Homes with mixed flooring
You regularly clean hard floors, parquet and rugs, and want to choose brushes to suit the surfaces in your home rather than relying on the wattage alone. Que Choisir assesses performance on different types of flooring.
Who is this advice for?
Homes with several rooms to clean
You want a suitable operating range, easy movement between rooms and a manageable weight for carrying or storing the vacuum. Que Choisir’s buying guide also covers these factors.
Homes where easy maintenance matters
You compare replacing bags with emptying the dust container, as well as checking which filters and consumables are compatible with the vacuum.
What to look for
Bagged cylinder vacuum
Worth considering: if you’d rather replace a bag than empty an open dust container.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to buy compatible bags and maintain the filters.
Bagless cylinder vacuum
Worth considering: if you want to avoid buying bags and don’t mind emptying the container.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to empty the container and maintain the filters as instructed.
| Feature | What to check before buying | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Pick-up on different floor types | Look for separate test results for hard floors, parquet with gaps and rugs, rather than relying on wattage alone. | If my home has parquet, hard floors and rugs, I want to check how well the vacuum picks up dirt from each surface. Around 28% of consumers put this versatility first. |
| Moving between rooms | Compare the operating range, what the stated weight refers to, the wheels and the actual route between power sockets. | When I’m cleaning several rooms or need to carry the vacuum between floors, I consider how easily it moves as well as its reach. Around 22% of consumers prioritise ease of movement. |
| Brushes and accessories | Check which attachments are included with the exact model, and how easy they are to reach while you’re cleaning. | If I switch between rugs, parquet and upholstery, I want the right brushes for my surfaces without having to hunt for an attachment halfway through cleaning. Around 22% of consumers prioritise accessories. |
| Maintenance and consumables | For a bagged model, check the bag reference and capacity. For a bagless model, check the instructions for emptying the container and maintaining the filters. | For regular use, I compare the maintenance tasks each option involves over time. Around 17% of consumers prioritise manageable maintenance. |
| Noise and storage | Compare the noise level stated for the exact model and check the dimensions of the vacuum and its accessories when stored. | If I clean for a long time or have limited space, noise and the amount of room it takes up can influence my choice. Around 11% of consumers put quiet operation and storage at the top of their list. |
Pitfalls to avoid
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Assuming wattage tells you how well it picks up
Electrical input power alone doesn’t tell you how well a vacuum will pick up dirt from the floors in your home.
Compare test results for the surfaces you have and check which brush is included with the exact model.
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Comparing weights that refer to different things
A product listing may give the weight of the main body separately from the net weight. The figure that matters depends on how you’ll use the vacuum, particularly if you need to carry it up stairs.
Check what the stated weight includes before comparing models for a multi-storey home.
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Thinking bagless vacuums need no maintenance
An overfull dust container or clogged filters can affect performance. A bagged model, meanwhile, needs compatible replacement bags.
Check the manual for maintenance instructions and confirm the reference for any consumables before you choose.
Brands and ranges to consider
Rowenta
The Silence Force Effitech range includes bagged cylinder vacuums. The French product listing for the RO7473EA states an operating range of 12 m, a 4.5 L bag and accessories including a parquet brush and a mini turbo brush.
- These features are worth considering if the reach and attachments suit the rooms and surfaces you need to clean.
- The claims about quiet operation and efficiency come from Rowenta, rather than an independent comparison of this model. The bags will also need replacing.
Electrolux
The Pure D8 range includes bagged cylinder vacuums. The French product listing for the PD82-4ST states an operating range of 12 m, a 3.5 L capacity, an all-floor brush and a parquet brush.
- The listing also states a noise level of 57 dB(A) and includes a 3-in-1 accessory attached to the handle. Check these details if noise levels and changing attachments matter to you.
- The manufacturer’s efficiency claims and hard-floor pick-up results are not an independent test of how the vacuum performs on the rugs in your home.
Philips
The PowerPro Expert FC9747/09 is a bagless cylinder vacuum. The French product listing states that it has a 2 L dust container and an operating range of 10 m.
- This setup could suit you if you’d rather empty a dust container than replace bags.
- Philips makes the claims about suction and cleaning in one pass. Check performance on your own floors and the container maintenance instructions separately.
Bosch
The Series 4 BGL38BA2H is a bagged cylinder vacuum. The French product listing states that it has a 4 L bag, an operating range of 10 m and accessories that can be attached to the tube or handle.
- The listing gives a weight of 4.5 kg for the main body and a net weight of 5.4 kg. Compare like-for-like figures when assessing how easy a vacuum is to carry.
- The manufacturer’s stated motor guarantee period doesn’t demonstrate how long the whole appliance will last.
Cylinder vacuum cleaners on Joybuy
This selection includes bagged and bagless cylinder vacuums for regularly cleaning several rooms and different types of flooring.
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Electrolux 600 EB61C4OG
The stated operating range of 12 m could be useful for cleaning several rooms. Check that the included brushes suit your floors.
3.5 L bag; net weight of 7.2 kg; the listing mentions an all-floor brush, a parquet brush and a turbo brush.
The bag needs replacing and the filter must be maintained as instructed.
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Electrolux EB61C2GRN, 550 W
The stated operating range of 12 m could suit cleaning several rooms. Check the brushes against the surfaces in your home.
3.5 L bag; net weight of 6.77 kg; the listing mentions all-floor and parquet brushes.
The bag needs replacing and the filter must be maintained as instructed.
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Philips FC9556/09 5000 Series, LED, 900 W
The listing mentions brushes for floors, rugs and furniture, which could be useful if you have these surfaces at home.
1.5 L dust container; operating range of 9 m; weight of 4.5 kg; the listing specifies washable and Allergy H13 filters.
The container needs emptying and the filters need maintaining. The listing also says to replace the exhaust filter as recommended.
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Hkoenig STC48, black and blue
The removable 2 L dust container and 2-in-1 crevice tool are worth considering if you’d prefer a bagless vacuum and need an attachment for hard-to-reach areas.
Net weight of 3.4 kg; stated dimensions: 25 × 36.8 × 29.5 cm; the listing mentions a washable HEPA 12 filter.
The container needs emptying and the washable filter needs regular maintenance as instructed.
Frequently asked questions
How can I tell whether test results apply to the floors in my home?
Look for separate results for hard floors, parquet with gaps, and rugs or carpets. Que Choisir’s testing protocol examines these surfaces and embedded fibres in a rug. However, the protocol description alone doesn’t tell you how a particular model performed.
How should I maintain a cylinder vacuum with regular use?
Empty the dust container or replace the bag before it gets too full, then maintain the filters and brushes as instructed for the specific model. The European Commission recommends taking the fill level of the bag or container into account, as an overfull container can affect performance.
Which consumables and guarantees should I consider?
A bagged model needs compatible bags and filter maintenance. A bagless model needs its container emptied and maintained as instructed. In France, the Ministry of the Economy states that the legal guarantee of conformity applies to new, second-hand or refurbished goods sold by a business to an individual. This is separate from any commercial guarantee advertised for the motor.