Corded vs. cordless vacuum cleaners. This debate has been going on for so long. So this time, allow us to discuss the differences between these two and see which one is actually better for you.
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As we keep on emphasizing, vacuum cleaners are essential cleaning tools. There’s no doubt about that. They simplify the process of keeping your home–especially your floor–as dirt-free as possible.
Now, there are two categories of vacuum cleaners usually offered to consumers: corded vacuum cleaners and cordless vacuum cleaners. Each of these two has its own respective strengths and weaknesses. The table below will show you these details.
CORDED VACUUM CLEANERS | CORDLESS VACUUM CLEANERS | |
---|---|---|
Suction Power | Corded are known to have strong and robust motors | Suction power is limited due to their small motors |
Weight and Maneuverability | Bulky and heavy; it requires some strength and persistence to operate these vacuums | Generally lighter and easier to handle / maneuver |
Dirt Bin Capacity | These vacuums have a large dirt bin capacity | Due to their lightweight construction, the size of their bins are limited |
Runtime | Unlimited as long as they are plugged in a power outlet | Limited runtime as they run on batteries |
Storage | Their large body requires you to have a dedicated storage space for them | Compact construction ensures that you can fit them on tight storage spaces |
Why Should You Buy A Cordless Vacuum Cleaner
There are various types of cordless vacuum cleaners. From handheld vacuums to robot vacuums, these units operate without the use of cords or power cables. Because of this, you would be able to utilize these vacuums virtually anywhere. As long as their batteries are still not empty, you can bring them to clean your ceilings, upholstery, and even the interiors of your cars.
Well, here are some of the reasons why a cordless vacuum cleaner could be perfect for you.
Weight And Maneuverability
So one of the biggest advantages of cordless vacuum cleaners is that they are lighter than corded vacuums (i.e., upright and canister vacuums). On average, the weight of these cordless vacuums is about 6 pounds. Meanwhile, corded vacuum cleaners weigh roughly 15 pounds or heavier.
So what does this mean for you? The lighter the vacuum, the easier it is for you to maneuver it. Added to the fact that your reach isn’t restricted by a cord, it is safe to say that cordless vacuums have better coverage than their corded counterparts.
Reach And Accessibility
Another aspect where cordless vacuums excel is accessibility. As we have mentioned, these devices can do floor-to-ceiling cleanups. Since they are lighter, you can actually lift them to reach vertical areas in your home. They are suitable for cleaning the regions under your furniture due to their low-profile cleaning heads.
The accessibility of these cordless vacuum cleaners makes them perfect for quick spot-cleaning. They let you tackle the crumbs spilled on the floor as conveniently as possible.
Some cordless vacuums are only designed for floor cleaning, though. Hence, look for those that have cleaning accessories/attachments on them. In this way, you can pick up dirt virtually anywhere in your home.
Runtime And Battery Life
This is the part where cordless vacuums are clearly at a disadvantage. Since they don’t rely on power outlets, it is easy to see where these corded vacuum cleaners draw their power: their batteries.
In the past, the runtime of cordless vacuums was just limited to 20 to 30 minutes. That’s pretty short, especially if you have a large space to clean with. But due to the developments of lithium-ion batteries, the runtime of these devices was further extended.
Today, cordless vacuum cleaners can run for up to 45 minutes straight. Some of them can even run for an hour or more. Others feature swappable batteries so that you can continuously clean even if the first battery pack is drained.
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Don’t Forget Their Charging Time
Another matter that you need to consider is the charging time of these cordless vacuums. By any means, they don’t charge that fast. We have found some models that can charge as fast as an hour. But the standard units have a charging time of 4 to 6 hours. Others may even let you wait for up to 12 hours.
It’s quite frustrating if the battery dies while you are in the middle of your cleaning. And the frustration is even worse if the battery doesn’t charge fast, right?
But in a nutshell, a fast-charging cordless vacuum is quite useless if it cannot clean well. So always pay attention to these details whenever you are choosing a cordless vacuum.
Dirt Bin Capacity
Another aspect that you need to know about these cordless vacuum cleaners is their dirt bin capacity. By all means, don’t consider them to be equal to corded vacuums when it comes to this matter.
Essentially, the average dirt bin capacity of these cordless vacuums is about .7 to .8 liters. That’s a huge difference between the average 2-liter dust capacity of corded vacuums.
Well, the size of their dirt container is understandable. Corded vacuums are designed for a thorough cleaning, while cordless vacuums are ideal for spot cleaning. Besides, cordless vacuums are meant to be lightweight and compact. Hence, it is quite absurd to fit them in a large bin. That would destroy the balance of their design.
Suction Performance
Now for the most important part. When it comes to their performance, we can bluntly say that these cordless vacuums aren’t as powerful as corded vacuum cleaners.
Because of their small motors, these cordless vacuums tend to have mediocre suction. Many cordless vacuum cleaners claim that they can clean carpets. Sure, they might do so. But don’t expect that they can deeply clean the entire carpet and tackle stubborn dirt on the fabrics.
Based on our tests, cordless vacuums can pick up to 45 percent of the dirt from carpets. Meanwhile, corded vacuum cleaners can suck up to 75 percent of the dirt on the same surface.
At the same time, it is notable that these cordless vacuums are noisier than corded vacuums. The reason for this is due to the nature of their housing. The materials used on the housing aren’t that thick, which prevents them from muffling the noise generated by the motor.
Is A Cordless Vacuum Cleaner The Right Choice For You?
We have weighed all the pros and cons of a cordless vacuum cleaner. Now, it is time to decide if this type of vacuum is the ideal pick for you.
- Get a cordless vacuum cleaner if the following fits you:
- You need a tool for spot cleaning
- You can’t lift heavy vacuum cleaners because of injury or other health issues
- You want a tool that lets you clean above-floor surfaces
Some cordless vacuum cleaners are more expensive than corded vacuums. So take the price into consideration, as well!
MASTERCLASSVAC STAFF
Recommendations For The Best Cordless Vacuum Cleaners
If you are interested in acquiring cordless vacuum cleaners, we recommend that you check the following options first:
Why Should You Buy A Corded Vacuum Cleaner
Corded vacuum cleaners are considered traditional vacuum cleaners. But this doesn’t mean that they are outdated. In fact, they are still sailing smoothly when it comes to demand and sales.
Of course, the primary advantage of these corded vacuum cleaners is their suction power. If you need deep cleaning, a corded vacuum cleaner is the best option for you. There are different forms of corded vacuums. The primary ones are the canister and upright vacuums. We consider them the best choice when it comes to cleaning large homes and offices.
Here are some of the potential reasons why buying a corded vacuum is a good idea:
Suction Strength
The biggest strength of these corded vacuums is their suction power. Unlike cordless vacuums, corded vacuums have robust suction that enables them to tackle dirt on various surfaces. Regardless if you have a hardwood floor, carpeted floor, on a mix of both, these corded vacuums can clean them all.
Corded vacuums are equipped with large, high-powered motors that enable them to draw as much power as possible. Because of this capability, it is not difficult for these corded vacuum cleaners to keep up with your increasing cleaning demands.
Do you have pets who shed fur all the time? Do you have children who always play in the mud? If you answer yes to these questions, then a corded vacuum is essential.
For tough cleaning jobs, you have to rely on these corded vacuum cleaners. Aside from their suction strength, they also have filters on their system. These filters ensure that no allergens and airborne contaminants can escape their dirt bin.
Continuous Performance
Another reason why a corded vacuum cleaner is an excellent cleaning tool is because of its relentless performance. As long as you plug them into a power outlet, they can run continuously without losing their suction power.
This kind of consistency and performance is the primary selling point of these corded units. They can ensure you that there will be no downtime in your cleaning. In turn, they also give you an assurance that you can finish your cleaning errands.
This quality is quite different from cordless vacuums, like robot vacuums and stick vacuums. They heavily rely on batteries, which can’t perform for as long as you want them. Of course, this is the reason why corded vacuum cleaners are suitable for spaces with large floor areas.
There’s a limit to corded vacuum cleaners, though. And that is in the form of wires. If the wire is short, then the coverage of the vacuum would be limited. Hence, we recommend that you get corded vacuums whose cables are at least 25 feet long.
Weight And Maneuverability
This is the part where cordless vacuum cleaners are better than corded vacuum cleaners. From the size of these corded vacuums alone, it is easy to say that they are heavy and bulky. Hence, moving them around isn’t an easy task. Eventually, your arms will get tired from using them for extended periods.
In fact, this is the reason why cordless vacuums were invented. Since corded vacuums are not that maneuverable, cordless units became a pretty alternative to them. It’s proof that you need to assess your requirements and capabilities whenever choosing between these two options.
In some cases, you might get in trouble with the cords of these corded vacuums. There will be instances where the cords will get in your way. These tangles are quite frustrating to fix.
Dirt Bin Capacity
As we have mentioned, corded vacuum cleaners offer a larger container for the dirt and debris collected. It is easier for the device to run continuously without having the need to stop to empty its dirt cup.
A corded vacuum has a capacity of 2 liters to 3 liters. Compared to the average 0.7-liter capacity of corded vacuums, it is quite easy to see which unit will offer you less downtime and emptying.
Interestingly, upright and canister vacuums have fully sealed containers. It is a tight seal, we must say. Their dirt bins are more secure than cordless vacuums. So there’s always a guarantee that you will not experience accidental spills.
Is A Corded Vacuum Cleaner The Right Choice For You?
There are certain benefits and downsides to using a corded vacuum cleaner. Based on our discussions, you should get a corded vacuum cleaner if you fit the following conditions:
- You want a cleaning tool that can thoroughly clean floors
- You have no problems using a heavy and bulky unit
- You have enough storage space for the vacuum cleaner
- You want to clean seamlessly with no downtime
Recommendations For The Best Corded Vacuum Cleaners
If you are looking for the best cordless vacuums right from the get-go, then check out the following products:
Final Thoughts
Here, we can see that there are striking differences between cordless and corded vacuum cleaners. Needless to say, each of them has its respective pros and cons. Based on the factors we outlined in this post, we hope that you can decide which of these two types of vacuum cleaners can make your home cleaner and more welcoming.