Generally, people purchase vacuum cleaners according to the ‘Brand’, not caring much about the functions, features, or price.
Choosing among various vacuum models often indicates doing research for many details and overthinking, which means purchasing according to personal needs in the end.
Note that lesser-known brands want to become reputable ones and thus are trying to provide high-end appliances at affordable prices – their products are often cheaper than similar products of renowned, larger brands. On the other hand, large brands are large because they produce good products at acceptable prices.
Otherwise, if you are not sure about two products, check reviews and recommendations of other people and, if you still can’t make decision yet, go for more reputable brand.
Before recommendations, we need to understand how many types of vacuum cleaners.
Types of Vacuum Cleaners
Your first step is to consider what style of vacuum is suitable for your preferences after deciding to buy a new vacuum. We simplified five types of vacuum available on the market in order to help you search for the perfect vacuum.
Canister
This type of vacuum has a separate canister that includes the motor and container with a long hose that can be equipped with changeable attachments. Lots of users say this type is simple to carry, making it ideal for numerous stairs.
What’s more, a canister vacuum often comes with various attachments, making it practical and easy to clean different surfaces, such as pile carpets, hardwood floors, furniture, curtains and your car’s interior.
A canister vacuum is always lightweight, nimble and can be both more powerful and quieter than an upright vacuum. While canister vacuums can be more difficult to store, empty and move around compared to the upright counterparts.
Upright
According to the pros, upright vacuums are very benefit for cleaning large areas.
The whole vacuum moves with you, making it less cumbersome than a canister model. And it’s easier to store and empty is another positive feature of an upright vacuum.
But an upright vacuum has winding cords, usually tends to be heavier, can be hard to use on stairs and doesn’t always simply adjust for different floor types.
Stick
An easy way to realize a stick vacuum cleaner is like an upright vacuum having a meal.
Even though they are slim, lightweight and battery-powered, shouldn’t be substituted for a more effective full-size vacuum. It is said that a stick vacuum a wonderful option for quick clean-ups in your living room, bathroom and kitchen for picking up pet fur.
A stick vacuum is the vacuum equivalent of a broom and dustpan added by one user, and they’re particularly not made for carpets.
Cordless and Handheld
Both are compact models and are similar to a stick vacuum but smaller, so you’ll have to bend over to suck the particles off the floor. Due to its portable design, it’s great for vacuuming out your car or spot cleaning.
Remember dust busters? That’s a great example of a cordless or handheld vacuum, which are designed to grab and go easily.
Cordless vacuums are meant to complement your heavier-duty models like a canister or upright, but not be used alternative.
Robot
A “smart” candidate compare to the traditional vacuum, robotic options can run anytime, whether you’re home or not, and reset themselves to charge.
Robot vacuums help get forgotten corners and clean under furniture that larger models may not be able to.
Although they are not as powerful as the traditional models, the constancy in being able to program them to run every day is a nice attribute. But some level of tidying up is necessary beforehand. If your floor is cluttered, then a smart vacuum will keep away from the toys and dirty clothes.
Deep or Carpet Cleaner
Deep cleaners or carpet cleaners use warm water for spot removal and carpet treatment which is called carpet extractors or carpet shampooers. These devices spray the carpet with soapy water, then use vacuum technology to brush the fibers and suck up the water, dirt and stains from the carpeting. These professional vacuums are not designed for everyday use and are not suitalbe for bare floors.
Except various types of vacuum, there are plenty of features to consider before buying a new vacuum, and it may feel overwhelming. The cleaning experts we consulted shared their guidance on the many elements to consider.
Features
Cordless. This mini option is always found in stick models and runs on lithium batteries, so you don’t have to worry about a cord getting tangled when you clean.
Bag. Both upright and canister vacuums offer a bagged option where the dirt goes as it’s sucked up. Bags make emptying the dust and debris you’ve collected much easier and neater. Furthermore, bags usually do a great job of filtering particles.
Bagless. There’s also the bagless option for those who don’t want to need worry about buying and replacing bags. This model has a container that collects the dirt and dust, as well as it has to be emptied regularly. Sometimes, you may release more of the dirt and particles back into the air when emptying, where it will fall down to the floor in the end.
Vacuum size. You’ll see that the fit and how it feels to use the vacuum matters by trying out different vacuums. Experts suggest looking for lightweight ones, if user is petite or even older. Since cleaning the whole house is already a pain, if a tall person uses the vacuum, likewise, you’ll want to make certain that it is tall enough so that the person doesn’t have to bend over or stoop too much, which can truly lead to back pain.
Floor settings. You’ll hope to look for a vacuum that can adapt all for those who have different types of flooring in their house. And noted, different types of carpets also need matched settings.
Pet-friendly improvements. A few vacuums are created to tackle pet hair and reduce pet odors. What differs them from traditional vacuums is their capability of detaching and cleaning the ‘beater brush’ (the rotating brush under the vacuum) that commonly gets choked when met with large amounts of pet hair or long hair. Pet-friendly vacuums also commonly contain upholstery tools to help grab pet hair on furniture.
Attachments. Different models come with a range of accessories, so think about your cleaning habits, peculiarly when it comes to upholstery, hard floors and crevices.
Filter. Even though they can be more expensive, vacuums with a High-Efficiency Particulate Arrestance (HEPA) filter can remove 99.7 percent fine dust and airborne particles, according to the pros. However, expert said to be aware that “just since a vacuum has a ‘HEPA’ filter, if it is not properly sealed, it will blow dust back into the air during vacuuming, making the space more contaminated than before.”
Certified “Sealed” HEPA vacuum. These vacuums are air-tight, so all air sucked through the machine passes through the filter and no dust escapes back out at any moment, even when emptying it. Cleaning routinely with a certified sealed HEPA vacuum substantially enhances air quality by reducing the amount of airborne allergens, dust and harmful chemicals in your home. Your air surrounded by should be clearer after you vacuum rather than more polluted.
Now, if you’re preparing to invest vacuum a touch more specifically, we have roundups on the best cordless stick vacuums, handheld vacuums, and even robot vacuums, as well.
How We Test Vacuum Cleaners
The Cleaning Lab tests all types of vacuum cleaners, including canister vacuums, robot vacuums, stick vacs, HEPA vacuums, handheld vacuums, and so much more. We look for their cleaning performance on removing dirt deeply embedded into pile carpet and simulated pet hair evenly spread on a carpet’s surface. We look at how well they remove large and small debris from hard flooring like hardwood, tile, or linoleum, how well they clean along edges and how much suction they draw at the tools.
Our tests are based on the ASTM standard test methods the industry uses and each vacuum model is tested exactly the same way. Easy-to-use testing contains evaluating maneuverability, battery run-time for cordless vacuum cleaners, the controls, how easy the dust cup is to empty and clean or the bag is to replace, and weighing how light the vacuum is.
Consumer testers rate the vacuums’ maneuverability by running it on a bare floor and carpet, around corners and under furniture. They rate the ease of removing the dust cup or bag, and the ease of operating the vacuums’ controls. We write down and test any features like a battery charge indicator, a brush roll control button, or other tools and attachments. Keep reading to see why these vacuums win our distinction of the best vacuums of 2021.
Choose Best Vacuum Cleaners
Bissell Featherweight Stick Lightweight Bagless Vacuum
Even if it’s lightweight, it has strong power to pick up anything, even liquids. Also it can use on both carpet and hardwood, and is easy to move around, push, and swivel. Powerful suction makes it great for quick pick-ups with multipurpose versatility.
With a crevice tool for furniture and a floor nozzle for stairs, Bissell Featherweight Stick has versatile cleaning three machines in one: a stick vacuum, handle vacuum, and stair vacuum.
One common complaint is that the cord is a little short, but one reviewer added that “the short(ish) cord is super-manageable, so I find myself happily grabbing this very frequently to help keep the hardwood clean.”
Bissell Cleanview Swivel Pet Bagless Upright Vacuum Cleaner
Consumers are particularly impressed with how well it even gets into the corners. The suction on this is powerful. It exactly sucks up everything, even if it’s not close to it. The little brushes on the sides do really help to get that dust and hair that accumulates in the corners and around the base of the wall. Not only does it get into all the hard-to-reach places, but it works on all surfaces, and you can adjust the settings depending on what surface you are vacuuming. Easily clean across carpet and hard floors. Plus, no need to worry about debris scattering on hard floors with the Scatter-Free Technology.
Furthermore, Bissell proudly supports Bissell pet foundation by donating up to 10 dollars for every pet product purchase. Its mission is to help save homeless pets.
BISSELL Pet Hair Eraser
This vacuum addresses all the issues that pet owners face and it comes fully loaded with features that’ll suck up every last bit of pet hair. A tangle-free brush roll keeps pet hair from clogging the bristles. Emptying with cyclonic pet hair spooling system means you no longer have to touch the yuck. Its sealed allergen system traps fine particles and allergens while eliminating odors to freshen your home as you clean. The filter uses Febreze technology to eliminate those stale odors that vacuuming up pet hair can generate.
Eureka Mighty Mite Corded Canister Vacuum Cleaner
While the Bissell vacuum can hold two liters, this Eureka model can hold 2.5 liters, and the extra bit of room is helpful for those with larger homes or people who don’t want to clear dust cup out frequently. One customer hated having to constantly empty her vacuum before she started using this one. “I have three short-haired dogs in a one-bedroom house and I replace my bag two times a month and I use vacuum two times a week so you can see how long a bag will last.”
Unlike Dyson, this bagged model could set your hands free because you don’t have to touch and handle the dirt. This vacuum is smaller, lighter, and just as powerful as the Dyson but costs less. And the best part is that the bags are quite large and super cheap.
Oreck XL Commercial Upright Vacuum Cleaner
No matter what you do, the bagless vacs store dirt and odor with all the corners and crannies of their cyclone technology and hidden filters. The bag fills up, you throw it out along with all the odor and dust.
“I love this ugly thing so much,” writes one of the hundreds of satisfied reviewers who appreciates that this vacuum has a bag. “I like having a bagged vacuum because I hate emptying the bagless canisters because no matter what, dust gets everywhere — especially in the air. The bags for this vacuum are huge and last a long time.”
Over 300 reviewers praised how powerful this Oreck is. High-speed, balanced, double helix brushes that spins at a maximum of 6500 RPMs. And one user compares its weight to “about as much as a gallon of milk.” Plus, scatterguard squeegee allows scatter-free cleaning on all surfaces—including carpet, wood, laminate and tile—without manual changes to heights or settings.
Shark Navigator Upright Vacuum for Carpet and Hard Floor with Lift-Away Handheld HEPA Filter, and Anti-Allergy Seal
Allergy sufferers set the tone for hundreds of people who feel the Shark Navigator is the solution to their lifelong struggles with allergies while cleaning. With a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter, and anti-allergy one-way seal, this vacuum is designed to keep allergens out of the air while in use.
An included wide upholstery tool handles pet hair on furniture, and two crevice tools of different lengths give you access to tight spaces and hard-to-reach areas. Also the pod could be lift away and attach the wand to clean above the floor with ease, not to mention maneuver around tight corners and furniture.
Hoover WindTunnel 3 Max Performance Upright Vacuum Cleaner
Over 50 customers describe this vacuum cleaner as “powerful,” with twice as many specifically saying its strong suction seperates it from other vacuum cleaners on the market. There are three channels of suction create efficient air flow from the extra-wide nozzle to the large capacity dirt cup. With carbon hepa filtration, you should never worry about pet’s odor. This vacuum also floor-recognition technology, so it changes the level of suction based on the surface. It can reach further and with greater versatility with 15 feet of extended reach. Totally designed for pet, Hoover includes pet turbo tool, pivoting dusting tool, and crevice tool.
Dyson V11 Torque Drive Cordless Vacuum Cleaner
Three words sum up this cordless stick vacuum, according to user: powerful, lightweight and long-lasting. Dyson’s most intelligent, powerful cordless vacuum. Twice the suction of any cordless vacuum. It has a run time of up to 60 minutes on a single charge and the time remaining is displayed on an LCD screen at the top. Actual run time will vary based on power mode, floor type and/or attachments used.
It also comes with150 percent bigger bin and tools for cleaning almost any surface found in most homes. However, bigger families might want to check out the larger version, the V11 Outsize. With Dyson technology, these vacuums and purifiers are scientifically proven to capture particles as small as allergens and bacteria, which helps create a cleaner, healthier home.
BLACK+DECKER AdvancedClean+ Pet Hand Vacuum
With Black+Decker’s motorized mini brush attachment, there’s nowhere pet hair can hide. An extra-long pullout crevice tool and the extra-large bottom-emptying dust bin make cleaning up after pets even easier.
No surprise, the Black+Decker aced our pet-hair-pickup test and did well with other messes too – even without using the boost power mode – although some sand scattered on hard flooring. The filter is washable, and we like that the vacuum stands upright on end for charging or storage. Using the standard setting, it ran for 32 minutes on a charge.
Miele C3 Brilliant Complete for Soft Carpet
This bagged canister with a HEPA AirClean Filter is absolutely the top pick, if you’re looking to invest in a long-lasting and powerful best canister vacuum. With hand-mounted controls, an ultra-quiet motor and LED lighting on the canister as well as the vacuum head, you’ll be able to clean in style. Just like Rolls Royce of vacuums. It also comes with a deluxe commercial-style electronic brush cleaning head that has its own motor for maximum cleaning power and efficiency. HEPA filters keeps ambient air clean. Plus, there’s a velvet bumper strip around the canister to avoid scuffing anything you may bump into and an auto mode that automatically adjusts the suction power based on what floor type you’re cleaning.
EUFY HomeVac H11 Cordless Handheld Vacuum
Don’t let the Eufy’s slim size fool you. About the appearance of a wine bottle (but lightweight, at just over one pound), this sleek handheld vacuum is full-featured. It includes a crevice/brush tool, a washable filter and a cap that lets it stand upright for storage or charging – standing on a bookshelf, you’d never know it was a vacuum.
Small but mighty, the Eufy rivaled bigger models for cleaning ability. A soft grip makes it comfortable to hold. It runs quietly for up to 13 minutes, and lights alert you when the battery needs charging.
iRobot Roomba s9+
This robotic vacuum is probably the smartest and best robot vacuum available on the market. Forget about vacuuming for months at a time with the clean base automatic dirt disposal that allows the s9+ to empty itself for up to 60 days. This model maps out an entire floor of your home to clean it more efficiently. With Smart Mapping, your robot knows your kitchen from your living room, so you can decide where it cleans and when. Owners can also set boundaries from their smartphones to prevent the vacuum from going into no-go areas, your robot knows to avoid sensitive areas like pet bowls or play areas. So it is ideal for homes with pets.
It can also empty its canister, return to its base when it knows it needs a charge and can stay current with software updates to add features in the future. The Roomba is compatible with both Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa.
How to Clean Vacuum Cleaner
Don’t forget the vacuum cleaner you use to clean your home needs a routinely cleaning as well. Keeping the filters, hose, attachments, canister and other vacuum parts away from dust and dirt can help your vacuum run more efficiently, therefore it can last longer and pick up more debris with every pass over the floor.
Points for cleaning a vacuum
To start with, you’d better wear a mask over your nose and mouth since you probably have to be exposed to contaminated ambient air.
To be safe, first turn off the vacuum and unplug it. Follow your owner’s manual, in case the manufacturer’s instructions differ from the overview provided in this guide.
If the filter in your vacuum isn’t washable, replace it with a new one. Ensure to get the right size and type. Let filters dry thoroughly before you put them back in the vacuum.
If you have trouble getting rid of strings or hairs that have clogged with your brush roller, try using one of your vacuum accessories to suction them off.
Empty the Bag or Dust Cup
If your vacuum has a disposable bag, remove it and throw it away. For vacuums that use a dust cup or bin, empty out the container. Detach as many parts of the dust cup as you can for deep cleaning. It would be better if you give your bagless vacuums a thorough cleaning once every six months. Refer to your instruction manual for help, if the canister can be washed in warm, soapy water, rinsed clean and allowed to air dry. Otherwise, wipe it out with a microfiber cloth and use a can of compressed air to blow out dirt or dust you can’t reach. If you can’t find your manual, you can search for instructions online as well.
Mix a Cleaning Solution
Next off, fill a sink or large basin with hot water and add one teaspoon of dish soap liquid. If possible, choose a product that also contains a degreaser to dislodge any residue in the dust cup.
Wash the Dust Bin or Cup
Totally submerge the dust bin in the hot, soapy water. Let it to soak for at least 10 minutes. Use a sponge or microfiber cloth to clean the inside and outside of the bin. Rinse carefully with hot water and allow to air-dry. Keep in mind: Do not submerge any electrical components or non-washable filters in water.
Clean or Replace Filters
Many vacuums have an indicator lights that indicate when a filter should be cleaned or replaced. Learn where the filters are located (many vacuums have more than one) and whether they can be washed or need to be changed.
Most sponge-like filters are washable( depend on manual ). Remove the filter from the vacuum and shake it out over a garbage bin. To clean, rinse under a cool, running tap to flush out as much dust and dirt as possible. The filter may still look dirty. Lightly press out extra water with paper towels. Lay the filter flat on a rack to dry. Allow up to 24 hours for drying. Reinsert filter into the vacuum.
Wipe Down the Vacuum Housing
Use a somehow damp microfiber cloth to wipe down the vacuum housing. If you see dust in crevices that you cannot reach, use compressed air to blow it away.
Detangle the Beater Bar and Inspect Motor Belt
Unless you have a vacuum that is self-cleaning, remove any tangled hairs or threads from the beater bar by using a seam ripper or very small, sharp scissors. Use a screwdriver to unlock the floor tool and take off the roller brush. Pull or cut off any debris ,strings and hair wrapped around the roller. Wipe out the area that houses the roller and put it back in place. If the brushes look crushed or worn, consider replacing them.
Wipe down the motor belt with a damp cloth to remove dust. If it seems loose or cracked, it is time to replace the belt.
Clean the Hose and Attachments
If your vacuum has a suction hose, it will trap dust inside. Given you can detach the hose, soak it in hot, soapy water for 10 or 15 minutes. Rinse well with hot water and hang to “drip dry”.
The most crucial thing to know about how to clean a vacuum hose is that you must head off puncturing it. If your hose is clogged, Simply insert a dryer vent brush or the handle of a broom to dislodge the clump of debris. Softly push the brush or handle along to push out any debris, being careful not to damage the hose. When the hose is empty, reattach it and wipe off the exterior with a microfiber cloth.
Reassemble Vacuum
As long as everything is clean and dry, reassemble the vacuum. Tips: If your vacuum smells less than fresh, a few drops of your favorite essential oil on the vacuum’s filter will make vacuuming more pleasant.
From my perspective, it doesn’t matter whether it is the best vacuum cleaner, choose the right vacuum for your personal preference.