Best 7 Lightweight Vacuum Cleaners for The Elderly

An essential part of maintaining good hygiene is vacuuming. However, hauling a heavy vacuum cleaner around the house requires some strength and can be challenging for an elderly. Luckily, there is a wide variety of lightweight vacuum cleaners on the market and we’re here to help you pick the unit that meets your requirements, so stick around.

Our Finest Picks:

1- Dyson Cyclone V10 Absolute

Putting out corded vacuum cleaners has been declared unavailing by Sir James Dyson with the release of the Dyson V10, which is a pretty huge statement considering that cordless units tend to fall short when compared to their corded counterparts, but is the V10 going to change that?

The V10 weighs at 5.9 pounds and it’s marketed to deliver up to 60 minutes of runtime. Keep in mind that there will be variance in runtime depending on the power settings you’re going to use. As far as the suction power, we’re pleased to tell you that the suction ability of the V10 is by far the best amongst cordless stick vacuum cleaners.

This unit features three switchable power modes: minimum, medium, and maximum. When in its max mode, the V10 can rival a full-size, upright vacuum cleaner in terms of agitation and suction very well. If you’re in a small house or an apartment and you don’t mind shelling out some pretty penny, the V10’s technology and performance will certainly impress you.

Pros

• An incredible 151 watts of suction power
• Pretty large dust canister at 0.20 gallons
• Very lightweight and compact construction
• Effective and super quiet performance
• Can be converted to a handheld model

Cons

• Probably the most expensive cordless unit
• The handheld unit is too large for tight quarters
• Runtime on max settings is disappointingly short

Final Verdict

We’d recommend the Dyson Cyclone V10 to homeowners who want a vacuum cleaner that has the edge over all other units in terms of suction power.

2- Bissell 2033 Featherweight Stick

Not all quality vacuum cleaners need to be expensive. The Bissell Featherweight is arguably the most affordable stick vacuum cleaner on the market today. This unit does an incredible job when it comes to getting rid of debris and dirt from hard-to-reach areas. The reason why this unit is an ideal vacuum for the elderly is that it weighs only 2.6 pounds, which is unbelievable.

Not only is this unit featherlight, but it’s also very slim and compact, making it really easy for you to store it almost anywhere. Better yet, it can stand upright by itself, so no need to store it if your apartment is small and lacks storage space. The 2033 can be used as a stick or a handheld unit for your convenience. It’s great for upholstery, carpets, and functions well on hard surfaces too.

The unit houses a 0.17-gallon dirt cup, which isn’t that large compared to other units on this list, but remember that we’re trying to minimize the weight here. This vacuum cleaner pretty simple and easy to use. It may not be equipped with an array of convenient features, but it offers great suction and reliable performance. Overall, a great vacuum that’s affordable on any budget.

Pros

• The most affordable stick unit on this list
• Incredibly lightweight at just 2.6 pounds
• Can be used as a stick or handheld unit
• A great choice for cleaning up pet hair

Cons

• It’s way smaller than it may look to you
• The power cord is a little on the short side

Final Verdict

If you looked at the price of Cyclone V10 and got instantly discouraged, the 2033 from Bissell is a very reliable vacuum machine that comes at a much more affordable price tag.

3- Shark HV302 Rocket Ultra-Light

The HV302 is slightly heavier than the previous two models at around 8 pounds. This unit offers swivel-steering capabilities that make it easily maneuverable. It’s also pretty versatile because it can be converted to a handheld model for you to use it in your car or on the stairs. The HV302 is pretty compact and can be stored upright or you can simply mount it on the wall.

This vacuum cleaner can function on carpets and hard floors pretty well. However, if your entire house is extensively covered with carpets, you may be better off with a vacuum cleaner that has more suction power to offer. The HV302 features a 10-inch cleaning path, allowing it to clean up very quickly. Also, it has a 32-foot power cord, so you won’t have to switch outlets all the time.

This vacuum cleaner comes with a micro detail kit that allows it to keep small spaces clean with ease. You can use it on your car, computer, or any other appliances in your house. It also comes with a bunch of accessories that make it easy to clean different surfaces around your house. All in all, this is a great mid-range vacuum that has all the essential components of a good unit.

Pros

• Very compact and sleek construction
• Has a convenient 32-foot power cord
• Great cleaning path for quick cleaning
• An ideal unit for cleaning tight quarters
• Comes with plenty of cleaning attachments

Cons

• A lot of the weight is in the handle
• The dirt container is pretty small

Final Verdict

The Shark HV302 offers a remarkable cleaning path and just enough cord length for you to use it all around your house.

4- Soniclean SFC-7000 Soft Carpet

So far we’ve covered vacuum cleaners that perform well but seem to fall short when it comes to extensive carpeting. Well, not this one. The SFC-7000 from Soniclean provides effectiveness at a reasonable weight of 10 pounds. This unit is great for both soft and high-pile carpets. Primarily designed to reach deep into carpets without damaging or tangling any strand.

You may have some concerns regarding the weight of this unit compared to other lighter-weight units, but you’d be pleased to know that the unit is mounted on large front wheels that allow it to glide over almost any carpet regardless of size. It also makes it easier for the SFC-700 to clean places where other vacuums seem to struggle. It’s super easy to push and pull this vacuum.

We’d highly recommend this vacuum cleaner for pet owners since the sonic technology and the equipped hospital-grade HEPA filter help reduce the effect of common allergens that exist in the house. Also, we all know how persistent pet hair can be, especially when it’s stuck into high-pile carpets, which a surface that the Soniclean SFC-7000 can tackle with ease.

Pros

• An ideal vacuum cleaner for high-pile carpets
• Outstanding suction power and maneuverability
• Great at picking up large pieces of dirt and debris
• Equipped with a hospital-grade HEPA filter
• The large front wheels allow for smooth gliding

Cons

• Slightly heavier than most models on this list
• Not the most budget-friendly vacuum cleaner

Final Verdict

While it leans more towards the heavier side and can be quite cumbersome to haul around, the SFC-7000 provides enough power to handle the toughest high-pile carpets in your house.

5- Eufy BoostIQ RoboVac 30C

Not every vacuum cleaner needs to be operated manually, there are plenty of robotic units on the market, and the Eufy BoostIQ RoboVac is a top-of-the-line unit in this category. Despite the slim design, this unit features a 3-point cleaning system and it’s backed with incredible suction power that’s sufficient enough to ensure your house is free of dust, dirt, and pet hair.

There’s going to be a bit of a learning curve with this robotic vacuum since it’s controlled via an app on your smartphone, so if you’re not too much into technology, this may not be the vacuum cleaner for you. You’d think that with such immense suction power the performance will be very noisy, but we’re happy to tell you that the RoboVac 30C is as quiet as a ninja.

The unit houses a fairly commodious, 0.16-gallon dirt tank considering its small size. We have to say that the greatest attribute that this vacuum offers is that it can operate for up to 100 minutes without the need to be recharged. Additionally, it’s equipped with a total of 9 infrared sensors for avoiding collisions, along with a drop-sensing function that prevents it from falling.

Pros

• Can be controlled via an app on your smartphone
• Extremely powerful suction and quiet performance
• The RoboVac 30C can run for up to 100 minutes
• Has a variety of safety features to prevent damage

Cons

• You’ll have to shell out some pretty penny for this unit
• There are no means of navigation whatsoever

Final Verdict

The RoboVac 30C is a highly recommended vacuum cleaner for tech-savvy homeowners who would like to just there and watch the machine do all the hard work for them.

6- Eureka NES210 Blaze 3-In-1

If you’re constricted by a tight budget but you still want to buy a high-quality vacuum cleaner that can rival more expensive models, the Eureka NES210 is your best bet. This brilliant unit can be converted between a stick, handheld, or stairs vacuum cleaner. It also comes with a crevice tool that makes it easier for you to clean those hard-to-reach areas in your household.

Apart from all the neat features, the topic at hand is weight and this unit weighs only 3.2 pounds, so elderlies will find it easy to move it around. Also, the dirt cup is pretty commodious, so there’s no need for multiple emptying trips. The unit comes with an 18-foot power cord, which isn’t very bad. We would’ve loved a longer cord, but considering the price, we can’t really complain.

Unlike traditional stick vacuums, this unit features a capture nozzle that allows you to get rid of larger pieces of dirt and debris. And when it comes to maneuverability, the vacuum is mounted on small rubber rollers that allow it to glide across any surface and get into the tightest spots in your house that most other models will find it hard to get into with ease.

Pros

• One of the most affordable units on the market
• Can be used as a stick, handheld, or stairs unit
• Features a crevice tool and unique capture nozzle
• Great maneuverability due to lightweight design

Cons

• Not the best vacuum for large, uneven carpets
• Doesn’t provide that much suction power

Final Verdict

The Eureka NES210 isn’t only one of the most affordable units on this list, but it also provides a performance that’s second to none in its price point.

7- VonHaus EPT2 2-In-1

This is another upright vacuum cleaner that’s highly affordable on any budget. This unit weighs around 5.5 pounds and can be used as a stick or handheld vacuum cleaner. The suction power is fairly strong, but don’t expect it to be as strong as higher-end models. It’s equipped with HEPA filtration a pretty sizable dust container that’s very easy to remove and empty out.

The VonHaus EPT2 comes with a 19.5-foot, quick-release power cord for your convenience. It’s also a unit that can slide over all surfaces gracefully. Further, this vacuum comes with a crevice tool and an extension tube, along with a few accessories for the brush. It also comes with a neat shoulder strap so that it doesn’t fall and get damaged if you let go of it accidentally.

There a few scenarios we can think of where this vacuum cleaner wouldn’t suffice, though. If the area you live in requires constant vacuuming, this unit may tire out on you pretty quickly. Also, if you have any sort of carpeting, this unit won’t be very effective. Lastly, the EPT2 is built entirely out of plastic, so don’t expect it to have a rugged construction that can handle serious knocks.

Pros

• Highly affordable on any budget
• Comes with various attachments
• Compact and lightweight design
• Very easy to use and maneuver

Cons

• The construction is pretty fragile
• Doesn’t perform well on carpets

Final Verdict

Yet another stick and handheld vacuum cleaner that provides a lot of value for a budget-friendly cost. However, the construction isn’t built to handle some serious knocks.

The Buying Guide

Before heading out to buy a vacuum that’s ideal for the elderly, there are a few factors that must be taken into consideration to ensure getting the best value for your money.

Type of Vacuum Cleaner

There are three types of vacuum cleaners that you can find on the market: canister, upright, and stick vacuums. Each type has its own positives and negatives that need to be acknowledged so that you get a unit that meets your requirements.

Canister vacuum cleaners are probably the most well-known type of vacuums out there. These are ideal for cleaning stairs and bare floors. They’re also preferred for cleaning upholstery and drapes. Additionally, you won’t have a hard time cleaning under furniture with a canister unit. On the flip side, canister units tend to be heavy and hard to maneuver. Also, they can be really hard to store due to their bulky size that occupies a lot of space.

Upright vacuum cleaners are much cheaper than canister vacuums and they’re the ideal choice for cleaning deep carpeting. We’re a little biased towards upright units because they’re so easy to store in tight places. However, while they may look compact and lightweight, a lot of upright models tend to be fairly heavy. Also, upright vacuums can be very noisy.

Stick vacuum cleaners are sort of similar to upright models,  but they’re lighter and smaller. For the elderly, these units are the best option out of the three. Most stick vacuums tend to be cordless, so you won’t have to worry about switching power outlets when you move from one room to the next. The only negative thing we have to say about stick units is that they’re not as powerful as the two previous types.

Corded vs Cordless

Another way you can classify vacuum cleaners is according to their power source. You’ll find a wide variety of corded and cordless models on the market with both types having some serious pros and cons. With a corded vacuum cleaner, you don’t have to think about when the batteries are going to die. But the freedom that cordless models offer can be very tempting.

Corded vacuum cleaners tend to have greater suction power than their cordless counterparts. Also, their dust canisters are way bigger too. Not to mention that they’re a lot cheaper than their competition. But on the negative side, these units tend to be very bulky and can be quite hard to haul around for elderly people. Also, it gets frustrating having to switch outlets due to restrictions caused by the length of the power cord.

Cordless vacuum cleaners allow you to roam around your house freely without cord restrictions and they tend to be much smaller and lighter than corded models. Due to their compact size, it’s super easy to store a cordless vacuum cleaner. Also, they’re ideal for use on cars, RV’s or other outdoor uses. On the flip side, these units tend to operate for a short period of time before they need to be recharged. They also tend to house smaller dust containers than corded models. Not to mention how expensive they can be.

Size and Weight

How light is lightweight exactly? Well, any machine that’s under 10 pounds is a lightweight unit. But while most of the units we’ve discussed are lightweight, the sizes tend to vary. And size is an indicator of portability and maneuverability. Also, depending on the size of the vacuum, you’ll have to have enough room for storage. So make sure that you take the size of the vacuum into your consideration, not just its weight.

Type of Floors

The type of floors you have at your home dictates the type of vacuum cleaner you should buy. For example, if your house has natural-fiber carpets, you need to get a vacuum cleaner that’s not too powerful because these fibers tend to be gentle and be sucked right out of the carpet. If your carpets are made of synthetic fibers, you should go for a machine that’s more powerful.

Attachments

When you buy a vacuum cleaner, it’s not just about what it can do, it’s also about whether it has the attachments you need or not. Make sure that you get a vacuum cleaner that comes with the attachments that will help you clean certain areas around your house. Just don’t go for stuff that you don’t need as they’ll tend to pile up and take more space.

Conclusion

Picking a winner out of the above-mentioned products isn’t very easy, but since the topic of the day is the best lightweight vacuum cleaner for the elderly, we’ll have to go with the Bissell 2033 Featherweight Stick because of how incredibly light it is. Apart from the weight, it offers a great deal of functionality and reliability that everyone can benefit from. An overall sound investment.