How to choose the best vacuum cleaner for your home

Vacuum cleaner buyers guide

There are so many different types of vacuum cleaners available, but how do you choose the best one for you? A vacuum that works well in a large home with mainly carpets, for example, may not be so good in a smaller flat with lots of hardwood floors. Here are some useful tips to help you find the most suitable vacuum cleaner for your home.

Types of vacuum cleaners

There are four main types of vacuum cleaners: upright, cordless, cylinder and handheld. Here’s a quick overview of the differences.

Cordless

A cordless vacuum cleaner is one without a cable. This means you can zoom around the house without having to keep changing the plug socket or moving the cord out of the way. Cordless vacuum cleaners are usually battery-powered and require charging on a regular basis.

Upright

Upright vacuum cleaners are typically more powerful than cylinder models and can cover large floor areas easily. They perform particularly well on carpet, although they can be harder to manoeuvre under low furniture and on the stairs. They also tend to be noisier than some other types of vacuum cleaner.

Cylinder

A cylinder vacuum cleaner is great for smaller rooms and doesn’t require much storage space. Its compact size means it works well under low furniture and in tight spaces, while the long flexible hose makes hoovering the stairs easier too. However, cylinder vacuums are usually more difficult to manoeuvre on carpet and there’s a risk they’ll bump into things when dragged along.

Handheld

A cordless handheld vacuum cleaner is great when you just want to quickly clean up a small area, for example, crumbs on the worktop. Lightweight and convenient, they can clean awkward spaces like the stairs or the car with ease.

Things to consider when buying a vacuum cleaner

Noise

When purchasing a vacuum, you’ll need to consider whether noise is an issue. Some of the quietest cylinders on the market are between 65 and 75 dB for reference.

Storage space

If you have little storage for your vacuum cleaner, the size will be important. An upright vacuum slots into spaces well and in a tidy manner. However, if you only have a small cupboard in which to store your hoover, then you might want to opt for a smaller cylinder vacuum.

Pet hair

Some vacuums, such as the Dyson Ball Animal2, are specifically designed with pet hair in mind. So if you own a pet, it’s worth bearing this in mind when choosing your new vacuum cleaner.

Ergonomic

An ergonomic vacuum cleaner is designed to be more comfortable to use. It will have features such as a more comfortable handle or foot controls to switch between surfaces more easily.

LED lights

LED lights help to illuminate any dust or dirt, making it easier to see when cleaning.

Detachable handles

Lots of cordless models have a detachable compartment that transforms the appliance into a smaller handheld vacuum. This is great for getting into those difficult to reach spaces.

Lightweight

The weight of a vacuum cleaner can vary significantly. If you have lots of stairs in your house or you struggle to carry heavier items, look out for a lightweight vacuum. If, like some people, you see vacuum cleaning as a bit of a workout then you might prefer a heavier model to help you burn those extra calories.

Shop vacuum cleaners at Knees Home & Electrical

At Knees we have a huge variety of vacuum cleaners available from top brands including Dyson, Bosch and Miele. If you are still not sure which one is right for you, our helpful team would be more than happy to assist you. Pop into our Trowbridge store or call the online team for more information.

For more information on the delivery of your appliance, visit our delivery services page here. We deliver to set postcodes within a radius of our stores located in Trowbridge. We also offer national delivery services on selected products for an additional fee.