7 Best Small Bagless Vacuums for Apartments 2026

This no-nonsense powerhouse delivers surprising performance for its price, making it a standout among budget-friendly uprights. Weighing just 8.4 lbs and equipped with a 25-foot power cord, it glides effortlessly from room to room—perfect for apartment dwellers who hate tripping over cords or struggling with heavy machines. The 1.7L dust cup means fewer interruptions during cleaning sessions, while the washable filter ensures long-term savings and consistent suction. If you’re tired of vacuums that quit midway through a quick clean, this one’s built to keep up.

In real-world testing, it handled low-pile rugs, hardwood, and tile with commendable efficiency, thanks to its 720W motor and straightforward airflow design. The detachable handle adds versatility, letting you clean under beds or along baseboards without dragging the whole unit. However, it lacks height adjustment, so on thick carpets, the brush roll can feel slightly rigid. While not ideal for deep-pile flooring, it excels in small spaces where speed and simplicity matter most.

Compared to pricier models like the Shark HV301 or Eureka PowerSpeed, this Amazon Basics pick sacrifices some features—like swivel steering or pet-specific tools—but delivers where it counts: reliability, ease of use, and value. It’s the go-to for renters, students, or anyone who wants a set-it-and-forget-it upright that won’t break the bank. For a fraction of the cost of the Eureka WhirlWind or Shark Rocket, it offers solid performance on hard floors and thin carpets—making it the best value upright in tight spaces.

Meet the pocket rocket of apartment vacuums—the Eureka Blaze packs serious agility into a featherlight 4-pound frame. Its swivel steering and capture nozzle make it uniquely effective at corralling debris instead of pushing it around, a common flaw in budget stick vacs. With a 240W motor and onboard crevice tool, it transitions seamlessly from floor spills to car interiors or couch crumbs, solving the eternal problem of clutter in compact living spaces. For anyone who hates lugging around bulky machines, this 3-in-1 handheld is a game-changer.

During testing, it proved especially adept on hardwood and tile, where its low profile and precise nozzle grabbed dust bunnies hiding under furniture. While it can handle low-pile rugs, its suction isn’t strong enough for deep carpet cleaning or embedded pet hair. The washable filter helps maintain performance, but the small dust bin requires frequent emptying during larger messes. Still, for quick daily sweeps or spot cleaning, it’s impressively nimble and responsive.

When stacked against the Dirt Devil Simpli Stik Plus, the Blaze offers better maneuverability and debris capture, though both share similar power levels. It’s not a full-home solution, but as a supplemental cleaner, it outperforms most in its class. Ideal for studio apartments, dorm rooms, or as a secondary vacuum in a multi-room unit, it delivers maximum convenience with minimal storage footprint—beating the Eureka WhirlWind in portability while costing less than half the Shark Rocket.

The Eureka WhirlWind redefines what a budget canister vacuum can do—offering silky-smooth glide and exceptional hard-floor performance in a sleek 8.15-pound package. Its telescoping metal wand and swivel steering make it a dream for navigating tight corners, baseboards, and under furniture—common pain points in cluttered apartments. With a 2.5L dust container and washable filters, it eliminates ongoing costs while maintaining strong suction, making it a low-maintenance champion for daily cleanups.

In practice, this canister shines on tile, hardwood, and laminate, where its airflow control dial lets you fine-tune suction without losing power. The integrated crevice tool and dusting brush are always within reach, avoiding the ‘lost accessory’ frustration. However, its upright-style handling on carpets feels less intuitive than dedicated uprights, and the hose reach is somewhat limited. While it handles low-pile rugs, it lacks the aggressive brush roll needed for deep carpet cleaning.

Compared to the Amazon Basics upright, the WhirlWind offers superior floor transitions and storage flexibility, but requires more effort to carry between rooms. It’s the best hard-floor specialist in this lineup, outperforming the Shark Rocket in noise level and filtration simplicity. Perfect for allergy sufferers or minimalist renters who prioritize quiet, efficient cleaning over carpet-pounding power, it delivers canister-grade performance without the typical bulk or price tag—offering more capacity than the Eureka Blaze at a fraction of the Shark’s cost.

The Shark Rocket HV301 is the gold standard for versatility, blending ultra-lightweight design with floor-to-ceiling cleaning power in a way no other model matches. Weighing under 9 lbs and featuring swivel steering, it pivots like a dancer around furniture legs and tight corners—ideal for cluttered apartments where every inch counts. The fingertip surface toggle, 5-year warranty, and never-loses-suction promise address two major user frustrations: declining performance and short lifespans.

Real-world testing confirmed its dominance across carpeted bedrooms, hardwood kitchens, and staircases. The motorized conversion to handheld makes ceiling cobwebs, lampshades, or car seats accessible without switching devices. Its anti-allergen dust brush and crevice tool are thoughtfully stored onboard, and the easy-empty dust cup minimizes mess. While the cord is a minor inconvenience, the consistent corded power outperforms battery-driven rivals in sustained suction.

Against the Eureka PowerSpeed, it trades pet-specific tools for broader versatility and lighter weight. It’s not the cheapest, but it’s the best overall for those who want one vacuum to do it all. Whether you’re a pet owner, allergy sufferer, or just hate juggling multiple cleaners, this Swiss Army knife of vacuums delivers unmatched adaptability. It offers more features and durability than the Amazon Basics or Dirt Devil models, justifying its premium with real-world performance and long-term reliability.

Don’t let its 7.7-pound frame fool you—the Eureka Airspeed is a sleek speed demon built for rapid cleanups in compact homes. With a 10.5” wide cleaning path and 700W motor, it zips across floors faster than most mini uprights, cutting cleaning time in half for studio apartments or efficiency-focused routines. The quick-release handle transforms it into an above-floor cleaner in seconds, letting you dust blinds or vacuum car seats without fumbling for tools. For anyone who values speed, storage, and simplicity, this is a top-tier pick.

In testing, it handled hardwood and low-pile carpet with confidence, thanks to its wide nozzle and direct suction path. The onboard crevice tool and dusting brush snap into place effortlessly, and the washable filter keeps maintenance costs near zero. However, it lacks height adjustment, so on plush rugs, it can drag slightly. While not built for deep carpet cleaning, its featherlight design makes it ideal for quick daily passes—especially on stairs or multi-level units.

Compared to the Eureka PowerSpeed, it sacrifices pet tools and dust cup size for even lighter weight and faster storage. It’s not the best for homes with heavy shedding, but for solo dwellers or minimalists, it’s the most agile upright in the lineup. It outperforms the Amazon Basics in maneuverability and offers better reach than the NES215A handheld, all while costing less than the Shark Rocket—making it the best lightweight upright for small-space efficiency.

This pet-focused powerhouse combines heavyweight suction with lightweight agility, making it the ultimate ally against fur tumbleweeds and tracked-in dirt. At 10 pounds, it’s easy to carry up stairs, yet its 960W motor and 5-height brush roll adjustment deliver precision cleaning across hardwood, tile, and thick carpet. The 2.6L dust cup is the largest in the lineup, meaning fewer trips to empty—crucial during post-shedding season blitzes. If pet hair clogs your current vacuum, this one’s built to fight back.

Real-world use proved its Pet Turbo Brush excels at lifting hair from upholstery and carpets without tangling, while the onboard storage keeps all tools—crevice, dusting, and turbo—within reach. The adjustable brush height ensures optimal contact on any surface, from bare floors to shag rugs. However, its weight, while reasonable, feels heavier than the Airspeed or Shark models during extended use. Still, for homes with multiple pets, it’s worth the slight trade-off.

Against the Shark Rocket, it offers better carpet agitation and larger capacity, though less versatility for above-floor cleaning. It’s not the lightest, but it’s the best for pet hair by a wide margin. Renters with furry roommates or families needing a durable, no-fuss cleaner will appreciate its targeted design and robust build. It delivers more specialized power and capacity than the Amazon Basics or Dirt Devil, justifying its position as the top pick for pet owners despite a higher cost than entry-level models.

The Dirt Devil Simpli Stik Plus is the bare essentials champion, stripping down to what matters most: lightweight function at a rock-bottom price. At just a few pounds, it’s effortless to lift and store—perfect for dorm rooms, micro-apartments, or as a spare vacuum in a larger home. Its 3-in-1 design lets it go from stick to handheld in seconds, tackling crumbs on counters or dust on shelves with surprising ease. For budget-conscious renters or students, it solves the core problem: quick cleanups without clutter or cost.

In testing, it performed adequately on hard floors and low-pile rugs, though its modest suction struggled with embedded dirt or pet hair. The rinsable filter reduces long-term costs, and the slim profile fits into tight closets or under sinks. However, the dust bin is small, and the build feels flimsier than competitors like the Eureka Blaze. It’s not built to last a decade, but for short-term use or light-duty cleaning, it gets the job done.

Compared to the Eureka NES215A, it offers similar portability but less effective debris capture and no swivel steering. It’s the best budget-friendly option when money is tight, but not the best long-term investment. Ideal for college students, temporary housing, or secondary use, it delivers basic functionality without frills—making it far more capable than a hand sweeper, though not a substitute for deeper cleaning models like the Shark or Eureka PowerSpeed.