Selecting A New Vacuum Cleaner
Article by Sam Goldstein
Selecting the appropriate vacuum cleaner ought to be a fairly easy task shouldn’t it? Aren’t all vacuums about the same? It seems they should! But it’s often a wise idea to see what leading consumer testing groups determined during their product evaluations.
Consumer Reports accomplished just that and thoroughly tested several popular vacuum cleaners. After putting these machines through their paces, testing on a variety of real-world situations, an obvious winner should be discovered. Shouldn’t it? But even after after all this in-depth testing, their results don’t often jive with owner feedback. Turns out the testing team may not rank a model very high but reviews offered by owners of the product revealed a totally different story.
So much for scientific testing!
Even with conflicting recommendation as to which is the ‘best’ vacuum cleaner to buy, here are some basic tips to think about when you’re out shopping for a new vacuum.
A basic question is the length of the manufacturer’s warranty? Vacuums do break down so a lengthy warranty is also a plus. Especially if you’re paying out big dollars to get a new model.
Some cheaply priced vacuums lose their appeal fast if they encounter frequent breakdowns. They aren’t much of a bargain if it needs to be replaced every year or so.
The hose is something else to consider. Does it extend out far enough for those extra jobs you want to do like cleaning the stairs or sweeping out the car? Will the hose reach the top of your curtains? Is the vacuum equipped with the attachments you’ll need to do a thorough cleaning? Niche attachments, dust brushes and smaller heads can greatly assist in specialized clean-up jobs.
Do the roller brushes disengaged for bare floors? Rapidly revolving brush heads can scratch the surface of hardwood floors. “Beater brushes” are ideal for lifting up ground in debris but some models do a poor job of cleaning close to baseboards. A vacuum equipped with an edge cleaner enables you to get right up close to obstacles.
If you opt for a ‘bag’ vacuum, make sure your local merchant sells the make and size you’ll need. If not, you’ll have to order them through the mail and that can be a major inconvenience. Vacuum cleaner bags come in a large assortment specially made for the make and model of your unit. Your local store may have on hand the brand name but be sure they also stock dust bags for your particular model type.
If you opt to forgo the bag-type cleaners, there are some replacement costs involved. Many models have filters that must be changed. A pricey unit may require expensive replacement filters too. So you’ll also need to find out where these specially-designed filters can be purchased.
Vacuum cleaners come in two basic models: Canister and Upright. Canisters work exceptionally well on hard floors and stairs, but effectiveness varies significantly on carpet. Canisters tend to cost more than an upright and due to their greater weight and size, don’t maneuver as well. Canisters can be very cumbersome if your cleaning duties involve relocating the unit up and down stairs.
The top-rated canister vacuum when tested by Consumer Reports went to the Kenmore Intuition 28014. This Kenmore model permits carpet height adjustments, brushes that can be disengaged for bare floors and is also equipped with a an indicator to warn you when the dust bag is full.
The Intuition has a retractable cord and has a HEPA filter for cleaning the air as well. Consumer Reports “recommends” this vac and has a price tag around 0. It weighs about 26 pounds.
Uprights perform very well on bare floors, and like canister models, results on carpets are varied. Effective cleaning also requires enough power achieved via the hose and attachments.
Consumer Reports tested several upright vacuum cleaners and the Hoover WindTunnel Anniversary Edition U6485-900 edged out the competition in head-to-head testing. This model uses a dust bag system.
This Hoover model is self-propelled so moving around the WindTunnel is a piece of cake. It has a HEPA filter, full-bag indicator, and the brushes can be turned off to protect hardwood floors.
Consumer Reports garnered the Hoover WindTunnel Anniversary Edition a Recommended Buy. Prices vary considerably (0-0) so be sure to shop around for the best deal.
About the Author
Visit our website to read more reviews on the best vacuum cleaners including reports on Electrolux vacuum cleaners.