Vacuums & Cleaners

There are five main types of Vacuum Cleaner on the market today, each with their own strengths.

Upright Vacuum Cleaners are generally the most powerful and capable of deeper Carpet Cleaning. Their design tends to be bulky making them awkward to carry and tricky to store.

Barrel Vacuums also known as Canister Vacuums are also amongst the most powerful. Instead of an all in one build Barrel Vacuums house the motor and dust collector in a wheeled unit pulled along behind you. They support multiple Attachments and can reach into tight and awkward places.

Stick Vacuums are light with a rechargeable battery for complete portability. They are less powerful as a result and need recharging after use. Handheld Vacuums are in the same vein but better for spot cleaning in difficult places, however they're not suited to complete floor cleaning.

Robot Vacuums are expensive and less powerful than Upright and Barrel Vacuums but can clean the floor automatically while you're away, and some can even mop up as well.

There is no such thing as a silent Vacuum Cleaner but some models are quieter than others. Different types of Vacuum Cleaners also tend to produce different levels of noise. Generally a Vacuum Cleaner with more powerful suction will be louder, so consider that Upright Vacuums tend to be both the most powerful and most noisy. Barrel Vacuums are also very powerful but tend to be less noisy because their design allows for additional layers of sound insulation without increasing the unit's size.

Robot Vacuums tend to be the quietest and have the added benefit of Vacuuming autonomously, which means it can be left alone in a room whilst you're elsewhere or only let it clean when nobody is home. Stick Vacuums are light and portable thanks to small motors making them relatively quiet but also low in sound insulation. Regular maintenance helps keep a Vacuum quiet.

You can find quiet Vacuums from loads of brands like Dyson, Electrolux, Miele, LG, Samsung, Bosch and more.

Steam Cleaners are designed for deep carpet cleaning without the use of chemicals like Carpet Stain Removers and shampoos. Other Carpet Cleaners work by using concentrated detergents and water to scrub the lower surface of the carpet and suck the dirtied water back into a tank. Steam Cleaners use pressurised hot water to penetrate deep into the carpet and agitate the dirt with some including a powerful Vacuum in the head that sucks the dirty water back into storage.

Cleaning with chemicals can produce fumes and leave residue that causes irritation. Steam Cleaners don't use chemicals and can even clean up residues from previous Carpet Cleaning. They also kill germs, viruses, bacteria, mould and dust mites but may find it hard to break through heavier stains. Steam Mops differ in that they rely on Steam Mop Pads rather than direct jets of steam to wipe surfaces clean.

Steam Cleaners can provide a much deeper and more thorough Carpet Clean as steam is better able to penetrate the porous surfaces of carpet. Steam Cleaners can clean a variety of surfaces, although we recommend always checking the flooring won’t be damaged by steam before starting or buying. For steam-susceptible floors we recommend Hard Floor Cleaners instead that quickly rotate cleaning pads for a clean and polished surface without excessive moisture.

When shopping for a new Steam Cleaner there are four main features to consider.

Steam Cleaners perform best when they can produce a strong and steady steam pressure with some models including a pressure gauge to help track the performance. Faster heat up times will allow quicker cleaning in as little as five minutes.

Steam Cleaners with continuous refill functionality can be topped up with water mid clean during use. These models have a separate cold and hot water tank so that hot water is always available after initial heating up. Steam Cleaners without this feature need to heat up again after each refill.

Most models have a steam volume control which allow quick and easy adjustments for different surfaces. Models that place these controls on the handle are the most convenient to adjust. For added versatility, check the functions of the attachments that come with it for the best personal fit.

Great steam cleaners are available from brands like Karcher and Bissell.

Hard floors require a different approach to carpet, as too much suction on a bare floor can make the machine difficult to push, and the wrong brush head can scratch timber or tiles. Stick vacuums and barrel vacuums with a dedicated hard floor head tend to perform well on smooth surfaces, offering enough suction to pick up dust and debris without the aggressive brush roll found on carpet-focused models.

Soft roller heads are designed specifically for hard floors, picking up both fine dust and larger debris without scattering it. Models with automatic floor detection will adjust suction and brush settings when switching between carpet and hard flooring. The Dyson vacuum range buying guide is a useful reference for comparing models that perform well across both surface types.

A well-maintained vacuum cleaner should last between 8 and 12 years under normal household use, though this varies by brand and how frequently it's used. Regular filter cleaning, emptying the dustbin before it's completely full, and checking for blockages in the hose and brush head all extend the life of the appliance considerably.

Replacing worn brush roll bristles, cracked hoses, or blocked filters before they cause motor strain is far less costly than replacing the whole machine. Our guide to future-proofing your vacuum covers the maintenance steps that make the biggest difference to longevity.

Corded vacuum cleaners generally deliver more consistent suction than cordless models because they draw power directly from the mains rather than relying on a battery. This makes them better suited to long cleaning sessions and thick carpet, where sustained suction is needed to pull debris from deep in the pile.

Cordless stick vacuums have improved significantly in recent years, with premium models delivering suction performance that is competitive with many corded machines for everyday cleaning. The trade off is run time. Most cordless vacuums provide between 20 and 60 minutes per charge depending on the power setting, making them most practical for smaller homes or as a secondary vacuum for quick cleans between full sessions.

Whether you need bags depends entirely on the model you buy. Bagged vacuums require replacement bags, which are an ongoing cost, though bags are widely available for most major brands and typically sold in multi packs. Bagless models have no bag cost but require occasional filter replacement, usually every few months depending on usage.

Before buying a bagged vacuum, it's worth confirming that replacement bags are readily available for that specific model. Some older or discontinued models can be difficult to find bags for, which affects long-term running costs. Most current models from Bissell, Dyson, and Miele have bags and filters stocked both online and in-store.

Vacuum pricing ranges widely depending on type, brand, and included features. Entry-level stick vacuums start at the more affordable end of the market, while full-size upright and barrel vacuums from premium brands sit considerably higher. Robot vacuums with advanced mapping and mopping capabilities represent the top end of the price range.

Factors that Affect Price:

• Type - robot and premium cordless models cost more than basic corded uprights

• Filtration - sealed HEPA systems add to the cost but are worth it for allergy households

• Included accessories - models bundled with multiple attachments, charging docks, or spare filters represent better value for the price

• Brand - Karcher and Bissell offer well-priced options, while Dyson and Miele are positioned at the premium end with strong long-term reliability