In the store, all vacuum cleaners seem to be about the same - body, hose, pipe and brush. But meanwhile, the difference between them is very significant.
The price, and the device of vacuum cleaners differ. How to navigate the variety offered by manufacturers household appliances, and choose the right vacuum cleaner model?
We choose a vacuum cleaner to bring comfort to the house
Every home needs quality cleaning. Good technique is needed to accomplish this task. Choosing a good vacuum cleaner is actually not easy. It is clear that relying solely on the design and price of equipment is wrong. The variety of models is dizzying, and the lack of knowledge about what technical properties a good vacuum cleaner should have also does not contribute to the right choice.
Before choosing a vacuum cleaner, pay attention to where it collects dust. Today there are three types of dust collectors - bags, containers and water filters.
Dust collector type: bag, container or aqua filter?
Bag- the most familiar and most inexpensive type of dust collector. They are both reusable, made of textiles, and disposable, made of paper. Despite its prevalence, it is not the most the best option. Cloth bags trap large particles of dust, but easily pass small ones. In addition, emptying and washing such a dust collector is not the most pleasant and hygienic task. Disposable paper bags are capable of retaining particles as small as 3 microns and do not require cleaning. But they will always have to be bought.
In addition, all dust collectors of this type have one significant drawback - if they are not changed for a long time, harmful bacteria and mites begin to breed in the dust, for which darkness and an abundance of dirt are an ideal habitat.
Dust container does not require replacement. It only needs to be thoroughly rinsed and dried after filling. Vacuum cleaners with a container are noticeably more expensive than similar models with dust collectors. Another disadvantage is their high noise level. When the vacuum cleaner is working, the container turns into a resonator. Therefore, cleaning with the help of such models of vacuum cleaners cannot be called quiet.
Vacuum cleaner with water filter- a real machine for creating a good microclimate. The intake air is washed with water, and the wet dust settles in a special container. The advantages of such vacuum cleaners include efficiency, and the disadvantages are relatively high cost.
Filtering: why do we need additional filters?
Passing through the vacuum cleaner, the air goes outside and returns to the room. And it is very important that it be clean, since microscopic particles of dirt sprayed in the air are much more dangerous than dust lying in the corners. Inhalation of polluted air leads to irritation of the mucous membranes and allergies.
Modern vacuum cleaners must capture at least 99% of dust. Therefore, a quality vacuum cleaner should have several filters for the outgoing air. It is good if the selected model is equipped with a HEPA filter. It catches the smallest fragments of dust, bacteria and allergens. And the most good cleaning give vacuum cleaners with a water filter - they retain more than 99.99% of dust.
Power: more is better?
When choosing a vacuum cleaner, many people focus on power. Indeed, it seems that the 1800W vacuum cleaner is much better than its 1400W counterpart. But what actually determines power? Let's start with the fact that there is power consumption (it is most often indicated on the case) and suction power. Power consumption determines the dimensions, power consumption and noise level. The more powerful the vacuum cleaner, the bigger and “louder” it is.
But the power consumption has little effect on the quality of cleaning. Much more important is the suction power. However, even here there are subtleties. If you don't have children or Persian cats and the floor is covered with laminate, linoleum or carpet, a vacuum cleaner with a suction power of 300 watts will do an excellent job of putting things in order. In this case, buying a powerful vacuum cleaner will only be an extra waste of money and energy during its operation.
A vacuum cleaner with a suction power of more than 300 W is useful for owners of carpets with long pile and those who often have to clean up after children and shedding pets. And vacuum cleaners with suction power less than 260 W are not worth looking at.
It must be borne in mind that as the dust container fills up, the suction power decreases. But this does not apply to vacuum cleaners with an aquafilter. In them, the suction power does not depend on the contamination of the water and remains constant throughout the cleaning.
Type of cleaning: wet or dry?
When choosing a vacuum cleaner for your home, consider what type of cleaning you need. The function of wet cleaning significantly increases the cost of the device, but in fact, not everyone needs it. Washing vacuum cleaners are much larger than usual ones, and owners of small apartments, where every square meter is expensive, should opt for a conventional vacuum cleaner. A washing vacuum cleaner is also not useful for those whose floors are covered with linoleum or other smooth material.
Allergy sufferers cannot do without wet cleaning - the smallest dust that ordinary vacuum cleaners raise can lead to an asthma attack. However, for them, the ideal option would be to choose a vacuum cleaner with an aquafilter, which cleans not only the floor, but also the air. A truly washing vacuum cleaner is needed for families with small children. And also for those who love carpets and floor coverings with thick fur. Not a single ordinary vacuum cleaner can clean a carpet, especially a light one, the way a washing one does. Moreover, as you can see from video, some models of washing vacuum cleaners are capable of performing the functions of humidifying and deodorizing the air.
The more expensive the vacuum cleaner, the more reliable and functional it is. The cheapest models do not last long - most often small parts break, the plastic on the pipe and brushes cracks, the hose breaks, less often the motor burns out. Their service life is short, and the warranty period is even shorter. If such a vacuum cleaner breaks down, it is easier to throw it away than to repair it. Expensive vacuum cleaners can last for decades, and the warranty period for elite models can be up to 10 years. So in the end it is much more profitable to choose a high-quality vacuum cleaner once and forget about dust and allergens for many years.
Cleaning has become synonymous with the word “duty”, but do you want to clean up with pleasure and inspiration? Maybe it's time to buy a new modern vacuum cleaner?
Why are container vacuum cleaners popular?
To begin with, let's dwell on the advantages of vacuum cleaners with containers - it is among them that we will choose 10 best models. It's simple - replaceable dust collectors are short-lived. The life span of textile bags is limited, although they are positioned as permanent. In addition, they do not provide the proper level of filtration, and the dust removal process cannot be called comfortable. Paper bags are easier, but you need a constant supply of them (and this is an additional expense).
Whether it's a plastic container. And the plus is not only in the convenience of cleaning. What matters is the cyclone technology, which in itself is already an effective filter that separates dust from air.
Of course, there are still disadvantages. For example, an increased noise level and an increase in the size of a vacuum cleaner compared to "bag" vacuum cleaners of the same power. But convenience and ease of care are becoming more important factors for consumers. Our rating includes the best bagless vacuum cleaners of the beginning of 2019 - according to reviews from experts and ordinary buyers.
Cleanliness in the house is a guarantee of health, coziness and comfort. You have to maintain cleanliness regularly and, in order not to constantly rush with a broom and a rag, you can buy a vacuum cleaner to help you. Going for such a useful purchase to a hardware store, you can find out that they have a wide variety of vacuum cleaners. However, they differ not only appearance and power, but also many other possibilities. Such abundance can take the buyer by surprise. That is why it is advisable to decide in advance how to choose a vacuum cleaner for the home, comparing your needs and capabilities.
Types of vacuum cleaners
According to the method of cleaning, vacuum cleaners are distinguished:
- for dry cleaning;
- detergents for wet cleaning;
- robotic vacuum cleaners.
Everyone has long known and familiar vacuum cleaners for dry cleaning. They are the simplest in design and economical. In view of their small size, they will not interfere in a small room. Indispensable for cleaning parquet floors, carpets made of natural materials, system block computer or other surfaces where humidity is unacceptable.
Washing vacuum cleaners significantly expand the possibilities of cleaning, working both in dry mode and in spray and (or) suction mode. Thus, they easily cope even with such a task as cleaning the floor, carpet or sofa from spilled liquid. The disadvantages of washing vacuum cleaners include: relative high cost, high weight, design complexity. But in general, this is a justified purchase, since choosing a washing vacuum cleaner will be an excellent solution that allows you to implement many tasks in your home.
In every modern home must be present washing machine, which will save a lot of time and wash things much better than doing it manually. For information on how to choose a washer, read this article.
Robot vacuum cleaners have an undeniable advantage - the ability to clean without the direct participation of a person. They independently move around the room, tracking and bypassing obstacles. Disadvantages of such vacuum cleaners: high price; can only be used in apartments with flat floors and large empty spaces.
By design, there are three main types of vacuum cleaners:
- with dust bags;
- with water filters
- bagless, container or cyclone.
Vacuum cleaners with bags are the first models of vacuum cleaners. But this does not prevent them from competing adequately in the market and keeping up with the times. The undoubted advantage of such schemes is ease of use and maintenance. It is easy to change filters and dust collectors, and no additional manipulations are required before or after cleaning. Such models are presented in a wide range of prices. The weak point of classic vacuum cleaners is the same bag. It must be periodically changed or cleaned, which is not always hygienic, and as it becomes clogged, suction power drops.
Initially, vacuum cleaners with an aqua filter were developed as cleaning units for hospitals and laboratories with the possibility of high-quality air purification using water. Subsequently, it was decided to remake them for domestic needs. As a result, vacuum cleaners were reduced in size, which negatively affected filtration and ease of use. The most modern and high quality is the separator-type aqua-filter. They perfectly retain debris in the water, purifying and moistening the air. These advantages are also disadvantages. After all, the accumulated organic debris creates ideal conditions for the appearance of mold, bacteria and fungi. In this regard, it is necessary to thoroughly clean all parts of the device after each use, which can often take even longer than the cleaning itself.
Container or cyclone vacuum cleaners are distinguished by the absence of dust bags, which saves the user from having to constantly run around the shops in search of suitable consumables, so choosing a vacuum cleaner with a container can be a good idea. They are able to clean the air from dust, and the suction power does not depend on the filling of the container. However, such models have more disadvantages than advantages. Before choosing a vacuum cleaner without a dust bag, you should know that they do not clean the room well from small particles of debris and are very noisy during operation. It also becomes necessary to clean all filters and parts after each cleaning. In this case, it is necessary to contact directly with the collected dirt.
Filters
The task of filters is to clean the air coming out of the vacuum cleaner from all dust particles and debris. Present in all types of vacuum cleaners. They can be: water, paper, synthetic, coal, etc.
Typically, two filters are used. One of them is responsible for filtering the air directly in front of the motor. At the outlet of the vacuum cleaner, fine filters are installed, the task of which is to retain microparticles with a size of about 0.3 microns. So-called S-filters and better HEPA filters are used for this. Both types of filters are designed for a long service life before they are filled with dirt, from about six months to several years. HEPA filters are divided into four classes, only two of them (H12 and H13) are superior to S-filters. However, the former in most cases support cleaning, for which it is enough to simply wash them with soapy water.
Please note that a washable or replaceable filter is installed on the vacuum cleaner. This affects the ease of use. In the first case, you will need to clean the filter, and in the second, periodically change it to a new one.
Suction power
This is one of the most important parameters, which is worth paying attention to when the question is how to choose the right vacuum cleaner. Keep in mind that the higher the power, the more noisy your vacuum cleaner will be, so you should choose the ratio of these parameters wisely.
Models with a power of 300 W are suitable for cleaning parquet, linoleum or carpets with a short pile. They are also used in cleaning furniture and clothing.
A model with a power of over 300 W is better to choose if your apartment gets dirty quickly and heavily. As a rule, such vacuum cleaners have a power switching function, so you can always choose the appropriate mode of operation.
Additional functions
The vacuum cleaner is primarily designed to collect dust, but can also perform additional functions. The availability of such options directly depends on the type of vacuum cleaner that we discussed above.
Air cleaning. The presence of this function will be useful for allergy sufferers, since the vacuum cleaner, in addition to its immediate task, will also filter the air, cleaning it from dust. Currently, this option is found in almost all vacuum cleaners, but vacuum cleaners with a water filter do it best.
Humidification, ionization and aromatization of air. These functions are available only to vacuum cleaners with aqua filters.
Knockout function. Some models are equipped with a special nozzle that allows you to knock out carpets, clothes, mattresses and furniture from accumulated dust.
Steam surface treatment. Some models of wet vacuum cleaners are equipped with steam generators. This allows you to better clean a heavily soiled surface.
Determine which vacuum cleaner is better to choose for the home, taking into account additional features, an elementary calculation of finances will help: the more options, the more expensive the equipment. You should also consider the presence of other appliances in the house, such as air purifiers, air conditioning or a steam generator.
Equipment
The choice of a vacuum cleaner for the home must necessarily take into account its equipment. It depends on how convenient its operation will be.
The presence of a telescopic tube will allow you to set the desired length of the handle, adjusting it to the height of the user.
The set of nozzles should be quite extensive. Be sure to have separate brushes for smooth and carpet surfaces, as well as crevice nozzles for collecting debris in hard-to-reach places. A turbo brush is necessary for those who have animals. It picks up hair and lint very well.
Manufacturer Features
When choosing a vacuum cleaner manufacturer, it is very important to first determine the type and design of the device you need. So, vacuum cleaners for dry cleaning from almost all manufacturers have similar characteristics and build quality. The most common models are manufactured by LG, Philips, Samsung, Electrolux, Bosch.
The choice of models with the possibility of wet cleaning is already somewhat more specific. In addition to common and promoted brands, there are models on the world market that deserve more attention. Choosing a vacuum cleaner with the most efficient this moment separator-type aquafilter, the models produced by the Italian companies Krausen, Delvir, Tecnorar have proven themselves.
Manufacturers such as Thomas, AEG, Akira, Moulinex, Panasonic and others also provide the buyer with a wide variety of vacuum cleaner models to choose from. Moulinex, for example, stands out by creating very compact yet powerful vacuum cleaners. Devices from Thomas have time-tested quality and reliability. Here in the level of reliable air purification, Electrolux boasts, which, at the same time, clearly prevails in terms of the variety of its vacuum cleaners.
Before you choose a good vacuum cleaner for your home, you can pretty clearly see the quality of work and performance for the price. Only vacuum cleaners of the middle price category and above are able to help clean up efficiently and at the same time clean both the surface and the air in the room as much as possible.
How to choose a vacuum cleaner for the home: what is important to consider when choosing?
