Who is this choice for?

Homes with different floor coverings

If your main clean covers a large area, including hard floors, rugs and furniture, compare each model’s reach and the accessories suited to these different tasks.

Households mindful of handling dust

The dust collection system matters just as much as the filter. Que Choisir says bagged cylinder vacuums expose you to less dust during maintenance.

Households that also want to clean quickly

A cordless stick vacuum can come in handy between full cleans, for a few crumbs or a small area, without having to handle all the cleaning in a larger home on its own.

Which features should you compare?

Bagged cylinder vacuum

Choose this if: you want a main vacuum cleaner and would rather handle less dust when emptying it, as recommended in Que Choisir’s guide.

Bear in mind: you’ll need to replace the bags, and move and store a corded appliance.

Bagless cylinder vacuum

Choose this if: you’d rather empty a bin than replace bags for your main cleaning.

Bear in mind: you’ll handle dust when emptying the bin and need to maintain the filters. Que Choisir says bagged models expose you to less dust.

Cordless stick vacuum as a second cleaner

Choose this if: you want to clean a small area quickly between thorough cleans.

Limitation: Que Choisir recommends stick vacuums mainly for quick clean-ups and notes that they offer less suction, particularly on rugs and thick carpets.

Feature What to check What I need
Floors and fabrics Check the available results for each type of floor covering, along with the floorhead and the brushes actually included. Motor wattage alone isn’t enough to judge cleaning performance, according to Que Choisir. Do my rugs, hard floors and furniture need different brushes? I want to check how well the vacuum performs on the surfaces I actually clean.
Capacity and reach Compare the bag or bin capacity in litres and the operating radius in metres, then consider how easy the vacuum is to manoeuvre between rooms. In a large room, or where sockets are far apart, I’d rather avoid changing sockets and stopping to empty the bin too often.
Dust and filtration Compare changing a bag with the process for emptying the bin. Check the filter for the exact model and follow its maintenance instructions. If I want to handle less dust, a bagged model appeals to me: Que Choisir says bagged cylinder vacuums expose you to less dust.
Consumables Note down the compatible bag or filter references, replacement instructions, and whether brushes and wear parts are available. I want to be able to maintain my vacuum and find parts that fit the model I choose, whether it has a bag or a bin.

What pitfalls should you avoid?

  • Choosing based only on motor wattage

    Rated power alone doesn’t tell you how well a vacuum will clean rugs, hard floors or fabrics. Que Choisir also highlights the importance of the floorhead.

    Make a note of your floor coverings, then compare the brushes included and, where available, test results for similar surfaces.

  • Forgetting about bagless maintenance

    A bin means no bags to replace, but you’ll still need to empty it and maintain the filters. Instructions vary by model.

    Check the references for compatible filters and accessories, along with the manufacturer’s instructions for the vacuum you’re considering.

  • Underestimating capacity and reach

    A small capacity can mean more frequent emptying or bag changes, while a short operating radius may mean changing sockets more often in a larger home.

    Make a note of the sockets and rooms you need to clean, then compare these routes with each model’s stated capacity and operating radius.

  • Relying on a quick-clean stick vacuum for every thorough clean

    Que Choisir recommends cordless stick vacuums mainly for quick clean-ups and notes their limitations in battery life and suction, particularly on thick rugs.

    If thoroughly cleaning a large area is your priority, compare cylinder vacuums first; then consider a stick vacuum for quick clean-ups.

Which brands should you consider?

These examples relate to specific models: the features of one range won’t necessarily apply to every appliance from that brand.

Bosch

The BGL38WH3H and BGL8PET2 bagged cylinder vacuums give you two different capacities and operating radii to compare for corded cleaning.

  • Bosch lists a 4,0 L capacity and 10 m operating radius for the BGL38WH3H. For the BGL8PET2, the brand gives a 5,0 L capacity, 15 m operating radius and an AirTurbo Plus turbo brush.
  • Check which brushes and bags fit the model you choose. These stated features alone don’t measure how well it will clean your rugs or fabrics.

Rowenta

The RO7935EA is an example of a bagless cylinder vacuum to consider if operating radius and accessories for floors and furniture matter to you.

  • Rowenta lists a 2,5 L bin, a 12 m operating radius, a parquet floor brush and an upholstery nozzle for this model.
  • The bin needs emptying and the filters need maintaining. Check the instructions and accessories for the exact model you choose.

Electrolux

The EL51C2SW bagless cylinder vacuum offers another set of features to compare with the size of your rooms and the floor coverings in your home.

  • Electrolux lists a 2 L bin, a 9 m operating radius, HEPA filtration and an all-floor brush for the EL51C2SW.
  • Electrolux publishes dust pick-up results for this model by floor type. Bear the test conditions in mind before comparing it with another vacuum.

A bagged cylinder vacuum cleaner on Joybuy

This bagged model may suit you if you’re looking for a main vacuum cleaner for a larger home. To decide whether it’s right for your floor coverings, check its accessories and specific features rather than assuming it has the same performance as another Electrolux vacuum.

Electrolux 600 EB61C4OG bagged cylinder vacuum cleaner

Electrolux 600 EB61C4OG, bagged cylinder vacuum cleaner

This bagged cylinder vacuum could be a good option for the main clean in a larger home. Before choosing it, check which brushes are included for your floors and rugs, and find out which bags and filters are compatible with the EB61C4OG.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Can a cordless stick vacuum handle all the cleaning in a larger home?

For a thorough main clean, it’s better to compare cylinder vacuums: Que Choisir describes them as suitable for larger areas, while cordless stick vacuums are better suited to quick clean-ups. A stick vacuum can come in handy for small areas that need a quick clean between full sessions.

Bagged or bagless: which means handling less dust?

A bagged cylinder vacuum is the better choice for this. According to Que Choisir, it exposes you to less dust. With a bagless model, check how the bin is emptied and read the filter maintenance instructions for the specific model.

Is motor wattage enough to compare two vacuum cleaners?

No. Que Choisir points out that useful suction power and the design of the floorhead matter more than motor wattage alone. Compare the available results for each floor type and check which brushes you’ll need for your rugs and fabrics.

Where should you dispose of vacuum dust in France?

ADEME advises putting vacuum dust and waste in household rubbish, preferably in a sealed bag, as it can contain synthetic fibres and other debris.