How To Buy The Best Vacuum Cleaner For Your Needs

When you have a great vacuum cleaner, housework isn’t such a hassle. But with so many options to choose from, it can be tricky to find the best vacuum for your needs.

In this Myer guide, we’ll provide top tips for buying a vacuum cleaner – including expert advice about key features. Keep reading to see how the top ranked vacuum cleaners compare, so you can find one that suits your budget and lifestyle.

Stick and upright vacuums are great for fast and convenient cleaning. Whilst stick vacuums are usually slim, lightweight and cordless, upright vacuums are generally larger, heavier, corded and more powerful.  

Let’s take a look at their key benefits:

Best for:

• Stick: Small spaces, hard floors, quick spot cleans.
• Upright: Larger homes, carpeted rooms, high-traffic areas.

Pros:

• Stick: Lightweight, portable, easy to store.
• Upright: Strong suction, wide cleaning path, bigger dust bins.

Cons:

• Stick: Smaller dust bins, shorter run time.
• Upright: Heavier, less manoeuvrable.

Price range:

• Stick: Around $100–$1,000+
• Upright: Around $200–$1,500+

Barrel vacuums feature a canister body on wheels connected to a cleaning wand by a flexible hose. Their design makes them easy to manoeuvre around furniture and reach into tight spaces, with strong suction for a variety of surfaces.

• Best for: Homes with mixed flooring, stairs and hard-to-reach areas.
• Pros: Versatile, good manoeuvrability, strong suction, large dust capacity.
• Cons: Bulkier to store, can be awkward to move between levels.
• Price range: Around $120–$1,200+, depending on brand and features.

Robot vacuums are compact, automated cleaners designed to navigate your home and clean floors with minimal effort from you. Using sensors and mapping technology, they can vacuum (and sometimes mop) hard floors and low-pile carpets on a set schedule, returning to their dock to recharge.

• Best for: Busy households, hard floors, low-pile carpets and maintaining cleanliness between deep cleans.
• Pros: Hands-free cleaning, can be scheduled, fits under furniture, saves time.
• Cons: Smaller dust bins, less powerful on thick carpets, may miss corners or edges.
• Price range: Around $200–$2,000+, depending on brand, suction power, and smart features.

When choosing a new vacuum, think about the features that will best suit your home:

• Suction power: Higher suction makes cleaning more effective, especially for carpets.
• Filtration systems: HEPA filters trap fine dust and allergens.
• Floor heads and tools: Specialised vacuum accessories improve cleaning on different surfaces and tricky spots.
• Capacity: Larger bins means fewer emptying trips, great for big homes.
• Weight and ease of use: Lighter models are easier to carry and push.
• Noise level: Quieter models are better for shared spaces or early-morning cleans.
• Battery life and charging time: Longer runtimes mean fewer recharges.
• Smart features: App control, scheduling and mapping add convenience.

Lightweight and versatile, cordless vacuums offer freedom of movement without being tethered to a power point.

Pros:

• Portable and easy to move between rooms.
• No cords to tangle or limit reach.
• Quick and convenient for spot cleaning.

Cons:

• Limited battery life between charges.
• May have less suction than corded models.
• Smaller dustbin capacity.

Reliable and powerful, corded vacuums provide consistent suction without worrying about battery life.

Pros:

• Strong, consistent suction power.
• No need to recharge – ready to use anytime.
• Often larger dustbin or bag capacity.

Cons:

• Power cord can limit reach and movement.
• Heavier and less portable than cordless models.
• Requires access to power points while cleaning.

Vacuum cleaners designed for pet hair offer strong suction and specialised brushes to effectively remove fur and dander from carpets and upholstery. Look for models with HEPA filters to help reduce allergens and keep your home fresh.

Vacuums with advanced filtration systems (like HEPA filters) capture fine dust, pollen and allergens to improve indoor air quality. These models help create a cleaner, healthier environment to make life more comfortable for allergy sufferers.

Vacuums with strong suction and motorised brush heads are ideal for deep-cleaning carpets and rugs. Look for models designed to lift dirt and debris trapped in fibres without damaging the material.

Lightweight vacuums with soft brush heads or hard floor settings work best on tiled surfaces, gently removing dust and debris without scratching. Cordless models are especially handy for quick and easy cleaning on hard floors.

Vacuums with gentle brush rolls or suction-only modes are perfect for hard floors, ensuring thorough cleaning without causing scratches. Look for models that easily switch between floor types for versatile use.

Compact and lightweight vacuums are ideal for apartments, offering easy storage and manoeuvrability in smaller spaces. Cordless or stick models provide convenient cleaning without the hassle of cords.

Powerful vacuums with long cords or extended battery life are perfect for covering large areas without frequent interruptions. Models with larger dust bins and versatile attachments make cleaning efficient across multiple floor types.

Finding the perfect vacuum cleaner requires some thoughtful research to make sure your new vacuum ticks all the right boxes. Here are some tips to guide you:

• Do your research: Compare features and types to understand what suits your flooring and cleaning habits best.
• Read online reviews: Customer feedback offers valuable insights into real-world performance, reliability and ease of use.
• Check warranty and return policies: A solid warranty protects your purchase, while flexible return options ensure you can make changes if the vacuum doesn’t meet your expectations. Visit the Myer returns and exchanges pages for more info.

To keep your vacuum cleaner working properly, it’s important to follow some simple maintenance tips:

• Regular cleaning: Empty dust bins or bags frequently and clean filters to maintain suction power.
• Avoid damage: Handle attachments carefully and avoid vacuuming sharp or hard objects that could cause wear.
• Routine checks: Inspect brushes, hoses and belts regularly to catch any blockages or wear early.
• Proper storage: Store your vacuum in a dry, safe place to protect it from damage and dust buildup.

With proper care and regular maintenance, a good-quality vacuum cleaner can last anywhere from 5 to 10 years. Factors like usage frequency, model quality and upkeep all play a role in its lifespan.

A HEPA filter is especially beneficial if you suffer from allergies or asthma, as it traps fine dust, pollen and other allergens more effectively than standard filters. While not essential for everyone, choosing a vacuum with HEPA filtration can help improve indoor air quality and reduce allergy symptoms.

Both have advantages:

• Bagged vacuums are ideal for allergy sufferers because they trap dust securely and are less messy to empty.
• Bagless vacuums offer convenience with easy-to-empty dust bins – saving ongoing bag costs.

Your choice will ultimately come down to your preferences for maintenance, hygiene and price.

It’s best to clean your vacuum filter every 1 to 3 months, depending on usage. In terms of replacing the filter, it’s best to refer to the manufacturer’s guidelines – for some brands you might need to replace every 6-12 months to maintain optimal suction and air quality.

Look for a lightweight vacuum with strong suction and versatile attachments like a crevice tool and motorised brush. Canister or stick vacuums are often easier to carry and manoeuvre on stairs compared to bulky upright vacuums. Cordless models also offer freedom of movement without worrying about power outlets.

A good suction power varies by vacuum type, but generally, look for models with at least 200–400 air watts (AW) for effective cleaning. Higher suction is especially important for carpets and pet hair, while hard floors may need less powerful suction.

Key attachments to consider include:

• Crevice tool: For tight spaces and corners.
• Dusting brush: Gentle cleaning on delicate surfaces.
• Upholstery tool: Perfect for furniture and curtains.
• Motorised brush head: Great for deep-cleaning carpets and removing pet hair.

For most households, vacuuming once or twice a week keeps floors clean and dust-free. If you have pets or allergy sufferers, more frequent vacuuming (around 3 to 4 times a week) can help maintain a healthier environment.