Homes with different types of flooring
If you need to clean large areas with hard floors, rugs or fitted carpets, check that the brushes are suitable for each surface and that the vacuum is easy to move around during a full cleaning session.
Who is this type of vacuum for?
People who vacuum furniture too
For sofas, cushions and tight spaces, check which accessories come with the exact model you’re buying. A product range name doesn’t guarantee that every version includes the same nozzles.
Homes looking to make everyday cleaning easier
A stick vacuum that’s quick to grab or a robot vacuum for accessible floors can complement your main machine. The right choice depends on which areas you need to clean between full sessions.
What should you check?
For a large home, first choose the vacuum that will handle your full clean. Then decide whether a second type of machine would be useful for more frequent touch-ups.
Bagged cylinder vacuum
Consider this if: you prefer to collect dust in a bag during longer cleaning sessions.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to replace the compatible bags, as well as carry out the maintenance recommended for the model.
Bagless cylinder vacuum
Consider this if: you want a main vacuum without the regular cost of replacement bags.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to empty the container and maintain the filters.
Stick vacuum as a supplement
Consider this if: you want a machine that’s quick to grab between full cleans, particularly for the stairs.
Bear in mind: Que Choisir generally recommends this type for lighter cleaning; check its battery life in the mode you plan to use.
Robot vacuum as a supplement
Consider this if: you want to schedule frequent cleans on floors it can reach.
Bear in mind: you’ll need space for the dock and another way to vacuum furniture, upholstery and stairs.
| What to consider | What to check | My needs |
|---|---|---|
| Floor cleaning | Compare performance on the types of flooring in your home. Check which brush is supplied for hard floors and which is designed for rugs or fitted carpets. Wattage or pascals alone don’t tell you how well a vacuum will clean. | I want to clean everything from hard floors to rugs in one session, rather than just pick up a few bits of dirt. |
| Operating radius | Check the cylinder vacuum’s operating radius, the capacity of its bag or container, and how easy it is to move around your rooms. | In a large home, I’d find it frustrating to keep changing sockets or stop to empty the container. |
| Furniture and upholstery | Check that the exact model you’re buying includes an upholstery nozzle and a crevice tool. Also consider whether it can reach under your furniture. | Cushions, the sofa and tight spaces are all part of my full clean. |
| Maintenance and supplementary cleaning | For a bagged model, find out which consumables are compatible; for a bagless one, check how to empty it and maintain the filters. For a stick vacuum, check battery life in the mode you’ll use; for a robot vacuum, consider thresholds, obstacles and the needs of its dock. | A second machine could make quick clean-ups easier, but I still need to clean the areas it can’t reach. |
Which mistakes should you avoid?
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Choosing based on a single power rating
Wattage or pascals alone won’t tell you how well a vacuum will clean the different floor types in your home. Que Choisir also considers other factors, including manoeuvrability and endurance, when testing cylinder vacuums.
Identify the main types of flooring in your home and, where possible, compare test results for those surfaces, as well as the brushes supplied.
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Forgetting about bags for a bagged cylinder vacuum
You’ll need to replace the compatible bags to keep using the vacuum, and the correct type may depend on the model.
Make a note of the exact bag reference and check which filters the model requires before choosing your vacuum.
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Choosing a stick vacuum without checking its useful battery life
Que Choisir generally describes cordless stick vacuums as machines for lighter cleaning. The maximum battery life advertised won’t necessarily apply in the mode you need for a full cleaning session.
If you plan to use it for longer periods, compare battery life across the different modes, charging time and dust container capacity.
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Expecting a robot vacuum to clean every surface
Even with a dock, a robot vacuum designed for accessible floors won’t clean sofas, upholstery or stairs.
Check the thresholds, rugs and obstacles in your home, and keep a manual option for surfaces away from the floor.
A few examples from well-known brands
These examples show the different types of vacuum available. The features listed apply to the specific models named, not to every product in each brand’s range.
Miele
The Guard M1 range includes bagged cylinder vacuums designed for regular, whole-home cleaning.
- Miele states that the Guard M1 Rouge terra has an operating radius of 11 m.
- The Guard M1 uses dedicated bags, so check the correct reference and availability for the model you choose.
Rowenta
The Silence Force Cyclonic Effitech parquet model is an example of a bagless cylinder vacuum.
- Rowenta states that this model has an operating radius of 12 m.
- Going bagless still means you’ll need to empty the container and maintain the filters.
Dyson
The Gen5detect Absolute is an example of a cordless stick vacuum to consider for lighter cleaning.
- Dyson states that the Gen5detect Absolute offers up to 70 minutes of battery life; check how long it lasts in the mode you plan to use.
- Que Choisir says stick vacuums are generally intended for lighter cleaning rather than as the main vacuum.
Roborock
The Qrevo S Pro is an example of a robot vacuum for supplementary cleaning on accessible floors.
- Roborock presents this model with a multifunctional dock.
- A dock doesn’t replace manual vacuuming of furniture, upholstery and stairs.
A bagged cylinder vacuum on Joybuy
This model is a bagged cylinder vacuum for the main clean in a large home. To compare it with a bagless model or consider a second machine, refer to the guidance above on floor types, accessories and maintenance.
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Electrolux 600 EB61C4OG bagged cylinder vacuum cleaner
This bagged cylinder vacuum is designed to be your main machine, rather than a quick-clean option. For longer sessions across different floor types, check its operating radius, the brushes supplied and the reference for compatible bags. If you plan to vacuum sofas or cushions, check that it also comes with upholstery attachments.
Frequently asked questions
Can a cordless stick vacuum clean a large home on its own?
For the full clean discussed here, don’t assume it can: Que Choisir generally describes stick vacuums as machines for lighter cleaning. If you still want to use one as your main vacuum, check its battery life in the mode you need, its capacity and its suitability for all your floors. It can also be useful between sessions alongside a cylinder vacuum.
What should I check for vacuuming hard floors, rugs and a sofa?
Check that the vacuum has suitable brushes for hard floors and rugs, and that the exact model includes an upholstery nozzle. Accessories can vary between versions, so also make sure that any cleaning tests you consult cover the types of flooring in your home.
What maintenance does a bagged cylinder vacuum need?
You’ll need to replace the compatible bags and follow the model’s guidance on filter care. Note down the references for the consumables before you buy, so you can order replacements later.
Where can I take an old vacuum cleaner in France?
You can take an old vacuum cleaner to an electrical equipment recycling point, as recommended by the French Ministry for Ecological Transition. Find an accessible collection point near you rather than putting it out with your household rubbish.