For a thorough clean in a spacious home, start by comparing cylinder vacuum cleaners based on your floor types, the brushes included and how easy they are to move from room to room. A bagged model is a good choice if you prefer to collect dust in a replaceable bag. A bagless model avoids this consumable, but you’ll need to empty the dust container and maintain the filters. A stick vacuum is better suited to quick clean-ups in between.
You move from hard floors to rugs, then on to furniture, upholstery and awkward corners in one cleaning session. Check that the model you choose comes with all the floorheads and accessories you need.
You’d rather not empty a dust container directly and don’t mind replacing bags. Compare the bag reference and the maintenance steps required for each appliance.
You’d prefer a bagless cylinder vacuum and are happy to empty its dust container and maintain its filters as instructed in the manual.
For a thorough clean, Que Choisir recommends cylinder vacuums for larger homes and highlights the manoeuvrability of stick vacuums. Choosing between a bagged and bagless cylinder vacuum then mainly comes down to how you prefer to deal with dust and maintenance.
Consider it if: you want to collect dust in a bag during longer cleaning sessions.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to replace the bags, and manage the cord and move the vacuum around.
Consider it if: you’d prefer a corded appliance without replacement bags.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to empty the dust container and maintain the filters; going bagless doesn’t mean you can skip these tasks.
Consider it if: you want to clean an area quickly between bigger cleaning sessions.
Bear in mind: you’ll still need a main appliance suited to all the floors, upholstery and awkward corners in your home.
| Feature | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Floors and accessories | The right brush for each floor type, plus a crevice tool and an upholstery attachment. | When cleaning takes me from wooden floors to rugs, then to the sofa and awkward corners, I want to tackle these surfaces with the same appliance; around 31% of consumers put this versatility at the top of their list. |
| Large areas | The operating radius, the capacity of the bag or dust container, and how easy the vacuum is to move between rooms. | In a spacious home, I want to keep going through a long cleaning session without too many interruptions; this ability to clean continuously is the main requirement for around 25% of consumers. |
| Dust and maintenance | The reference for compatible bags or filters, and the maintenance tasks specified in the manual. | If I’d rather replace a bag than empty a dust container, or vice versa, I need to be comfortable with the maintenance involved; around 25% of consumers make this their priority. |
| Ease of use | The weight you need to move, the handle, access beneath furniture and whether you might use a stick vacuum for quick clean-ups. | For crumbs and small areas that need another going-over, I want an appliance that’s easy to grab, without mistaking these quick touch-ups for a thorough clean; this is the priority for around 19% of consumers. |
This figure alone isn’t enough to judge how well a vacuum will clean wooden floors, tiles or rugs. Que Choisir tests performance on several floor types.
Look for tests covering the surfaces in your home, then check the floorhead and settings on the exact model you’re considering.
Different versions of the same range may come with different brushes. Don’t assume a parquet brush or sofa tool is included.
Check what’s in the box for the model you’ve chosen, and make sure any separately purchased accessories are compatible.
A bagged cylinder vacuum needs compatible bags; a bagless one needs its dust container emptied and filters maintained. Que Choisir reminds shoppers that filters require maintenance.
Check the references for consumables and follow the manual when cleaning the filters. If it says they can be washed, let them dry fully before putting them back.
A quick clean-up in one area isn’t the same as cleaning all the floors, furniture and awkward corners in a large home.
If you choose a stick vacuum for quick clean-ups, assess separately which appliance will handle your full clean.
Miele offers bagged cylinder vacuums, including models designed for hard floors and parquet, as well as versions supplied with specific accessories.
Bosch’s product listings for bagged cylinder vacuums show that accessories and operating radius vary by model.
Rowenta offers both bagged and bagless cylinder vacuums, including versions with accessories for parquet and upholstery.
Consider these bagged and bagless models based on your floor types, your maintenance preferences and the accessories you need for upholstery and awkward corners.
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Worth considering if you’d rather empty a dust container than replace bags. For a large home, check that the operating radius and container capacity suit your cleaning sessions. Also compare its cleaning performance on your floors and check the filter maintenance requirements.
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Worth considering if you prefer to collect dust in a bag when cleaning your whole home. Before choosing it for several rooms, compare its operating radius and performance on your floors. Check which accessories are included for upholstery and awkward corners, as well as the reference for compatible bags.
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Consider this if a bagged cylinder vacuum suits the way you like to clean your whole home. Check its performance on your floors, which accessories are included for the sofa and awkward corners, and the reference for compatible bags.
Choose a brush suited to your floors, a crevice tool for narrow spaces and an upholstery attachment for fabrics. If you have parquet, check whether a suitable brush is included or compatible with the exact model.
No. The motor’s wattage alone isn’t enough to compare cleaning performance. Que Choisir assesses suction on different floor types, among other things, so look for tests covering the surfaces in your home and check the floorhead.
Choose based on how you prefer to deal with dust and maintenance: the bagged model uses bags that need replacing, while the bagless model requires you to empty its dust container. With either type, check which filters are compatible and follow the instructions in the manual.
No. Que Choisir reminds shoppers that filters need maintenance, although the requirements vary by model. If the manual says they can be washed, follow its instructions and wait until they’re completely dry before putting them back.