For regular cleaning across carpets, rugs and different types of flooring, first compare how well each model picks up dirt from every surface, then check which brushes actually come with it. A bagged cylinder vacuum is a good choice if you’d rather dispose of dust without emptying a bin; a bagless model saves you buying bags, but you’ll need to empty the container and maintain the filters. A cordless stick vacuum could also work, provided its brush and battery life in the mode you need are suitable for all your surfaces.
If you want to remove dust and fibres from floor coverings, performance on hard floors alone won’t tell you enough about a vacuum cleaner. Que Choisir’s tests assess carpets and the fibres found in rugs separately.
You need to move from rugs to hard floors and clean between the grooves without damaging delicate wood flooring. Que Choisir highlights the importance of the floor head, so check which brushes are included and how the model performs on grooved wooden floors.
Choosing between a bag and a bin changes how you dispose of dust and maintain your vacuum cleaner. Before you decide, check the compatible bag, filter and brush references, along with the spare parts available for the exact model.
When choosing a main vacuum cleaner, start with the surfaces you need to clean. Then compare the different styles based on how much maintenance you’re happy to do and how long your cleaning sessions last.
Worth considering: if you want to clean several types of flooring without having to empty a bin after use.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to replace the bags and move a corded appliance around.
Worth considering: if you’d rather use a bin than bags in your main vacuum cleaner.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to empty the bin, which can expose you to dust, and maintain the filters.
Worth considering: if manoeuvrability is important and the brush is suitable for the floor coverings in your home.
Bear in mind: with a cordless model, check the battery life in the mode needed for carpets. A stick vacuum won’t necessarily replace a cylinder vacuum for a long cleaning session.
| Criteria | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Cleaning performance on carpet and rugs | Separate results for rugs, carpets and embedded fibres; brush included for these surfaces. | If my rugs trap fibres, I want to know what the vacuum actually removes, not just what it picks up from a smooth floor. Around 36% of consumers make this their top priority. |
| Mixed flooring and grooves | Performance on grooved wooden floors; whether a brush suitable for delicate wood flooring is included. | When I move from a rug to grooved wooden flooring, I want to clean both surfaces without risking damage to the delicate floor. Around 29% of consumers prioritise this versatility. |
| Maintenance | How easy it is to handle the bag or bin; filter and spare-part references compatible with the model. | I’d rather choose knowing how I’ll dispose of dust and maintain the appliance over time. This is the main concern for around 21% of consumers. |
| Ease of use | Noise, weight and reach; for a cordless stick vacuum, battery life in the mode you use. | For a full cleaning session, I want to be able to move the appliance around and finish without an inconvenient interruption. Around 14% of consumers put this comfort first. |
According to Que Choisir, the design of the floor head also affects cleaning performance. The stated power rating alone won’t tell you how well a vacuum cleans your rugs or the grooves in your wooden floor.
Compare test results for your floor coverings and check which floor head comes with the exact model you’re considering.
A mention of ‘wooden floors’, ‘pets’ or ‘all floors’ doesn’t necessarily mean every accessory is included. The accessories supplied vary between models and bundles.
Check which accessories are included and whether they’re suitable for the wooden floors, rugs or other floor coverings you want to clean.
Que Choisir notes that some stick vacuums have a short run time at maximum power. So battery life quoted for a different mode might not be enough for a long session on carpets.
Compare the run time in the mode you need for your flooring. If you have a lot of carpets to clean in one go, consider a cylinder vacuum.
Bags, filters and brushes must match the exact model of your vacuum cleaner. ADEME also recommends considering repairability when a repairability rating is displayed.
Check the references for replaceable parts and see which spares are available for the model you’re considering.
Some bagged cylinder vacuums in the Parquet XL range are designed with delicate hard floors in mind.
The range includes bagless cylinder vacuums equipped for wooden floors, with spare parts that can be searched for by reference.
The Pure D8 bagged cylinder vacuum range lets you compare the floor brush, wooden floor accessories and model-specific spare parts.
The ProAnimal range includes cylinder and stick vacuums designed for homes where pet hair and fibres need extra attention.
These models include a bagged cylinder vacuum and several stick vacuums, both corded and cordless. To compare them as your main appliance, check how they perform on your flooring, which accessories are included and, for battery-powered models, how long they run in the mode you need.
Image unavailable
Worth considering if you’re looking for a bagged cylinder vacuum to clean several types of flooring regularly. Before choosing it for rugs and grooved wooden floors, compare its performance on these surfaces and check which brushes and bags are compatible with the EB61C4OG reference.
Image unavailable
Worth looking at if you want a cordless stick vacuum for carpets and hard floors. Its product title states 55 kPa and mentions a flexible hose and a brush for pet hair, but that figure alone doesn’t tell you how it performs on carpets. Also check the battery life in the mode you need and whether the brush is suitable for delicate wooden floors.
Image unavailable
Worth considering if you’d prefer a corded stick vacuum to a battery-powered model for your cleaning sessions. The product title states 65 kPa and 600 W, but these figures alone don’t determine how well it cleans rugs. Check test results on carpet and make sure the brush is suitable for your wooden floors before choosing this model.
Image unavailable
Worth a look if the advertised emptying station and anti-tangle brush meet your maintenance needs. The product title mentions 27 kPa, but choosing a model for carpets also depends on its performance on carpet and its battery life in the mode you use. Check which bags are compatible with the station.
Image unavailable
Worth comparing if you want a cordless stick vacuum for carpets and hard floors. The product title mentions an anti-tangle brush; check the suction figures and battery life for each mode before relying on them. For delicate or grooved wooden floors, also check which brush is included and how the vacuum performs on that surface.
Look for separate test results for each type of flooring. Que Choisir’s testing protocol assesses carpets, grooved wooden floors and fibres on rugs, as well as how suction changes as the bag or container fills. The motor’s stated power alone can’t replace these results.
Choose based on how you’d prefer to dispose of dust and maintain the appliance, then compare the models’ performance on your floors. A bagged cylinder vacuum needs compatible bags; with a bagless model, you’ll have to empty the bin and maintain its filters. Que Choisir points out that emptying the bin can expose you to more dust.
Check that there’s a floor head suitable for your rugs, a brush that’s safe for delicate wooden flooring if needed, and a crevice tool if you need to reach grooves or skirting boards. Check the list of accessories included with the exact model: the accessories listed by Miele, Rowenta and Electrolux each apply to specific models.
Before buying, check the references for bags or filters, brushes and other replaceable parts for your chosen model. Then maintain these components according to the appliance’s instructions. Rowenta and Electrolux parts catalogues, for example, let you search for accessories by model.