There are many top rated vacuums available to the consumer these days, so how do you choose the vacuum cleaner that is right for you? The answer is to know what you want from your new vacuum cleaner.

There used to be only a few leading brands of vacuum cleaners to choose from but now the consumer has a much greater choice of top quality vacuum cleaners. This is good news for the consumer; however it does make buying a new vacuum cleaner a confusing business. To help you choose the best vacuum cleaner for your needs, you should first know exactly what you want from a vacuum. Below are some of qualities of the market leaders. Hopefully it should help you make the right choice when you buy your new vacuum cleaner.

Everyone has heard about Dyson vacuum cleaners. Dyson is a new, innovative company that has established itself as a market leader in manufacturing vacuum cleaners. The main strength of a Dyson vacuum cleaner is it innovative use of creating powerful suction using centrifugal force rather than the old fashioned system of using the dust bag to create suction. Dyson call it the RootCyclone system. With older style vacuum cleaners, as the dust bag filled the suction power diminished. Dyson vacuums don't suffer from the loss of suction. Also, Dyson vacuum cleaners don't use dust bags; you simply empty the canister of dust straight into the trash. Because a Dyson vacuum is bagless you never have to buy the manufacturers dust bags, which can sometimes be difficult to get hold of, or can be expensive. Dyson have continued to show innovation when it comes to vacuum cleaner design. For instance, the Dyson DC15 is the first and only vacuum cleaner to feature the very unique ball - the ball makes manoeuvring the vacuum much easier than conventional uprights. However Dyson vacuum cleaners do have some disadvantages. First is the price: Dyson vacuum cleaners are typically more expensive than other vacuum cleaner brands. Also, not everyone likes emptying a bagless vacuum, as this can be a rather messy affair.

Hoover vacuum cleaners used to be the biggest selling vacuum in the world but in recent years their sales have tumbled. I'm glad to say that Hoover has taken note and has spent considerable effort in designing new ranges of vacuum cleaners. We have recently seen the launch of the Hoover WindTunnel vacuum cleaner, which the company claims picks up 56% more dirt off the carpet than does a Dyson. The Hoover FloorMate vacuum cleaner is specifically made for hardwood floor and is unsurpassed by other brands. Also, the Hoover SteamVac is the market leader for steam vacuum cleaners - this model deep cleans any carpet, leaving it dry to the touch. It is hoped that Hoover will continue its efforts in restoring its position as the number one vacuum cleaner manufacturer. After all, if manufacturers put more research and development into making better vacuum cleaners this can only be good news for the consumer.

Another good carpet cleaning vacuum cleaner is the top rated Atlantis Express from Eureka. Eureka claim that the InstaRinse Cleaning System lets you to shampoo, then rinse, all with the push of a button, so you'll have cleaner carpets. The Atlantis Express also has a separate shampoo cartridge that fits right in the cleaning nozzle so there's never any messy premixing of shampoo and water. If its weight you're concerned about then you should know that Eureka makes some of the most lightweight vacuum cleaners on the market. The Eureka 437AZ comes with a looped handle for a more comfortable grip, a 2 motor and HEPA filtration system.

Oreck vacuum cleaners have been around along time and they look like it. The outward design of the Oreck hasn't really changed in decades and, for many, can look rather old fashioned. However, Oreck have made many changes to their vacuum cleaner. The Oreck XL Deluxe Vacuum, which has a 50% filtration improvement, now eliminates 99.99% of all allergens down to 0.3 microns. Another advantage of owning an Oreck vacuum cleaner is their sturdiness. Oreck vacuum cleaners were originally designed for commercial use and their rugged, simple design means that they'll last years and finding spare parts and servicing is very easy.

If you're looking for a quiet vacuum cleaner, then you might consider buying an Electrolux ultra quiet Harmony Canister Vacuum with HEPA Filter. This vacuum is the quietest on the market. Electrolux also make the most sophisticated vacuum on the market today; the Trilobite. The Trilobite vacuum cleaner from Electrolux is a robot vacuum that does all the work for you. You simply switch it own and away it goes. The Trilobite has an onboard computer which maps out your home, so that very quickly it learns the most efficient route to take when vacuuming your floor. Unfortunately, cutting edge technology doesn't come cheap, so buying the Electrolux Trilobite is something few can afford.

The key to buying the best vacuum cleaner on the market today is knowing what you want from a vacuum cleaner. Once you're clear on what you want, then finding the best vacuum cleaner for your needs is much easier.