Homes with rugs and carpets
If pet hair gets caught in the fibres, check which brush is designed for your carpets and whether it comes with the vacuum. A ‘pet’ label alone doesn’t tell you which accessories are included.
Which type suits your needs?
Homes that frequently clean a mix of floor types
If you regularly move between hard floors and low-pile rugs, ease of use matters just as much as having the right brush. With a cordless model, also compare the stated battery life with the time your usual cleaning routine takes.
Homes where pet hair gets onto upholstery
Sofas, cushions, pet beds and car seats call for more than just a floor head. Check which upholstery tool is included and whether it’s compatible with the vacuum you’re considering.
Which features should you check first?
The type of vacuum you choose depends on how often and how much you clean. The brushes then determine which surfaces you can tackle with the equipment provided. UFC-Que Choisir tests vacuum cleaners on different floor types and, depending on the category, assesses how they’re used and maintained.
Cylinder vacuum
Worth considering: for thorough cleaning across several rooms, especially if pet hair gets caught in rugs or carpets.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to move the vacuum around with its cord; if it uses a bag, you’ll also need to replace the bags.
Cordless stick vacuum
Worth considering: if you remove pet hair often and want a cordless vacuum that’s quick to get out.
Bear in mind: battery life limits how long you can use it. UFC-Que Choisir recommends checking the battery life and charging time of rechargeable stick vacuums.
Robot vacuum
Worth considering: if you want to automate cleaning on clear, accessible floors.
Bear in mind: you’ll still need another way to clean sofas, and should check how the model handles your rugs, thresholds and edges.
| What matters | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Pet hair in carpets | Whether it comes with a turbo brush or motorised brush head; whether it’s designed for the rugs and carpets in your home. | If pet hair mostly gets caught in the fibres, I want to clean my carpets without assuming the same brush will suit my other floors. Around 33% of consumers put this need first. |
| Frequent cleaning | A brush that suits your floors; battery life in the mode you plan to use and charging time if it’s cordless. | If I often clean hard floors and low-pile rugs, I want a vacuum that will last for my whole routine. This is the top priority for around 27% of consumers. |
| Pet hair on upholstery | Whether an upholstery tool is actually included; whether its product code is compatible with the model you’ve chosen. | Pet hair builds up most on my sofa or cushions, so I want to be able to clean those surfaces as well as the floor. This is the top priority for around 20% of consumers. |
| Automated cleaning | How it handles your rugs and thresholds; how it deals with obstacles and reaches edges. | I’d like a robot to take care of regular floor cleaning, while keeping another option for upholstery and areas it can’t reach. Around 20% of consumers put this type of automation at the top of their list. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Relying only on a ‘pet’ label
A brush designed for carpets won’t necessarily work as an upholstery tool for sofas or cushions. Manufacturers list these uses separately across their ranges.
Check what’s in the box against the surfaces you need to clean, then make sure any extra accessories are compatible.
Depending on the model, you may need to buy a mini brush or upholstery brush separately.
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Choosing a cordless stick vacuum for ease of use alone
A vacuum that’s easy to grab may not last for a longer cleaning session. UFC-Que Choisir looks at battery life, charging and maintenance when assessing rechargeable stick vacuums.
For longer cleans, check how long the vacuum lasts in the mode you’ll need and how to maintain its brush.
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Assuming a robot vacuum will handle every carpet
How well a robot handles carpets depends on the model and the pile. In its support information for the robot in question, Electrolux states that it doesn’t clean deep-pile carpets.
Check for thick rugs, thresholds and cluttered areas before you choose, and keep a manual option for upholstery.
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Assuming a brush will be compatible
A mini brush advertised for a specific range won’t necessarily fit every vacuum from the same brand.
Before ordering, check your vacuum’s full model number against the accessory’s compatibility list.
Brands to know
Miele
The range includes bagged cylinder vacuums, including Cat & Dog models designed for cleaning rugs and carpets.
- Miele’s Guard M1 Cat & Dog Flex comes with a turbo brush for rugs and carpets, as well as a flexible crevice nozzle.
- These accessories are for this specific model. If you’re considering another Miele cylinder vacuum, check what’s in the box and which bags it needs.
Dyson
The brand offers cordless vacuums, with separate brush heads for floors and upholstery.
- Dyson offers its Motorbar brush head for floors and a mini motorised tool for some upholstery surfaces.
- Whether these are included, and whether they’re compatible, depends on the range and model you choose.
Electrolux
Its range covers several types of vacuum, with accessories to consider depending on the floors and upholstery you need to clean.
- Electrolux lists a turbo brush and mini turbo brush for its 800 EB81A3UG cylinder vacuum.
- Its support information says that one of the robots it covers doesn’t clean deep-pile carpets. Check the limitations of the model you’re considering.
Rowenta
Rowenta offers stick vacuums, robot vacuums and accessories, including tools for upholstery where pet hair can get caught.
- The brand offers motorised or turbo brushes, as well as an RS-RH5798 upholstery brush for compatible models.
- The upholstery brush isn’t universal. Check the list of vacuums it can be attached to.
Roborock
The brand offers robot vacuums for regular floor cleaning, with features that vary by model.
- Roborock lists anti-tangle features on some of its ranges.
- Check the specific model against your rugs, thresholds and obstacles. A robot vacuum won’t clean upholstery.
Cordless stick vacuums to consider
These cordless stick vacuums are best suited to regular floor cleaning. If pet hair also builds up on rugs or furniture, compare the brushes and accessories included with the specific model before choosing.
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MONSGA X UNINELLHOME UV5 cordless stick vacuum cleaner
Worth considering for frequent cleaning on floors and rugs. The model is listed with an anti-tangle brush, a self-standing design and up to 65 minutes of battery life. Check how long it lasts in the mode you’ll use and which tools are designed for your upholstery.
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UNINELL HOME UV1, 450 W cordless stick vacuum cleaner
Consider this if you want a self-standing stick vacuum for regular cleaning. The product title lists an anti-tangle brush, a removable battery and 60 minutes of battery life. Check how long it lasts in your chosen mode and what the upholstery tools are designed for.
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Ultenic U-2O cordless stick vacuum cleaner
Worth considering if you often vacuum under furniture: this model is listed with a foldable tube and an anti-tangle brush. Its product title states 60 minutes of battery life. Check how long it lasts in your chosen mode and which tools are available for sofas.
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Monsga M100 self-standing cordless stick vacuum cleaner
Consider this for regular cleaning if you’d find a self-standing design useful between cleans. The product title mentions an anti-tangle brush and 45 minutes of battery life. Check how long it lasts in your chosen mode and which upholstery tools are included.
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PII Ultra, 550 W cordless stick vacuum cleaner
Worth considering if you want an adjustable telescopic tube for cleaning your floors. The product title lists an anti-tangle system and 50 minutes of battery life. Check the type of floor brush, the upholstery tools and how long it lasts in the mode you plan to use.
Frequently asked questions
Is a turbo brush suitable for every type of flooring?
No. A turbo brush designed for rugs and carpets won’t automatically be suitable for delicate flooring or a sofa. Check which surfaces each brush is intended for, follow the manufacturer’s guidance and check which accessories come with your chosen model.
Can a robot vacuum replace your main vacuum if you have a pet?
A robot vacuum can clean accessible floors, but it won’t replace manual cleaning of upholstery. UFC-Que Choisir tests robot vacuums on several floor types and around edges. If you have thick rugs, also check the model’s limitations: Electrolux says that one of the robots covered by its support information doesn’t clean deep-pile carpets.
How can I tell if a mini brush will fit my vacuum?
Check your vacuum’s full model number against the mini brush’s compatibility list. Dyson, for example, lists the ranges compatible with its mini motorised tool. A similar-sounding product name isn’t enough to confirm compatibility.
What should you do with an old vacuum cleaner in France?
Take it to an electrical equipment recycling point rather than putting it in your household rubbish. France’s Ministry for Ecological Transition lists collection points and recycling centres. It also explains the ‘one-for-one’ take-back scheme when you buy a similar item, subject to the conditions at the point of sale.