10 Best Vacuum Cleaners in India 2021 (Dyson, Philips, and more)

The list is identified based on various parameters such as aesthetics, performance, durability, and more. You also need to understand that the size of your home, flooring type and lifestyle will have a big impact on your buying decision. Once you consider these basics, this list will help you make the right choice.

Vacuum cleaners have become a necessary commodity in our busy lives. There are different types of vacuums available from different brands that choosing the right one requires a good amount of analysis. To help you with the process, we've done all the research to bring you the best match for your needs.

Every household has different needs when it comes to cleaning. Some need a vacuum to clean pet hair, and others for hard-to-reach areas. Vacuum cleaners are designed differently to suit every cleaning need.

Canister Vacuum is known for its performance. It is equipped with wheels, making it easy to move around. It is designed to work with various attachments, such as crevice tools, small brush tools, dry floor tools, and carpet tools.

The vacuum is suitable for different surfaces, including upholstery, bare floors, carpeted floors, car interiors, etc. They have a large motor responsible for spinning the fan, creating suction and negative air pressure. These motors lead to better suction and airflow rate, resulting in faster and superior cleaning.

Although it is lightweight and quieter than the upright vacuums (discussed below), it needs more storage space. The canister, where the dust gets collected, is connected to the vacuum with a flexible hose, making it easy to manoeuvre. The vacuum is perfect for heavy-duty clean up around the house and car.

These small vacuums keep dust away from the most stubborn places. They are used for above-the-floor cleaning because of their lightweight. So, whether it's upholstery, car interiors, vents, or window sills, you can clean all these places with a handheld vacuum cleaner.

The battery-operated portable design makes it easy to carry around. However, you can find corded ones in the market too. One thing to keep in mind is that handheld vacuums are not designed for deep cleaning and getting rid of stubborn and heavy dirt.

They are best for tight spaces and quick cleaning. These mini vacuums are bagless and come with washable filters, which require frequent cleaning to function properly. Since they are battery-operated, they help save electricity costs.

Upright vacuums are the most popular type of vacuum cleaners found in most Indian households. Given its feature to work on different types of floorings, it’s perfect for the modern home. From large carpeted areas to hardwood floors and tiled ones, you can clean any room quickly.

The vacuum is heavier because it is one big unit where the handle, hose, cleaning heads, and dust canister are all put together. It’s best for deep cleaning carpets irrespective of size. Brands like Dyson also offer additional accessories such as upholstery and dusting tools to clean draperies, sofas, and cushions.

Stick vacuums look similar to the upright ones but are much lighter in weight and easy to carry around and store, making them best for daily use. If you live in a multi-story house, this one will come in handy. From cleaning stairs, floors and even ceilings, it is one of the versatile vacuums.

You can opt for a cordless one if you need to move up and down between floors. The streamlined design makes it the perfect choice for small homes as well. However, note that the bin size of stick vacuums is smaller than the upright ones, which makes them portable.

As the name suggests, it is a machine that vacuums and mops. If you have kids, you know it’s important to clean up spills immediately, and this vacuum comes in handy. It is as versatile as one can get, from floors, curtains, and upholstery to wet areas and clogged sinks; the vacuum can clean it all.

The wet and dry vacuum has two in-built areas where dry dust, debris, and wet spills are collected separately. Changing the brushes every time you need them for a specific task may sound cumbersome, so look for one that offers an on-off button to switch to a different mode.

We all want to look smart while performing our daily chores. A robotic vacuum is just that. With a sleek design, fully automated features and a perfect machine to clean all the hard-to-reach areas, this vacuum has to be on your checklist.

If you want to multi-task, this one will help you do that. Just program it according to your needs and let it do its job. It comes with a rotating disc that cleans the house automatically, without any human intervention. They come equipped with cliff sensors, wall sensors, bump sensors, and optical encoders to detect and measure the area around them.

Central vacuum cleaners come with several individual parts which need professional installation. The core part is the power unit which includes a strong motor that offers powerful suction and deep cleaning and a filter to separate debris.

The next unit is the pipe and inlet. The motor pulls air through these pipes, and all dust, debris are collected and stored in the filter. The inlet or ports connect the hose, which is required to clean and enable the suction to be turned on or off.

The vacuum's hoses come in various lengths depending on the necessity and size of your home. You can opt for traditional vacuum hoses or Hide-A-Hose installation. In a conventional hose setting, the wall end of the hose is plugged into one of the inlet ports in the home, and the other end is used for cleaning.

Because of its high-end design, you don’t need to clean the dirt chambers often; once in three to four months should be enough, depending on usage. It is on the pricey end but highly functional for cleaning basements, garages, storerooms, or any other place that requires heavy-duty clean-up.

Some have carpeted floors, while others have tiles and wooden flooring. And each surface type requires a different type of vacuum. So, let's talk about the types that'll best serve your cleaning purpose.

Cleaning upholstery with a vacuum cleaner is a new concept for many. It is as important to clean furniture and furnishings as the floor of the house. You may not know, but dust on upholstery can cause various types of dust allergies. To prevent allergies and ensure that you breathe clean air, get a canister or handheld vacuum.

Canister vacuums are multipurpose. They clean different surfaces with ease and come with special attachments for cleaning upholstery such as upholstery brush, crevices nozzle and more. In contrast, handheld vacuums are specially designed to clean upholstery, curtains and hard-to-reach areas. So, you can choose the one as per your comfort.

Hardwood floors are built to last a lifetime, and securing proper care can only ensure its longevity. While most vacuum brushes with stiff bristles are designed to uproot dirt from deep within the carpet fibres, a hardwood floor brush will have to be on the softer side.

Whether it's dust, hair, or crumbs, they will quickly come off your tiles, wood or marble floor with the right vacuum head. You can check upright, stick and easy-rolling canister vacuum types for efficient cleaning of bare floors. Just look for brushes designed for these types of floors.

Tile and marble floors are quite common in Indian houses. These are two types of floors that are usually the easiest to clean and most challenging to maintain. Hence, it’s essential to buy something that will conveniently clean your floors without any hassle.

Stick vacuums are the best choice; the compact and ergonomic design make them a perfect vacuum type for cleaning tile and marble floors. You can choose from cordless or corded stick vacuums. Make sure to check the run time of cordless stick vacuums as per your cleaning area.

Most Indian households prefer traditional cleaning methods because it surely saves cost. But cleaning carpets is not an easy task and not the most viable with conventional cleaning methods. Carpets can hold on to an unimaginable amount of dirt and dust, which can cause dust mite allergies if not cleaned properly.

So, it's essential to choose a vacuum with powerful suction and the right kind of brush roll that will dig deeper to extract dirt and lift away debris. Canisters are the most popular choice for cleaning carpeted floors. It cleans out the most difficult areas around the carpet too.

You only need to manoeuvre the vacuum heads with the mattress refresher for cleaning while the bulky dirt compartment remains stable on the ground. Canister vacuum cleaners usually have stiff brushes designed to clean carpets and a big dirt bin, making it efficient to collect all the dirt and debris.

It is important to know about all the additional features of a vacuum cleaner before you make the buying decision. The correct kind can help you get the desired results. It will ease your work in the long run, and you can brag about making the right purchase or even help your friends make the right choice. 

This choice will depend on your willingness to work. A bagged vacuum cleaner is a good choice if you don’t mind changing it every time you clean or whenever it is full, depending on the usage. Keep in mind that there is no way to check if the bag is full or not without taking it out.

Some companies also offer reusable bags for convenience. However, with a bagless vacuum, it’s easy to check whenever the bin is full. Mostly the bins installed are transparent and give a complete view of the dust and debris collected. These bins are washable.

Bagless vacuums also require regular filter replacement to ensure thorough cleaning. But if you are allergic to dust, cleaning bins can become a real hassle. In both cases, whether it’s a bag or bagless, make sure to check the storage unit capacity.

Anything below 1.5 ltr will require regular cleaning or frequent bag changes. To avoid unnecessary hassle every time, look for a storage capacity of 1.5 ltr or more. You can easily go about your day using the vacuum without the inconvenience of cleaning it often.

It is never a bad idea to shop for a lightweight option, especially if you're going to use it regularly. Robotic, stick, canister, and central vacuums are the lightweight ones. However, you might find it challenging to get a lightweight cleaner for heavy-duty cleaning as they are equipped with a large motor for powerful cleaning and sometimes fitted with dual motors.

Single motors are the all-in-all for suction, retaining dust and moving brushes. On the other hand, in a dual motor vacuum, one motor is committed to driving the brush while the other offers suction. Nonetheless, a lightweight cordless vacuum can be an ideal purchase for one of those special cleaning days right before the festive season.

This feature allows you to take your vacuum wherever you go. Cordless vacuums are fitted with rechargeable batteries that you can charge after every use. While purchasing, make a note of the charge time and run time to get an idea if one charge is enough for one cleaning session or not.

The battery generates power for suction. Once the battery starts depleting, the vacuum may not perform to its fullest. So, target for a high voltage lithium battery as it lasts longer than the standard battery. Cordless vacuums risk running out of charge while you're still vacuuming, but the corded ones will have no such issues.

Additionally, a corded vacuum cleaner is more powerful because it is connected to the main power. If you expect more than the normal wear and tear due to daily use, then the one with a cord looks more promising.

Vacuums equipped with HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filters can trap 99.9% airborne particles of 0.3 µm diameter, unlike the regular. True HEPA filter vacuums are recommended for removing allergens and dander from home.

If you have pets or your family members are prone to seasonal allergies, a true HEPA filter can do wonders. To identify an absolute HEPA filter vacuum, look for serial numbers, and test results printed on the filter, indicating - captures 99.9% airborne particles of 0.3 µm diameter. Anything less than this is just a HEPA-Type filter.

Be aware if you are buying a true HEPA filter enabled vacuum or a HEPA-Type one. However, note that these filters are non-reusable and non-washable, which means you will have to replace them regularly. Hence, you must keep the service cost in mind and ask the brand if the service falls within warranty or not.

Many of you may have already made up your minds about the one you need in your home. So it's time to learn a bit more about the technical specifications that will help you understand the machine better. After thorough research, we have listed down a few things that will give you an overview to evaluate the actual power of a vacuum cleaner.

Airflow is the quantity of air that flows into the vacuum system at any given moment. This parameter describes the capability of a vacuum cleaner to transport dust, dirt, and debris, among others, from the floor to the dust bin. Like AirSpeed, airflow will also require a strong motor and large filters to offer impeccable cleaning.

Airflow is mostly listed as CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute); the higher the CFM value, the stronger the suction power. It is also measured in litres per second (l/s), cubic meters per minute (m3/min), or cubic feet per minute (ft3/m). So, look for these parameters on the label.

AirSpeed is directly proportional to the cleaning power of the vacuum. It is measured in meters per second (m/s), kilometres per hour (km/h) or miles per hour (mph). A strong motor and power cables are the requisites to ensure faster AirSpeed.

 
However, you will notice that most brands offer only a limited airflow speed and add robust cleaning tools and other technologies to enhance the prowess of their vacuums. So, look for other factors such as suction power, motor power to make the right decision. 

Watt measures energy. It is an important specification that describes the energy required to power the motor of a vacuum cleaner. Vacuum cleaners Watt range for an average of 1000 - 4000 W. It does not define how powerful a motor is, just how much energy it requires to function.

It is true that if a motor consumes more energy, it will work more efficiently than one that consumes less energy. But the overall performance of a vacuum cleaner depends on many other factors like airflow and suction power. Therefore, you need to check the motor power of the vacuum.

Gone are the days when vacuum cleaners were louder than televisions. Today, we have a plethora of options to choose from which offer almost noiseless operation. It is a significant feature because loud noises become unbearable, and after a certain point, you would think twice even to use it.

Noise is measured in decibels (dB). A high-quality vacuum cleaner will operate between 60 dB to 65 dB, making it comfortable to use. If you have senior citizens or kids at home, be wary of buying a noisy vacuum cleaner because it has the potential to prevent you from keeping alert. Additionally, loud noise for a long time can harm your hearing capabilities.

Home appliances ease our work, and there is no good or bad time to add them to your life. If you are looking to remodel your home, upgrade your appliances to be on top of the system or searching for the next big thing, here are a few recommendations to get you started. 

We understand all this information can be a bit overwhelming but it’s necessary to understand the various factors before reaching a conclusion. We hope that you would consider some of the key factors such as type, weight, ease of use, etc. to make the right decision. 

Author: Pramila Sarkar

Editor: Srishti Sikka