Households with a vacuum cleaner that’s out of warranty and broken
If the appliance still suited your home, ask a QualiRépar-certified repairer whether the fault and repair qualify for a repair before choosing a replacement.
Who is this choice for?
Anyone looking for a main vacuum cleaner
For regular cleaning of floors, carpets, furniture and high-up areas, compare the accessories and practical considerations of a corded cylinder vacuum with those of a cordless stick vacuum. UFC-Que Choisir suggests that a cylinder vacuum is worth considering for a range of surfaces, while the stick vacuum’s battery life deserves particular attention.
Households that prefer quick or automated cleaning
A cordless stick vacuum is a convenient choice; a robot vacuum can be programmed to clean accessible floors. For a stick vacuum, check the battery life and battery; for a robot, make sure it can handle your carpets, edges and corners.
What should you check first?
First decide whether you can keep using your current appliance, then choose a type that suits your cleaning routine. After that, compare the repairability of specific models that meet your needs.
| Priority | What to check | What I need |
|---|---|---|
| Repairing the appliance | Check the warranty status, the fault and whether you can access a QualiRépar-certified repairer. According to the French Ministry for Ecological Transition and ecosystem, eligibility for the Repair Bonus depends on these conditions, among other things. | My vacuum cleaner still suits my floors and accessories. I want to know whether I can keep using it after it’s repaired. |
| Type and surfaces | For a cylinder vacuum, check that the floorhead and accessories are suitable for your floors, carpets, furniture and high-up areas. For a robot, look at how it performs on your types of flooring, around edges and in corners—situations covered in UFC-Que Choisir’s tests. | I’m looking for a main appliance for several types of surface, or automated cleaning on floors the robot can navigate. |
| Cordless use | Compare battery life in the mode you’ll use, charging time and whether the model’s battery can be replaced. The maximum battery life quoted won’t necessarily reflect a cleaning session at high power. | I’d prefer to get the vacuum out quickly, but it needs to last for my usual cleaning sessions. |
| Model repairability | Note the full model number and its score out of 10. Check the documentation, access to components and availability of the parts you need. ADEME says that corded, cordless and robot vacuum cleaners are covered by France’s repairability index. | If I replace my appliance, I want to compare the repairability of models that already suit my home, not the brands in general. |
| Routine maintenance | Identify the filters, brushes, bags if applicable and any other parts specific to the model. If a robot comes with a docking station, check what maintenance the station requires too. | I’m happy to do regular maintenance, as long as I know which parts need cleaning or replacing. |
Which mistakes should you avoid?
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Replacing a broken appliance straight away
A fault doesn’t necessarily mean your vacuum cleaner can no longer be used. The French Ministry for Ecological Transition describes the Repair Bonus as a scheme available through a certified repairer, subject to conditions.
If the appliance still meets your needs, get the fault checked and confirm that it’s eligible before deciding to replace it.
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Choosing based on a single power or battery-life figure
A cylinder vacuum’s motor power doesn’t tell you how well its floorhead will clean. With a cordless stick vacuum, the quoted running time can also vary depending on the mode you use.
Consider how the specifications relate to your carpets, furniture and cleaning sessions, and compare measurements taken under similar conditions.
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Assuming a model’s score applies to its whole range
The repairability index applies to a specific model. A range of spare parts or a brand’s commitment doesn’t, on its own, tell you which components are accessible on the appliance you’re considering.
Check the full model number, its score and the parts that matter for that type of appliance—especially the battery in a cordless model.
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Assuming a robot vacuum will suit every floor
UFC-Que Choisir tests robot vacuums on different floor coverings, as well as around the edges of rooms and in corners. These situations can’t be summed up by a single specification on a product page.
Check for carpets, thresholds and narrow passages in your home, then compare them with the model’s test results and specifications. Also check which brushes, filters and other maintenance parts are compatible.
Which brands should you check for parts?
These examples can help you find information about parts and servicing, but you’ll still need to check the specific model you choose.
Rowenta
Worth considering if advertised parts availability and the repairability rating of a specific model are influencing your choice.
- Rowenta says its commitment to making parts available for 15 years applies to new products launched from 2022 onwards, as well as products still in production.
- The brand gives the Silence Force Cyclonic RO7289EA/411 a score of 9,3/10; this rating doesn’t apply to other models. Check the parts you need for the one you’re considering.
Dyson
Worth considering, in particular, if you’re looking for a cordless vacuum and want to identify the right parts for it.
- Dyson France lists replacement parts for several vacuum cleaner categories, including cordless models.
- A parts section doesn’t confirm that every component is available for every model. Check the battery, the parts you need and the repairability rating of the model you’ve chosen.
Miele
Worth considering for a cylinder vacuum if identifying parts and access to a repair service are important to you.
- Miele France lists vacuum cleaner parts, including tubes, handles, brushes and hoses, and offers a repair appointment booking service.
- Check that the parts are compatible and confirm the repair options for the exact model. These services alone don’t determine its repairability rating.
Vacuum cleaners available on Joybuy
These models illustrate two replacement options: a cordless stick vacuum for easy handling, and a robot vacuum for automated cleaning. Before comparing the model you’re interested in with repairing your current appliance or buying a corded vacuum, check its repairability rating and parts availability.
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E.ZICOM Cordless Cyclomax R12 Flex, cordless stick vacuum cleaner
Worth considering if you value the manoeuvrability of a cordless stick vacuum. To see whether it will last for your cleaning sessions, check the battery life in the mode you’ll use. Also check the repairability rating for this model and whether its battery can be replaced.
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ECOVACS Deebot X11 Pro Omni, robot vacuum with Omni station
This robot vacuum with station is designed for automated cleaning. Its product listing states a maximum obstacle clearance of 4 cm: compare this with the thresholds in your home, then check how it performs on your floors, what maintenance it needs, its repairability rating and the parts available for the exact model.
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ECOVACS X8 OMNI black, robot vacuum with all-in-one station
The product listing includes vacuuming and mopping functions, as well as an all-in-one station. Make room for the docking station and check the maintenance requirements, whether it suits your floors, its repairability rating and the parts specific to the X8 OMNI.
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Roborock Qrevo S5V black, robot vacuum and mop with station
The product listing states that it mops, navigates intelligently and avoids obstacles. These features alone don’t tell you how well it cleans edges or carpets. Look for test results relevant to your floors, then check the maintenance requirements, repairability rating and parts available for this model.
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Eziclean Cycloboost FR8 Flex, cordless stick vacuum cleaner
This cordless stick vacuum is worth comparing for dry floor cleaning. Before making it your main appliance, check that its battery life and charging time suit your usual cleaning sessions. Also check the repairability rating, parts availability and whether the battery can be replaced on this model.
Frequently asked questions
Which vacuum cleaners are covered by France’s repairability index?
According to ADEME, corded, cordless and robot vacuum cleaners are covered. The score out of 10 applies to a specific model; check it alongside information about documentation, access to components and parts.
How can you compare the index before choosing a new vacuum cleaner?
Look for the rating for the full model number in the seller’s information, then check which parts are important for that model. A rating shown for another appliance from the same brand doesn’t tell you about the one you’re considering.
Could the Repair Bonus apply to a broken vacuum cleaner?
Yes, subject to conditions. According to the French Ministry for Ecological Transition and ecosystem, the appliance must, among other things, be out of warranty, the fault must be eligible and the repair must be carried out by a certified repairer. Confirm these details for your appliance before deciding to replace it.
Can a cordless stick vacuum replace a cylinder vacuum?
It may suit you if its battery life in the mode you use and its accessories meet your needs for different surfaces and cleaning sessions. UFC-Que Choisir highlights how handy stick vacuums are for quick clean-ups. For longer cleaning sessions across a range of surfaces, compare one with a suitable cylinder vacuum too.
What should you allow for when it comes to maintenance?
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the bag, if applicable, and the filters and brushes for your model. For a cordless stick vacuum, check the guidance on the battery. For a robot, also identify which parts are compatible with its station, if it has one.