Do you dread vacuuming because it’s so hard to push the vacuum around? Are you looking for a vacuum cleaner for a senior that’s the easiest to push. In this blog post, we will discuss the different vacuum cleaner types and determine which one is the easiest to push!

Which Vacuum is Easiest to Push?

There are a number of factors that go into making a vacuum cleaner not only easy to push, but easier to manage overall around the home. Here they are.

To dive deep into the details and my recommendations for a vacuum cleaner for grandma, check out my review of The 11 Best Lightweight Vacuums for the Elderly.

The weight of the vacuum

The lighter the vacuum cleaner , the easier it is to push around.

Canister vacuum cleaners are typically the lightest weight option (with the exception of stick vacuums, of course). Upright vacuum cleaners tend to be heavier, but they often have larger wheels that make them easier to push. Cordless stick vacuum cleaners tend to be lighter than uprights, although a cordless stick vacuum than its corded counterpart, due to its battery.

The type of wheels

The type of wheels can make a big difference in how easy it is to push a vacuum cleaner .

• Some vacuum cleaners have swivel wheels which make them much easier to maneuver.
• If the vacuum cleaner has large, sturdy wheels, it will be much easier to push.
• The size and material of the wheels will also make a difference. Rubber tires are going to be much easier to roll on carpet than plastic wheels.
• In general, vacuum cleaners with large wheels are going to be the easiest to push around, regardless of the type of flooring you have.
• In general a cordless vacuum cleaner will have smaller wheels than typical upright vacuums.

The suction power of the vacuum

A powerful vacuum cleaner can be harder to push because it’s working harder to pick up dirt and debris. This is more of an issue for carpets than hardwood or bare floors.

If you have hardwood floors, then the type of wheels won’t make as much of a difference.

If you have hardwood floors, then consider a lightweight model vacuum cleaner with strong suction. These vacuum cleaners will be much easier to push around than a heavy vacuum cleaner with weak suction.

Additional features that can make a vacuum easier to push are:

• A cord wrap system: This will help you keep the cord tidy and out of the way while you are vacuuming.
• A long hose: This will give you more reach and make it easier to vacuum difficult to reach areas.
• A crevice tool: This attachment can help you clean tight spaces without having to move the vacuum around as much.
• Cord length : A longer cord will give you more reach and make it easier to vacuum large areas.
• A cordless vacuum cleaner has no cord to deal with, but a shorter run time, of course.

Other Ease of Use Factors

Certainly, how easy the vacuum is to push is an important ease-of-use factor. But, have you considered other important factors like ease-of-cleanability (I think I just made a new word) and whether you should choose one of the bagless vacuum cleaners?

If you want to learn more about how to pick a vacuum cleaner that’s easy to clean, then check out my article on Which Vacuum is Easiest to Clean.

The Different Types of Vacuum Cleaners

Upright Vacuum Cleaners

Upright vacuum cleaners are arguably the easiest type of vacuum cleaner to push IF it has large wheels and a long cord.

The only downside to upright vacuums are that they can be difficult to maneuver around furniture. If you have a lot of furniture in your home, then you might want to steer away from upright vacuums.

Canister Vacuum Cleaners

Canister vacuums are going to be the second easiest type of vacuum to push (pull).

Canister vacuums have a long hose which makes them great for reaching tight spaces and difficult to reach areas.

Canister vacuums are difficult to maneuver around rooms with a lot of furniture.

Stick Vacuum Cleaners

A stick vacuum cleaner is going to be the third easiest type of vacuum to push.

Stick vacuum cleaners are lightweight and have strong suction which makes them great for hardwood floors.

The downside to a stick vacuum cleaner is that they tend to have smaller wheels and can be more can be difficult to push on carpeted floors, as compared to an upright vacuum cleaner.

Robot Vacuum Cleaners

A robot vacuum cleaner is easy to push as there is no pushing required! Robot vacuum cleaners are great for hardwood and bare floors and can be programmed to clean specific areas.

The downside to robot vacuum cleaners are that they can have a hard time maneuvering around furniture and(room clutter). If you have a lot of furniture or clutter in your home, then this is not the best bet for your primary vacuum.

Considerations for Seniors Looking to Choose a Vacuum

In addition to requiring a lighter weight vacuum that’s easier to push, seniors have a number of special requirements, including whether to choose a vacuum with a HEPA filter or not.

Wrap Up

The best vacuum for you depends on your individual needs.

My advice is to make a list of ALL your requirements when buying a vacuum. The final decision of which vacuum to choose will be a trade-off as each vacuum type has its own pluses and minuses.