Best Vacuum for Vinyl Plank Floors: Why It Matters and How to Choose

Even as the cheapest model in the extensive collection of Miele's premium canister vacuums, the Classic C1 Pure Suction can easily outperform its competitors. As long as you don't mind dragging along a canister and there is no need to vacuum thick rugs, it is our default recommendation.

This vacuum for vinyl floors is equipped with the same 1200W motor and some other components (like the air filter and dust-trapping bags) that Miele puts on pricier models.

This canister vacuum features an AllTeQ floorhead. You can retract or extend their bristles depending on the type of surface you are about to clean.

This makes the C1 Pure Suction great for low-pile and bare floors, while the wide floorhead can dig more pet hair and dust from grout lines and cracks. There is no roller, so you should not worry about the vacuum scratching your vinyl flooring.

This design also leads to a smaller weight and a lower profile. You should be able to go to corners and under furniture with ease. On top of that, the suction is strong enough to pick up debris from short rugs.

With a noise between 57dB and 68dB, the C1 Pure Suction is significantly quieter than other products of the same power caliber. For example, a typical Shark upright can produce 78dB in its maximum setting. The canister of the C1 also rolls smoothly, even on bare surfaces like vinyl plank flooring.

Miele is still loyal to the bagged design in its canister models. But unless you have a big house or pets with excess shedding, don't fret.

Weeks might go by before you need a replacement for the C1 Pure Suction's dust bags. It can trap an impressive amount of debris, and the machine will tell you when it needs to be replaced. A pack of 4 filter bags should comfortably last for a whole year for most households.

Another major plus point of sticking with Miele products is their amazing warranty policies. In addition to covering parts in labor in the first year, Miele also offers a 7-year warranty for the motor and body casing. This is among the longest periods you can ever find in the residential vacuums market.

The brand has built a comprehensive network of servicing centers. You should take advantage of them whenever your vacuum needs a quick check or tune-up.

Remember that Miele designs its canister vacuum cleaners with bare floors in mind. If you try to clean your wall-to-wall carpeting with the C1 Pure Suction, you will be doomed to disappointment.

▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬

Dyson is always a brand that can spark a lively debate during any family dinner. Some would never imagine themselves paying a premium of hundreds of dollars just for a vacuum cleaner. But for diehard fans of Dyson, their lives couldn't be complete without those machines.

Regardless of your views on this brand, we must admit that its lineup of lightweight yet powerful cordless sticks, including the V11 Torque Drive, really stand out from the rest. Introduced in 2019, this model is also your best bet when you need the best cordless vacuum for vinyl plank floors.

For all the bells and whistles, the vacuum doesn't even weigh more than 7 pounds. The length is around 4 feet, and you have 4 cleaning attachments in the box: two brushes (one for stubborn dirt and one for light dusting), one crevice tool, one combination tool, and one mini motorized tool.

The unique feature of this vinyl floor vacuum is that it can automatically detect the surface you are vacuuming and adjust the machine's suction power. It doesn't just reduce unnecessary noise but also saves energy and prolongs the battery life.

The Dynamic Load Sensor (DLS) is the underlying system that makes this detection possible. It constantly senses resistance at the brush bar of the cleaner head. When you switch from hard flooring to carpets, this resistance changes, and the suction adjusts accordingly, making the best vacuum for vinyl plank floors and carpets.

Dyson engineers have used stiff nylon bristles to make the V11 Torque Drive's cleaner head. They are strong enough to remove even the most stubborn dirt from carpets, while the carbon fiber filaments on the cleaner head help catch dust in crevices.

The intelligent display system is another massive upgrade found on the V11 Torque Drive. There is an LCD screen on the handle, where you can change the cleaning modes (which in turn affects runtime and suction power).

This display also shows the remaining battery life and when you should maintain your vacuum cleaner. This is particularly useful when there is a blockage in the airway. The V11 Torque Drive will report it and show you how to remove it.

If you put this Dyson stick on its Auto mode, it can adapt to various floor types and clean them with moderate suction strength.

When you need to save some battery life, switch to Eco mode. Meanwhile, Boost mode is designed to produce the most powerful and intensive vacuuming at the expense of run time (the V11 Torque Drive can only operate for up to 5 minutes in this mode).

Unless you constantly run the limits with this cordless stick, it can last for 60 minutes after a 4.5-hour charge. During that period, the Dyson V11 Torque Drive offers one of the most efficient cleaning performances you will ever have.

The ability to pull debris out of tight spaces and corners is impressive. And when you are done, dumping the content in the dirt bin is a breeze. You should not struggle with anything: just push a side lever, and the contents inside will fall out.

It may be the best vacuum for vinyl floors and carpets, but there are areas this Dyson V11 model could do better. Hair, for example, can build up inside and jam the whole dirt bin. The high-pitched noise while vacuuming can also be annoying.

▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬

There is no doubt the Dyson V11 is the best stick vacuum for vinyl plank floors. But its cost is simply too prohibitive for many.

On the other hand, most people don't like vacuum cleaners this cheap, and rightly so. They often have flimsy construction and subpar vacuuming performance.

The Bissell Featherweight is an exception - an amazing exception in fact. If you have only a small area of vinyl planking to take care of, this super-basic machine can be more convenient than a broom and doesn't cost much.

This stick vacuum doesn't have a brush roll. It only relies on pure suction to get the job done, and this actually makes the Bissell Featherweight a safe choice for vinyl plank floors.

At 3 pounds, this vacuum cleaner for vinyl floors is incredibly lightweight too. Switching from a full-fledged upright to this Bissell stick is a memorable transition.

The Featherweight tackles small messes effortlessly. The dirt cup has a decent capacity, too, and can hold up to 22 ounces of debris at a time. There is no need to get your hands dirty when dumping the contents of this dirt cup. Just press a button and hang the machine over a trash can.

Thanks to its small size and weight, handling the Bissell Featherweight requires minimal effort. In this department, it can even go toe to toe with other more expensive models from Shark or Dyson.

Given the low cost, it doesn't come as a surprise the Bissell Featherweight has some big limitations too. First and foremost, big debris poses great challenges to this machine. It might take you several passes before the Featherweight could pick up heavy debris like cereal.

It goes without saying that due to the lack of a brush roll, this vacuum is virtually worthless if you have rugs or carpets in addition to vinyl plank flooring. It can grab some debris loosely attached to the surface, but that is about it.

People looking for a durable unit that can last for years should be aware too. This isn't a well-built machine, at least compared to the robust high-end vacuums on this list. If you stretch its limits beyond some quick clean-ups here and there, you may find yourself with a broken machine soon.

▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬

The Navigator Lift-Away series from Shark, such as Shark NV352, has consistently been our top choice for several cleaning purposes. It is an amazing vacuum cleaner for carpets and bare floors alike, thanks to its smart design elements and powerful suction. And luckily, the NV352 is also the best Shark vacuum for luxury vinyl plank floors.

The assembly process is fairly straightforward as long as you follow the instructions. You should have a complete unit that can operate immediately within 10 minutes.

At 12.5 pounds, the NV352's default configuration is already one of the lightest uprights. And if you switch to the Lift-Away mode and detach its vacuum, it will only weigh 7.5 pounds. This model is really a great choice if a lightweight machine is your top concern.

Cleaning with the Navigator NV352 on vinyl plank floors is a pleasant experience. There is hardly anything to dislike about it. You have powerful suction that can deal with most household debris, while the swivel steering offers a convenient way to move this vacuum around.

In our test, this vacuum for vinyl plank flooring picked up most debris in just a few passes. This included sand, sawdust, shredded paper, ground coffee, dried chickpeas, and pet hair. Its side-suction ability really impressed us: the vacuum could suck up all the cat litter and lentils from both sides of the floorhead when placed against baseboards or in a corner.

Take off the canister, and you can clean under furniture with ease. This is only possible in the bare floor mode, but as far as vinyl floors are concerned, it should not be a problem. The brush doesn't rotate in this mode, protecting your flooring from scratches.

It may bother you if you have carpeting under furniture too. Without a rotating brush, the NV352 may not be able to produce enough suction power to fully vacuum thick carpets.

Shark provides an upholstery tool, two crevice tools, and a dusting brush, all of which extend the vacuum's cleaning capabilities. For instance, you can attach the crevice tool and clean hard-to-reach areas like your ceiling molding's grooves or door frames.

Designed for upholstered furniture, the dusting brush does a great job cleaning items like lampshades too. The pet brush performs well with pet hair and lint.

But keep in mind that since the NV352 is a lightweight vacuum, its dust cup has a below-average capacity (1.2 dry quarts).

For basic vacuuming, it is totally fine. But if you must take on heavy-duty tasks on a regular basis, you may stretch its abilities while wasting more time on dumping and cleaning the dust cup.

Another design choice that could be a major flaw for many users is the hose of the floor nozzle, which makes it nearly impossible for the floorhead to go under low-clearance furniture.

▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬

The Roomba brand has already impressed me with smart machines that can clean floors and empty their own dustbins, all by themselves. Can the s9+ do a better job than its predecessors and help you with vinyl plank flooring? Totally, as it turns out.

Most robot vacuums have a circular shape, including other Roomba models. This is not the case with the s9+. Instead, it has a D-shaped design, allowing the machine to align itself against the docking station and get into tight spaces more easily.

In addition to this change, the copper-like lid makes the s9+ more eye-catching and matches the look of the base station. Compared to the i7+, this newer model is slightly smaller, with a diameter of 12.3 inches and a height of 3.5 inches.

The s9+ is equipped with plenty of sensors and other components on the top, including several buttons (Home, Spot Clean, and Clean/Power), a camera, a clutter sensor, and an RCON sensor.

The LED ring can tell you some operational statuses of the machine. It will glow red when the s9+ is charging, blue when connected to Wi-Fi, and white while vacuuming. You can also find another wall sensor on the side while there is a filter, dustbin, and carrying handle beneath the lid.

The s9+ houses multiple tools at the bottom as well. It is home to a floor tracking sensor, disposal port, cliff sensors, charging contacts, release tab, brush latch, brush caps, rubber brushes, and a corner brush.

The base station coming with the s9+ is called the Clean Base. You will need to plug it into a wall outlet so the robot can dock, charge, and empty its dustbin. After docking itself, the s9+ will dump its contents into this base through a port. It can repeat this up to 30 times before you need to replace the bag.

You will need to download the companion mobile app to pair with the s9+. Available for both iOS and Android devices, the app is easy to install and features a simple interface. It displays the controls and statuses of the robot.

The Schedule feature is a godsend for busy people. It is the best vinyl floor vacuum if you don’t want to be around when your flooring needs to be cleaned.

It can take the s9+ a few rounds before it can completely learn the layout of your house. But this robot has amazing navigation capabilities. The whole cleaning experience is completely hands-off, with the owner rarely required to intervene manually.

Despite being a robot model, the s9+ delivers great suction. On vinyl plank flooring, it can suck up all kinds of debris, including dirt and pet hair, with no issue. The machine can automatically adjust its suction depending on where it is running.

Thanks to an array of sensors and built-in processors, the s9+ can find its way around tables and chairs with ease. Its low profile is a massive advantage. The machine can get under low-clearance furniture much better than traditional upright and stick vacuums.

The irregular D shape proves useful in tight areas like corners, where its side brush has more room to grab debris and dust. After cleaning, the s9+ runs over to the base station to empty the collected contents.

Not everything about this robot is great, however. Most robot vacuums are much quieter than the s9+, which can be annoying when you are working while it is vacuuming. The battery life is only average (around 60 minutes for a full charge).

➜ RELATED: How Often to Run Roomba? - Best Robot Vacuum Guide for You

▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬

Sometimes you have a small mess on your vinyl plank flooring. It will be a hassle if there is only a full-size vacuum in the house. Invest in a handheld unit like the Shark WV201 WANDVAC, and you will have a perfect tool for the job. It is the best vacuum cleaner for vinyl floors if you already have a bigger machine and want a backup unit.

I felt excited when receiving this vacuum from my delivery guy. It came mostly assembled, and I just needed to put three pieces together. But it wasn't ready to go just yet. Shark's instructions say that you will need to give this vacuum a full charge before the first use so the battery can be properly conditioned.

In the stick mode, the Shark WandVac weighs only 5.8 pounds and has an 11.2-inch wide floor head. You can use it as a mini stick vacuum and don't have to worry about tangling pet hair, thanks to the silicone Powerfins bristles that can clean themselves.

Remove the floor head from the wand, and you have a handheld unit on hand, ready to vacuum countertops, cars, or any awkward areas that bigger machines fail to get in. Shark also provides a fluffy brush head for delicate surfaces.

I put this vacuum to the test and used it to suck up a flour mixture on vinyl plank flooring. While the Shark WandVac did leave some crumbs behind, it picked up most of the debris in just one pass with ease. Even on carpets without the Boost mode, the results were similar.

Larger debris required me to sweep it back and forth a few more times, however. The dirt cup became full more quickly, which also played a part in how the vacuum could suck up more debris.

The machine feels light even when attached with a crevice tool. This tool is a superb choice when you need to deal with challenging spaces like stairs or cars. As long as you only send it to the battle against small messes like spills, you will be fine.

The WandVac is quite loud in operation. In the standard mode, it hits around the 82dB mark - even higher than many full-size vacuum cleaners. This gets worse when you trigger the Boost mode, so those in need of a quiet handheld may need to look at other options.

The charging is too long, given its 9.5-minute run time. The fading light will turn solid blue after 2.5 hours - a slow charging rate for any electronic appliance of this kind.

Also, don't expect too much about the canister capacity of this vacuum. It can only 0.25 dry quarts of debris before you need to empty it.

▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬

Vertex is a lesser-known upright series from Shark with some changes in design compared to its iconic Navigator and Rotator lineups. For pet owners, it is the best sweeper for vinyl plank flooring.

At first glance, the Shark Vertex doesn't look much different from the Navigator. If you are already familiar with a Shark upright machine, the transition will be effortless.

You can easily access settings and controls on the handle. In addition to the Hard Floor mode for vinyl floors, you can move a slider to choose the thick carpets or low-pile modes. There are other buttons, including a powered Lift-Away button as well as separate release buttons for the handle, canister, and wand.

The powered Lift-Away feature is a god-send when it comes to vacuuming under low-clearance furniture, while the DuoClean PowerFins technology is also an asset.

Basically, the Shark Vertex features another softer roller brush in addition to a brushroll. It helps users with large debris, especially on hard floors like vinyl plank flooring.

No vacuums designed for pet hair should have a mediocre filtering system. The Vertex comes with a sealed construction and a post-motor HEPA filter, making sure that all the air getting in the machine gets filtered properly before going back to the room. The two pre-motor filters are easy to access and maintain too.

The Shark Vertex performed well in all kinds of testing. On vinyl plank flooring, it picked up almost everything from the first pass.

Hair was not an issue with this upright. But what I want to focus on is the fact that there was almost no pet hair on its brushroll. They all ended up inside the canister, ready for disposal. In this regard, the Vertex comes out on top even when put besides more expensive uprights.

▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬

While you should be more careful with wet-cleaning your vinyl plank flooring, it isn't totally out of the question. With the right tool, such as the Bissell CrossWave all-in-one vacuum cleaner, you can vacuum or wash it without switching tools. In short, it is also the best vacuum mop for vinyl floors.

The CrossWave doesn't have a sleek design, but it isn't ugly by any means. The main body is thin enough to put in a cupboard or carry around for a long vacuuming session. Since the CrossWave is quite tall, the big handle enables a good grip at any time.

On the face of it, the connection between the cleaner head and the main body seems to be flimsy. But in reality, it was sturdy and didn't create any issues, even if I swiveled it around a lot. In fact, this design makes the CrossWave more portable and maneuverable than models of the same weight.

The dirt bin where every dust particle and piece of debris ends up is located at the end of the main pole. It looks bulky, but you should have no difficulty removing it for waste disposal.

Just press a button and pull the canister. I wish Bissell would improve this mechanism a little bit. As of right now, you may see some remnants on the floor while removing the bin. It can be frustrating and require a dustpan for some additional cleaning.

The suction power of the Bissell CrossWave isn't the strongest. But if you are willing to go over some areas more than one or two times, most debris will be picked up.

The real selling point is the ability to wash your vinyl plank flooring. You can add water and cleaners from the top of the container. The machine will spray the liquid onto the floor while you are cleaning.

The amount of cleaner depends on the surface you want to wash: bare floors or carpets. But if you want to release more liquid over certain areas, you can press a button on the handle. Thanks to this, the CrossWave can tackle most stains on vinyl floors.

That said, this isn't a cordless machine and you will need to plug it into a socket. Its range depends on how far the power cord can reach.

▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬

How To Choose The Best Vacuum For Vinyl Plank Flooring

Style

This can be a tough decision. Upright vacuums are (or at least) used to be the most common design. They stand up straight, and the user can tilt them back to move them across the flooring.

Uprights typically have a big cleaner head and a large dust bin. They can bring many benefits for people living in a big space, but you may find them too bulky for a small apartment.

Stick vacuums look almost similar to uprights. However, they are more compact and maneuverable in tight spaces. The vast majority of them are cordless - another great consideration if you want to easily move your vacuum around.

A huge collection chamber is a distinct feature of the best vacuum for LVP floors that have a canister design. It can help the machine hold a huge amount of debris. Canister vacuums tend to be quieter as well and can go deep into furniture like couches.

Handhelds and robot vacuums are newer designs that have captured more attention when people look for the best vacuum for luxury vinyl plank floors.

Handheld units are great for some spot cleaning, while robot units can be a great part of the household life of those who don't want to spend much time holding a vacuum cleaner.

Cordless Vs. Corded

Cordless vacuums for vinyl floors are convenient to use, thanks to the lack of a power code. You can bring it anywhere in the house, even beyond the reach of electric outlets. More maneuverability is also a big plus.

However, corded models still have their places. You don't need to worry about battery life. Their suction power is usually stronger, and without the battery, they are lighter as well.

Dustbin

Choose a big dustbin if you have to constantly vacuum a big area. Some models have bags that you need to replace whenever they are full. Meanwhile, bagless vacuums allow you to dump the contents straight into a trash can.

When choosing the best vacuum for vinyl plank floors, pay attention to how you can empty the dust container. Some designs have a button that you need to push to open the lid. But others may need more steps to remove the container, which can make the whole process messier.

Extras

Soft brush rolls are safer for vinyl floors.

You must choose a vacuum cleaner compatible with bare floors like vinyl plank flooring. The best vacuum for vinyl floors should have soft bristles or you should be able to turn it off.  A rotating brush roll with stiff bristles can scratch the floor, especially when it has stiff bristles.

They are great for carpets as the vacuum can agitate the fibers and bring out more debris. But those brush rolls are counterproductive and can be damaging to vinyl plank flooring's finish.

Place great emphasis on air filtration when you have pets or suffer from respiratory problems. HEPA filters are a must in those situations. They are certified components that can trap almost every tiny particle.

Wrapping Up

If you just want the best choice and don't mind the cost, the Miele Classic C1 Pure Suction is the best vacuum for vinyl plank floors.

This canister has extremely powerful suction that most stick and even upright models can't match. The C1 Pure Suction delivers great performances on multiple surfaces. The bristles can be retracted to not damage bare floors, while it can dig deep into rugs and carpets.

When budget is a concern, have a look at the Shark NV352 Navigator Lift-Away or the Bissell Featherweight. You don't have to compromise the cleaning capabilities on vinyl plank floors too much, while they can save you a lot of money. For multi-surface cleaning, check out the Dyson V11 Torque Drive - the best vacuum for carpet and vinyl floors.