To clean several rooms, start by comparing separate test results for hard floors, rugs and carpets. Motor wattage alone doesn’t tell you how well a vacuum picks up dirt, as Que Choisir points out. A bagged cylinder vacuum is a good choice if you want to limit contact with dust when emptying it. A bagless model means you won’t need to replace bags, but you will need to empty the dust container and maintain the filters. Whichever type you choose, check which accessories are included for your upholstery, furniture and awkward corners.
If you clean hard floors, rugs and furniture in one session, check how each model performs on every surface and which accessories come with that exact version, rather than relying on its advertised power alone.
Carpet tests and tests using fibres that simulate pet hair answer different questions, according to Que Choisir’s testing method. For sofas and cushions, also check whether a suitable upholstery tool is included or compatible.
Choosing between a bag and a dust container affects how you empty the vacuum. In either case, identify the filters, brushes and consumables that fit the exact model before making your choice.
Worth considering : if you want to limit contact with dust when disposing of the contents. Que Choisir highlights this difference compared with bagless models.
Bear in mind : compatible bags need replacing, and the filters need maintaining.
Worth considering : if you’d rather avoid bags and don’t mind emptying a dust container regularly.
Bear in mind : emptying the container exposes you to more dust, according to Que Choisir, and the filters still need to be maintained in line with the manufacturer’s instructions.
Once you’ve chosen how you’d like to empty your vacuum, compare each model with the surfaces and cleaning tasks in your home.
| Feature | What to check | My needs |
|---|---|---|
| Pick-up on floors | Compare tests carried out using the same method on hard floors, parquet with gaps and carpet. Where available, also look at results with a full bag or dust container. | I have several floor types, so a result on tiles alone won’t tell me how the vacuum will perform on my rugs. Que Choisir’s testing method assesses these surfaces separately. |
| Upholstery and awkward corners | Check the tests on fibres if you need to pick up pet hair. See whether an upholstery tool, parquet brush and crevice tool are included, and what each is designed for. | If I also want to clean the sofa, skirting boards or narrow gaps, I need to be able to use the right accessories for each task. |
| Emptying and filters | Find out which bags or filters are compatible. Check the instructions for emptying, cleaning and replacing parts for the specific model. | I’d rather make an informed choice between replacing a bag and emptying a dust container, while keeping filter maintenance in mind. |
| Moving around and noise | Compare the operating radius, weight and how the brush performs on carpet. For noise, look for a measurement with clearly stated test conditions. | If I’m moving from room to room or carrying the vacuum up and down stairs, its reach and manoeuvrability matter just as much as the advertised accessories. |
The motor’s electrical power doesn’t tell you on its own how well the vacuum will pick up dirt from different floors. Que Choisir highlights the importance of the vacuum head in particular.
Compare tests on the floor types in your home, and check which brush comes with the version you’re considering.
You still need to empty the dust container and maintain the filters. Avoiding bags doesn’t eliminate these tasks.
Check the model number of compatible filters and follow the manufacturer’s maintenance instructions for that specific model.
A floor brush won’t necessarily do the same job as an upholstery tool or a crevice tool.
Make a list of your surfaces and cleaning tasks, then check what’s in the box and which accessories are compatible with the model you’ve chosen.
If the accessory you want isn’t included, you’ll need to consider buying and storing it separately.
Access to filters, brushes and spare parts matters if you want to keep using and maintaining your vacuum.
Make a note of the exact model number and check repairability information and spare-part availability before you choose.
The bagged Guard range includes versions designed for parquet, homes with pets and quieter operation, among other needs. Check the specific version rather than assuming every model in the range comes with the same features.
In Rowenta’s bagged range, the Silence Force Effitech RO7473EA comes with several accessories, a 4.5 L bag and an advertised operating radius of 12 m, according to Rowenta.
The bagless range includes the Série 8 BGS7SIL64. Bosch lists a 3 L dust container, an 11 m operating radius and automatic filter cleaning for this model.
These two Electrolux models are bagged cylinder vacuums worth considering for cleaning several rooms. To compare their features, check which accessories suit your floors and look for test results on the surfaces you clean.
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For homes with several rooms and different floor types, this model comes with an all-floor brush, a parquet brush and a turbo brush listed as included. The product description lists a 3.5 L s-bag, a washable filter and an advertised operating radius of 12 m. Check whether the turbo brush is suitable for your upholstery, and look for test results on your rugs and carpets.
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For a home with hard floors and parquet, the product description lists an all-floor brush and a parquet brush. It also lists a 3.5 L bag, a washable filter and an advertised operating radius of 12 m. If you regularly clean upholstery or awkward corners, check which accessories are designed for those tasks and look for tests on your other floor types.
Compare measurements taken using the same method, with separate results for hard floors, parquet with gaps, rugs and carpets. Que Choisir’s testing method also assesses fibres that simulate pet hair and repeats some tests with a full bag or dust container.
No, motor power alone isn’t enough. Que Choisir recommends looking at pick-up results and the design of the vacuum head. Focus on tests carried out on the surfaces in your home.
A bagged cylinder vacuum is better suited to this aim when disposing of the contents. Que Choisir says it exposes users to less dust than a bagless model. However, check which bags and filters are compatible with the model you’re considering.
No. The old EU energy label specifically for vacuum cleaners is no longer a current regulatory indicator. The European Commission states that the regulation was annulled with effect from 19 January 2019. To compare appliances, look instead at measurements taken under comparable conditions.
Identify the filters, brushes and parts that fit the exact model number, then check its repairability index if one is displayed. ADEME describes this index as a guide to help you choose an appliance that’s easier to repair if it breaks down.