The Suction Power Of A Vacuum Cleaner: What Should It Be? How To Choose A Powerful, Inexpensive Vacuum Cleaner For Your Home?

2024 Author: Beatrice Philips | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-15 04:10

A vacuum cleaner is a very useful unit in the household, but, as is the case with any other technique, you can spend money wisely, or you can invest it in a device that does much worse than expected with its main task. Each consumer, naturally, counts on the maximum result and when choosing a vacuum cleaner is guided by such a quantitative indicator as power. It should be remembered that in the case of this technique, manufacturers are often cunning, so you need to be extremely careful.

What does it affect and what does it depend on?

Dealing with the specifics of the power of the vacuum cleaner, one should take into account the fact that this is one of the few devices that has two power indicators at once. Each of the indicators deserves a separate study. Often the most noticeable indicator is the power consumption, which varies between about 1 and 3 kW for different models. Manufacturers like to point out this indicator in a conspicuous place, realizing that many consumers are looking for the most powerful model, and this is not entirely fair in relation to the client, because the power consumption does not affect the quality of cleaning in any way.

In fact, all these kilowatts only show how much electricity the unit takes from the power grid. Not all of this energy is spent directly on suction, because a vacuum cleaner is a rather complex design, and there are different types of unit. For example, the same bag units gradually reduce the suction power as the bag is full, since the accumulated debris simply does not allow the air flow to pass through the filter, which is the same bag. Consequently, even the same vacuum cleaner can draw air with different power, although this does not affect the power consumption in any way. Hence, we draw a simple conclusion that two models with the same power consumption should not be equally effective.

A much more useful indicator is the suction power, which directly shows the efficiency of a particular unit and is specially calculated by the manufacturer . Typically, for household models, it is in the range of 250-550 W, but you need to take into account what we have already said: bag vacuum cleaners reduce power as they fill, therefore the parameter specified for them is the maximum, possible only at the beginning of cleaning.

It should be noted that this indicator, given the identical values of the two models, does not always mean their equal effectiveness. Much depends on the design, because the capacity of the bag unit drops rapidly, while the model with a cyclone or water filter remains stable. A large number of filters will certainly reduce the draft, since they also slow down the wind a little, but in this case it cannot be said that a decrease in the suction power is an unambiguous minus. Finally, the suction power is measured in laboratory conditions on a perfectly assembled example, in practice, the exact number of watts can fluctuate in one direction or another, more often in the direction of decreasing.

Finally, many models from among the not the most budgetary assume the ability to switch power - here is usually meant both consumed and absorbed at the same time. This option is a big plus for the unit, it allows you to reduce the speed below the maximum, if appropriate.

This approach allows you to save electricity, once again protect fragile surfaces from an overly powerful device, and also save the unit itself from too rapid wear.

What should it be?

Understanding what each of the indicators means does not yet allow you to understand how a particular model is suitable for solving your problems. However, everything is clear with the power consumption - it does not affect anything except the payment for electricity, therefore the optimal indicator in this case is that the less, the better.

The situation with the suction power is somewhat more complicated. It should not be forgotten that the indicator recorded on the box is measured under ideal conditions; during the cleaning process, this can be achieved only in the first few minutes . This problem is especially critical for bag models, because they are always, under any conditions, advised to take with a significant margin.

Somewhere in the instructions, a relatively conscientious manufacturer can also indicate the average suction power - it is considered more plausible than the maximum, but it is also rather conditional, because it all depends on the contamination of the space.

Let's not forget that above we described mainly horizontal vacuum cleaners - those units from the body and tube that are used everywhere, working from the network. At the same time, completely different types of such equipment are also produced, for example, light battery vacuum cleaners - "mops", and their power indicators, of course, are much more modest. In order to understand what is considered the norm for each of the types, we will consider this topic in all details a little below, for now we will focus on what the power of horizontal vacuum cleaners should be to solve basic problems.

So, if the unit is purchased for cleaning a relatively small room, it does not need outstanding power - up to 350 W is enough for such a suction technique . This is a good margin even for a bag vacuum cleaner, since cleaning a small area should not fill the bag too much, which means that the indicators should not sink much. At the same time, an increase in the cleaning area and an increase in its dustiness and pollution lead to the need to increase the power of the vacuum cleaner in direct proportion.

It is generally accepted that a unit with a suction power of up to 350 W is good for small apartments, if there are no complicating circumstances there - it will cope with cleaning, parquet, linoleum, tiles and other similar surfaces. With carpets and carpet, the situation is more complicated - dust and debris can get lost or get stuck in their thick pile, and the vacuum cleaner must be able to pull out all unnecessary, because 400 W will already be the minimum indicator of suction power, and the longer the pile, the more powerful the equipment is needed.

A particular difficulty in the cleaning process is pet hair - with insufficient power, it is either not absorbed at all, or gets entangled in the filter and clogs it, therefore, with pets, and even against the background of carpets, even 450 W may not be enough.

Vacuum cleaner models with high suction power

Throughout our article as a whole, mainly horizontal vacuum cleaners are described, since they are the most popular in everyday life. After reading the article, it is easy to understand that 450-500 W is, if not the world's highest suction power, then at least it makes it easy to clean any house. However, this segment of equipment is not limited only to horizontal models, therefore we separately compiled a rating of powerful units of all types.

We do not pretend to be absolute - places are not allocated in our list, and some modern record may not be presented, since only fairly well-known and proven models were included in the number of nominees.

Vertical

This type of cordless vacuum cleaner is also called a "mop", because in shape it really looks like it. Such a unit does not shine with tremendous power (compared to horizontal ones, where 2000 W may be typical), however, it is very light and does not require a lot of storage space, and for cleaning a small area like an office or even a tiny apartment it can be indispensable.

Krausen Green Power - Italian champion in its class. Just imagine: the unit consumes 1400 W and sucks at 350 W! The manufacturer even had to abandon the battery typical for "mops", making a network model. Of course, this colossus is one of the huge, it weighs more than 6 kg, but its dust collector is one and a half liters. The problem, however, is that there is no power regulator either on the handle or in any other place, but in all other respects there are solid pluses. This monster costs about 14 thousand rubles.

Vitek VT-8104 - a good option for those who liked all the qualities of the above model, except for the cost. This unit can be safely attributed to the budget category - being called Russian and produced in China, it costs only about 4, 5 thousand rubles. Of course, the suction power here is already a little less - 300 W, although the consumption has just increased to 1.5 kW. At the same time, the unit provides decent dust cleaning thanks to HEPA 13 filtration, and it is also appreciated for its power regulator and built-in overheating protection. However, there are also disadvantages - for example, vertical, in its essence, the device does not imply vertical parking, which is not very convenient.

In addition, the turbo brush, when clogged, can lead to a decrease in the suction power.

Galaxy GL6254 - this is already typical China, which turned out to be extremely inexpensive, it costs 3, 5-4 thousand rubles. Consumers often call such a unit not the main vacuum cleaner, but an additional one, and we have no reason not to believe them. With a suction power of 300 W, a liter dust collector and a 5 meter cable, the device is prized for its lightness and compactness. It is very convenient to carry it with you, but it is not suitable for long-term cleaning due to its rapid overheating. They also criticize him for the fact that for some reason the equipment does not even include a turbo brush.

Manual

Such a technique is completely distinguished by its utmost simplicity and minimal technical parameters. Such vacuum cleaners are often also called automobile vacuum cleaners because they are easy to take with you for cleaning the interior, since the small device runs on a battery and does not need an outlet.

However, even for those who do not have a car, this unit can be useful - it can be used to clean, for example, upholstered furniture or clothes.

In other words, such a model cannot be the main one in cleaning the apartment, but it can help in putting things in order and cleanliness

Dyson DC43H Car - an option for those who will give everything for the sake of the cleanliness of the interior of their car. A vacuum cleaner produced in Malaysia by a British brand will cost the buyer 30 thousand that way. Its suction power of 65 W will seem ridiculous to inexperienced people, but for its class this is just a lot - enough for cleaning sand or wool that cannot be removed otherwise. The battery charge will last for 20 minutes, during this time the car can be removed completely, if suddenly you did not have time - you can also charge from the car itself. A complete set of three attachments for different surfaces is also highly appreciated. The criticism is mainly directed at the long charging process and the highest cost.

Makita BVC350Z , contrary to the brand's popularity, it costs an order of magnitude cheaper - such a unit can be found at a price of up to 13 thousand rubles, and all because initially the Japanese company transferred its capacity to China. For comparison, here the suction power is already only 50 W, but the battery holds a charge for a good half an hour, and recharges even less - 22 minutes. What's interesting is that this kid's dust collector is designed for as much as 3 liters, and the whole structure as a whole is also equipped with a belt to make the device more comfortable to carry on the shoulder.

The model even offers a choice of two power modes, but its disadvantage is often called the impossibility of direct connection to the network.

Berkut SVC-800 , as befits a purely Chinese technique, compared to competitors it costs a penny - some 4, 5 thousand rubles. Contrary to expectations, the technical characteristics are decent: suction power - 57 W, work without recharging - 30 minutes, the ability to work from a cigarette lighter, a sealed container for garbage and 3 nozzles for different surfaces included, even the ability to collect liquids and the presence of a built-in flashlight based on LEDs. What this model does not have is a power regulator, and also (China is China) consumers often complain about too short-lived attachments.

No bag

Bagless vacuum cleaners are often called not any bagless vacuum cleaners in principle, namely cyclonic models - their design for garbage collection requires a special container. Such a unit is considered a good modern solution - its power does not decrease during the cleaning process even with a full container, while it is distinguished by significant efficiency, and weighs at the level of a classic unit with a bag.

Today, this type of vacuum cleaner is one of the most popular around the world, therefore, we will consider the most powerful options for this design

Samsung SC8836 surprises: although it is produced in Vietnam, the brand still remains a perfectly recognizable South Korean brand, which in no way affects the price that remains within 7 thousand rubles. Its suction power of 430 W might not seem so high if it were not for cyclonic - its power does not decrease during the cleaning process. Users note that this beast is often able to get even the dust that lies under the carpet - by dragging it through the pile. The device is intended for dry cleaning only, but it cleans according to the HEPA 13 class and is equipped with four different attachments. Of the shortcomings, only a deafening rumble can be distinguished, and relatively that the design is quite simple, without fashionable technologies.

LG VK88504 HUG shows how much the above-described unit could actually cost: the brand is also South Korean, and the production is also located in Vietnam, only the cost already reaches 11 thousand rubles. With a suction power of 420W, this is often referred to as the best cyclonic solution for pet owners. Directly on the handle there is a power regulator with recommendations for modes; comparatively quiet operation is also appreciated. In the minuses, you can write down significant energy consumption (2 kW) and a small dust collector - only 1, 2 liters.

Vitek VT-1894 - the unit is budgetary, with its price of up to 5 thousand rubles, it can be an excellent option for young families. At a very low price, it is far from powerless: its suction power reaches 400 W, the dust collector is able to accommodate 2.5 liters of garbage, and filtration is performed at five levels at once. Of course, for such a modest money, one should not expect impressive technologies - for example, the unit does not have a regulator on the hose, and even does not imply the use of a turbo brush, which does not prevent it from being in demand among a certain circle of consumers.

With aquafilter

Such a technique is mercilessly criticized for its heavy weight and impressive dimensions, but you cannot argue with research - it is vacuum cleaners of this type that provide the most effective cleaning of the room from the smallest dust and even bacteria.

Many people mistakenly consider any vacuum cleaner with an aquafilter to be washed by default, but in fact, the water in the body acts as a filter, there are such models exclusively for dry cleaning.

The above disadvantages and the rather high cost of such a technique can discourage you from buying, but if there are allergy sufferers or people with respiratory illnesses in the house, then the choice in favor of a water filter seems obvious.

Mie ecologico - this is a unit for which you will have to pay 33-35 thousand rubles, but you simply cannot regret it. Just evaluate the efficiency: with a power consumption of only 1000 W, this device uses 690 W for suction, and this is the best indicator in the entire rating. Despite the impressive performance, this device is not very noisy, and the water filter does not make it too large and unwieldy. The very presence of an aquafilter allows this Italian mechanism to be used as an air freshener and humidifier.

Thomas Mokko XT is already significantly cheaper - about 20 thousand rubles, although it is produced by a rather eminent German brand and even has a special certification for allergy sufferers. The suction power after the previous model, of course, will seem frivolous - only 320 W, but all consumers indicate that this is enough even for cleaning wool. A significant advantage of this choice will be the possibility of both dry and wet cleaning. This vacuum cleaner is praised for its maneuverability, and criticized for the lack of an indicator of the fullness of the dust collector, although in fairness for this type of technology it is generally unusual.

Shivaki SVC 1748 often called one of the most budgetary vacuum cleaners with a water filter, because its cost is only about 7 thousand rubles, which is really not much for this category. The unit is designed to collect almost 4 liters of garbage, while it pulls dust with a force of about 410 watts, and does it quite quietly, giving out only 68 dB. There is even an indicator for filling the dust container, but there are also enough disadvantages. Among the latter are the lack of a wet cleaning function, the problem of finding replaceable filters, and a limited set of nozzles supplied in the kit.

Robot vacuum cleaners

Today, it is no longer necessary to do the cleaning yourself - you can assign such a duty to robotic equipment, which has finally penetrated into the field of vacuum cleaners. A small device is able to independently move around the apartment, avoiding collisions with objects, and has parameters that allow it to climb under the furniture.

Naturally, the self-propelled mechanism is not tied to the outlet in any way - it operates on a battery, and therefore never differs in too much power.

On the other hand, such a unit can be engaged in cleaning almost continuously, avoiding severe pollution of the room, and therefore even its power may be enough

Okami s90 Is a Japanese technology miracle that is often considered the best today in terms of functionality. For about 23 thousand rubles, you will receive a device that can suck in dust at a power of 90 W, while for the unit you can set a certain square of work, which it will not leave under any circumstances. For you to understand, the operating system even makes it possible to program the device depending on the day of the week - having rummaged once in the settings, you will know that the cleaning of a particular sector will begin on a given day and time, even if you are not at home.

The quiet unit, unfortunately, lacks navigation and does not know how to wash floors, but there is a polisher function, which partially neutralizes the last minus.

Xrobot X-550 - the Chinese version for those who believe that the equipment should be cheaper. With 10-11 thousand rubles on the price tag, this model can do a lot: it supports dry and wet cleaning, knows how to collect puddles, and even has a built-in ultraviolet lamp to fight fungus and mold. The suction power is 80 W, the battery should be enough for 2 hours of operation with twice as long charging, but the unit, interestingly, is able to find the power supply itself and connect to it.

A striking drawback is the inability to work with carpets; many also do not like the lack of Russification of the model.

Panda X900 Wet Clean may be some kind of middle ground between amazing technology and budget. At a price of 15-17 thousand rubles, this Chinese vacuum cleaner sucks up garbage with a power of 65 W, can be programmed for a week in advance and allows wet cleaning. Of the minuses, a somewhat unusual drawback is distinguished: the device within a given sector does not have a predetermined movement algorithm, it moves unpredictably, which is why it is theoretically capable of skipping small sections of the floor, leaving them dirty.

How to choose?

From all of the above, one can draw not the most comforting conclusion: the choice of a household vacuum cleaner for an apartment is not so simple and obvious. You can, of course, choose the most powerful unit and be sure that it’s too tough for him, but this will definitely not help to properly invest limited funds. Therefore, a smart approach is needed to determine the optimal model for your home.

First, estimate the area of the area to be cleaned and estimate the extent of its pollution (or, alternatively, the approximate frequency of cleaning). Compare the resulting estimate with ideal (a tiny and regularly cleaned apartment) and extremely difficult (a huge house with an abundance of dust and wool in thick carpets) conditions, roughly calculate your position relative to these extreme points. Of course, this is largely abstract and subjective, but otherwise the necessary requirements for technology cannot be determined. Now take a look at the current offers of vacuum cleaner models, and on the scale of their suction power from the most modest to the most impressive, find out what suits your conditions. Add just a little in reserve - so you have found what suction power is enough for you.

After that, many consumers simply try to buy the cheapest unit that meets the calculated criteria, but it is too early to think about it. Your vacuum cleaner should be as convenient as possible for you, so you should decide at least what type you have chosen - bag, water filter, cyclone filter or even more modern "mops" or robots. If you do not want to be quickly disappointed in the purchase, it should be good literally from all sides - even if it is elementary in your hand.

If you are not too tightly constrained in finances and are ready for additional costs in order to achieve the ideal, among all the suitable models, pay particular attention to the vacuum cleaners with power regulation . This is most important for powerful units designed for cleaning the same fleecy carpets: you must admit that not all of your apartment is sewn up with nap, so why not save electricity and the resource of the device itself at the time of cleaning the bare floor. At the time of cleaning the carpets themselves, the power can be increased again, but the device will work less often at maximum and will be able to serve for several years longer.

Do not forget also that the main function of a modern vacuum cleaner is not to suck in air by itself, but to clean it from the smallest particles of dust and bacteria . For allergy sufferers, for example, this is fundamentally important, because the cause of their poor health can be tiny dust particles invisible to the naked eye. However, even if you are not allergic, you should pay attention to the filtration class. It should be understood that, for example, your guests may be allergic, and good filters can trap even pathogens, which is always useful. Pay attention to the HEPA filtration class - the higher it is, the better, and grades below the thirteenth are not considered particularly good in recent years.

After taking into account all the described criteria, the range of search has probably narrowed down to several models - it remains to choose the only one. It's time to see what kind of manufacturers offer the right equipment. As a rule, branded products cost a little more than a similar model from a little-known company, but there are certain nuances that make the choice not obvious. If you have never heard of a particular brand, this does not mean that its units are bad, but you can no longer have confidence in the quality, while the promoted brands are known to millions of people around the world, and, probably, this is no accident. In addition, large scale production usually offers many benefits to the consumer, such as easy access to spare parts and service.

Your choice is to take the risk and pay less, perhaps winning in the future, or overpay, but rely on a proven option.

If the two models seem approximately identical to you, it remains to pay attention to additional parameters. One of them is the power consumption - although electricity is not too expensive, it is worth saving it at least for the sake of preserving the environment. Noise levels can be another important factor, unless you were originally looking for a quiet model. Finally, it is worth paying attention to the cost of two very similar models - if in all other respects they are the same, then why not save some money.

When the model has already been practically chosen, and you are sure that it will most likely suit you, it will not be superfluous to make sure one last time. To do this, use the possibilities of the Internet and look for reviews about a specific model (and not about the manufacturer as a whole!) And check what other people write. Never trust reviews on any selling sites, they often wipe off criticism and order comments from specialists with an emphasis on the positive qualities of the product - look for better specialized forums and sites dedicated only to reviews.

Be guided not so much by the described advantages as by possible disadvantages - this is an indicator of the author's objectivity, and to get a complete picture, read at least a dozen opinions on three different sites. If even after that you consider the vacuum cleaner worthy of purchase, you can safely purchase it.