Which compare vacuum cleaners

Uprights Upright vacuums have both the motor and power head in front of the user when vacuuming. They are great for those who do not want to bend down as with the canister. On average, they have a wider cleaning path, a longer power cord, a larger dirt capacity, and motorized bristles for deep cleaning of thick and heavy carpets.

Moreover, many uprights are equipped with automatic height adjustment for easy transition to and from all types of flooring. Canisters Canister vacuum cleaners have the power head and hose detached from its body when vacuuming. This in turn makes the vacuum lighter and more maneuverable for the user.

Many canisters come with a retractable cord reel for fast and easy cleanup. As a whole, a canister vacuum cleaner is great for those with little storage space. Sticks Stick vacuums are easily the most maneuverable and versatile due to their cordless design and ability to double as a handheld vacuum. Stick vacuums are great for those who prefer lightweight vacuums that can easily nestle in and out of tight spaces.

All stick vacuums come with a hygienic release button that effortlessly deposits all dust and debris into your chosen receptacle. Moreover, both the Dyson and Electrolux stick vacuums are designed with cyclonic technology that ensures that you have powerful, consistent suction each and every time you vacuum.

Hooray for sticks! Compare Atrix Canister Vacuums. Compare Bissell Canister Vacuum Cleaners. Compare Bissell Stick Vacuum Cleaners. Listed below are our top four carpet sweepers. For more reviews, visit our carpet sweeper page. Our favourite sweeper. Made by the company behind the AirRam vacuum, it has a minute run-time and great pickup.

A great manual carpet sweeper with corner brushes for cleaning walls and a durable design. Also two brush rolls. Budget cordless carpet sweeper with a minute run-time , 4. Has corner brushes and twisted bristles. They are a much more efficient and painless way to clear leaves during the autumn — yet are often available for a very reasonable price.

There are several different types of garden vacuum. The most simple are leaf blowers. As the name suggests, these are used to push leaves into a smaller area, but the leaves then need to be picked up manually.

Choosing a garden vac is different from a regular upright or cylinder. While you still need to think about suction power and the size of the collection bag, you also need to consider whether you need a leaf blowing function, the mulching ratio how much the leaves are reduced in size after pickup and whether a machine is suitable for the size of your garden. There are also both cordless and corded options available.

Cordless garden vacuums, like their indoor counterparts, are more manoeuvrable and less restrictive. For large gardens, a corded model is probably the best option. Listed below are our top four picks for the best garden vacuum. You can also view our garden vacuums page for more information. A versatile leaf blower and vacuum with a W motor.

Also shreds leaves and has a variable speed function. Powerful blower, mulcher and vacuum. Reduces leaves by a ratio and provides great value for money. Excellent leaf blower and vacuum for small or medium gardens.

Easy to hold and reasonable price. Cordless leaf blower with a max. Variable speed function and surprisingly powerful. Steam cleaners have become increasingly popular over the last few years — and for good reason. They provide a hygienic and powerful way to clean your home without using expensive cleaning products. Unlike vacuums, these appliances use high-powered steam to remove dirt, loosen grease and kill dust mites or bacteria. While top-quality steam cleaners can make cleaning your home much faster, there are only a few models we think are worth buying.

Listed below are our top four picks for the best steam cleaner. Each has been highly rated by buyers, offers great cleaning performance and provides excellent value.

Includes both mop and handheld modes. Triangular design for cleaning into corners and other difficult areas.

Includes a variety of accessories for cleaning different surfaces. Also includes several accessories. Comes with both mop and handheld options. Powerful motor and several accessories for cleaning worktops and crevices. This is fine for most people, but what if you want a quiet vacuum that still provides strong suction? Fortunately, some manufacturers have caught onto the fact that people often want more than just the basics when it comes to a vacuum.

Listed below are our top picks for vacs with specific features, such as a low noise output or HEPA filtration. The main thing to look for in a pet vacuum is suction power. The more powerful a vacuum is, the greater chance it has of sucking up more pet hair. Also, the floor head design is vital — especially for upright models. Many pet vacuums also come with a motorised upholstery tool for getting rid of hair on sofas.

You can also view more information on our pet vacuum page. Excellent suction that excels at picking up pet hair. AirClean filter also removes pet odours from the air. Another powerful pet vacuum with effective filter, strong suction and tangle-free turbine tool. The cordless V8 Absolute is great at removing pet hair from carpets, hard floors and upholstery.

Pricey but worth the cost. HEPA filters are the most effective type of vacuum filter. True HEPA filters stop over For this reason, vacuums with HEPA filters are often recommend for people with allergies.

A powerful upright vacuum with lift-away design, anti-allergen technology and headlights for easier cleaning. Bagged upright with powerful suction and S-Class filter. It also provides excellent performance. Popular and low-budget vacuum cleaner with HEPA filtration. We define a lightweight model as anything under 5kg, although there are vacuums considerably lighter than this some weigh as little as 1.

Listed below are four lightweight options. Each provides excellent performance while minimising weight and bulk. For more information and options, view our lightweight vacuum page. Lightweight by upright standards , at just 4. The AirRamk Mk2 weighs just 3. A lightweight vacuum that is perfect for getting rid of pet hair and other fluff.

Includes ActiveClean filter for removing odours. The ultra-budget Bissell is the lightest on this list at just 1. The average vacuum cleaner is a loud appliance. Vacuum noise output is measured in decibels.

This is a logarithmic scale, which means a vacuum with a noise output of 10dB higher is actually 10 times louder. Listed below are our top four picks for a quiet vacuum cleaner. Each provides great cleaning performance yet has a low noise output. So if you need to clean during unsociable hours, any of these vacuums is a great place to start.

Provides a HEPA filter and brilliant performance — yet has a noise level of just 64dB making it one of the quietest cylinder models. Cylinder vacuum with a 4 litre capacity and variety of tools. Relatively cheap, powerful and a noise output of just 72dB. The Harry has all features of the Henry, but with an odour-reducing filter and turbo tool. It still has a noise output of 72dB. Like all products, more expensive vacuums generally provide better performance and are more reliable than cheaper options.

The Numatic Henry Compact is smaller than the original — but it still provides excellent performance for the price. A unique pivot design makes this vacuum convenient to use. It also has relatively strong suction for a handheld. There are a huge number of brands selling vacuum cleaners in the UK.

Some, such as iRobot, specialise in a particular type of vacuum. Others, such as Dyson or Vax, produce a range of cylinder, handheld, upright and cordless models.

If you have a favourite brand and just want to know which model to buy, check out our top lists below. Bissell are a popular manufacturer of vacuums sold in the UK. Based in Michigan, the company produces a range of vacs and carpet cleaning products, but are probably best known at least in the UK for their upright and cordless models.

Here are our top picks from this brand, but if you need more information check out our Bissell vacuums page. Powerful suction with multi-cyclonic technology. Also has a TurboBrush for pet hair and multi-cyclonic tech. The switch also makes it less likely for throw rugs, bedspreads, and the like to become tangled in the roller.

This feature adjusts the height of the machine's brush roll to a carpet's pile height to allow for easy movement and thorough cleaning. Adjustments are automatic on some models, but a manual control is more precise. A switch for suction control lets you reduce the flow of air through the hose, which can be helpful when cleaning upholstery and curtains. A growing number of vacuums are claimed to filter the fine particles that could pass through the machine and escape into the air through the exhaust.

Micron filters can provide a higher level of filtration than standard models either through the bag or a separate filter, but possibly not as high as HEPA filtration. HEPA filtration might benefit someone with asthma. In our tests, models with a HEPA filter have been very effective at reducing emissions. Some models that don't have HEPA filters, however, have performed just as well in our tests, and such vacuums may cost less.

More common in canisters, it lets you rewind the cord with a slight tug or the push of a button. Most machines have an electrical cord of at least 20 feet; some cords are longer than 30 feet. A cord-release clip, found mostly on upright models, lets you free the entire cord at once, rather than one wrap at a time.

This feature typically uses a transmission and drive system to assist the pushing and pulling of the vacuum, thereby requiring less effort by the user. The downside: It adds weight that can make some vacuums difficult to carry. We respect your privacy. All email addresses you provide will be used just for sending this story. Sign In. Become a Member. Remember Me. Forgot username or password? Not a member? Need further assistance? Please call Member Services at Vacuum Cleaners.

Sign in or Become a Member. How We Test Vacuums To determine how well a vacuum cleans, we conduct a different set of tests on each type , based on what they're designed to clean. Vacuum Ratings. More on Vacuum Cleaners.

Shopping by Vacuum Type Start by determining the best vacuum for the type of cleaning you do. Cons: They lack the power and capacity of full-sized upright or canister models. Note: CR does not currently test central vacuum cleaners. Video Buying Guide Watch our video below for more. Vacuum Cleaner Ratings.

Feature Fundamentals Some vacuum cleaner features improve performance or take some of the drudgery out of cleaning.

Add-On Cleaning Tools Most vacuums come with basic tools shown that should suffice for most cleaning jobs: a narrow tool for crevices, a small upholstery brush, and a round brush for dusting. Bagless Some upright vacuums and canisters use bags; some collect dirt in a bin.

Bare-Floor Options These include equipment and features that help when cleaning hardwood, vinyl, and other uncarpeted floor surfaces. Carpet Pile-Height Adjustment and Suction Control This feature adjusts the height of the machine's brush roll to a carpet's pile height to allow for easy movement and thorough cleaning. If you have deep-pile carpets or a pet, for example, we recommend looking for a rotating brush. Some also have rubber parts to help gather up stubborn pet hairs. Reach for this compact attachment to deep-clean upholstery, mattresses, thick carpets and rugs.

All vacuums contain filters that stop the dust you vacuum up from re-entering the atmosphere. Some even contain more than one filter for added retention. To keep working, these filters need to be washed regularly or replaced, although some are self-cleaning. HEPA filters are also worth looking out for as they offer a particularly high quality of air filtration and are better for allergy sufferers.

While handhelds tend to be the cheapest, a robot vacuum will set you back a fair amount. They work by combining cleaning solutions and brush heads to delve into your carpet pile and lift grime away, often leaving your carpet looking almost new. Our GHI experts suggest deep cleaning carpets once a year, and every six months if you have allergies or pets. Without maintenance , a vacuum cleaner is only good for moving around dust and dirt.

The most common cause of loss of suction is blockages. This makes the machine slow to pick up and quick to overheat. To keep this to a minimum, in bagged models never reuse the bag as this is often part of the filter system. If this gets clogged with dust it will reduce the efficiency of the machine. Always replace the bag when the indicator light comes on. With a bagless machine, empty the canister after each use. To unblock a vacuum cleaner, always switch it off and unplug it.

As well as teasing out any blockages in the tube, undo the hose and check the entrance to the machine or top of the bag for further debris. GHI tip: If the blockage is immovable, soak the tube in warm, soapy water. Many vacuums have at least one washable filter. If it is washable, run the filter under lukewarm water and allow it to air dry thoroughly — for at least 24 hours — before returning it to your machine.

Additional filters in your machine may not be washable, so make sure you check the instruction manual. Make sure the brush on the head is free from hairs and threads. Be careful to avoid cutting the bristles. Smelly vacuums are usually the result of not emptying your machine regularly enough or possibly sucking up something. Find out which of these it is, then give the outside a wipe over with an anti-bacterial wipe or warm, soapy water and a cloth to keep it smelling and looking fresh.

For bagless vacuums, wash the canister in soapy water after emptying it and leave it to completely air dry before putting the machine together again. We test each vacuum cleaner on four different floor types: laminate, floorboards and long- and short-pile carpet. Firstly, we assess general pick-up using a formulation of dust that we create ourselves. We lay down a set amount and then, after a fixed number of sweeps, we weigh out exactly how much each vacuum has collected.

We also call in plenty of pet hair from Battersea Dogs and Cats Home to find out how well each vacuum copes. This is ground into the carpet to create the worst-case scenario before vacuuming. We also test performance when picking up small residue, such as crumbs, particularly when testing as a handheld.

On top of this, we run an interior car cleaning test to see how well each vacuum gets in between the crevices. We try it out on a set of stairs, too, to monitor how easily it manoeuvres. For robot vacuums, we see how well they clean a whole room, timing how long it takes and looking closely at how well it reaches into crevices, cleans edges, and manoeuvres around furniture.

We also test the battery claims of handheld and stick models. The design, ease of use and instructions of every model are assessed, and we consider if it has any innovative features. Type keyword s to search. By Katie Mortram and Hannah Mendelsohn. Yevgen Romanenko Getty Images. Best upright vacuum cleaner.