Compare the 10 Best Vacuum CleanersOctober 2017

There is a huge variety of vacuum cleaners available today. Buyers have a choice between upright and cylinder vacuum cleaners for average cleaning tasks and more specialised hoovers designed to pick up dog hairs or help allergy sufferers.

Finding the right vacuum cleaner may sound daunting but understanding what advantages and disadvantages the different technologies and features provide goes along way in finding the best hoover for your needs.

In this buying guide we will explain everything you need to know when buying a vacuum cleaner so it will keep your home or business dust-free for years to come.

Upright Vacuum Cleaners

Upright vacuums are ideal for cleaning larger spaces and are particularly suited for cleaning carpeted areas. A rotating brush in the vacuum’s head combs the carpet to loosen dirt and dust. They are also very effective in picking up pet hair. Most models have a carpet height selector to adjust the cleaning head according to the carpet pile.

Uprights allow you to work in a comfortable position without the need to bed over a lot. They are ideal for those with lower back pain. Most models are very easy to manoeuvre and come with a set of tools for corners and stairs.

Most upright vacuums are bagless as the bin is more accessible and easier to remove than in cylinder cleaners.

Cylinder Vacuum Cleaners

Cylinder vacuum cleaners are usually smaller and lighter than uprights and therefore easier to move around. They are ideal for smaller spaces and the flexible hose and removable head let you clean corners and hard to reach spaces with ease.

Because the distance between the cleaning head and dust bag is longer compared to upright vacuum cleaners, cylinder cleaners require a higher motor power in order to generate the same amount of suction.

Cylinder cleaners can be bagged or bagless. Bagless cleaners will be slightly more expensive but will save you money in the long run.

Wet & Dry Cleaners

Usually aimed for use in workshops, garages and environments that can get dirtier than the average household, wet & dry vacuum cleaners are robust and can handle a variety of cleaning tasks. They can hoover up sawdust, leaves, wet mud and even water.

Wet & dry vacuums are available from a number of manufacturers like Karcher, Vax, deWalt and Bosch. These multi-purpose vacuum cleaners have a robust construction and a large container volume. Filters can usually be washed and tools and accessories are stored within the industrial vacuum cleaners.

Bagged vs Bagless Vacuum Cleaners

Since James Dyson invented the cyclone bagless vanccum cleaner, bagless models have become more and more popular. The dust bin can be emptied easily when full. There is no need to purchase bags, which is also more environmentally friendly and cost effective over time. Most upright vacuums are now bagless.

Filters may be replaced and cleaned after extended periods, but this is easier and cheaper than re-purchasing bags at regular intervals. Bagless vacuums don’t suffer from reduced suction, which can be a problem with bags as they fill up.

Some people prefer vacuum cleaners with bags is because there is less potential for dust accidentally being released into the air when emptying it. More care needs to be taken with bagless cleaners and the dust bin should also be washed regularly.

Filters

A vacuum cleaner’s filtration system makes sure that the potentially harmful particles that get sucked up are removed from the air before it is expelled from the machine.

Due to the large volumes of air a hoover sucks in, all the bacteria, fungal spores and other allergens that are being sucked up will create an indoor health hazard, which is quickly spread around the whole property unless the air is cleaned effectively.

Even if the air expelled from a machine looks clean, it might contain millions of microscopic particles that can transmit disease and cause allergies.

A variety of filtration systems are used in different vacuum cleaners and in this section we will explain the differences and what to look out for.

Stage filters

Vacuum cleaners filter the air in several stages in an attempt to trap dust, hair and other particles.

The number of stages can vary between 3 and 7, although this does not indicate how effective a hoover is a trapping unwanted particles.

Micro filtration usually refers to hoovers with at least 4 levels of filtration. It is important to remember that the number of stages advertised does not indicate the vacuum cleaner’s effectiveness at removing small particles from the air.

HEPA/S-Class Filters

Vacuum cleaners with HEPA filters are specifically designed to reduce the number of microscopic particles emitted when hovering, making them ideal for people suffering from allergies and asthma. Some HEPA vacuum cleaners are approved by the British Allergy Foundation.

A ‘HEPA’ (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter removes at least 99.97% of particles which are 0.3 Micons or bigger from the air. Bacteria are between 1-10 Micons in size, so the exhaust air of a HEPA vacuum cleaner is considered biologically clean.

NASA specified HEPA filters for their clean room environments where satellites and the Apollo moon landers were assembled in the 1960s.

Most HEPA filters can be cleaned with water and need to be replaced after a while to maintain their high level of effectiveness.

S-Class filtration is the German DIN standard for the certification of anti-allergic filter materials that these vacuum cleaners adhere to. HEPA filters are the most common technology used to meet the S-Class standard.

Lifetime filters

Normal stage, HEPA and charcoal filters need to be changed after a certain period of time to ensure they remain effective. Lifetime filters are designed to last as long as the vacuum cleaner, eliminating the need to change filters.

Some more expensive models feature HEPA filter that are also lifetime filters.

Cleaning Efficiency

Motor Power & Performance

In a drive to ensure greater energy efficiency, the EU banned vacuum cleaners with a motor power above 1600W in 2014.

It is important that a vacuum cleaner’s power rating is not the only factor affecting the amount of suction it produces.

Less powerful models regularly outperform those with a higher power rating. Design, how full the bag is and how often filters are cleaned all contribute to how good a vacuum clear is at its job.

Look out for independent reviews that measure a vacuum cleaner’s suction power in relation to how full the dust bag or container is to get a better understanding of the suction power it produces.

Ratings

New EU labelling regulations also mean manufacturers like Dyson, Hoover, Bosch and Samsung now need to display the effectiveness of their products across seven different categories including energy efficiency, dust pick-up performance on hard floors and carpets, and dust re-emission.

The new regulations have been criticised for allowing manufacturers to carry out these tests themselves, which leaves them open to manipulation. They also don’t take the environmental impact of the 126 million dust bags and filters that are thrown away throughout the EU every year into account.

Attachments & Accessories

Most vacuum cleaners come with a number of accessories to clean upholstery and to reach narrow spaces and corners. Some models car store accessories inside the vacuum cleaner while some cylinder models have a holder attached to the telescopic tube.

Pet accessories

Pet hair can be difficult to remove from carpets are upholstery. To make cleaning after your furry friends easier, pet models are specifically designed to make lifting cat and dog hair easier.

Pet vacuum cleaners come with cleaning heads that include rotating brush bars, sometimes called power tools. They also use strong suction power to tackle even the most stubborn hair.

Other Considerations

Capacity

If you have a large home, you might want to choose a vacuum cleaner with a larger capacity. This allows you to clean more of your home before needing to be emptied. But keep in mind that a larger capacity also means the vacuum cleaner is bigger, heavier and more difficult to manoeuvre.

Cable Length

A longer cable makes cleaning easier as you won’t need to switch plugs as often. Check the cable length of a vacuum cleaner before buying, as there can be significant variations between models. If you want to avoid the hassle of having a cable altogether, consider a battery powered vacuum cleaner. They can be a great alternative, especially if your home is relatively small.

Noise Level

Larger vacuum cleaners and particularly uprights can get quite noisy as their motors work extremely hard. It’s worth checking the operating noise level before buying to avoid any unpleasant surprises.

Vacuum Prices

Vacuum cleaners range in price from $39 to $2,470 and in total we found prices for 199 vacuum cleaners. The average price of a new vacuum is $328 and the 80% of vacuums are priced between $59 and $663. The Dirt Devil Vibe 3-in-1 is the cheapest vacuum at only $40, and Omega Comfort is the most expensive at $2,469.

Vacuum Cleaner Brands - Price Range

The average price of Omega vacuums is $2,469 which is the highest average price of all vacuum cleaner brands. Omega vacuums range in price from $2,469 to $2,469.

Sebo vacuums start at $399 and the most expensive Sebo vacuum costs $1,299. The second highest average vacuum price out of all brands is Sebo vacuums with an average price of $853.

The %8highest average vacuum cleaner price out of all brands is Pifco vacuum cleaners with an average price of $802. Pifco vacuum cleaners start at $802 and the most expensive Pifco vacuum cleaner costs $802.

Vacuum Cleaner Brands - Average Ratings

We have evaluated 258 expert reviews and 41,238 user reviews for vacuums written online and used this data to determine the average rating for each brand of vacuum. The top rated vacuum cleaner brand is Shark with an average rating of 94%. The second best brand is Miele with 94% and the third best brand is Sebo with 93%.

Biggest Vacuum Cleaner Retailers

The biggest vacuum cleaner retailer by number of products currently for sale is eBay. We found 176 current vacuum cleaner offers from eBay. The second biggest vacuum cleaner retailer is Walmart with 58 offers. That means eBay is over 3 times bigger than Walmart when it comes to vacuums. Overstock is the third biggest retailer with 39 current offers.

When Are Most New Vacuums Released?

July to September is the most common period for new vacuum cleaners to be released in. 89 new vacuums were released in July 2016 making it the biggest month that year for new vacuum cleaner releases. In August 2015 121 new vacuum cleaners were released making it the biggest month that year for new vacuum releases. In 2014 most new vacuum cleaners were released in September, with 223 new vacuum cleaners released that month.

How Fast Do Vacuum Prices Drop After Release?

On average, in the first 6 months after release, vacuums drop in price by 7%. That means that on a typical vacuum costing $328 you could save on average $22 by waiting 6 months before buying.

Maximum Input Powers

This measures the power level of the vacuum cleaner, rated in watts.

The maximum input powers of vacuums range from 100W to 8,580W. The maximum input powers of the majority of vacuum cleaners range from 590W to 830W. The KoblenzWD-12 K, which is priced at $128.39, has the highest maximum input power and is a 4,101W vacuum. The KoblenzWD-12 K, which is priced at $359.90, has the lowest maximum input power and is a 100W vacuum cleaner.

The input power directly links to the suction power of the vacuum - a higher power means more suction, which means more efficient cleaning.

Types

The most common type amongst new vacuum cleaners is cylinder. We found 1,007 vacuum cleaners that are cylinder vacuums. The second most frequently found type amongst new vacuum cleaners is upright. We found 257 vacuum cleaners that are upright vacuums.

Cleaning Types

Way in which device cleans something or itself.

We found 1,624 vacuum cleaners that are dry vacuums, which makes this the most popular cleaning type amongst new vacuum cleaners. The second most common cleaning type amongst new vacuum cleaners is wet. We found 342 vacuum cleaners that are wet vacuum cleaners.

Weights

The weight of the vacuum cleaner, including all attachments that fit onto the device.

The weights of vacuums range from 300g to 29.3kg. The weights of the majority of vacuums range from 4.2kg to 5.5kg. The RowentaSilence Force Multicyclonic has the heaviest weight. This vacuum is a 13kg heavy vacuum and is priced at $638.05. The RowentaSilence Force Multicyclonic has the lightest weight. This vacuum is a 670g heavy vacuum cleaner and is available at $202.99.

A lighter weight makes the vacuum easier to push, and makes carrying it up and down stairs less of a chore.

Energy Efficiency of Vacuum Cleaners

The Energy Efficiency Class of a vacuum cleaner shows how well it uses energy, and how much is unnecessarily wasted. Products are ranked from G to A++ in terms of how little energy they use compared to the norm.

Amongst new vacuums, the most common energy efficiency rating is A. We found 679 vacuums that have an energy efficiency rating of A. The second most popular energy efficiency rating amongst new vacuum cleaners is B. We found 110 vacuum cleaners that have an energy efficiency rating of B.

A vacuum with a better energy efficiency rating will consume less energy whenever they are used, saving you money and making them better for the environment.

Biggest Vacuum Retailers

We found 176 current offers for vacuums from eBay making it the biggest vacuum retailer. That is over 3 times bigger than the second biggest retailer, Walmart for whom we found 58 current offers for vacuums. The third biggest retailer is Overstock with 39 current vacuum offers.

Which Are the Cheapest Retailers for Vacuums?

With the cheapest price on 160 vacuums, eBay is most frequently the cheapest vacuum cleaner store.

Proportion of Vacuum Cleaners for Which Each Retailer is Cheapest?

The cheapest retailer by number of vacuum for which they offer the cheapest price is eBay with the cheapest price on 90.9% of its vacuum cleaners.