There are many types of vacuum cleaners in the marketplace today to choose from often making the decision difficult; knowing what to look for will shorten the process and assure you that you're choosing the right one. There are quite a few things to look for before you buy an upright or canister vacuum cleaner. Upright vacuum cleaners overall are less expensive than canister vacuum cleaners.

Look into the lightweight options to find vacuum cleaners that'll be easier to push, carry, and store. If you have lots of flooring to vacuum you'll want a model with floor attachments that uses brushes and/or an upright vacuum with metal bottom plates. Make sure the height of the machine can be set low enough and that the plate and wheels don't scratch your floors.

Many bagged models include a full bag indicator light to help users remember to change the bag. Keep in mind vacuums will have a wide range of options and features to choose from; some have features like nozzles, extended cords and bright colors that add to the price. Some vacuums rely on bags or filters to trap the dirt; they can clog up and lose their suction.

Some canister vacuum cleaners do offer HEPA filtration. Canisters at the uppermost end of the price range may be merely expensive, and not necessarily of higher quality or more effective. Check out the manufacturer's warranty for the new vacuum, and if your place of purchase will extend the warranty.

Do you really need a deluxe model? Find the extra tools and features you need, and forget about the ones you don't. Do you want an upright or canister?

Make sure attachments are easy to put together and take apart and that they stay together and are airtight. Though they may not be more powerful, higher priced uprights have a lot of gadgets that may be handy for your home, providing you use them. You'll need to decide whether you want a bag or a bagless vacuum.

Read the warranty fine print so you know exactly what's covered in the event it's defective or you need it repaired. Find out how much common replacement parts will cost. A few different tools and wands may seem like a plus, but if you rarely ever use tools, they may just be an extra expense.

Consider where the vacuum cleaner will be stored to make sure it will fit the space. Find out how often belts, filters, and other items will need to be cleaned and/or replaced. 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 too.

It's up to you to decide if a true HEPA is necessary for your family, or if capturing a smaller amount of particles is worth the price break on filter costs; however your family's health is worth paying a little higher price. You might consider one of the lightweight models if you have physical issues. Get a unit with a good filtration system and protect your lungs and overall health. Considering your health when it comes to vacuum cleaners is important; you don't want to create or worsen respiratory, mobility, back problems or anything else needlessly.

You want to get rid of as much dirt, dust, mold spores, fungus, bacteria, dust mites and allergens as possible. HEPA-like or HEPA type filters may only capture only 85 to 90 percent of particles and that percent can fall even lower for particles of 1 micron and below, unlike the true or absolute HEPA filters. To receive the true or absolute HEPA designation, filters must perform to a certain standard.

Double check the reviews, ratings and opinions on the vacuum cleaner you've chosen. Choosing the best vacuum cleaner for you is easier than ever. A quality vacuum cleaner can be an excellent investment if you do your homework.