What measurement is used to evaluate the effectiveness of a vacuum?

The effectiveness of a vacuum is primarily evaluated by its airflow and lift. Airflow refers to the volume of air that can be moved through the vacuum's system, which is an indicator of how well debris and dirt are being extracted from the carpet. A vacuum with high airflow can pick up larger amounts of dirt and dust as it operates.

Lift, on the other hand, measures the vacuum's ability to lift debris away from the carpet fibers. This is crucial for deep cleaning, especially in carpeted environments where dirt can be embedded deeply within the fibers. A vacuum that demonstrates both strong airflow and effective lift means it can not only extract dirt but also prevent it from settling back into the carpet.

In contrast, while factors such as speed, weight, noise level, and power efficiency are relevant to vacuum performance, they do not provide a direct measure of how effectively the vacuum is cleaning surfaces. Focusing on airflow and lift aligns closely with the core functions of a vacuum, making them the key metrics for evaluating cleaning effectiveness.