Best Type of Vacuum for You

By
Bella
Bella
Writer
Bella is a skilled copywriter who holds a degree in English studies. Her lifelong passion for decor and interior design is evident in her work, which is inspired by the beau read more
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Reviewed By
Tommy
Tommy
Expert Consultant
Tommy is an expert consultant at HouseAndBeyond, with extensive experience in home improvement. A master of all trades, he offers invaluable expertise in areas such as carpe read more
Last updated: August 11, 2023
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Vacuum cleaners are devices that have revolutionized cleaning in everyday life. Vacuums are utilized daily in a wide variety of settings, including commercial and household uses. They employ the use of suction to forcefully remove debris, dust, and dirt from floors, which they collect inside the device for later disposal. Depending on the vacuum type and size, the amount of time you spend cleaning the floors and the frequency with which you empty the vacuum will vary. Finding the right vacuum is no trivial task. Some vacuums are designed to cover large areas with minimal effort, others are designed to suck up heavier particles or larger quantities, and still, others are designed to fit in small spaces and areas that are traditionally harder to clean. There are even some vacuums that require hardly any handling at all. With today’s wide range of prices, uses, and models, finding the right type of vacuum requires some knowledge of the many types available.

Main types of vacuums

There are five primary types of vacuum. These each have different designs and work best in different locations. They each have a specific setting that they are built for. While some vacuums can combine features, an understanding of the basic vacuum types can help consumers purchase the model that will work best for them.

Upright vacuums

Best Type of Vacuum for YouUpright vacuums are the most popular model. They allow the user to easily clean large spaces while remaining in a comfortable standing position. These vacuums stand upright and are often attached to an outlet by a cord. They roll on wheels and, therefore, can easily be transported along even ground. They work well on both carpet and hardwood and are the preferred method of vacuuming for many homeowners. Today’s upright vacuums provide a suite of additional benefits to their users. They are powerful and can be lightweight. In addition, most models provide easy swivel steering and gliding motions. Some highly reviewed models have the capacity to switch modes between carpet and hardwood floor cleaning, giving the best results on a wide range of surfaces. Many households opt for this vacuum type for a reason. Its force and durability make it an excellent choice for homes with a range of floor types and large areas that require vacuuming.

Canister vacuums

Best Type of Vacuum for YouCanister vacuums are some of the more technologically advanced vacuums. They are both lightweight and slender while providing impressive power and versatility. Like the stick vacuums, they are slim and can fit into tight spaces, and require minimal storage space. Like the upright vacuums, they can be used on a wide range of surfaces while maintaining suction efficacy.

These models, however, are often more expensive than a stick or upright vacuums. They are excellent choices for household vacuums for those with slightly larger budgets and who need both power and cleaning in tight spaces.

Stick vacuums

Best Type of Vacuum for YouStick vacuums provide another unique set of advantages. They the slimmest models, giving them a look and requiring little storage space. They are easy to maneuver with swivel steering, providing access to tight spaces and dusty corners. Stick vacuums, however, can be less powerful than the other models, meaning that they should be used mostly for hardwood and area rugs. Stick vacuums also come in cordless and corded varieties. Corded vacuums are more standard. They attach to an outlet and have a long, extendible cord that can retract for storage. Cordless vacuums have rechargeable batteries. They are ideal for shorter-duration cleaning projects on hardwood or low pile rugs.

Handheld vacuums

Best Type of Vacuum for YouHandheld vacuums can be held in one hand. Many are battery-operated and can slide under and around furniture and even between cushions on a couch. They are most useful for hard-to-reach places. Under coffee tables, in corners, and car interiors are just some examples of where the handheld vacuum excels. These devices are often small, even portable Trusted Source Is it worth buying a cordless vacuum cleaner? | Consumer affairs | The Guardian Will pricey brands such as Dyson really pick up the dirt, or should I stick with a conventional one? www.theguardian.com , to be taken in the car or on the go. They are ideal for tight spaces where only one arm can reach. They are small and easily managed with one hand, they are often cordless and can come in a wide range of prices.

Robotic vacuums

Best Type of Vacuum for YouRobotic, or autonomous, vacuums have gained popularity in recent years. They are generally very small and roam freely about a home. They have many advantages over other vacuum models, most importantly, low effort on the part of the user. The robotic vacuum sucks up dirt and dust thoroughly and comprehensively, doing the job of those in charge of keeping the house clean that much easier. Also, the low-to-the-ground architecture of these models makes them ideal for cleaning spaces that would often be overlooked with upright vacuums, including under low couches and chairs and in narrow corners.

Robotic vacuums, while very convenient, can come at a steep price. But as technology continues to improve, the price tag for these autonomous cleaners goes down.

Central vacuums

Best Type of Vacuum for YouCentral vacuums are semi-permanent fixtures in a building. They consist of a large central canister that is stored in a more remote location, for example, in a basement. This vacuum canister is then connected to tubing that runs through the building’s walls. The tubing has outlets in the walls of different rooms, allowing additional tubing or accessories to be connected. The user can then use the appropriate accessory to clean the space, whether that space is furniture, flooring, under furniture, or on shelving. There are multiple advantages to this type of vacuum, including minimal suctioning noise, increased suctioning power, decreased exhaust from the machine entering the room, infrequent emptying of the canister, and improved durability of the machine. The primary disadvantage of this method is the cost of installation in a building. For many whose homes require frequent vacuuming due to allergens or a machine shop that needs frequent cleaning, this is the more overall cost-effective choice.

How to choose the right vacuum?

To choose the right vacuum, first identify the primary area the vacuum will be serving. Is it needed to clean mostly high pile rugs, hardwood floors, in between cushions, or under car seats? How much time do you want to spend vacuuming? How much are you willing to spend? The location that the vacuum is required for will tell you a lot about which type of vacuum to buy. For those cleaning a combination of wood and carpet, an upright vacuum may be the right choice. These models provide powerful suction on many different surfaces and are comfortable to use from a standing position. Because they are bulkier than other vacuum models, they might not be the best choice for homes with lots of tight spaces that need cleaning or where there is very limited storage space. For areas with lots of tight spaces, consider a stick vacuum or handheld. With their long slender form, stick vacuums can reach those hard-to-reach places. Handheld vacuums are also useful for reaching tight corners and in between cushions. Some particularly well-rated models can even convert between stick and handheld models, giving the benefits of both models in one. For households with a larger budget, consider canister or even robotic models.

Canister vacuums have the advantage of both power and slender form. This means that they can easily pick up debris that stick models might struggle with while still getting at those tight spaces that are more difficult to reach using an upright vacuum.

For those with a larger budget and who do not wish to vacuum by hand, a robotic vacuum may be the best option. These vacuum types require minimal input from the owner. They roam the house on their own, picking up dust and dirt. They can reach under couches and chairs and provide a thorough clean of the floors of a house. Finally, for those with larger starting budgets or houses that need particularly thorough vacuuming or stronger suction, a central vacuum may be the best option. These types of vacuums, once installed, tend to have lower operating costs and are more durable than the other models. Clearly, there are many factors to consider when choosing the right vacuum. Knowing what the vacuum will be used for and where is important when choosing the right model.

Final thoughts

Vacuums are a popular and highly effective way of removing dust and debris from home. They provide better results and require substantially less effort than traditional sweeping or mopping. In addition, they are near essential in keeping rugs and tight spaces clean and free from dust. They can come in a variety of models, each with its advantages and disadvantages. Some vacuums work best on vinyl floors. While others work well on a range of surfaces, so making the decision on which vacuum to buy may be based not only on efficacy but also ease of use, price, storage space, and style. As vacuum technology improves each year, accessibility and prices improve. Whichever type of vacuum you choose, make sure to do your research beforehand to find the best-rated and most appropriate one for your home.

References

1.
Is it worth buying a cordless vacuum cleaner? | Consumer affairs | The Guardian
Will pricey brands such as Dyson really pick up the dirt, or should I stick with a conventional one?

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