New Delhi, Nov. 24 -- Choosing a vacuum shouldn't feel like a test, but it often does. Do you want something lightweight or something powerful? Is your home mostly tiles or thick carpets? Do you need something for daily quick clean-ups or a machine that can handle weekend deep cleaning? And if you have pets, that adds a whole new layer to the decision.

Most people skip these questions and go straight for whatever is on sale or trending online. Well, mostly they end up with a vacuum that looks great in ads but doesn't suit the way you live or clean.

In this guide, we break down the five most important things you should think about before bringing home your next vacuum cleaner.

A common mistake shoppers make is rushing into a purchase be...