Top 4 Lightweight Vacuum Cleaner For Elderly and Seniors
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In this article, I will share with you the best lightweight vacuum cleaners for elderly people and senior citizens. Unlike the typical vacuum cleaners that are heavy, these products are less taxing on the muscles and joints.
Best Lightweight Vacuum Cleaners For Elderly and Seniors
I respect other reviewers on the internet, but I'm confused because they often recommend products that are heavy, even for normal adults. On average, they recommend products that weigh 7 pounds.
That being said, here are the top 4 lightweight vacuum cleaners for elderly and seniors. All the products listed here weigh no more than 4 pounds (the heaviest is 3.7 pounds). Old people and toddlers can use them.
1. Best overall: Wyze Cordless Vacuum
Without a doubt, the best lightweight vacuum for elderly people and senior citizens is the Wyze cordless vacuum because it is lightweight, powerful, convenient, and affordable, making it the quintessential choice.
Lightweight, but doesn’t skimp on power
A big reason why the Wyze cordless vacuum is appealing for elderly people and senior citizens is the weight. The Wyze cordless vacuum is as light as a feather because it weighs in at just 2.8 pounds.
In fact, it’s so featherly that not only grandpas and grandmas can use it, but toddlers can even use it too. Despite being lightweight, however, the Wyze cordless vacuum doesn’t skimp on power.
The Wyze cordless vacuum has 3 suction power levels: Turbo, Medium, and Eco. Turbo mode delivers the most power (24,000 Pa, or 150 air watts) but it does so at the expense of battery life.
Medium mode balances suction power (15,000 Pa or 55 air watts) and battery life, while Eco mode delivers the lowest suction power (7,000 Pa, or 18 air watts) but provides the longest battery life.
During my review of the Wyze cordless vacuum, I was able to pick heavier objects (like cereal) with relative ease using the Turbo mode. However, I did most of my cleaning using the Medium mode as it allows me to pick up what I needed to clean while providing enough battery life for longer sessions.
I rarely use the Eco mode because I think the suction power is not enough to clean effectively. That being said, I’m impressed by the power provided by the Wyze cordless vacuum despite its measly 2.8 pounds weight.
Convenient thanks to the cordless design
In addition to its lightweight frame, the Wyze cordless vacuum is ideal for elderly people and senior citizens because of its cordless design. Just like a smartphone, the Wyze cordless vacuum has no strings attached.
Most people, myself included, despise the hassle of having to plug a vacuum every time I want to use it. I hate bending down to plug in a device, let alone old people. It puts tremendous stress on their backs.
The Wyze cordless vacuum, however, is easy to set up and use. All you have to do is unbox the unit and its accessories, then plug it in and wait for it to charge. While charging, the screen shows the current battery percentage level. Once fully charged, you can use it anywhere in your house without a leash.
Affordable price but gets the job done
You would think that a high-quality device like the Wyze cordless vacuum is expensive, but it actually is very affordable. In fact, it is one of the most affordable vacuum cleaners on the market.
The Wyze brand is an established home appliance company that offers smart home cameras and devices packed with features at a price that is accessible for all. Recently, they’ve started selling cleaning appliances.
With a proven track record of providing high-quality consumer goods at a reasonable price, I recommend the Wyze cordless vacuum without hesitation, knowing that it will exceed your expectations. In fact, the Wyze cordless vacuum is able to hold its own against a powerhouse like Dyson.
Easy to empty and clean
A simple, yet important aspect of the Wyze cordless vacuum is how easy it is to empty and clean the dust cup. All you have to do is to press the release button while holding the machine over a trash can.
Emptying the dust cup is super easy!
The dust cup cover will drop open and release all the collected debris. Once the dust cup is empty, snap the cover back into place. Emptying and cleaning the dust cup is really that simple and I’m sure you’ll love it too!
2. Runner-up: Bissell Featherweight Stick Vacuum
The Bissell Featherweight is powerful, convenient, and easy to use. Its powerful suction makes it great for quick pick ups with multipurpose versatility. In fact, the Bissell Featherweight is a versatile cleaning three machines in one: a stick vacuum, handle vacuum, and stair vacuum. It comes in 4 colors.
Small but MIGHTY
Looking at the Bissell Featherweight for the first time, I was very skeptical about it because once I removed it from the box and put it together, it looked cheaply made. It's so light and thin, you'd think it would be bad.
Much to my surprise, the Bissell Featherweight picks up dirt really well. In fact, it’s so light and easy to move around, push, and swivel, making it the perfect lightweight vacuum cleaner for seniors.
But don’t take my word for it. A quick look at this vacuum cleaner’s Amazon product page will show you the countless reviews of satisfied customers who, like me, were very skeptical at first.
Weighing in at just 3.4 pounds, this vacuum cleaner works on all floor types and converts into a handheld. It is small enough even for toddlers to use, which is a testament of how light this machine is.
I gave the Bissell Featherweight to my mom and told her to give it a try. She ended up vacuuming the entire living room, kitchen, and 1/2 bathroom. It didn't feel like a burdensome chore to her because she didn't have to drag around a heavy vacuum cleaner. This was super light and easy to maneuver.
Perfect for hard floors and pet hair
One great feature about the Bissell Featherweight is that it has no brush roller. Owning a vacuum cleaner equipped with a brush roller is often burdensome because you have to remove wrapped hair constantly.
Without the brush, it is able to pick up pet hair without getting it tangled. You don't have to spend time once every few days cutting all that hair out that would otherwise be wrapped around it.
Not only is the suction power very strong, but the Bissell Featherweight is able to pick up dirt from corners beautifully because it moves and swivels without much energy from you. It’s very quiet too.
Considering its small and lightweight frame, this little vacuum does an excellent job of picking up literally everything. From fine dust, dog hair, even larger pieces of food like Cheerios. I am especially amazed at the amount of dog hair it picks up. It’s very easy to empty too, thanks to the bagless design.
Cordless would have been better
My only complaint about this lightweight vacuum is that it’s corded. This is why I put this number two on this list. If this machine is cordless, I may have put the Bissell Featherweight higher in the pecking order.
Ideally, when looking for a lightweight vacuum cleaner for seniors a cordless vacuum would be the best option because they do not need to go through the hassle of potentially bending down to plug the machine.
I would have loved it if the Bissell Featherweight was cordless. Still, it is a solid choice as one of the best lightweight vacuum cleaners for elderly people you can buy. It’s small, yet it packs a punch!
3. Budget option: Dirt Devil 3-in-1 Stick Vacuum
If you’re looking for the most affordable choice, consider the Dirt Devil 3-in-1 stick vacuum. It is the budget option for the best lightweight vacuum cleaner for elderly people and senior citizens.
Perfect no-frills stick vacuum
At first, I really wasn’t expecting much from the Dirt Devil stick vacuum based on the cheap price and the fact that it looked like a kids’ toy as I was putting the entire thing together.
Much to my surprise, I’m impressed at how well this lightweight vacuum cleans things up. It works great on all surfaces, including hardwood floors and low-pile area rugs, all of which I have to vacuum everyday.
I’ve even lent this lightweight vacuum to my friend who is in a constant battle against animal fur in her house (she has 3 cats and 2 dogs). The Dirt Devil stick vacuum wins the battle most of the time.
Overall, this little gem is perfect for my needs.
It’s very lightweight, can reach under furniture, and gets in all the nooks and crannies my bigger vacuum can’t reach. It also stands upright by itself, which is a big deal to me while I’m cleaning.
Light enough for elderly and seniors
The Dirt Devil stick vacuum is light enough for older people to carry around. In fact, I bought one as a gift for a friend who has arthritic hands. She has difficulty lifting and operating a regular vacuum).
With the Dirt Devil stick vacuum, she is able to use it once every other day to clean her living room area rug. Overall, she’s very satisfied with the suction power and the weight. If my friend who has arthritic hands is able to use this lightweight vacuum with ease, so too can your grandmother or grandfather.
Despite weighing less than 4 pounds, it’s the heaviest on this list
The Dirt Devil stick vacuum is great. I’ve decided to include this vacuum cleaner on this list as a budget option. However, despite weighing less than 4 pounds, it is still the heaviest item on this list.
This isn’t a knock on the product, and it’s certainly nothing to complain about, but it's just a friendly reminder that there are other lightweight vacuum cleaner options available for elderly people and senior citizens.
Cordless would have been better
The Dirt Devil stick vacuum is very versatile because it can transform into a handheld vacuum. It can easily clean stairs, furniture, pet hair, small messes, and hard to reach places thanks to its extended reach.
Unfortunately, its versatility does have its limitations. While it boasts a lengthy 18-feet cord length, you wouldn’t be able to carry it around freely because the machine needs to be plugged in all the time.
It’s definitely not a dealbreaker, but I would prefer to buy a lightweight vacuum that is cordless so that my grandmother and grandfather (or mother and father) can use it without the hassle of plugging the device.
But for the price I paid for it, I’m very happy with my purchase.
4. Best handheld: Shark WV201 WANDVAC
Sometimes, the best option for grandmothers and grandfathers is a simple handheld vacuum. Not only does it weigh significantly less than the typical stick vacuum, but it’s very easy to use as well.
Ultra lightweight but surprisingly powerful
Weighing in at just 1.4 pounds, the Shark WANDVAC handheld vacuum is the very definition of featherweight. It is designed for maneuverability and easy cleaning thanks to its size that is no bigger than a wine bottle.
In fact, the Shark WANDVAC is super easy to wield. I find it to be the perfect overall length – it's long enough to grab crumbs off the floor without too much exertion, but still short enough to feel compact.
That being said, don’t be fooled by its slim profile. The Shark WANDVAC delivers suction power despite its minuscule frame. For reference, the suction is powerful enough to stick to your hand when it’s on.
Initially, I scoffed at the idea of spending $100 on a “dustbuster on steroids”, but as long as this handheld vacuum cleaner lasts, it’s worth it. I love the fact that it is super light and has excellent suction.
Convenient charging dock
I really like the convenient charging dock. Not only is it convenient, but it also leaves a small footprint. Just drop the Shark handheld vacuum into the slot in the charger and it will be ready for the next mess.
The sleek charging dock is designed for quick access and fast charging. In fact, you should always store the WANDVAC in its charging dock so it’s always ready for use. It only needs 2.5 hours to fully charge.
Final Verdict
And there you have it, the best lightweight vacuum cleaners for elderly and seniors. As promised, all of the products listed in this article weigh less than 4 pounds. Old people can use it, even toddlers.
Other vacuum cleaner recommendations:
Ryan O'Connor
I write about house cleaning and vacuum cleaners. For me, nothing is more important than a clean environment to ensure both a healthy and happy life. Learn more.