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.
For a thorough clean across several surfaces, a bagged cylinder vacuum is worth considering as your main appliance. According to Que Choisir’s guide, bagged models vacuum more effectively than bagless ones and expose you to less dust. A bagless model saves you from buying bags, but you’ll need to empty the bin and maintain the filters. Either way, choose the floorheads to suit your flooring and fabrics. A stick vacuum can still be handy for quick clean-ups, but don’t assume it will meet all your needs for a thorough clean throughout your home.
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.
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.
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.
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. |
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.
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.
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.
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.
Rowenta offers both bagged and bagless cylinder vacuums. Compare the specific models rather than assuming every one in the range has the same features.
The Pure D8 PD82-4ST is a bagged cylinder vacuum worth considering if reach and cleaning wood floors are important to you.
The Series 6 ProAnimal BGS41PET1 is a bagless option to consider if you prefer using a bin.
The Guard L1 Parquet XL is a bagged cylinder vacuum with features focused on cleaning hard floors.
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.
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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.
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.