We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Shopping Home Reviews Floor Care Reviews The 6 Best Vacuums for Tile Floors of 2024, According to Testing Keep your tile floor clean and scratch-free with these picks. By Jenna Clark Jenna Clark Jenna Clark is a freelance commerce writer currently living in Orlando, Florida. She’s contributed commerce content to publications including Women’s Health, Tripadvisor, Mashable, and People. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Updated on February 8, 2024 Fact checked by Jillian Dara Fact checked by Jillian Dara Jillian Dara is a freelance journalist, editor and fact checker with 10 years of editorial experience in the lifestyle genre. Learn about BHG's Fact Checking Process In This Article Expand Jump to a Section Our top picks Reviews The Bottom Line Our Testing Process What to Know Before Shopping Your Questions, Answered Who We Are What is BHG Recommends? Better Homes & Gardens / Dera Burreson One of the best ways to keep your tile in top shape is by regularly cleaning up dirt and debris, and a vacuum is the quickest and easiest way to do so. But choosing the correct vacuum is crucial to ensure you’re cleaning the floor without damaging it. One of the most important factors to consider when searching for the best vacuums for tile floors is checking to see if they have a head with sharp or jagged edges. “These vacuum heads can have the propensity to make micro scratches in tile,” explains Delah Gomasi, CEO of MaidForYou. “If your floor is made from mosaic, marble, or other kinds of sensitive natural stone, a vacuum head with a protective brush will be more suitable to use.” To come up with this list of the best vacuums for tile floors, we tested a large collection of vacuums, including those specializing in picking up pet hair as well as models equipped with several specialty attachments. During our testing, we considered factors including set-up time, weight, noise level, battery runtime, effectiveness, maneuverability, ease of emptying, and overall value. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Shark Wandvac Self-Empty Cordless Stick Vacuum at Amazon ($275) Jump to Review Best Splurge: Dyson Omni-Glide Cordless Vacuum at Amazon ($253) Jump to Review Best for Pet Hair: Tineco Pure One S15 Pro at Amazon ($400) Jump to Review Best Handheld: Shark Wandvac Cordless Handheld Vacuum at Amazon ($100) Jump to Review Best Stick: Samsung Jet 75 Stick Vacuum at Amazon ($367) Jump to Review Best Robot: Roborock S8 Pro Ultra Robot Vacuum at Amazon ($1,200) Jump to Review Best Overall Shark Wandvac Self-Empty Cordless Stick Vacuum Amazon View On Amazon $275 View On Wayfair $330 View On Walmart $279 Our Ratings Setup 4.9/5 Effectiveness 4.6/5 Noise Level 4.2/5 Maneuverability 5/5 Ease of Emptying 4.7/5 Why You Should Get It This vacuum is equipped with a self-emptying feature that provides a nearly hands-free emptying experience. Keep in Mind This vacuum’s level of suction is unable to be adjusted. Even though this vacuum only has one suction setting, we still deem it to be the best vacuum for tile floors because of its overall convenience and self-emptying feature. We were able to quickly set up this vacuum thanks to its intuitive design and easy-to-read labels on each of the attachments. When it came to its runtime, the battery allowed for about 30 minutes of vacuuming. When testing this vacuum at home, we were able to vacuum for five minutes every day for a week before needing to recharge. This vacuum was very easy to push and pull with a simple flick of the wrist since it's relatively lightweight at 13.85 pounds. This vacuum's attachments are easily adjustable and have bristles that can be removed to prevent scratches, a feature we found to be a nice touch. When testing, this vacuum was able to glide seamlessly over tile floors. The self-emptying feature of this cordless stick vacuum stood out and essentially provided us with a hands-free emptying experience. We didn’t need to manually scoop out any leftover debris, as the vacuum compressed the waste, making it easy to dispose of. The bin also has a see-through window which allowed us to quickly spot how much debris has been collected and when it was time to be cleaned out. We also liked how the top part of the stick could be removed and placed on the dock when not in use, making it easier to store, especially if you don’t have a lot of storage space. Product Details: Type: Cordless stick | Weight: 13.85 pounds | Runtime: 30 minutes | Attachments: Self-empty charging base, duster crevice tool, pet multi-tool Best Splurge Dyson Omni-Glide Cordless Vacuum Dyson View On Amazon $253 View On Target $300 View On Walmart $195 Our Ratings Ease of Setup 4.5/5 Effectiveness 5/5 Maneuverability 5/5 Ease of Emptying 2.5/5 Portability 4.8/5 Why You Should Get It This vacuum is great for cleaning small and hard-to-reach crevices thanks to its swivel head. Keep in Mind It has a shorter battery life and is better suited for smaller vacuuming jobs. While Dyson vacuums are an investment, we found this vacuum to be worthwhile as it’s specifically designed to clean hard floors and tile floors. We were impressed by its quick assembly and high-end feel, down to the box it came in. Weighing in at only 4.18 pounds, the vacuum was extremely easy to move and lift, even to the highest shelf of a bookcase. And thanks to its various crevice tools, it was simple to clean between tight spaces and corners. It’s important to note that this vacuum does have a relatively short battery life, making it a more suitable option for vacuuming smaller areas and messes. When tested on its high power setting, the battery lasted for about eight and a half minutes. But on low power, it lasted 21 minutes—just over the maximum 20 minutes Dyson advertises. However, despite its shorter run time, this vacuum was able to successfully pick up hair as well as a blend of Cheerios and coffee grounds (the vacuum had a more difficult time picking up popcorn kernels) on tile grout in less than a minute and without being too loud. We were able to successfully engage in conversation while using it. We also found the vacuum a bit challenging to empty, especially on our first try. Some hair got stuck on the brush head attachment, which made the emptying experience a bit more challenging than would be preferred. However, once we understood the emptying process, it became much easier to do each time. Product Details: Type: Stick and handheld (convertible) | Weight: 4.18 pounds | Runtime: 8 minutes and 29 seconds (high power) and 21 minutes (low power) | Attachments: Double fluffy cleaner head, mini motorized tool, combo crevice tool, light pipe crevice tool Better Homes & Gardens / Henry Wortock Better Homes & Gardens / Henry Wortock Better Homes & Gardens / Henry Wortock Better Homes & Gardens / Henry Wortock Better Homes & Gardens / Henry Wortock Best for Pet Hair Tineco Pure One S15 Pro Tineco View On Amazon $400 View On Tineco.com Our Ratings Effectiveness 4.5/5 Maneuverability 5/5 Ease of Emptying 5/5 Portability 5/5 Noise Level 4/5 Why You Should Get It You won’t experience any pet hair tangled or clogged in your vacuum because of its tangle-free brush head. Keep in Mind We found this vacuum quite loud, reaching between 75 and 90 decibels. Looking for the best vacuum for tile floors that specializes in cleaning up pet hair? Look no further than this vacuum from Tineco. With no trigger button, we liked that we were easily able to vacuum without stressing out our fingers. Plus, we didn’t have to worry about losing any of the vacuum attachments as the base had storage areas for them. While testing the vacuum, we appreciated features like its built-in light that illuminates hard-to-see pet hair and the displayed battery percentage that made it easy to see when it was almost out of power. When used on max mode, we were able to clean up all of the kibble and hair during testing in only a few passes. However, keep in mind that the vacuum can get quite loud, especially on high power. Despite the noise, we were able to use the vacuum without agitating our pets. And even after six months of regular use, we didn’t encounter any clogs due to dog hair—an impressive feat. Product Details: Type: Cordless stick | Weight: 6.8 pounds | Runtime: Up to 40 minutes | Attachments: Mini-power brush, 2-in-1 dust brush, crevice tool Better Homes & Gardens / Dera Burreson Better Homes & Gardens / Dera Burreson Better Homes & Gardens / Dera Burreson Better Homes & Gardens / Dera Burreson Better Homes & Gardens / Dera Burreson Best Handheld Shark Wandvac Cordless Handheld Vacuum Best Buy View On Amazon $100 View On Target $100 View On Walmart $85 Our Ratings Effectiveness 4.3/5 Ease of Emptying 5/5 Portability 4/5 Noise Level 4.3/5 Why You Should Get It This vacuum can be easily set up in just over 30 seconds. Keep in Mind The debris container is small and needs to be emptied frequently. If you’re someone who doesn’t like reading lots of directions and wants a vacuum with minimal setup, consider this handheld vacuum from Shark. We were impressed that setup only took us just over 30 seconds as the vacuum already came assembled. The only steps we had to complete were charging the battery and attaching the attachment. It is easy to suck up debris in tight corners with this vacuum since it’s long and narrow. We appreciated that all we had to do was point to the desired spot – making it a solid option for even the most relaxed of cleaners. It is important to note that this vacuum only has one suction speed so you are unable to alter it to try to preserve the battery. As for battery life, it lasts slightly longer than eight and a half minutes, making it favorable for shorter cleaning sessions. Additionally, we ended up emptying our vacuum 12 times total throughout testing. However, we appreciated that the emptying process could be easily done with one hand. But if you’re looking for a vacuum with a large container for holding debris, this one is not it. It was unable to hold all of the Cheerios and cracker mixture we had laid down, therefore making it a less favorable option if you are shopping for a vacuum that can be used to clean up the messes of younger children. Product Details: Type: Handheld | Weight: 1.4 pounds | Runtime: 8 minutes and 38 seconds | Attachments: Duster crevice tool, multi-surface pet tool, dual onboard accessory storage, and charging dock Best Stick Samsung Jet 75 Stick Vacuum Amazon View On Amazon $367 View On Target $400 View On Wayfair $400 Our Ratings Ease of Setup 4/5 Effectiveness 4.8/5 Maneuverability 4.3/5 Ease of Emptying 4.3/5 Portability 3.5/5 Why You Should Get It It successfully picked up debris, including pet hair and coffee grounds, from grout flooring during testing. Keep in Mind The brush head is fairly tall, which can make it difficult to maneuver in tight spaces. We were extremely impressed with this vacuum’s ability to clean on grout flooring. The stick vacuum was able to pick up 100% of the wig hair, pet hair, and coffee grounds debris we had prepared for testing. The vacuum is equipped with a digital display that makes it easy to view important information while vacuuming, including the amount of power remaining and clog notifications. When testing the battery runtime when vacuuming the highest setting, it lasted 10 minutes and 33 seconds. When vacuuming at its lowest setting, the battery runtime was just over 27 minutes. For a stick vacuum, it was fairly easy to clean out and empty without making a mess, which we appreciated. It was somewhat challenging to maneuver the vacuum in tiny spaces as the brush head is fairly tall. We also experienced some tough tangles after cleaning up hair that prevented the brush from being dislodged, and since the vacuum doesn’t come with a tool to help remove the hair, we had to use a seam ripper to unravel it. Product Details: Type: Stick | Weight: 6.2 pounds | Runtime: 27 minutes and 5 seconds (low), 10 minutes and 33 seconds (high) | Attachments: Turbo brush, mini motorized tool Better Homes & Gardens / Henry Wortock Better Homes & Gardens / Henry Wortock Better Homes & Gardens / Henry Wortock Better Homes & Gardens / Henry Wortock Better Homes & Gardens / Henry Wortock Best Robot Roborock S8 Pro Ultra Robot Vacuum Amazon View On Amazon $1,200 View On Best Buy $1,400 View On Roborock.com Our Ratings Setup 4.3/5 Effectiveness 5/5 Noise Level 4/5 Maneuverability 4.8/5 Features 4.5/5 Why You Should Get It This intelligent robot vacuum creates a map of your home and seamlessly maneuvers under furniture and around objects. Keep in Mind The self-emptying feature, while useful, is incredibly loud. Robot vacuums can be expensive, but they are indeed worth the splurge if you want to increase the baseline cleanliness of your home. The Roborock S8 Plus impressed us with its intelligence. During testing, it quickly created a map of a one-bedroom apartment and seamlessly maneuvered into every nook and cranny. Performance-wise, it did well on tile and wood floors (we didn’t test it on carpet, but it is also designed to be used on that surface), picking up lightweight debris like hair and dust and larger pieces such as cereal without issue. This vacuum also functions as a mop, which is great for tile floors as it can easily switch modes to tackle sticky messes—it made swift work out of a stubborn spot that we previously couldn’t clean with a paper towel. While it’s not overburdened with techy features that might be too much for the average user, the smart features that do exist, such as 3D mapping, infrared imagery to aid in object avoidance, and the ability to empty itself, add to the overall value. The self-emptying feature is useful, but it’s also very loud. If you don’t want it to automatically self-empty, you can manually direct it to do so. The dust bag can store up to seven weeks of debris. While we didn’t test in an environment with pets, we definitely think it would be useful for cleaning up after a shedding dog or cat. The spot clean mode is also useful, allowing you to quickly deploy the vacuum to a specific area outside of its regularly scheduled cleaning time. Product Details: Type: Robot | Weight: 31.1 pounds | Runtime: Not listed | Attachments: None We've Tested Dozens of the Best Robot Vacuums—These 6 Are Actually Worth the Money The Bottom Line Overall, the Shark Wandvac Cordless Stick Vacuum with Self-Empty Charging Base is the best vacuum for tile floors because of its self-emptying feature, 30-minute runtime, and adjustable attachments that make for a convenient vacuuming experience. However, if you’re looking for a more affordable option, the Shark Wandvac Cordless Hand Vac is a more affordable option, especially if you are looking for a handheld tool. Our Testing Process To find the best vacuums for tile floors featured, we tested more than 200 models across multiple tests. We evaluated each vacuum based on these factors: set-up time, weight, noise level, battery runtime, effectiveness, maneuverability, ease of emptying, and overall value. We also tested how each of the vacuums worked in relation to their weight, whether or not they were corded or battery-operated, and their included attachments. We started our testing by timing how long it took for the vacuum to be ready to use from the moment we took it out of the box. This consisted of how long it took to review the instructions and how long it took to set up any attachments and any other parts that needed to be prepared for the vacuum to be used correctly. For vacuums that were battery-operated, we tested the battery’s runtime. For handheld vacuums, we tested the battery runtime by continuously vacuuming—on its high setting, if applicable—until the battery ran out. We also recorded the weight of each vacuum and considered how its heaviness or lightness impacted its ability to be easily maneuvered and carried. In addition, we measured how loud the noise was stemming from the vacuums when in use. Many of the best vacuums for tile floors came with attachments that we tested. We tested them to see if they could get into tight crevices, under furniture, and in corners. For the pet vacuums, we made sure to test the attachments designed to clean pet hair. When it came to testing the effectiveness of cordless stick vacuums on grouted tile floors, we assessed roughly how much hair debris and a blend of coffee grounds, Cheerios, and popcorn kernels were scooped up. Better Homes & Gardens / Dera Burreson What to Know About Vacuums for Tile Floors Before Shopping Weight The best vacuums for tile floors vary in weight, but typically weigh between 5 and 18 pounds, depending on the style. Opting for a lighter vacuum is recommended, especially “if you'll be carrying it up and down stairs or have physical limitations that make handling a heavy machine difficult,” says Toby Schulz, CEO & co-founder of Maid2Match. The lightest vacuum on this list is the Shark Wandvac Cordless Hand Vac at 1.4 pounds, and the heaviest is the Shark Wandvac Cordless Stick Vacuum with Self-Empty Charging Base at 13.85 pounds. Corded vs. Battery-Operated When shopping for the best vacuums for tile floors, it is important to consider the differences between corded versus battery-operated vacuums in relation to your needs and preferences. If you’re looking for a vacuum to clean your tile floors that you won’t have to regularly charge, a corded vacuum could be in your best interest. “They tend to have higher suction power and work great for all floor types,” explains cleaning expert Jill Koch of Jill Comes Clean. However, they aren’t as slim as cordless vacuums and “may limit your mobility due to the length of the power cord,” Schulz says. On the other hand, battery-operated vacuums are cordless, and therefore promote maneuverability, but require charging. “Depending on the model and power settings, a cordless vacuum can run from 15 minutes to an hour,” Schulz says. If you’re looking for the best vacuum to clean tile floors in a large space or throughout your entire home, this is something to consider as you may have to recharge multiple times when cleaning. Koch adds that these are typically more expensive when compared to many corded options. Attachments There are some accessories that you should keep an eye out for when shopping for the best vacuums for tile floors. “The most common attachments you will see or use for tile floors are an extension wand (this allows you to extend your reach under tight, narrow or tall spaces), and a crevice tool which is great for corners or more concentrated messes,” Koch says. “Some will also come with a floor sweeper attachment which almost looks like a smaller brush roll. These are often with upright corded vacuums and are great for tile and hard floors for quick cleanups in place of a broom.” Better Homes & Gardens / Henry Wortock Your Questions, Answered What vacuum can be used on a tile floor? Although most vacuums can be used on a tile floor, some are better than others. “The key is to look for a vacuum with settings specifically designed for hard surfaces. Some great choices are canister vacuums, upright vacuums, robotic vacuums, and stick vacuums,” explains Jennifer Rodriguez, chief hygiene officer of Pro Housekeepers. Additionally, vacuums with adjustable settings for carpet and tile are favorable,” says Koch. This will ensure your vacuum will leave your tile floor scratch-free. Do vacuums work on tile? Yes, vacuums can work on tile floors but are typically more successful when they are properly equipped. “When vacuuming tile, make sure your vacuum boasts a strong suction power and a brush roll that you can switch off—spinning brushes are known for scattering debris across hard floors,” Rodriguez says. Is it better to sweep or vacuum tile floors? According to Schulz, vacuuming is more effective than sweeping when it comes to tile floors. “Vacuums can pick up a wider range of particle sizes, including dust and allergens. Plus, they often come with attachments that can help clean corners, edges, and under furniture.” Who We Are This article was written by Jenna Clark, a freelance writer who specializes in commerce, home, lifestyle, and travel content. Her work has been featured in Insider, Tripadvisor, The Knot, Taste of Home, PEOPLE, and more. For additional insight about the best vacuums for tile floors, she spoke with Toby Schulz, CEO & co-founder of Maid2Match, cleaning expert Jill Koch of Jill Comes Clean, Delah Gomasi, CEO of MaidForYou, and Jennifer Rodriguez, Chief Hygiene Officer of Pro Housekeepers. What is BHG Recommends? Next to all of the products on this list, you may have noticed our BHG Recommends seal of approval. Products that earn the seal have been put through rigorous testing to make sure they're worth a spot in your home. We buy most of the products we test ourselves, but occasionally we are provided samples by companies if buying isn't an option. In these cases, we use the same testing criteria we use to test the purchased products. Looking for more products that have earned our BHG Recommends seal of approval? Check out our picks for everything from picnic blankets to humidifiers. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit