Households hoping to keep their vacuum cleaner
Your appliance may still be repairable. You want to find out about repair and reuse options before considering a replacement.
If your vacuum cleaner isn’t working as well as it used to or has broken down, first check whether it can be repaired before replacing it. If you do need a new one, consider a second-hand or refurbished model, then choose the type to suit your cleaning needs: a cylinder vacuum for a thorough clean, a cordless stick vacuum for quick clean-ups or a robot vacuum to automate some of the upkeep. Whatever you choose, check the appliance’s condition, the availability of parts and any practical limitations.
Your appliance may still be repairable. You want to find out about repair and reuse options before considering a replacement.
You’re looking for a main appliance to clean a large area, carpets or several types of flooring, while also taking maintenance and dust when emptying it into account.
You want to grab a stick vacuum for everyday clean-ups or leave some of the cleaning to a robot. Run time, flooring and maintenance are still important considerations.
Start by finding out whether you can keep your current appliance. If you’re replacing it, first decide between reuse and buying new, then check that the type of vacuum suits the cleaning you expect it to do.
| What matters | What to check | Who is this for? |
|---|---|---|
| Repairing your current appliance | Ask the repairer to identify the fault and confirm whether it can be repaired. For the Repair Bonus in France, check the warranty, whether the repair is eligible and whether the repairer is part of the QualiRépar scheme. | If my vacuum cleaner might still be useful, I want to know whether the fault can be repaired before replacing it; around 31% of consumers prioritise this option. |
| Reuse and repairability | For a second-hand or refurbished appliance, check its condition, model number and included parts. For a new appliance covered by the scheme in France, check its repairability index and make sure the parts are suitable for the model. | I’d rather reuse an appliance or be able to maintain its replacement over the long term; around 25% of consumers share this priority. |
| Thorough cleaning | Compare performance on your types of flooring, the vacuum head and the practicalities of a bagged or bagless system. | For regularly cleaning carpets or a large area, I need a suitable main appliance; around 25% of consumers put this need first. |
| Easier everyday cleaning | For a stick vacuum, check the run time in the mode you’ll use. For a robot, check which floors it can handle, the layout of your home and the maintenance needed for the dustbin or docking station. | I want to do quick clean-ups or automate some of the cleaning without neglecting appliance maintenance; around 19% of consumers put this need first. |
According to ecosystem, the scheme does not cover certain issues, including cosmetic damage, damage caused by misuse or poor maintenance, or removable accessories. So using a QualiRépar repairer doesn’t automatically mean your repair is eligible.
Explain the fault to the repairer and ask them to confirm whether the repair is eligible before deciding to keep the appliance.
UFC-Que Choisir notes that the maximum advertised run time may refer to use at low power; it doesn’t necessarily reflect how long the vacuum will last in a more demanding mode.
Compare run times for the mode you plan to use and check whether the battery can be replaced.
Bags and filters need to be checked and replaced according to the appliance’s instructions. This is an important factor when choosing between a bagged and bagless model.
Check which replacement consumables are compatible and find out how to empty or replace the dust container without releasing dust into the air.
With a bagged model, you’ll need to budget for replacement bags.
UFC-Que Choisir reports that results vary between floors and models, particularly when it comes to mopping. The dustbin, mopping components and, where applicable, the docking station also need maintenance.
Check how it performs on your flooring and what maintenance it requires before treating the robot as a replacement for your current appliance.
Worth considering for stick or cylinder vacuum cleaners if access to parts and repairs is one of your priorities.
Worth considering if you’re looking for a cylinder vacuum and want to find parts by model.
Worth considering if you’re looking at a cordless stick vacuum and want to find parts for your model.
These models give you a chance to compare cylinder vacuum cleaners, cordless appliances and a robot if you decide to replace your vacuum cleaner. Their inclusion here doesn’t answer the question of whether to repair your current one or buy second-hand.
Image unavailable
Worth considering if you’re looking for a cylinder vacuum to handle your main cleaning. This model uses a bag, so check which consumables are compatible and which parts are specific to this model.
Image unavailable
Worth considering for everyday clean-ups with a cordless appliance. The product listing states that it has a removable battery and a maximum run time of 50 minutes. Compare this with the mode you need and check whether replacement batteries are available.
Image unavailable
Worth considering if you’re looking for a cordless stick vacuum for different areas of your home. The product listing mentions two speeds and a removable battery; check the run time in your chosen mode and whether a compatible battery is available.
Image unavailable
Worth considering if you want to automate regular cleaning. The product listing mentions an OMNI station and a mopping function; check that they suit your flooring and consider the maintenance required. Don’t assume that mopping will replace manual cleaning.
Image unavailable
Worth considering if you want a cordless appliance for compatible floors and are also interested in mopping. Before choosing it, check which floor coverings it’s designed for, what maintenance is involved and which cleaning solutions are suitable.
No. In France, ecosystem says the scheme covers certain out-of-warranty vacuum cleaner repairs carried out by a QualiRépar repairer, but excludes issues such as cosmetic damage and removable accessories. Ask the repairer to confirm the fault and whether the repair is eligible.
You can check the local solutions map recommended by ADEME, then contact a repairer to confirm they’re part of the QualiRépar scheme and can work on your model.
Yes, for new vacuum cleaners covered by the scheme in France. According to the ministry responsible for the ecological transition, this score out of 10 provides information about factors including how easy the appliance is to dismantle and the availability of parts. Also check that parts are available for the model you’re considering.
The legal guarantee of conformity applies when you buy a refurbished vacuum cleaner from a professional seller, according to the French Ministry of the Economy’s publication dated 20 November 2025. It doesn’t apply to sales between private individuals, so check who the seller is and read the appliance description carefully.
Don’t assume it can. UFC-Que Choisir reports that vacuuming and mopping results vary between models and floor types. Check how it performs on your flooring and what maintenance it needs before relying on it as your only appliance.