Vacuum cleaner power has been measured in watts (W) ever since we can remember, but things aren't as straightforward as they may appear. The advertised wattage for most vacuum cleaners refers to the motor's power rather than suction power.

That's not always a good indication of how efficiently a vacuum cleaner can suck up dirt. Samsung does things differently and advertises suction power rather than motor power. Here's why this matters.

A motor's wattage (W) can give you a rough idea of how powerful a vacuum is, but air wattage (AW) is the measurement that tells you how much suction power the vacuum actually has at the end of the turbine.

A vacuum's suction power (AW) differs based on several factors, not just motor power (W). Factors like the internal airflow and design play a huge role in a vacuum's actual cleaning power.

For these reasons, a vacuum's motor power (W) and suction power (AW) can be vastly different. Interestingly, Samsung chose to advertise AW instead of W for its vacuum cleaners, giving consumers a more accurate idea of what they're buying.

However, Samsung's method of advertising AW can make its vacuum cleaners seem underpowered compared to other brands that advertise motor power (W). In reality, Samsung's vacuums are very powerful and efficient.

There are three ways to advertise a vacuum cleaner's performance:

Samsung uses AW for its Jet Stick series and Pa for the Jet Bot lineup.

Most canister-type and upright vacuum cleaners from other brands have an advertised motor power (W) ranging between 1,000 W and 2,000 W, or more. However, their effective suction power (AW) usually averages around 200-250 AW.

Samsung's latest Bespoke AI Jet Ultra stick vacuum cleaner has a motor power of 1,050 W, but in more practical terms, it has an air wattage of a whopping 400 AW.

This is precisely why SLG Prüf- und Zertifizierungs GmbH labeled the AI Jet Ultra the world's most powerful vacuum in its class.

We will soon put this claim to the test in our upcoming Bespoke AI Jet Ultra review, so stay tuned for that. Until then, just keep this information about W and AW in mind when you're shopping for a vacuum cleaner. If you see a brand advertising motor power (W), try to find out the vacuum's actual suction power/air wattage (AW) before you make a purchase.

Alternatively, you can just buy a Samsung vacuum cleaner and see the actual suction power advertised on Samsung's e-shop for each model. You might be able to find a good deal on the latest AI Jet Ultra like we did.