Vacuums get rated

If you're in the market for a new vacuum and tempted to spend hundreds of dollars, do some homework first.

With so many new features, shopping for a vacuum might seem like shopping for a new car. Various brands now offer easy handling, compactness, self-cleaning filters, reduced noise, or removal of tough pet hair.

But according to Consumer Reports, not all the most expensive vacuums do well at the most basic task: cleaning.

"It can be difficult to separate the hype from the performance. Paying more does not guarantee better performance," said Bob Markovich, Consumer Reports' home and yard editor.

A review of more than 60 upright and canister vacuums for the March 2008 publication rates a $300 Kenmore Progressive as the best buy, beating the buzzed-about Dyson models and a highly rated $1,350 Kirby Sentria, which was deemed excellent overall but less effective at pet hair. The magazine rated vacuums from Aerus, Rainbow and Filter Queen that sell for more than $1,000 near the bottom of its list.

Consumer Reports provides these tips for choosing a vacuum cleaner:

• Choose the right kind: Uprights are better for carpets, while canisters are better for drapes, upholstery and stairs.

• Useful features: A brush on/off switch helps prevent scattering dirt and protects bare floors, while manual pile height adjustment lets people match brush and carpet height more precisely.

• Think twice about bagless: Emptying a bin can be a frequent and dusty task. If you have allergy concerns, you'll probably prefer a bag. And although HEPA bags and filters can provide added filtration, they don't guarantee that a vacuum won't spew dust.