Vacuum Guide - Buyers Guide

Buyers Guide

Deep cleaning vacuums

A deep cleaning vacuum will have rotating brushes that agitate the carpet pile and loosen the dirt to enhance cleaning. There are models that offer automatic tool conversion buttons or switches that you can push when moving from carpet to a hardwood floor environment.

Hand held vacuums

Hand held units are light weight, can be corded or cordless and can be mounted to the wall. The performance of a cordless model will depend on battery charge and when the battery power drops, the suction power will also.

There are two types of hand held units the straight suction and suction with a power brush. When looking to purchase a hand held; consider what its primary use will be and whether the unit will be used regularly or only on certain occasions.

Broom Vacuums

Stick or broom units are good for small apartments, or quick clean ups. The benefit of a broom vacuum is the light weight. Those who have difficulty pushing a heavy upright will find a broom vacuum a relief. These units come with or without a power cord.

These units generally weight 2-7 lbs and are easy to store in a closet and take up little space. Most models are bag-less and provide easy disposal of dirt and debris.

Wet or Dry vacuums

The wet/dry unit is probably the most versatile unit on the market today. With its numerous attachments and functions it's a handy machine to have in the home. The canister types vary from 6 - 22 gallons.

The HP of these units ranges from 2 to 10 HP. Try to match the size of the unit to the size of the job and how frequently it will be used.

Upright vacuums

A popular feature of the upright vacuum is the bag-less system. This unit has increased performance and requires no bag. Emptying the canister can be dusty, but is generally better than messing with a bag.

These units generally come with a standard set of attachments that includes an upholstery tool, a crevice tool, and an extension wand. A retractable cord and manual or automatic pile adjustments are also common features. A HEPA filter is a common and popular feature found on most upright units.

An example of one of the more popular upright vacuums is the Dyson DC15.

Canister vacuums

These units normally include a retractable cord. This will prevent the user from having to drag the cord around behind them during use. A push of a button or a tug on the cord will retract it into the canister of the unit.

This unit can have a nozzle or a power nozzle. To get the best clean possible use the power nozzle as it agitates the carpet and loosens the dirt for a deeper clean.

Another feature to search for is a suction control switch. This allows the user to adjust the flow of air for cleaning delicate material such as upholstery and drapery.

When choosing a vacuum, always choose the one liked the best. The best vacuum for the job is the one to choose, because it will provide the best performance.