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Floorcare buying guide

However and whenever you like to clean your place, there are a few things to think about when working out which type of vacuum cleaner (or carpet, surface, or steam cleaner) to buy.

All vacuum cleaners
All vacuum cleaners
Cordless vacuum cleaners
Cordless vacuum cleaners
Cordless vacuum cleaners
Handheld vacuum cleaners
Upright vacuum cleaners
Upright vacuum cleaners
Cylinder vacuum cleaners
Cylinder vacuum cleaners
Carpet cleaners
Carpet cleaners
Pressure washers
Pressure washers
Steam cleaners
Steam cleaners
Robotic vacuum cleaners
Robotic vacuum cleaners
Surface Cleaners
Surface Cleaners
Types of floorcare
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Types of vacuum cleaner

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If you’ve got a large house, a traditional upright vacuum with a big capacity is probably your best bet. While if you live in a smaller flat, a more compact upright or cylinder vac would be a better option. And maybe you actually need two to tackle different jobs? Cordless vacuums are great for quick daily cleans – in your house or the back of the car – and are the perfect partner for your main vacuum cleaner.

What kind of surfaces are in your home too? For the hard floors in your kitchen, we’d recommend a steam cleaner. But for a deeper clean on your living room carpets, you’re going to need a carpet cleaner instead. Check out our full floorcare range.

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Choose the perfect vacuum cleaner

Which is the best cordless vacuum cleaner?

Small, compact and perfect for a quick clean (or cleaning up a small area), cordless vacuum cleaners are light and battery powered. So, you can use them pretty much anywhere.

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Things to consider when buying a cordless vacuum cleaner

What is the best voltage for a cordless vacuum?

You want something with a higher voltage. The higher the voltage of the cleaner, the more powerful it’ll be. And the more dirt it’ll be able to pick up. More powerful models can also power rotating brushes way more effectively – helping you get a great clean on your carpets.

Can cordless vacuums have a large capacity?

A large capacity cordless vacuum isn’t that common. Measured in litres (L), cordless vacuums usually have a smaller capacity than upright or cylinder ones. That’s because they’re designed to clean smaller areas – which also means they’ll need to be emptied more often.

Which cordless vacuum cleaner has the strongest suction?

The suction power you need in a cordless vac really comes down to your cleaning needs. Generally, the best suction cordless vacuums will have a strong suction that’s usually measured in air watts (AW) or pascals (Pa). Look for a model with at least 100 AW or 20,000 Pa for the most effective cleaning. It’s also worth saying though that the battery life, design, and filtration system all play a part in how well it cleans.

How long do cordless vacuum batteries last?

That all depends on the model. Many last about 15-20 minutes, which is enough time to tackle a small area. But the best long lasting cordless vacuum cleaners can last up to 60 minutes on a single charge.

What are the best cordless vacuums for pet hair?

The best cordless vacuum for pet hair really comes down to which kind of furry friend you’re cleaning up after. In general, cordless vacuum cleaners are easier to move about your house than upright or cylinder vacuums – making them great for cleaning pet hair from the floor and furniture. Some cordless vacuum cleaners include tools that make it even easier to pick up the hair too.

Cordless vacuum tools

Some cordless vacuum cleaners come with handy tools to help with specific jobs. Cordless vacuum tools include crevice attachments for small spaces (like those gaps down the side of the sofa) and dusting brushes. Depending on the cleaner, it might also have a brush with stiff bristles, which are ideal for dislodging any stubborn areas of dirt.

What is the best upright vacuum cleaner?

Uprights are best for cleaning homes that have a lot of carpet, as a brush combs the carpet pile to lift any trodden in dirt. Uprights are better if you suffer from lower back pain too, as there’s less bending down, and they’re easy to manoeuvre and steer.

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Things to consider when buying an upright vacuum cleaner

What is the best lightweight upright vacuum cleaner?

Lightweight cylinder vacuum cleaners are easier to steer and move around your house. Most upright vacuum cleaners weigh between 1kg and 9.5kg, so definitely go for something on the lighter end if you want a vac that’s more portable. After all, heavier vacuum cleaners can be pretty difficult to carry up and down the stairs.

What is the best upright vacuum cleaner for pet hair?

Pet hair can be a pain to remove from your carpets and other areas of your house, and it can also leave smelly odours. But you’ll be able to find some uprights that have been specially designed to lift pet hair and fluff from your surfaces. They use a combination of high-speed brush bars, which pull pet hair from the carpet pile and strong suction power.

What is the capacity of an upright vacuum cleaner?

The dust capacity of an upright vacuum cleaner is measured in litres (L), ranging between one and four litres in size. Larger capacity cleaners can clean more of your house before they need to be emptied – so you won’t need to clean out the container as much. And that makes them perfect for larger homes. If you’re in a smaller place though, you’ll only need a vac with a smaller capacity.

Which upright vacuum cleaner has the best suction?

You should pick an upright vacuum cleaner with enough suction to suit whatever you clean regularly. Suction is measured in air watts (AW) or pascals (Pa). Moderate suction power – 80 to 120 AW – is suitable for everyday cleaning of low to medium pile carpets, hard floors, and light debris. If you’ve got thicker carpets, you’ll need a vac with stronger suction. Anything about 120 AW will do the trick, as it can effectively remove any deeply embedded dirt.
Lots of vacuums will come with adjustable suction settings. So, you can customise the power to suit whatever surface you’re cleaning.

What is the best cylinder vacuum cleaner?

Cylinder vacuum cleaners are usually smaller and lighter than uprights – making them perfect for smaller homes. They’re easy to move around the house and store away when you’re not using it. These vacs can be used on carpets, hard floors, and stairs. And can often clean hard to reach places a lot easier than other vacuum cleaners.

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Things to consider when buying a cylinder vacuum cleaner

What is the best lightweight cylinder vacuum cleaner?

You’ll need to think about how and where you’ll be using it. Most cylinder vacuum cleaners vary in weight from about 4.3kg to 8kg. The lightweight cylinder vacuum cleaners will be at the lower end, which makes them easier to move around your home than an upright vacuum.

Their compact size is a big plus when you need to move them about. Some have built-in handles, so you can easily bring them up the stairs without a struggle when you need to clean the bedroom.

What is the best cylinder vacuum cleaner for pet hair?

You’ll be able to get certain cylinder vacuum cleaners that are specially designed to tackle pet hair. Pet hair can be difficult to remove from your carpets and other areas around the house. Plus, it can leave odours hanging about. But these vacs use a combination of powerful suction and high-speed brush bars to pull pet hair from the carpet pile.

What is the capacity of a cylinder vacuum cleaner?

The vacuum cleaner capacity of a cylinder model will be somewhere between 1 and 4 litres. A bigger capacity cleaner will let you clean more of your home at once before it needs to be emptied. So, if your house is on the larger side, get a capacity to match. The same goes for if your place is a bit smaller. Something with a smaller capacity will be more than enough to get the job done.

Bagless cylinder vacuum cleaner vs bagged: what’s the difference?

It’s exactly what it sounds like. Bagged cylinders usually have a larger capacity, collecting dust and dirt in a bag. When this gets full, you’ll have to get rid of the bag and replace it with a new one. Some bags even seal the dust away for cleaner disposal.


A bagless cylinder vacuum cleaner is more cost effective and kinder to the environment. That’s because you don’t have to replace the bags, which reduce the suction power as the bag fills up. Some bagless cylinders use powerful cyclone tech to remove bacteria and allergens from the airflow and trap dirt in a chamber. Making these models better for allergy sufferers.

What is the best suction cylinder vacuum cleaner?

Like any other kind of vacuum cleaner, the amount of suction power you need should match whatever you’re usually cleaning.

Suction power is measured in pascals (Pa) or air watts (AW). Medium suction power – 80 to 120 AW – is ideal for routine cleaning of low to medium pile carpets, hard floors, and light debris. If you’ve got thicker carpets, you’ll need a vac with stronger suction. Anything about 120 AW and higher will do the trick, as it will effectively remove any deeply embedded dirt.

Loads of vacuums will come with an adjustable suction setting. So, you can customise the power to suit whatever surface you’re cleaning. Whether that’s a wood floor in the hallway, or a carpet in the lounge.

What is the best robot vacuum cleaner?

A robot vacuum cleaner will automatically clean your floor, using sensors to spot and avoid any obstacles. So, it’ll do all the hard work for you – and save you a bunch of time too.

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Things to consider when buying a robot vacuum cleaner

What is the robot vacuum cleaner with the best suction power?

You’ll want a robot vacuum cleaner with enough suction power to clean the different types of surfaces in your house. And this suction power is measured in air watts (AW) or pascals (Pa).

1000 to 1500 Pa is perfect for any light cleaning tasks – think picking up dust, crumbs, and pet hair - on hard floors and low-pile carpets. 1500 to 2500 is ideal if you’ve got a mix of medium-pile carpets and hard floors, as this power will collect any mess more effectively. Then anything over 2500+ makes deep cleaning thick rugs and high pile carpets a breeze. So, have a good think about where your robot vac will be cleaning before you buy one.

How long do robot vacuum batteries last?

This will vary depending on the model and the kind of features it’s packing. Most will run for about 60 to 120 minutes on just the one charge. But lots of things can impact robot vacuum cleaner battery life. For example, certain cleaning modes (turbo, eco etc) can use more juice, while advanced sensors can shorten the runtime.

Luckily, lots of modern robot vacs have a recharge and resume function. Which means that when the battery runs low, they’ll return to their charging station, top up for a bit and the finish cleaning when it’s ready to go.

What is the best robot vacuum cleaner for pet hair?

Most robot vacuum cleaners are great at handling pet hair. Keep any eye out for these features:

  • Strong suction power – makes collecting pet hair from rugs and carpets even more effective.
  • Carpet boost – Some robot vacs can detect when they’re on carpet, automatically increasing the suction power – which is useful for those pet hairs embedded in carpet fibres.
  • HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filtration – captures any tiny pet particles and allergens, improving the air quality in your home.
  • Large dustbin capacity – pet hair can quickly fill up the bin quickly, so a larger bin means you won’t have to empty it as much.
  • Spot cleaning mode – got a particular place your pet loves to hang out in? Lots of robots have this feature, and with it, you can get it to focus its cleaning on those pet hair hotspots.
  • App controlled scheduling – setting up a cleaning session through an app on your phone lets you run the robot when your pets are out of the way. Cats are pretty curious after all!
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What is the best multi-surface robot vacuum?

Need something that’ll tackle different kinds of surfaces? You’ll need an all-rounder with these features:

  • Multi-surface brush rolls – some robots will come with brush rolls designed for carpets and hard floors. These brushes will then adapt to the surface and optimise cleaning. Smart.

  • Strong suction/adjustable suction power – if it’s got powerful suction, it’ll be able to pick up debris, dirt and pet hair from hard floors and carpets effectively. Go for a model with at least 1500 to 2500 of suction power. And if it’s adjustable, even better – after all, different surfaces will require different levels of suction.

  • Large wheels – this’ll help the robot to move smoothly from hard floors onto carpets. And it won’t get stuck or lose traction either.

  • Long battery life - with a chunky battery, the robot can clean more at once in bigger houses with multiple surface types.

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Which are the best steam cleaners?

These multi-purpose appliances use steam to get rid of dirt and stains from carpets, tiles, hard floors, ovens, windows, clothes, and furniture. They don’t use detergent – which makes them kinder to the environment – but do need time to heat up to create steam. They’ll also need refilling with water while you use it.

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Things to consider when buying a steam cleaner

Steam cleaner vs steam mop: what’s the difference?

Steam mops can be used on hard floors – like tiles – and some models come with adjustable steam control. Which makes them suitable for laminate and wood floors too. Some models have a clever detachable design, letting you clean those hard-to-reach spots.

Cylinder steam cleaners are a bit more versatile. They’re not just for mopping floors, but for cleaning kitchens and bathrooms as well. Cylinder steam cleaners tend to have longer steaming times than steam mops. And that’s because of their bigger water tanks. It does mean they’re not as quick to use though. They can come with a mixture of tools that help with cleaning grouting, ovens, and floors – or steam creases out of clothes and curtains.

Handheld steam cleaners are cheaper and more portable. They have a variety of tools too for different jobs around your house. But their smaller tanks need refilling more regularly.

What is a good steam time?

Steam time is the amount of time that the cleaner can produce steam before it runs out of water and needs a refill. It’s directly linked to the water capacity.
Handheld steam cleaners have a smaller capacity.

So, they can only create steam in short bursts and need refilling more often. This makes them great for short tasks and cleaning specific spots. You should be able to get about 20 minutes of steam time out of them.

Bigger steam cleaners – like cylinder models – usually have a longer steam time thanks to larger water tanks. This lets you use them for longer without having to refill them. Having 30+ minutes of steam time is perfect for those big cleaning jobs.

What is the capacity of a good steam cleaner water tank?

That just comes down to the amount of cleaning you need to do. The capacity of steam cleaners is measured in litres (L). A large capacity steam cleaner means you won’t need to refill it as often.

Cylinder steam cleaners have the biggest capacities. And that makes them perfect when you’ve got a large surface to tackle. But this does also mean that they take longer to heat up.

Although steam mops have a smaller capacity, they’ll heat up quickly. Many also have removable water tanks. So, you can fill the tank straight from a tap without having to grab a cup and funnel.

How long should a steam cleaner take to heat up?

This’ll vary by cleaner. A lot of steam cleaners can heat up quickly – in some cases, this can take just 20 seconds. Cylinder steam cleaners usually take a bit longer, needing around six to eight minutes to heat up (because of its pressurised steam chamber). Even though you have to wait for a few extra minutes, this gives you high power steam that’s a lot more consistent.

How to clean steam mop pads

Cleaning steam mop pads is really easy. Most steam mops have washable mop pads, which you can pop off and clean in the washing machines when you’re done using them. Steam mops that come with two pads mean you’ll always have a clean one to use while the other is in the wash. Some models even let you use both sides of the pad without having to switch it over. Giving you double the cleaning area!
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What is the best carpet cleaner?

Carpet cleaners wash your carpets using a detergent cleaning solution. Using a carpet washer will help to reduce the appearance of stains – and can break down stubborn dirt that’s built up in the carpet pile. A carpet washer can leave your carpets up to ten times cleaner than vacuuming and can be dry enough to walk on in just two to three hours.

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Things to consider when buying a carpet cleaner

Do carpet cleaners heat the water?

That depends on the model you’ve got. Not all models have a heat function. But some do, and this’ll heat up and maintain the temperature of the water in the carpet cleaner. Hot water makes it way easier to break down dirt and grime in your carpets. And it’ll even lead to faster drying times, as the heat helps to evaporate any moisture even faster.

What is the capacity of a carpet cleaner?

Capacity is measured in litres (L). Carpet cleaners have both clean and dirty water capacities, as the water gets separated when it’s used.

The clean water tank holds the clean water that’s used to clean the carpet. The dirty water tank then holds any water and dirt particles that are lifted from the carpet. Clean water capacity is usually bigger than the dirty water capacity, as dirt particles from the wash fill up space in the dirty water compartment.

Can you use laundry detergent in a carpet cleaner?

No, you’ll need to use a detergent that’s specially designed to be used with carpet cleaners. Using laundry detergent in your carpet cleaner can cause problems like…

  • Residue build up – laundry detergents will leave behind a soapy residue on your carpet, which is a pain to get out.

  • Foaming – the wrong detergent can cause foaming in the carpet cleaner. And that can cause damage to the machine.

  • Harsh chemicals – lots of laundry detergent contains chemicals that aren’t suitable for use on carpets or furniture – damaging the fabric, colours, and fibres.
Which carpet cleaner has the best suction?
Carpet cleaner suction power is really important, as it’ll determine how well it cleans. The ideal suction power for a carpet cleaner really depends on the type of carpet and the level of stains and dirt you need to tackle. Here’s a good guideline to follow:

Moderate suction power

Around 70-100 inches of water lift.

Great for regular cleaning on low-pile carpets or lightly stained areas.

Strong suction power

Around 100-150 inches of water lift.

For homes with medium to high-pile carpets and bigger stains. More powerful suction reaches deep into the carpet fibres, extracting any embedded dirt effectively.

Variable suction power

Some carpet cleaners have adjustable suction settings – letting you customise the level of suction to suit whatever you’re cleaning.

What are the most popular floorcare brands?
Here are some of the biggest floorcare brands out there:

Dyson vacuum cleaners

Probably one of the most famous names in the cleaning game. Innovative, sleek designs. Strong suction. Bagless tech. Dyson invest big money in research and development to make some of the best vacs around.

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Shark vacuum cleaners

Shark have got even more popular due to their big range of versatile and affordable vacuum cleaners. They offer different types – like upright and cordless – with clever features like lift-away tech and improved brush rolls.

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Vax vacuum cleaners

Vax do a bit of everything. Their cordless vacs are popular for their strong suction and long battery life. While their carpet cleaners are great for when you need to do a deep clean.

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Henry vacuum cleaners

We’ve all seen Henry smiling back at us while cleaning. Their classic designs are used in homes and commercial settings – and they last for absolutely ages too.

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Miele vacuum cleaners

Known for their durable, high-end vacuum cleaners with top-notch filtration systems. If you want something on the premium side, Miele is the way to go.

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Bosch vacuum cleaners

Bosch are all about the cordless vacs. And they’ve got long battery life and powerful performance in spades. Plus, you won’t trip over any annoying cables either.

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Hoover vacuum cleaners

Pick from a variety of different vacuum cleaners, including upright, canister and cordless models. They’re really popular thanks to their user-friendly designs and affordable price tags.

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