Vacuum cleaners are notoriously cumbersome, loud and heavy, but they don’t have to be. Lightweight vacuum cleaners and stick vacuums can be a great option for making quick work of dust and debris. But you might be wondering if you’d be trading power for convenience. The answer is — probably, yes. That’s why it’s important to find the right lightweight vacuum.
The best lightweight vacuums will still be powerful enough to get the job done while cutting down on bulk. But it’s important to consider what you’ll be using the vacuum for. Are you cleaning out that garage that also serves as a woodworking shop? You might want to stick with the shop vac. But for hunting down dust bunnies under the sofa? The best lightweight vacuum will be up for the job. Plus, lightweight vacuums are also going to be easier to store, making them a great option if you live in a smaller apartment.
There are a few different kinds of lightweight vacuums. The best general-purpose option is the stick vacuum, which is a compact and thin version of the upright vacuum. There are also handheld vacuums, which can be great for cleaning the couch or for your car. Finally, robot vacuums can be worth considering if you truly like to kick your feet up and let someone else do the work. These are some of the best lightweight vacuums to buy online.
1. Shark Navigator Freestyle
BEST OVERALL
The Shark Navigator is a reasonably priced vacuum cleaner that’s lightweight but has a large enough storage that you won’t be making constant trips to the trash can to clear it out. Like most modern vacuums, it’s bagless, and like an increasing number of modern vacuum cleaners, it’s cordless. It has a swiveling head to easily cut around corners. At 7.5 pounds, it’s slightly heavier than some of the options that weigh less than five pounds, but it’s by no means heavy.
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2. Bissell Featherweight Stick Vacuum
BEST CORDED VACUUM
There’s lightweight, and then there’s the Bissell’s Featherweight vacuum. At a meager 2.6 pounds, this vacuum weighs about the same as a bottle of wine. The price is lightweight, too. This smartly designed vacuum also converts from a regular stick vacuum into a light handheld vacuum or a stair vacuum.
3. eufy by Anker RoboVac G30 Hybrid
BEST ROBOT VACUUM
In our review, we called the RoboVac a great option for the price — it’s adept at picking up dust and debris, and it has multiple power settings for handling tougher cleaning jobs. It’s also built to have two hours of battery life. While the mop feature doesn’t perform as well as the vacuum, it’s still a solid option all around.
4. Miele – Triflex HX1 Graphite Grey – Graphite Grey
BEST UPGRADE
This lightweight vacuum from Miele has a unique and versatile design that allows it to be used in a variety of configurations. The canister and motor can be placed near the top of the handle for reaching under furniture and other hard-to-reach spots. For regular vacuuming, the canister can be placed near the bottom of the stick. You can also turn it into a handheld unit.
5. Shark IONFlex DuoClean Cord-Free Ultra-Light Vacuum
EASY TO STORE
Lightweight vacuums are already space-saving, but this option from Shark takes it a step further. It has a unique folding design that makes it easy to put away. This model is also cordless, making it easy to clean your entire home without worrying about a mess of cords. Since the battery is detachable, you can more easily charge it in the charging dock or replace it should it lose its ability to hold a charge.
6. BLACK+DECKER dustbuster Handheld Vacuum
BEST CAR VACUUM
If you’re looking for a compact lightweight vacuum that you can use for your car or couch cushions, this option from Black+Decker is a good one to get. It’s cordless, so you can easily bring it to your car for a deep cleaning. The expandable crevice tool makes it easy to dig into tight spots, and there’s also a flip-up brush tool.
Related: The Best Car Vacuums
7. Dyson V8 Motorhead Origin Cordless Stick Vacuum
MESS-FREE EMPTYING
Dyson has made a name for itself largely off the popularity of its vacuums, but they’re notorious for being expensive. The V8 Motorhead is a more affordable version that still has top features like a cordless battery-powered motor and a lightweight build. The smartly designed canister makes it easier to empty the vacuum without getting dust all over yourself.
8. Dirt Devil SimpliStik Plus Corded Stick Vacuum
BEST VALUE
This simple and affordable lightweight vacuum from Dirt Devil is a meager 3 pounds, making it easy to carry from room to room as you make quick work of messes. And if the light weight and small size are still too bulky for you, this vacuum easily converts into a corded handheld vacuum that’s great for cleaning between couch cushions or quickly cleaning up tabletops.
9. Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Lithium Ion Hand Vacuum
BEST FOR PET OWNERS
Tackle tough pet hair messes with the Bissell hand vacuum, which is a compact and portable lightweight option for sofas, stairs and tight spots. It’s equipped with crevice and upholstery tools to handle a variety of jobs. Since it’s cordless, you can easily take it wherever it needs to go.
Related: Best Vacuums for Pet Hair