What you need to consider before buying a new vacuum

Whether you’re replacing a well-used device or buying your very first model, it can be tricky to know which vacuum cleaner is the perfect pick for your household. From flooring specific brush attachments to specialist dust bags, there are countless variables which, while you might have never considered before, should be at the front of your mind when buying a new vacuum. 

So, how do you make sure your choice ticks all the boxes before you’ve tried it out? It’s easy – just take a look at our handy guide below to see how you can find the vacuum of your dreams.

Firstly, how big are the cleaning jobs?

Before you begin browsing new nozzles and flashy attachments, the first thing you should consider is where you’ll be using your vacuum. For example, if you’ll be cleaning a small apartment, large (and expensive) vacuums simply aren’t necessary. Not only will they be difficult to store, they’ll also burn a needlessly large hole in your budget. In these instances, you may want to consider using a compact vacuum, such as our Multi handheld vacuum. This portable vacuum is also great to have to hand for quick clean ups or messy spills, without having to reach for a bigger cleaner.

The Multi weighs just 1.5kg when used with a nozzle, making it a great option for smaller homes and quick clean ups. If you think you’ll need more of a boost, the Gtech AirRam is the Multi’s perfect partner. Offering floor cleaning across a variety of surfaces, the AirRam works alongside our handheld for a complete home cleaning solution. If you need floor to celling cleaning, then our cordless stick vacuums may be the one for you. Our Pro 2 offers 11 different cleaning modes, using a combination of pole, power head and attachments. Simply remove the floor head, and attach the crevice tool for easy above the floor cleaning.

Which floor surfaces will you be cleaning?

If you’ve ever wondered why your new vacuum isn’t picking up every inch of debris, you might want to think about how well-suited your vacuum is to the job. For instance, if you have a hardwood floor, keep an eye out for certain features, such as rubber/felt wheels and soft bristled vacuum heads, as they’ll be much gentler on your floors.

If you have both carpet and hardwood flooring throughout your home, look for versatile models which are built to handle both types. Our AirRam, for instance, is designed to transition seamlessly between surfaces with no settings to change.

What type of cleaner are you?

If you take immense satisfaction in seeing how much dirt and debris has been collected by your vacuum cleaner, then you should consider a bagless vacuum. These types feature transparent bins which allow you to see the fruits of your labour.

If you’re more of the ‘out of sight, out of mind’ school of thought, look into bagged vacuums. Although traditional vacuums bags used to be pretty unreliable (imagine them ripping while you’re throwing them out and being impossible to find at your local supermarket!), things are looking up. Our Pro 2 vacuum range features triple-layered bags that are designed to be rip-resistant, trapping dirt, dust and hair around the home.

Do you need a lightweight vacuum?

While all our vacuums are classed as lightweight, if you struggle with heavy vacuums then the HyLite 2. Lifting and carrying the HyLite 2 is virtually effortless, perfect for quick clean ups, either upstairs or downstairs. In fact the HyLite range is our lightest cordless vacuum yet!

How much maintenance does it need?

Before choosing your favourite vacuum, you should always think about how much time and effort you’re prepared to put aside before, during and after cleaning. For instance, bagless vacuums, such as the AirRam, feature bins and filters that do all the messy work for you. The vacuum’s filters only need to be cleaned every so often and, if you misplace your filter, spares are available to buy online. The bin itself is easy to clean, too, with an ejector arm that slides the debris out – this means all you need to do is give it a quick rinse and dry before using it again.

Similarly, bagged vacuums are ideal for those who don’t want to deal with fiddly filters. All you need to do when cleaning these types is lift out the full bag, throw it away and replace with a fresh one. You’ll also get a mess-free experience with bagged varieties, as all the dust and debris is handily contained with your vacuum’s bag – this means no more ‘dust clouds’, as is typical of traditional cylinders. The bags in our Gtech Pro 2's, for instance, have enhanced dirt capacity, meaning less frequent emptying**.

Do you have pets to clean up after?

While all our cordless vacuum cleaner can dirt and embedded pet hair, our K9 range is designed specifically for homes with pets. By using aluminium components in crucial areas, the robust pet vacuum cleaners can withstand the extra strain that of daily cleaning schedules, keeping your vacuum going for longer. If you need something heavy duty, try our System K9 bundle upright and handheld bundle, or our Pro 2 K9 stick vacuum. And handier still! Our K9 pet vacuums all come with scented cartidges, helping remove smelly pet odours, keeping your home smelling fresh as you clean.

Now you know what you’re looking for, have a browse of our full range of cordless vacuum cleaners and find the perfect model for your home.