Thanks to the ComfortClean function, the vac will automatically clean the Gore CleanStream fine dust filter once it gets clogged.
A bit difficult to unravel long hair or threads from the roller brush.
The Miele Blizzard CX1 vacuum cleaner uses the innovative Vortex technology to guarantee excellent cleaning results. It's a special "Cat and Dog" edition that comes with the TurboTeQ brush to quickly and efficiently remove pet hair from your carpets and floors.
900 W
2 L
HEPA lifetime filter, Gore CleanStream fine dust filter
TurboTeQ brush, Upholstery nozzle, Crevice nozzle
Vortex technology, Two park systems, Click2open mechanism, ComfortClean self-cleaning function, 7.5-m power cord with automatic cord rewind
2 years
This cordless vacuum cleaner can continuously operate up to 40 minutes on one charge. So, you're not tied to the power socket.
The dirt tray isn't very capacious.
The G-Tech AirRam vacuum cleaner boasts an innovative design to turn cleanup into a quick and easy process. The lightweight construction of the device, as well as its large wheels, makes it extremely manoeuvrable, while its Ultra-low profile makes it a good fit for cleaning under the furniture.
100 W
0.8 L
Washable filter
Hardfloor brush
4-stage power indicator
5 years
A multiple cyclone technology ensures consistent and powerful suction and efficiently separate the finest dust even before it will get into the filter.
The handle might seem inconvenient
Need to vacuum large rooms? The Vax U90-MA-Re with an extra-long cable and 3.6-metre hose will do the trick. Moreover, a telescopic wand will further extend the hose and add convenience when cleaning steps saving you the need to carry the vac with you.
820 W
1.5 L
HEPA filter
Crevice tool, Dusting brush, Upholstery tool
Long hose and cord, Multi-cyclonic technology, Lightweight and compact
6 years
This model is equipped with nozzles for cleaning crevices, stairs, nooks, and any of the spots that are normally hard to reach.
Works pretty noisily.
The Hoover SE71WR02 is positively tiny compared to some other models, despite having a rather powerful motor and offering great suction. It's a bit noisy during operation but it's one of the most affordable vacuums you could find. A good choice for a thrifty shopper.
700 W
1.5 L
Pre-motor and exhaust filter
Pets Turbo brush, 2-in-1 Dusting brush, Crevice tool
On-board tool storage, Automatic cord rewind, Carry handle, Wheels
6 years
The combination floor head is equally effective at cleaning soft surfaces like rugs and carpets and hard flooring types such as wood and tile.
The spot where the hose connects to the body of the vacuum looks flimsy.
While being one of the most compact and lightweight canister vacuum cleaners out there, the Vax AWC01 doesn't seem to lack in the suction power and works great on all flooring types.
800 W
2.2 L
HEPA filter
Crevice nozzle, Upholstery nozzle, Dusting brush, Combination floor nozzle
Foot-operated cord rewind, Carry handle, Wheels
1 year
Extremely Useful for Pet Households
The Miele Blizzard CX1 Cat and Dog edition copes brilliantly with everything including pet hair! Designed with innovative Vortex Technology and 1200-Watt powerful motor, it delivers an impressive deep clean of any surface. Depending on what you’re going to vacuum, you can easily adjust the power using a convenient rotary dial. The vacuum offers four suction levels for carpets and hard floors. At the maximum setting, the airflow exceeds 100km/h to capture both coarse dirt and fine dust. And to ensure a consistently high cleaning performance, the vacuum is equipped with a smart sensor. Once it senses low air throughput of the Gore CleanStream filter, it automatically activates the self-cleaning function.
This cleaner is ideal for pet owners since it comes with the special TurboTeQ brush that ensures effective and fast removal of hair and fluff. Also, the set includes an upholstery nozzle, crevice nozzle, and a dusting brush. All the accessories clip together fairly well and can be neatly secured at the back of the vacuum. This bagless hoover has a large-capacity dust container that’s very easy to empty owing to the Click2open mechanism. The lid opens at a full 180°, allowing all collected dirt and pet hair to fall directly into the trash bin without producing any dust cloud.
It Will Change the Way you Vacuum
We are almost sure that those who’ve ever tried to vacuum with this little genius thing will never switch back to bulky corded cleaners again. The Gtech AirRam cordless vac is a real revolution in floor cleaning. With its innovative design, the cleaner is extremely portable and light. No cables that get snagged and no heavy weight to lift! At less than 3.5 kg, it’s very convenient to manoeuvre and get into the tightest areas. It twists and turns with ease and performs well both on carpets and on hard floors. And its ultra-low profile allows you to clean under the furniture.
Although it’s a cordless model, it performs brilliantly. It absolutely equals the majority of mains-powered upright vacuums in performance. And while corded upright cleaners consume an average of 1360W, this mighty one needs just 100W of energy. And what’s notable about the AirRam no-bag vacuum cleaner is that you can always “talk” to it using your PC and USB connection. From your computer, you’ll be able to calculate the consumed electricity, check the battery, see how many calories you’ve burnt, and get Gtech customer support.
Great Efficiency and Usability
Users who appreciate appliances that combine great efficiency and usability features should turn their attention to the Vax Air Reach model of upright vac. What makes the Vax Air Reach vacuum a very effective cleaner is its adjustable suction level. At the bottom part of the appliance, you’ll find an air vent with a slider. Once you move it to the left, the vent will get closed to ensure extremely powerful suction – great option to vacuum clean smooth surfaces and low-pile carpets. However, if you need to clean deep-pile carpets, we advise you to reduce suction power by moving the slider to the right. Also, don’t overlook a light indicator above a brush bar that will tell you when you should remove excessive debris gathered inside.
Although this bagless upright vacuum cleaner is corded, the length of its power cord makes 12 metres, meaning you can clean several rooms without plugging/unplugging the appliance. Moreover, the manufacturer has equipped the vacuum with an extra-long 2.3-meter hose so that you could clean even the most hard-to-reach places. Also, the vacuum boasts a number of accessories that can make the cleaning of tight spaces hassle-free.
Bargain!
Not everybody is willing to spend hundreds of pounds on a simple household appliance such as a vacuum cleaner, even if it’s got some accessories to go along with it. If you’re a thrifty shopper looking for a bargain but don’t want to compromise on the quality of the vacuum, we recommend trying the Hoover SE71WR02 Whirlwind. This model is quite lightweight at a mere 3.8 kg but it’s certainly up to par with the bigger ones in terms of the suction power. It definitely won't rip tiles out of the floor but 700 W is enough to suck up any dirt, dust, and clingy pet fur out of carpets. You can, of course, adjust the power level when you’re cleaning curtains or particularly delicate materials.
We’re not going to pretend that the small size of the vacuum doesn’t have a disadvantage, namely the pretty tiny collection tank of 1.5 litres. You’ll have to empty it out after every cleaning session and, occasionally, maybe even in the middle of one.
Like any good bagless vacuum cleaner, the Hoover SE71WR02 Whirlwind has a fully flexible hose and a telescopic tube so you can reach any spot in the room with ease. You won’t ever have to get down on your knees to brush stray hairs or dirt from underneath the couch as the Hoover SE71WR02 Whirlwind comes with a crevice tool. This nozzle lets you slide into any nooks to get to particularly dirty areas that can’t be reached with the regular attachment. Owners of furry pets will be glad to know that the Hoover SE71WR02 Whirlwind is equipped with a special turbo brush designed to suck up animal hairs. No more shedding on your clothes, no stray fur clogging up the carpet, the nozzle lets you pick up fur efficiently.
Overall, we find the Hoover SE71WR02 Whirlwind to be a great bargain if you’re looking for an effective and compact canister vacuum that’s going to keep your home free of dirt and pet hair.
Quiet and Cmpact
Many effective vacuum cleaners tend to be bulky, taking up a lot of storage space and banging into furniture when you try to maneuver them around the room. Thankfully, the Vax AWC01 Power 3 is a compact and lightweight exception to the rule. The whole vacuum is basically just the wheels to roll around, the canister to store dirt and dust, and the long hose to reach all over the room. It’s a simple yet elegant and effective device and not just because of the minimalistic design.
This bagless cylinder vacuum cleaner comes with several attachments for more efficient cleaning, including crevice and upholstery nozzles. These two nozzles are coupled with a special dusting brush for light cleaning of delicate surfaces and a combination floor head that’s equally effective on carpets, tile, wood, and any other flooring type.
The Vax AWC01 Power 3 is easy to move around thanks to the low 4.3 kg weight and the wheels. We also can’t skip the HEPA filter that uses three barriers to prevent dust and debris from escaping back into the air, guaranteeing a pretty much 100% rate of filtration.
However, we are a bit apprehensive about the quality of the hose. It isn’t affixed to the body of the vacuum all that well and we wouldn’t recommend tugging on it too hard if you don’t want to end up with a broken device. Still, the Vax AWC01 is sure to get your home squeaky clean. It’s a well-designed bagless canister vacuum that's comparatively quiet and one of the most compact models we’ve seen before.
What Is a Bagless Vacuum Cleaner?
Just like their bagged counterparts, bagless vacuums have great suction power and can easily trap all the dust and debris from your floors inside a canister. They often have clear chambers that allow you to see when the canister needs to be emptied out and whether the appliance is gathering dirt or not. Plus, if you accidentally vacuum something valuable, you can notice this and open the chamber to get your item back. However, the main benefit is that they don't use bags that might be too costly and fiddly. Thus, the bagless vacs are quicker to empty and less expensive to maintain. You won’t need to buy replacement bags, which will save you money in the long run. The only thing you should do is to clean their filters once a month. Some filters have anti-bacterial protection to reduce dust mites and allergens. Also, bagless models can send dust back into a room when being emptied. That's why those with allergies should opt for bagged vacuums or choose models with anti-bacterial protection and be very careful when emptying the chamber, as spilled dust might trigger allergy reactions.
What Features to Compare
Performance
Suction power influences the vacuuming speed directly. The higher suction power a vac has, the faster cleanup it ensures. However, less wattage doesn’t necessarily mean less suction power. So, check both these features before purchasing a vacuum cleaner. An average energy consumption makes around 0.27 kWh to vacuum a 100 sq ft area at full suction. Still, some high-end models consume even less power, so if you want to save on electricity bills, consider the energy-efficiency class as well.
Attachments
Nozzles also influence the performance of a vac cleaner. For example, a wall/floor brush is good for cleaning bare floors and walls. The turbine head can remove pet hair from your carpets or furniture. The crevice tool is handy for removing dust from drawers, furniture, and air-conditioning vents. The brush roller can get dust out of household appliances, while the dusting brush cleans blinds, lampshades, and mouldings. For upholstered fabrics, mattresses, and curtains, you can use the upholstery attachment. An accessory set might also include other nozzles that will help you remove dust from the most hard-to-reach areas.
Dust Canister Capacity
Also, pay attention to the dust capacity. If you have a large house or apartment that requires lots of cleaning, it's better to choose a model with a high capacity in order to empty it less often. For many vacuums, the amount of dust picked up might diminish as the container fills up. Therefore, we suggest that you empty the canister as often as possible.
Filters
It's very important to choose a model that will retain dust in the canister and won't let it escape back into the room. Cheap vacuum cleaners capture less than 10% of tiny allergen particles, while the best models retain more than 99%. If you or your family members suffer from allergies, consider these ratings carefully. The HEPA filter is known to be the best on the market since it captures up to 99.97% of bacteria, dust, and germs.
Extras
Some vacuums might have extra features allowing them to perform more functions. Certain vacs can even dry carpets or act as a steam mop. For comfortable use, many models come with long cords up to 50 feet. A vac with a long cord will be handy if you're short of power outlets around your house or you need to clean stairs. The cord length of an average vacuum varies from 15 to 50 feet.
Did you know?
The Predecessors of Vacuum Cleaners were Human-powered
Ives McGaffey patented a carpet-cleaning machine that used a simple fan to blow air into a container in 1869. Seven years later, Anna and Melville Bissell created the Bissell Carpet Sweeper. The machine included rollers and bundles of hog bristles tied together. It had no powered suction - the rolling bristles did the job. It needed two people to operate it.
The Arrival of a Powered Vacuum Cleaner
The first powered vacuum cleaner was patented by Hubert Cecil Booth on August 30, 1901. This invention ran on gasoline and was known as “Puffing Billy”. However, it was extremely bulky and required horse-drawn carts to move from one home to another. The first portable upright vacuum was invented in 1908 by William Henry Hoover.
Almost in Every Household
98% of American families have a vacuum cleaner.
High Technologies
Nowadays, you can buy a vacuum cleaner fitted with sensors which will inform you whether a surface has been cleaned properly or not. You can also buy high-end vacuums capable of handling water and other liquids with no problem at all.
The First Robotic Vacuum
The first robotic vac debuted on the BBC in 1997. It was named the Hammacher Schlemmer Electrolux Trilobite after an extinct arthropod that lurked on the ocean’s floor and sucked up bits of nutrition. Just like the arthropod, the vacuum Trilobite used ultrasonic sensors to navigate through a house and catch every bit of dirt. The first robotic vacuum could even indicate when its dustbin was full and the charge level was low. Nowadays, robotic vacuum cleaners work fantastically, still, they can't keep the house as clean as regular vacuum cleaners do.
A Piece of Art
Rambo Amadeus, a Belgrade songwriter, makes performances which involve playing on different household appliances, and vacuum cleaners are among them. This isn't the only example of household appliances being used as part of the art. Today you can find a countless number of sculptures and installations created out of deconstructed vacuum parts. Not only that, you can actually go visit one of the numerous museums of vacuum cleaners that can be found almost everywhere in the world. The first thematic museum related to vacuum cleaners was opened in St.Hames, Missouri.
15 Years on Invention of a Bagless Vacuum
James Dyson started invented a bagless canister vacuum cleaner in 1979, but the first bagless cyclonic vacuum cracked the market in 1991 in Japan. Not only did it take Dyson 15 years, it took him 5,127 attempts to succeed in creating the first vac. Be appearance the newly invented bagless vacuum cleaner looked much better than conventional models and unlike them, it could maintain 100% suction power and 100% of time as it was deprived of a dust bag. So despite James Dyson spent so long on creating such a unique hoover, the waiting was worth it.
Why "Hoovers"?
William Henry Hoover has bought rights to produce the first portable vacuum powered by a motor, hence, the name. He was so successful in selling this product because he offered a 10-day free trial.
FAQ:
Q: What are the main benefits of bagless vacuums?
A: Bagless vacuums really have some standout characteristics which set them apart from their bagged counterparts.
- They are less expensive to maintain because they don't require replaceable bags. You just need to empty the canister of a bagless vac when it's full. And the clear chamber allows you to see when it needs to be emptied.
- They are more eco-friendly option since they don't use bags. Bagged hoovers use more than a hundred bags over a lifetime, and every bag needs some resources for its production and transportation. So, if you want to live a bit greener, a bagless model is your choice.
- The bagless vacuums don't lose suction like it often happens with their bagged counterparts. As the bag fills, a bagged vacuum cleaner has a tendency to slowly lose suction. Bagless hoovers still have a good suction even when the canister is almost full. Plus, since the canister is transparent, you know when it's time to empty it.
Q: Does a powerful motor always provide more suction?
A: Not at all. The amperage of a motor measures just an electrical current, not the suction power. The performance depends on the design, the air flow, and the filtration system of the device. Vacuum cleaners with high airflow level have more suction power. Air flow is usually measured in cubic feet of air per minute (CFM).
Q: How should I clean the dust container?
A: Usually, bagless vacuums have a marker indicating showing when it's time to empty the container. Just empty the container when you reach this marking. Also, you should clean the unit after each vacuuming session in order not to let dirt and debris settle within the container. You can wipe the dust container with a damp cloth or rinse it out with water, however, don't immerse it fully in the water.
Q: Are bagged vacuums really better for allergy sufferers?
A: Typically, yes. The bag keeps the dust out of escaping into the air. However, not all bagged vacuums are created equally well. Some models have bags with large pores which allow allergens to penetrate back into the air.
Q: Do I need a HEPA filter?
A: If you suffer from asthma, allergies, COPD or other respiratory conditions, you should definitely get a vac with a HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter with a sealed system. Tha vacuums with a HEPA system remove not only dirt, hair, debris or dust but also dander, dust mite allergens, pollen, and germs that might cause allergic or asthmatic respiratory reactions. A HEPA filter traps up to 99.97% of 0.3-micron particles and larger.
Q: My vacuum is losing suction, what can I do?
A: First of all, you should check the filters of your vacuum. Clogged or dirty filters are the #1 reason for losing suction. Wash the filters, let them air dry, and try again. If your vacuum is still losing suction, probably it's time to change the filters.
Q: How often should I change filters?
A: Vacuums (and their filtration system) differ from model to model. Check the manufacturer's instructions and don't forget to clean filters timely. However, note that not all filters are washable. Consider this before purchasing as well.
Q: Do I need to remove debris from the roller?
A: Of course, you need. You should clean both the bristles of the roller and the internal roller compartment itself. Cleaning the roller will extend the life of your vacuum cleaner and help it run better. Getting to the roller compartment might be tricky, and it's better to refer to the manual.
Sources:
1. Sarah Aguirre What Is the Difference Between a Bagless and a Bagged Vacuum Cleaner? The Spruce. January 15, 2017.
2. Vacuum cleaner, Wikipedia.
3. Jeff Flowers How to Keep Your Vacuum Cleaner Working Like New, CompactAppliance.com. December 9, 2015.
4. Janet Burns Get Sucked In With These 11 Facts About the History of the Vacuum Cleaner, Mental Floss. May 26, 2015.
5. What is a HEPA Vacuum Cleaner? EPA.