Are More Expensive Vacuum Cleaners Better?
If you’re in the market for a new vacuum cleaner you can’t help but have noticed just how much choice you have especially with high-end and expensive models. But are more expensive vacuum cleaners better? In this post, we’ll look to address just that by looking at the pros and cons of opting for more expensive models.
Are More Expensive Vacuum Cleaners Better?
To understand whether more expensive vacuum cleaners are better, let’s take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of expensive models.
Advantages of More Expensive Vacuum Cleaners
Higher Price Often Means Higher Quality
At a very basic level usually a higher price tag should mean your getting higher quality material, design and build with your vacuum cleaner. The high price tag usually means the manufacturer is focused on obtaining the best materials before rigourously designing, manufacturing and testing the vacuum cleaner before it gets to you.
A High Price Tag Provides A Positive Signal
A higher price tag acts as an easy sign of high quality as manufacturers are usually not able to continue charging a high price for very long without delivering the benefits to back up that price. The price tag then becomes a quick and easy way to understand which vacuum cleaners may well be the most well-regarded by the market.
Higher Price May Mean More Versatility
When you pay a higher price for a vacuum cleaner you an typically expect to get far more versatility in what you’re paying for. The Shark upright range of vacuum cleaners is a good example. These models can typically be more expensive than their competitors but they also provide some features such as the Lift-Away mode which means you get both an upright and a handheld canister mode all in one machine.
You Get More Features and Tools With Expensive Models
A distinct advantage of higher-priced vacuum cleaners is that you typically get more features and tools than you would with lower-end models. It’s quite normal to get motor-powered roller brushes and additional job-specific brushes in high-end models. You’ll often also see multiple types of tools and attachments in higher-end vacuum cleaners to tackle different types of jobs eg:
- Pet Power Brush for removal of pet hair and dander from upholstery and carpets
- Turbo Brush for removal of deep and stubborn dirt and debris from carpets and upholstery
In addition to tools some high-end vacuum cleaners like the Sebo Automatic X7 for example will automatically adjust its settings to provide the optimum cleaning configuration based on where you are vacuuming. It can also automatically shut down if it detects a sudden blockage as you vacuum saving the machine from damage.
More Expensive Models Provide More Cleaning Capacity
When you pay a higher price you typically can expect to get more cleaning capacity though this is not always strictly the case. Nonetheless, there are some models like the Henry hoover range for example when you pay extra, you can expect to get more cleaning capacity than the 6L that you get with the standard Henry hoover model.
Higher Priced Vacuum Cleaners Last Longer
With more expensive vacuum cleaners you can typically expect that they will last longer. As higher priced models are usually higher quality, this often results in longevity and vacuums lasting a long time. There are some brands for example Sebo that have been known to build machines that last over ten years. Part of the reason these machines can last so long is that their original parts can withstand the test of time but they can also be repaired when anything fails.
Longer Warranty
Another advantage you typically get with higher-priced vacuum cleaners is that the product warranties tend to be longer. Sebo for example offer a five year warranty for vacuum cleaners. Shark also offers a five-year warranty on their upright vacuum cleaners. These extended warranties provide additional peace of mind for you as it displays the confidence the manufacturer has in their product whilst assuring you of a fallback should issues arise once you’ve bought that expensive vacuum cleaner.
Disadvantages of More Expensive Vacuum Cleaners
Let’s explore some of the key disadvantages of more expensive vacuum cleaners.
Higher Cost Doesn’t always Result In Higher Quality
Something to keep in mind when considering more expensive vacuum cleaners is that although a higher price can be an indication of higher quality, it is no guarantee. What this means is that the price should clearly not be the only indicator that a product may be high quality. In some instances you may be paying a premium for the brand reputation rather than the actual build and performance of the machine so be sure to factor in things like independent reviews of the product and customer feedback.
More Expensive Vacuum Cleaners Have Features Meaning More Things Can Break
Though a major upside of upscale vacuum cleaners is the additional features you often get that does also mean that there’s potentially more things that can break down. The more complicated the vacuum cleaner is and the more parts it has, the more likely it is to incur damage especially if you need to move it around a lot. That’s why relatively inexpensive and simple models like the Henry hoover (with over 15 million units sold) is so popular as it offers a very simple but robust design backed up by powerful performance.
Higher Priced Vacuum Cleaners Sometimes Have More Tools Than Necessary
As great as it can be to get lots of additional tools and attachments from higher-priced vacuum cleaners, oftentimes there are far more than most consumers would ever need. Beyond a useful crevice tool for getting into those corners of your sofa; a smaller brush for your carpets and upholstery and perhaps a dusting brush it’s arguable that most people don’t need or perhaps even use much else in terms of attachments. Thus when paying for an expensive vacuum cleaner with lots of tools, it’s worth considering whether you actually need all of the fancy gadgets it comes with. If not, you may be better off looking at cheaper models with fewer tools but still offering good performance.
It Can Be Costly To Fix or Replace Expensive Vacuum Cleaners
Though the more expensive vacuum cleaner models are typically expected to last longer than cheaper alternatives, they can be quite costly to fix or replace should they go wrong outside of the warranty period. Just like any other electrical appliance, vacuum cleaners can develop issues but in the case of a high-end vacuum cleaner replacement parts can sometimes be as expensive as a new lower-end vacuum cleaner. Worse yet if its been a number since you originally bought it.
Best Expensive Vacuum Cleaners
Here are some of the best expensive vacuum cleaners available.
SEBO Automatic X7 Extra ePower
Trusted by hotels the world over and backed with a 5-year warranty, SEBO is a highly regarded name with a strong history and reputation for quality within the vacuum cleaner industry. The Sebo X7 Extra comes with a computer control system that optimises performance based on the type of floor its cleaning. The machine will also automatically shut down if there is a blockage ensuring its protected from damage.
SEBO Felix Pet e-Power
Another top-performing upright from vacuum cleaning aristocrats SEBO, the Felix Pet e-Power upright vacuum cleaner is effective as it is pleasing to look at. It comes with an electronic guidance system which indicates the correct height setting for the best cleaning performance as well as an automatic shutdown mechanism in case of blockages. The SEBO Felix Pet e-Power is definitely one of the more expensive uprights on the market but it delivers on many fronts.
Miele Blizzard CX1 Cat & Dog
The Miele Blizzard CX1 Cat & Dog cylinder vacuum cleaner is one of the most expensive cylinder vacuums on the market but it backs it up with outstanding feedback from users. Packed full of useful features like its easy access dust canister, telescopic (you can adjust the length) tube and 890 watts of motor power, you get an excellent vacuum cleaner from one of the most well-regarded brands in the industry.
Miele Blizzard CX1 Bagless Cylinder Vacuum Cleaner
The Miele Blizzard CX1 bagless cylinder vacuum cleaner is one of the most accomplished canister vacuums on the market. Miele are highly renowned for delivering excellent quality in their vacuum cleaners and the Blizzard CX1 is no different. With an incredibly sleek design, the Blizzard CX1 comes with numerous features that make cleaning a joy including its airtight EcoTeq Plus floorhead and a multistage floor selector allowing you to pick the optimum setting depending on the floor type.
Dyson V10 Cordless Vacuum Cleaner
If you’re after a high-end cordless vacuum cleaner then the Dyson V10 is one of the very best around. With 20% more suction power than its predecessor Dyson V8, which itself is a stellar unit, the Dyson V10 provides up to 60 minutes of run time on a single battery charge.
