Comparison vacuum Cleaners

General type of vacuum cleaner.

The general design and application features of the unit depend on this parameter. In addition to classic household models, the following types of vacuum cleaners are also produced nowadays: robotic vacuum cleaners, vertical(regular and vertical with portable), robot floor polishers, electric mops, electric brooms, household, manual models for household(including for bed and car purposes) and industrial use, full-size industrial (also known as construction), backpack and vacuum cleaners for fireplaces. Here is a more detailed description of each variety:

– Standard. Traditional household vacuum cleaners designed for cleaning apartments, residential buildings, small offices, etc. This unit consists of a relatively small body on characteristic wheels (for ease of movement across the floor) and a pipe with a brush connected to the...body using a flexible hose. This option is worth paying attention to if you need a “regular home vacuum cleaner” that is not designed to perform any specific tasks.

— Robot vacuum cleaner. Vacuum cleaners that work completely autonomously, without the need to control the device; The user's role is limited to only auxiliary tasks (unloading collected garbage, programming work, etc.). A robot vacuum cleaner usually comes in the form of a distinctive flat disc; its low height allows it to pass under furniture and other interior items. But specific work opportunities may vary. Thus, the simplest models move along random trajectories within a room, avoiding small obstacles and turning around when they reach walls or other large obstacles. More advanced devices may provide the ability to set “geography” and/or cleaning schedule, access to the unit via the Internet, etc. (see “Additional operating modes”, “Robot functions”). However, in any case, it is worth considering that robots do not differ in power and capacity; so it is hardly worth choosing such a device if you require high cleaning efficiency or expect large amounts of work. On the other hand, such equipment is ideal for maintaining already cleanliness in apartments, private houses and other similar conditions: a robot vacuum cleaner can be started at least every day without any special difficulties.

— Vertical. Vacuum cleaners of this type have a specific layout: the motor, dust collector and brush are mounted on a common vertical tube (hence the name), but as a rule, there is no hose in the design. Such units are designed primarily for domestic use; They're not great for cleaning hard-to-reach places (like under sofas or beds), but they do work well in large open spaces. In light of this, upright vacuum cleaners are quite popular, in particular in large offices and private homes. And some similar units are equipped with pipes of a hinged design (see “Pipe Type”), which simplify cleaning in the hard-to-reach places mentioned above.

— Manual (household). Handheld vacuum cleaners for household use are distinguished by their light weight, compact size and one-piece design: the motor, dust collector and suction nozzle (on which the brush can be placed) are combined in one body. Such units are not very powerful, but they are extremely mobile; in addition, they most often use batteries as a source of energy (see “Power”), which gives even greater freedom of movement. One of the most popular ways to use hand-held household vacuum cleaners is to clean the inside of a car; For this purpose, some models can be equipped with power from the cigarette lighter (either as an additional option or as the only source of energy). As for everyday use, such units are not suitable for full cleaning in an apartment/house/office, but they cope well with auxiliary, specific tasks: cleaning furniture and various small surfaces, collecting small debris in hard-to-reach places, etc.

— Manual (for bed). A type of hand-held vacuum cleaner designed for cleaning beds, upholstered furniture, mattresses, pillows, etc. The main feature of such units is their expanded capabilities for disinfection and control of parasites, primarily dust mites. Thus, an almost mandatory element of equipment for bed vacuum cleaners is a UV lamp (see below), and their suction systems and operating format are designed to effectively suck in dust mites - even tech “buried” to a considerable depth. If necessary, devices of this type can be used for more traditional cleaning, but their main purpose is to clean furniture and bedding.

— Manual (industrial). A type of industrial vacuum cleaner that does not have wheels and is designed to be carried from place to place by hand. It is worth saying that, for the most part, such units bear little resemblance to manual models for household use (see above) - they are more likely to resemble ordinary vacuum cleaners with a hose, without wheels and designed to be transported in the hands or on a shoulder strap (although there are exceptions). Power is usually supplied from a battery; Some models may also provide the ability to operate from the network. As a result, vacuum cleaners of this type are noticeably inferior in power to classic industrial models (also see above). On the other hand, they are more mobile - also due to their independence from sockets - and at the same time they are quite capable of coping with coarse construction and “industrial” waste.

– Vertical with portable. Models that combine the capabilities of vertical and manual household vacuum cleaners (see above). The traditional design of such a vacuum cleaner is a hand-held unit with a motor, dust collector and nozzle, complemented by either a removable vertical rod or an extension pipe. This design allows you to choose the format of work at your discretion and use one vacuum cleaner both for general cleaning (in a vertical format) and for small specific tasks (in a portable format). The main disadvantage of this option is the smaller capacity than that of vertical and conventional household vacuum cleaners - this somewhat complicates the use for large-scale cleaning. However, due to their versatility, devices from this category are now much more popular than purely vertical units.

– Robot floor polisher. Devices for wet cleaning of non-carpeted floors. Such units require a minimum of effort from the user - usually it is only necessary to periodically add detergent and clean a special napkin for wiping floor coverings after the end of the process. Robot floor polishers move independently across the floor, change direction when encountering obstacles, and build a route in such a way that, if possible, they process the entire area in the work area. Many models are capable of independently returning to the docking station to charge the battery, and to increase the convenience and efficiency of operation, various additional functions can be provided: work on a schedule, mapping, IR barriers to limit movements, etc. Robotic units for wet cleaning are excellent for “on-duty” maintenance of order in relatively clean numbers.

– Electric mop. Devices for wet cleaning of floor coverings, which are a modern version of a mop with an electric motor. The engine in their design is assigned various tasks such as vibration or rotation of the cleaning head to ensure more thorough cleaning. Many models of electric mops have a built-in tank for water or detergent, which makes it possible to spray liquid on the floor during the wet cleaning procedure. As for working attachments, most often such mops are equipped with a floor polisher or an electric turbo brush (see “Attachments and their functions”).

– Electric broom. Electrically powered sweepers that drive brushes or suction mechanisms to collect debris. Rotating brushes in the design of electric brooms effectively sweep up debris and direct it into a special dust container. Such devices are suitable for quick, everyday cleaning of floor coverings - they are lightweight, maneuverable and powered by a built-in cordless battery.

– Household. Vacuum cleaners designed for professional cleaning of large volumes. Such units are popular in cleaning companies, but they can also be useful for private use. Typical examples of the use of economic models are cleaning a home workshop or garage, hotel numbers, etc. The layout of vacuum cleaners of this type resembles traditional models - a body with a pipe on a hose - but they have a number of differences. The most noticeable of them are the large dimensions and the vertical layout of the hull with an overhead engine. In addition, household models are distinguished by high power and capacity (from 6 liters or more). They may provide wet cleaning, although most models only work in the traditional dry format (see "Cleaning").

— Industrial (construction). Vacuum cleaners designed for cleaning industrial facilities - construction sites, factory floors, etc. They are in many ways similar to the household ones described above: most models have an elongated body with a top-mounted engine, high power and large capacity. The main difference is that industrial units are designed for coarse construction waste, which more “delicate” types of vacuum cleaners cannot handle. And to collect such waste in such units, containers in the form of rigid containers are used; such containers can be supplemented with paper bags for ease of unloading, but this is not strictly necessary. Also in this variety, the water collection function is very popular (see below), although industrial vacuum cleaners are never made to be detergent and most often do not even provide for wet cleaning. In addition, only bags are used as dust collectors - aqua filters and “cyclones” are, in principle, not found in such units.
Please note that this category includes only industrial vacuum cleaners of a classic design that are moved on wheels. Handheld and backpack models are placed in separate categories (see below).

– Backpack. Vacuum cleaners carried on the back like a backpack - hence the name. This design combines the advantages of classic and manual format vacuum cleaners: the unit can be made quite powerful, spacious and at the same time mobile. True, most models of this type operate from the mains; battery solutions are less common; however, even when powered from a wall outlet, you can achieve good freedom of movement. This makes backpack vacuum cleaners well suited for situations where flow Rate and mobility are needed at the same time; A typical example is cleaning the cinema hall between screenings. The main disadvantage of this variety is its rather high cost, due to a number of design features.

– For fireplaces. Specialized vacuum cleaners designed for collecting coals and ash in fireplaces, stoves, barbecues, charcoal grills, etc. One of the key features of units of this type is resistance to high temperatures, which allows you to collect even coals and ash that have not completely cooled down. For this purpose, the hoses and brushes of fireplace vacuum cleaners are made of non-flammable, refractory polymers, and a metal container is usually used as the main container. In addition, the filters in such models are characterized by increased efficiency and resistance to fine dust; For added convenience, the filter may also be self-cleaning (see below). It is worth considering that vacuum cleaners from this category are mostly quite expensive; therefore, it makes sense to buy such equipment only in cases where you often have to deal with cleaning fireplaces - for example, if the fireplace is installed in a restaurant or hotel lobby and is used every day “during the season.”

Type(s) of cleaning for which the vacuum cleaner is intended.

Almost all modern units have the function of dry cleaning. In turn, wet cleaning is usually provided as an addition to the dry mode and is rarely used as the only cleaning mode. Here is a more detailed description of these options:

— Dry. Traditional cleaning without the use of water: the vacuum cleaner draws in air, collects debris in the dust container and purifies the air through a filter system. It is considered somewhat less effective than wet, but it has practically no restrictions on its use: almost any material can be cleaned in this way. In addition, such cleaning is much easier for the user (no need to fill or even drain water). And the units themselves, which have only a dry mode, are simpler and more inexpensive than similar models with a wet cleaning function. In addition, for some types of vacuum cleaners, this is the only available option. A typical example is handheld models of both household and industrial specialization (see "Product type").
We note that the possibility of water suction (see below) can be provided even in vacuum cleaners with a purely dry type of cleaning (most often in industrial and household models — see "Product type").

— Wet and dry. The ability to carry out not only the dry cleaning described above but also wet cleaning. It is in this fo...rmat that all washing vacuum cleaners work (see below). However, we emphasize that not every unit with the wet cleaning function is a washing vacuum, and even the water suction function (also see below) is not always available in such models. The fact is that many vacuum cleaners with this feature use the simplest possible operation mode: water from a special container is supplied to a special nozzle and moistens the floor after cleaning. However, even such a treatment method significantly increases efficiency compared to conventional dry cleaning. An additional nozzle collects dirt that the vacuum cleaner could not draw in, and moistening the floor refreshes the room and prevents dust from rising into the air that could remain after cleaning. For washing vacuum cleaners, in turn, other advantages are also common. The main disadvantages of all models with two types of cleaning are the complexity of the design, greater weight and higher cost than similar units with only a dry format.

— Wet. This option means that the vacuum cleaner is designed for wet cleaning only and does not require a dry operation. See above for details on these modes. Here we note that it is a very rare option used in single models of conventional and upright vacuum cleaners (see "Product type").

The nominal volume of the dust collector installed in the vacuum cleaner.

This indicator largely depends on the type of unit (see above). For example, in most handheld household models, the capacity does not exceed 0.5 L. The volume of the container in upright vacuum cleaners and robots can be somewhat larger — among the first variety there are quite a few models for 1 – 2 liters or even more, and among the second — by 0.6 – 1 liter and a little more. For conventional vacuum cleaners, the minimum figure is actually about 0.8 – 1 L; dust collectors for 1 – 2 L and 2 – 4 L are very popular in such devices; the maximum capacity is actually 4 – 6 liters — units of a similar layout, but with a larger capacity, are usually referred to as household ones. In turn, relatively small containers are occasionally found among workshop models. However, in vacuum cleaners of this type, the capacity is generally quite large — it can reach 26 – 50 liters or even more ; the same applies to industrial (construction) units.

In general, a larger dust container allows you to work longer without interruptions. On the other hand, a capacious container itself takes up more space and, accordingly, affects the size, weight and price. So when choosing th...is parameter, it is worth considering the actual features of the use of a vacuum cleaner. Here we can give such an example: for a full-scale cleaning of an average city apartment, a capacity of about 1 – 1.5 litres is required. Thus, say, a 4-litre bag allows you to carry out two such cleanings with sufficient efficiency without unloading the vacuum cleaner. There are more detailed recommendations regarding the optimal volume of the dust collector, including specific cleaning options. These recommendations can be found in special sources.

A capacity of a tank for water or detergent a vacuum cleaner with a wet cleaning function is equipped with. (see "Cleaning type").

Large capacity allows you to work longer without refilling the tank. On the other hand, an increase in capacity has a corresponding effect on the size, weight and cost of the unit. Thus, manufacturers choose this parameter taking into account the general specialization and the “weight category” of a particular model. So, in robots (see "Type"), the volume of the water tank is, by definition, small. Even in the heaviest models, it does not exceed 650 mL. But other types of vacuum cleaners can differ markedly in this parameter.

In general, for non-robot units, a capacity of 1 liter or less is considered very limited, 1 – 2 liters is small, 2 – 3 liters is average, more than 3 liters is above average. However, it much depends on the type. For example, in conventional vacuum cleaners, the capacity does not exceed 2.5 liters, and "for workshop" models this is very little — in most cases, they have a tank capacity of 3 liters or more.

We emphasize that in this paragraph we describe the functions of the vacuum cleaner nozzles and not the types of nozzles themselves. It is because one device can have several functions at once: for example, a crevice nozzle, which is also used as a dust nozzle. So the total number of nozzles may differ from the number of items in this list. Although exceptions are possible (when several nozzles of the same type are supplied in the kit, differing in size).

The main functions found in the nozzles of modern vacuum cleaners are as follows: combined (floor/carpet), crevice (including telescopic crevice), dust brush, for sofa, parquet, turbobrush(regular, mini turbobrush or electricturbobrush . However, sometimes the best choice is vacuum cleaners without turbobrushes, and for handheld vacuum cleaners — angle brush, microfibre, mop, floor polisher (for wiping), for mattresses, for animals, twister for hose, siphon nozzle, ...f="/list/90/pr-41987/">flexible hose and tool adapter. For robots, side brushes are important, which can be one or two. Here is a detailed description of these, as well as some other features:

— Side brush. Function found exclusively in robots (see "Product type"). Such a brush protrudes to the side beyond the body and captures the space on the side. It increases the overall width of the operating area and allows you to effectively clean places that are inaccessible to the main brush of the robot (which is located at the bottom of the body). Typical examples of such places are the space near the walls of the room and at the bases of cabinet furniture, crevices under baseboards, etc. Note that this option is indicated when there is only one side brush; the presence of a pair of such brushes is specified separately (see below).

— 2 side brushes. The presence in the robot vacuum cleaner of two side brushes on both sides of the body. See above for more details on the side brush as a whole. This design option slightly increases the cost but significantly improves efficiency compared to a single side brush. The width of the operating area is evenly increased. And when cleaning hard-to-reach places, it does not matter which side the vacuum cleaner is turned to such a place — there is an additional brush on each side.

— Combined (floor/carpet). A function that allows you to use one nozzle for dry cleaning of various types of floor coverings — both hard (linoleum, parquet, laminate, tiles ...) and carpets. Accessories with this function are extremely popular. They are found in almost all conventional vacuum cleaners (see "Product type"), in many household vacuums, as well as professional models (except hand-held industrial and fireplace vacuum cleaners). The nozzle itself usually has a T-shape, rather large dimensions and a swivel mount that improves mobility. And adjustment for different types of surfaces is carried out due to the retractable brush. The bristles of such a brush are convenient for cleaning hard surfaces. And when cleaning carpets and other fleecy materials, the brush can be removed so that the nozzle fits snugly against the pile and effectively draws dust and small debris out of it.

— Crevice. This function means that the nozzle is equipped with a flat working part with a narrow slot at the end. This design is suitable for cleaning hard-to-reach places — spaces between pieces of furniture, crevices under baseboards, gaps between radiator sections, etc. The width of the crevice nozzle (and, accordingly, the length of the crevice) usually does not exceed the diameter of the vacuum cleaner pipe, but the length of the flat part can be different. Moreover, each option has its advantages: long models can reach further into narrow gaps, while short ones are more manoeuvrable and more comfortable in general.

— Dust. A function that allows you to collect dust from small hard surfaces, such as armrests of chairs, picture frames, lamp shades, etc. Traditional accessories with this ability are in the form of small round brushes but there is another variety — wider nozzles (also with brushes), somewhat similar to a smaller version of the floor/carpet format fixtures (see above). The second variety is often referred to as furniture nozzles. Some of these accessories have removable bristles and can be used as nozzles for a sofa (see below).

— For sofa. A function that allows you to effectively clean the upholstery furniture and other similar items — mattresses, car seats, etc. Brushes with this function can have different designs and application features. The simplest option is a T-shaped device, similar to a reduced combination nozzle (see above), which does not have bristles, but is often equipped with strips of the fine pile — they effectively collect hair and wool from the upholstery. Some of these devices are equipped with removable bristles and can also be used as dust ones (see above). A more expensive and advanced option is beater brushes that provide additional impact; this effect increases efficiency, allowing the removal of dust and other small contaminants even at fairly great depths. Also, some turbobrushes and mini turbobrushes may be intended for upholstered furniture (see below). For vacuum cleaners equipped with such accessories, both this function and the mini turbobrush are indicated in the specifications.

— Parquet. A function that allows you to use the nozzle for effective and gentle cleaning of parquet and other hard floor coverings. A nozzle with this function is similar to the combined one described above. However, the bristles in it are non-removable and they are designed to minimize the risk of damaging the coating. Nevertheless, the specific characteristics of such nozzles may be different. So if you have to work with delicate surfaces — the ability of such an application needs to be specified separately.

— Turbobrush. The working part of a classic turbobrush is a horizontal roller driven by airflow. This design allows you to effectively collect hair, wool and other similar debris (for example, thread). But the specific design and specialization of the turbo brush can be different. Models, where the roller is equipped with bristles, are designed mainly for fleecy surfaces like carpets. And some of these nozzles are reduced in size and are intended for cleaning upholstery furniture (in such cases, the function “for sofa” is also indicated in this list). In turn, rollers with soft short pile are great for smooth surfaces — including rather delicate ones, like parquet. Thus, there may be several turbobrushes in the kit — for different tasks.
Note that the turbobrush must be periodically cleaned from collected contaminants. In addition, such a nozzle slightly reduces the overall suction efficiency since part of the suction power is spent on rotating the roller. Electric versions are deprived of this drawback, but they also have their own disadvantages — see below for more details. Also note that even mechanical turbobrushes are quite expensive, even though their advantages over conventional fixed attachments become noticeable only when cleaning hair and long hair. Therefore, if you do not regularly have to deal with such pollution, it most likely makes sense to choose a vacuum cleaner without a turbo brush.

— Mini turbobrush. A reduced version of the turbobrush — conventional (see above) or electric (see below). Compactness allows to effectively use such a brush in hard-to-reach places and on small surfaces. Actually, the main purpose of most mini-turbo brushes is to clean wool and hair from upholstered furniture. In addition, some of these nozzles are also well suited for cleaning carpets on narrow stairs.

— Electric turbobrush. Devices that are almost completely similar to the turbobrushes described above with the exception that the roller, in this case, is driven not by an air stream but by an electric motor installed in the nozzle itself. The main advantage of electric nozzles is the higher efficiency (with the same suction power). Firstly, such nozzles practically do not affect suction power, while traditional mechanical turbobrushes lose part of this power, spending it on rotating the roller. Secondly, the speed of rotation of the electric turbo brush does not depend on the airflow, and the torque of the electric motor can be quite high. The downside of these advantages is the complexity and high cost of the nozzles, as well as the need to use special tubes and hoses with them, supplemented by wiring to power the electric motor.

— Angle. This function means that the vacuum cleaner is equipped with a device that allows you to place the working nozzle at an angle (usually perpendicular) to the main tube. In this case, the specific design of such a device may be different. In some models, this is an additional adapter in the form of an L-shaped tube on which different nozzles are installed. In others, the L-shaped nozzle itself is made of one type or another — for example, dust (see above). Thirdly, such an adapter or nozzle is equipped with a swivel joint, which allows you to place the working part at different angles. All such devices make it much easier to clean in some hard-to-reach places.
We note that it makes little sense to use angle adapters with combined floor/carpet nozzles (see above) — such devices usually have swivel joints and do not require additional equipment to rotate them.

— Microfibre. Microfibre cloth for wet cleaning. It is worth saying that for some models with such equipment, only dry cleaning is claimed in the specification (see "Cleaning type"). But this only means that the vacuum cleaner does not have its sprayer and the microfibre must be wetted manually. In general, such a nozzle is most popular in robots. However, it is also found in upright models (mostly upright with handheld ones, see "product type"). In the first case, the microfibre is installed on the lower part of the body. In the second case, on one of the working nozzles. However, microfibre is effective in wet cleaning: it perfectly absorbs dirt and is easily washed from them. On the other hand, it makes sense to use such a nozzle (like any wet cleaning device) mainly on linoleum, parquet and other hard surfaces.

— Twister for hose. A small cyclone-type container (see "Dust collector") mounted directly on the hose of the vacuum cleaner; usually at the joint with the pipe. Most often is used in vacuum cleaners with a bag. Twister performs several useful functions at once. Firstly, it traps most of the dust and allows you to work longer without cleaning the bag; and cleaning the twister is much easier and faster than cleaning the bag. Secondly, the container on the hose is usually made transparent which makes it easier to monitor the amount of dust collected. Thirdly, it is easier to get a small but necessary item (coin, memory card, etc.) accidentally sucted by the unit from the twister. The disadvantage of such a device is that it makes the hose more bulky and heavy, reducing mobility.

— Siphon nozzle. A function that allows you to use a vacuum cleaner to clean sewage in kitchen sinks. For such cleaning, specialized nozzles are used, which are similar in shape and principle of operation to plungers. The difference is that the suction that clears a clogged pipe is created by the operation of the vacuum cleaner. All units equipped with such nozzles have the function of water suction. However, they may not be washing vacuums(see above) and may not even have the ability of wet cleaning (see “Cleaning type”).

— Flexible hose. The presence of this function is specified for vacuum cleaners that are not related to conventional ones (see "Product type") — the latter is equipped with a hose by default and there is no need to specifically mention this accessory for them. In other cases, a flexible hose can be both the main working accessory (for example, industrial vacuum cleaners, including most handheld ones) and an additional accessory (for example, upright units). In the latter case, the hose allows you to reach places that are inaccessible without such a device when cleaning.

— Adapter for tools. A function that allows the use of a vacuum cleaner in combination with various electric and sometimes pneumatic tools for cleaning production waste right in the process. It is found mainly in professional-level units — industrial (including handheld) and for workshop (household vacuum cleaners are poorly suited for working with large amounts of chips and sawdust). However, the specific design and purpose of such an adapter may be different. Most often, it has the form of a kind of cone, made up of "steps" of different diameters and is used to connect to tools that are originally equipped with nozzles for a vacuum cleaner. At the same time, the dimensions of the "steps" of the adapter correspond to several standard diameters in which nozzles are made on tools. (Some units with this equipment even have an auto-on function when the tool is turned on; see "Built-in socket" for more details). However, before buying such a unit, it's ok to clarify the compatibility of the adapter with specific tool models.
Another version of the "tool" adapter is a kind of cover that covers the area around the place of work and is used mainly with drills and hammers. In such a cover there are two holes: one — with a pipe for connecting a vacuum cleaner, the second — for the working nozzle of the tool. The circumference of the hole for the tool is often made of characteristic "petals", reducing the risk of damage to the drill or other nozzle in case of accidental contact with the adapter. However, such devices are rarely included in the package — they are more popular as separately sold accessories.

In addition to those described above, in modern vacuum cleaners, there are other, more specific functions of nozzles, in particular:

— Washing. Sometimes the presence of this function is specifically indicated for washing vacuum cleaners — mainly to clarify the features of the washing nozzle. So, it can be intended for different surfaces (for smooth floors or carpets/furniture), have different sizes, etc. However, the principle of construction of all such nozzles is the same: the design necessarily has a nozzle for spraying detergent, and the working part usually has the appearance of a thin and rather wide gap. This design most effectively handles with the collection of liquid.

— Ultraviolet lamp. An ultraviolet lamp, built-in in one of the main nozzles — most often in combined for floors/carpets (see above), but exceptions are possible. Such equipment allows the vacuum cleaner to carry out not only ordinary cleaning but also additional disinfection: UV radiation handles well with most pathogens. At the same time, it is harmless to people and pets if you follow the safety rules specified in the documentation for the vacuum cleaner. Of course, we are not talking about one hundred per cent disinfection. However, the use of a UV lamp anyway improves the quality of cleaning.

— Flexible crevice. A special variety of the crevice nozzles described above is with a flexible working part. This design of the nozzle allows it to penetrate even into curved slots that are inaccessible to a traditional rigid design.

— For pets. This function allows you to use the vacuum cleaner to collect hair from pets that tend to shed heavily, especially long-haired dogs and cats. A specialized nozzle for such tasks is an improved “comb”: it effectively removes loose hair, which is immediately drawn in by a vacuum cleaner. And at the same time does not create discomfort for the animal (the main thing is to accustom the pet to the noise of the vacuum cleaner itself).

— Pulverizer. A feature found in some vacuum cleaners with a wet cleaning function (see “Cleaning type”). Usually, it is implemented through a special nozzle designed exclusively for spraying liquid.

The type of power source used by the vacuum cleaner. Note that for robots equipped with charging stations (see “Robot features”), the power supply of the robot itself is indicated (battery is standard); the station is connected to the mains in almost all models.

The main types of power sources found in modern vacuum cleaners are mains, a battery and car cigarette lighter. They can be used both individually and in various combinations with each other. Here are the features of each of these options:

— Mains. Powered by a normal household outlet. This option is suitable for vacuum cleaners of almost any power, and the operating time from the mains is unlimited. The main disadvantage of this type of power supply is the dependence on sockets, as well as the presence of a power cord that limits mobility and can get underfoot. However, the length of the power cord is usually enough for most situations. And in extreme cases, you can use an extension cord. Thus, the vast majority of conventional vacuum cleaners, as well as heavy professional equipment (for workshop, industrial units, etc. — see "Product type") use this type of power supply — in such models, the advantages described above most often outweigh the disadvantages. But among upright and handheld units (including industrial ones), connecting to the mains is not popular — in them, manufacturers often opt for...mobility and use batteries.

— Battery. Powered by its battery; in some models, it can be detachable, in others — built-in. Anyway, such power makes the vacuum mobile and autonomous. Mobility is not limited to the power cord and you can work even in the absence of sockets. However, these advantages also have a downside. First of all, battery units are noticeably heavier and more expensive than similar models with a mains power supply. Secondly, it is the limited operating time: after the charge is exhausted, you will have to take a break to recharge the battery, sometimes quite long (in models with detachable batteries, you can simply change the dead battery to a fresh one — but, again, you need to have a fresh battery in stock for this). In addition, the more powerful the vacuum cleaner is, the larger and heavier the batteries that have to be used with it. Thus, battery power is mainly used in low-power vacuum cleaners, for which mobility is fundamentally more important than the disadvantages described above. These are all models of robots, as well as most handheld household and upright devices (including combined ones, see "product type"). However, there are exceptions to this rule: batteries can be found in some conventional vacuum cleaners, as well as in some advanced professional units (for workshop, construction, etc.).
Note that some major manufacturers, including power tools, use universal batteries in their equipment that are compatible with different types of devices. Cordless vacuum cleaners from such manufacturers can be designed specifically for such batteries and not even be equipped with them initially — so that the user himself can choose the most suitable power source.

— The cigarette lighter (12 V). Power supply from the car's standard cigarette lighter socket (or onboard socket using the same plug). Found exclusively in handheld household vacuum cleaners (see "Product type"), designed for cleaning the interior of a car and other related tasks (for example, putting things in order in the garage). Such units do not differ in power — this is due to the limitations characteristic of cigarette lighters. However, taking into account the specifics of the application, this moment cannot be called a disadvantage.

— Battery and mains (230 V). Possibility of power supply from own battery and mains. Theoretically, this allows you to combine some of the advantages of both options and make the vacuum cleaner very versatile. So, if there are sockets, you can work from them, and if not, you can switch to the battery. In addition, a dead battery does not make such a vacuum cleaner completely useless — you can connect it to the mains and continue working, and in some models, the battery is even charged. On the other hand, such models turn out to be heavy (heavier than ordinary vacuums). And at a cost, they surpass even rechargeable devices with similar characteristics. Therefore, this option is extremely rare and is used mainly in a rather specific type of vacuum cleaners: some industrial models (including handheld ones), designed for increased mobility. Usually, the standard power supply for such units is the mains, and the battery is used as a backup option — for cleaning certain areas where the connection to the outlet is not available or difficult.

— Battery and cigarette lighter. Vacuum cleaners that can be powered both by a built-in battery and a car cigarette lighter. The features of these types of food are described above. All models from this category are handheld household units (see "product type"). Recall that vacuum cleaners powered by a cigarette lighter are, by definition, low-power, so it is technically easy to supplement such a vacuum cleaner with a built-in battery. And the advantage of such an addition is obvious — the user receives maximum freedom of movement during work. On the other hand, built-in batteries significantly affect the weight and cost, and the described features are rarely required in fact. Therefore, this variant of distribution did not receive.

The rated voltage of the battery used in the vacuum cleaner with the corresponding type of power supply (see above).

Initially, manufacturers select the characteristics of the battery (including voltage) in such a way that the vacuum cleaner can be guaranteed to deliver the power claimed in the specifications. Therefore, when choosing this indicator often does not play a decisive role. However, it can also be useful in such cases — for the most reliable comparison between models with different battery capacities in ampere-hours. See "Battery capacity" for details.

In addition, voltage data can be useful during operation — for example, to find a spare/replacement battery or a third-party charger.

— Ni-Cd (nickel-cadmium). The oldest of the options found in modern vacuum cleaners. It features high reliability, resistance to temperature extremes and good charging speed even with high capacity. The main disadvantage of this type of battery is a memory effect — a decrease in battery capacity if it is charged without being completely discharged. In addition, Ni-Cd batteries are considered environmentally unsafe. However, they are still widely used because of their low cost and decent performance.

— Ni-Mh (nickel-metal hydride). Further development and improvement of the nickel-cadmium batteries described above. While having the same basic advantages, Ni-Mh batteries are not affected by the memory effect and are safer to manufacture. Their disadvantages are the higher cost and somewhat shorter service life compared with the original Ni-Cd technology.

— Li-Ion (lithium-ion). A type of battery originally developed for use in portable devices. However, with the development of Li-Ion technology, it has been applied to other industries. The main advantage of such batteries is their high capacity with small dimensions and weight. It is also worth noting that they are not subject to the memory effect and can charge quite quickly. On the other hand, this option is not without its drawbacks — it is, first of all, sensitive to too low or elevated temperatures and a high price.

— Li-P...ol (lithium polymer). An improved version of the lithium-ion technology described above allows even more compact yet high-capacity batteries. The reverse side of these advantages is higher cost and increased sensitivity to low temperatures. However, for batteries used in vacuum cleaners, the latter is not critical.

The operating time of a battery-powered vacuum cleaner (see "Power supply") on a single battery charge.

Usually, the average operating time in normal mode is indicated here. Accordingly, in fact, the battery life of the vacuum cleaner may differ slightly from the claimed one, depending on the chosen application format. Nevertheless, the operating time indicated in the specifications is a fairly reliable indicator; it can be used both for a general assessment of battery life and for comparing the selected vacuum cleaner with other models.

Separately, we note that increasing battery life requires either the use of more capacious (and therefore more expensive and heavier) batteries or a decrease in engine power (and the efficiency of the unit as a whole). So it is worth looking specifically for a long working vacuum cleaner if these moments are outweighed by a long operating time.