10 Best Apartment Vacuums 2025 in the United States

The Shark Upright Vacuum, Navigator Lift-Away (model NV356E) is a solid choice for apartment dwellers, especially those with pets. One of its standout features is the LIFT-AWAY functionality, allowing you to detach the pod for cleaning above-floor areas like stairs and furniture with ease. This is particularly useful in smaller living spaces where maneuverability is crucial. The vacuum’s HEPA filtration system effectively traps 99.9% of dust and allergens, making it an excellent option for allergy sufferers.

In terms of suction power, the Shark is designed to pick up pet hair and debris on both carpets and hard floors. The brushroll shutoff feature lets you switch from deep cleaning carpets to gentle floor cleaning, which provides versatility for various surfaces. With swivel steering, navigating around furniture and tight corners becomes easier, enhancing user experience.

One of the highlights is the extra-large dust cup, which holds 0.87 liters of debris, reducing the frequency of emptying during cleaning sessions. This vacuum also includes useful attachments like a pet power brush, dusting brush, and crevice tool for detailed cleaning in hard-to-reach areas. The vacuum weighs 13.7 pounds, which might be a bit cumbersome for some users, especially when carrying it up stairs. The noise level at 80 dB may also be a concern for those in close quarters or for households with small children or pets that might be sensitive to loud sounds. Being corded means you’re limited by the length of the cord, which may require you to move to different outlets in larger apartments. The Shark NV356E is a robust vacuum that excels in cleaning pet hair and allergens, making it a great fit for pet owners and allergy sufferers in apartments, but its weight and noise level should be considered.

The Bissell 2252 CleanView Swivel Upright Bagless Vacuum is a strong contender for apartment living, particularly for pet owners. One of its standout features is the swivel steering, which enhances maneuverability around furniture and tight spaces, a crucial necessity for apartments. The vacuum boasts a triple action brush roll that is highly effective at picking up pet hair, which is great for those with furry friends.

Additionally, the multi-surface cleaning capability with scatter-free technology ensures it handles both carpets and hard floors efficiently without spreading debris around. Its edge-to-edge cleaning feature also helps in tackling dirt and pet hair along walls and in corners, areas that are often missed by other vacuums. The vacuum’s relatively light weight of 12.5 pounds makes it easy to carry and use across different rooms. It is also bagless with a large capacity dirt tank that is simple to empty, adding convenience to its usability.

One potential drawback is that it is corded, which may limit its range and flexibility somewhat compared to cordless models. Additionally, while it is designed with an air flow indicator, it lacks a HEPA filtration system, which might be a consideration for those with severe allergies. This vacuum is well-suited for apartment dwellers, especially those with pets, due to its maneuverability, pet hair cleaning efficacy, and ease of use, but it may fall short for those needing a cordless option or advanced filtration.

The Bissell Featherweight Stick Lightweight Bagless Vacuum is a versatile and compact vacuum suitable for apartment living. Its powerful suction, at 2033 watts, makes it effective for quick cleanups on hard floors, low pile carpets, and area rugs. This vacuum stands out due to its lightweight design of only 2.6 pounds, making it very easy to maneuver and carry around, especially in smaller spaces.

Additionally, it offers three cleaning modes: a stick vacuum, a handle vacuum, and a stair vacuum, which can be handy for cleaning different areas like countertops, sealed hard floors, and stairs. The included crevice tool further enhances its functionality, allowing it to reach tight spots and furniture corners. Its 0.67-liter dirt cup capacity is decent for its size, but might require frequent emptying if used extensively.

The vacuum's noise level of 80 dB is moderate and similar to many other vacuums, but it might still be a bit loud for some users. Being corded, with a 15' power cord, it ensures consistent power without the need to recharge, though it may limit mobility compared to cordless models. The vacuum is bagless, meaning you won't have to buy replacement bags, yet it uses a disk filter system, which might need occasional cleaning or replacement. While it requires some assembly, the process is straightforward and it comes with a limited 1-year warranty, offering some peace of mind. This vacuum is an excellent choice for those needing a practical, easy-to-use, and multi-functional vacuum for an apartment or smaller living space, though it may not be ideal for those seeking a quieter or cordless option.