The Best Vacuums to Keep Your Apartment Clean and Tidy, Tested

Hello, my friend, hello again; today we come together to talk about The Best Vacuums to Keep Your Apartment Clean and Tidy, Tested and hope the blog can help you.

These lightweight cleaners take up minimal space and offer maximum suction power for spotless hard floors, carpets, and furniture.

Having the right vacuum on hand will go a long way towards helping to keep an apartment clean. However, a bulky vacuum that’s difficult to store and takes up too much room in a small space won’t work for most apartment dwellers.

I tested top vacuums for apartments—focusing on compact vacuums that don’t skimp on power and performance—to identify the most durable, versatile, and effective models for keeping hard floors, carpets, and furniture free of debris, dust, and pet hair. I also spoke to cleaning experts like Sabrina Tretyakova, certified cleaning technician at Fortador based in Hialeah, Florida, and Roy Neely, virtual generalist expert at Frontdoor, to get their pro advice.

Whether you’re looking for a nimble cordless model that fits in a small closet or a compact handheld vacuum for minimal messes, there is a high-performing appliance in this guide to meet that need. Keep reading to discover more about the best vacuums for apartments on the market today. 

1. BEST OVERALL: Levoit LVAC-200 Cordless Vacuum
2. BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Black+Decker PowerSeries+ 16V MAX Cordless Vacuum
3. UPGRADE PICK: Dyson V15 Detect Vacuum
4. BEST ROBOT: Ecovacs Deebot X1 Omni Robot Vacuum
5. BEST FOR DUSTING: Tineco Pure ONE S15 Pet Smart Cordless Vacuum
6. BEST FOR PETS: Bissell 2252 CleanView Swivel Pet Vacuum
7. BEST HANDHELD: Black+Decker Dustbuster AdvancedClean Handheld Vacuum
8. BEST CORDED: Eureka NEU100 AirSpeed Compact Bagless Upright Vacuum

How We Tested the Best Vacuums for Apartments 

To find the best vacuums for apartments, I started by canvassing low-profile products from top-rated brands. Next, I narrowed down my search according to product descriptions and customer ratings and reviews while seeking a wide range of vacuums, including corded, cordless, upright, stick, and handheld models. Then, I prioritized important features, such as battery life, noise level, diversity of attachments, dustbin capacity, and general ease of use. I chose products from various price points to account for budget-friendly and more splurge-worthy picks

I tested the products in real apartments by assessing how well each model picked up fine debris like flour and larger debris like Skittles candies from both hard and carpeted surfaces, in addition to general cleaning performance on hard floors, carpets, furniture, and in deep crevices like between couch cushions. As part of the testing for each vacuum, I performed regular cleanings using all of the attachments, emptied the dustbin several times, and employed a decibel meter to assess the noise level. 

Testing Stats

• Products tested: 9
• Hours spent testing: 40+
• Tests performed: 8
• Average price: $300

Our Top Picks

Extensive hands-on testing determined this list of top picks, revealing the best vacuums for apartments for handling issues like dust and pet hair, in addition to those more suited for general cleaning.

Best Overall

Levoit LVAC-200 Cordless Vacuum

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Our Ratings: Effectiveness 5/5; Ease of Use 5/5; Versatility 5/5; Noise 5/5; Value 5/5 

Product Specs 

• Runtime: 50 minutes
• Weight: 3.2 pounds
• Dimensions: 9.8 inches long by 7.7 inches wide by 43.3 inches high

Pros

• Lightweight and easy to transport between rooms and around furniture 
• Dustbin is spacious and quick to empty with the press of a button 
• Emits a moderate noise level compared to similar models

Cons

• Can take up to 5 hours to fully charge
• Does not contain a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter for super-fine particles

The Levoit LVAC-200 cordless stick vacuum received top marks in all of my tests. This vacuum is lightweight, easy to maneuver, and has a lengthy battery life per charge. It includes three head attachments. The rotating brush attachment has a low profile to slide under kitchen cabinets and clean corners and crevices. The hard plastic crevice tool attachment is angled for smaller spaces, such as ceiling corners and between couch cushions. The pet tool attachment features a set of hard bristles to remove hair and other debris from carpets and fabric with ease. 

The brush head attachment quickly suctioned up a flour spill on a hardwood floor. This was one of the only vacuums that could clean up Skittles without using a hose or crevice attachment. The dustbin has an ample capacity of 0.75 liters and is easy to empty over a trash can with the push of a button. To clean furniture, the vacuum body folds into a handheld cleaner with the same power source.

The LVAC-200 was one of the quieter vacuums in my tests, with noise measuring 77 decibels on the lower suction setting and 83 decibels on the higher setting. It also boasts a sleek, minimalist design that blends into a room without drawing attention to itself—although you can easily store it in a closet due to its slim profile. 

Read our full review: Levoit LVAC-200 Cordless Vacuum

Get the Levoit vacuum for apartments at Amazon or Levoit.

Best Bang For The Buck

Black+Decker PowerSeries+ 16V MAX Cordless Vacuum

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Our Ratings: Effectiveness 5/5; Ease of Use 5/5; Versatility 5/5; Noise 5/5; Value 5/5 

Product Specs 

• Runtime: 40 minutes
• Weight: 8.3 pounds
• Dimensions: 11.4 inches long by 8.7 inches wide by 28.6 inches high

Pros

• Head is on a smooth swivel that maneuvers around corners with ease 
• Converts to a handheld vacuum for smaller cleaning jobs

Cons

• Slightly louder than other options, which may disturb neighbors 
• Heavier than other options and may be more difficult to transport

The Black+Decker PowerSeries+ cordless vacuum is a good apartment vacuum that’s easy on the wallet without sacrificing versatility and power. It’s heavier than our top pick but has a smooth-moving design that slides over hard floors and carpets and around corners with ease. The vacuum even automatically adjusts its suction power when it transitions from a hard surface to a rug. This feature helps reduce battery drain, as it has a 40-minute runtime on the low setting. 

The vacuum head has bright LED lighting that illuminates dust and other hard-to-spot particles. The body also flattens into a 180-degree angle, which is handy for cleaning under beds and couches. For smaller jobs, this model converts to a handheld vacuum and comes with a hard plastic crevice tool for more precision work. While the Black+Decker doesn’t offer the same array of attachments as other apartment vacuums I tested, the attachments it does have are very effective.

During my testing, the roller brush attachment made quick work of spilled flour and was able to suction up most of the Skittles, which is more than can be said of some of the pricier vacuums in this guide. It emits 77 decibels of sound on low and 80 decibels on high, which shouldn’t be so loud as to disturb neighbors. 

Get the Black+Decker PowerSeries+ vacuum for apartments at Amazon, Target, or Black+Decker.

Upgrade Pick

Dyson V15 Detect Vacuum

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Our Ratings: Effectiveness 5/5; Ease of Use 4/5; Versatility 5/5; Noise 5/5; Value 4.5/5 

Product Specs 

• Runtime: 60 minutes
• Weight: 6.83 pounds
• Dimensions: 10.5 inches long by 9.8 inches wide by 49.6 inches high

Pros

• Powerful adjustable suction level makes quick work of stubborn messes
• Includes multiple attachments for added cleaning versatility
• Laser light on hard flooring head illuminates hard-to-see dust particles
• LED screen shows remaining battery charge for all 3 suction levels

Cons

• More expensive than comparable cordless stick vacuums
• Smaller dustbin requires more frequent emptying

The Dyson V15 Detect is a high-end vacuum cleaner equipped with the longest runtime of any cordless model I tested. It also includes advanced attachments designed for hard-to-clean messes, including pet hair. The hair screw tool removes pet hair and long hair without causing tangles. The Fluffy Optic cleaner head contains carbon fiber filaments that pick up microscopic dust from hard surfaces for a more comprehensive clean than a standard brush tool can provide. 

This vacuum features a bright, full-color LED display that satisfyingly tallies the total particles you’ve zapped and the minutes remaining on the battery at all three suction levels. It also includes a powerful LED light to illuminate the space in front of you. At 10 inches, the cleaning path of the Dyson is wider than that of other models I tested and is on the quieter side, reaching just 70 decibels. 

For storage, this stick vacuum comes with a wall docking station to hang it out of the way when not in use. A plastic clip attaches to the body of the vacuum to store the two smaller attachments for easy access while cleaning, although no storage option is available for the other attachments. Dyson includes a 2-year warranty with purchase, so though this is a pricier option, it may be worth it in the long run. 

Get the Dyson vacuum for apartments at Amazon, Crate & Barrel, or Dyson.

Best Robot

Ecovacs Deebot X1 Omni Robot Vacuum

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Our Ratings: Effectiveness 4/5; Ease of Use 4.5/5; Versatility 4/5; Noise 3/5; Value 4/5 

Product Specs 

• Runtime: 212 minutes on hardwood floors (vacuum returns to station to empty bin frequently)
• Weight: 11 pounds
• Dimensions: 15.5 inches long by 17.4 inches wide by 20.8 inches high (station); 12.6 inches wide by 3.74 inches high (vacuum)

Pros

• Vacuum produces a smart map of the home for hands-off cleaning
• Direct the vacuum via voice control and a connected smartphone app to clean from anywhere
• Housekeeper mode cleans the home on a regular schedule

Cons

• Dust collection and mop washing are moderately noisy (82 decibels and 62.5 decibels, respectively)
• Vacuum may not fit under kitchen cabinets to clean deep corners

If you’d rather let a vacuum clean on its own, a robot vacuum is an ideal option. The Deebot X1 Omni vacuum from Ecovacs is fully outfitted with smart features, a smartphone app, voice control, and the ability to mop floors after vacuuming. The vacuum has a substantial housing station that holds two water tanks: one for clean water and one for dirty water. After washing the floors, the vacuum runs its mopping pads through a thorough cleaning cycle, then dries them to prevent mold and odor. 

The Deebot X1 Omni can be a bit tricky to set up, as it takes some time to properly map the space. During my testing, the vacuum performed at least five cleanings to make a map that closely reflected my apartment, including furniture and room divisions. If you decide to move the housing station, the vacuum will have to start the mapping process from scratch. 

Once the mapping is complete, this vacuum does an excellent job. It roves about picking up large and small debris, and the mopping option is a major plus if you have a lot of hard floor surfaces in your home. The vacuum transitioned from hard floors to carpets without issue, though it occasionally became tangled in the tassels on my rug. The app includes a “housekeeper mode” through which you can program regular cleanings for a specific day and time.

Get the Ecovacs vacuum for apartments at Amazon.

Best For Dusting

Tineco Pure ONE S15 Pet Smart Cordless Vacuum

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Our Ratings: Effectiveness 4/5; Ease of Use 5/5; Versatility 5/5; Noise 5/5; Value 4/5 

Product Specs 

• Runtime: 40 minutes
• Weight: 6.8 pounds
• Dimensions: 11.14 inches long by 11 inches wide by 45 inches high

Pros

• Bright LED light on vacuum head illuminates small dust particles 
• Lightweight and easy to maneuver from room to room 
• Contains HEPA filter to remove microscopic particles from the home

Cons

• Vacuum does not stand up on its own if not attached to the base
• Smaller 0.47-liter dustbin capacity requires more frequent emptying

The Tineco Pure ONE S15 cordless vacuum is a high-performing model that is also highly versatile. This vacuum features more attachments than most comparable models, including a long flexible hose attachment that extends your reach, two bristle-end attachments ideal for dusting or scraping up harder-to-clean messes, and a sturdy crevice tool. It also converts into a handheld machine with the flip of a button. 

This vacuum offers more filtration technology than most other vacuums. It includes a HEPA filter to remove dust as small as 0.3 microns, a prefilter, and a physical mesh filter that traps hair and large particles, making it one of the best options for removing fine dust particles from all kinds of surfaces. 

The Tineco Pure ONE S15 performed well in my tests on hard floors and carpets. The rotating head brush cleaned up the flour with one pass, and though it couldn’t suction up all of the Skittles, I was able to pick them up with the crevice tool. A bright, colorful LED screen displayed my progress while I cleaned. The colored perimeter turns from red to blue when the vacuum no longer detects a mess.

One of the quieter vacuums on the market, it measures just 73 decibels on its lowest setting and 77 decibels on high. This stick vacuum won’t stand up on its own without the base, which can be frustrating while cleaning. 

Get the Tineco vacuum for apartments at Amazon, Best Buy, or Tineco.

Best For Pets

Bissell 2252 CleanView Swivel Pet Vacuum

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Our Ratings: Effectiveness 5/5; Ease of Use 5/5; Versatility 5/5; Noise 5/5; Value 5/5 

Product Specs 

• Dustbin capacity: 1 liter
• Weight: 12.5 pounds
• Dimensions: 14 inches long by 13 inches wide by 44.5 inches high

Pros

• Vacuum is easy to maneuver around corners and furniture
• Excellent suction power, picked up most debris from hard floors and carpets
• Dustbin is spacious and easy to empty with the click of a button
• 5 cleaning settings accommodate different floor types and levels of debris

Cons

• Vacuum is heavy and difficult to lift up and down stairs
• Vacuum only has spots to hold 3 of the 4 included attachments