An upright vacuum is best for homes with lots of rugs and carpets, as they tend to have the best suction.

• Less expensive than canister models.
• Replacement bags must be purchased separately.
• Tend to be heavier and noisier than other vacuums.
• Difficult to maneuver on stairs. Attachments can help.

You might also consider a cordless  upright style with a clear, easy-to-clean canister.

• Reasonably priced for what they offer.
• All the features of an upright and less cumbersome without a cord.
• A challenge to reach under cabinets or other tight spaces.
• Best for lightweight jobs.

Compact canister vacuums are great for light vacuuming, especially on bare floors, and make it easier to clean small spaces.

• Moderately priced. Generally quiet and a good size for use in small apartments or dorm rooms (storage may be awkward).
• Light enough to carry up stairs.
• Flexible hose good for cleaning drapes, crevices and furniture.
• Sometimes a hassle to switch between rug attachment and bare floor attachments.

Handheld vacuums are great for small cleanup jobs and on furniture.

• Inexpensive but not capable of large jobs. Low powered and small capacity.
• Lightweight and fairly quiet.
• Easy to handle and store in small spaces.
• They use a rechargeable battery, not a cord.
• Available in wet/dry vac models. 
• Generally they are cyclonic. Some require bags and others have bagless canisters. See also handheld steam vacuums. 
• Check for models that feature a HEPA filter, especially for allergy sufferers.

Inexpensive stick vacuums  tend to be very lightweight and easy to maneuver. They are meant for light cleaning jobs.

• Most often they are bagless, which is less expensive in the long run.
• Usually cordless with a rechargeable battery.
• Telescoping handles make hard-to-reach places accessible.
• Some models come as steam vacs that work well on carpets, especially the heated versions.
• Some are wet/dry vacs.

Central vac systems  are often costly and they require special installation.

• Fewer bag changes and less upkeep means more convenience.
• Canister quality suction, plus a 30 foot hose with attachment, however no space on-board to carry tools.
• Mid-sized models can handle homes of up to 3000 square feet.
• Needs ample storage space, but they offer a large bag capacity.
• Quiet.
• Usually these models feature a permanent integrated filter.
• Two brands that specialize in this type of vacuum system are Broan-Nu Tone  and Beam Industries. 

The Roomba  is a smart little robot that takes vacuuming tasks off your hands so you have time to do other things. It works best for light cleaning tasks, especially if you set it and leave the house. It's not the best for immediate cleanup jobs such as spills.

• Can fit into small spaces, but it has problems with reaching edges and getting into corners.
• Knows to recharge itself and returns to its home base.
• Recharge takes three to seven hours.
• Easy storage -- fits into a wall mount.
• Filters have to be changed every one to two months (three filters for $15).
• Can switch between surfaces but sometimes has trouble.
• Takes longer than regular vacuuming to do the same job.