- Table of Contents
- Intro
- Our Verdict
- Test Results
- Differences
- Compared To Others
- Deals
- Discussions
The LG CordZero A9 Ultimate is a cordless stick/handheld vacuum with two swappable batteries so you can vacuum with one while the other one charges. Unlike the barebones LG CordZero A9, which only comes with one universal nozzle for different surfaces, this model comes with two additional nozzles better-suited for bare floors and picking up pet hair. However, it can be troublesome to adjust this vacuum to different surface types as you have to change out its nozzle. It also has demanding maintenance needs. Still, it offers outstanding performance on bare floors and its handheld design is well-suited for cleaning hard-to-reach areas.
Our Verdict
The LG CordZero A9 is great for bare floors. It can pick up pet hair as well as small and large debris without an issue and it has good maneuverability. However, its build quality is just okay and it has several parts that need regular maintenance. Some parts may need to be replaced over time too.
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Picks up pet hair from all surface types.
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Can pick up small and large debris without a problem.
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Reconfigurable into handheld vacuum.
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Requires a lot of regular maintenance.
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Small dirt compartment.
The LG CordZero A9 is decent for low-pile carpet. It can pick up pet hair without a problem as well as most large debris. While it struggles a bit more with smaller debris like baking soda, it can still clear a good amount of this material. However, its build quality is just okay and it has demanding maintenance needs. On the upside, it has minimal recurring costs.
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Picks up pet hair from all surface types.
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Picks up most large debris.
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Reconfigurable into handheld vacuum.
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Struggles a bit more with small debris.
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Requires a lot of regular maintenance.
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Small dirt compartment.
The LG CordZero A9 is decent for high-pile carpet. While it does a good job overall on this surface type, it has a bit more trouble picking up both small and large debris, so it could take a couple of additional passes to fully clear debris. This vacuum's build quality is just okay, and some parts feel a little more flimsy than others. It also has demanding maintenance needs. Luckily, it doesn't have too many recurring costs.
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Picks up pet hair from all surface types.
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Reconfigurable into handheld vacuum.
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Has a slightly harder time with small and large debris.
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Requires a lot of regular maintenance.
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Small dirt compartment.
The LG CordZero A9 is excellent for pets. It easily clears pet hair on all surface types and has a removable brushroll so you can detangle hair wraps when necessary. It also has good maneuverability under couches or on furniture where hair may lay. However, its build quality is quite plasticky and it has several parts that need regular maintenance.
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Picks up pet hair from all surface types.
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Reconfigurable into handheld vacuum.
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Requires a lot of regular maintenance.
The LG CordZero A9 is excellent for stairs. This lightweight vacuum can be reconfigured into a handheld to get into crevices and other hard-to-reach areas. Its wand length can also be adjusted to better suit your cleaning needs. Since it's cordless, it's also easy to carry with you up or down steps. However, it has a plasticky build quality and its dirt compartment could get damaged if dropped.
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Reconfigurable into handheld vacuum.
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Lightweight and very maneuverable.
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Requires a lot of regular maintenance.
The LG CordZero A9 is great for cars. You can reconfigure it into a handheld, which makes it more portable and lightweight. It has a very good performance on bare floors and comes with several accessories, including a combination crevice and brush tool.
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Reconfigurable into handheld vacuum.
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Lightweight and very maneuverable.
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Requires a lot of regular maintenance.
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Reconfigurable into handheld vacuum.
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Requires a lot of regular maintenance.
- 8.1 Bare Floor
- 7.6 Low-Pile Carpet
- 7.4 High-Pile Carpet
- 7.3 Pets
- 8.6 Stairs
- 7.9 Cars
- 7.1 Workshop
- Updated Mar 24, 2022: Converted to Test Bench 1.0.
- Updated Dec 11, 2020: Review published.
- Updated Dec 07, 2020: Early access published.
Test Results
The LG CordZero A9 has an okay build quality. It's mostly made of plastic with a metal wand and rubber grips. The floor and carpet nozzles also have a small rubber wheel on the bottom. This design seems pretty sturdy, but the clear plastic dirt compartment could be damaged if it's dropped. While the vacuum itself is intuitive to assemble, the charging rack is more complicated, and you may need to look at the instructions to assemble or reconfigure it.
This vacuum is difficult to maintain. Several parts need maintenance, but each part is easy to access.
- Dirt compartment: To remove this part, you need to remove the battery first. Press the button at the bottom of the bin, then grab and twist the cyclone filter counter-clockwise to remove it. Since it's small, you need to empty this part regularly and clean its insides with the combination tool.
- Cyclone filter: You can remove this part once you've removed the dirt compartment. It should be cleaned under water, then allowed to dry.
- Exhaust filter: This part can be turned counter-clockwise to remove it. It should be cleaned with a brush or running water at least once a month.
- Pre-filter: Once you've removed the exhaust filter, you can pull out the pre-filter. You can clean it by using a brush or running it under water at least once a month.
- Power Carpet Nozzle and the Power Floor Nozzle: Both nozzles have the same cleaning instructions. To remove this part, you need to use a flat-blade screwdriver or coin to open the single cover lock. After this, you can rotate the brush cover upwards and pull the brush out. It should be checked before each use and cleaned if needed. You can use the crevice tool on the vacuum to clean it. You can also wipe the remaining debris off of it with a wet cloth.
- Power Punch Nozzle: You can turn this part upside down in order to access its brushroll. You can use the vacuum with the crevice tool to clean it. You can also pass a wet cloth over it to clear the remaining debris.
You must fully air dry any part that's washed with water before using it again. Don't dry the filters in direct sunlight. If you want a stick vacuum that's easier to maintain, check out the Roborock H6 Adapt.
The LG CordZero A9 has decently-low recurring costs.
- Filters: While the filters shouldn't need to be replaced if well-maintained, you can purchase the HEPA exhaust filter from the manufacturer's website, if necessary.
- Pre-filter: Even though the pre-filter is washable, it also needs to be replaced over time. However, the manufacturer doesn't provide a specific timeline for when it should be replaced. Luckily, you can purchase a Vacuum Filter Kit which contains one pre-filter, one cyclone, and one exhaust filter from the manufacturer's website.
The LG CordZero A9 is alright to store. The wall rack station can hold your vacuum when not in use. You can also reconfigure this rack station in three different ways to better suit your space: it can be wall-mounted, used as a stand, or placed so it's low on the ground. This rack station can also store three additional tools, but it's not enough for all of its included tools and brushes. Unlike the Dyson V15 Detect, it doesn't come with a wand clip to hold some tools on the vacuum itself.
The LG CordZero A9 has a reasonably-sized dirt compartment. It's smaller than that of alternatives like the Samsung Jet 70 Pet and needs to be emptied fairly frequently. On the upside, there's a max fill line to let you know when the compartment's full.
- LG CordZero A9 Ultimate vacuum
- Vacuum body
- Dirt compartment
- 2x Pre-filter
- Cyclone
- Exhaust filter
- 2x Battery
- Adapter
- Detachable nozzle storage
- Vacuum User Guide
- Various tools and brushes
- 2 in 1 Brush/crevice attachment
- Power Carpet Nozzle
- Power Punch Nozzle
- Power Floor Nozzle
- Crevice tool
- Extension wand
- Charging station
- Stand
- Base
- 2x Wall anchoring screws
- Wall anchors
- Double-sided tape
- Wall-anchoring block
The LG CordZero A9 is a cordless vacuum, which has an unlimited range as long as you have battery life remaining and room left in its dirt compartment.
This vacuum is very portable. It's lightweight and doesn't feel very heavy in your hand. It also has a carrying handle to make it easier to take with you from one room to another.
The LG CordZero A9 has a good battery performance. It comes with two batteries, which allows you to use one battery while charging the other one. One battery has a minimum battery life of about eight minutes when using its 'TURBO' mode with its wand and Power Carpet Nozzle. However, you can extend its battery life to over 35 minutes by using its 'Normal' mode with its wand and Power Carpet Nozzle. You can double its total runtime by swapping out the battery for a fully charged one. This vacuum also has three white LED lights that gradually turn off to indicate when its battery level is running low.
The LG A9 comes with a few quality of life features. There are three easy-to-reach buttons on the top of its handles which control its power levels. The '+' button lets you switch between three modes increasing in power: 'Standard/Normal', 'Power', and 'TURBO', which you activate by pressing and holding this button. The '-' button switches between power levels in reverse, so you can lower its suction. Finally, there's an easy on/off button located above these two buttons. However, if you want to adjust the vacuum to different surface types, you have to physically change the head with either the Power Floor Nozzle or Power Carpet Nozzle. Unlike the Tineco PURE ONE X Tango, it doesn't have an automatic suction power adjustment feature.
The LG A9 Ultimate comes with a few tools and brushes. While it doesn't come with a turbo brush, the Power Punch Nozzle can be used for sheets, bedding, and other surfaces to help remove pet hair. This brush also acts as an upholstery tool for cleaning fabric-clad furniture. There's also a 2-in-1 brush/crevice attachment so that you can clean hard-to-reach areas. Unlike the LG CordZero A9 A916BM, this model comes with a Power Carpet Nozzle too, which allows the vacuum to adjust to carpeted floors.
You can use the LG CordZero A9 as a stick vacuum or reconfigure it into a handheld by detaching its wand.
The LG CordZero A9 has a fantastic performance on bare floors. It can pick up pet hair as well as small and large debris without an issue. Its performance also stays consistent, even as the dirt compartment fills up.
The LG CordZero A9 has a very good performance on low-pile carpet. It can pick up pet hair and a good amount of large debris like sand. However, it struggles a bit more with smaller debris such as baking soda.
The LG CordZero A9 has a good performance on high-pile carpet. While it easily picks up pet hair, small and large debris is a little more challenging for this vacuum. There's a small decline in performance when cleaning small debris when the dirt compartment is over 70% full.
The LG CordZero A9 has good maneuverability. It's lightweight, and swapping attachments or changing configurations is simple. However, it can be annoying to switch between the floor and carpet attachment. You also need to crouch down low to reach all the way underneath couches or tables and it can get stuck on rug tassels. There are a lot of attachments to manage, but luckily, the storage rack holds most tools.
Differences Between Sizes And Variants
The LG CordZero A9 Ultimate comes in one color variant: 'Iron Grey'. You can see its label here. There are also several differently equipped variants of this vacuum available. However, we don't know if they perform similarly to our test unit, as our tests are conducted using all the attachments included in the box. Note that the Power Carpet Nozzle is also called the Universal Power Nozzle.
| Model Name | Parts Included | Color | Notes |
| LG CordZero A9 Charge Cordless Stick Vacuum | Universal Power Nozzle/Power Carpet Nozzle | Matte Red | |
| LG CordZero A9 Charge Plus Cordless Stick Vacuum | Universal Power Nozzle/Power Carpet Nozzle, Power Floor Nozzle | Matte Silver | |
| LG CordZero A9 Ultimate Cordless Stick Vacuum | Universal Power Nozzle/Power Carpet Nozzle, Power Floor Nozzle, Power Punch Nozzle | Iron Grey | |
| LG CordZero A9 Limited Cordless Stick Vacuum | Universal Power Nozzle/Power Carpet Nozzle, Power Floor Nozzle, Power Punch Nozzle | Vintage Wine | Comes with two sets of washable cylone and filters. |
| LG CordZero A9 Kompressor Stick Vacuum | Universal Power Nozzle/Power Carpet Nozzle, Power Punch Nozzle | Vintage Wine, Iron Grey | Uses Kompressor technology, which compresses debris within the dirt compartment. |
| LG CordZero A9 Kompressor Stick Vacuum With Power Mop | Universal Power Nozzle/Power Carpet Nozzle, Power Mop Nozzle | Vintage Wine | Uses Kompressor technology, which compresses debris within the dirt compartment. |
If you come across another variant, please let us know in the discussions and we'll update our review.
Compared To Other Vacuums
The LG CordZero A9 is a cordless stick/handheld vacuum that comes with swappable batteries so that you can charge one while using the other. Its docking station can also be reconfigured in three different ways depending on your storage needs. Unfortunately, adjusting the vacuum to different surface types requires you to replace its head with one of the other included parts, which isn't very convenient. If you're looking for more vacuums, check out our recommendations for the best cordless vacuums, the best cordless stick vacuums, and the best hardwood vacuums.
The Dyson V11 Animal and the LG CordZero A9 Ultimate are two stick/handheld vacuums with different strengths and depending on your needs, you may prefer one over the other. The Dyson is easier to maintain and has fewer recurring costs. It also offers better performance on high-pile carpet and comes with more tools like a hard bristle brush. However, the LG comes with two batteries so that you can use one while the other is charging. It also offers better performance on bare floors.
The Dyson Cyclone V10 Absolute is better than the LG CordZero A9 Ultimate. The Dyson incurs virtually no recurring costs, has a bigger dirt compartment, comes with more tools and brushes, and delivers better performance on low and high-pile carpet. It also charges substantially faster, and while it's maximum runtime is shorter than that of the LG, that can vary in the real world. Meanwhile, the LG is marginally more effective on bare floors.
The Samsung Jet 90 Complete is a better vacuum than the LG CordZero A9 Ultimate for most uses. The Samsung is much better at cleaning high-pile carpets and comes with a turbo brush, which is useful for cleaning fabric-covered furniture. It also recharges about twice as fast and has a much bigger dustbin. On the other hand, the LG has somewhat longer-lasting battery life.
The Dyson V15 Detect is a better vacuum than the LG CordZero A9 Ultimate. The Dyson has fewer parts that need to be regularly cleaned, incurs virtually no recurring costs, has a bigger dirt compartment, comes with more tools and accessories, and delivers significantly better performance on low and high-pile carpet. It also charges notably faster despite having a similar maximum battery life, though that can vary in the real world. Meanwhile, the LG is a little lighter.
The Miele Triflex HX1 is a more versatile cordless vacuum than the LG CordZero A9 Ultimate. The Miele is better-made, easier to maintain, has lower recurring costs, and performs better on low and high-pile carpet. It also has a surface detection feature that automatically stops the brushroll to prevent it from tangling with obstructions. Meanwhile, the LG is lighter and has a longer maximum battery life, though it takes much longer to recharge.
The Dyson V8 Animal is a better stick/handheld vacuum than the LG CordZero A9 Ultimate. The Dyson is easier to maintain and has virtually no recurring costs. It comes with more tools and brushes and its performance on low as well as high-pile carpet is better. However, the LG comes with two swappable batteries. Its performance on bare floors is better, too.
The Samsung Jet 70 Pet is better than the LG CordZero A9 Ultimate. The Samsung has fewer parts needing regular cleaning, has a bigger dustbin, feels lighter, and performs better on carpeted surfaces. Conversely, the LG comes with a telescopic wand, a second battery, giving it a longer overall runtime, and a secondary floorhead with a soft brushroll, yielding better crack-cleaning performance and superior debris pickup on bare floors.
The LG CordZero A9 Ultimate and Samsung Bespoke Jet each have their own advantages, so one might suit you better than the other depending on your needs. The Samsung feels better-built, has a Cleaning Station that allows you to quickly empty out its dustbin, comes with two batteries that can be charged at the same time, performs better on carpets, and does a better job of dealing with pet hair on furniture. Conversely, the LG is much more maneuverable, incurs lower costs of ownership, takes up less room, and clears more debris in cracks and crevices.
The LG CordZero A9 A916BM is slightly better than the LG CordZero A9 Ultimate, though overall differences are slight, and the vacuums are almost identical in design. The A916BM uses different batteries that yield a longer maximum runtime and performs notably better on high-pile carpet. Unlike the Ultimate, it only comes with one floorhead, so user maintenance requirements are slightly less demanding.
The Dyson V7 Animal and LG CordZero A9 Ultimate each have their own advantages, so one might suit you better than the other depending on your needs. The Dyson has fewer parts that need to be cleaned regularly, incurs virtually no recurring costs, and delivers slightly better performance on low and high-pile carpet. Meanwhile, the LG does a better job of dealing with bulky debris on bare floors and has a much longer battery life since it comes with a second battery that you can keep charged while using another.
The LG CordZero A9 Ultimate and Shark Cordless Vertex Pro Powered Lift-Away are both cordless vacuums, but they have different form factors, meaning one might suit you better depending on your needs. The LG is a more maneuverable cordless stick vacuum that makes less noise, has fewer maintenance requirements, and a more lightweight, portable design. The LG also comes with two swappable batteries, though their combined runtime is only a little bit longer than that of the Shark. The Shark is a cordless upright that's more effective in dealing with debris on carpeted surfaces, has a larger dirt compartment, and feels slightly lighter in your hand.
The Shark Rocket Pet Pro with MultiFlex IZ163H is a better stick/handheld vacuum than the LG CordZero A9 Ultimate. The Shark is better-built and easier to maintain. It also has a better performance on low as well as high-pile carpet, and it's more maneuverable. However, the LG comes with two swappable batteries so you can use one while the other is charging.
The Shark ION F80 and the LG CordZero A9 Ultimate are two stick/handheld vacuums with different strengths and depending on your needs, you may prefer one over the other. The Shark is better-built, easier to maintain, and has fewer recurring costs. It's also more maneuverable. However, the LG comes with swappable batteries and offers better performance on bare floors and low-pile carpet.
The Roborock H6 Adapt is a bit better overall than the LG CordZero A9 Ultimate. The Roborock is better for high-pile carpets, has fewer recurring costs, and is significantly easier to maintain. It also comes with more tools and brushes. That said, the LG performs better on bare floors and has a slightly larger dirt compartment.