Buying the right vacuum cleaner is an investment but when it comes to deciding which one, there’s a great deal to choose from out there. This guide aims to help point you in the right direction to make the best choice for you. We go through each of the different options step-by-step.

Upright or cylinder vacuum cleaners?

This is one of the first questions you should ask yourself. Consider the size of the rooms you will be vacuuming as this will be a factor in your decision. A small house will need a different vacuum from a large home for instance.

You’ll find that cylinder vacuum cleaners are generally smaller and lighter, so are easier to move around the home. The latest models often have all their accessory cleaning tools attached to them, making it very easy to interchange and to put away once finished. The suction head on these machines are separate from the main part of the unit making for better cleaning reach. Some models will have foot operated start and top features and cord rewind amongst other benefits.

The benefit of this kind of cleaner is that it can get into hard to reach places. Especially if they have a long cord, it makes it easier and safer for cleaning on the stairs as you can leave the unit at the bottom.

If you prefer an upright, then look for a model that has special tools for spaces that are not easy to reach. The upright fairs best when there are large floor areas. The upright does tend to be heavier, making it harder to move around overall but there are a few brands that have made them lighter such as Oreck which states it’s less than 3.6kg. (It’s worth reading the reviews on Amazon to get a feel for whether this would be the right vacuum for you. It’s not a bagless system though, which is a downside for me personally, but some people don’t mind these.)

On many uprights there is a height option which means you can adjust the vacuum base depending on the thickness of the carpet pile. The rotating brushes on an upright are said to be good if you have pet hair you need to remove but do note that you can also get cylinder vacuum cleaners that are designed to cope with animal hair too.

Bagless or bagged vacuum cleaners?

Uprights are generally cheaper than the bagless cleaners. You’re paying for the technology but then this could be counteracted by the ongoing cost of buying vacuum cleaner dust bags. Bagged vacuums can also lose performance as the bag fills up so this is something else to look out for.

Some people prefer the bagged models because the dust is collected in a sealed bag. This may be a consideration if a person is asthmatic (check for British Allergy Foundation approval). With the bagless variety, you would have to empty it out.

Powerful performance

A vacuum cleaner’s power is measured in Watts, which indicates its cleaning performance. Usually the high wattage vacuums have better cleaning performance. You’re looking at around 1300/1400 Watts in general for an upright and cylinder respectively.

The power, in Watts, of a vacuum is a pretty good indicator of how well it will perform at cleaning. Generally, the higher the wattage of the motor, the better the cleaning performance should be. A good figure for a cylinder cleaner is around 1400 Watts, and 1300 for an upright.

Vacuum Filtration

Filtration is nothing to do with the amount of dirt a vacuum takes in, but the size and number of particles in the air from the vacuum.

It’s of particular important to anyone suffering from dust allergies or asthma. There are three main types of filtration: lifetime, s-class/HEPA or standard.

Let’s start with standard. This is usually on the cheaper models; it’s important to find the best you can. Look for something that has four levels of filtration i.e. micro-filtration. These types of cleaners are not the best if you have any kind of allergy.

S-class and HEPA: these minimise the number of microscopic allergens in the air after vacuuming. This is better for allergy sufferers.  What do both of these terms mean?

S-class: the standard adhered to by vacuum manufacturers

HEPA: High Efficiency Particulate Air filter technology

They are basically two methods of filtration, both of which need a change of filter over time. The other option we mentioned above was lifetime filters. As their name suggests, they don’t need replacing during the lifetime of the vacuum cleaner. It is possible to get a S-class/HEPA cleaner that has lifetime filters, but they are generally more expensive as you would expect.

Other types of vacuum cleaners

Handhelds

The portability of these cleaners is a great asset, and they are generally lightweight too. OK, they don’t have the capacity of your cylinder or upright but you can use them to clean the stairs, sofas and chairs, or the car. Great for if you want to quickly vacuum in between your main cleans – especially if you have kids or pets!

Some handhelds are corded and these are the best when it comes to the battery power of the cordless variety. Usually if you’re only wanted to use it for short durations such as 10-15 minutes in the main, then you’ll be OK. Otherwise maybe the corded variety would be best – one with a long cord will avoid you having to use an extension.

They might not be the best for asthma or allergy suffers, so you’d need to take that into consideration. Again, always read the reviews and contact the makers directly if you have any questions.

Wet & Dry Cleaners

The added versatility of the wet and dry cleaners means that you can pick up spills and debris. They often come with a wide range of tools for their multipurpose use. Either bagged or bagless, they often can hold quite large capacities. Some can even unblock sinks.

Steam Cleaners

These are powerful for removing dirt from clothes, upholstery, ovens, windows and carpets to name a few. Many people like them because you don’t have to use detergents just the power of steam alone. Again, they often have a wide range of tools and some models have variable steam control too. There are time limits on cleaning time, so do bear this in mind. Depending on the level of dirt, you can achieve success with 20 minutes. Do read the instructions carefully when dealing with a steam cleaner though particularly with the surface you intend to use it on for instance glass. You don’t want to damage or break your belongings.