A Guide to Vacuum Suction Power

Buying a new vacuum cleaner can seem overwhelming, and with a range of brands and types of vacuum to choose from - where do you start? While it's important to choose a vacuum cleaner to suit your home, whether that's a modern cordless vacuum or a futuristic robot vacuum cleaner, there is one factor that shouldn't be overlooked: suction power.

Get to know your Air Watts from your Pascal Pressure and your Cubic Feet per Minute below as we take a closer look at what is a good suction power for a vacuum and how to compare vacuum suction power. Tackle dust in your thick pile carpet or freshen up your hard floors with a powerful vacuum cleaner for your home.

Why is suction power important?

Simply put, the higher the suction rating, the more powerful the vacuum will be! Suction power directly affects the efficiency and the effectiveness of your vacuum cleaner's performance, so it's essential to think about suction power when choosing your new appliance.

Choosing a vacuum cleaner with powerful suction power allows you to remove stubborn dirt and debris from flooring and means you can rid of finer particles like dust, pollen and allergens. Good suction power will save you time on your chores, picking up dirt more quickly so you can put your feet up.

We all love our pets, but there's no denying they leave annoying little hairs everywhere! Choosing a vacuum with good suction power means you can tackle stubborn pet hair on carpets, rugs and soft furnishings. With HEPA filters, powerful vacuum cleaners can trap allergens, so you can say goodbye to sneezing and irritation.

How is suction power measured?

Vacuum cleaner suction power is a great way of determining whether your new appliance will be strong enough to tackle the surfaces in your home. But how do brands measure just how powerful vacuum cleaners are? There are a few ways to do this that you may notice when trying to find an appliance, including:

Air Watts (AW)

Recommended range: 100 to 200 AW - over 200 AW in powerful models

Air Watts measures a vacuum cleaner's actual cleaning power. This measurement includes airflow and suction produced by the vacuum and indicates how the vacuum converts electrical motor power into the suction you use to clean up. It's calculated by combining both air pressure and airflow and is a great way of determining how well your vacuum can remove dirt from your carpet, rug or wood floor.

Pascal Pressure (Pa)

Recommended range: 1,500 to 4,000 Pa - over 5,000 in extremely powerful models

Pascal Pressure is commonly used to measure suction in robot vacuum cleaners. It measures the vacuum's pressure difference - how much suction is created to pull dust and dirt into your appliance. Pa measurement is a good way of determining how well a vacuum can generate suction.

Cubic Feet per Minute (CFM)

Recommended range: Between 50 and 100 - over 100 for high-end and commercial vacuums

CFM measures the volume of air moved by the appliance per minute. This measurement determines how much air your chosen vacuum can pull through, as this is key when tackling tough dirt and debris. CFM is calculated by measuring the amount of air that flows through the vacuum in a minute.

Water Lift (Sealed Suction)

Recommended range: Between 50-100 inches - high-end, commercial models can exceed 100 inches

Also known as sealed suction, water lift measures raw suction power. This is the height the vacuum can lift a column of water. This is used to indicate how well the vacuum can pull dirt from carpets and other surfaces.

What is the best suction power for a vacuum cleaner?

So, what should you be looking for when shopping for a new vacuum cleaner? If you're wondering what is a good suction power for a vacuum cleaner, you'll need to compare your options depending on factors including floor type:

Carpet

For homes with carpets, vacuums with a higher suction power (150-300 AW) are an ideal option, as they can remove heavily embedded dirt and debris with ease. Look out for how many Air Watts your new vacuum has - the more Air Watts, the more powerful the vacuum will be, meaning you can clean tough stains with ease.

Wood floors

Hard floors don't require as powerful suction as carpets - it's easier to pick up dust and dirt from flat, hard surfaces. If you're looking for a vacuum cleaner to keep your hard floors as good as new, a vacuum with 100-150 air watts should be perfect.

Pet hair and allergens

If you have four-legged friends, you'll need to choose a vacuum cleaner with stronger suction. Look for vacuum cleaners with 200 Air Watts and over for effective pet hair removal and to help manage those irritating allergens. Look out for HEPA filters that can capture fine dust particles, too.

How to maintain suction power

To ensure your vacuum cleaner can tackle everything from muddy footprints on the hallway carpet to stubborn cat hairs on the curtains, knowing how to maintain your vacuum cleaner to get the best suction is essential. Here are a few tips to help keep your vacuum cleaner working as it should:

Clean and replace vacuum filters: The filter traps dirt and debris so you must clean this to prevent blocking airflow. Your vacuum filter may be located in a different place depending on the manufacturer, but it tends to be within the dust canister. Clean your filters once every three months, and replace them every 6-12 months to keep your vacuum working perfectly.
Empty the dustbin regularly: The dustbin is the canister where dust collects. If your dustbin is too full, airflow becomes restricted and can decrease suction power. For vacuums with a dustbin, be sure to empty this when it's around half to three-quarters full. If your vacuum has a bag, replace this when it's two-thirds full.
Clean the brush roll: The brush roll scrubs, agitates and picks up hair. It can become clogged with debris, making it harder for the vacuum cleaner to pick up dirt. Cut away any hair, fibres and debris wrapped around the brush to maintain suction.
Check for hose blockages: If you notice your vacuum cleaner is not as powerful as it used to be, check for blockages in the hose. Detach the hose and inspect for debris that might be having an impact on airflow.

How to compare vacuum suction power

There are so many factors to consider when it comes to finding a vacuum cleaner to suit you - this could be a specific brand or type of vacuum like cordless or upright - but ensuring your vacuum will perform exactly how you want it to is essential. So, how do you compare vacuum suction power?

Firstly think about what your vacuum will be tackling, whether that's tough, thick pile carpet or wood floor - carpets will require more power than hard floors. Whether power is measured in Air Watts, CFM or water lift, the higher the metrics, the more powerful the vacuum cleaner.

Find your new vacuum cleaner

At Marks Electrical, we stock a range of the biggest vacuum brands on the market including Bosch, Dyson, Miele, Shark and more. Find your new vacuum for a competitive price and take advantage of next-day delivery so you won't have to wait.