Every person will probably face that moment when it’s time to purchase a new vacuum cleaner. Whether buying one for the first time or replacing an older model, choosing the best vacuum for your home can be a tall order.
Before beginning your search, you will want to consider your home and its design. Is your home large or small, are there multiple floors, and what kind of floor surfaces do you have throughout your house? Once you have answered those three questions, you can start the process of vacuum hunting. This guide covers the diverse types of vacuums, personal needs to consider, and vacuum features and technologies.
Things to Consider
Everyone has dissimilar needs that can determine the best vacuum cleaner for them. Some people have pets, some have allergy sensitivities, and others do not have much time to vacuum daily. You need to consider your situation because every vacuum has specific capabilities to help address those needs.
Schedule
There is a vacuum to suit almost any schedule out there. If you prefer to vacuum less often, use an upright or canister vacuum with more powerful motors to get your floors cleaner. If you have the time to clean more often, a stick vacuum cleaner is a good option. It will not clean as deep, but that is fine if you run the vacuum daily. Some might prefer to vacuum each day but do not have the time. A robotic vacuum can be programmed to run every day at a designated time.
Allergies
Several vacuum features can assist you if you are prone to seasonal allergies or do not do well with dust. Many vacuums are HEPA-certified, which is the highest level of filtration available. Filters can usually be removed and cleaned or replaced entirely, which should be done every six months. Some filters are even washable, so they can be used for extended periods before needing to be replaced.
Pets
Some vacuums are designed to tackle pet hair, while others have upholstery attachments that are great for cleaning up pet hair off couches and high-traffic furniture. If purchasing an attachment for your vacuum, look for those with wider openings or removable beater brushes so you don’t have to worry about clogged pet hair.
Vacuum Cleaner Types
Many vacuum cleaners can be used inside your home to keep it tidy. They each have areas they excel in based on how they are designed, so try to choose the one that best fits the needs of your house.
Upright Vacuums
This is one of the oldest and most recognizable vacuum types. The power-head design makes them one of the best options for large carpet or rug cleaning areas. Some can even turn the brush roll off on hardwood floors.
Another feature of many upright vacuums has been the ability to adjust the height of the cleaner head to manage diverse types of carpets. For example, plush carpets can make it more challenging to maneuver the vacuum, so raising the cleaner head height will help.
Handheld & Stick Vacuums
These types of vacuums are built for convenience and portability. They are both usually cordless, so you do not have to worry about constantly finding an outlet and a cord coming unplugged.
Handheld vacuums are excellent for smaller areas, such as closets, blinds, or cars. They are quiet and light, so you do not have to worry about fatigue while cleaning up small messes left behind by children or getting after pet hair.
Stick vacuums are the in-between of handheld and upright vacuums, giving you the best of both worlds. They are lightweight, battery-powered, and easy to haul between multiple home floors. The smaller size makes them more suitable for smaller messes.
Canister Vacuums
A canister vacuum has a slightly distinctive look compared to most vacuums, as the motor and dust receptacle are housed in their unit, which is attached to a power head by a flexible hose. This design makes them highly maneuverable and versatile. Canister vacuum cleaners work best on hard surfaces or smaller carpeted areas, such as cars or stairs. The maneuverable power head can easily reach challenging spaces such as under beds or couches. The extended flexible hose makes them perfect for cleaning drapes.
Commercial & Garage Vacuums
Your garage is just as important a part of your home as the living room, so you need a vacuum to manage the heavier stuff. Commercial and garage vacuums can clean up much larger messes and are one of the only vacuums that can manage wet and dry materials. They are ideal for cleaning up sawdust in your garage or water in your basement. These vacuums can get quite large, so consider the amount of space they will occupy in your home. Smaller models have a smaller footprint and are more portable, but you sacrifice the size of cleanups the vacuum can manage.
Robotic Vacuums
If you are the type of person who is not a fan of vacuuming, a robotic vacuum is the answer to all your problems. As their name implies, they are self-propelled and programmable, so you can just let them do their thing and finish other housework. Onboard sensors allow it to avoid furniture legs and stairs, and most robotic vacuums can easily fit under furniture.
This is the perfect solution for busier people. A robotic vacuum can be programmed with a schedule to run while at work, and you will come home to clean floors. Being able to run daily, they are an ideal option for allergy sufferers who may prefer as little dust as possible in their homes.
Additional Vacuum Features and Technology
These are extra features that may be the things that push in one direction or the other when purchasing the best vacuum for you. They are not all included with every vacuum, so you may have to sacrifice one feature for another.
Bagged or Bagless
This is one of the biggest debates when it comes to vacuum cleaners. Each option has its pros and cons that may dictate your personal choice. Bagged vacuums offer less mess and keep dust better contained, so these are usually an excellent choice for those more susceptible to allergens. Bagless vacuums are more convenient, but the dust can return to the air when you empty the container. There is also the cost involved in purchasing replacement bags for one option.
Filtration
The last thing you want is for the dust you remove from your floors to return to the air. For one, it is counterproductive, and secondly, it can be breathed in, which is not ideal for asthma and allergy sufferers. As mentioned above, a vacuum with a HEPA filter is the way to go. The HEPA filter removes 99.97% of particles 0.3 micrometers in size.
Some vacuums feature several layers of filtration systems, so you may have to replace the filters more often, while some foam filters can be washed and reused. The one drawback to quality filtration is that the better it is, the more air pressure inside the vacuum decreases. So, you may lose some suction performance.
Critical Points to Review:
- Consider the size of your home, number of floors, and floor surfaces.
- The main things to consider are your schedule, any allergy issues, and if you own pets.
- Upright vacuums are suitable for large, carpeted areas. Some work on hardwood floors.
- Handheld and stick vacuums are ideal for small areas and messes. They are usually cordless.
- Canister vacuums are best for hard surfaces and smaller carpeted areas, such as cars or stairs.
- Commercial and garage vacuums are excellent for large wet and dry messes.
- Robotic vacuums are suitable for easy, programmable vacuuming, meaning less effort.
- Bagged vacuums are cleaner but more expensive
- Bagless vacuums are messier but less expensive.
- The more filtration, the better for your health. HEPA filters are the highest-graded option.
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