Guide to Vacuum Cleaners

Canister vacuums avoid the expense of bags.

Whether it's to clean carpet or bare floors in your home, chances are you have or, at some point, will need to purchase a vacuum cleaner. With so many options and brands available, deciding what type to buy can be overwhelming. Carefully consider your needs and budget and how well a particular type can meet them.

Types

According to a Consumer Reports review, there are six types of vacuum cleaners on the market: the upright, central, robotic, stick, handheld and canister vacuum.

Advantages and Disadvantages

The upright vacuum is best for deep cleaning carpets but can literally be a drag to cart around as some models weigh 20 lbs. or more, according to Consumer Reports.

Central vacuum cleaners are at the high end of vacuums cost-wise and tout the best features. These professionally-installed units are built directly into a house structure, eliminating the need to carry the body of a vacuum cleaner, but there is a lengthy hose to contend with, sometimes up to 30 feet. These systems also help to improve indoor air quality, are quieter than uprights or canisters and can increase a home's value, according to Vacuum Cleaner Reports. A vacuum cleaner that automatically does the work for you may sound nice, but, according to a review by Consumer Reports, robotic vacuums may be more trouble than they're worth. While the miniature cleaner will clean a room on its own, the room must first be decluttered, and it is time-consuming to set the unit, which reportedly misses corners because of its round design and may close itself in a room.

For a quick, light, cleanup, a stick vacuum is a good option. These vacuums are a less expensive and less powerful version of an upright. For a compact vacuum that can help get in tight spaces in the house and even help clean the car, a handheld vacuum will suffice. Vacuum Cleaner Reports points out, however, that portability may be its best feature as battery time and suction are not its strong points. Because of their limited suction power, canister vacuums present the best cleaning options for homeowners with mostly tiled or hardwood floors. Canister models weigh less than upright models and are generally less expensive.

Special Features

According to Consumer Reports, both upright and canister vacuums are available in models with or without a bag. While there is the cost of bags to consider, models with bags are easier and cleaner to empty than bagless models. While bagless vacuums have the advantage of no expense for bags, Consumer Reports points out that emptying them can be messy and can even expose an individual to some allergen particles. Some features to consider include upright vacuums that offer the feature of adjusting to different pile heights of carpets and the array of add-on tools available, which, according to Consumer Reports, may be an unnecessary added expense. Most uprights, canisters and central units come with a standard set of attachment tools, but the option of upholstery, bare-floor tools and stretch hoses may be beneficial.

Most Popular Brands

A number of manufacturers make vacuums of every type. The most popular brands are made by Eureka, Bissell, Dirt Devil, Dyson, Kenmore and Hoover.

Price Range

Depending upon the type, features and manufacturer, there is a vacuum cleaner in a wide range of price points. Consumer Reports reported the price range of the most popular vacuums and found that Eureka's upright models retail for $50 up to $200, as of March 2011, and the canister models range from $60 to $260. Prices for Bissell's upright models range from $40 to $270, while its two-canister models retail for $50 and $230. Dirt Devil's upright models range from $40 to $250, whereas its canister models range from $80 to $150. The signature yellow upright Dyson vacuums range in price from $300 to $600. Hoover's uprights range from $50 to $300, while its canister models sell for $80 up to $300. Kenmore's uprights cost between $40 and $300, and its canister models, tops in the industry, retail for $50 up to $500.

References

• Consumerreports.org: Vacuum Cleaner Guide
• Vacuumcleanersreport.org: Types of Vacuum Cleaners