What Are The Different Types Of Vacuum Cleaners And Which One To Buy?

by Shopify API March 11, 2021

Gone are the days when you would scrub and dust every corner of your house to remove stuck dirt, grime or pet hair. Today, cleaning is effortless, especially with vacuum cleaners. Before we delve into the types of vacuum cleaners and which one is best for you, let us first know more about how vacuum cleaners work and how they make life easy.

1) How does a vacuum cleaner function?

A vacuum cleaner uses a suction method to collect dust, leaving your home or your office clean. It can be used on various surfaces- carpeted, non-carpeted, upholstery, deep interiors, corners, etc. It collects the dust which later has to be disposed of. It improves the air quality inside the household and reduces the chance of allergies.
Check detergent dispenser- The detergent dispenser may be clogged. It might be full of old sticky detergent which doesn't get adequately released for cleaning. You can clean the container or replace the part.
Imagine sipping in something from a straw. Vacuum cleaners work on a similar principle. Every vacuum cleaner has a motor attached to its body. The motor runs either due to electricity or on batteries. The rotating fan of the motor “sucks” the air out and a vacuum is created. The dirt which is in the range of the suction receptacle is pulled towards the cleaner because of the vacuum. This dirt is collected in a bag or a dirt cup. This bag or dirt cup retains the dirt but lets the now clean air pass through. There is a filter that acts as a barrier between the collected dirt and the motor so that the dirt doesn’t enter the motor. In simple terms, this is how a vacuum cleaner perfects its cleaning.

2) Factors that determine the selection of vacuum cleaner

The vacuum cleaner you choose should depend on factors like:

Purpose- What are the surfaces that need to be cleaned by the vacuum cleaner?
Susceptibility to allergies- Determines preference for bag or bag-less models or choice of features like HEPA filter.
Ability to operate and resourcefulness- This determines the preference for electricity powered or rechargeable battery models.
Price-This varies from model to model and depends on the power of motors, features, number of attachments, automation level, etc.

3) Types of vacuum cleaners

There are five types of vacuum cleaners:

(i) Upright vacuum cleaner

An upright model is one of the earliest, most commonly seen and most popular vacuum cleaners.
It has a tilt and push, easy to understand ergonomic design. The brush is motor driven and clears up dirt through suction.
It is ideal and most powerful for cleaning large carpeted surfaces. It has a sensor that sucks the debris from carpet strands effectively.
It also has a different setting for cleaning of bare floors where the brush roll is turned off.
It provides height adjustment and attachments are sometimes required to reach tight corners.
It is heavy to push and pull.

(ii) Stick vacuum cleaner

A stick model is slender, lightweight and used for quick cleaning. It is in the shape of a broom and has a basic design which makes it easy to store.
The motor is located along with the stick and performs light suction.
This type is good for maneuvering around furniture and narrow spaces. It can be used for cleaning small carpet areas and hardwood floors. It is ideal for cleaning the kitchen and bathroom.
It also has a different setting for cleaning bare floors where the brush roll is turned off.
It can convert into a handheld vacuum and has lesser attachments. There are dirt cups instead of bags.
It is not very powerful and not suitable for deep cleaning. It might have a shorter battery life compared to other types.

(iii) Canister vacuum cleaner

A canister type has a long wand attached to a cylinder-like device by a retractable suction hose. It is powered by a motor and has a receptacle that collects dust.
It can clean several surfaces- bare hard floors, carpeted areas, wooden floors, tiles, cars, stairs, walls, ceiling, corners and upholstery- furniture, curtains, etc.
It has many attachments and is on the costlier side as it can operate on a variety of surfaces.
It is bulkier than other models for storage purposes.

(iv) Handheld vacuum cleaner

It is a small, portable and light vacuum cleaner, suitable for on-the-go cleaning. It can be held in one hand.
It is available in different designs- some are with a cord, some are cordless. Some consist of a rotating brush and some are without it.
It is sometimes used with an upright model. It is used for cleaning tight areas that are too small or are too difficult to reach like car interiors, tables, stairs and corners.
It is good for cleaning crumbs and spills, getting rid of fine dirt like hair from upholstery and cleaning up after children and pets.
It is cheaper than other models.
It is not comparable to a full-size vacuum and doesn't function for general floor cleaning.

(v) Robotic vacuum cleaner

It is an automatic kind of vacuum cleaner powered by a sensor. It involves little effort as it doesn’t require maneuvering.
The settings are chosen and the instructions are input through a remote control, after which, it can clean without supervision.
It is useful for cleaning corners, tiles, carpets and wood surfaces.
It is compact, doesn’t need a cleaner bag and creates less noise.
It is always cordless, which means it has to be charged time and again.
Since it is automatic, it cleans very well and in less time. Hence, it commands a higher price than other types of models.

4) Points for further consideration

Look for HEPA filter vacuums if people in your household are prone to allergies. Itcan filter 99.97 percent of airborne particles that are larger than 0.3 microns.
If you are buying a vacuum with a bag, remember to replace the bag regularly. As soon as you see that 2/3rd of it is full, replace it.
Go for a bagless model if you want to opt for a more eco-friendly option. The see-through component will let you know when to empty it.
For cleaning of bare floors, canister vacuum should be preferred as they have a special brush meant for it. A regular upright vacuum on hardwood floors may notbe the best bet as there are chances that it might damage the surface by scratching it. It may also counterproductively scatter dirt.

To sum it up, buying a vacuum cleaner is no mean task. It requires research so that the vacuum cleaner is compatible with your needs. Keep in mind these points for making the investment last. To buy the perfect vacuum cleaner for your home and to get great advice, you can visit one of our premium retail outlets near you or call us at 8001279999 for assistance.