Before You Buy A Vacuum Cleaner

There are a number of things that you need to consider before you buy a vacuum cleaner. Read through the following vacuum cleaner buying tips.

1. How Will You Use Your Vacuum Cleaner?

The best way to determine what type of vacuum cleaner you need is to think about how you will use it. If you will plan to clean thick carpets, furniture and drapes, you will need a heavy duty vacuum cleaner, probably an upright style with attachments. If you need a vacuum cleaner to clean stair carpets or only have a few area rugs, a stick or broom vacuum cleaner may be ideal. For cleaning hard to reach areas such as under beds or in closets, a canister vacuum could be your best option.

2. What Type of Vacuum Cleaner Suits Your Needs?

There are many types of vacuum cleaners on the market today.

So you need to look at the pros and cons of each type of vacuum cleaner and see what fits best for you, your lifestyle, your household and your budget. Ask yourself questions such as:

Where will you store the vacuum cleaner?

Do you have to carry it up or down stairs?

Do you have different floor surfaces throughout your home?

How often do you vacuum? Do you like do the whole lot in one go or do you prefer to clean as needed?

3. Consider Features Before you Buy a Vacuum Cleaner

In addition to determining what type of vacuum cleaner will best suit your needs, you need to consider features, too. Do you prefer bagless vacuum cleaners, or ones with disposable collection bags? If you suffer from allergies, HEPA filtration may be very helpful.

If you have difficulty carrying a vacuum cleaner up and down the stairs in your home, you may want a lightweight model. Robot vacuum cleaners are an excellent choice for very busy people, or for people who have a difficult time standing. Does someone in your home work nights? You can choose a vacuum cleaner that is specially insulated to reduce noise.

Also consider what attachments and accessories you will want to use with a vacuum cleaner as some come with more options than others, for example do you need an upholstery cleaning head or a crevice nozzle?

These are just some of the features you will want to consider before you buy a vacuum cleaner. You vacuum cleaner should be comfortable and convenient to use as well as appropriate for its intended use.

Carefully considering features can also help you stay within your budget. You will be less likely to overspend for features you don’t really need if you know exactly what you want before you buy a vacuum cleaner. For instance, you probably don’t need a headlight on your vacuum cleaner unless you prefer to vacuum in the dark.

Read our vacuum cleaner reviews for features and specifications.

4. Motor Power (Amps) Versus Cleaning Power

Whatever type of vacuum cleaner you decide is best for you, you will want to buy a vacuum cleaner that has adequate cleaning power. Don’t confuse amps or motor power with cleaning power. Amps simply refer to how much electricity a vacuum cleaner’s motor uses.

Airflow is what actually equates more to cleaning power, and it is usually measured in something called cfm, which stands for cubic feet per minute. The greater the airflow, the more efficient the vacuum cleaner will be at cleaning.

5. Shop Around Before you Buy a Vacuum Cleaner

Once you know exactly what you are looking for, you will want to set a budget for you new vacuum cleaner and shop around to obtain the best price. Consider online stores as well as local shops and retailers in your area. Some online retailers offer very reasonable or even free shipping, and prices are often much lower online than they are at brick and mortar stores.

Prefer a “test drive” before you buy a vacuum cleaner? You can always check out models you’re considering at local shops, and then take advantage of internet prices by making your purchase online when you get home.