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# The 5 Best Vacuum Cleaners for Carpet and Hardwood Floors in 2026
Finding the perfect vacuum cleaner that can handle both plush carpets and delicate hardwood floors can feel like searching for a unicorn. You want something powerful enough to lift embedded dirt from carpets, yet gentle enough not to scratch or damage your hardwood. Luckily, the search ends here! We’ve spent countless hours testing and researching to bring you the definitive list of the 5 best vacuum cleaners for carpet and hardwood floors in 2026. Get ready to say goodbye to dust, dirt, and pet hair, and hello to sparkling clean floors!
| **Rank** | **Vacuum Cleaner** | **Best For** |
| ——– | —————————————————– | ———————————– |
| 1 | Dyson Ball Animal 3 Extra | Overall performance and pet owners |
| 2 | Shark Navigator Lift-Away NV352 | Budget-friendly option |
| 3 | Bissell Symphony Pet All-in-One Vacuum and Steam Mop | Hardwood floors and sanitizing |
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## Detailed Reviews:
### Dyson Ball Animal 3 Extra
**Best For:** Overall performance and pet owners seeking a powerful and versatile vacuum.
**Key Features:**
* **Dyson Ball Technology:** Makes maneuvering around furniture and tight spaces a breeze.
* **Self-Adjusting Cleaner Head:** Automatically adjusts between carpet and hardwood floors, maintaining optimal suction.
* **Radial Root Cyclone Technology:** Captures microscopic dust and allergens, ensuring a deep clean.
* **Tangle-Free Turbine Tool:** Effectively removes pet hair from carpets and upholstery.
**Why We Like It:** The Dyson Ball Animal 3 Extra is a true powerhouse. Its strong suction effortlessly lifts dirt and debris from even the thickest carpets, while the self-adjusting cleaner head ensures a gentle clean on hardwood floors. The tangle-free turbine tool is a game-changer for pet owners, making it easy to remove stubborn pet hair from any surface. While it’s an investment, the performance and versatility make it well worth the price. The advanced filtration system is also a huge plus for allergy sufferers.
### Shark Navigator Lift-Away NV352
**Best For:** Budget-conscious shoppers who want a reliable and versatile vacuum cleaner.
**Key Features:**
* **Lift-Away Technology:** Detaches the canister for portable cleaning above floors and stairs.
* **Swivel Steering:** Provides excellent maneuverability around furniture.
* **Anti-Allergen Complete Seal Technology:** Traps dust and allergens inside the vacuum.
* **Brushroll Shutoff:** Allows you to easily switch between carpet and hardwood floor cleaning.
**Why We Like It:** The Shark Navigator Lift-Away NV352 offers incredible value for its price. The lift-away feature makes it easy to clean stairs, upholstery, and other hard-to-reach areas. The swivel steering provides excellent maneuverability, and the brushroll shutoff prevents scratching on hardwood floors. While it may not have all the bells and whistles of more expensive models, it delivers reliable performance and is a great option for those on a budget. The lightweight design also makes it easy to carry and store.
### Bissell Symphony Pet All-in-One Vacuum and Steam Mop
**Best For:** Homes with predominantly hardwood floors where sanitizing is a priority.
**Key Features:**
* **Vacuum and Steam Simultaneously:** Saves time by vacuuming and steaming your floors at the same time.
* **Digital Controls:** Easy to switch between vacuum-only, steam-only, or vacuum and steam modes.
* **Drop-in Mop Pads:** Disposable and washable mop pads for convenient cleaning.
* **Sanitizes with Steam:** Eliminates 99.9% of germs and bacteria on hardwood floors.
**Why We Like It:** The Bissell Symphony Pet is a unique and innovative cleaning solution. It combines the power of a vacuum with the sanitizing benefits of steam, making it perfect for homes with hardwood floors. The ability to vacuum and steam simultaneously saves time and effort, and the digital controls make it easy to customize the cleaning settings. While it’s not ideal for thick carpets, it excels at cleaning and sanitizing hardwood floors, especially in homes with pets. The steam function also helps to loosen stubborn dirt and grime, leaving your floors sparkling clean.
### Eureka WhirlWind Bagless Canister Vacuum
**Best For:** Small homes and apartments with limited storage space.
**Key Features:**
* **Lightweight and Compact:** Easy to carry and store.
* **Integrated Crevice Tool:** Extends reach for cleaning tight spaces and corners.
* **Multi-Surface Cleaning:** Suitable for both carpet and hardwood floors.
* **Bagless Design:** Easy to empty and maintain.
**Why We Like It:** The Eureka WhirlWind is a great option for those who need a compact and lightweight vacuum cleaner. Its small size makes it easy to maneuver around furniture and store in small spaces. The integrated crevice tool is perfect for cleaning tight corners and hard-to-reach areas. While it may not have the power of larger models, it’s still effective at cleaning both carpet and hardwood floors. The bagless design makes it easy to empty and maintain, saving you money on replacement bags.
### Kenmore Elite 31150 Pet Friendly Upright Vacuum
**Best For:** Large homes with a mix of carpet and hardwood floors and significant pet hair.
**Key Features:**
* **Powerful Suction:** Lifts dirt and debris from even the thickest carpets.
* **Pet PowerMate Brush:** Effectively removes pet hair from carpets, upholstery, and stairs.
* **HEPA Filtration:** Traps dust and allergens, making it ideal for allergy sufferers.
* **LED Headlight:** Illuminates dark areas, making it easier to see dirt and debris.
**Why We Like It:** The Kenmore Elite 31150 is a robust and versatile vacuum cleaner that’s perfect for large homes with a mix of carpet and hardwood floors. Its powerful suction effortlessly lifts dirt and debris from even the thickest carpets, and the Pet PowerMate brush is a game-changer for pet owners. The HEPA filtration system ensures that dust and allergens are trapped inside the vacuum, making it a great choice for allergy sufferers. The LED headlight illuminates dark areas, making it easier to see dirt and debris. While it’s a bit heavier than other models, its performance and features make it well worth the investment.
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## Buying Guide: What to Consider When Choosing a Vacuum Cleaner for Carpet and Hardwood Floors
Choosing the right vacuum cleaner for both carpet and hardwood floors requires careful consideration. Here are some key factors to keep in mind:
* **Suction Power:** Look for a vacuum cleaner with strong suction to effectively lift dirt and debris from carpets. Adjustable suction settings are a plus, allowing you to reduce the suction on delicate hardwood floors.
* **Brushroll Control:** A brushroll shutoff feature is essential for protecting hardwood floors from scratches. This allows you to turn off the rotating brushroll when cleaning hardwood floors, preventing it from scattering dirt and damaging the surface.
* **Filtration System:** A HEPA filter is a must-have for allergy sufferers, as it traps dust, pollen, and other allergens inside the vacuum cleaner.
* **Maneuverability:** Consider the weight and design of the vacuum cleaner. A lightweight vacuum cleaner with swivel steering will be easier to maneuver around furniture and tight spaces.
* **Attachments:** Look for a vacuum cleaner that comes with a variety of attachments, such as a crevice tool, dusting brush, and upholstery tool. These attachments will allow you to clean hard-to-reach areas and different types of surfaces.
* **Type of Vacuum:** Upright, canister, stick, and robot vacuums all have their pros and cons. Upright vacuums are generally more powerful, while canister vacuums are more maneuverable. Stick vacuums are lightweight and cordless, while robot vacuums offer hands-free cleaning.
* **Upright Vacuums:** These are powerful and best for larger areas with a lot of carpet. Look for models with adjustable height settings and brushroll shutoff.
* **Canister Vacuums:** Offer great maneuverability and are good for both carpet and hardwood. They often come with a variety of attachments.
* **Stick Vacuums:** Lightweight and cordless, making them ideal for quick cleanups. They are generally less powerful than upright or canister vacuums.
* **Robot Vacuums:** Offer hands-free cleaning but may not be as effective on thick carpets. Look for models with strong suction and good navigation.
* **Corded vs. Cordless:** Corded vacuums offer continuous power, while cordless vacuums provide greater freedom of movement. Consider the size of your home and your cleaning habits when choosing between corded and cordless models.
* **Bagged vs. Bagless:** Bagged vacuums are more hygienic, as they trap dust and allergens inside a sealed bag. Bagless vacuums are more convenient, as you can simply empty the dustbin when it’s full.
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## Conclusion: The Best of the Best
Choosing the best vacuum cleaner for carpet and hardwood floors depends on your individual needs and preferences. However, after extensive testing and research, we confidently recommend the **Dyson Ball Animal 3 Extra** as the overall best option. Its powerful suction, self-adjusting cleaner head, and tangle-free turbine tool make it a versatile and effective cleaning solution for any home. For those on a budget, the **Shark Navigator Lift-Away NV3
