Having a reliable vacuum cleaner is absolutely essential, pretty much like owning a washing machine or a refrigerator: there’s no getting around the home staples. And since these staples are likely to stay in your life for years and years to come, you’d better aim to get the best item you’ll be able to put your hands on!
But what exactly makes a top-level vacuum cleaner? How do you pick the one that will be perfect in your specific case?
How to choose the perfect vacuum cleaner
Without going into too much technical detail, the factors described below are the ones that will have the most impact on your future experience with your vacuum cleaner.
Bagged or bagless.
The dust and dirt particles a vacuum captures are trapped inside a specific container, and there are two options here: it’s either a removable closed bag or it’s a special compartment inside the device. Both options have their pros and cons.
Bagged vacuum cleaners are generally more hygienic since you don’t have to empty the bag and interact with the sucked dirt, you just take out the bag and throw it out (that’s why this option is often preferred by people with all sorts of allergies). On the other hand, this means having to regularly buy new dust-bags, and this will add up to a pretty penny over the years. Also, most bagged vacuum cleaners experience a noticeable drop in performance as the bag fills up.
Bagless vacuum cleaners store the sucked particles in a separate non-replaceable canister, which means you won’t need to buy a new dust-bag every time. They do have, however, a pretty expensive filter to protect the device’s engine from any hair or dirt, and these filters have to be changed every once in a while. Cleaning the dust canister can be quite messy and not recommended for people who are prone to allergies or have sensitive skin.
Upright or cylinder.
Cylinder vacuums are the classic version of vacuums, just like we all know them. They are usually cheaper, lighter, easier to store, and perfect to clean stairs or upholstery. The downside is that pulling a cylinder vacuum quickly gets somewhat annoying, especially if you live in a big house. Upright vacuums are much more modern; they are stylish, usually cost more, and are extremely mobile. They are perfect for floors and carpets but aren’t very good with furniture or tiny places, although some brands have developed special ways of dealing with that.
For pet owners: effectiveness in capturing pet hair.
If you own a dog or a cat, you know the trouble with pet hair, especially when it gets trapped in carpets and furniture. Luckily, some vacuum cleaners were designed with that in mind and feature special brushes to deal with the issue.
Secondary factors: mobility, noise, available accessories and tools.
Now let’s get specific!
#1 Dyson Cyclone V10 Absolute
When it comes down to cordless vacuums, Dyson is among the absolute leaders, and their Cyclone V10 Absolute is one of the best models. Stylish, compact, easy to operate and extremely lightweight to carry, the V10 features a special wall-mounted charger that takes as little space as physically possible.
But don’t get fooled: this compact device is actually a real beast in terms of battery and power. With three separate power modes, the V10 battery lasts from 60 minutes (more than enough to clean most homes) to just 8 minutes on maximum power mode to get rid of some kind of nightmarish dirt.
Last but not least, the Cyclone V10 is incredibly stylish, resembling more of a sci-fi blaster than a household vacuum. The future is now, and it’s fabulous!
Pros:
- Cordless, and the battery lives for up to 60 minutes
- Features three different flood heads and three separate tools for precise cleaning
- Very lightweight (2.6 kg)
- Fabulous for allergy sufferers: according to the manufacturer, the V10 captures about 99.97% of allergens as small as 0.3 microns.
Cons:
- Quite expensive
- Makes a lot of noise on the maximum power mode
#2 Dyson Light Ball Multi Floor
If the Cyclone V10 is out of your budget, here’s a great alternative: the Dyson Light Ball Multi Floor. It’s one of the most affordable Dysons out there, and it still does a terrific job. Its unique design makes it a breeze to move around and operate, even though the device is corded.
This vacuum’s hose stretches out to more than 3 m. Pair that up with the almost 9.4-meter cord, and there you have it – no place at home will be out of the Light Ball’s reach.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Quiet, easy to clean, extremely mobile
- In accordance with the EU regulations on vacuum output
- Outstanding cleaning of edges and carpets
Cons:
- The filer is somewhat awkward for people with large fingers
#3 Numatic Henry HVR200-A2
Henry is an almost legendary vacuum, the go-to choice of many professional cleaners all around the world. Henry is loved mostly for its sturdiness: a real workhorse with a playful smile.
Although this vac can’t brag about any fancy innovations or groundbreaking technologies, it’s just great at what it’s supposed to do as a vacuum cleaner. Year after year.
If you’re looking for a great vacuum cleaner that won’t cost a fortune, Henry is undoubtedly one of the best picks. Just keep in mind that this is a bag cleaner (all previous models in this list are bagless), so you’ll have to buy replacements quite often.
Pros:
- Cheap
- Built to last
Cons:
– Quite heavy (8.5 kg), and thus may be not suitable for people with back problems
#4 Miele Complete C3 Total Solution Allergy PowerLine
This vacuum cleaner is the best possible option for people who suffer from allergies or have sensitive skin. Thanks to its unique filtration system and a tightly sealed construction, the Miele C3 is able to capture and retain over 99.9% of all dust and pollen particles. For someone with allergies, this really makes a difference.
Keep in mind, however, that if you don’t have any allergies there’s little reason to go specifically for the C3: in most cases, a Dyson would bring you a much more pleasant and cleaner experience.
Pros:
- Arguably the tightest-sealed vacuum cleaner on the market
- 11-stage filtration system (effectively captures up to 99.9% of dust and pollen)
- Comes with a great selection of floor heads for optimal performance
Cons:
- Feels a bit clumsy to move around
- The cord is 7.5 meters long, which is OK but not always perfect
