How Long Does a Vacuum Cleaner Last?

What is the lifespan of a vacuum cleaner, and which brands last the longest? We have looked at various studies on the lifespan of vacuum cleaners and the lifespan of different brands and provide advice on how to make your vacuum cleaner last longer.

What do the studies say?

Below, we go through a number of the major studies conducted on vacuum cleaner durability.

In May 2021, the EU published a “PROMPT report” (Premature Obsolescence Multi-Stakeholder Product Testing Programme), examining the expected lifespan of different vacuum cleaner brands among consumers and comparing it with the actual lifespan. The study included 76,266 surveyed consumers from five different countries (Belgium, France, Italy, Portugal, and Spain).

The test shows that the brand with the longest lifespan is Vorwerk with 13.7 years. The top 5 are as follows:

• Vorwerk: 13.7 years
• Panasonic: 12.6 years
• Nilfisk: 12.1 years
• Miele: 11.6 years
• Kirby: 10.5 years

The brand with the lowest reported lifespan is Selecline, which has a lifespan of 5.3 years. Newer brands on the market have been excluded from this part of the report, as comparable data cannot be obtained here.

Among the many brands that were part of the study, only four exceeded users’ expectations in terms of lifespan. These were Nilfisk, Tornado, Panasonic, and Miele.

Based on reports from 16,698 consumers, the expected lifespan of vacuum cleaners, according to the data, is 9.7 years.

You can find the report here.

In 2018, Stiftung Warentest conducted a study on the lifespan of vacuum cleaners. In the study, they asked a number of the largest brands how long they expect their vacuum cleaners to last. Most brands expect a lifespan of 8 to 10 years, while Miele stands out, expecting a lifespan of 20 years for their vacuum cleaners.

According to the study, the average lifespan of vacuum cleaners is 8 years.

Furthermore, the study tells us that it is cheaper to buy a new vacuum cleaner than to have the old one repaired by a professional.

You can read the entire study here.

Tips to extend the lifespan of your vacuum cleaner

• Regular cleaning: One of the most important things you can do to extend the lifespan of your vacuum cleaner is to clean it regularly. Empty the dust container, replace the bag, and clean the filter as needed. This helps maintain suction power and prevents the vacuum cleaner from becoming overloaded.
• Avoid overloading: Overloading your vacuum cleaner can lead to damage to the motor or other components. Avoid vacuuming large objects or larger amounts of liquid, as this can cause damage.
• Protect the cord: The cord is one of the most vulnerable parts of your vacuum cleaner. Avoid unnecessarily pulling or twisting it.
• Filter maintenance: Vacuum cleaners have one or more filters that need to be cleaned or replaced regularly. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations to ensure that your filter system is functioning optimally.