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Suction and airflow in vacuum cleaners are two factors to help you better determine which brand and model fit your lifestyle best. This rule applies whether you are buying a mid-range vacuum or a top-tier vacuum cleaner. They may have different functions, but both are equally as important to your cleaning performance.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Both suction and airflow are essential in determining if a vacuum is powerful enough to be an excellent cleaning tool rather than a shoddy purchase. There are lots of different types of vacuum cleaners, so if you want one that does the job well, understanding the difference between airflow and suction is crucial.
Before you can understand the difference between them, you should understand both topics separately. We’ll break down below what you need to know about airflow and suction.
Insider Tip
Vacuum airflow refers to the capacity of air a vacuum can take in and is measured in Cubic Feet per Minute (CFM).
Vacuum cleaner airflow refers to the capacity of air a vacuum can take in and is measured in Cubic Feet per Minute (CFM). CFM is by far one of the most critical factors in whether you have an excellent cleaning tool on your hands or something with a low airflow rating and an even lower level of suction power.
Suction works a bit differently, although it is closely related. Suction refers to the vacuum motor’s force that generates the “pull” of air into the machine.
There are a couple of key ways that suction and airflow contrast. We’ll explore those more below so that you can fully understand the similarities and differences between these two critical measurements.
A Powerful motor will always produce excellent suction. This is how vacuums can pull air through carpet, upholstery, and other thick materials, thus pulling in dust particles and debris. And while a strong suction is a good thing, sometimes you also need the right tool for the job. For example, if you are in the middle of a bid DIY project that involves wet and dry messes, then you’d want to know how a wet dry-vac works.
On the other hand, airflow is the amount of air pulled by suction at one time. The two functions work synergetically and should balance each other out for best results.
Warning
Always contact the manufacturer before attempting any vacuum repairs to see if you have a warranty.
F.A.Q.
What is the highest suction power of a vacuum cleaner?
Since vacuum attachments lower suction power, the highest recorded suction power is 200 CFM using a commercial vacuum.
How much suction power is enough?
Your lifestyle will determine the answer to this almost entirely. Differences in flooring types, for example, will make one solution vary significantly from the next. Carpeted homes will always require higher suction power. Wood flooring lets you get away with more.
Is repairing a vacuum cleaner worth it?
Generally speaking, no. Unless the model you have is costly, it’s almost always better to just replace the entire vacuum. Always contact the manufacturer before attempting any vacuum repairs to see if you have a warranty.
Why are they called “vacuum” cleaners?
The name “vacuum cleaner” comes from the method through which they clean. Vacuum cleaners create negative air pressure to “suck” air inside of them.
STAT: HEPA filters that are of higher quality can lower CFM by upwards of 30%. (source)
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