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Whether it’s a multiple-story house or a tiny apartment, cleaning floors will forever haunt you. Of course, for your own sake, you can’t complain about the nagging chore especially if you already or going to live in a small apartment. However, what you can do is choose a vacuum to match your needs the most, and maybe add some fun into it.
To achieve that, we have to ask ourselves:
- Is it suitable to use the same vacuum in both settings?
- Is a chunky heavy duty vacuum necessary for a flat with only 4 rooms or less?
- Do I have to compromise on quality just because I’ll vacuum less space?
The answer to all 3 questions, as you probably figured, is no.
Each living situation has different aspects and requirements to consider, and here, we’ll be presenting you with all that you need to know in order to get the best vacuum for a small apartment along with a carefully designed list of the top 5 vacuums available on the market.
Best 5 Vacuums For Small Apartments
Product | Features | benefit | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
1. Black+Decker Handheld Vacuum   |
| most compact vacuum on our list |
|
2. Dyson V8 Absolute Cordless Vacuum   |
| It allows for cleaner air thanks to the HEPA filtrations |
|
3. Dirt Devil SD20505   |
| When affordability meets power, then we've got to talk Dirt Devil. |
|
4. Bissell Zing Canister 2156A   |
| There's no bag here, instead, you'll find reusable filters to capture fine particles. |
|
5. Shark Rocket DuoClean Vacuum   |
| The suction power is excellent and it comes with a designated pet tool to capture hair anywhere. |
|
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Outstading1. Black+Decker Handheld Vacuum
Kicking things off with the most compact vacuum on our list, the highly rated Black+Decker Handheld vacuum. This crowd-pleaser runs on a lithium-ion battery of 20 volts maximum and weighs 3.8 lbs, as light as you can expect with a handheld model.
It has relatively strong suction with a pivot nozzle to reach those tricky areas and a 3-stage filtration system. If you're looking for a portable affordable vacuum rather than a heavy-duty one, the Black+Decker is right up your alley.
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2. Dyson V8 Absolute Cordless Vacuum
Always on top of the game, the Dyson V8 brings both sleek looks and quality performance to the table. The convenience of being cordless is backed up with an immense power that handles pet hair, large debris, and fine dust on all sorts of flooring.
The battery needs a 4-hour charge time before use and lasts up to 40 minutes non-powered and 25 mins motorized. It allows for cleaner air thanks to the HEPA filtrations and you can swiftly transform it to a handheld position. With a 7-minute max power mode and a charging/storage station, the Dyson V8 shows us how it's done.
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3. Dirt Devil SD20505
When affordability meets power, then we've got to talk Dirt Devil. At 6.67 lbs, you can easily maneuver this lightweight vacuum across rooms. The cord is also 20 feet long to make moving around less trouble.
The ejection of dirt in the Dirt Devil is via bottom emptying for a more hygienic approach. It's perfect for bare, wood, and tiles flooring due to cyclonic filtration. The power on this one is quite impressive with the 10 amp motor, add in how little space it adopts, and we've got ourselves a worthy candidate.
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4. Bissell Zing Canister 2156A
As far as canisters go, the Bissell Zing 2156A leads the way. Suitable for both carpets and hard floors, the cyclonic suction picks up dust and debris powered by a 9 amp motor. Unloading dirt is pretty easy with the quick emptying lid featured on the Zing Canister.
There's no bag here, instead, you'll find reusable filters to capture fine particles. Moreover, The 15-foot cord is neither too long nor too short to let you freely make your way through your apartment, and it even coils back automatically. All in all, the Bissell Zing is a fantastic choice if you're a sucker for a good bargain.
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5. Shark Rocket DuoClean Vacuum
The list wouldn’t be complete without the corded pride of the Shark folks, the Shark Rocket DuoClean vacuum. It's more or a 2 in 1 machine because you can convert it into a 4.6 lbs handheld vacuum for any above-floor cleaning.
There are two brush settings, the reason behind the “Duo” part, a slow soft option for hardwood floors, and a fast aggressive carpet brush. The suction power is excellent and it comes with a designated pet tool to capture hair anywhere. A 30-foot cord guarantees that one outlet is all you need to clean your whole apartment. You can even notice LED lights on the floor nozzle placed to show hidden dirt.
Topping it off with a variety of attachments and a compact size, the Shark Rocket DuoCleaner certainly makes for a safe bet.
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What should you look for?
That's why I'm here to guide you in concluding what exactly you're looking for and help you make the best possible decision.
Size and Storage
Living in a limited-space apartment, you probably know that the smaller the appliance the better, which is why the vacuum size and storage should be at the top of your priorities list.
A large bulky vacuum will surely clean your floor, but it'll most likely be a pain to move around, bang on your furniture, and take up lots of space.
You don't want to go too little either and end up with insufficient power or having to make numerous emptying stops.
An ideal pick would be a small sized vacuum that's compact enough to maneuver easily and packs decent suction power, all the while being a breeze to store. More conveniently, some models offer wall mounts so you can hang your vacuum and forget about it till you need it.Weight
Naturally, no one wants to drag around more than 20 lbs while cleaning, as if it's not a hassle enough. You'll want to easily push your vacuum and maneuver your way with minimal effort which is why a lightweight vacuum is an awesome idea.
Anywhere less than 10 lbs should be light enough to carry with no problems.Noise
Chances are, if you live in an apartment, that you have neighbors. Being aware of the level of noise your vacuum makes is the sensible thing to do.
Stick vacuums are the least loud type. However, if you need more power, an upright would beat a canister's tumbling noise.Suction power
The core purpose of a vacuum is to rid you of all the dirt, dust and whatever mess you wish gone. For this reason, when you're shopping for a vacuum, especially a small one, do the research and make sure the suction power is rather sufficient.Dust Collection Bin Size
Once you start your cleaning routine, you can't wait to get it over with. Having to stop every 5 minutes to empty the dust collection bin will undoubtedly slow you down.
A smart thing to do is to compare dust collection bin capacities and balance out the overall small vacuum size with a large dust bin.Air Filtration
Built-in air filters are a rather nice addition on some vacuums. These filters help clean the air you breathe as they remove small particles such as dust and irritants from the air passing through them.
If you live in a city where air pollution is a real issue, or you have a case of allergies, such a feature would be great to include.
What to Keep in Mind?
Pets
Your pet best friend doesn't only bring you joy, but also a whole lot of hair shed and more often cleaning rounds.
Some vacuums do a better job than others in picking up stubborn hairs, fur, and dander, which equals higher suction power. As a pet owner, you should pay attention to this detail.Flooring Type
Bag: Yes or no?
A bagged vacuum means you won't have to worry about emptying the dirt with dust flying everywhere, you'll simply throw away the attached bag when it is full.
The downside to this type is how the suction efficiency decreases as the bag fills up and the cost of replacement bags. But, it's a wise choice if you suffer from allergies.
Bagless vacuums, on the other hand, require you to empty out the plastic cup after it gets full with a risk of particles escaping into the air.
On the upside, it's more budget and eco-friendly.
You should pick a vacuum that works best for what you have, or if you got mixed flooring, choose one that can do both.
Wrap Up
Personally, my vote goes to versatility making the Bissell Zing Canister the winner in my book. Not only is it extremely powerful, but the price tag is also a sweet deal.
However, if a canister is too big for you, the smaller Dyson V8 Absolute might be a more suitable pick for you.