For regular cleaning across a large home, start by comparing cylinder vacuum cleaners on the floors in your home. Their mains-powered operation means you don’t have to rely on a battery, but their weight and cable matter in everyday use. A cordless stick vacuum can be your main appliance if its runtime in the mode you need and the compatibility of a second battery cover your cleaning route. A robot is better suited to additional cleaning runs in uncluttered areas.
If you move from hard floors to rugs and then on to furniture, start by looking at cylinder vacuum cleaners and their accessories. Que Choisir describes this type of appliance as suitable for large homes, while noting its weight. Suction performance should still be compared by model and floor type.
If moving a cylinder vacuum around or managing its cable is a nuisance, a cordless stick vacuum is worth considering. To use one as your main appliance, check its runtime in the mode you use, its performance on your rugs and whether a second battery is compatible.
A robot can take care of cleaning runs in uncluttered areas between more thorough cleans. However, Que Choisir notes that performance varies by floor type. Keep an appliance with the right accessories for furniture and awkward corners.
Start by deciding what you need the appliance to do: handle all your cleaning, make it easier to move around or complement your manual cleaning routine.
Consider it: for mains-powered everyday cleaning, especially if you’d rather replace a bag than empty a dust container.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to manage the cable, move the vacuum around and replace the bags.
Consider it: if you’d rather empty a dust container and don’t mind cleaning the container and filters.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to handle the dust when emptying it, as well as manage the cable.
Consider it: if you prefer to move around without a cable and can finish your cleaning route with the runtime actually available.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to recharge it between sessions. To use it for longer, you’ll need a compatible, charged second battery.
Consider it: to automate cleaning runs in uncluttered spaces between more thorough cleans.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to maintain its dust container and keep another appliance for furniture and other hard-to-reach areas.
| Criteria | What to check | What I need |
|---|---|---|
| Uninterrupted cleaning | For a cylinder vacuum, compare the operating radius and where your plug sockets are. For a stick vacuum, check runtime by mode, charging time and the model number of any compatible second battery. | I want to clean the rooms without having to change sockets several times or stop to recharge. |
| Floor types | Compare tests carried out using the same method on hard floors, parquet gaps, rugs and fibres. Que Choisir assesses several of these surfaces separately in its cylinder vacuum test protocols. | My rugs and hard floors both need to be taken into account. A quoted power rating alone doesn’t tell me how well the vacuum will clean each surface. |
| Handling | Check the weight, how easy the appliance is to move and how the cable is managed. Confirm which accessories are included for furniture, upholstery, corners and higher surfaces. | When I move from room to furniture or stairs, I want to be able to handle the appliance easily and reach those surfaces. |
| Maintenance | Check how to replace the bag or empty the dust container, access the filters and clean the brushes. Find out which consumables and parts are compatible with the exact model. | Emptying and maintenance should suit the way I use the appliance, especially after a thorough clean. |
A quoted power figure is no substitute for suction test results on the floor coverings in your home. Que Choisir tests cylinder vacuums on surfaces including carpet, tiles and parquet.
Compare results from tests carried out using the same method, and check which brush is supplied with the version you’ve chosen.
Usable runtime depends on the mode you choose. An additional battery will only extend your cleaning session if it’s compatible and charged.
Work out how long your cleaning route will take, then check the runtime in the mode suited to your floors and the exact model number of the battery.
Remember, a second battery will also need to be recharged.
A thorough clean also means replacing the bag or emptying the dust container, then maintaining the filters and brushes.
Before choosing between a bagged and bagless model, check the maintenance process and which consumables are compatible.
Que Choisir notes that robot vacuum performance varies by floor type, and assesses how well they clean along room edges and in corners separately.
Check how it performs on your floor coverings and keep an appliance suited to furniture, upholstery and areas it can’t reach.
One bagged cylinder vacuum worth a look is the RO6179EA.
Miele’s range of bagged cylinder vacuums may appeal to households looking at accessories and cable handling.
The Gen5detect Absolute is an example of a cordless stick vacuum with a replaceable battery.
The PowerDetect Clean & Empty is worth considering if emptying the dust container is an important factor for you.
A brand to consider if you’re looking for a robot to complement your main vacuum cleaner.
This selection includes bagged and bagless cylinder vacuums for everyday cleaning, as well as cordless stick vacuums worth considering if freedom of movement matters more to you. Before relying on a stick vacuum to clean your whole home, check that its runtime suits your cleaning route.
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A bagged cylinder vacuum to consider as your main appliance for a large home. Before choosing this model, compare its performance on your floors and confirm it comes with the accessories you need for furniture and rugs, as well as compatible bags.
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Another bagged cylinder vacuum to consider for a thorough clean without relying on a battery. Its 550 W motor power alone doesn’t tell you how well it will clean rugs or parquet. Compare test results by floor type and check the accessories included with this version.
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An option for cleaning a large home without replacing bags, provided you’re happy to empty the dust container. For your rugs, hard floors and furniture, check performance on each surface and the accessories supplied with the exact model. The quoted 900 W power rating won’t tell you how well it cleans them.
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This stick vacuum is designed for moving around without a cable. Its product name states up to 65 minutes of runtime. Check how long it lasts in the mode you need for your rugs, and, if you plan to clean for longer, check the model number of a compatible second battery.
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The product name states that this stick vacuum has a removable battery and up to 60 minutes of runtime. To clean a large home from top to bottom, check the runtime in the mode you’ll use, then confirm the model number and availability of a compatible spare battery.
No. Motor power alone doesn’t tell you how well a vacuum will clean your floors. Compare suction tests for different floor coverings, then check the brushes supplied, the operating range and how easy it is to handle.
Not necessarily. Que Choisir says robot vacuum performance varies by floor type, and also assesses how well they clean along edges and in corners. To clean furniture, upholstery and other areas a robot can’t reach, make sure you have a main appliance with the right accessories.
Replace the bag or empty the dust container, and maintain the filters and brushes according to the model’s instructions. Before buying, check how easy these parts are to access and which consumables are compatible.
ADEME advises putting vacuum cleaner dust in your household rubbish, preferably in a sealed bag.
First, see whether it can be repaired, donated or sold. ADEME lists these as options for old vacuum cleaners. If the appliance has reached the end of its life, find out where to recycle electrical equipment near you.