7 Top Lightweight Vacuums of 2024 Ranked

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Evan Shephard Avatar

Reviewed By

Evan Shephard
Updated Jun 20, 2024 4:19 PM
best lightweight vacuum guide that shows the top best vacuum cleaner model

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If you’re tired of struggling with a heavy vacuum, a lightweight one is a game-changer. The best models weigh under 15 pounds, making cleaning less of a workout. Look for models with strong suction for all surfaces, a swivel head to get around furniture, and a HEPA filter to trap allergens. In our buying guide, we evaluated over 100 vacuum cleaners, analyzing 152,328 reviews to identify the top seven performers.

Our unique approach includes certifying and verifying products as tested and using our scientific True Score to filter out fake and low-quality reviews. This ensures that only the best vacuum cleaners make it to our final list. The winning vacuums showcased superior suction, ease of use, and reliability. These selections ensure efficient and thorough cleaning, making them the best choices for a lightweight vacuum.

How Did We Rank the Best Lightweight Vacuums?

We analyzed over 200 sites to bring you the ultimate guide to the best lightweight vacuums. By examining testing methodologies, customer reviews, and expert opinions, we distilled which criteria matter most. Our analysis identified 2 required test results and 1 must-have specification. We considered critical issues such as ease of use, suction power, and battery life. Our true score system ensures you get reliable, comprehensive recommendations for your next lightweight vacuum purchase.

Our commitment to unbiased reviews is powered by our ‘True Score’ system, targeting low quality and fake reviews. When you shop through our links, you’re backing our mission. Dive deeper to see how.

?️ Minimum Specifications

  • Must be under 15 lbs

? Test Criteria

  • Bare Floor Performance: The vacuum sucks up 95% of debris when cleaning bare surfaces such as tile, vinyl planks, and hardwood floors.
  • Carpet Performance: The vacuum sucks up 75% of debris when cleaning carpets, including low pile and high pile.

Latest Updates

  • 06/20/2024: Republished the list to include the best lightweight vacuum cleaners based on our True Score system.

Top Lightweight Vacuums For 2024

Prices accurate at the time of publishing

See how we test the testers

  • Runner Up

    Best Value

    Best Budget

    gr recommended award

    Best Mid-Range

    Dyson V15 Detect

    • Best Cordless For Pet Hair

    Ideal for homes with pets and multiple floors, the Dyson V15 Detect offers powerful suction, pet hair removal, and hard floor cleaning in a lightweight design.

    Dyson V15 Detect Review →

    True Score

    92
    91
    19

    Experts

    93
    2k

    Customers

    SAVE $200
    $799.99
    $599.99
  • Runner Up

    Best Value

    Best Budget

    gr recommended award

    Best Mid-Range

    Samsung Bespoke Jet

    • Best Cordless Stick

    Samsung Bespoke Jet is a lightweight, easy-to-handle vacuum that excels on carpets and bare floors. It also removes pet hair superiorly and operates quietly.

    Samsung Bespoke Jet Review →

    True Score

    88
    86
    7

    Experts

    90
    567

    Customers

    SAVE $150
    $699.99
    $549.99
  • Runner Up

    Best Value

    Best Budget

    gr recommended award

    Best Mid-Range

    Shark Stratos Cordless

    • Best Carpets

    The Shark Stratos Cordless excels with a superior pick-up rate on bare floors and perfect pet hair removal, ideal for homes with mixed flooring and pets.

    Shark Stratos Cordless Review →

    True Score

    86
    87
    6

    Experts

    86
    786

    Customers

    SAVE $250
    $499.99
    $249.99
  • Runner Up

    Best Value

    Best Budget

    gr recommended award

    Best Mid-Range

    Shark Cordless Vertex Pro Powered Lift-Away

    • Best Hardwood Floors

    Ideal for large homes with pets, the Shark Cordless Vertex Pro Powered Lift-Away removes pet hair 100% and cleans mixed floor types well.

    Shark Cordless Vertex Pro Powered Lift-Away Review →

    True Score

    85
    84
    2

    Experts

    87
    340

    Customers

    SAVE $80
    $399.99
    $319.99
  • Runner Up

    Best Value

    Best Budget

    gr recommended award

    Best Mid-Range

    Shark Stratos Ultralight

    • Best Multi Surface

    The Shark Stratos Ultralight is a corded vacuum with a long cord that’s ideal for pet hair and bare floors, and it’s decent on carpets.

    Shark Stratos Ultralight Review →

    True Score

    83
    81
    1

    Experts

    86
    1k

    Customers

    SAVE $181
    $399.99
    $219.00
  • Runner Up

    Best Value

    Best Budget

    gr recommended award

    Best Mid-Range

    Shark Ultracyclone Pet Pro+

    • Best Handheld For Pet Hair

    Light and affordable, the Shark Ultracyclone Pet Pro+ excels in compact spaces, removing pet hair effectively and performing solidly on floors.

    Shark Ultracyclone Pet Pro+ Review →

    True Score

    81
    80
    6

    Experts

    83
    1k

    Customers

    SAVE $20
    $89.99
    $69.99
  • Runner Up

    Best Value

    Best Budget

    gr recommended award

    Best Mid-Range

    Shark Vertex Pro

    • Best Pet Hair

    The Shark Vertex Pro is a lightweight, cordless vacuum ideal for large spaces, excelling on bare floors and pet hair, though slightly noisy.

    Shark Vertex Pro Review →

    True Score

    81
    81
    3

    Experts

    82
    355

    Customers

    SAVE $80
    $479.99
    $399.91

Which Criteria Matters for Testing Best Lightweight Vacuums?

By focusing on these criteria (2 required), anyone can quickly and easily compare these vacuum cleaners and how they’ll perform. This helps you make an informed decision and purchase a vacuum cleaner that will meet your needs.

CRITERIARANGEREQUIREDDEFINITION
Bare Floor Performance> 95%YesHow much debris the vacuum sucks up when cleaning bare surfaces like tile, vinyl planks, and hardwood floors.
Carpet Performance> 75%YesHow much debris the vacuum sucks up when cleaning carpets, including low pile and high pile.

Our Trusted Data Sources

We looked at 120+ vacuum cleaner reviewers and found that 27 are trustworthy (60%+ Trust Rating). The three we have listed below are our most trusted for vacuum cleaner.

  1. Dagobiet Morales Alfaro – RTings, LinkedIn
  2. Derek Hales – Modern Castle, LinkedIn
  3. Sabine Heinlein – Wirecutter, LinkedIn

Interested in a comprehensive analysis of our data sources? We’ve got you covered. Below, you’ll find a detailed list of every vacuum cleaner review website we’ve identified, organized by their respective Trust Ratings from highest to lowest. But we didn’t stop there. We’ve meticulously reviewed each publication and verified the data by checking whether the authors have bio links to MuckRack or LinkedIn. We’re committed to not only checking the facts but ensuring their veracity.

Vacuum Cleaner Test Data & Results

1. Bare Floor Performance Test Results

As the name suggests, bare floor performance references how well a vacuum does when it’s cleaning up tiles, vinyl planks, or hardwood flooring. Debris comes in a variety of sizes of course, and much of the testing revolves around picking up debris that ranges in size from cereal to bits of dirt to sand to a mix of everything above and more.

We recommend that a vacuum be able to pick up at least 95% of debris from a bare floor to ensure you end up with clean floors. Hitting a perfect score is obviously ideal, but the worse a vacuum performs here, the more work you need to do sweeping up or re-vacuuming. Missing debris is frustrating, and can invite pests if you miss bits of food, or annoyance if you step on something barefoot and hurt yourself.

Bare Floor Performance in % (higher is better; 0 = No Data)

2. Carpet Performance Test Results

Carpet cleaning ability is another important part of how your vacuum performs. Whether you have low-pile, high-pile, or rugs, how effectively a vacuum cleans up the dirt and debris left behind on the carpet is enormously important to keeping your carpet comfortable.

Generally speaking, we recommend a carpet cleaning performance of at least 75%. You might notice this is much lower than bare floors, and that’s because carpet is harder to clean. Short of devoting the time to actually shampoo and dry out a carpet, thoroughly cleaning out a carpet is very difficult, and good vacuums will reach deep between fibers and pull out long-forgotten crumbs.

Carpet Performance in % (higher is better; 0 = No Data)

Best Lightweight Vacuums: Mistakes To Avoid

  1. Assuming All Lightweight Vacuums Lack Power: It’s a common misconception that lighter vacuums don’t have strong suction. Ensure you choose a model that balances lightweight design with powerful performance to effectively clean your home.

  2. Ignoring Filtration Quality: Overlooking the vacuum’s filtration system can lead to poor air quality. Select a lightweight vacuum with a high-quality filter, like the HEPA filter in the Shark Anti-Allergen Pet Power, to trap dust and allergens effectively.

  3. Disregarding Cord Length or Battery Life: Choosing a vacuum with a short cord or inadequate battery life can limit your cleaning range. Ensure the cord is long enough to cover your entire cleaning area or that the battery life can sustain a full cleaning session.

  4. Overlooking Versatility: Some lightweight vacuums might not work well on all floor types. Look for a model that can handle different surfaces, from carpets to hard floors, to ensure comprehensive cleaning.

The Best Lightweight Vacuums Tests Compared

Product
True Score
Bare Floor Performance
Carpet Performance
Pet Hair Performance
Noise Level

Dyson V15 Detect

  • Best for Cordless For Pet Hair

92
  • 98.59%

  • 91.77%

  • 100%

  • 72.54 dB

$599.99
$800
$200

Samsung Bespoke Jet

  • Best for Cordless Stick

88
  • 97.71%

  • 91.7%

  • 99.5%

  • 70.53 dB

$549.99
$700
$150

Shark Stratos Cordless

  • Best for Carpets

86
  • 98.83%

  • 89.28%

  • 100%

  • 76.65 dB

$249.99
$500
$250
85
  • 98.57%

  • 89.36%

  • 100%

  • 77 dB

$319.99
$400
$80

Shark Stratos Ultralight

  • Best for Multi Surface

83
  • 97.5%

  • 82.25%

  • 99.33%

  • 76.8 dB

$219.00
$400
$181

Shark Ultracyclone Pet Pro+

  • Best for Handheld For Pet Hair

81
  • 95.25%

  • 84.5%

  • 99.17%

  • 77.2 dB

$69.99
$90
$20

Shark Vertex Pro

  • Best for Pet Hair

81
  • 98.5%

  • 82.61%

  • 99.66%

  • 82.35 dB

$399.91
$480
$80

Lightweight Vacuum Questions (FAQ)

What features should I look for in the best lightweight vacuum?

When choosing the best lightweight vacuum, look for features such as strong suction power, a weight under 15 pounds, a swivel head for maneuverability, a HEPA filter to trap allergens, and multiple attachments for versatile cleaning. Cordless options can also add convenience by eliminating the need for power outlets.

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