Broom Vs. Vacuum

Cost

• Upfront, brooms are cheaper than vacuums. This cost difference is carried on in two ways. First, vacuums consume electricity. Brooms do not. Unless you're running off of solar panels, you'll have to pay an extra change to use your vacuum regularly. Second, vacuums have more components. When these components break, you need to pay for a replacement. If you don't know how to fix it yourself, you also have to pay a service fees.

Usability

• For all their power, vacuums are clunky. Dragging them up and down stairs can be a pain. Maneuvering them into tight spots can also be bothersome. In comparison, brooms are light. You can easily angle them into tight spots, such as beneath a cabinet's overhang. Both brooms and vacuums demand physical exertion. Sweeping a broom puts strain on your back and arms. Vacuums assist your labor by sucking up debris, but you still have to push them and carry them between floors.

Carpet

• Brooms are useless when it comes to cleaning carpet. Dust settles into the carpet's fibers, and no matter how fierce you sweep, you won't be able to get it out. Vacuums excel at cleaning carpet. They suck the dirt right out of the fibers. Some vacuums come with a shampooing feature, as well. These vacuums can dissolve crusty mud and remove carpet stains.

Hardwood, Cement and Linoleum Floors

• Both brooms and vacuums perform acceptably on flat surfaces. If you have a hardwood, cement or linoleum floor, use whichever tool fits your style. If you want to conserve energy and save money, go with a broom. If you want a tool that's easy to use (although a bit clunky), go with a vacuum. In either case, you'll need to supplement your cleaning with a mop. Although both vacuums and brooms can deal with dust, they leave behind a layer of dirt that only mops can sop up.