For regular cleaning in a large home with a mix of hard floors, rugs and upholstery, start by looking at cylinder vacuum cleaners. UFC-Que Choisir describes this type as well suited to larger homes, despite the cable, weight and storage space it requires. Then choose between a bagged or bagless model based on how you prefer to maintain it. A cordless stick vacuum is best suited to quick clean-ups, while a robot can take care of some of the manual vacuuming on accessible floors. Whatever type you choose, check how the specific model performs on your floor coverings, which accessories it includes and what day-to-day use involves.
If you regularly clean hard floors, rugs, upholstered furniture and awkward corners, how well a vacuum performs on each surface and the accessories it comes with matter more than how compact it is. UFC-Que Choisir recommends checking the floor head and accessories supplied with a cylinder vacuum.
If you want to get your vacuum out and put it away quickly, a cordless stick vacuum is worth considering. In a large home, though, compare its runtime in the mode you’ll actually use with the time it takes to clean. UFC-Que Choisir describes this type as being best suited to quick, occasional clean-ups.
A robot vacuum can take care of some routine cleaning on accessible floors. However, UFC-Que Choisir’s tests show that performance varies by floor covering. Rugs, upholstery and hard-to-reach areas may still need to be cleaned by hand.
For a large home with hard floors, rugs and upholstery, first decide what you need your vacuum to do: deep-clean, handle quick clean-ups or keep floors tidy automatically between manual cleans.
Consider it: for regular, thorough cleaning, provided you choose brushes that suit your floors and upholstery.
Bear in mind: the cable, moving the vacuum around and replacing the bags. In its tests, UFC-Que Choisir found that bagged cylinder vacuums picked up more dirt than bagless models on the floors and types of dirt tested.
Consider it: if you want a cylinder vacuum but don’t want to buy bags regularly.
Bear in mind: emptying the dust container and maintaining the filters and brushes. Don’t assume it will perform just like a bagged model.
Consider it: for frequent, quick clean-ups when being able to move around without a cable is important.
Bear in mind: runtime depends on the setting you choose. UFC-Que Choisir cautions that the maximum advertised runtime may not reflect how long the battery lasts at higher power.
Consider it: to take care of regular cleaning on accessible floors between manual cleans.
Bear in mind: preparing its route and maintaining the dust container. According to UFC-Que Choisir, performance varies depending on factors including the type of floor.
| Feature | What to check | Who it’s for |
|---|---|---|
| Cleaning different surfaces | Look up test results for the model on your floors and rugs, and check which brushes and upholstery accessories are included. | When rugs, hard floors and the sofa all need a thorough clean, I want a vacuum that works well on each one. Around 36% of consumers put cleaning different surfaces at the top of their list. |
| Ease of handling and reach | Check the weight and reach of a corded model, or the runtime of a stick vacuum in the setting you’ll use. | If I’m moving from room to room for a long time, carrying the vacuum around and having to stop are my main concerns. Ease of handling and uninterrupted use are priorities for around 29% of consumers. |
| Maintenance and consumables | Find out which bags, filters, brushes and batteries you’ll need, then check they’re available for the model you’re considering. | If I use a vacuum regularly, I’d rather know what maintenance it needs. Around 21% of consumers make this their top buying priority. |
| Automated cleaning | Check test results on your floor coverings, how well it navigates around obstacles and how often the dust container needs emptying. | Between full cleans, I’d like a robot to take care of accessible floors without relying on it for upholstery. This is the main need for around 14% of consumers. |
Motor power alone doesn’t tell you how well a vacuum will clean. UFC-Que Choisir also looks at the design of the floor head and tests performance on different floors and types of dirt separately.
Compare test results for the exact model on your floor coverings, and check which brushes and nozzles are included.
According to UFC-Que Choisir, the maximum advertised runtime is based on the lowest power setting. The runtime when cleaning rugs may therefore be different.
Look for a runtime figure for the setting you’ll need and compare it with how long it takes to clean your home.
Bags, dust containers, filters, brushes and batteries all need different kinds of attention, depending on the vacuum. Keeping your model in use also depends on whether compatible replacement parts are available.
Before you choose, find out the reference numbers for the consumables and parts for the exact model, and check they’re available.
UFC-Que Choisir’s tests show that robot vacuum performance varies by floor type. You’ll still need to empty the dust container, and cleaning upholstery and hard-to-reach areas needs to be considered separately.
Think of a robot as a helping hand unless its performance on your rugs and navigation around your home meet your needs.
This selection includes a bagged cylinder vacuum for thorough cleaning, cordless stick vacuums for manual clean-ups and a robot vacuum to consider as a supplement. Check the performance and accessories of the model that best matches your priorities.
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Worth considering if you prefer to move around without a cable when cleaning by hand. The Joybuy product listing states that it has a removable battery and offers up to 60 minutes of runtime. Check how long it lasts in the setting you need for your rugs, and how well it performs on your different floors.
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A bagged cylinder vacuum is worth considering for thorough cleaning in a large home. For this specific model, check test results on your rugs and hard floors, the accessories included and the availability of compatible bags. You’ll also need to move a corded appliance around as you clean.
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Consider this stick vacuum for cleaning hard floors and rugs without a cable if managing the dust container is an important factor for you. The Joybuy product listing states that it comes with an emptying station and offers 27 kPa of suction. Check the runtime at the setting you’ll use, how it performs on your floor coverings and what maintenance the station needs.
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Consider this cordless model if easy storage and frequent manual clean-ups are priorities for you. The Joybuy product listing states that it comes with a wall-mounted charging dock and offers up to 80 minutes of runtime. Check how long it lasts in the setting you’ll use on rugs, as well as which accessories are included for upholstery.
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Consider this robot vacuum for regular cleaning on accessible floors, alongside manual cleaning of upholstery and hard-to-reach areas. The Joybuy product listing states that it can avoid obstacles and offers 180 minutes of operating time. Check how it performs on your rugs and how much of your home it can cover in your layout.
Look up test results for the exact model on the floor coverings in your home, then check its brushes and accessories. UFC-Que Choisir tests different floors and types of dirt separately, so the wattage alone doesn’t tell the whole story.
A bagged cylinder vacuum is worth considering if thorough cleaning is your priority. UFC-Que Choisir found that bagged models picked up more dirt than bagless ones on the floors and types of dirt in its tests. A bagless model saves you from buying bags regularly, but you’ll need to empty the dust container and maintain the filters and brushes. Either way, compare test results for the specific models on your floor coverings.
It may be suitable if its runtime at the setting you need and its performance on your floors are enough to cover a full clean. UFC-Que Choisir sees stick vacuums as more of a handy extra. Don’t assume the maximum advertised runtime is how long it will last on the setting you use for rugs.
Don’t automatically expect a robot vacuum to replace manual cleaning of rugs, upholstery and hard-to-reach areas. UFC-Que Choisir finds that performance varies by floor type. Check test results for the model on your rugs, and make sure you have another way to clean the surfaces it can’t cover.