All kinds of factors come into play when trying to figure out the best vacuum cleaner to buy, but most people probably assume that strong suction is the most important thing to focus on. Good suction isn't irrelevant – you need a certain amount of air watts of power to pull up dust and debris from floors. However, it's not the be-all and end-all, as I learned when I spoke to Dyson engineer Amy Wright.
"Many people assume that if visible dust and dirt is picked up, the problem is solved, but vacuum cleaning is pointless without thorough filtration," says Amy. If your vacuum has inadequate filters or loose seals, it'll end up releasing some of the dust and dirt it has picked up back into the air.
