10 Best Apartment Vacuum Cleaners 2026 in the United States

The Shark NV352 Navigator Lift Away Upright Vacuum Cleaner is a versatile and user-friendly option for apartment dwellers. Its lift-away functionality allows you to easily clean hard-to-reach areas like stairs and furniture, while the anti-allergen complete seal technology combined with a HEPA filter ensures that dust and allergens are trapped inside, which is great for those with allergies.

The vacuum is lightweight at 12.5 pounds, making it easy to carry around, and the swivel steering helps in maneuvering through tight spaces and around furniture effortlessly. Its powerful suction is effective on both carpets and bare floors, and the brushroll shutoff feature lets you switch between these surfaces seamlessly. Additionally, the specialized pet hair pickup attachments, including the wide upholstery tool, are a boon for pet owners. With a noise level of 80 dB, it is moderately loud but not excessively disruptive.

Being a corded vacuum, it provides consistent power without the need for recharging but requires access to power outlets which might limit mobility slightly. The vacuum includes practical attachments like the crevice tool for cleaning baseboards and tight spaces. However, the vacuum's capacity is 1.1 quarts, which may require frequent emptying during large cleaning sessions. The Shark NV352 is a solid choice for apartment living, balancing performance, and convenience.

The LEVOIT Cordless Vacuum Cleaner is a lightweight and versatile stick vacuum designed for apartment living, especially useful for those with pets. It offers up to 50 minutes of cordless runtime, which is generous for quick to moderate cleaning tasks around the home, including floors, low-pile carpets, furniture, and even cars. Its tangle-resistant roller is a big plus, helping to prevent hair from clogging the brush — ideal if you have pets or long hair in the household. The vacuum features a 5-stage foam filtration system that effectively traps pet hair and dander, making it a decent choice for allergy sufferers.

Weighing just over 6 pounds, it’s easy to carry and maneuver, which suits the often limited space in apartments. With a noise level around 77.5 decibels, it’s moderately loud but not overly disruptive. The vacuum has three power levels, powered by a rechargeable battery, and a 0.75-liter dustbin that is easy to empty with one click. Although it is bagless, requiring regular emptying, its attachments include a 2-in-1 crevice tool and pet tool, enhancing its ability to clean tight spaces and pet hair.

While 180 watts of power is good for everyday dirt, it might struggle with deeper carpet cleaning or very heavy debris. The foam filters are washable, which is convenient, but they may need frequent maintenance to keep suction strong. This vacuum is well suited for apartment dwellers who want a lightweight, cordless option that handles pet hair effectively and offers versatile cleaning without complicated upkeep.

The Shark Navigator Lift-Away is a corded upright vacuum designed with apartment living in mind, offering strong suction power and versatile cleaning options. Its standout feature is the Lift-Away pod, which lets you easily detach part of the vacuum to clean above-floor areas like stairs and furniture, making it great for smaller spaces with varied surfaces. The HEPA filtration system combined with an anti-allergen complete seal traps 99.9% of dust and allergens, which is a big plus if you or your neighbors have allergies or pets.

It is especially effective at picking up pet hair and dander, thanks to the included pet power brush. Maneuverability is enhanced by swivel steering, allowing you to navigate around furniture and tight corners without much effort. The vacuum also has a brushroll shutoff, so you can switch between carpet and hard floor cleaning without hassle. The dust cup holds 0.87 liters, which is decent for apartments since you won’t need to empty it constantly, and it’s easy to remove and clean.

As a corded vacuum, you’ll need to be near an outlet, which might limit freedom compared to cordless models. While it’s not the lightest vacuum out there, the Lift-Away feature helps reduce strain when cleaning more challenging spots. Included accessories like the crevice tool and dusting brush add versatility for cleaning tight spots and delicate surfaces. This vacuum is a great choice for apartment dwellers seeking reliable suction, excellent allergen control, and efficient pet hair cleanup, with thoughtful features that simplify maneuvering and above-floor cleaning.