Finding The Best Lightweight Vacuum Cleaner 2023

Over 100 years ago, a man placed his handkerchief on a restaurant seat and sucked air through it using his mouth. The dust gathered on the other side and inspired him to invent the motorized vacuum cleaner.

Vacuum cleaners have come a long way since then. From the first hand-cranked vacuums, to today’s powerful and lightweight vacuum cleaners, these wonderful cleaning machines now take their place in just about every home.

In this article, you’re going to learn exactly how to find the best lightweight vacuum for your home and for your specific needs.

Marketplace Confusion

Eureka EasyClean 71B Although there’s quite a lot of tech being put into these modern day cleaning machines, new technology doesn’t always make it better or easier to use.

For example, if you clean your floors frequently, having a cleaner that’s light can have many advantages; especially if you don’t like the idea of having to bring out a big, bulky, piece of machinery each time you run into a small mess.

In today’s world, there are so many different cleaners you can choose from, and this can be very overwhelming for many people. Luckily for you, this simple guide is going to show you exactly what you need to pay attention to in order to find that perfect vacuum.

What to Consider:

Let’s start by looking at some of the most important factors to consider.

Hold or Roll?

Generally, lightweight vacuums come in three forms: Handheld, lightweight canister, and stick/broom. There are some lightweight upright vacuum cleaners out there, but for the most part, they tend to be on the heavier end.

In any case, here are a few considerations to help you decide whether “to hold or to roll”:

Do you need it to reach every nook and cranny? Are you cleaning more than just floors (like sofas, cars and boats)?
Do you have little children who tend to make little messes?
Is there limited storage space in your home?
Are you physically fit enough to hold, squat, or bend-over while vacuuming?

If your answer is yes to 2 or more, then a handheld vacuum is going to make your life so much easier.

What Are You Cleaning?

Buying the right cleaner also depends on what type of floor you are cleaning, whether it’s a carpet, tile or a hardwood surface. If you have thick carpeted flooring, then you’ll probably need to consider a more powerful upright vacuum. Otherwise, you’ll be just fine with a lightweight canister or stick vacuum for hardwood.

If you find that you deal a lot with wet/liquid messes, there are Wet-dry vacuums (commonly known as Shop-Vac) that are great cleaning tools. They are also versatile enough for outdoor use since they have a reverse airflow feature which can blow away garbage and dirt.

Storage Space

Another thing you need to consider is where and how you’ll be storing it. Most of the time, it’s going to be kept in the corner of some room, or in a storage closet/cupboard somewhere. The size and shape of your storage area should be taken into consideration when deciding whether to buy a handheld, canister, or a simple lightweight stick vacuum.

Not all canister vacuums are lightweight, but the ones that are tend to be quite versatile when it comes to storage storage. However, if you want the ultimate in weight and storage, you’ll want to stick with a lightweight handheld vacuum.

Power

Vacuum Power Not Determined by Size The size is not always equivalent to its power, although larger vacuums do tend to be more powerful than smaller ones.

Another common misconception is that a stronger motor will always mean better suction and performance. Frankly, there is only so much power it can use before it sucks up your entire carpet. Excess power will not only go to waste by generating heat and increasing your electricity bill, the heat will also contribute to your vacuum’s turnover rate.

Learning how to use your cleaner effectively and selecting the correct brush or extension tool for the job is equally as important in maximizing its function as power is.

Having said all that, even smaller vacuums today can pack quite a punch.

Versatility

Handheld vacuums first started gaining popularity in the 1980s, after Black and Decker built on their handheld tool expertise to produce its “dustbuster”.

Home owners with pets usually find handheld vacuums especially useful for cleaning pet hairs from sofas and other surfaces. Handheld machines make the perfect lightweight vacuum for pet hair. They’re also great for cleaning stairs and low pile carpets.

Choose cordless if you’re cleaning over a wide or uneven area. It’ll save you the hassle of having to plug and unplug from a socket.

Deal-breaker(s)

Let’s dive a little more into some of the specific features to look at:

Dust-bag: Disposal of dust and grime is cleaner with a bag, as long as you don’t mind stocking up (check the price!)
Brush / Head: As mentioned above, this is an essential consideration. Select depending on the type of dirt you anticipate (dust, food crumbs, pet hair, etc)
Ease of maneuver: Is it too heavy for you? Does it have features that make it easier to maneuver around? Just because a machine is designed to be “light” doesn’t mean that it’s light for you. For example, the best lightweight vacuum for elderly individuals is usually going to be lighter than one for a younger person. Find one with a weight that you’re comfortable with.
Corded or batteries: Think about where you need to use it the most at home, and whether there is adequate power outlet.
Filter: Get a HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Arrestance) filter which removes allergens, if necessary (and if you don’t already have one at home!)
Noise: Might not be a major issue for some, but a personal pet peeve of mine! Again, test, test, test, and read many reviews!
Price: Know that your cleaner will not last forever, and pay for one bearing in mind its durability. Stick with well-known brands like Dyson, BISSELL, Shark, Eureka, Hoover, Dirt Devil, and Miele.

That’s all, folks!

It’s really that simple! Select whether to hold or to roll; get one with the kind of power you need; filter the deal-breakers; and tailor the specifications to your liking.