Let us look at some of the obvious and not so obvious factors that you should consider before buying a vacuum cleaner.

Power
The power of a vacuum cleaner is measured in the amp value of the motor. A higher amp value means more power. Although the power of the motor is an important consideration, it is not the only one.

HEPA filtration
True HEPA filtration ensures that 99.97% of all allergens (down to a 0.3 micron size) are captured by the vacuum. Allergens include dust, pollen, dust mites, ragweed, fungus and other agents that may cause allergy if not picked up by your vacuum. Ensure that your vacuum has HEPA filtration capability.

Bagged or Bagless Design
Most vacuum cleaners that are available today are of a bagless design and include a dust cup or a canister to collect dust and debris. Bagless designs cut down on the costs as you don’t have to buy and store disposable bags.

Check out whether the bagless design is actually usable. There are quite a few bagless vacuum cleaners where the mechanism for emptying the dust cup or canister is clumsy and not very effective.

Overall Design and Usability
Ensure that the vacuum cleaner is not too heavy especially if you have to carry it up and down the stairs. Make sure that the unit is stable and does not tend to topple over. If the design is unstable then you might be spending more time in picking up the vacuum cleaner than in actually using it.

Make sure that the length of the power cord in the vacuum cleaner is long enough for your home. If you buy a vacuum cleaner with a short power cord you may have to hunt around for a power outlet. Your vacuum should at the minimum enable you to clean one room without having to hunt for another power outlet.

It is a good idea to buy a vacuum cleaner with a wide cleaning head. This helps you to cover more carpeted area with fewer strokes and reduces effort.

Bumper guards and edge cleaners are other features that will help to improve overall convenience and usability of your vacuum cleaner.

Before you make a final Decision
Read the reviews of a particular vacuum cleaner and take the opinion of people who have used a particular model before you commit yourself to it. If in doubt, visit the dealer and have somebody demonstrate the vacuum. Try to use the vacuum on your own and see if it meets your requirements.

In order to reduce internal pollution we vacuum floors, carpets, stairs and upholstery or just about any area that can collect allergens. Let us take a look at what we should know before taking a final call on the vacuum cleaner that we buy for our homes.

Depending on the dirt collection mechanism, the two types of vacuums that are used are bagged and bagless.  Bagged vacuums use a disposable bag that collects the dirt. Bagless vacuums on the other hand usually have a dirt cup that needs to be emptied periodically.

Both these types of vacuums may have High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filtration systems. HEPA filtration collects microscopic allergens (some filters actually capture allergens down to a 0.3 micron in size) on dirt suction and on return air streams and ensures that carpets and floors are free of allergens.

Of course we are assuming that regardless of the type of vacuum you own or are planning to buy has HEPA filtration capabilities. Let us talk about the main issue at hand and that is the things you should know about bagless vacuums and allergies.

A number of bagless vacuums (in all fairness, not all) have faulty dirt release mechanisms that result in unnecessary exposure to dirt.  Some of them manage to do a good job of cleaning your house, only to release dust and allergens into the air when you empty the dirt cup into the trash can. If you are allergic and also happen to be the one who does most of the vacuuming, then a faulty dirt release design could expose you to dirt.

So the first thing that you should make sure is that it should be easy and safe for you to empty the dirt cup in your bagless vacuum.

The HEPA filtration technology that is used in bagged vacuums is built into the dirt capture mechanism. Bagless vacuums on the other hand use secondary HEPA filters that capture the allergens.  We usually buy bagless vacuums to save on the cost of disposable bags. However some bagless vacuums have HEPA filters that need to be replaced at intervals. The interval could depend upon how much and how often you sue your vacuum.

Some of the replaceable filters can be expensive and buying these filters for a bagless vacuum can offset any savings in terms of disposable bags. Make sure that the bagless vacuum you buy does not have very expensive HEPA filters. It would be better if you looked around for a bagless vacuum that has a washable HEPA filter.

If you or any people in you family suffer from asthma or dust induced allergies and also happen to be in doubt about which vacuum to buy, then play safe and buy a bagged vacuum that has HEPA filtration technology.

Overall Rating:

Amazon Price: View Sale Price

The Koblenz U-610 Endurance Upright Vacuum with Shake out bag is a commercial vacuum cleaner brought to you by Koblenz. The Endurance U-610 is a vacuum cleaner that is built to last. If you are looking for a commercial vacuum cleaner that is well built & durable, then look no further.

With this vacuum you get the assurance of the internationally renowned brand Koblenz, that is exported to South and Central America, Middle East, Australia and New Zealand and 25 other countries.

Features & Performance

The Koblenz 610 is an altogether different breed of vacuum cleaners. To begin with it has an all aluminium body. The company backs this up with a 5 year commercial warranty on the frame.

It has a twin ball bearing 8 amp motor for longer life. The Lexan metal fan is made of aluminium, dynamically balanced and has a 2 year factory warranty. It has a baked acrylic coated steel hood.

The designers at Koblenz emphasize  not just performance but also durability and low operating costs. Koblenz vacuum cleaners perform well and are built durable. There are certain types of repairs that can be carried out on-site without the help of technicians. The design, build quality and the extensive warranties cut down costs in the long haul.

The Koblenz 610 has a permanent dust bag for collecting dust.  The bag collects 18 dry quarts of dust before it needs to be emptied. This is a better option than plastic dust cups that can be flimsy in construction or troublesome when being emptied.

For added convenience the Koblenz 610 has a 50 foot long power cord and a 16-inch cleaning head for maximum efficiency.

Summary

This is a heavy duty machine made for deep cleaning carpets and can be used effectively in commercial establishments such as restaurants, hotels and schools.

One of the downsides is that it doesn't have HEPA filtration. Domestic users would have probably found it a more attractive buy if it had HEPA filtration. It is a great vacuum cleaner otherwise and is built to last.

Our Editor's Quick Thumb Guide
	What We Love...
	Metal construction Heavy duty motor Effective cleaning Extensive warranties
	What Needs Improvement...
	No HEPA filtration

Overall Rating:

Amazon Price: $178.69

The Koblenz U-110 Endurance Upright Vacuum with Shake out bag is a commercial vacuum cleaner brought to you by Koblenz. The Endurance U-110 is a vacuum cleaner that is built to last.

If you are looking for a commercial vacuum cleaner that is well built & durable, then look no further.

With this vacuum you get the assurance of the internationally renowned brand Koblenz, that is exported to South and Central America, Middle East, Australia and New Zealand and 25 other countries.

Features & Performance

The Koblenz 110 is altogether a different breed of vacuum cleaners.  To begin with it has an all aluminium body that the company backs up with a 5 year commercial warranty.

It has a heavy duty 7 amp motor that is designed to last 3000 hours. The Lexan metal fan has a 2 year factory warranty.

The first conclusion that you can draw is that the repair & maintenance costs on this vacuum cleaner will be low in the long run because of the sturdy metal construction and heavy duty motor.  Certain types of repairs can be carried out on the field without the help of either tools or technicians.

Plastic dirt cups in certain vacuum cleaners are not well designed or constructed and may give problems when the operator empties the cups. In the Koblenz 110 dirt is collected in a permanent bag that can contain 18 quarts of dust. It can be easily removed and emptied when required.  The machine  is designed for heavy duty commercial operations.  It is easily maneuverable as it weighs just 13 lbs.

Summary

This is a heavy duty machine made for deep cleaning carpets and can be used effectively in commercial establishments such as restaurants, hotels and similar establishments.

That brings us to the lack of HEPA filtration, one of the downsides of this vacuum. Probably its acceptability amongst domestic users would be higher if it had HEPA filtration. It is a great vacuum cleaner otherwise and is built to last.

Our Editor's Quick Thumb Guide
	What We Love...
	Metal construction Heavy duty motor Effective cleaning Extensive warranties
	What Needs Improvement...
	No HEPA filtration

Overall Rating:

Amazon Price: $269.69

The Royal MRY7500 Upright HEPA Vacuum is brought to you by Royal Appliance Mfg. Co. a company with a strong brand loyalty because of its commitment of providing its customers with quality products.  With 5 stage advanced HEPA filtration, the Royal MRY7500 is a boon for people suffering from asthma and allergies.

Features & Performance

The MRY7500 has a powerful 12 amp motor. It is a great choice for cleaning both floors and carpets.

This is a bagged vacuum that uses disposable bags as dust containers. The bag full indicator lets you know when it is time to change the bag.

The advanced 5 stage HEPA filtration system meets the HEPA standard of removing up to 99.97% of allergens down to 0.3 microns in size.

Some vacuums tend to throw dirt back on to the carpet during suction. This problem does not exist with the MRY7500 because of its unique center airflow design.

There are a number of other features to ensure effective and enjoyable vacuuming. The MRY7500 has  a number of on-board attachments such as the ready to use stretch hose and turbo tool. It has 5 height positions for different carpet and rug types. It has anti-skid wheels that makes sure that the cleaner does not leave any surface marks. It has a bumper that provides protection from marks on tables, sofas, chairs and other furniture.

For added convenience, this vacuum has a 3 point plug and a 32 foot power cord that will help you to vacuum a longer range without having to replug into another outlet. With its 14 inch cleaning head you can vacuum your carpet with fewer strokes and effort.

Summary

This is a heavy duty machine made for carpet cleaning. Because of its advanced HEPA filtration it is a boon for people suffering from allergies and asthma. Admittedly it is expensive, but it is covered by a 4 year warranty. At 15 lbs, it is not very heavy and can be easily maneuvered.

The only thing going against this vacuum is that it is not a bagless design. But that may be a minor issue because the vacuum has a good set of features and is designed well.

Our Editor's Quick Thumb Guide
	What We Love...
	Center Airflow Design Advanced HEPA filtration 4 year warranty On Board Tools
	What Needs Improvement...
	Bagged Design

Overall Rating:

Amazon Price: $192.99

The Royal MRY6100 Commercial Bagless HEPA Upright is brought to you by Royal Appliance Mfg. Co. a company with a strong brand loyalty because of its commitment of providing its customers with quality products. The patented HEPA filtration on the Royal MRY6100 makes it a boon for people suffering from asthma and allergies.

Features & Performance

The RY6100  is a bagless upright vacuum cleaner with a motor that has 12 amps of power and provides enough suction for household as well as commercial cleaning applications.

As it is a bagless vacuum, you will never need to buy disposable bags.  You just need to empty the dirt container when it is full.

This vacuum cleaner provides advanced HEPA filtration that meets the HEPA standard of removing up to 99.97% of allergens down to 0.3 microns in size.

The vacuum is designed to work on carpets, upholstery and stairs. It has a number of on-board attachments such as the ready to use stretch hose and turbo tool. It has 5 height positions for different carpet and rug types.

For added convenience of the user, this vacuum has a 3 point plug and a 32 foot power cord that will help you to vacuum a longer range without having to replug into another outlet. With its 14 inch cleaning head you can vacuum your carpet  with fewer strokes and effort.

Summary

This is a heavy duty machine capable of taking up commercial cleaning jobs. It has a sturdy plastic construction with the handle made of metal. It is a well designed and ergonomic vacuum cleaner that is OSHA compliant. It is good value for money considering the price and features.

Users are satisfied with its performance. Perhaps the only thing that goes against the vacuum is that it has a 1 year commercial warranty.

Our Editor's Quick Thumb Guide
	What We Love...
	Good Build Quality, Metal Handle Good Suction Power Anti -Clog On Board Tools
	What Needs Improvement...
	Low warranty period

Overall Rating:

Amazon Price: $319.99

The Kenmore 35922 Progressive Upright with Inteli-Clean System in Slate Blue is brought to you by Kenmore, one of America's most trusted brands.  The patented Inteli-Clean system on the Kenmore 35922 Progressive determines cleaning requirements and adjusts power accordingly.

Features & Performance

The 35922 is powered by a 12 amp motor that provides you with sufficient suction power for all your vacuuming requirements.

The Inteli-Clean feature lets you know when the vacuum has stopped picking up dirt and debris from the carpet. It is an effective indicator to let you know that the area of the carpet you are working on is clean.

True HEPA filtration captures 99.97% of allergens such as pollen, dust and other microscopic particles down to 0.3 microns in size. This ensures you have a healthy and allergy free surroundings and environs in your home.

The cleaner has 4 manual height adjustments for carpets of varying thickness. It is as effective at cleaning floors as it is with carpets.

The 30 foot power cord provides you with a  very long range so you don't have to plug the vacuum into another power cord. For added convenience it has a 15-inch cleaning head that allows you to vacuum a given area in a shorter period of time.

Summary

The 35922 has  good suction and ability to pick up dust from carpets and floors. If you have pets at home, then you might want to consider this vacuum as it works well in picking up pet hair.

On the flip side however there are a few problems users have been facing. Users have found the vacuum to be heavy and difficult to maneuver.    There are also some issues  build quality in general and of accessories and attachments in particular.

Overall a good vacuum with powerful suction that works well on carpets and floors. It does a good job of picking up pet hair.  This is not an inexpensive vacuum cleaner. Users will also have to spend money on bags as this is a bagged model. If something could be done about the weight and the quality of attachments, then this would become an even better buy.

Our Editor's Quick Thumb Guide
	What We Love...
	Intelli-Clean Feature Direct Drive Mechanism Bagged HEPA filtration
	What Needs Improvement...
	Heavy and tends to be unstable Quality of attachments

Overall Rating:

Amazon Price: $329.99

The Kenmore 36932 Progressive Bagless Upright with Inteli-Clean System, Purple is brought to you by Kenmore one of the most trusted brands in America. The patented Inteli-Clean system on the Kenmore 36932 Progressive determines cleaning requirements and adjusts power accordingly.

Features & Performance

The 36932 is powered by a 12 amp motor that provides you with sufficient suction power for all your vacuuming requirements. Power from the 3 speed motor can be adjusted by the conveniently located touch control pad on the handle.

It has a bagless dirt container so you don't have to ever buy and store  disposable bags.

The inteli-clean feature lets you know when your carpets are really clean. It is a sensor that lights up green when your carpet has become absolutely clean.

It has a true HEPA filtration system that captures 99.97% of allergens such as pollen, dust and other microscopic particles down to 0.3 microns in size. This ensures you have a healthy and allergy free surroundings and environs in your home.

As a carpet cleaner it has 4 manual height adjustments for carpets of varying thickness. Its cleaning mechanism gently cleans soft rugs without any damage or abrasion.

The 30 foot power cord provides you with a  very long range so you don't have to plug the vacuum into another power cord. Once you finish with vacuuming, the EZ release cord storage helps you to reel in the cord and store it without having to wind it up.

Summary

The 36932 has  good suction and ability to pick up dust from carpets. You can also adjust the suction as per you requirement. The inteli-clean feature also works well and lets users know when the area they are working on is clean.

On the flip side however there are a few problems users have been facing. Users have found the vacuum to be heavy and difficult to maneuver.    There are also some issues  build quality in general and of accessories and attachments in particular. The filter also tends to clog and may result in the vacuum overheating.

An Expensive vacuum cleaner with a number of potentially useful features.  However it would be a great buy if the problems were sorted out.

Our Editor's Quick Thumb Guide
	What We Love...
	Inteli-clean feature 30 foot power cord 3 speed motor
	What Needs Improvement...
	Heavy and difficult to maneuver Accessory build quality filter tends to clog

Overall Rating:

Amazon Price: $196.47

The Panasonic MC-UL675 AeroSpin™ Bagless Upright Vacuum has a number of innovative features such as the proprietary Aerospin™ technology.  To quote the company, the Panasonic MC-UL675 vacuum promises to take the guesswork out of vacuuming.

Features & Performance

The MC-UL675 is an upright cyclonic vacuum cleaner that is powered by a 12 amp motor. One of the unique features in this vacuum is the built in protection system that shuts down the motor in case the machine ever happens to overheat or clog. This prevents a motor burn-out and ensures its safety.

However, chances of the MC-UL675 getting clogged are truly very slim. Its AeroSpin™ technology provides you with a clean filter and powerful suction, every-time you take out the vacuum for cleaning.

Quite simply, when you pull out the 24 foot power cord to plug it into an outlet, the power-cord spins the filter and helps to keep it clean. The cleaning of the filter takes place every-time before you start vacuuming as it is triggered by pulling out the power cord. This not only ensures that you vacuum has maximum suction but also ensures a longer filter life.

The dirt sensor and performance indicator at the base of the vacuum cleaner are lit up when the vacuum senses dirt and when it senses that the part of your carpet is clean.

Its anti-static dirt cup ensures that pet hair, dirt and other debris doesn't stick to the dirt cup when you empty it. Just a press of the button and the dirt cup is empty.

Other features such as the automatic carpet height adjustment,15 inch cleaning nozzle, and the air turbine attachment make vacuuming a breeze.

Once you are through vacuuming, just press a button on the main unit and vacuum reels in the 24 foot power cord automatically. You don't need to wind up the power cord.

Summary

Undoubtedly the smart looking MC-UL675 is packed with features that promise to make vacuuming more user-friendly and efficient. We may have to wait and see if the AeroSpin™ feature helps to keep the filter clean over a period of time. The motor protection feature will ensure a longer life for your motor.

For a vacuum that has innovative features, user opinion seems to be divided right down the middle with as many users satisfied with the vacuum cleaner as the number of users who were disappointed.

Users feel that the vacuum is top heavy and tends to topple over very easily. Moving it up or down the stairs isn't easy as it is moderately heavy. Users feel that the dirt sensor does not really work. Probably there are a few issues that need to be addressed in a vacuum cleaner that otherwise has so many promising features.

Our Editor's Quick Thumb Guide
	What We Love...
	In built motor protection Automatic filter cleaning Anti-static dirt cup
	What Needs Improvement...
	top heavy - tends to topple over Moderately heavy at 24 lbs

Overall Rating:

Amazon Price: $170.00

The Panasonic MC-UL671 AeroSpin™ Bagless Upright Vacuum is one of the two brands that have the Aerospin technology. The Panasonic MC-UL671 has a number of  innovative features that promise to take the drudgery out of vacuuming.

To quote the manufacturer, it is a great way to take the guesswork out of vacuuming.

Features & Performance

The MC-UL671 is an upright cyclonic vacuum cleaner that is powered by a 12 amp motor. One of the unique features in this vacuum is the built in protection system that shuts down the motor in case the machine ever happens to overheat or clog. This prevents a motor burn-out and ensures its safety.

However, chances of the MC-UL671 getting clogged are truly very slim. Its AeroSpin™ technology provides you with a clean filter and powerful suction, every-time you take out the vacuum for cleaning.

Quite simply, when you pull out the 24 foot  power cord to plug it into an outlet, the power-cord spins the filter and helps to keep it clean.  The cleaning of the filter takes place every-time before you start vacuuming as it is triggered by pulling out the power cord. This not only ensures that you vacuum has maximum suction but also ensures a longer filter life.

Its anti-static dirt cup ensures that pet hair, dirt and other debris doesn't stick to the dirt cup when you empty it. Just a press of the button and the dirt cup is empty.

Other features such as the 15 inch cleaning nozzle and the air turbine attachment make vacuuming an easy task even for people who dread vacuuming.

Once you are through vacuuming, just press a button on the main unit and vacuum reels in the 24 foot power cord automatically. You don't need to wind up the power cord.

Summary

Undoubtedly the smart looking MC-UL671 is packed with features that promise to make vacuuming more user-friendly and efficient. We may have to wait and see if the AeroSpin™ feature helps to keep the filter clean over a period of time. The motor protection feature will ensure a longer life for your motor.

Initial feedback from users has been good, but with a few dampeners. Users feel that the vacuum is top heavy and tends to topple over very easily. Moving it up or down the stairs isn't easy as it is moderately heavy. Probably these issues need to be addressed.

Our Editor's Quick Thumb Guide
	What We Love...
	In built motor protection Automatic filter cleaning Anti-static dirt cup
	What Needs Improvement...
	top heavy - tends to topple over Moderately heavy at 24 lbs