What are Swivel Neck Vacuums?

Vacuums are handy devices that allow you to clean efficiently all around your house. Still, some spaces are more difficult to clean. For example, there are many hard-to-reach places around your home, including under your sofa, behind couches, etc. 

A vacuum with a swivel neck helps clean such tight places. The neck of such vacuums can rotate 360 degrees, which increases its maneuverability. Due to the extended range of motion, you can maneuver it around tight spaces and clean them.

Some swivel neck vacuums can rotate fully, while some have a restricted range of motion and can only turn 180 degrees. Both kinds are much better than vacuums with fixed heads as they can be wedged into corners that regular vacuums cannot fit into.

Vacuums types with Swivel Neck 

Not all vacuum types come with swivel necks. They are much more commonly found in upright and canister vacuums. Such vacuums have the powerhead attached to another tool, allowing it to swivel around and catch dust from various angles.

Handheld and stick vacuums are not so maneuverable in that sense. However, these two kinds are much more portable, meaning you can pick them up to clean a surface, and this feature makes up for the lack of a swivel neck.

Upright vacuums

Upright vacuums are one of the most common vacuums on the market. They are versatile cleaning devices that can be used to clean various services. Such vacuums stand independently, as their weight is centered near the powerhead. Due to this placement, their center of gravity is lowered, allowing them to stand on their own. 

Upright vacuums are a bit heavier than other models, which reduces their maneuverability. To make up for it, manufacturers add a swivel neck that moves 360 or 180 degrees to clean. This feature allows you to maneuver the powerhead under furniture and into tight spaces to suck up dirt, dust, and pet hair.

Such vacuums are extremely powerful and efficient in sucking up dirt and dust from carpet fibers. You can also use them on multiple surfaces, including low-pile carpets, hardwood floors, etc. 

Canister Vacuum

Canister vacuums are larger than most other kinds of vacuums, but they are also extremely powerful. These vacuums are made of two parts, the body or the canister and the hose. The hose is further attached to the powerhead and the various attachments that come with the vacuum. 

Many canister vacuums also have a swivel tool on their powerhead that allows the head to swivel 360 or 180 degrees. This feature increases the maneuverability of the vacuum. Using the swivel feature, you can easily move the hose behind furniture and under cabinets to clean dust, debris, and hair. 

These vacuums’ bodies contain the motor, filter, and dust bag. Besides the swivel feature, canister vacuums are generally incredibly portable and easy to use because of their separate configuration. Their highly efficient motor and an array of attachments also make cleaning efficient and quick.

Why Purchase a Swivel Neck Vacuum

Swivel neck vacuums make cleaning much more manageable, which is why it is a sought-after feature. You may benefit from purchasing a swivel neck vacuum for many reasons. 

Firstly, they are excellent at ensuring that your vacuum has sucked up all the dust it can. Its quick rotating movements allow you to go over a patch several times, ensuring that even the finest particles have been sucked up. They also work on several different floor types, so you can easily use them on carpets and hardwood floors. 

Secondly, they swivel at 180 degrees and more, which helps clean tight spaces without extra effort. To clean such places, you don’t have to twist your hand in awkward motions, as the swivel neck can easily reach challenging areas. This gives you the ease and convenience of cleaning surfaces that a regular vacuum may have been unable to reach.

Thirdly, they increase the value of your attachments. Most vacuums come with various attachments that help you clean multiple floor types, such as an upholstery tool, a motorized nozzle, etc. However, when you have a swivel neck vacuum, you can make the most of these attachments to ensure the effective removal of dust and debris. They can also help clean water spills if you have floor brush attachments.   

Features to Consider

If you are in the market to purchase a swivel neck vacuum, you should consider some key factors. If you just focus on the swivel neck feature, then you may end up with a vacuum that is not as powerful or has less dust capacity. Therefore, you should consider a few other factors before making your choice. 

Motor

The motor is the main component of every vacuum. It drives the suction power, which you can use to pick up dust and debris from various surfaces. Motors create airflow by connecting to a fan. This airflow is then directed into the vacuum’s filtration system, which separates dust and debris and deposits it into the dustbin. 

The motor’s strength, voltage, amps, and watts all play a role in determining the vacuum’s suction and overall performance. When you pick out a vacuum, you should consider your usage. If you plan to use your vacuum for intensive tasks and big messes, you should opt for a vacuum that has a powerful motor. 

If your usage is limited to quick spruce-ups, you should opt for a low-power motor. A vacuum with such a motor will fit your needs and also be cheaper. Some vacuums also come with variable power modes. 

Maneuverability

Swivel vacuums are more maneuverable than other kinds. This is largely due to their rotating head, but other features also increase maneuverability. A vacuum’s balance, handle, and wheels contribute to its maneuverability. 

The balance of a vacuum is also essential. Upright vacuums, in particular, have a single-unit design, meaning the motor has to be placed strategically. There are two configurations that most manufacturers opt for. 

In one design, the motor is placed near the handle, which increases the vacuum’s maneuverability but decreases the suction power. The other configuration has the motor near the powerhead, which reduces maneuverability but increases the suction power. When picking out the vacuum, you should consider what you value more, the maneuverability or the suction power. 

The weight of the vacuum plays a part in its maneuverability as well. The lighter a vacuum is, the easier it is to maneuver. Upright vacuums come in lightweight models that weigh around 8 pounds. 

Some vacuums also offer an adjustable height option, so you can either raise or lower the head of the vacuum according to your height. Some also come with wheels to allow easier maneuvering around tight corners and under large furniture. 

Noise

The noise level of a vacuum is usually measured in decibels. Vacuums generate a lot of noise, but some are quieter than others. If you plan to use your vacuum indoors, you should opt for a quieter model. It is best to pick one with a rating between 75dBA and 80dBA. It is important to note that most quiet vacuums are less powerful because they use smaller motors. 

The more powerful a vacuum is, the more noise it will make and the higher its decibel rating will be. However, if you want a powerful and quiet vacuum, you can opt for models that offer adjustable power settings. That way, you can switch to a lower power setting when you want the vacuum to make less noise. 

Attachments

Many vacuums come with various accessories that allow you to tackle more specific areas. Some standard tools and attachments include upholstery brushes, crevice tools, stair tools, pet hair tools, and extension wands. 

Upholstery brushes are excellent when paired with swivel neck vacuums because they allow you to clean furniture a lot more thoroughly. Therefore, ensuring no dirt or dust is left behind. Crevice tools enable you to clean deep crevices that you may not have been able to reach with an ordinary vacuum head. A swivel neck enhances the crevice tool’s ability to clean such places.

A brush roll is another essential tool that you need to make sure your vacuum has. Most homes have carpets that need cleaning. Brush rolls help remove dirt and dust that has settled into the tufts of the carpet. They can also be used on hardwood floors but may scratch them.

Corded vs. Cordless

Regarding the power source they use, vacuums come in two configurations, corded and cordless. Corded vacuums are perfect for when you want to deep clean your home. Large surfaces and extensive tasks require you to use a corded vacuum since they are extremely powerful. 

If you use your vacuum occasionally and for small tasks, a cordless vacuum is much better. They are mostly lightweight and use batteries to power the motor. Cordless vacuums also allow you to move around as you clean without being tethered to a power source.

Dustbin Capacity

When purchasing a vacuum, you must pay attention to its dustbin capacity. The choice of how large you want your dustbin to be should be based on your usage. Suppose you intend to use your vacuum for extended periods and to clean larger surfaces. In that case, more dust and debris will be collected, and you will need a larger dustbin. 

Some can make do with a smaller dustbin for extended tasks, but it increases the number of times you will have to clean the dustbin. If you don’t, there is a chance that the dust and debris collected will clog the machine. 

However, a small dustbin will serve you well if your use is limited. Swivel neck vacuums are known for increasing the dust a vacuum collects. Therefore, choosing a vacuum with a larger dust capacity may be best to save yourself from cleaning the dustbin every time you clean. 

Portability

Swivel neck vacuums are designed to reach tight corners due to their rotating head, but the rest of the vacuum should also aid such a design. Ensure that the swivel neck vacuum you choose is portable and easy to transport.

Portable vacuums are lightweight and easy to pick up and place in corners you would not have been able to reach with a regular vacuum. Consequently, you can make full use of its swivel head.

Filtration

When picking out a vacuum, you must choose a vacuum that has a robust filtration system. A HEPA filter is one of the best filters you can get in a vacuum. They are perfect if you have asthma and want to ensure that your vacuum removes all pollen, dust mites, allergens, and dust from the surface it cleans. 

These filters are known to remove 99.97% of all particles that a vacuum sucks in and can remove particles as small as 0.3 microns. Therefore, you should choose vacuums that either have HEPA filters or filters with similar capacities. Such filters are also used in some of the best vacuums for pet hair due to their ability to clean even pet dander. 

Pros and Cons of Swivel Vacuums

Brands

A few brands offer swivel neck vacuums, but you must choose one from a reputable brand. These brands put a lot of care and effort into their vacuums and use high-quality mechanics and the latest technology. These brands include Bissell, Shark, Eureka, and Miele.

Bissell 

Bissell vacuums are known to create many vacuums, including swivel neck vacuums, which specialize in rotating 180 or 360 degrees to clean your surfaces effectively. Their vacuums have powerful motors with high suction power that can easily clean most surfaces. 

Bissell’s vacuums are generally lightweight and convenient to use as they have long cords and hose lengths. This feature makes reaching hard-to-reach places easy, as you can lift the vacuum. 

Their vacuums are also perfect for multiple flooring types, including hardwood, carpets, etc. The powerful motor ensures that you can pick up different-sized debris easily. Some popular models include the Bissell Cleanview Swivel Pet Vacuum Cleaner.

Shark 

Shark’s swivel neck vacuums come in the form of corded vacuums that utilize the swivel steering feature to navigate around furniture. You can use these vacuums to deep clean various parts of your home, including carpets and hard floors. 

These vacuums use HEPA filters, which can efficiently remove 99.97% of all dust and dirt from the surface they are used on. The suction power of Shark vacuums is astounding, as they can deep clean various surfaces with relative ease. They are designed to remove pet hair and dust from carpets, which often become embedded in the carpet fibers. 

Some popular Shark swivel neck vacuums include the Shark Navigator Lift-Away Upright Vacuum NV356E S2 and the Shark Rotator Professional Lift-Away Upright Vacuum.

Eureka 

Eureka vacuums offer plenty of features, such as a swivel neck, at a low price. Their vacuums are highly maneuverable and great if you have a home with many tight corners that you need to regularly clean. 

They design their vacuums to maximize their use, which is why they include other helpful features. These features include multiple cleaning modes, an easy-empty dust cup, fingertip controls, headlights, etc. 

Their vacuums are also lightweight and barely weigh more than six pounds, which makes them extremely maneuverable. Some popular cheap but effective swivel neck vacuums from this brand include the Eureka Stylus Lightweight Cordless Vacuum Cleaner and the Eureka NEU192A Swivel Plus Upright Vacuum Cleaner.

Miele

Miele vacuums are some of the most efficient vacuums on the market. They are excellent for asthma sufferers because of their high-quality filters. They use HEPA filters that ensure that all the dust on the surface is trapped in the vacuum and deposited into the dust bag. 

Their vacuums that include a swivel neck make using these vacuums a lot easier and increase the amount of dust they can pick up. They are also generally quieter and are easy to use. This brand’s popular swivel neck vacuum is the Miele U1 Dynamic Upright HEPA Vacuum Cleaner.

FAQs

1. Are swivel neck vacuums worth it?

Yes. Swivel neck vacuums are extremely maneuverable as their power head can move either 180 degrees or 360 degrees. This extended range of motion allows you to clean hard-to-reach places you would not have been able to reach with regular vacuums. 

2. Are HEPA filters necessary?

Regular filters work well, but if you suffer from allergies or asthma, you should choose filters with HEPA. These filters can remove 99.97% of airborne particles as small as 0.3 microns in diameter. 

3. How long do vacuums last?

Depending on the type and the brand, vacuums usually last for 3 to 8 years. However, the lifespan can be increased by maintaining it properly. For proper maintenance, you should empty the bag regularly, replace or clean filters and check for clogs every six months. 

4. How to improve the suction of a vacuum?

If you want to improve the suction of your vacuum, check for clogs in the hose, replace or clean dirty filters and look for air leaks. 

Conclusion

Swivel neck vacuums are excellent for those who live in cramped spaces, as such places have many hard-to-reach spaces. They can use their extra mobility to reach into the dark corners of your home and suck up dirt and debris. Compared to other vacuums, they suck up more and make good use of your attachments.

However, choosing a good swivel neck vacuum can be difficult when so many are available on the market. To select a vacuum that best fits your needs, focus on the motor, filters, maneuverability, and attachments. That way, you will end up with a vacuum that will fulfill all your cleaning needs. 

You may also check out our Guide to Vacuums for Small Spaces for more information and recommendations.