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Just like houses, people and cars, vacuum cleaners come in all shapes and sizes. If it’s your first time buying one, or you’re replacing a trusted favorite that has bitten the dust, choosing a new machine can be overwhelming.
In addition to deciding whether you prefer the convenience of cordless over the power of cordless, or the convenience of bagless over the hygiene of a bag, there are several aspects to consider in terms of fabric capacity, additional tools or attachments, and versatility.
We’ve got recommendations of the best vacuums we’ve tested when you’re ready. But first, answer these questions to decide which vacuum cleaner is best for you.
Corded or wireless?
For years, the only power supply for a vacuum cleaner was a cable. But with the advent of larger capacity batteries, wireless became the new standard. While cordless vacuums can provide excellent performance, there is a trade-off, meaning corded models still tend to have larger motors and consistent suction. This is due to their constant power supply.
Chris Martin / Foundry
Chris Martin / Foundry
Chris Martin / Foundry
However, corded designs still have all the problems of their forebears: they tend to be heavier, and not everyone can live with the inconvenience of unplugging the plug when moving from room to room, and cleaning around a trailing cord.
Essentially, the choice comes down to the lightweight convenience of cordless vacuums versus the more cumbersome, but usually more powerful, corded vacuums. If you clean little and often, a cordless model should easily meet your expectations.
For those who opt for less frequent cleaning but still want to pick up enough dust, consider a corded vacuum cleaner. If you have a home with pets, we recommend the Shark Stratos Pet Pro Upright. A lighter, more compact option, suitable for homes with largely hard floors, is the Miele CX1.
Bagged or unbagged?
Whether you choose a pocket design or a pocketless design, it usually comes down to a combination of need and preference.
Bagged vacuums are the ‘cleaner’ option of the two. They are suitable for people who suffer from allergies – many bags have a part that closes when the bag is removed, so that hardly any dust is released back into the air – but also for people who hate the sometimes messy work of emptying of a vacuum cleaner.
However, if budget and eco-friendly features are important to you, bagless is better, cutting down on the costs of constantly buying bags and the extra environmental waste.
But there are exceptions: the cordless Halo Capsule X has compostable cardboard dust bags, which only need to be replaced every few weeks. They are also not expensive. Read our Capsule
Emma Rowley / Foundry
Emma Rowley / Foundry
Emma Rowley / Foundry
But there is a third option: vacuum cleaners that automatically empty their charging station. Some of the best we tested include Samsung’s flagship Bespoke Jet AI and the more affordable Shark Detect Pro and Ultenic FS1.
How much suction power do I need?
While ad campaigns would have you believe that suction is the most important thing to consider when choosing a vacuum cleaner (hint, it’s not) it does contribute to how well your model cleans, in addition to airflow design. , brush rolls and filtration.
Many people think that the higher the wattage, the greater the suction power, but generally that is not correct. Wattage is a measure of the power the vacuum cleaner can consume when working hard.
Suction can be measured in three ways: water lift or sealed suction (measured in inches of water lift), air watts, which is considered the most reliable and combines airflow and water lift, and Pa, or Pascal, which is the suction force. , and usually listed for robot vacuum cleaners.
Whatever measurement is cited, the higher the number, the better. And if you’re cleaning deep pile carpets, the more suction power a machine has, the better it should be able to suck up stuck-on dirt and grime. For mostly hard floors, high suction power is usually not that important, and average suction power should be sufficient.
However, because suction is only one part of the puzzle, it’s best to look at it when comparing similar products, rather than comparing cordless, bagless stick vacuums or a corded bag vacuum.
Which tools and attachments do I need?
There is a tendency to neglect the tools that come with your vacuum cleaner, especially if there is no storage space on board or if manufacturers do not provide sufficient guidance on how to use them. However, if used for their intended purpose, they can turn your floor cleaner into a whole-house appliance. These are the basics you should pay attention to:
- Crevice nozzle: Designed to get into tight spaces, this tool is best used for cleaning baseboards, door frames, around window frames, under your fridge, between sofa cushions and around car seats, as well as in corners, stair edges and behind furniture.
- Dusting brush: use this instead of a duster. It is ideal for wiping away dust from lampshades and bases, blind slats, radiators, skirting boards and car interiors.
- Upholstery tools: use this tool to keep your soft surfaces lint-free. This can include sofas, cushions and chairs, but also curtains, Roman blinds, mattresses (also look for wider slats suitable for beds for faster cleaning) and carpeted stairs.
Emma Rowley / Foundry
Emma Rowley / Foundry
Emma Rowley / Foundry
Is a robot vacuum cleaner as good as a vacuum cleaner?
If you clean the whole house and have different floor types, the answer is probably no: robot vacuums are great for everyday cleaning, but a large vacuum is best for deep cleaning carpets and carpeting. carpets.
Where robot vacuums excel, however, is cleaning hard floors. The latest models reach corners and along room edges better, have larger wheels with steps for climbing and are less likely to get stuck on obstacles. Check out our review of the best robot vacuums we tested to see our top recommendations.
After you’ve pondered these questions, browse through our best vacuum cleaner guide to find the perfect vacuum cleaner for you.