Standard vacuum cleaners are heavy. This makes it difficult for the elderly to use them. In fact, depending on how large the house is, cleaning with a standard vacuum will require a lot of stamina.
Research shows that it takes 15 to 30 minutes for a healthy adult to clean a home. That includes vacuuming, dusting, wiping, and washing floors. It also means pulling and pushing heavy furniture.
The elderly suffer from a myriad of health conditions. They include arthritis, osteoporosis, and weak joints. As such, it’s essential to minimize damage to the joints.
To ensure the elderly can clean their homes with ease, they need the best lightweight vacuum. Not only is the best vacuum for arthritis sufferers easier on the back. But the elderly can pull or push around effortlessly.
In this post, we review the best lightweight vacuum for seniors.
Related review:
The 5 Best Lightweight Vacuum:
After hours of research, we’ve identified the following five lightweight vacuums for the elderly.
| IMAGE | Vacuums | At a glance | |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Dyson Cyclone V10 Motorhead | Type: Stick Cordless: Yes Run Time: Up to 60 mins Weight: 5.5 lbs |
|
OUR TOP PICK |
Bissell Air Ram 1984 | Type: Stick Cordless: Yes Run Time: Up to 40 mins Weight: 7.75 lbs |
|
 |
Shark ION F80 (IF281) | Type: Stick Cordless: Yes Run Time: Up to 40 mins x 2 Battery Weight: 8.7 lbs |
|
Best Bagged |
Oreck Elevate Conquer | Type: Upright Bagged Cordless: No Cord Length: 35 ft Weight: < 10 lbs |
|
Best for hard floor  |
Shark ION P50 | Type: Upright Bagless Cordless: Yes Run Time: 50 mins Weight: 12 lbs |
1. Dyson Cyclone V10 Motorhead
Dyson is a British company that makes a wide range of home appliances. Founded in 1991, the company pioneered modern cleaning technology. In fact, this is what inspired the founder to start his company.
Today, the company builds vacuums that are lightweight, versatile, and suitable for deep cleaning. One of the best lightweight vacuums built by the company is the Dyson Cyclone V10 Motorhead.
Here are the features of this fantastic gadget.
Lightweight and Versatile
If you are looking for the best lightweight stick vacuum with cord-free versatility, this is for you. The Dyson Cyclone V10 Motorhead is a battery-powered vacuum ideal for the elderly.
It has the following dimensions: 9.5 by 10 by 48.8 inches and weighs 5.5 pounds. You need to know that it can quickly transform into a handheld vacuum. As a handheld vacuum, you can use it to clean your furniture and car seats.
It features the instant release trigger. This allows the use of battery power when cleaning. You need to know that the vacuum requires charging for 3.5 hours before using this feature.
Powerful Cyclone Technology
Want to create a cleaner, healthier home? The Dyson Cyclone V10 Motorhead features 14 concentric cyclones. This technology has proven to capture particles as small as airborne bacteria.
It’s powered by a V10 digital motor engineered by Dyson. This motor offers up to 60 minutes of fade-free power. By using the soft roller head, the vacuum can pick up fine dust and large debris.
You can use the torque drive cleaner mode. This feature offers 20 minutes of fade-free power when you set the vacuum in suction mode II. It also drives the nylon bristles deep into your rugs and carpets. By doing so, it captures deeply seated dirt.
The vacuum has a slider control on the cleaner head. This control allows you to adjust the suction. Maximum suction is suitable when vacuuming hard floors, heavily soiled rugs, and carpets.
To vacuum dust and debris from lightly soiled rugs, hard flooring, and carpets, slide the control slider.
Fully Sealed Filtration System
Available in pink and purple, this battery-powered vacuum has a fully sealed filtration system. This system has the capability of trapping 99.99% of particles as small as 0.3 microns. Such particles include dust, lint, pet fur, pet dander, and dust mite debris.
To clean the filter unit, run under cold water at least once a month. Before refitting, make sure the filter unit is completely dry.
Besides capturing the contaminants above, the filtration system also expels clean air. Since it can transform into a handheld vacuum quickly, you can use it for cleaning difficult locations and spot cleaning.
Pros & Cons:
2. Bissell AirRam Cordless Vacuum 1984
Next is the Bissell Cordless Vacuum 1984 Green Air Ram. Bissell is a trusted brand with over 140 years of experience in floor care. Founded in 1876, the company has been making innovative products that include carpet deep cleaners and vacuums.
Every product is carefully designed to help you clean your favorite spaces and surfaces. Whether you are cleaning small or big messes, Bissell products make it an easy job.
Here are the features of the Bissell Cordless Vacuum, 1984, Green Air Ram.
Powerful Vacuum Technology
The Bissell Cordless Vacuum, 1984, Green Air Ram features a powerful vacuum technology. Powered by a 22V Lithium-Ion battery, it’s perfect for multi-surface cleaning.
The removable battery provides 40 minutes of fade-free power. As such, you can clean your carpets, rugs, and hard floors with ease. Thanks to the multi-surface brush roll, the vacuum delivers high-performance cleaning.
For maximum maneuverability, the upright stick vacuum comes with a swivel steering. It also has a flat handle. As such, the vacuum fits under furniture with ease.
You need to know that it can fit under furniture with a 4 1/2 inch clearance. This is because the head swivels even while under the furniture. Not only that. It’s easy to control.
Easy Empty Dirt Bin
The vacuum features the Easy Empty Dirt Bin. This removable bin collects all the dust and debris as you vacuum your carpets, rugs, and hard floors. To remove the bin, the vacuum has a built-in slider.
Just slide the control, and the bin will push out the debris and dust. As such, you don’t have to make a mess when emptying the bin. The vacuum features bright LED lights. The lights help to illuminate surfaces and dirt on your hard floors. This makes cleaning efficient and effective.
Lightweight and Compact
What we liked about this vacuum is that it’s lightweight at 7.75 pounds. It’s also compact – 11.7 by 9.9 by 4.4 inches, making it ideal for the elderly.
Combine this with the flat handle, swivel steering, and powerful vacuum, you can clean your furniture, floors, and carpets with ease. To ensure the vacuum serves you for many years, keep all openings free.
That means making sure no objects such as lint, dust, fingers, or clothing are blocking any openings.
Pros & Cons:
3. Shark ION F80 (IF281)
Looking for an upright vacuum that comes with two batteries? The Shark ION F80 is a powerful vacuum with two interchangeable batteries. As the best lightweight vacuum for seniors, the Lithium-Ion battery packs are removable. They also offer up to 80 minutes of cordless run time.
You can swap one battery and keep cleaning. With one battery, the vacuum can clean up to 350 square feet. Besides the interchangeable batteries, here are more features of the upright vacuum.
DuoClean Technology
The vacuum has one powerhead and two brush rolls. Invented for large debris and fine dust, the vacuum can clean your rugs, carpets, and hard floors with ease. In fact, the brush rolls can go deeper into the carpet fibers to remove deeply seated dirt.
To improve the cleaning efficiency of the vacuum, you need to attach the right accessories. Before cleaning with the accessories, separate the handheld part from the vacuum. Press the “Wand Release” button, and remove the floor nozzle by stepping on the pedal release.
Slide your desired cleaning accessory onto the end of the wand. Don’t push it all the way. Once it’s secure, start cleaning.
MultiFLEX Technology
Another feature we loved is MultiFLEX technology. What’s impressive about this technology is that it gives the user the ability to reach under the furniture.
To use this technology, find the button on the backside of the wand. Use the “Press to Unlock” button to bend the wand. Now, turn the power on and start cleaning. Besides reaching under the furniture, the MultiFLEX technology can also fold the vacuum for compact storage. In fact, this comes in handy when charging the vacuum.
You can also transform the vacuum into a hand vacuum at the touch of a button. This allows you to clean your furniture, car seats, and above floor. To remove the handheld vacuum, press the “Wand Release” foot pedal. Pull the wand off, attach a cleaning accessory, and start cleaning.
Other Features
The vacuum can overheat. If this happens, it will turn off on its own. The reason why the vacuum turns off is that it has a motor protective thermostat. To reset the thermostat, turn the power off and remove the battery.
It’s crucial to check for dirty filters and clogs. If you discover any, wash the filters and clear the clogs. Allow the vacuum to cool for 45 minutes before reinserting the battery and turning it on.
The vacuum comes with a dust cup. It has a capacity of 0.3 quarts. Although it’s not allergy-friendly, it requires less maintenance. To clean the dust cup, wash with cold water. Before fitting it back, make sure it’s completely dry. You may discover a restriction to the vacuum’s airflow.
To improve airflow, turn off the power. Remove the battery and check for any blockages. Clear all blockages, empty the dust cup, and also clean the filters.
Pros & Cons:
4. Oreck Elevate Conquer
The Oreck Elevate Conquer Bagged is what every elderly man or woman needs to clean their homes. Made in the USA, this vacuum is lightweight and provides maximum maneuverability.
Here are the features of the Oreck Elevate Conquer Bagged vacuum.
Superior HEPA Filtration
The Oreck Elevate Conquer Bagged has a superior filtration system that includes a HEPA filter. The filter captures 99.97% of particles as small as 0.3 microns. Such particles include dust, lint, pet dander, and pet fur.
Besides capturing the particles, the filter also automatically locks in the dirt during disposal. The SaniSeal system automatically seals and locks in the dust, debris, and allergens.
By trapping unseen particles, the vacuum distributes clean air, which is good for asthma and allergy sufferers. How you may ask. Clean air does not exacerbate asthma and other allergies, but unfiltered air does.
Easy to Use Controls
The vacuum has two-speed fingertip controls. These controls allow you to adjust the brush roll speed depending on the surface. This is handy when cleaning carpets, rugs, and hard floors.
It also comes with a SlimSwivel Steering. This steering allows you to maneuver the vacuum with ease. Whether it’s on rugs, carpets, or even under furniture, cleaning is easy. The vacuum has the Oreck’s Ultimate Handheld canister. This is useful for detailed and above-floor cleaning.
Lightweight and Low Profile Design
At less than 10 pounds, the Oreck Elevate Conquer Bagged used lightweight materials to ensure it delivers maximum performance. In fact, it’s able to do so at half the weight of other models.
The vacuum has a low profile design, which makes it perfect for cleaning under furniture. Plus, it comes with a 35-foot cord, which allows for a large cleaning radius. The vacuum has bright LED headlights. They are perfect for revealing fine dust and debris on hard floors.
It also features side edge brushes. These brushes grab debris on both sides of the vacuum. Thanks to this feature, cleaning your home is easy.
Pros & Cons:
5. Shark ION P50
The Shark ION P50 – IC162 is one of the best vacuum for arthritis sufferers. It features impressive technologies such as DuoClean and Anti Allergen seal.
Here are the features of the Shark ION P50 – IC162.
Three Versatile Cleaning Modes
As the best lightweight vacuum for seniors, the vacuum cleaner has three versatile cleaning modes. First, you’ve the upright mode. This mode is perfect for deep carpet cleaning and hard floor pickup.
Second, you have the stick mode. This mode is ideal for cleaning under furniture and in tight spaces. To set the vacuum to stick mode, remove the canister. Then, extend the motorized brush roll to clean tight spaces.
Lastly, we have a handheld mode. Perfect for cleaning tight spaces, car seats, furniture, and above the floor, the handheld mode is easy to set up. Start by removing the wand. To do so, press the “Wand Release” button. Once pressed, the button should remain in an unlocked position.
You can choose to attach a cleaning accessory to the end of the wand before cleaning.
Large Capacity Dust Cup
The vacuum has the following dimensions – 10.24 by 12.45 by 44.8 inches. It comes with a dust cup – 0.54 quarts- that has twice the standard dust cup’s capacity. As such, you can clean multiple floors and rooms.
To empty the dust cup, hold it over the trash by the handle. With the other hand, press the bottom door release button. The button is on the front of the unit. Tap the dust cup to empty the contents in the trash. You can even turn the dust cup upside down over the trash. Wipe the dust cup with a soft microfiber cloth before replacing it.
Powerful Suction Technology
The vacuum features DuoClean technology. This technology was initially designed to clean large debris and fine dust from hard floors, carpets, and rugs. To make this possible, the manufacturer fitted the vacuum with one powerhead.
It also has two brush rolls that go deeper into the carpet fibers to remove deeply seated dirt and dust. The vacuum works with a HEPA filter. It captures unseen particles as small as 0.3 microns.
Such particles include dander, dirt, allergens, and dust. Together with the Anti Allergen Complete seal, contaminants cannot escape back into the air. Thanks to the HEPA filter with a 99.97% efficiency, this is the best vacuum for arthritis sufferers.
Powered by Lithium-ion batteries, the vacuum can run for 50 minutes. Even on a single battery, the vacuum can take on large cleaning jobs.
Pros & Cons:
Buying Guide for Lightweight Vacuum
Shopping for the best lightweight vacuum for seniors is tough. Standard vacuum models are heavy, which makes maneuverability complicated. Although they have features that make them ideal for large cleaning jobs, they are not suitable for the elderly.
Thanks to improved technology, we now have vacuums for the elderly. Here are the top five factors to consider when buying the best lightweight vacuum.
Weight
When buying vacuums for the elderly, the first factor to consider is the weight. Why you may ask. A heavy vacuum is challenging to maneuver despite having easy to use controls.
It also makes it difficult to use above floors. Experts recommend a vacuum that weighs less than 10 pounds for the elderly. If it exceeds 10 pounds but not 15 pounds, it should transform into a handheld vacuum quickly.
This makes it ideal for cleaning above floor. A good example is the Shark ION P50 – IC162. It has three versatile cleaning modes that include stick, upright and handheld modes.
HEPA Filtration
The elderly are prone to a lot of health conditions. Besides arthritis and osteoporosis, they are prone to asthma and other respiratory illnesses. To protect their health, we recommend buying a vacuum with a HEPA filter.
A HEPA filter captures 99.97% of unseen particles such as dander, dirt, dust, and allergens. These particles range in size from 0.3 microns to a micron. Due to their size, they can find their way into a person’s lungs and cause various illnesses.
The best models with HEPA filters are Dyson Cyclone V10 Motorhead, Oreck Elevate Conquer, and Shark ION P50 – IC162.
Maneuverability
Maneuverability is usually related to the weight of the vacuum. The heavier it is, the more difficult it is to maneuver. Today, manufacturers have been able to improve maneuverability even for heavy vacuums.
They solved the problem by adding premium features such as a swivel head. The swivel head allows the vacuum to reach in tight spaces and under furniture. This is beneficial to the elderly as they don’t have to bend, which is bad for the back and joints.
Besides a swivel head, manufacturers have also made modern vacuums to have a self-propelling capability. As such, it’s much easier to push and pull the unit over hard floors, carpets, and rugs.
Cleaning Power
The best lightweight vacuum for seniors has one major drawback – loss of suction power. When choosing a lightweight and compact vacuum, it’s wise to pay close attention to its suction power.
Most lightweight vacuums have technologies that boost suction power. For example, DuoClean, Dual brush system, and cyclonic technology. These technologies boost the vacuum’s performance, making it ideal for deep cleaning carpets, hard floors, and rugs.
Mobility and Power
Lithium-ion batteries usually power most lightweight vacuums. These rechargeable batteries provide a run time of 30 minutes to an hour. Since they are cordless, the elderly can move around without restrictions.
To charge the vacuum, most have docking stations. Just position the vacuum and wait until the battery is fully charged.
You may come across corded lightweight vacuums. Such models have cords that reach up to 35 feet. When fully unraveled, it offers extra cleaning radius. This is an added perk as the elderly don’t have to unplug and plug in from location to location.
Final Thoughts
There you have it. The top 5 lightweight vacuum for the elderly. Our favorite choice is Bissell Air Ram 1985. It has a very lightweight handle, feels much lighter in hand. Also, the model is cordless and has a removable battery.
Although we would have preferred a bagged option because it is ideal for allergy sufferers, the dust cup is easy to empty. In fact, you can empty the contents right into the trash. It’s also easy to clean.
If you are looking for the best lightweight vacuum, start with the models reviewed above.
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