Cordless Vacuums: Everything you need to know

Imagine effortlessly gliding from room to room, cleaning every little nook and cranny without worrying about tripping over cords or struggling to access hard-to-clean areas. Well, that’s exactly what you get with a cordless vacuum.

Cordless vacuums offer a blend of power, versatility and manoeuvrability, promising an ultra-convenient cleaning experience.

Thinking of going cordless with your next vacuum cleaner? Here’s everything you need to know about cordless vacuums – including comparisons to corded models and answers to some of the most frequently asked questions...

Introduction to cordless vacuums: What are cordless vacuums?

A cordless vacuum is a vacuum that uses rechargeable batteries rather than being plugged directly into a power socket. This allows for total freedom of movement when cleaning, as you don’t have to worry about tripping over wires or ensuring you have access to a plug.

A cordless vacuum is typically lighter and more compact than their corded counterparts, making them easy to store away when not in use. This also means that you can often use a cordless vacuum to access difficult-to-reach areas, with many cordless vacuums converting easily to handheld modes for cleaning surfaces such as sofas, stairs or the inside of your car.

How do cordless vacuums work?

Cordless vacuums work similarly to corded models, except they are powered by rechargeable lithium-ion or lithium-polymer batteries rather than from a power socket. The battery provides power to the vacuum’s motor and brushes and can be recharged from the power outlet or when you’re not using the vacuum.

How long do cordless vacuums last?

Most cordless vacuums will give you up to 30 minutes of high-powered cleaning on a single charge. For most households, this is more than enough time to achieve a deep clean across hardwood, tiled, or carpeted floors in every room.

Our HF500 Cordless Vacuum gives you up to 45 minutes of cleaning time, while our HF9 Cordless gives you up to 30 minutes of high-powered cleaning with no loss of suction.

*Based on tests measured according to EN 60312-1 clauses 5.7 and 5.9.

Which cordless Hoover has the strongest suction?

The most powerful cordless Hoover is the HF9 Cordless Stick – with twice the suction power of Shark’s best-selling cordless vacuum and an impressive turbo mode designed for tackling stubborn dirt on all surfaces.

The HF9 also features an ANTI-TWIST floorhead, which actively prevents hair from wrapping around the brush bar while you clean. This makes maintenance easy, allowing you to clean for longer without worrying about replacing the brush.

What are the best cordless vacuums for pet hair?

If you’re the proud owner of a furry friend, you’ll know better than anyone the importance of regular vacuum cleaning! When it comes to cordless vacuums suitable for pets, look for models with motorised pet brushes, turbo brushes or pet-specific attachments designed for picking up pet hair.

High suction power and good bin capacity are also important for pet owners. At Hoover, our HF9 Cordless Pet Vacuum Cleaner and HFX Cordless Pet Vacuum Cleaner are designed to tackle even stubborn pet hair, so you and your four-legged can enjoy a sparkling, clean home!

How do cordless vacuums charge?

A cordless vacuum charges through a dedicated charging dock. When not in use, your cordless vacuum is placed in its dock or base station and will automatically charge, leaving it ready to go as soon as you need it next.

Some cordless vacuum models also offer removable batteries. This means you can remove them and charge at the most convenient plug or keep a spare battery ready for longer, deeper cleaning sessions.

Cordless vacuum maintenance: How to care for your cordless vacuum

As with any vacuum, you should keep on top of cleaning and maintaining your cordless vacuum cleaner to ensure you get the best from it for as long as possible.

Here are some key cordless vacuum maintenance tips:

• Empty the vacuum dust bin regularly

To keep your vacuum performing at its best, don’t wait until the bin is completely full before emptying it. Emptying the bin after each use helps keep suction power strong and prevents odours from settling inside your vacuum.

• Clean and replace the filters

Cleaning and/or replacing the vacuum filters regularly helps maintain air quality and suction while reducing odours. Check your user vacuum for guidance on cleaning and/or replacing filters for your specific cordless vacuum model.

• Keep the brushbar clean

A vacuum brush roll can gather a lot of debris over time – particularly string and hair- impacting its ability to spin freely. Many Hoover cordless vacuums come with anti-hair wrap technology, which automatically removes hair from the brushbar. If your model doesn’t have this tech, manually check and remove any built-up hair regularly to keep your cordless vacuum running effectively.

• Keep on top of cleaning your cordless vacuum attachments

Many people clean their vacuum regularly but forget about attachments. Check and remove any debris from additional tools, brushes and attachments on a regular basis.

• Take care of the battery

When you’re not using your vacuum, keep it stored in a cool, dry place to help maintain the battery. Make sure you charge your battery as recommended in the manual, and avoid leaving it discharged for long periods.

• Wipe down your cordless vacuum

Use a damp cloth to wipe down the exterior of your vacuum regularly. This will help prevent dust build-up.

Are cordless vacuum batteries replaceable? 

Many cordless vacuums come with replaceable batteries, meaning you can replace old batteries when needed or use two batteries to extend your run time.

Hoover’s cordless vacuums come with replaceable lithium-ion batteries. The HF9 also features a double battery model, which comes as standard with an additional removable battery for extra runtime.

Comparing cordless vacuums to corded

There are many benefits to both cordless vacuums and corded models, and which is best for you all depends on your personal preferences, home, and cleaning schedule. Here, we’ll take a look at the differences between cordless and corded vacuums and answer some of the most common questions about the two.

Are cordless vacuums as powerful as corded?

It’s a common misconception that cordless vacuums are less powerful than their corded counterparts. While this may be true with some models, most modern lithium-ion battery-powered cordless models can deliver just as much suction power as corded vacuums.

The Hoover HF9 has twice the suction power of Shark’s best-selling cordless vacuum, with an impressive turbo mode to deliver high-powered cleaning on all household surfaces.

Are cordless vacuums better than corded?

If you’re looking for portability, lightweight features, and easy storage, then cordless vacuums come out on top. However, corded vacuums provide unlimited runtime, which can be handy if you need to clean larger homes and a wider range of surfaces. So, the answer to which is ‘better’ depends on you!

If you’re unsure about which vacuum to purchase, try our Product Match Quiz to find the best Hoover for you. 

Benefits of cordless vacuums

Here are some of the key benefits of cordless vacuums:

• Lightweight and portable
• Plug-in charging with extensive runtime
• Replaceable lithium-ion batteries
• Perfect for cleaning cars and buildings away from the home
• No limitations on reach thanks to the lack of a power cord

Benefits of corded vacuums

Here are some of the key benefits of corded vacuums:

• Plug-in, with unlimited runtime
• No need to replace battery packs
• Often larger bin capacity
• Usually feature a hose for additional vertical reach

What are the different types of cordless vacuum?

If you’ve decided a cordless vacuum is the right option for you, it’s time to figure out what type and model to buy. There are several different types of cordless vacuums available, with different features and benefits to suit various needs:

1. Stick vacuums

Stick vacuums are slim, lightweight and versatile. They can often convert to handheld mode for various cleaning tasks.

2. Handheld vacuums

Fully handheld vacuums are compact and portable, making them perfect for quicker cleaning and accessing difficult-to-reach areas.

3. Pet-specific vacuums

With specialised brushes and strong suction, pet-specific cordless vacuums are designed to tackle even stubborn pet hair. For example, the Hoover Cordless Vacuum Cleaner with Anti Hair Wrap - HF4: Pet Editionhas mini motorised turbo brushes to loosen and lift out embedded cat and dog hair.

4. Robotic vacuums

While not traditionally considered part of the cordless vacuum category, robotic vacuum cleaners also operate on rechargeable batteries.

What to consider when buying a cordless vacuum

When shopping for a new cordless vacuum, you should consider:

• Battery life. Think about how long you’ll need to clean your home and look for models with a single charge that offers sufficient runtime.
• Weight and manoeuvrability. Most people count on a cordless vacuum to access difficult-to-reach areas, so you should ensure your model is comfortable to lift, navigate and use.
• Suction power. Ensure your model has enough suction for effective cleaning on a range of surfaces. For example, if your home is mostly hard floors, look for models with appropriate suction settings.
• Filter systems. If you suffer from allergies, a cordless vacuum with a HEPA filter is the best choice. For more information, check out our blog, What is a HEPA filter?
• Consider the main things you’ll be using your cordless vacuum for, and look for models with accessories and attachments to suit your needs.
• If you have pets, a pet-specific cordless vacuum – or a vacuum with a pet attachment – will ensure your home is hair-free.
• Of course, price comes into play when buying any new appliance. Consider your overall budget and balance this with the features you need the most.

Ready to start looking for the perfect new cordless vacuum for you? Look no further than the Hoover collection! From pet-friendly cordless vacuums to vacuums with anti-hair wrap, we have a variety of models to match your cleaning needs.

Explore our full cordless vacuum collection and get ready to experience power and flexibility, combined.