There are four main types of vacuum cleaner; upright, canister, central and hand-held. Deciding on which is the best model for you depends on what you're looking for. Each has its strengths and weaknesses, so knowing exactly what your requirements are is the biggest aid in helping you choose the one that'll work best for you.
Despite what you may have heard there is no such thing as the best vacuum cleaner. Each type is best suited for a different residential environment. The key is to make a list of your requirements before you even begin to look; have an appreciation of the strengths and weaknesses of each vacuum type; how mush each costs; and warranty. Here are a few of the most salient points about each type of vacuum cleaner.
Upright Vacuum Cleaners
These are best for homes with deep-pile, fitted carpets. All quality models come with rotating brushrolls that lift out the dirt from the carpet. Many now also come with specialized pet hair cleaning heads. Despite being somewhat heavy, many are power-driven making them easy to push along. If you do have large rooms with deep-pile carpet you really should consider a 12 amp model.
There are some negative points about uprights. They don't get under furniture as well as canisters, however recent designs are now much better; the Hoover Aptitude upright vacuum cleaner lies nearly flat. Also, cheaper models - and even some expensive models - don't come with onboard tools. It can be a real nuisance having to go fetch them when you clean the drapes in every room as you vacuum.
Canister Vacuum Cleaners
These are more suited to home with either 100% hard flooring or mixed flooring. Many like using canisters because you just push and pull the wand and cleaning head; the canister stays put most of the time, unlike an upright which you have to push and pull the whole machine. Also, they're very good at vacuuming under furniture - far more so than an upright. Just about all canisters come with onboard tools. The power cord is easily rewound by the flick of a switch unlike an upright which has to manually wound around hooks. The Simplicity S38 canister vacuum cleaner is an excellent appliance.
However, not many canisters come with a rotating head, which makes them less than ideal for cleaning carpets and sucking up pet hair. Many don't like having to drag around the canister - oftentimes it bangs into furniture.
Central Vacuum Cleaner
This eliminates the need to drag about or push about the motor, which is the heaviest part of any vacuum. The motor and dust bag are usually housed in the garage. Because they're both housed outside of the home it makes vacuuming quieter and no dust is released back into the room through the filter.
The biggest downside is the cost and awkward installation. Ducting is usually recessed into the walls, so installation is far from easy. Both Hoover and Simplicity make this type of vacuum cleaner.
Hand Held Vacuum Cleaner
These are usually cordless and are stored in a battery charger that can be wall-mounted. The biggest plus point is their ease of use. Spot cleaning is easy; no need to haul out a large appliance just to clean up a localized spillage. The Electrolux Rapido vacuum cleaner is a good hand-held model.
The biggest downside is that the dust bag/cup is small and will need frequent emptying.
Before you shop, make a list of your requirements and order them in terms of importance. Doing this will help you quickly decide which type of vacuum cleaner is best for you. Also, your list will help you whittle down the final section of models to a handful, making it a simple matter of comparing features of one against those of another before you make your final decision of which to buy.
Follow the links for
vacuum cleaner reviews on the best brands and models including the
Electrolux upright vacuum cleaner and the
Simplicity vacuum cleaner.
