Best Vacuum Cleaners
Dyson V8
- Bin Capacity0.54 L
- HEPA FilterEither

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Absolutely useless – I purchased the Dyson Animal stick rechargeable vacuum cleaner based on the hype put forward by Dyson. After a year the length of time it would run… Read more
on a full charge was 5 minutes. Even cheapies run for 12 minutes. All of the advertising propaganda are rubbish. I would say it is the worst rechargeable vacuum cleaner made. Note, it is no longer British. The CEO has moved the business to Singapore. That is the reason you should not waste your money on buying one.
Miele Complete C3 PowerLine
- Bin Capacity4.5 L
- HEPA FilterEither
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I bought this green colour vacuum cleaner in 2018 direct from miele we use only downstair in carpet area once a week. From day one when pulling cord… Read more
it was but hard as i have another same top of the line bronze vacuum cleaner bought from harvey norman cord pull easily. I didnt take it seriously the cord pull tight forast 8yrs till last week the cord rectractor not holding the cord and it immediately pull back inside and pull from power cable when vscuum. When i call miele repairer center at eastern creek they said labour plus part cost $240. As im a loyal miele customer since 2015 has 2 x miele top of line washer, 3 x miele vacuum including this, miele dishwasher, miele 90cm cooktop and miele 90cm.oven all i spent over 20k aud$.
Miele customer advocate first said get assessment report and then see replacement or discount for new one then when i mentioned miele centre quated me $240 for replacement and realign cord rectractor they said for the age of vacuum they csnt reemburse any money currently miele has promoton up to 350$ off rrp for vacuum and cqnt do much.
I emailed customer advocate as a loyal customer atleast share half price of repair cord rectractor share $120 and i pay $120 or 50% of new miele but no response.
I understand the vacuum is 8yrs old and motor works but with the broken cord retrsctor it useless and can get cheap electrolux for under 200$.
I think miele should have share repair cost. Not sure i overseen the cord tight rrqind from brand new made this and i feel should have repair or replace with brand new when it waa new.
Dyson V11
- Price (RRP) $1,099 to $1,249
- Bin Capacity0.76 L to 0.77 L
- HEPA FilterEither
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Title: $1,100 Paperweight – Dyson is Dead to Me Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ Don’t let the premium price tag fool you; the Dyson V11 Absolute is an overpriced piece… Read more
of garbage. We paid $1 ,100 for this machine five years ago, expecting top-tier engineering for my 100-year-old mother. Instead, we got a headache.
In five short years the following has happened: the battery required replacement. However, because the serial number is not visible on the original battery, the company has refused to honor the warranty or provide any form of assistance. Also, the trigger snapped and had to be replaced (known fault of this model), the red seal on the dust bin fell out and broke and now the motor has completely died (also seems like a fault in design). When I called Dyson to ask how a $1100 vacuum fails this catastrophically, their "solution" was to tell me the entire body needs replacing (not just the motor - Alibaba $100) for another $300 but would give it to me for $200. This lack of support is extremely disappointing. The offshore call centre could not give a d#mn.
This is the third Dyson I have owned, and it is the third Dyson to end up in the bin. The build quality is abysmal, and the customer service is a joke. I’m done being fooled by the marketing—I will never buy another Dyson product again. Save your money and buy a brand that actually values durability.
Dyson V7
- Bin Capacity0.54 L
- HEPA FilterNo
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Motor Head failed and customer service were no help.Had tp purchase another rechargable battery from another supplier
Dyson V15 Detect
- Bin Capacity0.77 L
- HEPA FilterEither
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EXPENSIVE LUXURY I purchased this model even though it wasn't the newest model as the reveiws I read were better than other models. The reason I… Read more
purchased it was I was sick of lugging heavy vacuum cleaner around and wanted a quick and easy way to clean up my rooms when I didn't have a lot of time to spare
What I like is that is the ease of just grabbing the cleaner no cords or dragging a heavy vacuum around and it is really good at picking up pet fur, nothing gets caught around the head, so it remains clean at all times. The swivel head makes it easy to maneuver and there is a charging doc we have attached to the wall so the vacuum is always charged, but unfortunately there are more negatives that positives to owning one of these types of vacuums
what could be better is,
There are different connections for each for floor and carpet, not easy to pull each attachment off and unless you place on the corner attachment nothing will be picked up so a lot of time is wasted swapping the attachments over each time you see a crumb
The head has been set up so nothing wraps around it, but it will also not pick up any larger bits on your floor
An example of this is I smashed a glass on tiles, and I tried to use the Dyson to clean it up and the head would not pick up the pieces very well, I could hear the glass just going around in circles in the head so it appears only really good for pet hair or any dust.
The vacuum does get heavy after a while and as you need to pull the trigger your finger becomes sore, so I'm always swapping hands
If you have a large house the battery may not last for the whole clean
Over all I would not get rid of my usual plug-in floor vacuum
There is a place for the Dyson in your home for ease during those times you are having unexpected guests and need a quick fix but won't help if you have a real mess to clean up
Miele Compact C2 PowerLine
- Price (RRP) $349 to $529
- Bin Capacity3.5 L
- HEPA FilterEither
It’s one of the best vacuums I’ve owned. It’s compact and easy to store. It handles everything from pet hair to crumbs on both carpet and hard floors… Read more
without missing a beat.
It’s also pretty quiet, which is a nice bonus, and the attachments make it super versatile for corners, furniture, and even the car. The vacuum bags are easy to change and not too messy, though they do add a bit to the running cost. Still, totally worth it for how clean it gets the place.
Kleva Krapof Super Slim Power Vac
- Price (RRP) $739
- Bin Capacity1.4 L
- HEPA FilterNo
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This vacume had no power, blocked up really quickly, charge never lasted very long, barrel hard to remove-open to empty and hard to replace. After 4… Read more
months it wouldn't even charge. It went in the bin. I sent an email to Kleva range and only got back "sorry to hear about your bad experience " The only product I've purchased that was a disappointment and a waste of money.
Kleva Krapof Auto Clean Self Empty Slim Power Vac 🏆 2026
- Price (RRP) $898
- Bin Capacity0.5 L
- HEPA FilterYes
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Definitely makes my life easier. Shows what the old vacuum missed. (OMG) Show details
Dyson Cyclone V10
- Price (RRP) $799 to $1,199
- Bin Capacity0.76 L
- HEPA FilterYes
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I have have 2 V10 Dyson vacuum cleaners, both have had the trigger guards break off. I have fairly large fingers, consequently, when the vacuum cleaner is being held, pressure is put on the trigger guard. The trigger guard needs to be thicker. Show details
Dyson Cinetic Big Ball
- Bin Capacity1.5 L to 1.6 L
- HEPA FilterNo
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Well a month ago, my Dyson slim mine. V6 gave up the ghost after having it for quite a few years so I needed to get another vacuum cleaner as I have… Read more
a German Shepherd who leaves his hair everywhere. As I had had a Dyson before I decided I wanted another Dyson vacuum cleaner. After looking at quite a few different Dyson vacuum cleaners to go with this one as I didn’t want the same problem I’ve had with the V6 slimline it wouldn’t keep its charge even though it said it was charging you go to use it. You do two minutes of vacuum cleaning and it wouldn’t have any more charge in it, I am very happy with this vacuum cleaner. It does a great job on the carpets and the wooden floors gets all the dog and I am surprised of how much stuff comes out of the carpet as I vacuum probably twice a week because of my German Shepherd . I’ve had it now for two months and I love all the attachments that I can get into tight spots with the attachments clean the skirting boards or reach up hi with the attachments to get the cobwebs down. Would highly recommend this vacuum cleaner to any pet lover.
Hobot Legee 🏆 2026
- Price (RRP) $845 to $2,200
- Bin Capacity0.5 L
- HEPA FilterNo
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The contact number for this company is disconnected. I should have researched the reviews on the D8 before I made the purchase, it seems anybody that… Read more
has had a problem with their Legee D8 vacuum has had no satisfaction with their customer service and been left with a lemon they can not get fixed.
iRobot Roomba 600 Series
- Price (RRP) $149 to $499
- Bin Capacity0.6 L
- HEPA FilterNo
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Worst company to deal with under warranty. Refuse warranty for reasons they technically made up. The machine with mop is extremely faulty. Just… Read more
google the complaints from 100s of people all around the world. Facebook, redit ect hundreds of the exact same complaint. Then after your machine leaks on day one, they exchange it for another faulty unit then exchange it for another faulty unit. To then blame you when that one is also faulty. Because the company is in receivership and going broke because their product is so faulty. The mops leak from day 1, they send out seals to help that leak after a few months, then apparently its our fault and deny warranty so they can save money.
They know their product is faulty, hence the seal kit that needs replacing over and over again.
Do not buy this product or anything from this company.
Roborock Q7 Max
- Price (RRP) $999
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Extremely pleased with how easy this was out of the box. The most surprising outcome is how much my general housework has become, sending the Vac… Read more
around daily means there’s little to no dust. It’s outstanding at picking up pet hair which again lowers overall housework. Mopping is more of a wipe but I knew that going in and was looking for suction/vacuum primarily. Very pleased all round.
Numatic Henry
- Bin Capacity6 L to 9 L
- HEPA FilterNo
Our Henry was purchased in 1994. It is a HVR 200. Since that time it has never failed about from occasional hose damage-try not to step on them too… Read more
many times.
Henry vacuums vinyl floor covering, tiles and caret and occasionally the car. Hoses and bags have been constantly available. I think we paid $400, a lot at the time but hell we have had our money's worth. Sorry no receipt but it was 32 years back OK?
Bosch Athlet BCH6-AU Series
- Price (RRP) $399 to $449
- Bin Capacity0.9 L
- HEPA FilterNo
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Great suction power, but often have a short battery life – My first Bosch Athlet cordless vacuum cleaner was amazing. Very strong suction, picking up everything and leaving my carpet looking great.… Read more
Unfortunately it stopped working after 10 months. The battery had died. Luckily it was still under warranty so I got a replacement from Bosch- free of charge. When the battery goes - it’s useless as the battery is built-in. My friend found herself in the same situation. I have had my current one for 3 years and it hasn’t missed a beat. It’s such a great vacuum cleaner, so I hope it’s battery holds out a few more years.
Big W Contempo 2 in 1 Vacuum
- Price (RRP) $32
- HEPA FilterNo
Does the job – Great value for money Good on marble and think hard carpet Show details
Roborock Qrevo EdgeC
- Price (RRP) $2,199
- Bin Capacity2.5 L
- HEPA FilterNo
A fantastic vacuum. Have been using this for 6 months now and it’s done a consistently good job each time. App is easy to use and the features are fantastic. We have a mix of tiles, hardwood and carpet - vacuum does great on all surfaces. Show details
Roborock F25 Series 🏆 2026
- Bin Capacity0.72 L
- HEPA FilterEither

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Have been using this for the last year now and super impressed with how much more hygienic and time I get back with spills. Wish I had something like this years ago.
Kmart 2 in 1 Corded Stick Vacuum ST01
- Price (RRP) $32
- HEPA FilterYes
Light and works fine however it is made of cheap hard plastic. The clips that join motor to vacuum bag broke not long after use. After 6 weeks it is held together with duct tape. Inexpensive but save your money.
Thanks for the feedback, we’re sorry to hear the product… Read more
Roborock Qrevo MaxV


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This thing has basically changed my life. We didn't know what we were missing out on with a vacuum only model before; having it vac+mop every other… Read more
day (tiles and hardwood flooring, 2 cats) has been a major step up. The floors are literally always clean, even after we've been away.
The auto mop washing is awesome. Filling/emptying the tanks rolls around more often than I expected but I don't actually mind as it just reminds me how much cleaning it's done; I do suggest putting the dock somewhere near a bathroom so it's easy to top up and empty.
The vacuum + mop works better than expected, I kind of thought I'd have to vacuum *then* mop but it works well as one mode. Super happy with this purchase.
Pocket Vac 2-in-1 Vacuum & Blower 🏆 2026
- Price (RRP) $59.95
- HEPA FilterYes
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Very easy to use and clean. Excellent for tight spaces in car and behind microwave etc inside. Bought as present for man who has everything! Great for going over powerboards and window ledges with soft brush provided. Great product.
Sebo Automatic
- Price (RRP) $899 to $995
- Bin Capacity5 L to 5.3 L
- HEPA FilterYes
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Have used Sebo vacuum for 30 Years, Chose to update to new Model with all the bells and whistles. Sebo Automatic X 7 model has exceeded all my… Read more
expectations, Is especially light to use has extra long cord, a light, able to vacuum all my apartment without having to stop. The Hepa filter is a must for my Asthma. A good range of accessories come with and more available to purchase. The SEBO video on You tube explains how to take care of the Vacuum, easy to follow. My previous SEBO cleaner was still working after 30 years. I chose to retire it for a younger model. Sebo have replacement parts readily available for their cleaners
Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra
- Price (RRP) $2,999
- HEPA FilterNo
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Great for keeping the carpets and floor tidy. Excellent map feature. However you still need to get the vaccum out once in a while to give the carpet… Read more
a proper going over. Also we have cream tiles and do after 6-8 washes you get a band around the wall edge which requires a manual clean. Love being able to leave the house and set it to clean while I’m out.
Roborock Qrevo Edge
- Price (RRP) $2,799
- HEPA FilterNo

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Convenient and cleans super well. I owned a robot vacuum 8 years ago and gosh, the technology has really been elevated and changed so much.… Read more
Everything about it escept refilling/discarding water and emptying the dust bins have been automated, so convenient! And also the app and implementation is done so well and intuitive to use.
Sebo Airbelt K Series
- Price (RRP) $735 to $1,325
- Bin Capacity3 L
Very Disappointed – After 12 months of purchasing this vacuum and minor usage, I have decided to review it. After doing a great deal of research and reading reviews… Read more
from Choice on the Sebo K3 Premium I decided to purchase one. I really needed a quality vacuum that cleaned deeply and got rid of dirt and pet hair.
Nowhere did I read that beware using the motor head on certain carpet! The motor head is so powerful with hard bristles and spins furiously.
First try using the cleaner I ran it over a section of my carpet and to my horror it fluffed up my loop pile carpet causing damage. It wasn’t until I read the small print in the paperwork that it said not to use on any form of loop pile carpet.
On my timber floors it’s not that much better than my Dyson.
It has great suction and runs really quietly. Build is quality but it’s cumbersome to drag around and the hose is always kinking and cutting the air flow. The power cord is so touchy and just starts retracing back into the cleaner and reefing out of the power point.
I am really thankful that I still have my Dyson cordless to use, so quick and easy! I use it religiously and might get out the Sebo every month or two for a deeper clean using the standard head!
Now after purchasing in September 2022 it is playing up and continuously with the power cutting off. Obviously some sort of connection issue? You have to jiggle the cord or hose to get it running. The suction is also inconsistent. Such a shame as it is a sturdy powerful and quiet machine.
I am so disappointed that I spent so much money on a corded vacuum where you even have to change the bags.
Dear Maia88, Thank you for taking the time to post. For… Read more
Shark Navigator Pet ZU62
- Bin Capacity3 L
- HEPA FilterYes
MINS BLOWING!!! I was always a Dyson fan, but this vacuum has completely changed my mind. The amount of dirt and dust it pulled out of our… Read more
carpets—even after vacuuming with our Dyson—was absolutely insane. I'd buy it again in a heartbeat. For the price, it's unbelievable value and easily outperforms our $800 Dyson. We've owned three Dysons over the years, and none of them have cleaned as well as this. We have a Ragdoll cat, and our house has honestly never looked or felt this clean. We're customers for life. 10/10
Roborock Q Revo
- Price (RRP) $1,999
- Bin Capacity2.7 L


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I purchased the Roborock Q Revo Max expecting a premium, reliable robotic vacuum, but my experience over the past 14 months has been frustrating and… Read more
disappointing. Within the first 9 months, the unit had to be sent for repair. Again, at around the 14-month mark, I had to send it back for service a second time. Both interactions with the service team were far from customer-friendly. After each repair, the product initially works, but within a few months the same issues return. Currently, the vacuum has significantly lost suction power, the mopping function has become ineffective, and the noise level is excessive—it sounds like multiple vacuum cleaners running at once. Dealing with customer service adds to the frustration. When you report an issue, you are often treated with skepticism and asked to provide video evidence. After submitting the requested videos, you are issued a courier label that must be printed manually (for example, at Officeworks), and you are required to pack and ship the entire unit yourself via the post office. The turnaround time is typically 7–10 days, after which the product is returned with no clear explanation of what was repaired or what caused the issue. Unfortunately, within a few months, the same problems tend to reappear, leading to a repeated cycle of inconvenience. Based on my experience, this product may only perform reliably for 6–8 months before issues begin. I would recommend considering this carefully before purchasing.
Thank you for sharing your detailed experience – and I'm… Read more (+1 reply)
Miele Blizzard CX1
- HEPA FilterEither
Paid $1000 for this expensive rubbish. We have 2 Labradors so thought this would be great for dog hair. Broom is better. It is heavy and doesn't pick… Read more
up dog hair any better than a cheap one. Can't be used on loops pile carpet and too heavy for stairs. Someone was smoking something bad when they designed it. The brush is part of the the handle so impossible to get cobwebs. The brush hairs fallout. (Emailed Miele and no reply) The canister is small and have to stop and go behind to see how much is in the canister. Insane design. The turbo brush is ok but hates threads or bits of paper and other things so sweep first.
Good morning, Thank you for taking the time to reach out to… Read more (+1 reply)
Shark Corded Upright NZ801
- Bin Capacity0.83 L
- HEPA FilterYes
I had a cordless which I gave away , and to be honest I would never buy a cordless again . Why ? Well , after 3 years it would barely hold a… Read more
charge and the operating time came down to a measly 10 minutes and the suction , sucked.
Eventually I decided on this Shark .
It was smaller than the photos would have you believe ,when it arrived I pieced it together and took it for a spin.
The suction was fantastic and I found on some surfaces I had to open the relief valve to drop the suction power .
I tried it with the canister detached and then with the wand detached , using to reach up into the ceiling for stray cobwebs and going under low furniture and my bed .
I then without telling my wife , went over some rooms she had vacuumed a few days earlier with the older vacuum cleaner she swears by, and as you can see In the photo I ended up with a canister full of dust and grime .
I have included a photo of the old vacuum cleaner, a well known brand that has factories all over the planet , and a well respected brand at that.
Out of curiosity I compared the noise level to the old vacuum cleaner, because this Shark seemed very quiet in comparison but the decibel reading were 88db for the old model and 80db for the Shark.
I put what I was hearing down to a different pitch level in the noise a bit like comparing bass to a midrange or treble.
The Shark was used on mainly wooden floors with plenty of rugs and hall runners in the mix . I didn't bother to lower the suction when shifting from the rugs to the wooden floor , it was not necessary, it was only the small light weight mats than presented a problem with the suction being too strong for these .
You have heard of washing machines swallowing socks never to be seen again well, this vacuum cleaner did the same thing , at first I could not find it in the hosing but then spotted it in the actual barrel with all the rubbish.
A couple of gripes here .
I found I could not sustain vacuuming the ceiling for long because the sheer weight of the hose and fittings were too much for me, being old, tired and decrepid probably explains why.
The other thing is, the cannister when detached is clumsy, there is no up or down unless you are actually holding it with one hand a bit like those old fashion astronauts walking to the rocket with their aux air tank , it falls all over the place. One more thing , I found the brush sliding attachment would not stay in place on the wand until I physically bent the plastic locking mechanism.
All in All I am more than satisfied , it does the job , is not to heavy to push around and with being able to detach parts to suit my needs it proved more than just a common old vacuum cleaner .
Incidentally, I got this at a steal , as there was no stock so had to wait a few weeks, but when it was in stock the price shot up to the recommended retail price only to fall again a few days later, so just be careful when buying this item as the price is volatile and never pay full price, just shop around.
Dreame D20 Pro Plus
- Price (RRP) $999
- Bin Capacity0.5 L
- HEPA FilterNo
Extremely disappointed with the poor quality product and terrible customer service from Dreame Robo Vacuum. The customer care number never connects,… Read more
and there is no proper support available. I have been forced to follow up through emails only and so far I have sent more than 30 emails regarding the same issue.
I even sent the Dreame Robo Vacuum back to the company for repair months ago, but there has still been no proper resolution or update. Every time I follow up, I receive a completely different response from a different team member, with no consistency, accountability, or actual help provided.
No one from the company has even bothered to call and discuss the issue properly. This has been one of the most frustrating after-sales service experiences I have ever dealt with.
Ticket Number: Ticket#OLVQGGXAP9X — and still waiting for a solution after months.
I would strongly recommend others to think twice before purchasing from Dreame unless they are prepared to deal with extremely poor customer service and endless follow-ups.
Hi Dhillon, We understand the concern… Read more
Types of vacuum cleaners
While there are many types of vacuum cleaners available, some of them may simply not be suitable for your situation. The factors most likely to influence your purchasing decision are the size of your home and the type of flooring you have. If you have allergies or pets who shed, you will want a powerful upright or barrel vacuum. Decisions about the type of filter you choose, and whether you opt for a model with a bag or a bin mostly come down to personal preference.
Here are the basics on vacuums - more detailed information can be found after the table.
| Type | Main Features | Best For | Average Prices |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barrel | Interchangeable heads for any surface. Easy to get under furniture and into crevices. Bulkiness is their main drawback. | 3+ bedrooms, any carpet type, pets, multi-storey homes. | $350-$500 |
| Upright | Most powerful vacuum type - best for a thorough clean of any carpet or rug. Their rigid form allows mobility in spite of their weight - although stairs can pose a problem. | 3+ bedrooms, any carpet type, pets, tough cleaning jobs. | $400-$500 |
| Stick | Lightweight, cordless, and easy to store! However, limited power means they’re best for low-pile carpets or hard floors only. | 1-2 bedrooms, low-pile carpet, spot cleaning, secondary vacuum, limited storage space. | $200-$350 |
| Handheld | Handy to store in your kitchen or garage for small, unexpected spills, or getting dirt out of your car. | Spot cleaning, car cleaning, secondary vacuum. | $150-$200 |
| Robot | Automated, can extend the time between more thorough vacuums. Struggles with thick carpet. | Use in conjunction with regular vacuuming, hard flooring, surface debris. | $700+ |
Barrel vacuums • See all
Barrel vacuums are the most popular type on the market, and with our reviewers. Their versatility and flexibility make them an excellent choice for large households.
A basic barrel or canister vacuum can cost around $200, with better performing models typically going for between $350 and $500. A high-end machine can cost from $800 up to $1200.
Power & Turbo Heads
Power and turbo heads are the two types of heads that are typically available with barrel vacuums. While both are designed to give your carpet a deep clean, the key difference is that a power head has its own motor, making it stronger than the turbo head which relies on the airflow of the vacuum to spin the brush.
Upright vacuums • See all
Upright vacuums offer an all-in-one design that is easy to maneuver and control on floors.
If your home has multiple living areas and bedrooms with carpet, and you want to ensure you’re giving them a comprehensive clean, then an Upright vacuum is the type you should be looking at.
Upright vacuums typically start at around $200, with better brand-name models costing $400-$500. A top-of-the-line upright vacuum can retail for between $700 and $900.
Stick and handheld vacuums • See all
A vacuum that's gaining in popularity, stick vacuum cleaners can be a compact option for apartments, or as a secondary vacuum in larger households. Many current stick vacuums easily convert into a handheld unit, making them ideal for cleaning curtains or shelves.
Entry level stick vacuums can start from $180, although many models are available for around $300, with very elite stick vacuums costing up to $900.
Handheld vacuums share many of the attributes of stick vacuums, and are great for storing in the cupboard for unexpected spills, or for cleaning your car interior without the need for an extension cord. While very cheap handheld vacuums are found for under $100, most will cost $150 or $200, with the market maxing out at $400.
Robot vacuums • See all
The joy and convenience of having a robot clean your home while you’re out can now be a reality! While you won’t quite be living like the Jetsons, robot vacuums are quickly escaping their image as a mere novelty, now becoming a legitimate cleaning accessory for your house.
Although a very basic robot vacuum can be had for as low as $200, most models will cost between $700 and $1000, or even more.
What to consider when choosing a vacuum cleaner
Bagged vs bagless vacuum cleaners
Choosing whether to go with a bagged unit or a bagless unit can be a tricky decision - especially with a lot of marketing hype for the latter.
These days, with newer, efficient models on the market, the decision is by and large down to personal preference.
Bagged vacuums
Bagged vacuums usually require proprietary bags, which can be difficult to find if you can’t buy them directly from the manufacturer (most supermarkets no longer stock vacuum bags).
The benefit of finding them is that a bagged vacuum will typically have a higher capacity than that of a bin. The bags are also designed to be part of the filtration system, and are easy to remove without mess - which make them a good choice for users sensitive to allergens.
However, bagged vacuums have a significantly higher running cost compared to bagless vacuums, as bags can be an expensive consumable. Additionally, as the bag fills up, bagged vacuums lose suction, and reduce the effectiveness of turbo heads.
Bagless vacuums
Currently the more popular of the two types, bagless vacuums are appealing due to their clean design. Reviewers have commented that the transparent bins on bagless vacuums are incredibly handy for finding small objects accidentally sucked up by the unit, such as coins or rings. The lack of consumable vacuum bags mean that it’s more convenient - no need to worry about running out of bags; and operating costs are much lower, too.
Bagless vacuums do have their drawbacks, though. Maintenance is more tedious with bagless vacuums, as the filter will need to be cleaned on a more frequent basis. Unfilling the bin can also be a mess, as a lack of a sealed bag means that the process can release more dust and allergens back into the air than bagged vacuums (although unfilling outside mostly mitigates this).
HEPA filters
For a filter to meet the HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) standard, it is required to filter out 99.97% of particles 0.3 microns or larger. For comparison, a standard vacuum micro filter can remove around 96% of these particles.
Vacuums with HEPA filters usually cost more up-front, and the filter will need to be replaced or, if possible, properly washed at least every 12 months.
It should be noted that a denser, more comprehensive filter will require a more powerful motor to generate the desired amount of suction.
Is a HEPA filter vacuum worth it?
HEPA filters are usually recommended for any persons with asthma or low allergen tolerance, as they can filter out triggering particles like pollen.
However, a HEPA filter should not be treated as a 'silver bullet' solution to dust and allergen control. Despite having a HEPA filter, if a vacuum cleaner is inadequately sealed, not all air will be drawn through the filter, which may result in unprocessed air leaking from the machine.
There is also a chance for collected dust to be released back into the air when emptying your vacuum’s bin or bag, although this can be avoided by disposing of waste outdoors. Last but not least, the regularity and thoroughness of your cleaning schedule also plays a big role in allergen control, and it is important to clean curtains and furniture as well as the floors.
Features
Now that you’ve got all the information you need to decide on a vacuum, we can take a look at some of the features and accessories that are available with your purchase. These include:
- Adjustable head height: If you have carpets or rugs of different heights, as well as areas of hard flooring, you’ll want a height-adjustable head to cater for all your surfaces.
- Head attachments: Incredibly handy, they are clip-on heads designed to reach into crevices, or clean softer surfaces like couches.
- Contact points: Some vacuums offer soft rubber bumpers or wheels to limit scuffing walls and furniture.
- Telescopic wand: A good barrel vacuum should allow you to change the length of the wand to suit individual users, or just to give you a bit of extra reach.
- Retractable power cord: A standard feature in most barrel vacuums, this feature makes storing your unit a breeze. Be aware that the majority of upright vacuums do not have a retractable cord.
- Full bag indicator: An essential feature in a bagged upright or barrel model, since suction decreases as the bag fills up.
- Brush reverse: If your brush head gets tangled up with string or cables, this feature can help get your machine running smoothly again without having to break out the scissors.
- Suction control: Being able to increase or reduce suction can allow you to clean loose curtains, or apply more power to a particularly dirty patch.
- Ergonomics: Small details like the placement of buttons, the shape of the handle, and the weight of the machine can be the difference between a good machine and a great one.
- Storage: The more contained a unit can become for storage, the better, especially Barrel vacuums, where a clip for the wand or hose can stop them from falling all over inside your cupboard.
- Warranty: Be aware that some vacuums may have a warranty that only covers the motor, while others may have differing warranty periods between the motor and other parts of the machine.
Conclusion
Researching a vacuum cleaner goes beyond deciding on a type or feature set. Before making your purchase, take a moment to browse our vacuum cleaner reviews and read genuine opinions from other Australians on what they love (or hate) about their own vacuums.
Most reviews discuss key features such as suction power, maneuverability, and value; with many also discussing finer details such as build quality, accessible buttons, ease of use, and more - all of which can contribute to making your own purchasing decision.
Hi Kimmy, Thank you for taking the time to share… Read more