Comparison of Upright Vacuum Cleaners
What to look for...
Given the great variety of upright vacuum cleaners on the market, a careful comparison of the features of different models is essential for potential buyers.
The improper usage of a vacuum cleaner can cause several hardships for a user, the most common being lower back pain.
The introduction of upright vacuum cleaners has made it possible for people to handle their machines without much effort and thereby reduce back strain.
Upright vacuum cleaners, as the name suggests, have a handle that should come up to or be adjustable to the level of the user's waist so that the user does not need to bend over to move the vacuum cleaner around. This is just one of the many features that must be carefully considered to find the correct model for a given user and workload.
There are several other features that you need to consider when doing a thorough comparison of upright vacuum cleaners. The first of these is the vacuum cleaner's rating in Amps or Amperes, which measure the electric current requirements of the machine. The higher the Amp rating, the greater the power of the machine.
The general range of Amps in upright vacuum cleaners is 3.6 A to 12 A. The choice of power depends upon the types of cleaning tasks needed, the cost of electricity and the availability of an electrical circuit with sufficient spare capacity above the other high amperage devices connected to it that will be used at the same time, such as a dishwasher or clothes dryer.
The next most important factor in comparing upright vacuum cleaners is the filter.
HEPA micron filters, though generally more expensive, are needed to protect people who suffer from allergies or have other respiratory problems.
Add-on attachments can either be included with an upright vacuum cleaner or be available for an extra cost.
These include extendible hoses, brushes, steamers and built-in or detachable power cords.
These should be compared against the dimensions of the area to be cleaned.
A power cord that is a little too short can be generally supplemented with an extension cord but a hose attachment that is too short to reach the ceiling can pose a greater problem.
The last feature to be compared is the edge-cleaning capability of different upright vacuums.
If the area to be cleaned has a lot of corners, staircases, furniture and wall alcoves, then maneuverability and edge cleaning will be an important consideration especially if the place is large.
The price of the vacuum cleaner itself is only one part of the overall cost of vacuum cleaning. Consider other life cycle costs such as electricity, disposable bags, replacement parts and service and the time needed for operations and maintenance.
Currently, the top brands in the market are Bissell, Dyson, Eureka and Bosch and any of these is generally a good choice for reliable operation.
One of Bissell's best products is the Bissell PowerForce Upright Vacuum, which includes features such as a 3-stage filtration system, a headlight and wide cleaning channels.
Another fast selling model is the Dyson DC15 Animal that incorporates centrifugal force and HEPA filters for fine-tuned cleaning of animal hair and dirt.
The Eureka Whirlwind features dirt sensors and advanced attachments while the Bosch Cyclone combines a powerful 12 Amp motor with an active cleaning edge.
This short comparison of upright vacuum cleaners should help you with your decision on getting the best model for you. Read more about upright vacuum cleaners and the related articles in that section before you make the final choice.
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