How to choose a washing vacuum cleaner

We understand the details

Portable vacuum cleaners are classified depending on their purpose and the design of the main components: an electric motor, a chassis, an air filtration system, filters that protect the engine compartment from dust, a mechanism for collecting dust (most often a flexible hose with various brush nozzles) and a dust collector.

Engine. The suction power of the vacuum cleaner depends on it. It is she (and not the power consumption) that determines the cleaning ability of the device. The higher the suction power, the better the technique will cope with the extraction of dust from the fleecy carpet and will prove itself in other “difficult cases”. For modern vacuum cleaners, a suction power of 350-400 ae can be considered good, and 450-500 ae is excellent.

Chassis. Most often, to move the vacuum cleaner, we pull it behind us “like a burlack” – by the hose. This is inconvenient, especially when the equipment is massive enough and the room is cluttered with furniture. A comfortable chassis will help us save energy. It is desirable that the vacuum cleaner has large diameter wheels (this makes it easier to overcome unevenness in the floor). The rigid retractable handle (available on the Viva Control ZV 1040 model from Electrolux, Sweden) is very convenient, which makes the device look like a trolley suitcase used on trips. And in order to protect furniture from damage in a collision with a vacuum cleaner, it is often supplied with a special “bumper” made of soft plastic.

Dust collector. The design of the vacuum cleaner may include the use of a plastic container, a reusable cloth bag, or a disposable paper bag.

• Disposable bag – it is very convenient and hygienic. The only drawback is the need to pay for such packages. Depending on the intensity of cleaning and the size of the apartment, you may need 2-4 sets of packages per year at a cost of a set of 300-350 rubles.
• Cloth bag – the oldest and most inconvenient type of dust collector, since it must be regularly shaken out by hand. It is not surprising that vacuum cleaners with such bags are practically not produced now.
• Plastic container in this respect it is much more comfortable, although it can also be difficult to empty it. Vacuum cleaners with a container, which uses the technology of compressing dust into a briquette (Steam Kompressor model from LG Electronics, Korea), are very promising. As a result, the container holds 4–5 times more dust than a conventional vacuum cleaner. And “at the exit” a rather dense and hygienic Dust Cube briquette is obtained.

The volume of the dust collector in different models ranges from 1-1,5 to 3-4 liters. The larger this value, the less often you have to empty the container (and this is an unpleasant procedure). It is not surprising that many housewives prefer vacuum cleaners with a spacious dust collector, such as the BSG 82425 model (Bosch, Germany) with a 6 liter container.

There are two fundamentally different design schemes for vacuum cleaners. In the first – “American” – the unit is equipped with a long rigid handle, to which a container for collecting dust is attached. With the help of the handle, the owner pushes the cart with the engine located on it in front of him. In the “European” scheme, the engine and the garbage container are united by a common body, and a long flexible hose is used for cleaning. A nozzle is put on it, suitable for performing a particular operation. Each scheme has its own advantages. The “American” vacuum cleaner is good where it is necessary to clean a large area relatively free of furniture from dust. The “European” vacuum cleaner is more convenient for small apartments.

What kind of cleaning are you interested in?

Dry The bulk of the vacuum cleaners on the market are designed for cleaning dry household dust and debris. There are, however, exceptions.

Wet. With the help of washing vacuum cleaners, in addition to the usual dry cleaning of premises, you can carry out wet cleaning. It goes like this. Water is poured into a special tank (with or without detergent). During operation, the vacuum cleaner “irrigates” the surface to be treated, and then sucks in water along with dust and dirt.

Steam. In addition, some models are equipped with a built-in steam generator, which allows for the so-called steam cleaning. This cleaning has several advantages. For example, it allows you to clean the most “corrosive” dirt. In addition, the hot steam effectively destroys harmful microorganisms. The only drawback of steam vacuum cleaners is their high cost. Until recently, such devices were offered mainly by manufacturers of professional equipment (the most famous are steam vacuum cleaners from the German company Karcher). Advanced appliances cost several times more than conventional household vacuum cleaners. For example, the most popular models Karcher SV 1802, SV 1902 or VMA 1530 from Hoover, USA, today can be purchased for 20-25 thousand rubles.

The Steam Kompressor vacuum cleaner (LG Electronics) with a special steam nozzle, which has recently appeared on the market, is more democratic in cost (about 18 thousand rubles).

Noise level

A vacuum cleaner is one of the loudest household appliances. For many models, a noise level of the order of 77-80 dBA is considered the norm. This is a lot – households will not be able to ignore such a sound. Manufacturers try to keep vacuum cleaners as quiet as possible. So far, one of the record holders is the Ultra Silencer (Electrolux) model, whose noise level is only 71 dBA. Even quieter – 66 dBA – model RO 4541 (Rowenta).

Read next: robot vacuum cleaner reviews

Which filter is the best?

Older models used thick fabric as filters. This did not allow removing the smallest dust particles – less than ten microns in diameter. Although it is this fine dust that poses the greatest danger. Firstly, it contains harmful microorganisms and the most powerful allergens (pollen, dust mite waste). Secondly, it “hangs” in the air for a long time (for example, a particle with a diameter of 1 micron settles at a speed of about 10 cm per hour). As a result, it turns out that such vacuum cleaners, instead of cleaning, raise clouds of fine dust into the air, actually polluting it.

High purity filters (HEPA)

Advantages. To fight microscopic dust particles, you need truly reliable filters. Today so-called high efficiency filters (HEPA) are used for this. They are divided into several classes (from H10 to H14). HEPA-filters of the 14th class are able to purify the air 3000 times more efficiently than the “same” HEPA-filters, but of the 10th class. Therefore, when buying, it is imperative to clarify which filter class the device is equipped with. So far, the maximum for vacuum cleaners is HEPA 13 filters. They, in particular, are equipped with models TD3865, TD3665 from Hoover, VC3720HUN (“Brownie”) from LG, ZUS 3365, ZUS 3388 from Electrolux, FC 9166 from Philips.

Disadvantages. From a purely practical point of view, vacuum cleaners with a water filter have one serious drawback. This is the need to fill in water before cleaning and empty the vacuum cleaner after work. This technique is not particularly convenient for daily use, when it is necessary, for example, to urgently remove several fallen crumbs from a small area of ​​the kitchen floor.

Water filters, “cyclone”

Advantages. Vacuum cleaners with a “cyclone” and a water filter are also capable of providing a high level of air purification. As for portable vacuum cleaners, the cyclonic system was first used in Dyson models. In theory, this system eliminates the need for consumables (filters). Nevertheless, in practice, HEPA filters are also used in cyclonic vacuum cleaners (Dyson models, VT-1845 Circulation from Vitek, Austria, C-2220 TSF from Rolsen, Korea). This combination allows for optimal results: high suction power (the cyclone filter does not place such a load on the motor) and a longer life of the HEPA filters, since most of the dust is trapped by the cyclone. In addition, there are combinations of water and HEPA filters, for example, in the VT-1823 Waterfall from Vitek, as well as in many Thomas, Germany vacuum cleaners.

Disadvantages. The main problem with vacuum cleaners with HEPA filters is that mechanical filters lose their effectiveness over time. So it is very important to replace them in a timely manner. But the service life of the filters (depending on the intensity of the equipment operation) can vary from several months to several years. When it’s time to replace it, it’s impossible to say for sure. Miele did the most rational thing by equipping the EcoComfort vacuum cleaner with a filter clogging indicator (which is designed for 50 hours of operation). On some models, HEPA filters can be washed.

The ergonomics of the vacuum cleaner for many owners “begins and ends” with a hose – the main tool of work. Therefore, before buying, you should not be lazy and appreciate the variety of attachments and the convenience of the design of the sliding rod and hose. Is the hose light enough? If you extend the bar to its maximum length, will the hostess be able to reach the cobwebs on the ceiling? Will it be convenient to remove dust from under the bed?

• Pay attention to handle design… In some models, control keys are placed on it. For example, vacuum cleaners S 4781 from Miele, Freemotion TFC 6212 from Hoover, RO 4541 from Rowenta (France), FC 9166 from Philips, SC8471 from Samsung (Korea), MC-E5030 from Panasonic (Japan), T- 2585THF from Rolsen. The remote control is convenient, as it allows the owners not to bend over again.