For regular cleaning throughout your home, including carpets and rugs, start by looking at cylinder vacuum cleaners. UFC-Que Choisir considers them better suited to deep cleaning than cordless stick vacuums, which are more often intended for quick clean-ups. Then compare models using tests on dust and carpet fibres, checking which brush was used, what accessories are included and what maintenance is required. A stick vacuum is only a suitable alternative as your main appliance if its run time and cleaning results meet your needs.
If your vacuum needs to handle a full clean, look for test results on the types of flooring you have rather than choosing based on the advertised power alone. UFC-Que Choisir’s testing process measures, among other things, how much dust is picked up from carpets.
Pet hair and carpet fibres present a different challenge from dust. Compare the relevant test results and check which accessories are included for carpets, sofas and other soft furnishings.
If you want to clean several rooms without neglecting the furniture, compare the stated noise level, operating radius, weight and storage requirements. None of these factors can replace a carpet-cleaning result.
First choose a format that suits the length of your cleaning sessions, then compare results using the brushes you’ll actually use.
Worth considering: for a full clean if you’d rather collect dust in a bag.
Bear in mind: you’ll need compatible bags and space to store the appliance and its tube.
Worth considering: if you’d rather empty a bin than replace bags.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to empty the bin and maintain the filters according to the model’s instructions.
Worth considering: if easy handling is a priority and the model can cover your whole cleaning session in a mode suitable for carpets.
Limitation: UFC-Que Choisir generally describes this format as a supplementary appliance. Check its carpet-cleaning results before choosing it as your only vacuum cleaner.
| What to consider | What to check | My needs |
|---|---|---|
| Carpet cleaning | Compare tests on embedded dust and fibres. Check which flooring was tested and which brush was used: UFC-Que Choisir assesses these separately in its testing process. | My carpets and rugs need to be cleaned as part of a full clean, not just cleared of visible debris. |
| Surfaces and accessories | Check that the main head is suitable for both hard floors and carpets, then see what’s included for furniture, soft furnishings and awkward corners. Match each test result to the accessory used. | I move between floors, sofas and skirting boards; if you have pets, carpet fibres matter too. |
| Length of cleaning sessions | For a stick vacuum, check the run time in the mode you’ll need for carpets, not just the maximum advertised figure. For a cylinder vacuum, look at the operating radius and how easy it is to move between rooms. | I need to be able to clean the whole home in one session, including rooms further away and the stairs. |
| Maintenance and storage | Compare replacing bags with emptying the bin, access to the filters, weight, stated noise level and the space needed for storage. | An appliance I can get out, move around and maintain regularly will suit the way I use it. |
This figure alone doesn’t tell you how much dust or how many fibres a vacuum will remove from a carpet. UFC-Que Choisir assesses these results separately in its testing process.
Look for tests on carpets or rugs and, if pet hair is a concern, on fibres designed to simulate pet hair.
In a UFC-Que Choisir test of an Electrolux model different from the products featured below, the result on carpet fibres varies considerably depending on whether the standard brush or turbo brush is used.
Check which brush comes with the model you’re considering and, if possible, look for a result obtained with the same set-up.
Emptying a bin and maintaining filters call for a different routine from replacing a bag.
Before buying, check how easy the bin is to access, the filter care instructions and whether compatible parts are available.
Replacing an electrical appliance also raises the question of whether it can be repaired or collected for recycling.
Ademe says you can consider having it repaired or use the collection options available in shops, through the retailer or at a recycling centre, depending on your circumstances.
These examples can help you narrow down the features to compare. They don’t indicate the performance of every product in each range or whether these models are available on Joybuy.
The Pure D8 PD82-4ST bagged cylinder vacuum is an example of a model designed for several surfaces, with accessories listed for floors and furniture.
The ProAnimal range includes the BGB41PET1 bagged cylinder vacuum and the BGS41PET1 bagless model.
The brand’s bagged and bagless cylinder vacuums offer other configurations to consider, depending on the maintenance you prefer and the surfaces you need to clean.
This selection includes one bagged cylinder vacuum and four cordless stick vacuums. If you’re looking for a main vacuum cleaner for carpets, rugs and furniture, compare the brush supplied and results on your flooring for each model. For stick vacuums, also check the run time in the mode you’ll use.
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Its bagged design may suit you if you’re looking for a mains-powered main appliance for several rooms. The listing specifies 550 W. To choose based on your carpets and furniture, check the cleaning results on those surfaces, which brush was tested and which accessories are actually included. Remember to allow for compatible bags.
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Worth considering if you prefer a cordless design for moving from room to room. The listing specifies 60,000 Pa, up to 65 minutes’ run time and an anti-tangle brush. That figure doesn’t tell you how long it will last in carpet mode. Before choosing it as your main appliance, check the run time in that mode, carpet test results and which accessories are included for soft furnishings.
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This stick vacuum may suit a home where you want to move between hard floors and carpets without a cable. The listing specifies 55 minutes’ run time, an anti-tangle brush and a charging dock. The stated run time is for hard floors, so it may not apply in carpet mode. Check the carpet-cleaning results and whether the included tools are suitable for your furniture.
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Its cordless design is worth considering if you want to clean several areas of your home in one go. The listing specifies 45 minutes’ run time, an anti-tangle brush and a self-standing function, but doesn’t state the run time in carpet mode. If sofas are part of your cleaning routine, check which upholstery tools are included, as well as the results on carpets and fibres.
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This is another cordless option to consider for a home with a mix of hard floors and carpets. The listing specifies up to 60 minutes’ run time, a removable battery and an anti-tangle brush. Before choosing it as your main appliance, check the run time in the mode you’ll need for carpets, the results on fibres and which accessories are suitable for furniture.
Not necessarily if your cleaning includes carpets and rugs. UFC-Que Choisir generally describes cordless stick vacuums as supplementary appliances. Before relying on a specific model as your only vacuum, check its run time in the mode you need, the brush it uses and its results on your flooring.
Motor wattage alone doesn’t tell you how much dust a vacuum will remove from a carpet. UFC-Que Choisir’s testing process measures dust pick-up and separately assesses fibres designed to simulate pet hair. Look for results on the surfaces that matter in your home.
First, check that the main brush is suitable for hard floors as well as your carpets or rugs. For sofas, furniture and awkward corners, check which nozzles and brushes are actually included. If you need a turbo brush for fibres, look for a test carried out with that accessory.
You could consider having it repaired before replacing it. For collection, Ademe lists options at shops, through the retailer or in the dedicated electrical and electronic equipment container at a recycling centre. Choose the option that works for your circumstances.