Households that clean rugs, upholstery and awkward corners
You’re looking for a main appliance that can tackle everything from floors and rugs to the sofa, bedding and hard-to-reach areas, with the right attachments for each job.
Who is this choice for?
People living in multi-room or multi-storey homes
For a full cleaning session, consider the appliance’s reach and how easy it is to carry around. A cylinder vacuum’s cable and weight bring different challenges from a stick vacuum’s battery life.
People who pay attention to maintenance
You want to be able to identify compatible bags, filters, brushes, batteries and parts before choosing your appliance.
What sets the different types apart?
For a thorough clean, first choose a type that can handle your whole cleaning session, then check the brushes, ease of use and maintenance requirements of the specific model.
Bagged cylinder vacuum
Consider it: as your main appliance if you clean several types of surface and want to minimise contact with dust when emptying it.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to move a corded appliance around and replace it with compatible bags.
Bagless cylinder vacuum
Consider it: if you want a corded main appliance without disposable bags.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to empty the bin and maintain the filters. In its guide to cylinder vacuums, Que Choisir also reports better suction results from bagged models than from bagless ones.
Cordless stick vacuum
Consider it: for frequent clean-ups, stairs and areas where a cable gets in the way. As your main appliance, choose one only if it can handle a full cleaning session.
Bear in mind: battery life varies depending on the setting, and you’ll need to check how well it performs on rugs and upholstery.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Floors and rugs | Check independent tests of the exact model on hard floors and rugs, and look at the main brush. | If rugs and floors both need a thorough clean in the same session, how well the vacuum handles them matters more than its size. Around 33% of consumers prioritise this. |
| Upholstery and awkward corners | Check which attachments are included for sofas, bedding, pet hair and narrow spaces, and make sure they’re compatible. | When moving from the sofa to bedding and skirting boards, I want to have the right attachments without assuming they come with every version. This is the top priority for around 27% of consumers. |
| Moving and storage | Consider carrying it up and down stairs and the space you have for storage; compare its reach or usable battery life. | In a multi-storey home, being able to get the vacuum out and move it around easily may matter more than cleaning for a long time without stopping. Ease of use is the top priority for around 20% of consumers. |
| Maintenance and parts | Check the compatible references for bags and filters, and for a stick vacuum, a replaceable battery. | I’d rather know how to maintain the appliance and find its parts before committing to a particular type. Around 20% of consumers put this first. |
Mistakes to avoid
-
Choosing based on motor wattage alone
The quoted power isn’t enough to predict how well a vacuum will clean. Que Choisir highlights the importance of the floorhead design, for example.
Compare tests of the exact model on the types of flooring in your home, then check which brush and attachments are included.
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Confusing maximum battery life with cleaning time
According to Que Choisir, the maximum battery life quoted for a stick vacuum usually refers to use on the lowest power setting, so it may not reflect how long it will last on rugs.
Check how long it lasts on the setting you’ll actually use, and note the reference for a compatible battery.
Brands to know
Miele
The Guard bagged cylinder range may appeal to households looking for a main appliance and wanting to identify consumables by model.
- Miele France lets you search for bags and filters by model, and also has a spare parts section.
- Accessories vary by Guard model. Check what’s included with the version you’re choosing, and allow for replacement bags and filters.
Rowenta
Its bagged cylinder vacuums and X-Force Flex stick vacuums offer two different types to consider for different needs.
- The official Rowenta shop lists bags, turbo brushes and replacement batteries for some models.
- A brush or battery listed for one range won’t necessarily be compatible with another model.
Philips
In France, Philips offers both bagged and bagless cylinder vacuums, making it easy to compare emptying and maintenance requirements across similar designs.
- Philips France product pages set out the features and equipment for each model.
- Check which brushes are included with the version on sale. The manufacturer’s claims don’t replace comparable tests on the surfaces in your home.
Dyson
Its cordless stick vacuums are worth considering if ease of movement, storage and frequent cleaning are top of your list.
- Dyson France product pages show the accessories and battery configurations available for each model.
- Before replacing a cylinder vacuum, compare the stick vacuum’s battery life on the setting you’ll use and its performance on rugs with the demands of your cleaning session. Que Choisir highlights this limitation of high-powered stick vacuums.
Vacuums to consider on Joybuy
This selection includes a bagged cylinder vacuum to consider as a main appliance, along with cordless stick vacuums for targeted cleaning or, once you’ve checked their battery life and performance, more extensive use.
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Electrolux 600 EB61C4OG, bagged cylinder vacuum cleaner
Consider it as your main appliance if you prefer a bagged cylinder vacuum for moving from room to room.
Make sure you’re happy moving a corded appliance around, then check which brushes are included and the reference for compatible bags.
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MONSGA X UNINELLHOME UV5, cordless stick vacuum cleaner
Consider it if you prefer a cordless stick vacuum for switching between floors and spot-cleaning furniture.
Quoted battery life is up to 65 minutes, but the setting isn’t clearly specified. Check how long it lasts on the rug setting before making it your main appliance.
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BISSELL PowerClean FurGuard Select, cordless stick vacuum cleaner
Worth considering for targeted cleaning in a home where pet hair, stairs and awkward corners are a concern.
Quoted battery life is up to 50 minutes, but the setting isn’t specified. Check how long it lasts on the setting you need, and which accessories come with the version on sale.
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Lubluelu 202, cordless stick vacuum with removable battery
Consider it if you want a cordless stick vacuum for floors and occasional cleaning around the sofa.
Quoted battery life is 50 minutes. Check how long it lasts on the setting you’ll use on rugs, and find out how to maintain the bin and filter.
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Monsga ME03, cordless stick vacuum cleaner
Consider it for cordless cleaning on hard floors and targeted cleaning on stairs or around furniture.
The quoted 55-minute battery life is for hard floors. Check how long it lasts on the rug setting before relying on it for a full cleaning session.
Frequently asked questions
Can a cordless stick vacuum replace my cylinder vacuum?
Yes, if its battery life on the setting you need covers your cleaning session and the exact model performs well on your floors and rugs. However, Que Choisir considers stick vacuums more suitable as a handy extra for thorough cleaning. Check both points before making one your only vacuum.
Which attachments should I check for sofas, bedding and skirting boards?
Check whether the version on sale includes a crevice tool for narrow spaces and a brush suitable for furniture or cushions. For pet hair and rugs, also check whether a turbo brush or motorised mini brush is included and compatible.
What maintenance should I expect for each type?
A bagged cylinder vacuum needs compatible bags, while a bagless model requires you to empty the bin and maintain the filters. For a cordless stick vacuum, also check the battery reference and whether it can be replaced. Compatibility depends on the model.
What should I check about the warranty in France?
Identify the professional seller and keep your proof of purchase. The DGCCRF states that the statutory legal guarantee of conformity applies to new, second-hand and refurbished goods sold by a professional to an individual. An optional commercial warranty does not replace it.
What should I do with an old vacuum or its battery?
First consider repair, donating it or selling it on, as recommended by ADEME. If the appliance has reached the end of its life, use a collection scheme for electrical equipment. Take its battery to an appropriate collection point, too.