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How long should your vacuum cleaner cable be – and why?
Tired of playing tug of war with your vac because the cable is too short to reach that last dusty corner? Then you’ll know cable length matters more than you might think, here’s how to figure out which length is right for your home.
When you’re shopping for a new vac, it’s easy to focus on all the shiny new spec – from clever tech to top-of-the-range power. But take a closer look and hiding out in the product specs is one important little detail that’ll decide whether cleaning the house is smooth and simple, or a rage-inducing frustration. That's right, it's cable length.
Get the wrong one and be stuck in a constant loop of plugging, unplugging, tripping and pulling to get even one room done. But get it right and you’ll be gliding from room to room leaving not a speck of dust behind.
So, how long should your vacuum cable be – and why does it matter?
How long is a vacuum cleaner cable usually?
Before you start picturing yourself dashing ‘round the house with the longest cable imaginable, here’s what most vacuums out there usually have:
- Standard household vacuums: usually 5 - 10 metres
- Upright vacuums: typically 7 - 10 metres to cover larger areas
- Cylinder vacuums: around 8 - 12 metres, great for big rooms
- Corded stick vacuums: a shorter 3 - 4.5 metres (though many stick models are cordless)
Why does vacuum cleaner cable length matter?
If you’ve ever been mid-clean just for the plug to yank itself out of the wall, then you already know why cable length matters. It can be the difference between “in the zone” and “I give up”.
Basically, a longer cable means less stopping, less re-plugging, and less trying to stretch the cable that last few centimetres. With a longer lead (around 8 – 10 metres) you could usually cover the average ground floor in a UK home (around 35 - 50m²) without having to unplug.
But just because you can go for the longest, doesn’t always mean you should. If you’ve got a cable that’s so lengthy that it snakes around furniture (as well as your ankles), then you might as well have just installed a shiny new trip hazard into your home.
Now, here’s the bit most people don’t know. Extremely long cables can actually reduce suction because of something called voltage drop. Basically, electricity loses a tiny bit of power as it travels through long cables. So, the longer the cable, the more the voltage can drop before it reaches the vacuum. When you’re on the lookout for a new vac, you should be going for a balance of both reach and cleaning power. Otherwise, you might end up with reels of cable you don’t need and the suction power of a gentle breeze.
Some quick tips for managing cable length
Whether you’ve already got the perfect cable length, or yours is a little on the short side, some clever cable-management can make all the difference. Try these tips out for size:
Use a good quality extension lead.
This is a quick fix solution to tackle some of the cable-tugging tedium that comes with a short lead. But make sure it’s a sturdy 14–16 gauge extension to keep things safe – give cheap extension cords a miss as they can overheat.
Go for a model with automatic cord rewind.
One tap of a button and the cord whooshes back into place like it’s running late. Trip hazards begone.
All in all, cable length might seem like one of those tiny details you don’t have to think about, but it can really make or break your cleaning routine. Give it some thought and a few metres could save you some time, annoyance, and at least one dramatic sigh when you can’t reach those crumbs at the other end of the living room.
