Homes with carpets and mixed flooring
If you move between carpets, wooden floors and tiles, compare performance on each surface and check which brushes are included. UFC-Que Choisir assesses carpets, tiles and wooden floors separately.
Who this choice is for
People who clean their whole home in one go
Reach, bag or bin capacity and manoeuvrability all matter when you move from floors to furniture and tight spaces without wanting to stop repeatedly.
People looking to make quick clean-ups easier
If you already have a vacuum for a full clean, a cordless stick vacuum can be useful for quick jobs. A robot can keep accessible floors tidy between cleaning sessions.
What to look for
For your main cleaning appliance, first compare cylinder vacuum cleaners that suit your flooring and preferred way of handling dust. Then consider whether a second appliance would meet a separate need for quick clean-ups.
Bagged cylinder vacuum
Consider this if: you want to minimise contact with dust when emptying the cleaner.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to replace the bags regularly.
Bagless cylinder vacuum
Consider this if: you’d rather not buy replacement bags.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to empty the bin and maintain the filters, and you’ll have more direct contact with dust.
| What to consider | What to check | What matters to shoppers |
|---|---|---|
| Cleaning different floor types | Compare test results on carpets, hard floors and wooden floors with gaps, and check which brushes come with the model you’re considering. | When I move between carpets and hard floors, I want to remove fibres without neglecting my wooden floors. Around 36% of shoppers would prioritise performance across several surfaces. |
| Furniture and hard-to-reach areas | Check for a crevice tool and an upholstery attachment, then consider how easy the vacuum is to manoeuvre around obstacles. | To clean cushions, skirting boards and narrow spaces in the same session, I need to reach these areas without switching appliances. This would be a priority for around 29% of shoppers. |
| Cleaning without interruptions | For a cylinder vacuum, check its reach and capacity. For a stick vacuum, check the battery life on the setting you’ll need for carpets. | In a large home, I want to finish cleaning without stopping too often to change sockets, empty the bin or recharge. Around 21% of shoppers would prioritise being able to clean without interruptions. |
| Quick clean-ups between sessions | Choose a stick vacuum for short, manual clean-ups. For a robot, check how it navigates your floors and what maintenance it requires. | If my floors get dirty between full cleans, I want to reduce the amount of manual cleaning. Around 14% of shoppers would put this convenience first. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Choosing based on wattage alone
Motor power alone doesn’t tell you how well a vacuum will clean carpets, wooden floors or hard floors. UFC-Que Choisir’s testing assesses performance on different floor types.
Check the results for each surface and make sure you know exactly which brushes are included with the model being sold.
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Confusing maximum battery life with cleaning time on carpets
According to UFC-Que Choisir, the maximum battery life quoted for a cordless stick vacuum usually applies at its lowest power setting. Using a higher setting can shorten your cleaning time.
Compare battery life at the setting you’ll need, charging time and whether the battery can be replaced.
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Expecting a robot to clean every surface
A robot cleans accessible floors, and its performance varies depending on the surface. It won’t clean furniture, soft furnishings or high-up surfaces.
Check how it handles your carpets and obstacles, and keep a manual option for other surfaces.
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Overlooking maintenance of the dust collection system
A bag needs replacing, while a bin needs emptying and its filters need maintaining. Your choice affects what you’ll need to do after cleaning.
Before ordering, check the consumables you’ll need, the care instructions and the availability of parts for the exact model.
Brands to consider across different ranges
Electrolux
The Pure D8 range of bagged cylinder vacuums is worth considering if reach, noise levels and accessories are important to you.
- According to Electrolux, the Pure D8 PD82-8DB has a 12 m operating radius, a 3.5 L bag, a parquet brush and a 3-in-1 accessory.
- These specifications apply to the PD82-8DB. Check the details of any other model before comparing.
Bosch
The bagless BGS41PET1 lets you weigh up the balance between bin capacity, reach and maintenance.
- Bosch lists a 2.4 L bin, a 10 m operating radius and a washable HEPA filter for the BGS41PET1.
- A bagless bin needs emptying. Check the filter care instructions for this model too.
Miele
The bagged Complete C3 models can be compared by the accessories they offer for furniture, wooden floors and carpets.
- Miele Complete C3 product details include a telescopic tube and tools for upholstery and crevices. Some versions also come with a turbo brush.
- Brushes vary by model, so check what’s included with the version you’re considering rather than another Complete C3 model.
Rowenta
Rowenta offers both bagged cylinder vacuums and robots, two categories to consider for different cleaning tasks.
- For the X-Plorer Série 220+ robot, Rowenta lists laser navigation, an auto-empty station and app-based management of rooms and floors.
- These features don’t mean a robot will clean furniture or suit every carpet. Check whether it’s right for your home.
Cylinder vacuum cleaners available at Joybuy
These two cylinder vacuum cleaners are options for your main cleaning appliance: one uses a bag, while the other has a bagless bin. For each model, compare the accessories and performance on your flooring before making your choice.
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Electrolux 600 EB61C4OG, bagged cylinder vacuum cleaner
Consider it as your main appliance if you prefer to collect dust in a bag. For your carpets, wooden floors and furniture, check the performance on each surface and the list of brushes and tools supplied with this model.
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Philips 5000 Series FC9556/09, bagless, LED, 900 W
Consider it for your main cleaning appliance if you’re happy to empty the bin rather than use bags. Check which accessories are included for carpets, hard floors and furniture, then compare performance on each surface: the 900 W power rating alone doesn’t tell you how well it cleans.
Frequently asked questions
Which test results should I compare if my home has carpets, wooden floors and tiles?
Compare separate results for carpets, tiles and wooden floors, as well as how well the vacuum picks up fibres from carpets if that’s important to you. UFC-Que Choisir tests different floor types separately; motor power is no substitute for these results.
Can a cordless stick vacuum be my only vacuum cleaner in a large home?
A stick vacuum may be suitable if its battery life on the setting you need lasts for a full cleaning session and its performance meets your needs on carpets and hard floors. UFC-Que Choisir notes that stick vacuums are easy to handle for quick clean-ups, and that quoted maximum battery life usually applies at a low power setting.
Can a robot replace a full manual clean?
Not when it comes to furniture, soft furnishings and high-up surfaces: a robot only cleans floors it can reach. UFC-Que Choisir also finds that performance varies across floor types. Check how it handles your carpets and obstacles before adding one to your cleaning kit.
What maintenance should I expect after buying?
You’ll need to replace the bag or empty the bin, and maintain the filters and brushes according to the model’s instructions. If you add a stick vacuum or robot, check how to care for its brush and dust container too.