How to choose a vacuum cleaner

Today's consumers are spoilt for choice when it comes to the vacuum cleaner. Not only are there designs, styles and colors to influence your buying decision, manufacturers have been busy reinventing the vacuum cleaner, from self-propelled vacuum-cleaning robots to mite-zapping ones for those with allergic reactions. So which vacuum is best? Well, it all depends on your needs. Different types of vacuum cleaners suit different cleaning jobs, so it's important to learn which ones meet your needs most.

Your cleaning requirements

Vacuum cleaner types:
Consider the kind of surfaces you'll be cleaning, before you determine the type of vacuum cleaner you need.

Key features to consider:
Once you've determined which type of vacuum cleaner suits your needs, you can narrow it down to the kind of features you want. Different models have different features, so it's worth looking at what functions are available.

Bag vs. bagless:
So which is better? Bags are generally by way of disposable paper bags, cloth removable bags and cloth shakeout bags. According to Vacdepot, a "bagged vacuum performance starts at 100 percent with each new bag, and slowly degrades as the bag fills". It is noted that in the average vacuum with an average bag, you may expect to replace the disposable bag every three or four weeks, with "90 percent or better performance the first week, 70 percent or better in weeks two and three, and 50 percent or better in week four". Bagless vacuum cleaners, on the other hand, are designed to "last six months, 12 months and up to 18 months before replacement". Some are even washable, which can extend their life to four or times their normal single use.

However, it has been observed that on a 12-month filter replacement cycle, the last three or four months may see vacuum cleaner operating at only 50 percent or less of its efficiency. This means more effort and time to achieve the same level of cleaning. There are other tradeoffs. While you may save on the cost of bags, at some point, you'll still have to dump out the collection bin and a dirty filter to clean; not the best experience for an allergy sufferer. On the other hand, bag replacement is a single dustless step.

Power vs. suction:
Power on a vacuum cleaner is the power of its motor measured in watts (W). This can range from 500W to 2,000W. However, this does not equate to suction power which is measured in air watts. As air watts are not always shown, the best method is to go and try out the vacuum at the store and see how well it picks up dust and debris. Generally, a good cylinder cleaner will have up to 450 air watts, though you should note also that an upright model will likely require less air watts to do the same job since it doesn't have long tubes to suck through.

Not all strong suctions are good. If you have lots of rugs around, you might want to avoid vacuums with strong suction as these could "suck" at the edges of the carpets and potentially unravel them. Also, if you have a mix of carpets and hard floors, it might be useful to look for cleaners with variable power settings as this means you can adjust the suction power according to your needs.

Filtration vs allergies :
While most people are merely irritated by exposure to large amounts of dust, those who are truly allergic can suffer anything ranging from sneezing and congestion to persistently stuffy nose and ears and even asthma. Standard filters offer basic filtration, but HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) and S-class filters can trap up to 100 percent of allergens and over 99.7 percent of particles down to 1 micron, including dust mites, which make them ideal for allergy sufferers. It is very important, however, to have a completely sealed system, so all air flow must pass through the ULPA or HEPA filter to be cleaned by it. Some HEPA filters are disposable and need to be replaced periodically, while other HEPA filters do not need to be replaced but just washed.

Following the outbreak of SARS and other viruses, some manufacturers have developed features to protect users from the hidden world of bacteria. These technologies claim to safely kill disease-causing germs, molds, and sterilize up to 650 types of bacteria. They effectively coat fabrics, filters and surfaces with bacteria-fighting armor, preventing mold from growing in places. Some vacuum cleaners can also generate fresh air while sucking in debris, due to onboard negative ion generators.

Other nice touches:
Here's a final checklist of features to look out for:

• Dust container/dust bag full indicator: Tells you when to empty the dust container or dust bag.
• Cord length: The longer the cord, the further you can vacuum from the mains.
• Automatic cord rewind/storage: Saves time, effort and space.
• Accessories: It's worth finding out what addons are available for your cleaning needs, as you might have pets, upholstery or special floor surfaces to attend to.
• Noise: There is no way to make a silent vacuum. If you are noise aversive, go down to the store and look out for vacuums that come with noise reduction features. Do note that a quiet vacuum does not necessarily mean a better made machine. Check inside to see what's muffling the sound, and if it is actually just foam or a better quality motor that's aiding in the noise reduction.

Your budget

With vacuum cleaners ranging from S$120 to as much as a few thousand dollars for the souped-up feature-rich hoover, we'd suggest you focus on vacuum cleaners that have been rated favorably by reviewers or users, or check them out in stores. Then settle on one that's apt for your budget and which has the features you desire.