How to Choose the Best Vacuum For Your Home
Before you pick a vacuum cleaner there a few things to consider to keep your home clean and comfy.
Floor Type: Floor cleaners and vacuums are designed for the type of floor they clean, from hardwood and tile floors to carpet and soft upholstery.
Corded vs. Cordless: A battery-powered unit means shorter run-times and smaller bin capacity, but gives you more maneuverability around the house. A corded vacuum limits the area you can clean at one time, but you don’t have to worry about remembering to charge it.
Daily Use vs. Deep Cleaning: Most stick vacuums are great for everyday cleaning schedules whereas upright vacuums help with deep cleaning.
Homes With Pets: There are specialized vacuums to tackle pet hair with HEPA filters that also help remove allergens.
The Best Vacuums for Hardwood Floors, Tile, Laminate and Vinyl
Many models of upright vacuums, canister vacuums, stick vacuums and robotic vacuums work well for vacuuming hardwood floors as well as tile, laminate and vinyl, but there are some factors to consider.
Some motorized brushes and rollers can scatter dust and debris, and possibly scratch a bare floor if not used correctly. Look for a cleaner head or attachment specifically designed for bare floors, one with a bare floor setting that lets you disengage the motorized brush or a model without a rotating roller brush.
The Best Vacuums for Rugs and Carpets
As with hard floors, finding the best vacuum for carpets and rugs depends largely on the features the vacuum offers. Upright or canister vacuums that offer powerful suction and airflow are more effective at cleaning high-pile carpet.
Smaller vacuums, like robotic vacuums and stick vacuums, offer great convenience for light or everyday carpet cleaning but depending on your carpet type and floor space, work best when paired with the occasional use of a larger, more powerful upright or canister vacuum for deeper cleaning.
For thicker, heavier rugs, use a vacuum that doesn’t use a motorized roller brush or has a brush you can disengage. As an alternative, you can use a vacuum with an upholstery attachment. For thinner rugs, you need a handheld vacuum or one that converts to handheld use. If the rug is delicate, it may be best to not vacuum it at all. If you choose to vacuum it, work with a light touch and an attachment that uses suction only — not a rotating brush — to lift the dirt. Always exercise care near the rug edges and around tassels.
The Best Vacuums for Pet Hair
Vacuums specifically designed to clean up pet hair are available in the standard vacuum types. They typically have features like motorized brushes that resist tangling or have rubber brushes or combs that collect pet hair and are easier to clean than standard brushes. Vacuums with high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters help remove allergens, like dust and pet dander as well as odors, from the vacuum exhaust.
Look for a vacuum that converts to handheld use or has tools designed to clean pet hair from chairs, couches and pet beds. If your pet sheds a lot, a vacuum with a larger capacity will reduce the time you spend emptying it.
To learn more about the different types of vacuum cleaners, features to look for and tips to make vacuuming more efficient, see our Vacuum Cleaner Buying Guide.