There is a terrible stereotype that seniors citizens become worse and worse house keepers as they age. Our research shows that those who admit to this say it is because the gadgets, tools, and appliances they have used most of their is harder to use. Vacuum cleaners are at the top of that list.
We recently heard from a SeniorLivingPlans.com reader, Martha, who shared with us that after reading are article about downsizing before moving into a senior living facility she took all the profits from selling her old vaccum & bed, and other items at her yard sales and bought a new vacuum, adjustable bed, and other kitchen appliances for seniors. She found all her new items from recommendations here on our website she placed the order and had them delivered to here new senior housing apartment.
So if you are reading this article, the odds are great that you are in the market for a new vacuum cleaner designed for seniors? We are going to share with you the Top 9 Vacuums for seniors we found in our research.
Cleaning the house or the office is something you should never skip or get out of the routine of doing on a regular basis.. Dirt and dust don’t discriminate between young and elderly people. To tackle the cleaning problem, the right vacuum cleaners for seniors are a very affordable and easy solution.
There is no debate that heavy and powerful vacuum cleaners do the job you are accustom to. As you probably have experienced, the older you become the more they tend to wear you out. Especially, if you are a senior citizen or you have elderly people at home, cleaning can become strenuous.
Lightweight vacuums are a great alternative to normal heavyweight vacuum cleaners. We have compiled a list for our readers of the best lightweight vacuum cleaner for older people in hopes that it will save you an enormous amount of time.
Although these vacuum cleaners aren’t specifically targeted towards arthritis patients, some of them work surprisingly well to relieve the pain. Before jumping into the review, it’s important to understand the attributes we looked at as specifically considering vacuum cleaners for seniors.
Best Lightweight Vacuum Cleaner for Elderly – Comparison
| Rate | Name | Type | Weight | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Oreck Commercial XL | Bagged | 8.2 pounds | Check Latest Price |
| #2 | Dyson V7 Motorhead | Cordless | 11.02 pounds | Check Latest Price |
| #3 | Shark Rocket DuoClean HV382 | Bagless | 9.9 pounds | Check Latest Price |
| #4 | Hoover BH50020PC Stick | Cordless | 2 pounds | Check Latest Price |
| #5 | VonHaus 600W 2 in 1 | Corded | 5.5 pounds | Check Latest Price |
| #6 | Shark Navigator Upright | corded | 10.6 pounds | Check Latest Price |
| #7 | Dyson Cyclone V10 Motorhead | Cordless | 5.05 pounds | Check Latest Price |
| #8 | Bissell Air Ram Vacuum 1984 | Cordless | 7.75 pounds | Check Latest Price |
| #9 | Dirt Devil Simpli-Stik Lightweight | Bagless | 3.74 pounds | Check Latest Price |
Weight
When talking about vacuum cleaners for the elderly, the obvious point to consider first is the weight. If you think of buying an enormous vacuum cleaner for better cleanliness, you might regret the decision later.
In our list, we have chosen the lightest vacuums which also happen to be the best. They are very lightweight so people of any age, particularly older people can handle them with ease. The goal is to pack as much power as possible without compromising weight.
Maneuverability
Maneuverability is directly related to weight. The lighter the vacuum cleaner is, the easier it will be to move. But apart from weight, there are other things that contribute to better maneuverability.
A light vacuum cleaner might still seem unlikely to respond to your will. A swivel head can easily eradicate the problem from the roots. The power option of a vacuum cleaner also contributes to the maneuverability.
Power Button Position
In many vacuum cleaners, manufacturers tend to put the power button somewhere in the bottom. The reason is not exactly clear. The lack of ergonomics is not only hard for elderly people but also very difficult for young people as well.
But there are some hidden gems in the vacuum cleaner industry. Some manufacturers had the vision to address this problem and they have managed to place the power button somewhere more accessible.
Bag Options
Dirt storage comes in different forms. There are some bagged models of vacuum cleaners that store the dirt in a disposable trash bag. Once the bag is filled, you have to replace it. It might seem difficult for some elderly people but they are quite easy to replace.
Another type of vacuum cleaners is the bag-less ones. Their capability to store dirt is often lower than the bagged ones. The dirt is stored in some kind of cup located inside the vacuum. In order to empty it, you just have to hold it over the trashcan and press release.
Cord Options
In this modern era of wireless technology, vacuum cleaners also come in cordless variants. While corded options are very suitable for longer use, they come with the price of a limited range. Also, elderly people aren’t supposed to clean for long times.
Corded vacuums also come with a risk of tripping over. It’s unfortunate that elderly people don’t possess the ability to control their movements as finely as young people. So, there is a high chance that someone might trip on the cords and injure themselves badly.
For our list about the best vacuum cleaners for elderly people, we’ve tried to consider as many cordless options as possible. But there are some really good corded variants as well that serves the purpose very nicely.
Suction
If there is one thing that matters the most while choosing the right vacuum cleaner, it’s the suction power. If it can’t get rid of all the dirt and debris, what’s the point of getting one? We’ve kept that in mind while choosing the vacuum cleaners on our list.
Although our initial criteria were weight and ergonomics, we didn’t compromise on the suction power. All of the vacuum cleaners in the list for elderly people are tuned to get the most out of it.
HEPA Filters
HEPA filters are well known in the vacuum and HVAC industry. A HEPA filter is able to capture particles down to 0.3 microns. People who suffer frequently from asthma or allergies, a HEPA filter equipped vacuum cleaner is an added bonus.
These are the basic things that matter while buying a compact vacuum cleaner for elderly people. Now that you know what to look for in the best vacuum cleaners, let’s get to the reviews.
10 Best Lightweight Vacuum Cleaner For Elderly
1.Oreck Commercial XL Upright Vacuum Cleaner
Oreck is a known name in the cleaning industry. This commercial XL vacuum cleaner is very arthritis friendly as well. It has a very sleek design with a 12-inch cleaning path. It’s very lightweight yet powerful enough to get all the dirt and debris out of your home.
It comes with an automatic floor adjustment capability. This feature makes cleaning the hard floor and carpet areas effortless. The power switch is located at the handgrip so you don’t have to bend over to make it work.
The Oreck Commercial vacuum cleaner weighs about 8 pounds which is very convenient to move around. The motor is sufficiently strong at operates at 6,500 RPMs. The dual helix brushes are designed to get as much debris as possible.
It’s a bagged vacuum cleaner but changing them out is very simple. Even the elder citizens don’t have to worry about it. This model also works well with pet hair.
What We Like:
- Bagged for better dirt collection
- Powerful motor for maximum cleaning
- Dual helix brush with a 12-inch cleaning path
- Corner cleaning brush
- Weighs only 8 pounds
- 2-speed switch
- Automatic height adjustment
What We Didn’t Like:
- Pretty loud
- Maintaining the long 40 feet cord is hard
- No attachments for the vacuum
2.Dyson V7 Motorhead Cordless Vacuum Cleaner
Dyson is already famous enough for its amazing technologies. They have really powerful motors and they have effortlessly implemented one in their V7 Motorhead vacuum cleaner. Due to the powerful motor onboard, it creates very powerful suction. The suction is powerful enough to clean hard surfaces and carpets without a hassle.
It’s a cordless design so the user doesn’t have to worry about carrying the annoying cables everywhere. It has lithium-ion batteries contributing to a decent 30-minute lifespan without adding any extra weight.
It’s a very lightweight model which is perfect for elderly people. It’s also very quiet. The acoustic design allows it to create half the noise compared to any other vacuum cleaner. The best part is the battery doesn’t fade as time progresses. The 30 minutes you can clean are going to be a memorable 30 minutes every time.
This model from Dyson is designed with a modular approach. It means you can disassemble the piece to make it smaller and lighter to clean tidy areas conveniently.
What We Like:
- Very powerful direct motorhead
- Very quiet due to acoustic engineering
- Can be transformed into a handheld vacuum cleaner
- Cordless operation
- 30 minutes of constant power
- Aesthetically designed
What We Didn’t Like:
- Feels heavier in high suction mode
- Limited time cleaning
3.Shark Rocket DuoClean HV382 Ultra-Light Corded Vacuum
SharkNinja is the manufacturer of this vacuum cleaner which has proved its worth to the elderly people. It comes equipped with different nozzle heads that fit right into different places. It’s also modular which means you can clean your car with this vacuum cleaner.
The multi-tools heavily help the pet owners. The suction is powerful enough to draw those pet hair from everywhere. It even comes with a hair-cleaning tool so you don’t have to worry about clogging the nozzles.
The nozzle consists of a few small and large bristles that can capture all sorts of dust particles from the carpet and the floor. The burst roll inside is very soft and it can work as a floor polisher as well. The nozzles also come with an LED light so you can see the tiny particles clearly while cleaning.
It weighs only about 4.6 pounds. The weight is ideal for people who don’t have the energy to carry a big vacuum cleaner around. Precisely, elderly people. It’s a corded variant and comes with a 25 feet cord. For small and medium homes and properties, the cord length is plenty.
What We Like:
- No time limit on cleaning
- It can be converted into a handheld vacuum
- Very light
- The power cord is long enough for most household
- Easy-to-access garage for added convenience
- Floor gets a polished look
What We Didn’t Like:
- LED light needs separate battery power
- Noisy
Also Read: The 10 Best Vacuums Vinyl Floors – to Get Your floor Spotless
4.Hoover BH50020PC Cordless Stick Vacuum
If you are looking for a sleek-looking vacuum cleaner with state of the art functionality, this model form Hoover should be your first choice. It’s one of the best vacuum cleaners for elderly people that you can find on the market.
This cordless vacuum cleaner boasts the latest WindTunnel technology to ensure maximum suction. The suction is more than enough to clean your floors and carpets simultaneously. The bristles are designed with maximum cleaning capability. It can even clean the edges effortlessly.
Keeping the elderly people in mind, the Hoover BH50020PC comes with a recline handle. It makes cleaning tight areas like under the table or sofa that much easier. The cleaning element is multi-color so you won’t have to worry about damaging your floors or rugs while cleaning with this beauty.
The power controls are at the handle so it’s very convenient to use for people of all ages. The lithium-ion battery makes sure of the lightweight and effective cleaning around the house.
What We Like:
- Weight is only 7.3 pounds
- Comes with interchangeable batteries for longer operations
- Recline feature to reach every corner
- A batter indicator to let you how much juice you have left
What We Didn’t Like:
- Suction drops as battery drains
- Dirt collection cup is pretty small
- Average battery life is only 20 minutes
5.VonHaus 600W 2 in 1 Corded Vacuum Cleaner
Considering that elderly people don’t clean heavy junk in general, they don’t need a gigantic vacuum cleaner in the first place. All they need is a light machine that can handle the day to day vacuuming needs.
This model from VonHaus features a 4.5 amp motor which is enough to clean you your everyday dirt and dust. It won’t make you go bankrupt and it will do the job better than any other vacuum cleaner in the market.
Surprisingly, it comes with HEPA and sponge filtration capabilities. People who like to keep updates know that HEPA is the future in purification technology. It can capture even the finest particles and help eradicate allergy and asthma.
It’s a 2 in 1 which means it can be converted to a handheld cleaner within moments. The smaller version is suitable to clean out the sofa or your car without dragging the whole unit around.
This particular variant from VonHaus is capable of cleaning both hard floors and carpets but it works best in floors. You also get a brush and crevice tool to clean the tightest corners of your home.
What We Like:
- Bagless for better maintenance
- Weighs only 5.6 pounds which is practically nothing
- Dust cup is pretty decent with 1.3-liter capacity
- Dusting brush and crevice tool included
- HEPA filtration with a sponge
- Shoulder strap for better movement
- Assembly is very quick between two operations
What We Didn’t Like:
- Comparatively loud
- Not the best option for carpets
6.Shark Navigator Upright Canister Vacuum
Upright vacuum cleaners tend to be on the heavier side of the spectrum. The convenience often comes with the price of weight. So, we took a hard look at the vacuum industry to find a lightweight upright vacuum cleaner for the elderly.
The Shark Navigator can be a perfect fit for the day to day lives of elderly people. It’s an upright model so the operation is very convenient. The weight is only at 10.6 pounds which might seem heavy, but it’s worth it considering the features.
The best part about this vacuum cleaner is that the lightweight doesn’t compromise the performance. It features never lose suction technology which is kind of obvious considering that it’s a corded model.
The manufacturer suggests multi-surface cleaning which means it can effectively handle both hard floors and carpets. It features a bottom-empty design so the emptying process is very simple and quick.
The multi-surface cleaning capability is further enhanced with the help of an auto shut-off feature. It means the brush roll that spins during the cleaning of hard floors will turn off automatically once you switch to carpets.
Cleaning pet hair and dander often require special treatment. But not with Shark Navigator. Its general cleaning is enough to get rid of all the pet hair your eyes can and cannot see.
Finally, it comes with attachments like dusting brush, crevice, and upholstery tool so you can clean other areas of your house as well.
What We Like:
- Bagless
- Lightweight
- Very powerful suction
- Long power cord for better coverage
- Great for pet hair cleaning
- Industry-leading 5 years warranty
- Effective multi-surface cleaning
What We Didn’t Like:
- No swivel option for reaching corners
- Relatively smaller dust cup
7.Dyson Cyclone V10 Motorhead Vacuum Cleaner
Yet another model from Dyson in this list. It’s the big brother of the V7 that we previously reviewed. It’s an updated model and it features a more powerful motor. Similar to the previous one, it’s also cordless.
A big difference is the new digital V10 motor. It’s fast. The motor is capable of creating powerful and consistent suction. The battery life can be extended to a whopping 60 minutes if you use the lowest power setting. But at full power, it will only last about 20 minutes but you will get a consistent 20 minutes of vacuum.
Another difference with the V7 is that the V10 features HEPA filters. The good things of HEPA filter are well known already. They are better. Period. The filtration system is fully sealed so no foreign object can penetrate the area.
It also boasts a dual functionality. With just one push of a button, the longer extension can be taken off. The machine will now work as a handheld vacuum cleaner. The attachments are a crevice tool and a different brush tool.
What We Like:
- Cordless and bagless variant
- Weights only about 5.5 pounds
- Cutting edge V10 digital motor
- Charging time is only 3.5 hours
- Maximum runtime of 60 minutes at the lowest setting
- A dock to wall-mount the vacuum cleaner
- Comes with necessary attachments
- HEPA filters included
What We Didn’t Like:
- Dust cup is comparatively small
- Price on the higher side
- Continuous press needed to keep the vacuum running
Also Read: Best Vacuum for Laminate Floors That Really Works
8.Bissell Air Ram Cordless Vacuum 1984
The first criterion of a vacuum cleaner for the elderly is the weight. They are not able to carry around big heavy machinery at all times. We are certainly not talking about each of them but the majority of the spectrum.
The Bissell Air Ram comes with all the necessary features and amenities to make you happy. Despite being very lightweight, it can actually do its job pretty well which is picking up dust and debris from the floor and carpet.
The vacuum cleaner for the elderly is cordlessly powered. Thanks to the lithium-ion battery, the vacuum cleaner is supposed to work for 30 minutes straight. Though the claim might not be achieved every time due to a lot of variables.
If you are planning to cover a large area with this cordless vacuum cleaner form Bissell, your best bet is to buy an extra battery that you can swap out during the operations. Then again, which elderly person would clean their house for hours.
The cleaner is very light in weight, as expected. It has a swivel head so the movements are very easy and convenient. The floor head comes with LED lighting and it can help you see the dark corners more easily.
What We Like:
- Enough suction to get rid of all kinds of debris
- LED lights to illuminate corners at night
- Swivel steering feature for added maneuverability
- 22V lithium-ion battery for powerful and consistent operation
- Up to 30 minutes runtime
- 0.6 liters of dry cup capacity
- Easy emptying process
What We Didn’t Like:
- Small dust collector
- No attachments with the package
- Loud
9.Dirt Devil Simpli-Stik Lightweight Corded Stick Vacuum
Looking for a very cheap vacuum cleaner to use every day? Perhaps there is no alternative to this model for Dirt Devil. It’s undoubtedly one of the best vacuum cleaners for the elderly despite the very humble price.
It’s compact, it’s effective and most importantly, it’s lightweight. It’s strong enough to get the dirt and grit out of your house. It shouldn’t come as a surprise that this variant is not suitable for heavy-duty usage.
The weight of this stick vacuum cleaner is measured at only 4 pounds. 4 pounds! Can you imagine how light this thing is? It’s truly a piece of art and it deserves appreciation. There is even an onboard crevice tool so no corner is safe from form this vacuum cleaner.
You might think the features have ended as it’s a cheap model. But you are wrong. Dirt Devil Simpli-Stick has a dual functionality mode that even high-end vacuum cleaners lack. You can turn it into a handheld unit anytime you see fit. It’s just a matter of minutes.
What We Like:
- Ultra-lightweight
- 16 feet power cord for decent coverage
- Dust capacity of 0.35 liters
- Inexpensive
- Easy to store and use
- Can be converted to hand unit within moments
- Very easy to mantle and dismantle
- Crevice tool included
- Very good for hardwood, area rugs, and tiles
What We Didn’t Like:
- Not great for carpet cleaning
- Very small dust collector
- Suction is not on par with top of the line models
- Very limited 1-year warranty
Wrapping Up:
Finding the best lightweight vacuum cleaners for elderly people was not an easy task. If you are in the market for such a vacuum cleaner, you might realize the struggle. But in the end, we managed to do it.
We have compiled the best lightweight vacuum cleaners for elderly people in one list. They are also great for regular use. Some of them are arthritis certified while others are not. But overall, all these models are great machines on their own.
If you think you need a compact vacuum cleaner for yourself or someone elderly at home, feel free to check the models out.