Vacuum cleaner buying guide

In order to find the right vacuum cleaner, you need to first ask yourself a few questions to find out what your needs are.

What size is your home?

For small apartments, a vacuum cleaner that requires minimal storage space is most suitable. Since you won't need to clean large surfaces, a handheld vacuum is sufficient.

If you have a multi-storey house, it is important that your appliance is light and easy to transport. As your vacuum cleaner will be in use for longer periods, it is worth choosing a model that is economical in energy consumption.

Which surfaces need to be cleaned?

To remove dust from soft surfaces such as carpets or furniture, greater suction is required than that needed for hard surfaces such as parquet floors, tiles, laminate or PVC flooring.

Choose a vacuum cleaner that comes with the relevant attachments, or a model for which the vacuum cleaner attachments can be purchased for the respective flooring.

Does anyone in your household have allergies?

Those with allergies should choose a vacuum cleaner with a good filter. An appliance with a high grade HEPA filter can catch and retain the smallest of dust particles (such as mite excrement, mould spores or pollen), ensuring that they are not returned back into your living space with the exhaust air.

When choosing your vacuum cleaner, pay attention to whether it has a HEPA-filter (High Efficiency Particulate Air) or ULPA-filter (Ultra Low Penetration Air).

Bagged vacuum cleaners are best if you have allergies. This way you won't come into contact with dust, when you empty the vacuum cleaner.

Do you have pets that shed hair?

Avoiding pet hair on furniture, floors and clothes is a challenge for pet owners. This is especially true if your cat or dog is moulting; hair will often be found in tufts. A good vacuum cleaner with an animal hair brush can help you to clean your home thoroughly. A robotic vacuum cleaner, which does daily rounds, can help save you some time. Since households with pets need to be vacuumed more frequently, it is worth investing in an efficient model, which uses the least amount of electricity possible.

Choose a vaccuum cleaner that is as quiet as possible, so that your four-legged friend won't be frightened when you turn it on.

Cylinder vacuum cleaners

Classic cylinder vacuum cleaners consist of a body, a suction tube and a hose. The body is pulled around on rollers while vacuuming. Most models have a power cable, allowing for unlimited periods of usage and consistent suction.

Upright vacuum cleaners

With upright or stick vacuum cleaners, the body is connected directly to the suction tube. They are more maneuverable and can also be used as handheld vacuum cleaners, with the long suction tube being replaced by a different attachment. Handheld vacuum cleaners are often cordless models, meaning they don't depend on proximity to a plug socket. You must not, however, forget to recharge your appliance after vacuuming.

Handheld vacuum cleaners

Handheld vacuum cleaners are small and do not require much space. They are perfectly suited to small apartments. Out of reach areas, such as sofa crevices or car seats are best accessed using a handheld appliance. Cordless handheld vacuum cleaners are most common, but there are also variations with power cables.

Robot vacuum cleaners

Robotic vacuum cleaners carry out household cleaning duties almost entirely without assistance. They veer around obstacles and can even reach areas beneath most types of furniture. Smart robot vacuum cleaners can be programmed using a smartphone and will return to their charging stations after operating. Ensure to empty the dust container regularly, if your model doesn't have automatic dust disposal.

Pros and cons of different types of vacuum cleaner

In addition to the various designs, vacuum cleaners also differ in two further aspects:

• Bagged or bagless

• Corded or cordless

Bag or no bag: which is better?

Bagless vacuum cleaners are also called cyclone vacuum cleaners. Rather than being collected in a bag, dust and dirt particles are collected in the dust container. Both variants have advantages and disadvantages:

Regardless of whether your vacuum cleaner is a bagged or bagless model, ensure that it is regularly emptied. The fuller the dust container or vacuum bag, the weaker the suction of the appliance.

Corded or cordless vacuum cleaners: which are better?

Cordless vacuum cleaners are battery operated and must be regularly charged at a charging station. When purchasing your battery-powered vacuum cleaner, pay attention to its operating and charging times. Classic vacuum cleaners with power cables can be used anywhere in proximity to a power socket. Here is an overview of the pros and cons of different types of vacuum cleaner:

Optional functions and additional equipment improve the ergonomics and manoeuvrability of your vacuum cleaner.

Vacuum cleaners with mop functions

An everyday vacuum cleaner is not sufficient to optimally clean hard floor types. Only by wet mopping can you rest assured that the floor will be free of stains, liquids and dried in dirt. A vacuum mop, also called a wet and dry vacuum cleaner, combines a vacuum cleaner and mop in one device. Robot vacuum cleaners are especially practical.

Accessories for vacuum cleaners

Vacuum cleaner filters for a hygienic home

Most vacuum cleaner models have 3 built in filters:

• A filter in the dust container or bag

• A motor protection filter

• An exhaust or exhaust air filter

In order that dust particles are not blown back into the room in the exhaust air, it is important to pay attention to the quality of the exhaust air filter. This is classified according to EN 1822. These classifications describe the filter grade, which indicates the percentage of particles filtered out.

As a practical and environmentally friendly device, many filters can be cleaned and reused.

Vacuum cleaner attachments: brushes and nozzles

Most vacuum cleaners are sold with a variety of attachments, although attachments can also be bought individually or as part of a set. Ensure that any additionally purchased brushes or nozzles are compatible with your vacuum cleaner model.

You should choose the appropriate attachment depending on the area of usage. The following brushes and nozzles are particularly helpful:

• The dual-use nozzle is suitable for both carpets and hard flooring with its removable bristled ring.

• The parquet or hard flooring nozzle has soft bristles and is suitable for use on tiles, laminate, parquet and stone floors etc.

• The upholstery tool is perfect for cleaning mattresses and upholstered furniture.

• The elongated crevice tool makes it easier to clean grooves, radiators, corners and small spaces.

• The soft dusting brush is for delicate interfaces, such as vases and display cabinets.

• The electric or turbo brush consists of a brush roller, that is powered either electrically or by the air currents of the vacuum cleaner. It effectively removes dirt, fluff, dust and animal hair from carpets, car seats and upholstery.

A suitable vacuum cleaner attachment will ensure that your appliance works efficiently, whilst protecting the surface being cleaned. The names and types of attachment vary according to the producer. It is best to consult the product description when deciding which brush or nozzle is most appropriate for the desired function.

Wall mounts for vacuum cleaners and attachments

Vacuum cleaners and attachments can be stored tidily, thanks to wall mounts. Vacuum cleaner mounts provide space for the suction hose and many other attachments according to the various models.

The EU energy efficiency labels, introduced for vacuum cleaners in 2014, were abolished in 2019, as the methods of testing were not appropriate. A new label will come into force in the UK when legislation is reviewed.

If you wish to determine the energy consumption of a vacuum cleaner, use the following formula:

Power consumption in kW x time of use per operation in hours (h) x number of operations per year = annual energy consumption

An 850 W cylinder vacuum cleaner, in operation once a week for half an hour, consumes 0.85 kW x 0.5h x 52 = 22.1 kWh

Suction power is dependent on multiple factors and is not only determined by high wattage. The length of the hose, the density of the case and the connections also play an important role. The vacuum cleaner attachment is also important and should be chosen based on its use. There is not yet a standard for suction but it is often given in Pa (pascal for the pressure), sometimes it is also given in airwatts (calculated using air circulation and negative pressure).

Some vacuum cleaners regulate suction automatically; they detect the surface and adjust the suction accordingly. Most models consist of multiple levels, that can be selected manually. Be aware that vacuuming using the highest level uses a lot of energy, meaning that the battery charge of cordless vacuum cleaners will decline accordingly.

If you sense that your vacuum cleaner is losing suction, check whether the nozzle or hose is blocked, the filter needs changing or whether the dust container or bag needs to be emptied.

More advice on cleaning and tidying can be found in the following guides:

• Industrial vacuum cleaner buying guide

• How to clean ceramic or marble bathroom tiles

• Steam cleaner buying guide