The 6 Best Vacuums For Apartments Of 2023

But, small apartments have limited storage and closet space compared to larger homes. So you’ll want to find the best vacuums that are compact and portable but still clean efficiently.

Upright Vacuum

An upright vacuum often takes up a lot of space both in storage and while you’re vacuuming. They are an all-in-one standing unit with a long handle attached to a cleaning head and motor.

Because you push the whole unit in front of you, they tend to feel bulkier and heavier than other models. However, a heavy vacuum usually offers more power.

Upright vacuums also work better in open floor spaces and are only designed to clean floors.

For example, see this Shark NV351 upright vacuum cleaner.

Stick Vacuum

Stick vacuums are much sleeker than upright models. They have a slim, lightweight design that makes them well-suited for cleaning a small space.

But, keep in mind that stick vacuums are usually designed for hard floor surfaces. So, if you have different floor surfaces in your apartment, a stick vacuum might not be your best option.

However, some stick vacuums can also be converted into handheld vacuums which can be helpful when cleaning small spaces. For example, see this Bissell Hard Floor Expert Stick Vacuum.

Canister Vacuum

A compact canister vacuum can often fit into smaller spaces easier than an upright vacuum.

Canister vacuums are easy to store and are great for cleaning hard-to-reach places and narrow areas. Plus, they’re suitable for almost any floor type.

However, most canister models don’t have rotating brush bars for cleaning high-pile carpets. So this is something to consider when you’re choosing the right type of small vacuum for your apartment.

For an example of a compact canister vacuum, see this Miele Pure Suction model.

Handheld Vacuum

Handheld vacuums are perfect for spot-cleaning and quick clean-ups. They can be easily carried around with you while you clean your apartment.

However, they’re not suitable for general floor cleaning unless you want to crawl around while you clean. But, handheld vacuums don’t take up a lot of space, and they’re also the easiest type of vacuum to store.

For example, this Shark Pet Perfect Model is a compact, handheld cleaner.

Robot Vacuum

Finally, a robot vacuum is a small automatic cleaning machine that’s easy to store. But, like an upright, robotic vacuums are suitable for cleaning floors only.

Most robot vacuums are also designed specifically for bare floors. But, they’re a practical option for cleaning your apartment when you’re not home.

However, with a robot vacuum, you’ll need to move your furniture out of the way so that it doesn’t get stuck. And this can be a difficult challenge in small spaces.

Robot vacuums also tend to be more efficient for in-between cleaning sessions. So you’re likely to need another main vacuum to complement your robot vacuum, which will take up more space.

• First, a cordless vacuum is easier to handle when you’re cleaning around furniture and in different rooms. Especially a cordless stick vacuum. You won’t have to worry about a cord trailing behind you or running out of cord length while you’re vacuuming.
• Whereas with a corded vacuum, you don’t have to worry about running out of battery power. You also don’t need to replace the battery like you do with a cordless vacuum. Corded vacuums also tend to be cheaper, but they’re less convenient to navigate around small spaces. For example, the cord can get tangled in cluttered areas.

So consider the spaces you’ll be cleaning to decide if a corded or cordless vacuum is best for you.

A long power cord allows you to reach into far corners without needing to unplug your vacuum. So it provides a lot of mobility while you’re vacuuming.

You should keep in mind that you won’t need an extra-long power cord when you’re cleaning a small apartment. But, for a comfortable cleaning experience, consider a cord that’s at least 15-feet long like this Bissell Zing Canister Vacuum.

Bagged

Bagged vacuums trap fine dust and dirt in a filter bag that you can dispose of when it’s full and replace it. This reduces dust exposure in the air during disposal compared to a bagless dust canister.

So if someone in your apartment has allergies or asthma, you should consider a bagged vacuum. You’ll have to replace the bags when they’re full, but these are easy to find at most supermarkets.

Bagless

A bagless vacuum is a more environmentally-friendly option because there are no bags to buy and replace. Instead, these vacuums have a transparent canister that allows you to see and empty the tank when it’s full.

Therefore if you don’t want the hassle of replacing or disposing of bags, a bagless vacuum is the best option.

Bagless vacuums also have reusable filters that you can wash in between cleaning sessions.

For example, this VonHaus 2-in-1 stick vacuum is bagless and has a reusable HEPA filter.

Generally, a vacuum with a bigger dust cup capacity will need less emptying while you clean. And this can save you a lot of time.

But, for a small apartment, you won’t need an overly large dust cup capacity.

In a small apartment, most of your cleaning will be done on one level. So you won’t have to carry your vacuum up and down the stairs.

In this case, the weight of your vacuum isn’t too much of a factor. Plus, heavier vacuums tend to offer a more powerful suction than lighter models.

So a light vacuum might not be powerful enough if you have a lot of dirt and large debris to clean. Therefore you might want to consider a heavier, more powerful vacuum cleaner for your apartment.

Most vacuums have a noise level of 84 to 89 dB. Whereas a low noise level is considered to be between 57 to 62 dB.

So you should consider a vacuum with a noise level of around 55dB, which is the same as a normal conversation. The best vacuums for small apartments will have this level of noise and can be operated during the day without disturbing close neighbors.

Or, consider a vacuum with variable power settings or cleaning modes that allow for a quieter operation when you need it.

For example, the best vacuums come with a small crevice tool for cleaning hard-to-reach areas and narrow spaces. Some vacuums also come with a soft roller or duster attachment for cleaning soft surfaces or upholstery.

Plus, your vacuum may have a wand extension tool that allows for above-floor cleaning in your apartment.

Lastly, some vacuums come with specialized accessories such as a motorized pet brush or floor brush for hardwood floors. These attachments are perfect for gentle or efficient cleaning for specific cleaning tasks.