Maintaining a clean and tidy home is essential for a healthy and comfortable living environment. A good vacuum cleaner is one of the most valuable tools in your cleaning arsenal. With a plethora of options available in the market, choosing the right vacuum for your home can be a daunting task. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the essential factors to consider when selecting the best vacuum for your specific needs.
Before diving into the world of vacuum cleaners, take a moment to evaluate your cleaning needs. Are you dealing with mostly carpets, hardwood floors, or a combination of both? Do you have pets that shed fur? Are there tight spaces or high ceilings that require specialized attachments? Identifying your cleaning requirements will help narrow down your options.
If your home has a lot of carpets and rugs, opt for a vacuum with a power head that has an electric rotating brush roller, as these are essential for deep carpet cleaning. That means you can skip looking at stick vacuums or anything air-only. To get your carpets truly clean, you will need something with a powerful rotating brush and strong suction.
If your home only has hard floors and low-pile rugs, you do not need a vacuum with a power head. Instead, you can shop for air-only vacuums or stick vacuums that come with versatile floor tools. This is good news for your budget since these vacuums are typically cheaper than those with a power head.
If you want to invest in a quality vacuum that will last, you will need to consider your floors in the future. You may currently have hard floors, but if you plan to move or add carpet to your home later, choose a vacuum with or compatible with a power head.
If a family member has allergies, asthma, or health issues aggravated by dust and irritants, choose a vacuum with top-quality filtration. Opt for one with hospital-grade filters, as well as a completely sealed dust containment system as a whole. If the filters are hospital grade but other parts of the vacuum leak dust back into the air, that vacuum is not providing quality filtration.
All SEBO vacuum cleaners are completely sealed units that come with hospital-grade, S-Class filtration. S-Class is a European standard of filtration that takes the entire vacuum into account in order to qualify for the S-Class filtration rating. SEBO vacuums achieve this rating by using electrostatic three-layer AeraPure™ bags. They combine these with pre-motor and exhaust filters, capturing 99.9% of particles as small as 0.3 microns in diameter. To give you an idea of the particle size being filtered, the diameter of a human hair is 100 microns. These vacuums are also completely sealed from edge to edge. Check out our previous blog post offering a more comprehensive dive into the S-Class filtration rating. You may also be interested in reading about the benefits of a bagged vacuum cleaner.
If you desire additional filtration, we offer HEPA filters for the K-series, X-series, and MECHANICAL-series SEBO vacuums.
If you have pets, particularly those that shed hair and dander throughout your home, consider investing in a vacuum with quality filtration. Other features to consider as a pet owner would be whether a vacuum includes or is compatible with specific tools you will need. For example, a standard crevice tool, upholstery tool, and dusting brush will prove helpful for cleaning fur from upholstery, pet beds, and couch crevices. If you have carpets, an electric power head will best remove pet hair and dander from the carpet fibers. Additionally, you may benefit from optional tools designed for vacuuming stairs or carpeted cat trees.
Lastly, pets can be smelly. All those hair, dander, urine and feces particles will end up in your vacuum where they will begin to break down and smell. This can result in a common issue for pet owners: a smelly vacuum. To mitigate these odors, you can take steps like regularly changing filters and avoiding leaving partially filled vacuum bags in your machine for too long. Additionally, you might consider investing in a vacuum with optional carbon or charcoal filters, which can be used in place of standard filters to reduce odors during vacuuming. The SEBO AUTOMATIC X7 Premium PET vacuum is tailor-made for pet owners, featuring extra tools and a carbon filter designed to manage both fur and odors effectively.
When shopping for a vacuum, prioritize comfort, especially if you have arthritis or other mobility concerns. Opt for a lighter, user-friendly vacuum that minimizes bending and twisting. Canister vacuums are generally lighter and more manageable on stairs than upright ones. A canister vacuum follows the user, so most of the vacuum weight is pulled behind rather than pushed forward. However, canisters may require more occasional bending compared to upright models.
Alternatively, if the user cannot bend over as easily, the SEBO AUTOMATIC X7 Premium upright vacuum (pictured) is an excellent choice. It will automatically adjust the brush roller setting depending on the floor type (carpet, hard floors, etc.) and it has an on/off switch on the side of the power head that can be pushed with a foot. It also comes equipped with an instant-use suction wand that reaches baseboards and ceilings with minimal effort or bending.
If storage space is limited, prioritize a compact vacuum with all the necessary features. For those with pets, carpets, or health concerns, consider a compact canister model that comes with a power head and hospital-grade filtration, such as the SEBO AIRBELT E3 Premium.
If you lack carpets, the SEBO AIRBELT E1 and E2 canister vacuums offer excellent filtration without the power head. Alternatively, if your home has only hard floors and no health concerns, a stick vacuum would be a space-saving option.
Many prefer upright vacuums for their convenience, regardless of storage space. This is because it is an all-in-one unit and easily tucks away into a closet.
It’s commonly advised to stick to your budget when buying a vacuum. However, it’s not always that straightforward. Cheaper vacuums may only last 1-2 years, potentially costing more over a decade than investing in a quality one. So, budget-friendliness isn’t always tied to lower prices.
To get the most out of your vacuum, at whatever price you pay, look for one that comes with a good warranty. SEBO offers a 10-year warranty for residential vacuums, which can be easily repaired at local dealers across Canada. That means it is expected that a SEBO vacuum will last at least 10 years minimum. If it does require repairs in that time, it won’t cost you a dime!
Ultimately, the journey to finding the perfect vacuum is dependent on your unique circumstances and priorities. So, armed with your newfound knowledge, embark on this cleaning adventure with confidence, knowing that your choice is backed by informed decision-making.