For a thorough clean across different surfaces, start by choosing the right floor head and accessories for your floors, rugs and fabrics. These can be fitted to a cylinder vacuum cleaner with or without a bag. If avoiding contact with dust when emptying is a particular concern, a bagged model is worth considering: UFC-Que Choisir says it exposes you to less dust than a bagless model, which requires you to empty and clean its dust container. Whichever you choose, check the accessories included with the exact model and how easy it is to move around your home.
If your regular cleaning covers hard floors, rugs, furniture and fabrics, check the main floor head, accessories and cleaning radius. UFC-Que Choisir’s testing protocol, for example, assesses results on carpet, tiled floors and parquet.
For rugs, sofas and cushions, check whether a turbo brush or mini brush and an upholstery tool are included. Bosch and Miele offer these accessories with some models, but they are not necessarily included across an entire range.
Choosing between replacing a bag and emptying a dust container changes the cleaning routine. UFC-Que Choisir says that replacing a bag exposes you to less dust. Whichever you choose, you’ll still need to keep an eye on filters, brushes and consumables for the model you buy.
Start with the surfaces and areas you need to clean, then compare models based on how easy they are to manoeuvre and the maintenance you’re happy to do.
| What matters to you | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Cleaning different floor types | A floor head suited to your main floor type and, if possible, tests on the surfaces in your home. Don’t judge suction by wattage alone. | When I have both hard floors and rugs, I want my main appliance to handle both without overlooking the dirt that builds up on them. Around 33% of consumers put this multi-surface performance first. |
| Pet hair, fabrics and awkward corners | A turbo brush or mini brush, an upholstery tool and a long crevice tool actually included with the version you’re buying. | With hair on the rug and sofa, I’m mainly looking to reach into fibres, cushions and tight spaces. For around 27% of consumers, these areas are their main priority. |
| Moving around your home | Cleaning radius, body weight, carry handle and tube storage. | If I have to manoeuvre around furniture or carry the vacuum up and down stairs, how easy it is to move matters just as much as the area it can cover between plug sockets. Manoeuvrability comes first for around 20% of consumers. |
| Dust and maintenance | How to empty the dust container or replace the bag, filter maintenance and consumables compatible with the exact model. | I prefer to decide in advance whether to change a bag or empty a dust container, especially if I’m concerned about contact with dust. Around 20% of consumers prioritise maintenance and product lifespan. |
Wattage alone doesn’t tell you how well a vacuum will perform on a rug or parquet floor. UFC-Que Choisir also takes the floor head into account and tests different surfaces separately.
Compare any available test results for your floors and check which floor head comes with the model you’re considering.
A bagless model still needs its dust container emptied and its filters and brushes maintained. A bagged model needs a new bag as well as maintenance of its other parts.
Before choosing a system, check the routine set out in the instructions and which consumables are compatible.
A product name that mentions pets or parquet doesn’t necessarily tell you what comes with every version.
Check the full model number and the list of included accessories, especially for pet hair, fabrics or delicate floors.
A cylinder vacuum designed for larger areas can become awkward if you often need to carry it up and down stairs or manoeuvre it around furniture.
Check the body weight, handle, cleaning radius and the space you’ll need to store the vacuum and its accessories.
The bagged Pure D8 range includes configurations for different floor types and furniture.
Bosch’s ProAnimal models include the bagged BGB41PET1 cylinder vacuum and the bagless BGS41PET1.
The parquet version of the Silence Force Cyclonic Effitech is a bagless cylinder vacuum worth considering if cleaning radius and delicate floors matter to you.
The bagged Complete C3 Cat & Dog configuration is an example of a model equipped for rugs and fabrics.
These two bagged Electrolux models are options to consider as your main vacuum for cleaning at home. To choose between them, check which accessories are included for your surfaces and which bags are compatible with each model.
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Worth considering for regular cleaning of a mix of hard floors and rugs. If pet hair is a priority, confirm that the advertised turbo brush is included with this version. Also check which bags are compatible.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a bagged cylinder vacuum for your floors at home. The 550 W stated in the product name isn’t enough to judge how well it performs on rugs: check relevant test results, included accessories and compatible bags.
No. UFC-Que Choisir highlights the importance of the floor head and assesses performance on different surfaces. For your home, look at test results for the floors you need to clean and check which floor head comes with the exact model.
It still needs maintenance: you have to empty the dust container and maintain its filters and brushes. A bagged model needs a new bag, and its filters and brushes also need looking after. Choose based on the routine you’re comfortable with and how much you want to avoid contact with dust when emptying it.
Search for the full model number rather than just the range name, then check what’s in the box and which consumables are compatible. Electrolux, for example, lists parts and accessories for the PD82-4ST. That list doesn’t apply to other models.
Yes. The French ministry responsible for the ecological transition includes vacuum cleaners among the product categories covered by the index. Check the rating for the model you’re considering, but don’t take it as a guarantee of lifespan or successful repairs.
According to the French Ministry of the Economy, the statutory guarantee of conformity applies to new, second-hand and refurbished goods sold by a business to a private individual. If the appliance doesn’t match the offer description, keep your proof of purchase and a copy of the description so you can assert your rights with the seller.