Thorough cleaning across multiple surfaces
You clean several rooms, with hard floors, rugs or carpets, as well as furniture and upholstery. You need a main vacuum cleaner with accessories suited to these different areas.
Who is this type of vacuum for?
Simple upkeep and less direct contact with dust
You’d rather not empty a dust container directly, but are happy to replace bags or maintain the filters, depending on the model you choose.
Keeping floors clean between thorough cleans
You’d like an easy-to-manoeuvre upright or a robot vacuum for interim cleans, without relying on it to clean upholstery, higher-up areas or hard-to-reach spots.
Which features should you prioritise?
For a long cleaning session across several rooms, the type of vacuum you choose will determine the compromises you need to make. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes between cylinder vacuums, designed for larger homes, and cordless uprights, whose run time depends on how they’re used. Robot vacuums are designed for a different task: cleaning accessible floors.
Bagged cylinder vacuum
Consider it: for a thorough clean if you’d rather remove a full bag than empty a dust container.
Bear in mind: the cord, the bulk and the need to replace bags regularly.
Bagless cylinder vacuum
Consider it: for a long cleaning session with a cord, without needing to buy bags.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to empty the dust container and maintain the filters, which means handling dust more directly.
Cordless upright vacuum
Consider it: for moving easily around furniture or as an extra vacuum for a large home.
Bear in mind: run time varies depending on the mode and how you use it. Make sure it will last for your cleaning sessions before choosing it as your main vacuum.
Robot vacuum
Consider it: for keeping accessible floors clean between manual cleans.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to prepare the rooms and use another vacuum for furniture, upholstery, stairs and higher-up areas.
| Feature | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Cleaning different surfaces and areas | Look for separate test results for hard floors and rugs or carpets. Check which brushes and nozzles are actually included for furniture, upholstery and awkward corners. | If I’m moving from floors to rugs and then on to furniture, I want the right tools to finish the clean. Around 36% of consumers would prioritise cleaning multiple surfaces. |
| Moving between rooms without interruption | For a cylinder vacuum, check that its operating radius suits the position of your plug sockets. For an upright, check the run time in the mode you need; for a robot, look at its navigation and whether it resumes cleaning after recharging. | In a large home, I want to avoid changing sockets or stopping to recharge during a cleaning session. Around 29% of consumers would prioritise this uninterrupted cleaning. |
| Everyday maintenance | Check the correct bag or filter reference, how to empty the dust container and whether the right replacement parts are available for your model. | I’d rather know whether I’ll need to replace bags or empty a dust container and handle the dust directly. Around 21% of consumers would make this maintenance routine their main consideration. |
| An easy-to-use or automated extra | For an upright, compare its weight, run time and capacity. For a robot, consider the obstacles in your home and which floors it can reach. | Between thorough cleans, I’m mainly looking for a vacuum that’s easy to get out or can clean clear floors for me. Around 14% of consumers would prioritise this additional task. |
What should you watch out for?
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Choosing based on motor wattage alone
Motor power alone doesn’t tell you how much dust a vacuum will pick up from each type of floor. UFC-Que Choisir tests performance on different surfaces.
Compare results by floor type and check which brush comes with the exact model you’re considering.
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Forgetting about maintenance when choosing between bagged and bagless
Bags need replacing; dust containers need emptying and filters need maintenance. These tasks may not suit everyone equally.
Check which bags and filters are compatible, and read the instructions before assuming a filter is washable.
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Expecting one brush to work for every area
A tool designed for floors may not be suitable for rugs, furniture, upholstery or crevices. The accessories can also vary between similar models.
Check what’s in the box against your floor coverings and the areas you actually clean.
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Assuming a robot vacuum needs no preparation
Cables, clothes and small objects can get in the way, while stairs, furniture and higher-up areas still need to be cleaned another way.
Clear the floors before running your robot and keep a manual vacuum for other areas.
Brands to consider
Miele
Worth considering if you’re looking for a bagged cylinder vacuum with accessories for different areas.
- Miele lists an upholstery nozzle, a crevice nozzle, a furniture brush and a Comfort telescopic tube for the Complete C3 125 Edition.
- Check the accessories for the exact model you’re considering: the Complete C3 125 Edition’s equipment isn’t representative of the entire range.
Rowenta
An option to consider for a bagless cylinder vacuum if operating radius and emptying the dust container matter to you.
- Rowenta states that the Silence Force Cyclonic Effitech parquet model has a 12 m operating radius.
- Check the accessories included with your chosen model, and remember to empty the dust container and maintain the filters.
Bosch
An option to consider for a bagged cylinder vacuum if capacity and built-in accessories are important to you.
- Bosch lists a 4,0 L bag, an 11 m operating radius and built-in crevice and upholstery nozzles for the BGL41HYG2H.
- These specifications apply to the BGL41HYG2H and shouldn’t be assumed to apply to other Bosch models.
Dyson
A brand worth considering if you’re looking for a cordless upright to help with your cleaning.
- Dyson states that the Cyclone V10 Total Clean weighs 2,6 kg and runs for up to 60 min.
- Usable run time depends on how you use it. Check how long it lasts in the mode you need for your floors before relying on it for a long cleaning session.
iRobot
A brand worth considering for extra help with accessible floors.
- iRobot highlights a recharge-and-resume feature for the Roomba 976.
- A robot vacuum won’t clean furniture, upholstery, stairs or higher-up areas. You’ll also need to keep an eye on obstacles on the floor.
Vacuum cleaners for these needs
These models suit two ways of cleaning a large home: a bagged cylinder vacuum for thorough cleans, and a cordless upright to consider as an extra or depending on how long your cleaning sessions take.
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Electrolux 600 EB61C4OG, bagged cylinder vacuum cleaner
Worth considering as your main corded vacuum if you’d rather replace a bag than empty a dust container. To clean all your rooms, furniture and upholstery, check the operating radius and accessories included with this model.
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MONSGA X UNINELLHOME UV5, cordless upright vacuum cleaner
Worth considering if you want to move between rooms without a cord or complement a cylinder vacuum. Its stated run time is up to 65 min. Before choosing it as your main vacuum for a long session, check how long it lasts in the mode you need and which accessories are included.
Frequently asked questions
How should I compare cleaning performance on parquet, hard floors and rugs?
Look for test results that distinguish between these surfaces rather than giving an overall score. UFC-Que Choisir’s testing assesses suction on different floors. Also check that the model you choose comes with a brush suited to your surfaces.
Does higher wattage mean better cleaning?
No. Motor power alone isn’t enough to establish how well a vacuum cleans. UFC-Que Choisir recommends looking at the results for each type of floor and the design of the vacuum head.
What maintenance is needed for bagged and bagless models?
A bagged model needs compatible bags replacing; a bagless model needs its dust container emptied and filters maintained. In either case, check the instructions for your chosen model to find out how to maintain the brushes and filters.
Is a robot vacuum enough to clean a large home?
Not if your cleaning also includes furniture, upholstery, stairs and higher-up areas. Use it for accessible floors, clear small obstacles before it starts and have a manual vacuum for everything else.