For regular, thorough cleaning of rugs, carpets and a variety of floor types, consider a canister vacuum cleaner. Que Choisir notes that stick vacuums often perform less well on thick carpets and rugs. A bagged canister means you don’t have to empty a dust container, while a bagless model needs emptying and filter maintenance. In either case, check how it performs on your flooring and which brush is included. A stick vacuum is still an option if tests of the specific model on carpets, its brush and its run time at the power you need suit your cleaning routine.
For a thorough clean, the flooring in your home and how you use the vacuum matter just as much as its design.
If you’ll use your vacuum for full cleans rather than just quick touch-ups, look for test results on rugs or carpets. Que Choisir’s testing assesses performance on different floor types, including carpet, tiles and parquet flooring.
Fibres caught in rugs call for a different kind of cleaning from dust on hard floors. Check the results on fibres and which brush was used. In a Que Choisir test of the Rowenta RO8366EA, results on rug fibres varied considerably between the turbo brush and the standard brush.
If you’ll be moving between hard floors and rugs in several rooms, compare test results for each surface, then check the model’s operating radius, dust capacity, noise level and manoeuvrability.
First decide whether you’d rather replace bags, empty a dust container or use a vacuum that’s easier to move around. Then compare models on the surfaces you actually clean.
Worth considering: for regular, thorough cleans if you’d rather remove a bag than empty a dust container.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to find bags compatible with your chosen model and replace them.
Worth considering: if you want a canister vacuum without replacement bags and don’t mind emptying its dust container.
Bear in mind: the container and filters need looking after. Check how the model performs on carpets rather than assuming based on its design.
Worth considering: if ease of movement is your priority and the model meets your carpet-cleaning needs.
Check: Que Choisir notes that stick vacuums often have less suction on thick carpets and rugs. Also check the run time at the power setting you’ll use.
| Priority | What to check | What you need |
|---|---|---|
| Results on different floor types | Check tests on rugs or carpets, then on the hard floors in your home. Note which brush was used for each result: Que Choisir’s testing assesses several types of flooring. | I want to clean my rugs without choosing a vacuum that’s only suitable for my hard floors. |
| Fibres and pet hair | Look for a test covering rug fibres. Check whether the turbo brush or upholstery brush used in the test is included with the model you’re buying. | If pet hair gets caught in textiles, results on fibres matter just as much to me as results on dust. |
| Dust collection and maintenance | Check which bags are compatible with a bagged model. For a bagless vacuum, look at how to empty the container and maintain the filters; Bosch describes these tasks for its bagless canister vacuums. | I’d rather replace a bag or empty and maintain a container: this will be part of my regular routine. |
| Comfort around the home | Compare the specific model’s operating radius, capacity, noise level and manoeuvrability. For a stick vacuum, check the run time at the power setting you need. | I have several rooms to clean, so I want to be able to move around and finish the job comfortably. |
A figure on the product information sheet doesn’t, by itself, tell you how well a vacuum will clean your rugs and other floors. Que Choisir assesses suction separately for different floor types.
Compare tests on the surfaces that matter to you and note which brush was used. Then check that it’s included with the model you’re considering.
Que Choisir notes that stick vacuums often have less suction on thick carpets and rugs. You’ll therefore need to check test results and run time for the specific model.
Before choosing a stick vacuum for your full cleans, check its test results on rugs, the brush included and its run time at the power setting you’ll need.
A dust container needs emptying and its filters need looking after. Going bagless changes how dust is collected, but it doesn’t remove the need for these tasks.
Choose based on how comfortable you are with emptying and maintaining a container. For a bagged model, check the reference numbers for compatible bags.
In its test of the Rowenta RO8366EA, Que Choisir found very different results on rug fibres depending on whether the turbo brush or standard brush was used. This finding applies to that model and those accessories.
Check which brush is included with the exact model number you’re considering, and look for tests on fibres that specify which accessory was used.
These brand examples highlight features to check for each model. They don’t predict how a vacuum will perform on your rug or the products featured below.
The French brand’s range includes bagged and bagless canister vacuums. Compare them based on how you want to collect dust and the features of each model.
Bosch’s bagged and bagless ProAnimal models are worth comparing if cleaning rug fibres is one of your priorities.
The bagged Pure D8 PD82-4ST canister vacuum is an example of a model whose features are worth checking for a home with several rooms.
This Joybuy option is a bagged canister vacuum to consider if you prefer this way of collecting dust. To decide whether it’s suitable for your rugs and carpets, compare the exact model number with test results using the brush you’ll be using.
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This bagged canister vacuum collects dust without you having to empty a container after cleaning. If your rugs or carpets are the deciding factor, check test results for the EB61C4OG model and the brush used, as well as the compatibility of replacement bags.
Look for tests on the exact model and the type of flooring you want to clean, then check which brush was used. Que Choisir’s testing assesses performance on different floor types. If you need to remove pet hair from rugs, also look for results specifically covering fibres.
First check which floor brush is included for your rugs and hard floors. If you also need to clean pet hair from rugs or furniture upholstery, separately check whether a turbo brush and fabric-cleaning accessories are included or compatible. The range name alone doesn’t tell you exactly what’s in the box.
Note down the full model number and use the product number when the manufacturer asks for it. For the Pure D8 PD82-4ST, Electrolux says you’ll need the PNC number to find compatible parts and accessories.