8 Best Small Vacuums for Carpet & Hardwood Floors 2025

This cordless powerhouse redefines what budget-friendly stick vacuums can achieve. With a peak suction of 30,000Pa, the NADALY doesn’t just compete—it dominates in deep-cleaning carpets while being gentle on hardwood floors. Its V-shaped anti-tangle roller brush is a game-changer for pet owners, effortlessly pulling in fur without constant maintenance. For households tired of clogged brushes and weak suction, this vacuum delivers a no-fuss, high-performance clean across multiple surfaces.

In real-world use, the 45-minute runtime in Normal mode covers 1,500 sq. ft. homes with ease, though switching to Max cuts it down to 20 minutes—best reserved for stubborn messes. The 1.5L dust cup minimizes emptying frequency, a rare perk in this class, and the one-touch dust ejection keeps hands clean. The LED headlight illuminates hidden debris under sofas, and the swivel head glides under furniture with minimal effort. That said, it struggles slightly on high-pile rugs where suction dips due to airflow resistance.

Compared to the CHEBIO A16, the NADALY offers stronger suction and equal battery life, making it a better all-rounder despite nearly identical pricing. It outclasses the Intercleaner corded model in mobility and convenience, though it lacks the unlimited runtime of a cord. Ideal for medium to large homes with mixed flooring, this vacuum strikes a rare balance between power, capacity, and usability—making it the best overall small vacuum for carpet and hardwood floors in its price range.

Don’t let its ultra-light 3lb frame fool you—this corded dynamo punches above its weight with 15KPa suction and unmatched versatility. The 12-in-1 design transforms into a handheld, crevice cleaner, or overhead duster in seconds, making it perfect for quick cleanups on hardwood floors, stairs, or car interiors. For budget-conscious buyers, it solves the portability vs. power dilemma with a 16.4ft power cord that eliminates range anxiety and battery wait times.

During testing, the brushless motor handled pet hair on low-pile carpets efficiently, though it faltered on thick rugs where motor strain became audible. The 0.8L dust cup holds up to 7 short sessions before emptying—ideal for spot cleaning but limiting for whole-house jobs. The 3-layer HEPA filtration kept exhaust air clean, a plus for allergy sufferers, and the one-button dust release ensures mess-free disposal. However, the lightweight build sacrifices durability on bumpy transitions between carpet and tile.

When stacked against the TC-JUNESUN corded model, it offers more tools and better suction for the same price bracket. It’s no match for cordless models like NADALY in deep-cleaning power, but for renters, pet owners, or small apartments, it’s a budget-friendly workhorse. If you prioritize low cost, quiet operation, and multi-use flexibility over whole-home deep cleaning, this is the best budget-friendly small vacuum for carpet and hardwood floors.

Meet the pet hair annihilator—a 28KPa cordless beast built for homes overrun by shedding dogs or cats. The V-shape anti-tangle brush with deflector comb slices through fur like a hot knife through butter, eliminating the dreaded hair wrap that plagues most vacuums. With 45 minutes of runtime and a 1.5L dust cup, it powers through multi-room cleaning without constant emptying, a rare combo in this segment. For families battling tumbleweeds of pet hair on hardwood and carpet, this vacuum is a lifesaver.

In testing, the flexible motorized brush head rotated 180° sideways and 90° vertically, reaching under beds and sofas with surgical precision. The LED headlights exposed dust bunnies in dark corners, and the washable HEPA filter lasted weeks without performance drop. It handled fine dust and cereal spills with ease, though larger debris occasionally jammed the intake on max suction. The 6-in-1 tool set covered upholstery, stairs, and car seats, but the crevice tool felt flimsy.

Compared to the NADALY, it trades 2,000Pa of suction for identical battery life and a superior anti-tangle system. Against the Hysinixs model, it offers larger dust capacity and better filtration despite similar weight. For pet-centric homes with mixed flooring, it’s the best small vacuum for carpet and hardwood floors when pet hair is the primary enemy. It delivers specialized performance at a generalist’s price.

At a featherlight 2.6 lbs, the Hysinixs is the easiest stick vacuum to wield—perfect for seniors, kids, or anyone tired of wrestling heavy cleaners. Despite its minimal weight, it packs a 200W motor with solid suction that tackles daily debris on hardwood and low-pile carpet. The green LED light is a standout, revealing dust particles more vividly than standard white LEDs, making it ideal for spot checks in dim corners. For those who value ergonomics and effortless cleaning, this vacuum is a revelation.

In real use, the 40-minute runtime handled up to 1,200 sq. ft., and the 1L dustbin, while smaller than competitors, emptied cleanly with one press. The self-standing design lets you pause mid-clean without propping it up, and the 150° swivel head glided under furniture with ease. It struggled with embedded pet hair on medium carpets but excelled on hard floors and tile. The anti-tangle tech worked well, though long human hair still wrapped occasionally.

Against the N9 model with LED screen, it lacks smart monitoring but wins on lower price and simpler operation. It’s not as powerful as the NADALY, but for lightweight agility and user-friendly design, it’s unmatched. Ideal for small apartments, quick cleanups, or users with mobility issues, it’s the best lightweight small vacuum for carpet and hardwood floors—delivering convenience over brute force.

This allergy-fighting marvel combines medical-grade filtration with smart tech to create a cleaner, healthier home environment. The 6-stage HEPA system captures 99.99% of particles down to 0.1 microns, including pollen, dust mites, and pet dander—making it a top pick for asthma and allergy sufferers. The LED screen adds a premium touch, showing real-time battery life and brush blockage alerts, preventing performance hiccups mid-clean. For those who want air quality as important as floor cleanliness, this vacuum is a standout.

In testing, the self-propelling brush head reduced pushing effort on hardwood and low-pile carpet, and the detachable battery allowed for backup charging—perfect for large homes. The 40-minute runtime (15 in Max) covered most needs, and the 8-in-1 tools included a motorized mini brush for pet beds. It handled surface debris well, but deep carpet cleaning required multiple passes. The wall-mounted dock kept everything organized, though setup took time.

Compared to the Hysinixs, it offers superior filtration and smarter features at the same price. Against the CHEBIO, it sacrifices dust cup size for better allergen control. For families with allergies, pets, or infants, it’s the best small vacuum for carpet and hardwood floors when air purity is non-negotiable—proving that smart design and health features can coexist with strong performance.

When deep carpet cleaning is the mission, the Eureka PowerSpeed stands tall—literally. Its upgraded cyclone system penetrates deep into carpet fibers, extracting embedded dirt and pet dander that stick vacuums often miss. With 5 height settings, it seamlessly transitions from plush rugs to bare hardwood without scratching, and the wheels glide smoothly across delicate floors. For homes with wall-to-wall carpeting, this upright is a rare affordable powerhouse that doesn’t skimp on performance.

In practice, it devoured cereal spills, sand, and pet hair with authority, and the on-board tools made above-floor cleaning a breeze—ideal for furniture, stairs, and car interiors. The 99.9% allergen-sealing filtration kept exhaust air clean, a win for sensitive households. However, the corded design limits mobility, and the 7.5lb weight, while light for an upright, feels bulky compared to stick models. The roller brush clogs easily, requiring bi-weekly maintenance to avoid belt strain.

Against the Amazon Basics model, it offers better suction and height adjustment. Compared to cordless sticks, it lacks agility but wins on raw carpet-cleaning power. For carpet-dominant homes seeking deep clean without deep cost, it’s the best small vacuum for carpet and hardwood floors when carpet performance is the priority—delivering upright strength in a lightweight frame.

This corded chameleon proves that simplicity and reliability still have a place in the age of cordless. With 15KPa suction and a 16.4ft power cord, it delivers uninterrupted cleaning across large homes—no battery anxiety, no mid-clean shutdowns. The 4-in-1 design converts to a handheld in seconds, tackling car seats, stairs, and upholstery with ease. For those who want consistent power without recurring battery costs, this is a no-nonsense, high-value solution.

In testing, it handled pet hair and dust on hardwood and low-pile carpet efficiently, and the washable HEPA filter maintained suction over weeks. The 0.8L dust cup required frequent emptying during whole-house jobs, and the rotatable floor brush made under-furniture cleaning easier. It was quieter than most corded models, though the motor buzzed on thicker rugs. The compact storage and cord wrap kept it tidy in closets.

Compared to the Intercleaner, it offers fewer tools but similar suction and build quality. Against cordless models, it lacks portability but wins on endless runtime and lower cost. For budget buyers, renters, or secondary vacuums, it’s the best corded small vacuum for carpet and hardwood floors—offering dependable performance with zero charging waits.

When dust capacity matters most, the Amazon Basics upright takes the crown. Its 1.7L dust cup is the largest in this lineup—perfect for large homes or deep cleaning sessions where frequent emptying is a chore. With a 25ft power cord, it covers massive rooms without outlet hopping, and the 720W motor provides reliable suction across carpet and hardwood. For those who hate stopping mid-clean, this vacuum is a workhorse built for endurance.

In use, it handled everyday messes with ease, and the detachable handle with stretch hose made overhead cleaning a breeze. The washable filter saved long-term costs, and the on-board tools stayed secure during movement. However, the 8.4lb weight felt tiring over 20 minutes, and the basic suction struggled with embedded pet hair. The noisy operation made it less ideal for early morning or quiet homes.

Compared to the Eureka, it offers larger dust capacity and longer cord but lacks height adjustment. Against stick vacuums, it’s less agile but superior for bulk debris removal. For large homes with mixed flooring and high dust loads, it’s the best small vacuum for carpet and hardwood floors when dust cup size is the deciding factor—proving that big capacity still beats compact design for some.