The Best Vacuums for Tile Floors in the Home in 2020 – BobVila.com

Tile floors are low maintenance, durable, and easily customized to your personal style. However, they can show dust and dirt, making finding the best vacuum for tile floors a vital step in long-term tile floor maintenance. Vacuums come in several types, from cordless to canister and upright to wet/dry. The right one for you will depend on your homes flooring types, how much of the flooring is tile, and the amount and type of daily foot traffic. Pets and children, for example, create more messes than a house of adults.

This shopping guide includes recommendations for some of the best vacuums for tile floors along with information to narrow down the options. The range of vacuum types included can accommodate varying home, family, and cleaning types and situations.

Every home is different; likewise, users have different likes and dislikes when it comes to vacuum cleaners. All of these personal preferences come into play when deciding on the right vacuum. Weve listed some of the top considerations to factor in as you choose a vacuum.

A homes size acts as a starting point for vacuum size and powerthe larger the house, the larger the vacuum. A stick or cordless vacuum may be enough to clean a small home or apartment. However, it could run out of battery power cleaning a space larger than 1,000 square feet.

The vacuum size will also determine how often you empty it. A small stick vacuum could fill up every time its used in a spacious home, whereas a large, bagged upright may only fill every few weeks. Its a balancing act between the vacuum size and power along with the available storage space.

It comes down to thisthe vacuum size and power should complement the home size.

Corded vs. cordlessthe ongoing debate about which is better isnt likely to end soon. Thats because one or the other is better in certain situations and for different users. The choice comes down to what kind of user you are and how you want to use the vacuum.

Corded vacuums never run out of power, meaning you get full suction no matter how long you run the vacuum. However, the cords length affects how you clean. Once you reach the end of the cord, youll have to stop vacuuming and move to a different outlet. Some people dislike maneuvering around a cord.

Larger vacuums, like full-size uprights and canister vacuums, have the longest cords, with some reaching nearly 30 feet. Stick vacuums have shorter cords in the range of 15 to 20 feet. Retractable cords add convenience. Otherwise, most corded models have an on-board cord storage system built into the vacuums body.

Cordless vacuums arent limited by cord length. You can carry them for use almost anywhere in your house without tripping over a cord. In the past, cordless vacuums could be heavy due to the weight of their lead-acid batteries. However, most modern models now have relatively lightweight lithium-ion or lithium-ion polymer batteries.

These two types of batteries dont have issues with memory effect, wherein the battery loses its ability to hold a full charge if its not completely discharged with each use. Theyre also more eco-friendly than past lead-acid, nickel-cadmium, or nickel-metal hydride batteries, which you may find on older cordless vacuums.

Vacuum cleaners have a universal motor that operates on both direct current and alternating currents. A good indication of motor power is amps, although this can be somewhat deceiving in that a vacuums total amps include power used in other parts of the vacuum. But in general, vacuums with higher amps have more power and, consequently, more suction power.

Keep in mind that high suction power uses more electricity. If youre cleaning a small home or apartment, you may not need a high power vacuum. Usually, a stronger suction power is needed in a house with a larger square footage.

Vacuum airflow is measured in cubic feet per minute (cfm), with the best vacuums having an airflow of over 125 cfm. However, airflow should be balanced with the vacuums suction, also called the water lift or static pressure. A vacuum can have good airflow but low suction, leaving you with a model that underperforms for its power. Good suction powermeasured in inches of water lift, or how many inches the motor will lift 1 inch of water verticallystarts at 80 inches.n Balanced vacuum specs should have more than 125 cfm and over 80 inches of suction.

All that airflow also needs good filtration. High-efficiency air particulate (HEPA) filters remove particles as small as .3 microns. Allergy sufferers benefit from this filtration level, removing pet dander, dust mites, pollen, and other common allergens.

Lugging around a clunky vacuum builds extra work into cleaning. Thats where maneuverability comes into play. Stick and cordless vacuums offer the best maneuverability, especially if they have a swivel head that pivots around furniture and everyday household obstacles.

As far as full-size models go, uprights have a leg up on canister vacuums, which can be cumbersome to drag. However, canisters tend to perform better on tile floors due to the vacuum head design. These designs make them one of the best vacuums for tile floors.

The average vacuum cleaner produces 75 decibels (dB) of noise. To give you an idea of how loud that is, the average homes noise levels stay around 40 dB. Vacuums that run at 71 to 75 dB will sound fairly loud. A quiet vacuum runs between 65 to 70 dB.

Vacuum capacities vary widely, from robot vacuums and stick models accommodating around .5 liters (L) to full-size uprights and canister models holding around 4.5 liters. More considerable volumes allow you to empty the bag, dust bin, or canister less often. Make sure the vacuums capacity fits your homes size. If you have a large household, more than 1,000 square feet, you may need to empty a small bin before youve finished vacuuming the house. Small containers work best for small spill clean up rather than whole-house vacuuming.

Accessories expand a vacuums usefulness. Standard accessories typically include a crevice tool, upholstery brush, and extension wands. However, a few other extras worth considering are additional hoses (for canister vacuums), motorized brush heads, and pet brush heads.

Onboard storage keeps accessories at your fingertips. However, it also adds weight. Other designs have a storage bag or a case for extra accessories, which keep the vacuums weight to a minimum. A downside to this is that a separate bag or a case can also be misplaced.

The following vacuums offer features tailored to tile floors. Canister vacuums with powerful automatic suction adjustment, cordless models, and wet/dry vacs that pull double duty made the list. Your unique circumstances and preferences will help you decide which is the right choice for you.

Photo: amazon.com

The Miele Complete C3 Alize provides premium features like six suction settings and a sensor to automatically adjust them. In part, the suction settings work so well on tile floors because of the AirTeq floor head that stays in almost constant contact while in use. The design optimizes suction while decreasing overall energy use.

The Complete C3 Miele also includes an impressive 4.5 liters canister capacity, reducing the number of times youll need to empty it. A telescoping handle makes vacuuming more comfortable and adds another 6 feet to the vacuums 30-foot cord reach. This model features a silence motor to maintain a quiet environment.

This model includes onboard storage for its three accessoriesa crevice nozzle, dusting brush, and upholstery nozzle. For those with allergies, a HEPA filter and an AirClean 3D filter bag remove and contain common allergens. The price stands as one of the few downsides to this model. It weighs 16 pounds and requires three AAA batteries to operate.

Photo: amazon.com

This convertible vacuum offers the convenience of a stick and hand vacuum with the suction power for hard floors.

The Bissell Featherweight offers three configurations and good suction for a vacuum at this price. The vacuum head stays in close contact with the floor to better remove dirt and dust from tile floors.

This model has a dirt cup capacity of .67 liters and also converts to a hand vacuum with a built-in crevice tool for use on furniture or stairs. The diverse configurations add versatility to this vacuums general use. A 15-foot power cord keeps the suction consistent no matter where its used, but it does limit the vacuums reach. At 2.6 pounds, its ultra lightweight and compact.

Photo: amazon.com

An easily maneuvered swivel head helps the vacuum glide over low-pile carpets and hard floors. However, it has a detachable cleaner head for stairs, windowsills, and other hard-to-reach places so that it can do far more than tile. With a dirt cup capacity of 1.58 liters, this vacuum weighs 17.1 pounds and has a 30-foot cord.

Shark also incorporates noise reduction technology that cuts decibels and softens the vacuums overall pitch. A HEPA filter removes common allergens. While the APEX works well for tile, the brushes do not turn off and could scratch hardwoods. Finally, this top pick features LED lights on the floor nozzle and handle to reveal hidden debris in dark areas.

Photo: amazon.com

The Hoover Floormate uses water and scrub brushes to remove dirt, dust, and other messes. This model features dual tanks to keep the dirty and clean water separate, reducing the risk of dirty water coming into contact with your floors.

The Floormate also features two modes: wash and dry. In wash mode, the vacuum uses both brushes and suction to pull up water and remove dirt. In dry mode, the brushes disengage so the suction can fully remove excess water. Modes are controlled with easily accessed buttons on the handle, where you can also activate a clean boost that adds extra detergent. Like other wet/dry vacuums designed for hard floors, theres a low percentage of these types of vacuums having sensor issues or early breakdowns. It weighs less than 14 pounds, it has a 20-foot-long cord and a dirt cup capacity of 1.58 liters.

Photo: amazon.com

With a dirt cup capacity of 3.5 liters, this model is smaller than Mieles full-size canister vacuums but doesnt lack suction power. A combination of the 1200-watt vortex motor and vacuum head design creates uninterrupted suction that pulls in more dirt and dust while enhancing energy efficiency. It features an 18-foot cord and weights less than 15 pounds.

This model includes six suction powers you can manually adjust using a dial on the canister body. Despite its compact size, it holds three accessoriesa crevice tool, a dusting brush, and an upholstery tooldirectly on the hose. It also has a HEPA filter to remove common allergens. Like other Miele vacuums, this model comes in at the high end of the price range. However, this compact model is one of their more affordable designs.

Photo: amazon.com

The Eureka RapidClean offers a lightweight but efficient cleaning experience on tile floors. At just over 5 pounds, this vacuum is an ideal choice for multitaskers. It has an easy rest feature if you need to temporarily prop the vacuum against a counter, a chair, or another piece of furniture.

A rechargeable 25.2-volt lithium-ion battery provides excellent power with a maximum 40-minute run time cleans larger spaces with the convenience of a cordless model. The runtime goes down if the extra features such as max power boost, are used.

With the dust bin at the top of the handle, this model can reach underneath deep furniture pieces and collect debris with its .7 liter canister. Additionally, the LED headlights help illuminate dark spaces while cleaning. Finally, the RapidClean converts into a handheld vacuum for use on stairs and other hard-to-reach places for versatile cleaning options.

Photo: amazon.com

The RoboVac 30C keeps cleaning simple. The vacuum connects to an app through which you can set the cleaning schedule on your phone or device. Set RoboVac to vacuum once, twice, or three times per day, so you can do something else while the floors get clean. If you dont want to use your smartphone, you can operate this feature with the included remote control. A sensor automatically adjusts the suction setting to the floor surface with low-powered suction on tile floors and higher suction on carpet to use the battery life more efficiently. However, you can also set it to run at max, which picks up more debris from tile floors than the standard suction setting. It has a dust bag capacity of .6 liters and runs off of one lithium-ion battery.

Two brushes pull debris into the vacuum. The bristles reach baseboards, which works well when on the perimeter setting. While this model doesnt feature some of the higher-end settings like GPS tracking, you get highly effective cleaning at an affordable price for a robotic vacuum. Additionally, its height of 2.85 inches makes it ideal for cleaning underneath furniture easily.

Thankfully, vacuums that work for tile floors often work well on other types of flooring, too. Some models have automatic sensors that change the vacuum height or suction based on the flooring type. This feature allows you to seamlessly move from tile to carpet and back again. Weve provided a few more tidbits and tips for vacuuming those tile floors.

Todays cordless vacuums generally have good suction that works well on small areas (less than 1,000 square feet) of tile flooring. Theyre great for spot cleaning in large homes, but the battery life could limit their use as a whole-house vacuum in homes over 1,000 square feet. However, for a tiny space or a home with a small tile area, a cordless vacuum provides maneuverability and portability to accommodate these areas of the home.

Many robot vacuums work well on tile floors. Those with multiple suction settings and automatic sensors that adjust the suction setting based on the flooring type perform the best. Models with numerous suction settings let you adjust the suction based on the amount of debris in the home. For example, pet hair typically requires extra suction, so a model with a suction boost setting or mode will probably work best.

Make sure the floor is clear of objects that could get sucked into the vacuum. If the vacuum head height is adjustable, lower it to the bare floor setting or the lowest setting available. Finally, follow a vacuuming pattern to keep track of where youve vacuumed.

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The Best Vacuums for Tile Floors in the Home in 2020 - BobVila.com