If pet hair builds up on carpets as well as fabrics, start by choosing a floor head and attachments suited to these surfaces. Then pick a format that fits your cleaning routine. A bagged cylinder vacuum can serve as your main appliance, a cordless stick vacuum makes quick clean-ups easier, and a robot can automate some floor cleaning, but it won’t clean sofas or stairs on its own. Que Choisir highlights the differences in use and maintenance between these formats.
If pet hair also settles on the sofa or your pet’s bed, check how each appliance performs on different surfaces and which attachments are included. Que Choisir distinguishes between performance on rugs and carpets and performance on hard floors.
An appliance that’s easy to get out and put away may be better suited to quick clean-ups. If you’re choosing a cordless stick vacuum, however, compare the stated battery life with the power mode you’ll need, and remember to clean the brush roll.
A robot can take care of regular cleaning on accessible floors. You’ll still need to empty its bin, clean its brushes and keep another solution for fabrics and areas it can’t reach.
Start with the surfaces where pet hair builds up, then decide whether you mainly need a primary cleaner, a quick-clean option or automated floor cleaning. Whether you choose a cylinder vacuum with or without a bag, a stick vacuum or a robot, also consider how much maintenance you’re prepared to do. Make sure any upholstery brush is compatible with the appliance you choose.
| Feature | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| A variety of floors and fabrics | Performance on your types of flooring; a floor head and upholstery attachment compatible with the exact model. | When pet hair ends up on rugs, carpets and the sofa, I want to be able to clean all these surfaces with one appliance and the right attachments. Around 33% of consumers put cleaning multiple surfaces at the top of their list. |
| Frequent clean-ups | Ease of use and storage; battery life at the power setting you need if you choose a stick vacuum. | If I need to quickly remove visible pet hair throughout the day, being able to get the appliance out easily matters more to me than automating the cleaning. Around 27% of consumers prioritise ease of quick clean-ups. |
| Automated floor cleaning | Surfaces the robot can access; emptying the bin and maintaining the brushes. | I want to cut down on manual cleaning on clear floors, while keeping a solution for furniture and stairs. Around 20% of consumers put automated floor cleaning first. |
| Maintenance and consumables | Access to the filter, brushes and battery, where applicable; availability of replacement parts and any bags. | Before choosing a format, I want to know how often I’ll need to empty the bin or change the bag, and whether I’ll be able to maintain the appliance. Around 20% of consumers prioritise these maintenance requirements. |
These claims alone don’t tell you how the appliance will perform on your rugs or fabrics. Que Choisir emphasises the importance of the floor head when choosing a vacuum cleaner.
List the surfaces you need to clean, then check the relevant test results, the attachments included and whether the brushes are compatible with the exact model.
The maximum stated battery life for a cordless stick vacuum doesn’t necessarily reflect how long it can clean a carpet at high power. Que Choisir says that stated battery life is generally measured at a low power setting.
Check which mode the stated run time refers to, then compare it with the surfaces you need to clean and the charging time.
Automated movement doesn’t eliminate the need to empty the bin or clean the brushes. For some Roomba series, iRobot recommends checking the brushes more often in homes with pets.
Check the instructions for the exact model and confirm the part numbers for filters, brushes and other consumables.
Depending on the model, you’ll also need to replace filters, brushes or extractors periodically, in addition to regular cleaning.
A battery, filter or brush that’s difficult to replace can affect your choice, even if the appliance meets your immediate needs.
If you’re buying a new vacuum cleaner in France, compare the repairability index and separately check the availability of the parts and consumables you’ll need.
The brand offers stick vacuums with accessories for homes with pets, as well as robots supplied with maintenance parts.
The range includes cordless stick vacuums with features designed to prevent hair from wrapping around the brush.
According to Bosch, the ProAnimal range is available in several formats, both corded and cordless, and with or without a bag.
Roomba robots are designed for homes looking to schedule some of their floor cleaning.
These models suit two different needs: cordless stick vacuums for manual clean-ups and a robot for automated floor cleaning. For rugs and fabrics, check the brushes and accessories supplied with the model you choose rather than relying solely on claims about pet hair.
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Worth considering for frequent manual cleaning of floors. If you also need to clean fabrics, check which accessories are included. The product title states up to 65 min of battery life: check the run time for your chosen power mode, as well as the part numbers for the filters and battery.
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Its cordless design makes it handy for quick clean-ups. If you want to clean the sofa or car, check which attachments are included. The product title mentions a removable battery and up to 60 min of battery life, but doesn’t specify how this was measured. Also check the instructions before vacuuming anything other than everyday dust and pet hair.
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Worth considering for manual clean-ups in a home with pets. If stairs or fabrics are a priority, check exactly which attachments are included. Also make sure you can access the bin, filter and brush for maintenance.
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Its design suits anyone who wants to store the appliance between quick clean-ups. The product title states up to 45 min of battery life. Check which mode this refers to and which attachments are actually included if you plan to clean fabrics.
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Worth considering for scheduled cleaning of accessible floors, while keeping a manual appliance for sofas and stairs. The product title mentions an anti-tangle brush and app control. Check the maintenance requirements for both the robot and its station. Also confirm the power rating for the exact model before comparing it with other appliances.
Not necessarily: a robot automates cleaning on accessible floors, but it won’t clean sofas, pet beds or stairs on its own. Que Choisir also says that results vary depending on the floor type, so compare the robot’s performance with the surfaces you actually need to clean.
Follow the instructions for the exact model. For some Roomba series, iRobot recommends cleaning the brushes twice a week in homes with pets. This schedule doesn’t automatically apply to other robots.
A bagged model requires you to replace the bags, while a bagless model needs its bin emptied. Que Choisir says that the bagged cylinder vacuums in its guide clean better than bagless models and expose users to less dust. In either case, check how to maintain the filter and brushes.
If you’re buying a new vacuum cleaner in France, compare the repairability index: the ministry responsible for ecological transition includes vacuum cleaners among the product categories covered. Also check the part numbers and availability of filters, brushes, batteries and any other parts required for the model you’re considering.