in such a way that it is both efficient and practical for a laminate floor.
It has a swivel steering ability with a V shaped head that can clean around corners and around chair legs with ease. It is a good option if you are short on time too, as it means you do not have to push chairs and tables back, and instead can vacuum around them.
The cord length is 20 feet which is fine for most people, and allows for movement around the room. It has also been highly rated with many people noting that it takes up pet hair extremely well, so could be a great option for those of you who have pets.
It is not multi-use however, so if you are specifically looking for a laminate floor vacuum, this is a perfect choice. If you want something that will do more than hard flooring, then there are some fantastic options above.
Pros
- Swivel steering with V shaped head – makes cleaning around corners and items easier
- Easy to empty – with a push of a button to remove the dirt holder
- Highly rated – a simple vacuum that takes up pet hair well
Cons
- Not multi-use – created specifically for hard flooring rather than general vacuuming in the home
Best Vacuum For Laminate Floors Buying Guide
Now that you have read through our top picks, here are a few things you should look out for when choosing a vacuum.
Run Time
If you plan to buy a cordless vacuum, one thing you will want to know is how long a single charge lasts for. There is no point charging it up and only being able to use it for ten minutes – unless you only have one room to clean!
Most will be able to be used for 30 minutes or more which will give you sufficient time to vacuum a few floors. So, make sure you check exactly how long you need to charge it for to expect a certain amount of vacuum time.
This is important because if you are only using it for the odd accidental spill, then you do not need a vacuum to last a few hours per charge. The same if you are only using it on one hard floor. Keeping this in mind will mean you do not buy a vacuum that is unnecessarily advanced for what you need – or the exact opposite.
Cordless vs Cord
There are many pros and cons when it comes to cordless vs cord. The positive about having a corded vacuum is the fact it will never run out of charge. This is very handy if you have a big job on your hands, or if there are a few floors for you to vacuum.
It is also a good option if you need to vacuum random spills that happen occasionally and you do not want your vacuum to be out of charge (it does happen).
The other side of having a corded vacuum is the annoyance of a long wire that you have to be stuck to causing limitations when moving around the room, or wanting to move to a different room. Also, there is always the attempt of trying not to accidentally vacuum over it.
Even so, a corded vacuum is a good option for many, especially if you just want the convenience of being able to plug in and use it.
The cordless vacuum is also a good choice, especially if you want to be able to pick it up and go – wherever in the house you are. A charge should last a while, and at least give you enough time to vacuum up the dirt.
It also makes the vacuum a lot more portable and easier to use. Moving around the room will be smoother without the worry of catching the cord or struggling to turn around as you become encased within the wire.
Both have positive and negative points. Ultimately it is all down to what you prefer when it comes to using the vacuum.
Dry or Wet
There are a few options when it comes to cleaning a laminate floor – you can go wet or dry, or maybe both.
The options of vacuum for the laminate floor is extensive, but the majority do the same job. There are a few that will vacuum the floor dry and do a great job because of its suction ability, and then there are those that can clean your floor using detergent and vacuum the floor at the very same time.
Whilst it is tempting to buy an all singing and all dancing vacuum, it will not always be necessary to. Unless you have really dirty flooring due to muddy shoes, or perhaps spend a lot of time baking in the kitchen, you might not need a wet vacuum.
It is, however, a good option if you have pets like a dog or a cat. Their dirty paws and fur can get everywhere, so it is always a good idea to have a vacuum that can go the extra mile.
Most have their own detergent readily available, and some even include it with the vacuum’s purchase.
Having a dry vacuum on a hard surface is just as good. They have a great suction ability that will pick up pretty much everything leaving the laminate floor squeaky clean.
Multi-purpose
Not all vacuums are multi-purpose, so make sure that the one you buy is for the purpose you need it for. When it comes to wet and dry vacuums,
you can guarantee that they will be able to be used throughout the home making these a good investment in the long term.
A just wet vacuum cleaner, or one specifically designed for hard floors are not going to vacuum the whole house unless the house has all hard floors. So if this is the one you buy, make sure you have another vacuum that can be used on carpets.
Pet Hair
The majority of vacuums will suction up pet hair easily, but then there are those vacuums which will do it expertly. If dog or cat hair is a nightmare, then finding a vacuum which is lightweight and easy to control is paramount – because, let’s face it, you will be vacuuming it up every day.
There are many on the market that will have rollers or higher suctions, so finding one that is highly rated to use on pet hair is a must. It will all depend on whether you want to have to keep changing the rollers or just stay with a standard suction.
Not all suctions are equal either, so keep that in mind.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Use A Wet/Dry Vacuum On A Laminate Floor?
Absolutely you can. A lot of vacuums have the option of being used wet or dry, and this gives you the option to use it multi-surface. Also, a lot of vacuums have a special formula that can be applied to hard flooring that does not ruin it and keeps it clean.
What Is The Best Way To Clean Laminate Flooring?
The best option is to find products that have been specifically created to clean hard floors. A hard floor vacuum cleaner is a great way to do the job easily.
Do Vacuums Scratch Laminate Floors?
Vacuums do not cause any scratching unless used improperly. This means that if you are using a vacuum unsuitable for a hardfloor, turn the roller off to avoid damage – if it is not suitable for the hard floor.
By using a specific type of hard floor vacuum this should avoid any scratching to the surface.
