What to Look for in a New Vacuum

When you need a new vacuum, the first thing that springs to mind is the price. What’s it going to cost? Some prices could have you questioning if it does the vacuuming for you. Only robotic vacuum cleaners can do that, but even they can’t empty themselves.

The price is determined by the technology and that’s usually patented by the brand. That’s why there’s generally a short list of trusted brands among vacuum manufacturers.

Some reputable names in the vacuum industry include:

• Dyson
• Shark
• Hoover
• iRobot
• Bissell
• Dirt Devil
• Miele
• Black & Decker (makers of the original handheld Dust Buster away back in 1979)

Every brand does things differently though. Dyson and Shark vacuums may have stronger suction but choose to use that technology on a sweeper or stick vacuum that can have less suction power than a corded upright vacuum cleaner.

The #1 thing to look for in a new vacuum is its suction power.

That’s easier said than done. To understand suction power⁽¹⁾, you need to master the jargon of the manufacturers.

Air flow is measured and represented as ‘cubic feet per minute’ (CFM). Typical values for domestic vacuum cleaners’ range between 50 CFM and 100 CFM. It’s an indication only, but you’ll never get what the specifications claim because manufacturers test the air flow without any attachments.

Air Watts are an attempt by manufacturers to simplify power ratings on vacuums. They’re based on calculations of the power input, water lift rate and CFM to give an air watt measurement, which is different to watts that only tell you the power input. Air watts are a better measurement of suction power because it’s based on air flow tested from nozzle openings.

Water lift rate doesn’t mean that a dry vacuum can soak up liquid spills. It’s the measurement used to indicate the suction lift rate. A higher water lift rate means the vacuum can reach deeper into thick pile carpets. This is handy if you have carpets, but if all your floors are hardwood, going for a lower water lift rate won’t make much of a difference. It’s really for vacuuming carpets.

A more common metric is KPa (kilopascal). The science⁽²⁾ of it is 1 Pascal has the equivalent pressure of 1 newton of force per square meter. In practical terms, 20 KPa is considered a decent suction power. You may see the Pascal value shown as Pa instead of KPa, in which case a 20KPa would be the same as a 20,0000 Pa rating.

1KPa would be sufficient for dust suction only⁽³⁾. Typically, only a battery-operated handheld vacuum would have this level of suction. It wouldn’t have the suction needed to lift heavier debris such as food crumbs. A 20 KPa is considered necessary for carpets. Under 16 KPa, the vacuum will struggle lifting heavier debris, including pet hairs from hardwood floors.

3 of the Best Types of Vacuum Cleaners

1. Cannister Vacuums

Cannister vacuums are compact and lightweight. The motor and dust bin (or bag) are housed in a compact unit, a hose is attached to a pole with a brush bar on the end of it that may or may not be motorized. As they are designed for easy manoeuvring, they’re best suited in homes with both carpeted and hard floors. They are easy on stairs too, but most upright vacuums can be too. It depends on the length of the hose that’s included, or if there’s extended hoses available separately.

2. Upright Vacuum Cleaners

Uprights are the best vacuum cleaner for deep carpets because the extra power goes to the brush bar. Rather than relying on suction alone, the brush bar is motorized making it better for loosening debris in carpets, then the suction lifts it out. Most models have at least two depth levels letting you lift the height to vacuum hard floors without worrying about the brush bar leaving scuff marks.

3. Pet Vacuum Cleaners

Pet vacuum cleaners can be uprights or cannister models. The key difference is the brush bars are removable so you can untangle toggled pet hair from the brushes.

Just because a model says it’s a pet vacuum cleaner, doesn’t mean it has enough suction to lift pet hairs. If you need a pet vacuum cleaner, look for a removable brush bar and high suction power, preferably with HEPA filters too to help purify the air and minimize odors when you’re vacuuming.

The type of vacuum most likely to disappoint…

Sweeper or Stick Vacuums are battery operated, have high suction power, and will be frustrating if you use it as your main vacuum in a carpeted home. These are intended to be extended handheld vacuums for fast clean-ups, but they lack the battery-power for whole home vacuuming. Blast it on max power and you can expect these to run for under 7-minutes. It could be ideal for vacuuming a car or work van, but rarely a whole house.

Sources:

(1) https://www.vacuumsguide.com/best-vacuum-suction-power

(2) https://www.britannica.com/science/kilopascal

(3) https://www.amazon.com/ask/questions/Tx2NSWVXRLGOY9A/ref=ask_ql_ql_al_hza