Hey guys, in this review I decided to tell you how to choose a cordless vacuum cleaner for your home and what you should pay attention to when choosing one. I’ll go over 20 parameters that you need to look for, and what you need to understand when choosing a cordless vacuum. Ill go in order of priority: from the most important criteria, to the basics, but also going over specific conditions. And yes, we are talking specifically about cordless vacuum cleaners. Dragging a cord around in the home is an echo of the past. Cordless vacuum cleaners in 2023 are already quite powerful and can work for up to 90 minutes, which is enough for a full everyday clean. Let’s get rolling!
Cleaning type
First we need to see what type of cordless vacuum cleaner you need. There are cordless vacuum cleaners exclusively for vacuuming, some made for mopping, and there are full washing vacuums, which can clean the floors FULLY and collect trash.
Cordless vacuum cleaners for dry and wet cleaning – these are mostly models for dry cleaning with an extra attachment and cloth for mopping, which is fastened to the main attachment.
Such models can’t clean the floor. At best, with their help you can scrub simple stains and collect dust from the floor. But wireless vacuum cleaners for dry cleaning – this is their main job.
Brush types (rollers)
When choosing a cordless vacuum cleaner for vacuuming, it’s important to decide on the type of roller, or brush in the main floor attachment. So, there’s two versions. It can be either a fluffy roller, which is better for cleaning on hard surfaces.
Or a roller with short elastic bristles that can thoroughly clean carpeting.
So the fluffy roller doesn’t clean carpets well, so if you have carpets, look towards the other option. They can also be combined with silicone petals. But, if there’s no carpets, choose what you want, they’ll be the same. The only thing is that the fluffy roller collects dust a bit better and, so to speak, polishes the floor. This is very interesting for many people.
There’s also cordless vacuum cleaners, where the main brush is a combination of two differently structured rollers: a soft fluffy one and one with elastic bristle inserts.
The solution is universal and very effective. But such vacuums, unfortunately, are few and far. Also, many manufacturers equip cordless vacuum cleaners with two types of rollers, for different types of coatings. This is a convenient solution, giving you the opportunity to decide for yourself which brush to use for your own conditions of use. But, the presence of a second attachment in the set directly affects the cost of the vacuum cleaner, it’s important to take into account.
Power
When choosing a cordless vacuum cleaner, power is important. This encompasses motor power consumption and suction force, technically known as suction power. Power consumption is measured in watts and can now reach up to 650W in 2023. Generally, higher power means a stronger motor and more effective suction. Suction power is gauged in aWt (air watts), with the highest value encountered being 245 aWt – potent enough for thorough carpet cleaning.
Remember, even without carpets, the vacuum will clean upholstery, mattresses, and more, so it’s wise to opt for extra power. A starting point of 400W or around 150 aW indicates a solid model.
Filtration system
Regarding the filtration system, it’s simple: the more filtration stages, the longer the motor’s lifespan and the cleaner the air exhaled. This is particularly crucial for those with allergies. In 2023, a robust filtration setup consists of five stages: cyclone filter, metal mesh, foam filter, pre-motor HEPA filter, and a blowing filter, which can be either foam or HEPA.
Avoid using a foam insert instead of the HEPA filter, doing so will result in quicker dirt accumulation and more frequent HEPA replacements, an expense not to be underestimated. Omitting the pre-motor HEPA or a non-HEPA filter makes the motor vulnerable to contamination, leading to faster malfunction. Similarly, excluding the blowing filter diminishes air purification, meaning you’ll inhale dust while cleaning.
Operating modes
When selecting a cordless vacuum cleaner, consider the available operation modes, typically ranging from 2 to 5. An optimal mode set consists of 4: Eco, Medium, Turbo, and Auto, the latter adjusting suction power based on flooring or contamination levels via integrated sensors — very convenient.
Eco mode is equally efficient, conserving energy while cleaning hard surfaces. Turbo mode offers brief maximum power for intensive cleaning. Choose modes at your judgment, e.g., Auto mode is convenient but may come at an added cost.
Battery life
Battery life is a vital consideration, often advised over just battery capacity when selecting a cordless vacuum cleaner. Raw battery numbers offer limited insight, but the work duration on a full charge truly shows the vacuum’s usability. Some manufacturers list only the max parameter, like “up to 90 minutes,” but this can be misleading, as even 5 minutes falls under this claim. Honest manufacturers provide battery life across different modes, 10/35/90 minutes, revealing actual cleaning time. Keep in mind, a full battery recharge takes up to 4 hours, unsuitable for mid-cleaning interruptions. In my testing, I focus on Turbo mode runtimes, representing the shortest operation.
A commendable Turbo mode result exceeds 12 minutes. Some models manage just 7-8 minutes, making extended Turbo mode availability a sensible selection criterion.
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3w7H6zS
Kit
Now, let’s talk about the extra parts that come with the vacuum – they’re important for cleaning specific things. These include tools like thin attachments, flexible add-ons, a small brush for furniture, bendable tubes, and even something to polish floors.
While there might be many tools available, remember, each one adds to the vacuum’s cost. To save money, focus on the tools you really need. For me, the most important ones are the small brush for furniture and the thin attachment. The others are usually only useful every now and then, and you’ll need to figure out where to keep them.
Storage
Apart from managing the attachments, it’s essential to plan where and how you’ll store the vacuum itself. There are two main options. The more convenient one is using a wall holder, which can even support wireless charging for the vacuum. Just attach the charger to the holder, hang the vacuum, and it will start charging automatically, eliminating the need to plug it in each time. However, not everyone wants to drill into their walls for a holder.
In this case, a floor stand can be a good choice. Simply place it in a handy spot and keep your vacuum and attachments there. Even with a floor stand, you can have contactless charging support.
Volume
When considering a cordless vacuum cleaner, its effectiveness and ease of use are crucial, but it also shouldn’t be loud. While it doesn’t need to be as hushed as a bedroom humidifier at 45 dB, the motor shouldn’t be jarring, whistling, or overly humming. Manufacturers have developed ways to quiet even bulky vacuum motors, maintaining noise around 77-78 dB in Turbo mode.
To ensure your vacuum isn’t a bother during use, research the noise details before purchasing. I personally assess volumes across modes in my reviews, and real user feedback also provides insights. Often, truly noisy vacuum cleaners attract complaints.
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3SG9r9w
Manufacturer
The 10th thing, which I’d categorize as one of the last but still vital, is the choice of manufacturer. This choice impacts several aspects: the quality of post-sales service, availability of spare parts and consumables, cordless vacuum cleaner reliability, assembly quality, and various related factors.
As of 2023, numerous brands offer cordless vacuum cleaners. Among the dependable and optimal choices, I’d list Dyson, Dreame, Jimmy, LG, Samsung, and Hoover. Xiaomi’s sub-brands, Lydsto and Roidmi, are emerging with cost-effective yet high-quality options. Even Xiaomi themselves produce cordless vacuum cleaners under the Mijia line.
Generally, Dyson and the top five brands represent high quality with a higher price range, while subsequent options are more affordable but might exhibit variations in assembly quality. It’s also good to consider brands with official distributors for better problem-solving and support.
Other parameters
I’ll briefly run over 10 more things that may influence your purchase. It’s good to have a removable battery. This greatly simplifies the replacement process if the battery fails or stops holding a charge over time. And it’ll let you increase the working time of the cordless vacuum cleaner, if you buy a second battery and charge it separately, and then in the process of cleaning change the dead one for a charged one.
Another aspect to factor in is the ease of cleaning the dust container, a step you’ll likely need to take after each cleaning session. Some models let you empty the dust container by pressing a button, letting the bottom open and dirt to drop out. Ideally, the dust container should be removable from the main unit. This level of convenience simplifies both the removal of debris and the occasional washing of the container itself, as its interior walls can accumulate dirt during operation.
The cleaning area illumination is an option that is super useful for many people. When a small area in front of the main attachment is illuminated, and so is the dirt lying on the floor. This increases the convenience and quality of cleaning. There’s a lesser chance of missing something.
In order to work the cordless vacuum cleaner comfortably, it’s important to have a function to lock the cordless vacuum cleaner when it’s on. If it’s on with the trigger button. Otherwise, while you’re cleaning, you’ll have to hold this trigger with your finger all the time. And in 15-30 minutes of cleaning, your finger will definitely get tired.
Weight is often a focal point when choosing a cordless vacuum cleaner, as specified earlier. However, manufacturers tend to deceive by listing just the weight of the main unit, roughly around 1.5 kilograms (3.3 pounds). But factoring in the extension tube at about 300 grams (0.66 pounds) and the main nozzle at around 800 grams (1.76 pounds), the reality is quite different.
In practice, a lightweight cordless vacuum cleaner weighs 2.5 kg (5.5 pounds) or less, with the typical range being 2.5-2.7 kg (5.5-5.95 pounds). On the other hand, a heavy one starts from 3 kg (6.6 pounds). A mere half-kilogram (1.1 pounds) variance is palpable, particularly during half-hour cleaning sessions. Yet, the matter isn’t entirely clear-cut. The distribution of the center of gravity is equally important. A heavier vacuum might glide smoothly, barely felt in your hands. Meanwhile, a lighter model might necessitate frequent lifting and angle adjustments, unintentionally turning cleaning into a workout.
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3SJzCfe
It’s good if the cordless vacuum cleaner can stand cordless without a wall holder. This is handy when you need to quickly move or get something while cleaning. Rather than placing the vacuum on the floor or leaning it against walls and furniture—both risky—simply stand it cordless. Vertical parking, unfortunately, isn’t a feature in many models. However, those that do offer it are certainly worth considering.
Having a display on the cordless vacuum cleaner can be really handy if it’s done right. It could show you things like how much battery is left, how long you can still use it, or if there are any issues. But if the display only shows the mode it’s in, it’s not worth the extra money.
Considering if the cordless vacuum cleaner has extra parts and replacements is like looking at how much the company cares about customers and its reputation. So, even if you’re picking a vacuum from a somewhat known brand, it’s smart to check where you can buy extra parts and stuff you’ll need over time, and how much they’ll cost. Also, make sure they’re available at all. Sometimes, even big brands might not have everything you need, and that means if something breaks, you’ll have to find alternatives or hunt for leftovers, which can be a hassle.
The assembly quality is also important. If there’s less wobbling right when you open it, if the locks work smoothly, and the rollers turn without any trouble, using the vacuum cleaner will be more enjoyable and those parts will last longer. If you hear strange noises or notice something feels loose in your brand-new vacuum cleaner, it’s a good idea to get it replaced or at least ask the store if it’s a problem. Also, remember to read reviews from people who’ve been using the vacuum for a while; those can be really helpful if you’re not sure.
Lastly, let’s talk about blind spots. In some cordless vacuum cleaners, the main attachments aren’t very well designed. Sometimes, the lights that help you see where you’re cleaning go beyond the edges of the vacuum cleaner, making it hard for the roller to pick up dirt close to walls and furniture. In other cases, the roller itself isn’t right at the edge, but a few inches away. And then there are cordless vacuum cleaners that just can’t get debris from corners, leaving a few inches of space uncleaned. This is annoying, so when picking a cordless vacuum cleaner, it’s good to consider this. Watch tests and look at the design. It’s great if the roller goes a bit further than the attachment in front, so it can definitely catch dirt in its path.
Amazon: https://amzn.to/42sVXkz
So there you have it, thow to choose a cordless vacuum cleaner in 2023 for your home. I’m not saying that the cordless vacuum cleaner must necessarily meet all the recommendations, there’s no perfect model. But after familiarizing yourself with all the nuances you’ll be able to determine what’s most important for you and based on this to make the right choice. If you still have questions, write them in the comments below. Have fun shopping, bye!
