For regular cleaning of floors, carpets and upholstery in a home with pets, choose a cylinder vacuum cleaner as your main appliance; Que Choisir recommends a cordless stick vacuum more as a handy extra. A bagged model is a good choice if you want to minimise contact with dust when maintaining it, while a bagless one means you won’t need to buy bags but will need to empty the bin and maintain the filters. In either case, check which brushes and tools are included for the surfaces you need to clean.
If you clean both hard floors and carpets, look at test results for each type of flooring and check which brush is included. Que Choisir’s testing protocol, for example, assesses performance on carpet, tiles and parquet flooring.
For sofas, cushions and narrow spaces, check whether the exact version you’re considering comes with an upholstery or cushion tool and a crevice tool.
The choice mainly comes down to replacing bags or emptying the bin and maintaining the filters. According to Que Choisir’s guide, bagged models expose you to less dust during maintenance.
First decide what you need the appliance to do in your home, then check that it has the right accessories for the surfaces and upholstery you actually clean.
Choose this if: you’re looking for a main appliance and want to minimise contact with dust when replacing the bag.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to replace the bags with compatible ones and maintain the filters as specified for the model.
Choose this if: you’d rather not buy bags and are happy to empty the bin as part of your cleaning routine.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to maintain the bin and filters in line with the instructions.
Choose this if: you want to quickly pick up pet hair from a small area between full cleans.
Limitation: Que Choisir sees stick vacuums as more suitable for quick top-ups than deep cleaning.
| What to check | Look for | My needs |
|---|---|---|
| Floors and carpets | Compare test results for surfaces similar to yours and check what the included brush is designed for. Que Choisir tests carpet, tiles and parquet flooring, among other surfaces; the motor’s wattage is no substitute for these results. | Pet hair gets stuck in my carpets, but I also need to clean hard floors. |
| Upholstery and crevices | Check the list of included tools, particularly those for cushions and narrow spaces. Make sure they’re compatible with the exact model you’re considering. | I want to clean the sofa and reach into crevices, not just vacuum the floor. |
| Emptying and filters | Check how to replace the bag or empty the bin, then read the filter maintenance instructions. Que Choisir’s testing protocol also takes account of clogging in some tests. | I’d rather choose a maintenance routine I can keep up with regularly. |
| Consumables | Make a note of the bag, filter and brush part numbers, then check they’re available for that specific model. An accessory made for the same brand won’t necessarily be compatible. | I’d like to be able to find the parts I need for maintenance after buying the vacuum. |
The stated wattage alone doesn’t tell you how well a vacuum will clean a carpet. Que Choisir highlights the importance of the vacuum head, among other factors.
Where available, check test results for the types of flooring in your home, then make sure the brush is suitable and the right tools are included.
You’ll need to empty the bin and maintain the filters. Que Choisir’s testing protocol also looks at loss of performance caused by a clogged bag or filters.
Before buying, check how the bin empties and follow the filter care instructions in the manual.
An incompatible bag or filter can make routine maintenance harder; the brand name alone doesn’t guarantee compatibility.
Make a note of the model and compatible consumable part numbers, then check they’re available.
Que Choisir sees stick vacuums as more suitable for quick top-ups and notes that their runtime at full power can limit longer cleaning sessions.
If you’re using one as an extra, check that its brush and runtime are suitable for the quick cleans you have in mind.
These details apply to the ranges and models mentioned, not every vacuum cleaner made by each brand.
The ProAnimal range includes both bagged and bagless cylinder vacuums; compare the accessories included with the model you’re considering.
The Guard M1 Cat & Dog Flex is a bagged model worth considering if carpets, upholstery and compatible consumables matter to you.
The French range of bagged cylinder vacuums includes models with different capacities and Animal Complete versions.
This bagged cylinder vacuum could be a good choice as your main appliance for regular floor cleaning. If you have carpets that collect a lot of pet hair or need to clean upholstery, check which accessories come with the version on offer.
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A bagged cylinder vacuum to consider for regular floor cleaning. If you also need to pick up pet hair from carpets or clean sofas, check what the included brush is designed for and whether there’s an upholstery tool. Make a note of the compatible bag part number, too.
Not always. For deep cleaning floors, carpets and upholstery, Que Choisir sees a stick vacuum as more of a handy extra. It can be useful for quick cleans between full sessions; check that its brush and runtime suit the surfaces you need to clean.
If you want to minimise contact with dust during maintenance, Que Choisir’s guide gives bagged models the edge. A bagless vacuum means you won’t need to buy bags, but you will need to empty the bin and maintain the filters as instructed.
For carpets, check that one of the included brushes is designed for that type of flooring. For sofas and cushions, look for an upholstery or cushion tool. A crevice tool helps you reach into narrow gaps. Check the accessories listed for the exact version rather than relying on a ‘pet’ label alone.
Make a note of the exact part numbers for bags and filters that are compatible with the model, then check the replacement or cleaning instructions. If you plan to use a brush for pet hair, find out how to clean it, too.