Buying a New Vacuum

For anyone who plans to clean their house by themselves in a thorough manner, a useful vacuum cleaner is a must. However, a lot of people do not understand what kind of vacuum they should buy. Many make the mistake of simply buying a really expensive one assuming that they are paying for quality.

Here, we will try and guide you through the process of buying a new vacuum. We will not be recommending any specific vacuums. Instead, we will be dispelling some common myths about vacuum cleaners and will be telling you about what you should be looking for.

Price Does Not Mean Performance

Usually, expensive vacuums are of a good quality. However, just because a vacuum is expensive does not mean that it is right for you.

There are many different types of vacuums including handheld, stick, and canister. For example, the canister vacuum is generally perfect for houses. They have wheels that make the process of cleaning more convenient. On top of that, their cleaning heads make them perfect for cleaning around furniture.

However, if you decide to purchase an expensive vacuum of another type, say a handheld, you may have paid more for less. While handheld vacuums can be great for certain things (e.g. cleaning the interior of your vehicle), they are not ideal for houses. This takes us to the next part.

Which Kind of Vacuum to Buy?

Generally, you should stick to canister, stick, and upright vacuums if their primary use will be cleaning your house. Canister vacuums are great for cleaning the floors as they can move around furniture.

If you have carpets, then the stick vacuum maybe your best option. Stick vacuums are also lighter than canister vacuums and you can easily use various attachments with them.

Upright vacuums, on the other hand, are a great option if you are looking to save some money. While they are not as good of an all-round cleaner as the canister or the stick vacuum, they do clean thick rugs and carpets fairly well. Upright vacuums are also much easier to maintain.

Simply put, if you utilize a professional cleaning service (which you should) and you need something to get you by for basic cleaning, save your money and buy an upright vacuum. However, those that want to thoroughly clean their house should opt for a canister vacuum, unless they have a lot of carpets in which case they should go for a stick.

Bagged vs Bagless Vacuums

Bagged vacuums are necessary for people with allergies as the dirt can’t escape the bag. This also makes them much more hygienic. However, this comes at a cost (literally). You will need to replace the bags (which leads to extra cost) and the performance of the vacuum decreases as the bag fills up.

Bagless vacuums are kinder to the environment and your wallet. The process of cleaning out the chamber can be a bit unhygienic though. On top of that, it needs to be done properly as you must make sure that all the dirt is emptied before placing the chamber back into the cleaner.

There is no correct answer here. You must weigh their pros and cons specific to your situation and decide which option makes more sense for you.

Chargeable Vacuums Maybe Less Convenient

Many novice cleaners opt for a cordless vacuum, thinking that they will not have to deal with the hassle of carrying the cord with them to different rooms. However, cordless vacuums are usually not the best option, especially if you have a large house. Here’s why:

• They have small batteries that run out of juice fairly quickly.
• They are usually much heavier than their wired counterparts.
• The batteries wear out fairly quickly, reducing their lifespan.
• They are much more expensive. Models of similar specifications cost almost twice if they are cordless.

If you do want a convenient solution, it is best to opt for a corded vacuum that has a longer cord. A cheaper alternative would be to purchase an extension cord (power strip) that allows you to hook up your vacuum cleaner to a single outlet and clean your entire home.

Lastly, if you have your heart set on a cordless vacuum, try to buy one with a long run time. This way, you can avoid one of the hassles that go along with them.

Longevity

Let’s face it, cleaning is not an enthusiast activity. You will not be looking to ‘upgrade’ your vacuum cleaner on a yearly basis like some people do with phones. As such, it is best to get one that lasts you a long time.

If you are willing to pay a small subscription fee, Consumer Reports extensively rates vacuums of all types for reliability as well as performance. While we would not suggest purchasing this subscription just for a vacuum cleaner, they do have a lot of reports and research on almost everything that you need to buy for your home.

Companies such as Miele, Hoover, and Shark are well-known for building vacuums that do not fail easily. However, numerous other brands will cost less but last equally long.

One thing you can easily check is the warranty. Most companies offer a warranty between 3-5 years. As such, you should opt for one with at least 3 years warranty. If you are stuck on two models and cannot decide which one to get, taking a look at which has the longer warranty may help.