For regular cleaning of hard floors, rugs and carpets, a cylinder vacuum is worth considering as your main appliance. UFC-Que Choisir describes this format as the strongest performer for suction and says bagged models have an advantage over bagless ones. A cordless stick vacuum is handy for quick clean-ups, provided its battery life at the setting you use is long enough. A robot vacuum can look after accessible areas, but it won’t clean stairs or furniture. A wet and dry vacuum is better suited to additional jobs involving wet or bulky mess.
If you’re looking for one main appliance for several floor types, compare how it performs on each surface and check which brush comes with the model. UFC-Que Choisir’s testing protocols assess parquet, tiles, rugs and carpets separately.
A cordless stick vacuum is easy to get out and put away for frequent cleaning. If you plan to use it as your only vacuum, check that its runtime at the setting you need will cover the cleaning you have in mind.
A robot vacuum can clean accessible floors regularly. If your home has stairs, or you also clean furniture and skirting boards, plan to use a manual vacuum alongside it: Les Numériques highlights these limitations of robot vacuums.
Start with the floors you need to clean, then consider how long cleaning takes, how much you need to move around, and which jobs the vacuum will actually need to handle.
| Factor | What to check | What I need |
|---|---|---|
| Floor types | Compare the model’s test results on parquet, tiles, rugs and carpets. Check which brush is included: UFC-Que Choisir’s testing protocols assess these surfaces separately. | I need a vacuum that can move from hard floors to rugs without relying solely on its advertised power. |
| Design and manoeuvrability | For a cylinder vacuum, consider the cable, operating radius and storage space. For a stick vacuum, think about its weight in your hand and how you’ll store it. UFC-Que Choisir describes cylinder vacuums as less manoeuvrable and heavier than stick models. | If I clean several rooms in a row, moving around matters. For frequent quick clean-ups, I’d prefer an appliance that’s easy to get out. |
| Battery life | For a cordless stick vacuum, check the runtime with the setting and brush you plan to use. UFC-Que Choisir notes that the advertised maximum battery life is measured at the lowest power setting. | I want to finish cleaning without recharging, especially if rugs mean I need to use a higher setting. |
| Automation | For a robot vacuum, check its results on each floor type, as well as how it cleans edges and corners. Factor in maintenance and check the terms of use for its app. | Scheduled cleaning appeals to me for accessible areas, but I also need a solution for stairs and furniture. |
| Dust collection | With a cylinder vacuum, choose between replacing bags and emptying the bin, and check how to maintain the filters. UFC-Que Choisir’s guide says bagged cylinder vacuums have a suction advantage over bagless models. | I’d rather decide in advance whether replacing bags or cleaning a bin fits better with my routine. |
| Specific types of mess | If you need to vacuum wet mess or larger debris, check that the model and its accessories are designed for the job. Kärcher presents its wet and dry vacuums for this type of cleaning. | A wet and dry vacuum appeals to me if I also clean the car, garage or workshop, as well as the living room floors. |
Motor power on its own doesn’t tell you how well a vacuum will clean a rug or the gaps in a parquet floor.
Look for test results on the floor types in your home and check which vacuum head is included. UFC-Que Choisir tests several types of flooring separately.
UFC-Que Choisir notes that the advertised maximum battery life for a stick vacuum is measured at the lowest power setting. Using another setting may reduce the available runtime.
Compare the time you need at home with the battery life you’ll get using your chosen power setting and brush.
Les Numériques points out that a robot vacuum won’t clean stairs, furniture or skirting boards. UFC-Que Choisir also finds that results vary depending on the floor type.
Use it in areas it can reach, and keep a manual vacuum for other cleaning jobs.
A bagged cylinder vacuum needs compatible bags; a bagless model means emptying the bin and maintaining its filters. These tasks affect how you use it every day.
Check that compatible consumables are available, and find out how to empty and maintain the model you’re considering.
Miele France offers a range of bagged cylinder vacuums.
Rowenta France offers cordless stick vacuums, robot vacuums and bagged or bagless cylinder models.
Dyson France offers cordless stick vacuums, among other types.
Roborock is worth considering if you’re looking for a robot vacuum to clean automatically.
Kärcher France offers wet and dry vacuums for the home, car or workshop.
These models illustrate two options for everyday cleaning across different floor types: a cylinder vacuum, with or without a bag, and a cordless stick vacuum for quicker clean-ups. Compare their features with the surfaces in your home and the time you usually spend cleaning.
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A bagged cylinder vacuum is worth considering for regular cleaning across several floor types. Check which brush is included and how the model performs on your rugs and carpets; remember to allow for compatible bags.
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This cylinder vacuum avoids the need for bags, but you will need to empty its bin. Its product title lists 900 W; to decide if it’s right for you, compare its performance on your floors and rugs, as well as the accessories included.
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This bagged model is worth comparing if you’re looking for a mains-powered vacuum as your main appliance. Its advertised power is 550 W; check separately which brush is included and how it performs on the rugs, carpets and hard floors in your home.
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The cordless, self-standing design is handy for quick clean-ups and easy storage. The product title advertises up to 65 minutes of battery life. Check the runtime with the setting and brush you’ll use, as well as how it performs on your floors.
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This cordless stick vacuum is worth considering if you want to grab a vacuum quickly for frequent clean-ups. The product title advertises 45 minutes of battery life. Before choosing it as your main appliance, compare the runtime at the setting you need and how it performs on each floor type you need to clean.
Compare the model’s results on each floor type and check which brush is included, rather than relying on the wattage alone. UFC-Que Choisir assesses performance separately on surfaces such as tiles, parquet, rugs and carpets.
Not if you also need to clean stairs, furniture or skirting boards: Les Numériques points out that a robot won’t clean these areas. It can clean accessible floors alongside a manual vacuum; check how well it performs on your floor types.
Check the runtime with the power setting and brush you’ll actually use. UFC-Que Choisir notes that advertised maximum battery life is measured at the lowest power setting, so compare the relevant runtime with the time you need to clean your home.
Yes. Compare the information available for the models you’re interested in, rather than relying on a brand’s general reputation. ADEME says vacuum cleaners are among the categories covered by the repairability index.