Which Vacuum Is Right for Me?

The right vacuum is the one that fits your home, your floors and your routine. A big brand name or a long feature list doesn't guarantee that. CJ Miller Vacuum Center has been family owned since 1987, and we service and repair what we sell. This guide shows how we narrow down the choices with customers in our Harleysville showroom.

Answer five questions: home type, floors, pets, allergies and budget. Each section links to models we carry. If you'd like to compare brands side by side, see our SEBO vs Miele vs Riccar vs Simplicity brand comparison.

Quick picks: which vacuum type fits you?

1. Your home type

Apartment, condo or a small space

Choose something light that stores easily. The Simplicity Jill is a 9 lb bagged canister made for small spaces with bare floors. If you'd rather not deal with a cord, our cordless sticks are the SEBO Balance A1 and the 7 lb Henry Quick, which runs up to 60 minutes and empties without dust thanks to its pod system.

Simplicity JillSEBO Balance A1Henry Quick

Multi-level home with stairs

Stairs are where canisters shine. You carry the light hose and power head while the body stays on the step. The SEBO Airbelt K3 has a 37-foot operating range and a 12-inch ET-1 power head. If you prefer an upright, the SEBO Felix Premium and SEBO Dart both have a detachable suction unit that turns into a hand-held vacuum. The Riccar SupraLite uprights weigh 8 to 11 lbs, depending on the model.

SEBO Airbelt K3SEBO Felix PremiumRiccar SupraLite R10P

Larger home with lots of carpet

Look at coverage and cord reach. The SEBO X8 has a 15-inch-wide path. The SEBO Airbelt D4 Premium canister has a 40-foot cord and a 50-foot cleaning radius.

SEBO X8SEBO Airbelt D4 Premium

Home with an existing central vacuum system

If your central vacuum still runs well, a new hose, powerhead or tool can make it feel like new. We carry replacement parts and accessories, including central vacuum attachments and powerheads, central vacuum bags & filters, Hide-A-Hose replacement hoses, handles and valve trim, PVC central vacuum pipe and pipe fittings. Not sure which part fits? Bring in your old part or its model number.

TurboCat Zoom powerheadHide-A-Hose replacement hose

2. Your floors

• Mostly carpet: The SEBO Automatic X series (X4 Boost, X7, X8) senses the brush roller's resistance and adjusts the brush height automatically. It also warns you about clogs, a worn brush or a full bag.
• Carpet and hard floors together: On the SEBO Felix Premium you can switch off the brush roller for delicate rugs and hard floors, and it includes a parquet brush. The SEBO Airbelt E3 Premium comes with both an ET-1 power head and a parquet brush.
• Mostly hard floors: The SEBO Airbelt E1 Kombi and SEBO Airbelt K2 Kombi use a combination nozzle with retractable bristles and have rubber-coated wheels.
• Area rugs on wood: Choose a machine that lets you turn off the brush roller or swap floor tools, and try it on your own rug type in the store.

SEBO Automatic X7SEBO Felix PremiumSEBO Airbelt E1 KombiSEBO Airbelt E3 Premium

3. Pets

Pet hair collects on carpet, furniture and stairs, so the tools matter as much as the vacuum.

• SEBO X7 with Pet Package: adds a Turbo Brush, a nine-foot extension hose and a charcoal microfilter that absorbs pet odors.
• Miele Classic C1 Cat & Dog: a canister that includes a mini turbo head for fur on furniture and steps.
• Henry Pet Care: a MicroFresh activated charcoal filter to reduce pet odors, plus an air turbo tool for carpet.
• SEBO Balance A1: a cordless stick with anti-hair-wrap technology for daily touch-ups.

SEBO X7 Pet PackageMiele C1 Cat & DogHenry Pet CareSEBO Balance A1

For more detail, read our best vacuum for pet hair guide.

4. Allergies and dust

Filtration depends on the whole system: bag, filters and a sealed path for the air. Here's what our listings say:

• SEBO Airbelt canisters (K2, K3, E2, E3) are described as having hospital-grade filtration.
• SEBO Dart uses S-class filtration and a 3-layer filter bag with a hygiene cap.
• Miele Classic C1 Cat & Dog combines Miele filter bags with a HEPA filter (the Miele AirClean System).
• Riccar SupraLite uprights use a self-sealing HEPA media bag. The Simplicity S20EZM pairs a HEPA media bag with a HEPA media filter.

SEBO Airbelt K3Miele C1 Cat & DogSimplicity S20EZMAustin Air HealthMate

A vacuum handles the floor. For the air in a room, see our air purifiers, including the Austin Air HealthMate and IDEAL AP40 Pro. No vacuum or purifier can promise to eliminate allergy symptoms, so ask your doctor about your specific needs.

5. Your budget

These groups use our current online list prices. Prices can change, so always check the product page.

• Under $400: Simplicity S20EZM upright, Riccar SupraLite Entry R10E, Simplicity Jill canister, Riccar Gem handheld.
• $400–$900: SEBO Airbelt K2 Kombi, SEBO Balance A1, Riccar SupraLite Standard R10S, SEBO Dart, SEBO Felix Premium, Riccar SupraLite Premium R10P, Miele Classic C1 Cat & Dog, Riccar SupraLite Cordless R10CV, SEBO Essential G4/G5.
• $900 and up: SEBO Airbelt K3, Miele Triflex HX2, SEBO X4 Boost, SEBO X7, SEBO Airbelt E3 Premium, SEBO X8, SEBO Airbelt D4 Premium.

Under $400: Simplicity S20EZM$400–$900: Riccar SupraLite R10P$900+: SEBO Automatic X7

Also budget for upkeep. Bagged vacuums need bags, and most machines eventually need filters and belts. Warranty coverage varies by brand and model. For example, many of our SEBO listings state 10-year motor, 10-year non-wear parts and 7-year labor coverage when purchased from CJ Miller, while our Riccar SupraLite listings range from 1 to 5 years. Check each product page and ask us to explain it.

Repair before you replace

Not sure you need a new vacuum? A cleaning and a new belt and brush can often bring a vacuum back to life. We service and repair all brands, and we'll tell you honestly whether a repair is worth it. Learn about vacuum service & repair.

Vacuum buying FAQ

Should I buy an upright or a canister vacuum?

Uprights are easy to push across large carpeted areas. Canisters are easier on stairs, under furniture and on mixed floors. Some uprights, like the SEBO Felix and Dart, have a detachable hand-held unit, which closes much of the gap.

Is a bagged vacuum better for allergies?

Many of the models we carry are bagged, including the SEBO, Miele, Riccar, Simplicity and Henry canisters and uprights. A bag holds the dust when you empty it. Bags are an ongoing cost, so compare how easy each one is to empty.

Is a cordless vacuum enough for my whole house?

For a smaller home or daily touch-ups, it can be. Run times are up to 60 minutes on the Henry Quick and Miele Triflex HX2, and up to 50 minutes on the Riccar SupraLite Cordless. For large carpeted homes, many customers keep a corded machine for deep cleaning.

What's the best vacuum for pet hair?

Start with the tools: a turbo brush for furniture and stairs, plus a floorhead that suits your floors. See our pet hair guide.

Do you repair vacuums you didn't sell?

Yes. We service and repair all brands of vacuums. See our service page.

Still deciding? Come try them.

Visit CJ Miller Vacuum Center at 282 Main Street, Harleysville, PA 19438, or call (215) 256-1100. Tell us about your floors, pets and routine, and we'll help you find the right fit. You can also shop all vacuums.