A good example of this would be the hose itself. This is considered an accessory because it does a job no other attachment can do. This is to collect the larger particles the operator has decided to clean up. The hard floor accessory is vital for collecting the fine dust and hair that are close to the surface of the floor. The low profile of this attachment is what allows for maximum suction power to collect these particles.

The carpet attachment has a built in rotating brush that not only uses the suction power of the vacuum to pick up the dirt but the rotating bristles of the brush to help loosen the particles that are hardened to the carpet fibers.

There are smaller accessories that are used in special places like the crevice attachment. This is a long slender tube like device that can reach into places that are out of reach for other attachments. This is good for between two book shelves or down the cushions of the sofa.

There is also the handy duster. This is ideal for the top of picture frames. That little edge collects more dust than most people think. Last there is the scraper. This is a hard short attachments that will help pry up those dirt clogs or other easily broken unwanted items that are on the floor.

Vacuum accessories are what really make the vacuum cleaner able to do a better job.