A home vacuum cleaner is one of the most expensive pieces of home cleaning equipment we will ever buy. There are quite a few features you want know about and look for before you buy any upright or canister vacuum cleaner. There have been a lot of wonderful advances in vacuum cleaners over the years so it's hard to buy one that's actually bad or you'd be unhappy with. Although sometimes you may e unhappy with the features you selected or features you wish you had. That's where doing a lot of research first will really pay off. With diligence you will find the right and best vacuum cleaner for you.

Now metal components in a vacuum cleaner are better than plastic but will make the unit much heavier than you might like. The bagged upright vacuum cleaners use the bags as a filter to trap dirt. And it may be more difficult to find as many of the bells and whistles you'd like on the lightweight models.

There are no standards set for the sealed vacuum cleaner models. If you have family members with long hair you might want to get a vacuum cleaner that has a stainless steel brush roller with ball bearings. A vacuum cleaner should be able to pick up dust and particles both from the carpet and hardwood floors. Many vacuum models don't pick up well on all types of surfaces; make sure you check this out.

Check the height of fully assembled attachments to make sure that you won't be bending over or holding your arm up in an uncomfortable position to use them. A vacuum cleaner with a bag will keep the air you breathe free of dust, allergens, pollen, smoke particles, and many other chemicals and pollutants found in household air, that is if it doesn't get clogged. In the low end uprights you'll find a few models that have an additional feature, like models without bags or models with bags and a 'full bag' indicator light.

You can find vacuum cleaners listed in many places: in the yellow pages under the vacuum cleaner repair stores, classified ads in your local newspaper, on Craigslist online, eBay and other online auction sites and the manufacturer and dealer websites on the Internet. You can also find refurbished vacuum cleaners - many, of course, at garage sales that are well used or next to new. You may want to find a canister vacuum cleaner with the kind of wheels that won't scuff or damage your floors. Higher-priced uprights have a wider cleaning path, possibly dirt sensors, and some may be self-propelled. They might also have pre-motor filters to protect the motor from serious damage too.

Lower-end uprights may have headlamps and/or bumper protection for your precious furniture. And uprights in the higher price ranges may have suction hoses that are sturdier and crush resistant. Make sure to check the amps of the vacuum cleaner to make sure you're getting enough power.

It's important to find out exactly what kind of maintenance your new vacuum cleaner will need to keep it running properly so you can eliminate as many repairs as possible. Make sure the machine feels comfortable to you. If you are buying online, try to find the model in one of your local stores and try it out. Note that canister vacuum cleaners can come with a bag or without a bag.

Do you know if you want an upright unit or canister? Do you want a new, used or refurbished vacuum cleaner? The highest priced upright models may carry every possible feature imaginable and they may be true HEPA rated vacuums. A self-propelled vacuum cleaner may sound great, but in actuality they may be very heavy to lift. So try lifting the potential model if you can.

A vacuum without a bag that uses filters may leak dust, dust mites, mold spores, fungus, bacteria, smoke particles, chemicals, allergens and other particles into the air that are so small you may not be able to see them. It's important to note that HEPA type or HEPA-like filters may be made in similar ways to 'true' HEPA filters and may resemble them but do not have to meet the same standards as 'true' or 'absolute' HEPA filters.

Many people do not know that HEPA on the vacuum could mean the HEPA-type but not be the true HEPA. So check this carefully. I always recommend the 'true' HEPA to prevent respiratory illnesses and protect the precious lungs of your family. Those are two different categories of HEPA filters that can make understanding the abilities of your filter confusing. So get a vacuum with a good filtration system and protect your lungs and overall health.

'True' or absolute HEPA filters must pass a strict test to be considered worthy of the HEPA rating. Reducing or eliminating particles will make cleaner air for everyone in your home. Considering your health when it comes to buying a vacuum cleaner is important. You don't want to create or worsen respiratory, mobility, or back problems needlessly.

Double check the reviews, ratings, rankings and opinions on the vacuum cleaner you've chosen. Ask your friends and associates what has been the best vacuum for them. There have been a lot of advances in vacuum cleaners over the years so it's hard to buy one these days that you'd truly be unhappy with, but if you proceed slowly and do your research you'll find the perfect vacuum cleaner with just the right features for you.