This is a question a lot of homeowners ask themselves.
We usually search the Internet or ask friends for advice. We read buyer’s reviews, look through catalogues and compare prices. The market is flooded with excellent products, the adverts are so good that any make or model looks promising.
We make our choice but we find out whether it is the right one only later, when we start using the new domestic appliance regularly.
We should look at different criteria in order to find the answer to the question what vacuum cleaner one should buy.
Is it worth spending more to get a good vacuum cleaner? According to Which?, it is worth spending at least £75. Prices vary from under £100 to around £400, the models with best reviews cost around £150- £200.
The one important thing to take into account is what your home is like.
Do you have carpets or hard floor- a vacuum cleaner that works well on all types of floor can be expensive?
Do you have stairs and hard to reach spaces or large floor areas- upright or cylinder? Upright vacuum cleaners are quick at covering large floor areas and often have larger capacity but they can be heavy and difficult to use on stairs. Cylinder cleaners are usually quieter and more reliable but can be more difficult to control and more inefficient.
Are the capacity and power of the vacuum cleaner important? Manufacturers always state the wattage of the vacuum cleaner but really the suction is most important. The suction decreases as the bag fills up with dust so, although the capacity is important, the maximum level of dust the cleaner can pick up is less than the full capacity.
Are there any pets or allergy sufferers? In both cases one should use a vacuum cleaner regularly. Upright vacuum cleaners are better at picking up pet hair while bagged ones are more allergy- friendly. Look out for vacuum cleaners that have S-class or Hepa (high-efficiency particulate) filters if you suffer from an allergy.
There is also the cordless vacuum cleaner to consider. It is light and usually slimline which makes it easy to store. They are rechargeable which means that they have a limited use time and have to be recharged frequently.
There are pros and cons for each type of vacuum cleaner, but a lot comes down to your personal preferences and requirements.
In my personal experience, I have been through six or seven vaccum cleaners. Every couple of years it would break or just stop working. I bought my last vacuum cleaner seven years ago and I have recommended it to all my friends. It is the Miele 5000/ 2200 watts. I can’t compare it with any of the others I have owned before. Even after seven years of regular use, my bedroom carpet looks like new after I have vacuumed it. It is a real pleasure to use the Miele 5000. Of course, this is my personal opinion I just want to share, not impose, with you.