5 Game-Changing Vacuum Cleaner Features

Vacuum cleaner technology has evolved significantly over the past few years. If you're still dragging around an old canister vacuum, it might be time for an upgrade. While suction remains the most important feature, there's now more to a vacuum than just eliminating dust and pulling pet hair from carpets. Let’s dive into five innovative and practical features that should be on your radar when choosing your next vacuum cleaner.

5: Retractable Power Cord

It might seem like a small change, but it's one that makes a difference. If you've ever struggled with wrapping up a long vacuum cleaner cord, untangling it from hooks, or fixing kinks, a retractable cord that pulls back into the vacuum with a gentle tug can be a game-changer. While not all vacuums have this feature, it’s more common in canister vacuums than uprights. For the most flexibility, look for models with 30-foot cords rather than the standard 20-foot ones, so you can easily cover more ground without constantly needing to find new outlets.

4: Bagless Convenience

Bagless technology has been available for some time in lightweight stick vacuums, but newer bagless models have enhanced suction power, making them suitable for larger tasks like cleaning the living room carpet or the man cave.

While the idea of bagless vacuuming is appealing due to the absence of bags to purchase, this notion can be misleading. In standard vacuums without special filtration systems, the bag serves as the filter media. Air laden with dirt passes through the bag back into the room, leaving its load of dust and grit behind. In a bagless vacuum, there is no bag—but there is an onboard filter that needs to be replaced periodically. The replacement schedule varies by model but is less frequent than the typical full-bag change.

With a bagless vacuum, it's easy to see the dust and dirt you've collected, but easy access has its drawbacks. When the time comes to empty the dirt receptacle, it can be challenging to dispose of the contents without releasing a cloud of debris that would make Pig-Pen blush. If you love the idea of going bagless, though, it's likely you can develop a dumping technique that minimizes the dust cloud. It's probably all in the wrist.

3: Robotic Assistance

You've probably seen them in advertisements—those automated, lightweight vacuums that navigate around obstacles like chair legs, pets, and children using sophisticated algorithms. They're quite impressive. These devices can perform their cleaning routines whether you're present or not, and some models operate on schedules, returning to their charging stations as needed. A notable advantage of a robotic vacuum is its ability to clean under large furniture pieces with ease, provided there's sufficient clearance.

Robotic vacuums are also remarkably consistent. They don't pause for phone calls or take coffee breaks. Even if it takes an hour or more to clean a medium-sized room, you won't be paying overtime.

However, it's not all futuristic technology and reduced human effort. According to Consumer Reports, robotic vacuum cleaners often struggle to reach corners or clean along baseboards effectively. They can also be a costly option for light-duty vacuuming. If you're willing to rearrange furniture to prevent your robotic helper from getting tangled in cords, area rugs, or floor vents, these devices can access areas you might otherwise overlook. They can also provide daily cleaning in high-traffic zones, removing surface dirt before it settles deep into carpet fibers.

2: HEPA Filtration

We mentioned that standard vacuum cleaners use the bag as a filter medium. If you've ever noticed dust on your vacuum cleaner after using it, you've seen proof positive that this arrangement releases dust (mites and mold) back into the air after liberating them from the carpet. If someone in your household has allergies or asthma, vacuuming with a conventional vacuum cleaner has the potential to cause health problems. Enter onboard vacuum cleaner filtration. Although HEPA filtration is probably the best known filtering method for vacuums, it isn't the only method. Some vacuums use water as a filtering medium, for instance. Others use the principle of electrostatic precipitation. There are even new technologies that make use of UV light to kill microbes and control odor.

Let's take a closer look at HEPA filtration: HEPA is an acronym that stands for high-efficiency particulate air. A HEPA filter is designed to trap a minimum of 99.97 percent of particulates 0.3 microns or larger. That's the optimum or "A" standard, but HEPA filtration in vacuum cleaners may or may not filter that efficiently. Some vacuum filters claim they use HEPA filtration or comparable, but may just have filters that look similar. In some vacuum cleaner models, small amounts of particulate laden air can bypass the onboard filter completely. If you consider air filtration a critical feature in a vacuum cleaner, check out a number of independent testing lab reviews before you buy. A good filter isn't something you can detect from a quick demo on the showroom floor, so defer to the experts.

1: Cyclonic Technology

The latest innovation in vacuum cleaners ditches the traditional vacuum bag, opting instead for a cyclone mechanism that channels dirt directly into a collection tray. This technology, known as cyclonic action, was introduced by Dyson approximately 30 years ago. Today, numerous models incorporate this feature, each with varying degrees of effectiveness. If you're considering a purchase, Consumer Reports has evaluated several of these models, assigning each a score out of 100. Each model has its advantages and drawbacks, so it's advisable to conduct thorough research before making a decision.