For regular cleaning of the floors, carpets and upholstery in a large home, a cylinder vacuum cleaner is a sensible choice for your main appliance. Which? recommends this type for larger homes, provided you have the right floorheads and tools. Whether you choose a bagged or bagless model mainly depends on which maintenance routine you prefer. A cordless stick vacuum is better suited to quick clean-ups between full cleans, but check its battery life and capacity before relying on it as your only vacuum cleaner.
You move from hard floors to rugs or carpets, then on to upholstered furniture. Having the right floorhead for each surface and tools for furniture matters more than simply choosing a compact appliance.
You want to avoid changing sockets and stopping to empty the bin or replace the bag. Compare the cleaning radius and capacity, and don’t forget the weight you’ll need to move and the space required for storage.
You already have, or plan to buy, an appliance for a full clean and want a cordless stick vacuum for specific areas. Check its battery life in the mode you’ll use and the capacity of its bin.
Worth considering: for cleaning several rooms in one go, if you prefer to collect dust in a bag.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to move a corded appliance around and replace compatible bags.
Worth considering: if you want a corded main appliance without the need to replace bags.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to empty the bin and maintain the filters.
Worth considering: for a quick clean on the stairs or in a specific area between full cleans.
Bear in mind: battery life depends on the mode you use, and the bin needs emptying.
For a thorough clean in a large home with a variety of surfaces, first check the floorheads and tools, then compare the cleaning radius, capacity and maintenance routine.
| What to compare | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Floors and upholstery | Check that the chosen version comes with floorheads suited to your floors, as well as tools for furniture, cushions and crevices. | If I clean from wooden floors to rugs and then the sofa, I want the right tool for every surface; around 33% of consumers would make this their top priority. |
| Keeping the clean going | Compare the total cleaning radius, dust capacity and the weight you’ll need to move between rooms or up and down stairs. | If I clean several rooms in a row, I want to avoid changing sockets and stopping; around 27% of consumers would put this uninterrupted cleaning first. |
| Maintenance | For a bagged model, find out which bags it takes. For a bagless model, check how to empty the bin and maintain the filters. | I’d rather decide in advance whether I prefer replacing a bag or emptying a bin than find out as I go; around 20% of consumers would put maintenance first. |
| Quick clean-ups | For a stick vacuum used alongside your main appliance, check battery life in the mode you’ll use, charging time and bin capacity. | Between full cleans, I want to tackle a small area quickly without getting the cylinder vacuum out; around 20% of consumers would prioritise speed. |
Motor power alone doesn’t tell you how well a vacuum will clean different surfaces. Which? highlights the importance of the floorhead and assesses different types of flooring separately in its tests.
Make a list of your floors and check which brushes come with the exact version you’re considering. If you read a test, look at the results for each floor type.
You’ll need to empty the bin and maintain the filters according to the appliance’s instructions.
Before choosing a bagless cylinder vacuum, check how to remove the bin, clean the filters and find the right replacement parts for the model.
For a cordless stick vacuum, the stated battery life won’t necessarily match the time you’ll get when using the power mode you need for your carpets. Which? mainly recommends these appliances as a supplementary option.
Before relying on a stick vacuum for your whole home, compare battery life in the mode you expect to use, charging time and whether the battery can be replaced.
A bagged cylinder vacuum needs compatible bags replacing over time. If they’re difficult to find, maintenance can become a hassle.
Make a note of the exact bag reference and check that you can buy replacements before choosing the model.
The bagged Complete C3 range is worth a look if you’re after a main cylinder vacuum for several rooms, with tools for furniture.
Its bagless cylinder vacuums are worth comparing if you’d prefer a corded main appliance with a bin rather than a bag.
The bagged cylinder range includes models worth considering if capacity, operating radius and filter maintenance are important to you.
The brand’s cordless stick vacuums are worth comparing as a second appliance for quick clean-ups in specific areas.
These two bagged cylinder vacuums are options to consider as a main appliance for cleaning several rooms. If you have carpets or upholstered furniture, check which accessories are included with each model before choosing.
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Worth considering if you prefer a bagged cylinder vacuum for a full clean. If your home has carpets, a sofa or bedding, check which brushes and tools are included.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a bagged cylinder vacuum to clean several rooms. The stated motor power is 550 W, but that alone isn’t enough to judge how well it will clean your floors. Check which floorheads and tools are included.
Check that you have a floorhead suited to each type of flooring and an upholstery tool for textiles; a crevice tool makes it easier to reach narrow gaps. Which? tests several types of flooring separately, so motor power alone won’t tell you how well a vacuum will handle all these tasks.
Not necessarily. A bagless model means you don’t need to replace bags, but you still have to empty the bin and maintain the filters. For a bagged model, check which bags it takes and follow the filter maintenance instructions.
Compare its battery life in the mode you’ll actually use and its bin capacity with the time it takes to clean your whole home. Which? tends to recommend stick vacuums as supplementary appliances; the maximum stated battery life doesn’t guarantee the same run time at higher power.