Why buying a more 'powerful' vacuum cleaner is not the best option.British media today reported that consumers have just 10 days left to buy a powerful vacuum cleaner... Ten days left to hoover up a cleanerBrussels to ban powerful 'not eco friendly' vacuum cleanersAnti-EU British press article about vacuum cleaners and EcodesignAct now, if you want to get higher energy bills! BBC News - Ten days left to hoover up a powerful cleaner vacuum cleaners, Ecodesign, EU, energy efficiency, bills, ban, savingsThe performances of cleaners is not related to the power essentially, but to the whole design (Dyson is not contesting the power reduction and even contested the lack of ambition in the power cap).Read next pageEmbedBorderEmbed CodeAre you sure you want to delete your account? You'll lose everything, forever!Are you sure you want to change your username? Changing your username will break existing story embeds, meaning older stories embedded on other Web sites will no longer appearYou are about to permanently delete this story.

This cannot be undone. To confirm this action, please enter the title of the story below.Are you sure you want to flag this story? Sign in if you're already registered. Skip to footer navigation Our testers spend hours rubbing pet hair into thousands of metres of carpet, so we know which vacuums remove it without a fuss. Want a quiet model that won't send noise reverberating through the house? Whatever works best for your house, our experts know which brands clean up in the vacuuming stakes.This article was taken from the May 2014 issue of Wired magazine. Be the first to read Wired's articles in print before they're posted online, and get your hands on loads of additional content by subscribing online.Wired put four of the latest robotic cleaners on a 220cm x 160cm area of hard floor and carpet to see how efficiently they cleaned up five-gramme samples of crushed chalk, digestive-biscuit crumbs, green poster-paint, flour and crushed cheese puffs. Each model was given two minutes on its standard setting to clean up the entire mess.

The volume cleaned up by each model was then measured. The cleaners were also judged on performance, versatility, ergonomics, hygiene and smart features. Average noise levels were also monitored, using the Decibel Meter app.This clunky model sounded like it was about to take off when it started and took a while to get moving. But once in action it came top in our pick-up test with its "laser eye" that uses infrared light to scan the area five times a second. It aimed for -- and cleaned -- the line of mess in one fell swoop, steering well to avoid bumping into corners. It can be programmed in nine languages and has a filter to remove dust particles from the air.The robust and attractive Roomba (also pictured right)can be programmed via IR remote to clean throughout the week. Although it worked pretty well in our test, it smeared the paint across the floor and struggled to pick up the larger biscuit crumbs. A spinning side brush, however, cleaned along edges and corners well, and a built-in Hepa filter, which claims to capture particles as fine as 0.3 microns, makes it a good buy for allergy sufferers.

WIRED Good for all floor typesOne of the best-looking designs on test, the Navibot glided smoothly in a zig-zag manner towards the mess. Once there, it neatly avoided obstacles thanks to a built-in camera that maps out its surroundings at 15 images per second. clean laptop fan hpIt is also impressively smooth and quiet, and its built-in "cliff-sensor technology" means it will steer clear of stairs and other dangerous drop points when cleaning upstairs areas.best upright vacuum cleaners australiaThe Hom-Bot picked up the least volume, but it was accurate, heading straight for the line of mess. pro clean duct and carpet serviceIt comes with two side-brushes that remove dirt from tight corners, and using infrared and ultrasonic sensors lets it dodge anything in its path -- even in the dark. ac duct cleaning las vegas

With its Hepa filter and easy-access side-opening bin, its design is very hygienic, and the clever voice-alert will let you know when its work is finished.laptop cooling fan nzWIRED Smart voice alerts and sensorsbest cordless car vacuum cleaner 201575% more brush bar power than the V6 Cord-free vacuum. See it in action 3 free tools when you auto-register. Select Easy Payments at checkout to apply for monthly payment options. Add to cart & select tools Price match guarantee Find a lower price and we’ll match it. Call 1-866-664-9004 or chat to redeem. Learn more Free 3-day delivery Select 3-day delivery in cart. 3 free tools when you auto-registerRegistration is automatic unless you opt out during check-out.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. As 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. Typically, they have a foot lever you press to change the angle of the machine for increased maneuverability. 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.

They typically weigh more than other models, so an upright stick vacuum might be a good lighter-weight alternative. Bagless vacuums are generally more expensive, reaching average prices near $700, whereas bagged models rarely exceed $300. 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.