Ever feel like your tiny apartment is a dust bunny convention? You’re not alone! Living in a cozy space means keeping it clean, but finding a vacuum that works without taking up half your closet can feel like a treasure hunt with no map.
Choosing the best vacuum for a small apartment isn’t just about sucking up dirt; it’s about finding a machine that’s powerful enough for your floors, maneuverable enough for tight corners, and compact enough to store easily. Many people struggle with bulky, heavy vacuums that are a pain to drag around or store. Others get overwhelmed by all the different types and features, unsure which ones actually matter for their specific living situation.
But don’t worry! By the end of this post, you’ll know exactly what to look for. We’ll break down the best vacuum types for small spaces, what features to prioritize, and even share some top picks that won’t break the bank or your back. Get ready to say goodbye to dust and hello to a cleaner, happier home!
Our Top 5 Vacuums For Small Apartments Recommendations at a Glance
Top 5 Vacuums For Small Apartments Detailed Reviews
1. Bissell CleanView Compact Upright Vacuum
Rating: 9.3/10
Tired of lugging around a heavy vacuum? The Bissell CleanView Compact Upright Vacuum is here to make your life easier! This little powerhouse is designed for small spaces like dorm rooms and apartments. It’s super light, weighing less than 8 pounds, so you can easily move it from room to room. Don’t let its size fool you; it packs a punch with powerful suction to tackle messes on all your floors.
What We Like:
- Saves Pets: Every purchase helps the BISSELL Pet Foundation save homeless pets. You clean your home and help a furry friend!
- Scatter-Free Cleaning: This vacuum has special technology to capture messes on hard floors without sending dirt flying everywhere.
- Powerful Suction: Get a really clean floor with its strong suction. It makes cleaning quick and effective.
- Lightweight and Easy to Move: At under 8 pounds, it’s a breeze to carry and maneuver around furniture.
- Easy Dirt Disposal: Emptying the dirt container is simple. Just push a button, and the mess is gone.
- Removable Extension Wand: The included wand lets you reach high places or get into tight corners easily.
What Could Be Improved:
- Corded Operation: It needs to be plugged in, which means you’re limited by the cord length.
- Bagless Design: While easy to empty, some prefer the containment of a bagged vacuum.
Overall, the Bissell CleanView Compact Upright Vacuum is a fantastic option for anyone needing a lightweight, effective cleaner for smaller living spaces. It’s a smart choice for keeping your home tidy and even helps save pets!
2. Bissell 20334 Featherweight Stick Vacuum Lightweight Bagless Vacuum
Rating: 8.7/10
Cleaning your home just got a whole lot easier with the Bissell 20334 Featherweight Stick Vacuum in a vibrant purple. This vacuum is designed to tackle everyday messes quickly and efficiently, making it a handy tool for any household. Its super light design means you won’t get tired while cleaning, and it’s small enough to tuck away neatly when you’re done.
What We Like:
- It’s incredibly lightweight, making it a breeze to carry around and maneuver.
- This vacuum easily transforms from a stick vacuum for floors to a hand vacuum for smaller messes.
- It works well on both hard floors and carpets, cleaning up dirt and debris effectively.
- The compact size makes it super simple to store in closets or tight spaces.
- It comes with a crevice tool, which is great for reaching tight spots.
- The 15-foot power cord gives you plenty of room to move without switching outlets often.
What Could Be Improved:
- The dirt cup capacity is 0.67 liters, which might need emptying for larger cleaning jobs.
- While powerful for its size at 700 watts, it may not be as strong as a full-sized vacuum for very deep cleaning.
The Bissell Featherweight Stick Vacuum is a fantastic option for quick cleanups and everyday maintenance. It offers great convenience and versatility for most home cleaning needs.
3. Eureka Airspeed Ultra-Lightweight Compact Bagless Upright Vacuum Cleaner
Rating: 9.2/10
The Eureka Airspeed Ultra-Lightweight Compact Bagless Upright Vacuum Cleaner, NEU10AE4, in a vibrant Green, is your new best friend for keeping your home sparkling clean.
What We Like:
- This vacuum is super light, weighing only 7.7 pounds.
- It cleans both carpets and hard floors really well.
- The handle detaches easily for cleaning things above the floor, like your couch or windows.
- It comes with handy tools like a crevice tool and dusting brush that attach right to the vacuum.
- The 10.5-inch cleaning path means you can clean rooms faster.
- It’s bagless, and the filter is washable, so you save money on replacements.
- Its small size makes it easy to store anywhere.
What Could Be Improved:
- The 700.0 watt motor might not be as powerful as some larger, heavier vacuums for very deep cleaning on thick carpets.
- While it’s great for quick cleanups, very large homes might require a vacuum with a larger dustbin capacity.
This Eureka vacuum makes cleaning less of a chore with its lightweight design and powerful suction. It’s a fantastic option for anyone looking for an easy-to-use and affordable cleaning solution.
4. Eureka Blaze Stick Vacuum Cleaner
Rating: 8.9/10
Tired of lugging around a heavy vacuum or struggling with cords? The Eureka Blaze Stick Vacuum Cleaner is here to make cleaning a breeze. This powerful, lightweight vacuum is perfect for quick cleanups and tackling everyday messes in your home, even pet hair!
What We Like:
- Versatile 3-in-1 Design: Easily switch between modes to clean floors, stairs, or tight spaces. The included crevice tool is always within reach.
- Super Lightweight: Weighing in at only 4 pounds, you can easily carry it from room to room or even take it outside for quick patio cleanups.
- Effortless Maneuverability: Eureka’s special swivel steering lets you zip around furniture and corners without a struggle.
- Picks Up Big Messes: Unlike some stick vacuums that push dirt around, the Eureka Blaze’s capture nozzle grabs larger debris with ease.
- Cleans All Surfaces: It effectively removes dirt and dust from various floor types, leaving your home looking and feeling fresh.
- Powerful Motor: The 2 amp motor easily picks up common particles like dust and pollen.
- Improved Air Quality: The washable filtration system traps debris and helps clean the air in your home.
- Longer Cleaning Sessions: An 18-foot power cord means less unplugging and replugging, and the extra-large dust cup reduces trips to the trash.
- Eco-Friendly Packaging: The packaging is designed to be safer for the environment and is frustration-free certified.
What Could Be Improved:
- While powerful for its size, it may not be ideal for deep cleaning very large homes or heavily soiled carpets.
- The 9.44-inch cleaning path might require more passes on wider floor areas.
The Eureka Blaze Stick Vacuum Cleaner offers powerful cleaning in a convenient, lightweight package. It’s a fantastic option for maintaining a clean and fresh home with minimal effort.
5. Bissell CleanView Compact Turbo Upright Vacuum with Quick Release Wand
Rating: 8.9/10
If you live in a small space like an apartment or dorm room, keeping your floors clean can be a challenge. The Bissell CleanView Compact Turbo Upright Vacuum (model 3437F) is designed to tackle this problem. It offers the cleaning power of a full-size vacuum but in a compact and lightweight package. This makes it easy to move around and store, even in tighter living quarters.
What We Like:
- It’s super lightweight, weighing only 10 pounds. This makes cleaning much easier and less tiring.
- You get full-size vacuum power in a compact design. It’s powerful enough to handle everyday messes.
- The scatter-free technology is a big plus for hard floors. It picks up dirt without kicking it around.
- The quick-release extension wand is very handy. It lets you clean carpets, hard floors, and even high-up places easily.
- Every purchase helps save pets! Bissell supports the BISSELL Pet Foundation.
What Could Be Improved:
- While it’s great for smaller spaces, its dustbin might need to be emptied more often in larger homes.
- It’s an upright vacuum, so it might not reach into every tight corner like a canister vacuum could.
This Bissell vacuum is a fantastic option for anyone needing a powerful yet manageable cleaning solution for smaller living spaces. It delivers on its promise of strong suction in a compact and user-friendly design.
Finding the Best Vacuum for Your Cozy Apartment
Living in a small apartment doesn’t mean you have to compromise on cleanliness. Choosing the right vacuum cleaner can make a big difference in keeping your home tidy and dust-free. This guide will help you find the perfect vacuum for your compact living space.
Key Features to Look For
When shopping for a vacuum for your small apartment, keep these important features in mind:
- Compact Size and Lightweight Design: You need a vacuum that’s easy to carry up and down stairs, store in a closet, and maneuver around furniture. Look for models that are under 10 pounds.
- Strong Suction Power: Even small spaces can collect a surprising amount of dust and debris. Good suction ensures you pick up dirt efficiently from floors and carpets.
- Versatility and Attachments: A good vacuum should handle different surfaces. Look for models with attachments like crevice tools, upholstery brushes, and dusting brushes. These help you clean tight corners, furniture, and even your car.
- Cordless Operation: Cordless vacuums offer the ultimate freedom to move around your apartment without being tethered to an outlet. This is a huge plus for small spaces where outlets might be inconveniently placed.
- Bagless or Bagged System: Bagless vacuums are generally more convenient and cost-effective as you don’t need to buy replacement bags. However, some people prefer bagged vacuums for better dust containment.
- Filtration System: A HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filter is excellent for trapping allergens and fine dust particles. This is especially important if you have pets or allergies.
Important Materials and Build Quality
The materials used in a vacuum can affect its durability and performance.
- Durable Plastics: Most vacuum bodies are made of strong plastics. High-quality ABS plastic is a good indicator of a well-built machine.
- Metal Components: Some internal parts, like the brush roll or motor housing, might be made of metal. This can add to durability and longevity.
- Brush Roll Material: The brush roll’s bristles can be made of nylon or a mix of nylon and other materials. Stiffer bristles are better for carpets, while softer ones are good for hard floors.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Several factors contribute to a vacuum’s overall quality.
- Motor Power and Efficiency: A powerful motor means better suction. Look for vacuums with efficient motors that don’t drain batteries too quickly (for cordless models).
- Build Quality and Fit: When you hold the vacuum, does it feel solid? Are the parts well-fitted, or do they feel flimsy? A well-built vacuum will last longer.
- Ease of Maintenance: Can you easily empty the dustbin, clean the filters, and detangle the brush roll? Simple maintenance makes using the vacuum a better experience.
- Battery Life (for Cordless): For cordless vacuums, a longer battery life means you can clean more without interruption. Check reviews for real-world battery performance.
- Noise Level: Some vacuums can be quite loud. If you have close neighbors, a quieter model is a definite plus.
User Experience and Use Cases
How a vacuum feels to use and what it can do are crucial.
- Maneuverability: Can you easily steer the vacuum around furniture legs and under tables? Swivel steering is a big help here.
- Storage: Does it have a wall mount or a way to stand upright on its own? This is vital for small apartments with limited storage space.
- Cleaning Different Surfaces: Does it transition smoothly from hard floors to area rugs or carpets?
- Pet Owners: If you have pets, look for vacuums with good pet hair removal features, like specialized brush rolls or strong suction.
- Allergy Sufferers: HEPA filtration is a game-changer for people with allergies.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Vacuums for Small Apartments
Q: What is the most important feature for a small apartment vacuum?
A: The most important feature is its compact size and lightweight design. This makes it easy to store and move around your limited space.
Q: Are cordless vacuums better for small apartments?
A: Yes, cordless vacuums are very convenient for small apartments. They offer freedom of movement without the hassle of a cord.
Q: What kind of filtration should I look for?
A: Look for a vacuum with a HEPA filter. It helps trap allergens and fine dust, improving air quality in your home.
Q: How much suction power do I really need?
A: You need enough suction power to effectively clean both hard floors and any carpets or rugs you might have. Good suction is key for thorough cleaning.
Q: What are the benefits of a bagless vacuum?
A: Bagless vacuums are cost-effective because you don’t need to buy replacement bags. They are also easy to empty.
Q: Can I use a vacuum with a brush roll on hardwood floors?
A: Many vacuums have adjustable brush rolls or settings that allow you to turn the brush roll off. This prevents scratching on delicate hardwood floors.
Q: How important are attachments for a small apartment vacuum?
A: Attachments are very important. They allow you to clean tight spaces, furniture, and other areas that the main vacuum head can’t reach.
Q: What is a good weight for a vacuum cleaner for an apartment?
A: A good weight for an apartment vacuum is generally under 10 pounds. This makes it easy to carry and maneuver.
Q: How do I choose between a stick vacuum and an upright vacuum?
A: Stick vacuums are typically lighter and more compact, making them ideal for small apartments. Upright vacuums can offer more power but are often heavier and bulkier.
Q: What should I do if my vacuum’s suction power decreases?
A: If your vacuum’s suction decreases, you should check and clean or replace the filters, empty the dustbin, and check for any blockages in the hose or brush roll.
In conclusion, every product has unique features and benefits. We hope this review helps you decide if it meets your needs. An informed choice ensures the best experience.
If you have any questions or feedback, please share them in the comments. Your input helps everyone. Thank you for reading.
Hi, I’m Tom Scalisi, and welcome to The Saw Blog! I started this blog to share my hands-on experience and insights about woodworking tools—especially saws and saw blades. Over the years, I’ve had the chance to work with a wide range of tools, and I’m here to help both professionals and hobbyists make informed decisions when it comes to selecting and using their equipment. Whether you’re looking for in-depth reviews, tips, or just advice on how to get the best performance out of your tools, you’ll find it here. I’m excited to be part of your woodworking journey!