How to Choose a Vacuum Cleaner: Buying Guide

Vacuum cleaners play an important role in keeping homes clean. They are also more efficient compared to traditional cleaning methods. Modern vacuum cleaners, such as those with HEPA filters, do not only remove dirt but also improve the air quality at home. Choosing a vacuum cleaner can be overwhelming with the many options available, especially for first-time buyers. This vacuum cleaner buying guide will help you choose the right one for your home.

Vacuum cleaners come in various types that you can choose from. The most common types available are:

Stick vacuum cleaners are lightweight and easy to manoeuvre, making them suitable for quick cleaning. They are especially useful in smaller spaces, such as apartments and studio homes, as they take up minimal storage space while still being great for everyday maintenance.

Canister vacuums provide powerful suction while still being highly versatile for cleaning carpets, rugs, and hard-to-reach areas. They have a separate canister and hose for easier manoeuvring, but this makes them slightly more bulky to store compared to stick vacuums.

Upright vacuum cleaners are a larger type of vacuum, with a suction pump located below the main unit and a bag attached to its handle. They are effective for heavy cleaning, but due to their size, they may be harder to use in narrow spaces or stairs.

Cordless vacuum cleaners offer more convenience in cleaning hard-to-reach spaces. They run on a rechargeable battery and do not require cords or hoses. However, their battery life may limit the time that it can be used for cleaning, although more compact homes usually do not require very long durations.

Many vacuum cleaners in Singapore offer wet/dry technology. A wet/dry vacuum is an advanced and powerful appliance that can handle both liquid spills and dry messes. It works by having a specialised filter to separate the dirt that passes through it, offering extra efficiency when cleaning the home.

With the many types of vacuum cleaners available, it can get confusing to choose the one that is best for your home. Here are the factors to consider when buying a vacuum cleaner:

The size and layout of your home matter when choosing the best vacuum cleaner. Generally, a stick vacuum cleaner is enough for daily cleaning in compact apartments. If you have a larger home with more cleaning needs, you may go for a canister or upright vacuum cleaner.

The flooring in your home also influences the type of vacuum cleaner you should choose. Hardwood or tiled floors require vacuums with soft bristles or hard-floor settings. Soft bristles glide more smoothly across the floor, cleaning the surface without scratching and causing damage. If you have a lot of carpets in your home, you need a more powerful vacuum with brush roll adjustments, ensuring that the carpet fibres are cleaned thoroughly.

Your furry friends may leave behind hair and dander that will accumulate as allergens if they are not properly cleaned. If you do have pets in your home, choose vacuum cleaners with a strong suction that are able to clean upholstery and hard-to-reach areas. Look for those with HEPA filters, as they can trap these allergens better.

You might not realise it, but noise is a crucial factor to consider when buying a vacuum cleaner. Choosing a vacuum cleaner with lower noise levels ensures the comfort of everyone in your home, especially if you have a smaller space.

The power of a vacuum cleaner, shown in W, kW, or HP, determines its performance. Household vacuums usually have a single motor which provides a decent balance between power and energy efficiency. Make sure the vacuum cleaner is powerful enough without costing too much on your electricity bills.

Vacuum cleaners have different types of trolley and wheels that influence its manoeuvrability. Rubber-coated wheels are perfect for rough surfaces. If you choose a vacuum cleaner with a hose, choose flexible hoses to clean larger areas without having to lift and move the vacuum too often.

When buying a vacuum cleaner, look out for these features to ensure a smooth and convenient cleaning experience:

Suction power represents the force that pulls debris into the vacuum. Generally, a suction power above 200 AW is sufficient, but 100-150 AW may be enough if you only need to clean hard floors. Many homeowners also look for vacuums with variable suction which lets you easily adjust the suction depending on the toughness of the area to clean.

The vacuum cleaner’s filtration system influences how well the vacuum can clean your home. If you or anyone in your home have any allergies, HEPA filters are best, as they are more effective when capturing allergens.

For busy homeowners who do not always have much time to clean their home, vacuum cleaners with a self-cleaning system are highly desirable. This appliance usually has a self-cleaning button to be pressed after cleaning. The brush roller will simply scrub itself, removing dirt and debris without needing manual cleaning before the next cleaning session. This greatly saves the time and effort that is otherwise spent on manual scrubbing.

Modern vacuum cleaners come in an array of additional high technology features, such as dust detection, comprehensive LED display screens, and more. While all of these features are great, always prioritise performance over additional technology. Ensure that the vacuum cleaner you are buying has the power you need, then consider if you need the other flashy features.

Here are common questions homeowners may have when buying vacuum cleaners:

It is best to consider your home size when choosing a vacuum cleaner. If your vacuum is too small, you will need to empty the vacuum bag more often. Similarly, a vacuum cleaner that is too big may be harder to store in smaller spaces.

We recommend vacuuming your home at least once a week, or at least twice a week for homes with high dust-build up, pets, or allergy sufferers.

Generally, it takes up to seven or eight passes to effectively clean a heavy, dirty carpet. However, it also depends on your vacuum type and amount of dirt present. For lighter cases, two passes are usually enough.

HEPA, or High Efficiency Particulate Air, is a type of air filter to capture incredibly small particles such as pollen and dust, down to 0.3 microns. Filters that meet HEPA standards must be able to trap at least 99.97% of particles of that size.

Deciding whether to get a HEPA filter vacuum comes down to your needs. If you are new parents with an infant, have pets at home, or have people with asthma or allergy in your home, you can benefit from vacuums with a HEPA filter. However, if you only need a vacuum cleaner for general, everyday cleaning, it may not always be necessary.

A powerful motor does not always mean more suction power. A vacuum cleaner’s performance depends on its overall design, filtration, and air flow.

Battery life depends on the model. In general, they can last for 30 to 60 minutes per charge.

Vacuum cleaners are an essential appliance for a cleaner and more comfortable home. For homes in Singapore with compact spaces, there are many types of vacuum cleaners that offer ideal suction with a sleek, ergonomic design.

Looking for a vacuum cleaner or other home appliances in Singapore? Discover Eazea’s selections of products to get you started. Contact us today to find out more!