7 Best Lightweight Vacuums for Carpet & Hard Floors 2025

Effortless glide meets serious cleaning muscle in the Shark Vertex Ultralight, a vacuum that redefines what a lightweight stick can do. With DuoClean PowerFins Technology, it delivers aggressive carpet agitation and superior hard floor contact in one seamless pass—no need to switch heads. The real game-changer? No Hair Wrap on the self-cleaning brushroll, a godsend for pet owners who dread yanking tangled fur after every use. At just under 3 lbs as a handheld and boasting LED headlights that expose hidden dust bunnies under the couch, this vacuum tackles clutter with surgical precision while solving the two biggest pain points: weight and maintenance.

In real-world testing, the Vertex Ultralight shines across transitions—rolling from plush rug to hardwood without losing suction or requiring mode changes. The swivel steering makes it feel almost weightless as it dances around chair legs and slips under low-clearance furniture. On max power, it pulls up embedded pet hair from medium-pile carpets with ease, though it’s not quite as deep-cleaning as bulkier uprights. Still, for daily maintenance and quick cleanups, its continuous corded power means no runtime anxiety, and the removable handheld unit excels on stairs, car seats, and upholstery. The only hiccup? The dust cup is on the smaller side, requiring more frequent emptying during whole-home sessions.

When stacked against the Eureka NES100 or even the bulkier Shark NV356E, the Vertex Ultralight strikes a rare balance: portability without compromise. It’s not just lighter than most—it’s smarter in design, with an intuitive LED display that guides cleaning mode selection and a storage system that keeps accessories within reach. While the NV356E wins on dust capacity and allergen sealing, the Vertex Ultralight is ideal for renters, pet owners, and anyone who values speed and agility over marathon cleaning sessions. It outperforms pricier corded models by blending convenience, intelligence, and real-world usability in a featherlight frame.

Budget brilliance with big-suction swagger—the Intercleaner 12-in-1 corded vacuum punches far above its price point. Don’t let the sub-$30 tag fool you: this little powerhouse delivers 15KPa of suction thanks to a brushless motor, making it surprisingly effective on both hardwood and low-pile carpets. What truly sets it apart is its 12-in-1 versatility, with an expansive accessory kit that transforms it from floor scrubber to car detailer in seconds. For parents, pet owners, or college students on a tight budget, this vacuum solves the universal problem of multi-surface messes without multi-tool clutter.

During testing, the Intercleaner proved its worth in small-space living—effortlessly clearing cereal spills from tile, dust from baseboards, and fur from area rugs. The 16.4ft extra-long cord eliminates plug-jumping, a rare win in budget vacuums, while the 0.8L dust cup holds enough debris for 5–7 cleanings before needing a dump. The 3-layer HEPA filtration keeps exhaust air clean, a thoughtful touch for allergy sufferers. However, on thicker carpets, suction dips noticeably, and the straight wand design lacks the agility of swivel-steer models, making navigation around furniture a bit of a chore.

Compared to the Eureka NES100 or even the KARDV cordless model, the Intercleaner wins on accessory variety and value density, though it trades off build refinement. It’s no match for Shark’s pet-focused engineering, but for someone who needs a no-fuss, multi-role vacuum for light daily use, this is a steal. It delivers 80% of the performance of premium models at less than a fifth of the cost, making it the ultimate entry-level workhorse.

Raw power meets smart design in the KARDV cordless vacuum, a high-performance stick that refuses to compromise. With 40KPa of max suction and a 500W motor, it rivals models twice its price in deep-cleaning capability, effortlessly extracting pet hair from carpets and fine dust from tile. The V-shape anti-tangle brushroll is a standout—long human and pet hair slides right off, eliminating the dreaded hair wrap that plagues cheaper vacuums. Add in a smart LED display that shows battery life, mode, and blockage alerts, and you’ve got a vacuum that feels genuinely modern.

In real-world use, the KARDV impresses with its 60-minute runtime on low, enough to clean a 1,000 sq. ft. apartment on a single charge. The 1.5L dust cup is massive for its class, reducing emptying frequency, while the wall-mounted charging dock keeps it ready and organized. The green LED lights on the floor head reveal hidden debris under beds and sofas—perfect for perfectionists. That said, at full power, runtime drops to just 20–25 minutes, and the vacuum feels slightly front-heavy when cleaning ceilings or high shelves.

Pitted against the B0F5WT7Z8W model, the KARDV offers longer battery life, larger dust capacity, and superior anti-tangle tech, making it the better all-rounder. While it’s heavier than the Shark Vertex Ultralight, it’s ideal for homeowners who want cordless freedom without sacrificing suction or runtime. It outclasses most mid-range cordless vacuums by balancing power, intelligence, and convenience in one sleek, wall-mounted package.

Sleek simplicity done right—the Eureka NES100 is the definition of a no-frills, get-the-job-done vacuum. Weighing just 2.75 lbs, it’s one of the lightest stick vacuums on the market, making it perfect for quick cleanups, upstairs bedrooms, or elderly users who struggle with heavier models. Its corded design ensures uninterrupted power, so you never worry about batteries dying mid-sweep. While it lacks fancy tech like LED lights or smart displays, it delivers consistent suction across carpets and hard floors, and the 3-in-1 versatility lets you go from whole-room cleaning to handheld mode in seconds.

In practice, the NES100 excels at spot cleaning—think breakfast crumbs on tile, spilled litter near the cat box, or dust on baseboards. The crevice tool is handy for tight spaces, and the onboard storage keeps attachments from getting lost. However, the single-speed motor means no suction adjustment between surfaces, and the small dust cup fills up fast during larger jobs. It doesn’t deep-clean carpets like a Shark or KARDV, but for daily maintenance on mixed flooring, it’s impressively agile.

When compared to the Intercleaner B0B499BXWC, the NES100 trades accessories for ultra-lightweight portability and cleaner aesthetics. It’s not as versatile, but it’s easier to grab and go. For renters or minimalists who want a reliable, low-maintenance vacuum for light-duty use, this is a solid pick. It may lack bells and whistles, but it delivers essential performance in a featherlight, always-ready package.

Deep-cleaning dominance for pet owners—the Shark NV356E is a full-sized upright that doesn’t mess around. Its LIFT-AWAY pod detaches effortlessly, turning it into a portable canister-style vacuum perfect for stairs, car interiors, and furniture. The HEPA filter and anti-allergen seal trap 99.9% of dust and dander, making it a top choice for allergy sufferers. With brushroll shutoff, you can instantly switch from aggressive carpet cleaning to gentle bare floor mode—no tools, no guesswork.

In real-world testing, the NV356E dominates on thick carpets, pulling up embedded pet hair and tracked-in dirt with ease. The swivel steering makes it surprisingly nimble for an upright, and the 0.87L dust cup allows for longer cleaning sessions. However, it’s heavier than stick models, and the cord rewind requires manual effort. While it handles hard floors well, the lack of LED lights means you might miss dust in shadowy corners.

Compared to the Shark Vertex HZ2002, the NV356E trades portability for deep-cleaning power and allergen control. It’s not as agile, but it’s the better choice for homes with multiple pets and wall-to-wall carpeting. It outperforms stick vacuums in suction depth and filtration, making it the go-to for serious pet owners who prioritize cleanliness over convenience.

Darkness has no place to hide—this cordless vacuum’s green LED lights are its secret weapon, illuminating dust and pet hair in under-bed shadows and dim corners with startling clarity. Packing 40KPa of suction, it matches premium models in raw power, making quick work of daily messes on hardwood, tile, and low-pile carpet. The self-standing design is a small but brilliant touch—pause cleaning and it stays upright, no tipping over. At 4.7 lbs, it’s light enough for overhead cleaning, yet sturdy enough for full-room sessions.

In use, the vacuum delivers 40 minutes of consistent runtime, enough for most apartments, though power drops slightly in max mode. The 5-stage filtration captures fine allergens, great for homes with kids or pets. However, the dust cup is smaller than the KARDV’s, and the lack of wall-mount charging means you’ll need to prop it or store it awkwardly. It struggles slightly on high-pile rugs, where suction can falter.

Against the KARDV B0F2B29SPC, this model wins on LED visibility and self-standing convenience, but loses on battery life and dust capacity. For those who prioritize spot detection and cordless ease, it’s a top contender. It’s not the longest-lasting, but it’s the smartest at revealing what you’ve been missing—all at a competitive performance tier.

Compact doesn’t mean compromised—the Eureka NEU10AE5 redefines what an ultra-light upright can do. At just 7.7 lbs, it’s one of the lightest full-size vacuums available, yet it delivers strong, consistent suction across both carpets and hard floors. The 10.5” wide cleaning path covers ground fast, making it ideal for quick whole-room cleanups. With onboard tool storage and a quick-release handle, switching to handheld mode for stairs or upholstery is seamless—no fumbling for attachments.

In testing, it handled everyday debris with ease—dust, crumbs, and pet hair disappeared without clogging. The washable filter keeps maintenance costs near zero, and the upright design stands on its own, making storage a breeze in closets or tight corners. However, it lacks advanced features like HEPA filtration or LED lights, and the single suction level means it’s not optimized for delicate surfaces.

Compared to the Shark NV356E, the NEU10AE5 sacrifices allergen sealing and deep-cleaning power for radical portability and space-saving design. It’s not for heavy pet homes, but for apartments, dorms, or secondary vacuums, it’s unmatched. It delivers core upright performance in a featherlight, ultra-compact body—perfect for those who value storage and simplicity above all.