When was the last time you needed to buy a vacuum? Been awhile? Well, today there is a vacuum for every surface and budget. They range from hand-helds to stick vacuums—for quick and easy cleanups—to the power of an upright, which cleans everything from your berber to your window treatments. Depending on what you need, you could spend anywhere between $25 to more than $1,000.

You can simplify and amp-up your purchasing power by preparing a “mental checklist” before selecting your “dirt buster” of choice.

• Does your home have mostly carpeted, hard wood or tile surfaces? Luckily, many of today’s vacuums are designed to adjust to different surfaces accordingly.
• Do you plan to use the vacuum on different stories of your house? If so, the weight of the appliance is an important factor in your decision.  

Your cleaning needs will also drive your purchase. Of course vacuums help keep your floors clean, but extensions and hand-held attachments can eliminate those pesky dust chains in corners and over window treatments, and can clean those hard-to-reach nooks and crannies that often go unattended. Look for tools such as upholstery brushes, extension wands and crevice nozzles to meet all your dust busting needs.

You should also consider capacity. The amount of floor space you wish to cover will largely determine the vacuum type and capacity. A good rule of thumb is the larger the space, the larger capacity vacuum you’ll need. Larger capacity vacuums offer more convenience as they help limit the number of trips to the wastebasket to empty out the dust bin or bag, leaving more time to tackle your chore “to-do” list.

Upright vs. canister
Until recently, canister vacuums offered more versatility with attachments and ease to reach narrow spaces that uprights could only dream of reaching. However, almost all uprights now come equipped with a variety of attachments and the ability to convert into a hand-held wand to reach behind couches or above your drapery balance. If you’re not one to drag around the canister behind you, stick with a traditional upright that is easy to control and simple to store. If a canister is your choice, remember to check for durable wheels that won’t lock while rolling along your carpet or hard floors.

Bag vs. bagless
Another option that will drive your purchase is whether you prefer bag or bagless vacuums. Bagless vacuums offer the most convenience as they never need replacement bags and are easy to empty. However, capacity should be considered, as you don’t want to constantly run to the wastebasket to empty the bin. Although bagless models are simple and easy to empty, you can sometimes release dust particles back into the air during emptying. Bags, on the other hand, do come with more work and cost, but will help keep that dust trapped neatly away. Some vacuums will come equipped with HEPA (High-Efficiency Particular Air) bags that will trap 99.9 percent of all dust particles in the bag, preventing them from going back into the air. In bagless models, look for HEPA filters that create the same feature. Several manufactures, including Dirt Devil, Bissell, Electrolux, Eureka and Euro-Pro offer both bag and bagless models ranging from $90 to $250 MSRP. Other high-end makers such as Dyson, Miele and Bosch offer vacuums that range from $300 to more than $1,000.  

Central and robotic vacuums
If canister and uprights aren’t for you, all hope is not lost. Central vacuums work behind the scenes — a vacuum line is installed behind walls and above ceilings and a hose attachment is simply “plugged” in the wall to suck away the dirt to a “central” container that is periodically emptied. This is often the most convenient option, especially for large houses, as it eliminates the needs of storing and lugging a vacuum up and down stairs. However, it is also comes with a hefty price tag. Central vacuums are usually installed during construction of new homes starting for around $2,000. But they can be installed in existing homes as well, at a slightly higher price (usually $600 to $800), depending on the size of the home. Beam, Nutone, Vacuflo, Electrolux and Hoover are just a few makers of central systems.

Robotic vacuums are great for people who don’t want to vacuum at all but still want clean floors. Robotic models work by “sensing” dirt on the floor and automatically moving around in set patterns around furniture, without having to lift a finger. One benefit is that models are often slim and low profile enough to easily clean under couches, tables and other low clearances—places that don’t often get cleaned. However, just like with an upright, robotics are often wide, and don’t fit in narrow spaces, such as in between a table and the legs of a couch. Electrolux and iRobot make robotic models for around $120. New models are available with more advanced features, including a room-navigation system to slow its approach toward obstacles and a programmable system that tells the robot which spaces to clean or not, for between $250 to $300. 

All in the details
As with almost any appliance purchase, many people’s decision will be infulenced by the overall look of the vacuum, but remember it’s whats behind the scenes that matters too. Before you buy, don’t forget to check the warranty length for parts and labor. Check the availability of accessories such as filters and bags, and replacement parts such as belts and rollers. Are they available at the store you bought your vacuum at or do you need to order them and wait of ordering (and waiting) for them to arrive.