Be honest: how long have you been lugging around your current vacuum? How long do vacuums last, anyway?
Personally, I dragged a hand-me-down upright Dyson around for 12 years (and I can't confirm how old it was when I got it all those years ago), across the entire state of California and across eight different apartments and places I called home. It can be hard to tell when a vacuum needs replacing when it's not giving the obvious signs, but even a Dyson needs replacing after a few years.
Wondering if it's time to replace yours? Here's everything to look for, and how to care for your vacuum so that it lives as long as it can. If you're ready to start shopping for a new one, don't miss our guides to the Best Dyson Vacuums, Best Robot Vacuums, Best Cordless Vacuums, Best Vacuums for Pet Hair, and Best Car Vacuums.
The Obvious Signs
There are some signs you can't ignore to tell if your vacuum might be down for the count, or at least needing serious repair. You'll want to repair or replace your vacuum if you notice the following:
Strange noises and rattling
Burning smells and overheating
These aren't shocking revelations. Burning smells and rattling should be easy giveaways something's wrong. You can start with a local repair shop to see if your vacuum needs a part replaced or fixed, and they can help determine if it's worth fixing or if you should start shopping for a replacement. If it's been more than five years and you see these problems, it's likely time for a replacement rather than a fix, but that can vary depending on the quality of your vacuum.
The Subtle Signs
Your vacuum might need some maintenance or be reaching the end of its lifespan when these issues arise: