With such a wide array of vacuum cleaners available in today’s market, it can be difficult to know just what you should be looking for from your latest piece of cleaning kit. From finding an environmentally friendly machine to saving pennies, everyone will have their own priorities when it comes to shopping around for their perfect vacuum.  

There has been extensive research carried out to determine which are the best cleaners on the market. However, what is perfect for one household may not be suitable for another. Here, we consider three factors that could shape your decision in sourcing a new vacuum.

Lifestyle and living conditions

The specific lifestyle of your household will have a huge bearing on your search for a new vacuum, with different cleaners being more appropriate to different ways of life. Below are some of the factors you should consider when determining which is right for you.

The presence of any pets living in your home will have a huge bearing on the type of vacuum cleaners that you should be considering. Every pet owner will know that in no time at all after welcoming a furry friend into your home, floors, carpets, and upholstery will be engulfed in fur and dirt. To combat this, vacuum manufacturers have designed pet-friendly machines, equipped with special attachments and clever technology in the floor heads to clean up after your animal companions.

Another key consideration is whether you or any members of your household suffer from any allergies. Allergens, such as dust mites, can live all around your house, and some vacuums aren’t adept at removing these germs and keeping them out of your home. As a result, it is important to mitigate the risk by choosing an allergy-friendly vacuum. The key properties of this specific type of vac include strong suction to pick up any harmful substances, and a good filtration system, ideally a HETA (high-efficiency particulate air) filter.

Budget

It is a common factor to consider when investing in any piece of modern technology, and deciding how much you’re willing to spend will certainly help narrow down your search for a vacuum cleaner.

Typically, cordless vacuums will come with a greater price tag, but this doesn’t necessarily mean that it will be the best option on the market for you. Even if you have a sizeable budget, don’t necessarily opt for the most expensive model, as this may not be suitable for your home or lifestyle.  

When considering your budget, you shouldn’t just think about the initial outlay for your new vac, as there can be ongoing costs to take into account too. For example, bagged vacuums tend to require less maintenance, but you will need to keep buying replacement bags. Whilst these don’t cost a fortune, this cost can add up over the lifespan of your cleaner. If you are more concerned about convenience than price, then consider a bagged vacuum. Bagless cleaners can be cheaper in the long run but are far messier to empty and more difficult to maintain.

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Environmental impact

Whilst the average vacuum cleaner will be far from the most energy-consuming appliance in your house, it can actually have many different harmful effects on the environment in your home and the wider world.

As we mentioned before, some cleaners are more adept at removing harmful pollutants or allergens from your home than others, which could be a consideration in the buying process. In more broad terms, cordless vacuums that use lithium batteries can be very detrimental to the environment, particularly during the lithium extraction process, which uses vast amounts of water.

Another option to weigh up when considering environmental impacts is whether to opt for a bagless or bagged vacuum. Typically, bagless cleaners will be far better for the environment as they produce less waste, with the parts able to be reused again and again. Meanwhile, bagged vacuums need regular replacement, and since they will not be recyclable once filled with dust and dirt, they can add to landfills, further harming our environment.