Finding the right Canister Vacuum Cleaner
First question for most consumers choosing a vacuum is whether to buy: a canister vacuum cleaner or upright vacuum cleaner?
Second question assuming you have decided that canister vacuum cleaners are for you, how do you choose between them?
The most important criteria for a canister vacuum cleaner? What floor surfaces you wish to clean versus the power of the vacuum?
Canister vacuum cleaners offer 3 types of tools for floor surfaces.
- Bare Floor brush – great for bare floor 10”-12” wide with soft bristles
- Turbo brush – great for bare floor and light carpet that has a spinning drum roller with bristles powered by the vacuum’s suction
- Power head brush – that is similar to the turbo brush but is powered by a separate motor
The turbo brush and the power head brush vacuum cleaners both have a spinning drum roller with bristles similar to that of an upright vacuum cleaner. While both brushes look and perform similarly, the power head brush vacuum cleaner has a separate motor to turn the brush on the bottom of it, making it more powerful than the turbo brush which is only powered by the vacuum’s air flow. These brushes snap the carpet fibers to allow air to get beneath the particles of dirt. If you can’t get air under these particles, you can’t suck them out regardless of how much suction power you apply with a vacuum cleaner.
When you purchase either turbo or power head vacuum cleaners to be used on carpet surfaces, you also receive a bare floor brush for non-carpeted areas.
The usual rule of thumb as to which model of vacuum cleaner to purchase is:
- The bare floor tool type of canister vacuum cleaner is best for smooth surfaces and no expectation of having rugs or carpeting.
- Best choices here would be Miele Classic C1 Vacuum Cleaner and Sebo K3 Canister for bare floors.
- The turbo type of canister vacuum cleaner would be used for scatter rugs and low pile wall-to-wall carpeting.
- Best picks here would include the Miele Complete C3 Calima Vacuum Cleaner, and Sebo Airbelt D4 Canister Vacuum Cleaner.
- The power head brush type of canister vacuum cleaner for wall-to-wall carpeting and is especially important if you contend with pet hair.
- Best picks here would include the Miele Marin Vacuum Cleaner and SEBO Airbelt E3 Canister Vacuum Cleaner.
Important features of your canister vacuum cleaner include:
- Reliability – how proven is the brand of vacuum cleaner?
- Purchase price – what features are you looking for and what price?
- HEPA filter and sealed unit – how air tight is the vacuum cleaner you’re buying?
- Upkeep – Many models replacement bags and filters cost is something to consider
- Weight – how heavy is any vacuum you are looking to buy?
- On board storage and quality of tools – what is the quality of the tools it comes with?
- Ease of changing attachments – how easy is it to change from one tool to another?
- Location of controls – how easy is it to adjust and change the suction or power settings?
- Noise – how much noise does your vacuum make?
- Adjustable wand – how easy is it to change the size and shape of the vacuum wand?
- Retractable cord – makes it much easier to put it away
- Bag change indicator – showing whether or not the bag is full
- Filter change indicator – showing whether or not the filter needs to be replaced
- Swivel hose – so that the hose does not break off the vacuum from normal use
Most canister vacuum cleaners:
- are similar in size
- similar cleaning radius
- Come with the same 3 tool attachments:
- Crevice tool,
- Upholstery tool
- Dusting tool.
Useful articles and charts at AllergyBuyersClub.com:
- Vacuum Cleaners Comparison Charts, which clearly indicates our favorite vacuum cleaners
- A listing of all of our Canister Vacuum Cleaners
- Other useful articles to help you make you choice – HEPA Vacuum Cleaners – A Buyers Guide.