Are cordless vacuums overrated?

[andy929]

Hello!

I need to buy a new vacuum - my Dyson has finally broken (it was on its last legs anyway). My question is whether cordless vacuums can really replace a vacuum that plugs into the mains power supply? Or are they only really good for little cleaning jobs (despite what the manufacturers will tell you!)?

To be more specific, I'm looking at the Gtech AirRam (which I found here http://spotlessvacuum.co.uk/cordless-vacuum-cleaners/). It looks good because it lasts 40 minutes between charges, and supposedly picks up a lot of dirt and dust. BUT there are also some other good ones here (http://www.trustedreviews.com/best-cordless-vacuum-cleaner_round-up) including Dyson models which I've always been a fan of.

I really like the idea of having a cordless - they seem much more convenient, especially for stairs. But please tell me if I have unrealistic expectations . If anyone has any recommendations for a cordless I'd also love to hear them.

Thanks!

 

[gottahaveahoove]

I have the Hoover air cordless

I think they're OK. I still think the 'corded' ones are stronger. I have 2 batteries...so, I can go non-stop. I also have the Stick vac. same idea. If I HAD to CHOOSE ONE, it would have a cord.

 

[madaboutsebo]

I personally think cordless vacuums still have a way to go before they fully replace corded vacuums. I've been thinking of getting one for quick daily pickups! I think the current generation of them (UK) encourage you to change the way we clean by dealing with mess as we go and do daily quick cleans.

I know a few family members who have Gtech AirRams and have ditched their corded vacuums. They love them. But you have no above floor cleaning which is why they introduced the Gtech Multi hand held. Depends if you want above floor cleaning! I have one of these to vacuum the stairs, upholstery or quick clean of the car. The motor head on it is great on stairs, suction is ok. Runtime on the Multi MK2 is 20 minutes. If you go for a Gtech AirRam pick the K9 pet version as the components are all metal inside and not mixed plastic and metal. So with both machines you will get about 1 hour of cleaning.

Gtech normal offer a 30 day home trial if you buy direct from them so you could always buy one try it and return it within 30 days if you don't like it. You can only buy Gtech product especially the AirRam and Multi direct from them now. They usually do deals if you buy the 2 together at the same time too.

Although I'm not a fan of corded Dyson vacuum anymore I tested one of the new V8 Digital slims. I was impressed with it, very quiet smooth and powerful. You could feel the power of the motor head floor tool. It gives up to 40 minutes runtime but I believe that is without using the motor driven heads. Versatile machine as you can clean floors and above floor with the same machine. The price is a premium too at nearly £500! Dyson claim it gives the same performance as a corded machine but advise it is for inbetween cleans for quick pick ups! There are owners that use these as their main vacuums!

Depends on what you are looking for and how big your home is and flooring types around your home?

I personally wouldn't go cordless (yet!) for my main vacuum cleaner, never say never in the future! I'd use one for daily quick cleans at present!

 

[myles_v]

Quite a few years ago I had a Westinghouse Unplugged that I thought was just the coolest thing. They basically took a Fantom Wildcat (corded upright vacuum cleaner) and stuck a huge battery onto the back of it. That machine was designed to be able to replace your traditional vacuum but I believe it was really ahead of its time, I wonder how many they'd sell if they brought it back now that the market is filled with cordless machines claiming to replace full-sized vacuums.

Here in the states, we have the cordless Hoover Air (while you all have the Vax equivalent) and the cordless Bissel Powerglide. Of course, we both have the numerous Dyson machines, I used to own a DC 44 and frankly I was not impressed. For it to feel like it was doing any good on carpeting I had to leave it set to the max mode (and suffer from greatly shortened run time). I've tried one of the more recent models and I was more impressed, but they still have a way to go.

I believe that as battery technology evolves we will see more and more improvements in the cordless vacuum market, but as it stands today I would not be able to see someone using only a cordless vacuum for their carpeted floors.

However! I will say that if you only need the machine for vacuuming hard floors and above the floor surfaces then I would absolutely recommend one of the Dyson cordless machines along with the optional extension hose and some of their additional dusting tools. The Dyson performs very well on hard surfaces along with above floor tasks, but I find their performance on carpeting a bit lacking.

 

[sebo_fan]

Jonathan makes a very good point that cordless has a long way to go to replace corded vacuums. There is a lot of hype behind them but then that's to be expected with new appliances.

I have yet to find a cordless vacuum that can successfully clean carpeted stairs though.

Far more continuous suction and power can be hard by remaining with a cord, even if you feel you are being restricted - change plugs! Buy an extension reel. Very few cordless vacs aren’t really powerful enough to deal with dirt in a car never mind the rest of your home.

I own a cordless upright though - a Vax Cordless Air. I bought it to replace an old Gtech sweeper (not the AirRam). Im very happy with it, but the suction through the hose is awful - but then I didn’t buy it thinking that I would use the hose. I bought it purely for a quick clean around my home and it supplements a cordless dust buster as I refuse to use a dust pan and brush. It is still going even though I much prefer to use my normal vacuums for above the floor line dirt or a proper intensive cleaning.

For hose style cleaning such as cleaning stairs, picking up general dirt etc - leave it to a proper mains powered vacuum. Invest in a reasonably good vacuum cleaner and an extension hose to get up those stairs.

 

[blknblu]

Not until Tesla teams up with somebody

 

[sebo_fan]

Well, it they do, they'll probably change the face of all cordless vacs including robotic discs.

 

[suckolux]

I use my dyson V6 daily! can get a lot done in no time. I would miss it if I had to choose, but corded would stay! It actually does very well on carpet, furniture and the car, floors

 

[dysonman1]

Simplicity/Riccar

Have a wonderful, full-size cordless vacuum. We sell a lot of them, never had a return, but we have had people who bought a second one for a present. With the rear stair cleaning handle, it's awesome on both carpets, floors, and stairs.

It's so good, Tacony made it into a tandem-air Power Nozzle for central vacs, and VINTAGE CANISTERS. We sell them everyday.

 

[wyaple]

Anybody Test One of These Battery Operated Machines?

I'd love to see how much CFM and water lift they can do. The specs for the Dyson V6 model is 21.6V @ 2.2A = 47.52 Watts. If I ever get one, I'll be sure to test it.

Bill

 

[suckolux]

I think its 125 air watts on hi

 

[panasonicvac]

I've used the cordless Simplicity Freedom at my current vacuum store and I was highly impressed with it. My favorite part about it was that it can still drag on the carpet just like the corded models.

 

[wyaple]

I looked up the specs on the V6 and found that

it is 100 Airwatts in boost mode and 28 Airwatts in regular mode. I wonder how much you can actually pickup with only 28 Airwatts? Knowing the formula for Airwatts, it might only have something like 20 CFM or less in normal mode. Probably only good for light, topical dirt and debris?

And I'm very skeptical of the 100 Airwatts figure as I've never seen any vacuum be able to produce more Airwatts than its power supply (or motor rating). Again, I can't wait to test one or could someone please at least hook up a Baird meter and report the results in this thread?

Bill

http://www.pickvacuumcleaner.com/reviews-and-recommendations/dyson-dc35-dc44-and-dc6-comparison.html

 

[n0oxy]

cordless vacuums

I don't have any cordless models, nor do I want one, they simply are not as powerful as the corded models. There are also some cordless backpacks, but when you look at the specs, they are much lower than the ones with cords. The one cordless product I may get is the volt, that is one awesome power nozzle.

 

[tolivac]

I have tried the Simplicity Freemdom cordless upright at the Greenville Sew&Vac place-does a GREAT job on their shallow commercial carpet.I vacuumed their carpet with it before a carpet contractor came out to clean their carpet.The filter on their extractor still got some stuff.Their truck mount machine-ProChem Apex pulls 250 In vacuum @ 600 CFM thru a 2 " hose.Even tried using the machine-VERY powerful!!!!The unit has a twin lobe suction pump powered by a 32Hp Kubota gas motor.That engine also powers the solution pump to the wand-and heats it,too.The exhaust manifold provides most of the heat-rest from the suction pump,and water system in the engine.I use the Simplicity at the place when I visit-Other folks like it,too-strangely addictive-you just pick it up--andGO!Want the Volt-that dealer will inform me when he can get one.Since he sells MD central vacuums-figure central customers would like that cordless powernozzle.

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

I find stuff like this to be just as overrated as 10-plus-amp corded vacuum cleaners and other battery cordless products like lawn mowers.

~Ben

 

[tolivac]

My cordless battery mowers do a better job than the gas mowers they replaced.And-no stinky fumes,noise,and heat-Wonder why you get so hot pushing or walking behind a gas mower-----HEAT from its gas motor!LOVE my cordless electric mowers!

 

[suckolux]

I almost never use the V6 on high, just not needed

 

[suckolux]

They might as well used a broom or sweeper!