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Cordless or plug in vacuum cleaner?

(61 Posts)
Mazgg Wed 07-May-25 13:52:22

I have a dyson cordless which is running out of power before a whole house clean. It is almost eight years old so I suppose has done well considering it is used daily.
I can't decide whether or not to buy a plug in and keep the Dyson cordless for stairs etc. or buy another cordless. Shark seem to get good reviews.
A bit of background: I currently have two dogs, one very hairy who is 16 years old and a young one who doesn't shed much. They are not allowed upstairs but the old one's hair gets everywhere including stairs, bathroom and bedrooms where she doesn't go. I know that sadly I won't have her much longer.
Any advice appreciated, thank you.

Freya5 Thu 08-May-25 14:29:01

Cordless for me now. I had a Vax Air stretch, very good cleaner,cord was extremely long, 17 metres could could plug it in downstairs, take it up and clean carpets upstairs. But very trippable, so donated it to family who needed one bought a Shark cordless. Can still do the whole house in one go, but no danger of tripping over.

Lilyflower Thu 08-May-25 14:26:17

I second the recommendation for trying a new battery. We have replaced, at different times, the battery and the motor and each replacement has rendered the machine as good as new.

Foxyferret Thu 08-May-25 14:20:16

Miele cat and dog, had mine 10 years now and it’s still the best suction cleaner i have had. Yes, you have to buy bags but they take quite a while to fill. Only downside is that it’s heavy but the quality is great. Never had to have the suction turned up full as i think it would suck the carpets off the floor!

undines Thu 08-May-25 14:12:43

We have a cordless Shark and a cordless Dyson and a hefty upright (name escapes me but top-of-the-range) for when I decide on a more thorough clean. I've had the Dyson for about 6 years, dealing with three Golden Retrievers, and find it's the best. Floor cleaners are really important to peace of mind!!

Sara1954 Thu 08-May-25 10:42:57

My third dyson recently went in the skip, I disliked it from the start, too heavy, difficult to change the different appliances, and constantly getting blocked, at over £600 is was very disappointing
Just replaced it with a G Tech air Fox, seems to be Okay at the moment.
Love my Sebo corded

Benid0rmbelle Thu 08-May-25 10:31:09

I have always purchased Vax products. Recently my old vax literally has fallen apart, after years of use. So, I was split between trying a robot vac or a cordless Vax. I opted for the cordless Vax. And I'm pleased I did. It's lightweight, I can vacuum my 1 bedroom flat for 3 days on a full charge, than I just automatically put on charge. I can store it anywhere convenient in my limited space home, it has a wall bracket. Only the disconnect battery needs the charge. Of course the contents storage is smaller, but that allows me to empty it easier into the bin more, rather let it build up and have more of a faff. The suction is brilliant, and it's just lightweight to push with no trailing trip hazard cord.

Skydancer Thu 08-May-25 10:23:23

I agree that GTech needs emptying a lot. I wouldn’t buy another one as half the time it doesn’t pick up. Henry for me every time except for its weight. However someone told me there’s a lighter version. Also they are made in the UK.

Spinnaker Thu 08-May-25 10:09:53

Day to day I use a GTech Air Ram, it's marvellous. For the hard core stuff where I need the tools I have Hetty - she's fab, as well as being bright pink !

Mt61 Thu 08-May-25 10:03:26

I like my shark pet,cordless, battery runs for ages. I like that it bends in the middle to get under my beds. Slightly heavy. 5 yr guarantee
Have two cordless Dysons but they conk out after 5 minutes- replaced the battery a few times. May get rid & buy another shark for downstairs. Try Very, or shop round as these sharks vary in price.

NotSpaghetti Thu 08-May-25 07:18:24

...I think the Miewas a "Classic"

Crossstitchfan Wed 07-May-25 22:28:54

Oreo

Crossstitchfan

I love my Gtech upright cordless except for one thing. It needs emptying far more than I think it should. I have got new carpets, which are obviously the problem, but I think I should be able to vacuum more than half a 12’ x 18’ room before I have to empty it.
My previous Gtech was amazing. Shame this new one isn’t, especially as it wasn’t cheap.

It’s all the fluff from your new carpets, that’s all.

Oreo, I think I have vacuumed more fluff from the carpets than I actually have left! It never stops, and I have visions of all the pile disappearing and leaving me with just the base!😂

Washerwoman Wed 07-May-25 22:23:34

Miele Cat and dog here.Absolutely the best vac Ive ever had.Had Sebo uprights for years but this is even better for pet hairs.
I also have a Hoover cordless because I wanted something for a quick whizz round in between thoroughly cleaning but didnt want to spend too much.But I hate it.Its got to be the worst appliance I've ever had.Always blocking.Stupid little wheels that get clogged up.

NotSpaghetti Wed 07-May-25 20:26:50

I love my Henry as he will just suck suck suck... when we first got one he basically ate a quality rug as I didn't turn the sucking down.. 🙁

Unfortunately he's really too heavy for me now and I'm looking for a rechargeable type... my daughter has a shark which she says is too heavy on the stairs and my other daughter has a rechargeable Henry which sucks well but is not the right "balance" for me.
Both son's have Dyson - one is an "animal type" I think - he wishes he'd bought a Shark which his friend has. The other Dyson I've tried this week and wasn't impressed with the manoeuvrability - it was way too swivelling about for me.

My mother-in-law has an early Gtec which doesn't have enough power - but her main vacuum is the entry level Miele (with a cable) which is fantastic but not what I want.

I will watch this thread with interest...

For "everyday" hoovering I have Eufy robot vacuums! They are fantastic and have transformed my cleaning... but unfortunately they don't do stairs or behind radiators!
The newest one has a haircutting and self-emptying station. That's the way to go for daily hoovering I think.

NanM Wed 07-May-25 19:48:37

since!

NanM Wed 07-May-25 19:47:52

I was having the same trouble with my Dyson and it's working fine si ce l replaced the battery. Cheaper than buying a new one.

Oreo Wed 07-May-25 19:05:11

Marmight

I have one of each. A GTech which is ideal for whizzing round the small stuff and a Henry for the hardcore stuff. My Mrs Mop uses it more than I do! The GTech holds its charge very well and Henry stretches very well & far on his lead

You make the Henry sound very cute😃

Oreo Wed 07-May-25 19:03:54

Crossstitchfan

I love my Gtech upright cordless except for one thing. It needs emptying far more than I think it should. I have got new carpets, which are obviously the problem, but I think I should be able to vacuum more than half a 12’ x 18’ room before I have to empty it.
My previous Gtech was amazing. Shame this new one isn’t, especially as it wasn’t cheap.

It’s all the fluff from your new carpets, that’s all.

Marmight Wed 07-May-25 19:00:00

I have one of each. A GTech which is ideal for whizzing round the small stuff and a Henry for the hardcore stuff. My Mrs Mop uses it more than I do! The GTech holds its charge very well and Henry stretches very well & far on his lead

GrannySomerset Wed 07-May-25 18:57:44

We use the Miele heavyweight for downstairs, the GTech for the rest, and the little handheld for the inevitable crumbs. Works well.

DollyRocker Wed 07-May-25 18:49:27

I think you have to sacrifice ease (no leads) over efficiency. I've tried 4 cordless brands and they just don't get the place properly clean, however, the cumbersome Henry/Hetty really does the business. I use the former for a quick clean and the latter for deep cleans. I'm disabled so cordless is easier.

AskAlice Wed 07-May-25 18:13:07

I'm following this thread with interest as I've got a sewing room
that is carpeted. It used to be sanded and varnished floorboards and I wish I had kept it like that as thread, little bits of fabric get stuck in the pile of the carpet and need a really good vacuum cleaner to get them up properly.

I have a Shark plug in at the moment which is brilliant but very heavy to lug upstairs to vacuum the bedrooms/sewing room. Has anyone got a battery vacuum that they use in a sewing room that efficiently picks up all the little bits and threads?

Crossstitchfan Wed 07-May-25 15:43:48

I love my Gtech upright cordless except for one thing. It needs emptying far more than I think it should. I have got new carpets, which are obviously the problem, but I think I should be able to vacuum more than half a 12’ x 18’ room before I have to empty it.
My previous Gtech was amazing. Shame this new one isn’t, especially as it wasn’t cheap.

avalon123 Wed 07-May-25 15:32:16

I bought a Shark cordless (pet) a couple of years ago and it was sent straight back after a couple of weeks as it continually got blocked with dog hair and it took an hour or more to dismantle it to clean it out every time I used it. I gave up and went back to Henry but I am now thinking of getting a Gtech. Does anyone with pets know if they clog up in the same way? I really want a lightweight portable as Henry is really heavy and am in a quandary as to which brand to buy.

Shinamae Wed 07-May-25 15:29:54

Corded shark that bends in the middle for storage..
Had a Dyson before cordless and a halo cordless much prefer corded Shark …

eddiecat78 Wed 07-May-25 15:23:50

I love Gtech. I have the upright and the hand-held. Very lightweight and if you do have problems their customer service is second to none.
I'd never go back to plug-in. It's so easy just wandering from room to room without having to keep stopping to plug in and out - not to mention safer as there is no cord to trip over.