With so many vacuums on the market, choosing the right model that will suit you and your needs can be challenging. The first consideration is the size of the areas you will generally be cleaning and the types of surfaces. When selecting a vacuum for home, the main decision is to select between a canister and an upright model. Following is a general overview of the advantages and disadvantages of each.
First, we’ll look at canister vacuums. These are small, efficient and adequate for most homes, and are suited for hard surfaces and light carpets. Canisters have a built-in suction control that can be altered for carpets and rugs, tiles or wood floors. Canister vacuums also have better suction as they tend to have larger, heavier motors than uprights. Another plus for the canister is the assortment of on-board tools that are available to help you reach difficult areas such as corners and closets. The canisters are lightweight and glide along easily on all types of surfaces and maneuver around obstacles. With the extended handle and hose on canisters, it is easy to clean under furniture and vacuum those pesky cobwebs from corners! Canisters can also be easily carried on the stairs for vacuuming. This is one main advantage in comparison to upright vacuums which tend to be heavier models, making them more difficult to lift and balance on stairways. If vacuum noise is a concern for you, then consider the canister, as it is generally quieter than an upright.
Canister vacuums do have a few “cons” to consider: Canisters are harder to store than an upright and the bending and pulling needed when operating a canister can be cumbersome for some.
Upright vacuums are the most popular model sold in the US. Upright models will cover a larger cleaning area in comparison to a canister. Some upright vacuums have a cleaning path of 12″ and are generally less expensive than canister vacuums. Upright vacuums can be a better option if you have problems with mobility, as they reduce the need for any bending. As with the canister model, a wider range of tools are now becoming available to make them more adaptable for all surfaces. They are also easy to store and the bagged models are better at deep cleaning on carpets.
Uprights do have few “cons”: They are heavier than canister vacuums and are difficult to use to clean stairs and hard-to-reach nooks. These machines can also be harder to push due to the weight, which can be as much as 20-24 lbs. Uprights will also be nosier than the canister due to less sound insulation.
Robotic vacuums have also become popular over the past several years as the idea of something else collecting all the “dust bunnies” is wonderful! These vacuums are best suited for rooms with little clutter and where only light cleaning is needed. They cannot replace the deep cleaning that comes with using a traditional canister or upright vacuum.
Stick vacuums are another vacuum choice and are best suited for light vacuuming jobs. These machines do not have the cleaning power of the upright or the canister. Sticks are available in both corded and cord-free, with the corded vacuums providing the best service. The cordless vacs are often limited by the type of battery used and amount of charge it can maintain. These are easy to store and use.
The last consideration for a vacuum is choosing a bagged or bagless – an option most often found in upright and cordless models. The bagless models can save you some money since no replacement bags are needed. On the con side, they are messy to deal with as you often re-release dust particles back in the air as you empty the dust container. A bagged vacuum is a better choice if you have family members with dust and other allergies as the filtration systems are better and you can usually purchase additional filters and bags to help trap the allergens.
Vacuums can last you for years with care and regular servicing. Choosing the right vacuum is not an easy task and can be overwhelming due to the number of models available. Do your research beforehand and you will be sure to make an informed decision that will make your house chores easier and more efficient.
-submitted by The Sewing & Vacuum Center
