For frequent pet hair pick-ups on hard floors and small rugs, a cordless stick vacuum that’s easy to grab can be a good fit. Just check its run time in the mode you’ll use and make sure it comes with the right brush for upholstery. If you have lots of rugs and carpets, compare cylinder vacuums for your main cleaning appliance: UFC-Que Choisir found they perform better on suction across thicker floor coverings. A robot can help keep floors tidy between manual cleans, but results vary depending on the surface.
If you vacuum up pet hair in short bursts, a rechargeable stick vacuum can be handy to grab and put away. However, check its run time at the power setting you need, and make sure it has the right attachment for your upholstery.
For thorough cleaning on surfaces that trap fibres, compare cylinder vacuums and how well they perform on rugs. It’s also worth considering the choice of bag or bin if you’ll be emptying the appliance often.
A robot can clean regularly between manual vacuuming sessions. Check how it performs on your floors, and remember to maintain its brushes and dust container.
First, choose your main appliance to suit your floors and cleaning routine. Then check separately for the attachments you’ll need for sofas and other upholstery.
Worth considering: for frequent, quick cleans, especially on hard floors and small rugs.
Bear in mind: run time at high power may limit longer cleaning sessions. UFC-Que Choisir reports an average of around ten minutes at full power for stick vacuums.
Worth considering: as your main appliance if rugs, carpets or lots of fibres need a thorough clean.
Bear in mind: you’ll need more storage space, and it may be less convenient for quick pick-ups than a stick vacuum.
Worth considering: for scheduling regular floor cleans between manual vacuuming sessions.
Bear in mind: UFC-Que Choisir found that results vary depending on the floor. A robot won’t clean your sofa, and its brushes need checking.
| What to consider | What to check | Think about your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Frequent cleaning | Check how easy it is to manoeuvre and store. For a stick vacuum, check its run time in the mode you’ll actually use. | I want to be able to quickly vacuum pet hair from hard floors and high-traffic areas. |
| Rugs and carpets | Look for test results on how well the vacuum removes fibres from the types of flooring you have. UFC-Que Choisir tests cylinder vacuums on several surfaces and with fibres; a stated power rating alone doesn’t tell you how well it will perform. | My rugs trap pet hair, so my main vacuum needs to work well on these surfaces, not just smooth floors. |
| Sofas and seats | Check whether it comes with an upholstery brush or mini motorised brush, whether it’s compatible with the exact model, and how to clean its roller. | Pet hair also gathers on my sofa or in the car, so I need an attachment that’s suitable for upholstery. |
| Dust collection and maintenance | Compare bags and bins, their capacity and what’s involved in emptying them. Check that the brushes are easy to access so you can remove tangled hair. | If I vacuum often, I want to be able to empty the appliance and maintain its brushes without making every clean a chore. |
| Automated cleaning | For a robot, check its performance on rugs and hard floors, scheduling options, and how to maintain its bin and brushes. | I’d like to keep floors from getting too hairy between more thorough cleans, without relying on the robot for upholstery. |
Run time at full power can be much shorter: UFC-Que Choisir reports an average of around ten minutes for stick vacuums in this mode.
Compare run time using the brush and setting you plan to use, and consider how it fits with the length of your cleaning sessions.
According to UFC-Que Choisir, robot vacuum results vary depending on the floor. They won’t clean sofas, and their brushes also need maintaining.
Plan to use a manual appliance or attachment for upholstery, and check how the robot performs on your rugs before relying on it to maintain your floors.
For cleaning sofas, armchairs or car seats, what matters is whether the right compatible brush is actually included. Hair can also wrap around its roller.
Check the box contents for the exact model and read the instructions for cleaning the brush.
Brushes, filters and, for a cordless appliance, the battery all affect the maintenance you’ll need to carry out over time.
Compare the repairability rating if one is shown, and check which parts are available for the specific model.
These examples show different formats and features to compare. A feature found on one model won’t necessarily be available across the entire brand range.
The X-Force Flex 14.80 Animal RH9B74WO is an example of a cordless stick vacuum designed with upholstery care in mind.
The BGS41PET1 is an example of a bagless cylinder vacuum in the ProAnimal range.
The Roomba Max 705 Vac + Base AutoEmpty is an example of a robot designed for regular floor cleaning.
This selection includes four stick vacuums for manual cleaning and a robot for floor care. Compare their features with your rugs and upholstery in mind: this list doesn’t replace choosing the right type of main vacuum cleaner.
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An option for frequent manual floor cleaning. The product title lists 60,000 Pa, up to 65 min run time and a self-standing design. Check the run time in the mode you need for your rugs, along with the attachments included for upholstery.
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Worth considering if you’d like to store your stick vacuum upright after cleaning the floors. The product title lists 45,000 Pa, up to 60 min run time, a removable battery and a self-standing design. Check its run time at the power setting you’ll use, and see which brush is included for upholstery.
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A stick vacuum to compare for targeted floor cleaning. The product title mentions two speeds, a removable battery and an LED display. If you also vacuum sofas or cushions, check which attachments are compatible and what’s included in the box.
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Worth considering if emptying the dust container is an important part of your floor-care routine. The product title lists 27kPa, an anti-tangle brush, a charging station with automatic emptying and a self-standing design. Check the run time in the mode you’ll use, and see which attachments are available for furniture.
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An option for scheduling floor cleaning between manual vacuuming sessions, without replacing vacuuming the sofas. The product title lists 4000Pa, laser navigation, 5-stage mapping and app control. Check how it performs on your rugs and how to maintain its brush.
Not in every case: UFC-Que Choisir reports that robot vacuum results vary depending on the floor. Consider one for regular floor cleaning, then think about how you’ll clean tricky rugs, stairs and upholstery.
Check whether an upholstery brush or mini motorised brush compatible with the exact model is included or available. Rowenta, for example, lists an LED mini motorised brush with its X-Force Flex 14.80 Animal. Also check the instructions for cleaning the roller.
Yes. Check it according to the appliance instructions. iRobot’s support documentation warns that excessive hair build-up can damage some Roomba models. An anti-tangle feature doesn’t mean you can skip maintenance.
No: compare the run time using the setting and brush you’ll use on your rugs. UFC-Que Choisir reports an average run time of around ten minutes at full power for stick vacuums, which could affect your choice if you have a long cleaning session ahead.