For a thorough clean in a large home, a cylinder vacuum cleaner is a good option if you’re happy to work around a cord and accept reduced manoeuvrability: UFC-Que Choisir recommends this type for larger areas. Choose a bagged model if you’d rather replace a compatible bag than empty a container; go bagless if you’re happy to empty the container and maintain the filters. Either way, check that the supplied floorheads suit your flooring and that the vacuum comes with the tools you need for other surfaces.
If you vacuum large areas in a single session, check the dust capacity and operating radius to avoid interruptions. The corded design and weight of the cylinder vacuum are also worth considering, as UFC-Que Choisir points out.
If you need to move from hard floors to rugs, then on to furniture and tight spaces, check which floorheads and tools are actually included with the model you’re considering. Details for another version in the range aren’t enough.
The choice comes down to replacing compatible bags or emptying a container and maintaining its filters. Either way, look for consumables and parts that match the vacuum’s full model reference.
Start by deciding which type of dust collection you’d prefer to maintain, then check that the supplied tools are suitable for the surfaces in your home. Capacity and operating radius are especially important if you clean several rooms in one go.
Consider this if: you’d rather remove dust by replacing a bag. The Bosch BGL38WH3H and BGL8PET2 have stated capacities of 4,0 L and 5,0 L respectively.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to replace the bags, and check they’re compatible with the exact model reference.
Consider this if: you’d rather empty a container than replace bags.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to clean the container and maintain the filters as instructed in the model’s manual. Rowenta recommends regular maintenance for the relevant models.
| Feature | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Uninterrupted cleaning | Compare the bag or container capacity and the operating radius of the model you’re considering. Also check its weight if you’ll need to move it around often. | If you have several rooms to vacuum in one go, minimising plug changes and interruptions becomes a priority. Around 42 % of consumers put uninterrupted cleaning at the top of their list. |
| Floors and other surfaces | Identify your floor coverings, then check which floorheads and tools are included with the model being sold. | If I need to clean floors, furniture and awkward corners, I want tools suited to those tasks. Around 33 % of consumers prioritise having the right accessories over other features. |
| Maintenance and consumables | Check which bags or filters are compatible with the full model reference and read the manufacturer’s maintenance instructions. | If I want maintenance to fit into my usual routine, choosing between a bag and a container matters just as much as the vacuum itself. This is the main concern for around 25 % of consumers. |
Motor power alone doesn’t tell you how well a vacuum will clean your floors. UFC-Que Choisir also recommends considering the floorhead, accessories and manoeuvrability.
Before focusing on the motor wattage, compare the supplied floorheads, the surfaces they’re designed for and the model’s operating conditions.
Compatibility varies by model. Bosch, for example, lists some models as incompatible with its Type G ALL bags.
Make a note of your vacuum’s full model reference and check with the manufacturer which bag fits before choosing a model.
You’ll need to empty the container and maintain the filters as instructed in the manual. For the relevant models, Rowenta recommends cleaning the container and filters at least once a month.
Check which filters can be washed or replaced on the model you’re considering, then follow its cleaning and drying instructions.
A floorhead shown with another version of a range may not be included with the model you choose.
Check the listed contents for the model being sold and match each tool you need to a surface in your home.
If a tool you need isn’t included, you’ll have to buy it separately.
Bagged cylinder vacuums to consider if dust capacity and operating radius are important to you.
The Guard range of bagged cylinder vacuums includes Parquet XL and Cat & Dog versions. Check the features of each model individually.
The Silence Force Cyclonic range includes bagless cylinder vacuums to consider if you’d prefer a dust container.
PowerPro bagless cylinder vacuums are worth considering if size and what’s included in the pack matter to you.
This bagged model could suit you if you’re looking for a cylinder vacuum to clean several rooms. Before choosing it, check that its accessories are right for the floors in your home and confirm which consumables are compatible.
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Worth considering for a thorough clean across several rooms if you prefer a bagged system. The model is listed at 550 W, but motor power alone doesn’t tell you how well it will clean your floors. Check the supplied floorheads and the compatibility of bags and filters before choosing this version.
With a bagged model, you’ll need to replace the bag with a compatible one. With a bagless model, you’ll need to empty the container and maintain the filters. For the relevant models, Rowenta recommends cleaning the container and filters at least once a month, following the model’s manual.
Note down the vacuum’s full model reference, then check with the manufacturer for compatible consumables and parts. Bosch uses the E-Nr. to help you find parts, while Philips lists which models are compatible with its filter kits.
It depends on the filter and model. Check the manual to see whether the filter needs cleaning or replacing. Philips recommends replacing the relevant filters once a year for models compatible with its FC8010/01 kit.