Vacuum Cleaners | 5 Key Points to Choosing a Vacuum Cleaner

Tips & Technology

Five key points to
choosing a vacuum cleaner

Before you buy your new vacuum cleaner,
make sure you consider these 5 key points:

Wattage and motor power

Wattage is an important consideration because motor power alone does not guarantee better suction: it depends on the overall design of the unit. If a vacuum cleaner has a high wattage, the motor is more powerful.

Air watts

Did you know air watts are a better measure of suction than motor power? Air watts look at the actual performance of the vacuum, not just the motor power. However, they can be dramatically reduced by a blocked filter. Air watts should be shown as a European test standard (IEC60312). If not, the number quoted may not be reliable.

Dust pick up

The nozzle design on both cylinders and uprights can have a dramatic effect on pick up performance. The higher the percentage of dust pick up, which is also measured using the IEC European test standard, the better the performance.

Bag vs bagless vacuum cleaners

When considering a bagged vs bagless vacuum cleaner, it can be helpful to remember:

Bagless vacuum cleaners do not necessarily perform better than bagged
Bagless vacuum cleaners by definition require no bags, so no additional costs
Bagless vacuum cleaners enable you to see the dirt and debris picked up, making it easy to see when the bin is full. However, some bagged cleaners do have full bag indicator lights
Some bagless vacuum cleaners require regular filter cleaning to work at peak performance
Bagless vacuum cleaners can expose the user to dust when emptying, making them less suitable for allergy and asthma sufferers
Bagged vacuum cleaners are hygienic and dust disposal is simple and easy

Filter types

Filters in vacuum cleaners fall into two main categories:

Micro Filter

1. Micro filter: The type of filtration found on basic vacuum cleaners. Ideal for general use, some can be washed while others need to be replaced.

Hepa Filter

2. HEPA filter: HEPA filters trap and capture small pollutants and pollen particles, which would otherwise be recirculated into the air, making them ideal for allergy and asthma sufferers. Most tend to be washable and reusable.

The future

Combined air watt and dust pick up scores

A good measure of performance is one that gives an overall score for air watts and dust pick up. In the next few years, it is likely this will become a standard measure shown on all cleaners, much like the AAA ratings seen on fridges and freezers today.

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