If pet hair and human hair collect on your carpets, sofas or beds too, start by choosing a vacuum cleaner with accessories suited to those surfaces, rather than relying on a ‘pet’ label. A well-equipped cylinder vacuum can be your main appliance for several surfaces; a cordless stick vacuum makes quick cleans easier, provided you check its battery life; and a robot can automate some floor cleaning, but it won’t replace the manual vacuum you need for fabrics.
If you want to move from floors to fabrics with the same appliance, check which tools are included and whether they’re suitable for the surfaces you need to clean. Que Choisir’s guide to cylinder vacuums covers these different uses; Miele offers turbo brushes for certain carpets and upholstered surfaces.
An easy-to-reach stick vacuum can be handy for quick cleans when pet hair soon builds up again. However, Que Choisir highlights potential limitations in battery life and suction for this category, so compare them with the length of your cleaning sessions and the surfaces you need to tackle.
A robot can take care of regular cleaning on accessible floors. For sofas, mattresses and other surfaces off the floor, you’ll need a manual vacuum with the right attachment; Que Choisir’s robot vacuum tests cover floors, edges and corners.
Worth considering: as your main appliance for floors, carpets and fabrics, provided it comes with the right tools.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to get the appliance out and change attachments for different surfaces; if it has a bag, you’ll also need to replace it.
Worth considering: for frequent, quick cleans, particularly if it comes with an attachment for furniture.
Bear in mind: according to Que Choisir, battery life and suction can limit its suitability for deeper cleans.
Worth considering: to automate regular cleaning on accessible floors.
Bear in mind: keep a manual option for sofas, bedding and other surfaces off the floor.
| Feature | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Floors, carpets and fabrics | Check which tools are included for carpets and upholstery, and whether they’re compatible with the model. | If I need to vacuum cushions and bedding as well as floors, I want to be able to change the attachment to suit each surface. Around 33% of consumers would put this multi-surface versatility at the top of their list. |
| Frequent cleaning | Compare battery life in the mode you plan to use, and check how easy it is to access the roller when hair gets tangled around it. | When pet hair quickly builds up again, I’d rather be able to grab the vacuum for a quick clean without making maintenance complicated. This convenience would be the main priority for around 27% of consumers. |
| Collection and maintenance | Choose between a bag and a bin based on the upkeep you’re happy with; also check how easy it is to access the filter and brush. | If fibres regularly fill the collector, I want to know what’s involved in emptying it and cleaning its parts. Around 20% of consumers would prioritise these tasks. |
| Automated floor cleaning | For a robot vacuum, look for results that reflect your floor coverings, particularly on carpets, edges and in corners. | I’d like to leave floor cleaning to a robot while keeping something to vacuum the furniture. This would be the top priority for around 20% of consumers. |
A floor brush won’t necessarily be suitable for cushions or mattresses. Miele and Dyson’s accessories are designed for specific surfaces and models.
Make a note of the surfaces you need to clean, then check which tools are actually included and whether separately purchased accessories are compatible.
Adding a mini brush or turbo brush also means having one more accessory to store and change during cleaning.
Que Choisir describes stick vacuums as handy for quick, routine cleaning, while noting that their battery life and suction are often limited.
Compare the battery life in the mode you’ll use with the size of your home and the time you spend cleaning carpets. If you do longer cleans, also compare a cylinder vacuum equipped for your fabrics.
Que Choisir’s testing takes account of dirt building up in the bag or filters when assessing cylinder vacuums. It’s worth checking how easy the parts are to access for maintenance before you buy.
Check how to remove the roller, empty the bin or replace the bag, then follow the model’s instructions to clean the relevant parts.
The brand’s accessories may be of interest to households using a cylinder vacuum on carpets and upholstered furniture.
The X-Force Flex 14.60 Animal RH9958WA is an example of a cordless stick vacuum supplied with accessories for upholstery.
Dyson presents the V16 Piston Animal with accessories designed for upholstery and pet hair.
These Joybuy models include cordless stick vacuums to consider for manual cleaning, as well as a robot designed to complement your floor-cleaning routine. For sofas and bedding, check which attachment comes with each stick vacuum; the robot is designed for a different purpose.
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Worth considering for cleaning floors and carpets, with an upholstery tool mentioned in the model description.
The product name lists 60,000 Pa, an anti-tangle brush and up to 65 minutes of battery life. Check how long it lasts in the mode you plan to use, particularly on carpets.
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An option for manually cleaning floors and carpets; if furniture is a priority, take a look at the combined attachment listed with this model.
The product name lists 45,000 Pa, a removable battery and up to 60 minutes of battery life. Check which mode this figure refers to.
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Worth considering for cleaning floors and carpets; if the sofa is a priority, check which attachments are included before choosing this model.
The product name lists 55 kPa and 55 minutes of battery life. This figure applies to bare-floor mode, so don’t assume it will last as long when cleaning carpets.
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Worth considering for manually cleaning floors; if you also want to clean cushions or beds, check exactly which accessories are included.
The product name lists 45 kPa, two speeds and a removable battery. If hair often gets tangled around the roller, also check the brush design.
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Worth considering to complement cleaning on accessible floors, but don’t expect it to vacuum sofas and bedding.
The product name lists LiDAR navigation, an emptying dock, an anti-tangle system and 8,000 Pa suction. For your floor coverings, look for test results that also cover carpets, edges and corners.
Don’t rely on a robot vacuum to clean your sofa or bedding: use it for floors and keep a manual vacuum with a fabric attachment for surfaces off the floor. Que Choisir’s testing assesses robots on different floor types, as well as along edges and in corners.
Yes, a bagged cylinder vacuum can work well as your main appliance if its brushes and attachments suit your floors and fabrics. Before choosing one, check which bags are compatible and how to replace them. With a bagless model, you’ll need to empty the bin and follow its maintenance instructions.
Yes. In France, the Ministry of the Economy states that the legal guarantee of conformity applies to new, second-hand and refurbished goods sold by a business to a private individual. Keep your proof of purchase and the product description so you can check the features promised by the seller.
First, consider having it repaired or donating it, depending on its condition. If it’s no longer usable, look for a suitable collection point for electrical equipment; ADEME outlines the options for old vacuum cleaners.