Just like homes, people, and cars, vacuum cleaners come in all shapes and sizes. Whether it’s your first time buying one or you’re replacing a trusted appliance that’s given up the ghost, choosing a new one can be overwhelming.
Besides deciding whether you prefer the convenience of cordless over the power of corded, or the ease of bagless over the hygiene of bagged, there are several aspects to consider in terms of dust capacity, additional tools or accessories, and versatility.
We’ll give you recommendations for the best vacuums we’ve tested when you’re ready. But first, answer these questions to decide which vacuum is best for you.
Wired or wireless?
For years, the only power option for a vacuum cleaner was a cord. But with the advent of larger capacity batteries, cordless has become the new norm. However, while cordless vacuums can offer excellent performance, there has been a trade-off, meaning that corded models still tend to have larger motors and consistent suction. This is due to their constant power supply.
Chris Martin / Foundry
Chris Martin / Foundry
Chris Martin / Foundry
However, corded models still have all the problems of their predecessors: they tend to be heavier, and not everyone can stand the inconvenience of having to unplug them when moving from room to room, and having to clean around a trailing cord.
The choice really comes down to the lightness and convenience of cordless vacuums versus the bulkier, but usually more powerful, corded vacuums. If you clean little and often, a cordless model should easily do the trick.
For those who opt for less frequent cleaning but want to suck up a lot of dust when they do, consider a corded vacuum. If you have pets, we recommend the Shark Stratos Pet Pro Upright. A lighter, more compact option, suitable for homes with mostly hard floors, is the Miele CX1.
With or without bag?
Whether you choose a bagged or bagless model usually depends on a combination of needs and preferences.
Bagged vacuums are the “cleaner” option of the two. They are suitable for allergy sufferers (many bags have a section that closes when the bag is removed, allowing very little dust to be released into the air) as well as people who don’t like the sometimes messy task of emptying a vacuum cleaner.
However, if budget and environmental friendliness are important to you, it is best to use a bagless product as it reduces the cost of constantly purchasing bags and additional environmental waste.
But there are exceptions: the Halo Capsule X Wireless has compostable cardboard dust bags, which only need to be replaced every few weeks. They’re not expensive either. Read our Capsule X review to find out more.
Emma Rowley / Foundry
Emma Rowley / Foundry
Emma Rowley / Foundry
But there’s a third option: vacuums that automatically empty themselves into their charging base. Some of the best we tested include Samsung’s flagship Bespoke Jet AI, as well as the more affordable Shark Detect Pro and Ultenic FS1.
How much suction power do I need?
Although advertising campaigns would have you believe that suction is the main factor to consider when choosing a vacuum cleaner, this is not the case: it contributes to the cleaning effectiveness of your model, alongside airflow design, brush rolls and filtration.
Many people think that the higher the wattage, the greater the suction, but generally speaking, this is not accurate. Wattage is a measure of how much power the vacuum cleaner can draw when working hard.
Suction can be measured in three ways: water head or sealed suction (measured in inches of water head), air watts, which are considered the most reliable and combine airflow and water head, and Pa, or Pascal, which is suction force, and commonly quoted for robot vacuums.
Regardless of the measurement, the higher the number, the better. And if you’re cleaning high-pile carpets, the higher the suction power of a machine, the more it should be able to lift embedded dirt and debris. For most hard floors, high suction power usually isn’t as critical, and moderate power should be sufficient.
However, since suction is only part of the puzzle, it’s best to consider it when comparing similar products, rather than comparing a cordless vacuum, a bagless stick vacuum, or a corded and bagged vacuum.
What tools and accessories do I need?
The accessories that come with your vacuum cleaner are often overlooked, especially if there’s no onboard storage or the manufacturers don’t provide adequate instructions on how to use them. However, when used for their intended purpose, they can transform your floor cleaner into a complete home appliance. Here are the basics to look for:
- Flat nozzle: Designed to get into tight spaces, this tool is ideal for cleaning baseboards, door frames, around window frames, under your refrigerator, between sofa cushions and around car seats, as well as corners, edges of stairs and behind furniture.
- Dust brush: Use it instead of a feather duster. It is ideal for removing dust from lampshades and lamp bases, blind slats, radiators, skirting boards and car interiors.
- Upholstery tool: Use this tool to keep your soft surfaces lint-free. This can include sofas, cushions and chairs, but also curtains, roman blinds, mattresses (also look for wider blades suitable for beds for faster cleaning) and carpeted stairs.
Emma Rowley / Foundry
Emma Rowley / Foundry
Emma Rowley / Foundry
Is a robot vacuum cleaner as effective as a vacuum cleaner?
If you’re doing a full-home cleaning and have different types of floors, the answer is probably no: robot vacuums are great for everyday cleaning, but a full-size vacuum is ideal for deep cleaning carpets and rugs.
However, robot vacuums are particularly effective at cleaning hard floors. The latest models are better at reaching corners and edges of the room, have larger wheels with treads for climbing, and are less likely to get stuck on obstacles. Take a look at our roundup of the best robot vacuums we’ve tested to see our top recommendations.
Once you’ve thought about these questions, browse our guide to the best vacuum cleaners to find the perfect vacuum for you.
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