If pet hair gets embedded in carpets and also gathers on sofas, start by considering a main vacuum cleaner with a suitable brush and an upholstery tool. A cordless stick vacuum makes quick clean-ups easier, while a robot mainly automates floor care; a floor washer is designed for a different task: wet cleaning hard floors. Whatever the type, check how it performs on your surfaces, which accessories are included, and how to maintain the brushes and consumables.
If pet hair stays in carpets, rugs or sofas, look for a main appliance and accessories suited to these surfaces, rather than something that simply picks up dirt from hard floors. UFC-Que Choisir uses fibres designed to simulate pet hair in its tests of cylinder vacuum cleaners.
For areas around your pet’s bed, stairs or hard floors, you may prefer an appliance that’s easy to pick up and use. With a cordless stick vacuum, though, compare its runtime in the mode you’ll use with how long your cleaning sessions take.
A robot vacuum lets you schedule cleaning if you can keep your floors clear. You’ll still need to empty its dust container and clean the brushes, then check how it performs on the flooring in your home: UFC-Que Choisir reports that results vary between floor types.
First decide what you need it to do: remove embedded pet hair, tackle quick clean-ups, schedule cleaning or wash a hard floor. An upholstery tool can complement your chosen type of vacuum, as long as it’s compatible with the exact model variant.
Consider it: as your main appliance for carpets, rugs and fabrics, with a brush and attachments that are actually included.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to move a corded appliance around and, for a bagged model, replace the bags.
Consider it: for frequently removing pet hair from small areas, stairs or hard-to-reach spots.
Bear in mind: runtime depends on the mode you choose, and you’ll need to recharge the battery.
Consider it: for scheduling cleaning on floors that are regularly kept clear.
Bear in mind: results can vary depending on the flooring, and the brushes and dust container need regular maintenance.
Consider it: if your main need is wet cleaning compatible hard floors.
Bear in mind: the tanks and rollers need cleaning; according to UFC-Que Choisir, a floor cleaner does not replace a vacuum cleaner for dust and debris on dry floors.
| Concern | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Embedded pet hair | Tests using fibres or pet hair in carpets; whether the brush and upholstery tool are included with the variant. | When pet hair stays in the carpets and on the sofa, I want to tackle these surfaces with my main appliance. Around 36 % of consumers put this need first. |
| Frequent clean-ups | Runtime in the mode you’ll use and how easy the dust container is to empty. | To remove pet hair around the bed or on the stairs without getting out a bulky appliance, I prioritise manoeuvrability; this would be the main concern for around 29 % of consumers. |
| Automated floor care | Tests on the relevant floor types and how easy the brushes are to access for cleaning. | If I can keep the floors clear, I’d rather schedule cleaning and still maintain the robot. This would be the top priority for around 21 % of consumers. |
| Washing hard floors | Which surfaces are suitable and how to clean the tanks and rollers. | When wet cleaning matters more to me than vacuuming carpets, I look for an appliance suited to my hard floors. Around 14 % of consumers would prioritise this use. |
These claims alone don’t tell you how well an appliance removes embedded pet hair from a carpet. UFC-Que Choisir includes fibres designed to simulate pet hair in its test procedure for cylinder vacuum cleaners.
Compare tests on surfaces like those in your home, then check that the brush used in the test comes with the variant you’re considering.
UFC-Que Choisir explains that the advertised maximum runtime is measured at the lowest power setting. A cleaning session in another mode may therefore require you to recharge sooner.
Check the runtime in the mode you plan to use on your carpets, and whether the battery can be replaced if that matters to you.
Bags, filters and brushes all need maintenance specific to the appliance you choose. In France, the Ministry of the Economy says that vacuum cleaners must display a repairability index; this is assessed for each model individually.
Make a note of the consumable part numbers, check that the corresponding parts are available and look up the index shown for the appliance you’re considering.
A robot mainly works on floors, and results vary depending on the surface. UFC-Que Choisir also distinguishes between washing hard floors and vacuuming dust and debris from dry floors.
If sofas, stairs or carpets also need cleaning, plan to have a manual appliance and a compatible upholstery tool.
Bosch’s ProAnimal range includes bagged, bagless and cordless vacuum cleaners designed for homes with pets.
The Cat & Dog range includes cylinder vacuum cleaners equipped for floor care and, depending on the model, fabrics too.
Rowenta offers robot vacuum cleaners and accessories for floor care, among other products.
These models include cordless stick vacuums for frequent manual clean-ups and a robot for scheduled floor care. For carpets or fabrics, compare the accessories included with each variant and its test results against your surfaces before choosing.
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Worth considering if you switch between cleaning floors and carpets and tackling fabrics: an upholstery tool is listed among the accessories. The title mentions an anti-tangle brush and up to 65 minutes of runtime; check how long it lasts in the mode you’ll use on your carpets, and clean the brush and filters regularly.
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The cordless design is handy for quick clean-ups, and a combination brush is listed for sofas and beds. The title mentions a detachable battery, an anti-tangle roller and up to 60 minutes of runtime. Check how long it lasts in the mode you plan to use and how to maintain the roller.
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Worth considering for regular cleaning of floors and carpets; this model is listed with a storage and charging station. The title mentions an anti-tangle roller and 55 minutes of runtime; check how long it lasts in carpet mode. If the sofa is a priority, check which accessories are included with the variant.
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This stick vacuum has a roller brush described as anti-tangle and is an option for cleaning floors and carpets by hand. Its title states up to 45 minutes of runtime, without specifying the mode; check how long it lasts for the way you plan to use it. For furniture, check exactly which accessories are included with the variant.
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Worth considering if you can keep your floors clear for scheduled cleaning. Its description mentions mapping, an anti-tangle brush and a station with automatic emptying and mop maintenance. Check how it performs on your floors and carpets; the station doesn’t remove the need to clean the brushes, filters and tanks regularly, and sofas need a separate solution.
Look for a test involving fibres or pet hair embedded in a carpet, rather than relying on the advertised power alone. UFC-Que Choisir uses synthetic fibres designed to simulate pet hair in its test procedure for cylinder vacuum cleaners; also check that the brush used is included with the variant you choose.
Not if you also need to vacuum carpets, sofas or other fabrics. UFC-Que Choisir says a floor cleaner is mainly for hard floors and doesn’t replace a conventional vacuum cleaner for dust and debris on dry floors.
Follow the instructions to empty the bag or dust container, remove hair wrapped around the brushes and maintain the filters. For a robot or floor washer, check the tanks too, as well as the rollers or pads, depending on the model.
Yes: France’s Ministry of the Economy says displaying a repairability index is compulsory for vacuum cleaners in France. Check the rating for the exact model and separately confirm the availability of any parts and consumables you’ll need.
In France, the legal guarantee of conformity may apply if a vacuum cleaner doesn’t match the seller’s description. The Ministry of the Economy says it covers new, second-hand and refurbished goods sold by a business to a private individual; this is different from simply returning an item because you’ve changed your mind.