Homes with different types of flooring
If you move from wooden flooring to tiles and then carpets, compare how the vacuum performs on each surface. Its cleaning radius, weight and floorhead also matter when you’re moving around your home.
Who is this type of vacuum for?
A cylinder vacuum is particularly worth considering as your main appliance if you need to clean several rooms with different floor types. Que Choisir describes it as especially well suited to larger homes.
People who also clean furniture and upholstery
For sofas, bedding and awkward corners, check which tools are included rather than looking at the floorhead alone. Miele and Bosch, for example, list separate brushes for upholstery and crevice nozzles for narrow spaces.
People who take emptying into account
Choosing between a bag and a dust container changes how you maintain your vacuum. Que Choisir reports that bagged models expose you to less dust when emptying; whichever you choose, check which bags or filters are compatible with the exact model number.
Which criteria should you consider first?
Start with the floors and surfaces you actually clean, then compare vacuums for ease of use and maintenance. If you’re deciding between a bag and a dust container, the main difference is how you empty and maintain the vacuum.
Bagged cylinder vacuum
Worth considering: as your main vacuum if keeping contact with dust to a minimum when emptying matters to you; Que Choisir also rates its suction performance more highly than that of bagless models.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to replace the bags and check that the exact type you need is available.
Bagless cylinder vacuum
Worth considering: if you’d rather empty a dust container than replace bags, and don’t mind maintaining the filters.
The trade-off: according to Que Choisir, emptying the container brings you into closer contact with dust; compare performance on your floors too.
| Criteria | What to check | Depending on your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Performance on different floors | Compare the performance of the exact model on hard floors and carpets, as well as the floorhead supplied. Que Choisir’s testing includes tiles, wooden flooring and carpet, including tests with dust in the bag or container. | “I want to give my rooms a thorough clean, not choose a vacuum based on its wattage alone.” |
| Accessories | Check for a parquet brush if you have delicate flooring, then look at the tools for corners and furniture. If you’re considering a mini-turbo brush, check its fitting and compatibility with the model. | “My carpets aren’t the only surfaces I need to clean: I also vacuum the sofa, bedding and around the skirting boards.” |
| Emptying and maintenance | Choose between replacing a bag and emptying a dust container, and identify the compatible bag and filter types. Check that they’re available for the vacuum you choose. | “I’d rather minimise contact with dust” or “I’m happy to empty the container and maintain the filters”. Que Choisir rates bagged models more highly on the first point. |
| Moving around and noise | Check the cleaning radius, weight, wheels and tube. If noise matters, compare decibel (dB(A)) ratings measured under equivalent conditions. | “I need to clean several rooms and don’t want to change plug sockets too often.” |
| Quick clean-ups | If you’re considering a stick vacuum as a secondary appliance, check its battery life and performance on your floors. Que Choisir assesses these criteria in its stick vacuum tests. | “I’d like to quickly pick up a spill between full cleans, without assuming that a second vacuum will replace my cylinder model.” |
Which mistakes should you avoid?
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Choosing based on wattage alone
The motor’s electrical power rating doesn’t tell you how well a vacuum will clean carpets, wooden floors or tiles. Que Choisir assesses performance on these surfaces separately.
Look for comparable results on your floor types and check which floorhead comes with the exact model.
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Overlooking compatible bags and filters
A bag or filter designed for a different model could make it harder to maintain your vacuum. Manufacturers specify which consumables are compatible with each model.
Note the exact vacuum model number, then check which bags and filters fit it and whether they’re available.
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Assuming a mini-turbo brush fits every model
Manufacturers offer different tools for upholstery, carpets and awkward corners. Just because an accessory is part of a product range doesn’t mean it comes with, or is compatible with, every vacuum.
If you regularly clean sofas or carpets, check which accessories are included and whether the tool you’re considering is compatible.
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Confusing a quick clean with a thorough clean
Que Choisir describes stick vacuums as handy for quick clean-ups, while also assessing their battery life and performance on different floor types. Ease of use alone doesn’t tell you whether one is suitable as the main vacuum for a large home.
Consider how long your cleaning sessions take and what types of flooring you have before deciding whether to add a stick vacuum to your cylinder model.
Which brands should you compare?
These product ranges offer a useful starting point for checking the features and accessories of a specific model. They don’t indicate which products are available in the selection below.
Rowenta
This French brand’s bagged cylinder vacuum range includes Silence Force and Power XXL models. Features and accessories vary by model.
- For one Silence Force Effitech model, Rowenta lists a 12 m operating radius, a 4.5 L bag and parquet and upholstery brushes included.
- Check the accessories and repairability index listed for the model you’re considering rather than assuming they apply to the entire range.
Bosch
Bosch’s bagged cylinder vacuum range includes several series with different accessory configurations.
- Bosch lists a 5 L bag, a 15 m operating radius and a turbo brush for the BGL8PET2.
- These features apply to the BGL8PET2, so check the capacity and accessories of the model you choose.
Miele
Miele offers bagged cylinder vacuums and separate brushes for parquet, carpets and upholstery.
- Miele lists GN HyClean Pure bags for several Complete C3 models.
- Check that each bag or brush is compatible with the exact model number, and make sure the vacuum you’re considering is available.
Bagged cylinder vacuums to explore on Joybuy
These two Electrolux bagged models are worth considering if you’re looking for a cylinder vacuum for your regular cleaning. To compare them, check how they perform on your floors, which accessories are included and which consumables are compatible.
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Electrolux 600 EB61C4OG bagged cylinder vacuum
This bagged cylinder vacuum is worth considering as your main appliance for a large home. Compare its performance on your floors and check which brushes are included, as well as the compatible bag and filter types.
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Electrolux EB61C2GRN bagged cylinder vacuum, 550 W
This bagged cylinder vacuum has a stated electrical power rating of 550 W, but that alone doesn’t tell you how well it will clean carpets or hard floors. Before choosing it for several rooms, check its performance on your floors, the accessories included and the compatible consumables.
Frequently asked questions
Are watts enough to compare two cylinder vacuums?
No. Que Choisir advises against basing your choice on motor power alone: the vacuum head matters too. Compare how the exact model performs on the floors in your home, then consider how easy it is to manoeuvre and how noisy it is.
Which accessories should I check for wooden floors, carpets and sofas?
First check which floorhead is included, then look for a brush suitable for delicate wooden flooring and a crevice tool if you need one. For sofas or carpets, a mini-turbo brush could be useful; check whether it’s included or explicitly listed as compatible with your model.
How can I check consumables before choosing a bagged model?
Find the exact vacuum model number and look up the bags and filters that fit it. For example, Miele lists its GN HyClean Pure bags as compatible with several Complete C3 models; that compatibility doesn’t apply to every Miele vacuum.
How does the repairability index help you choose?
It helps you assess whether an appliance can be repaired, in addition to looking at its cleaning performance. The French ministry responsible for ecological transition says the index takes factors such as ease of dismantling, maintenance information and spare parts into account. Check the score for the specific model you’re considering, and don’t confuse it with a measure of suction performance.