You'd expect any vacuum cleaner with the word pet in its model name to ace Consumer Reports' tough pet fur test in which cat hair is embedded into carpet piles. And most of the pet vacuums in our current Ratings did just that. Unfortunately, some of those that excelled at pet hair removal were lackluster at other tasks. In fact, only one of the full-size pet vacuums made our recommended list, the bagged upright Hoover WindTunnel T-Series Pet UH30310, $150. It was excellent at pet hair removal and cleaning bare floors and very good at cleaning carpet. If you want an all-around top performer, don't be swayed by pet hair names and claims. The Miele Complete C3 Marin, $1,100, and the Kenmore Progressive 21714, $400, are at the top of our list of canister vacuums and both are excellent at pet hair removal. Our top upright, the Kenmore Elite 31150, $350, was very good on that task but two of its brandmates, the Kenmore 31140 and the Kenmore Progressive 31069, aced it. They both cost $200 and are CR Best Buys.

Of the pet models we tested, we found eight that were excellent at pet hair removal but had subpar performance on other tasks. Unfortunately, we also found some real dogs among the pet models. The canister Dyson Cinetic Animal, $550, was only fair at removing pet hair and was also mediocre at cleaning carpet although it did well on the bare floors test. The canister Dyson Ball Compact Animal, $450, scored only 34 out of a possible 100, but did a decent job at picking up pet hair. Two hand vacuums in our tests also make pet hair claims. The Shark Pet Perfect II SV780, $60, our top hand vacuum was very good at picking up pet hair but the Bissell Pet Hair Eraser 33A1, $35, got our poorest marks for pet hair. Judging vacuums at Consumer Reports continues all year long and we're always looking for a champ among the vacuums we test. Luckily, we usually discover a few top dogs. To see how other vacuums fared see our full vacuum Ratings and recommendations.That extremely useful hunk o' plastic that's relegated to a utility closet for most of its life.

Yes, I admit it: I have a love-hate relationship with vacuums. Sure, they clean the floor, but these home appliances can also be guilty of a number of offenses that make even the most basic clean-ups a major pain. Some are noisy and heavy and have too few or too many accessories. Others come with bins that are a challenge to empty or bags with hard-to-find replacements -- you get the idea. Basically, there are a lot of potential annoyances you can run into and it's not like any of us need another excuse not to break out the vacuum. On top of that, today's market has expanded to include a bunch of different vacuum categories. So how do you narrow down your options to find something durable that's easy to use and cleans well? Well, by reading this buying guide, of course.Vacuums, vacuums everywhere The beauty of vacuum shopping is that there's almost definitely a machine out there to fit your lifestyle. The problem with vacuum shopping is that there are tons of options and it can be difficult to zero in on that perfect model.

I mean, you can find upright, canister, robot, handheld, stick, and even convertible vacuums that can be both upright and canister or both handheld and stick (depending on the configuration). So, here's a rundown of the top vacuum styles, their key features, and details about what type of cleaning is best suited for each one. Upright vacuums are the most common style found in homes today. dryer vent cleaner kitsAs you likely guessed, they sit in an upright position, so they are a great option if you don't want to bend over a lot. best way to clean mahogany furnitureTypically, they have a foot lever you press to change the angle of the machine for increased maneuverability. best vacuum cleaner 2013 au

Features can vary a lot, but one decision you will definitely have to make is whether to get a model that collects dust in a bin or in a bag.Key features: Upright position, bins or bags collect debris, typically comes with accessories, including a wand for corners or stairs. Many can transition between carpet and bare floors.Takeaway: Best if you have the space to store something tall. best cleaner for waxed hardwood floorsThey typically weigh more than other models, so an upright stick vacuum might be a good lighter-weight alternative. best upright vacuum cleaner everBagless vacuums are generally more expensive, reaching average prices near $700, whereas bagged models rarely exceed $300. what's the best way to clean unfinished wood floors

Canister vacuums are also popular. They are a bit more versatile than uprights, because you can lift the canister and take it wherever you want to go. They are known for working well on stairs, because you can carry the canister and use the long wand extender to tackle each level with ease.Key features: Most offer the same or similar cleaning options as uprights, but with increased mobility.Takeaway: They are lighter than uprights, but you still have to be comfortable lifting at least 8 pounds. You'll also have to bend over to push the canister around the house (or you can use the wand to pull it, but you'll have less control over the movements). The long wands and cords get tangled more easily, and might be a more difficult to store because the hose and wand don't snap to the canister. Robot vacuums may seem like a novelty, but they actually do a lot to keep your floors clean. Just let 'em go, and they bounce around your carpeted and bare floors to tidy up your messes.Average weight: Typically under 10 poundsKey features: Battery-powered with docking station, cordless, sensor-controlled, automated via scheduling feature, various cleaning modes, many can clean both carpets and bare floors.

Takeaway: This is a great supplement to regular vacuuming. If you hate vacuuming and have the money, use a robot vacuum so you can wait longer between each full-scale vacuum session. These little mini-vacs are great for smaller jobs. Some are cordless, so they work well for quick and easy cleaning or as compact on-the-go option for RV owners. It's also a great supplement if your main vacuum doesn't offer many attachments or if you'd rather not pull out your whole vacuum every time you spot a mess.Average weight: About 5 poundsKey features: Lightweight and incredibly easy to store. Takeaway: Great option for small spaces and easy lifting. Cordless models can also clean your car, boat, and so on. The Stick vacuum is similar to the upright but without any added attachments or accessories. It's about as streamlined as it gets, and therefore easier to store and lighter weight. These models typically run on batteries, so they can go where corded vacuums can't. They also tend to be less powerful than their upright counterparts.

Average weight: Typically under 10 poundsKey features: Lightweight, often cordless and battery-powered, can transition from carpet to hardwood.Takeaway: Great if you want something that can handle light debris. A good lightweight option for those with limited arm strength. As if vacuums weren't already confusing enough, some models are convertible. That means that they can do more than one thing. For example, the Eureka vacuum pictured above can work as a stick or a handheld vacuum, and the Shark Rotator Pro Lift-Away model I recently reviewed is an upright vacuum that can convert into a canister vacuum. These models tend to offer a great value since you're getting more options; a two-for-one, if you will. Key features: Extra accessories and attachments, extremely versatile.Takeaway:If you know you want an upright, but also want to regularly vacuum stairs, a convertible canister model like the Shark Rotator Pro Lift-Away makes sense rather than buying two separate machines. Or if you think the attachments on an upright won't tackle your detailed dusting, you can get a stick and a handheld model like the Eureka.Other considerations In addition to the different types of vacuum models available today, there are a couple of other things you ought to think about before making a final decision.

If you're buying an upright or a canister vacuum, you will have to opt for disposable bags or a reusable bin. Bags tend to hold more dust, but it's much harder to tell how full the bag is without removing it completely from the vacuum. Bags also release less dust into the air during disposal, but you have to deal with buying replacements fairly regularly.Dust bin models have been increasing in popularity ever since James Dyson invented the Dual Cyclone bagless vacuum in the 1980s. The bins are transparent, making it easier to tell when they're full -- and you can empty and reuse them countless times. You may still have to replace the filter, though, which is more expensive, but less frequent than buying bags. Both bag and bin models are widely available, so it's really a matter of preference here. Many vacuums today come with a dedicated HEPA filter. HEPA stands for High Efficiency Particulate Air. That may sound fancy, but it really just means that it removes harmful allergens like mold, smoke, or dust from the air.

All filters do that to some extent, but the more expensive HEPA variety must trap at least 99.97 percent of particles to be considered the real deal. If you have asthma or allergies, or are just generally concerned with air quality, a vacuum with a HEPA filter might be worth your consideration. Many of them are removable and can be cleaned with water until they need to be replaced. This might all sound really good, but some non-HEPA models can do just as well as their High Efficiency Particulate Air counterparts. So do your research -- emission reduction can vary a lot.Conclusion Vacuum buying can seem daunting. Prices can climb quickly, and there are a ton of different models available. Think about the type of cleaning you do on a regular basis. Have a pet that sheds a lot? You may want a model that offers attachments for dusting and getting hair that's stuck under furniture or in crevices. Hate vacuuming, but want a clean house? A robot vacuum could really lessen your work load. Want something like an upright that's lighter weight?