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ByPurify has researched everything you would want to know about vacuums & air purifiers.
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Have you ever wondered how I test out the best vacuums?
It’s actually a lot simpler than you might think.
I go into my test labs with a clear plan and know what we’re looking for.
I also have a lot of fun along the way and get a kick out of seeing how different vacuums stack up.
As experts in our field, we discuss the following in this article:
We’ve done the groundwork for you so you can skip the countless hours of research…
The 2 main methods for testing vacuums are performance tests and usability tests.
Let’s have a closer look at each:
Performance testing is determining how well a system responds and remains stable under a specific demand.
Performance tests are often carried out to evaluate size, robustness, and speed.
Usability testing is the process where actual users test the vacuums in actual life situations.
Normally, candidates attempt to execute standard tasks while evaluators watch, listen, and take notes.
The 11 types of performance tests include a carpet test, battery test, and noise test.
Continue reading to find out about all the performance tests.
Before and after photos are taken to show the cleaning process.
I sprinkle flour on a dark carpet before running the cleaner through the middle twice (forward and back).
Next up
I then run the test again, this time with high and low power, through the top and bottom of the remaining mess.
I spread flour to the baseboard on carpet tiles, then test how the vacuum cleaner does with 2 sweeps.
I test how well the vacuum handles stairs.
I check to see if the vac has the necessary tools, how far any hoses or power cables reach, how effortless the unit is to handle, and, if needed, position it on a step.
The carpet has pet hair brushed into it.
If a pet head is available, I use it; if not, I use a conventional head and give each vacuum 2 sweeps to check how well it sucks up the mess.
I evaluate the vacuum cleaner's suction and airflow on every power setting, and then I combine the data to produce an airwatt total (AW).
The higher the total is, the better the vacuum will be.
In order to simulate the user experience of operating the vacuum cleaner, I employ an audio sensor to evaluate the noise generated by each model at each power setting in decibels (dB).
For cordless vacuum cleaners, I evaluate run time starting from a full charge on maximum power with powered attachments on the carpet, on maximum power without powered attachments for general cleaning, and on low/normal power without powered accessories.
Hard surface cleaning only contributes 10% of the final score for each vacuum, which is a negligibly small amount.
This is primarily because these products were made for and are frequently used on carpets.
But wait, there’s more
I used rice, cereal, oats, and flour as my test material in a series of tests corresponding to carpet cleaning.
I paid close attention to the gaps in the hardwood floor I used for testing, noting whether the vacuums could remove all the dirt, notably flour.
The complete carpet cleaning test encourages comprehensive carpet cleaning and provides a reliable estimate of the most debris that a vacuum can remove.
After 10 passes with the vacuum, the tester gauges how much dirt has been removed from the carpet.
The quick carpet cleaning test mimics regular daily cleaning.
Instead of making all 10 passes like in the full carpet clean test, the tester only makes 4 passes over the carpet to determine how much dirt has been removed.
When testing how easy it is to empty a vacuum, I use a timer to track how long it takes to empty it.
In this test, I also check to see how easy and user-friendly the vacuum is to empty.
Many vacuum cleaners boast HEPA filters or other forms of incredibly effective dust filtering.
I tested my HEPA filters many years ago, and I discovered that they all worked as promised.
Truth is
I don't test this element since I lack the lab equipment and would have to hire a 3rd party to conduct the test, which can be expensive.
HEPA filter models are unquestionably worthwhile to consider if you have asthma or a dust allergy, but keep in mind that versions without a dedicated HEPA filter can still provide great air filtering.
The 7 types of usability tests include an owner’s manual test and a dust capacity test.
Continue reading to find out about all the usability tests.
The first test starts as soon as you get the vacuum in its box.
I test the unboxing process by timing how quick and easy the unboxing is and how long it takes to get the vacuum set up.
I read through the owner's manual rating, exactly how easy it is to understand and how clear the instructions are.
The set of tests for usability was given the 2nd-most weighting in the evaluation, accounting for 25% of the total score.
This metric compared the ease with which each vacuum cleaned a home, using a series of situations to evaluate the results of each product.
Among the first topics I looked at was each vacuum's ability to clean the edges.
I laid rice along a wall before running each vacuum up against the edge.
I assessed based on the size of the leftover material line.
Now:
The reaching of each vacuum cleaner under furniture was then assessed.
I evaluated the range of each vacuum after scattering the rice, then assigned scores based on that measurement.
Then, I graded each vacuum according to how well it handled switching between different flooring, whether this was automatic or manual, and whether you could turn the brush off.
The maximum reach for typical floor cleanup use, including the cord, was then examined and rated.
The dust capacity plays a big role in your vacuum's performance.
I tested how much dust and debris the vacuums can suck up before the suction power is interrupted.
Because vacuum cleaners are typically operated with the bag or canister partially filled in the average home, my tester preloads the machines with synthetic household dust.
A piece of carpet is then equally covered in sand, and it is vacuumed in a specific pattern and at a specific pace.
Each vacuum cleaner's findings are averaged after the recovered sand is weighted and documented as a percentage of the sand applied.
Get this:
I can determine the amount of dirt that is introduced into the test carpet with an accuracy of a 10th of a gram.
Using the regular cleaning head, my tester assesses each model according to how well it picks up dirt from the carpet.
Each model's hose is connected to a pressure gauge, and the degree of suction is gauged 3 times: first with the vacuum bag or bin empty, then with 100 grams of wood flour inside, and finally with 200 grams of wood flour altogether.
According to how much suction they can keep and how powerful they are compared to other models, vacuums are graded.
The weight of a vacuum is an important part to consider when you have a large home to vacuum.
I tested how easily each vacuum could be carried around and if it caused any significant strain on the user.
The way in which I test various types of vacuums, including intelligent cleaning devices and stick vacuums, is slightly different.
Here are details about how I test each type of vacuum.
Robotic vacuums are tested by having a standard set test area where different spills are made on the carpet.
The vacuum has 10 minutes to suck it up, and afterwards, it measures how much was picked up in the set time.
A tracking device is attached to the vacuum, and technicians trace its path through a large lab.
That’s not all…
They determine the room's coverage throughout several runs and make a note of what the vacuum misses and what it doesn't.
They record the vacuum's ability to transition across various materials in a separate 4x5-foot framed area and whether it gets tangled up in carpet fringe or power lines.
In addition, they take a height measurement of the vacuum as well to assess how easily it’ll fit under furniture.
The vacuum gets tested on its usability by checking the size of the canister, how easy the vacuum handles, and how easy the vacuum is to clean.
Although both canister and upright vacuums have comparisons, they may also have differences.
Because they are both full-sized vacuums, they are subjected to the same tests.
The vacuums get tested by using a medium-pile carpet with surface talc, and sand scattered all over, then testing how much it can pick up in a certain time.
Fact is
Each model's hose is connected to a pressure gauge, and the level of suction is measured.
The emissions that are released into the air are measured by a laser spectrometer to see how many particles are released by the vacuum.
For the last test, I use a decibel meter to assess sound at ear level with a vacuum set to deep-clean at full power.
The most challenging test for stick vacs is carpet cleaning.
Carpet cleaning with a stick vac gets tested on a medium-pile carpet by scattering sand, rice, and Cheerios over the carpet and measuring how many get picked up in a set time.
The same test as above is run on tiled flooring, too.
Sucking up debris in corners gets tested by comparing the vacuum's weight before and after the test.
But how?
Technicians determine how well a vacuum picks up the grains in a single pass by scattering sand in a corner along a model baseboard of a tile floor.
I use a decibel device to measure noise at ear level with a vacuum set to maximum power.
Handheld vacuums are tested by scattering sand, Cheerios, and rice over a test carpet and timing how quickly, and how much the vacuum picked up.
The same test as above is done on tiled flooring.
Handheld vacuums are then tested to see how far they can reach under furniture as well as how well they perform with picking up pet hair.
The last test performed is to see how much noise the handheld vacuum makes by using a noise meter.
My goal, as with most of my product testing, is to evaluate the most popular products in the industry and what you'll most likely find at stores.
I survey manufacturers to learn about their model lineup, analyze market sales data, and look for member requests to test specific models.
You see
Based on this information, I compile a final list for my buyers.
They then go to the stores and buy each product as if they were regular customers.
I do this to ensure that they are exactly as any consumer would find them and have not been 'tweaked'.
You can trust ByPurify because I test vacuums in every way possible, so you don't have to.
ByPurify exists to provide my readers with comprehensive, unbiased, and independent purchasing advice.
All of my research is scientific, and your safety is my top priority.
My team works hard to stay current on new products and trends so that you can make the best decision for yourself and your family.
Vacuum testing is important to give you a better understanding of what type of vacuum will better suit your needs.
You test a car vacuum cleaner by assessing how well it picks up debris on carpeting as well as how small and compact it is to easily slip under seats and into nooks and crannies.
You test a used vacuum by switching it on and once you have power, check that all the switches are in the ‘On’ position.
Try out the different speeds, surfaces, and hose attachments.
You may also tell how well a vacuum performs by paying attention to the various noises it produces as you switch between methods.
A good vacuum is between 250W and 450W for a machine with one motor.
Vacuum suction power is tested on a vacuum cleaner’s tube end, where the suction power should be assessed (i.e. with a tube, hose, and filters – but without a nozzle).
Suction power gets tested when a hose is connected to a pressure gauge, and suction is gauged three times: first with the vacuum bag or bin empty, then with 100 grams of wood flour inside, and finally with 200 grams of wood flour altogether.
The safety measures of vacuums are to unplug the vacuum when it’s not in use.
They’re not to be used outside of your home.
You should vacuum nothing that’s wet, and you shouldn’t pull a vacuum by its cord.
You test a vacuum motor by pushing on the armature’s central shaft when the motor is off, replacing the motor if it does anything other than spin.
Replace the brushes if solid.
I hope you have more insight into how I test the best vacuums.
Basically, using a ton of math and different tests.
When it comes time to spend a lot of money on a new piece of technology for you, I compile all the data I gather in the lab into performance charts so I can compare outcomes and determine which vacuums are the best at certain testing to make your decision easier.
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