• What's your price range?
• Size of your home is a factor
• Pros and cons of different vacuum cleaners

A vacuum cleaner is a necessity in every home. When it comes to buying one you need to consider your budget, the size of your home and the type of dirt you will be collecting. Read our guide on vacuum cleaners to find the right one for your needs.

The size of the area you want to clean should determine the size of your vacuum cleaner. . Source: supplied Electrolux

Price

Vacuum cleaners vary in price from around $70 all the way up to $1000, so there is a broad range from which to choose. As with most things in life, the cheaper varieties are generally not going to perform as well as more expensive models. That doesn't mean you have to purchase the most expensive vacuum in the store, though. Some tests show the mid-range priced vacuum cleaners perform as well as, and sometimes better than, their expensive counterparts.

Size

The size of the area you want to clean should determine the size of your vacuum cleaner. For example, if you have a studio apartment you'll need a smaller size that can get into the nooks and crannies. The weight of your vacuum is also important. Lift it up in the shop to test – the lighter the better, because you're the one who will be carting it around.

Dirt collector

You have two options: reusable and disposable. Reusable dust collectors are better for the environment but more difficult to use, as they need to be shaken to remove the dirt. Disposable dirt collectors are simple to use and can be thrown out when they're full.

Adjustable head height

Choose a vacuum cleaner with various head heights. This will allow you to clean different types of surfaces such as carpet, floorboards and tiles.

Power cord

For convenience select a vacuum cleaner with a retractable cord. It's also worthwhile going for an extra-long cord so you can move from room to room without having to unplug and switch power points.

Voltage

A common misconception is that high voltage equals a more powerful vacuum cleaner. This is not true. It just means it uses more electricity. You need to work out how much of that power is converted into airflow to determine the effectiveness of the vacuum cleaner.

Other features

There are a range of other added features that won't affect the performance of your vacuum cleaner but may make life easier. They include: 'dust bag full' indicator, onboard storage for different attachments, reverse blow option and special allergy filters such as high-efficiency particulate air filtration (or HEPA).

Upright vacuum cleaners

The original type of vacuum cleaner, upright vacuum cleaners – as their name suggests – stand upright.

Pros:
Have the best suction.
Are the most ergonomically sound.
Have a large capacity for dust bags.
Cons:
Take up a lot of storage space.
Not as effective in awkward corners.

Barrel

Barrel vacuum cleaners are the most common variety.

Pros:
Extensive variety to choose from.
Easy to store.
Effective in small and awkward areas.
Cons:
Can be bad for your back.

Small hand-held

Hand-held vacuum cleaners are usually used in addition to an upright or barrel vacuum cleaner for small spills.

Pros:
Lightweight and small, so easy to store.
Good for small, hard-to-reach places.
Cons:
Not big enough to vacuum an entire room.
Not powerful enough for some dirt.