Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a body, an electrically-driven suction unit, a device for collecting dust, a suction channel, a nozzle communicating with the body through the suction channel, an intake device for ensuring an additional portion of air fed into the suction channel and being adjustable between an opened and a closed state, and a control unit for controlling the suction unit. The intake device is bi-directionally electrically connected to the control unit, so that transmission of data or signals between the intake device and the control unit is enabled. The control unit is configured to generate a signal for controlling the intake device in the event of detecting the cleaning start signal or the cleaning end signal. A method for operating a vacuum cleaner is also provided.