Although there are numerous different vacuum belt designs, there are just a few key methods to ensure that you get the very best out of your belts.

Looking first at how the belts actually work, you will discover that the belt is used to drive the agitation device or brush roller as it is sometimes referred to.

The main three designs of belts are a flat belt, a geared style belt or a round belt.  This single variable in your vacuum cleaner design is going to have a huge impact on the performance of your machine, this is because although suction is a vital part of the function of your cleaner, it is the agitation that accounts for over seventy percent of the work done.  If your cleaner cannot dislodge the dirt from the pile it will not matter how much suction you have, you will not get your carpet clean. When it comes to cleaning hard surfaces, then the belt function is less of an issue.  So depending on your home and personal needs, finding the right type of vacuum cleaner is not just about suction.

Round belts are the oldest type and is the most likely to develop problems.  This is because all the dirt and debris rolls around the belt resulting in it being damaged very easily. In addition to this the belts have to stretch which places additional strain on them, the motor and the bearings.

The flat style of belts works in a similar fashion to the round belt, but is not as directly in contact with dirt and debris allowing it to maintain for much longer.  The most recent design is innovative and is definitely the forerunner in the industry of belt drives.  The geared belt comes in a variety of different design styles, but fundamentally, they all work the same.  This system allows for the energy generated in the brush motor to be transmitted directly to the brush increasing agitation and outperforming the other designs.

The motor and the brush are connected by fixed teeth which means that the belt can perform at a much higher speed and wear and tear is kept to a minimum.  The only disadvantage of a geared belt vacuum cleaner is the cost of the machine itself. The geared belts are usually installed in a two motor vacuum cleaner and there is a lot of additional technology required to ensure that it works for years to come.