The is a must-have artifact for modern household cleaning, which can effectively remove dust, hair, mites and other dirt on various household items such as floors, sofas, mattresses, curtains, etc., making your home environment more clean and hygienic, and also conducive to your health. However, in the face of the dazzling variety of vacuum cleaner brands and models on the market, are you confused and headaches? Are you worried about buying a vacuum cleaner that doesn't fit or doesn't work? Do you want a simple and straightforward vacuum cleaner shopping guide, so that you can choose the right one at the first time?

01

Understand the classification of vacuum cleaners

First of all, we need to understand the classification of vacuum cleaners, so that we can choose the right type according to our actual needs and usage scenarios.

At present, the common vacuum cleaners on the market are mainly as follows:

• Wired vacuum cleaner: As the name suggests, it is a vacuum cleaner that needs to be plugged in. Wired vacuum cleaners usually have more power and suction power, and there is no limit to the battery life. However, corded vacuum cleaners also have some disadvantages, such as not being flexible and convenient to use, you need to pay attention to the length and position of the wires at all times, and they take up a lot of space and are not very convenient to store.

Corded vacuum cleaners can be divided into two types: horizontal and bucket:

• Horizontal vacuum cleaner: This is the kind where the motor and dust bin lie on the ground and the brush head is connected by a hose. Horizontal vacuum cleaners are more suitable for cleaning flat hard floors, such as wooden floors, tiles, etc. They usually have a strong suction power and a large dust collection capacity, and they are relatively inexpensive. But the chest vacuum cleaner also has some disadvantages, such as a large weight, more troublesome to move, and a lot of noise, and the cleaning effect is not comprehensive enough.

• Bucket vacuum cleaner: This is the type where the motor and dust bin are placed in a barrel or cylindrical housing and the brush head is connected by a hose. Bucket vacuum cleaners are more suitable for cleaning many types of floors and furniture surfaces, such as carpets, sofas, curtains, etc. They typically have stronger suction power and a larger dust collection capacity, and can be equipped with a variety of brush heads to suit different cleaning needs. However, bucket vacuum cleaners also have some disadvantages, such as larger size, more space-consuming storage, and the need to drag a barrel-shaped shell back and forth, which is more bulky to use.

• Cordless vacuum cleaner: This is a vacuum cleaner that uses battery power. The biggest advantage of the cordless vacuum cleaner is that it is very flexible and convenient to use, it is not limited by wires, and it can clean any corner anytime, anywhere. And cordless vacuum cleaners are usually smaller, lighter, and less space-saving to store. But cordless vacuum cleaners also have some drawbacks, such as limited battery life, frequent recharging, and generally inferior power and suction power to wired vacuum cleaners.

Cordless vacuum cleaners can be divided into two types: handheld and pusher:

• Handheld vacuum cleaner: This is a small vacuum cleaner that can be held with one hand. Handheld vacuum cleaners are more suitable for cleaning some local areas, such as sofas, mattresses, tabletops, keyboards, etc. They are usually small in size, lightweight, and very simple to operate. But handheld vacuum cleaners also have some disadvantages, such as shorter battery life, smaller dust collection capacity, and weak suction power, and the cleaning effect is not deep enough.

• Push-rod vacuum cleaner: This is a long-handled vacuum cleaner that can be pushed like a broom. Push rod vacuum cleaners are more suitable for cleaning floors and walls throughout the room, such as floors, carpets, corners, etc. They usually have better cleaning results and longer battery life, and can be detached into handheld mode to clean other areas. But pusher vacuum cleaners also have some drawbacks, such as a higher price, heavier weight, and the need to clean the filter and dust bin regularly.

02

Choose the right function

After understanding the classification of vacuum cleaners, we also need to choose the appropriate function according to our specific needs and usage scenarios. Different functions will affect the performance and effect of the vacuum cleaner, so we have to choose the most suitable function for ourselves according to our actual situation.

Here are some common features and their pros and cons:

• Mite removal function: This is a cleaning function that specifically targets mites and other microorganisms. Mites are a very common source of household pollution, they will parasitize on mattresses, sofas, curtains and other fibrous materials, causing allergic reactions and skin diseases and other hazards to the human body. The function of mite removal is usually to kill mites and other microorganisms by means of high temperature or ultraviolet light, and by strong inhalation of the dust bin. The advantage of the mite removal function is that it can effectively improve the hygiene of the home environment and protect human health. The disadvantage of the mite removal function is that the price is higher, and it is safe to use.

• Wet mopping function: This is a cleaning function that can perform wet mopping while vacuuming. The wet mopping function is usually achieved by installing a water tank or wipes on the brush head, which can wipe the dirt and bacteria on the ground while removing dust, making the ground cleaner and brighter. The advantage of the wet mopping function is that it can be cleaned in one step, saving time and effort. The disadvantage of the wet mopping feature is that the water tank or wipes need to be changed frequently, and it is not suitable for cleaning materials that are not resistant to water such as carpets.

• Smart Function: This is a cleaning feature that can be controlled by a smart device or voice. Smart functions are usually achieved by connecting smart devices such as mobile phones, tablets, and TVs, or using voice assistants such as Xiaoai and Xiaodu, etc., which can remotely control the switch, mode, path, etc. of the vacuum cleaner, and can also check the status of the vacuum cleaner, power, cleaning records, etc. The advantage of the smart function is that you can control the vacuum cleaner anytime, anywhere, and enjoy the convenience and comfort of intelligence. The disadvantages of smart features are that they require the installation of appropriate software or hardware, and there may be problems such as network failures or signal interference.

03

Compare the performance of vacuum cleaners

After choosing the right type and features, we also have to compare the performance of the vacuum cleaner so that we can buy a vacuum cleaner that is worth the money.

The performance of the vacuum cleaner mainly has the following aspects:

• Power: This refers to the amount of electricity consumed by the vacuum cleaner in watts (W). The higher the power, the more power the vacuum cleaner consumes, but it also means that the vacuum cleaner has more power and efficiency. Generally speaking, the power of a corded vacuum cleaner is above 1000W, and the power of a cordless vacuum cleaner is below 200W.

Of course, the higher the power, the better, because too much power will lead to too much noise and too much heat, which will affect the use experience and life. Therefore, we need to choose the right power according to our cleaning needs and electricity budget.

• Suction: This refers to the vacuum produced by the vacuum cleaner and is measured in Pascal (Pa). The higher the suction power, the more effective the vacuum cleaner is at removing dust and dirt. Generally speaking, the suction power of a corded vacuum cleaner is above 15kPa, and the suction power of a cordless vacuum cleaner is below 10kPa.

Of course, more suction is not always better, as too much suction will cause the brush head to stick to the floor or furniture surface, affecting movement and cleaning. Therefore, we have to choose the right suction power according to the material and degree we want to clean.

• Battery life: This refers to the amount of time a cordless vacuum cleaner can continue to operate on battery power, measured in minutes. The longer the battery life, the better the cordless vacuum cleaner can meet the needs of continuous cleaning for a long time. Generally speaking, the battery life of the cordless vacuum cleaner is more than 30min, and some high-end models can even reach more than 60min.

Of course, the longer the battery life, the better, because too long the battery life will lead to excessive battery capacity and weight, affecting the comfort of use and charging speed. Therefore, we have to choose the appropriate battery life according to the area and frequency we want to clean.

• Noise: This refers to the amount of sound produced by the vacuum cleaner when it is operating, measured in decibels (dB). The lower the noise, the quieter the vacuum cleaner will be, and it will not affect the rest and work of yourself and others. In general, the noise level of the vacuum cleaner is below 70dB, and some silent models can even be as low as 50dB.

Of course, less noise is not always better, because too little noise will lead to a decrease in the performance of the vacuum cleaner and poor cleaning results. Therefore, we should choose the right noise according to our sensitivity to sound and the environment in which we use it.

• Weight: This refers to the net weight of the vacuum cleaner in kilograms (kg). The lighter the weight, the lighter the vacuum cleaner and the less effort it is to use. Generally speaking, the weight of a corded vacuum cleaner is more than 5kg, and the weight of a cordless vacuum cleaner is less than 2kg.

Of course, lighter weight is not always better, because too little weight will lead to a decrease in the stability and durability of the vacuum cleaner, which is easy to break. Therefore, we have to choose the right weight according to our physical strength and usage habits.