For regular cleaning of floors, rugs and upholstery, a bagged cylinder vacuum is the first option to consider. According to UFC-Que Choisir, bagged models perform better than bagless ones across different floor types and kinds of dirt, and expose you to less dust during maintenance. A bagless cylinder is a good choice if you’d rather empty a dust container than use bags; a stick vacuum is mainly useful for quick clean-ups in between. In every case, check which brushes come with the exact model and what maintenance it requires.
If you move between hard floors, rugs and carpets, choose your main vacuum based on the surfaces you need to clean. Check which brush comes with the exact model number, along with the accessories designed for upholstery.
A bagged cylinder is worth considering if you’d rather replace a bag than empty a dust container. UFC-Que Choisir says bagged models expose you to less dust; you should also check that compatible bags are readily available.
A stick vacuum can come in handy for quick clean-ups between full cleans. If you’re choosing a main vacuum for floors, rugs and upholstery, compare cylinder models by their brushes, dust collection and maintenance requirements.
Choose this if: you want a main vacuum for different floor types and would rather replace a bag than empty a dust container.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to replace compatible bags and move the vacuum around as you clean. UFC-Que Choisir found that bagged models have an advantage when it comes to suction and contact with dust.
Choose this if: you want a cylinder vacuum without having to use bags.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to empty the dust container and maintain the filters. UFC-Que Choisir says bagless models expose you to more dust than bagged ones.
Choose this if: you want a lightweight, easy-to-use vacuum for quick clean-ups between full cleans.
Check: how well it handles your rugs and upholstery before relying on it as your only vacuum. UFC-Que Choisir describes cylinder vacuums as more effective at removing dust.
| What to consider | What to check | Think about your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Floors and upholstery | Compare test results for the surfaces in your home. Check which brush comes with the exact model number and which accessories are designed for upholstery. | I switch between hard floors, rugs and carpets, so the accessories included matter just as much as the type of vacuum. |
| Dust collection | Look at how to replace the bag or empty the dust container, and check how easy it is to reach the filters. Bagless systems also need maintenance. | If I want to handle less of the dust collected, I’ll focus on bagged models. If I choose a dust container, I need to be happy with how it’s emptied. |
| Moving the vacuum around | Check the model’s operating radius, weight and ease of carrying, especially if you have stairs. | To clean several rooms, I want to be able to move the vacuum around and reach the surfaces I need to clean without too much effort. |
| Maintenance | Find out the model numbers of compatible bags or filters and how often they need replacing. Check how easy it is to access the brush, tube and hose. | I’d rather know what regular maintenance is involved before choosing between a bag and a dust container. |
The motor’s electrical power rating doesn’t tell you how well a vacuum will pick up dirt from rugs or from the gaps in a hard floor.
Where available, compare test results for the surfaces in your home and check which floor head is actually included.
A full dust container, clogged filters or a blockage can affect how well the vacuum works, as Electrolux points out in its maintenance advice.
Before buying, check how easy it is to access the dust container, filters and brushes, then follow the instructions for maintenance.
A bagged cylinder vacuum needs bags that are compatible with its model number.
Make a note of the bag reference and check that they’re available before choosing your vacuum.
A stick vacuum that’s handy for quick clean-ups won’t necessarily replace a cylinder vacuum for floors, rugs, carpets and upholstery. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes between these uses and describes cylinder vacuums as more effective at removing dust.
If you already own a stick vacuum, first consider what it can clean in your home before choosing your main vacuum.
The Silence Force range includes bagged and bagless cylinder vacuums. Compare the specifications of individual models rather than relying on the range name alone.
The Série 4 ProHygienic BGL41HYG2H is a bagged cylinder vacuum whose product information lists several useful features to compare.
The bagged Complete C3 range includes models with different brush configurations, so choose one to suit the flooring in your home.
These bagged and bagless cylinder vacuums let you compare the two main options for deep cleaning. Choose based on your flooring, how you want to collect dust and the maintenance you’re happy to take on.
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This bagged cylinder vacuum is designed to be used as your main vacuum. If you also clean rugs and upholstery, check which brushes are included with the exact offer, as well as the reference for compatible bags.
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If you have different types of flooring, check which brushes come with this bagged cylinder vacuum, especially if rugs and upholstery are part of your cleaning routine. The 550 W in its name isn’t enough to judge its cleaning performance; remember to check compatible bags, too.
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This bagless model is for anyone who’d rather empty a dust container than replace bags. Make sure you’re happy to maintain the container and filters as instructed; if you clean rugs or upholstery, check which brushes are included. The 900 W in its name isn’t a measure of its performance on these surfaces.
Start by looking at bagged cylinder vacuums if suction across different floor types and dust handling are your priorities. UFC-Que Choisir says they perform better than bagless models, whatever the floor type or dirt, and expose you to less dust. A bagless model is still an option if you’d rather empty a dust container and maintain its filters than replace bags.
Check which accessories come with the exact model number. A brush suited to delicate hard floors is important for parquet; if you clean rugs, carpets or upholstery, look for brushes designed for those surfaces, too. Miele’s product information shows how accessories can vary between two versions of the same range.
Unplug the vacuum, then check whether the bag or dust container is full and whether the brush, tube or hose is blocked. Follow the instructions to clean or replace the filters: Electrolux lists these as possible causes of problems.
No. The motor’s electrical power rating isn’t enough to compare real-world cleaning performance. Instead, look at any available test results for your flooring and check which brushes are actually included.