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Vortex-induced vibration (VIV) has emerged as a promising method for small-scale energy harvesting. This research explores the key parameters affecting VIV in a cylinder-cantilever beam system within a Reynolds number range of 400–7500. The investigation focused on identifying the airflow velocity thresholds that initiate vibrations, measuring peak vibration amplitudes, and determining the critical airflow velocities where vibrations are maximized. By systematically varying mass, stiffness, and cylinder diameter, we examined their distinct effects on system behavior. Key outcomes indicate that larger cylinder diameters lead to increased vibration amplitudes and broader operational bandwidths, while adding mass reduces the bandwidth. Higher stiffness boosts both the maximum amplitude and bandwidth, shifting these to higher airflow velocities. The lock-in regime was observed to initiate at a Strouhal number (St) between 0.175 and 0.197, with vibration cessation occurring at an approximately consistent Strouhal number for each cylinder diameter. The peak vibration amplitude occurred at St ≈ 0.16, with fluctuations of less than 5% across all models. Additionally, the wake structure behind the cylinder and its behavior across the vibration bandwidth were analyzed using flow visualization techniques. A hot-wire anemometer positioned downstream measured velocity fluctuations from vortex shedding. These findings offer practical insights for optimizing VIV-based energy harvesting, linking wake behavior to amplitude response and power output. This study contributes to the broader understanding of VIV energy harvesters and provides a foundation for validating numerical models and enhancing the efficiency of sustainable energy systems.