Upright Vacuum Cleaners

How to choose an upright vacuum cleaner based on the suction power and electricity usage?

When choosing an upright vacuum cleaner, consider these two parameters, which may seem similar at first glance, but they are fundamentally quite different.

Upright vacuum cleaners with high suction power

Suction power depends on several parameters, but it basically tells you how well will the vacuum cleaner actually clean.

• Suction power is one of the most important parameters for an upright vacuum cleaner.
• The key factors are the design of the appliance and the brush type.
• Vacuum cleaners sold in the EU also have a special energy label, which will tell you how efficient the particular appliance is. Appliances are ranked from A to G, with A being the best performing.

Choose a vacuum cleaner with low electricity usage

Power consumption tells you little about whether the appliance is powerful or not; it really indicates nothing but its electricity usage.

• When buying an upright vacuum cleaner, try to choose the appliance with the lowest power consumption possible to save on energy costs.
• A vacuum cleaner with low electricity usage can have very high suction power, and on different types of floorings at that.

For more detailed information, we recommend you read our article on suction power and power consumption, which contains all the crucial details.

What are the other upright vacuum cleaner parameters you should know?

Upright vacuum cleaners can differ in design and functions.

• Cordless upright vacuum cleaners are popular for their cordless design and easy handling.
• 2-in-1 upright vacuum cleaners enable quick cleaning of minor dirt with the handheld part that can be easily removed from the main body.
• Wet dry vacuum cleaners include a mop, so you can use one appliance to vacuum the floor, give it some wet cleaning, and dry it.
• Carpet sweepers are good for minor cleaning even under the furniture.

Cordless or corded?

Upright vacuum cleaners can be either corded or cordless. Each type has its pros and cons.

• Cordless vacuum cleaners are beautifully mobile and easy to handle. However, the battery needs frequent recharging, which can be a hassle. Cordless vacuum cleaners also offer more models to choose from.
• Corded vacuums are harder to move around with. However, they also come with a lower price tag

How long does it take to charge a corded vacuum cleaner and what is its operating time?

Cordless vacuum cleaners usually have Li-Ion batteries, which work the best for them.

• Charging time can vary from 2 to 8 hours.
• Operating time per battery charge can range from 15 to more than 100 minutes.

Bagged or bagless?

Upright vacuum cleaners can be either bagged or bagless. What is the difference?

• A bagged vacuum cleaner collects dust and dirt into a paper or textile bag. A paper bag is easy to replace, while a textile bag can be washed and reused over and over again after emptying.
• A bagless vacuum cleaner uses the centrifugal force to separate dirt into the collecting container. Emptying the container can be a bit messy, especially for allergy sufferers and asthmatics.

Container and dust bag volume

Bagless vacuum cleaners normally have a dust container of up to 1.5l. The volume of dust bags usually reaches up to 2.5l. See the chart below for the optimum bag-to-vacuumed area ratio.

What type of filter is the best?

Every upright vacuum cleaner uses a multi-stage filtration system. We recommend choosing HEPA certified filters that are made of glass fibre and are generally more efficient and durable than fabric microfilters.

• Microfilters are basic filters made of fabric or polyurethane foam.
• Washable filters can be washed and reused many times, so you don’t need to buy a new one.
• Water filtration sucks dirt into the water in the vacuum cleaner tank. After you are done cleaning, just pour out the water and wash the container.
• HEPA and EPA filters are especially suitable for allergy sufferers. EPA filters are ranked as class 10 to 12 and HEPA 13 and 14. The higher the class number, the better the filtration.

For allergy sufferers, we recommend an upright vacuum cleaner with a HEPA 13 filter and higher, which can remove up to 99.9% of bacteria.

Good accessories are crucial

Since most households have several different types of flooring, it is good to have proper accessories for carpeted and hardwood floorings—especially special attachments for hard-to-reach spots and upholstered furniture.

• The brush attachment is ideal for carpets, as it can reach deep into the carpet fibres.
• The crevice attachment can suck out dirt even from narrow and poorly accessible places.
• The charging station not only recharges the vacuum cleaner, but also serves as its base.
• The Turbo Brush is air-driven and effectively captures pet and human hair.
• The motorised brush roll works similarly to the Turbo Brush. However, it has its own motor, so the brush rotates at a constant speed and with greater force. The brush is connected to the vacuum cleaner with a cord.
• LED illumination will serve you well when vacuuming in dark spots with poor visibility.