Vacuum cleaner Buying Advice
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We're here to help you buy a new vacuum cleaner. We've got advice and information about all the latest vacuum cleaners. We discuss the range of models, including different features and specifications you need to look for, and also considering environmental and energy efficiency issues.Robotic cleaners which run through the home on their own, bagged, bagless, wet and dry, steam, upright, cylinder – just some of the descriptions used for the state of the art offering of vacuum cleaners on the market.
This buyers guide will help you get to the bottom of suction power and filtration systems before choosing which cleaner will be best for your needs.
- What is my budget?
- What kind of vacuum cleaner?
- Filtration
- Power
- Weight and Size
- Energy Efficiency
- Extra features
Or choose any of these links to go straight to a model design:
What is my budget?
You can pick up a household vacuum cleaner from a supermarket now for as little as £20 but for a branded machine with a host of features the price can leap to around £400.
Industrial and steam cleaners are more expensive and the new robotic style machines cost in the region of £1,000.
With such a choice in price it is important to set a budget and shop around for the varying features available.
What kind of vacuum cleaner?
Upright
Upright vacuum cleaners are tall all-in-one units designed for pushing along the floor.
They are particular suited to homes with large areas of carpet, especially deep pile, and furniture which can be cleaned around rather than under. But they are less efficient on hard surfaces like wooden floors.
Generally more expensive than cylinder models they normally have a powered brush which helps dislodge dust and dirt from carpets which is then sucked up.
Developments in upright cleaners have seen the introduction of extra wide models and features like adjustments for delicate rugs or different floor types.
As you steer an upright cleaner it offers better control and as the dirt has less distance to travel up the cleaner, wattage isn’t as important as with cylinder.
But they can be heavy for transporting up stairs and are difficult to manoeuvre around furniture. They are more compact to store in a cupboard and often offer more suction power at a lower price than the cylinder vacuum.
Cylinder
Cylinder vacuum cleaners have a hose with a cleaner head attached and are recommended if you have limited storage space and mixed floor/carpet areas to clean. They are very good for reaching awkward areas such as under furniture, into corners and stairs but are considered less effective when cleaning carpets especially those with long pile as they rely only on their suction to dislodge dirt,
They are generally lighter and more manoeuvrable and come complete with a range of accessories that are usually stored within the cleaner itself. Most models feature a cord rewind feature and foot operated start/stop pedals.
Bagged
Traditional 'bag' cleaners are generally cheaper than the bagless alternatives but most bags are not reusable and are sometimes expensive to buy.
The performance of bagged cleaners can be affected as the bag gradually fills up. Bagged models can be more hygienic, however, because the dirt and dust is collected in a sealed bag. Some bags have extra layers to protect allergy/asthma sufferers and many models also have automatic bag closure systems so the bag is sealed before it is removed
Bagless
Different models work in different ways, but essentially, as there's no bag, the vacuum's suction is better.
You’ll never have the inconvenience of running out of bags and models with washable filters mean you won't have to replace these either.
However emptying and cleaning the dust container can be a dirty job so if you have allergies a self-sealing bag would be a better option.
Bagless cleaners are generally more expensive because of their technology but you don’t have the cost of replacement bags.
Wet and Dry
There are a number of styles of cleaner available that as well vacuuming can mop up wet spills and some will also shampoo carpets using special shampoos.
Until recently, these cleaners were quite cumbersome and could be difficult to change from one type of operation to another. Newer models have improved significantly in this respect.
Wet and Dry cleaners come with a range of tools for many purposes, although they can be especially noisy and although useful are not generally good at standard cleaning.
They may be useful as a second machine for help with DIY cleanups for example.
Steam
Steam cleaners used to be out of most people's price range, but prices are dropping
They can be used on hard floors, carpets, tiles, ovens, hobs and sinks, all around the bathroom, as well as curtains and upholstery. They are also effective for car interiors as well as wheel trims, garden furniture and barbecues.
They clean by using natural steam from water rather than any chemicals. Surfaces are more thoroughly cleaned and they can offer benefits to those who suffer from asthma or allergies.
Most models will be supplied with some attachments as standard, while others will have to be purchased separately.
As with any product combining water with electricity safety is paramount.
Steam cleaners should have:
- Safety thermostats to monitor the internal temperature and to switch off automatically if the temperature rises too much
- Shut off devices that will cut off all power should the safety thermostats fail
- Pressure-stats that switch off the power if the pressure becomes too great
- Some form of safety device on the reservoir cap so that the cap will not open when the appliance is in operation or there is any heat in the systems.
Electric Brooms
Electric Brooms are like a stripped down upright cleaner. They are lightweight and easily transportable and good for hard-to-reach spots and tight places.
Handhelds
These lightweight models are useful for cleaning up in small areas like carpet sweepers were used in the past.
They are available powered from the mains, whilst battery and rechargeable models and are ideal for the kitchen or car.
Polishers
In response to the current trend for wooden flooring these cleaners that both vacuum and polish wooden floors are slowly increasing in number. If your house has a mixture of flooring, these may be a good idea, perhaps partnered by a budget carpet cleaner.
Robotic
Could these be the cleaners of the future?
They literally run through the house on their own power - saving time, effort and work. They also include features such as self navigation and self timing, which means that they can navigate around a room, twisting and turning when they hit an obstacle and a timer shuts off after a certain time.
A dirt sensor will tell the vacuum where the dirtiest part is so that it will spend more time on those areas.
They are bagless and also have adjusting heads for various heights of carpet and bare floors.
Filtration
All cleaners have some form of filtration system but there are some models that have more sophisticated filters more suitable for those with either allergies or pets.
The majority have a filtration rate of 99%. If you suffer from allergies you should consider cleaners fitted with S class HEPA filters.
Types of filters include:
- Stage filters: usually vary between 3 and 7 stages. A typical 4-stage filter would comprise a double-skinned bag (2 stages), a filter between the dust bag and motor chambers, and a final filter
- Lifetime filters: no need to change the filter during the lifetime of the machine – normally 7-10 years
- HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air): also known as S-Class, these retain even the smallest of allergy-causing particles. Look out for those machines that have been given the British Allergy Foundation’s seal of approval
- Charcoal filter: with a charcoal layer that removes any nasty smells. Particularly suitable if you have pets.
Power
Motor power
Generally the larger the motor (higher watts), the better (although it is not a true indicator of the suction power, it can be a useful indicator). Motor power varies from 800W up to 1600W or 2000W on the most powerful cylinder cleaners.
It is more important on cylinder machines as the dust has further to travel up the tube.
Suction Power
Suction power is quoted as 'air watts' and based on the vacuum cleaner being empty of dust/dirt. It is a more effective measurement of cleaning performance but an official measurement criteria has not yet been agreed for the industry.
Around 100 air watts will offer very effective cleaning on an upright, while on cylinders over 250 air watts will deliver exceptional cleaning performance. Top performing cylinders have a suction power of around 350-450 air watts.
Not all models quote air watts and there is no way to compare these figures with the motor power quoted for other cleaners.
Other factors:
Traditional bag cleaners lose some suction as the bag fills.
Whereas upright cleaners have different airflow systems to cylinder cleaners, they are closer to the ground and dirt is loosened first so an upright needs less suction power than a cylinder to achieve the same cleaning results.
Cleaning mode – Adjustable Power
Upholstery, hard floors, loose-fitting carpets and deep-pile carpets all require different settings for efficient cleaning. Adjustable power means you can select the optimum power setting for the surface being cleaned.
Some cleaners have “autosense” cleaning, which automatically boosts suction power when it is needed on heavily soiled carpets, while others must be turned up or down manually.
Weight and Size
With the increase in power and suction the bulk of the cleaner also tends to increase. You should think about having to move and carry something around your home which weighs around 7/8 kg or 15 to 18 pounds.
You should also see how easy a cleaner is to push. Always try pushing a vacuum cleaner around a shop before buying and think about the dynamics of your home – a larger model may not suit somewhere with narrow hallways or stairs.
Where you will keep your cleaner? And look at things like the length of cable, at least seven meters will reach comfortably around a living room.
Energy efficiency
Vacuum cleaners generally have one of the lowest annual electricity consumption of home appliances and unlike others do not have to have an EU Energy efficiency rating.
The power rating of a vacuum cleaner does not necessary indicate its efficiency or its cleaning capabilities. Efficient suction will offer better energy efficiency.
Other environmental considerations are the energy wastage potential of an over-powerful vacuum cleaner and the need for paper bags with bagged models.
Reliable reconditioned second-hand machines are also available.
