For the main clean across several rooms, especially if you have rugs or fitted carpets, opt for a cylinder vacuum cleaner. Que Choisir generally finds that they offer better suction than cordless stick vacuums, while a bagged model means less contact with dust when disposing of dirt than a bagless one. A cordless stick vacuum is better suited to smaller homes and quick clean-ups, provided you check the run time in the mode you’ll use. A bagless cylinder avoids the need to replace bags, but you’ll need to empty the dust container and maintain its filters.
The best type for you depends mainly on how much of your home is carpeted or covered with rugs, the size of your home and how you prefer to deal with dust.
If rugs and carpet fibres need regular cleaning, start by comparing cylinder vacuums and their test results on these surfaces. Que Choisir assesses how well vacuums remove dirt from carpet fibres, among other things. A bagged model can also mean less contact with dust when you dispose of it.
A cordless stick vacuum can make quick clean-ups and storage easier when space is limited. However, check how long it runs in the mode you need, and remember to empty the dust container and maintain the brush and filter.
Check which consumables and parts are compatible with the exact model: bags and filters for a bagged cylinder, filters and brushes for other types, and a battery for a cordless stick vacuum. The repairability index displayed in France gives you another way to compare models.
Worth considering: for regular cleaning across several rooms and rugs, especially if minimising contact with dust is important to you.
Bear in mind: you’ll have a cable and a machine to move around, and you’ll need to replace it with compatible bags.
Worth considering: if you want to avoid bags but still need a cylinder vacuum for your main cleaning.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to empty the dust container and maintain the filters. Que Choisir also finds that bagged cylinder vacuums have a suction advantage.
Worth considering: for a smaller home, stairs or quick clean-ups without a cable.
Bear in mind: it needs recharging and has a shorter run time at high power. Que Choisir also notes that thick rugs and carpets can be harder to clean than with a cylinder vacuum.
| Criteria | What to check | What I need |
|---|---|---|
| Surfaces and brushes | Look for separate test results on rugs or carpets and hard floors, then check how the vacuum performs on fibres and which brush is included. Que Choisir’s test protocol assesses these cleaning situations separately. | If I regularly need to remove dirt or pet hair from rugs, I want to know how the vacuum performs on those surfaces, not just the advertised motor power. |
| Dust management | Compare how the bag is removed or the dust container is emptied, along with its capacity and the filter maintenance instructions. Que Choisir says that a bag means less contact with dust than cleaning out a bagless dust container. | I’d rather either remove a bag or avoid using one and accept that I’ll need to empty and maintain a dust container. |
| Moving around and run time | For a stick vacuum, check the run time in the mode you need and how it recharges. For a cylinder vacuum, consider the cable, size and ease of moving it around. | In a smaller home or for quick clean-ups, I prioritise manoeuvrability. For several rooms, I need to finish cleaning without an inconvenient interruption. |
| Maintenance and parts | Check the compatible part numbers for bags, filters and brushes, and the battery for a stick vacuum. Also compare the repairability index for the exact model. According to the French Ministry of the Economy, its score out of 10 takes factors such as documentation, ease of dismantling and parts into account. | I want to be able to maintain the appliance and find the right parts for my model throughout its life. |
The advertised electrical power rating alone won’t tell you how well a vacuum performs on rugs, hard floors or wooden floors with gaps between the boards. Que Choisir also highlights the importance of the vacuum head.
Compare test results for the surfaces you need to clean most, and check which brushes are included rather than ranking appliances by motor power.
Run time varies depending on the setting. In tests cited by Que Choisir, stick vacuums last around ten minutes on average at full power, but this figure doesn’t reflect the run time of every model.
If you need to clean rugs or several rooms, look for the run time in the mode you’ll actually use and check whether the battery can be replaced.
You’ll need to empty the dust container and maintain the filters according to the model’s instructions. For example, Philips says that the motor protection filter covered by its instructions should be dusted over a bin and must not be washed with water.
Before choosing this type, check the instructions for the model you’re considering to find out how to care for the dust container, filters and brush.
A part listed for a brand or product range won’t necessarily fit every version. The repairability index also applies to the specific model that was assessed.
Make a note of the appliance’s full model number, then check which bags, filters, brushes or batteries fit it. Compare the displayed repairability indexes for the models you’re considering.
These brands give you a starting point for comparing types, maintenance and parts. Always check the specifications for the exact model.
One option to compare for cordless stick and cylinder vacuums, with a range of original parts and accessories available from the brand.
A brand to consider if you’re looking for a bagged cylinder vacuum and want to check which bags and filters are designed for it.
A brand to consider when comparing cordless stick vacuums, particularly if you want to check which parts are available for different generations of appliances.
One option to explore if you’re considering a bagless cylinder vacuum and want to understand what maintenance it involves.
This selection includes a bagged cylinder vacuum, a corded stick vacuum and several cordless stick vacuums for cleaning floors and rugs by hand. Compare the accessories, maintenance requirements and conditions of use before choosing a model.
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This type is suited to anyone looking for a bagged appliance for regular cleaning throughout the home. Before choosing it for rugs, compare its cleaning results on your surfaces and check which bags are compatible.
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The cordless design and advertised anti-tangle brush may appeal to households looking for a vacuum for quick clean-ups on floors and rugs. The product name claims a 55-minute run time, but doesn’t specify how long it lasts in carpet mode. Check the run time for the setting you’ll use, as well as its cleaning results on your surfaces.
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This corded stick vacuum lets you clean without stopping to recharge, although you’ll need to plug it in. Its advertised 600 W and 65 kPa figures don’t replace comparable results for rugs and hard floors. Also check which filters are compatible with this model.
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The cordless design, upright self-standing position and removable battery make it a practical choice for quick clean-ups and easy storage. Its advertised run time is up to 50 minutes, but check how long it lasts on the setting you need for your rugs, as well as its performance on those surfaces.
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The advertised removable battery and anti-tangle brush are worth considering if you want to clean around your home without a cable. The product claims 45,000 Pa and up to 60 minutes of run time, but these figures don’t indicate how well it cleans rugs or how long it lasts at high power. Check both for your needs.
Yes. When disposing of dirt, you can remove a bag without having to clean out an open dust container. Que Choisir finds that bagged cylinder vacuums mean less contact with dust than bagless models. Also check the filtration and accessories for the model you’re considering, but don’t assume this has any medical benefits.
It may suit a smaller home or quick clean-ups, but before choosing one as your main vacuum, check how well it cleans rugs and how long it runs in the mode you’ll use. Que Choisir finds that stick vacuums often have less suction than cylinder vacuums, particularly on thick rugs and carpets.
Check which bags and filters are compatible with a bagged cylinder vacuum. For a bagless model or stick vacuum, read the instructions for emptying the dust container and cleaning the filter and brush. If the stick vacuum has a replaceable battery, confirm which part fits the exact model.
It helps you compare how easy specific models are to repair, but it doesn’t measure their cleaning performance. According to the French Ministry of the Economy, the score out of 10 takes factors such as documentation, ease of dismantling and parts availability into account. Compare the scores for the models you’re considering.