No home should be without a good vacuum cleaner. If you’re in the market for a new vacuum cleaner, you may immediately start wondering about the corded vs cordless vacuum argument. Both these types of vacuums are popular in the marketplace, so there are lots of options. Unfortunately, this can make choosing a model a little trickier. So, here we’ll examine the types of vacuums and answer the question, are corded vacuums better than cordless?
The Suction Power Cordless vs Corded Vacuums:
The Suction Power Cordless vs Corded Vacuums:Whether you need to keep pet hair under control in your home or simply need a vacuum that can handle all the crumbs and debris from a busy family home, suction power is crucial.
Cordless Vacuum Suction
Cordless vacuums use their battery to generate their suction power. This means that if the battery has begun to drain, you will experience a lower suction strength.
However, many modern cordless vacuums use a lithium battery that provides a consistent suction, so these models can often perform just as well as a corded vacuum.
Corded Vacuum Suction
Corded vacuums plug into a power source in your home, so they draw power from the main grid. This means that you won’t experience a suction drop off, but you will be limited to how far you can vacuum from the outlet.
Vacuum Flexibility:
As we’ve touched on above, corded vacuums do have less flexibility. In addition to being limited by the cord length and number of outlets in your room, corded vacuums tend to be bulkier and heavier, making them more difficult to transport and maneuver.
You may also find that this type of vacuum is a trip hazard. In addition to putting others at risk of tripping, you may also get the cord under your feet, which may cause injury or pull the cord out of the outlet.
On the other hand, cordless vacuums are typically very light. On average they weigh less than seven pounds, so they are easy to pick up and carry to other areas of your home. You can also use a cordless vacuum to clean your car, deep clean crevices in your furniture and handle stairs with ease.
Vacuum Power:
This follows on from the above point, but it is worth examining in more detail. While corded vacuums run on electricity, power is a major consideration for cordless vacuums.
All models of cordless vacuum have a limited battery life and will need to be recharged. You can expect the battery to last 15 to 40 minutes, which should be sufficient to clean your floor, furniture or vehicle. Once the battery has been drained, you can expect it to take 2 to 16 hours to recharge.
However, lithium ion, high voltage batteries can provide a far longer running time. So, you may not need to stop part way through cleaning to recharge the battery.
Filter and Dust Capacity:
Since cordless vacuums are compact, they have a smaller capacity for dust and debris, on average approximately one pound. This does mean that you may need to stop part way through cleaning to empty the vacuum cleaner.
Corded vacuum cleaners typically have a capacity of five to six pounds. So, you are unlikely to encounter the same emptying annoyance.
Pros and Cons of Corded vs Cordless Vacuum Cleaners:
As we have highlighted, although based on the same principle, there are pros and cons associated with both types of vacuum cleaners.
Pros of Corded Vacuums:
Consistent Power: The most obvious feature in the corded vs cordless vacuum comparison is the power source. Since corded vacuums plug into an outlet, you don’t need to worry about power drop outs.
Larger Capacity: Corded vacuums have a far larger dust and debris capacity, which means that they need to be emptied less frequently as you’re cleaning.
Cons of Corded Vacuums:
Power Cord: You are not only limited by the length of the cord and the location of the outlets in your home, but the cord can also be a trip hazard.
Heavier: Corded vacuums are typically far heavier and bulkier than their cordless counterparts. This makes them more difficult to carry and move, particularly when cleaning challenging areas such as stairs.
Pros of Cordless Vacuums:
Lightweight: Cordless vacuums typically weigh less than seven pounds, so they are easy to carry and use around the home and outdoors.
Flexibility: If you’re looking at corded vs cordless stick vacuum comparisons, you should already be aware that cordless models are far more flexible. You can convert a cordless stick vacuum into a handheld vacuum for detail work.
Cons of Cordless Vacuums:
Battery Life: Depending on the model you choose, the battery or a cordless vacuum may only last 15 minutes. This means that you may need to interrupt your cleaning session to recharge the battery.
Smaller Capacity: Since cordless vacuums are compact, they have a far smaller dust and debris receptacle. This may also interrupt your cleaning, as you may need to stop and empty the vacuum periodically.
Corded vs Cordless Vacuum: Reasons to Choose Either:
There is no simple answer to the question, are corded vacuums better than cordless? The answer will depend on what you are looking for in a vacuum cleaner.
If you have plenty of outlets and a larger home, you may appreciate the power and capacity of a corded vacuum. However, you will need to take care when carrying the vacuum to do trickier tasks such as stairs or car upholstery.
On the other hand, if you have limited mobility, a smaller home or have difficulty dealing with power cords, you are likely to prefer a cordless vacuum. The downside is that you will need to take care to choose a model with a decent lithium battery. Low quality batteries will only provide a short cleaning window and may take up to six hours to recharge.
Conclusion
So, before you make a purchase decision, think carefully about what you’re looking for from your new vacuum cleaner. This will help you to make a corded vs cordless vacuum comparison and choose the right model for your home.
