Homes with rugs, carpets and hard floors
If you move from tiles to wooden floors and then to a rug, look for test results for each type of flooring. If your wooden floor has gaps between the boards, check how the vacuum performs on those too.
Who is this choice for?
Homes with hair or pet hair on fabrics
If fibres regularly cling to your rugs or upholstery, look for tests involving this type of dirt and check which brush is included or compatible with the model.
Buyers who consider maintenance
Choosing between a bag and a dust container affects how you empty the vacuum. Also check the part numbers for filters, brushes and other components that need replacing on the model you’re considering.
What should you check?
Start by identifying the floor types and dirt you need to tackle, then compare the results and features of models suited to your needs.
| What to consider | What to check | My needs |
|---|---|---|
| Performance on different floors | Compare test results on rugs or carpets, hard floors and, if needed, wooden floors with gaps between the boards. Check which floorhead comes with each model; the motor’s wattage alone doesn’t tell you how well it will perform on these surfaces. | I have several types of flooring, so a good result on tiles doesn’t tell me how it will perform on my carpets or between the boards of my wooden floor. |
| Hair and pet hair | Look for tests involving fibres on carpets. Check whether a turbo brush or mini turbo brush is included, and whether it’s compatible with the model number you’re considering. | Pet hair or human hair gets caught in my rugs or fabrics. I want to check how the vacuum handles this specifically, not just how well it picks up dust. |
| Bag or dust container | Consider how easy the vacuum is to empty, and how to maintain its filters and brushes. Que Choisir reports that bagged cylinder vacuums vacuum more effectively and expose you to less dust than bagless models. | I might prefer emptying a dust container to replacing bags, but I also need to consider contact with dust and how to clean the appliance. |
| Accessories and parts | Check which brushes are included, then find out the part numbers for bags, filters and parts compatible with the exact model. If the vacuum is sold in France, also check its repairability index. | Before choosing, I want to know whether I’ll be able to find the parts I need to maintain this model. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Choosing based on the advertised wattage alone
Results on a smooth floor don’t tell you how a vacuum will perform on carpets or between the boards of a wooden floor. Que Choisir’s test method assesses performance on carpet, tiles and wooden floors separately.
Make a note of the floor types in your home, then look for tests covering those surfaces and check the brush supplied with the model you’re considering.
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Assuming a turbo brush is included
Two models in the same range may come with different accessories. Any brush you buy separately must also be compatible with your vacuum.
Check exactly what’s included in the box and confirm the part number of any additional brush with the manufacturer.
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Reducing the bagged or bagless decision to a question of bags
According to Que Choisir, bagged cylinder vacuums vacuum more effectively and expose users to less dust than bagless models. A dust container, meanwhile, needs to be emptied, and the filters need to be maintained.
Before choosing a format, compare how you’d prefer to empty the appliance, how to maintain its filters and how it performs on your floors.
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Forgetting the parts needed for maintenance
A brush, filter or bag must be compatible with the exact vacuum model. The repairability index doesn’t replace this check.
Note down the model number, check its repairability index where applicable, and look for compatible parts and consumables.
Brands worth considering
The examples below relate to specific models and accessories. Check the features and availability of the exact model you’re considering.
Rowenta
The Silence Force range includes both bagged and bagless cylinder vacuums, so you can compare them based on the format and features you’re looking for.
- Rowenta lists a 4.5 L bag for the Silence Force Effitech on its product page.
- The features of one Silence Force model don’t necessarily apply to other models in the range.
Miele
The Complete C3 Special Flex shows why it’s worth checking which brushes are included with a cylinder vacuum designed for different surfaces.
- Miele lists a Twister parquet floorhead and a mini turbo brush for this model.
- Before choosing a model from the Complete C3 range, confirm the features and availability of the exact model you’re considering.
Electrolux
Some Electrolux cylinder vacuum product pages detail the brushes supplied. You can search for parts using the product number, or PNC.
- Electrolux lists an AllFloor brush and a hard floor brush on the product page for the 500 EB51A3WB model.
- Use the PNC for the specific appliance to check compatible accessories and parts. Don’t assume that one model has the same features as another.
Philips
Philips offers accessories including the Turbo CRP747/01 brush, which is designed for rugs and carpets.
- Philips describes this accessory as having a rotating brush.
- This description doesn’t confirm compatibility with every Philips vacuum or indicate how well a particular model will vacuum.
Vacuum cleaners available on Joybuy
These options include two bagged cylinder vacuums and two stick vacuums. If deep cleaning carpets is your main reason for buying, compare results on your floors and check the accessories for each model before making your choice.
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Electrolux 600 EB61C4OG bagged vacuum cleaner
This bagged cylinder vacuum is an option if you’re looking for an appliance to clean different floor types. If you have carpets or pet hair to tackle, check how it performs on these surfaces, which brushes are included and the part number for compatible bags.
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Electrolux EB61C2GRN bagged vacuum cleaner, 550 W
Another bagged cylinder vacuum to consider for a home with different floor types, this model has a 550 W motor. That figure alone doesn’t tell you how it will perform on carpets. Check tests for your flooring, the brushes included and which bags are compatible.
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MONSGA HQ1 Purple, 600 W corded stick vacuum
This corded stick vacuum may suit you if you prefer this format, or work well alongside a cylinder vacuum. The 65 kPa and 600 W figures in its name don’t prove how well it will clean carpets. Look for tests on your floor types and check which brushes and filters are compatible.
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BISSELL PowerClean FurGuard Select
If pet hair and human hair are why you’re considering this stick vacuum, check how it performs on your carpets rather than relying on its name. To compare how it might suit your needs, also look at the run time in each mode and the part numbers for compatible filters, brushes and batteries.
Frequently asked questions
Is a bagged cylinder vacuum suitable for carpets and pet hair?
It’s a format worth prioritising for this need: Que Choisir reports that bagged cylinder vacuums vacuum more effectively and expose you to less dust than bagless models. For embedded pet hair, check test results for fibres separately and look at the brush supplied with the model you choose.
Can wattage help you compare carpet cleaning performance?
No. The motor’s wattage alone doesn’t tell you how well a vacuum will perform on carpets. Compare test results for your floor types and check which floorhead comes with each appliance.
Which brushes should you check for mixed flooring?
Check that the main brush suits your hard floors and carpets, then look for a parquet brush if you need one for your wooden flooring. If pet hair or human hair gets caught in fabrics, check whether a turbo brush or mini turbo brush is included or compatible with the exact model.
What do you need to maintain a bagged vacuum cleaner?
Check the part number and availability of compatible bags, as well as the instructions for maintaining the filters and brushes. A bagless model saves you replacing bags, but you’ll need to empty the dust container and maintain its components.
How can you take repairability into account in France?
The French government departments responsible for ecological transition list vacuum cleaners among the product categories covered by France’s repairability index. Check the information applicable to the model you’re considering, then confirm which parts and consumables are compatible with its model number.