For regular cleaning in a large home, a cylinder vacuum is a good place to start. According to Que Choisir, bagged models vacuum more effectively than bagless ones and expose you to less dust. A bagless model may suit you if you’re happy to clean the dust container and filters. A cordless stick is mainly for quick clean-ups and stairs. Before choosing one as your main vacuum, check that its battery life in the mode you’ll use is long enough to clean your whole home.
If your home has hard floors, rugs or fitted carpets, start by checking that the brushes suit each surface and that the vacuum has enough reach. Que Choisir suggests considering a cylinder vacuum for larger areas, while also advising you to factor in its weight.
For rugs, fitted carpets and sofas, check test results for those surfaces and see which brush comes with the specific model. A brush advertised for pet hair isn’t enough on its own to prove how well it performs.
A cordless stick can be handy for quick clean-ups, as it’s easier to carry and use on stairs. Before using one to clean your whole home, compare its battery life in the mode you need with the time it takes to do your usual clean.
Consider it: for regular cleaning across several rooms, especially if you have rugs or want to limit handling dust.
The trade-off: you’ll need to move a mains-powered appliance around and find bags that fit its model number.
Consider it: if you’d rather not buy bags regularly but still want a cylinder vacuum for cleaning your whole home.
The trade-off: you’ll need to empty the dust container and maintain the filters. In its tests, Que Choisir found that bagless models didn’t vacuum as effectively or limit dust exposure as well as bagged models.
Consider it: for stairs, furniture and quick clean-ups, or as your only vacuum if its battery life in the mode you need is enough to clean your whole home.
The trade-off: battery life depends on the power setting, and you’ll also need to be able to replace the battery with a compatible one.
| Factor | What to check | My needs |
|---|---|---|
| Floors and upholstery | Compare test results for your types of flooring and check which brushes are included for rugs, hard floors and upholstery. | I clean several rooms, including rugs or fitted carpets. A quoted power rating alone doesn’t tell me how well the vacuum will perform on these surfaces. |
| Dust collection and maintenance | Check how to empty the dust container or replace the bag, then look at the filter model and maintenance requirements. In its tests, Que Choisir found that bagged cylinder vacuums resulted in less dust exposure. | I want to limit the amount of dust I handle and make sure I can find the right consumables for my vacuum. |
| Moving it around | Check the weight you’ll need to carry, the reach of a cylinder vacuum and, for a cordless stick, its battery life in the mode you’ll use. | Stairs and moving between rooms are part of my cleaning routine. I want to finish without having to stop repeatedly. |
| Spare parts and repairability | Look for bags, filters, brushes and, for a cordless stick, a battery that matches the exact model number. Also check the repairability index for the model you’re considering. | I want to be able to maintain my vacuum over time, without assuming that a part for the same brand will fit. |
Battery life can be much shorter on the most powerful setting. Que Choisir reports an average of around ten minutes at full power for the cordless sticks included in its comparison.
Work out how long your cleaning usually takes, then check the model’s battery life in the setting you’d use on rugs and pet hair. Also check which replacement battery fits its model number.
In its tests of cylinder vacuums, Que Choisir found that bagged models vacuumed more effectively and resulted in less dust exposure.
Choose a bagless model if you’re happy to maintain the dust container and filters, then compare relevant test results for your floors rather than judging performance by the dust collection system alone.
Rowenta, Bosch and Miele list compatible accessories by model or model number. A brush designed for a different variant may not be suitable for your rugs or stairs.
Note down the full model number before looking for bags, filters and brushes. For a cordless stick, check that the battery and charger are compatible too.
The index tells you about repairability, not how well the vacuum cleans your rugs, how easy it is to carry up stairs or which accessories are included.
Use it to compare the repairability of models that already meet your needs, and check their performance on the surfaces in question separately.
Worth considering if you’re comparing bagged cylinder vacuums and want to look up accessories by appliance model number.
Worth considering if finding spare parts by model number is one of your priorities.
Worth considering if you want to match a bagged cylinder vacuum with consumables designed for its model range.
Worth considering if you’re looking at a cordless stick and want to find its parts by model.
This bagged cylinder vacuum is an option if you’re looking for a main appliance to clean a large home. Check that its brushes, reach and weight are right for your floors and the rooms you need to cover.
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Its bagged cylinder design makes it an option for regular cleaning across several rooms. Before ordering, check that the included brushes suit your floors, that its reach is long enough for the areas you need to cover, and that the bags and filters match model EB61C4OG.
Yes, if its battery lasts long enough in the mode you actually need to clean every room, and its brushes suit your floors. However, Que Choisir describes cordless sticks mainly as supplementary appliances and reports an average battery life of around ten minutes at full power in its comparison. Before relying on one as your only vacuum, work out how long you’ll need to clean your rugs and stairs.
First, note down the full model number, then search for it in the manufacturer’s catalogue. Miele matches bags to model ranges, Rowenta offers a search by service model number, and Bosch uses the E-Nr. number, among others. Also check whether the brush you want is included or compatible.
Compare test results for the rugs you have and check which accessories are designed for stairs and upholstery. If you’re considering a cordless stick for these areas, also check its battery life in the mode you’ll use and find out which replacement battery fits the model.