How to Choose the Right Vacuum Cleaner for Your Home
Leslie Murray 4 min readChoosing the right vacuum for your home comes down to what you need. Consider factors like home size/layout, lifestyle needs (e.g., pets or allergies), floor types, and cleaning habits. When in doubt, choose a Henry vacuum. There’s one for every situation!
All vacuum cleaners have their pros and cons, but when choosing the right one, it boils down to your cleaning needs and habits. What works for pet owners may not always be ideal for those with bare floors (trust us, we’ve tested our vacuums).
The “perfect” vacuum cleaner may not exist, but the “right” one for your unique needs sure does. In this article, we’ll help you learn how to choose the right vacuum cleaner based on how you live, what you clean, and what makes cleaning easier. Let’s talk about it!
1. Assess Your Home (Size, Floor Types, Levels)
To choose the right vacuum cleaner, first understand what you’re working with. Walk through your home and take note of:
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floor types
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square footage
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stairs or multiple levels
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storage space
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furniture layout
Use the guide below to match your home to the right vacuum features:
| If your home has… | You need… |
|---|---|
| Mostly bare floors | Gentle, consistent suction Basic cleaning performance |
| Thick carpets | Strong suction power Specialized attachments (i.e., motorized brush roll) |
| Stairs or multiple levels | Handheld/cordless vacuum cleaner or Lightweight upright vacuums |
| Mix of surfaces (hard + low-pile carpet) | Adjustable power settings |
| Large square footage | Extra capacity (9.5L or more) |
| Small space (i.e., dorms, condos) | Compact, easy-to-store design |
| Open floor plan | Long runtime cords or cordless vacuum models |
| Tight spaces/edges (furniture-heavy layout) | Standard crevice tool Swivel heads |
| Minimal storage space | Compact canister vacuums Cordless vacuums |
2. Consider Your Lifestyle Needs
The right vacuum solves your daily cleaning problems. For example, pet owners need a vacuum that can handle heavy pet hair and dander buildup without clogging or breaking down.
To find the best fit, consider how you live and clean:
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Do you have pets that shed daily? You’ll want strong suction and specialized tools designed for pet hair.
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Is anyone in your household allergic? Look for vacuums with HEPA filtration.
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Do spills happen often? A wet/dry vacuum, like Charles and George, is the most practical choice.
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Do you hate the mess of emptying a dustbin? Bagged vacuums offer cleaner, more hygienic disposal with no dust clouds, unlike bagless vacuums.
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Do you have a car? Get a vacuum with long reach and attachments designed for tight spaces, or a cordless vacuum that transforms into a handheld like Henry Quick.
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Do you enjoy DIY projects, crafting, or home repairs? A high-powered vacuum that handles fine dust and debris without losing suction, like Henry Xtra 200, matches your mess.
3. Determine Your Cleaning Style + Habits
The best vacuum cleaner is the one you’ll actually use. Homeowners often buy what seems like the perfect vacuum, only to leave it in a corner, gathering dust instead of collecting it.
To avoid that, ask yourself:
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How long do my cleaning sessions last?
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What's keeping me from vacuuming right now?
Here are a few examples to give you an idea of what you might need:
| Cleaning Habits | Ideal Cleaning Partner |
|---|---|
| Quick daily cleanups | Lightweight and grab-and-go vacuum cleaners (i.e., lightweight uprights, cordless stick, handheld vacuums) |
| Marathon cleaning sessions (multiple rooms at once) | Large capacity canister vacuum with great suction (like Henry Xtra 200) |
| Tackling messes as they happen | Portable handhelds or convertible sticks for spot cleaning spills/crumbs |
| Low-maintenance approach (clean and go) | Bagged vacuums that lock dust and debris inside for quick, hygienic disposal |
How to Pick the Right Vacuum Cleaner
Need help deciding which vacuum cleaner to buy for your home? Check out this cheat sheet:
| If you have… | Choose… |
|---|---|
| Bare or hard floors (tile, laminate, vinyl, or hardwood floors) | Henry 200 |
| Pets (hair, dander, odours) | Henry Petcare 160 |
| Wall-to-wall carpet | Henry Xtra 160 (includes specialized attachments for deep cleaning) |
| Allergies | Henry Allergy 160 (HEPA filter) |
| Small apartment/condo or quick cleanups needed | Hetty 160 or James 180 or Henry 160 |
| Large homes or multiple rooms | Henry 200 or Charles |
| Stairs or multiple levels; tight corners | Henry Quick (cordless stick vacuum) |
| Little kids or frequent spills and messes | Charles or George (wet and dry) |
FAQs
How much suction power is good for a vacuum cleaner?
Good suction depends on what you’re cleaning. Hard floors typically require 100 to 150 AW while thick, high-pile carpets and pet hair require a minimum of 200 AW. Learn more here.
What do you need to know before buying a vacuum cleaner?
Before buying a vacuum cleaner, evaluate your:
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Home’s flooring, layout, and size
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Cleaning style and habits
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Lifestyle needs (pets, allergies, or kids)
Make sure to only buy the vacuum that matches all your specific cleaning needs.
What wattage vacuum cleaner should I buy?
When buying a vacuum cleaner, wattage measures electricity usage, not cleaning effectiveness. A vacuum with a standard 680 W or 0.9 HP motor, like Henry vacuums, offers strong suction while being energy-efficient. Rather than focusing on wattage, prioritize suction power and filtration.
Find the Perfect Vacuum for Every Type of Canadian
Canadian homes vary just as much as Canadian lifestyles. When learning how to find the right vacuum, choose a brand built for real homes and long-term use.
My Henry vacuums are trusted in over 14 million homes worldwide. Our machines use up to 50% less electricity and are built to perform reliably for over 10 years. Whether you deal with DIY debris, pet hair, allergies, or everyday messes, we have the right vacuum for you.
Get your reliable cleaning partner today and enjoy free shipping for orders over $100!
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