How to tell how much suction a vacuum cleaner has – and how to determine if it’s powerful enough for your home

A good vacuum cleaner can last years, tackling everything from everyday mess to bigger clean-ups. But as there's nothing more frustrating than a vacuum with poor suction (at least when it comes to your cleaning tasks), understanding how to tell how much suction a vacuum cleaner has can come in handy.

Whether you’re looking to buy one of the best vacuum cleaners or are more taken by the best cordless vacuum cleaners, these measurements can help you shop wisely. And knowing your air watts from your water lift is important if you want a powerful vacuum cleaner that’ll get the job done. They can also help you compare models, choose the right vacuum cleaner for your needs, and ensure that your machine runs as smoothly as possible for years to come.

As Isabella Forgione, vacuum cleaner expert at AO.com, explains, ‘Your vacuum’s suction power is the key factor to determine how your appliance is performing, and how efficiently it will pick up dust, dirt and pet hair.’ So, follow this guide to find out how much suction your vacuum cleaner has - and why this matters.

How is vacuum cleaner suction measured?

To determine how much suction a vacuum cleaner has, you first need to understand how vacuum cleaner suction is measured. And there are two measurements to keep an eye on in this instance, and one bonus one.

1. Air Watts (AW)

Air wattage is different from the electrical power wattage (which you can use to calculate how much it costs to run a vacuum cleaner). Air watts refer to the strength and speed of the airflow created by the appliance's motor. The faster the airflow, the stronger the suction, and the more efficient the vacuum cleaner.

You should expect most vacuum cleaners to offer between 100-300AW in the UK and the rest of Europe. And with this level of suction power, most will be able to pick up dirt and debris in just one single pass.

However, with a lot of competition out there, many vacuum manufacturers are doing everything they can to break these records - and the new Dyson V16 Piston Animal officially offers the brand’s most impressive suction power at 315AW.

The team at PHC Vacuum Service also add, ‘Newer models of cordless vacuum cleaners tend to have varying power modes, which increase or decrease the power (Air Watts) of the machine depending on the surface type being cleaned.’ This means that the Air Watts can fluctuate depending on the level of debris it’s faced with, but most specifications will always advertise the maximum air wattage.

2. Water Lift

The water lift of a vacuum cleaner is similar but focuses on the sealed suction of the appliance. This essentially measures how far water would be sucked up the vacuum tube before gravity would ultimately take over and cancel out the suction power. This is a good indicator of how a vacuum’s suction would be able to handle deeper-piled carpets, a clogged vacuum hose, or a dirty filter that needs cleaning.

So, you should always aim to buy a vacuum with a higher waterlift rating, as this means that it will continue to clean your home at a higher level even if the vacuum itself needs some TLC.

However, it’s fair to say that most vacuum manufacturers rarely offer this information in the write-up of each model, so don’t be surprised if you don’t see it when you’re looking to buy a new vacuum cleaner. If they do, they typically outline the water lift in mm.

3. Bonus measurement: Motor Wattage (W)

Every electric appliance should come with information on the wattage, and this number indicates how much energy the appliance needs to operate. And while this doesn’t directly correlate to how much suction a vacuum cleaner has, it does indirectly give you an idea of how powerful the vacuum is. After all, the higher the wattage, the more powerful the machine .

This is especially true with corded vacuum cleaners, as they tend to have a higher wattage and offer better suction power as a result. Of course, this does also mean that you need to weigh up the cost to run cordless vs corded vacuum cleaners, but these prices are minimal when you consider how long you spend vacuuming a week.

Where to find vacuum suction measurements

Now you know what measurements you’re looking for, it’s also a good idea to know where to look to understand how much suction your vacuum cleaner has. And there are a few places to look for this.

1. Check online

You can find anything online if you try hard enough, but you’ll be happy to know that finding out how much suction a vacuum cleaner has is incredibly easy. A simple internet search of your chosen model should take you to either the manufacturer or a retailer’s website, and you should find the information within the ‘technical specification’ section.

However, if you’re buying through a third-party website and can’t find the information you want, it’s always a good idea to go back to the manufacturer’s website, as they typically have the most detailed (and up-to-date) information.

You never know; you might even come across one of the best cleaner vacuum deals in the process.

2. Inspect the instruction manual

Unless you buy second-hand, every single vacuum cleaner will come with an instruction manual. As well as outlining everything you need to do to put together the vacuum and get it started, it should also provide you with the product's technical specs. Here, it will have information on the air wattage.

If you haven’t bought the vacuum yet, you’ll find that most manufacturers will also provide a virtual manual on the website.

3. Contact the manufacturer

If you can’t quite find the information you’re looking for online or in the instruction manual, there’s no harm in contacting the manufacturer of your vacuum. They will have all of the information you could want or need regarding how much suction a vacuum cleaner has and should be able to answer any other questions you may have.

So, give them an email or a phone call, depending on how they prefer to be contacted.

4. Use a suction gauge

If you’re concerned that your vacuum has lost suction and requires a repair or needs replacing, Isabella says, ‘A quick test you can perform is by placing your hand over your vacuum’s nozzle. A strong vacuum will create an instant seal, and this can feel difficult to pull your hand away, whereas a weak suction may indicate your vacuum has a problem.’

But if this isn’t enough for you, you could invest in a dedicated vacuum cleaner suction gauge, which allows you to measure precisely how much suction your vacuum cleaner has. These can be fairly pricey, so it’s down to you to determine whether it’s worth it or not.

FAQs

Does higher wattage mean more suction in a vacuum?

Yes and no. Although a higher wattage typically leads to higher suction power, it’s important to note that electrical wattage is different to air wattage. They are two different measurements and you should research both when buying a new vacuum cleaner.

So, if you want to buy a vacuum with impressive suction power, try to find one that has a high electrical wattage and high air watts.

Why does my Dyson have poor suction?

As Dyson is known for offering high suction power, there’s a very high chance that other factors have resulted in poor suction. So, look out for common Dyson vacuum problems, including:

• Clogged hoses and nozzles
• Dirty filters
• Overloaded dust bin
• Outdated or broken parts
• General wear and tear

You might have never considered paying much attention to your vacuum's suction power before, but it could be key to choosing the best machine for your home.