For a thorough clean across several rooms with different floor types, start by choosing a cylinder vacuum cleaner. UFC-Que Choisir describes this type as suitable for larger homes, while cordless stick vacuums are mainly for quick pick-ups. When choosing between a bagged and a bagless cylinder vacuum, consider how much contact with dust you’re comfortable with when emptying it, the maintenance involved and whether the brushes are suitable for your floors.
If your home has hard floors, carpets, furniture and awkward corners to clean, compare the brushes supplied with each cylinder vacuum, its operating radius and its weight. UFC-Que Choisir describes this type as particularly suitable for larger homes.
Pet hair on a carpet or sofa calls for different cleaning considerations from dust on a hard floor. UFC-Que Choisir assesses how well vacuums pick up fibres designed to simulate pet hair from carpets as a separate test; also check which accessories come with the model you’re considering.
UFC-Que Choisir says that bagged cylinder vacuums expose users to less dust than bagless models. Also check the filtration and how to replace the bag or empty the bin on the specific model. Don’t assume that an “allergy” label means it has passed an independent test.
Choose this if: you want a main vacuum cleaner and are concerned about contact with dust when disposing of dirt. UFC-Que Choisir reports lower exposure than with a bagless model.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to buy compatible bags and replace them regularly.
Choose this if: you’d rather empty a bin than replace bags, but still want a cylinder vacuum for a thorough clean.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to empty the bin and maintain the filters and brushes.
Add one if: you want to pick up dirt quickly between full cleans.
Limitations: UFC-Que Choisir says this type is mainly for quick pick-ups and has an average runtime of around ten minutes at full power.
Once you’ve chosen a type, check that each model’s features suit the surfaces and cleaning tasks in your home.
| What to compare | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Floor types | Check which brushes or settings are designed for rugs, carpets and hard floors. If you’re comparing test results, focus on those for the surfaces in your home. | I want to clean carpets and hard floors with a vacuum that’s suitable for each, rather than judging performance by the wattage alone. |
| Pet hair | Check which accessories are actually supplied for carpets and soft furnishings. UFC-Que Choisir tests fibres designed to simulate pet hair on carpets as a separate criterion. | Removing pet hair from carpets or the sofa matters just as much to me as cleaning dust from the floor. |
| Dust | Check how to handle the bag or bin, and which filter is used in the exact model. A filter description alone doesn’t prove how effective the vacuum is overall. | I want to minimise contact with dust when disposing of dirt. |
| Moving around | Compare the stated operating radius, weight and manoeuvrability if you need to clean several rooms or floors. For a stick vacuum, check the runtime in the mode you’ll use. | I need to move from room to room without too many interruptions or having to carry a vacuum that’s too bulky for my home. |
| Maintenance | Find the product codes for compatible bags and filters, then check which brushes and parts are available for your chosen model. In France, ADEME states that vacuum cleaners are covered by the repairability index. | I want to be able to maintain my vacuum and find its consumables and replacement parts. |
Wattage doesn’t tell you how well the vacuum head picks up dirt from your carpets or hard floors. UFC-Que Choisir tests performance on several types of flooring, as well as fibres on carpets, separately.
Make a list of your floor types, then check which brushes are included. If suction performance is a key factor, look for test results for the exact model.
A bagged model needs compatible bags, while a bagless one needs its bin emptied and filters maintained. In either case, worn brushes or filters may need replacing.
Before choosing, note down the product codes for the consumables and check which parts are compatible with the exact model.
Replacing bags or filters adds a regular task to using your vacuum.
UFC-Que Choisir says cordless stick vacuums are mainly for quick pick-ups and have an average runtime of around ten minutes at full power. So a runtime quoted for a different setting may not reflect how long your cleaning session will take.
If you’re considering a stick vacuum as your main cleaner, check its runtime with the brush and setting you’ll need for your carpets and all your rooms.
A product listing tells you what comes with a particular model. On its own, it doesn’t let you compare how well it cleans different floor types against another model.
Use it to confirm the accessories and consumables, then consult tests carried out under comparable conditions if performance is the deciding factor.
These examples show features to compare on specific models; they don’t represent every product in each brand’s range.
The Guard L1 Allergy is an example of a bagged cylinder vacuum to consider if filtration and accessories matter to you.
The Silence Force Cyclonic Animal Care Pro RO7690EA is an example of a bagless cylinder vacuum for a home with pets.
The PowerPro Compact FC9331/09 is a bagless cylinder vacuum worth considering for a mix of floor types.
These three options are bagged or bagless cylinder vacuums to consider as your main cleaner for a home with several rooms. Compare their features with your carpets, hard floors and maintenance needs.
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This bagged cylinder vacuum is suited to being the main cleaner for several rooms. If carpets or pet hair are a priority, check which brushes are included and look for test results on those surfaces. Also check which bags and filters are compatible.
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This bagless cylinder vacuum is a good option if you’d rather empty a bin than replace bags. Remember to empty the bin and maintain the filter. For carpets and pet hair, check which accessories are included and look for test results for the exact model.
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This bagged cylinder vacuum is another option for cleaning several rooms. If you need to remove pet hair from carpets, check that the box includes a suitable brush. Also check which bags and filters are compatible.
Not necessarily. UFC-Que Choisir describes cordless stick vacuums mainly as a back-up for quick pick-ups and reports an average runtime of around ten minutes at full power. If you plan to use one as your only vacuum, check its runtime in the setting you’ll need and its performance on your carpets and hard floors.
Check the box contents for a brush or setting for rugs and carpets, as well as one that’s suitable for wooden floors. If you need to remove pet hair from soft furnishings, check for a dedicated attachment. UFC-Que Choisir tests different floor types and fibres designed to simulate pet hair on carpets separately, so having a particular brush doesn’t guarantee a certain result.
Yes. The bag or bin, filters and brushes need to be maintained in line with the instructions for your model. For example, Philips recommends cleaning the motor filter every three months on its FC9331/09. Don’t apply this schedule to another model without checking its manual.
If it still works, consider having it repaired or donating it. In France, ADEME says that unwanted appliances can be taken to a shop or an appropriate collection point for electrical equipment. Don’t put them out with ordinary household waste.
Yes, when comparing models covered by the scheme in France: ADEME says that vacuum cleaners fall within the scope of the index. Check the score for the model you’re considering, then separately confirm that the parts and consumables you’ll need are available.