Carpet or Hard Floors?

Upright vacuums with powered brush rolls are often a strong choice for carpet, while canister vacuums provide additional flexibility for mixed flooring and above-floor cleaning.

Pets?

Strong airflow, effective filtration, and a brush roll that handles hair well are more important than simply choosing a machine marketed as a “pet vacuum.”

Allergies?

A sealed filtration system matters in addition to the filter itself. Air that bypasses the filter can carry fine dust back into the room.

Commercial or Residential?

Sanitaire and Lindhaus machines are designed for demanding commercial environments, but they can also be excellent choices for homes that put heavy use on a vacuum.

If you have gone through several inexpensive residential vacuums, choosing a repairable commercial- or specialty-grade machine may make more sense over the long term.