For quickly picking up crumbs and dust, a cordless stick vacuum is a good choice if its runtime in the mode you use is long enough for your cleaning sessions and you mainly have hard floors. A compact cylinder vacuum is worth considering for longer sessions or several types of flooring, provided you’re happy to deal with a cable and find somewhere to store it. A handheld vacuum is best as an extra for furniture, the car and small areas.
If you often pick up dust and crumbs from tiles, wooden floors or vinyl, ease of use and storage matter just as much as how long the vacuum runs in your chosen mode. Que Choisir generally sees cordless stick vacuums as suited to this kind of everyday extra cleaning.
If your second vacuum sometimes needs to tackle several surfaces or pick up more dust, consider its capacity and how long it takes to finish the job too. Compact size shouldn’t be your only consideration.
If you plan to keep and use the vacuum regularly, check how to clean its filters and brush, then look for parts that match its exact model number, especially the battery if it’s cordless.
Consider it: for short, frequent clean-ups, especially on hard floors, when you want a vacuum that’s easy to grab and put away.
Bear in mind: runtime depends on the mode you choose, and the maximum runtime quoted is generally for a low-power setting, according to Que Choisir.
Consider it: if your occasional cleaning sessions sometimes last longer or cover several types of flooring.
Bear in mind: you’ll need an accessible plug socket, room to move the vacuum around and somewhere to store it.
Consider it: for crumbs, furniture or the car, when you already have another vacuum for your floors.
Bear in mind: this type of vacuum won’t necessarily replace a model designed to clean the floors throughout your home.
| Feature | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Useful runtime | For a cordless model, compare the runtime in the mode you’ll use, ideally with the floor head attached, rather than looking only at the maximum runtime. | I want to finish my usual cleaning session without having to stop and recharge the vacuum. Around 50% of shoppers would prioritise this usable runtime. |
| Ease of use and flooring | Check how much space it takes up in storage and whether the brush suits your main type of flooring. For a corded model, also check the cable reach. | Between full cleans, I want to be able to get the vacuum out quickly and pick up debris from my usual floors. This ease of use would be a priority for around 30% of shoppers. |
| Maintenance and parts | For the exact model, check how easy it is to access the filter and brush, and whether parts and, where applicable, the battery can be replaced. | I’d rather be able to maintain the vacuum and replace a part than stop using it when that part wears out. Around 20% of shoppers would put this concern first. |
According to Que Choisir, this runtime is generally quoted for a low-power setting. It doesn’t necessarily tell you how long the vacuum will run on the setting you need.
Compare runtimes for each mode and, if possible, with the brush designed for your flooring. Make sure they’re long enough for your usual cleaning sessions.
A figure in volts or air watts doesn’t, on its own, tell you how much the vacuum head will pick up from your flooring.
If you have the odd rug or wooden floors with grooves, look for tests on the type of flooring in question and check which brush is included.
Cleaning the filters and brush is part of regular use. For a cordless stick vacuum, the option to replace the battery may also influence your choice.
Make a note of the exact model number before you buy, then check which parts are available for it and what the instruction manual says about maintenance.
A cordless stick vacuum may be easy to manoeuvre, but that doesn’t mean it’s suited to longer sessions or harder-to-clean surfaces. Que Choisir distinguishes these jobs from quick, occasional cleaning.
If your cleaning sessions regularly cover several rooms or types of flooring, compare a compact cylinder vacuum before you decide.
A brand to consider if access to spare parts is important when choosing a cordless stick vacuum.
Some ranges are worth considering if you’d like a station that combines emptying and charging.
A brand to consider if you want to search for parts by vacuum model.
A brand to include when comparing maintenance options for specific stick vacuums.
This selection includes cordless stick vacuums, a convertible corded stick vacuum and a model that vacuums and washes hard floors. They’re designed for different uses and come with different considerations, so start by choosing the format that suits your cleaning sessions.
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Worth considering for occasional cleaning if you’d like to choose between two speeds and have a removable battery.
The product name states a suction power of 45 kPa and an LED display; this figure alone isn’t enough to establish how well it’ll pick up dirt from your floors. Check the runtime in the mode you’ll use and which parts are available for this model.
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Worth considering if you want a stick vacuum that can stand upright when you take a break or put it away.
The product title mentions an anti-tangle brush and a runtime of up to 65 min. To check whether this is enough for your floors, find out which mode and accessory the figure applies to.
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Worth considering if its self-standing design would make quick clean-ups and storage easier for you.
The product title mentions a removable battery and a runtime of up to 50 min, but doesn’t specify the mode. Also check whether a replacement battery is available for this model.
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Worth considering for short clean-ups near a plug socket if you’d also like to use it as a handheld vacuum.
The cable is 5 m long, and the product title mentions a HEPA filter and a stated suction power of 18 kPa. Check that the cable reach suits your home; this suction figure alone doesn’t tell you how well it’ll pick up dirt.
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Worth considering for hard-floor care if you want to vacuum and wash in the same session, rather than clean rugs and carpets.
The product title states a runtime of up to 35 min and an auto-cleaning function. You’ll also need to handle the water tanks after use, so check that the runtime suits your cleaning session.
No. According to Que Choisir, it generally applies to a low-power setting. Check the runtime in the mode you’ll use, with the brush you’ll need, then compare it with the length of your usual cleaning sessions.
For occasional cleaning, it’s better suited to small areas, furniture or the car if another vacuum already takes care of your floors. Check its accessories and charging method to make sure they suit the surfaces you have in mind.
Empty the dust container and clean the filter and brush as instructed in the manual. Before buying, check whether filters, a brush and, if needed, a battery are available for the exact model.
The index helps you assess how repairable the model is. The French ministry responsible for ecological transition includes vacuum cleaners among the product categories covered. Check the model’s score, but don’t mistake it for a guarantee that every part will be available straight away.