A battery-operated vacuum cleaner comprises a handle (H) having a lower end, a battery (B) having an end that is adjacent to the lower end of the handle (H), a dirt management system (DMS) coupled to an inlet (N) for dirt-loaded air; and an airflow generator (AG) for generating an airflow through the dirt management system (DMS), the airflow generator (AG) being positioned adjacent the battery (B) and a lower end of the handle (H). Preferably, the battery (B) is positioned between the handle (H) and the dirt management system DMS. Advantageously, the battery (B) has a first side adjacent to the airflow generator (AG) and a second side adjacent to the dirt management system (DMS).