Do I Need More Than One Type of Vacuum Cleaner?

So you’re thinking about getting another type of vacuum cleaner but are wondering, really; do I need more than one type of vacuum cleaner? Who even does that?! It’s a fair question to ask as you may have imagined when you perhaps bought your trusty cylinder vacuum cleaner that would be the end of the story.

Now here you are considering whether to get a another type of vacuum cleaner perhaps a stick vacuum or snazzy robot vacuum and are thinking is it really necessary. Below we’ll try to explore why you may well decide that you need more than one type by looking at:

Main Types of Vacuum Cleaners and

What They’re Best
Why You Want More Than One Type

Do I Need More Than One Type of Vacuum Cleaner?

So, do I need more than one type of vacuum cleaner?

You may want to consider more than one type of vacuum cleaner if you already have an upright or cylinder vacuum but find it more time-consuming to use them than you would like. This is the situation we found ourselves in as we already had a Henry HVR160-11 vacuum cleaner but found it cumbersome and a bit fiddly to get out of the storage cupboard, unwind the cable, plug it in and then do the reverse at the other end.

That setup and putting away time might seem trivial at first but when you are in a busy home as well as working full time, it can mean a lot.

To make things a bit easier from a time perspective we, like many, then opted to also buy a cordless vacuum (Dyson V7 Motorhead) and it has made the job of cleaning much easier. We simply pick up and go whenever we need to whether that’s for a quick spruce clean or a more thorough job around all the rooms.

The other option if you already have an upright or cylinder vacuum but don’t have the time, is a robot vacuum cleaner. This would combine well with a more traditional vacuum cleaner as it can take care of the bulk of your floor cleaning needs for most of the week whilst you do something else. Where robot vacuums can’t venture (stairs) or can sometimes struggle (corners and tight areas) your upright or cyclinder vacuum can come in and finish up.

What Are The Main Types Of Vacuum Cleaners?

Before we look at the question of whether you need more than one type of vacuum cleaner, let’s have a brief look at the main different types of vacuums and what they’re best suited for.

Upright Vacuum Cleaners

Upright vacuum cleaners are ones that you push in front of you usually without the need to bend down low. These units are usually fitted with larger capacities than some of the other smaller types of vacuum cleaners. Mains power means they can have a high level of suction and in some cases have power brushes for getting rid of tougher in-grained dirt and stairs.

They’re not particularly well suited however, when it comes to cleaning stairs due to their shape and high reach areas like curtains etc. Although it is worth mentioning that some, e.g. the excellent Shark Lift-Away, do come with detachable lightweight units which will allow you to cover.

Key Features

Push in front of you
Upright design for less need to bend over
Typically larger capacities than stick, robot, handheld and some cylinders

Suitable For

Users who want to avoid bending
Homes with lots of carpet coverage
Those who want more mobility than a cylinder but aren’t happy with the functions of a cordless

Best Overall Upright Vacuum Cleaner: Shark Lift-Away Upright Vacuum Cleaner

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The excellent Shark Lift-Away not only gives you a highly user rated upright vacuum cleaner but also has the added bonus of a lighweight module you can detach from the main unit for tackling areas like the stairs.

Cylinder Vacuums

Cylinder vacuums are those that you pull behind you as you go. They are usually the some of cheapest vacuum cleaners on the market, have a good range of options and typically to have longer cables than other types.

Cylinder vacuums can be relatively small, light enough to move around with ease and are round.

Their usually long cables (10m on average) mean they can go further from the power point than most types giving the user are wider range of cleaning – helpful if you are in a home with limited power points.

Owing to their size they usually relatively easy to store however, their typically longer hose and tube can sometimes be a bit of a pain to put away neatly.

Key Features

Pull behind you

Can suitable for most budgets due to wide range of choice
Longer power cables than other types
Tend to typically small, light and round

Normally come with multiple attachments for various jobs

Suited For

Most types of homes
Those needing to clean stairs, hard surfaces or upholstery

Best Overall Cylinder Vacuum: Henry HVR160-11

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When it comes to a cylinder vacuum most people want something that will clean effectively and be robust enough to last and the Henry HVR160-11 does just that. It’s said that there are some 10 million Henry hoovers still in operation and once you’ve used one for a while you’ll understand why.

Cordless Vacuum Cleaners

Cordless vacuum cleaners are those that are operated cord free giving the user maximum flexibility when it comes to range of cleaning. With no cable and plug socket location to worry about, you’re free to clean where you need to across the home.

Usually designed in a “stick” like manner, they’re often referred to as stick vacuums or cordless stick vacuums.

Their usually lightweight build makes them attractive to a lot of users as they can get around the home with much more ease than other types but still allow them to tackle the same jobs and in some cases more due to their versatility.

Key Features

Lightweight design usually makes for easy maneuvering
Plenty of models available that can be used as a handheld unit

Batteries can take up to 4 hours to charge for around 30 – 60 minutes of use

Suited For

Busy homes with little time for cleaning

Homes with multiple levels
People who need something easy to lift
Those who don’t have plugs conveniently located

Best Overall Cordless Vacuum: Dyson V11 Torque Drive

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Cordless vacuums continue to develop apace and perhaps the brand most closely associated with this is Dyson. It’s Dyson V11 Torque Drive offering is an impressive mixture of design and techonology giving the user a unit capable of varying its suction according to the floor its on. In addition, its LED screen will display a number of key pieces of information for the user to take into account.

Robot Vacuum Cleaners

An increasingly popular choice for buyers robot vacuum cleaners are units that will automatically clean your home based on the commands you provide them.

Some can setup to automatically clean even when you are not around and the more advanced onces can return to their charging stations when they’re done.

Many are equipped with smart sensors meaning there’s no need to worry about them knocking into things or falling down the stairs.

As you would expect with relatively new technology, robot vacuum cleaners can be pricey.

Key Features

Automatically clean your floors based on setting

Battery operated
Some can be operated remotely, via apps

Suited For

Homes with flat smooth floors

Those who want to avoid vacuuming
Those short on time
Those who like their gadgets cutting-edge

Best Overall Robot Vacuum Cleaner: Roborock S6 Robot Vacuum Cleaner

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The Roborock S6 provides you with a highly user rated robust robot vacuum cleaner with a range of features that would typically be reserved for higher price ranges. Equipped with mopping capability as well as vacuuming, the Roborock S6 can also be operated via Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant.

Cordless Handheld Vacuum Cleaners

Cordless handheld vacuum cleaners are typically smaller units and battery operated. They’re quite well suited to cleaning cars, pet hairs and quick cleans around smaller areas.

Usually equipped with powerful motors that allow them to do a good job quickly, they can also be fitted with various attachments.

With the growth in popularity of cordless stick vacuums that can also be used as handheld vacuums (e.g. Dyson V range), there’s less of a need to obtain a separate hand-held unit for most homes.

Main Features

Held by hand
Battery operated

Some cordless upright vacuum cleaners can be converted into handheld unit

Suited For

Those who need to regularly clean small spaces
Those who need to clean the car, stairs or furniture e.g. sofas

Best Overall Cordless Handheld Vacuum Cleaner: Shark Cordless Handheld

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Not content with producing excellent upright and stick vacuum cleaners, Shark have also produced a brilliant handheld unit. Coming highly rated by users the Shark Cordless Handheld vacuum cleaner offers a lighweight option for your smallest cleaning tasks.

Conclusion: Do I Need More Than One Type of Vacuum Cleaner?

As we’ve seen you can certainly get on perfectly well with just one type of vacuum cleaner, so long as its suited to your needs. However, having more than one type of vacuum cleaner can also make sense as it can save you time and effort depending on the types you go for. Having a upright or cylinder vacuum combined with either a cordless stick or robot vacuum cleaner would appear to be some of the most logical combinations if you want to make life a little bit easier from a cleaning perspective.

Do I Need More Than One Type of Vacuum Cleaner?: Tell Us Your Thoughts

Do I Need More Than One Type of Vacuum Cleaner?

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Do I Need More Than One Type of Vacuum Cleaner?