Upright vacuum cleaners are an appealing option for many homeowners looking for something they can easily store and maneuver around the house as they appear to offer a good blend of user-friendly features, compact design and powerful cleaning for multiple surfaces. The problem is that with so many brands and styles on the market, choosing the ideal one can be difficult. This guide to choosing an upright vacuum will look at four key factors to help you make that choice.
Suction and multi-surface cleaning
First and foremost, a good upright vacuum needs to be able to clean to the best of its ability. For some buyers this equates to suction, the power with which it picks up and deals with all of the dust, hair and other particles; for others it is about multi-fuctionality and the performance over a range of surfaces. The large heads of uprights often have deep cleaning motorized brushes for attacking carpets and lifting stubborn pet hair but the best models are the ones that can deal with multiple surfaces. Some have a switch to turn the brush on and off but more advanced options can detect surface changes automatically. Also, it is worth looking at the additional accessories that come with the vacuum.
Maneuverability.
The shape and design of an upright vacuum is meant to make it easy to handle than an unruly canister with a large hose so the maneuverability of the machine is a massive factor when deciding on the right model. Swivel steering is a key component of many models to help users get around corners and furniture with ease and it is also important to see how well the head fits underneath furniture too. Uprights with big bulky heads and balls do not do so well while others are slimmer, flexible and even have LED lights on the head to illuminate the dark spaces. While on this subject, it is also important to think about the weight if the machine is going to be carried up and down stairs as this can vary greatly from model to model.
Corded or cordless?
Following on from the issue of maneuverability we have the question of whether you should go for corded or cordless vacuum. You will find most powerful upright vacuums in the corded version. But if the cordless option is important then you should look into the stick vacuums that come in corded as well as cordless models. This is really a matter of preference rather than performance as both options have their pros and cons. Corded vacuums mean a consistent power source for tough, powerful machine and a long cleaning session – the longer the better to avoid constantly plugging them in and taking them out – but cordless ones have more freedom of movement and are great for quick jobs, providing the battery life isn’t too low and it doesn’t take too long to recharge.
Cleanliness and hygiene
The final aspect to consider here is perhaps less important compared to the cleaning performance and maneuverability issues but it still makes a difference when choosing a convenient upright vacuum that can be relied upon. Cleanliness of the floor is one thing but what about the cleanliness of the air and the ease of disposing of the dust? A dust canister with an easy release mechanism is a must to save time and effort but buyers must remember that the larger the capacity, the bigger and heavier the vacuum will be. As for hygiene, there are many bagless upright vacuums now and many have HEPA filters and special seals to ensure that allergens and nasty particles are not recirculated into the air.
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