The key to finding the right vacuum is to determine how you are going to use it. The best way to figure this out is to consider what types of flooring you plan to use your new vacuum on. Most of us have a combination of carpeting and bare flooring in our homes, though you may have more of one than the other. Certain vacuum models are better suited to particular kinds of flooring, so it's important to match your Hoover to your floors properly.

Wall-to-wall carpeting is best served by an
upright vacuum. These machines have a powerful rotating brush that gets down into the carpet to loosen dust and dirt that has become trapped deep within the fibres. Most uprights also come with all the tools you'll need to clean furniture, baseboards, ceiling fans, tight corners and drapes.
If you have got lots of hardwood or tile in your house, an upright vacuum may not be the best choice. The revolving brush on an upright vacuum tends to move air rapidly over bare floors, scattering dust and dirt in all directions as it goes. For bare floors, a canister vacuum is an excellent alternative. Most canister vacuum cleaners have a smooth floor brush with soft bristles that helps draw dirt into the vacuum better than an upright. They are a bit more easily manoeuvred in tight spaces and around furniture such as a kitchen table and chairs. You will also get all the tools you need to keep the rest of your home clean; some canister vacuum cleaners even have a special head that lets you deep clean a carpet just as effectively as an upright vacuum.
Another popular choice for bare floors is the handheld vacuum. Though you won't be able to clean an entire floor with a handheld, they are brilliant for tackling small messes like spilt cereal or a few errant kibbles of dog food. Some pricier models can even pick up wet spills. Most handhelds are cordless, though some have a short power cord. They can be used on countertops, in the car, in the bathroom, and anywhere else you might need to vacuum in a pinch. If you have got pets or small children, you will want to keep a handheld vacuum on hand.
Robotic vacuums can be effective in cleaning both carpeting and bare floors, though this is one area where it makes sense to pay more for a better model. If you plan to rely on a robotic vacuum for all of your floor cleaning, invest in a high-end device with a suction motor. This kind of bagless vacuum cleaner has a small internal canister where dirt collects; and you will have to empty this cup when the vacuum has finished its cleaning cycle. This is the only kind of robotic vacuum that will truly vacuum your floor; low-end robotic vacuums only sweep, they don't actually suck up any dirt.
High traffic areas may benefit from a steam vacuum or carpet extractor. Usually, this kind of deep cleaning is only required occasionally and is left to professionals, but if you have a large family, lots of animals round the house, or are particularly hard on your carpets, you may want to purchase your own carpet deep cleaner. You'll be spoilt for choice, as manufacturers offer plenty of options including vacuums that take special cleaning solution, use sanitising steam, automatically rinse the carpet after washing, and feature adjustable settings that let you clean bare floors, too.
For concrete or tile flooring, a wet/dry vacuum might be just what you need. These powerful devices are well-suited for use in the carport, cellar, workshop, in the car or outdoors. They are capable of picking up sawdust, bits of wood, small nails or screws, water, and other things that would ruin a regular bagless vacuum cleaner. You will find wet/dry vacuums in a variety of sizes, usually measured by the canister's litre capacity; a small wet/dry vacuum is very affordable and is generally sufficient for the average household.