In the world of vacuums, there are several types to choose from. The type you decide on will vary depending on your needs and budget. We’ve broken down each type in this blog post for easy reference.
Considerations Before Buying a Vacuum Cleaner
The factors to consider before settling on any given vacuum cleaner are:
Portability
If you’re living in a large house, a heavy vacuum cleaner might not be for you. A small, portable model will do the trick.
House cleaning is usually done by dusting and vacuuming every day or two, so it should not be too strenuous to carry around.
Cord Length
Like any object that plugs into an outlet (such as your TV), more cord length means less plugging and unplugging.
Plus at the end of the day, when your arms are tired from wiping down counters and scrubbing sinks for hours on end, with just one footstep away lies salvation in your lovely new vacuum cleaner waiting there for you to come home to its soothing whirl.
Type of Surface
The type of surface to be cleaned is also a factor worth considering. For instance, cleaning a hard or flat surface s not the same as cleaning a carpet or rugged surface.
Therefore, you would have to check the properties of the vacuum before settling on one.
Type of Dirt to Removed
You should also consider the type of dirt (dust, pet hair) to be removed, or the type of cleaning (dry or wet) effective for the surfaces. Having noted this, you would then go for the right vacuum for the correct purpose.
Major Types of Vacuum Cleaners
#1. Canister Vacuum
A canister vacuum is a powerful vacuum that is great for all types of housekeepers. It uses suction derived from an upright floor-standing machine and transfers this power to the hose.
A canister model provides better maneuvering capability, and there are models which are rather small in size making it easy to store such vacuums where you want them.
Models with HEPA filters don’t cause as much noise pollution as other types of vacuums and they tend to have a longer cord length than others these two features make these models ideal for those who deal with lots of stairs in their home or office space.
So if flexibility, stronger sucking strength, less noise pollution, or greater cord length matter to you then canister vacuums should be top on your list.
#2. Handheld Vacuum
A handheld vacuum is a light, easy-to-carry appliance that is typically between five pounds and six pounds in weight.
The size of the battery depends on the specific model. Some models may be cordless, while other models have cords that can be plugged into a power source.
The average vacuum life is around eight to fifteen minutes, depending on the type and use of battery used.
A manual pump might take 350-500 strokes to reach optimum suction levels at which point it will shut off automatically for safety concerns (this prevents overuse).
#3. Upright Vacuum
An upright vacuum is the original type of vacuum. People often call them canister vacuums because they usually have a canister at the top that holds the dust and dirt instead of an onboard bag.
These are higher quality, so may not need to be replaced as often as other types of vacuums; it isn’t unheard of for people to use these for more than 10 years while still getting excellent results.
That said, some people find that the weight and height make it too tiring to use this type.
Most of them do not have wheels, which makes them easier to maneuver around furniture without knocking anything over or getting tangled up in wires or cables.
The upright vacuum is one of the most popular options due to its versatility and ability to clean both carpets and hard floors with ease.
It also does a great job at cleaning corners thanks to its head design that reaches into tight spaces without having to move furniture or bend over too much.
Uprights come in many different varieties like bagless models, corded versions, or new cordless designs with various features like HEPA filters or swivel heads that let you maneuver around furniture more easily.
#4. Stick (Sweeper) Vacuum
Stick vacuums are cord-free, lightweight, and easy to maneuver for quick pick-ups on various types of floor surfaces such as tile, hardwood, and carpet.
One important factor in stick vacuum performance is the quality of its brush or bristles.
The longer the bristles on a stick vacuum’s brush, the more susceptible that vacuum will be to picking up pet hair from your carpet.
Stick vacuum cleaners have grips that give you better control if you’re dealing with stairs or tight spaces that often have ladders and are more likely to fall over due to the high suction power used by models with powerful motors.
#5. Pet Vacuums
As the name suggests, pet vacuums are vacuum cleaners designed specifically for cleaning environments where pets live. they are usually designed to collect pet hair from the floor, carpets, and furniture.
There are a few different kinds of vacuums sold for use on pet hair. The first is a vacuum designed specifically to go over areas where the pet routinely goes (carpet, furniture, etc).
The second kind is one that will either be filterless or has removable filters that can get easily washed and/or replaced; these are used in an upright position after removing the attachment hose from whatever surface it’s being used on.
A third type utilizes suction exclusively (no brush roll) and works well on non-looped carpeting–typically known as “wet-vacs” because they are also useful at cleaning up just about anything else wet and sticky too.
There are numerous handheld vacuum units that are marketed as “pet vacuums”. One distinction within these types of units is whether they are meant to be used for dry dusting or wet vacuuming.
Units designed for dry dusting will have a small motor and no HEPA filter, so won’t take care of pet hair on furniture.
Units designed as wet vacuums will typically have the same level of suction power but also contain a HEPA filter to reduce allergens (as from dander), making it ideal in homes with pets who like to shed/drop their fur everywhere.
#6. Robotic Vacuum
Robotic vacuums are the cutting-edge of vacuum technology. Simply establish the sensor boundaries, select your settings, and let your robotic vacuum do the rest.
These vacuums are cordless and tiny, and they clean with precision while saving you time. The ongoing cleaning operation, while not as powerful or diverse as traditional vacuums, provides ease and convenience.
A robotic vacuum cuts down on the work of household chores, but it also needs to know where not to go.
It’s best for a vacuum cleaner to work on carpets and rugs because the dirt is more likely to collect there. It’s not good for all floors though, so you need something much gentler if they’re wood or other solid surface floors.
A robot can run into these areas and damage them (which is one disadvantage), meaning that you want a vacuum cleaner with laser-guided navigation technology that can walk around objects as it scans its environment (including walls).
You’ll be able to schedule this in advance which will help free up your time.
#7. Carpet (Deep-Cleaning) Vacuums
Carpet cleaning vacuums clean carpets using a beater bar (roller brush) to agitate carpet fibers and dislodge dirt that has been trapped in the pile or wool, whereas surface cleaners use a rotating brush instead of bristles to clean surfaces such as windows.
A traditional upright vacuum cleaner will clean the surface of your carpet but not typically clean deeply embedded dirt.
Most deep-cleaning power brushes have rotating brushes inside that agitate the carpet fibers and loosen and remove dirt and debris from below fibers.
These deep-cleaning tools usually use plenty of suction to suck up anything loosened in the process.
References:
- 1: Types of Vacuums to buy – Kohl’s
READ MORE: Best vacuum cleaners for car detailing.