Homes with a mix of hard floors and rugs
If you move between hard floors, rugs and carpets, check the supplied floorhead and its settings before relying on the stated power. UFC-Que Choisir highlights the importance of the floorhead’s design.
Who is this choice for?
People looking to minimise contact with dust
How you empty the vacuum matters just as much as filter maintenance. Compare how the bag or bin is handled, and check the filtration specifications for the exact model you’re considering. These features are not a guarantee of health benefits.
People living in large, furnished homes
If you need to cover several rooms and clean around furniture, check that the cleaning reach and capacity suit your home. Also consider the weight and the accessories designed for upholstery and hard-to-reach areas.
What should you look for?
Bagged cylinder vacuum
Consider it if: you want to minimise contact with dust when emptying the vacuum. UFC-Que Choisir rates bagged models more favourably in this respect.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to replace the bag and check which type is compatible with your chosen vacuum.
Bagless cylinder vacuum
Consider it if: you’d rather use a bin than bags and don’t mind emptying it regularly.
Bear in mind: emptying the bin may expose you to more dust. You’ll also need to follow the model-specific instructions for looking after the bin and filters.
Once you’ve chosen a collection system, think about the surfaces you need to clean and how far you’ll need to go between sockets. These needs determine which brushes and accessories to look for, as well as the cleaning reach you’ll need.
| What to consider | What to check | What matters to shoppers |
|---|---|---|
| Floors, rugs and pet hair | The supplied floorhead and its settings for your surfaces, plus accessories for pet hair or upholstery if you need them. | When I move from wooden floors to rugs, I want to be able to adjust the floorhead without neglecting upholstery. Around 33% of shoppers put this need to clean different surfaces first. |
| Dust and filtration | How the bag or bin is handled, as well as the filter type and maintenance requirements for the exact model. | It matters to me that I can empty the vacuum without stirring up dust. This is the top priority for around 27% of shoppers. |
| Cleaning reach and capacity | The cleaning reach, bag or bin capacity, and the weight you’ll need to move around your home. | In a home with several rooms, I want to avoid changing sockets and stopping to empty the vacuum; around 20% of shoppers make this their top priority. |
| Maintenance and replacement parts | The maintenance required and the compatible product codes for bags, filters or brushes. | I want to know how to maintain the vacuum and find the parts I’ll need to replace. This is the main concern for around 20% of shoppers. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Choosing based only on the wattage
Wattage alone doesn’t tell you how well a vacuum will clean rugs, hard floors or pet hair. UFC-Que Choisir particularly highlights the role of the floorhead.
Make a note of your floor types, then check the brush, its settings and the nozzles actually included with the model you’re considering.
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Assuming “bagless” means “maintenance-free”
You’ll need to empty the bin and maintain the filters according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Rowenta also recommends rinsing the bin on applicable models after emptying it.
Before choosing a bagless cylinder vacuum, check how to empty it and read the instructions for its filters.
Allow time to handle the dust and debris, clean the bin and maintain the filters.
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Forgetting to check the codes for bags and parts
A bag, filter or brush won’t necessarily fit every vacuum from the same brand. The availability of replacement parts can also affect how long you can use your vacuum.
Make a note of the exact model number and check which consumables and accessories are compatible before you order.
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Overlooking how far you’ll need to move the vacuum
In a large home, the cleaning reach, capacity and weight affect how often you’ll need to stop and how easy the vacuum is to move around. These features vary by model.
Note which sockets you use during a full cleaning session, then compare your route with the stated cleaning reach and the vacuum’s capacity.
Cylinder vacuum brands to know
These ranges offer a useful basis for comparing cylinder vacuums. Always check the features and accessories included with the exact model you’re considering.
Rowenta
Rowenta offers bagged and bagless cylinder vacuums, with features that vary from model to model.
- Its range includes accessories and parts for some bagged models.
- Check that the bag, filter or brush is compatible with the model you’re considering.
Miele
Miele’s French range of bagged cylinder vacuums includes models for different floor types and uses.
- Miele offers a Cat & Dog model with a brush designed for homes with pets.
- Check which accessories are included and which bag code is needed for your chosen model.
Bosch
Features vary between Bosch bagged cylinder vacuum models.
- Bosch lists a cleaning reach of 11 m and a 4 L bag for the BGB41RD3H, compared with 12 m and 4 L for the BGB6X300.
- These figures don’t represent the whole range. Also check which accessories come with the model you choose.
Philips
Philips offers bagged and bagless cylinder vacuums, with cleaning reach and capacity varying by model.
- Philips lists a 12 m cleaning reach for the bagged XD8122/10 and a 2 L bin with a 10 m cleaning reach for the bagless FC9747/09.
- Compare the specifications for the exact model and consider how you’ll need to empty it.
Cylinder vacuums to consider on Joybuy
These two cylinder vacuums show the difference between a bagged and a bagless model. For each one, compare the features of the model on sale with your floors, upholstery and the size of your home.
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Electrolux 600 EB61C4OG bagged vacuum cleaner
Worth considering if you prefer to collect dust and debris in a bag and clean several types of floor. Check that the brushes and accessories supplied with this model are also suitable for your rugs and upholstery, then make sure you can find compatible replacement bags.
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Philips 5000 Series FC9556/09 bagless vacuum cleaner, blue LED
Worth considering if you’d rather empty a bin than replace bags. For a large home, check that the capacity and cleaning reach suit your route around the house. Also confirm which brushes and accessories are included, along with the filter maintenance instructions. Don’t choose this model based on the stated power alone.
Frequently asked questions
Bagged or bagless to minimise contact with dust?
A bagged cylinder vacuum is the better choice for this purpose: UFC-Que Choisir says it exposes users to less dust than a bagless model. If you choose a bin, bear in mind how you’ll handle it when emptying and follow the manufacturer’s maintenance instructions.
Is a HEPA label enough to choose a cylinder vacuum?
No. It doesn’t replace checking the brushes, cleaning reach and emptying method. Check the filter type for the exact model, how to maintain it and which replacement filters are compatible. Don’t interpret the label as a guarantee of health benefits.
Which accessories should you check for rugs and furniture?
Start with the floorhead for your floors, then look for accessories suited to the surfaces you actually clean: rugs, upholstery or narrow gaps. Check exactly what’s included in the box, as an accessory listed for a range may not come with every model.
What should you do with an old vacuum cleaner in France?
First, see if it can be repaired or passed on to someone else. If you need to dispose of it, ADEME directs people to collection schemes for electrical and electronic equipment rather than household rubbish.