Homes with rugs, carpets or pet hair
If your priority is lifting dust and fibres from textiles, look at test results for your floor coverings and the cleaning head supplied with the model, rather than focusing on the wattage alone.
Who is this type of vacuum for?
People looking to minimise contact with dust
According to UFC-Que Choisir, removing dust from a bagged cylinder vacuum can involve less exposure than emptying a dust container. Check the bag’s closure, the filters and the part numbers for compatible consumables, too.
Households looking to make everyday cleaning easier
A cordless stick vacuum or robot vacuum can take care of some of the cleaning between deeper cleans. Battery life, how it handles rugs and carpets, and the machine’s maintenance requirements will vary by model.
Which features should you prioritise?
When choosing a main vacuum, start with the floors you need to clean and how you want to collect dust. Then consider how easy the machine is to move around and maintain. Stick vacuums and robots are mainly useful for cleaning in between deeper cleans.
| Feature | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Cleaning performance on different floor coverings | Check test results for the exact model on rugs, carpets and hard floors, then make sure it comes with a head suited to your surfaces. | When rugs and carpets cover several rooms, I want to lift embedded dust, not just visible debris; around 36% of consumers rank this cleaning performance as their top priority. |
| Dust collection | Check how the bag closes or how the dust container is emptied, as well as which filters and consumables are compatible. | If emptying the vacuum means coming into contact with dust, how it collects dust becomes a deciding factor; this is the top priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Ease of use and battery life | For a cylinder vacuum, check its weight, reach and storage requirements; for a stick vacuum, check battery life in the mode you’ll use. | If I want to move between rooms and store the machine easily, I may be willing to compromise on battery life; around 21% of consumers prioritise ease of handling. |
| Automated cleaning | Compare robot vacuum test results for rugs, corners and edges, then check what’s involved in maintaining the dust container, brushes or docking station. | If I want to cut down on manual cleaning between full cleans, automation matters most; around 14% of consumers make it their top priority. |
What not to overlook
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Choosing based on motor wattage
The stated power rating alone doesn’t tell you how well a vacuum will clean rugs or hard floors. UFC-Que Choisir tests performance on different surfaces and takes the design of the cleaning head into account.
Compare test results for the exact model on your floors and check which brush comes with it.
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Forgetting about consumables for a bagged model
A bag makes dust collection easier, but you’ll need to replace it with a compatible type. Filters need attention, too.
Note down the part numbers for the bags and filters, then check they’re available and find out when they need replacing.
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Relying on a cordless stick vacuum for all your deep cleaning without checking the battery life
A lightweight stick vacuum can be handy for quick cleans, but the battery life in a mode suitable for rugs and carpets may limit how much you can clean across several rooms.
Check the battery life in the mode you plan to use, how long it will take to clean your home and whether the battery can be maintained.
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Waiting for suction to drop before maintaining your vacuum
Dust that builds up in filters and brushes can affect how well a vacuum works. Dyson highlights this in particular for the filters in its cordless vacuums.
Follow the model’s instructions for emptying or replacing the bag or dust container, and for maintaining the filters and brushes.
Brands to consider
These brands offer different types of vacuum. Compare the features and test results for the exact model you’re considering rather than choosing based on the manufacturer’s name alone.
Rowenta
Worth considering for its bagged cylinder vacuums, whose features vary by model.
- Rowenta states that the Silence Force Effitech RO7457EA has a 4.5 L bag and a noise level of 57 dB(A).
- These figures don’t tell you how every Rowenta model performs. Check test results for your floors and the accessories supplied with the model you choose.
Miele
A brand to consider if you’re looking at a bagged cylinder vacuum and want to identify the right consumables.
- Miele says its GN HyClean Pure bags are compatible with several Complete, Classic and S series models.
- Compatibility depends on the exact model number. Check the cleaning test results for the model you’re interested in, too.
Dyson
Worth considering if you’re looking for a cordless stick vacuum mainly for top-up cleaning.
- Dyson provides care instructions for the filters and batteries in its cordless machines.
- Before making one your main vacuum, compare battery life in the mode you need and check how the model performs on rugs and carpets.
Roborock
Worth considering if you’d like to automate some of the cleaning between deeper cleans.
- Roborock’s guidance explains rug-handling settings on some of its robot vacuums.
- These settings don’t demonstrate cleaning performance. Check test results for the model on rugs, in corners and along edges.
Bagged cylinder vacuums available on Joybuy
These two bagged cylinder vacuums are suited to anyone looking for a main machine to clean several rooms. To compare how they perform on rugs and carpets, check the test results for each model and make sure you know which bags are compatible.
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Electrolux 600 EB61C4OG bagged cylinder vacuum cleaner
Its bagged cylinder design makes it a suitable option if you’re looking for a main vacuum for several rooms.
Before choosing it for rugs or carpets, compare test results for the EB61C4OG on these surfaces and check the part number for compatible bags.
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Electrolux EB61C2GRN black bagged cylinder vacuum cleaner
This bagged cylinder vacuum could suit your needs as a main machine, provided it performs well on your floor coverings.
Stated power: 550 W. This figure alone doesn’t tell you how well it will clean rugs or carpets. Check test results for the EB61C2GRN and make sure you know which bags are compatible.
Frequently asked questions
How can I tell whether a vacuum will clean my rugs and carpets well?
Look for test results for the exact model on rugs and carpets rather than relying on the wattage alone. UFC-Que Choisir’s testing assesses performance on different floor coverings, so check which cleaning head comes with the machine, too.
How can I help maintain my vacuum’s suction?
Empty or replace the dust collector and maintain the filters and brushes according to the model’s instructions. ADEME recommends not letting a bag become too full, for example. Dyson says that particles building up in a cordless vacuum’s filter can reduce its performance.
What should I look for if I want to be able to repair my vacuum?
Check the repairability index for the exact model, then find out about the parts that matter for it: the battery in a stick or robot vacuum, or the filters, brush or hose in a cylinder vacuum. A rating for a different model from the same brand won’t tell you enough to make a decision.
What should I do with an old vacuum or a full dust bag?
If you’re disposing of an old appliance in France, consider repairing or donating it before taking it to an appropriate electrical equipment collection point, as ADEME recommends. ADEME advises putting a full dust bag in household waste, preferably inside a sealed bag.