When you are purchasing a vacuum and don’t have unlimited funds you should choose from the host of canister vacuum cleaners that are available. A canister is flexible enough to perform all cleaning chores well, is easy to use, and there are lots of different features and a great price range from which you can choose. The beauty of the canister is that it is able to clean floors, rugs, and wall-to-wall and is your first choice in cleaning drapes and upholstery. (If you have wall-to-wall carpets in every room, leather upholstery, and no drapes, stop reading now because what you need is an upright.)
There are three the main features that you should carefully examine when you compare vacuums:
* Good cleaning power
* Ease of Use
* Durability
1. Cleaning Power
* Canister vacuum cleaners enjoy the highest rating for cleaning bare floors but will also perform well on rugs and carpets if one of the attachments is a separate power head with a good beater and excellent brushes.
* A contoured brush doesn’t clean better than a standard brush.
* Strong suction is a key requirement of a vacuum cleaner, as is the power of the motor. High power (more amps) generally means better cleaning power, but the filtering system will affect the power and suction, as will the length of hoses and the tightness of the attachments when in place.
* Above all, you should check consumer reviews to make sure the vacuum you are considering will do a thorough cleaning job.
2. Ease of Use
* You need a suitable attachment to clean under furniture, or if there is a separate power head for rugs and carpets, it should be low enough to ensure that you can do this.
* Make sure there is a narrow tool for crevices and baseboards, a tool for upholstery and drapes, and a round brush for dusting.
* The tool caddy or carousel must be sturdy enough to remain reliable for the life of the machine, and should keep the attachments secure and recessed so they are not in the way.
* Attachments should be easy to assemble and store, and be secure and airtight when in use.
* The vacuum should not be so heavy that you can’t easily lift and carry it as well as be able to push and pull it out of the way.
* The cord should automatically re-wind when unplugged, or re-wind with an easy-to-reach control.
* A conveniently located power switch is important.
3. Durability
* Plastic construction is not as durable as metal.
* A scratch-resistant body means your vacuum won’t look like something you rescued from a dumpster after a few months.
* Horsehair brushes stay straighter and wear better than nylon.
* Take a good look at the warrantees and guarantees. If it’s a good machine, the manufacturer will stand behind it.
Other Things to Consider
* If you are concerned about air quality, choose one of the HEPA vacuum cleaners because of their superior filters. If the vacuum uses bags, HEPA bags are your best bet.
* Bags hold more dirt than bins and create less dust when discarding them, but a bagless vacuum spares you the chore and expense of replacing bags. A bin or bag fullness indicator is a handy feature.
* Check noise ratings – less is good.
* A telescope wand spares you the bother of storing and assembling multiple sections of extensions.
* A light on the vacuum power head helps you spot dirt; a dirt sensor is generally a waste of money.
Read reviews to find out how various canister vacuum cleaners compare before you buy. As usual, you get what you pay for, and if you buy an inexpensive vacuum, don’t count on it to give you years of cleaning pleasure – assuming cleaning is ever a pleasure. On the other hand, there are sales, discounts, and warehouse prices out there, and if you are careful, you can find a bargain in a high-end machine.
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