If price is your only consideration, you’d probably head out and buy the cheapest vacuum there is. It might barely pick up dust and break down every time you use it, but it would be the cheapest nonetheless.

Of course, there’s more to it. You probably don’t want to repair or replace your vacuum very often, so reliability may come into play. And you’ll want something that works so your home doesn’t look like it hasn’t been vacuumed in eight months.

So you might want to consider vacuums that aren’t the cheapest, but provide the qualities you’re looking for. One type you might have heard about is a central vacuum system. Why consider buying one?

Not as Pricey as You May Expect

When you think of a central vacuum system being installed, it might sound like something that would cost a lot more money than a portable vacuum. But the difference might not be as large as you would expect. A professionally installed central vacuum system costs an average of around $1,200 to $2,500. If you’d rather do the job, you may pay somewhere in the $500 to $1,000 range or more.

For comparison, an upright vacuum, which is the most common type around, costs an average of $49 to $679. Canister vacuums cost even more, averaging $59 to $899, according to CNET. If you were to go with one of these types of vacuums, the price difference with a central vacuum system might just be a few hundred dollars if you were getting it professionally installed and it might not cost more at all if you were to install it yourself.
 

Power

If your previous vacuums haven’t performed as well as you would have liked, a central vacuum system may be just what you’re looking for. Such systems are usually five times stronger than an average portable vacuum.
 

Portability

Ironically, you may find an increased level of portability when using a central vacuum system as compared to other models. With the former, the only thing you lug around your home is a hose and power brush unit instead of moving the entire vacuum around like you may be accustomed to with other options.
 

Increased House Value

While there are no guarantees, a central vacuum system should help raise the price you can charge for your home. So you may end up recovering some or all of the cost of your unit upon the sale of your property. Be sure to contact a realtor for an estimate of how much a central vacuum system could add to the value of your house.
 

Conclusion

A central vacuum system may not be as costly as you’d expect. If you’re in the market for a vacuum and want one with much more power than you’re used to as well as other potential benefits, this might be just what you’re looking for to help keep your house clean.