Vacuum Cleaners

9 Things You Should Be Aware of When Choosing a Vacuum Cleaner

There are a number of things you may want to consider before choosing a vacuum cleaner, to find one that best suits your needs and home.

#1 - Extra Nozzles

There are several different nozzles for vacuum cleaners that can be particularly useful to have.

• Textiles and Furniture The nozzle for textile and furniture upholstery is particularly good to have for cleaning fabric and furniture of dust, hair, and other dirt.
• Nozzle with Brush Another handy nozzle is a brush nozzle with a dust brush that is also suitable for furniture or particularly dusty areas.
• Corners and Mouldings There is also a slimmer nozzle that is well-suited for corners, mouldings, and narrower areas where it can be difficult to reach with the vacuum hose.

#2 - Noise Level

If you want a quiet vacuum cleaner, you need to pay attention to how high the decibels of the vacuum cleaners are.

For the vacuum cleaner to feel quiet, you should nearly try to find one at 65 dB or lower.

The noise level is therefore not related to the efficiency of the vacuum cleaner's motor, so just because you choose a quiet model does not mean you compromise.

If your vacuum cleaner has different suction power settings, you also need to be aware that the vacuum will make more noise when it is set to the highest setting.

The lowest setting is, for many vacuum cleaners, long enough to vacuum, for example, wooden, tile, and stone floors.

#3 - Energy Class

To save a little on the electricity bill and be gentle on the environment, you might as well go for a vacuum cleaner with good energy class.

The vacuum cleaner energy classes range from A to G, where A is the best class and G the worst.

Many vacuum cleaners today are in energy class A, so it won't be hard to find an energy-efficient vacuum cleaner.

#4 - Cord Length

Be mindful of the vacuum cleaner's cord length if you choose a vacuum cleaner with a cord.

There can be a significant difference in cord lengths, which means you may risk getting one that is too short for what you need it for.

So be particularly aware of this if you have a large home with long distances between power outlets or if you don't want to change outlets too often.

#5 - Telescopic Handle

If you need to easily reach far under the sofa or bed, a vacuum cleaner with a telescopic handle is a really good choice.

Here, you can easily adjust the handle to different lengths, allowing you to reach far under furniture with it.

This also means that it can be a help for tall persons, as the vacuum pole fits better in their height.

You can easily retract it so that even shorter members of the household can handle the vacuum without difficulty.

#6 - HEPA Filter

A HEPA filter helps keep allergens from dust and other small unhealthy particles from being blown back into the room when the vacuum cleaner is releasing the air it has sucked in.

These filters also help vacuum allergics as it keeps dust mites from escaping back into the room.

They come in different models and grades, depending on how few particles they let back into the air.

The HEPA classes are as follows:

• EPA 10
• EPA 11
• EPA 12
• HEPA 13
• HEPA 14

HEPA stands for High Efficiency Particulate Air, and the reason the first classes lack “H” is that they are not categorized as High.

The EPA classes are therefore also not suitable as allergy-friendly as they are not as effective as HEPA.

To be of greater benefit to a dust allergy sufferer, you should choose a HEPA 13 or 14, where 14 provides the best effect.

#7 - Adjustable Suction Power

Especially if you have different types of floors in your home or loose carpets here and there, you will surely appreciate being able to adjust the vacuum cleaner's suction power.

Carpets indeed require a bit more power than hard floors, as dust, hair, and other things can easily get stuck in the fabric of the carpet.

The suction power can also affect the noise level because the vacuum cleaner uses more power the higher it is turned up.

So if you only occasionally need strong suction power and would rather have a lower noise level otherwise, adjustable suction power is a smart feature.

Typically, most corded vacuum cleaners have the option for adjustment, while cordless vacuums often only have one or a few settings for suction power.

#8 - Weight

If your vacuum cleaner is to be operated by a child or a person with health problems that prevent them from carrying heavy things, you should pay attention to the weight of the vacuum cleaner.

Generally, cordless vacuums are somewhat lighter to carry around than a vacuum cleaner with a cord.

However, there can also be a significant difference in weight among cordless vacuum cleaners, so be mindful of this as well.

A lighter vacuum cleaner is also better suited for you if you have a multi-level home, making it easy to carry up and down stairs.

#9 - Capacity

If you don't want to empty the vacuum cleaner too often, you should pay attention to how large a capacity the vacuum cleaner can hold.

This is perhaps most relevant for you who choose a vacuum cleaner with a bag because bagless vacuums can easily be emptied and do not have a bag that needs replacing.

4 Types of Vacuum Cleaners

There are now several different types of vacuum cleaners, so if you're not completely sure about them, here’s an overview of what each type has to offer.

Cordless Vacuum Cleaner

The cordless vacuum cleaner is typically a stick vacuum cleaner that is lightweight and easy to move around because it doesn't have a cord restricting it.

Many cordless vacuum cleaners are also bagless, where they typically have a container for collecting dust that only needs to be emptied occasionally.

Cordless vacuum cleaners operate by having a built-in rechargeable battery and a charging station they need to connect to when the vacuum needs power.

The charging station must remain connected to a powered outlet for charging to occur.

Since they run on batteries, they also cannot run for extended periods.

They typically have enough power to vacuum an average house of around 150 m2, depending on how thoroughly you clean.

Cordless vacuum cleaners are especially suitable for you…

• Who wants easy cleaning without tripping over cords
• Who doesn't want to move the vacuum's plug from outlet to outlet when the cord runs out
• Who easily want to move the vacuum around without having to drag it behind you
• Who want to avoid vacuum bags (For savings or purely environmentally)
• Who have stairs in their home and don’t want to haul a heavy vacuum up and down stairs

Vacuum Cleaner with Bag

A vacuum cleaner with a bag is a classic in the world of vacuum cleaners and is still one of the most common models.

They use a replaceable bag to collect dust, which also means you need to purchase new bags occasionally.

However, bags are a more allergy-friendly way to collect dust since very little dust escapes from the bag when it is removed.

It is, in most cases, the most powerful type of vacuum cleaner and therefore ensures thorough cleaning.

They are often the most versatile in terms of nozzles that are included or can be purchased separately.

In most cases, vacuum cleaners with bags also require power through a cord and are therefore not cordless.

A vacuum cleaner with a bag is for you…

• Who wants a thorough cleaning
• With carpets in the home
• With dust allergies
• Who don’t want to wait for a vacuum to charge

Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Robot vacuum cleaners are a category of vacuum cleaners entirely on their own with many different functions that you won't find in regular vacuum cleaners.

It is an intelligent machine that can largely handle the vacuuming itself.

To get helping hands from a robot vacuum cleaner, you should also expect it to be a somewhat more expensive pleasure than the other types of vacuum cleaners.

But if you ask us, it's worth it for the robot vacuum cleaner to take some of the burden off household chores.

As mentioned, they can have a wide range of features and functions, which you can see examples of below.

Robot Vacuum Cleaner Features:

• Timer
• Schedule Planning
• Mopping
• Automatic Recharge
• Systematic Navigation
• Map Navigation
• Stair Sensor
• App Control
• Smart Home Compatible
• Finds itself to charging station
• Automatic Emptying

These vacuum cleaners are extremely smart for many different reasons and can be a great help in many contexts.

Robot vacuum cleaners are especially for you…

• Who for reasons cannot vacuum themselves
• With pets that shed
• With children who make a mess on the floor
• Who are busy
• Who have dust allergies
• Who just want to make vacuuming easier

In other words, a robot vacuum cleaner is for anyone who wants help with cleaning and an easier everyday life.

Handheld Vacuum Cleaner

A handheld vacuum cleaner is a smaller vacuum that can easily be operated with one hand and can easily handle smaller vacuuming tasks for you.

For example, they are super handy for vacuuming furniture or cleaning the car, as they are not limited by a cord or weight.

Since it is cordless, it can easily be taken around and handle some of the tasks that are harder with a heavy corded vacuum cleaner.

Not only do handheld vacuum cleaners work well in the fight against dust, but there are also models that can be used to suck up water.

They come with special wet nozzles, so you can quickly get dried up if you spill liquid.

Be sure the vacuum cleaner is designed to suck up water, as otherwise, you risk damage and could ruin your handheld vacuum cleaner.

Handheld vacuum cleaners don't hold battery charge for long and do not have the largest openings, but are a smart and quick solution for smaller tasks.

They are therefore a good supplement to your regular vacuum cleaner, such as keeping one handy in the kitchen.

The handheld vacuum cleaner is for you…

• Who want quick cleaning for smaller areas
• Who want easy cleaning of furniture
• Who want to vacuum corners, door frames, corners, and crevices
• Who have issues with spiders in the home
• Who want to give the car a quick vacuum for crumbs, sand, or other dirt

The Different Dust Collection Methods

Should you choose a vacuum cleaner that collects dust in a bag or should you choose a bagless vacuum cleaner that collects dust and dirt in a container inside the vacuum cleaner.

If you can't decide, you may find a little help here, where you'll get a few advantages and disadvantages of both versions.

How big is your home and how is it furnished?

When you choose your new vacuum cleaner, it’s a really good idea to think about how it fits your home.

If you have a large home that needs to be vacuumed all at once, a cordless vacuum cleaner with low battery time might not be optimal.

It may also be that you have large rooms where the power outlets are far apart, in which case a vacuum cleaner with a short cord might not be right for you either.

Therefore, you should consider how large your home is and how the vacuum cleaner functions in relation to the size of your home.

Additionally, you should think about surfaces such as carpets, mouldings, and stairs.

If you have many carpets, you might want to look for a vacuum cleaner with extra strong suction power.

For hard floors, you might appreciate a nozzle with a brush underneath, which operates a bit more easily over the hard floors.

If you have many levels in your home, it may, for example, be that you would find a robot vacuum cleaner cumbersome, as you would then have to move it between floors yourself.

Allergy-Friendly Vacuum Cleaner

If you have problems with dust allergies, it’s a good idea to be aware of the filter that comes with the vacuum cleaner.

Look particularly for a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter to get a vacuum cleaner that is gentler on your dust allergies.

The HEPA filter captures allergens in the filter and ensures that they are not blown back into the air again.

Choose a HEPA 12 or HEPA 14 filter to get the best effect from a HEPA filter, where 14 is the best of the two.

A bagless vacuum cleaner is probably not the smartest idea for dust allergy sufferers, as it typically has a container that must be emptied for dust.

This container must then be emptied, for example into a trash bag, and some dust can easily end up in the air again.

Moreover, you easily get dust on your hands when it is to be emptied, and here it’s a really good idea to wash your hands to avoid dust getting into your eyes or nose.

Additionally, you may find you would be very happy with a robot vacuum cleaner, which can help keep the dust level down in your home.

Vacuum Cleaner for Pet Owners

If you have pets that shed a lot, it’s a really good idea to pay attention to the qualities of the vacuum cleaner.

Especially if you have carpets or want to vacuum furniture where the pet has shed, it’s important to have a high suction power in your vacuum cleaner.

You can also ensure that the vacuum cleaner comes with multiple nozzles and especially one that is suitable for textiles and furniture.

If your pet sheds a lot, it may be necessary to vacuum every day, which can be quite tiring in the long run.

Furthermore, you might enjoy having a robot vacuum cleaner so you don't have to handle a vacuum every day.

The robot vacuum cleaner can be set to a timer or schedule so that it vacuums at the times you set, making it easier to keep your home free of hair.

Vacuum Cleaner Accessories

There is a range of accessories for vacuum cleaners that are either for enjoyment or for replacements.

For example, you can get scent balls for your vacuum cleaner so that a pleasant scent enters your home when you vacuum.

You can also add extra nozzles so you can tackle any vacuuming task in the home.

Of course, you can also get new filters and bags for your vacuum cleaner when they need replacing.

At avXperten, you will find a wide selection of various vacuum cleaners as well as accessories for them.

FAQ about Vacuum Cleaners

How much power does a vacuum cleaner use?

If you want to know how much power your vacuum cleaner uses, you can look for its wattage, often listed in watts or simply “W”. If you have a vacuum cleaner that uses, for example, 800W, it uses 0.8 kWh per hour of use. Additionally, you can calculate how much you use your vacuum cleaner, find its kWh consumption, and multiply this by your kWh rate from your electricity supplier.

What does a HEPA filter do in a vacuum cleaner?

HEPA filters are designed to remove incredible amounts of particles from the air, up to 99.5% of all dust, dirt, moisture, and bacterial particles. More modern cleaning devices like vacuum cleaners use this type of filter to ensure complete and optimal cleaning.