Homes with rugs or carpets
If pet hair gets trapped in the fibres, check which brush is included and whether it’s designed for these surfaces before comparing power figures.
Who are these options for?
People who vacuum frequently
For quick cleans of floors, stairs or the area around your pet’s bed, consider how easy the vacuum is to handle, the accessories it comes with and the battery life in the mode you’ll use.
Households keen to minimise emptying
If you want to handle collected dirt as little as possible, look at the collection system and how easy it is to maintain the bag, bin and filters on the specific model.
Which features should you prioritise?
The right type of vacuum depends mainly on the surfaces you need to cover and how much you want to rely on manual or scheduled cleaning. UFC-Que Choisir highlights, in particular, the limited battery life of cordless stick vacuums and the need to empty robot vacuums’ bins regularly.
Bagged cylinder vacuum
Worth considering: for longer sessions across different surfaces, with a brush suited to rugs and carpets.
Bear in mind: you’ll need space to store a corded appliance and to replace the bags; how the bag is removed varies by model.
Cordless stick vacuum
Worth considering: for frequent quick cleans, especially if stairs and soft furnishings are part of your routine.
Bear in mind: battery life varies depending on the mode and accessories you use; check that it’s suitable for your carpets.
Robot vacuum as a helping hand
Worth considering: to keep accessible floors clean between manual vacuuming sessions.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to empty it regularly and still clean stairs, soft furnishings and corners separately.
| Feature | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Pet hair in carpets | The brush supplied and whether it’s designed for rugs or carpets; the instructions for removing hair from the roller. | When pet hair gets trapped in the fibres, I want a suitable floor head rather than just a power figure. Around 36% of consumers would make this their top priority. |
| Frequent quick cleans | Battery life in the mode you use, manoeuvrability and accessories for stairs or soft furnishings. | If I need to clean the areas my pet uses often, I want a vacuum that’s easy to grab without interrupting the session. This would be a priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Collecting dirt | How to remove the bag or empty the bin, and how to maintain the filters. | I’d rather handle as little dust as possible and be able to maintain the collection system easily. This would be the main concern for around 21% of consumers. |
| Scheduled cleaning | How the robot moves around your home, how it handles carpets and how to maintain the bin and brushes. | Between manual cleans, I want to reduce pet hair on accessible floors without assuming the robot will reach the stairs. Around 14% of consumers would put this extra cleaning first. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Choosing based on the power rating alone
Watts or air watts don’t tell you on their own how well the floor head will lift pet hair from a carpet.
Check which accessories are included and which surfaces they’re designed for, then look at battery life and the collection system.
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Assuming the maximum battery life will apply to carpet cleaning
The advertised battery life for a cordless stick vacuum may refer to a different mode or set-up from the one you’ll use with a brush on carpet.
Check how long the battery lasts with the mode and floor head you plan to use, then compare that with the area you need to clean.
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Expecting a robot to clean everything
According to UFC-Que Choisir, a robot vacuum’s bin needs to be emptied very regularly. Cleaning accessible floors won’t necessarily take care of stairs, soft furnishings or corners.
Think of it as an extra helper and make sure you have a manual vacuum suited to the areas it can’t clean in your home.
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Forgetting about maintenance after vacuuming
A bagged cylinder vacuum needs compatible bags, while bins and brushes also need regular maintenance.
Check the consumables, care instructions and replacement parts available for the model you choose.
Brands to consider, model by model
Miele
Worth considering if you’re looking at a bagged cylinder vacuum and rugs, carpets and cleaning reach matter to you.
- Miele says the Guard M1 Cat & Dog Flex comes with a turbo brush and an 11 m operating radius.
- Check the accessories included with the version on sale and which bags it takes; these features don’t apply to the whole range.
Rowenta
Its documented models cover several types of vacuum, so compare them individually based on the cleaning session you have in mind.
- Rowenta says the X-Force Flex 13.60 Complete Animal Kit includes a mini motorised brush, while the Power XXL Animal Care comes with a Hygiene+ bag.
- The advertised battery life of a cordless stick vacuum and the collection system of a cylinder vacuum don’t tell you which one will pick up more pet hair from your carpets.
Dyson
Worth considering if you’re looking for a bagless cordless stick vacuum for frequent quick cleans and soft furnishings.
- Dyson says the Gen5detect includes a Digital Motorbar brush and a motorised mini brush that detangles hair automatically.
- Check the accessories and filtration on the version you’re buying: Dyson’s details for this model don’t apply to all its vacuum cleaners.
Cordless stick vacuums available on Joybuy
These cordless models are mainly suited to manual cleaning of floors, rugs and soft furnishings. Before choosing one for embedded pet hair, check which brush is included and how long the battery lasts in the mode you’ll use.
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BISSELL PowerClean FurGuard Select
Worth considering for cleaning floors and stairs: the product details list a motorised floor brush and a motorised stair tool. Check the battery life with the brush and mode you plan to use on your carpets, as well as how to maintain the bin and filter.
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Daynee H75 cordless stick vacuum
Worth considering if you also clean furniture: the product details mention a pet brush and an anti-tangle floor brush. Before using it regularly on carpets, check whether the floor brush is motorised and how long the battery lasts in the mode you choose.
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Daynee AZA63 cordless stick vacuum
For floors, rugs and furniture, the product details mention a V-shaped anti-tangle floor brush and a pet hair brush. The advertised 70 min is a maximum figure: check which mode it applies to and whether the floor brush is motorised before planning a carpet-cleaning session.
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Monsga ME03 cordless stick vacuum
The product details list settings for carpets and hard floors, as well as an anti-tangle brush. However, some features are also attributed to the MV03, so check which accessories come with the ME03. The advertised 55 minutes applies to bare-floor mode, not a carpet-cleaning session.
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MONSGA X UNINELLHOME UV5 cordless stick vacuum
The product details describe settings for carpets and hard floors, along with an anti-tangle brush. Before using it on embedded pet hair or soft furnishings, check the battery life with the floor brush and the accessories actually supplied. The 65-minute figure is the advertised maximum.
Frequently asked questions
Can a robot vacuum replace a manual vacuum for pet hair?
Not necessarily if you also need to clean carpets, stairs, soft furnishings or corners. UFC-Que Choisir points out that a robot vacuum’s bin needs to be emptied very regularly. Check how it performs on your surfaces before relying on it for anything more than extra help.
What battery life should you check for a cordless stick vacuum used on carpets?
Check the battery life in the mode and with the brush you’ll use on carpets, rather than relying on the maximum figure alone. For example, Rowenta’s advertised 60 minutes for the X-Force Flex 13.60 Complete Animal Kit applies to Eco mode when used as a handheld vacuum; that set-up doesn’t reflect a session using the floor head on carpet.
Where should you dispose of a vacuum bag filled with dust?
ADEME advises disposing of dust and other waste collected by a vacuum cleaner in your household rubbish. Seal the bag before putting it in the bin.
What should you do with an old vacuum cleaner in France?
In France, first check whether it can be repaired or donated. If not, take it to a suitable collection point for electrical equipment. ADEME outlines these options for vacuum cleaners, while the ministries responsible for the ecological transition provide information about the collection scheme for this type of equipment.