Corded vs. Cordless Hand Vacuums: Which Portable Vacuum Cleaner Wins?

We all love the portability and convenience of a portable vacuum cleaner. No muss, no fuss cleaning on the go. Best of all, a portable vacuum cleaner means that there is no need to drag out the heavy upright or bother with a broom and dust pan.

The Benefits of Portable Vacuum Cleaners

Just some of the features of portable vacuum cleaners include convenient, onboard attachments for reaching tight spaces, HEPA filters, bagless dirt cups for easy cleanup, and cyclonic action technology, which keeps filters clean and suction power strong.

Don?t expect the poor suction of yesterday?s handheld vacuums, either. Strong motors mean excellent suction power, which allows you to pick up everything from rice to dirt to sugar. Wet/dry handheld vacuums are also a popular choice, as they can easily pick up a spilled bowl of cereal or a spilled cup of coffee in the car.

Speaking of cars, handheld portable vacuum cleaners are ideal for vehicle interiors, as they can get where a standard upright cannot. Cordless vacuums are great for moving about in the vehicle, and many corded handhelds include car adaptors, which make cleaning out the car not such an unpleasant task.

Lastly, design features for portable vacuum cleaners have come a long way, and many are downright pretty. Handheld vacuums have definitely found a happy medium between form and function.

Corded or Cordless?

With all the benefits and great features of today?s portable vacuums, you simply have to decide whether a corded or a cordless vacuum is right for you.

Any portable vacuum cleaner, although not meant to replace your standard upright or canister vacuum, should have plenty of suction power. Today?s cordless vacuums, although strong on suction power, cannot usually compare to the power offered by a corded portable vacuum cleaner.

Take the Dirt Devil 08245X Power Reach, for example. This corded portable vacuum cleaner offers power and versatility, with its 6.5 amp motor and bagless technology. The 20-foot power cord allows you to easily move about a room, and the on-board hose and crevice tool allows you to reach even the tightest of areas. The HEPA filter and the detachable power nozzle with revolving brush offer additional features.

Another factor to consider when choosing between a corded and a cordless portable vacuum cleaner is your overall cleaning time. Cordless handheld vacuums offer just a few minutes (usually between 5 and 10 minutes) between charges. For many consumers, this is sufficient, as it affords them enough time to quickly pick up a spill or mess. For others, however, a corded handheld vacuum may suit them better if they need to clean larger areas, such as the car or office.

If cordless handheld vacuums appeal to you, yet power is a must, try Dyson?s DC16 Root 6 handheld vacuum cleaner. This portable vacuum cleaner employs Dyson?s Root Cyclone Technology, which means that is offers more than twice the suction power of other portable vacuums. Although it offers just six minutes of cleaning per charge the power of this handheld vacuum means that you can quickly get the job done.