Although not a chore most people enjoy, vacuuming is essential to keeping a clean and healthy house, as well as preserving carpets and keeping them looking their best. The right vacuum cleaner can take the hassle out of this chore and make cleaning carpets relatively quick and easy, but how can you tell which vacuum is right for you? Flat or upright? Canister or bag? HEPA filter or Vortex suction? Wading through the claims and promises of different manufacturers can be an endless and confusing process. A competitive, comparative analysis of vacuums is in order.

Different Designs

Once upon a time, the world of vacuums was a small one. All vacuums worked in basically the same way and for the most part offered the same features. These traditional vacuums, which are still popular today, use a rotating brush to gently beat dust and dirt particles from carpets and a fan composed of angled blades to, in essence, suck the dirt into the machine, where it is stored in either a vacuum bag or canister. The strength of suction in these models depends on the power of the fan and how full the vacuum bag or canister is. While generally dependable, there are a few downfalls to these traditional models. The number of parts needed to operate a traditional upright vacuum (the fan, motor, belts, etc.) means that over time parts will have to be replaced as they wear out. This means time spent in the shop for your vacuum and money from your wallet. Also, the basic design of these models necessitates the messy and thankless job of emptying the bag or canister on a regular basis.

Another popular vacuum-cleaner design that originated in the early 1900’s is now making a comeback. The central vacuum system, which uses a motorized fan in the basement or outside the house to create suction through a series of interconnected pipes in the walls, turns your whole house into a cleaner. To use this vacuum, you turn on the fan motor and attach a hose to any of the various pipe outlets throughout the house. The dirt is sucked into the pipes and deposited in a large canister, which you only empty a few times a year.

Yet another variation on the traditional upright vacuum that many people swear by is the steam cleaner. This machine injects superheated steam mixed with a special carpet shampoo into carpet fibers, and then sucks the water and accompanying dirt back into a collection tank. While steam cleaners do tend to result in a deeper clean for carpets, they also take significantly longer to use and require drying time for the carpets after each use.

Determine your Needs

Is your home mostly hardwood floors with a few rugs or wall-to-wall shag? Are you single or do you have three children and two dogs? Understanding your living space and your lifestyle will go a long way in determining what kind of vacuum you need. While some models are designed to take you from wood floors and linoleum to Berber to shag with the touch of a button, others are made to tackle an abundance of pet hair for consumers with four-footed friends. Ask yourself, “What do I want most from a vacuum?” Is it low weight, compact design and ease of movement? Super suction and a quiet motor? Maybe you’re just looking for a vacuum with a really long cord. Whatever the case, chances are there is a make and model for you.

Help or Hype?

The following is an in-depth look at a few of the latest, best-selling brands of vacuums, including manufacturer recommendations and customer reviews, to help you make the most informed decision when purchasing your next vacuum.

The Roomba

Do you really hate to vacuum? The Roomba, from iRobot, may be the right machine for you. This completely hands-free vacuum doesn’t require you to push it. Just set it in the middle of a room and turn it on. While this vacuum may seem cutting-edge to some, its flying saucer design and lack of human control may be intimidating for others. Here is what the manufacturer has to say about it. “Roomba is great for anyone who either doesn't want to push a vacuum or can't push a vacuum - as well as anyone who wants more time to do other things with their lives. And because you don't have to push it, you can use Roomba to keep your floors barefoot clean every day.”

The Roomba received and average of four out of five stars from 103 reviews on www.amazon.com. Possible drawbacks to this model range from the fact that it has to be charged regularly to its tendency to tangle in exposed cords and fringed rugs. Some users also reported that, despite the manufacturer’s claims to the contrary, it was difficult to empty and clean the collection bin.

The Dyson

One of the latest vacuum-cleaner variations to hit the market is the Dyson "cyclone vacuum." This machine doesn't use a traditional bag or filter system, but sends the air stream through one or more cylinders, along a spiral path at high-speeds instead. As the air whips around in a spiral, the dirt particles experience a powerful centrifugal force similar to the force found on a roller coaster. The particles are whipped outward, away from the air stream, and the dirt is extracted from the air without using any sort of filter. It just collects at the bottom of the cylinder.

Many experts and users of this latest generation of vacuums claim that it is a huge improvement over traditional machines because it is easy to empty and clean and it never clogs or loses suction. The consumer website www.epinions.com gave the Dyson DC14 Animal Bagless Upright an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars, based on 45 customer reviews. The majority of consumers on this site agree that the Dyson lives up to its claims. One possible drawback to this model, however, is the sticker price, which ranges from $400-600.

The Wind Tunnel

Another popular vacuum right now is the Hoover S3765-040 Wind Tunnel. Hoover claims that the patented “wind tunnel” technology of the S3765-040 provides more cleaning power than any other vacuum available. Reviewers on epinions.com gave this model an average of 4 out of 5 stars. Pros that consumers mention on this site include strong cleaning power and reasonable price, (between $200-300,) while cons include the cumbersome style of the machine and the fact that it needs to be cleaned often.

A good vacuum cleaner is an investment that can, and should, last for many years. The next time you’re in the market for a vacuum it pays to determine your needs and to do a little research before buying.