For regular cleaning of carpets, rugs and floors throughout your home, start by looking at cylinder vacuum cleaners and how well they perform on different surfaces. According to Que Choisir, bagged models clean better than bagless cylinder vacuums and expose you to less dust when emptying them. A bagless model is still an option if you would rather empty a dust container than replace bags. A cordless stick vacuum is better suited to quick clean-ups, unless you have checked that its brush and battery life will see you through a full cleaning session.
If you regularly move between rugs or carpets and hard floors, look at the floorhead and how well it performs on each surface rather than focusing on the motor’s wattage alone. Que Choisir assesses these surfaces separately.
Choosing between a bag and a dust container changes how you handle the collected dust: you either remove a bag or empty and clean a container. Que Choisir says that bagged cylinder vacuums expose users to less dust than their bagless equivalents.
If your main reason for buying is to clean stairs, furniture and small areas, a cordless stick vacuum could offer the manoeuvrability you need. Check its brush, dust container and battery life before relying on it for a full clean as well.
For your main vacuum, first consider the surfaces you need to clean, then decide how you want to deal with dust. A stick vacuum’s manoeuvrability suits a different kind of use, particularly if a full cleaning session calls for longer battery life.
Worth considering: for regular cleaning of carpets and floors, especially if minimising contact with dust when removing the bag matters to you.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to replace the bags and check that the compatible type is available.
Worth considering: if you want a cylinder vacuum for your main cleaning and prefer not to use bags.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to empty the container and maintain the filters. Que Choisir notes that it exposes you to more dust than a bagged model.
Worth considering: for quick clean-ups, stairs or a small area where manoeuvrability comes first.
Bear in mind: battery life varies by power setting. Before choosing it as your only vacuum, check that it will last long enough with the brush you need for your carpets.
| What matters | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Cleaning different floor types | Separate results for rugs or carpets and hard floors; brushes supplied and compatibility with delicate parquet flooring. Que Choisir’s testing process includes carpet, tiles and parquet. | When my home has both carpets and hard floors, I want the vacuum to clean each one properly, not just boast a powerful motor. Around 42 % of consumers would put thorough cleaning at the top of their needs. |
| Dust collection | How you remove the bag or empty the container; access to filters and availability of compatible parts. | If handling collected dust is my main concern, choosing between a bag to replace and a container to maintain makes a difference to my routine. For around 33 % of consumers, managing dust would be the priority. |
| Manoeuvrability for quick clean-ups | Battery life in the intended power setting, the brush supplied for carpets and the capacity of the dust container. | To quickly reach a staircase, a piece of furniture or a small area, I’d choose an easy-to-move vacuum without assuming it can handle the whole house. This manoeuvrability would be the main need for around 25 % of consumers. |
Electrical power alone doesn’t tell you how well a vacuum will pick up dirt from carpets, rugs or parquet. Que Choisir also highlights the importance of the floorhead and performance on different surfaces.
Compare the brushes supplied and look for separate results for the surfaces you clean.
A bagless dust container means you don’t need to replace bags, but you will still need to empty it. The filters and brushes also require maintenance.
Before you choose, check how the container is removed and consult the manual for filter care instructions.
A stick vacuum can be handy for quick clean-ups, but its battery life and brush may not be suitable for a long session across carpets and floors.
Think about how long your usual clean takes, then check the battery life with the power setting and brush you plan to use.
Bags, filters and brushes need to match the exact vacuum model. Replacing them is part of regular use.
Note down the exact model number and check which bags, filters and brushes are compatible, as well as the repair options available.
The range includes bagged cylinder vacuums worth considering for cleaning several types of floor throughout your home.
Its bagless cylinder vacuums are worth considering if you prefer a dust container to bags. Check that the brushes are suitable for your floor types.
The brand’s accessories may appeal to households that regularly clean carpets and soft furnishings, provided they’re compatible with their vacuum.
Its cordless stick vacuums are worth considering for quick clean-ups. Check that the model’s brush and battery life suit your routine.
These cordless stick vacuums are best suited to quick clean-ups on carpets and floors, or to cleaning hard-to-reach areas. If you want to use one as your main vacuum, check that the brush and battery life are suitable for a full clean in your home.
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Worth considering for cleaning carpets and hard floors on the go. Check that its brush is suitable for your floor types.
The product description lists 65 kPa of suction and up to 70 minutes of battery life, but doesn’t specify the power setting. Check how long it lasts with the brush and power level you plan to use, along with the instructions for maintaining the dust container and filters.
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Its cordless design is worth considering for quick clean-ups and reaching awkward spaces.
The product description lists 55 kPa and 550 W. The stated 55-minute battery life applies to hard-floor mode, so check how long it lasts in carpet mode before planning a full clean. Also check whether the dust container’s capacity suits the length of your cleaning sessions.
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Worth considering for cleaning under furniture and on soft furnishings, once you’ve checked that the accessories suit your needs.
The product description lists 60.000 Pa of suction and up to 65 minutes of battery life. This figure applies to standard mode, not necessarily carpet cleaning. Check the battery life in the mode you plan to use, along with the care instructions for the dust container, filters and brush.
Check which floorhead is supplied for rugs and carpets, then see whether there’s a soft brush suitable for your parquet flooring. If hair or pet fur gets caught in the fibres, check that a turbo brush is compatible with the model you’ve chosen. Que Choisir assesses performance on different floor types separately, so a ‘suitable for all floors’ label doesn’t replace this comparison.
No. Que Choisir points out that floorhead design and effective suction matter more than the electrical wattage shown on its own. To compare vacuums for carpets and hard floors, look for separate performance results for each surface and check which accessories are included.
Depending on the model, you’ll need to replace the bag or empty the dust container, then maintain the filters and clean the brushes. Check the manual for your exact model for maintenance intervals and compatible parts.
If it still works, consider repairing it, donating it or selling it. ADEME also lists options for dropping it off at a shop or recycling centre as part of the electrical and electronic equipment recycling scheme. Check where your nearest suitable collection point is.