Vacuums That Get The Job Done

Upright vacuums are still best overall for deep-cleaning carpets and are lower priced and easier to store than canisters. For most consumers, Consumer Reports found that the Kenmore (Sears) Progressive 35922, $350, which is quiet and excellent on carpets, the Kenmore (Sears) Progressive 36932, $350, which is a bagless option, and the Eureka Boss Smart Vac 4870, $150, which is inexpensive and impressive on bare floors, are the best choices. All three of these models are designated CR Best Buys. Canisters are a great option for consumers who are in the market for a vacuum that cleans bare floors, stairs, drapes, and upholstery. Canisters are more stable on stairs and flexible around and under furniture than uprights. Consumer Reports found that the CR Best Buy Kenmore Progressive 27514, $300, offers fine pet-hair performance and the CR Best Buy Hoover WindTunnel Bagless S3765-040, $250, offers higher airflow for tools.


How to Choose


Prioritize Cleaning – Uprights are still better overall on carpets, but canisters remain best for cleaning bare floors, stairs, drapes, and upholstery.


Be Picky About Features – If allergies or respiratory problems are an issue, uprights and canisters with a bag hold more dirt and spread less dust when emptied than bagless vacuums. Manual pile-height adjustments allow users to raise or lower brushes for carpets and bare floors, and a brush on/off switch helps prevent scattering dirt and debris.


Choose A Cord For Bigger Jobs – While cordless sweepers ran up to 49 minutes per charge, most small cordless vacuums lasted from six to 15 minutes per charge, which is fine for small spills but a cord frees you from the time factor. The full report on vacuums is available in the October 2008 issue of Consumer Reports, which is available wherever magazines are sold. The full story is also available online at http://www.consumerreports.org/.