Robot, cordless or handheld? Choosing a cleaning appliance for your home

Cleaning appliances overlap in marketing and differ a great deal in use. Choosing well is mostly about knowing what mess you have.

Robot vacuums#

A robot suits hard floors and low carpet, and it works best when you run it every day to stop dust building up. It will not climb stairs, struggles with thick rugs and cables, and misses corners. Look for good obstacle detection if you have pets or cords. Remember that you will still need a normal vacuum for stairs and a deeper clean.

Cordless stick vacuums#

These are the all-rounders. They are quick to grab for crumbs, work on stairs and convert to handheld mode. Check real battery life on the setting you will use, since the longest quoted time is usually the lowest power. A removable battery doubles your cleaning time. Look at bin size, because small bins mean frequent emptying.

Corded upright or cylinder vacuums#

If you have a large home with thick carpet, a corded machine gives consistent suction that never runs out. It is bulkier and harder to store, but it often costs less for the performance.

Handheld vacuums#

Handhelds clear car interiors, sofas and spills. They are not a replacement for a main vacuum.

Wet-and-dry and mopping machines#

These suit sealed hard floors and kitchens with frequent spills. Look at how easy the tanks are to clean, since smell builds up in dirty water tanks. Check that the machine is suitable for your floor type, because some wooden floors do not tolerate much moisture.

Steam cleaners#

Steam can sanitise and lift grime on sealed surfaces, but it is not suitable for every material. Read the manual.

What to look at#

• Filter type and cost of replacements

• Noise level, if listed

• Spare parts availability

• Warranty length and whether the battery is covered

• Return terms, since you only learn if it suits your floors by using it

How we would choose#

Mostly hard floors and a busy week: a robot plus a cordless stick for the rest. Mostly carpet: a corded or strong cordless. Small flat: a cordless stick alone. Check the retailer's special offers against the standard price and ignore anything without a model number you can compare.