Floorcare buying guide

Many last 15-20 minutes, providing ample cleaning time for a small area, but others can last up to 60 minutes on a single charge.

Measured in Litres (l), Cordless vacuums tend to have smaller capacities than upright or cylinder vacuum cleaners as they are designed to clean smaller areas. This means they will need to be emptied more often.

The higher the voltage of the cleaner, the more powerful it is and the more dirt it will be able to pick up. More powerful models can also power a rotating brush bar more effectively ensuring you get a great clean on your carpets.

As cordless vacuum cleaners can be easier to move around the home than upright or cylinder vacuum cleaners, they can be more suited to use for those with pets, allowing you to clean pet hair from all around your home. Some cordless vacuum cleaners include tools that make it easier to pick up hair.

Cordless vacuum cleaners can include tools that help with specific jobs. This can include crevice tools for cleaning small spaces and dusting brushes that can be used for cleaning delicate items. Some cleaners have brushes with stiff bristles, helping to dislodge the ground in dirt.

The majority of upright vacuums are now bagless as the bin is much easier to remove and replace than fitting a new bag. Bagless uprights are cost effective and kinder to the environment, as you don't have to replace bags which reduce the suction power as the bag fills.

The greatest cleaning power is provided by 'no loss of suction' (NLOS) technology, which uses multi-cyclonic action to prevent the filter from clogging, keeping the suction power at its maximum.

Pet hair can not only be difficult to remove from your carpets and other areas around your house but also leave odours. Some uprights are Pet models, which are specially designed to lift hair and fluff from surfaces. These use a combination of high speed brush bars, which pull pet hair from carpet pile, and strong suction power.

Many Upright vacuums are designed to be easy to steer and manoeuvre around the home with specialist technology per manufacturer. Upright vacuum cleaners weigh between 1 kg to 9.5 kg, so it can be important to consider where you will be using your vacuum cleaner. Heavier vacuum cleaners can be difficult to carry up and down stairs, so it may be important to consider a lighter model if this is a requirement.

The dust capacity of vacuum cleaners is measured in litres (l), ranging between 1 and 4 litres. Larger capacity cleaners can clean more of your home before needing to be emptied, so you don't need to empty the container as often. These are ideal for larger homes with more substantial areas to clean (Or if you just fancy emptying less often!)

Bagged cylinders tend to have a larger capacity, collecting dust and dirt in a bag, which should be disposed of when full and replaced. Some bags seal the dust away for cleaner disposal whilst some bagless cylinders use powerful cyclone technology to remove bacteria and allergens from the airflow and trap dirt in a chamber. These models are better for asthmas and allergy sufferers. Bagless cylinders are cost effective and kinder to the environment, as you don't have to replace bags which reduce the suction power as the bag fills.

The greatest cleaning power is provided by 'no loss of suction' (NLOS) technology, which uses multi-cyclonic action to prevent the filter from clogging, keeping the suction power at its maximum. The new Dyson Cinetic models feature cyclone technology that mean no maintenance of the filter is required.

Pet hair can not only be difficult to remove from your carpets and other areas around your house but also leave odours. Some cylinder are Pet models, which are specially designed to lift hair and fluff from surfaces. These use a combination of high speed brush bars, which pull pet hair from carpet pile, and strong suction power.

Most cylinder vacuums range in weight from 4.3 kg to 8 kg, which makes them easier to move around your home than upright vacuums. Their compact size is an advantage when moving them, and some include handles so you can easily carry them to where they are needed, so you can move them from downstairs to upstairs without struggling.

The dust capacity of vacuum cleaners is measured in litres (l), ranging between 1 and 4 litres. Larger capacity cleaners can clean more of your home before needing to be emptied, so you don't need to empty the container as often. These are ideal for larger homes with more substantial areas to clean (Or if you just fancy emptying less often!)