Vacuum CleanersHow to get the best vacuum cleaner for your needs. by Emily Choulasco The vacuum cleaner industry is huge. In 2008 a staggering 2.5+ billion dollars was spent on vacuum cleaners in the USA alone. And that figure continues to grow. Almost every household has a vacuum cleaner – some have several – but with over 400 vacuum cleaner models available in the United States right how do you know what to buy? This requires knowledge of the types of machines available and a few of the pitfalls to watch out for. In making the best vacuum cleaner purchase it is key to first understand what kind of cleaning you intend to do.ÃÂ
Vacuums today come in many different designs and offer a staggering array of features and options. The following provides a basic description of the common vacuum types and some of their strengths and weaknesses:
Stick/Broom Vacuums – These are essentially very thin and light upright vacuums and they do not have rollers or beater bars. They are often cordless and bagless (but not always). They are good for quick pickups and the design is such that you do not have to bend over (as with a handheld). However they are typically not great on carpet and unlike larger uprights they are not as powerful and the dirt cup is smaller. Handheld Vacuums Common Features It is helpful to understand a few common features that are frequently used to âÂÂdefineâ a vacuum cleaner today. The two most common are whether the vacuum is bagged or bagless and whether it provides HEPA
If one has asthma or allergies getting a quality vacuum with HEPA filtration may be a good idea. This level of filtration is often available with an upright or canister vacuum and sometimes with a stick vacuum. HEPA filtration removes 99.97% of all airborne particulates of 0.3 microns or larger that pass through it. The key here is that the filters are only able to filter the air that passes through them and many vacuums leak air but still tout the value of their HEPA filtration. HEPA filters work most effectively within a sealed system (which some vacuums have, and others do not). Doing your Due Diligence Now that you know some of the common types of machines, what else should you consider before you make a purchase?àOne thing to keep in mind is that many manufacturers today develop appliances to actually fail over a calculated time period (this is called planned obsolescence). This is a money-making proposition for the manufacturer as consumers are forced to purchase more often â they may feel they are getting a lower price up-front but they are actually paying over and over again as the products need to be replaced frequently. In the market this can be seen by the large number of vacuum cleaner consumers complaining about shoddy workmanship and the very high failure rates of vacuums after only short periods of use. How can you minimize your risk?
Read consumer reviews carefully – It is very important to read consumer reviews before making a purchase.àAfter analyzing thousands of consumer comments from all corners of the web, Vacuum Cleaner Advisor has found that some reviews are much more helpful than others. Many a consumer touts the brilliance of their new machine shortly after their purchase. Guess what? Most machines are not âÂÂplannedâ to fail immediately. One must consider how long the reviewer has had the machine and also pay close attention to reviews that are updated over time. (They do exist â a good place for these is Amazon or DonâÂÂt fall for the marketing hype DonâÂÂt buy cheap
Maintenance – Ensure that your machine has readily available bags, belts, filters and other parts. Also consider the pricing of the parts â especially bags and filters that may need to be replaced frequently. Also, if possible, find a machine in which you can do some of the service work yourself (like changing the belt), as opposed to being at the mercy of an expensive technician. Kick starting your purchase With the hundreds of vacuum cleaner models available on the market today, getting the right one for your home or office requires research. Most consumers donâÂÂt have the time to sift though the mass of critical information thatâÂÂs out there.àVacuum Cleaner Advisor searches the Internet to provide reliable, in-depth |