Which Vacuum Cleaner Is Right for You? A Complete Buying Guide

 

 

Intro

When it comes to purchasing a new vacuum cleaner for your home, it’s easy to become confused and overwhelmed with all of the different types of vacs available and the different technical features on offer. The last thing you want is to invest in a new vacuum only to realise it’s not quite right for you and doesn’t perform how you expected.

So, there are a few things to consider and look out for when it comes to deciding on a vac that’s right for you. After all, you want home cleaning to be made as quick and easy as possible.

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VACUUM CLEANER TYPES:

 

CORDLESS VACUUMS

Cordless vacuum cleaners are a great all-rounder when you want a lightweight, portable and powerful solution when it comes to cleaning your home. Many cordless vacuums have lengthy runtimes of up to 60 minutes, and their minimal design make them easy to store away. On top of this, cordless vacuums often have 2-in-1 functionality; meaning they can be used upright for floors or as a handheld vac for cleaning hard to reach areas.

 

Key Features

 

Run Time

Pay attention to the run time on cordless vacuums. Most models offer between 30 to 60 minutes of use on a full charge.

 

Weight

Cordless vacuums are generally much lighter than their corded counterparts. On average, a cordless model weighs about 2-3kg, while upright corded vacuums typically weigh between 6-7kg.

 

Power

Mains-powered vacuums often deliver more power than cordless models, but that doesn't mean a high-quality cordless vacuum can't provide excellent suction. Be sure to check the electrical wattage, air wattage, or KPA to gauge its power.

 

2-in-1 Handheld

Many cordless vacuums can be detached and turned into small handheld vacuums which are great for cleaning stairs, furniture and vehicles.

 

 

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CORDED VACUUMS

 

Corded vacuums are also great when it comes to looking for a vac that you can easily get around the home with. They’re lightweight, easy to store and of course carry the benefit of not being restricted on run time like with cordless. Whilst you might not be able to roam as freely around the house with a corded vacuum, most of them are fitted with cables long enough to allow you to move around without restriction.

 

Key Features

 

Cord Length

Consider the cord length when choosing a corded vacuum. Opt for one with a long enough cord to give you the freedom to move around and between rooms easily while cleaning.

 

Weight

Corded stick vacuums are generally lighter than upright and cylinder models. If you’re looking for a vacuum that offers easy mobility around the home, be sure to check the weight before making a choice.

 

Power

Corded vacuums typically offer more suction power due to being mains powered. However, this largely depends on the quality of the motor. To assess a vacuum's power, check the electrical wattage, air wattage, or KPA.

 

Storage

Corded stick vacuums tend to be easier to store than uprights and cylinders, as they are smaller and lighter.

 

 

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UPRIGHT VACUUMS

 

Upright vacuums are easy to use and tend to carry great suction power, making them the perfect vacuum cleaner for deep cleaning carpets and rugs. They are mostly heavier compared to other vacuums, but this weight makes them easier to push around on carpets and get deep into fabrics - making for a better clean! On top of this, upright vacs usually come with a number of tools to help with cleaning crevices, stairs and upholstery.

 

Key Features

 

Powerful

Upright vacs are usually more powerful than other types, so they can make for a more efficient clean.

 

Weight

Upright vacuums are heavier than corded and cordless stick vacs, so they can be a little harder to carry around the house or up the stairs, so bare this in mind.

 

Great for Carpets & Rugs

The extra weight of upright vacuums does work to their advantage, as it means they can get deeper into carpets and rugs for a more thorough clean.

 

Storage

Upright vacuums can be easily stored away in a cupboard until the next time you need to use it.

 

 

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HANDHELD VACUUMS

 

Handheld vacuums are the go-to if you’re looking for quick and easy cleaning of smaller or harder-to-reach areas of your home. Because of their incredibly compact design, wire-free nature and light weight, they are perfect if you need to clean stairs, cars or just a quick ‘zip around' a few corners of the house.

 

Key Features

 

Portable

Handheld vacuums are designed to be small and light, so they're portable by nature. This makes them great for cleaning small or hard to reach areas.

 

Cord Free

Handheld vacuums are usually cordless so they're easy to carry around the home and between rooms.

 

Run Time

Handheld vacs that are cordless will typically have a run time between 20-40 minutes. They can be easily stored and many come with charging docks.

 

Attachments

Many handheld vacuums come with an array of attachments for cleaning small corners, furniture, stairs, pets and more.

 

 

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TECHNICAL JARGON BUSTER

 

AIR WATTAGE

Air watts are a measure of the effectiveness of vacuum cleaners as it measures the energy of the suction air flow a vacuum cleaner produces. This means that two vacuums of different electrical wattage but the same air wattage will essentially have the same suction power. Below will hopefully give you a decent idea of what is classed as a good air wattage:

• Upright cleaners: 100 Air Watts
• Cylinder cleaner: 220 Air Watts
• Cordless cleaner: 80-100 Air Watts

 

 

HEPA FILTER

Filters trap dirt and debris and stops inside the vacuum, therefore preventing it from being pushed out into the air. HEPA filters are particularly good filters, as they can filter out particles, bacteria, mould and pollen as small as 0.3 microns (which is equal to 0.0003 millimetres!). This keeps the air in your home clean, which is great for air quality and allergies!

If you’re allergic to dust, pollen or anything of the sort, you will want to make sure your vac has a good quality filter so look out for vacs with a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate absorbing) filter.

 

 

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