How to Choose a Wet/Dry Upright Vacuum Cleaner in 2023: 10 Expert Tips

Hello to all readers of this project! In this review, I'll discuss how to choose a wet upright vacuum cleaner in 2023. I'll focus on cordless models, of which I've already reviewed over two dozen. Having tested models from various brands and price segments and gained experience, I've decided to share what I consider to be the most important parameters to consider. I'll list 10 parameters in total that will help you understand the differences between wet upright vacuum cleaners and choose the best option for your needs and budget. So, let's get started!

Manufacturer

The first thing you need to figure out is which brands you should pay attention to.

At the time of writing, I would consider Roborock, Dreame, Tineco, Bissel, Karcher, and even Atvel, a young brand that is constantly expanding its line and upgrading its upright wet vacuum cleaners, among the best manufacturers of upright wet vacuum cleaners. The first two manufacturers are the most popular on the market and often occupy the top positions in rankings, as in ours. ranking of the best washing vacuum cleaners of 2023It boasts high build quality and advanced functionality.

In the budget segment, Chinese brands iLIFE and Neatsvor stand out. They specialize in affordable robotic vacuum cleaners and are gradually introducing their own upright cleaning vacuums. Reviews are overwhelmingly positive.

Xiaomi and its well-known sub-brands, Roidmi, Lydsto, and Jimmy, also produce cordless vacuum cleaners. Several models were reviewed and received generally positive reviews.

But it's important not only to know which companies can be trusted but also to find out how a particular brand is represented in the market. Are there official distributors? Is a local warranty and service support provided? What about the availability of consumables and spare parts? Of the top six brands, only Tineco has issues with regional support. It's a reliable brand, but the manufacturer hasn't officially entered the Russian market. Most of its product range is available on AliExpress. The remaining brands boast full support in Russia.

Cleaning module type

The next most important parameter when choosing a cordless vacuum cleaner is the type of cleaning module. Most often, this is a fluffy roller with soft bristles. Some manufacturers install two or even three rollers, which SLIGHTLY improves the cleaning performance of the floor.

But the number of rollers is far more important than their placement. A more effective design is one in which the roller is positioned close to the edge of the cabinet or extends flush against the edge of the cabinet on both sides. This reduces the dead zone between the baseboard and the roller edge. If the roller is installed centrally, with plastic side panels on either side of the cabinet, the dead zone is approximately 15-20 mm. If the roller is positioned toward the edge of the cabinet, the dead zone is 1-5 mm, which is definitely better.

An interesting solution is an additional water spray in front of the roller through a nozzle on top, which allows for pre-dissolving stubborn stains and dirt on the floor. Several new models already feature this feature.

Some upright vacuum cleaners come with a special roller for cleaning carpets. This allows you to wash your floors and then, by replacing the roller, clean your carpets.

But the idea isn't really practical due to the way cordless vacuum cleaners operate. This means you'd have to clean carpets without a water supply, and dry debris would quickly clog the filter, putting strain on the motor.

The most versatile option is the ability to detach the main unit and motor for subsequent installation of an extension tube and a dry floor cleaning attachment. This allows for full floor cleaning, vacuuming, and even furniture and other areas.

This type of washing vacuum cleaner is gaining popularity and will likely replace conventional models in the premium segment.

Operating modes

When choosing a wet/dry upright vacuum cleaner, you should also pay attention to the operating modes it supports. It's great to be able to adjust the water flow to the roller, control the suction power, and shut off the water flow if needed to pick up residual liquid from the floor or, for example, to dry clean carpets.

An automatic power increase function can also be implemented when dirt is detected. This is a convenient alternative to manually switching between modes. However, having the ability to manually control the power and water flow is an obvious advantage when choosing between several models.

Power and suction force

The specifications for every wet/dry vacuum cleaner include parameters such as power consumption and suction power. The higher these figures, the more thoroughly the vacuum cleaner will pick up debris and liquid residue from the floor. I consider wet/dry vacuum cleaners with a stated power consumption of 300 W or higher to be powerful.

Suction power is more complicated, as many manufacturers simply don't specify this parameter. Those that do specify suction power range from 5,500 to 17,000 Pa. Using this range, you can determine the suction power of your chosen model by comparing it to similar models.

Battery and operating time

I consider the interdependent factors of battery capacity and runtime to be important. The higher the battery capacity, the longer the wet/dry vacuum cleaner will run on a single charge. Again, the power of the vacuum cleaner itself is also related to these parameters, but given the same power, the vacuum cleaner with the higher battery capacity will naturally last longer. A battery capacity of 4000 mAh or higher is considered a good indicator.

Speaking of battery life, it can reach up to 46 minutes, based on the models reviewed. However, this is the runtime stated in minimum power mode. In turbo mode, expect a runtime of no more than 30 minutes. Unfortunately, not all manufacturers specify the minimum battery life, meaning at maximum power.

It would also be VERY GOOD if the battery was removable. This would not only make it easier to replace the battery when it eventually runs out of charge, but also allow you to buy an extra battery and swap out the discharged one for a charged one mid-cleaning, doubling the runtime.

Tank volumes

When choosing a wet/dry vacuum cleaner, also consider the capacity of the clean and dirty water tanks. The larger the tanks, the less time you'll have to spend filling with clean water and draining dirty water while cleaning your floors.

Sometimes, during a single cleaning cycle, you have to change the tanks twice on a single battery charge if their capacity is small. Half a liter is already a good capacity for each tank. Flagship models are equipped with tanks of 700 ml or more each.

Filtration system

The next important factor is the filtration system. This primarily concerns the dirty water tank. At best, the clean water tank is equipped with a coarse mesh filter installed inside the housing. Therefore, it's best if the dirty water tank has a fine-mesh HEPA filter and an additional coarse filter, which collects hair and large debris.

Without a HEPA filter, the air quality will be significantly reduced. This can also negatively impact engine life. Sometimes, a sponge filter is installed instead of a HEPA filter, which is not ideal. This solution is typically found in budget models.

Drying the roller

A super-useful feature that's becoming increasingly popular in 2023 is the ability to dry the roller on a station after self-cleaning. This reduces the risk of bacteria spreading in the damp environment of a wet roller and, just as importantly, prevents unpleasant odors from spreading throughout the room. It's ideal if the roller is dried with warm air. In this case, the bristles dry completely within 2-4 hours of use.

However, many models are equipped with a room-temperature air drying feature. This partially solves the problem, but if the room already has high humidity, the likelihood of the roller drying itself is extremely low. Even slight residual moisture can promote the spread of bacteria and unpleasant odors. At the same time, the advantages of room-temperature air drying include fire safety and lower energy consumption.

Display

A display, especially if it's truly informative, improves the ease of use of a vacuum cleaner. A good display shows the battery charge percentage, the selected operating mode, service messages in Russian, and the remaining runtime.

If it's a primitive battery level indicator, it's not worth overpaying for such a display when choosing between two similar models.

Equipment

When choosing a cordless vacuum cleaner, pay attention to the package contents. It's a good idea if the manufacturer has thoughtfully included a spare HEPA filter, a spare roller, and instructions in Russian. It's even better if, in addition to all of these, you find a proprietary cleaning solution in the box, which you can add to the clean water tank to enhance cleaning and remove dirt.

And before purchasing, don't forget to find out where you'll be ordering consumables in the future, what their price is, and whether they're even in stock.

Additional features

The last thing I'd like to discuss is the additional features of upright vacuum cleaners. Some models have a sterilization function for clean water in the tank, allowing liquids to be disinfected. I'm skeptical of various UV lamps, as their effectiveness is difficult to test and evaluate. But there are other solutions, such as water disinfection using so-called electrolytic sterilization. This type of disinfection appears to be more effective, but again, I can't confirm its superiority without laboratory testing.

I find the ability to connect the vacuum cleaner to a smartphone a convenient solution. The mobile app lets you monitor the filter's condition so you can replace it promptly, view statistics, and adjust key settings. For example, you can adjust the roller's drying time, the self-cleaning level, or even adjust the water flow to the roller if these settings aren't available via buttons on the vacuum cleaner itself.

And finally, I discovered a very useful and unique feature in the new Roborock Dyad Pro: automatic detergent delivery from a dedicated reservoir to the roller. This eliminates the need to mix the concentrate with clean water in the correct proportions each time. The vacuum cleaner does it automatically. Very convenient!

I'm sure new unique features will continue to appear to make each new product stand out from the competition.

So, we've covered the key parameters to consider when choosing a wet/dry upright vacuum cleaner. I hope this information has helped you understand the differences between models and find the best option for your needs and budget.

Finally, I recommend watching this video, which clearly demonstrates how to choose a wet upright vacuum cleaner for your home in 2023: