How to Choose the Right Vacuum—and Get Cleaner Floors Every Time

Don't Buy Only Based on Hype or Price

One of the most common mistakes our experts see? Succumbing to slick advertising or being blinded by a cheap price. Home appliance expert Ina Mundy warns against falling for marketing tactics, suspiciously steep discounts, or focusing on only the newest features and models. You'll likely end up with a vacuum that doesn't actual suit your lifestyle.

Before shopping, Ina Mundy, director of category management overseeing small domestic appliances at Miele North American Region, suggests doing a self-audit. Ask yourself questions about how often you clean, who else lives in your home (including furry friends), and what your day-to-day routine is to ensure you're choosing a vacuum that best suits your needs.

Consider Your Home's Flooring

Many people don’t realize how dramatically your floor type can affect vacuum performance. Different flooring (tile, hardwoods, low-pile carpet, and high-pile rugs) requires different tools and suction settings. "Many people overlook the home flooring conditions and end up with a vacuum that isn’t right for their needs," says Ryan Wu, head of Narwal Americas, a global leader in robot vacuums.

For individuals with extensive carpeting, our experts recommend a strong agitation setting, especially if pets or kids are in the home. And if you have mostly hardwood, choosing floorheads that won’t scratch the floor is key. Homes with a fairly even flooring split should look for models that work well (and have different settings or floorheads) for multiple surfaces.

Don't Overvalue Suction Power

Don’t get us wrong: Suction power is important—but it’s far from the whole story, and often becomes an overemphasized vacuum spec. “Suction power alone won’t get your cleaning done. There’s a lot more to consider,” says Mundy. She explains that performance often depends more on airflow than suction: “Suction measures how strongly the vacuum can pull air in, but cleaning depends on airflow (the volume of air moving through the system).”

In addition to airflow, other factors can dramatically affect real-world cleaning. These include separation systems to prevent dust from clogging your filters, floorhead seal and design, brush roll agitation, and filtration quality. A model with strong suction but poor airflow, limited agitation, or weak filtration may still leave behind debris or even negatively affect air quality.

Consider Lifestyle Demands

A vacuum should fit seamlessly into your routine, but many shoppers forget to consider how they actually clean. "What are your cleaning habits?" Mundy asks. "Do you chip away at it a little every day? Or do you do a deep clean once a week with a bit of maintenance in between?"

According to Mundy, lifestyle often dictates whether you’ll be happier with a stick vacuum or a canister. "Stick vacuums are great for picking up small messes and for everyday maintenance, especially if you have pets and kids, while bagged or bagless canister vacuums are best for your deep cleaning due to larger capacity and additional suction settings."

For those who struggle with allergens, look for sealed systems and HEPA filtration. When personal mobility or convenience is a priority, consider weight, ergonomics, and storage requirements. Wu emphasizes that today’s vacuums are purpose-built. "Every home comes with its own set of requirements, and vacuums today are way more categorized, serving diverse purposes."

Remember Special Features and Tools

“There are a lot of options out there with many touting innovative features that you may or may not need,” Mundy says. She recommends paying close attention to the toolset: “Additional features and tools should be on your checklist as well—mattress nozzles, upholstery brushes, crevice tools, and dusting brushes.”

Consider what frequently needs to be tackled. Does your dog get oodles of hair stuck in the cracks of the couch? You’ll need a solid crevice tool. Fabric-covered kitchen chairs always dotted with crumbs? An upholstery brush is a must-have for you. Figuring out your own pain points helps you make a vacuum purchase that includes all the tools you need.  

Wu also says newer innovations aren’t something to skip over, either. "Detangling brushes, mopping performance, self-cleaning functions, and obstacle avoidance are all essential aspects to consider if you are looking for a smarter and more effective cleaning solution nowadays."