For regular cleaning of floors, rugs and upholstery, start by choosing a cylinder vacuum that performs well on your floor coverings and comes with the accessories you need. Wattage alone won’t tell you how well it picks up dirt. A bagged model is a good choice if you want to minimise contact with dust when emptying it; a bagless model saves you buying bags, but you’ll need to empty the dust container and maintain the filter. If you need to tackle embedded pet hair and clean furniture, check the results on carpets and the accessories included with the exact model you’re considering.
You’re looking for a main vacuum for floors and furniture, and perhaps rugs, bedding or hard-to-reach areas, depending on your home. Que Choisir describes cylinder vacuums as a solution for larger areas and a range of surfaces. However, accessories and manoeuvrability still need to be assessed model by model.
If pet hair and fibres get embedded in carpets or upholstery, look at how well a vacuum performs on those surfaces rather than relying on general claims about suction. Que Choisir’s test protocol includes a specific test for fibres embedded in carpet.
Choosing between a bag and a dust container affects how you dispose of dust and which consumables you’ll need. It’s also worth checking that filters, replacement bags and parts are available, particularly if you use your vacuum regularly. ADEME recommends looking at how repairable vacuum cleaners are.
Start with your floor coverings and regular cleaning tasks, then choose the dust collection method that suits your maintenance preferences. Whether you choose a bagged or bagless model, check the accessories for upholstery against the exact model variant.
Consider this if: minimising contact with dust when emptying the vacuum is a priority. In its comparison guide, Que Choisir notes that bagged models expose users to less dust.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to replace the bags and check their model number and availability.
Consider this if: you’d rather not buy bags and are happy to empty the dust container regularly.
Bear in mind: you may come into contact with dust when emptying it, and you’ll need to maintain the filter as instructed.
| Feature | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Floors and access | Compare test results on the floor coverings in your home, and check that the included floorhead is suitable for delicate floors and narrow spaces. | If I want to clean parquet, hard floors and hard-to-reach rooms with the same vacuum, I need to know how well it performs on each surface. Around 33% of consumers rank this coverage of different surfaces as their top priority. |
| Emptying and filtration | Check how the bag closes or how the dust container is emptied, then read the filter maintenance instructions. | If I’m concerned about contact with dust when emptying the vacuum, the dust collection method affects my everyday choice. This is the top priority for around 27% of consumers. |
| Carpets and upholstery | Look for test results on embedded fibres and check which accessories are included for carpets, furniture and crevices. | If I regularly need to clean pet hair from carpets and freshen up upholstery, I’m looking for a brush and tools designed for those tasks. This is the top priority for around 20% of consumers. |
| Maintenance and repairability | Find out which bags and filters are compatible, whether spare parts are available and, in France, check the details of the repairability index. | If I want to use my main vacuum for a long time, I need to be able to find its consumables and maintain its parts. Around 20% of consumers prioritise long-term usability. |
Motor power alone doesn’t tell you how well the floorhead will clean parquet, hard floors or carpets, Que Choisir points out.
Compare test results for your floor coverings and check which floorhead comes with the model you’re considering.
The dust collection method determines some of the maintenance you’ll need to do after buying your vacuum. A bagless model means no replacement bags, but it still needs other routine maintenance.
Note down the model numbers of compatible consumables and check the instructions for cleaning or replacing the filter.
A brush for delicate floors, an upholstery nozzle and a tool designed for pet hair each have a different purpose. A product range name doesn’t necessarily tell you what’s included with every variant.
Check the list of accessories included with the exact model, especially if you need to clean sofas, crevices or carpets covered in pet hair.
You’ll need to buy any essential accessories that aren’t included separately.
Filters and brushes can become clogged, making routine maintenance more difficult. The right way to clean them depends on the model and filter type.
Follow the instructions, remove hair and pet fur from the brush, and only refit a washed filter once it’s completely dry.
These examples show different configurations worth comparing. The features mentioned apply to the models listed, not every product range from each brand.
Rowenta offers bagged cylinder vacuums designed for a range of floor coverings and uses.
The Guard L1 Comfort XL is an example of a bagged model designed, among other things, for delicate hard floors.
The Série 6 ProAnimal BGS41PET1 is an example of a bagless cylinder vacuum to consider if you want to avoid using bags.
These two bagged Electrolux cylinder vacuums are suitable for use as your main vacuum. To compare the variants, check which accessories are included and look for cleaning results on the surfaces in your home. This selection doesn’t include any bagless models.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a bagged cylinder vacuum for regular cleaning across several surfaces. Before choosing it for parquet, carpets or furniture, confirm which accessories come with this variant and check its performance on the relevant floor coverings. Also check the model number of compatible bags.
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Worth comparing if you need a main vacuum for the floors in your home. Its stated motor power is 550 W, but this figure alone doesn’t tell you how well it will clean parquet or carpets. If you also clean sofas and bedding, check which accessories come with this variant, as well as the model number of compatible bags.
No. Que Choisir points out that motor power alone doesn’t tell you how well a vacuum will pick up dirt. Look for test results on the types of floor in your home and check which floorhead comes with the model.
In its comparison guide, Que Choisir says that bagged models expose users to less dust than bagless models when disposing of the contents. However, check how the bag closes and read the filter maintenance instructions for the model you choose.
Follow the instructions for your model, as cleaning methods and frequency vary depending on the filter. Que Choisir notes that filters need maintenance. If yours is washable, let it dry completely before putting it back in place. Also remove any hair and pet fur caught in the brush regularly.
ADEME states that vacuum cleaners are among the products covered by the repairability index. The score out of 10 is a useful starting point: check the details and make sure parts are available for the model you’re considering.