For regular cleaning across several rooms, start by choosing a cylinder vacuum cleaner with brushes suited to your floors, then check its operating radius, capacity and included accessories. In its guide, Que Choisir reports that bagged models vacuum more effectively than bagless ones and expose you to less dust. A bagless model is still worth considering if you’d rather empty a dust container than replace bags, and are happy to maintain the filters. This general conclusion is no substitute for comparing the specific models you’re interested in.
If you move between hard floors, rugs and carpets, check the included brushes and operating radius before choosing your main vacuum cleaner. Que Choisir tests cylinder vacuum cleaners under laboratory conditions designed to reproduce real-life use. The results for a specific model are more useful than a general promise of versatility.
Replacing a bag and emptying a dust container involve different tasks. If avoiding contact with dust is particularly important to you, bear in mind Que Choisir’s findings in favour of bagged models, and check the filters and care instructions for the model you choose too.
Before buying, check which bags, filters, brushes and parts are compatible with the exact model. If a repairability rating is shown, it gives you another point of comparison for the models concerned, but it doesn’t replace checking which consumables are available.
Worth considering: if minimising contact with dust matters to you. Que Choisir also found that bagged models vacuum more effectively in its comparison guide.
Bear in mind: bags need replacing, so check they’re compatible with the model you choose.
Worth considering: if you’d rather empty a dust container than replace bags.
Bear in mind: emptying the container and maintaining the filters are part of regular use.
If you’re choosing a cylinder vacuum cleaner as your main appliance for several rooms with different floor types, start with the surfaces you need to clean, then consider dust collection, ease of use and maintenance.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Floors and accessories | Check the main brush and included accessories for your floors, skirting boards and fabrics; also note the operating radius. | When I move from hard floors to rugs and need to reach the skirting boards, I want accessories suited to these surfaces. Around 33% of shoppers would put this versatility first. |
| Dust collection | For a bagged model, check the bag type and how to replace it; for a bagless model, look at how to empty the container and maintain the filters. | If my main priority is minimising contact with dust, how the appliance collects and empties dust becomes crucial; around 27% of shoppers would make this their top priority. |
| Ease of use | Compare the stated noise level in dB(A), operating radius in metres and bag or container capacity, but don’t treat these as measures of suction performance. | To clean several rooms without having to change sockets too often, I pay attention to noise and interruptions. Around 20% of shoppers would put this kind of convenience first. |
| Maintenance and repairability | Note the full model identifier so you can look up compatible bags, filters and parts; check the repairability rating if one is shown. | I want to be able to find the right consumables and parts after buying, rather than choosing solely on the appliance’s current specifications. Around 20% of shoppers would prioritise being able to maintain their appliance over time. |
A quoted wattage alone doesn’t tell you how well a particular model will clean your floors. Que Choisir assesses cylinder vacuum cleaners against several criteria as part of its testing process.
If cleaning performance is what sets your options apart, look for an independent test of the specific models, then check their brushes and accessories.
Brushes and filters can vary between versions. Philips, for example, says its accessories and replacement parts are designed for specific models.
Check what’s included in the box and make sure accessories are compatible with the exact model, especially if you need a parquet brush, crevice tool or mini turbo brush.
If an accessory you need for your floors or fabrics isn’t included, you may have to buy it separately.
A bagged model needs compatible bags; filters and some brushes may also need replacing. A statement that parts are available may not apply to every model.
Search for consumables using the appliance’s full identifier and check the manufacturer’s commitment for the model you’re considering.
A bagless model means you don’t have to replace bags, but you do need to empty the container and maintain the filters. With a bagged model, you’ll need to have compatible bags to hand.
Choose the maintenance routine that suits you and check the instructions for the specific model, rather than relying on the ‘bagged’ or ‘bagless’ label alone.
The bagged range includes models such as the Silence Force Effitech. For the RO7473EA, Rowenta lists a parquet brush, a mini turbo brush, and tools for crevices and upholstery.
The bagged range includes Parquet versions for shoppers with a particular need to care for delicate hard floors.
Philips offers both bagged and bagless cylinder vacuum cleaners. For its bagless PowerPro Expert FC9747/09, the brand lists a 2 L dust container and a 10 m operating radius.
Bosch lets you search for vacuum cleaner parts using the appliance’s E-Nr. identifier, which is handy if you want to plan ahead for maintenance.
Electrolux lists an AllFloor brush and furniture accessories for its bagged 500 EB51C1UG cylinder vacuum cleaner.
These three cylinder vacuum cleaners are suited to regular cleaning across several rooms: two are bagged and one has a bagless dust container. Choose based on your floors and preferred maintenance routine, then check the accessories and consumables for the model you select.
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A bagged cylinder vacuum cleaner to consider if you’re looking for a main appliance for several rooms. Check that the brushes supplied suit your floors, and find out which bags are compatible with the EB61C4OG before buying.
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Worth considering if you prefer a bagged model for regular cleaning. Its stated power is 550 W, but that alone isn’t enough to judge how it will clean your floors. Check the included accessories and which bags are compatible with the EB61C2GRN.
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For anyone who’d rather empty a dust container than replace bags, and is happy to maintain the filters. Its stated power is 900 W; check that the brushes supplied suit your floors and look for filters compatible with the FC9556/09.
Yes. In its guide, Que Choisir reports that bagged cylinder vacuum cleaners vacuum more effectively than bagless models on the floors and types of dirt tested, and expose users to less dust. This is a general finding: to compare two specific models, check their individual test results if available.
Look for a crevice tool for gaps and skirting boards, and an upholstery brush for furniture fabrics. For floors, choose a main brush suited to your floor types. If you have delicate hard floors, check whether a compatible parquet brush is included.
Use the appliance’s full model number rather than relying on its brand or appearance. For example, Bosch asks for the E-Nr. to search for parts, while Philips says its accessories and replacement parts are designed for specific models. Then check that the items you need are available.
For products covered by the scheme, the repairability rating gives you a score out of 10 to compare how easy they are to repair, according to the ministry responsible for environmental policy. If a rating is shown for the models you’re considering, compare it, then separately check which bags, filters and parts are compatible.