There are six basic types of vacuum cleaners on the market consumers can choose.
It's best to choose based on needs, lifestyle, and budget.
Upright vacuums have a traditional design and are one of the less expensive vacuums on the market.
This popular type of vacuum is best for deep cleaning and comes with the ability to clean larger segments of carpet at a time.
Though easy to store, these vacuums tend to weigh more and are louder than other types of vacuums on the market.
Canister vacuums are good for cleaning more than just carpets.
They are often used to pick up unwanted pet hair, and to clean stairs, upholstery, drapes, under furniture, and bare floors.
This type of vacuum tends to be quieter than the upright but is harder to store due to its hose and wand.
The plus side to this type of vacuum is that only the hose and powerhead need to be moved around when cleaning.
Central vacuums are easy to use and require little cleaning maintenance themselves.
During cleaning, only the hose and powerhead are moved around.
This type of vacuum is relatively quiet but the access hose, which can be up to 30 feet, is harder to store.
Small handheld vacuums work best for light cleaning on bare floors and short-pile carpets.
They are easy to carry around but lack power.
Robotic vacuums are some of the most expensive on the market.
However, they only work in uncluttered spaces and are best when used between cleanings with other types of vacuums.
Stick vacuums are light-weight, but noisy.
They are best on bare floors and when used for light surface pickups between regular, deep-cleaning vacuuming.
Before purchasing any vacuum cleaner try it out at the store.
Push, pull, and drag it to make sure you can handle its size and weight.