For the main clean in a large home with carpets, hard floors and pet hair, a bagged cylinder vacuum is worth considering first: Que Choisir reports that bagged models perform better than bagless ones in its general tests. A bagless model is still an option if you’d rather empty a dust container than use bags, provided you’re happy to maintain the filters. In either case, check how the specific model performs on your floors and whether it comes with a brush suited to upholstery.
You’re looking for a main vacuum to clean hard floors and carpets across several rooms. The operating radius, dust capacity and ease of moving the vacuum around matter just as much as the type of dust collection. Que Choisir describes cylinder vacuums as suitable for larger homes, while noting that they’re less manoeuvrable than stick vacuums.
If pet hair builds up in carpets, rugs or upholstery, check the brush supplied with the exact model. Que Choisir’s testing protocol includes a test to see how well the vacuum removes fibres designed to mimic pet hair from carpets: a “pet” label is no substitute for these results.
You want to be able to find bags, filters, brushes and other parts that are compatible with your model. For a vacuum sold in France, the repairability index can also help you compare applicable models; you’ll still need to check whether the parts you might need are available.
Consider this if: you prioritise cleaning performance on carpets and hard floors; Que Choisir ranks bagged models ahead of bagless ones in its general tests.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to find the right replacement bags for your appliance.
Consider this if: you’d rather empty a dust container and want to compare how a specific model performs on your floors.
Bear in mind: you’ll still need to empty the container and maintain the filters, even without bags.
| What matters | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Cleaning different floor types | Results for the exact model on carpets and hard floors; brushes supplied or compatible with each surface. | If carpets trap fibres while the other rooms have hard floors, you’ll want to know what the same appliance can actually remove from each surface. Around 36% of consumers prioritise cleaning different surfaces and removing fibres. |
| Dust collection and filters | Type of dust collection; filter maintenance and compatible consumable part numbers. | If you clean often, the way you change the bag or empty the container needs to suit the routine you’re happy to follow. Managing dust and filters is the main concern for around 29% of consumers. |
| Moving around your home | Operating radius, dust capacity and appliance weight. | When cleaning several rooms, you’ll want to minimise plug changes and interruptions without choosing an appliance that’s difficult to move. Around 21% of consumers put ease of cleaning at the top of their list. |
| Maintenance and spare parts | Applicable repairability index; availability of bags, filters, brushes and hoses for the exact model. | To keep your appliance in working order, you’ll want to find consumables and parts that match your model precisely. Ongoing maintenance is the priority for around 14% of consumers. |
Electrical power alone doesn’t tell you how well a vacuum will remove dirt from a carpet. Que Choisir highlights the importance of the floorhead and tests performance on different surfaces separately.
Compare results for the exact model on carpets and hard floors, then check which brushes are supplied before focusing on the stated wattage.
Carpet fibres are assessed in a separate test in Que Choisir’s testing protocol. Whether a turbo brush or mini turbo brush is included depends on the exact model and what comes in the box.
Check whether an upholstery brush is included or compatible with the exact model, particularly if pet hair gets embedded in carpets or soft furnishings.
If the brush is sold separately, you’ll need to choose and buy it before you can use it.
Emptying the container doesn’t replace filter care. Cleaning, drying and replacement instructions vary by model; Rowenta, for example, provides guidance for its filtration kits.
Read the manual for the model you’re considering and make sure its maintenance routine suits you.
A washed filter may need to dry completely before you put it back, so you’ll need to allow for a break in use.
France’s repairability index gives an indication of how repairable an applicable vacuum is, but it doesn’t confirm that a particular brush or hose will be available. Bosch, for example, uses the product’s E-Nr. to help you find spare parts.
Make a note of the appliance’s full model number and look up the matching parts and consumables before you choose.
The range includes bagged and bagless cylinder vacuums, as well as some models designed for homes with pets.
The Guard M1 Cat & Dog is an example of a bagged cylinder vacuum to consider if carpets and pet hair are part of your regular cleaning routine.
The ProAnimal range and bagless cylinder vacuums are worth comparing if you want to look at their accessories and maintenance requirements.
These two bagged cylinder vacuums are suited to shoppers looking for a main appliance for several rooms and different floor types. If pet hair on carpets or upholstery is a deciding factor, also check the cleaning results for the exact model and what comes in the box.
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Worth considering for the main clean in a large home with carpets and hard floors. A turbo brush is listed for this model: confirm that it’s included in the box, then compare how the exact model performs on embedded fibres and look for compatible bags and filters.
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Worth considering for cleaning several rooms with a bagged cylinder vacuum. If carpets covered in pet hair are a priority, check the results for the EB61C2GRN specifically and confirm what comes in the box, as well as whether an upholstery brush is compatible; motor wattage alone won’t tell you enough.
Look for results for the exact model on each type of floor and on embedded fibres, then check which brushes are supplied or compatible. Que Choisir’s testing protocol distinguishes between carpet, tiles, parquet and fibres designed to mimic pet hair; a single stated motor wattage doesn’t tell you how the vacuum performs on all of these.
A bagged cylinder vacuum is worth considering first if deep cleaning is your priority: Que Choisir reports that this category outperforms bagless models in its general tests. If you prefer a dust container, still compare the results for the exact model and make sure you’re happy with emptying it and maintaining the filters.
Find the exact part numbers for the bags, filters and brushes, then check they’re compatible and available for the appliance you’re considering. Read the manual too: it explains the maintenance steps and, depending on the filter, any drying or replacement requirements.
Yes, for vacuum cleaners covered by France’s labelling rules: according to the ministry responsible for the ecological transition, the index indicates how repairable a product is. Compare the index for the models you’re considering, then separately look for any compatible parts you might need.