The Best Vacuum for You: Evaluating the Most
Popular Vacuum Types
A vacuum cleaner is a device that sucks up dust and
dirt that is collected by either a dust bag or cup. Vacuums make
cleaning much easier, especially if there is carpeting in a home.
Carpets are often full of dirt, dust, small bugs and pet hair and
vacuums are the best tool for pulling all that filth up and out.
They provide cleaner carpets and healthier air for you and your
family to breathe.
But, choosing a vacuum cleaner for your home is hard. There are many
choices and uses and can be used for a variety of cleaning tasks. As
well as canister and upright vacuum cleaners, there are also vacuums
designed to help with hardwood floors, pet hair and even allergy
problems. Selecting the best vacuum for you makes cleaning
effortless and prolongs the appearance of your floors.
Upright VacuumsThese are the most common type of vacuum
cleaner and they are great for cleaning large, clear carpet
surfaces.
Upright vacuum cleaners are
designed with a pump mounted above a suction intake and a bag
mounted on a waist-high handle. To help evenly distribute dust and
debris, upright vacuums have mechanisms like mechanical beaters and
rotating brushes. An upright vacuum can be a single motor unit or a
dual motor unit. When the vacuum has a single motor, the beater
brush is driven by the vacuum motor via the belt. On a dual motor
unit, the vacuum and beater brush are powered by 2 distinct motors.
Canister VacuumsThe best vacuum for hard-to-reach spots like underneath furniture
and flights of stairs is a
canister vacuum
cleaner. They are designed with a
cylindrical main body that contains a motor and a bag or dust cup.
This canister unit is attached to the vacuum head by a hose. They
are lighter than upright vacuums, offering greater maneuverability.
Bagless VacuumsFor your convenience,
bagless vacuum cleaners do not require the
purchase of disposable vacuum bags. Before bagless vacuum cleaners
became popular, all vacuums would pull material up from the floor
and deposit it in a disposable bag. Although this method was
effective, it was a hassle to purchase and replace these bags
regularly. Instead, bagless vacuums deposit particles into a
container or cup via ducted air. Instead of regularly purchasing
disposable bags, the dust container is emptied after every use.
HEPA VacuumsA vacuum that contains a HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air)
filter provides a high level of filtration that is beneficial to
asthma and allergy sufferers.
HEPA
vacuums capture 99.97% of fine
dust particles at 0.3 microns or larger. These filters are provided
in residential and commercial vacuum cleaners. Remember, a vacuum
that features a "true HEPA filter" is usually going to be more
effective than one that features a "HEPA-like filter".
Wet/Dry VacuumsWhen you need to handle liquid spills, the best vacuum is a wet/dry
vacuum. Wet/dry vacuums are especially designed to accommodate wet
and dry soilage. Some even have a switch or exhaust port that
reverses the airflow. Reversible airflow is a great function for
easy collection of dust or clearing a clogged hose. They usually
feature a similar design to an upright or canister vacuum.
Handheld VacuumsThe best vacuum when you desire a lightweight, bagless and easy to
maneuver unit is a
cordless handheld vacuum. Most feature power comparable to
uprights, yet wielded in the palm of your hand. They are ideal for
quick cleaning of spills, car interiors, stairs and other
hard-to-reach areas. A handheld vacuum may feature a cord or it may
be cordless. When a model is cordless it is more versatile and
convenient for cleaning outside of the home.
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