For regular cleaning of floors, rugs and fabrics, choose a cylinder vacuum with the right brushes and nozzles. UFC-Que Choisir presents cordless stick vacuums as handy for quick clean-ups rather than deep cleaning. Whether you choose a bagged or bagless cylinder model depends partly on whether you’d rather remove a bag, which UFC-Que Choisir says means less exposure to dust, or empty a bin without having to replace bags. Check which accessories are included and which consumables are compatible with the exact model number.
If you’re looking for a main vacuum cleaner for floors, rugs, the sofa and bedding, compare its performance on different surfaces and check which accessories are included. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes this kind of thorough cleaning from the quick clean-ups for which a stick vacuum is better suited.
For pet hair on rugs and sofas, check for a brush suited to fabric fibres and an upholstery nozzle. A crevice tool is useful for corners, but on its own it won’t meet your needs for cleaning fabrics.
A cordless stick vacuum can be handy for picking up crumbs, dust or pet hair between more thorough cleans. If you’re thinking of making it your only vacuum, check its runtime in the mode you’ll use and how it performs on your rugs.
First decide what role you want the vacuum to play in your cleaning routine. Then check how it performs on your flooring and what’s included in the box.
Worth considering: as your main vacuum for several rooms and floor types, particularly if you want to limit contact with dust when removing the bag, as UFC-Que Choisir advises.
Bear in mind: you’ll need a plug socket nearby and compatible replacement bags.
Worth considering: as your main vacuum if you’d rather empty a bin than replace bags.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to empty the bin and maintain the filters. UFC-Que Choisir says this can mean more exposure to dust.
Worth considering: as a second vacuum for frequent quick clean-ups, or if you’d find a cordless model more convenient to get out and use.
Check: the runtime at the required power setting. UFC-Que Choisir considers this type better suited to quick clean-ups.
| What to compare | What to check | What I need |
|---|---|---|
| Performance on different surfaces | Compare results on hard floors, parquet with gaps and rugs using the same testing method. Check the supplied floorhead too, rather than relying on the motor’s wattage alone. UFC-Que Choisir tests vacuum performance on different floor types. | I need to check performance separately on my hard floors and rugs. If pet hair gets caught in the fibres, I also want to know how the vacuum performs on that kind of mess. |
| Fabrics and awkward spots | Check for a nozzle for sofas or cushions and a crevice tool. If you need to remove pet hair from fabrics, look at the brush provided and what it’s designed for. | I want to clean my sofa or bedding without assuming that a compatible accessory is included in the box. |
| Bags, bins and filters | Check the model numbers for bags and filters, or find out how to empty and maintain the bin. UFC-Que Choisir says removing a bag means less exposure to dust than emptying a bagless model. | I want to know whether I’ll need to replace bags or empty a bin, and what regular maintenance will involve. |
| Manoeuvrability and runtime | Check the weight in the configuration you’ll use and whether the vacuum can reach under furniture. For a stick vacuum, check the runtime for your chosen power setting and accessories. | For quick clean-ups or the stairs, I want a vacuum that’s easy to move around. For a longer cleaning session, I need to be able to finish the job. |
| Compatible parts | Look up bags, filters, brushes or batteries using the exact model number. For example, Electrolux uses an 11-digit PNC product number to identify compatible parts. | I want to be able to find consumables and parts that fit my vacuum, without relying on the brand name alone. |
This figure alone doesn’t tell you how well a vacuum will clean rugs, gaps in parquet flooring or pet hair caught in fibres.
Compare tests carried out on the same surfaces and check which floorhead comes with the exact model you’re considering.
The advertised runtime for a stick vacuum may refer to a different power setting from the one you’ll need for your rugs.
Check the runtime in the mode you’ll use and with your chosen accessory. For longer cleaning sessions, consider using a stick vacuum alongside a cylinder model.
A floor brush won’t necessarily replace a nozzle for sofas or a crevice tool for corners.
Check which accessories are actually included, then make sure any you need to buy separately are compatible with the exact model number.
Bags, filters and brushes need to be maintained or replaced as appropriate for the model. Bagless bins also need emptying.
Check which parts are compatible before you buy, and follow the manufacturer’s maintenance instructions.
These product ranges can help you identify which accessories and part numbers to check. They aren’t a ranking of the brands.
According to Miele France, the bagged Guard L1 AllFloor cylinder vacuum comes with an AllFloor brush and a 2-in-1 accessory for cushions and crevices.
Rowenta France lists different accessories for different models. The bagless RO7C66EA cylinder vacuum and the RH9B74WO stick vacuum aren’t designed for the same role in your cleaning routine.
For the bagged Pure D8 PD82-4ST cylinder vacuum, Electrolux France lists a parquet brush and a 3-in-1 accessory.
This Joybuy selection includes bagged and bagless cylinder vacuums for your main cleaning, as well as cordless stick vacuums to consider for quick clean-ups. Check the accessories and intended use for each model before choosing.
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This bagless cylinder vacuum is worth considering if you want to clean several surfaces without replacing bags. Its stated motor power of 900 W isn’t enough to tell you how well it will clean rugs or fabrics. Check which accessories are included and which filters are compatible with the FC9556/09.
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This cordless stick vacuum could be a handy option for quick clean-ups on floors and around fabrics. Its title mentions an anti-tangle brush and up to 65 min of runtime. Check which power setting this runtime applies to, which tools are included, and whether filters and batteries are available for the UV5.
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This cordless model could be a good choice for quick clean-ups. The title mentions a removable battery and an anti-tangle brush. Before considering it for your rugs and fabrics, check which accessories are included, how long the battery lasts in the mode you’ll need, and which parts are compatible.
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This bagged cylinder vacuum is worth considering as your main cleaner for several floor types. If you’ll be cleaning sofas or awkward spots, check whether the EB61C4OG comes with the right tools, and look up compatible bags, filters and parts.
Check which floorhead is included and what it’s designed to clean, then compare test results for each surface. UFC-Que Choisir assesses vacuum performance on surfaces including tiles, parquet and carpet. The label “multi-surface” alone doesn’t tell you how well a vacuum performs on each one.
It may be enough if you mainly need to do quick clean-ups and its runtime in the mode you’ll use covers your cleaning sessions. For a thorough clean, especially across several rooms with rugs, UFC-Que Choisir considers a stick vacuum better suited as a second cleaner. Compare its performance on your floors before making it your only vacuum.
For a bagged model, check which bags and filters are compatible and replace them as instructed by the manufacturer. For a bagless model, you’ll need to empty the bin and maintain the filters and brushes. Check the instructions for your model.
Use the vacuum’s exact model number and product number if one is required, rather than relying on the brand name alone. Electrolux says it uses an 11-digit PNC to show compatible parts, while Miele lets you search for bags and filters by model.