For regular cleaning in a large home, start by choosing a cylinder vacuum cleaner with brushes suited to your floors and fabrics, then check its operating radius and manoeuvrability. According to Que Choisir, bagged models vacuum more effectively and expose you to less dust than bagless models. Bagless cleaners save you from buying bags, but you’ll need to empty the bin and maintain the filters.
If you move from wooden or tiled floors to rugs and then the sofa, check which brushes are included with the exact model. Que Choisir assesses results on different floor coverings as part of its testing process.
If you’d rather not empty a bin, compare bagged collection systems and the steps involved in changing the bag. Also check the filtration system and which bags are compatible with your chosen model.
To clean from room to room with fewer interruptions, compare the operating radius and dust capacity with your home’s needs. Weight, castors and noise also matter if you move the appliance around often.
Choose this if: you want to limit your exposure to dust when emptying the cleaner. Que Choisir’s comparison also found that bagged models vacuum more effectively.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to replace the bags and find the right compatible type for your appliance.
Consider this if: you’d prefer not to use bags and are happy to empty the bin regularly.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to empty the container and maintain the filters in line with the model’s instructions.
| Feature | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Floors and fabrics | The brushes actually supplied for hard floors, rugs and, if needed, fabrics or pet hair; and test results for different floor coverings, where available. | When wooden floors, rugs and the sofa all need cleaning, I want accessories suited to each. Around 33% of shoppers rank this versatility as their top requirement. |
| Dust collection | What’s involved in changing the bag or emptying the bin, as well as which bags and filters are compatible. | If I want to handle as little dust as possible, dust collection comes before the other features. This is a priority for around 27% of shoppers. |
| Moving around | The operating radius, dust capacity and weight, particularly if you move between rooms or use the stairs. | When cleaning several rooms, I mainly want to avoid changing sockets and interrupting the job. Around 20% of shoppers prioritise ease of movement. |
| Noise and comfort | The stated noise level and how it was measured, as well as how comfortable the tube and controls are to use. | When cleaning takes a long time, I want to use the appliance comfortably without treating noise as the only deciding factor. This is the top priority for around 20% of shoppers. |
Rated power alone doesn’t tell you how well a cleaner will handle wooden floors, rugs or carpets. Que Choisir assesses these floor coverings separately as part of its testing process.
Check the floorhead and brushes supplied, then look for test results for the types of flooring in your home, where available.
What comes in the box can vary by model or pack. A parquet brush or turbo brush shown for a range won’t necessarily be included with every version.
Check the accessory list for the exact model on sale and make sure any brushes you might add are compatible.
A bagged vacuum cleaner needs compatible bags; a bagless model still needs its bin and filters to be maintained.
Make a note of the consumable reference numbers and look for parts that fit the exact model. If you’re buying a corded vacuum cleaner in France, also check its repairability index if one is displayed.
A long operating radius or stated noise level doesn’t prove how well a cleaner will handle rugs, gaps between floorboards or pet hair.
First check the brushes and results for your surfaces. Then compare reach, capacity and noise to help you choose between suitable appliances.
Bagged cylinder vacuums, with some models focusing on operating radius and accessories.
Bagless models worth considering if bin capacity and reach matter in your home.
Cylinder vacuums whose accessories, capacity and noise levels should be compared model by model.
A brand to consider if you want to identify compatible bags and filters for a bagged cylinder vacuum.
Bagless models to compare if carrying and storing the appliance are important to you.
These two bagged cylinder vacuums are worth considering for cleaning a home with several rooms. Before choosing, check that the accessories supplied with each version suit your floors, and make sure you know which bags are compatible.
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If you need to clean several rooms with different floor coverings, check which brushes come with this version. If you have rugs or fabrics, look for test results for those surfaces and check the reference number for compatible bags.
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For a large home, check that the brushes supplied with this version suit your floors before choosing this model. Its rated power of 550 W isn’t enough to establish how well it performs on rugs or fabrics; also check which accessories are included and the reference number for compatible bags.
Choose a bagged cylinder vacuum if your priority is to reduce exposure to dust when emptying it. Que Choisir’s comparison also found that bagged models vacuum more effectively. A bagless model is a good option if you’d rather avoid buying bags and are happy to empty the bin and maintain the filters. Either way, check that the brushes suit your floors.
Check what comes with the exact model: a brush for wooden floors, a floorhead suited to rugs or carpets and, if you clean fabrics or pet hair, a suitable mini brush or turbo brush. Que Choisir tests several floor coverings separately, so having a particular accessory doesn’t guarantee the same results on every surface.
You’ll need to replace the bag or empty the bin, and maintain the filters and brushes. Follow your model’s instructions for how often to do this and which compatible parts to use.
For a vacuum cleaner bought in France by an individual from a professional seller, the legal guarantee of conformity applies to new, second-hand and refurbished goods, according to the French Ministry of the Economy. For a corded model, also check its repairability index: a decree published by Légifrance sets out how it is calculated and displayed. Finally, look for spare parts that match the appliance’s exact model.