Cordless or corded — how to choose? Suction power: Pa vs AW — which matters? Cyclonic separation showdown: Dyson, Dreame, Puppy compared. Your complete 2025 vacuum buying guide in one article.
I used to rely entirely on a robot vacuum for daily cleaning, but I soon realized there were plenty of spots the robot simply couldn’t reach — sofa crevices, the tops of bookshelves, curtain folds, and car seats. So last year I picked up a cordless vacuum, and after using it for a while, my biggest takeaway is this: it doesn’t replace a robot vacuum; it complements it. The robot handles routine floor maintenance, while the vacuum takes care of deep cleaning and hard-to-reach corners. Today, I want to share everything I’ve learned about choosing a vacuum.
The first decision you’ll face when buying a vacuum is: cordless or corded? I’ve used both, so here’s my honest take.
Cordless vacuums (also called stick vacuums or cordless stick vacuums) are the mainstream choice these days. Their advantage is flexibility — you can pick them up and use them anywhere without dragging a power cord from outlet to outlet. Most cordless models offer 30 to 60 minutes of run time, which is plenty for a typical cleaning session. The downside is that suction power isn’t as strong as a comparably priced corded model, and the battery will degrade after two or three years.
Corded vacuums, on the other hand, offer stronger suction, no battery worries, and a lower price tag. For the same 1500 yuan, a corded model can deliver much better suction and dust separation technology than a cordless one. But they are a hassle to use — you have to plug and unplug the cord every time you switch rooms. Once you’ve gotten used to cordless, it’s really hard to go back.
My advice is straightforward: if this is your first vacuum, or if you’ve been using a corded model and want to upgrade, go cordless. The only reason to consider corded is if you have a very large home (150 sqm or more) and need to clean for extended periods where cordless battery life won’t cut it. In that case, though, I’d actually recommend pairing a robot vacuum with a cordless vacuum instead.
First, battery life should be at least 30 minutes — anything less won’t cover a single cleaning session. Second, a removable battery is a big plus for easy replacement later. Third, the suction control button should be positioned where your fingers naturally rest, otherwise your hand will get sore. Fourth, the charging dock should be wall-mountable — even better if it doesn’t require drilling holes.
Suction is the most important performance metric for a vacuum, but many brands play word games with these numbers. Suction is usually expressed in two units: Pa (Pascals) and AW (Air Watts).
Pa measures the vacuum pressure at the nozzle — simply put, how much negative pressure there is at the intake. AW, or Air Watts, takes both vacuum pressure and airflow into account, making it a better reflection of real cleaning performance. AW was first used by Dyson, and more brands are starting to adopt it now.
Generally speaking, cordless vacuums range from 100 to 250 AW. Around 100 AW is sufficient for everyday dust and pet hair, 150 AW and above is considered strong, and 200 AW or more is flagship territory. The Dyson V15 delivers up to 230 AW, and the Dreame V16 hits 210 AW — both in the top tier. Budget entry-level models, on the other hand, typically offer 30 to 80 AW, which can struggle with carpets or deep-seated dust.
The Pa numbers look more impressive — you’ll see 20,000 Pa or 30,000 Pa thrown around — but honestly, Pa alone doesn’t tell you much. Two vacuums with the same Pa can have very different airflow, leading to vastly different real-world results. My advice: focus on AW rather than Pa. If a brand only lists Pa but not AW, chances are the AW figure isn’t great.
| Suction Level | AW Range | Pa Range (Reference) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry | 30–80 AW | 10,000–18,000 Pa | Hard floors, daily dusting |
| Mid-Range | 100–150 AW | 18,000–25,000 Pa | Hard floors + low-pile carpets |
| High-End | 150–200 AW | 25,000–30,000 Pa | High-pile carpets + pet households |
| Flagship | 200–250 AW | 30,000+ Pa | Deep cleaning + large homes |
Cordless vacuums typically have three run-time tiers: low-speed mode, standard mode, and max mode. The run time advertised by brands is usually for low-speed mode, which isn’t very useful in practice because you won’t clean on low speed the whole time. I pay more attention to standard and max mode run times.
Based on my experience, a full cleaning session for an 80–100 sqm home takes about 20–25 minutes — mostly on standard mode with brief bursts on max for stubborn spots. So you’ll want a machine that offers at least 30 minutes on standard mode and 8–10 minutes on max mode.
The Dyson V15 offers 60 minutes on low, about 30 minutes on standard, and about 12 minutes on max. The Dreame V16 offers 85 minutes on low, about 35 minutes on standard, and about 10 minutes on max. The Puppy T12 offers 60 minutes on low and about 28 minutes on standard. These numbers represent the current mainstream performance for cordless vacuums.
Dust separation technology determines whether a vacuum can effectively separate dust from the airflow, keeping the filter unclogged and suction power from degrading. There are two mainstream technologies: cyclonic separation and standard filter filtration.
Cyclonic separation is Dyson’s signature technology. It uses high-speed rotating airflow to create centrifugal force, flinging dust and particles against the inner wall of the dust bin, while clean air passes through the filter. The advantage is that the filter is less prone to clogging, and suction degrades slowly. Dyson’s multi-cyclone technology (used in the V15 and V12) can capture 99.97% of particles as small as 0.3 microns — outstanding performance. Dreame’s Space 5.0 cyclonic technology is also impressive, using 15 cyclones working simultaneously to achieve a separation efficiency of 99.9%.
Standard filter filtration simply relies on a HEPA filter to trap dust directly. It’s simpler and cheaper to manufacture, but the filter clogs easily and suction will drop over time. This technology is now basically only found in entry-level models under a few hundred yuan.
My personal advice: if your budget allows, go for a model with cyclonic separation. It costs more upfront, but the suction stays consistent over the long term, the filter lasts longer, and the overall cost of ownership is actually lower.
First, empty the dust bin promptly when it’s full — don’t wait until it’s packed, or suction will drop significantly. Second, wash the HEPA filter regularly (if it’s washable) — about once a month. Third, never vacuum wet dust or liquids, as this can damage the motor and filter. Fourth, clean hair tangles from the roller brush promptly, otherwise cleaning performance will suffer and the brush may be damaged.
The brush heads are the key to getting the most out of your vacuum. A good cordless vacuum usually comes with the following attachments:
First, the motorized floor head — the most frequently used attachment. Floor heads come in soft-roller and carbon-fiber varieties. Soft-roller heads are ideal for hard floors — they won’t scratch the surface and are less prone to hair tangling. Carbon-fiber heads are better for carpets, with stiffer bristles that can dig out deep-seated dust. Some high-end models, like the Dyson V15, feature a laser soft-roller head that uses a laser to illuminate microscopic dust on the floor, making cleaning noticeably more effective.
Second, the motorized mattress tool (also called a dust mite brush). It rapidly taps the mattress surface, dislodging dust mites and dead skin cells before vacuuming them away. This feature is genuinely useful for people with allergic rhinitis or sensitive skin. After using a mattress tool on my own bed, I saw a fine layer of white powder in the dust bin — and realizing I’d been sleeping on that every night was a bit unsettling.
Third, the crevice tool and the 2-in-1 brush. The crevice tool is great for sofa gaps, window sill gaps, keyboard crevices, and other narrow spaces. The 2-in-1 brush can switch between a brush and a suction-only mode, making it suitable for curtains, bookshelves, lampshades, and similar surfaces. These two are standard accessories included with most machines.
In truth, more brush heads isn’t always better. Some machines come with seven or eight attachments, but most of them will go unused. The practical ones are the floor head, mattress tool, crevice tool, and 2-in-1 brush — that’s it. Other attachments like mopping modules, pet brushes, and flexible adapters come down to your specific needs.
The Dyson V15 is my current primary vacuum and the best cordless model I’ve ever used. With a maximum suction of 230 AW, a laser soft-roller floor head with dust detection, and an LCD screen that shows the size and quantity of particles being picked up in real time, it’s a joy to use. The multi-cyclone separation efficiency is 99.97%, and after a year of use, I’ve noticed almost no degradation in suction. The whole-machine HEPA filtration ensures the air expelled is cleaner than the air drawn in. Battery life is 60 minutes on low and 12 minutes on max. The downside is the price — 4599 yuan isn’t something everyone can stomach. Also, the battery is built-in and non-removable, so replacement will require an official service visit.
The V12 is a lighter version of the V15, with the unit itself weighing only 2.3 kg — noticeably less than the V15. Maximum suction is 150 AW, which, while not as high as the V15, is more than enough for daily use. It also features laser detection and dust particle counting, with essentially the same brush head configuration as the V15. Battery life is 50 minutes on low. If the V15 feels too heavy or is over your budget, the V12 is an excellent alternative. I bought one for my mom, and she says it’s not tiring to use.
Dreame is the domestic brand I’m most bullish on in the vacuum space. The V16S delivers a maximum suction of 210 AW, nearly matching the Dyson V15. Its Space 5.0 cyclonic technology uses 15 cyclones working in parallel for a separation efficiency of 99.9%. Battery life is 85 minutes on low and 35 minutes on standard mode. The battery is also removable, which is a better design than Dyson’s. The brush head set is comprehensive, and the floor head even has a green light illumination feature (not as bright as a laser but enough to see dust). At 2999 yuan, it offers excellent value. I bought one for a friend, and after six months, he’s very satisfied — the gap between this and the Dyson V15 isn’t nearly as large as the price difference would suggest.
The Dreame V12S offers a maximum suction of 150 AW, with a battery life of 70 minutes on low and 30 minutes on standard mode. It weighs 2.5 kg, feeling lighter than the V16S. It also comes with a green-light floor head and a removable battery. Great value for users with a budget around 2000 yuan. If this is your first cordless vacuum, the V12S won’t disappoint.
Puppy is a Chinese brand that started with vacuums and has a solid reputation for after-sales service. The T12 Plus Rinse offers a maximum suction of 185 AW and a low-speed battery life of 60 minutes. Its standout feature is a mopping module that enables vacuuming and mopping in one pass — ideal for households that mop every day. The dust separation uses multi-cyclone technology and performs well. Puppy’s central repair policy is also quite generous: if the unit breaks during the warranty period, they’ll replace it with a new one and cover shipping both ways. That said, its suction and cyclonic technology still lag behind the flagships from Dyson and Dreame.
The Xiaomi Portable Vacuum is a compact handheld model with 13,000 Pa of suction and 30 minutes of battery life. I keep one in my office for cleaning my keyboard, desk, bookshelf, and desk gaps. It charges via USB-C and weighs only 0.6 kg, making it easy to grab and use anytime. The battery isn’t removable, and the suction is only good for light dust. It’s best as a supplement to a primary vacuum, not a replacement.
| Brand/Model | Max Suction | Low-Speed Run Time | Dust Separation | Est. Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi Portable Vac | 13,000 Pa | 30 min | Standard filter | 299 yuan | Desktop/car cleaning |
| Dreame V12S | 150 AW | 70 min | Cyclonic separation | 1999 yuan | Best value pick |
| Puppy T12 Rinse | 185 AW | 60 min | Multi-cyclone | 2499 yuan | Vacuum + mop combo |
| Dreame V16S | 210 AW | 85 min | Space 5.0 Cyclone | 2999 yuan | Domestic flagship pick |
| Dyson V12 Slim | 150 AW | 50 min | Multi-cyclone | 3699 yuan | Lightweight quality choice |
| Dyson V15 Detect | 230 AW | 60 min | Multi-cyclone | 4599 yuan | Best if budget allows |
I haven’t used a huge number of vacuums, but I’ve used more than a few. My first was a Dyson V8 (an older model, now around 2000 yuan). I later upgraded to the V15, and along the way, I’ve helped friends buy the Dreame V16S and Puppy T12. Here are a few honest observations:
First, the real-world cleaning difference between the Dyson V15 and the Dreame V16S is very small. On hard floors, they perform almost identically. On carpets, the Dyson has a slight edge. The biggest differences are in the details — the Dyson’s laser dust detection is genuinely cool, the LCD screen feels more high-tech, and the brush heads have a better build quality and feel. But whether those differences are worth the 1600 yuan premium is a personal call.
Second, Puppy’s vacuum-and-mop combo feature is genuinely useful. If you mop your floors every day, the T12 Plus Rinse can save you an extra step. But if you already have a dedicated mop or floor washer, there’s no need to pay extra for this feature.
Third, no matter which brand you choose, regularly cleaning the filter and removing hair from the roller brush are tasks you can’t avoid. Don’t skip them — take care of your machine, and it will last a long time.
There’s so much more to explore when it comes to choosing a vacuum. I recommend these articles on 66.chibie.cn: