Vacuum Cleaner Buying Guide

If you or your children suffer from allergies or asthma, then the type of vacuum cleaner you own can make a vast difference in your quality of life. A good vacuum cleaner helps control dust mites, pet dander, and other allergens by sucking them up and trapping them for disposal, making your indoor air cleaner and more breathable. But not all vacuums are created equal. Here some important factors to consider when shopping for a vacuum cleaner:

Standard Filtration vs. S-Class / HEPA Filtration

Vacuum cleaners with a standard filter simply spread allergens around in the air you breathe. If you have allergies, then you need a tightly sealed vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter (known as an S-Class filter in Great Britain) that meets the rigorous U.S. HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) standards of removing 99.97% of all particles 0.3 microns or larger. You can rest assured that a HEPA filter will effectively trap all the household allergens picked up by your vacuum cleaner.

Upright Vacuum Cleaners vs. Canister Vacuum Cleaners

Upright vacuum cleaners are best suited for cleaning carpet. They are generally heavier and more difficult to maneuver than canister vacuum cleaners. Cleaning in tight spaces and under furniture can be difficult with upright vacuum cleaners, but the Dyson is designed to access those tight spaces. If you have a problem with pet hair, we suggest the Dyson DC14 Animal, which is specifically designed for pet owners. The SEBO Automatic X4 Extra is a lightweight upright vacuum cleaner with hospital-grade S-Class filtration. Lightweight yet powerful, Miele's new Powerhouse Upright vacuum cleaners offer HEPA filtration and self-sealing dust bags.

If you live in a loft or apartment, consider a Miele Universal Upright Stick vacuum cleaner. They may be small, but they have a powerful motor and sealed HEPA filtration system that traps 99.99% of all particles as small as 0.3 microns. Miele Universals Uprights are also very versatile and easily reconfigurable; you can move the canister above the suction wand for easy cleaning under furniture, or get rid of the wand altogether to create the world's best handheld vacuum.

Canister vacuum cleaners are smaller, lighter, and easier to move around, which makes them better suited for cleaning stairs, under furniture, and other hard-to-reach places. Canister vacuum cleaners work well on both carpet and hard surfaces, and they typically come with several tools on board and a retractable cord. Our best-selling canister vacuum cleaners include the premium Miele Capricorn & Miele Aquarius, the more affordable Miele Orion & Miele Luna, and the Electrolux Oxygen Ultra, which has a washable HEPA filter.

Bagged Vacuum Cleaners vs. Bagless Vacuum Cleaners

Bagged vacuum cleaners are more hygienic when it's time for dust disposal because the dust is collected in a sealed bag; however, bagged vacuum cleaners lose suction power as the bag fills up. Miele vacuum cleaners have special, high-quality bags that automatically seal themselves upon removal, and they let you know when it's time to change the bags with a bag change indicator light.

Bagless vacuum cleaners, like Dyson vacuum cleaners, have no bags to get clogged, so you don't have to worry about buying new bags or losing suction power. Bagless vacuum cleaners collect dust in a plastic bin for disposal. If you suffer from allergies or asthma, we recommend getting someone else to empty the dust bin for you whenever possible. And of course, it's best to empty the dust bin outdoors.

	Ergonomics & Ease of Use: Ask yourself: Are all the buttons and tools intuitive and easy to reach? How easy is it to change the bag or empty the dust bin? How easy is it to maneuver the vacuum cleaner in tight spaces? Does your hand feel right on the handle? The Electrolux Harmony vacuum cleaner has soft, comfort handles, and it's extremely quiet. Canister vacuum cleaners are generally lighter and easier to maneuver than upright vacuum cleaners. Our SEBO vacuum cleaners are our lightest upright vacuum cleaners and can fold down flat for vacuuming under furniture, and the Dyson is designed to access all those tight spaces.
	Performance: The best way to test ergonomics and performance is to get your hands on the vacuum cleaner and see for yourself. If you're in the Atlanta area, you can stop by our Atlanta show room to "test-drive" our vacuum cleaners.
	Power: Power, measured in amps, tells us how much energy the vacuum cleaner uses. When choosing a vacuum cleaner, don't rely on the amount of amperage as a deciding factor. Amperage is the amount of electricity the motor uses, not the suction power. The suction power is determined by the air flow.
	Air Flow: Usually measured in CFM (cubic feet per minute), air flow is the force exerted by the moving air which picks up the dirt and moves it into the bag or dust container. Better vacuum cleaners have higher CFM ratings and are more expensive.
	Power Head vs. Turbo Head: Turbo heads are purely air-driven and work well in homes with both hard floors and carpet, and power heads have an additional motor that gives the brush roll more power to suck up dirt deep in your carpet.
	Reach: Be sure to check the cord length and make sure that it's long enough for your home or office. Also think about all the hard-to-reach spots in your home and make sure you find a vacuum cleaner with the ability to reach them.
	Attachments & Options: Do you need a headlight on your vacuum cleaner? Do you need an adjustable, electrified wand so that you can use accessories like upholstery tools and ceiling fan tools? Do you want automatic height adjustment to effortlessly switch from carpet to hardwood? If you decide to get a bagged vacuum cleaner, we recommend that you get one with a bag change indicator light since the vacuum cleaner will not work properly if the bag is too full. Miele vacuum cleaners are regarded as the industry leaders when it comes to convenient, state-of-the-art tools and accessories.
	Manufacturer's Reputation: A manufacturer's reputation and the experiences of past customers deserve consideration in your decision. Certain manufacturers and products are highly respected in the industry for a reason�and the same goes for products which have garnered less respect. Check out our customer reviews.
	Durability & Warranty: Miele vacuum cleaners offer a seven-year warranty for the motor and a one-year warranty for parts and labor. SEBO vacuum cleaners have a five-year warranty on the motor, three-year warranty on parts, and one-year warranty for labor. Dyson vacuum cleaners come with a two-year warranty, and the Dyson Full Gear vacuum cleaner comes with a three-year warranty. Electrolux vacuum cleaners have a two-year warranty. Choose a Miele vacuum cleaner or SEBO vacuum cleaner, and you won't have to worry about buying a new vacuum cleaner for another couple of decades.