For your main floor and carpet cleaning, start by comparing cylinder vacuum cleaners. Que Choisir assesses their performance separately across different floor coverings, while its guide generally presents cordless stick vacuums as additional appliances. Among cylinder models, a bagged vacuum is a better choice if you want to limit contact with dust; a bagless model saves you from replacing bags, but you’ll need to empty the dust container. In either case, check how the specific model performs on your surfaces and which brushes are actually included.
If dust and fibres trapped in textiles are your priority, look for test results on carpets and rugs rather than a general power rating. Que Choisir’s testing protocol assesses these surfaces separately from hard floors and parquet with gaps.
You’ll need to switch between delicate flooring and rugs, using a suitable head for each. Check the accessories supplied with the exact model and pack: a parquet brush alone doesn’t tell you how well it cleans textiles.
For regular cleaning, changing the bag or emptying the dust container, maintaining the filters and moving the appliance all matter just as much in day-to-day use as its advertised specifications. Compare the noise levels of the models you’re considering, too.
Consider this if: you’re looking for a main vacuum cleaner and want to limit contact with dust during maintenance, in line with Que Choisir’s distinction between bagged and bagless cylinder models.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to replace the bags and move a corded appliance around.
Consider this if: you want a cylinder vacuum without having to replace bags.
Bear in mind: emptying the dust container and maintaining the filters mean handling dust regularly.
Consider this as your main vacuum only if: tests of the exact model confirm it can handle your carpets and offers enough battery life at the required power setting.
Bear in mind: easy manoeuvrability doesn’t guarantee a deep clean; Que Choisir generally presents this category as suitable for supplementary cleaning.
When choosing a main vacuum cleaner, start with the most demanding floor coverings in your home, then compare models based on their accessories and maintenance requirements.
| Feature | What to check | What matters to consumers |
|---|---|---|
| Carpet performance | Test results for the exact model on carpets and rugs; the type of head used during testing. | When dust and fibres stay trapped in my rugs, a quick surface clean isn’t enough; around 33% of consumers would make this their top priority. |
| Different floor coverings | A brush suitable for parquet and a head for rugs; the exact contents of the pack. | If I switch between parquet, hard floors and rugs, I want to know which heads to use without assuming they’re all included; around 27% of consumers would prioritise this versatility. |
| Dust and maintenance | Changing the bag or emptying the dust container; filter maintenance. | I’d rather choose a way of collecting dust that I can maintain regularly; around 20% of consumers would make this a priority. |
| Ease of use | Noise, manoeuvrability and reach; battery life at the useful setting for a stick vacuum. | When cleaning several rooms, I want to manoeuvre the appliance without being too bothered by noise or interruptions; around 20% of consumers would put this comfort first. |
Que Choisir points out that this figure alone isn’t enough to judge suction performance: the vacuum head and results on the relevant floor covering matter too.
Before relying on the advertised power, compare test results for the exact model on your floors and carpets, and check which brush was used.
A brush designed for delicate floors doesn’t prove how well the appliance performs on carpets or embedded fibres.
Check which heads are compatible with your chosen model and which accessories are included in its pack.
If a specialist head isn’t included, you may need to buy one separately.
Que Choisir notes that the maximum battery life advertised for a cordless stick vacuum is generally measured at its lowest power setting, which may not be the one you need for carpets.
If you want it to be your main vacuum, look for both suction test results on your floor coverings and battery life measured at the required setting.
Bags, dust containers, filters and brushes all need regular attention. Repairability also matters if you’re planning to use the appliance for a long time.
Check compatible consumables and parts, maintenance instructions and repair options. For an old appliance, ADEME highlights repair, donation and collection as possible options.
Rowenta offers bagged and bagless cylinder vacuums, including some versions equipped for parquet floors.
The BGB38BA3T bagged cylinder vacuum is worth considering if a head designed for carpets and rugs is one of your requirements.
The PowerCyclone 5 FC9331/09 is a bagless cylinder vacuum worth considering for homes with a mix of parquet and rugs.
These two bagged Electrolux cylinder vacuums are options to consider for your main cleaning appliance. To compare how they’ll perform on your carpets, weigh up their test results and the contents of each pack against your needs.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a bagged cylinder vacuum for regular floor and carpet cleaning. If cleaning carpets is a priority, compare test results for this model and check which brushes are included in the pack you choose.
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Worth comparing for regular cleaning across different types of flooring. Its advertised motor power of 550 W isn’t enough to establish how it performs on carpets: look for test results for this model and check which heads are included if you need a specialist brush.
Look for results for the exact model on carpets and rugs, separate from its results on hard floors. Que Choisir’s testing protocol includes assessing embedded dust in carpets and uses synthetic fibres to simulate pet hair. Check that the results you’re looking at apply to your type of flooring.
No, accessories vary depending on the model and pack. Rowenta lists a parquet brush and nozzles for the RO3126EA, while Bosch lists a turbo brush for the BGB38BA3T. Check what’s in the box for the version you’re considering, rather than assuming it has the same accessories as another model.
Only consider a cordless stick vacuum as your main appliance for carpets and rugs if tests of the exact model confirm its cleaning performance and sufficient battery life at the setting you’ll use. Que Choisir generally presents stick vacuums as supplementary appliances, so easy manoeuvrability alone doesn’t settle whether one can replace a cylinder vacuum.
If it’s still usable, consider having it repaired or donating it first. If you need to dispose of it, ADEME suggests returning it to the retailer or using an electrical and electronic equipment collection service.