How to choose a bagless vacuum cleaner
Bagless vacuum cleaners offer constant suction power that doesn't decrease as the container fills up. Furthermore, they don't require you to buy replacement bags, saving you money over time.
Frequently asked questions when choosing a bagless vacuum cleaner
How do bagless vacuum cleaners work?
Bagless vacuum cleaners create a cyclone effect that separates dirt particles from the air by way of centrifugal force. The dirt is then stored in a special container.
Which type of vacuum cleaner is better - bag or bagless?
Both types have their plus points and drawbacks. Bagless vacuum cleaners offers constant suction power, regardless of how full they are, and don't require you to buy replacement bags. However, cyclonic vacuum cleaners are more difficult to maintain. Not only must you empty the contents of the container after each use, but it is also necessary to periodically clean the filter and replace it completely at least once a year, otherwise the effectiveness of the vacuum will decrease.
Are bagless vacuum cleaners suitable for allergy sufferers?
Quality bagless vacuum cleaners with high-efficiency filtration systems (H12 or H13 HEPA filters) effectively remove pareticles that cause allergies. However, some particles can be inhaled when emptying the container and cleaning the filter. As a result, people with allergies should avoided these activities.
Important parameters
Container volume
For bagless (cyclone) vacuum cleaners, a container volume of 1.2 to 2 litres is sufficient.
Energy Class
The energy class label provides information on the overall energy class of a vacuum cleaner, as well as its efficiency in various categories.
Energy efficiency class: given on a scale from A to G, with A being the most energy efficient. This figure refers only to the energy efficiency of a vacuum cleaner, not its effectiveness at cleaning.
Dust re-emission class: this is especially important for allergy sufferers. Again, it is stated on a scale from A to G, where a device in class A omits only 0.02% of the vacuumed air.
Cleaning performance class: indicates the effectiveness of the device while vacuuming, again on a scale from A to G, where A offers up to 91% efficiency and G-Class offers only 71% efficie
Average annual energy consumption: indicates the annual consumption of a vaccum cleaner when cleaning an area of 87m2 50 times per year.
Sound power level: indicates sound emission. Vacuum cleaners with noise levels of 61-70 db are considered quiet, whereas vacuume cleaners exceeding 80 dB are considered noisy.
Filtration type
The quality of the filtration affects the overall efficiency of the vacuum. Vacuum cleaners often use a multi-stage filtration system.
Bag vacuum cleaners use a three-stage filtration system:
1st stage: vacuum cleaner bag
2nd stage: input filter
This is a filter between the motor and the bag. These filters tend to be made of foam and are used primarily to protect the engine from dust. It is necessary to regularly check and change the input filter.
3rd stage: output filter
Output filters are the most important as they ensure that the exhaust air is clean. You can choose between micro-filters (fabric) or HEPA filters, which currently provide the most effective filtration. HEPA filters are divided according to their efficiency in a range from 10 (85% efficiency) to 13 (99.9%). For those suffering from severe allergies or asthma, we recommend H12 and H13 HEPA filters.
Filters should be cleaned periodically, or replaced when they start to clog.
Cable length and operating radius
The cable length determines the reach of the vacuum cleaner. Accordingly, if you plan to clean large areas, it's definitely worth choosing a model with a longer cable length.
Instead of the cable length, some manufacturers state the operating radius. This indicates the overall reach of a vacuum cleaner, i.e. the sum of the cable length, body length and the vacuum nozzle length.
Accessories
Attachments are available for carpets, hard floors, crevices, etc. Turbo brushes are suitable for the removal of animal hair or hair from carpets.
Glossary - Vacuum cleaners
HEPA filter
HEPA filters (High Efficiency Particular Air) are among the most powerful filtration systems available, capturing up to 99.9% of impurities. The degree of efficiency is indicated by the numbers 10 to 14, where the number 10 indicates 85% filtration efficiency and 14 represents 99% filtration efficiency. The HEPA filter is located behind the vacuum motor, where it captures dust and debris. If you have a family history of allergies, it is recommended to choose a vacuum cleaner with this type of filtration.
Turbo brush
Turbo brushes are designed for cleaning carpets. They are ideal for removing animal or human hair, but they are also effective at removing ingrained dirt. Turbo brushes contain one or more rotating cylinders with fixed bristles. They can be powered either by air intake or by a motor. Turbo brushes with their own motor offer increased performance, but at the cost of higher power consumption.
Wet vacuuming
A wet vacuuming function allows the vacuum cleaner to suck up fluids as well as solid dirt. In addition, some vacuum cleaners can be used for mopping floors or shampooing carpets.
Glossary
Suction power
Suction power is considered one of the most important parameters when choosing a vacuum cleaner. However, it is not always given by the manufacturer, as there is no uniform system for its measurement; therefore, data from individual manufacturers cannot be clearly compared. Nevertheless, suction power typically corresponds to 1/3 to 1/5 of a vacuum's power.
Suction power is especially important in the case of bagless vacuum cleaners. It should be at least 300 watts to ensure that the cyclone effect works properly without clogging the filter.