For regular cleaning of the floors, carpets and upholstery in a large home, choose a cylinder vacuum based on test results for your floor coverings and the accessories supplied, rather than wattage alone. UFC-Que Choisir’s testing protocol assesses performance on carpets, tiles and wooden floors, among other things. A bagged model is worth considering if you want to minimise contact with dust when changing the dust bag, provided you’re happy to buy compatible bags. A bagless model avoids the need for bags, but you’ll need to empty the container and maintain the filters.
If you regularly vacuum several rooms, compare the cleaning radius, bag or container capacity, weight and storage space required. A corded appliance doesn’t rely on a battery, but you’ll need to be able to move it around and change sockets depending on the layout of your home.
For carpets, sofas and other upholstery, look at test results for the surfaces you need to clean and check which nozzles or brushes come with the exact model you’re considering. Having a suitable accessory does not, by itself, prove how well a vacuum cleans.
UFC-Que Choisir reports that bagged cylinder vacuums expose users to less dust than bagless models. Even so, check how to replace the bag, which consumables are compatible and how to maintain the filters.
Worth considering: if you’d rather replace a bag than empty a container and want to minimise contact with dust, as noted by UFC-Que Choisir.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to buy compatible bags and replace the filters as directed for the model.
Worth considering: if you’d rather not buy bags and are happy to empty the container.
Bear in mind: you’ll still need to empty the container and maintain the filters; going bagless doesn’t eliminate these tasks.
| Criteria | What to check | My needs |
|---|---|---|
| Cleaning performance on different floors | Compare the model’s test results on carpets, tiles and wooden floors, including when the bag or container becomes clogged. UFC-Que Choisir’s testing protocol assesses these conditions; wattage alone doesn’t tell you how well a vacuum cleans. | I want to clean my carpets and hard floors, not just give a clear patch a quick once-over. |
| Dust collection and maintenance | Check how to replace the bag or empty the container, and how to maintain the filters and brushes. If you’re choosing a bagged model, confirm which bags are compatible. | I’d prefer to minimise contact with dust, or avoid buying bags and accept that I’ll need to empty a container. |
| Moving and storage | Compare the model’s cleaning radius, weight and dimensions. Consider stairs, plug sockets and the space available in your cupboard. | I need to clean several rooms without struggling to move the appliance or finding it hard to store afterwards. |
| Carpets, furniture and upholstery | Check which accessories are included with the exact model: an upholstery nozzle, crevice tool or brush suitable for delicate floors, depending on how you’ll use it. Check cleaning test results separately. | I also vacuum the sofa or upholstery, so I need accessories that are genuinely suitable for those surfaces. |
| Parts and consumables | Find out which bags, filters and brushes are compatible, then check that they’re available. ADEME also recommends considering an appliance’s repairability index when choosing. | I want to be able to maintain my vacuum and find parts that fit its exact model. |
A motor power rating is no substitute for cleaning performance results. UFC-Que Choisir’s testing protocol distinguishes between tests on carpets, tiles and wooden floors, and looks at the effect of dirt build-up.
Check test results for the exact model on the floor coverings in your home, then check the floorhead and how to maintain it.
You’ll need to empty the container and maintain its filters; a bagged model also requires you to replace consumables.
Check which bags, filters and brushes are compatible with the appliance you’re considering.
UFC-Que Choisir describes cylinder vacuums as suitable for large areas, but heavier and less manoeuvrable than upright vacuums. If you have stairs, carrying the appliance may matter just as much as its cleaning radius.
Measure your storage space and compare the weight, dimensions and cleaning radius of each model.
Choosing a vacuum also means thinking about maintenance and what happens if it breaks down. ADEME recommends considering the repairability index and the options available for repairs.
Before buying, compare the displayed index, access to spare parts and service arrangements.
These ranges offer useful points of comparison for bags, accessories and advertised features. Always check the configuration of the exact model you’re considering.
The brand offers bagged and bagless cylinder vacuums, including its Silence Force and Cyclonic Effitech ranges.
Bosch’s bagged and bagless models let you compare capacity, maintenance and portability to suit the layout of your home.
If you’re considering a bagged Miele cylinder vacuum, check that the consumables are compatible with the exact model.
Philips consumables are worth checking when comparing bagged cylinder vacuums in the Performer family.
These two Electrolux bagged cylinder vacuums are worth considering for regular cleaning across several rooms. Before choosing, compare their test results on your floor coverings and check which accessories and bags are compatible with each model.
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This bagged cylinder vacuum is a good fit if you’d rather replace a dust bag than empty a container. If your home has carpets and upholstery, check the model’s cleaning test results, the accessories included and the reference for compatible bags.
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This bagged cylinder vacuum is another option for regular floor cleaning. Its stated motor power of 550W isn’t enough to judge its cleaning performance: compare tests on your floor coverings and confirm which accessories and bags are compatible.
No. UFC-Que Choisir’s testing protocol assesses cleaning performance on carpets, tiles and wooden floors, as well as the effect of dirt building up in the bag or filters. Check the results for the model on the surfaces in your home, rather than looking at its motor power alone.
A bagged model may suit you if you want to minimise contact with dust when changing the dust bag and are happy to buy compatible bags. UFC-Que Choisir reports that bagged models expose users to less dust. A bagless model avoids the cost of bags, but you’ll need to empty the container and maintain the filters. To compare cleaning performance, look at the test results for the specific models.
Check which accessories come with the exact model: an upholstery nozzle, crevice tool, brush suitable for wooden floors or upholstery attachment, depending on the surfaces you need to clean. Their inclusion alone doesn’t prove how well the vacuum cleans a carpet or sofa.
Make a note of the bag and filter references compatible with the model you’re considering, then check their availability and replacement instructions. Miele, for example, states that its GN HyClean Pure bags are suitable for the Complete C3 family, among other models. This compatibility shouldn’t be assumed for every model.
ADEME recommends considering repair or reuse before getting rid of the appliance. If it needs to be disposed of, take it to a collection point for electrical and electronic equipment, such as a shop or a recycling centre.