Suction force
The suction force provided by the vacuum cleaner. It is indicated by the maximum vacuum (negative pressure) that the unit can create at the working nozzle.
Note that this parameter is sometimes confused with the suction power described above, which is indicated in watts. Yes, suction force to some extent determines the efficiency of the unit. However, this efficiency also depends on the performance (airflow). And the suction power, indicated in watts, takes into account both of these parameters — it is determined by multiplying the suction force by the performance (see above for more details). For this reason, there is no strict relationship between this force and suction power: for example, a vacuum of 25,000 Pa can be found in models with 250 W, 200 W and even 150 W of power.
As for the practical significance of this spec, in general, a higher suction force allows you to work more efficiently with high resistance. For example, when processing carpets with a long pile. On the other hand, more pascals (with the same number of watts) means less airflow and, accordingly, less efficiency for large amounts of work at low resistance (for example, cleaning large rooms with parquet floors). Thus, it makes sense to pay attention to this indicator mainly in cases where high suction force is fundamental for you. In other cases, it is worth evaluating the capabilities of the vacuum cleaner in terms of suction power in watts.
Note that for a number of
...reasons, the suction power is most often specified for robot vacuum cleaners (see “Produc type”). For such models, a value of 1500 Pa and below is considered very small, 1500 – 2000 Pa — medium, 2000 – 2500 Pa — high, more than 2500 Pa — very high.
It is also worth mentioning that the indication of suction force is often used as a publicity trick — to improve the impression of the product. For example, the suction power of 150 watts in itself is quite modest. But at the same time, the suction force of such a vacuum cleaner can be 25,000 Pa — a very impressive figure, especially for an inexperienced buyer, but having a very indirect relation to real efficiency. Especially often, such tricks are used among upright models and the already mentioned robots — these varieties initially do not differ in high power in watts. For many of these units, the characteristics only indicate the vacuum in pascals without specifying the suction power. It further enhances the impression: for example, in the specs of a modest robot, the figure "3000 Pa" looks much more impressive than "40 W". However, such figures have a very weak relation to the real capabilities of the unit and if they are not supplemented by data on suction power in watts, they should be considered solely as bait for a not particularly sophisticated buyer.Power adjustment
The type of power regulator provided in the design of the vacuum cleaner.
By itself
, power adjustment allows you to adjust the operating mode to the current situation. For example, to clean a thick carpet, it is better to use a vacuum cleaner on full power, and on a delicate sofa or chair, it may be better to reduce the power. Types of power regulators are distinguished by location; options can be as follows:
— On body. The most popular option among modern vacuum cleaners. The main advantage of models with this design is that they do not require special hoses (unlike the units described below with adjustments on the handle). However, installation on the body is not very convenient for conventional vacuum cleaners (see "Type") — to change the power, you have to lean towards the body every time. However, for most users, it is not critical.
— On handle.
The power regulator on the handle of the vacuum hose is convenient because the control is right at your fingertips, and you can change the power with just one movement of your finger, without bending over to the body. However, this convenience has a downside. So, some of these vacuum cleaners can only be fully used with special hoses; when installing a classic hose (without a regulator), the device, at best, will only work at full power, without adjustment, at worst, it will not turn on at all. A special hose is usually inc
...luded in the kit, but finding a replacement for it can be a quite troublesome (and costly) business. In other models, a wireless remote control is used, and its presence significantly affects the price of the unit.
— On body and handle. Vacuum cleaners combine both of the options described above. Usually, a hose with a regulator on the handle is supplied with such a unit. However, if necessary, you can install a regular hose and change the power with a switch on the body. Such control is the most versatile. Nevertheless, it is more expensive than each of the options described above.Battery capacity
The capacity of the battery installed in the vacuum cleaner.
Recall that batteries are used in all robots, as well as other types of vacuum cleaners for which mobility is important; see "Power supply" for details. As for battery capacity, theoretically, a larger battery allows you to work longer without recharging. However, there are nuances. Firstly, the actual battery life of the unit will also depend on its type, power and some features of the functionality. Secondly, the actual battery capacity is determined not only by this indicator but also by the voltage in volts. So if these batteries differ in voltage, you need to convert their capacity into watt-hours and use this data when comparing. These calculations are described in more detail in special sources.
In light of all this, only vacuum cleaners with similar specifications can be directly compared in terms of battery capacity. And it is best to evaluate the actual battery life by the directly claimed operating time.
Battery run time
The operating time of a battery-powered vacuum cleaner (see "Power supply") on a single battery charge.
Usually, the average operating time in normal mode is indicated here. Accordingly, in fact, the battery life of the vacuum cleaner may differ slightly from the claimed one, depending on the chosen application format. Nevertheless, the operating time indicated in the specifications is a fairly reliable indicator; it can be used both for a general assessment of battery life and for comparing the selected vacuum cleaner with other models.
Separately, we note that increasing battery life requires either the use of more capacious (and therefore more expensive and heavier) batteries or a decrease in engine power (and the efficiency of the unit as a whole). So it is worth looking specifically for a long working vacuum cleaner if these moments are outweighed by a long operating time.
Charging time
The time required to charge the cordless vacuum cleaner fully (see "Power supply").
Larger batteries tend to take longer to charge. On the other hand, modern batteries can use various solutions that speed up the process, so there is no strict dependence here.
Separately, we note that the speed of charging batteries is usually uneven: at first, the process is fast, then it gradually slows down. So if, for example, the specifications indicate a charging time of 2 hours, then charging from 0 to 50% will take a little less than an hour, and from 50% to 100% the remaining time.
Noise level
The noise level produced by the vacuum cleaner during operation. Usually, the value for normal operation at maximum engine power is indicated here. With less power, the loudness of the unit may be lower, but the key is precisely the maximum indicator.
Regarding specific numbers, keep in mind that the decibel used to measure the noise level is a non-linear quantity. Therefore, it is worth evaluating specific indicators using special comparative tables. In general, vacuum cleaners are quite noisy appliances; so in this case, models are considered quiet if this indicator
does not exceed 65 dB — this is the level of a loud conversation between 2 – 3 people at a distance of 1 m. The quietest of these models give out only 40 dB — this is the average volume of a person’s speech in normal tones (and the minimum volume allowed for constant noise sources in living quarters during the day). For louder units, the comparison table looks like this:
—
66 – 70 dB — loud conversations between several groups of people at a distance of about 1 m;
—
71 – 75 dB — the volume of a cry or laughter in full voice at a distance of about 1 m;
—
76 – 80 dB — the volume of a mechanical alarm clock or the engine of an old truck;
—
more than 80 dB — a very high noise level, exceeding the leve
...l of a loud scream; when working with a vacuum cleaner having such specifications for a long time, it is highly desirable to use hearing protection.
Also note that the noise level largely depends on the engine power, as well as some other features (for example, it is strongly affected by the presence of an aquafilter — see "Dust collector"). At the same time, there is no hard connection here, and units with a similar set of specifications can differ markedly in actual loudness. In such cases, when choosing here, it is worth proceeding from the fact that a quieter vacuum cleaner will be more comfortable to use. However, it will most likely cost noticeably more.LED lighting
The presence of
light-emitting diode (LED) lighting in the design of the vacuum cleaner.
Such lighting is placed on the working nozzle or close to it and illuminates the area being processed by the vacuum cleaner. Its main purpose is to provide convenience when working in dark places, such as under sofas/beds, dark corners, etc. At the same time, the lighting can be useful in normal brightness lighting: it well reveals dust and debris on smooth surfaces like linoleum or laminate.
As for the LED lighting vacuum cleaners themselves, most of them belong to one or another type of upright ones (see "Type") — it is in such units that this function is technically easiest to implement. It is also found in some conventional and handheld household vacuum cleaners. However, there are a few such models on the market, and they are not cheap due to additional design features. For example, in a conventional vacuum cleaner, for the lighting to work, not only a tube is required, but also a hose of a special design — with wiring to supply power to the LEDs.
