Guide to Lightweight Vacuums

What Are Lightweight Vacuums?

Among other kinds of vacuums, lightweight vacuums are extremely popular because they are portable and easy to use.

Traditional vacuums can be pretty heavy and weigh up to 20 pounds. However, lightweight models have entered the market and are rapidly gaining popularity. They weigh around 8 pounds and are much easier to operate than their heavier counterparts.

Due to their lightweight nature, they are also highly portable, and you can easily pick them up and carry them around with you. Furthermore, you can also use them on stairs and in tight corners where a heavier cleaner may not be able to clean. These vacuums are also much more compact and take up less storage space. 

Why Should You Purchase a Lightweight Vacuum?

Purchase a Lightweight Vacuum

Choosing a lightweight model has many benefits. One of the most significant advantages of such models is that they are incredibly portable. You can easily haul them anywhere you want without worrying about straining your back. Lightweight vacuums also come with handles, which make transporting them much more manageable. 

Additionally, lightweight models allow you to get more done quickly because you spend less time navigating the vacuum into a suitable position. You can also find them in different varieties, so you can pick whichever kind of vacuum works for you.

Lightweight vacuums are also powerful and effective, meaning they are reliable devices for cleaning various surfaces. Some lightweight vacuums are good at deep cleaning, while others are better for everyday cleanups. Therefore, there is a large variety to choose from. 

Different Kinds of Lightweight Vacuums

Different Kinds of Lightweight Vacuums

Lightweight vacuums are increasing in popularity among homeowners due to their ease of use, portability, and versatility. You have many options to choose from if you are in the market for a lightweight vacuum. However, before looking at vacuums, you must decide what kind of lightweight vacuum you want to get your money’s worth. There are four different kinds to choose from.

Upright Vacuums

Upright vacuums are versatile cleaning devices that stand tall because most of their weight is at the power head on the bottom. These vacuums are excellent for cleaning carpets as they can efficiently suck dirt and dust from carpet fibers. Even though they are lightweight, upright vacuums are larger than other kinds. Their size often makes them a little difficult to master if you are not used to them.

Handheld Vacuums

Handheld vacuums are compact vacuum cleaners that are portable and perfect for quick spills and smaller messes. These are the smallest lightweight vacuums available, making them extremely easy to use and store. However, due to their small size, they are not as powerful and have shorter battery lives.

Stick Vacuums

Stick vacuums are a type of upright vacuum but are much lighter and more compact. They are easy to move from one place to another and are ideal for cleaning small and medium-sized spills. These vacuums are often cordless, allowing you to quickly move around your house without being tethered to a power outlet. 

Their size and form factor make cleaning hard-to-reach places a lot easier, and you can store them easily. 

Canister Vacuums

Canister vacuums are made of two parts: the body and the hose. The hose is further attached to tools and attachments that come with the vacuum. The body or canister part of the vacuum houses the motor, filter, and dust bags. 

These vacuums’ bodies are set on wheels, making them incredibly portable. Furthermore, they are also light, so you can clean a large area with such vacuums. Canister vacuums are also pretty efficient at sucking up dirt and debris, which settles into their dustbin. 

What To Look for in a Lightweight Vacuum Cleaner

a Lightweight Vacuum Cleaner

Suppose you are in the market to buy a lightweight vacuum cleaner. In that case, there are a few key features that you need to keep in mind to ensure that the vacuum you get suits your needs the best. 

Ease of Use

The lightweight vacuum you purchase must be easy to use and feel comfortable in your hand. To see whether or not a vacuum is comfortable, ensure that it does not strain your wrist and is easy to maneuver. You may suffer strain-related injuries if you do not choose a comfortable vacuum. 

There are many other features that make lightweight vacuums easy to use. For example, headlights. Headlights on a vacuum’s floorhead allow you to see in dark corners and assess whether or not your vacuum has picked up enough dirt. If you can still see dirt, you must go over the area again. 

Some vacuums even have innovative technology and connect to your phone using an app. The app allows you to monitor the battery life, usage, and other statistics. A battery life indicator on a vacuum is another helpful feature. It alerts you about the status of the vacuum and its battery.

A retractable cord is yet another useful feature. It allows the cord to retract into the vacuum itself, so you don’t have to wind the cable. Therefore, ensure that you choose a vacuum that offers you multiple features which make your vacuum convenient to use.

Weight

The weight of a vacuum is an important feature to consider because it can cause strain on your back and your wrist. Ideally, you should not purchase a vacuum heavier than 3kgs. Heavier vacuums are challenging to carry around, especially if you plan to use them for prolonged periods.

Furthermore, you should also consider the balance of the lightweight vacuum. Some vacuums have their motor near the handle, which increases the vacuum’s maneuverability but decreases the suction power. 

Others have their motor near the vacuum’s power head, increasing the suction power. Both have a very different feel to them, so you should test them out and see which feels more comfortable and natural. 

Battery Life

You must check the battery life if you opt for a cordless lightweight vacuum cleaner. Usually, vacuums have different power settings, which increase or decrease the battery life. Still, most vacuums do not last longer than 10 minutes on full power. 

However, if you decrease the power, you can use it for longer. On average, a stick vacuum lasts 30 minutes, and a handheld lasts 20 minutes. 

Some vacuums also offer swappable batteries as a solution to the battery issue. When you run out of charge on one battery, you can swap it out and use the other to finish your task. Therefore, aim to purchase a lightweight vacuum that comes with swappable batteries. 

You should also keep an eye on the charging time if you purchase a lightweight cordless vacuum. Most lightweight vacuums take four hours to charge fully.

Dustbin Capacity

Lightweight vacuums usually do not have large dustbins as they considerably increase the vacuum’s weight. However, a large variety of vacuums are available on the market, including ones with larger dustbin capacities. Still, before you purchase those, you should consider your usage.

Suppose you plan on using your vacuum for more extended periods and on larger surfaces. In that case, you should opt for a dustbin that has a larger dust capacity. A smaller dustbin will most likely be sufficient if your usage is limited. 

You should also pay attention to the kind of dustbin a vacuum has. Most vacuums are either bagged or bagless. Bagless vacuums are much easier to use because you can throw them away when they get full, and the entire process is clean and convenient. 

On the other hand, bagless vacuums are much cheaper because you don’t need to replace them so often. Furthermore, they are also a lot more eco-friendly. Bagless vacuums usually have a switch that you press to release the dust and debris gathered in the dustbin, which can get a bit messy. 

Therefore, you need to consider your usage before you opt for bagless or bagged vacuums. 

Cleaning Attachments

Lightweight vacuums often come with handy attachments that you can attach to the powerhead to increase the versatility of your vacuum. Some standard attachments include a motorized power nozzle, a crevice tool, a mini-turbo brush, and a rotating brush. 

A motorized power nozzle is a great attachment that helps efficiently clean carpets and rugs. It can get deep into the fibers and suck dirt and debris from them. A crevice tool is incredibly useful in reaching tough spots and vacuuming dirt and debris lodged there. A mini turbo brush is extremely useful in extracting pet hair from furniture. 

A rotating brush is another tool that aids the vacuum in picking up hair and residue from carpets and upholstery. Therefore, you must choose a vacuum with extra attachments because you can do much more with your cleaning device with them.

Filtration

When picking out a vacuum, you must choose one that has a robust filtration system. Most lightweight vacuums come with HEPA filters, which are excellent if you have allergies and asthma. These filters can effectively collect dust mites, pollen, and pet hair. 

Furthermore, HEPA filters can remove 99.97% of all particles from the air sucked by the vacuum, even those that are as small as 0.3 microns. Therefore, you should purchase a vacuum with HEPA or equivalent filters. Such filters are also the best pet vacuums since they can even clean pet dander. 

Power Source

Deciding whether or not you want a corded or cordless vacuum is a crucial decision to make before you purchase a vacuum. A cordless vacuum is highly portable as you are not tethered to a power source when you clean. However, cordless vacuums use batteries, which may run out before you are finished cleaning. 

In contrast, lightweight corded vacuums never run out of charge and are usually more powerful than their cordless counterparts. 

Before you choose one over the other, you should consider your usage. Suppose you plan on using your vacuum for extended periods to deep clean your home. Then despite the disadvantages, a corded vacuum will serve you better.

Additionally, a cordless vacuum will be a much better fit if your usage is limited to daily cleanups that you can do in under 10 minutes. This is because they are designed for cleaning up small spills.  

Noise

Vacuum cleaners are noisy devices. However, if you plan on using your vacuum indoors, you should opt for a quieter model. Check the decibel rating to see how much noise a vacuum will make. Ideally, you should pick vacuums with a decibel rating of 75dBA to 80dBA. 

Usually, the more powerful a vacuum, the higher the decibel rating. Therefore, you should opt for a vacuum with multiple power settings. Lower power settings inevitably make less noise and are better for indoor use. 

Corded vs. Cordless

Corded Lightweight Vacuums Cordless Lightweight Vacuums
They are much more powerful as they are directly connected to an outlet and do not depend on batteries. They are lightweight and portable, meaning you can easily carry them around as you clean.
They can work non-stop, and you do not need to charge batteries. Many cordless vacuums come with swappable batteries. Therefore, you can use one while charging the other.
They are slightly bulkier because of the powerful motor and larger bin capacity.  You are not tethered to a power outlet and can easily clean hard-to-reach places.
They last much longer than their cordless counterparts. Some cordless vacuums come with a dock, which charges the battery when the vacuum is not being used. 

When choosing between a corded or a lightweight cordless vacuum, you should consider what tasks you will be using the vacuum for. If you plan to deep clean large areas, you will require a powerful vacuum that can be used for long periods. Therefore, a corded vacuum will be the best fit.

If you occasionally use your lightweight vacuum to clean up small messes, you do not need a very powerful vacuum. Therefore, purchasing a cordless vacuum will be a practical decision.

How To Maintain Your Lightweight Vacuum

If you plan on increasing the longevity of your vacuum, you must maintain it properly and clean it regularly. If you neglect cleaning your lightweight vacuum, its ability to suck up dirt, dust, and other particles will reduce significantly. 

Therefore, you should change your filters regularly. Checking on them every three months and cleaning them out is also essential. You can also replace them if needed. 

To clean filters, remove them from the vacuum, place them in a bowl with hot water, and wash them until they are clean and free from dust. Once the filters are dry, you can insert them back into the vacuum. 

You should also check for clogs in the vacuum cleaner and remove them. Otherwise, they can damage the motor and prevent the vacuum from working optimally. 

Pros and Cons of Lightweight Vacuums

Pros Cons
They are easier to use and maneuver around tight spaces. The cordless varieties are not very powerful.
There are many different types, and you can choose them based on your needs. They have smaller dustbin sizes.
They are easy to store.  Lightweight cordless vacuums have limited run times.
They are ideal for cleaning up small messes and hard-to-reach places using their attachments.

Brands

cleaning floor and carpet

Many brands offer a variety of lightweight vacuums. Still, people prefer to purchase from well-known brands such as Bissel, Dyson, and Eureka. These brands are well known for their high-quality mechanics that utilize the latest technology. 

Bissel

Bissel’s lightweight vacuums are known to be the quietest in the industry. They also don’t weigh more than 9-pounds, meaning they are perfectly portable. Furthermore, their lightweight canister vacuums come with rubber wheels and have incredibly high suction power. 

You can use Bissel’s lightweight vacuums on several surfaces, such as hardwood and carpets. However, they work best on hardwood floors and are excellent at sucking up pet hair and dust. 

They are also highly maneuverable, and you can easily clean hard-to-reach places with their various attachments. Some popular models include Bissell Featherweight 2033 and Bissel Zing Canister 2156A Bagless Vacuum.

Dyson

Dyson lightweight vacuums are well respected in the community because they are ergonomic and powerful. These vacuums are heavy-duty and have a high suction power. Therefore, they can catch everything from dust to pet hair. Furthermore, you can use them on surfaces such as hard floors, carpets, etc. 

These vacuums also come with multiple modes, which you can select based on the surface you are cleaning and the power you need. Their vacuums also come with various attachments, which are incredibly useful in gathering pet hair and dust. Some popular models include the Dyson V15 and the Dyson V11 Animal Cordless Vacuum Cleaner.

Eureka

Eureka vacuums are known to be some of the most efficient vacuums on the market. Their vacuums weigh around 7 pounds and are easy to use and maneuver around your home. They can pick up all kinds of messes from hardwood floors and are also very effective in cleaning upholstery.

Eureka vacuums also come with various attachments, allowing you to clean furniture, deep crevices, and more. Some popular models include the Eureka Lightweight Cordless Vacuum and the Eureka Stylus.

FAQs

Can lightweight vacuums be used on carpets?

Yes, many lightweight models can effectively clean carpets if they have the necessary attachments to suck dirt and debris from the carpet fibers. 

How many pounds is a lightweight vacuum?

Lightweight vacuums usually weigh around 5 to 20 pounds. Therefore, they are easy to use and maneuver around your home. 

How much suction power should a lightweight vacuum have?

Vacuums that have high suction power are generally more powerful. Thus the higher the suction power, the better the vacuum will be. The suction power is measured in watts and is typically between 250W to 450W.

Why do lightweight vacuums lose suction power?

Lightweight vacuums can lose suction power for many reasons, such as a full dustbin, obstructed floor head, a clogged filter, or a dying battery. 

Conclusion

Lightweight vacuums have a small form factor, making them perfect for those who cannot handle large and heavy vacuums. Despite their lightweight design, these vacuums are incredibly powerful and allow you to clean your home efficiently. Furthermore, they also come in a variety of different types, so you have a lot of options to choose from.

If you want a cheap but effective vacuum that does not weigh a ton, you should focus on a few key factors. These factors include weight, suction power, ease of use, power source, and cleaning attachments. By doing so, you will be able to purchase a vacuum that fits your needs the best.

You may also check out our Guide to Vacuums for Small Spaces for more tips and recommendations.