Manufacturers and dealers say buyers need to keep just a few factors in mind about vacuums.

First consider the home’s floor type. Wood and tile floor care is different from wall-to-wall carpeting, which is different still from fine area rugs, said Mark Davis, president of CityHome Vacuums in Chicago.

“A lot of people get distracted by various features/benefits without considering if those features/benefits solve their particular cleaning problems,” said Rob Green, senior design engineer at Dyson.

Julien Levesque, senior product marketing manager at Shark, said shoppers need to consider two points: what’s being cleaned and home type. A homeowner with a large suburban abode who wants deep cleanings needs a different cleaner than a city dweller in a condo who spot cleans.

Davis as well as Robert Singer, owner of Chicago vacuum dealer Avalon Vacuum, said the easiest material to clean is wall-to-wall carpeting, as most upright vacuums are designed for these floors. “Nothing is going to damage it. An upright vacuum with a rotating electric brush will be fine. It’s just a matter of personal choice and price point,” Davis said.

Homeowners with area rugs and hardwood should seek machines that can handle both surfaces, the sources said, and use the right setting for the right floor type to avoid damage.

Green said damage, especially to rugs, usually comes from brush bar bristles agitating the rug too aggressively. Singer recommends setting the vacuum’s height level at maximum since that allows the bristles to move the fibers and allows the suction to pull out the dirt.

Davis said many finer rugs are more delicate, so look to see if the machine has a gentler setting or comes with dedicated tools for these areas. The same goes for high-end wood floors, he said, as aggressive brushes can scratch the finish. Heavyweight uprights can also eventually mar wood, he adds.

Although upright machines are most popular in the U.S., Singer and Davis recommend canister types because they’re lighter and have options for different tools.

Vacuuming pet hair can be a tricky thing, Davis said. Users will likely need to go over surfaces a few times and may need to vacuum more often. This is where extra tools can come in handy, such as those to clean upholstery. Singer and Levesque said allergy suffers should look for cleaners with HEPA filters, but also ensure the machine itself is sealed completely to avoid dust leaking out.