For regularly picking up crumbs and dust around a flat, a cordless stick vacuum may be enough if its weight, storage and battery life suit your usual cleaning routine. If carpets, soft furnishings, pet hair or deep cleaning are more important, consider keeping a compact cylinder vacuum as well. A robot vacuum can help maintain your floors between manual cleans, but it won’t necessarily replace these other uses.
You often pick up crumbs or dust and have limited space. An appliance that’s easy to take out, use and put away may matter more to you than one designed for long cleaning sessions. UFC-Que Choisir describes cordless stick vacuums as suitable for quick clean-ups.
You also want to clean fibres, pet hair or fabric surfaces. Before replacing your current vacuum, compare how different models and brushes perform on the surfaces in your home: a vacuum for quick clean-ups may not meet your deep-cleaning needs.
You want to be able to maintain your appliance and replace its battery or a part that’s compatible with your model. Check the repairability index and parts compatibility for the specific model, rather than relying on information about an entire range.
For frequent quick clean-ups, a cordless stick vacuum offers easy access. If you have carpets, soft furnishings or more thorough cleaning to do, a compact cylinder vacuum is also worth considering. UFC-Que Choisir notes that robot vacuums’ performance varies depending on the floor type, so think of one as a complement to your manual cleaning.
Choose this if: you mainly deal with small, frequent messes and can keep the vacuum charged and close to hand.
Bear in mind: battery life and performance on demanding surfaces depend on the model and the setting you use.
Choose this if: carpets, soft furnishings or deep cleaning are regular parts of your cleaning routine.
Bear in mind: you’ll need space for the main unit, hose and accessories. It can complement a stick vacuum used for quick clean-ups.
Choose this if: you’d like to automate some floor cleaning between manual cleans.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to empty and maintain the appliance, make sure it has a clear route around your home and check how it performs on your flooring.
| Feature | What to check | Which shoppers is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Access and storage | Weight in the configuration you’ll use, and the space taken up by the vacuum and its charging dock. | If I need to get the vacuum out for a few crumbs and put it away straight afterwards, easy access becomes my priority; around 36% of shoppers would prioritise this. |
| Floors and soft furnishings | A suitable brush and performance on your carpets, hard floors or soft furnishings. | If I need to clean pet hair, fibres or carpets, I first look for a solution suited to those surfaces; around 29% of shoppers would have this priority. |
| Battery and maintenance | Battery life in the mode you use, a compatible battery and the model’s repairability index. | If I plan to keep my vacuum and maintain it, I want to be able to check which parts and battery fit my model; around 21% of shoppers would put this first. |
| Automation | Performance on your flooring, space for the dock and how often the vacuum needs emptying. | If I want to reduce how often I clean my floors manually, I’d like to hand over some of the everyday upkeep; this would be the priority for around 14% of shoppers. |
The stated battery life may apply to a specific mode and configuration. It doesn’t necessarily reflect how long you can clean for with the brush and setting you’ll use on your floors.
Compare battery life under conditions similar to your own use, then check the charging time and the reference number of compatible batteries.
If the mode you need cuts your cleaning sessions short, an additional compatible battery could come in handy.
UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes quick clean-ups with a stick vacuum from deep-cleaning needs. If you regularly clean carpets, soft furnishings or pet hair, you may need a different option.
Identify the surfaces you find hardest to clean, then compare suitable brushes and performance before ruling out a compact cylinder vacuum or a combination of two appliances.
According to UFC-Que Choisir, robot vacuums’ performance varies depending on factors including floor type. In a flat, corners, edges and carpets need particular consideration.
Check these surfaces, the space needed for the dock and which maintenance tasks you’re happy to take on.
You’ll still need to empty the dust bin and, depending on the model, maintain the dock.
A battery or part designed for a different model may not be compatible with your vacuum. The repairability index also applies to a specific model.
Make a note of the full model name and check its index, along with the references for compatible batteries and parts, before you choose.
Its stick, robot and cylinder vacuum ranges let you compare different formats for keeping a flat clean.
The Unlimited range is worth a look if an interchangeable battery is one of your priorities in a stick vacuum.
Compare models individually if identifying replacement batteries, chargers and other parts is important to your decision.
These cordless stick vacuums are suited to getting out for everyday messes around the flat. Compare their storage, batteries and stated battery life against your needs. If deep-cleaning carpets or soft furnishings is a priority, consider a cylinder vacuum too.
Image unavailable
Worth considering if you want a cordless stick vacuum that’s quick to take out and can stand upright between cleaning sessions.
The title states up to 60 minutes of battery life, a removable battery and an anti-tangle brush. Check the battery life with the mode and brush you’ll use, as well as the weight of the complete appliance.
Image unavailable
Worth a look if you want to store and charge the vacuum in one place, while also being able to use it as a handheld.
The title states 550 W, 55 kPa, an anti-tangle brush and up to 55 minutes of battery life. Check the battery life in the mode you’re interested in and how much space the dock needs.
Image unavailable
Its self-standing design is worth considering if you’d rather leave the vacuum standing between quick cleans than lean it against a piece of furniture.
The title states that it has a removable battery and up to 50 minutes of battery life. Check how long it lasts in your usual mode and whether a compatible replacement battery is available.
Image unavailable
Worth comparing if you’re looking for a self-standing stick vacuum for everyday cleaning, but don’t assume this design will be enough for your carpets.
The title states up to 65 minutes of battery life, an anti-tangle brush and an LED touchscreen. Check the battery life in the mode you’ll use and whether the stated weight of 3.3 kg suits you.
Image unavailable
Worth a look if you want to choose between two settings for everyday cleaning and compare the battery life of each.
The title states 45 kPa, a removable battery and an LED display. Compare the stated battery life in each mode, then check whether the weight and storage space suit you.
Yes, it may be enough if you mainly clean up small, frequent messes and it performs well on your floors. UFC-Que Choisir says stick vacuums are generally suitable for quick clean-ups. If you regularly clean carpets, soft furnishings or pet hair, or need to deep clean, compare a compact cylinder vacuum too.
Check the battery life for the mode and brush you’ll use, not just the maximum figure stated. Also check the charging time if you often do several cleaning sessions close together.
Look up the repairability index for the exact model of the new vacuum you’re interested in. Check which batteries and parts are compatible with that model separately: the availability of parts for another generation isn’t enough.
Not necessarily. A robot vacuum can take care of some everyday cleaning, but its performance depends on factors including the type of floor. UFC-Que Choisir notes that results vary by surface. Check how it will cope with the carpets, corners and edges in your home, and remember that you’ll need to empty and maintain it.