A vacuum cleaner is one of the most popular household appliances. Without exception, all housewives dream of a functional unit with which they can remove dust, remove dirt, wash and clean various surfaces, forgetting that the key to quality cleaning is the suction power of a household vacuum cleaner. This publication will tell you what this parameter is, what it depends on, and how to choose the right vacuum cleaner based on suction power.
Parameter “suction power of the vacuum cleaner”
The suction power of a vacuum cleaner is one of the most important parameters. This is an air flow that captures and draws debris, dust or dirt into the pipe due to the difference in pressure inside the model and outside. The vacuum is created by the motor.
To amaze potential customers, developers of various products demonstrate the high suction power of their models. Some of them use a float, which should rise as much as possible inside the marked pipe. Others expose spectators to tennis balls that are drawn in like feathers. The experiment proves the high speed of air movement required to move dirt from the surface to the filters. Still others organize the “Who will pull who” attraction, which serves as an illustration of the strength of the model.
How is suction power measured and affected?
When talking about the suction power of a vacuum cleaner, you should clarify how it is measured. Information is given in watts or aerodynamic watts. These are almost equal in size units of measurement. In order not to confuse buyers, manufacturers indicate the suction power of a vacuum cleaner in aerowatts, and the energy consumed in watts. Indicators are prescribed in instructions, certificates or other attached documents. Information about the figures of interest is provided by the official websites of brands and brands.
The efficiency of the equipment is assessed by the suction power. The higher this indicator, the cleaner the house will be. Large air volume and high flow rate are the key to good cleaning.
#3: A good cordless vacuum cleaner is versatile and easy to change attachments
To make switching between tasks easy, manufacturers think not only about how many and what attachments to put in the kit, but also how they will change . In the best cordless hand vacuum cleaners, this takes a couple of seconds.
Mi Handheld Vacuum Cleaner Lite comes with three attachments : a main brush, and two flat ones - a regular crevice brush and a brush, which is suitable for cleaning difficult objects, such as blinds or a laptop keyboard. It's unlikely you'll need anything else.
Prev.Next
What makes this Xiaomi wireless vacuum cleaner even more versatile and better is its design : the body assembly consists of three parts: at the top there is a motor and a dust collector, then there is an extension rod and then a nozzle is placed. By removing the middle part and connecting the attachment directly to the top, our cordless upright vacuum cleaner becomes a cordless handheld vacuum cleaner. This makes it easier to remove debris and dust from the upper surfaces or walk around the car interior.
How does suction power differ from the power consumption of a vacuum cleaner?
It is necessary to distinguish between the power of the electric motor of the vacuum cleaner, which is consumed during operation, and the suction power.
The latter determines the quality of cleaning, how quickly and strongly the garbage is pulled inside. Power consumption means current consumption, energy per hour. It is often indicated on the body of the model in thousands of watts. Note !
The more power the vacuum cleaner consumes, the more you will have to pay for electricity. There is no direct connection between the power of the vacuum cleaner engine and the “draft” of air, since it is also influenced by other factors.
Types of power
Only two power formats play a role:
- The force with which air penetrates inside.
- Electricity consumption.
The vacuum cleaner requires about 1500-2500 W, suction power is limited to 350-500 W. For a small city apartment, a device with 350-400 W is enough. For people susceptible to allergic irritants, the quality of cleaning is important - they need the most powerful units. However, this will lead to rapid deterioration of carpets.
The effective power of a home vacuum cleaner (suction) consists of two characteristics:
- Maximum useful - issued in the first few seconds after switching on, if there is no debris in the dust collector.
- Average effective useful - characterizes the operation of the engine during complete cleaning.
The air absorption power decreases as the bag inside the housing becomes dirty. As a result, the average effective indicator is almost always 30% lower than the maximum.
What determines the “power” characteristics of a vacuum cleaner?
Suction power can be maximum and medium effective. The difference between them is easy to understand.
The maximum parameter declared by the manufacturer is observed in the first seconds of operation of the vacuum cleaner, at the moment after turning on the device under conditions close to experimental ones. Then it decreases, and therefore it makes no sense to take into account the suction level immediately after startup.
The average useful power of the vacuum cleaner, set in watts, determines the suction during use. It is less than the maximum, as established and confirmed, by a third. At the same time, it may drop to lower levels.
Factors that influence the “power” characteristics of the vacuum cleaner should be taken into account. There are several of them.
Build quality
The parts of the apparatus must fit tightly to each other, be firmly fixed, and have a stable position. Otherwise, air drawn in from outside will affect the suction result. We are also talking about the functional parts themselves, assemblies, and their properties. Reputable manufacturers also equip vacuum cleaners with specially designed accessories. After all, the dimensions of the hoses, weight, shape and area of the nozzles play no less a role. The use of lightweight options and new materials improves suction power.
Design features
The internal structure of the equipment affects the suction power, even if it consumes the same amount of energy.
Pay attention to the type of dust collector. It determines how much air enters the tube. Cyclone-type models have the best characteristics. A bag or aquafilter results in the air flow having to overcome additional resistance or another obstacle in the form of a water tank. As the amount of debris in the dust container increases, the suction power decreases. If 70% of the dust collector space is already covered with debris, the draft weakens or disappears altogether. Many manufactured vacuum cleaners are equipped with an indicator on the dashboard that indicates how full it is. If there is no such sign, you must remember to look inside.
It's easier if the dust collector is made of paper. It requires a simple replacement with a new one. The reusable fabric bag is shaken out, and then washed without adding detergents and dried. The bag is ready for installation in the vacuum cleaner. Dry cleaning the bag without washing it risks leaving the remaining dust clogging the interior.
If the suction drops, the integrity of the bag should be checked. This problem also cannot be ignored.
#4: Good cordless vacuum cleaners are easy to clean
The weak point of a cordless vacuum cleaner is the dust collector capacity . It will always be smaller than normal and will fill up faster than you think.
It is important to ensure that the dust container is filled . If it becomes completely clogged, the suction power will decrease, the quality of cleaning will drop sharply, and the vacuum cleaner motor will overheat, which can lead to breakdown. In a Xiaomi vacuum cleaner, the degree of filling of the dust collector can be easily monitored through the transparent part of the body.
Prev.Next
There were no problems with cleaning the dust collector . To get to the filters and dust container, you need to turn the housing counterclockwise and remove the filled container. Getting filters for cleaning—there are two of them in the vacuum cleaner, HEPA and foam—is also easy.
The main brush of the Mi Handheld Vacuum Cleaner Lite has a successful design . The brushes are low, so fur and long hair hardly get tangled on them. The brush is covered with a transparent casing on top, through which you can see whether it needs cleaning or not. The brush is also easy to remove, but there is no special cutter that makes cleaning easier.
Types and number of filters
The power of a vacuum cleaner is directly dependent on the filtration system of the vacuum cleaner, because it resists air masses and creates an additional barrier.
Outdated foam pads are a powerful air barrier, but only absorb coarse dust.
Multi-level filtration traps the smallest particles. However, a large number of obstacles more strongly impede the entry of air. Therefore, choose a vacuum cleaner in which good air purification is achieved not by the number of filters, but by their structure.
Microfilters made of synthetic fibers look like an accordion. They need to be changed and cleaned. Moreover, you need to check the condition of each of those available in the case.
High-efficiency PA (HEPA) filters resemble a protective block. They can be cellulose, treated with a special chemical composition, or with fluoroplastic fibers. Paper - disposable, fiber - washable. Such filters do not reduce suction power, but retain allergens, bacteria and odors.
Choosing a vacuum cleaner by power
To understand what power a model should have, what indicator characterizes a good vacuum cleaner, you need to decide on the area of the room to be cleaned, the type of coating, and the frequency of use.
The suction power indicator varies from 250 to 480 W. There are also “record” 550 – 750 W. At the same time, even large debris “flies” into the hose from long distances.
Important! Working at maximum reduces the life of the vacuum cleaner.
Taking into account the following requirements, it is easy to select household appliances according to the described parameter:
- 350 Watt (and below) – recommended in small rooms, copes with dry cleaning of smooth surfaces (tiles, parquet boards, linoleum).
- 400 Watt – convenient for large areas when cleaning carpet contaminated with a layer of dust and pet hair.
- 450 Watt – necessary for putting things in order in large spaces; it cleans upholstered furniture and long-pile carpets, but the surface being cleaned wears out due to such useful power of the vacuum cleaner.
The need to achieve the highest results when cleaning is taken into account. For example, if there is an allergy sufferer in the house, then they stop only at high suction rates of the product. The same option is necessary if you have a workshop or hobby at home, after which you end up with shavings, trimmings and anything else.
What power is optimal for modern models
Vacuum cleaners with a power of 300-400 W can cope with dirt in the house. Smaller figures are capable of light cleaning. The accumulated dust will require radical measures in the future. If the indicator is higher, it will spoil the surfaces, wear them out, and fray the pile.
Washing models have slightly higher suction power requirements. The explanation lies in the need to draw in dust and dirt along with the spray liquid and detergent.
Samsung SC-6590 (cost - from 4.5 to 5.5 thousand rubles)
A convenient feature of this model is the suction power regulator. At its maximum position, the air flow force develops up to 380 W, while the power consumption will be 2000 W.
The power control function allows you to use the device's capabilities more flexibly and economically. It’s also nice that, as reviews indicate, the traction force of the vacuum cleaner remains at a high level even when the dust collector is full of dust.
We also recommend paying attention to the new device from LG - LG Kompressor, its power is enough to tear linoleum off the floor! For more detailed information, see the article LG Vacuum Cleaner Compressor - price and reviews, the most relevant and necessary information only in our online magazine.
The most powerful (and most expensive) type of vacuum cleaner is the built-in model, when the body, motor, and dust collectors are located directly in the wall of the house. You can read about how it works here, choose exactly what you need!
