In 2018, the Consumer Council conducted a vacuum cleaner test, assessing 18 upright vacuum cleaners on the market priced from 1,098 to 6,980. Among them, 14 models could also be used as handheld vacuum cleaners. The test was conducted with reference to the European standard EN 60312. Test items included dust pick-up performance, running time and suction retention, energy efficiency, quietness, ease of use and other functions.
Upright Vacuum Cleaner Test Results
The final test results found that some vacuum cleaners took a long time to charge but consumed power quickly. Among the 4 samples with the highest dust pick-up performance, their continuous operating time after a full charge (battery running time) was unsatisfactory. Overall, the samples performed only moderately. Only 1 model received an overall rating of 4 points, 5 models received only 2 and 2.5 points, and the remaining 12 models received 3 and 3.5 points respectively (see the table below). In terms of quietness, the measured noise levels ranged from 65.8 dB to 77 dB, equivalent to the sound level of normal conversation to busy city traffic. 7 samples scored only 2 points or below, making them relatively noisy.
| Ranking |
Brand |
Model |
Price |
Overall rating |
Operating time (minutes) |
Measured noise (dB |
| 1 |
Dyson |
V8Absolute+ |
6,980 |
4 |
8 minutes |
69.2 |
| 2 |
Bosch |
BCH6PETGB |
3,398 |
3.5 |
11 min 30 sec |
71.3 |
| 3 |
Bosch |
BCH625KTGBAthle |
3,398 |
3.5 |
11 min 30 sec |
70.2 |
| 4 |
Dyson |
V7 Fluffy+ |
4,980 |
3.5 |
7 minutes |
67.8 |
| 5 |
Electrolux |
ZB3230P |
3,698 |
3.5 |
15 min 9 sec |
71.1 |
| 6 |
Hoover |
HSV﹣AC2IN1 |
2,488 |
3 |
14 min 36 sec |
69.9 |
| 7 |
Samsung |
PowerstickVS60K6050KW |
2,499 |
3 |
15 min 18 sec |
68 |
| 8 |
Bosch |
BBHL22140Readyy’y |
3,298 |
3 |
19 min 28 sec |
65.8 |
| 9 |
Tefal |
AirForce Extreme TY8865 |
1,998 |
3 |
33 minutes |
70.9 |
| 10 |
Tefal |
AirForce 360 TY9086 |
3,998 |
3 |
13 min 30 sec |
76.6 |
| 11 |
Bosch |
BBHL21841Readyy’y |
2,898 |
3 |
14 min 50 sec |
67.5 |
| 12 |
Karcher |
VC4 Battery |
2,880 |
3 |
14 min 53 sec |
69.8 |
| 13 |
Bosch |
BBH21631 |
2,198 |
3 |
18 minutes |
68.9 |
| 14 |
Philips |
FC6409PowerProAqua |
3,288 |
2.5 |
20 min 50 sec |
72.8 |
| 15 |
Panasonic |
MC–BJ870 |
5,980 |
2.5 |
9 min 58 sec |
68.9 |
| 16 |
ecHome |
VC150 |
1,399 |
2.5 |
22 min 21 sec |
77 |
| 17 |
Hitachi |
PV﹣XD200 |
1,980 |
2.5 |
17 min 29 sec |
72.1 |
| 18 |
Fortress |
FVCH18V15 |
1,098 |
2 |
23 min 4 sec |
66.5 |
*The highest overall rating is 5 points. Among the 18 upright vacuum cleaners tested this time, the highest rating was 4 points.
Upright Vacuum Cleaners with Better Ratings in the Test
In this Consumer Council test, only 4 models delivered satisfactory overall performance, with pleasing dust pick-up performance. In terms of overall rating, the “Dyson” V8 Absolute+ received 4 points overall, making it the only vacuum cleaner among the 18 models to receive the highest rating; the Consumer Council considered it the preferred choice. The “Dyson” V7 Fluffy+, “Bosch” BCH6PETGB, and “Bosch” BCH625KTGB Athlet all received a relatively high overall rating of 3.5 points. Among them, the two lower-priced “Bosch” upright vacuum cleaners offered comparatively better value for money.
Among the 18 samples, “Fortress” and “ecHome” had the longest continuous operating times, reaching 23 min 4 sec and 22 min 21 sec respectively.
The Consumer Council also provided several tips for buying an upright vacuum cleaner:
- When choosing a vacuum cleaner, consider the size of your home, storage space, usual vacuuming frequency and needs
- Compare the functions and limitations of different types of vacuum cleaners
- Do not blindly pursue newly released products
- Cordless upright vacuum cleaners save more space, while corded vacuum cleaners generally have stronger suction and are also cheaper
- When buying, pay attention to whether the handle is comfortable to hold and whether it is convenient to attach other nozzles
Sources: Consumer Council website, House News website, Apple Daily website
