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Vacuum Cleaner Buying Guide
We know it’s not the most enjoyable way to spend a Sunday afternoon, but with the right tool, you can clean floors without the faff. This guide makes sense of all the latest tech, so you can pick a vacuum that’ll help you clean quicker… and relax for longer.
Types of vacuum cleaners
Cordless vacuum cleaners
Zoom around the whole house without cords holding you back. These battery-powered models offer total freedom.
Lightweight
With sleek models from as little as 2kg, stairs are no longer an uphill battle. Cordless models like the Russell Hobbs Sabre are great if you struggle hauling around a bulky upright, but if your only motivation for cleaning is getting a good ol’ workout, a lightweight cordless can’t help.
Wireless
The future of floorcare is all about freedom. Why does the power always seem to cut out because the plug’s been yanked out of the wall just as you’re getting into a rhythm? Do away with searching for sockets and get all the benefits of battery powered.
Detachable handhelds
Lots of cordless models can be transformed into small handheld vacuums at the touch of a button. It means you can clean tight or awkward spaces – anywhere! So whether it’s in the car or down the side of the sofa, dust has nowhere to hide.
Extra tools
Modern day life means dust finds its way everywhere. Most models come with a crevice tool, which lets you get stuck into those nooks and crannies, while a dusting tool will make sure your delicate parquet and wooden floors stay scratch-free.
Key Features
Run time
Cordless vacuums don’t need to be plugged in - they run off a battery that you’ll need to charge every now and then. Run times vary, with some models running for 15 minutes for super-speedy tidy ups, and others running for up to 50 – perfect for doing the whole house.
Battery
All cordless batteries are removable and rechargeable and some even come with wall-mounting charging docks for complete convenience. Lithium ion batteries are able to be recharged hundreds of times, and have a lower self-discharge rate than some others - which means they’re better at retaining the amount of charge between uses.
Digital display
The Dyson V11 sends real time performance updates to the LCD display on top. You can use it to switch between Eco, Medium or Boost modes to suit the surface.
Anti-Hair Wrap technology
Shark Anti-Hair Wrap technology was invented to solve one of the main causes of loss of suction – tangled hair around the brush roll. Cordless vacuums with this tech mean you can stop manually untangling, because the brush design does it for you. Look out for this feature if hair is causing havoc with your vacuum.
Flexibility and collapsible storage
Cordless vacuums are already much more compact than uprights or cylinders, and with added features that make them fold or collapse the handle, they can be great for fitting into small storage cupboards. If you’re short on space, check out the Hoover H-FREE models.
LED lights
Ever finished vacuuming for someone to say “you’ve missed a bit”? Look out for vacuums with bright LED lights on the front. They illuminate dust and dirt, so there’s no more guesswork. Check out cordless vacuums from Shark and AEG.
Upright vacuum cleaners
Uprights are easy to push around and loved for their pulling power – especially on carpets.
Powerful
The upright has many years of evolution behind it, which means you can now expect strong suction backed by a reliable motor, as standard. Upright vacuums also have belt-driven floor rollers that are particularly effective for ingrained dirt.
Ergonomic
Designed to be comfortable to use when standing up, an upright vacuum is perfect for floors. Plus, with foot controls to switch between surfaces you won’t need to bend down to go from carpet to hardwood.
Great for carpets
A heavier upright is ideal for carpets, as the full weight of the vacuum sits over the front of the cleaner, making it easier to push down into the pile and really get to that deep-down dust.
Easy storage
With no assembly required or setting up needed, uprights are ready to go whenever you are. With many designed to be compact, they don’t take up too much room in the store cupboard either.
Key Features
Pet hair removal
As much as you love your pets, their hairs can be a nightmare to clean without the right tech. Specialist pet hair removal technology uses a unique air-driven bristle bar to help pull out hairs. Shark, Hoover and Bosch all have uprights with features for dealing with pet hair.
Anti-Hair Wrap
Shark Anti-Hair Wrap technology was invented to solve one of the main causes of loss of suction – tangled hair around the brush roll. Cordless vacuums with this tech mean you can stop manually untangling, because the brush design does it for you. Look out for this feature if hair is causing havoc with your vacuum.
Detachable canisters
Upright vacuums are no longer just for floors. Simply lift the main unit of a Shark Lift Away away from the floorhead to transform your corded upright into a portable vacuum cleaner. It makes it easy to clean stairs, ceilings and along skirting boards in total comfort.
Swivel steering
Swivel steering is great for manoeuvring around furniture and navigating corners without scratching the skirting boards. The Dyson Ball™ has patented technology which means that you can change the direction of the cleaner with just the turn of your wrist.
Wall-to-wall cleaning
There’s no need to get the crevice tool out to get right up against the skirting boards with a Sebo L-Shaped floor head. They also have a low profile that makes them great for getting underneath radiators too. So, for a floor brush that does a whole floor clean, look out for the L-shaped floor head.
High power
Look out for vacuum air flow (usually measured in CFM) to learn more about the suction power. And remember, a higher wattage does not necessarily mean a better performing vacuum.
Cylinder vacuum cleaners
Neat and compact, these little vacuums are ideal for navigating smaller rooms and don’t need much storage space.
Compact
With their lightweight and compact design, cylinder vacuums make cleaning days a breeze. With a little cylinder following you around, going from room to room is easy.
Great for small spaces
With a small main unit and a flexible hose it’s easy to navigate small spaces like apartments and studio flats. Plus, they don’t need much storage space either.
Multi-surface
If you have wooden floors or even delicate parquet flooring, you’ll need a vacuum that can zap dust while still being gentle. A cylinder vacuum with a dusting brush will care for your beautiful flooring and keep it looking spotless.
Quiet
Knocked your midnight snack on the floor? With a quiet cleaner, you can get it sorted without worrying about waking the neighbours up. The quietest cylinders on the market are between 65 and 75dB.
Key Features
Pet hair removal
After dog-walking at the beach, you need a cleaner to sort out sandy paw prints easily. So, look out for cylinders with special pet hair removal tools, like the Hoover TELIOS EXTRA, Bissel SmartClean Pet, Henry Pet and the Eureka Swan MultiForce Pet.
Cyclonic suction
Cylinder vacuums with clever multi-cyclonic technology promise powerful suction every time. They separate any dust and dirt particles from the air. This means that more dust can be captured, so you’ll get spotless results every time.
Floor detection sensors
Smart sensors on models like the Bissell SmartClean cylinder vacuum recognise a carpet or hard floor surface and adjusts to offer the best suction. It means you don’t have to mess around with different modes or worry about damaging your vac on different floor types.
Other types of vacuums and floor cleaners
Steam cleaners & mops
Whether you want to refresh a stinky carpet or sort a spill on a hard floor, these cleaners heat water to high temperatures and channel steam through the mop head and onto surfaces. Steam is the ultimate hygienic cleaner, that makes it easy to remove allergens, germs, and dust.
Carpet cleaners
The combination of cleaning solution, scrubbing brushes and vacuum suction works wonders on trapped dirt. By agitating fibres, these cleaners can reach ingrained muck and get carpets looking as good as new – even deep pile ones.
Handheld vacuums
The compact design makes these vacuums great for quick fixes like cereal spills and crumby car seats. Easily portable, they make cleaning stairs, cars and down the back of the sofa much easier than with a full-sized vacuum.
Robotic vacuums
These vacuums are designed to work around a busy life. Completely cordless, these intelligent cleaners can navigate spaces by themselves, so you can leave it to do its thing, while you do yours. Plus, they only need a little storage space when not in use.
What is a HEPA filter?
A HEPA filter captures more particles than standard filters. In fact, they remove 99.97% of particles from the air – including ones you can’t see, like pollen and mould spores - making them really beneficial for people with allergies.
Common Attachments
What are the attachments for?
Turbo brush tool
Fitted with a rotating brush to agitate fibres, this is a great choice for cleaning the stairs.
Crevice
Clear dust out of all those tight spots, including down the side of cupboards and underneath radiators.
Dusting
Gentle bristles dislodge dust on more delicate fabrics like curtains and lamp shades, without any scratching.
Upholstery
Usually fitted with red microfibre strips, this little tool will draw out lint, as well as dust and hair. It works wonders on mattresses and cushions.
Features We Love
Beko PowerClean Vacuum Cleaner
Find your new cleaning hero with Beko’s range of PowerClean vacuum cleaners
The Dyson V15 Detect Animal Vacuum
All you need to know about Dyson’s V15 Detect Animal vacuum
Kärcher cordless vacuums
All you need to know about Kärcher’s range of cordless vacuums
Shark Anti Hair Wrap Tech
Get to know the unique Shark technologies designed to help make cleaning quicker and easier
Tried and Tested
Tried and Tested: Does a Shark Vacuum Live up to Its High Expectations?
Tried and Tested: Can a Miele vacuum cleaner clean your entire home in 60 minutes?
FAQs
- Which are the lightest vacuums?
- Which are the quietest vacuums?
By nature, all vacuums will make a bit of noise, but look out for ratings of 75dB or less for a quieter version. The Henry cylinder vacuum is 72dB and the Beko cylinder vacuum is 73dB, while the Hoover TELIOS EXTRA cylinder vacuum is super quiet at just 64dB.
- What does carpet pickup rating C mean?
The carpet pickup rating shows how well a vacuum sucks up grime from your carpets. The rating goes from A to G, with A being the best. So, the closer to A you get, the better the suction will be, which means that C is pretty good! There is a separate rating for hard floors, so be sure you don’t mix these up.
- Which vacuums are best for stairs?
A practical vacuum for stairs will have the ability to transform into a neat handheld. That’s why we recommend the Shark LiftAway or the Dyson V11 to make cleaning the stairs as convenient as possible.
- Which vacuums are best for carpets?
The secret to a good carpet clean is a brush that can reach dirt deep down combined with excellent suction. The Dyson V8 Absolute comes a motorised direct-drive head, which has a powerful brush bar for getting rid of dirt in thick carpets. Shark models with Anti Hair Wrap tech, have a powered brush bar with the added benefit of clearing the brush roll of hair as you go.
- Which vacuums are best for hard wood floors?
Most modern vacuum cleaners come with a hard floor setting, so look out for that to make you’re your vacuum will adapt to suit real wood, laminate, tiled or vinyl floor types. For added convenience the Dyson V11 will automatically adjust according to the surface it detects.
- Which vacuums are best at picking up hair?
Many vacuums now come with special features or an attachable tool for pet hair. Some of these include the Dyson Cyclone V10 Animal and the Shark DuoClean with True Pet. For long, human hair, we recommend a Shark with Anti Hair Wrap tech. It combines brilliant suction power with a floor brush that sucks up hair and prevents tangles, so you can enjoy better performance and less maintenance.
- Which vacuums are best for allergies?
A vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter will remove 99.97% of particles from the air – including ones you can’t see, like pollen and mould spores.
- How much is a Henry vacuum cleaner?
Henry vacuum cleaners typically cost between £120 and £190. Prices can vary though, so if you keep an eye on our website, you’ll be the first to spot any amazing deals. Need one right away? Shop our latest prices.
- Are cordless vacuums all bagless?
Most cordless vacuum cleaners are bagless, which means you won’t need to purchase replacement bags and can empty the dust collected in the tank straight into the bin.
- How do I empty my cordless vacuum?
Although the technique for emptying will vary slightly according to the model, most cordless cleaners have a dust canister that can be emptied directly into the bin at the touch of a button.
- Do cylinder vacuums come with different length hoses?
Yes. These can vary quite considerably, although most models function perfectly well with a hose around 2m. For greater flexibility, the Beko VCM7180P Cylinder vacuum cleaner features a generous 4m hose.
- How do I empty my cylinder vacuum?
This will depend on whether your vacuum cleaner is bagged or bagless. Bagged versions keep all debris contained inside the bag and can be disposed of completely. You’ll need to invest in replacement bags to use your vacuum cleaner regularly.
- Why is my vacuum making a strange noise?
There could be lots of reasons for this. Maybe you accidentally rolled over a hair pin or the battery needs charging (if it’s a cordless model). Often, it means a blockage is causing your vacuum to work harder. It may need emptying or your brush roll may be blocked. If it is a problem with the brush roll, check out Shark models with Anti Hair Wrap if you want to minimise maintenance.
- How do steam cleaners work?
Steam cleaners work by heating up water until it turns to steam, which is then pushed out of small nozzles. Not only does the heat kill off bacteria and polish your floors, but it also means everything will dry faster. Want to get your home extra sparkly? We’ve got a whole range of steam cleaners that’ll get the job done.
- How do I empty my upright vacuum?
Most uprights have a dust chamber that you can disconnect from the vacuum and empty directly into the dust bin. Be sure to check the instruction manual of your particular model if you’re unsure.
- Where to buy vacuum bags?
If you need to stock up on vacuum bags, look no further. We’ve got a bunch of nifty vacuum accessories, including dust bags, filters and more. Check our deals to get everything you need for your next day of cleaning.
