Like most shoppers you're probably looking for help, information, resources and tips for the best, discount and cheapest vacuum cleaner you can find - and save money on your purchase too. The quality and features of any vacuum cleaner are reflected in the price of the unit. There are many types of vacuum cleaners in the marketplace to choose from often making the decision difficult; knowing what to look for will shorten the process and assure you're choosing the right one.

You can choose a lightweight or heavyweight vacuum cleaner. For carpets, make sure the vacuum has enough suction power, especially for carpet or rugs with deep, deep pile. Some vacuums rely on bags or filters to trap dirt; they can clog up and lose their suction.

You want to make sure to get a vacuum designed for your mix of carpeting and hard flooring. There are no standards set these days for sealed models. Make sure the height of the machine can be set low enough so the plate and wheels don't scratch your floors.

Make sure the machine feels comfortable to you. Check out the manufacturer's warranty for the new vacuum, and check to see if your place of purchase will extend the warranty. A low-end upright model will usually only have a suction hose with a crevice tool, stair brush, and extended wand piece.

Always check and see how long the warranty is good for. The longer it is the better of course. Higher priced uprights have a wider cleaning path, possibly dirt sensors, and some will be self-propelled; they may have pre-motor filters to protect the motor from damage also. You can save quite a bit of money buying vacuum cleaners online if you do some thorough research first.

Though they may not be more powerful, higher priced upright vacuums have a lot of gadgets that may be handy for your home, providing you use them. Find the extra tools and features you think necessary and forget about the ones you don't. A vacuum with a bag will keep the air you breathe free of dust, allergens, pollen, smoke particles, and other chemicals and pollutants found in household air, that is IF it doesn't get clogged.

Of course you want to get the carpets as clean as possible. When shopping for a new vacuum cleaner you want to buy a high quality vacuum cleaner and still save money too. Canisters at the uppermost end of the price range may be expensive, and not necessarily of higher quality or more effective.

Consider where the vacuum cleaner will be stored in your home to make sure it will fit the space. It will cost you more buying a unit with a bag because you'll be buying bags ongoing. Make sure attachments are easy enough to put together and take apart and that they stay together and are airtight.

It's best to get a vacuum with a good filtration system so you protect your lungs and overall health. Know that True HEPA filters will have a serial number assigned to them if they're able to trap at least 99.97 percent of particles of .3 microns; these test results will be printed on the filter. To receive the true or absolute HEPA designation, filters must perform to a certain standard of excellence. A bagless vacuum that uses filters may leak dust, dust mites, mold spores, fungus, bacteria, smoke particles, chemicals and allergen particles so small into the air you may not be able to see all of them.

HEPA is a type of filter that can trap a large amount of very small particles that other vacuum cleaners recirculate back into the air of your home. Make sure to look for the serial number and test results that are printed on true or absolute HEPA filters; make sure that the test results at .3 microns are 99.97 percent or above. Also true or absolute HEPA filters are usually more expensive than other HEPA filters but worth the price.

Buying a vacuum cleaner online or offline doesn't have to be intimidating when you know how. Ask your friends and associates what they use and recommend. Know that you're getting the very best vacuum cleaner for your money.