New Delhi, Aug. 17 -- For Indian homes, a vacuum cleaner needs to handle more than occasional dust. Fine dust, long hair, crumbs and everyday debris call for strong suction, effective filtration and attachments that can reach corners, sofas and tight spaces. A motorised or anti-tangle brush is especially useful for picking up hair without frequent manual cleaning. HEPA filtration can also help capture fine dust rather than simply moving it around.

However, there are disadvantages. Cordless models can have limited battery life, while compact dustbins may need frequent emptying in dusty homes. Powerful machines can also be noisy, and filters, brushes and batteries require regular maintenance or replacement. The right vacuum should therefor...