Should You Buy a Cordless Vacuum or a Corded One?

There are a few factors to consider when purchasing a vacuum cleaner. One important choice you'll need to make is whether to buy a cordless or corded model. So, which is the better option?

Cordless vacuums have the major advantage of being much more portable than corded models. If you have a small home or apartment, or you clean in tight spaces, a cordless vacuum can be a great option. They're also lighter and easier to manoeuvre around furniture than corded vacuum cleaners.

On the other hand, corded vacuums offer other advantages. For one thing, they tend to have more powerful suction than cordless models. They're also usually cheaper upfront, and you won't need to worry about recharging a battery.

So, which type of vacuum should you choose? It really depends on your needs and preferences. Be sure to weigh all the pros and cons before making your final decision.

Let’s look at what you should consider when making the choice between a corded and cordless vacuum.

The pros and cons of corded and cordless vacuum cleaners

Both corded and cordless vacuums have their respective advantages and disadvantages, which are outlined below.

Corded vacuums

Pros

• Corded vacuums offer consistent power, allowing for quicker cleaning sessions in larger spaces.
• They don’t use batteries, so there’s no waiting around for a battery to charge.

Cons

• You need to have a power outlet available where you are cleaning. If not, you may need to add extension cords.
• You need to manage the cord, which is easy to trip on, and can wrap and get tangled around furniture when cleaning, which is irritating.
• Your range of movement is limited (you can only move as far as the cord stretches, unless you add an extension cord). If you move too far, the cord pulls from the wall, which not only means you lose power, but over time, this can damage power sockets.

Cordless vacuums

Pros

• Cordless vacuums are very mobile, and can be used beyond where a cord will stretch (you can easily vacuum your car interior, for example).
• Cordless vacuums don’t require you to keep track of a lengthy cord, so there’s no worries about tripping over the cord.
• Cordless vacuums tend to be lightweight, so are handy for quick cleaning tasks.
• Cordless vacuums can adequately clean your home, provided your home is not especially large. Some cordless vacuum cleaners can run for up to 75 minutes!
• Cordless vacuums come with a charging station which you can place somewhere convenient, such as in a cupboard, or on a wall, out of the reach of children.

Cons

• Generally, battery charge on cordless vacuum cleaners tends not to last very long, and a full recharge takes time (up to two hours), so they may not be able to thoroughly clean very large spaces. (Note, some high quality cordless vacuums have generous runtimes of between 40-75 mins, depending on the brand and model.)

Ultimately, it is up to you to consider what is most important when making your decision; portability or long-lasting power.

Consider what you'll be using the vacuum for

Think about how often you vacuum your home, how large your home is, what kind of surfaces you need to clean, and what your experience of vacuum cleaners has been in the past.

What is the size of your home and what do you need to clean?

Before purchasing, consider the size of your home and the type of floors you need to clean. This will help you determine whether or not you need a powerful motor. If you have a large home, dense carpets, or are dealing with large amounts of pet hair, then a corded vacuum cleaner might serve your purposes better. You can also rely on it always being available for use, as you don’t need to recharge a battery.

If your living space is small, and your flooring is not too much of a challenge, then a cordless vacuum should be able to handle the job perfectly well.

How frequently will you vacuum?

Consider how often you are likely to use the vacuum cleaner, and how long each clean would usually take.Frequent but short cleans, such as cleaning up kids’ messes at mealtimes, should be easily achievable with a cordless vacuum. Picking up a cordless model will also be far more convenient than getting out the corded vacuum and plugging it in. (If you have a child, you also don’t have to worry about them having access to the cord).

To perform large and long cleans in an enormous home, or to clean commercial premises, a cordless vacuum may not be the right choice as it will run out of battery eventually. In these cases, a corded model that maintains power might serve you better. You might even consider a backpack model.

What do you need to clean?

If you require your vacuum cleaner to perform specialty cleaning tasks, such as cleaning carpets, hard floors and upholstery, make sure you choose a model with the attachments that enable this, whether that be a corded or cordless model.

There are models of both corded and cordless vacuums that can handle thick carpets and pet hair, so the quality of the vacuum factors in here more than whether or not it is corded or cordless.

What’s your experience with vacuum cleaners?

If the idea of doing the vacuuming makes you cringe, have a think about why? 

• Did you have a lousy vacuum cleaner in the past that kept tipping over and turning off?
• Did you have a corded model with a cord you got tangled in?
• Did the retract-cord function stop working, leaving you dealing with a tangled cable?
• Did you have a cordless model that stopped after ten minutes?
• Did components of your vacuum break quickly?

Whatever your poor experience, make sure you invest in a vacuum cleaner that won’t make you miserable again. If you hated the cord, try a cordless model this time around. If you hate running out of battery, buy a corded vacuum cleaner, or save up for a high-quality cordless vacuum with long battery life.

Generally speaking, the more expensive the vacuum cleaner, the better the quality of materials and the better it will clean. It is usually easier to replace broken parts, and the brands tend to have more generous warranty periods, so think about these elements too.

Research to find the best type of vacuum model for you

Vacuuming is an important part of maintaining a clean home, and it's essential to select an appliance that suits your individual needs. While both corded and cordless vacuums have their own advantages, it's important to do some research to find the vacuum model that best meets your individual requirements.

Corded models tend to be more powerful and longer lasting than their cordless counterparts, however, there is the extra hassle with the cord, and additional extension cords if required. They are also usually more challenging to manoeuvre around a room, unless you choose a backpack version.

Cordless models tend to be lighter and offer greater portability, but average versions might not pack as much power or run for as long on a single charge. 

Importantly, no two vacuum models are the same, so a cheap cordless vacuum might offer you approximately 20 minutes of runtime, and a more expensive model might offer you between 40-75 minutes of runtime. This is a huge difference! 

Additionally, some brands have quality parts and accessories that are easily accessible online, while others may be a challenge to ever repair or add accessories to. For example, you may want to buy an extra battery or filter for your cordless vacuum. A model from a chain store may be cheap, but you may not ever be able to source parts for it, and hence, you can’t expand its capacity to clean.

A more expensive and quality brand may sell cordless vacuum parts that will transform your ability to clean! So even if you have a large home, you may still be able to opt for the convenient and lightweight cordless vacuum, as you can add an extra battery and filter, knowing you can clean for longer. And if you have a large home, and the financial means to buy a second vacuum cleaner, you could have one of both!

So have a look at a variety of vacuum cleaners, and remember that the more you spend, the more likely you are to get an effective vacuum cleaner with quality parts.

Make sure to read reviews before making your purchase

When it comes to purchasing a vacuum cleaner, reading customer reviews is a wise idea. Take the time to read what other shoppers have said about a particular vacuum cleaner model so you can make an informed decision about the best option for your needs. 

Reviews provide unique insights into a product’s quality, durability, and longevity that can’t be found in store descriptions alone. They also often detail how certain products perform differently from what was originally advertised. 

So, consider customer ratings from multiple sites prior to making your vacuum cleaner purchase.

In conclusion…

• Vacuuming is a necessary part of maintaining a clean and healthy home. When it comes to deciding whether a corded or cordless vacuum is right for you, there are several factors to consider. In summary: Cordless vacuums are often lighter and more portable than their corded counterparts, however, they tend to require more frequent charging and may run out of power in the middle of cleaning sessions. 
• Corded vacuums don't need frequent charging and typically have longer-lasting batteries, but they come with their own set of issues; they're bulkier and need an electrical outlet during use.

Ultimately, your best bet would be to consider your lifestyle and needs, review features such as suction power or additional brush tools and decide which option will provide you with the best possible value.

Deciding between a cordless and corded vacuum takes time, research and weighing the pros and cons to make sure you get the best product for your needs. But remember, having a reliable and efficient vacuum can help to keep your home clean and dust-free. Taking the time now to make an informed decision will save you time, and potentially further expense, in the long run.