For a thorough clean across several surfaces, start by choosing a cylinder vacuum cleaner with a floorhead and accessories suited to your floors, fabrics and hard-to-reach spots. According to Que Choisir’s guide, bagged cylinder vacuums clean more effectively than bagless models and expose you to less dust during maintenance. Bagless models mean you don’t need to buy bags, but you will need to empty the bin and maintain the filters. Also check which consumables are compatible with the exact model you choose.
If you regularly clean hard floors as well as rugs or carpets, compare the floorheads supplied and the test results for each surface. Que Choisir’s test protocol, for example, assesses carpets, tiles and wooden floors separately.
For sofas, cushions, furniture and high-up areas, look beyond the floorhead: check which accessories are included and whether they’re compatible with the model.
If emptying the bin, replacing bags or maintaining filters will affect your choice, compare what each task involves and find the consumables that fit the exact model you’re considering.
For a thorough clean, start with the surfaces you need to tackle, then compare models by how they collect dust, their accessories and how easy they are to manoeuvre.
Consider it if: you prioritise cleaning performance and less exposure to dust during maintenance, in line with Que Choisir’s guide.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to replace the bag and find the right compatible type.
Consider it if: you’d rather not buy disposable bags and are happy to empty the bin regularly.
Bear in mind: emptying the bin and maintaining the filters mean handling dust more directly. A bin alone doesn’t tell you how well the vacuum will clean your floors.
| Criteria | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Floor types and coverage around the home | The floorhead supplied for each surface and the operating radius; look for test results covering your types of flooring. | When I clean both hard floors and rugs, I want to tackle both without choosing based solely on the motor’s wattage; around 36% of consumers prioritise performance on their floor types. |
| Dust collection and maintenance | The type of dust collection, what’s involved in emptying or replacing it, and which bags and filters are compatible. | If I clean often, I want to know how to handle the dust and maintain the appliance; this is the top priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Fabrics, furniture and hard-to-reach spots | The list of included accessories and whether a crevice tool, furniture brush or turbo brush is compatible with the surfaces you need to clean. | To regularly vacuum the sofa, cushions and hard-to-reach areas, I need the right attachments; around 21% of consumers put cleaning beyond floors first. |
| Manoeuvrability and storage | The weight, moving it between rooms, storage and whether you might need space for an additional appliance. | If I have limited space or move around often, I want an appliance that’s easy to move without confusing quick pick-ups with a thorough clean; ease of use comes first for around 14% of consumers. |
This figure doesn’t tell you how well the vacuum will clean your floors. Que Choisir tests performance on different surfaces and looks at how dirt build-up affects it.
Look for tests covering your floors and check which floorhead comes with the model.
A turbo brush shown in a product catalogue won’t necessarily come with every vacuum in the range.
Check what’s in the box and whether the connector is compatible with the model you’ve chosen.
You may need to order a compatible brush separately.
A bag or filter listed for a brand won’t necessarily fit every model it makes.
Make a note of the vacuum’s model number and find the matching bags, filters and parts before you choose.
A lightweight cordless stick vacuum can make quick clean-ups easier, but that alone may not meet your needs if you regularly clean floors, fabrics and high-up areas.
Decide what your main appliance needs to clean, then consider adding a stick vacuum or robot vacuum if it suits the way you clean.
A brand worth considering for bagged cylinder vacuums. Compare what comes with the model you’re interested in against your surfaces and home.
A brand to consider if you’re comparing bagged and bagless cylinder vacuums and looking for accessories for fabrics or carpets.
A brand worth considering when comparing the floorheads, capacity and operating radius of each cylinder vacuum.
A brand to consider if you want to identify accessories and consumables by appliance model.
These two Electrolux bagged cylinder vacuums are worth considering as your main appliance. To compare the models, check which floorheads and accessories are included for the surfaces in your home.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a bagged cylinder vacuum for your main cleaning. Check which floorheads and accessories are included for your floors, furniture and fabrics, along with the bags and filters compatible with the EB61C4OG model.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a bagged cylinder vacuum to clean your home regularly. The stated motor power is 550 W. Also compare performance on your floors, then check which accessories are included and which consumables are compatible with the EB61C2GRN model.
Not necessarily: the surfaces you need to clean and the right accessories are still key. If cleaning performance and less exposure to dust during maintenance are your priorities, Que Choisir’s guide favours bagged over bagless cylinder vacuums. The trade-off is that you’ll need to buy compatible bags.
Check for a crevice tool for awkward spots and a furniture brush or 2-in-1 accessory suited to the surfaces you want to clean. If you regularly vacuum fabrics, also check whether a mini turbo brush is compatible and whether it’s included.
Follow the instructions for your model to replace the bag or empty the bin, maintain the filters and clear the floorheads. Que Choisir’s test protocol takes into account how a full bag or dirty filters affect cleaning performance.
Note the exact model number of the vacuum, then find compatible consumables and any parts you might need. In France, the DGCCRF states that if a seller knows how long the manufacturer will make spare parts available, they must pass this information on to the consumer. Ask what information applies to the model you’re considering.