Make an Informed Decision - 4 Things to Look For When Shopping For a New Vacuum

By Lillian James

Wondering How To Choose a Vacuum?
Hopefully these tips will make your vacuum purchase smoother. Let's begin...

1. Suction Power and Airflow. Suction power is important when picking out the best vacuum since suction helps determine how much dirt is likely to be picked up when cleaning. Picture this, you buy a new vacuum cleaner that looks nice and is a reasonable price. However, when you go to operate it you notice that you are constantly running the vacuum over the same spot but those little dust balls aren't going anywhere. Well now you're stuck with a new vacuum cleaner with no vacuum suction power. Money wasted.

However, suction is not the only factor that's important. Airflow is just as important to actually carry the dirt away. If the vacuum is great at sucking up dirt, but has poor airflow then the dirt still isn't going to budge because there is no power to move it. You need a good balance of both to have an effective vacuum cleaner.

How do you determine suction strength and airflow? Consumer reviews are always helpful and are your best bet in getting first hand user opinions to find out if a vacuum has good suction power. We've found that some of the best vacuums with great suction power include the Miele S2412 Polaris canister vacuum and the Bissell Cleanview Helix upright vacuum.

2. Size. Big and bulky or small and compact. Which do you prefer? Some consumers may mistake the size of the vacuum with how effective the vacuum cleans. Good thing is this is far from true. Manufacturers have been consistently reducing the size of vacuums in recent years, opting for more lightweight and easy to maneuver vacs. Size is also important when you're dealing with smaller spaces, making a lightweight vacuum ideal. New design and technology has made these smaller vacuums just as effective, and sometimes more effective, than larger vacuums.

3. Bag or Bag less. If you think back a few years, vacuums with bags was the standard but bagless vacuums have become very popular in recent years. Vacuums without bags work by sucking up dirt and debris then depositing that debris into a cup. The cup or dirt bin is then removed and emptied in the garbage for disposal.

This brings concern to some consumers who worry about dust being released back into the air when emptying the dirt bin versus a bag that collects the dirt and is disposed of without exposing the debris to air. Bagless vacuums have also been marketed as money savers since there is no need to purchase new bags over time however, you still have to purchase effective filters that will catch small particles which brings us to tip number 4.

4. Filters. Filters are extremely important to keep in mind because they help determine how much debris is actually being put back into the air while vacuuming. There are a few different technologies being used and HEPA is one of the best. True HEPA technology ensures top of the line filtration and is used in hospital settings. The best HEPA filters catch 99% of particles and are ideal for consumers suffering from allergies or asthma. These filters have become extremely popular and are used in many vacuums today but are not the standard. You will typically find them in higher priced vacuums such as Hoover, Dyson and Miele. The filters also need to be changed at least once a year with some of the more expensive HEPA vacuum filters costing $60 - $100.

These are just a few factors to keep in mind when choosing the best vacuum for your usage. Others factors include noise level, the type of attachments included, and the type of floor the vacuum will be used on. Having this information available before making a purchase will help you make the best informed decision to buy the most effective vacuum for your needs.

Get more consumer reviews and find the perfect vacuum at Ratings for Vacuum Cleaners. We cover styles like canister vacuums, hand-held vacuums, bagless vacuums including brands such as Dyson, Miele, Hoover, Dirt Devil, Roomba and more!