Max. air flow rate
The highest speed of the air stream given out by the vacuum cleaner. The
higher this parameter, the stronger the thrust provided by the device, and the more efficiently it is able to pull or blow out debris particles from cracks and other hard-to-reach places (of course, if there is an appropriate operating mode — see above). At the same time, in most modern models, this figure exceeds 150 km/h — this is more than enough for work of small and medium complexity. Therefore, paying attention to a high flow rate makes sense only when choosing a powerful model for working in difficult conditions; we note that in the most “high-speed” vacuum cleaners, the indicators can exceed 400 km/h.
Air flow control
The ability to change the speed (and, accordingly, the intensity)
of the air flowissued by the vacuum cleaner. This function allows you to optimally adjust the operating parameters to the specifics of certain conditions — in order, on the one hand, not to waste energy / fuel and not wear out the unit, and on the other, to ensure proper work efficiency. For example, for collecting leaves from an asphalt path, high power is not needed, but for cleaning in thick grass, it can be very useful.
The ability to adjust is especially important for high-performance garden vacuums — these are the models that are most likely to find themselves in a situation where high power is unnecessary. And in models with a petrol engine (see below), this function is provided by default.
Air flow (blowing)
Performance of the garden vacuum cleaner when blowing (see "Operating mode").
This parameter determines the amount of air that the device distills through itself in a certain time. It should be noted that it depends not only on the speed of this air, but also on other parameters — for example, the diameter of the pipe. Therefore, two models with the same performance can noticeably differ in speed, and vice versa. You also need to keep in mind that the efficiency of "purging" bottlenecks with stuck debris does not depend on performance, but on the flow rate. On the other hand, good performance makes it easier to work on large areas, as allows you to simultaneously cover a large area with a jet of air.
Most modern garden vacuum cleaners in blowing mode provide up to 15 m / min;
higher rates are typical mainly for professional models.
Air flow (suction)
Performance of the garden vacuum cleaner when working on suction (see "Operating mode").
As with blowing described above, this parameter primarily characterizes how large the area covers the vacuum cleaner when working:
high performance means that the device captures more air and draws debris from a larger surface. But this indicator is weakly related to suction efficiency: the ability of a vacuum cleaner to “pull out” debris particles from cracks, thick grass, etc. depends primarily on speed characteristics, not performance.
Garbage container volume
The volume of the garbage collector — a container for garbage — regularly supplied with a garden vacuum cleaner. The larger the bin, the more debris can fit inside and the less often you have to empty it during work. On the other hand, a capacious container has the appropriate dimensions, and when filled, it also weighs a lot, which can affect the ease of use of the vacuum cleaner (this is especially true for manual and backpack models, see "Type"). Therefore, manufacturers tend to choose bins for their products based on the overall level of the vacuum cleaner and the scale of work for which it is designed. And some units may not be equipped with complete containers at all — in the expectation that the user picks up such a container separately.
The volume of the garbage can can be approximately estimated, knowing that an ordinary household bucket holds about 10 – 12 liters. Thus, for example, a 35 liter container corresponds approximately to three standard buckets.
Noise level
The noise level generated by the vacuum cleaner during normal operation. The lower this indicator, the more comfortable it is to work with the unit, the less the operator gets tired; and high noise levels may require the use of protection (e.g. earmuffs).
When assessing the noise level, note that the decibel used to measure this level is a non-linear quantity. Therefore, it is easiest to evaluate specific values using comparative tables. Here is one of the variants of such a table (rather simplified):
— 60 dB — sound comparable to a TV at medium volume. From this value, the indicators of modern garden vacuum cleaners begin, because. this technique works quite loudly.
— 70 dB — to a truck at a distance of about 8 m;
— 80 dB — traffic noise on a busy street;
— 90 dB — freight train noise at a distance of 8 – 10 m;
— 100 dB — the noise of the demolition hammer;
— 110 dB — indoor rock concert
