What is the best household vacuum cleaner?

What's the best vacuum cleaner for your home?

There's no "best," only "most suitable." It depends on your floor type, lifestyle, and cleaning challenges. Here's how to think about it:

I. Consider your floor type and home situation:

■ Many carpets / Shedding pets / People with long hair:

Priority: A roller brush design that prevents hair tangling (the roller brush has small blades that cut hair while vacuuming, saving you the trouble of disassembling the machine for cleaning).
Suction power requirements: The suction power should be strong enough to easily lift dust and pet hair deep into the carpet fibers (test method: sprinkle small particles like salt or rice while vacuuming the carpet and see if it can be cleaned in one pass).
Bonus point: A slightly larger dustbin or dust bag capacity (more hair means more debris).

■ Hard floors / Tile / Wood floors throughout the house:

Priority: The nozzle should be flexible and lightweight (easy to push and pull), preferably with a nozzle or mode specifically for hard floors (such as a soft roller brush or a pure suction mode to avoid scratching the floor with a hard brush head). Suction Power Requirements: Able to pick up dust and small particles from crevices (such as corners and tile grout).
Bonus Points: Good noise reduction (hard floors have a strong echo, making noise more noticeable).

■Large household clutter / Small apartment / Dislikes tidying:

Priority: Compact size (wall-mountable is best), easy cord retraction (automatic cord retraction is a plus).
Bonus Points: Simple operation (few buttons, functions clearly displayed), few but essential accessories (only the most frequently used flat nozzle and brush).

II. Consider your usage habits and pain points

■You dislike bending over / Have joint problems:

Priority: Lightweight main unit (especially comfortable for wrists), flexible steering (easy pushing and pulling, doesn't get stuck on door sills or carpet edges).
Bonus Points: Can be disassembled into a handheld unit (convenient for vacuuming under sofas, beds, and stairs).

■ You or your family members are prone to allergies/sneezing:

Priority: A truly sealed filtration system + a good filter (such as HEPA grade) (dust and allergens are firmly locked in, preventing them from being sprayed out while vacuuming).
Bonus: Disposable dust bag design (emptying dust completely avoids contact with dust).

■ You're too lazy for frequent maintenance/dislike complicated operations:

Priority: Dustbin/dust bag cleaning should be simple and convenient (one-button emptying, no messy hands), and the filter should be washable and air-dryable (saving on consumable costs).
Bonus: Easy-to-clean roller brush (preferably tool-free disassembly).

■ Your home is a duplex/multi-story/with stairs:

Priority: Overall portability (cordless is a plus, if corded, the cord should be long enough), can be disassembled into a handheld unit + comes with a long, flat nozzle (essential for vacuuming stairs).
Bonus: Shoulder strap or handle design (easier to carry up and down stairs).

■ You only want to maintain daily cleanliness / don't have time to clean every day:

Consider: A robot vacuum cleaner that can automatically plan its route (daily scheduled cleaning, hassle-free).
Points to note: It excels at maintaining cleanliness, but its effectiveness is limited when dealing with sudden large debris or stubborn stains (such as spilled cereal or sticky candy). A manual vacuum cleaner is usually still needed in conjunction.

III. Practical Tips to Avoid Pitfalls (Don't fall for scams)

■ Don't be misled by "super strong suction" numbers:

The key is to look at the actual suction performance (especially on your floors). Try whether it can pick up coins from a carpet (simulating large particles), or how well it cleans dust from the crevices of hard floors.

■ On-site testing is important (if possible):

Push and pull a few times: Feel the weight and steering flexibility; does it get stuck?
Listen to the noise: Can you accept its operating sound?
Check the disassembly and assembly: Is it easy to clean the dustbin, remove the roller brush, and change the filter? More than 3 steps may be troublesome.

■ "Multi-functional" doesn't necessarily mean practical:

Vacuum and mop combos sound great, but they're prone to not cleaning thoroughly or leaving the skin completely dry. Many fancy accessories end up gathering dust. Ask yourself: What are the functions you use most often?

■ Consider long-term costs:

Will the filter need replacing? How expensive is it? Will you need to buy a dust bag? Is it easy to replace the battery if it's damaged? How much does it cost? These are more important than the initial purchase price.

■ Noise is a hidden cost:

A noisy machine will make you not want to use it, especially if you have children or elderly people at home, or if you want to clean during your rest time.