Vacuum cleaners are essential household appliances designed to remove dirt, dust, and allergens while simplifying the process of keeping a home clean. One of the key determinants of vacuum performance is vacuum suction power, a metric that evaluates how efficiently a vacuum can pick up debris. Vacuum suction power is a key factor to consider when you're looking for a new vacuum. Here, we'll discuss how vacuums work, why airflow in vacuums matters, and why Kirby suction technology leads the market in high-performance cleaning.
Understanding suction power can help you choose a powerful vacuum that's a good fit for your needs.
Suction power is your vacuum's ability to pull air (as well as dirt and debris) through its intake system. A vacuum's suction power is primarily measured using two key metrics: air watts and water lift. Air watts measure how effectively your vacuum converts electrical energy into suction and air flow. Water lift measures how high a vacuum motor can raise a column of water in a sealed tube, and water lift benefits are especially important if you're dealing with seriously dirty carpets. Choosing a vacuum with a high level of suction power can help with lifting embedded debris and deep-cleaning carpets.
Effective debris removal depends on your vacuum's ability to generate enough suction to lift particles off surfaces and transport them to the vacuum's bag or canister. When a vacuum doesn't have adequate suction power, dirt, allergens, pet hair, and other debris can be left behind.
Many factors influence a vacuum's suction power, including airflow, debris transportation systems, and motor strength.
Airflow in vacuums measures the volume of air moving throughout the machine when it's powered on and is usually measured in cubic feet per minute (CFM). Suction initiates the movement of air, and airflow carries the dirt to the collection container. Both airflow and suction are vital for thorough cleaning.
After suction is initiated, airflow transports debris through hoses and into filters or bags. Even high suction vacuums can't produce efficient cleaning results without sufficient airflow.
Motor power in vacuums directly impacts the machine's suction capability. A more powerful motor can help a vacuum achieve a higher level of suction power. But motor strength alone isn't enough because effective seals and a streamlined system design are essential for optimizing suction power.
Both suction power and airflow matter when determining a vacuum's ability to clean efficiently and effectively.
The best vacuums offer high suction and optimized airflow for effective cleaning. A lack of airflow or suction can affect the other. For example, a vacuum with high suction but poor airflow might not effectively carry debris from the surface to the bag or canister, while a vacuum with great airflow but poor suction won't be able to lift larger particles, like pieces of leaves or food crumbs, off the floor.
Airflow is most important on hard floors, as debris is already loose, and suction power is most important on carpets.
Understanding the technology and power behind your vacuum options can help you select the brand and model that's the best choice for your needs.
Features like cyclonic separation, multi-stage filtration, and optimized brush rolls work to increase suction and airflow, creating an efficient vacuuming experience. Adjustable airflow pathways and auto-sensing technology can also help your vacuum meet your needs.
Air watts measure usable suction power, taking into account both suction force and airflow. For residential use, you'll want to look for a vacuum with at least 200 air watts.
When it comes to choosing powerful vacuums, you've got options. We'll go over some of the most popular vacuum style options and what you can expect from each regarding suction power.
Upright vacuums are known for their powerful motors and effective cleaning capabilities, especially on carpeted surfaces. Upright models typically have a direct airflow path paired with a wide cleaning head, making them a smart choice for picking up embedded dirt and pet hair. The larger motors typically associated with upright vacuums give them an edge in suction power, making this option an ideal fit for larger homes and spaces with wall-to-wall carpet.
Lightweight and convenient, the latest stick vacuum models offer a surprising amount of power for their size. That being said, these vacuums are typically not as powerful as upright vacuums. They also have smaller dust containers and a fairly short battery life.
An autonomous solution, robot vacuums are great for daily maintenance, rather than heavy-duty cleaning. Most offer modest suction power that can work well for keeping dust and light debris off of hard floors and low-pile carpets.
If your vacuum isn't maintained properly, it may lose suction power over time. Follow these tips to help your vacuum keep functioning at a high level.
Clear filters are vital for your vacuum. Dirt, dust, and allergens can cause filters to become clogged over time, restricting airflow and reducing your vacuum's suction power. Most vacuums use HEPA filters that need to be cleaned or replaced every few months. You'll also want to regularly check your vacuum's hose and brush rolls to ensure that they're clear of hair and debris.
Even the most powerful vacuum will cease to function effectively if maintenance is neglected. Maintaining a clear airflow can help reduce your vacuum's noise level, energy consumption, and filter effectiveness while maintaining a high suction level.
To extend the life of your vacuum and keep it working like new, follow these tips:
Vacuums have come a long way in recent decades. Let's take a look at some of the features that make modern vacuums so effective:
High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters capture more than 99.9% of particles and are a critical component of thorough cleaning. They are especially important for people who suffer from allergies and who own pets.
Attachments like crevice tools and upholstery nozzles are key to optimizing suction in various cleaning scenarios. With the right vacuum attachments, you'll be able to reach every space in your home, leaving no surface uncleaned.
Before choosing a vacuum for your home, there are a few different factors you'll want to consider.
Whether your home has carpet can help determine what type of vacuum will be the best fit for your needs. If your home has mostly hardwood, vinyl, or tile flooring, airflow is going to be the most important consideration when selecting a vacuum that's able to pick up small particles without scattering debris. If your home has thick carpeting, you'll need a vacuum that offers strong suction to lift dirt. If you have both types of flooring in your home, you'll need to choose a multipurpose vacuum that can both lift larger pieces of debris off of hardwood floors without creating more of a mess, as well as a vacuum with strong suction that's able to pull dirt out of carpet.
When reading vacuum ratings, keep an eye out for key specifications including:
Suction and airflow are both critical components to consider when choosing a vacuum, but the overall design also plays a role. Look for an aligned suction pathway with high-quality seals, a high-performance filtration system, and optimal airflow and suction power.
The Kirby Avalir Platinum is well-known for its suction power and durability, as well as its reliable, robust motor and direct-drive system. Designed for deep-cleaning performance on both carpets and hard floors, the Avalir Platinum uses the Kirby TechDrive power assist system to ensure smooth handling alongside industry leading cleaning power. The Avalir Platinum also includes a multi-surface shampoo system, a HEPA filtration system, and a variety of specialty attachments, making it a valuable addition to any home.