Don’t let the cord get in the way, it’s such a pain when vacuuming.
Cordless vacuum cleaners give you the freedom to move around the home without being tied to the closest power socket.
But, getting rid of a cord is not the only reason to choose a cordless vacuum cleaner. Cordless vacuums are usually lighter than their corded equivalents and they are easier to set up and take down, so you can get your home vacuumed much quicker and put the kettle on!
So have you been looking for the best cordless vacuum cleaner but not sure where to start Below we present 5 top tips to help you narrow down to your perfect house cleaning device.
1. What type of cordless vacuum?
Cordless vacuum cleaners come in five types, all designed to perform slightly different functions, although there are combo models that offer maximum bang for your buck.
All vacuums work in the same way, but how the technology is implemented differs depending on the style, manufacturer and intended use of the machine.
Uprights
Most vacuum cleaners have an upright design, usually combined with powerful suction, making them the best options for picking up pet hair.
If you have many carpets and rugs, an upright model with a substantial bag is your best bet.
Most of them provide settings that allow you tend to both carpets and hard floors. On the downside, they tend to be quite heavy, making them harder to push around.
Canisters
These are great at handling tile floors or hardwood. Others can effectively clean carpets and with very minimal noise.
They are as powerful as upright models but have a slender frame that is attached to a separate canister. Most of them are supplied with separate attachments designed to get into hard-to-reach areas.
That means they can extract dirt from curtains, upholstery, the underside of furniture, staircases, and ceiling corners. Given their technologically-advanced and multi-function design, canisters tend to be quite expensive.
Stick vacuums
Named for their slender construction, stick vacuums are designed to get into places no other type can manage, such as closet space, or between your refrigerator and wall. They are super lightweight but arguably the least powerful of vacuum cleaners. They can also do an amazing job on hardwood floors and short pile carpets.
Handhelds
Handheld models have the knack for getting into those seriously hard-to-reach spaces that need cleaning. As they can be operated with one hand, they also have the specialty for surface cleaning. If you need to effectively vacuum in cars, clean windowsills or surfaces of furniture, a handheld model will go a long way. There are also a few vacuum cleaners that combine the functionality of stick and handheld models.
Robotic vacuums
These promise to do the work for you whilst you relax on the couch. They are designed to roam freely, sucking up dirt in their way and are even programmable via smartphone apps or voice assistants.
A robotic vacuum cleaner is also able to get into tight spaces such as under the sofa, but they lack the power of upright or canister models. Their technical ability and convenience come at a hefty price, though.
2. Consider battery life
Obviously, being cordless means it uses a battery. Find out the battery life on standard and maximum settings to see if a particular model will suit your needs. Lithium Ion batteries are usually the best in longer battery life and quick charge time.
Generally, battery runtime can be anywhere from 10 minutes to 1 hour. Charge time can range from 1 hour to as many as 15 hours. At least, you will find this information mentioned in the product description of almost every cordless vacuum cleaner. Online customer reviews may also give an idea of the battery life and how long it takes to charge.
Some models come with a spare battery, allowing to swap over if one gets drained. Swappable batteries can be very convenient for large-scale vacuuming jobs.
3. How much dust can it collect?
All vacuum cleaners have dust collection mechanisms but the ones for cordless models are smaller than corded counterparts.
The average dust capacity of a cordless model is 0.6 litres whereas corded vacuum cleaners boast up to 2.1 litres. That means you will need to empty your cordless device more frequently.
There are two types of dust collection; bagged and bagless.
A bagged vacuum traps everything except 0.03% of dust and pollen and most likely you will never encounter dust when emptying.
This makes them ideal for individuals who are sensitive to asthma and allergens. However, you do need to replace the bags on a frequent basis, though they are readily available at most supermarkets.
Bagless vacuums feature clear canisters that make it easy for you to see when the vacuum needs to be emptied out. These are eco-friendly in that you won’t be throwing away any superfluous material along with dirt and dust.
You can even empty the canister straight into your compost bin. However, you must take care when emptying a bagless vacuum as some of the dust and allergens may blow into the air, something you definitely won’t like.
It really comes down to what you want in a vacuum cleaner. Do you want a more hygienic option that’s good for allergic people, but must buy more bags more often?
Or, do you want an inexpensive, user-friendly, and eco-friendly approach, but with increased exposure to allergens?
The choice is yours.
4. Weight issue
Cordless vacuum cleaners are weight minimalists, compared with their corded heavyweights. A standard cordless vacuum weighs about 3kg, whilst the average weight for corded models is 6.4kgs. So the lightweight construction of a cordless model makes it a great choice if moving around a conventional device is a task.
Even then, cordless vacuum cleaners vary in weight depending on the type, design, and additional accessories. So another thing you may consider is ergonomics. For instance, you may find a lightweight vacuum but with a poor balance that makes it feel heavier in hand, especially when vacuuming up high.
5. Budget
A decent cordless vacuum cleaner will set you back £250 and that’s an upright model at least.
The small handheld devices can cost as low as £50. Prices will differ depending on the type. You can buy from trusted brands, the likes of Dyson, Bosch, Philips, Shark, Karcher, and Samsung.
You may be interested in a few recommendations here; the best cordless vacuum cleaners (2019 UK).
Keep in mind that the most expensive product isn’t necessarily the ultimate best, though typically quality rises with price.
Summing up…
Shopping for a cordless vacuum cleaner is not as straightforward as rushing to the supermarket and grabbing the first laundry detergent to wash your clothes. It’s vital to know what matches best with your needs in order to avoid buying something that doesn’t meet the end goal and may end up costing you a lot afterwards.
All in all, the best cordless vacuum cleaner is easy to use, convenient, lightweight, and will keep your hard floors spotless and your carpets dirt-free.