October 12, 2020
How to Choose a Vacuum Cleaner – Favorites at all Price Points
If you are new here, you might not know that Wednesday is Vacuuming Day for the Clean Mama Routine – it’s a day that we do a deep vacuuming of our homes. Every day CHECK FLOORS is a Daily Task – so we check and sweep or vacuum as necessary. See more about the Clean Mama Routine here. Over the years I have owned and tested A LOT of vacuum cleaners. The thing about vacuum cleaners is that if you ask anyone their opinion, a.) they have one and b.) either they LOVE their vacuum cleaner or they HATE it. So today, I’m going to save you the trouble and tell you some essential criteria for any vacuum cleaner and give you a handful of suggestions in all price ranges so you can make a more informed decision. Because it really stinks to get a brand new vacuum cleaner and have it work great for a month and then it completely loses its suction and ability to pick anything up. Ugh – been there, done that.
My recommendations are based on my own experience, testing and research, recommendations from readers, and ratings from retailers and Amazon.
My vacuum cleaner musts:
- purchase the best that you can in your budget
- look for attachments (bonus if they are stored ON the unit) – crevice nozzle, hose, upholstery brush, dusting
- look for a HEPA filter (High Efficiency Particulate Air) – to be rated as a HEPA filter, a filter must keep tiny particles .3 microns in size or larger at 99.97% – this means that it’s keeping most particles whereas a non-HEPA filter vacuum is blowing those particles back into the air which in turn goes right back in your home. If you have allergy sufferers or anyone with asthma, this is most-definitely a must!
- cord long enough that you don’t have to unplug it from room to room
- multi-level filtration – if you don’t need/want the HEPA filter, make sure you have more than one filtration system to catch and hold dirt and dust
- After having numerous vacuum cleaners with a canister/dirt tank, I prefer a bagged system and truth be told, it’s the main reason I switched from Dyson to Miele. I was sick of the dirt/dust escaping when I would empty the bin.
- look for a brushroll that can be turned off for vacuuming hard surface floors – this keeps your hard surface floors scratch free.
- check the weight of the vacuum cleaner and test them out – make sure it’s easy for you to maneuver
I’ve pulled together a couple favorites in 4 categories – these are vacuums that I recommend based on the above criteria in a variety of price ranges. I hope it helps you in your search for the perfect vacuum! I’ve also added affiliate links under the image to purchase if you’re interested – the vacuums are in order of price (I added the current price as well for your reference), low to high and I’ve added a * to the ones that I have owned/tested or currently own and recommend.
BISSELL Robot Vacuum Cleaner for Pet Hair ($199) – Neato Botvac D80 Robot (Pets and Allergies)*($624) Miele Scout RX2 Home Vision* ($799)
Eureka Mighty Mite Bagged Canister *($75) – Miele Classic C1 Pure Suction Canister Vacuum Cleaner* ($299)- Miele Classic C1 Cat & Dog Canister ($700)- Miele Complete C3 Cat & Dog Canister* ($1049) (this is the one I have with the Powerhead Bundle + HEPA filter)
BISSELL Natural Sweep Dual Brush Sweeper ($28) – BISSELL Pet Hair Eraser Cordless Hand Vacuum – Eureka Hyperclean Cordless Vacuum ($289)- Dyson V7 Cordless Handheld Vacuum ($283) Miele Triflex HX1 Battery Powered Bagless ($499)
Sanitaire S635A Bagged Upright Vacuum Cleaner ($139) – Shark Navigator Lift Away Professional ($199) – Dyson Ball Multi Floor w/ HEPA Filter ($299) – Miele Dynamic U1 Powerline Upright Bagged Vacuum Cleaner* ($599)
What do you think? What’s your criteria for a vacuum cleaner? Have a favorite to share?
Want to see all my floor care favorites? Head to my Amazon shop!
I love my Miele vacuum cleaners and recommend them over any other vacuum cleaner but I know that they are pricey. For me, the fact that they have lasted for YEARS without any issues compared to every other vacuum cleaner I’ve owned lasting 1-2 years max, it’s worth it because it’s more cost effective in the long run. I love that there’s no dust or debris whipped up while I’m vacuuming and I love the ease of having the attachments on-board for on the go cleaning. My favorite Miele is the canister unit – I absolutely love its maneuverability and ease of use. It hits all of my criteria and then some. The HEPA filter and bagged system is one of the best out there – if you’re used to buying new vacuum cleaners every couple years, it makes sense to purchase a better one that will last for years to come.
Melissa Says
I’ve been using my Miele Canister for almost 10 years and I love it! Before that, I had an Electrolux canister and loved it too. I looked for something that was like my old Electrolux and the Miele was it! It is lighter than my old one and it has great suction. The Parquet Twister is fabulous on wood/laminate floors. I also love the HEPA filter. I can’t say enough about it. I clean a few houses and my clients love the results as well. It has been a great investment.
Victoria Says
Great post! I would love to share that I have had a Riccar Brilliance (HEPA bagged upright) for 13 years and I still love it – I’d buy it again in a heartbeat! I especially appreciate that they are designed and assembled here (in Missouri.) As you mentioned, I too have had several vacuums before this one and hated them all for various reasons, mostly performance. Vacuums are a tough buy. Thanks for sharing your favorites!
Jeannette Says
I can’t believe the timeliness of this post. I just broke my vacuum yesterday! One thing I don’t understand. My Oreck has lasted for over 20 years. My Dirt Devil canister I’ve had for over 12 years. The Dyson I just broke was a refurbished unit I’ve had for 10 years. I can’t imagine buying a new vacuum cleaner every 1-2 years. Thanks so much for the great info!
Nina Says
We are absolutely in the market for a vacuum cleaner right now so this post is perfectly timed for me. ☺️
It looked like the $299 Miele was the right price range for me and looks awesome. But reading Amazon reviews a number of people mentioned it’s for hardwood floors only. Do you find this won’t cut it on carpets. We definitely have more carpet than hard wood.
Marci Says
Also love my Miele. Bought one that was refurbished from a vacuum shop. Much cheaper than new but still works excellently. Would do again.
Lynette Says
Great info! I have been considering a new vacuum that is lighter but love the quality of the one I have…it’s a Kirby that I bought new 26 years ago. Only thing I’ve had done to it was a new cord and one part from when my son (at age 5) was helping clean out the car…and proceeded to suck up gravel. ???? Anyone else out there changed from a Kirby to something else and if so are you happy with it? TIA.
SC Says
I have a Dyson Animal. Not the ball model but it’s predecessor. It’s now 20 years old and other than the hose has just cracked it’s awesome! I’ve Duct taped the hose and it’s holding up for now.
It is a bit messy to dump the canister if to want to get most stuff out of the cyclones. However, it is by far the best vacuum I’ve used and super easy with long cord and long hose, with attachments on board.
It’s heavy. That’s not so good. We had a bungalow when first purchased and now have a newly renovated 3 storey. We did install a central vac so the Dyson is just odd jobs now.
Kathrin Says
I’m low key looking for a new vacuum cleaner too. Hubby had bought a cordless upright vacuum for his flat and it was really good but now we have a house with double the square meters and the poor thing can’t handle that much. Hubby loves gadgets and bought 2 cleaning robots in the past year but they don’t go in the corners….
What I hate is buying vacuum cleaner bags. Such a waste! So it has to be bagless, handle pet hair and light/small enough for vacuuming the stairs…
Lynette Says
I am interested in a lighter weight vacuum (I have a 26 year old Kirby that works wonderfully but it is on the heavy side). Has anyone gone from a Kirby to something else that works just as well? TIA!
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Corri Says
I just replaced my 12 yr old Miele (that was still working fine but I needed to upgrade) with the same one you have. Love the HEPA and love the nag. Miele is an investment, but totally worth it and saves money in the long run!!! Go Miele!!
Becky Says
I have a Hyla and a Ricar. There are aspects of each that I like, but I use the Ricar more often than the Hyla. The Hyla is a shop vac as well as an air purifier. The Ricar is the one I use on all my floors. It has the HEPA filter, is a bag rather than a water tank, and has extending attachments which are necessary with 16 foot ceiling (which I do have) and a hunting husband who has several head mounts and a bear rug on the walls between 12 and 16 feet up. It is also a little pricy, but I have had it for going onto 15 years and have only had one problem with it (which was probably my fault) and it was fixed quickly by a certified dealer. I think I paid between $700 and $800 for it and if I figure $800 for 15 years, that is only about $54 a year. Since it is still going strong, I think I have more than gotten my money’s worth from it. The HYLA is a good machine, but it is also really loud. That and having to empty the water tank after vacumning are my only two complaints about it. It has super great suction and cleans really well. It is also a shampoo machine and the one time we had a water problem, it also saved the day. 🙂 They each have their advantages for sure. 🙂
Susie Says
Help! You have me sold on a Miele but I’ve always had an upright, I’ve never considered a canister. Majority of our house is hardwood wIth a couple carpeted rooms plus two sets of stairs. I feel like I would get all tangled up having two parts? Should I give it a try?
Thank you!
Clean Mama Says
Post authorI’d recommend the canister – I love it for stairs!
Amberly Says
How often do you have your Miele serviced? How often do you change the filters? Those are pricey. We just found out that my husband has terrible allergies so I’m going to have to step up the vacuuming!
Clean Mama Says
Post authorI have only serviced each one 1-2 times and change the filters every 3-6 months depending on use.
Patti Says
My daughter’s allergy doctor recommended Miele when she was little. I’ve had my canister one for over 15 years with no problems. As you pointed out, they are super expensive but so worth it. I still love mine as much as ever….honestly the best purchase I ever made.
Jill Says
I’m surprised you nor anyone else mentions Sebo vacuum cleaners. Almost 20 years ago, I went to purchase a Miele at a local vacuum store. They had both Miele and Sebo as well as a nice selection of others. But, the Sebo canister won hands down, similar price point, but had a better suction so I purchased it and is still as good today as the day I bought it.