Abstract: Vacuum cleaner is provided with independently operating on/off switches on the handle and the motor housing. A vacuum cleaner comprises a motor housing (2), which accommodates a suction motor (10) and a control unit (12) for controlling the suction motor (10), a hose 4, which can be coupled to the motor housing (2) and has a handle 8, a command switch (14) on the handle (8), for supplying a first on/standby command signal to the control unit (12), and a main switch (16) on the motor housing (2) for supplying a second on/standby command signal to the control unit (12). The command switch (14) and the main switch (16) operate independently of one another. As a result, the suction motor (10) can be switched on and off both at the handle (8) and at the motor (2) regardless of the position of the main switch (16).