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Best Vacuum for Small Apartment and Studios 2024 (Top 5)

BLACK+DECKER BDH2020FLFH MAX Lithium Flex Vacuum - Best Vacuum for Small ApartmentIf you are looking for a small apartment or are already living in one, you already know that simplicity is the name of the game. This does not mean that you have to get inferior appliances – just smaller yet effective ones. The same applies to vacuums. In this article, we review our top 5 picks in the best vacuum for small apartment category. Any of these will leave your tiny apartment or studio free of dust and debris with the convenience that you deserve.

Best Vacuum for Small Apartment 2024 – Comparison Table

Here is an overview of the top 5 best vacuums for small apartments:

Best Vacuum for Small ApartmentWeightCorded/Cordless?Bagged/Bagless?
1. Shark Flex DuoClean Ultra-Light HV391
(Best Vacuum for Small Apartment)
9.8 lbsCordedBagless
2. BLACK+DECKER BDH2020FLFH MAX Lithium Flex Vacuum6.77 lbsCordlessBagless
3. Dyson Cyclone V10 Absolute Lightweight Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner5.9 lbsCordlessBagless
4. Shark Rocket Corded Ultra-Light Hand Vacuum HV2923.7 lbsCordedBagless
5. iRobot Roomba 890
(Best Robot Vacuum for Small Apartment)
7.8 lbsCordlessBagless

Which kind of vacuum should you buy for a small apartment?

Before we get to the reviews, you need to know exactly what we were looking for in our best vacuum for small apartment picks. This way, you are sure that you are going to get the best bang for your buck. What qualities must a vacuum for a small apartment possess?

i) Lightweight

Personally, whether I’m going to be living in a mansion or a studio apartment, I don’t like dragging 20 pounds as I clean the house. If I want to lift weights I go to the gym – literally. So, the idea is to get a light vacuum that is easy to move around the house as you clean.

If you live in a small apartment, anything around 10 pounds or less should be light enough. In fact, some hand vacuums that weigh less than 5 pounds.

ii) Compact

Apart from being light, a vacuum that is compact is preferred for small apartments. A light, compact vacuum is not only portable but also easy to store. You can simply tuck it into a corner and you’ll barely notice it until you need it.

Some vacuums have wall mounts that make it even more stress-free to store. Remember, the lesser the space any home appliance consumes, the better for you.

iii) Effective

While looking for something that will not consume much space in the house, we may forget to check if the item actually does its job. When selecting the best vacuum for your apartment, ensure that it has enough suction power to get rid of dust, particles and other debris effectively.

Also, if you have specific needs, make sure that the vacuum can cater to them. For example, if you have pets, a vacuum that will not suck in pet hair is basically useless. Also, you need to check whether the vacuum is capable of cleaning the specific kind of floor in your apartment. While most vacuums will work perfectly on bare floors, some cannot clean carpeted floors well.

Reviews of the Best Vacuum for Small Apartment 2024

Full-size vacuum cleaners are ideal for big spaces. However, small spaces such as studios and small apartments need small vacuum cleaners. In our quest for the best pick, we found several viable options. These are the best vacuums for small apartments in 2024:

1. Shark Flex DuoClean Ultra-Light HV391 – best vacuum for small apartment

Shark Flex DuoClean Ultra-Light HV391 - Best Vacuum for Small Apartment

The Shark Flex DuoClean fits the bill when it comes to small apartments. Apart from its amazing features, this lightweight vacuum is as versatile as other Shark vacuum cleaners. It works well for both hardwood and carpeted floors. Also, if you have pets, it has the capability to get rid of pet hair from the house.

The HV391 utilizes DuoClean technology to powerfully suck in all kinds of dirt including pet hair, fine dust, and large debris. Also, allergens will be a thing of the past in the apartment. This is thanks to the anti-allergen complete seal technology which captures and traps up to 99.9 percent of dust and allergens.

Here’s how DuoClean technology works (YouTube video courtesy of Shark Cleaning)

As mentioned above, the best vacuum for small apartments must be easy to store. The vacuum has a freestanding storage mode which makes it smaller for easy storage. A unique MultiFLEX technology allows you to fold over the top part of the vacuum. The same technology comes in handy when you want to vacuum hard to reach areas such as under furniture.

Convenience is also guaranteed with this vacuum. First, it has a power cord that is 30 feet long. This is long enough to clean the entire apartment from one power source. Also, it converts to a hand vacuum so that you can clean furniture, stairs and other above-floor areas easily.

Cleaning high places such as curtains is a breeze thanks to its slim design and a quick-release foot pedal that separates the floor nozzle.

Lastly, when vacuuming darker areas in the apartment, just switch on the LED lights on the nozzle so that you don’t miss anything.

Features summary:

  • Bagless
  • 30-foot power cord
  • Lightweight (9.8 pounds)
  • Powerful, consistent suction power
  • DuoClean technology
  • Noise Reduction technology
  • MultiFLEX technology
  • Anti-allergen complete seal technology
  • Active-glide technology
  • Freestanding storage
  • Removable, easy to empty dust cup
  • Can convert to a handheld vacuum
  • LED lights on the nozzle
  • Dual brush roll system with a bristle brush for carpets

Click here to see the current price of our best vacuum for small apartment pick.

2. BLACK+DECKER BDH2020FLFH MAX Lithium Flex Vacuum

BLACK+DECKER BDH2020FLFH MAX Lithium Flex Vacuum - Best Vacuum for Small Apartment

For more than 100 years, BLACK+DECKER has been a trusted manufacturer of home appliances. When it comes to versatility, the BDH2020FLFH Max Lithium is another great option for small apartments. It is mainly a hand vacuum but can be converted into a stick vacuum in the blink of an eye. You simply need to connect the stick vacuum attachment. It can also work on all floor types – hardwood, tile or carpet.

Apart from working well on various types of floors, the vacuum is also ideal for pet owners. If you have a cat or dog or both, you don’t need to worry about all the hair and dander they leave behind. Simply attach the pet brush and let it handle the mess for you.

When it comes to the factors we mentioned earlier regarding vacuums for small apartments, this vacuum ticks all the boxes. At just over 6 pounds, this vacuum is quite easy to carry around as you clean the house. Its compactness, in addition to a charging base that has tool storage, also makes it easy to store. At the same time, its suction is powerful enough to get rid of all kinds of dirt with ease.

There are other attachments that help you to get rid of dirt in hard to reach areas such as curtains, under furniture, ceiling fans and so on. These include a crevice tool, a 4-foot extendable hose, and a flip-up dusting brush.

Features summary:

  • Bagless
  • Cordless
  • Strong suction power: 24 Air Watts
  • Lightweight (6.77 pounds)
  • Cyclonic action
  • Washable filter
  • Easy to empty, washable bowl (17 oz.)
  • 20-volt lithium-ion battery
  • 4-hour charge duration
  • Charging base with tool storage
  • 4-foot flexible extension hose
  • Other accessories: crevice tool, flip-up dusting brush, stick vacuum attachment with pivoting floor head

To see its current price, click here.

3. Dyson Cyclone V10 Absolute Lightweight Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner

Dyson Cyclone V10 Absolute - Best Vacuum for Small Apartment

The Dyson Cyclone V10 Absolute is another fantastic vacuum for small apartments. It has a powerful suction that allows it to clean all kinds of floors, from hardwood to tile to carpet. However, for you to enjoy its exemplary services, you may have to part with almost 600 bucks. So, if you have some cash to spare, you can go for it with the assurance of a good return on investment.

Apart from being cordless, this machine is lightweight (weighs just under 6 pounds). So, it should be easy to move around as you clean the apartment. Also, you can easily remove the stick and convert it to a handheld vacuum when you need to clean some particular spots or hard to reach areas. Storage is also a breeze. Simply hook it onto the wall-mounted dock which is also used for charging.

Once the vacuum is fully charged, you can use it for various durations depending on the tools attached or the mode selected. For example, when using a non-motorized tool, you can vacuum for up to 60 minutes. When in Suction Mode I (using the soft roller cleaner head), it can last up to 40 minutes. However, when the torque drive cleaner head is attached (Suction Mode II), the charge can only last up to 20 minutes.

If you have pets, this vacuum will also help get rid of all the pet hair and dander with ease, regardless of the floor type in your apartment.

Features summary:

  • Bagless
  • Cordless
  • Lightweight (5.9 pounds)
  • Can convert to a handheld vacuum
  • Instant-release trigger
  • HEPA-standard filtration
  • Drop-in docking for charging and storage
  • Powerful suction (uses the Dyson digital motor V10)
  • Tools: crevice tool, combination tool, mini motorized tool, mini soft dusting brush
  • Cleaner heads: soft roller cleaner, torque drive cleaner

Click here to how much the Dyson Cyclone V10 Absolute vacuum costs.

4. Shark Rocket Corded Ultra-Light Hand Vacuum HV292

Shark Rocket Corded Ultra-Light Hand Vacuum HV292 - Best Vacuum for Small Apartment

This is the best Shark handheld vacuum. And it does live up to the expectations you would place on any Shark product. Despite being small, it does a splendid job in various areas of the house. It should be great for your small apartment. Also, if you have pets, getting rid of pet hair is easy because it comes with a TruePet motorized brush.

The vacuum is small, compact and lightweight (3.7 pounds). This makes it quite easy to carry from one corner of the apartment to the other as you capture all kinds of dirt. Also, this makes storage in small spaces stress-free. Also, a 15-foot power cord allows you to clean large areas at a time, without the need of moving to another power source. You also don’t have to worry about draining power like in cordless vacuums.

Whereas you can use it for cleaning the floor, it is best suited for quick pick-ups and vacuuming stairs and other above-floor surfaces. Also, being a hand vacuum, it comes in handy (pun intended) if you need to vacuum your car’s interior.

The vacuum also has washable filters and an easy to empty dirt cup. This means that there are no maintenance costs that are normally associated with replacing filters and vacuum bags.

Features summary:

  • Bagless
  • 15-foot power cord
  • Lightweight (3.7 pounds)
  • 400 Watts power
  • Never loses suction
  • Easy to empty dirt cup
  • Stretch hose for extended-reach
  • Washable filters
  • Accessories: crevice tool, dusting brush, TruePet motorized brush

Click here to see the current price of the Shark Rocket HV292.

5. iRobot Roomba 890 – best robot vacuum for small apartment

iRobot Roomba 890 - Best Vacuum for Small Apartment

What if you want to just sit back while “someone” does the cleaning for you? If you are often too tired, busy or just too lazy to clean up your apartment, what you need is a robot vacuum. There are many robotic vacuums out there, but the iRobot Roomba 890 really caught our attention. It really gets the job done without human intervention.

By automatically adjusting the cleaning head, the Roomba 890 can clean all types of floors ranging from carpet to hardwood floors. Its AeroForce 3-stage cleaning system employs tangle-free multi-surface brushes as well as power-lifting suction to get rid of all kinds of dirt from the apartment. Also, if you have any furry friends in the apartment, expect the vacuum to get rid of all pet hair with ease.

The vacuum uses smart sensors to navigate the entire floor while avoiding obstacles such as furniture. Also, cliff sensors prevent the robot vacuum from falling off, especially if there is a part of the floor is higher than the other. Amazingly, as it cleans the house, an edge-sweeping brush ensures that even the corners and edges along the wall are well taken care of.

To make things even better, iRobot HOME App lets you schedule a cleaning task. Even if you are not at home, you can instruct the robot to get to work. You get real-time notifications on the progress straight to your phone. Also, if you connect the vacuum to Wi-Fi, you can control it using Alexa or Google Assistant.

Features summary:

  • Cordless
  • Bagless
  • Weight: 7.8 pounds
  • 3-stage cleaning system
  • Strong power-lifting suction
  • Great for pets
  • Multi-floor cleaning
  • iAdapt navigation
  • High-efficiency filter
  • Scheduled cleaning
  • Wi-Fi connectivity
  • Advanced dirt detect technology
  • Automatic recharge (home base charging station)
  • Brushes: edge-sweeping brush, tangle-free dual multi-surface brushes
  • Control it with iRobot HOME App, Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa

Click here to see the current price of the iRobot Roomba 890.

Best Vacuum for Small Apartment – Final thoughts

If you live in a studio apartment or any other small apartment, you need a vacuum that will not stress you out. A vacuum that takes up so much space or is too heavy to move around is not what you want. You need a light, compact, easy to store vacuum that is also very efficient.

Also, you need to get a vacuum that will do a proper job on whichever type of floor you have. If you have a pet, you may need a vacuum that will not struggle with pet hair. If you have soft carpets, you may want to consider plush carpet vacuums for a thorough job.

Thankfully, all the vacuums we have shortlisted in the best vacuum for small apartment category are versatile. Besides, they do a great job on all surfaces and are also specialized in dealing with pet hair.

In summary, these are the best vacuums for small apartments and studios in 2024:

  1. Shark Flex DuoClean Ultra-Light HV391
  2. BLACK+DECKER BDH2020FLFH MAX Lithium Flex Vacuum
  3. Dyson Cyclone V10 Absolute Lightweight Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner
  4. Shark Rocket Corded Ultra-Light Hand Vacuum HV292
  5. iRobot Roomba 890

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