For a thorough clean, first choose between a bagged cylinder vacuum, if you want to minimise direct contact with dust, and a bagless model, if you’re happy to empty and maintain its dust container. Then check which accessories are included for your floors and fabrics, along with the operating radius, weight, stated noise level and maintenance requirements. Motor wattage alone won’t tell you how well a vacuum performs on every surface. A cordless stick vacuum can complement it for quick touch-ups between longer cleaning sessions.
If changing the bag or emptying the dust container is your main concern, check the removal process, dust collection system and filter maintenance instructions for the exact model. A HEPA label doesn’t mean you can skip checking these steps.
If you want to clean floors, rugs, sofas, fabrics and awkward corners, compare the accessories actually included: a suitable floor head, crevice tool and upholstery tool, depending on your needs.
To avoid changing sockets and taking breaks during a long cleaning session, consider the operating radius, bag or dust container capacity, weight and noise level together.
Worth considering: if you’d rather remove a bag than empty a container of dust directly.
Bear in mind: check which bags are compatible and remember to maintain the filters.
Worth considering: if you’d like to avoid buying bags and are happy to empty the dust container.
Bear in mind: removing, emptying and cleaning the container means regular handling.
Worth considering: for quick touch-ups between thorough cleans.
Limitation: in this case, it complements the cylinder vacuum rather than replacing the option intended for longer cleaning sessions.
| Feature | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Dust handling | How to remove the bag or empty the container; the exhaust filter and the maintenance instructions for the model. | If I want to minimise contact with dust, how the collected dirt is removed matters just as much as the filter. Around 42% of consumers would make this a priority. |
| Floors and fabrics | Floor heads and tools included for the floors, sofas, fabrics and awkward corners you need to clean. | If I also want to clean the sofa and narrow spaces, I need the right accessories, without assuming they’re included. Versatility would be a priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Long cleaning sessions | Operating radius in metres, capacity in litres, weight and stated noise level in dB for the model you’re considering. | In a large home, I want to change sockets or bags less often and move the appliance around easily. Around 25% of consumers would prioritise this convenience when cleaning. |
Motor power alone doesn’t tell you how well a vacuum will perform on your floors. Que Choisir Ensemble assesses performance, noise, ease of use and maintenance as separate criteria.
Check the results for the model you’re considering, then compare them with the surfaces you need to clean and the accessories included.
Equipment varies by model: a parquet floor head or upholstery tool shown as part of a range won’t necessarily come with every appliance.
Check the list of accessories included with the exact model, particularly for rugs, sofas, beds and delicate floors.
If the accessory you need is optional, you’ll have to buy it separately.
Electrolux lists a full bag or dust container, filters that need maintenance and blockages among the possible causes of reduced suction.
Check the model’s maintenance instructions and, for a bagged appliance, the reference number of compatible bags.
Depending on the model, allow for replacement bags or filters, or set aside time to clean the container.
A product description focused on hard floors isn’t enough to establish how an appliance performs on rugs or fabrics.
For every important surface in your home, look for information specific to the model and check that it has a suitable floor head.
The Guard range includes bagged cylinder vacuums, with equipment that varies by model.
Bagged cylinder vacuums worth considering if capacity and operating radius are important to you.
Bagless cylinder vacuums with different capacities and accessories depending on the model.
Bagged cylinder vacuums to consider if operating radius and stated noise levels matter during longer cleaning sessions.
This selection features a bagged cylinder vacuum for a thorough clean. If you’ll be cleaning sofas, bedding or awkward corners, check separately which accessories come with the model.
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A bagged cylinder vacuum to consider for a thorough clean of your floors. Check which accessories are included if you also want to clean fabrics and awkward corners, as well as the reference number of compatible bags.
Stated motor power: 550 W. This figure alone doesn’t tell you how well it will perform on every surface.
Look for an upholstery or cushion tool and a crevice tool for narrow spaces. Depending on your floors and fabrics, check for a parquet floor head or mini turbo brush too, then make sure the accessories you need are included with the exact model.
No, it isn’t enough to compare suction across different surfaces. Que Choisir Ensemble assesses performance and other aspects of use separately. Compare the results for the specific models with your floors, the accessories included and the maintenance required.
Check how full the bag or dust container is, inspect the filters and look for any blockages, following the instructions for your appliance. Electrolux lists these among the possible causes of reduced suction. Unplug the appliance before inspecting it.
ADEME recommends putting it in your household rubbish, preferably inside a sealed bag. This advice applies to the dust-filled bag, not the vacuum cleaner itself.