When there is a discussion about vacuum cleaners, people always ask me which vacuum cleaner they should buy and what is my recommendation of the best vacuum cleaner.
Well, with so many different types, models and brands of vacuum cleaners to choose from, the decision of the best vacuum cleaner can be quite a challenge.
So, I have given you a lowdown of the factors you should consider and evaluate before deciding on the best vacuum cleaner to buy.
Contents
Type
The first consideration that I think is extremely important when buying a vacuum cleaner is the type.
There are so many types of vacuum cleaners that you should evaluate the pros and cons of each before deciding the one that’s right for your needs.
Handheld Vacuum Cleaners
These are usually very small in size, lightweight and portable.
Handheld vacuum cleaners usually have a long body and a wide mouth, these can be used to clean hard to reach areas and narrow spaces where standard-sized models can’t.
You can carry handheld vacuum cleaners anywhere you go and they can be used for super quick cleanups such as cereal spills.
The controls are extremely simple with just an on/off switch for operation. However, the limitation of handhelds is that the capacity is fairly limited and you need to empty the dirt bin more often.
Also, the suction power of handhelds is much less compared to regular-sized vacuum cleaners.
Read More: The best handheld vacuum cleaners in the UK
Upright Vacuum Cleaners
These vacuum cleaners usually have a high stick and a cylinder that collects the waste.
The adjustable height of the upright vacuums makes it easier for people to maneuver around and clean with it. It is also easier on the back as you don’t have to lean too much while vacuuming.
The wider mouth of the vacuum enables it to cover more floor space and the revolving brush in the head enables you to clean thick carpets very well.
The main limitations of upright vacuum cleaners are that there are not too many attachments available and the vacuum cleaner is a bit bulky, which makes it difficult to store and carry around.
Read More: The best upright vacuum cleaners in the UK
Cylinder Vacuum Cleaners
Also known as barrel or canister vacuum cleaners, cylinder vacuums have 2 large wheels at the back and 1 or 2 of them in the front.
These vacuum cleaners are small in size, which makes them easy to store.
Most models come with various attachments and the cylinder vacuum cleaner is ideal for cleaning a variety of floor surfaces, and the narrow head makes it especially suitable for cleaning narrow spaces, stairs, etc.
However, the wheels do not turn 360o, which makes it difficult to pull and lift the vacuum cleaner, especially for people with bad backs.
Read More: The best cylinder vacuum cleaners
Robot Vacuum Cleaners
For people like me who don’t really like vacuuming as a chore, robot vacuum cleaners are the perfect buy.
The robot vacuum cleaner moves around on its own, without you having to do anything at all and sucks up all the dust and dirt around your home.
The robot cleaner is especially suitable for people with mobility problems or those who don’t have the time to pay a lot of attention to vacuuming.
The robot vacuum cleaner is cordless and can move around without any constraints and its compact size makes it ideal for even small spaces.
The robot vacuum has preset boundaries and allows you to set the walls and areas that are off-limits, so you don’t have to worry about the vacuum falling down the stairs, bumping into walls or going over the same place.
And, the robot vacuum can adjust itself to various types of surfaces. Once it completes the cleaning, the vacuum returns to the charging dock to recharge.
The limitations of the robot vacuum cleaner are that it is quite expensive and it takes a much longer time to clean your room compared to a regular vacuum cleaner.
Read More: The best robot vacuum cleaners in the UK
Cordless Vacuum Cleaners
Cordless vacuum cleaners are ideal for use anywhere, as you are not restricted by an electric cord. These vacuum cleaners are ideal for smaller homes where you need one for quick clean ups.
Cordless vacuum cleaners are much smaller than regular corded vacuum cleaners, they are lightweight, easy to carry around and easy to store.
It needs a charged battery for operation and a full charge can give you anywhere from 15 – 60 minutes of running time.
Most cordless models offer good suction power and they work quite efficiently on wooden floors and also pick up dirt and dust from carpets.
However, the drawback of cordless vacuum cleaners is that even when charged fully, they can run only for a limited period of time.
Read More: The best cordless vacuum cleaners in the UK
Bag Or Bagless
You need to decide whether to buy a bagged or a bagless vacuum cleaner.
While your home will be clean by using either, here are a few factors that must be considered while going bagged or bagless.
Bagged
If your family members or you suffer from asthma or from any allergies, then it is ideal to opt for a bagged vacuum cleaner as most of the bags are guaranteed to capture most of the dust, pollen, dander, etc.
in your carpeting and also when the bag is emptied, your exposure to the dust is minimized. You need to replace the bags regularly.
Bagless
If you are environmentally conscious and do not want to replace bags, then you can opt for a bagless vacuum cleaner.
These vacuum cleaners have a transparent canister that let you see how much waste there is in your vacuum cleaner so that when it is full, you can empty it out.
Also, many bagless vacuum cleaners use filters that must be washed or brushed in order to remove the trapped dust and particles. This can reintroduce the dirt and allergens that you just cleaned out.
Read More: Which bagless hoover is the best in the UK?
Tools And Accessories
Most of the vacuum cleaners come with a floor head that works across all floor surfaces and can be adjusted according to the floor i.e. carpeted, hard floor, tile, etc.
Using tools with powered turbo brushes or brush bars can be useful for cleaning dust from carpets or pet hair.
Most of the vacuum cleaners include tools such as the upholstery tool, dusting brush, crevice tool, combination tool, etc.
You can buy additional tools – if you feel the need to – such as the mini turbo tool, mattress tools, extension tubes, etc.
Other Features To Consider
Variable Suction
If there are many floor surfaces in your home or you have carpets of varying thicknesses, then you should choose a vacuum cleaner that has variable suction that can work on different surfaces without getting stuck.
Higher models allow you to adjust the suction to the level desired by you.
Filters
Filters prevent the allergens and fine dust from escaping and getting back into the room.
Some filters have a self-cleaning action, some can be washed and others require to be replaced occasionally.
This essentially affects the way the vacuum cleaner works and so, cleaning or replacing the filter should be an easy process.
And, you should choose a vacuum cleaner after checking out how effectively it can keep the dust locked up.
Ease Of Use
- Weight: A vacuum cleaner can weigh between 2 and 10 kilos. Consider the weight of the vacuum cleaner, especially if you are going to be carrying it around a lot, then it’s a good idea to opt for a lightweight and portable model.
- Noise: Choose a vacuum cleaner that has a low decibel level and does not make a lot of noise while being used.
- Push & Pull Force: This essentially depends on the floor head design. It can be quite difficult to push some models over floors, especially on thick carpets. Choose a model that is easy to push or pull on the surface.
- Reach: If the vacuum cleaner is a corded model, then check how long the cord is. Usually, electric cables vary between 6 to 15 metres, which makes a lot of difference when you need to switch sockets often.
- Capacity: Deciding on the capacity of the vacuum cleaner is important depending on the area you need to clean. For a small home, 0.5 litres is sufficient, whereas, if the area to clean is very large, then you can choose a vacuum with a larger capacity so that you are not emptying the machine out often.
Finally, the type, brand or model of vacuum cleaner you choose along with the accessories and tools you plan to purchase should be done keeping in mind all your personal requirements.
Preferences and needs of every person vary and so, choosing the perfect vacuum will depend on your style of cleaning and what you need to use the machine for.
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