How to choose the right vacuum cleaner

Find out everything there is to know about vacuum cleaners before you head out to purchase a new one.

When you’re standing in the store, looking at a row of vacuum cleaners on display, how do you start making headway in separating the vacuums from one another? Take a look at the wattage of different machines. The higher the wattage, the more power the motor has.

However, don’t confuse wattage with air watts—the suction power of the vacuum cleaner. Air watts measure the actual pickup power of the vacuum cleaner, not just how powerful its motor is. Look for vacuums with 200+ air watts.

The shape of the vacuum heat impacts how well it will pick up dust, so choose a vacuum cleaner that has several channels to sweep up as much dirt as possible. A brush that spins is a great choice for picking up dirt out of carpeting.

There are pros and cons to both bag and bagless vacuum cleaners. Bagless vacuums spare you from the ongoing expense of purchasing bags, but they can lack suction power. Bag vacuum cleaners keep dirt contained for mess-free disposal. You can read product reviews to give you a sense of the vacuum’s performance, but bagged or bagless may come down simply to your preference.

Maneuvering the cord is one of the biggest hassles of vacuuming, but cordless vacuums don’t compare in power to their corded counterparts. A cordless vacuum cleaner can be a good choice if you want to do a quick clean up after meals or vacuum up small messes, or if you have a large space without many outlets. But for long-lasting consistency throughout your vacuuming, a cord vacuum cleaner is likely more ideal.

If you have the time and energy to make vacuuming a part of your daily routine, you may never need anything more than a lightweight stick style vacuum. If you tend to have longer stretches between vacuuming sessions, a full-size upright or a canister vacuum is probably your best bet.
With all of the above in mind, factor in your budget, and then buy the best possible vacuum you can for the money you have to spend. Happy cleaning!