Homes with a mix of hard floors and carpets
If you switch between wooden or tiled floors and rugs or carpets, compare how well the vacuum performs on each surface. Que Choisir assesses them separately in its tests.
Who is this type of vacuum best suited to?
Homes with pets or hair to pick up
On rugs and upholstery, picking up fibres matters just as much as choosing the vacuum itself. Check the results on carpets, as well as the intended use and compatibility of the brush you’re considering.
People who care about how the vacuum is emptied
Choosing between a bag and a dust container changes the cleaning routine: you’ll need to replace a bag or empty a container, then maintain the filters as instructed. Think about how you prefer to handle dust.
What should you check before choosing?
First compare performance on your floors and check which accessories are suitable. Then choose between a bag and a dust container based on the maintenance you’re happy to do.
Bagged cylinder vacuum
Worth considering: if you’d rather remove dust in a bag than empty a container.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to replace the bags with compatible ones. Que Choisir says in its guide that bagged models generally vacuum better than bagless ones; however, check the test results for the specific model on your type of flooring.
Bagless cylinder vacuum
Worth considering: if you want to avoid buying bags and don’t mind emptying the container regularly.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to maintain the container and filters as instructed. Don’t assume that a bagless model’s suction performance is determined by its design alone.
| What to consider | What to check | How it meets your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Performance on different floors | Check separate results for fitted carpets, rugs, tiles and wooden floors, as well as how the vacuum performs when the bag or container is full. Que Choisir’s testing covers these situations separately. | My floors vary from room to room, so I want to know how the model performs on each one, not just its stated power. |
| Hair and pet hair | Look for tests showing how well the vacuum picks up fibres from carpets. For upholstery, check whether a suitable attachment is included and compatible. | Hair or pet fur gets caught in my rugs, and I also need to clean cushions or a sofa. |
| Delicate wooden floors | Check which surfaces the brush is designed for, its product reference and whether it is compatible with the vacuum and your flooring. Find out whether it is included or sold separately. | I want to use an attachment designed for my delicate hard floors, rather than assume that a carpet brush will be suitable. |
| Noise and manoeuvrability | Check the stated noise level in dB(A), operating radius, weight and ease of movement. A manufacturer’s stated figure is not the same as a comparative test on your floors. | When cleaning several rooms, I’d like to avoid changing sockets and choose a vacuum that’s comfortable to use. |
| Maintenance | Check how to replace the bag or empty the container, clean the filters and source compatible consumables. ADEME also recommends checking the repairability index. | Between cleaning sessions, I’d like to know what maintenance the model will actually need. |
What mistakes should you avoid?
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Choosing based on wattage alone
A stated power rating doesn’t tell you on its own how well a vacuum picks up dust from a carpet or between the boards of a wooden floor. Que Choisir tests these surfaces separately.
Compare results for your type of flooring and, if needed, tests showing how well the vacuum picks up fibres.
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Assuming a brush is included and suitable
Brushes designed for delicate wooden floors, carpets and upholstery are made for different purposes. An attachment from the same brand won’t necessarily fit all of its cylinder vacuums.
Check which accessories are included, how they connect and whether they’re listed as compatible with the model and your flooring.
Depending on the configuration you choose, a parquet brush, turbo brush or small upholstery tool may need to be bought separately.
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Choosing a bagless model without considering how you’ll empty it
Avoiding bags means emptying the container and maintaining the filters. This could be inconvenient if you’d rather avoid contact with dust.
Check the instructions to find out what maintenance is involved before choosing between a bag and a container.
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Expecting a stick vacuum to handle every deep clean
Que Choisir describes stick vacuums as better suited to quick, occasional cleaning and highlights their limited battery life at full power.
If you regularly need to clean carpets and different types of flooring for longer sessions, compare cylinder vacuums first; you could keep a stick vacuum for quick clean-ups.
Brands and models to consider
The features mentioned apply to the specific models listed, not every appliance made by each brand.
Electrolux
The Pure D8 PD82-4ST is worth considering if you’re looking for a bagged cylinder vacuum with a documented operating radius and a parquet brush.
- Electrolux lists a 12 m operating radius, a 3.5 L bag and an included parquet brush for this model.
- Check the exact model reference and make sure the brush is suitable for your wooden floors; these specifications don’t tell you how it performs on carpets.
Rowenta
The Green Force Max Silence RO6136EA product details let you check the stated noise level, filtration and repairability of a bagged cylinder vacuum.
- For this model, Rowenta lists a noise level of 65 dB(A), HEPA-grade filtration and a repairability index of 9.3/10.
- These details alone don’t show how well it will vacuum your carpets or which accessories are suitable for your floors.
Bosch
The BGS41PET1 ProAnimal is a bagless model to consider if container capacity and filter maintenance are important to you.
- Bosch lists a 2.4 L container and a washable HEPA filter for the BGS41PET1.
- Bosch’s ProAnimal positioning isn’t a substitute for a test showing how well it picks up pet hair from your type of carpet; check how to maintain the container, too.
Miele
Miele’s accessories include different brushes to consider for delicate wooden floors, short-pile carpets and upholstery.
- Miele offers, among other options, an SBB 300-3 PQ Twister parquet brush, an STB 305-3 turbo brush for short-pile carpets and an STB 101 mini turbo brush for upholstery.
- Check that each accessory is compatible with your vacuum and whether it’s included in the box.
Bagged cylinder vacuums available on Joybuy
These two bagged Electrolux models are worth considering for cleaning a home with different types of flooring. To compare how they perform on rugs, carpets or delicate wooden floors, check the test results and accessories for each specific model.
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Electrolux 600 EB61C4OG bagged cylinder vacuum
If you’re considering this cylinder vacuum for a mix of flooring, check its results on rugs and carpets, as well as which brushes are actually included. Its name identifies it as a 600 series bagged model; check that any accessories for delicate wooden floors or upholstery are compatible.
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Electrolux EB61C2GRN 550 W black bagged cylinder vacuum
If you switch between hard floors and rugs, check this model’s vacuuming results on each surface. Its name specifies 550 W and a black finish; it doesn’t tell you how well it picks up fibres or which brushes are included, so check these details before choosing.
Frequently asked questions
Can a stick vacuum replace a cylinder vacuum for carpets?
For regular, thorough cleaning of rugs and carpets, don’t choose a stick vacuum based on manoeuvrability alone. Que Choisir sees it as more of a handy option for occasional cleaning and notes that battery life is limited at full power. Compare performance on your floors before making it your main vacuum.
How do I choose a brush for delicate wooden floors?
Look for a brush specifically designed for wooden floors or delicate hard floors, then check whether it’s included or listed as compatible with the model you’ve chosen. Don’t assume that a turbo brush designed for carpets will also be suitable for wooden floors.
Which brush should I look for to pick up hair and pet fur from carpets?
A turbo brush may be worth considering if the manufacturer says it’s designed for the type of carpet you have and it’s compatible with your vacuum. Also check tests showing how well it picks up fibres. For sofas and cushions, find out whether you’ll need a suitable small attachment.
What maintenance does a cylinder vacuum need?
Follow the instructions to replace the bag or empty the container, clean the filters and clear any blockages in the hose. If repairability is important to you, ADEME also recommends checking the appliance’s repairability index.