Cordless vacuum cleaners have sure come a long way since the initial generation of glorified power brooms. Today’s models have highly advanced batteries, powerful suction, all the attachments you need, and a long enough runtime that you almost forget there is no cord. You can find lightweight stick vacuums that are mostly designed for smooth floors as well as larger offerings that can deep clean carpets. This is exactly what the LG Cordzero A9 and Dyson V11 can do. They can tackle any type of floor just as good (or better) than a similarly sized corded upright.
It’s important to note that a cordless vacuum is only as good as its’ battery. Sure, the motor design is crucial since it drives all the internal parts and produces the suction but the battery is what powers it all. And if it won’t hold a charge for very long then it just won’t be effective at cleaning your home. Fortunately today’s lithium ion technology can produce as much as 50 minutes of fade-free suction power on a single charge. Buy an extra battery and that time essentially doubles, giving you more than enough time to get every square foot of your house free from dust.
We will jump into the comparison shortly but first here are the main features of each of these cordless powerhouses so you have a good idea as to the capabilities of each model.
LG Cordzero A9 – Quick Rundown
The Cordzero A9 from LG is a do-it-all powerhouse that can clean any type of floor around your home. While relatively unknown in the home cleaning industry LG has put forth a very formidable cordless vacuum that as you will soon see compares favorably to the Dyson V11. The A9 Ultimate has quite a list of features that you don’t see on the average vacuum (corded or not). Here are the highlights before we compare these vacuums more closely in a variety of categories:
- 2 Removable Lithium Ion Batteries let you clean and charge at the same time for as much as 80 minutes of runtime
- Unique Charging Stand lets you store and charge it hanging, standing, or in a compact mode
- Ergonomic Thumb Controls give you the ability to control power settings and more with the touch of your thumb
- Washable Filters and Cyclones to keep it operating at peak performance all the time
- Power Punch Nozzle gives off vibrations in handheld mode to let you deep clean upholstery, mattresses, and stairs
- 5 Step Filtration System is rated to remove 99.99% of tiny dirt and dust particles from the air that passes through
- Allergy UK Seal of Approval from the British Allergy Foundation
Dyson V11 – Main Features
The Dyson V11 is not only one of the most powerful vacuums you can find today, it also has very innovative ‘Smart’ technology to help you track a variety of important aspects while it is running. Dyson has always been known as a company on the forefront of innovation in the cleaning industry. They were really the first brand to embrace cordless cleaners as capable of more than just hard floor machines. With powerful suction and tremendous filtration their V series of vacuums has revolutionized the marketplace and inspired many other companies to invest in better batteries and features. Here is a list of the main qualities you will find on the V11:
- Auto Mode let’s the V11 adapt the power to the type of floor with no manual adjustments or head changes
- LCD Screen shows you how much runtime remains as well as any maintenance alerts
- 3 Modes of Operation including Auto, Eco, and Boost to let you set the vacuum to your cleaning needs
- Powerful Digital Motor spins as much as 125,000 RPMs to generate 185 air watts of suction (Boost mode)
- Patented Cyclones are common to Dyson vacuums and route the air through with tremendous force
- High Capacity Lithium Ion Battery helps deliver more power and runtime than their prior generation V10
Suction Power – Can They Handle Carpeting?
Cordless vacuums weren’t known for power just a few short years ago. With the current motor and battery technology they can now put down as much suction as larger corded vacuums, but in a lighter and more versatile design. Both the LG Cordzero A9 and the Dyson V11 are designed for ALL floor types including thick carpets so they need to have enough power to pull embedded dust mites from down in the carpet fibers. So how do these 2 heavyweights compare?
The Dyson V11 is rated to pull as much as 185 air watts of power in their highest Boost setting which is more than a typical large corded upright (about 150). While you won’t be vacuuming in this mode it really is a testament to just how powerful the Dyson is. Even in Eco or Auto modes the digital motor will perform as good as anything out there, cordless or not.
The LG A9 isn’t quite as powerful as the Dyson but still puts down a very good 140 air watts in Turbo mode. It can deep clean carpeting in the stick configuration especially considering the power floor nozzle has its’ own direct drive motor. When using the Cordzero you won’t believe that it isn’t corded or that it doesn’t have quite the power rating as the V11. But if you are going by pure power numbers, it is very hard to knock Dyson off the top step and the LG couldn’t quite do it.
Filtration – Keeping Allergens At Bay
High quality filters are important as they will remove those microscopic allergens like dust mites, mold spores, pet dander, and even pollen from the air. This is especially important for those individuals who suffer from indoor allergies or asthma, to avoid having a reaction while breathing the air in. Dyson has always been known as a company for innovation and they take a unique approach to filtering. The combination of internal cyclones and filters remove more than 99% of those tiny organisms as the air passes through. The cyclones generate so much force that the dust is separated from the air, and whatever is left gets trapped by the filter.
LG takes a more traditional approach but that doesn’t mean it isn’t one of the best. As a matter of fact, the British Allergy Foundation gives them the Allergy UK Seal of Approval which is very high praise indeed. The Cordzero A9 has a 5 step filtration system that removes larger particles first and then captures those tiny allergens in the filters. The end result is more than 99% of allergens removed which puts it right on par with the Dyson V11. Both do an excellent job no matter if you are vacuuming carpet, tile, laminate, or hardwood.
Here is a quick video that shows just how good the LG filtration is:
Batteries – Power And Longevity
A cordless vacuum is only as good as the battery technology that powers it. Both of these lightweight stick vacuums come with highly advanced lithium ion batteries that not only last long but also provide virtually fade-free suction for the life of the charge. The Dyson V11 comes with 1 high-capacity battery that is rated to deliver more power output than their prior generation while giving as much as 60 minutes of runtime (on the lowest setting). You can expect about 45 minutes in normal upright operating mode which is more than enough to clean the average sized home. The biggest downside to it is the fact that the battery is not removable and must be charged in the vacuum.
The LG Cordzero A9 comes with 2 removable lithium batteries that each provide about 40 minutes of use (combined for 80 minutes). The quick release capability and fast charging actually will give you longer as you can recharge 1 while cleaning with the other. This is a big advantage over the Dyson and also lets you purchase additional batteries should the need arise. Hopefully Dyson will follow most other brands that allow you to remove them for charging but until then the LG does have an advantage in this category.
Other Features
Dyson is a well respected company that always stands behind their products. The V11 has the #1 JD Power award for customer satisfaction, compiled from millions of independent users. 2 different models (Animal and Torque Drive) provide the same performance but slightly different attachments. It gives you the power and flexibility the clean everything from floor to ceiling. It is our recommended choice if you have primarily carpets and a small to medium sized home. Click here to check current pricing and more at our recommended online supplier.
The LG Cordzero A9 offers tremendous value for the cost. It was awarded an almost perfect score from the Good Housekeeping Cleaning Lab, 98 out of 100. It also can be stored upright and has a portable charger that can be used away from the wall. The filters and internal cyclones are all washable so there is no need to ever replace them. With enough power and attachments for any surface in the modern household it is an excellent choice for the medium to large sized home as the removable batteries give it a big advantage over the V11. Click here to learn more and check availability at our recommended internet supplier.