Buying a Vacuum Cleaner – A ultimate step-by-step guide with reviews and comparisons
Welcome to Vacuum Cleaner Adviser!
Hi I’m John Wesley, founder of Vacuum Cleaner Adviser and Thank you for reading our ultimate step-by-step vacuum cleaner buying guide. Here at Vacuum Cleaner Adviser, we dedicated to providing you the quality Vacuums Reviews. Whether you are looking for your next best vacuum for pet hair, or cordless handheld vacuums – we’ve reviewed them all!
The purpose of the Reviews that we do, is to help you find the right vacuums for you – in a sea of different brands, types and high-tech functions.
More and more people are shopping online, but that does come with its own risks. One, you cannot try on the vacuum, and 2. You don’t fully know what you’re getting most of the time.
We are changing that. With our reviews, we have picked the top best vacuums, as recommended by previous buyers/current owners. We have spent a ton of time and researched the varieties of vacuums, and believe we have the best individual options for everyone, based on their budget, requirements, and activity in question.
Our goal at Vacuum Cleaner Adviser to give you the best information possible that help you to clarify all your doubts and make you determined decision on your next best vacuum rather than buying something because of the brand name.
We are made up of a team of different characters – that all have one thing in common. Our love of Vacuums!.
Top 7 Tips for Buying a Vacuum Cleaner
Best Vacuum Cleaner Buying Guide Basic Criteria
Buying a new vacuum cleaner is not something you do every day, so it’s worth investing in a quality product that will clean your home well and will last a long time.
Here are some basic things you need to consider before choosing a best vacuum,
Room and Home Size:
To choose the right vacuum cleaner, start by looking at the basic components of your home. First, consider the size of your home. Bigger homes may require a larger, more powerful upright vacuum for complete cleaning.
Next, think about stairs, if you have a multilevel home, consider a stick vacuum — it will be easier to move from floor to floor. Then, think about floor surface. Homes with a variety of floor surfaces need a vacuum that can adapt to different floor types
Multiple Levels:
Consider keeping a full-size vacuum on your vinyl floor and using a stick vacuum for regular, light cleaning on other levels, reducing trips up and down the stairs with the larger vacuum.
Floor Types:
Make sure the vacuum you choose can easily and effectively handle all the flooring types in your home.
A stick vacuum or robotic vacuum handles daily cleaning with little effort. If you don’t have time to vacuum regularly, consider a more powerful upright or canister vacuum to make the most of your efforts.
Now, you may have a better sense of what you may want your new vacuum cleaner to accomplish. Here are reviews and comparisons of different types and brands of vacuums with their key features, usability, and price ranges,
The Upright vacuum cleaners are the most popular type of vacuum and can be found in many homes and apartments today. Upright vacuums are full-size models with wide cleaning paths — up to 15 inches — and corded power.
The cleaning head is directly attached to the housing for the motor and dustbin. They are usually the best vacuum type for removing dust and dirt from carpeting and can clean large areas of carpet quickly. They are also good for area rugs and hard floors.
Upright vacuums are more compact than most canister models and, since they store upright, they take up less floor space.
There are two types of upright vacuums: single-motor and dual-motor. On a single-motor upright vacuum, the brush and the vacuum are driven by one motor.
With a dual-motor upright, the vacuum and the brush are driven by separate motors, giving you more power and suction to clean carpets better.
But as a general rule, these full-sized vacuums perform better than their smaller counterparts, so uprights are a good fit if you’re particular about cleanliness.
Upright Vacuum Average price: $40-$800
Upright Vacuum Average weight: 14-20 pounds
Some of Key features of Upright Vacuums:
Upright position, bins or bags collect debris, typically comes with accessories, including a wand for corners or stairs. Many can transition between carpet and bare floors.
Pros:
Easy to store due to own stand-up design
Cost less than a canister vacuum and fits better for carpets deep-cleaning
Foot lever to change the angle of the machine
Cons:
The vacuum cleaners are quite heavy up to 20 pounds
Pushing and pulling the weight is difficult but height adjustment might be helpful
Upright vacuum cleaner is little noisier than canister
Takeaway on Upright Vacuums:
Best if you have the space to store something tall and if you want a deep clean of your carpets. They typically weigh more than other models, so an upright stick vacuum might be a good lighter-weight alternative.
Here is our top rated 5 Best Upright Vacuum Reviews and Comparisons,
Canister vacuum cleaners are more popular in Europe and China. They are a bit more versatile than uprights, because you can lift the canister and take it wherever you want to go.
Canister, or cylinder, vacuums have the motor and bag in a separate unit, which is usually mounted on wheels to help with maneuverability. The canister is connected to the vacuum head by a flexible hose.
Canister vacuums are ideal for working well on stairs, bare floors and under furniture because you can carry the canister and use the long wand extender to tackle each level with ease.
Canister Vacuums Average price: $50-$800
Canister Vacuums Average weight: 8-13 pounds
Some of Key features of Canister Vacuums:
Most offer the same or similar cleaning options as uprights, but with increased mobility.
Pros:
Better for stairs and under furniture and attachments are handy for cleaning drapes and upholstery
Comes with less noise and separate power heads
Increased mobility than upright vacuum cleaners
Cons:
A little bulkier than upright vacuum cleaners
Hose and wand make it hard to store
Long wands and cords get tangled
Takeaway on Canister Vacuum :
They are lighter than uprights, but you still have to be comfortable lifting at least 8 pounds. The long wands and cords get tangled more easily and might be more difficult to store because the hose and wand don’t always snap to the canister.
Here is our top rated 5 Best Canister Vacuums Reviews and Comparisons,
If the housecleaning job is boring and not pleasant for you, a robot vacuum might be right device for you. A robot vacuum is self-propelled and programmable, so you don’t have to do any of the work.
You just set the schedule and it does the rest. It uses sensors to avoid obstacles and stairs and can easily clean underneath furniture. They can keep small living spaces tidy and complement manual vacuuming, lessening your reliance on full-scale cleaning with larger models.
You can find robotic vacuums designed for hard floors as well as models that have a rotating brush or agitator to clean carpets. Some robot vacuums can even handle mopping.
Most robot vacs are cordless and small enough to clean under furniture, with features that allow the devices to dodge obstacles.
There are models that can avoid drop-offs (such as stairs) and even map your home or automatically return to its recharging dock. Many self-charging models can resume cleaning after a recharge.
With programmable models, you can create a cleaning schedule; some come with a remote control and have Wi-Fi connectivity that lets you activate or program them from a mobile device. Accessories included with some robotic vacuums let you block off areas or access adjoining rooms.
If the thought of housecleaning makes you cringe, a robot vacuum might be right for you. A robot vacuum is self-propelled and programmable, so you don’t have to do any of the work.
You just set the schedule and it does the rest. It uses sensors to avoid obstacles and stairs and can easily clean underneath furniture.
Program the robot to start and stop wherever you want it to go. Most will even travel from carpet to hard surfaces and back again.
There are also robot mops for hard floors and other automated devices that can clean your windows, swimming pool and gutters. These cleaners make life a little easier, allowing you to spend less time on your chores and more time with your family.
Robot Vacuums Average price: $100-$1,000
Robot Vacuums Average weight: Typically, under 10 pounds
Some of Key features of Robotic Vacuums:
Battery-powered with docking station, cordless, sensor-controlled, automated via scheduling feature, various cleaning modes, many can clean both carpets and bare floors, some even have apps.
Pros:
Ideal for daily cleaning hard-to-reach and tight spots and time saving
Cleans without any manual intervention
Self-propelled models may also be a good option for anyone unable to push an upright vacuum.
Cons:
Not fit for cleaning stairs and not better for deep cleaning compare to uprights
Often short battery life but rechargeable
Not the ideal choice for shag carpeting or area rugs
Takeaway on Best Robot Vacuums:
Ideal for busy people, you can simply program the robot vacuum and then spend your time with family and friends. Robot pool vacuums are also good for homes pool with a lot of dust where a quick clean might be necessary every day.
Here is our top rated 5 Best Robot Vacuums Reviews and Comparisons,
As the name says, these handheld vacuums are small, carriable, lightweight and highly portable. Most are cordless, giving you the freedom to quickly handle spot-cleaning jobs.
Handheld vacuums can tackle tasks, such as cleaning up dry spills on a countertop, vents, pet hair on upholstery, dust on blinds or dirt on vehicle floor mats. You can also find some that connect to a vehicle accessory power outlet.
Certain models can handle wet vacuuming, and others have a motorized brush to give you extra-cleaning capability.
Corded models are also available, giving you long-running power. It’s also a great supplement if your main vacuum doesn’t offer many attachments or if you’d rather not pull out your whole vacuum every time you spot a mess.
Handheld Vacuums Average price: $20-$200
Handheld Vacuums Average weight: About 5 pounds
Some of Key features of Handheld Vacuums:
Lightweight and incredibly easy to store. Some are cordless.
Good companion for cleaning pet hairs and Ideal for cleaning short-pile carpets, above floors area
Very easy for carrying and Ideal for small areas cleaning like interiors of cars
Cons:
Lack of power and capacity as compared to full-sized upright or canister models
The hand-held vacuum cleaners are also bulky and cumbersome
Takeaway on Best Handheld Vacuums:
The smallest and lightest handheld stick vacuums are often cordless and Great option for small spaces and easy lifting. Cordless models can also clean your car, boat and around house.
Here is our top rated 5 Best Handheld Vacuums Reviews and Comparisons,
The stick vacuum cleaner is perfect companion if your cleaning job is small and wanted to do it daily. Stick vacuum is designed to look similar to that of uprights but comes without any added attachments or accessories.
A good choice if you don’t want to handle a heavier, full-size vacuum, they’re best for small houses, apartments and dorms, or as a quick cleaning option for an upstairs or downstairs. Some stick vacuums use suction alone to clean, making them well-suited for hard floors, and others include a motorized brush for cleaning carpets.
All stick vacuums come with a hygienic release button that effortlessly deposits all dust and debris into your chosen receptacle They don’t have the power or capacity of full-size vacuums, but their compact design makes them easier to handle and store. Most stick vacuums are cordless, but corded models are available, giving you unlimited run time.
Stick Vacuums Average price: $25-$600
Stick Vacuums Average weight: Typically, under 10 pounds
Some of Key features Stick Vacuums:
Lightweight, easy to store, bagless, often cordless and battery-powered, can transition from carpet to hardwood.
Pros:
Stick vacuum models are lightweight and smaller.
Ideal for hard floors and narrower cleaning paths
Battery-powered which makes them convenient to use
Short battery life ranges between up to 20 to 40 minutes
stick vacuums are bagless so will have less filtration because of limited space
Takeaway on Best Stick Vacuums:
Consider stick vacuums for small homes and for large homes, choose a canister or an upright vacuum. Great if you want something that can handle light debris. A good lightweight option for those with limited arm strength.
Here is our top rated 5 Best Stick Vacuums Reviews and Comparisons,
Wet and Dry vacuums also called Shop-Vacs. Wet-Dry vacuum cleaners are more durable than an ordinary canister vacuum cleaner. If you are in the commercial cleaning or janitorial business, then a commercial vacuum cleaner is the right choice for you.
If you are cleaning large hallways, ballrooms, hotels, offices, or restaurants, commercial vacuum cleaner or backpack vacuum is right for you.
Often commercial vacuum cleaners that come with or without cleaning tools and commercial vacuums come with HEPA filters that are 99.97% efficient at removing particles 0.3 microns and larger from escaping back into the air.
Clean up sawdust in the basement, dirt and water in the garage or any other mess, wet or dry.
Capacities range from mini one-gallon models to greater than 10 gallons. Smaller models will be easier to store and move around, but they won’t be able to handle the biggest messes.
Shop Vacuums Average price: $40-$300
Shop Vacuums Average weight: Typically, under 20 pounds
Some of Key features of Shop Vacuums:
Powerful suction and flexible cleaning options, Efficient filtration, backpack vacuum cleaners, possible to reverse the airflow to blow garbage and dust instead of sucking it and it helps to gather all the dirt into a corner and get it out easy.
Pros:
Suitable for both indoor and outdoor and Ideal for removing dust from places where brushes cannot reach
This cleaner is superb for both wet and dry surfaces.
Wet-Dry vacuums comes with easy ‘pull & push’ locking system.
Cons:
Wet-Dry cleaner is not the lightest, but it is certainly easy to wheel around.
Not ideal for areas with too many obstacles sch as crowded furniture
Not efficient in narrow paths cleaning
Takeaway on Best Wet-Dry Vacuums:
Perfect choice for cleaning both wet and dry surfaces, Wet-Dry vacuums offer extra power for professional-sized messes. Looking for garage cleaning, wet-dry is perfect companion.
Here is our top rated 5 Best Wet-Dry or Commercial Vacuums Reviews and Comparisons,
Central vacuum cleaner is built-in cleaner system which installed into a building as a semi-permanent fixture. Central vacuum systems are designed to remove dirt and debris from homes and buildings, sending dirt particles through tubing installed inside the walls to a collection container in a remote utility space.
The power unit is a permanent fixture, usually installed in a basement, garage, or storage room, along with the collection container
Central vacuums are last much longer than any other type of vacuum cleaner, and they have the ability to move briskly around from room to room.
With central vacuum systems that exhaust completely out of the home, no dust or allergens can be recirculated through the interior air, as is the case with a traditional vacuum.
Central vacuums come with very high suction power, because the vacuum cleaner motor and dirt collection system need not be portable, the weight and size of the unit are not as severely limited compared to a portable system.
Central Vacuums Average price: $800-$3000
Central Vacuums Average weight: Typically, under 22 pounds
Some of Key features of Central Vacuums:
Powerful suction and filtration, Exhaust can be pumped outdoors, bags are optional, often comes with easy-storage products such as tool caddies and hose hangers
Pros:
Low acoustic noise and Easier to handle when cleaning stairs as not required to move heavy parts
Better than uprights at cleaning bare floors, drapes, upholstery, and under furniture
Perfect companion for carpeting and hard-floors area
Cons:
Central vacuums are expensive and required professional installation
Not ideal for easy to store
Long hose can scrape furniture or walls and can get caught on obstacles
Takeaway on Best Central Vacuums:
Central vacuum is ideal for building owners who wants to have permanent fixture of the building where it is installed. Furthermore, central vacs have a very large dirt capacity, are quiet, and have been proven to alleviate allergy and asthma symptoms.
Here is our top rated 5 Best Central Vacuums Reviews and Comparisons,
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Important Features to consider when buying a Best Vacuum Cleaner
In additional to the different types of vacuums, with so many choices and available technology today, it may be overwhelming to find one with the best features and specifications for the needs of your home. Here are a few important features to look for before making a final decision on your next best vacuum cleaner.
Bag Vacuums or Bagless
If you are buying a canister vacuum cleaner, you must choose for disposable bags or a reusable bin. Bags hold more dust, however, it becomes difficult to tell whether the bag is full or not without removing it from the vacuum.
Bags release less dust into the air during the disposal, however, you need to buy replacements quite frequently.
Whereas in case of bagless vacuum cleaners, the bins are transparent making it easy to tell if the bag is full. You also have the option to clean the bag and reuse it countless time.
In general, both bag or bagless vacuum designs have been proven to do the job very well. However, here are some differences to note down,
Bagged vacuums tend to hold more dirt and dust compare to bagless
Bagless vacuums collect debris in a bin or cup, relying on filters to clean dust from the exhaust.
Bagless vacuums offer more accessibility by simply detaching the container unit and disposing of dirt and dust without pulling out a separate bag.
Compare to bagged vacuums, the bagless vacuums will save you money on buying bags but required more filers for periodic cleaning.
Bagless vacuums with cyclonic action force air into a cylindrical or cone-shaped chamber into spin dirt and dust particles into the collection bin. The process helps maintain suction by reducing the debris that clog the filters.
Bag designs can sometimes keep dust contained better since the bag itself seals the dust away.
If you’re looking for convenience, a bagless vacuum is probably right choice for you. But if asthma or dust allergies are a concern, check out an option with a bag to prevent dust.
Noise Level
The level of noise a vacuum cleaner makes depends on the way the engine of the machines is designed. When it comes to a cyclonic vacuum cleaner, the centrifugal force separates the dust which is the reason why the air is violently set in motion.
Noise level is nothing to do with efficiency as a quiet vacuum cleaner can have a better suction power if it has been designed efficiently.
But in general, most of vacuum cleaners will make a little noise but these days many of them come with hearing protection, but any vacuum will seem louder in a room with a lot of echo, such as a tiled bathroom or room with poor acoustic. Consider Robot or Canister vacuums tend to be quieter.
Cordless Vacuum or Corded Vacuum
Cordless vacuums let you move from room to room without stopping to change electrical outlets. Models with higher volt (V) specifications are more powerful and tend to run longer before needing a recharge. Fast-charging options reduce downtime.
Though, cordless vacuums may not be the right choice if you’re looking for large room or bigger area as it has limited battery run time and you may have to recharge it.
Cordless vacuum cleaners are easy to operate and allowed to easy storage.
Other end, corded vacuums give you endless run time. While they don’t have the full portability of cordless models, they tend to offer more cleaning power. Extended cord length lets you clean more floor space without moving the plug. A retractable cord winds into the vacuum at the press of a button.
Sometimes the cords may get tangled and corded cleaners are also difficult to store considering the length of the cords.
Vacuum Filters
Filters in vacuum cleaner is standard part these days and many vacuums come with a dedicated HEPA filter. HEPA stands for High Efficiency Particulate Air. These filters help to removes harmful allergens like mold, smoke or dust from the air.
All filters do that to some extent, but the more expensive HEPA variety must trap at least 99.97 percent of particles to be considered – all particles with 0.3 microns in diameter and higher are filtered.
These filters are a must-have for anyone who is sensitive to dust or pet hair, or allergic to pollen. Some models feature a filter that needs to be replaced regularly. A good rule of thumb is to replace your filter every six months.
However, some models now feature reusable filters that allow you to remove, clean and replace the same filter as necessary.
Here is a table for comparison of HEPA/EPA/ULPA filters as per EN 1822 standard,
Filter Group
Filter Class
Filtration Efficiency
Penetration
EPA -Efficiency Particulate Air Filters
E10
85 %
15 %
E11
95 %
5 %
E12
99.5 %
0.5 %
HEPA -High-Efficiency Particulate Air Filters
H13
99.95 %
0.05 %
H14
99.995 %
0.005 %
ULPA – Ultra-Low Penetration Air Filters
U15
99.9995 %
0.0005 %
U16
99.99995 %
0.00005 %
U17
99.999995 %
0.000005 %
Performance
With wide variety of model availability, a vacuum’s cleaning ability can vary wildly. You can find effective cheap models with moderate performance and you’ll also find models with great suction power that don’t do as well.
Cleaning power comes from a strange alchemy of suction power, the shape of the vacuum head and the design of the vacuum brush roll.
Flooring
Before buying you a vacuum cleaner, you to need to consider the type of flooring in your home. Check whether you have carpeting, tile, hardwood floors, or combination of both before choosing a vacuum cleaner.
Look for a multi-floor or multi-surface vacuums like an upright vacuum cleaner that allows you to turn the vacuum brush roll on and off. That way you won’t scratch your hard floors.
Cannister vacuum cleaners are ideal for tile or hard flooring. The specialized floor brushes are easy to maneuver, which makes them ideal for tile flooring.
With too many types of vacuums, you may want to have more than one model to fit your needs. A full-sized vacuum — either an upright or canister — fits a thorough, seasonal cleaning the best. The smaller, more convenient models — robot vacuums, sticks and handhels vacs — could serve as a perfect tool for regular spot cleaning in the meantime.
You also might find a convertible model that takes care of all your needs in one diverse package. Such as uprights, which can function as canister vacuums and stick vacuums, which can operate as handhelds — let you transform the vacuum to fit the tight cleaning task.
The price is one of the most deciding and important factors choosing your next best vacuum cleaner. I wanted to let you know that you can buy a vacuum cleaner for any budget between $25 to $4000.
You can either buy a basic model cheap vacuum cleaners that will work for next a couple of years, or you could invest in a vacuum cleaner that can last the decades. Both approaches are perfectly fine and thoughtful.
Wanted to buy premium vacuum? You will get many pleasing features, Extended warranty, bunch of accessories, perfect filtration, long durability, etc.
Wanted to buy medium built and best in class, you may go for an upright vacuum around the cost of $150 – $200. If you are looking for cheap vacuum cleaner between $30 -$70, you may choose the handled vacuums.
Cheap Vacuums are best in case of dust busters and stick vacuums for lite cleaning but don’t compare them with well built solid units like Dyson ball vacuum.
Wet and Dry surface
If you are looking for all-in-one vacuum to clean both dry dust and dirt and wet spills, you may choose Wet-Dry or Commercial vacuums. Whether you need to clean up broken glasses, or any drink spilled on the ground, these vacuum cleaners will serve both the purposes.
These vacuum cleaners are ideal for cleaning up bathroom floors in case your bathtub overflows. This also saves a lot of time mopping and drying a wet area.
If you have asthma or allergies or are just generally concerned with air quality, a vacuum with a HEPA filter might be worth your consideration. Many of them are removable and can be cleaned with water until they need to be replaced.
This might all sound really good, but some non-HEPA models can do just as well as their High Efficiency Particulate Air counterparts. So do your research — emission reduction can vary a lot which will making the inside environment free of contaminants.
Decide you vacuum cleaner based on your usage, type of cleaning area and frequency.
The one-size-fits-all method does not apply for vacuum cleaners. You need to consider a lot of factors such as the filters, suction capacity, durability, portability, and storage capacity before making the final decision. A vacuum cleaner that is ideal for commercial use may not be ideal for cleaning the pet hair or car detailing.
The frequency of vacuum maintenance depends a lot on the usage. Bagless vacuum cleaners come with dust collection bins that need to be emptied and washed regularly, especially if you have allergy sufferers at home. The HEPA filters of the vacuum cleaners need to be changed on a regular basis for proper cleaning.
Buying Vacuum Cleaners Guide – Cleaning Tools and Accessories Considerations
Vacuum Brush Roll:
Brush Agitator also known as roller brush, it’s found on the underside of the vacuum. A roller brush on/off feature lets you disengage the motorized brush on hard floors to prevent scattering the dirt and dust.
This feature can also help prevent rugs from getting tangled in the vacuum. Some models have a switch to turn the roller brush off for cleaning bare floors.
Suction Power:
Variable suction lets you adjust the vacuum to clean more delicate furnishings, such as upholstery and window treatments.
Vacuum Automation Control:
Self-propelled feature uses a transmission and drive system to assist the pushing and pulling of the vacuum, thereby requiring little effort by the user. The downside: It adds weight that can make some vacuums difficult to carry.
Vacuum Hose and Attachments:
Tools and attachments, such as dusting brushes, handheld roller brushes, crevice tools and extension pieces, let you take on a variety of cleaning tasks.
Vacuums for Pet Hair:
Pet hair specific attachment specifically one with a powered brushroll — can make it easier to pick up after your furry friend.
Additional accessories are often available, such as special attachments, filters and replacement bags, but many only work with their respective model or brand.
A headlight illuminates the area you’re vacuuming — helpful for cleaning under a couch, in a dark corner or in a hallway.
Edge-cleaning features help you get rid of dirt and dust in the hard-to-reach areas along walls. Self-propelled models reduce the effort of vacuuming.
Indicator lights let you know when it’s time to empty the vacuum.
Vacuum buying often can seem overwhelming and tedious process. We have tried our best to cover an overview of different vacuum cleaner basics which are moderately cheap and reliable. Think about the type of cleaning you do on a regular basis.
Have a pet that sheds a lot? You may want a model that offers attachments for dusting and getting hair that’s stuck under furniture or in crevices. Hate vacuuming, but want a clean house? A robot vacuum could really lessen your work load. Want something like an upright that’s lighter weight? Consider a stick model.
It is really all about the job you need to get done. But don’t be overwhelmed, there’s a good vacuum at every cheap price, take your time, do research and make a final decision. If you are not sure of what to choose, or you have a specific question about a model, please feel free to contact us, we are happy to reply you.
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