Provided are a vacuum cleaner that uses both alternating current (AC) power and direct current (DC) power without a separate switch module, and a control method thereof. The cleaner includes a suction nozzle sucking a cleaning target, a suction connection part connected to the suction nozzle and allowing the sucked cleaning target to pass therethrough, and a main body separated from the suction nozzle and having a dust box collecting the cleaning target, wherein the main body includes a suction force generating unit installed in the main body to generate a suction force and a power supply unit detachably provided in the main body to apply a voltage to the suction force generating unit, wherein the power supply unit supplies power to the suction force generating unit using any one of a DC voltage and an AC voltage.