Homes with rugs, carpets or pet hair
If your cleaning sessions need to lift embedded fibres, check performance on rugs and carpets, as well as the supplied floor head. Que Choisir’s testing assesses carpet fibres separately from other surfaces.
Who is this choice for?
Homes with hard floors and awkward corners
Tiles, parquet flooring with gaps, skirting boards and the space beneath furniture all call for different tools. Check that the brush is suitable for each floor type, that the vacuum can reach into corners and that it’s easy to manoeuvre.
People who alternate between full cleans and quick touch-ups
A cordless stick vacuum is convenient for quick clean-ups, but its run time at the power you need must be long enough for the job. Que Choisir distinguishes this format from cylinder vacuums, which are better suited to longer cleaning sessions.
What should you check before choosing?
First, choose a format that suits the time you have and the surfaces you need to clean. Then compare suction performance and the tools that suit your home.
Bagged cylinder
Consider it: for regular, thorough cleans, especially if you want to minimise direct contact with dust. Que Choisir says bagged models expose users to less dust.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to manage a cable and move the appliance around, as well as replace the bags.
Bagless cylinder
Consider it: if you want a cylinder vacuum without the need for bags.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to empty the dust container and maintain the filters. Que Choisir’s guide says bagged cylinder vacuums offer better suction and expose users to less dust.
Cordless stick vacuum
Consider it: for quick clean-ups, stairs or a home that you can clean from top to bottom within the run time at the power you need.
Bear in mind: run time is limited, particularly at high power. Que Choisir sees this format as better suited to quick clean-ups.
| What to consider | What to check | My needs |
|---|---|---|
| Surfaces and tools | Compare results on hard floors, parquet flooring with gaps and rugs separately. Check which brush is included and, for carpet fibres, look for test results using the relevant floor head. Also make sure there’s a tool for awkward corners. | I have rugs and several types of flooring, so good suction on tiles alone isn’t enough to help me choose a vacuum for all my surfaces. |
| Cleaning time | For a stick vacuum, compare the run time at the power you’ll actually need with the length of your cleaning session. For a cylinder vacuum, check its reach, cable and the capacity of the bag or dust container. | I want to finish the rooms I’ve planned without having to stop frequently to recharge, switch sockets or empty the vacuum. |
| Dust and maintenance | Check how to empty the dust container or replace the bag, how easy it is to access the filters and brushes, and which consumables are compatible. Que Choisir says bagged cylinder vacuums expose users to less dust when collecting it. | How much I have to handle dust matters to me, and I want the vacuum to be easy to maintain after use. |
| Moving the vacuum around | Consider how heavy it is to carry, how much storage space it needs, and whether you can get it up stairs and beneath furniture. For a cylinder vacuum, also check the wheels, hose and reach from a socket. | In a home with stairs or obstacles, I’d rather have a vacuum that’s easy to move around without disrupting the cleaning I’ve planned. |
What mistakes should you avoid?
-
Choosing based on motor wattage alone
Wattage alone doesn’t tell you how well a vacuum will pick up dirt from rugs or parquet flooring with gaps. Que Choisir assesses performance on different floor types and highlights the importance of the floor head.
Compare test results for the type of flooring you have most of, and check which brush comes with the model you’re considering.
-
Assuming a stick vacuum’s maximum run time applies to rugs
According to Que Choisir, the advertised maximum run time is based on using the vacuum at low power. Its tests of stick vacuums show an average of around ten minutes at full power.
Compare the run time in the mode you’ll need with the length of your cleaning session, and check whether the battery can be replaced.
-
Forgetting to factor in maintenance
A bagged cylinder vacuum needs replacement bags, while a bagless model needs its dust container emptied. Filters and brushes also need to be maintained according to the model’s requirements.
Before choosing, check that consumables are readily available and that the parts you need to clean or replace are easy to access.
-
Assuming performance on hard floors means good results on rugs
Que Choisir’s testing distinguishes between surfaces such as tiles, parquet flooring with gaps, carpet and fibres on rugs. A result on one surface doesn’t tell you how the vacuum will perform on another.
Identify the most demanding surface in your home and look for relevant test results, especially if pet hair gets trapped in your rugs.
Which brands should you consider?
Rowenta
Rowenta sells bagged cylinder vacuums in France.
- A useful starting point for comparing bagged models and their brushes for your floors.
- The manufacturer’s descriptions of power aren’t a substitute for test results on your rugs and hard floors.
Electrolux
The Pure D8 cylinder range offers different tool configurations, depending on the model.
- Electrolux lists a 3.5 L bag, HEPA filtration and a three-in-one tool for the Pure D8 PD82-8DB.
- These features apply to this specific model, so check the exact model number and the tools actually included before comparing.
Miele
Miele sells bagged cylinder vacuums in France, including models in the Guard range.
- Miele lists an AirClean HEPA filter for the Guard L1 Allergy model.
- Filters and brushes vary by model. Check which bags are compatible too, and don’t assume a model will perform well on rugs based on its range name alone.
Vacuums to compare on Joybuy
This selection includes bagged cylinder vacuums for thorough manual cleaning, as well as cordless stick vacuums to consider if their run time suits your cleaning sessions. Compare the tools and performance on your floors before choosing.
Image unavailable
Electrolux 600 EB61C4OG bagged cylinder vacuum
This bagged cylinder vacuum is worth considering if you’re looking for an appliance for thorough manual cleaning. For rugs and hard floors, check which brushes are included and look for test results for each surface.
Image unavailable
Electrolux EB61C2GRN bagged vacuum, 550 W, black
This bagged cylinder vacuum is worth comparing if you clean several types of flooring. It has a stated motor power of 550 W. To see whether it’s right for rugs and awkward corners, check suction test results and the list of tools included.
Image unavailable
MONSGA X UNINELLHOME UV5 cordless stick vacuum
This cordless stick vacuum is worth considering if you want to clean without a cable getting in the way. Its product title states a run time of up to 65 minutes, an anti-tangle brush and a self-standing design. Check how long it runs in the mode you need for rugs rather than assuming the maximum stated time will cover a full cleaning session.
Image unavailable
BISSELL PowerClean FurGuard Select
This stick vacuum is aimed at homes with pets. If pet hair on rugs is one of your main concerns, compare test results on fibres and check that the run time in the mode you’ll use is long enough for your cleaning session.
Image unavailable
Monsga ME03 cordless stick vacuum, 550 W
This cordless stick vacuum is worth comparing for cleaning hard floors and rugs. Its product title states a run time of up to 55 minutes and an anti-tangle brush. Check its run time in carpet mode and performance on fibres before choosing it for a thorough clean.
Frequently asked questions
Can a cordless stick vacuum replace a cylinder vacuum for a thorough clean?
Only if its run time at the power you need is long enough to clean your home and rugs. Que Choisir sees stick vacuums as better suited to quick clean-ups, and its tests found an average run time of around ten minutes at full power. If you have long cleaning sessions or demanding carpets, compare cylinder vacuums too.
What tools should I look for to clean rugs, parquet and awkward corners?
Check for a brush suited to the floor type you have most of, a parquet brush if needed and a crevice tool for narrow spaces. If pet hair gets embedded in your rugs, look for fibre test results using the supplied floor head. Que Choisir’s testing distinguishes these results from performance on hard floors.
Is a bagged cylinder vacuum a better choice if I want to handle less dust?
Yes, if that’s your main concern. Que Choisir says bagged cylinder vacuums expose users to less dust than bagless models. You’ll still need to replace the bags and maintain the filters according to the instructions for your chosen model.
Where should I dispose of a full vacuum bag in France?
ADEME advises putting vacuumed dust and waste in household rubbish, preferably in a sealed bag.