For regular cleaning of rugs, carpets and upholstery, a cylinder vacuum is the main type of appliance to consider. Que Choisir highlights its versatility and notes that bagged models expose you to less dust during maintenance than bagless ones. A cordless stick vacuum is best suited to quick clean-ups, while a robot can help with floor cleaning. In every case, check how the model performs on your floor coverings and whether it comes with the accessories you need for pet hair and upholstery.
If pet hair gets caught in the fibres, check how the model performs on rugs and carpets, as well as which brushes are included. Que Choisir’s testing protocol includes assessing how well vacuum cleaners remove synthetic fibres designed to mimic pet hair.
If you want to clean everything from floors to sofas, bedding and furniture, choose an appliance with accessories suited to each surface. Check that they’re included with the version on sale, rather than simply being available somewhere in the manufacturer’s range.
A cordless stick vacuum can be easier to grab for a quick clean. If you also plan to use it on large areas or carpets, check its run time in the mode and with the brush you intend to use.
For your main appliance, start with the floors and upholstery you need to clean. A stick vacuum’s manoeuvrability and a robot’s automation are suited to different needs.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Floors and pet hair | Compare how the model performs on hard floors, rugs and carpets. For pet hair, also look for tests on fibres embedded in a carpet: Que Choisir assesses these situations separately. | I have a mix of floor types, and pet hair gets stuck in the carpets; a good result on tiled floors alone wouldn’t meet my needs. |
| Bag or bin | Check the capacity, how the appliance is emptied and what’s involved in filter maintenance. According to Que Choisir, bagged cylinder vacuums expose you to less dust than bagless models. | I’d prefer to limit contact with dust during maintenance, or I’m happy to empty and clean a bin regularly to avoid using bags. |
| Run time and manoeuvrability | For a cordless stick vacuum, check the run time in the mode you’ll use, its weight and the bin capacity. Que Choisir considers this type of vacuum better suited to quick clean-ups than deep cleaning. | Being able to grab the appliance quickly matters to me, but I also need it to last for my planned cleaning sessions on carpets or across several rooms. |
| Upholstery and accessories | Check which brushes and small nozzles are actually included for sofas, bedding or stairs. Look at how the model performs on the surfaces in question, rather than relying on motor wattage alone. | I want to remove pet hair from the sofa and stairs, not just clean dust off the floor. |
| Automated cleaning | For a robot, look at how it performs on your floor coverings, its navigation and how the bin or dock is emptied. Que Choisir notes that performance varies by floor type and that the dust container needs regular maintenance. | I’d like to automate some routine floor cleaning while still having a way to clean upholstery and specific areas. |
This figure doesn’t tell you how well the appliance removes dust from a carpet or pet hair caught in its fibres. Que Choisir’s testing protocol compares performance on different floor types and also tests fibres designed to mimic pet hair.
Compare test results for the floor coverings in your home, and check the floorhead and included accessories.
According to Que Choisir, a stick vacuum’s manoeuvrability makes it best suited to quick clean-ups. Its limited run time and performance on thick carpets can be more of a concern when you’re doing a full clean.
Check the run time in the mode you’ll need for your carpets, then compare it with the length of your usual cleaning sessions before ruling out a cylinder vacuum.
A robot can keep floors clean, but its performance varies by floor covering. It won’t replace an appliance suited to cleaning sofas, stairs or specific areas.
Check how it performs on your floors, how it navigates and how it empties, then plan a separate solution for upholstery.
Bags in a bagged cylinder vacuum need replacing; bins, filters and brushes also need the right care for the appliance.
Before choosing a model, check that compatible consumables and parts are available, and find out what maintenance is recommended for the version you’re considering.
A brand may offer several types of vacuum, but the right choice comes down to the performance and specification of the particular model.
A brand to consider when comparing stick vacuums: Que Choisir recently tested the Rowenta RH9B74WO X-Force Flex 14.80 Kit Animal, among other models.
Another brand to consider for a cordless stick vacuum; Que Choisir recently tested the Dyson V11 Advanced, among other models.
To compare a Bosch cylinder vacuum with other types, start with the surfaces you need to clean and the accessories included with the model you’re considering.
A brand to compare if you’re considering a robot for routine floor cleaning. Que Choisir recently tested the Roomba Max 705 Combo, among other models.
Another brand to consider in the robot vacuum category. Que Choisir recently tested the Qrevo Edge 5V1, among other models.
These options include a bagged cylinder vacuum, a bagless cylinder vacuum, two cordless stick vacuums and a robot for additional cleaning. Compare each model with your floor coverings and the accessories you need.
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This bagless cylinder vacuum is worth considering for regular cleaning of floors and upholstery. For carpets and pet hair, check which accessories are included with the version on sale and how the model performs on these surfaces. You’ll also need to empty the bin.
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A bagged model is worth comparing if limiting contact with dust when emptying is important to you. If you have pets, check how this model performs on rugs and carpets, which upholstery accessories are included and whether compatible bags are available.
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This cordless stick vacuum is worth considering for frequent clean-ups in a home with pets. Before making it your only vacuum, check its run time in the mode you’ll use, the included accessories and how it performs on the rugs or carpets in your home.
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This cordless model is worth comparing for quick clean-ups on floors and upholstery. Its description claims up to 60 minutes of run time, but doesn’t specify the mode, so check how long it lasts during the cleaning sessions you have in mind. Also ask for clarification on its suction power, which is described using different figures, and check how it performs on carpets and pet hair.
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This robot vacuum with a mopping function is an option for helping with routine floor cleaning, not for cleaning sofas or stairs. Check how it performs on your carpets and with pet hair, as well as what maintenance and consumables its dock requires.
When it comes to maintaining the appliance, Que Choisir says a bagged cylinder vacuum exposes you to less dust than a bagless one. This isn’t a guarantee against allergies, so also check how to replace the bag on the model you’re considering.
Check which brushes and small nozzles are actually included for sofas, bedding or stairs, as well as whether the floorhead is suitable for your floors. Que Choisir’s testing protocol assesses performance on different floor coverings and on fibres designed to mimic pet hair. So, having a particular accessory doesn’t remove the need to check the model’s test results.
Not in every home. Que Choisir sees cordless stick vacuums as better suited to quick clean-ups and notes limitations in run time and cleaning performance, particularly on thick carpets. If you want one to be your only vacuum, compare its run time in the mode you’ll use and its performance on your carpets.
A robot can take care of some routine floor cleaning, but it won’t clean upholstery. Que Choisir notes that performance varies by floor covering and that the bin needs to be emptied regularly. Check how the model performs on your carpets and with pet hair before relying on it for these cleaning sessions.