5 reasons to avoid cordless vacuum cleaners

If you’re looking to upgrade your vacuum cleaner, how do you decide whether to go cordless or switch to a more traditional corded design? There are many signs that a cordless vacuum cleaner is not for you; so the first step is to see if any of these apply to you.

Both types of vacuum cleaners have their advantages, of course. We have both wired and wireless picks that we rate so highly that they’re included in our list. best vacuum cleaner. Therefore, it is worth knowing the pros and cons of both wired and wireless models. Despite their popularity, it may turn out that a cordless vacuum cleaner is not the right choice for you.

While it may be tempting to invest in the latest models, sometimes the most up-to-date products may not be exactly what you need. Certainly, best cordless vacuum cleaner It may be lighter and smaller, but at the end of the day you need your vacuum cleaner to work hard for you and suit your needs and your home. So if you’re debating an upgrade or investing in a vacuum cleaner for the first time, there are a few things to consider before committing.

Is a cordless vacuum cleaner really right for you?

In addition to revealing Places you can forget to vacuuman important part of knowing how to vacuum It’s choosing the right tool for the job. Along with the pros and cons of both cordless and corded vacuum cleaners, there are five main signs that a cordless vacuum cleaner is not for you.

Junior Electrical Buyer Francesca Cameron explains: ‘A good vacuum cleaner is essential for the home and there are some key factors that are a must; such as being lightweight, easy to operate and reliable’. john lewis. ‘But there is no ‘one size fits all’ solution. “Different models will be better suited for different types of cleaning, so we always encourage our customers to do their research beforehand,” he continues.

‘While cordless vacuum cleaners provide excellent mobility and are ideal for reaching hard-to-reach corners of the house, corded alternatives mean you don’t have to worry about battery runtime. This makes them ideal for deeper cleans or if you’re lucky enough to have a large home! ‘It’s really important to think about how you plan to use them before you buy to determine which one is right for you.’

1. Battery life

if so It’s time to replace your vacuum cleanerOne thing to consider is how often you will use it. Some of the earlier cordless vacuum cleaner designs offered as little as 20 minutes of power, but run time has increased in newer models. On average, the lifespan of a cordless vacuum cleaner is around 20-45 minutes; This means it will probably need to be charged 1-3 times a week, depending on the size and size of your home. How often do you vacuum?. But you’ll need to know Is it safe to leave a cordless vacuum cleaner plugged in?.

Short battery life can be a frustrating factor when you have limited time to complete your vacuuming or only manage to make it halfway across the living room. While cordless vacuum cleaners have their advantages, this can be a major disadvantage.

If you have it at home lots of carpetsYou may need to use ‘high power mode’ frequently and this will drain your cordless vacuum cleaner’s battery even faster.

“One of the biggest dangers of a cordless vacuum cleaner is its short battery life, which is especially frustrating if you have a lot of carpet,” says founder Jessica Gray. Sparkle and Shine.‘Battery life can also slow down as electricity wears out or filters need to be replaced and motors need to be replaced; This can be quite costly. In my experience, wireless ones aren’t that practical and don’t get the job done to a good standard; ‘There is further degradation in performance over time.’

Using Dyson V12 Detect Slim Absolute on wooden floor with infographics on LCD screen

(Image credit: Future/Lauren Bradbury)

2. Suction Power

suction power It’s worth considering when deciding whether to go for a corded or cordless vacuum cleaner. If your home has mostly carpet, corded may be a better choice.

Francesca from John Lewis explains: ‘When it comes to suction, we could sometimes struggle to compete in the years of cordless vacuum cleaners, but thankfully we’ve seen good progress with newer models.

‘Different people will have different needs, but as a general rule a suction power range of 100-300 air watts will work well on most carpets and wooden floors. “Some of our corded vacuums can go up to 700-800 watts, which is great for a deeper clean or thick pile carpets,” he adds.

Good suction power can also be the key Ingenious uses of the vacuum cleaner To achieve the best results.

Henry Eco during home testing

(Image credit: Future)

3. Cost

Most of us have a budget in mind when purchasing new devices and gadgets, so cost is worth considering. Cordless vacuum cleaners may not offer you the features you need for the money you spend, which cordless vacuum cleaners are worth it. Instead of focusing on wireless models, it may be better to prioritize a wired model with more attachments or more power.

“If you’re buying a new vacuum cleaner on a tighter budget, it’s worth knowing that cordless vacuum cleaners are more expensive than their corded counterparts,” explains vacuum cleaner expert Joshua Warren. -most AO.com.

‘This additional cost can be hard to justify, especially if you don’t need the portability that a cordless vacuum cleaner can afford. Similarly, cordless vacuum batteries can deteriorate over time and need to be replaced, which can be costly. “This shorter lifespan means a corded vacuum cleaner can clean for longer and provide a more cost-effective option,” adds Joshua.

Image of Dyson Fluffy Laser Head during home testing

(Image credit: Future/Molly Cleary)

If you’re looking to buy a corded vacuum cleaner, these options scored highly in our internal testing:

Numatic Henry vacuum cleaners

Shark Navigator Vacuum

Shark Upright Vacuum Cleaner with DuoClean Lift and TruePet NV702UKT

Henry Xtra NUMATIC vacuum

4. Storage

Vacuum cleaner on tiled floor

(Image credit: Hoover)

Although wireless vacuum cleaners appear easier to store Due to their smaller size, some designs require a wall mount and a plug point for charging, which otherwise takes up space.

‘A cordless vacuum cleaner can save space, but there are many things to consider before buying one,’ advises Jessica Gray. ‘The source of electricity that keeps it charged is usually a large bracket that is mounted on the wall and is not easy to move without damaging the walls.’

‘In my experience with cordless vacuum cleaners, they often fall short when paying attention to extra details or larger household tasks. To successfully clean areas where dirt and dust is concentrated, I find that you personally rely on corded vacuum cleaners, but cordless ones are not as effective in my opinion.’

5. Weight and Distribution

One thing you may overlook is the weight and distribution of the vacuum cleaner. Cordless vacuum cleaners can be very heavy, making them difficult to use.

‘Although cordless vacuum cleaners are often marketed as lightweight, the actual weight of these devices can actually vary due to the two heavy parts,’ explains AO’s Joshua Warren. ‘The motor and battery are usually located in the handheld part, which can make them very heavy and more difficult to manage,’ he continues.

‘Corded vacuum cleaners differ by offering a more constant weight as most of the heavier parts are stored in their base. This can give you a better clean because the shifting of weight from a cordless vacuum cleaner can be uncomfortable and difficult to manage.’

On the other hand, if this article has confirmed that the cordless vacuum cleaner is the right choice for you, take your pick from our top-rated models:

Shark PowerDetect Clean and Drain cordless vacuum cleaner