VACUUM CLEANER Buying Guide

The meteoric rise of stick vacs in recent years has seen many households switch to a stick vac as their only vacuum cleaner. And some people can’t stop at one! “We often get customers buying one for each floor in the home for quick clean-ups and to save fetching and carrying them around,” says Nick Trajkovski, Microwaves and Floorcare Buyer for The Good Guys.

A sleek and lightweight version of an upright vac, stick vacs are powered by a battery, which can be recharged at a charging station that stays plugged into a power socket. Stick vacs collect dust and dirt in a small bin attached to the top or bottom of the unit.

Stick Vac Pros

One of the best things about stick vacs is that they require absolutely no set-up. You simply remove it from its charging station, turn it on and start vacuuming. Great to have on hand for surprise visits from friends or family, stick vacs can be whipped out for a quick clean before company arrives.

Consider storing your stick vac in a tall cupboard near the kitchen so you can instantly deal with breakfast crumbs, or do a quick daily vacuum of the main living areas.

Features To Look For

Before you buy, ask about the battery runtime to ensure your stick vac will stay powered up for as long as you need it to. This will depend on the size of your house and whether or not it’s your only vacuum cleaner.

Other features to consider include two-in-one stick vacs with a detachable handheld vac for small jobs; a “turbo” mode for stronger suction; a wall dock for convenience; and handy attachments for the car, furniture, upholstery and hard to reach places.

Other Considerations

Also look out for stick vacs with removable batteries that can be charged in a separate location to your vacuum. This is a really handy feature if you don’t have a power point in the cupboard and would prefer to store your stick vac out of sight.

The ultimate home helper for the time poor or those who would rather do anything but clean floors, robot vacuums are a dream come true. Low to the ground, robot vacs are disc-shaped and move independently across the floor’s surface. Like stick vacs, they are powered by a rechargeable battery in a charging dock.

“Their sensor technology means that some Robot Vacuums won’t bump into furniture or fall down the stairs,” says Nick Trajkovski. “We often find customers love their robot vacs so much, they give them a name.”

Robot Vac Pros

It goes without saying that the biggest advantage of a robot vac is quite simply that you don’t have to do any work! Simply turn it on or program when you’d like it to run (while you are at work, perhaps?) and let your robot vac do the rest.

Features To Look For

Models with infrared lasers determine the layout of the room and map your preferred route. Some can also be activated with voice command via your smart speaker.

Other Considerations

Want your robot vac to mop your floors, too? Who wouldn’t? Look out for a unit with a water tank that mops your floors after they’ve been vacuumed.

Some barrel vacs feature quiet technology. This makes them easy to run if the baby is asleep or someone in the house is studying or watching TV.

A combination of clean solution, powerful scrubbing and vacuum suction, no stain will stand a match against a Carpet Cleaner. With brushes to loosen up the stain, and then the powerful suction power to lift it away - it is the perfect way to keep your rugs, carpets and even upholstery a fresh.

Carpet Cleaner Pros

The popularity of carpet cleaners is rapidly growing - and for good reason, with so many incredible benefits. From extending the life of your carpet (and keeping it looking like new), to removing odours.

Plus, what carpet cleaners are known for - being able to remove tough stains and dirt, it is ideal for those who love to host, big families or just homes that get a lot of foot traffic!

Features To Look For

Before you buy, consider tank capacity. If you want a carpet cleaner that is light and easy to maneuverer than a lower capacity would be better suited. Alternatively, if you want to get big jobs done without needing to refill often - go for a larger water capacity.

Another features to consider is weight and cord length, you can find these details online in the Key Features section of each product or visit in store to see some product in person.

An upright vacuum is an all-in-one unit. Much like a barrel vac and stick vac combined, it has an upright design but a larger bin and motor than a stick vac. For many people, upright vacuums offer the best of both worlds.

Upright Vac Pros

More powerful than a stick vac, upright vacs are a good option for those who prefer a bigger capacity for larger-scale cleaning sessions, and all-in-one design.

Features To Look For

A wide head and a powerful motor will take your upright vacuum far. Also, a carpet height selector will help you get deep into thick pile carpets for a more thorough clean.

Barrel Vacs Vs Upright Vacs

When deciding between a barrel vac and an upright vac, it all comes down to personal preference. Upright vacs only require a pushing motion but are heavier and slower to manoeuvre given their all-in-one design. Barrel vacs have a lighter wand but require you to pull the wheeled canister around doorways and furniture, where it can sometimes get stuck.

Do you share your home with a furry friend? Good news. A select group of vacuums is dedicated to ridding your house of pet hair and dander, which can be a big help if you have family members who suffer from allergies. Pet vacuums usually include a sizeable bag or bin to provide space for the extra waste, HEPA filter, and brush heads designed to release fur from carpet and upholstery.

Vacuum Cleaners And Allergies

Vacuum cleaners with a HEPA filter are a great option for people who suffer from allergies, asthma or dust sensitivity. Short for High Efficiency Particulate Air, HEPA filters trap tiny particles and irritants that aren’t visible to the eye. Some can be washed in cold water, but most will need to be replaced about once a year.

For smaller clean-up jobs, a handheld vacuum is quick and easy to use. Like an extension of your own arm, these handy appliances let you vacuum couches, small messes, dusty windowsills and the car interior with minimum fuss. Look out for models that clean up wet spills too, wall mounts for organised storage, and attachments suited to different surfaces.

Cordless Vs Corded Vacuums

At first, the freedom of movement offered by a cordless vacuum might make it seem superior to models with cords. However, as cordless models run on battery power, this does make them slightly heavier to use, as the battery is part of the appliance. You’ll also need to make sure the battery is powered up when you need to use it. Finally, a corded model can give you peace of mind that you’ll finish a bigger job without running out of juice.

Maintenance Tips & Tricks

Depending on the type of vacuum, there are some key maintenance tips you should consider to keep your vacuum working in tip top shape. Here are our top tips for Stick and Robot Vacuums!

Stick Vacuums

Due to their smaller bin size, stick vacs are quick and easy to clean. Simply remove the bin from the unit and empty it into your main rubbish bin or compost. You’ll also need to remove dirt and hair from the brush roller and head, and occasionally clean the filters.

Robot Vacuums

Some robot vacs need to be emptied manually, while others can automatically deposit the dust and debris they’ve collected into a larger bin in the docking station. Once again, this reduces your workload and the number of times you’ll need to empty the vacuum’s bin.

Floor Type

Wondering what vacuum would be best suited to your homes floor type? Here's our run down!

Stick Vacuums

Stick vacs are best suited to hard floors, but they can also give carpets a solid freshen up. For a thorough carpet clean, you may want to team your stick vac with a barrel or upright vac.

Upright Vacuums

Upright vacs are suitable for hard floors and carpet. They can also be used to clean upholstery.

Robot Vacuums

Robot vacs work best on hard floors. They can also be used on carpets to give them a light clean.

HEPA Filter

What is a HEPA Filter?

HEPA filters (High Efficiency Particulate Air filters) can be found in all different types of vacuum cleaner. But what exactly are they – and why are they the allergy sufferer’s best friend?

“HEPA filters trap tiny particles and irritants that aren’t visible to the eye by forcing air through a fine mesh, so they’re ideal for those who suffer from allergies, asthma or dust sensitivity,” says Anthony Flynn, Senior Research and Evaluation Manager, Asthma Australia. “Vacuums without high-quality air filters can blow these small allergen particles back into the air, to be breathed in, but HEPA filters are considered the best, because they trap up to 99 per cent of them.”

Smart Tech

Not sure where to begin when looking at all the new tech now available in the floorcare market? Here are some of our top call-outs you should keep a look out for!

AI Mapping

A game changer for robot vacs, AI mapping now available on a handful of models, will be able to detect your environment and avoid any obstacle. For even more convenience, look for a robot vacuum that mops too so you can check off another household chore!

Display Screens

Want to ensure a thorough clean? With an LCD or LED Screen - you can confirm that you have cleaned all the debris in real-time.

Clean What You Can't See

Feel like you still have dust around your home even after a clean? With infrared or laser sensors, detect the dirt you can't see for a complete house clean!