Homes with pets, carpets and sofas
If pet hair and human hair cling to your carpets or cushions, look separately at the brushes designed for floors and those made for upholstery. Check that they’re included with the exact model you’re considering.
Who is this choice for?
Homes with a mix of floor types
If you’re moving between parquet or tiles and rugs or fitted carpets, check which surfaces the main floorhead is designed for, and whether a parquet brush is included if your floors need one.
People who also want a quick-clean option
A cylinder vacuum can handle your main cleaning, while a cordless stick vacuum can pick up visible dirt between cleans. For this occasional use, focus on the battery life at the setting you plan to use.
What should you check?
First decide how you’ll clean carpets and hard floors. Then compare how each model handles dust and whether you might need a second appliance.
| Feature | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Carpets and upholstery | Check which floorhead is designed for carpets, whether a turbo brush is included and, for cushions or sofas, whether there’s a suitable small upholstery tool. The accessories list should match the model being sold. | Pet hair clings to my carpets and sofa: I want to be able to clean both, not just vacuum the floor. |
| Hard floors and parquet | Check which surfaces the main floorhead is designed for and whether a parquet brush is included. If you’re buying an accessory separately, make sure it’s compatible with the exact model. | At home, I move from parquet to tiles and then to carpets. I want to know which brush to use on each surface. |
| Bag or bin | Compare removing the bag with emptying the bin, then check the filter-care instructions. According to UFC-Que Choisir, bagged cylinder vacuums expose users to less dust than bagless models. | I’d rather remove a bag or empty a bin and clean its filters. This regular task matters to me when choosing. |
| Maintenance | Check how easy it is to access the filters, brush and bag or bin. Electrolux lists clogged filters, full containers and blocked brushes among the possible reasons an appliance may stop working. | Since I often need to pick up hair and pet hair, I want to check the brush easily and follow the care instructions. |
| Secondary appliance | If you’re considering a cordless stick vacuum, compare its battery life at the setting you need and whether it can cover the areas in question. UFC-Que Choisir sees it as more suitable for quick cleans than deep cleaning. | For quickly picking up a bit of pet hair between full cleans, ease of use matters to me. I don’t want to mistake this for the job of my main vacuum cleaner. |
What should you watch out for?
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Relying on the words ‘for pets’ alone
A product description doesn’t tell you which brushes come with the model being sold. Carpets and cushions may need different accessories.
Check the list of included accessories: a floorhead for your floors, a turbo brush for carpets and a suitable small upholstery tool if you plan to clean the sofa.
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Choosing a cordless stick vacuum without checking its usable battery life
UFC-Que Choisir mainly recommends stick vacuums for quick cleans and notes that the advertised maximum battery life is measured at the lowest power setting.
If you need to clean carpets and mixed floors for a long time, compare the battery life at the required setting before making it your only vacuum cleaner.
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Forgetting about maintenance after you buy
Electrolux notes that a full bag or bin, filters that need cleaning or a blocked brush can stop an appliance from working properly.
Check which consumables are compatible and consult the manual for instructions on emptying the bin, cleaning the filters and clearing the brushes.
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Taking a filter type as a health claim
A filter description tells you about a feature of the model; it isn’t enough to establish a health benefit.
Check the filter fitted to the exact model and its cleaning or replacement instructions. Don’t assume it offers a medical benefit.
A few brands to consider
These examples show configurations worth comparing on the exact product pages. Don’t assume that every model from a brand comes with the same accessories.
Rowenta
According to Rowenta France, the Silence Force² Animal Care Pro RO6491EA bagged cylinder vacuum comes with turbo brushes and a special parquet brush.
- The product page lists a mini and a maxi turbo brush for surfaces where pet hair can be an issue.
- Check the accessories and consumables supplied with the model on offer, rather than relying on the range name alone.
Miele
Specifications vary by model. Miele France lists an STB 305-3 turbo brush and an Active AirClean filter, for example, for the Complete C3 Cat & Dog.
- Miele also offers different versions of the Guard M1 range for parquet and pet hair.
- Don’t assume that a brush listed for one version is included with another.
Electrolux
According to Electrolux France, the Clean 600 EL61A4UG bagless cylinder vacuum comes with an all-floor brush, a parquet brush and accessories designed with pets in mind.
- This product page lets you check separately which accessories are designed for mixed floors and which are intended for pet hair.
- For this bagless option, also check how to empty the bin and maintain the filters.
A bagged cylinder vacuum to consider at Joybuy
This model is an option if you’re looking for a bagged cylinder vacuum for cleaning mixed floors and carpets. Before choosing, check which brushes come with the model, particularly if you also need to clean your sofa and cushions.
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Electrolux 600 EB61C4OG, bagged cylinder vacuum cleaner
If you’re considering this as your main vacuum cleaner for mixed floors and carpets, check which brushes are included with the EB61C4OG. If pet hair clings to your sofa or cushions, also check whether it comes with a suitable small upholstery tool, as well as the care instructions for the bag and filter.
Frequently asked questions
Can a cordless stick vacuum replace a cylinder vacuum if you have carpets and pets?
Not always. UFC-Que Choisir describes stick vacuums mainly as a secondary option and gives an average battery life of around ten minutes at full power. For thorough, everyday cleaning, compare cylinder vacuums first. If you’re still considering a stick vacuum as your only cleaner, check its battery life at the setting you’ll need for your carpets and floor area.
Should you choose a bagged or bagless cylinder vacuum for pet hair?
If your main priorities are thorough cleaning and collecting dirt, bear in mind that UFC-Que Choisir says in its guide that bagged cylinder vacuums have better suction than bagless models and expose you to less dust. A bagless model is still an option if you’d rather not use bags and are happy to empty the bin and maintain the filters. Either way, check which brushes are included for your carpets and upholstery.
Which brushes should you check for parquet, carpets and sofas?
Check for a brush designed for parquet, a floorhead suitable for your other floor types and a turbo brush for carpets if pet hair clings to them. For sofas and cushions, check that the accessories list for the exact model includes a small upholstery tool.
What should you check if your vacuum cleaner has lost suction?
Switch off and unplug the appliance before carrying out the checks set out in its manual. Electrolux lists a blocked brush, nozzle or hose, filters that need cleaning or replacing, and a full bag or bin among the possible reasons an appliance may stop working.