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Choosing a vacuum cleaner that's easy to use
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Buying Guide

The weight of the machine is probably one of the most important features. Of the machines we tested that are still on the market the Electrolux Mondo 1150 was light and had easy to use controls. If you can manage a heavier machine the Panasonic MC-E962 was easy to use and performed well in Which? tests. For upright cleaners the Dyson DC01 was a Which? best buy and overall it was easy to use. However, it was heavy and emptying the dust canister was messy. For allergy sufferers Which? recommended the Hoover PurePower U3141, this also had some easy to use features.

If you have poor or painful grip

If you have poor or painful grip there are features on each machine which you will need to look at more carefully. The weight of the machine may be important to you, especially if you have lots of stairs in your house.

You will also need to look at the handles of the machines. Comfort is very important so make sure you have enough space for your hands and see if you can hold the machine with two hands. With cylinder machines look at the grip on the tubing, it should have some moulding but not so much that you need to have a specific handhold.

Also look at the controls on the machine. If they are hand rather than foot operated, make sure they protrude well from the body of the machine and are not too stiff. Make sure the machine you buy does not have a bag or filter which is awkward to replace. If the vacuum cleaner does not have a bag check what you need to do to empty the container and change the filter. The process of changing the bag or filter should not be too tricky or involve difficult hand movements. To get a list of machines ranked for ease of use if you have poor grip, click below.

If you have poor sight

If you have poor sight there are some features of the machine you should look at in more detail. The tubing on the machines should fit together easily and not be very complicated. Look at the cord, do you have to rewind it by hand or is it automatic. If you have to do it by hand, is this tricky. The controls should be easily visible, having good colour contrast with the body of the machine and project well from the surrounding area. The colour contrast of the tools is also important. Check to see how easy it is to change the bag and the filter, and how easy they are to get to. To get to get a list of machines ranked for ease of use if you have poor sight, click below.

 

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Report contents

Some appliances tested suit some people more than others. Click on order by grip to see those we have judged best if you have limited grip, strength or dexterity - those at the top have features most likely to suit you. If you have impaired sight click on order by sight.

Introduction
Guide to types of vacuum cleaner
Guide to test results
Buying Guide

Quick check list for vacuum cleaners
Manufacturers Addresses