Thin vacuum cleaner: Xiaomi Mi Vacuum Cleaner Light Review

Sep 15, 2023 alexxlab

The Best Lightweight Vacuums of 2023

We spent 25 hours on research and six weeks testing each of the vacuums in a home environment. We chose the Shark – Rocket HV302 as our pick for the best lightweight vacuum. Weighing just 8 pounds (the average vacuum weighs 14 to 17 pounds), it is one of the more powerful vacuums we tested. If you want a cordless model, we found the Eureka – NEC222 to be the best option. It pulls up an impressive amount of debris and has swivel steering that makes it easy to navigate around furniture. If you don’t mind the hefty price tag, the Dyson – V15 Detect is one of the most technologically advanced vacuums on the market.

Our Top Choices

Best Corded

Shark

Rocket HV302

Best Cordless

Eureka

NEC222

Upgrade Pick

Dyson

V15 Detect

The 10 lightweight vacuums we tested
Best corded: Shark – Rocket HV302
Best cordless: Eureka – NEC222
Upgrade pick: Dyson – V15 Detect
Other products we tested
How we selected
How we tested
Important features to consider
The bottom line

The 10 lightweight vacuums we tested

Product	Price	Style	Weight (lbs)	Converts to Handheld
Shark – Rocket HV302	$$$	Corded	8. 2	Yes
Eureka – NEC222	$$$	Cordless	6.5	Yes
Dyson – V15 Detect	$$$$	Cordless	6.8	Yes
Dyson – V11 Torque Drive	$$$$	Cordless	6.7	Yes
Dyson – V10 Absolute	$$$$	Cordless	5.9	Yes
Oreck – XL2100RHS	$$$	Corded	8.2	No
Tineco – A11 Hero	$$$$	Cordless	5.5	Yes
Bissell – Featherweight 2033	$	Corded	3.0	Yes
Deik – ZB1516 (Discontinued)	$$$	Cordless	4.7	Yes
Hoover – Sh30030 (Discontinued)	$$	Corded	8.0	No

Best corded: Shark – Rocket HV302

In our tests, we found the vacuums with better suction tended to be harder to move around the floor. The Shark – Rocket HV302 is the exception; the power and the motorized brush roll work together to make it feel as though it is self-propelled. Swivel steering adds even greater agility, making the Shark easy to navigate around furniture. The combination of power and maneuverability made the Shark our top choice for a lightweight vacuum.

The Shark doesn’t snowplow large debris and is excellent at pulling up dirt and debris from along wall edges. The filter is simple to reach and remove using a flip-top lid and the waste canister is easy to empty. It has a 30-foot cord, so it’s easy to reach across the room and even down the hallway, depending on the size of your rooms.

Although it doesn’t have a HEPA filter, the Shark performed on par with the Dyson in terms of emissions (and the Dyson is priced three times higher). It lowered both the large particle count and small particle count in the room after vacuuming. It pulled up sand and fine debris in large amounts, impressing us with how clean the floor looked after vacuuming with the Shark.

The motorized brush roll helps to agitate dirt from carpets, while the included Hard Floor Hero head serves to pick up surface litter and stuck-on food or dirt. So you have the option to adjust the height with a switch and keep vacuuming across different floor types or change out the vacuum head.

This model converts into a hand vacuum with a dusting brush, upholstery brush and crevice tool. It also comes with a car-detail kit with micro tools for detailing your automobile.

Things we didn’t like

As powerful as the Shark is, it didn’t fare well in our pet hair test. For a better option, see our review on vacuums for pet hair. In fact, the power may have been part of the problem. It sucked up so much pet hair at one time that within 30 seconds the filter was too clogged to retain any more debris.

The other downside is that it is one of the heavier finalists we tested. Although it only weighs eight pounds, the majority of the weight is in the handheld portion of the vacuum. It may not be the best choice for you if your wrist is easily strained. Because it is so top heavy, it also doesn’t stand up on its own.

However, you can mount it on the included wall bracket for storage. You can also detach the hand vac from the floor mount and place it on the hook above the floor nozzle for easy storage.

These considerations aside, the Shark has enough pros that we feel comfortable recommending it as our top choice for a corded lightweight vacuum.

Key takeaways:

The Shark – Rocket HV302 is easy to use and maneuver, as the combination of strong suction and a motorized brush head reduces the force needed to push the vacuum.
Swivel steering makes vacuuming around furniture effortless, and a low profile allows you to reach under couches easily.
Our air was cleaner after vacuuming with the Shark, as its tightly sealed system and effective filter trapped fine and larger dust particles while running.
This model may not be the best choice for pet owners, as pet hair tends to clog in the filter and reduce efficacy.

Best cordless: Eureka – NEC222

Priced lower than average, especially for a cordless model, the Eureka – NEC222 is well worth the investment of a high-end vacuum. It is quiet but powerful and swivel steering makes it a breeze to move around the room. The low profile makes it a snap to clean underneath furniture, while its agility makes it easy to get around large pieces.

The Eureka aced our performance test, picking up as many grams of dirt as the Dyson and pulling up embedded pet hair without clogging. While it didn’t clean the air in our emissions test, it also retained any large or fine debris it pulled up from the carpet so you don’t have to worry about dust kickback.

It has the brightest front headlights, making it easy to see in low lighting. The waste canister empties at the touch of a button; there’s also a second option to twist off the collection cup.

The things we liked most about this vacuum were its performance on both pet hair and fine dust and its quiet motor. The Eureka is only 6.5 pounds, so despite the motor being located at the handle, it didn’t put any pressure on our wrist.

The vacuum converts into a hand vac and comes with a crevice tool and a two-in-one upholstery tool. It has a solid 30 minutes of run time and charges in four hours.

Things we didn’t like

Our main concern with the Eureka is that the controls aren’t easily decipherable, so it’s hard to determine which symbol means carpet and which means hard floors (without consulting the manual, and let’s face it, we all know those end up in a junk drawer and are rarely consulted).

A secondary issue is that the brush head tends to lift off the ground, so it doesn’t always make full contact with the floor. This could mean it doesn’t pick up as much as it should or that you have to make multiple passes over the same area, unless you are actively ensuring that it fully engages with the carpet or hard flooring.

Key takeaways:

The Eureka – NEC222 is reasonably priced for a lightweight cordless vacuum and well worth the expense.
If you want a lightweight cordless vacuum that rivals the Dyson in terms of performance and doesn’t kick back any dust, the Eureka is an excellent choice.
At 6.5 pounds, it’s so lightweight that the brush head tends to lift off the carpet, but it doesn’t cause any arm fatigue after a long period of vacuuming.
Despite being a powerful vacuum, the Eureka is one of the quietest models we tested.

Upgrade Pick: Dyson – V15 Detect

If you suffer with allergies from dust, pollen, and pet dander, we highly recommend the Dyson – V15 Detect. It’s about $700, and that might be a deterrent to purchasing one, but in our estimation, the investment is worth it. At 6.8 pounds, it’s just 3 ounces heavier than our best cordless pick, the Eureka – NEC222. Dyson improves on its previous models with a couple of additions. First, it has 20% more power, meaning, the vacuum’s suction is even greater.

The improved digital display allows you to select Eco, Auto, and Boost modes, and how much the charge remains. For Eco, it’s 60 minutes, for Auto (it automatically detects the floor surface you’re vacuuming), it’s 45 minutes, and for Boost, it’s 7.5-8 minutes. The latest add-on to the display is a Piezo sensor bar graph that shows how many allergens, microscopic dust, dust mites, and larger debris (for pet lovers, this includes fleas) are vacuumed. With first use, you may be shocked by how high the numbers are. During our testing, the living room area picked up an astounding 490 million allergens. You’ll get accustomed to the high levels, which, of course, you had no idea were there, and will appreciate that the Dyson is sucking them all up.

It also comes with several nifty attachments. The large torque head is excellent for vacuuming pet hair because its anti-tangle comb prevents hair from getting trapped. The smaller torque head works well with stairs since it automatically adjusts to when you’re vacuuming the top of the stair and the back of the stair. The most touted new feature in the V15 is the Laser Slim Fluffy cleaning head that showers the floor with a green laser, illuminating dust and dirt in dimly lit areas.

The V15 converts to a handheld, and the included brushes and tools let you get into tight corners above and below, between cushions, and on top of draperies. With the mini torque head, the V15 is great for vacuuming the car, particularly the seats and floor mats. Depending on the size of your home, you could vacuum every surface and then have enough charge to do the car. The Dyson V15 Detect is not for the budget-conscious, but if you can afford to upgrade, then this is the lightweight vacuum you should consider buying.

Key takeaways:

The Dyson V15 Detect is one of the most powerful lightweight vacuums we tested and can last up 60 minutes on one charge.
Its Piero sensor display shows how many millions of allergens, dust, dust mites, and small debris you vacuum up.
Like all Dyson products, the V15 is expensive, but if you suffer from allergies, it would be worth the investment.

Other products we tested

Dyson – V11 Torque Drive

With the release of the Dyson – V11 Torque Drive, Dyson cleared up a few of the problems we had with the Dyson – V10 Absolute. The major upgrade is the new torque cleaner head, which not only propels the vacuum forward, it also automatically detects the floor type — carpet, hardwood, tile — and adjusts the motor to clean the floor type more efficiently. During our testing, we ran the vacuum over several floor types and materials (couch upholstery, dog beds), and the detection and adjustment happened almost immediately. As much as we liked the torque drive’s propulsion, it also made the V11 a little tricky to steer. Still, having that much power made vacuuming a breeze.

The other addition to the V11 is the LCD screen that displays how much charge is remaining in the battery and vacuuming mode: Eco, Auto, and Boost. Eco will give you about 60 minutes of run time and Normal 45 minutes. Boost will suck the charge out of the battery in 10-12 minutes, so it should only be used to tackle ground-in dirt and debris.

The V11 weighs about a pound (6.7) more than the V10 (5.9), and that extra weight did tire our hands when we were vacuuming stairs, ceiling corners, and car interior. The Dyson V11 is pretty expensive at the moment and can even cost more than the V15, which is more available. But you can get a more reasonably priced V11 that’s been completely refurbished by Dyson.

Dyson – V10 Absolute

We previously recommended the Dyson – V10 Absolute, and although its price point is more than double the average cost of our vacuums, every Dyson we have tested (including the V10 Absolute) outperforms the other finalists in terms of performance and air quality.

We didn’t name it our winner simply because it isn’t as easy to maneuver as our top picks, and we considered agility a top priority for a lightweight vacuum. The price point is higher than many consumers are able or willing to spend. Finally, we noted that the hygienic one-touch emptying bin tends to stick, making it more likely to spill the contents. (This wasn’t an issue with other Dyson models we previously tested.)

However, if you have pets or allergies, it may be worth it to invest in a Dyson for its ability to capture and retain both pet hair and dander. Dyson cord-free vacuums have whole machine filtration which captures 99 percent of particles as small as 0.3 microns.

Oreck – XL2100RHS

The Oreck – XL2100RHS is a bagged, corded and commercial model that performs extremely well in terms of pulling up embedded dirt and debris from carpet. It has plenty of power, but it’s also the noisiest vacuum of the models we tested. It also tends to drag along the floor and doesn’t have swivel steering, so although it weighs the same as the Shark, it causes arm fatigue, and the Shark doesn’t.

If you want a powerhouse vacuum and your main reason for choosing a lightweight vacuum is the ability to carry it upstairs easily, the Oreck is a good choice. However, if you have allergies or asthma, the trail of dust it leaves behind may make the Oreck a poor choice for you.

Tineco – A11 Hero

If maneuverability is what you prize most, the Tineco – A11 Hero is hands down the most agile vacuum we tested. Unfortunately, it doesn’t possess the suction power to name it as our top cordless pick. It only picked up four grams of dirt in our performance test, and appeared to pick up large debris well (with no snow plowing), but would leave pieces behind after we turned off the suction.

It comes with two lithium-ion batteries and a dual charging dock, so you can run the vacuum for up to 60 minutes without interruption. The waste canister is easy to empty, and it is easy on the wrist at only 5.5 pounds, despite being top heavy.

Deik – ZB1516

The Deik – ZB1516 has swivel steering, but the brush head doesn’t move as easily as our other contenders with swivel steering. Although it’s a top-heavy model like most of our lightweight cordless vacuums, the Deik weighs only 4.7 pounds so you don’t feel strain on the wrist.

It has a HEPA filter, but it tested as one of the neutral models in our emissions test. It doesn’t leave the air cleaner like the Shark or Dyson, but it doesn’t kick back dust either. Our overall impression of the Deik is neutral. At just over half the price of the average cost of our finalists, there isn’t anything negative about this vacuum, but it doesn’t have many standout qualities either.

Bissell – Featherweight 2033

If you need the absolute lightest vacuum for quick pick-ups, the Bissell – Featherweight 2033 is a decent option. It lies flat so you can get underneath furniture easily, although the head doesn’t swivel so it doesn’t navigate as well as other finalists. However, at only 3 pounds, maneuverability isn’t as much of an issue as it would be for heavier vacuums.

The short cord could be problematic if you have a larger area room, and the filter clogs easily with pet hair. For the price and weight, these issues may not be deal-breakers. The Bissell is the lowest-priced model we tested, and although it doesn’t come with any bells or whistles or have much power, it will make your floor appear cleaner with minimal effort.

Hoover – Sh30030 (Discontinued)

(Editor’s note: The Hoover – Sh30030 has been discontinued and replaced with a newer model, Hoover – BH53420PC, ONEPWR Evolve.)

The Hoover – Sh30030 wasn’t the absolute lowest-priced model we tested. However, it was the best performing vacuum on the lower end of the price spectrum. It easily picked up pet hair and cereal in our performance test, and we especially liked that it could pick up debris along the edges of walls (thanks to edge cleaning bristles on the brush roll). It didn’t deep clean as well as our other top picks, but it would be an excellent second vacuum for a quick pick up.

It ran smoothly on hard floors and didn’t snowplow large debris, and we easily transitioned between flooring types with a flick of the switch. It had a low profile and reached under furniture with no problem. The swivel steering was useful for navigating around furniture and getting close to the edges.

Weighing only eight pounds, the weight was evenly distributed, so it was easier to handle than our top-heavy cordless vacuums. Its 20-foot cord was long enough to reach across most rooms.

We also liked that the Hoover is on the quieter side at only 75.9 dBA, less than our average rating of 79. 4 across all models we tested. It’s also slim and stores upright, which makes it convenient to keep close at hand for those quick pick-up jobs.

Things we didn’t like

The Hoover performed better picking up large debris than fine dust. It’s a good choice for a lightweight, everyday vacuum, but if you’re looking for a vacuum that really deep cleans, you may want to look elsewhere.

It didn’t spew out fine particles (perhaps because it doesn’t pull them out of the carpet in the first place), but it did have trouble retaining large particles. If you have allergies or breathing issues, you may want to upgrade to a model with a more tightly sealed system.

How we selected

Since a vacuum weighing more than 15 pounds can cause arm fatigue when pushed around large spaces or carried upstairs, we limited our scope to vacuums weighing 15 pounds and under. Corded vacuums tend to be more powerful, while cordless ones are more convenient. Keeping this in mind, we searched for the best options in each category.

We’ve tested multiple types of vacuums here at Your Best Digs, as we searched for everything from the best upright vacuum to the best handheld vacuum. These previous experiences have given us a good sense of overall features to consider when also factoring in a lightweight aspect.

For instance, we considered the fact that swivel steering can greatly impact the amount of work it takes to move a vacuum around. If you’re choosing a lightweight vacuum because you want to ease the strain of pushing a heavy vacuum around, this is an important feature to note.

We looked at reputable sources such as Consumer Reports and Wirecutter to gather information about the top lightweight vacuums on the market. Once we narrowed down a list of finalists that had the features we deemed most important, we culled the list further based on Amazon reviews and reports from the Laundry Love & Cleaning Science Facebook group.

How we tested

Product	Maneuverability	Maximum Sound (dB)	Filter Contents (grams of dust, sand, pet hair)	Overall Emissions Rating
1. Shark – Rocket HV302	☆☆☆☆☆	83.5	5	☆☆☆☆☆
2. Eureka – NEC222	☆☆☆☆☆	71.3	9	☆☆☆☆
3. Hoover – Sh30030	☆☆☆☆	75.9	2	☆☆☆
4. Dyson – V10 Absolute	☆☆☆☆	85.0	9	☆☆☆☆☆
5. Oreck – XL2100RHS	☆☆	88.6	14	☆
6. Tineco – A11 Hero	☆☆☆☆☆	77.2	4	☆☆☆☆
7. Deik – ZB1516	☆☆☆☆☆	80.1	6	☆☆☆☆
8. Bissell – Featherweight 2033	☆☆☆	74.0	3	☆☆

Performance

We tested in a household with three children and three pets — two dogs and a domestic shorthair cat — and the carpet was embedded with pet hair. We added sand, baking soda (to mimic fine dust), and cereal (large debris) to the mix. Starting with empty collection containers, we passed each vacuum over the area for 30 seconds. Then we weighed the output in grams to test how much each vacuum collected.

Pet hair is naturally lighter than sand or cereal, so while we measured the contents of each collection container, we visually inspected the carpet to see if there was any debris remaining. The type of debris collected gave us insight into which vacuums picked up more fine debris and which gathered the most pet hair.

Finally, we performed the same test again on hard flooring. We paid attention to whether or not the vacuums snowplowed (pushed forward rather than sucked up) the large debris.

The Oreck, Dyson, and Eureka were able to capture the most pet hair, sand, and baking soda at the same time without the brush roll or filter becoming clogged. The Shark picked up a large amount of pet hair from the carpet, but the hair wound itself around the filter and created a pressure that caused it to “backfire,” sending larger pieces of debris back onto the carpet.

The Hoover did a good job of picking up surface pet hair and cereal, but it didn’t do much to pull up ground-in dirt and debris from the carpet. It pulled in cereal without snowplowing it across the floor, even better than some of our more expensive finalists. For example, the Tineco wasn’t able to retain larger pieces of debris, leaving them on the floor after we moved the vacuum.

Emissions

The best vacuums are able to keep the dirt contained in their collection bag or cylinder, so the dust and debris aren’t spewed back out into the air. This is especially important if you have allergies. To test filter performance, we measured dust kickback with a Dylos air quality monitor.

The laser countermeasures air quality in terms of both large particles (PM10) and small particles (PM2.5). Particle pollution can be especially harmful to those with asthma, older adults, and babies, and children. Smaller particles are more troublesome because they can get into the deep parts of your lungs.

We took a reading before vacuuming, then measured the air quality again after vacuuming a single room for 10 minutes. Some vacuums, such as the Oreck and the Bissell, caused the numbers to jump dramatically. The Shark and the Dyson actually improved the quality of the air, reducing both large and small airborne particles. The Eureka and Deik were relatively neutral, neither spewing dust nor filtering it out of the air.

Usability

Over the course of six weeks, we used these vacuums to vacuum as any consumer would. We vacuumed in multiple rooms on both hard flooring and carpet for approximately 30 minutes at a time.

Since we wanted to find the best lightweight vacuum, key considerations here were arm fatigue and maneuverability. We rated each vacuum on a scale of one to five (five being best) for ease of use, giving the highest ratings to vacuums that didn’t cause arm fatigue.

We maneuvered each vacuum around the room and judged how easy it was to operate. Then we tested its profile by lying it flat and vacuuming under a couch and living room chairs. We noted features such as button placement and the ability to determine what the settings meant without consulting the manual. Finally, we considered how easy it was to change the filter or empty the waste container.

Our five-star finalists for maneuverability were the Shark, Eureka, Tineco, and Deik. Despite being only 8.2 pounds, the Oreck was incredibly difficult to push around the room. The stronger the suction, the more difficult it was to push — with the exception of the Shark, which feels as if it is propelling forward without effort. Finalists like the Dyson and Tineco were easy to operate, but we encountered resistance on their Max settings and vacuuming became more labor-intensive.

Noise output

For this test, we measured the sound output in decibels of each vacuum using a sound pressure level meter. The ambient noise level of the room measured at 59.3 decibels, with a fan running and someone cooking in the other room. We held the meter at ear level while running each vacuum to gauge the noise exposure while actually using the vacuum.

The average noise level of our finalists was 79 dBA, when the vacuums were used at their highest setting. Comparatively, it’s the sound of a freight train from 100 feet away. Our loudest vacuum, the Oreck, was closer to the sound levels of a boiler room at 88.6 dBA. The Eureka was the quietest vacuum, measuring 71.3 dBA, or a little louder than classroom chatter. The Shark had a wide range of noise levels, from 83.5 dBA on its max setting to just below the average noise level at 77.2 dBA on its lowest setting.

Important features to consider

Lightweight: Vacuums over 15 pounds become tough to move around, an important consideration if you need to cover more square footage or carry it upstairs. The vacuums we tested weighed 3 to 8 pounds.
Swivel steering: Maneuverability is key if you’re choosing a vacuum based on its ease of use. Even a lightweight vacuum can cause arm fatigue without swivel steering since you need to make double the effort to guide it around the room.
Corded vs. cordless: Corded vacuums are typically more powerful than cordless vacuums, although some newer cordless models are nearly as powerful as a corded vacuum.
Battery life/run time: If you do choose a cordless model, consider how long the battery takes to charge and how long you can run the vacuum before the battery dies.
Sealed HEPA filter: If you have allergies or asthma, you’ll want to make sure your vacuum traps dust mites, pet dander, and pollen in a tightly sealed system. A vacuum with a sealed HEPA filter must meet the rigorous U.S. HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) standards of removing 99.97 percent of all particles 0.3 microns or larger.
Low profile: A vacuum that lies flat is able to fit under furniture, which means you can clean without moving heavy objects around the room.
Easy emptying: Whether using a bagged or bagless model, you should be able to empty the vacuum without dirt escaping.
Brush roll: A spinning beater brush agitates debris in the carpet for a deeper clean, but on hard floors, it can scratch the surface and fling debris away. A better option for hard flooring is a vacuum that allows you to turn off the beater brush or, better yet, has a soft roller head.
Converts into a handheld vacuum: A model that converts into a handheld vacuum gives you the most bang for your buck and allows you to use it on multiple cleaning tasks. It’s convenient to have a vacuum that can clean your floors as well as your car. If you’re primarily looking to use your vacuum as a handheld, our article on the best handheld vacuum can guide you in the right direction.
Multiple attachments: Attachments such as a soft roller head for hard floors, a crevice tool, and a dusting tool allow you to tackle multiple cleaning jobs with one vacuum.
Adjustable-height cleaning head: Automatic height adjustment allows you to switch from carpet to hard flooring, although you may want to turn your brush roll off or switch to a soft roller head.

When looking for the best lightweight vacuum, we wanted to find a model that was agile as well as lightweight. Whether you’re purchasing a lightweight vacuum because you have a higher area of square footage, multiple floors, or a limited range of motion, a vacuum that maneuvers easily will make the task less labor-intensive.

The Shark – Rocket HV302 has tremendous capabilities to capture and retain dust and debris, while still being easy to navigate around the room. For those who prefer a cordless model, the Eureka – NEC222 is another lightweight vacuum that combines power with ease of use.

If you’re looking to upgrade your vacuum to Dyson’s latest technological marvel, the Dyson – V15 Detect is pricey, but it’s the best lightweight vacuum we’ve recently tested for this update.

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Bethany Wilk, Editor

Bethany Wilk loves words like you love bacon. Or soy bacon, if that’s how you roll. From writing to reading, Bethany is happiest immersed in the world made possible by letters on page–book or web. She brings this passion to her work for Your Best Digs.

More Reviews

Best Lightweight Vacuums 2023 – Forbes Vetted

Regular-sized vacuum cleaners can be difficult to push or lug around if you have dexterity issues or arthritis, which is where lightweight vacuums come in. The best lightweight vacuums still pack a powerful punch while being relatively easy to use. Our top choice is the Eureka Airspeed Ultra-Lightweight for its under-8 pound weight, high portability and impressive suction power.

The best lightweight vacuums still pack a powerful punch while being relatively easy to use.

Illustration: Forbes / Photo: Retailers

At a basic level, “a lightweight vacuum is easier to maneuver and carry around,” says Donna Dougherty, founder and CEO of Go Green Cleaning Experts, a cleaning service that caters to the Greater Philadelphia area. But they can also be a good option if you clean frequently, giving you a quick and convenient solution, says Katie Dills, senior vice president of The Cleaning Authority, a cleaning service with centers around the country. “They are easy to use, portable and their cleaning capabilities are versatile,” she says. “You can easily carry your vacuum up and down stairs, clean under and behind hard-to-reach places and more.” The lightness also makes them a great option for older adults and those with back pain, Dills points out.

To choose the best lightweight vacuum for you, it’s important to consider factors like overall weight, what type of flooring you’ll primarily use your vacuum on, how much space you have to clean, whether you prefer corded or cordless and your budget. These are the best lightweight vacuums on the market to help make your cleaning experience a little easier. (While you’re at it, consider our lists of the best canister vacuums and best vacuums for pet hair.)

Best Lightweight Vacuum Overall: Eureka Airspeed Ultra-Lightweight
Best Lightweight Vacuum For The Elderly: Eureka Lightweight Cordless Vacuum Cleaner

Best Lightweight Vacuum For Carpet: Shark Rocket Ultra-Light Corded Bagless Vacuum
Best Lightweight Vacuum For Hardwood Floors: Eureka WhirlWind
Best Lightweight Canister Vacuum: Prolux White TerraVac
Best Lightweight Corded Vacuum: Oreck Elevate Conquer Bagged Upright Vacuum Cleaner
Best Lightweight Vacuum For Pet Hair: Dyson Cyclone V10 Animal
Best Lightweight Vacuum For People With Arthritis: Kenmore DS4095 Brushless Cordless Stick Vacuum
Best Shark Lightweight Vacuum: Shark Vertex Pro Powered Lift-Away Cordless Vacuum
Best Dyson Lightweight Vacuum: Dyson V15 Cordless Stick Vacuum

Amazon

Eureka Airspeed Ultra-Lightweight

There’s a range with lightweight vacuums, and the Eureka Airspeed is definitely on the smaller side. This vacuum is just shy of 8 pounds but offers an impressive suction level beyond what you would expect from a device of this size. It tackles pet hair, dust and dirt from carpets and hard floors, and features a washable filter that can be reused. The vacuum is made to be incredibly portable, with an oversized grab handle that makes it easy to transport up and down stairs. Enjoy a detachable handle to reach spots up high, along with popular attachments like a crevice tool and dusting brush. At just $63, this vacuum is a steal.

Amazon

Eureka Lightweight Cordless Vacuum Cleaner

This Eureka vacuum is packed with elements that make it a good choice for older adults to operate. The vacuum features a large LED display that clearly indicates floor type, mode and battery life. It’s also at your fingertips, so there’s no bending required to switch cleaning modes. There’s also no plug to dance around, eliminating a tripping hazard in the process. This tool can run anywhere from 60 minutes to seven minutes depending on the level of suction you choose. It’s also versatile enough to tackle everything from hard floors to carpets, and includes attachments like a motorized pet tool to clean cat and dog hair off of upholstery. The 1 liter dust cup is easy to empty—just press a button on the front of the canister—while the vacuum uses a HEPA filter to capture and trap dust, dander and whatever else is lurking on your floors.

Amazon

Shark Vertex Pro Powered Lift-Away Cordless Vacuum

Shark has a certain following, and with good reason—the company makes quality vacuums. The Shark Vertex is one of the lighter vacuums the brand sells, clocking in at just shy of 12.5 pounds. The vacuum uses a proprietary DuoClean PowerFins technology, which is a dual brushroll system that really aims to get a deep clean with each pass. There’s no cord to worry about and the machine offers a large IQ display to give you data like remaining runtime and cleaning mode. Enjoy a slew of attachments, including a crevice tool and upholstery brush. This vacuum converts to a handheld for even more portable cleaning.

Amazon

Dyson V15 Cordless Stick Vacuum

Dyson vacuums are arguably the best in their class, and they have a price tag to match. If it’s in your budget, the incredibly powerful Dyson V15 is at least worth considering. The vacuum offers three cleaning modes—eco, auto and boost—to help meet your needs in any given moment. The auto mode is particularly impressive: It monitors the vacuum’s brush bar resistance and adapts power across a range of floor types so you don’t have to. An angled laser helps illuminate dirt and dust in your path, while seven attachments give you options for cleaning. This vacuum even comes with a wall dock and charger for easy storage.

Amazon

Shark Rocket Ultra-Light Corded Bagless Vacuum

At a mere 7 pounds, the Shark Rocket is one of the lightest vacuums for carpets you’ll find. It boasts strong suction power and seamlessly switches from hard floors to carpet mode with the push of a button. Swivel steering also makes it simple to cruise around chairs, furniture and other obstacles. For those times when you need to target items up high, the vacuum converts into a handheld. There’s also an upholstery tool and anti-allergen brush for specialized cleaning modes. The vacuum’s cord ensures it won’t fade on suction or power while you’re hard at work.

Amazon

Eureka WhirlWind

Eureka’s WhirlWind can technically handle any type of flooring, but this vacuum really shines with hard floors. It has an airflow control at the handle to help you flip between modes and is just 8 pounds, making it easy to roll from place to place. Worth noting: Because this is a canister vacuum, users aren’t feeling the weight of all of those 8 pounds while pushing the device around. It boasts a generous 2.5 liter dust cup that can hold plenty of dirt and dust before it needs to be emptied. There’s also a telescoping wand for tackling hard-to-reach spots, along with a crevice tool and brush for spot cleaning. Enjoy the canister’s oversized handle to help you travel up and down stairs. The filter and dust cup are washable for easy cleaning. At $72, this vacuum is affordable for most.

The Home Depot

Prolux White TerraVac

The Prolux TerraVac is impressively lightweight at just 6 pounds. With the canister design, users feel like they’re pushing around a fraction of that. The corded vacuum features a 12 amp motor that can be adjusted from 400 to 1,200 watts for maximum suction power. The machine’s HEPA filter traps and holds onto dust, so you don’t need to stress about scattering it while you clean. The vacuum features a height-adjustable powerhead for customized cleanings, while attachments like a crevice tool, brush and upholstery head help tackle specific jobs.

Amazon

Oreck Elevate Conquer Bagged Upright Vacuum Cleaner

It can be tough to create a large vacuum that’s also lightweight, but Oreck answered the call. The Elevate Conquer has a unique design with a body that’s long and slender, saving weight and creating more space for the dust bag in the process. A HEPA filter captures and traps up to 99.97% of particles, making this a good choice for people with allergies. The Elevate Conquer features swivel steering to pivot around obstacles, along with two-speed control at your fingertips for quick adjustments. The slim design also makes it easy for this machine to get under low areas. Thanks to its plug, this vacuum never runs low on suction power while you’re cleaning.

Amazon

Dyson Cyclone V10 Animal

The Dyson Cyclone V10 Animal packs a lot of impressive power into a lightweight package. The stick vacuum boasts 1,400 watts of suction and can run for up to 60 minutes on a single charge, tackling plenty of pet hair in the process. The main brush head features special vanes that prevent hair from tangling around it, whether it’s from a pet or human. The 0.2 gallon dust cup isn’t the largest one you’ll fine, but it’s roomy enough to have a good pass at your floors before needing to be emptied. The vacuum features multiple attachments, including a mini motorized tool for removing pet hair from upholstery, a crevice tool and soft dusting brush. At 5.7 pounds, it’s lightweight enough to please even the most picky shoppers.

Amazon

Kenmore DS4095 Brushless Cordless Stick Vacuum

The Kenmore DS4095 has unique features that make it a great option for people with arthritis. This vacuum weighs just 6 pounds, making it a breeze to push around. It also boasts an EasyReach wand that flexes to clean under furniture with the push of a button—no bending required. The vacuum offers up to 40 minutes of runtime on a single charge and converts into a hand vacuum—which weighs a mere 3 pounds—as needed. The large handle is easy to grip, too. When the work is done, just place the vacuum on its wall-mounted base for a recharge.

How We Chose The Best Lightweight Vacuums

To choose the best lightweight vacuums, we consulted with two cleaning experts and a physiatrist to learn more about the important features the best lightweight vacuums possess, as well as what makes some models stand out from others. We then looked at bestsellers on the market and scrutinized each for elements like weight, ease of use, capacity and value. Reviews from real owners were also analyzed to see how well these machines perform across a range of households and flooring types.

What To Look For In Lightweight Vacuums

A lightweight vacuum is an investment, and it’s important to get it right from the start. Consider these elements as you shop.

Type

Vacuums have come a long way in the past decade, and there are now lightweight options for every type of the machines. Stick vacuums are known for being lightweight, but even some uprights fit the bill. Our top choice, the Eureka Airspeed Ultra-Lightweight, is under 8 pounds, for example. If you’re concerned about the ability to push a vacuum around, consider a canister version like the Prolux White TerraVac. It’s just 6 pounds, and the canister design makes it feel even lighter while you vacuum.

Corded Vs. Cordless

Vacuums come in corded or cordless versions. The right choice for you comes down to personal preference, as well as how much floor space you need to cover. “Cordless vacuums are more convenient because you can freely clean around your home without being plugged into an outlet,” Dills says. “However, cordless vacuum batteries do need to be recharged or replaced.” Corded lightweight vacuums have perks, too. “Corded lightweight vacuums tend to offer more consistent suction power and do not require recharging,” Doherty points out. “It ultimately depends on your cleaning needs and preferences. ”

Weight

There is no official designation for what classifies as a lightweight vacuum. However, these tools generally fall within the range of 6 to 13 pounds. Some vacuums, like the Dyson Cyclone V10 Animal, are even lighter than that, but it’s not typical. Weight is distributed differently depending on which style of vacuum you choose. Stick vacuums tend to carry most of the weight up high, while it’s more evenly distributed in upright vacuums. Canister vacuums involve towing weight behind you and can feel more lightweight to operate.

Ease Of Use

A vacuum needs to be easy to use or it will rarely make it out of the closet. At baseline, many lightweight vacuums are simple to operate—they don’t have lot of fancy bells and whistles and aren’t difficult to pull in and out of wherever you store them. They’re also simpler to tote up and down stairs than their regular-weight counterparts. Because of this, you may be more likely to tackle small vacuuming needs after investing in a lightweight vacuum, or even to just cruise around your floors whenever you have a spare moment.

Included Attachments

Not everyone uses or needs attachments, but experts say they can be a nice feature to have in a machine. “Attachments are an important aspect of using a vacuum as they allow you to clean different surfaces and areas more effectively,” Doherty says. Like many aspects of selecting a vacuum, the right attachments tends to be a personal choice. “The type and quantity of attachments you need will depend on your cleaning needs and the type of vacuum you have,” Doherty says. If you’re really into attachments, consider the Dyson V15 Cordless Stick Vacuum—it offers seven different choices for you to flip through when the need strikes.

Which Is The Best Vacuum Cleaner For Senior Citizens?

It depends on your individual needs. If you’re struggling with back issues, Mara Vucich, D.O., a physiatrist with The Maryland Spine Center at Mercy Medical Center, suggests considering an upright-style vacuum. “When we vacuum, it causes us to flex through the spine as we’re reaching out—that’s hard on the tissues and muscles in the back,” she says. “An upright would reduce that bending in the spine.” You can also consider a model like the Kenmore DS4095 Brushless Cordless Stick Vacuum—it bends for you to get under tight spaces. Most lightweight vacuums will be a good fit for seniors, though, because it’s less weight to push or pull around, as well as carry up stairs, Vucich says.

How Do You Choose A Vacuum Cleaner If You Have Arthritis?

Arthritis can surface in different areas of the body, and the right vacuum for you depends on where you have the disease. People with arthritis in their hands can benefit from a canister vacuum, like the Eureka WhirlWind or Prolux White TerraVac. Both aren’t top heavy and feel particularly lightweight to push around. The Kenmore DS4095 Brushless Cordless Stick Vacuum bends with the push of a button to get under tight spaces, making it a good choice for people with knee arthritis. Ultimately, it’s best to think about the type of arthritis you have and choose a vacuum from there.

What Is The Ideal Weight Of A Lightweight Vacuum Cleaner?

The ideal weight of a lightweight vacuum cleaner has a lot to do with the person who will be using it—what feels lightweight to one person may feel heavy to another. “Lightweight vacuums can range in weight, with the average weighing around eight to twelve pounds,” Dills says. “Although they weigh less than full-size vacuums, the ideal weight ultimately depends on personal preference.” For many people, the right weight falls between 5 and 10 pounds, Doherty says. “However, the weight can vary depending on the model and features,” she says. “While personal preference can play a role in choosing a vacuum, the weight itself is not person-dependent.”

Review of the thinnest robot vacuum cleaners – which is better to choose

When choosing a smart home assistant, it is important to pay attention to its dimensions. The maneuverability of the device depends on the compactness of the device, and its ability to penetrate into the most inaccessible corners of the house. Robot vacuum cleaners up to 7-8 cm high can be classified as thin. Thanks to their low body, they can easily drive under any furniture and remove all dust and debris there. The compact cleaner will reach and clean in places where standard devices with a height of 9-11 cm will not be able to penetrate.

Parameters

All
American
Without turbo brush
Wet cleaning
For a large area
For tiles/tiles
For laminate/parquet
For office
For the elderly
Up to 10 thousand ₽
Up to 15 thousand ₽
Up to 20 thousand ₽
Up to 25 thousand ₽
Up to 30 thousand ₽
Up to 5 thousand ₽
Square
Chinese
Korean
Round
Multi-storey
Reliable
German
Popular
Industrial
Simple, no wi-fi
Russian
with gyroscope
With a camera
with map
With lidar
Self-cleaning
with turbo brush
Dry cleaning
Quiet
Thin
Universal
Japanese

Brands

All
Xiaomi
360
Abir
Atvel
BBK
Bist
Cecotec
clean sweep
Cleanbot
Clever&Clean
Cleverpanda
Comfort
DEXP
Doni
dreame
Dyson
Ecovacs
Elari
Eufy by Anker
Everybot
Galaxy
Garlyn
Genio
Gutrend
haier
hayden
Hobot
Homberg
Hyundai
Karcher
kitfort
Kyvol
LG
Lyectroux
Linnberg
Lydsto
Makita
Mamibot
Midea
Miele
Neato
Neatsvor
Nintendo
Okami
Panda
Philips
Polaris
Profi
puppyoo
Redmond
Recam
Samsung
scarlett
Tefal
Veavon
Vitek
Weissgauff
xbot
Xiaomi Mijia
Xiaomi Roborock
Xiaomi Viomi
Xrobot
Yeedi
dBot
iBoto
iClebo
iLife
i Plus
iRobot
iRobot Roomba 600
iRoom

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The possibilities of slim models

Many manufacturers offer models with an ultra-slim body, which are specifically designed to clean up under the lowest furniture. They are distinguished by a small capacity of the garbage collector, modest functionality, and low engine power.

The height of such robotic vacuum cleaners is up to 4-5 cm. Despite the average suction capacity, compact devices do an excellent job of cleaning under sofas, beds, chests of drawers and in open areas. Navigation with a camera or lidar allows devices to navigate well in space. Some of them are equipped with a wet cleaning function, which significantly improves the quality of cleaning.

Advantages of compact devices

Advantages of models with a low body:

the small size and height of the robot vacuum cleaner help reduce its weight, add maneuverability, speed;
is ideal for those who have a lot of furniture in the apartment with low legs, under which dust constantly accumulates;
owners of the device are freed from the need to clean hard-to-reach places with a mop and a rag, all the work will be done for them by a robotic assistant.

Some brands have developed record low models. The height of the thinnest robot vacuum cleaner of 2021 is only 3 cm. During operation, the device focuses on cleaning areas under furniture, lingering there longer. The small volume of the dust container, from 50 to 200 ml, and the low-power battery of such models are designed for thorough cleaning of limited areas.

A large number of devices with different sets of functions and capabilities are on sale. This allows you to choose a robot vacuum cleaner up to 6 cm high from a suitable price category. The ratings and expert reviews posted on our website will help you decide and find the best option that will simplify the life of the owners and make the house cleaner.

Tefal X-plorer

The most powerful, smartest and thinnest robot vacuum cleaner*

Choose your X-plorer

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#Studio / 1 room

#2 rooms

#3 rooms and more

#House, multiple floors

#Hard floors

#Carpeted floors furniture

# Wire detection

# Toddlers

#Allergy

#Pet

#Heavy soiling

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Benefits of X-plorer Serie 95

Most powerful

Most powerful powerful

X-plorer Serie 95 is the most powerful¹ robot vacuum cleaner with exceptional suction power up to 12 kPa for flawless cleaning on all types of surfaces. The powerful motor allows you to pick up even the largest particles from the first pass, no matter how difficult the floor is to clean.

Benefits of X-plorer Serie 130 AI

Thinnest

X-plorer Serie 130 AI is the thinnest² laser robot vacuum cleaner equipped with artificial intelligence technology to efficiently clean based on your habits. Thanks to high-precision sensors and sensors, the device is able to build and store a map of the house, determine even the lowest obstacles and then adjust its route based on this data.

Benefits of X-plorer Serie 75S+

Smartest

X-plorer Serie 75S+ is the smartest³ robot vacuum cleaner with intelligent navigation and smart phone remote control. With the help of the application, you can take cleaning to a whole new level using individual optimization: give the robot access to different areas using virtual boundaries, and control wet cleaning modes.

Learn more about the X-plorer 9 series of robotic vacuum cleaners0023

high power and clean cleaning
artificial intelligence
building and map personalization
dry and wet cleaning at the same time
convenient control from your smartphone

high power and cleaning quality

and pet hair on hard floors and carpets. The top models in this series have a suction power of 12,000 Pa for impeccable home cleanliness.

Tefal X-plorer robotic vacuum cleaners are equipped with a powerful turbo brush that effectively picks up dust and pet hair on both hard floors and carpets.

Artificial intelligence.

A New Era of Cleanliness

With advanced technology, the Tefal X-plorer Artificial Intelligence S120 and S130 Robot Vacuum Cleaners will revolutionize your idea of cleanliness and comfort, offering personalized cleaning. Discover X-plorer’s cleaning recommendation features based on your habits, house layout and previous cleanings.

With cutting-edge technology, the Tefal X-plorer Artificial Intelligence S120 and S130 Robot Vacuum Cleaners will revolutionize your idea of cleanliness and comfort, offering personalized cleaning.

Build and personalize your map

With a highly accurate navigation system, robotic vacuum cleaners clean every inch of your home. They build a detailed map of the room, taking into account the location of rooms, furniture and other obstacles.

The robot builds a detailed map of the room, taking into account the location
rooms, furniture and other obstacles.

Dry and wet cleaning at the same time

Thanks to the Aqua Force 2 in 1 system, the X-plorer robot vacuum cleaners simultaneously collect dust and mop the floor to remove the smallest dirt particles in half the time!

Thanks to the Aqua Force 2 in 1 system, X-plorer series robot vacuum cleaners simultaneously collect dust and mop the floor to remove the smallest dirt particles in half the time!

Convenient control from your smartphone

Connect your robot to Wi-Fi and control your cleaning from anywhere, even outside the home:

Turn the vacuum cleaner on and off.
Set up a schedule.
Track the path of the robot.
Edit the map and set cleaning zones.

Yandex Alice voice assistant will make the process of controlling the robot even more convenient and enjoyable.

The Best Lightweight Vacuums of 2023

Table of contents

The 10 lightweight vacuums we tested

Best corded: Shark – Rocket HV302

Things we didn’t like

Best cordless: Eureka – NEC222

Things we didn’t like

Upgrade Pick: Dyson – V15 Detect

Other products we tested

Dyson – V11 Torque Drive

Dyson – V10 Absolute

Oreck – XL2100RHS

Tineco – A11 Hero

Deik – ZB1516

Bissell – Featherweight 2033

Hoover – Sh30030 (Discontinued)

Things we didn’t like

How we selected

How we tested

Performance

Emissions

Usability

Noise output

Important features to consider

More Reviews

Best Lightweight Vacuums 2023 – Forbes Vetted

Eureka Airspeed Ultra-Lightweight

Eureka Lightweight Cordless Vacuum Cleaner

Shark Vertex Pro Powered Lift-Away Cordless Vacuum

Dyson V15 Cordless Stick Vacuum

Shark Rocket Ultra-Light Corded Bagless Vacuum

Eureka WhirlWind

Prolux White TerraVac

Oreck Elevate Conquer Bagged Upright Vacuum Cleaner

Dyson Cyclone V10 Animal

Kenmore DS4095 Brushless Cordless Stick Vacuum

How We Chose The Best Lightweight Vacuums

What To Look For In Lightweight Vacuums

Type

Corded Vs. Cordless

Weight

Ease Of Use

Included Attachments

Which Is The Best Vacuum Cleaner For Senior Citizens?

How Do You Choose A Vacuum Cleaner If You Have Arthritis?

What Is The Ideal Weight Of A Lightweight Vacuum Cleaner?

Review of the thinnest robot vacuum cleaners – which is better to choose

The possibilities of slim models

Advantages of compact devices

Tefal X-plorer

Benefits of X-plorer Serie 95

Most powerful

Most powerful powerful

Benefits of X-plorer Serie 130 AI

Thinnest

Thinnest

Benefits of X-plorer Serie 75S+

Smartest

Smartest

Learn more about the X-plorer 9 series of robotic vacuum cleaners0023

high power and cleaning quality

Artificial intelligence.

Build and personalize your map

Dry and wet cleaning at the same time

Convenient control from your smartphone