For regular cleaning of rugs, carpets and upholstery, start with a cylinder vacuum cleaner with a floorhead and accessories suited to these surfaces. A cordless stick vacuum is better for short, frequent clean-ups; a robot can help keep accessible floors clean, but it won’t clean sofas or bedding. When choosing between bagged and bagless cylinder models, also consider how you empty them and how much contact you’ll have with dust.
If pet hair clings to rugs, cushions and sofas, check that the floorhead and upholstery tools are genuinely compatible with the vacuum cleaner. Que Choisir distinguishes between needs for different surfaces; Rowenta and Bosch offer brushes designed for upholstery with certain models.
For quick clean-ups in living areas, on stairs or on seats, how easy the vacuum is to take out and put away matters as much as its run time in the mode you use. Que Choisir sees cordless stick vacuums primarily as a handy option for occasional cleaning.
A robot vacuum can take care of regular cleaning on accessible floors. However, you’ll still need a way to clean sofas and bedding, and to remove hair that builds up around its brushes and wheels, as iRobot Support points out.
Consider it: for your main cleaning of rugs and upholstery if you want to limit contact with dust when emptying it.
Bear in mind: it’s a corded appliance and you’ll need to replace the bags. In its cylinder vacuum tests, Que Choisir found less exposure to dust with bagged models than with bagless models that use a dust container.
Consider it: as your main vacuum cleaner if you’d rather empty a dust container than replace bags.
Bear in mind: you may come into contact with dust when emptying it, and you’ll need to maintain the container and filters.
Consider it: for quick hair removal between more thorough cleans.
Bear in mind: run time depends on the mode you choose, so check it against the power you’ll need.
Consider it: as an additional cleaner you can schedule to run on clear, accessible floors.
Bear in mind: sofas, bedding and other upholstery that isn’t on the floor will still need to be cleaned by hand.
| Criterion | What to check | What matters to shoppers |
|---|---|---|
| Hair embedded in upholstery | A floorhead suited to rugs; a mini turbo brush or upholstery brush supplied with and compatible with the vacuum cleaner. | When hair stays caught in the rug or sofa, I want to be able to clean both floors and fabrics. Around 33% of shoppers would make this deeper clean a priority. |
| Frequent clean-ups | How easy the vacuum is to manoeuvre; battery run time in the mode you’ll actually use, if it’s cordless. | If I’m removing hair from living areas almost every day, I mainly want a vacuum that’s easy to take out for a quick clean. Around 25% of shoppers would prioritise this convenience. |
| Emptying and dust | How to remove the bag or empty the dust container; access to the filter and care instructions. | I want to know how to dispose of the collected hair and how much contact I’ll have with dust. Around 25% of shoppers would put ease of emptying first. |
| Scheduled floor cleaning | Access underneath furniture and ability to cross thresholds; maintenance of the brushes and wheels. | On clear floors, I’d like to schedule cleaning while keeping another vacuum for upholstery. Around 17% of shoppers would prioritise this automation. |
Electrical power alone doesn’t tell you how well a vacuum will pick up hair from a rug. Que Choisir also highlights the importance of the floorhead’s design.
Check the floorhead supplied, the upholstery tools and, where available, test results for the exact model.
A bagless vacuum saves you from replacing bags, but you’ll need to empty its dust container and maintain its parts according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Before choosing, check the reference for any consumables and how to access the dust container, filter and brush.
According to Que Choisir, the maximum run time advertised for a cordless stick vacuum is generally based on using it at low power.
Check the run time for each mode, then compare the mode you’ll need for rugs or embedded hair with the length of your cleaning sessions.
A robot stays on the floor, so it can’t clean a sofa or bedding. iRobot Support also notes that hair and debris can interfere with its wheels, brushes or sensors.
Make sure you have a manual vacuum for upholstery, and follow the instructions for cleaning the robot’s moving parts.
The brand offers accessories for domestic vacuum cleaners, including mini turbo brushes designed for certain types of upholstery.
The ProAnimal range includes bagged, bagless and cordless vacuum cleaners, which you can compare by the accessories supplied with each model.
Its cylinder vacuum range includes Cat & Dog models with and without bags.
Some V12 cordless stick vacuums are supplied with a mini tool designed for pet hair and human hair.
Roomba robot vacuums are designed for scheduled floor cleaning; some models have a self-emptying dock.
These models suit different needs: quick clean-ups with a stick vacuum, scheduled floor cleaning with a robot, or targeted upholstery cleaning. First choose based on the surfaces you need to clean, then check the accessories and usage requirements for each model.
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Worth considering for quick clean-ups on floors and stairs where pet hair often builds up.
Check the run time in the mode you need and what’s included in the box if you also want to clean sofas.
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Worth looking at if you switch between cleaning floors and occasional upholstery clean-ups.
The product title states up to 65 minutes of run time. Check how long it lasts in the mode you’ll use, and how much it weighs in your chosen configuration.
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A corded model may suit you if you don’t want to stop cleaning to recharge a battery.
The product title lists a 0.5 L dust container and a 4.5 m cord. Check that the reach and accessories supplied suit your floors and upholstery; 550 W alone isn’t enough to judge how well it picks up hair.
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Worth considering for scheduled cleaning on accessible floors, alongside a manual vacuum for sofas and bedding.
The product title mentions app control and an anti-tangle brush. Check that the app is compatible, that the brushes are easy to access for maintenance, and the suction power for this model.
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Worth considering for targeted cleaning of mattresses and fabrics, rather than as your main floor vacuum.
Check which surfaces the appliance is designed for and which accessories are included before using it on a sofa or other upholstery.
Look for a mini turbo brush or powered mini brush that’s designed for upholstery and compatible with your vacuum cleaner. Check the fitting and compatibility list: for example, Rowenta specifies diameter requirements and exceptions for its ZR900601 mini turbo brush.
A cordless stick vacuum may be enough for some quick clean-ups, but it won’t always replace a main vacuum cleaner for large areas, rugs or lots of upholstery. Que Choisir sees it mainly as a handy option for occasional cleaning. Before you decide, compare its run time in the mode you need and the accessories supplied.
Choose a bagged model if limiting contact with dust when emptying it matters more to you than replacing bags. In its tests, Que Choisir found less exposure to dust with bagged cylinder vacuums; a bagless model needs its dust container emptied and filters maintained.
No. A robot can clean accessible floors, but it won’t clean sofas or bedding. You’ll need a manual vacuum for these surfaces, and should regularly check the robot’s brushes, wheels and sensors. iRobot Support notes that hair and debris can interfere with them.