Frequent vacuuming your home not only ensures cleanliness but also improves indoor air quality. The job of giving your family a safe and warm environment requires you to use the best equipment. It’s true that getting the best vacuum cleaner requires a little more effort.
Due to the complexity of vacuuming, modern vacuum cleaners come in different shapes, sizes, prices, and functionalities. It is important for you to know the type of vacuum cleaner you need and, most importantly, why you need it so that you invest in the product that will get you the best value for your money.
There are five major types of vacuum cleaners, all serving the same purpose but are slightly different from each other in terms of shape and functionality. There are also some convertible vacs too, that are a combination of two or more different types of vacuum cleaners.
When you are aware of the advantages of each style, you can easily pick the one that’s suitable for your home. Following are the main types of vacuum cleaners that can be purchased depending on the desired cleaning requirement and budget.
1) Upright Vacuum Cleaner
Upright vacuum is probably the most common type of vacuum cleaners used in homes in which motor, suction head, dirt container, and handle are part of a single unit. Pushed by a person forward, these vacuums have a good suction power and come with built-in controls for ease of use.
They are considered to perform well on carpeted areas owing to the built-in motorized brush bar, but some models are great for cleaning bare floors too. Usually, they come with cleaning attachments for thorough cleaning of the home. They need more effort as you have to push forward the entire unit.
Pros
- Efficient for cleaning large areas
- Good for carpeted surfaces
- Wider cleaning path
- Cheaper than canister vacuums
- Powerful than stick vacuums
- High dirt storage capacity
- Ideal for people prone to allergies
- Includes attachments
Cons
- Some upright vacuums can be heavy and difficult to move around the house
- Noise level
- Limited reach
Our recommendation: Shark Rotator Lift-Away Upright Vacuum (NV501)
It is one of the best budget upright vacuum cleaners owing to its versatile design and attachments that enable it to adapt to different cleaning situations. Powered by swivel steering, it can be maneuvered around the furniture easily as an upright vacuum cleaner.
When it comes to cleaning under furniture or above the floor, especially on upholstery, this upright vacuum cleaner proves its worth. You can detach the pod and use the provided attachments like the extended hose to clean hard to reach areas. It also includes a completely sealed system with a HEPA filter to trap dust and allergens.
Buy: $268
2) Stick Vacuum Cleaner
As implied by the name, it is a lightweight and slim type of vacuum cleaners that’s not as powerful as upright vacs but comes with multiple attachments or accessories to simplify the cleaning job. Coming in corded and battery-powered versions, these appliances are suitable for quick and convenient cleaning of various surfaces. Cordless stick vacuums rely on battery power so their suction power and runtime is limited. They are not ideal for larger homes but great for cleaning hard-to-reach areas. Furthermore, you can easily carry them around and store in a closet.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Ideal for spot cleaning
- Comes with various attachments and accessories
- No need to bend down during a cleaning session
Cons
- Less power and suction compared to uprights
- Less dirt storage capacity
- Not for large homes
- Can be expensive
Our recommendation: Dyson V11 Animal Cordless Vacuum Cleaner
The Dyson V11 Cordless Stick Vacuum is equipped with an innovative cleaner head with Dynamic Load Sensor (DLS) system that automatically adapts suction and power to handle different types of surfaces. The battery-powered vacuum provides up to 60 minutes of run time and comes with a wall-mounted charging dock. It can also be converted into a handheld device for cleaning car, rugs, etc.
Buy: $576
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3) Handheld Vacuum Cleaner
As the name suggests, you can hold this vacuum cleaner in your hand. It does well in narrow spaces but has low suction power compared to others. Available in both corded and cordless models, the handheld vacuum cleaner is pretty useful for cleaning cars, carpets, occasional spills, and corners of upholstered furniture.
Pros
- Portability
- Great for quick cleanups
- Reaches in tight spaces
- Easy to store
- Less expensive
- Can be cordless
Cons
- Due to low suction power, it is intended for small jobs
- Small dust capacity
- Limited battery life
Our recommendation: Black & Decker Dustbuster (HHV1320JR02)
Powered by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, this handheld vac features a slim rotating nozzle that ensures a comfortable hand position when accessing hard to reach areas. The provided extendable crevice tool and flip-out brush make cleaning even more convenient. The vac has a translucent, washable bowl with (20.6Oz) dirt capacity.
Buy: $55
4) Canister Vacuum Cleaner
Unlike the uprights, the canister vacuum consists of two parts: a cylindrical case that accommodates vacuum’s motor, filter and dirt collection container – a slim suction hose. With small wheels, the canister vacuum can be easily moved around in the house. It is generally recommended for hard floors due to its lightweight, but attachments have been developed to clean carpets and other surfaces too.
Pros
- Powerful suction
- Lightweight suction hose makes it easy to use
- Suitable for cleaning stairs, underneath furniture and overhead areas
- Comes with multiple attachments
- Large dust capacity
- Offers better filtration options
- Quieter compared to upright vacuums
Cons
- Bulky and heavy
- Requires large space for storage
- Higher cost than others
- Time-consuming setup process
- Need to bend down while vacuuming
Our recommendation: BISSELL Zing Bagless Canister Vacuum (2156A)
This bagless canister vacuum cleaner features cyclonic technology that provides powerful suction for thorough cleaning. It comes with an easy-empty, 2L dirt cup and tools that let you clean hard-to-reach areas of your home. There are built-in dirt cup filters and post motor filter to capture fine dust and particles. Furthermore, the 15 feet long cord provides great reach to the vacuum.
Buy: $67
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5) Robotic Vacuum Cleaner
It is a kind of automatic, Wi-Fi-powered vacuum cleaner that can be controlled using the companion mobile app and even smart home voice assistants. The robotic vacuum cleaners require very little effort on the user’s end as they can freely roam around the house, sucking all the dirt on the way. Owing to their slim design, they can easily reach places where big vacuums can’t.
Pros
- Saves time and convenient
- Automated cleaning
- Low maintenance
Cons
- Limited deep cleaning
- Navigation limitations
- Can’t handle stairs
- More expensive than traditional vacuum cleaners
- Require occasional maintenance
Our recommendation: iRobot Roomba i3+ EVO (3550) Robot Vacuum
This self-emptying robotic vacuum cleaner will take care of cleaning in the home. It offers about 75 minutes of run time and is suitable for pet hair and carpets. Powered by smart mapping feature, the vac can selflessly clean any room in the home. It comes with Clean Base Automatic Dirt Disposal, Roomba will return itself to the base when the bin is full, automatically empty and resume cleaning.
All the dirt is transferred into an enclosed bag that holds up to 60 days of cleanings. The robot vacuum can be controlled remotely using the companion mobile app. Furthermore, it supports Alexa and Google Assistant so you can control it with voice commands.
Buy: $500
Bagged vs Bagless vacuum cleaner
Other than these, vacuum cleaners are also categorized according to the method of disposing of in the dirt container. There are mainly two types: bagged and bagless versions, each with different highs and lows. The bagged vacuums can hold more dirt and are hygienic as they release less dust into the air during disposal. On the other hand, bagless vacuum cleaners can save money as you don’t need to buy bags, but you’ll need filters periodically.
Final Words
There’s no doubt that the interior conditions of your home largely determine the type of vacuum cleaner you need. If your home has bare floors, better choose canister vacuum cleaners since they come with a gentle brush that leaves your floors clean and shiny.
On the other hand, upright vacuum cleaners could scratch your gentle floors. When you have more carpeted area at your home, choose vacuum cleaners with high suctioning power. It is recommended to do extensive research to decide on the right vacuum cleaner that fits your cleaning needs.
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