Comparison Karcher WD 3 vs Karcher MV 3

General type of vacuum cleaner.

The general design and application features of the unit depend on this parameter. In addition to classic household models, the following types of vacuum cleaners are also produced nowadays: robotic vacuum cleaners, vertical(regular and vertical with portable), robot floor polishers, electric mops, electric brooms, household, manual models for household(including for bed and car purposes) and industrial use, full-size industrial (also known as construction), backpack and vacuum cleaners for fireplaces. Here is a more detailed description of each variety:

– Standard. Traditional household vacuum cleaners designed for cleaning apartments, residential buildings, small offices, etc. This unit consists of a relatively small body on characteristic wheels (for ease of movement across the floor) and a pipe with a brush connected to the...body using a flexible hose. This option is worth paying attention to if you need a “regular home vacuum cleaner” that is not designed to perform any specific tasks.

— Robot vacuum cleaner. Vacuum cleaners that work completely autonomously, without the need to control the device; The user's role is limited to only auxiliary tasks (unloading collected garbage, programming work, etc.). A robot vacuum cleaner usually comes in the form of a distinctive flat disc; its low height allows it to pass under furniture and other interior items. But specific work opportunities may vary. Thus, the simplest models move along random trajectories within a room, avoiding small obstacles and turning around when they reach walls or other large obstacles. More advanced devices may provide the ability to set “geography” and/or cleaning schedule, access to the unit via the Internet, etc. (see “Additional operating modes”, “Robot functions”). However, in any case, it is worth considering that robots do not differ in power and capacity; so it is hardly worth choosing such a device if you require high cleaning efficiency or expect large amounts of work. On the other hand, such equipment is ideal for maintaining already cleanliness in apartments, private houses and other similar conditions: a robot vacuum cleaner can be started at least every day without any special difficulties.

— Vertical. Vacuum cleaners of this type have a specific layout: the motor, dust collector and brush are mounted on a common vertical tube (hence the name), but as a rule, there is no hose in the design. Such units are designed primarily for domestic use; They're not great for cleaning hard-to-reach places (like under sofas or beds), but they do work well in large open spaces. In light of this, upright vacuum cleaners are quite popular, in particular in large offices and private homes. And some similar units are equipped with pipes of a hinged design (see “Pipe Type”), which simplify cleaning in the hard-to-reach places mentioned above.

— Manual (household). Handheld vacuum cleaners for household use are distinguished by their light weight, compact size and one-piece design: the motor, dust collector and suction nozzle (on which the brush can be placed) are combined in one body. Such units are not very powerful, but they are extremely mobile; in addition, they most often use batteries as a source of energy (see “Power”), which gives even greater freedom of movement. One of the most popular ways to use hand-held household vacuum cleaners is to clean the inside of a car; For this purpose, some models can be equipped with power from the cigarette lighter (either as an additional option or as the only source of energy). As for everyday use, such units are not suitable for full cleaning in an apartment/house/office, but they cope well with auxiliary, specific tasks: cleaning furniture and various small surfaces, collecting small debris in hard-to-reach places, etc.

— Manual (for bed). A type of hand-held vacuum cleaner designed for cleaning beds, upholstered furniture, mattresses, pillows, etc. The main feature of such units is their expanded capabilities for disinfection and control of parasites, primarily dust mites. Thus, an almost mandatory element of equipment for bed vacuum cleaners is a UV lamp (see below), and their suction systems and operating format are designed to effectively suck in dust mites - even tech “buried” to a considerable depth. If necessary, devices of this type can be used for more traditional cleaning, but their main purpose is to clean furniture and bedding.

— Manual (industrial). A type of industrial vacuum cleaner that does not have wheels and is designed to be carried from place to place by hand. It is worth saying that, for the most part, such units bear little resemblance to manual models for household use (see above) - they are more likely to resemble ordinary vacuum cleaners with a hose, without wheels and designed to be transported in the hands or on a shoulder strap (although there are exceptions). Power is usually supplied from a battery; Some models may also provide the ability to operate from the network. As a result, vacuum cleaners of this type are noticeably inferior in power to classic industrial models (also see above). On the other hand, they are more mobile - also due to their independence from sockets - and at the same time they are quite capable of coping with coarse construction and “industrial” waste.

– Vertical with portable. Models that combine the capabilities of vertical and manual household vacuum cleaners (see above). The traditional design of such a vacuum cleaner is a hand-held unit with a motor, dust collector and nozzle, complemented by either a removable vertical rod or an extension pipe. This design allows you to choose the format of work at your discretion and use one vacuum cleaner both for general cleaning (in a vertical format) and for small specific tasks (in a portable format). The main disadvantage of this option is the smaller capacity than that of vertical and conventional household vacuum cleaners - this somewhat complicates the use for large-scale cleaning. However, due to their versatility, devices from this category are now much more popular than purely vertical units.

– Robot floor polisher. Devices for wet cleaning of non-carpeted floors. Such units require a minimum of effort from the user - usually it is only necessary to periodically add detergent and clean a special napkin for wiping floor coverings after the end of the process. Robot floor polishers move independently across the floor, change direction when encountering obstacles, and build a route in such a way that, if possible, they process the entire area in the work area. Many models are capable of independently returning to the docking station to charge the battery, and to increase the convenience and efficiency of operation, various additional functions can be provided: work on a schedule, mapping, IR barriers to limit movements, etc. Robotic units for wet cleaning are excellent for “on-duty” maintenance of order in relatively clean numbers.

– Electric mop. Devices for wet cleaning of floor coverings, which are a modern version of a mop with an electric motor. The engine in their design is assigned various tasks such as vibration or rotation of the cleaning head to ensure more thorough cleaning. Many models of electric mops have a built-in tank for water or detergent, which makes it possible to spray liquid on the floor during the wet cleaning procedure. As for working attachments, most often such mops are equipped with a floor polisher or an electric turbo brush (see “Attachments and their functions”).

– Electric broom. Electrically powered sweepers that drive brushes or suction mechanisms to collect debris. Rotating brushes in the design of electric brooms effectively sweep up debris and direct it into a special dust container. Such devices are suitable for quick, everyday cleaning of floor coverings - they are lightweight, maneuverable and powered by a built-in cordless battery.

– Household. Vacuum cleaners designed for professional cleaning of large volumes. Such units are popular in cleaning companies, but they can also be useful for private use. Typical examples of the use of economic models are cleaning a home workshop or garage, hotel numbers, etc. The layout of vacuum cleaners of this type resembles traditional models - a body with a pipe on a hose - but they have a number of differences. The most noticeable of them are the large dimensions and the vertical layout of the hull with an overhead engine. In addition, household models are distinguished by high power and capacity (from 6 liters or more). They may provide wet cleaning, although most models only work in the traditional dry format (see "Cleaning").

— Industrial (construction). Vacuum cleaners designed for cleaning industrial facilities - construction sites, factory floors, etc. They are in many ways similar to the household ones described above: most models have an elongated body with a top-mounted engine, high power and large capacity. The main difference is that industrial units are designed for coarse construction waste, which more “delicate” types of vacuum cleaners cannot handle. And to collect such waste in such units, containers in the form of rigid containers are used; such containers can be supplemented with paper bags for ease of unloading, but this is not strictly necessary. Also in this variety, the water collection function is very popular (see below), although industrial vacuum cleaners are never made to be detergent and most often do not even provide for wet cleaning. In addition, only bags are used as dust collectors - aqua filters and “cyclones” are, in principle, not found in such units.
Please note that this category includes only industrial vacuum cleaners of a classic design that are moved on wheels. Handheld and backpack models are placed in separate categories (see below).

– Backpack. Vacuum cleaners carried on the back like a backpack - hence the name. This design combines the advantages of classic and manual format vacuum cleaners: the unit can be made quite powerful, spacious and at the same time mobile. True, most models of this type operate from the mains; battery solutions are less common; however, even when powered from a wall outlet, you can achieve good freedom of movement. This makes backpack vacuum cleaners well suited for situations where flow Rate and mobility are needed at the same time; A typical example is cleaning the cinema hall between screenings. The main disadvantage of this variety is its rather high cost, due to a number of design features.

– For fireplaces. Specialized vacuum cleaners designed for collecting coals and ash in fireplaces, stoves, barbecues, charcoal grills, etc. One of the key features of units of this type is resistance to high temperatures, which allows you to collect even coals and ash that have not completely cooled down. For this purpose, the hoses and brushes of fireplace vacuum cleaners are made of non-flammable, refractory polymers, and a metal container is usually used as the main container. In addition, the filters in such models are characterized by increased efficiency and resistance to fine dust; For added convenience, the filter may also be self-cleaning (see below). It is worth considering that vacuum cleaners from this category are mostly quite expensive; therefore, it makes sense to buy such equipment only in cases where you often have to deal with cleaning fireplaces - for example, if the fireplace is installed in a restaurant or hotel lobby and is used every day “during the season.”

The suction power provided by the vacuum cleaner. For models with power adjustment (see below), in this case, the maximum value is taken into account. Note that "suction power" is sometimes erroneously also called the suction force, indicated in pascals; see below for more details.

Suction power is a key indicator that determines the capabilities of the unit: the higher it is, the more efficiently the vacuum cleaner can draw in various contaminants, and the better it handles with carpets, fabrics and other materials into which dust can penetrate deeply. On the other hand, high power inevitably affects the weight, power consumption, dimensions and price of the device. Therefore, it does not always make sense to chase the maximum values — you need to take into account the real working conditions and the general purpose of the vacuum cleaner.

The specific numbers found in this paragraph largely depend on the type of device. For example, in handheld household models, suction power does not exceed 100 W, and for conventional household units, an indicator of 100 – 150 W is still considered very limited. At the same time, we note that the minimum required for a full-fledged dry cleaning of smooth floors is considered to be 300 – 350 W, for carpet and other short pile coatings — 350 – 400 W, and for long pile materials and upholstered furniture higher rates are desirable. Vacuum cleaners with lower suction power values are intended not so much for periodic cleaning, but for constant (ideally daily) maintenance of cleanliness in an already tidy room.

As for the relationship between suction power and suction force, it is as follows: power is the suction force (thrust) multiplied by the airflow (performance). Without going into too much detail, we can say that the efficiency of the vacuum cleaner is determined by both of these indicators. And it is worth evaluating this efficiency by suction power (regardless of the specific relationship between traction and performance).

Ability of operation of the vacuum cleaner in the air blowing mode.

As the name suggests, it is the opposite of the standard suction mode. The air is not drawn into the hose but is forced out of it. This function significantly expands the functionality of the vacuum cleaner. In particular, it allows you to use the unit as a leaf blower for cleaning fallen leaves from the porch or paths in the yard, or for sweeping large debris into one pile. At the same time, blowing is especially useful where suction cannot be applied — like on paths covered with rubble. In addition, this mode can be useful for cleaning some hard-to-reach places — for example, radiators and other slots in the “hardware” of a computer: for several reasons, blowing out such places often turns out to be more effective than drawing in dirt.

Usually, to use this mode, it is enough to rearrange the hose from the main working port to the "purge" one.

Models of replacement bags and/or other containers for waste (see "Dust collector") with which the vacuum cleaner is compatible.

This moment does not affect the functionality of the vacuum cleaner itself. However, knowing the model of the dust collector makes it much easier to find a spare or replacement dust collector. At the same time, we note that compatible models of such containers may differ markedly in specifications from the ones in the box. For example, many fabric bag vacuum cleaners also accept disposable paper bags; and some units are initially equipped with a dust collector of one type. However, if desired, they allow you to buy and install a dust collector of another type (for example, replace the bag with an aquafilter).

The noise level produced by the vacuum cleaner during operation. Usually, the value for normal operation at maximum engine power is indicated here. With less power, the loudness of the unit may be lower, but the key is precisely the maximum indicator.

Regarding specific numbers, keep in mind that the decibel used to measure the noise level is a non-linear quantity. Therefore, it is worth evaluating specific indicators using special comparative tables. In general, vacuum cleaners are quite noisy appliances; so in this case, models are considered quiet if this indicator does not exceed 65 dB — this is the level of a loud conversation between 2 – 3 people at a distance of 1 m. The quietest of these models give out only 40 dB — this is the average volume of a person’s speech in normal tones (and the minimum volume allowed for constant noise sources in living quarters during the day). For louder units, the comparison table looks like this:

— 66 – 70 dB — loud conversations between several groups of people at a distance of about 1 m;
— 71 – 75 dB — the volume of a cry or laughter in full voice at a distance of about 1 m;
— 76 – 80 dB — the volume of a mechanical alarm clock or the engine of an old truck;
— more than 80 dB — a very high noise level, exceeding the level of a loud scr...eam; when working with a vacuum cleaner having such specifications for a long time, it is highly desirable to use hearing protection.

Also note that the noise level largely depends on the engine power, as well as some other features (for example, it is strongly affected by the presence of an aquafilter — see "Dust collector"). At the same time, there is no hard connection here, and units with a similar set of specifications can differ markedly in actual loudness. In such cases, when choosing here, it is worth proceeding from the fact that a quieter vacuum cleaner will be more comfortable to use. However, it will most likely cost noticeably more.

The presence in the vacuum cleaner of a special device for storing nozzles and sometimes other accessories.

Such a device can be either a compartment in the case or a set of external fasteners; the latter, in particular, is quite common in industrial vacuum cleaners (see "Type"). Anyway, the attachment compartment makes it much easier to store and transport various accessories: they are not scattered or lost, and you do not need to look for a separate package for them. However, such a compartment is often not intended for all nozzles and accessories but only for the smallest ones. However, even in such cases, it makes life much easier for the user. The disadvantages of such equipment include the fact that it inevitably affects the dimensions of the case. However, in full-size vacuum cleaners — conventional, industrial, for workshop (see "Type") — this disadvantage is often not important.

System of automatic winding of a power cord. Usually, it is a special spool built into the body of the vacuum cleaner. To unwind a wire from such a spool, just pull it, and to rewind it, you need to press the button — and the built-in spring will twist the coil in the opposite direction, winding the cable around it.

The main advantage of the cord rewind system is obvious: it allows you to easily and quickly roll up the cable for storage and transport. In addition, in many vacuum cleaners with this function, the wire can be partially unwound, choosing its optimal length depending on the situation. The disadvantages of automatic cord rewind include some bulkiness and poor suitability for portable units. Such equipment nowadays can only be found among "full-size" vacuum cleaners — conventional (see "Type"), workshop and industrial.