How to Choose the Best Vacuum Cleaner

There are so many different types of vacuum cleaners on the market that it can be difficult to figure out which one best suits your needs. This article will explain how vacuum cleaners function, what alternatives you have, and how to limit down your choices to find the finest vacuum cleaners for you and your home.

Vacuum Cleaner Types

The purpose of this post is to explain how to select a primary vacuum cleaner for your home. So, aside from specialty or secondary vacuum cleaners like hand vacuums, car vacuums, and wet/dry vacuums, there are two main types of vacuum cleaners to choose from: uprights and canisters.

Upright vacuum cleaners have always been the most popular in Canada. Canister vacuum cleaners are the preferred vacuum cleaner in Europe and the rest of the world. Uprights usually include a spinning brush roll to create agitation, and they may have one motor that provides suction as well as turning the agitator brush, or two motors, one for suction and one for driving the brush.

Upright vacuum cleaners excel at cleaning synthetic carpeting (nylon, olefin, or polyester), and many have the option of turning off the revolving brush for cleaning smooth floors. With on-board adapters and built-in extension hoses, uprights have become much more versatile and capable of offering many of the same capabilities as canisters.

Canister vacuum cleaners are still the most adaptable vacuum cleaner design. They function exceptionally well on carpet, smooth floors, and above-the-floor surfaces. Canister vacuum cleaners are more maneuverable than upright vacuum cleaners because they use a hose and wand to clean. They can easily get under most furniture and into tight places.

A power brush floor tool, similar to that of an upright vacuum cleaner, is used in the third type of canister. The power brush's revolving brush roll is driven by a separate electric motor. A power team is a term used to describe this type of canister.

There are so many different types of vacuum cleaners on the market that it can be difficult to figure out which one best suits your needs. This article will explain how vacuum cleaners function, what alternatives you have, and how to limit down your choices to find the finest vacuum cleaners for you and your home.

Bag Vacuum Cleaner or Bagless Vacuum Cleaner - Which is Better?

The other big distinction between vacuum cleaners, after upright or canister, is whether they are bagless or utilize a dustbag. For the most part, it's a matter of personal taste. However, if you or someone in your family suffers from allergies or asthma, or you're concerned about the quality of your indoor air, a vacuum with a dustbag is usually the preferable option.

Bagless vacuum cleaners have no inherent flaws. The better ones clean exceptionally well. However, allergy and asthma patients should keep in mind all of the dust they'll be exposed to when using the bagless vacuum. Regardless of the bagless vacuum cleaner you use, the task of removing a container of dust, allergens, and filth from your home and emptying it into something to be thrown away remains the same. As you throw it out, a cloud of dust and allergens can be released into the air you breathe, and as the cloud disperses and travels throughout the rest of your home. Furthermore, many bagless vacuum cleaners have filters that must be brushed or washed to eliminate trapped particles. This can also reintroduce the allergies and dirt you just eliminated into your house.

It's also vital to keep in mind that dirt follows the vacuum cleaner's entire path. It's practically impossible to seal a bagless vacuum such that unclean air doesn't leak through non-filtered ports due to the nature of bagless construction. That's on top of the challenges of creating an airtight cover on a collecting bin while keeping it simple to remove and replace.

How to Choose the Best Vacuum Cleaner for Your Home

The following step is to assess the surfaces you'll be cleaning. Are there any unique cleaning requirements above the floor that may necessitate the use of specific attachments, such as high ceilings, expensive light fixtures, ceiling fans, or special collections? If that's the case, make sure the vacuum cleaner has the necessary reach, flexibility, and equipment.

However, the vacuum's primary function will be to clean the floors. If you have stairs in your home, a canister vacuum cleaner is the best option. An upright isn't built to clean staircases on its own. Even with attachments, cleaning stairs with an upright is inconvenient. It can be done, but the results are usually poor because the upright's revolving brush cannot be used on the stair treads, which is a high-traffic region. If your home has mostly synthetic fiber (nylon, olefin, or polyester) wall-to-wall carpeting and you don't have stairs, an upright with smooth floor cleaning capability and the attachments needed to clean above the floor surfaces is an excellent choice.

Many modern homes, on the other hand, have a mix of smooth floors made of various materials, area rugs, and some wall-to-wall carpeting. A canister will provide the best results in these households (or in homes with stairs). The traffic patterns and types of soil to clean, as well as the fiber of the carpets and rugs in the home, determine the type of canister to use.

Type of Carpet

Your vacuum cleaner selection is influenced by the quantity of traffic and the type of carpet soils. The majority of carpet soils are tracked in on the shoes of visitors and dogs. If you have a family with children and pets, more carpet soil will be transported into the house.

Dry soils with sharp edges make up 80% of carpet soils, and when left in the carpet and walked on, they act as sandpaper, abrading and bending the fibers. As a result, along main traffic patterns, the carpet seems “dirty.” It's not the dirt that's the problem; it's the way the bent and broken fibers absorb light rather than reflect it. Carpets become “ugly” long before they wear out as a result of this. To avoid damaged fibers, select the appropriate vacuum cleaner based on the amount of traffic and types of soils encountered, and use it on a regular basis.

Choose a vacuum cleaner with aggressive bristles on the spinning brush if you have synthetic fiber carpeting and/or rugs, as well as high traffic and the accompanying increased soil load. Vacuum cleaners with dense, stiff bristles and a beater bar function (many models do this) are great for bringing these dry dirt up from the carpet pile, where they may be brushed from the carpet surface and sucked away. Dog and cat hair is another dry soil that won't abrade your fiber but is one of the most common. The easiest way to remove pet hair is to use a spinning brush with stiff, densely packed brushes.

You can use a less aggressive vacuum cleaner and keep your property very well if your home has minimal traffic and no unique soiling circumstances. However, a good rule of thumb is to use the highest powerful vacuum cleaner that your carpet and rug fibers can withstand.

Different Kind of Carpet Fibers

The type of fibers used in your carpet or rugs is just as crucial as the traffic and type of soil. The majority of carpeting today is constructed of synthetic fibers, predominantly nylon, but also olefin and polyester. Synthetic fibers are extremely robust, and you may use even the most powerful vacuum cleaner without concern of damaging the fibers. Natural fibres, on the other hand, must be handled with greater care. Wool is the most prevalent natural fibre used in wall-to-wall carpeting, yet it accounts for less than 1% of all wall-to-wall carpeting in the United States. Wool, on the other hand, is highly popular in Oriental and other area rugs.

Wool is a very resilient textile that has been used to make carpets for thousands of years all throughout the world, but it must be cleaned with caution. To avoid fuzzing the yarns and prematurely wearing the carpet, use a revolving brush with flexible and forgiving bristles that are not as firmly backed on the brush roll.

Oriental rugs are typically made of wool, but they can also be made of silk. The value of these rugs can range from a few hundred dollars to tens of thousands of dollars and beyond. Many are designed for everyday use and may be cleaned using a good household vacuum cleaner equipped with the flexible and forgiving bristles discussed before.

If you have high-value Oriental carpets, however, you must examine the rug's age and quality, as well as the soiling conditions. Rugs of high value see limited traffic and are shielded from significant soiling. You might want to consider using a carpet and rug tool that cleans solely by suction and does not have a revolving brush to clean such rugs. Other fibres and materials used in area rugs include sisal, sea grass, mountain grass, bamboo, coir, cotton, jute, viscose, and even leather. Even though many of these rugs are woven and fairly resilient, gentler vacuum cleaner bristles are still required. Specialty brushes are available for particular materials, and we recommend consulting with a floor care expert for the best advice on which one is best for your rug.

Always read the manufacturer's recommended maintenance recommendations before purchasing a new vacuum cleaner (or using your old one on a new rug).

Vacuum Performance: How Powerful of a Vacuum Cleaner Do you Need?

The performance, or cleaning capabilities, of the vacuum cleaners you're evaluating is something you'll want to consider. While a variety of vacuum cleaner characteristics must be considered, the most significant are water lift (or sealed) suction and airflow.

Many vacuum cleaner manufacturers boast about their vacuum cleaners' watts or amps. These indicate the vacuum motor's power, and years of promoting vacuums in this manner have caused "power" to be confused with "performance." Watts and amps indicate how much electrical power the vacuum cleaner's motor consumes, not how much suction power the machine generates for dirt and soil collection. You'll need to know the vacuum's suction for this. In actuality, motor power ratings are largely meaningless. If it's intended to be more efficient, a 10-amp motor can produce higher suction power than a 12-amp motor.

The most significant ratings are airflow (the most crucial of all) and sealed suction (also known as "water lift" in some vacuum cleaner standards). Airflow of 100 CFM or more (or water lift of 90 inches or more) is suggested for canister vacuum cleaners (with or without power heads).

There are many different configurations for upright vacuum cleaners, but there are two main designs that effect airflow and water lift. The first is the "Direct Air" or "Dirty Air" design, in which dirt travels through the motor without being filtered on its way to the dust bag. Only amps are used to rate dirty air uprights. The second basic design has a by-pass motor, which means that unfiltered air does not travel through the motor. Only filtered or fully clean room air travels through the engine in uprights with this configuration to cool it. By-pass uprights normally provide airflow but not water lift, and a high-performing upright will have a CFM rating of 60 or above.

Many uprights do not provide airflow ratings and only list the motor's amps.

Vacuum Cleaner Filtration

The vacuum cleaner's capacity to retain the soils it picks up, particularly small particles, is an important but frequently neglected aspect of cleaning ability. These microscopic particles can pass right through a vacuum cleaner and back into the room air, where they settle as dust, if the vacuum cleaner does not have a high level of filtration.

Most high-quality vacuum cleaners will filter the air that leaves the unit adequately. A high filtration or HEPA filtration vacuum cleaner is particularly suggested if anyone in your home suffers from allergies, asthma, or any other health condition that is influenced by fine particles or allergens in the indoor air. High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) is an acronym for High Efficiency Particulate Air. A HEPA filter must remove 99.97 percent of all particles smaller than 0.3 microns in size from the air it filters. For residential uses, this is the usual "best" filtration method.

The statement "as small as" is significant because it indicates that the filter would still be 99.97 percent efficient if all of the particles were 0.3 microns in size. The expression "down to 0.3 microns in size" may refer to a combination of particle sizes for the specified efficiency rather than the same filtration performance. You may come across words like "Certified HEPA," "True HEPA," and "Absolute HEPA." All of these filters are HEPA filters that meet the same HEPA requirements. When you see phrases like "HEPA-like" or "HEPA quality," or any other qualification where you expect to see "HEPA," you should be cautious.

In the United States, HEPA is generally used. In Europe, the identical filter is known as an S-Class filter, and some manufacturers, such as SEBO, use the name here. S-Class filters, like HEPA filters, must remove 99.97 percent of all particles smaller than 0.3 microns from the air they pass through.

Vacuum Cleaner Durability & Quality

The quality of your vacuum cleaner is also crucial, as it will determine if it needs to be changed in a year or two, or whether it will endure for many years, if not decades.

Consider the construction quality when assessing durability. Instead of fragile or brittle-looking materials, look for substantial, high-quality components. Examine the fit and finish for any rough edges. Heavy-duty seals should be used, and components that open and close should have a solid feel to them. In general, mass-market, low-cost items are not intended for long-term use. The differences between a mass-market vacuum cleaner and those made by companies that specialize in high-quality, long-lasting machines are obvious.

The length and terms of the warranty can also be used to judge the quality and durability of a product. Look for warranties that are longer, especially on the motor.

Easy to Use Vacuum Cleaners

No matter how impressive a vacuum cleaner's characteristics are, it must be simple to operate. Consider what you dislike about your existing vacuum cleaner and look for a replacement that solves those issues. Consider whether you have any particular weight concerns or personal preferences for upright vs. canister vacuum cleaners. If you're buying a new vacuum cleaner for a specific reason, make sure it addresses these cleaning issues. Regardless of your situation, the vacuum cleaner you purchase should be comfortable in your hand and easy to operate. It should be able to move about without straining.

Vacuum Cleaner Noise Level

Noise is also a significant factor to consider. Some vacuum cleaners are so loud that using them is practically painful. Many decent vacuum cleaners work at levels that are extremely pleasant to the ear, allowing you to hear the phone or doorbell ring without difficulty.

The amount of noise produced by a vacuum cleaner is measured in decibels (dB). A household conversation is assessed at 50 decibels, a garbage disposal at 80 decibels, and a motorcycle or lawnmower at 100 decibels. Vacuum cleaners that are extremely quiet can run at decibel levels as low as the mid-60s, while cleaners in the 70-77 dB range are still relatively quiet when compared to the vacuum cleaner you grew up with.

Vacuum Cleaner Capacity

The size of the dust bag or cup determines the vacuum cleaner's capacity. The larger it is, the fewer frequently it must be replaced.

If you have a large home with a lot of traffic (think kids and pets), you'll have more soil to remove. Consider a full-sized vacuum cleaner in this scenario. You won't have to worry about regularly changing the bag or emptying the cup this way.

Vacuum Storage

Some homes have a lot of storage space, while others don't have any. If you don't have a lot of storage room in your home, think about where you'll put your new vacuum cleaner. Will it fit in the same spot as your previous one?

Vacuum Cleaner Attachments

All good vacuum cleaners come with a range of supplementary equipment that handle most floor and above-floor vacuuming requirements. However, there are some chores that require special equipment and others that simply make the job easier, and the availability of add-on accessory tools will extend the usability of your vacuum cleaner and, in many cases, increase its performance. Take, for example, the flexible crevice tool. For the most part, the normal crevice tool is adequate, but it cannot reach around corners or under appliances. The crevice tool is versatile and can be used in a variety of situations. It's longer than a normal crevice tool, with a nozzle that bends softly to reach beneath furniture and appliances, as well as into tight spaces.

The soft-bristle dusting brush is another common item. It features softer bristles than a typical dusting brush for gently cleaning knickknacks, lampshades, and other delicate items. There's another one that allows you to alter the brush's angle, making it easier to dust high shelves, window curtains, and ceiling fans. The mini-turbo brush is by far the most popular auxiliary tool among Best Vacuum customers. This compact, handheld turbo-brush makes cleaning pet hair off furniture a breeze, which is why it's so popular in households with cats and dogs. However, it is an excellent tool for adding more cleaning power to upholstered furniture and stairwells, and it is the perfect size for cleaning.

How Much Does a Good Vacuum Cleaner Cost?

How much money should you set aside for a higher-quality vacuum? In a nutshell, it's somewhere between $399 and $899. Within that price range, you can find something well-made that will last 10-20 years.

If it seems like a lot of money, consider this: you probably use a vacuum cleaner at least once a week, if not every day. Because higher-quality vacuums can last up to ten times longer than lower-quality vacuums, you'll wind up paying roughly $5 per month to possess a machine that functions better and is more enjoyable to use.

Here's a rundown of what you can receive at different price points:

$399 or less

In the $300 category, there are a few high-quality vacuums, but they're practically exclusively for bare floors, area rugs, or very flat carpeting. Because of the more intricate and expensive revolving brush systems required to adequately vacuum thicker carpets and rugs, you'll have to increase your budget for a quality vacuum cleaner if you have wall-to-wall carpet in your home.

$399 to $599

This is the sweet spot for getting a good vacuum at a good price. You won't receive all of the extra features you want at this level, but you will get higher-quality materials, long-lasting motors, and superb performance.

$649 to $999+

While the basic performance and quality remain the same as the mid-range models, vacuum cleaners in this higher price category have a better fit and finish, reduced noise levels, greater filtration, and features like automated suction control, LED floor tools, and soft, cushioned bumper guards. While purchasing something in this category is never absolutely necessary, supplementary features like these make vacuuming a little easier and are well worth it.