A Guide to Vacuum Cleaners

From upright to handheld, canister to robots, vacuum cleaners come in a wide variety of models, and with a wider variety of features. Before you buy, know what your cleaning needs are. Also, ask to test your vacuum before you buy it. Oftentimes, vacuums may look amazing, but will be more difficult to push, pull and carry than you would like.

Types of Vacuum Cleaners

Upright vacuums are the most popular models, and they tend to cost less than canister vacuums. It has the vacuum swath with the storage container directly above it. They usually have wide cleaning swaths, and tend to do better deep-cleaning than canisters. However, the weight of an upright vacuum can be as high as 20 pounds or more. They also tend to be noisy.

Canister vacuums have a vacuum swatch connected to the handle, like upright vacuums, but the canister sits separately. They are better for cleaning bare floors, drapes, upholstery and furniture, as well as stairs. They are quieter than upright vacuums and you usually only need to move the hose and powerhead, not the entire machine. However, it can be a lot heavier than upright models, and the hose and want make it harder to store.

Central vacuums are convenient, because they have an installed central storage unit and a large tank that is installed somewhere in the home. With central vacuums, you can connect your vacuum hose to any professionally installed wall vacuum unit, which automatically turns on the suction. The tube is also 30 feet long. However, this can be difficult to store, and there's nowhere to store unused cleaning accessories or add-ons without a portable canister. However, these are popular in multiple-story homes.

Small vacuums, also called handheld vacuums, come with our without a power cord, but they are handy for light, quick surface cleaning on short-pile carpet and bare floors. They lack the power that full-sized vacuums have, but they are very convenient for storage and ease of use.

Robotic vacuums are becoming increasingly popular, although they are considered more of a novelty for their high price and practicality. Robotic vacuums will, in uncluttered rooms, zip around and vacuum for you, without any human assistance. However, they're time-consuming to program and run, and they tend to miss edges and corners in rooms. They are ideal for reaching places like under the bed.

Stick vacuums have smaller storage capacity than upright models, but they weigh less and operate generally the same way. They are not very powerful, however, so they are mainly just for picking up surface litter and not for replacing a high-performance unit. Unfortunately, they don't perform well on carpet, and they are fairly noisy.

Steam cleaners/extractors use heated water and powerful suction to treat tough stains and remove stubborn dirt from carpet. Many come with convenient features such as separate tanks for clean and soiled water, heat boosters to keep water warm for easier stain removal and one-pass application and extraction for quick cleanup. These are typically the most expensive vacuum models and are commonly used by professional cleaners.

Important Vacuum Cleaner Features

• Bags vs. bagless: Some upright and canister vacuums use bags, and some collect dirt in a bin. Bag vacuums tend to hold more dirt, but emptying them can release dust back in the air. Try to always empty bags outdoors to avoid dirt falling back onto your floor and furniture. An indicator on most all models will tell you when the bag or bin is full to remind you to empty the dirt before it actually impairs the cleaning process. With bagless vacuums, you can save money on bags, but they still use filters that need to be periodically cleaned and replaced. Filters are generally more expensive than bags, so the exchange between the two may not be even. Also, emptying a dustbin from a vacuum can be messy, and handling it can expose you and those around you to dust and other allergens.
• HEPA filtration: Some vacuums have HEPA (high-efficiency particle air) or HEPY-type filter to help capture a wide variety of dirt and dust particles that can otherwise irritate allergies and respiratory ailments. HEPA filters trap 99.97 percent of particles as small as 0.3 microns, removing allergy-inducing materials from carpeting and the air. HEPA filters need to be cleaned and replaced regularly, so check your users manual for tips and directions.
• Dirt sensors: Sensor technology is becoming more and more common in vacuums, particularly in the robotic vacuum age, and some vacuums now include technologies that detect the presence of dirt and let you know when you have thoroughly removed all dust, dirt and debris from an area. This is convenient for people with dark colored carpets or hard-to-see areas.
• Self-propelled motor: Convenient for the elderly or physically disabled, self-propelled vacuum cleaner motors allow you to effortlessly move across the floor and maneuver around furniture smoothly, avoiding unnecessary strain on your back muscles.
• Telescoping wands: A common accessory with vacuum units is telescoping wands, which give you a wider reach and allow you to get at areas that are hard to clean with a traditional upright or canister vacuum. This includes tall ceilings, tops of cupboards and underneath cabinets and furniture.

Vacuum Cleaner Cost

Overall, upright vacuum cleaners are less expensive than canister vacuum cleaners, and newer features typically drive up overall cost. An upright vacuum can cost anywhere from $50 to over $1,000, depending on the size, strength and additional features.

Low-end upright models between $50 and $100 have a suction hose with a crevice tool, stair brush and extended wand piece. Some come with additional features, such as bag-free storage units or full-bag indicator lights. It is extremely difficult to find low-priced vacuums with advanced filtration systems.

High-end models typically range between $200 and $500, depending on the features. The highest of these models may carry everything from HEPA filters to wider cleaning paths to dirt sensors and self-propelling motors. Suction hoses are commonly more sturdy and crush resistant. While not necessarily more powerful than lower-end models, these vacuum cleaners have a lot of handy gadgets. The highest level of vacuum cleaners are extremely expensive, between $800 and $1,000. These typically have advanced filtration systems and extra suction strength.

To save money on vacuum cleaners, don't shop by price. Instead, shop by the features you need. If you stick to only the features that you absolutely have to have for your home, then you will likely save money on your purchase.