While vacuuming may not be your favorite household chore, it’s a necessary part of keeping your home clean. However, choosing a vacuum can be even more frustrating than the actual chore itself. A good vacuum can help you clean faster, better, and easier. There are a lot of great vacuums on the market with various bells and whistles—so how do you choose which one is right for you? The following guide can help you decide.

Determine your needs 

Before you start browsing for your perfect vacuum, determine what your needs are. Make a list of the following:

• Types of flooring: Do you have majority hardwood, carpet, area rugs, or a combination?
• Types of messes: Do you have kids or pets that make tough messes?
• Noise level: Will the noise level of the vacuum matter? If you live in an apartment or have kids, you might want to choose a quieter model.
• Technology: Would it be helpful or confusing if your vacuum had Wi-Fi functionality?
• Budget: What is your budget? Be realistic by looking through vacuums on Amazon and other similar sites to gauge how much you can spend to comfortably meet your needs.

Vacuum types 

There are five main types of vacuums you can choose from, so start by narrowing down which type of vacuum is most appealing to you. Consider the following pros and cons for each type:

Upright 

Upright vacuums are the most common household vacuums. They are budget-friendly, easy to store since they stand on their own, and can clean large sections at a time. If you have deep carpets, an upright vacuum could be the most useful for you. However, they tend to be heavy and noisy. If you have a hard time pushing and pulling, then you should choose a lighter type of vacuum.

Canister

Even though they are less popular, a canister vacuum can be a good choice if you have bare hardwood floors, need to reach higher spots like drapes, and want a quieter vacuum. Canister vacuums are light to push and pick up, but you will have to move the canister along with you. However, storing the canister with the vacuum can be difficult as they tend to be bulky and awkwardly shaped.

Stick 

If you have a lot of hardwood and area rugs, a stick vacuum could be the best type of vacuum for you. Stick vacuums are compact, light, often come in a cordless style, and are usually budget-friendly. They are best suited for picking up light dirt and debris, so if you need a deep clean from pets and children, a stick vacuum may not be for you. Be wary that cordless stick vacuums tend to have short battery life and they don’t hold a lot in their canister.

Handheld 

Sometimes your messes don’t require a large vacuum, and that’s where a handheld vacuum can help supplement your existing one. Most handheld vacuums are budget-friendly, small, light, cordless, and come with attachments to reach tiny crevices. You can also keep one in your car for a quick clean!

Robotic 

Automating your cleaning could be the solution you need to help your busy schedule. A robotic vacuum offers a hands-free way to set it and forget it. These tiny vacuums go around and pick up dirt for you, and they can even do it on a schedule. Some models can empty themselves after use, but some you have to clean and empty yourself frequently during the vacuum cycle. Additionally, robot vacuums can be loud and may be scary to animals and children, so make sure you have a place for them to stay while the vacuum runs.

Add-ons 

Nowadays, most vacuums come with bells and whistles that can be helpful, but make sure yours comes with the right additions, not just shiny add-ons you won’t find useful. Here are a few features to look for:

Attachments 

Look to see if the vacuum you’re interested in has a detachable hose with added attachments, such as a crevice tool, dusting brush, upholstery tool, and an extension wand. These can be helpful if you have multiple types of surfaces to tackle.

Mop feature 

Combining your vacuum and mop into one can save you storage space. If a vacuum has mopping capabilities, make sure the mop works for the surfaces in your home. Some can clean area rugs but aren’t suitable for deep rugs and vice versa.

Bagless

When a vacuum description says it’s bagless, it means you can directly empty the dirt into the trash and don’t have to replace the dirt collection bag after each use. Bagless vacuums are handy, but if you have allergies, it might be best to keep the dirt and debris in a bag in the trash for an extra layer of protection from it getting into the air.

Cleaning your floors doesn’t have to be a hassle if you pick the right tools! Use these tips to shop smarter for your next vacuum cleaner.