Before replacing a faulty vacuum cleaner, check its warranty and ask whether it can be repaired: ADEME recommends looking into this first. If you do need a replacement, compare the condition of second-hand models and check who’s selling them. Then choose a cylinder vacuum, a stick vacuum or a robot to suit your flooring, available space and preference when it comes to cables, charging and maintenance.
If your vacuum isn’t cleaning as well as it used to or has developed a fault, start by checking its warranty and whether you can get a repair quote. This lets you compare the cost of repair with replacement without assuming the vacuum has reached the end of its life.
When buying a second-hand or refurbished vacuum cleaner, check the model number, the battery condition if it has one, the accessories and who’s selling it. In France, the protections that apply to a sale by a business don’t automatically apply to a sale between private individuals.
A corded cylinder vacuum, a cordless stick vacuum and a robot all involve different day-to-day routines. Your flooring, rugs, home layout and how much time you want to spend on maintenance can all help you decide.
First, decide whether to repair or replace your vacuum. If you’re replacing it, compare the terms of sale and choose a style that suits your home.
Worth considering: if a professional can assess the fault and offer a repair for your model.
Bear in mind: your decision will depend on the quote, the availability of parts and whether your vacuum is covered.
Worth considering: if you can check the condition and model number of a used vacuum, as well as the terms of sale.
Bear in mind: the battery and accessories matter just as much as whether you’re buying from a business or a private seller.
Worth considering: if you want to clean without stopping to recharge and can manage a cable in your home.
Bear in mind: moving and storing the vacuum can make it less convenient for quick clean-ups.
Worth considering: if you prefer to clean different areas quickly without having to move a cable around.
Bear in mind: check that the run time for your chosen mode and the charging time suit your cleaning sessions.
Worth considering: if you want automated floor care and can check that it will move between your furniture and across your floors.
Bear in mind: you’ll also need to make room for the docking station and consider obstacles and robot maintenance.
| Priority | What to check | Think about your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Repair | Check the warranty, then have the fault and required parts assessed. In France, ADEME offers the Repair Bonus for eligible vacuum cleaners. Ask a certified repairer whether your repair could qualify. | If my vacuum can still be used, I want to find out whether it can be repaired before buying another one. |
| Condition and seller | Note the model number and check the vacuum, its accessories and, if applicable, its battery. France’s Ministry of the Economy states that the statutory guarantee of conformity applies to second-hand and refurbished goods sold by a business to a private individual. | When buying second-hand, I want to know what has been checked and who to contact if the vacuum isn’t as described. |
| Cleaning your floors | Compare information about how a vacuum performs on your hard floors, rugs and around the edges of rooms, rather than relying on a single power rating. In a 2023 test, France’s National Consumer Institute and ADEME assessed factors including cleaning performance, electricity use and ease of repair across cylinder and stick vacuum models. | I need a vacuum that suits the surfaces in my home, not just a style that looks convenient. |
| Cable and battery | For a corded model, check its reach and storage requirements. For a stick or robot vacuum, look at the stated run time for each mode, charging time and whether the battery can be replaced. | I’d rather not stop to recharge while cleaning, or I’d prefer to move around without a cable. The length of my cleaning sessions makes a difference. |
| Future maintenance | Check the repairability rating and look for parts and consumables that are compatible with the exact model number. ADEME states that in France, this rating applies to corded, cordless and robot vacuum cleaners. | Before buying, I want to be able to identify the filters, brushes and other parts this model might need. |
| Robot navigation | Check information about obstacles, furniture, rugs, corners and the space needed for the docking station. UFC-Que Choisir’s robot vacuum test, for example, assesses navigation and vacuuming on different floor types. | If I choose an automated option, the robot needs to be able to move around the rooms I want to clean. |
A drop in performance doesn’t necessarily mean you need a replacement. ADEME recommends checking first whether your vacuum can be repaired.
Check any warranty or insurance cover, then ask for an assessment and quote before comparing replacement options.
According to France’s Ministry of the Economy, a refurbished product has undergone complete functionality tests. The statutory guarantee of conformity that applies to professional sales doesn’t work in the same way for sales between private individuals.
Check who the seller is, ask for the model number and any available documents, then inspect the vacuum and review the terms of sale before committing.
A stated power rating or run time alone won’t tell you how well a vacuum will clean your rugs, corners or cluttered areas. UFC-Que Choisir’s robot vacuum test looks at performance on different floor types and navigation around obstacles.
Compare the exact model in the conditions that matter in your home, and don’t forget charging and maintenance.
A brand’s general commitment doesn’t confirm that a particular battery, brush or hose is compatible or immediately available.
Search for parts using the vacuum’s exact model number before you buy, especially if you’re considering a second-hand model.
Information about parts availability can help guide your search, but always check that it applies to the model you’re considering.
A brand to consider if access to parts and repair services matters to you.
An option to explore if you want to search for parts using your vacuum’s exact model number.
These models showcase three styles to consider if you decide to replace your vacuum: a bagless corded cylinder model, cordless stick vacuums and robot vacuums. Compare their stated features with the needs of your home. This list doesn’t determine whether you should repair your current vacuum or buy second-hand.
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This corded style means you won’t need to plan for recharging during a cleaning session, provided the cable and cylinder suit your home. Before buying, check the cleaning results for your flooring, the repairability rating and which parts are compatible with model FC9556/09.
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The cordless design makes it easy to clean different rooms without a cable getting in the way. The product name states a run time of up to 50 minutes. Check this against the mode you’ll use and the length of your cleaning sessions. Also check the charging time, replacement battery and parts available for model 202.
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This stick vacuum lets you clean without moving a cable around. Its product name states 65 kPa and a run time of up to 70 minutes, but these figures don’t tell you how well it will clean your floors or how long it will run in each mode. Check the charging time and which parts are compatible with the AZA63.
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This model combines vacuuming and mopping for automated floor care. Its product name mentions laser navigation, obstacle recognition and a docking station with hot-air drying. Before choosing it, check that it can move around your home, how it handles your rugs and what maintenance the station needs.
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This robot vacuum is designed for households that want to schedule floor cleaning and have space for its docking station. The product name states 3D obstacle avoidance and a run time of up to 180 minutes. Check that it can move around your floors, whether it’s compatible with 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi and whether the station needs dust bags.
Not necessarily. ADEME recommends looking into repair first. Have the fault confirmed and ask for a quote for your model before deciding whether to replace it.
Yes. ADEME lists vacuum cleaners among the appliances that may qualify for the Repair Bonus, subject to certain conditions. Check the current coverage and ask a certified repairer whether the repair you need is eligible.
According to France’s Ministry of the Economy, a refurbished product is a second-hand item whose functions have been fully tested. When you buy from a business, the statutory guarantee of conformity also applies to second-hand and refurbished goods. Make sure you know who the seller is and keep your sales documents.
Yes. ADEME lists corded, cordless and robot vacuum cleaners among the appliances covered in France. Check the rating for the model you’re considering, then separately confirm that parts for its exact model number are available.
Consider how it will handle your floors, rugs, furniture and obstacles, as well as the maintenance required for the robot and its docking station. UFC-Que Choisir’s test assesses factors including vacuuming on different floor types and navigation. A single power rating won’t answer these questions.