Who is this choice for?

Homes with several floor types

If you move from hard floors to carpets, then on to furniture and skirting boards, check which floorheads and smaller accessories come with the exact vacuum model you’re considering.

Homes with carpets, fabrics or pet hair to remove

If you regularly clean carpets and furniture, check whether the model includes a mini turbo brush or an upholstery tool. Having one doesn’t replace test results for those surfaces.

Buyers who value easy maintenance

If you’re deciding between a bag and a bin, compare what each involves day to day and check which bags, filters and compatible parts are available before you choose.

What should you look for?

Start with the surfaces you need to clean, then compare models by their accessories and the maintenance you’re prepared to take on.

Feature What to check Consider your needs
Floor cleaning Compare tests carried out on the same types of flooring, including wood, tiles and carpets. Look at the floorhead supplied rather than judging by the motor’s wattage alone. I clean both hard floors and carpets, so I need relevant results for each type of flooring.
Fabrics and pet hair Check what’s included in the box: a mini turbo brush, an upholstery tool and a parquet floorhead. If carpets are a major factor in your choice, look for test results on fibres. Pet hair and fibres on my carpets or sofa call for a suitable accessory, not just an all-floor brush.
Bag or bin For a bagged model, find out which bags and filters are compatible. For a bagless one, check how to empty the bin and maintain the filters. Que Choisir’s guide says bagged models expose you to less dust. I’d prefer to handle less dust when emptying the vacuum, or avoid buying bags regularly and accept that I’ll need to clean the bin.
Moving around and maintenance Check the operating radius to avoid changing sockets too often, then check the part and filter references. If noise matters to you, look up the noise level for the exact model. In a larger home, I want to clean several rooms without having to stop too often.

What pitfalls should you avoid?

  • Choosing based on motor wattage alone

    The stated electrical power isn’t enough to compare how well a vacuum cleans carpets, wood floors or fibres. The floorhead and results on each surface matter too.

    Look at tests carried out using the same method, and check which brushes come with each model.

  • Assuming ‘bagless’ means ‘maintenance-free’

    You’ll still need to empty the bin and maintain the filters. The brushes also need regular attention.

    Before you buy, check how to access the bin and filter, and which parts are compatible with the exact model.

    Emptying the bin and cleaning the filters take time, even when there are no bags to replace.

  • Assuming all accessories are included

    Two versions in the same range may come with different brushes, which can make a difference when cleaning wood floors, carpets and fabrics.

    Check what’s included in the box and identify the accessory you’ll need for the most demanding surface in your home.

  • Assuming a stick vacuum will automatically be a suitable replacement

    An appliance chosen for quick clean-ups may not meet your needs for carpets, fabrics and cleaning your whole home.

    If a stick vacuum is going to be your only vacuum, first compare its accessories and performance on all the surfaces you clean regularly.

Which brands should you consider?

Rowenta

Rowenta offers both bagged and bagless cylinder vacuums. Compare the specific models rather than assuming every one in the range has the same features.

  • According to Rowenta, the bagged RO6179EA includes a parquet floorhead and a mini turbo brush, among other accessories. The bagless RO7C66EA also comes with these accessories.
  • The RO7C66EA needs to be emptied. Check which accessories and filters are compatible with the model you choose.

Electrolux

The Pure D8 PD82-4ST is a bagged cylinder vacuum worth considering if reach and cleaning wood floors are important to you.

  • Electrolux’s product details for the PD82-4ST list a 3.5 L bag, a 12 m operating radius and a parquet floorhead.
  • To find parts and consumables compatible with the PD82-4ST, Electrolux asks you to provide the appliance’s PNC number.

Bosch

The Series 6 ProAnimal BGS41PET1 is a bagless option to consider if you prefer using a bin.

  • Bosch lists a 2.4 L bin and a washable HEPA filter for the BGS41PET1.
  • Going bagless doesn’t mean you can skip emptying the bin or following the filter maintenance instructions. These specifications don’t measure cleaning performance on every floor type.

Miele

The Guard L1 Parquet XL is a bagged cylinder vacuum with features focused on cleaning hard floors.

  • Miele describes this model as having a 41 cm parquet floorhead.
  • Before choosing a Miele cylinder vacuum, check which bags and filters are compatible with its exact model number. A particular consumable won’t necessarily fit every product from the brand.

Bagged cylinder vacuums available on Joybuy

These two bagged Electrolux cylinder vacuums fit the bill if you’re looking for a main appliance for cleaning your home. If you also clean carpets and fabrics, check the accessories supplied with each model before choosing.

Electrolux 600 EB61C4OG bagged cylinder vacuum cleaner

Electrolux 600 EB61C4OG, bagged cylinder vacuum

For cleaning different surfaces around your home, check which brushes are included, particularly for wood floors, carpets and fabrics. Also check which bags and filters are compatible with the EB61C4OG model.

View on Joybuy
Electrolux EB61C2GRN 550 W black bagged cylinder vacuum cleaner

Electrolux EB61C2GRN, 550 W black bagged cylinder vacuum

For cleaning floors and fabrics, check which accessories are included with this version and which bags are compatible with the EB61C2GRN. Its stated power of 550 W alone doesn’t tell you how well it will clean your different surfaces.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Which tests should I look at to compare cleaning on floors and carpets?

Look for tests that assess different surface types separately, rather than giving just one overall score. Que Choisir’s testing method looks at vacuuming on carpet, tiles and wood floors, among other things. Compare the results for the flooring in your home.

Does a bagless vacuum mean you don’t have to buy consumables?

It saves you from buying bags, but you’ll still need to empty the bin and maintain the filters according to the model’s instructions. Check which filters and parts are compatible before choosing a bagless vacuum.

How can I check whether a bag or filter is compatible?

Start with the appliance’s exact model number, not just the name of the range. For the Pure D8 PD82-4ST, for example, Electrolux asks for the PNC number to show compatible parts and consumables.

What should I do with a full vacuum bag or an old vacuum cleaner in France?

ADEME recommends putting dust in household waste, preferably in a sealed bag. If you have an old vacuum cleaner, consider having it repaired or, if it can no longer be used, taking it to an appropriate electrical equipment collection point.