Anyone with a carpet needs a vacuum to help keep it clean. There are many different types of vacuums on the market, and choosing the right style is easy with a little bit of information. Here are some types of vacuums and their benefits.

Upright Vacuums
These vacuums are used more for carpet than for bare floors. They are easy to store and to move around the house.

HEPA Vacuums
Best for those with allergies or asthma, these vacuums contain filters to clean the air. They are good options for home or office use.

Canister Vacuums
These vacuums are useful for stairs and bare floors, as they are very portable.

Stick Vacuums
Perhaps the most convenient vacuums to store, these are good for bare floors or area rugs.

Backpack Vacuums
These are very quiet to use. They are also very portable and help you clean difficult-to-reach areas.

Hand-held Vacuums
Perhaps the most portable, these vacuums can be used to spot clean areas of the home but are also very useful to clean out vehicles. They require very little storage space.

Steam Vacuums/Carpet Cleaners
For deep-cleaning carpets and upholstery, these vacuums are your best bet.

Commercial Vacuums
These hardy vacuums are good for frequent usage, particularly in office buildings. They usually have a longer power cord, allowing you to reach faraway areas.

Vacuums come in a number of different brands. Prices vary depending on quality, durability, and type. When selecting among vacuums, consider how often you will need to use your machine (Will you use it daily?); where you will use it most frequently (Do you have a lot of hard-to-reach areas?); and how much space you have to store it.

Some homes or offices require more than one type of vacuum, to serve different purposes. For example, if you have a combination of carpet and hardwood floors, you may want to have a stick vacuum as well as an upright or canister vacuum, as these serve different needs. Wet vacuums are also useful if you need to clean damp areas. A salesperson can help you determine which specific brand or model will help you best serve your needs.