Vacuums are never the same.
While they mostly look similar to each other, there are actually several types of vacuum cleaner.
So what vacuum cleaner should I buy? If you find yourself asking the same question, then it’s a wise move to do a little research. Fortunately, you have come to the right page.
1. Vacuum cleaners in general
It was some time in the 19th century that the “war against dust” started and humanity has invented the weapon against it – vacuum cleaners.
As time went by, vacuum cleaners have further developed as technology evolved. Vacuum cleaners nowadays are now equipped with modern technology and have come a long way from their predecessors.
We all know that vacuum cleaners work in an analogous principle – they suck in dirt. However, you can start to see their difference when you focus on their purpose.
The vacuum cleaners that are best in cleaning your carpet may not be that effective on hardwood floors. Those portable models that make a perfect cleaning tool for your car may be totally impractical if you use them in your home.
2. Types of vacuum cleaners
We will tackle the five (5) main types of vacuum cleaner. Each of them performs a different function from the other. Some types fall in the affordable sector while you can expect some to be in the higher-end tier.
a. Upright vacuum cleaner; light to heavy-duty use
Introducing the most popular type of vacuum cleaner which you can see in almost all houses in the US. Upright vacuum cleaners are in-demand due to their nature that typically combines functionality and affordability – though there are always some brands that think their models deserve more bucks. This type is ideal for light to heavy-duty use.
Upright vacuums are so popular that when you hear the word “vacuum cleaner”, the image of an upright type is mostly the one that will pop out in your mind. And it’s perfectly normal; even most media advertisements use the image of an upright vac as their reference.
An upright vac has its motor and larger fraction of the body combined as a single unit. They are basically corded and mostly not lightweight enough to become portable.
This type is the best for your house. They are easy to use and usually comes with accessories that make the job easier.
Its best attribute is power. Since they are corded and come at a bigger size, you can expect its motor to be more powerful than most other vacuum type in the market.
The best part is they can usually tackle different surface types such as bare floor, carpeted, tiled, and more. The user usually has to tweak some settings in order to make them work for a specific surface.
b. Stick vacuum cleaner; light to medium use
A stick vacuum features a slender construction and a long stick-like handle for the user to hold, hence the name. This one is ideal for light to medium use.
This type is probably the least powerful vacuums known today, but they do boast some features you can never found on other types.
For starters, stick vacuum is capable of cleaning narrow places and are versatile enough to clean various surfaces from light carpeting to rugs, and hardwood floors.
Due to its slim nature, you can expect a stick vacuum to be really lightweight. And it’s easy to get impressed by how stick vacuums can easily fit any closet in the house. Due to its small footprint, you can virtually store this one on any corner of your home.
c. Canister vacuum cleaner; light to heavy-duty use
This one seems like a hybrid between a stick and an upright model. If you want the slenderness of the stick vacuum without sacrificing the power of an upright type, then it’s best to go for the canister type.
The fusion of power and slim shape makes canister vacuums ideal for daily use. You can rely on this type if you want to clean smaller carpeted areas (stairs or car) and hard surfaces.
A canister vacuum features a suction hose that picks up the dirt. This long wand is attached to a separate canister where the motor and dirt storage is equipped.
While the canister type tends to be the most expensive type, you really get what you pay for since it’s also the most technologically-forward option with multi-functional designs.
d. Handheld vacuums; light use for car interior
Now this one is also quite popular because of their portability and ability to reach the farthest nooks and crannies. The most common use of handheld vacuums is car-interior clean-up.
Thanks to its portable attribute, it only takes one hand to hold such devices. This means you can use a handheld vac virtually everywhere without the hassle of carrying heavy loads. However, you have to acknowledge its limitations in terms of cleaning large areas – it’s not built to clean your entire home in one session.
e. Autonomous / Robot vacuums; light, all-around use
This is the vacuum of the future – or at least the vacuum for those who seem to have no time cleaning. In order to use, these devices require only a little effort on your end. You typically just to turn the unit on and the rest is up to the device.
Robot vacuums roam freely on your home, cleaning everything on its path. However, it’s important to note that they can only clean small dirt elements on their way. Robot vacuums are not designed to tackle large debris.
Their edge against the other type is being able to spare your time and reach far dirt even those under your couch which you couldn’t have done with a conventional-sized vac.
3. Summary
So what vacuum cleaner should I buy? The next time you find yourself asking that question, you already know the answer. You just need to evaluate how much you need a vacuum and where you intend it to use. That way, it would be easy to point which type of vacuum suits you best.