6 Reasons People Laugh About Your Vacuum Cleaners
Other Vacuums to Take into Account
This was the most lavish vacuum we tested, with graceful
Maneuverability, a quiet purr -- also it's cord seems "designed." We hardly heard it when
We flipped it on, and once powered up, it stayed quiet and nice: If you're living in an
Apartment, you definitely won't disturb your neighbors with this one.
Particularly maneuverable, but this high-end model handles like a dream -- we already
For all of
This ease, you do lose a little cleaning power: Dense sand, especially on hardwood, took
Multiple passes to fully clean.
This hot vacuum has great maneuverability on carpet, and only a
Little less so on bare floor. It is on the heavier side (around 18 pounds), but quite the cleaner,
Devouring all of the Cheerio piles we placed before it. The design isn't for everybody -- lots
Of industrial-looking molding and all its moving parts seem like potential breakage points --
But if you like it, you love it, and lots of people do. Plus, we can not argue with the name: It's
the coolest of the lot.
Kenmore Elite. We tested two Kenmore models (one in every cost category), and you
definitely pay for what you get. The vastly superior Elite cleans both carpets and hardwoods
In only a few fast passes (unlike the Progressive, which didn't even come close). It's the
Standard big-and-bulky type, and some of its settings are confusing -- remember that fancysounding
dirt sensor?
Certified by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (like the Samsung VU7000
Motion Sync) and easy-to-use features. (The Progressive's selectors, in comparison, were so
Tacky it took two people collectively to switch the atmosphere from carpet to bare floor.)
Electrolux Precision Brushroll Clean. This Electrolux has the most bells and whistles of any
Of our picks, such as a self-cleaning brushroll, a liftaway wand with super-long stretch
Hose, and lots of attachments for above-floor cleaning. This makes it extremely
Customizable, but also a bit fiddly, and there's an extra learning moment as you figure
Out which pedal does what: If you get it wrong and fix the carpet setting too low, the
Vacuum is truly tough to push. Once you get the hang of it, though, we loved its cleaning
Very Best Vacuum Cleaners: Summed Up
Hoover Air Cordless Lift Cleaning Power
Oreck XL Classic Carpet
Samsung VU7000 Motion Sync Bare Floors
Bissell CleanView 9595A Budget
Miele Dynamic U1 Twist Luxury
Kenmore Elite Kenmore Brand
Electrolux Precision Brushroll Clean Accessories
Cleaning electricity is more complicated than your vacuum manufacturer tells
you.
Historically, manufacturers and their entrepreneurs say that a vacuum's cleaning power is the
Amperage of its motor. Not so, according to Energy Star. It found a minimum correlation
Between power and cleaning performance -- cleaning head design, brush mechanics, and
Though a vacuum might tout 12 amps of cleaning power, that does not really tell
you much.
Amp WarsIn the 1990s, an "amp" marketing war ensued among vacuum
manufacturers. At the time, most had 8 amp ratings -- today, the majority of uprights
In the usa have 12 amps (the max allowed for UL approval).
It really comes down to airflow and suction (measured in cubic feet per minute, or CFMs).
In vacuums, powerful suction is created by air passing quickly and unrestricted via an
intake port. Now, for a bit of physics: Since the speed of this fan is constant, so is the
amount of air passing through the vacuum. No matter the size of the intake port, the same
Number of air particles will need to pass through -- the smaller the port, the more quickly air
This increase in airspeed decreases pressure, which results in higher
suction. (This is why narrow vacuum attachments may pick up heavier dirt particles than
The tricky thing with airflow evaluations is that most upright makers do not actually list them --
They just list amps -- so you have to look at how the vacuums are made. There are two
Basic layouts of upright vacuums: direct air and skip.
Immediate air (or "dirty air"): These versions are designed with large fans located on the vacuum
Nozzle, which draw air and dirt through the engine before some filtration on its way into the
dust bag. The advantage to this design is higher airflow (CFMs) and Fantastic cleaning
Power: The Orecks we analyzed are direct air versions and they really did wow.
Nevertheless, the lack of filtration means these vacuums aren't so good for those with asthma
and allergies. Also, accessories are not as convenient or effective as with bypass models (the
Orecks do not even have any), and since debris passes directly through the motor, sucking up
A hard object could damage the fan.
Bypass (or "clean air"): With this type of vacuum, unfiltered air is designed to bypass the
Motor, instead collecting in the bag or room; only clean, filtered air is then passed
Through the motor to cool it, which means it is the better choice for allergy sufferers. It's also the
Most common kind of vacuum found in the marketplace today -- all of our best picks save the
Orecks are bypass models.
While there is a decrease in airflow (CFMs) and these models therefore have to work harder
To suck up the same amount of stuff, "bypass models" are optimized for suction, so the
Attachments tend to work much better. And, because dirt and debris don't pass through the
Motor, you don't need to worry that vacuuming up an errant Lego brick will result in
repairs.
We did not weigh in on the bagged vs. bagless debate.
Both designs have been proven to clean well, so one isn't always better than the other.
It's a matter of preference. Bagless vacuums provide less waste (and save you money since you
Are not buying replacements), but some say you have to empty them over bagged
vacuums. Folks with severe allergies will want to go for a bagged model though: The bags
Seal, trapping allergens and dust.
But if you have allergies or asthma, you will want to take more precaution.
The best thing to do if you have asthma or allergies is to live without carpeting -- carpets are
Notorious for capturing dust, pollen, and other irritating particles. If that's not a possibility,
Routine vacuuming becomes even more significant.
Second, while everything we discovered pointed to bagged vacuums as being the better option
For allergies, Dr. Rivera-Mariani warns that standard bags easily become tiny tears that allow
leakage. If you have a version with bags, replacements with electrostatic properties (those are
Available for most major vacuums) help keep pesky particles contained. (The electrostatic
Causes the dust particles to stick together, so they are less likely to escape.)
And last, Dr. Rivera-Mariani strongly recommends a sealed HEPA filter. There are less
Stringent types of filtration, such as the basic sort all vacuums have (such as our Hoover top
Pick), which absorb dust, but do not capture pollen or pet dander. These are generally fine for
Most people, but if you're sensitive to irritants, HEPA is the way to go. Dr. Rivera-Mariana
Goes as far to recommend HEPA filtration even when you've got no respiratory issues. Allergies
Can develop over time, and symptoms may appear suddenly in previously non-allergic
individuals.
Broken vacuum? Fix it.
Craig Amick from Electrolux told us that retailers across all brands report a Great Deal of vacuum
Returns, mostly because of broken or sickly parts. Don't return it: Your vacuum is completely
Worth fixing, and most fixes are simple and inexpensive.
While you can still find the owner's manual (we know it will end up getting tossed), figure
Out the simple stuff: where the belt goes, the way to remove the filter, and where a clog could
happen. These are the most common vacuum issues, and Amick quotes that first-timers
Can perform simple repairs and replacements in under half an hour. When in doubt: Turn to
YouTube for some helpful DIY tutorials or call the customer service phone number usually
Situated on the back or underside of your vacuum.
The Bottom Line
Vacuuming is something we do all of the time and, for the majority of us, it's a significant chore. But a
Great vacuum -- one with strong suction and effortless maneuverability -- which makes the
Whole process simple (if not a little fun).
This was the most lavish vacuum we tested, with graceful
Maneuverability, a quiet purr -- also it's cord seems "designed." We hardly heard it when
We flipped it on, and once powered up, it stayed quiet and nice: If you're living in an
Apartment, you definitely won't disturb your neighbors with this one.
Particularly maneuverable, but this high-end model handles like a dream -- we already
For all of
This ease, you do lose a little cleaning power: Dense sand, especially on hardwood, took
Multiple passes to fully clean.
This hot vacuum has great maneuverability on carpet, and only a
Little less so on bare floor. It is on the heavier side (around 18 pounds), but quite the cleaner,
Devouring all of the Cheerio piles we placed before it. The design isn't for everybody -- lots
Of industrial-looking molding and all its moving parts seem like potential breakage points --
But if you like it, you love it, and lots of people do. Plus, we can not argue with the name: It's
the coolest of the lot.
Kenmore Elite. We tested two Kenmore models (one in every cost category), and you
definitely pay for what you get. The vastly superior Elite cleans both carpets and hardwoods
In only a few fast passes (unlike the Progressive, which didn't even come close). It's the
Standard big-and-bulky type, and some of its settings are confusing -- remember that fancysounding
dirt sensor?
Certified by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (like the Samsung VU7000
Motion Sync) and easy-to-use features. (The Progressive's selectors, in comparison, were so
Tacky it took two people collectively to switch the atmosphere from carpet to bare floor.)
Electrolux Precision Brushroll Clean. This Electrolux has the most bells and whistles of any
Of our picks, such as a self-cleaning brushroll, a liftaway wand with super-long stretch
Hose, and lots of attachments for above-floor cleaning. This makes it extremely
Customizable, but also a bit fiddly, and there's an extra learning moment as you figure
Out which pedal does what: If you get it wrong and fix the carpet setting too low, the
Vacuum is truly tough to push. Once you get the hang of it, though, we loved its cleaning
Very Best Vacuum Cleaners: Summed Up
Hoover Air Cordless Lift Cleaning Power
Oreck XL Classic Carpet
Samsung VU7000 Motion Sync Bare Floors
Bissell CleanView 9595A Budget
Miele Dynamic U1 Twist Luxury
Kenmore Elite Kenmore Brand
Electrolux Precision Brushroll Clean Accessories
Cleaning electricity is more complicated than your vacuum manufacturer tells
you.
Historically, manufacturers and their entrepreneurs say that a vacuum's cleaning power is the
Amperage of its motor. Not so, according to Energy Star. It found a minimum correlation
Between power and cleaning performance -- cleaning head design, brush mechanics, and
Though a vacuum might tout 12 amps of cleaning power, that does not really tell
you much.
Amp WarsIn the 1990s, an "amp" marketing war ensued among vacuum
manufacturers. At the time, most had 8 amp ratings -- today, the majority of uprights
In the usa have 12 amps (the max allowed for UL approval).
It really comes down to airflow and suction (measured in cubic feet per minute, or CFMs).
In vacuums, powerful suction is created by air passing quickly and unrestricted via an
intake port. Now, for a bit of physics: Since the speed of this fan is constant, so is the
amount of air passing through the vacuum. No matter the size of the intake port, the same
Number of air particles will need to pass through -- the smaller the port, the more quickly air
This increase in airspeed decreases pressure, which results in higher
suction. (This is why narrow vacuum attachments may pick up heavier dirt particles than
The tricky thing with airflow evaluations is that most upright makers do not actually list them --
They just list amps -- so you have to look at how the vacuums are made. There are two
Basic layouts of upright vacuums: direct air and skip.
Immediate air (or "dirty air"): These versions are designed with large fans located on the vacuum
Nozzle, which draw air and dirt through the engine before some filtration on its way into the
dust bag. The advantage to this design is higher airflow (CFMs) and Fantastic cleaning
Power: The Orecks we analyzed are direct air versions and they really did wow.
Nevertheless, the lack of filtration means these vacuums aren't so good for those with asthma
and allergies. Also, accessories are not as convenient or effective as with bypass models (the
Orecks do not even have any), and since debris passes directly through the motor, sucking up
A hard object could damage the fan.
Bypass (or "clean air"): With this type of vacuum, unfiltered air is designed to bypass the
Motor, instead collecting in the bag or room; only clean, filtered air is then passed
Through the motor to cool it, which means it is the better choice for allergy sufferers. It's also the
Most common kind of vacuum found in the marketplace today -- all of our best picks save the
Orecks are bypass models.
While there is a decrease in airflow (CFMs) and these models therefore have to work harder
To suck up the same amount of stuff, "bypass models" are optimized for suction, so the
Attachments tend to work much better. And, because dirt and debris don't pass through the
Motor, you don't need to worry that vacuuming up an errant Lego brick will result in
repairs.
We did not weigh in on the bagged vs. bagless debate.
Both designs have been proven to clean well, so one isn't always better than the other.
It's a matter of preference. Bagless vacuums provide less waste (and save you money since you
Are not buying replacements), but some say you have to empty them over bagged
vacuums. Folks with severe allergies will want to go for a bagged model though: The bags
Seal, trapping allergens and dust.
But if you have allergies or asthma, you will want to take more precaution.
The best thing to do if you have asthma or allergies is to live without carpeting -- carpets are
Notorious for capturing dust, pollen, and other irritating particles. If that's not a possibility,
Routine vacuuming becomes even more significant.
Second, while everything we discovered pointed to bagged vacuums as being the better option
For allergies, Dr. Rivera-Mariani warns that standard bags easily become tiny tears that allow
leakage. If you have a version with bags, replacements with electrostatic properties (those are
Available for most major vacuums) help keep pesky particles contained. (The electrostatic
Causes the dust particles to stick together, so they are less likely to escape.)
And last, Dr. Rivera-Mariani strongly recommends a sealed HEPA filter. There are less
Stringent types of filtration, such as the basic sort all vacuums have (such as our Hoover top
Pick), which absorb dust, but do not capture pollen or pet dander. These are generally fine for
Most people, but if you're sensitive to irritants, HEPA is the way to go. Dr. Rivera-Mariana
Goes as far to recommend HEPA filtration even when you've got no respiratory issues. Allergies
Can develop over time, and symptoms may appear suddenly in previously non-allergic
individuals.
Broken vacuum? Fix it.
Craig Amick from Electrolux told us that retailers across all brands report a Great Deal of vacuum
Returns, mostly because of broken or sickly parts. Don't return it: Your vacuum is completely
Worth fixing, and most fixes are simple and inexpensive.
While you can still find the owner's manual (we know it will end up getting tossed), figure
Out the simple stuff: where the belt goes, the way to remove the filter, and where a clog could
happen. These are the most common vacuum issues, and Amick quotes that first-timers
Can perform simple repairs and replacements in under half an hour. When in doubt: Turn to
YouTube for some helpful DIY tutorials or call the customer service phone number usually
Situated on the back or underside of your vacuum.
The Bottom Line
Vacuuming is something we do all of the time and, for the majority of us, it's a significant chore. But a
Great vacuum -- one with strong suction and effortless maneuverability -- which makes the
Whole process simple (if not a little fun).
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