Buying advice: Vacuum cleaners for all types of dirt
The only thing that helps with dust and dirt is a broom or hoover. Find out which types are available and which are suitable for your needs.
Vacuum cleaners can essentially be categorised into two types: Upright and upright hoovers. With upright hoovers, you pull the collection container and motor behind you. With upright hoovers, the entire technology is located on the pipe between the handle and the floor nozzle. With the latter, you are more manoeuvrable when vacuuming, but usually have nominally less suction power in your hand. However, these models usually have a rechargeable battery and you don't have to bother with a cable.
Bag or no bag
When it comes to bags, you only have a choice with upright hoovers. With very few exceptions, upright hoovers are bagless. On the one hand, it's tempting not to have to regularly buy bags for your hoover. On the other hand, emptying the container is not always a pleasure. There are models where the manufacturer promises that you won't come into contact with the dirt when emptying. However, if the bin is not airtight, some dust will always be stirred up. This can also happen if the bag is changed incorrectly.
If you suffer from allergies, you should make sure that your hoover has a HEPA filter. This prevents dust, pollen and other small particles from re-entering the room with the exhaust air. Also important: the power. More watts promise better suction power. Most upright hoovers range between 600 and 1000 watts, while upright hoovers are usually lower. In addition to the pure power consumption, the type of nozzle also plays a role. Several interchangeable elements should be included as standard. Not all models have rotating brushes that loosen dirt and transport it into the suction opening.
Floor vacuum cleaner
As already mentioned, you can choose between bagged and bagless models of upright hoovers. The cable quickly disappears into the housing after use thanks to an automatic retraction and does not lie around in its entire length in the home when vacuuming.
Stand-up vacuum cleaner
Upright hoovers are in front of you when you operate them and do not creep behind you. This makes you more flexible, but you also have to hold more weight in your hand. Especially with cordless models, you are not limited in terms of space when cleaning, but you are limited in terms of time as their battery does not last forever. Typically around 30 to 40 minutes. That should be enough for most homes.
The generally nominally weaker motor performance compared to upright hoovers is compensated for by the manufacturers with special technologies. Dyson, for example, relies on so-called cyclones. These are air chambers that accelerate the air and are designed to match the suction power of models with higher wattages.
On the other hand, you can vacuum without time restrictions with upright hoovers with a cable. Unlike upright hoovers, they do not have an automatic retraction system. This means you have to wind up the power cable yourself and extend it manually when vacuuming or get annoyed with the tangled cable if you take it out of the holder at the beginning.
Vacuum cleaner for pet hair
People shed their hair too, but pet hair is usually more of a challenge. That's why it's worth choosing an extra "pet" hoover if you have a cat, dog or other hairy pet in your home. Compared to conventional models, this is not necessarily characterised by a higher suction power, but usually has special brushes that are designed to remove pet hair from carpets and upholstered furniture.
Wet dry vacuum cleaner
Wet-dry vacuum cleaners, which allow you to vacuum and mop in one go, sound tempting. This shortens the cleaning time immensely if you have a small carpet area and a lot of tiles, linoleum or parquet. The appliances rarely reach all the way into the corners and edges. You then have to reach for the mop. You also need to wash out the dirt container regularly - preferably after every mopping process - to prevent mould from forming.
Handheld vacuum cleaner
Here, small dimensions trump great suction power. Handheld hoovers with a limited battery life are designed for short jobs and small, hard-to-reach areas that you can't get to with other hoovers. You can also take them with you in the car or use them to replace a hand brush and dustpan.
Don't want to vacuum yourself, want to have it vacuumed? Then a robot hoover might be the right appliance for you.
Small spoiler: No robot hoover can get everywhere yet. You'll still have to pick up a hoover or feather duster yourself from time to time. <p
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