Best Lightweight Vacuum Cleaners in 2023, Tested by TheHousewire

Upright Vacuum Cleaner

Upright vacuums have an all-in-one unit consisting of a head, handle, and bag or canister.

They tend to be heavier models that can be hard to maneuver. This is because the entire vacuum is one unit that is pushed in front of you as you clean.

Average upright vacuums weigh between 13 to 18 pounds because of their large dust bag or canister. Plus, they can come with additional attachments that can add to the already heavy weight.

But, their heavier weight does carry more power and offers stronger suction for an efficient deep clean.

For example, see this Oreck Commercial model.

Stick Vacuum Cleaner

Similar to an upright, stick vacuums have tall bodies that are attached to a handle and powerhead.

A stick vacuum tends to be lighter than most canister vacuums. And they are often cordless, but they still carry a lot of power to handle allergens and other fine particles.

Stick vacuums have a slim design and no dustbag, so they often weigh only 4 to 7 pounds. This makes them a lightweight vacuum option that’s easy to maneuver for quick cleans.

For example, this Dyson V15 is one of the most popular cordless stick vacuums.

Handheld Vacuum

Lastly, a handheld vacuum is a compact and convenient cleaning tool. They’re perfect for small spills or quick clean-ups.

They are also affordable and come in either corded or cordless options. However, cordless models will often have a shorter lifespan than corded vacuums.

Handheld vacuums usually weigh under 4 pounds. For example, this Eureka RapidClean Pro is a handheld lightweight vacuum.

Make sure you consider your cleaning needs to know which type is more suitable for you.

With a corded vacuum, you’ll never have to worry about running out of power. So they’re a great option if you have large areas to clean. However, having a cord trailing you while you clean can be an inconvenience. Plus, you need a power outlet close to the vacuum which can be a hassle if you need to keep unplugging it as you go.

Whereas a cordless vacuum offers a lot of conveniences. You won’t need to worry about a cord or power outlet. And you can carry it anywhere around the house that you need to clean. However, they do have limited battery life. Some models can run between 7 to 40 minutes. For a longer run-time, you should consider a model with high-voltage battery life.

Cordless vacuums are lightweight and perfect for small cleans. They also don’t cause the same strain that pushing a corded vacuum cleaner around often does.

For example, the Shark IX141 vacuum cleaner can last up to 40 minutes.

Some models can also come with an extra battery that you can charge separately. This can be helpful if you have a lot of cleaning to do. It can give you more cleaning time before you have to stop to recharge.

You should also keep in mind that higher-power settings can quickly drain your vacuum battery life. So if you’re deep cleaning, the vacuum may only last as little as a few minutes.

You should also think about the charging time. This can range anywhere between one to several hours. A longer charge-time can be inconvenient if you have to wait hours before you can begin cleaning.

For example, if someone in your household has allergies or asthma, you should consider a bagged vacuum. Bags can minimize dust exposure during disposal. Plus, they’re guaranteed to trap at least 99.97% of the dust and allergens from your floors.

But, if you would prefer an environmentally friendly option and don’t want the hassle of replacing bags, consider a bagless vacuum cleaner. These vacuums have a transparent canister that allows you to see when the vacuum is full. This makes it easy to know when you need to empty it.

Some of the best vacuums will have a HEPA filter (high-efficiency particulate air filter). These filters trap a higher amount of dust and allergens than many other filters. They remove up to 99.97% of all airborne dust particles larger than 0.3 microns ⁽¹⁾.

A HEPA filter can also help to reduce health risks from allergens and pollen in the air. For example, HEPA filters trap dust, respirable particles, mold, or pet dander.

Lighter models don’t offer as much suction as heavier models. So they may not be enough for cleaning areas with a lot of dust or embedded dirt. Make sure you consider the level of suction you need for your floors.

There are several ways this can be measured. But, there’s no standard measurement across different vacuums. However, CFM can provide a good indication of the suction level of your vacuum. It refers to cubic feet per minute of airflow that picks up the dirt or dust from your floors. Vacuum cleaners with stronger suction have higher CFM ratings.

Dyson often uses a measure of air watts to indicate airflow. However, because different manufacturers use different measures, there’s no simple way to measure suction levels across models.

Therefore you should consider customer reviews to understand the true suction level of your vacuum.

For example, if you have carpets, a motorized carpet brush head can provide a deeper clean that reaches into the fibers. Whereas if you have hard floors, you’ll need a vacuum with a soft brush-roll that won’t scratch the surface. We recommend choosing a vacuum that efficiently switches between cleaning modes to suit the surface that you’re cleaning.

For cleaning up after pets, some vacuums have a special nozzle to remove stubborn pet hair. And if you have furniture to clean an upholstery tool can also provide a deeper clean without damaging the fabric.

Crevice tools can help to clean hard-to-reach areas or underneath furniture. Plus, an extension hose can be perfect for tight spaces or elevated areas.

Average vacuums weigh between 14 and 17 pounds. So a vacuum model that weighs less than 15 pounds is considered to be a lightweight vacuum. For example, some of the lightest models weigh as low as 3 pounds.

The total weight of an average vacuum motor is 4.1 pounds, which is more than 30% of the entire weight. This is why handheld and stick vacuums are generally the most lightweight vacuum cleaners. Their motors are designed to be small so they fit in the overall compact handheld or stick vacuum design.