Dry vacuum cleaner test

After publishing the article-guide “7 Steps to a Perfect Vacuum Cleaner” in one of the magazine issues, our readers “activated” and started asking more specific questions about different models of the most well-known manufacturers. We had no choice but to respond in the best traditions of the “Consumer”: an independent test of.

Galina SIZIKOVA.

Tested: no dust!

Originally we wanted to test only the compact models without dust bags, give them a “race with obstacles”, compare similar parameters and find out which model is better. However, life has made some adjustments to these plans.

The manufacturers, who kindly and quite bravely provided their appliances for testing, offered us and the reader their most interesting models – the novelties that have appeared recently. On this basis, we have changed the objectives of the test: instead of the previously planned comparison, it was the identification of the features of each model, identifying weaknesses and strengths in terms of operation.

After all, a vacuum cleaner is an appliance that we use at least and probably more than once a week, the work with it can not be called the easiest and most pleasant! Therefore, after reading the first questionnaires and understanding what an average consumer wants, we decided to focus on the words “comfortable/uncomfortable”, “fast/slow” and even “pleasant/unpleasant. This is how our testers approached the evaluation of devices, without collusion at all. We did not impose a different vision on them, as it is obvious that they are right!

Our vacuum cleaners became real nomads over the testing period and visited not only the newsroom, but also a variety of houses, moving no less than once a week. The auditors of “Consumers” magazine and their housewives not only vacuumed but also heroically filled in questionnaires with the most tricky questions.

What we tested or the “housewives test”

Our dry vacuum cleaners have been the guardians of the cleanliness of our homes:

HOOVER AIRVOLUTION Xarion TAV 1620 011, Dysonbaby DS22 allergy parquet, THOMAS GeniusS1, KARCHERDS 5600, PHILIPSFC 9174, LG VK8828 HQ, ROWENTARO 6549 INTENS, VITEK VT-1836 Bpzzard

On a ten-point scale, our testers evaluated the following parameters:

1. Quality and speed of cleaning:

hard floors

Carpeting

of upholstered furniture

hard-to-reach places with the main nozzle

hard-to-reach places with a crevice nozzle

2. Convenience and power switch capabilities of the vacuum cleaner.

3. Convenience of the dust bag

(the volume, how often you need to clean, the ease of removal and installation in place, the presence of automatic cleaning system .

4. Ergonomics:

Convenience of the on/off button: soft/soft start, convenient/uncomfortable location,

The main nozzle: comfortable/uncomfortable floor/scrubber adjustment, maneuverable/not maneuverable enough/absolutely clumsy,

Maneuverability of the model: drives well and fast turns well and “obediently” has to drag has to turn “manually”,

the convenience of changing nozzles: quick and easy/easy/uncomfortable/risky for fingers and fingernails to remove and put on,

convenience of the tube: the length can be adjusted quickly and easily with little effort uncomfortably extremely uncomfortable,

easy to park and store,

convenience of filter change.

What we did not check

In the conditions of the editorial test, we could not verify, and therefore we did not describe, confirm or deny the following indicators and parameters claimed by the manufacturers, technology and innovation, the results of which cannot be tested in a non-laboratory environment:

Suction power we were only making a subjective evaluation ,

the degree of filtration of air coming out of the vacuum cleaner,

efficiency of HEPA filters,

wear and tear and the degree of contamination of the filters,

The efficiency of some manufacturers’ patented filtration and cyclonic systems,

noise level,

construction and component reliability we were only able to give a subjective assessment if the models were used as intended and in accordance with the instructions for use: we did not kink the hoses, we did not pull the cables, we did not drop them from heights, etc. .d. ,

safety at home we did not risk exposing the devices to overheating, i.e. not turning them off for a long time, vacuuming with a full dust bag, etc.d. ,

The degree of cleanliness of carpets and upholstered furniture from allergens: pollen, dust mites and their products.

The trend, however!

We couldn’t get past some obvious patterns. Some of them definitely pleased us, others left us perplexed.

It’s nice to note that:

The specific smell of the vacuum cleaner is a thing of the past. Modern models are highly hygienic. One way or another, in their own ways and methods, but the manufacturers achieve this. First of all, this effect is achieved by replacing dust bags with plastic containers combined with cyclonic systems. The HEPA filters used by almost all manufacturers also play a major role, in combination with other filtration steps.

Manufacturers try to fit as much capability and technology as possible into small enclosures and generally optimize parking and storage systems. In all models, this issue is solved, if not by the two possible parking positions, then at least by the presence of parking devices for tubes and hoses.

There is a clear trend away from consumables: dust bags are replaced by canisters, filters even HEPA in almost all models are washable and do not need to be replaced very often.

No tendency to increase the number of nozzles. All vacuum cleaners have 4-5 accessories, but the models are not overloaded with unnecessary options. As a rule, each manufacturer additionally sells nozzles, suitable to its model range, and the consumer can choose exactly what he needs, without overpaying for extra features.

Vacuum cleaners have become more complex and sophisticated, not only in terms of technology and innovation. Most manufacturers are just as careful in the design of their appliances. Vacuum cleaner ceased to be the thing you need to hide behind the door, in the closet or on the balcony. Many modern models look so beautiful and stylish that they can be even considered as an interior decoration.

We regret to state that:

Many models are still quite heavy. Even compact class vacuum cleaners, despite their small size, weigh at least 5 kg. Manufacturers from Germany explain this circumstance by the fact that the low weight is an indicator of the prevalence of low-quality plastic parts inside the body. So the fact that vacuum cleaners remain heavy is worth putting up with. Quality demands such sacrifices. Producers try to compensate for the heavy weight with good mobility, maneuverability and convenient carrying devices.

Most manufacturers still make power switches mechanical. To the question “why?”the companies’ engineers answer that they break less because of their simple design. And yet in the twenty-first century we would like more convenience combined with reliability. Because the electronic switches not only let you choose the capacity, but also tell you if you did it right.

The main nozzles of not all manufacturers are proprietary, specially designed and certainly successful. But the design of the main brush is about 50% of the ease of use of a vacuum cleaner in general. Maneuverability, handy shape, ability to get to hard-to-reach places, easy to switch floor/mop system save our nerves and reduce the time of cleaning. The consumer favorite prizes went to PHILIPS and ROWENTA vacuum cleaner heads.