For regular pet-hair cleaning, start by thinking about your flooring and how often you vacuum. A corded cylinder vacuum is suited to thorough cleans if you don’t mind the cable; a cordless stick vacuum is handy for quick clean-ups, while a robot vacuum can be scheduled to clean accessible floors. If hair gets embedded in carpets or low-pile fabrics, focus on test results for fibres, the brushes supplied and how easy they are to maintain. The vacuum’s format or stated power alone won’t tell you which is best.
If hair gets caught in carpet fibres, rugs or pet beds, look at results on those surfaces and the accessories designed for them – not just how well the vacuum picks up visible debris from hard floors. UFC-Que Choisir includes embedded fibres in its test methods, for example.
If you want to pick up pet hair between thorough cleans, a vacuum that’s easy to get out and put away may matter more than a long reach. With a cordless stick vacuum, also check how long it runs in the mode you’ll actually need.
A robot vacuum can take care of regular cleaning on accessible floors. However, UFC-Que Choisir points out that results vary depending on the floor covering. Check test results for your carpets, and look into emptying and maintaining the model you’re considering.
Start with the task you need to do most often at home: removing embedded pet hair, quick clean-ups, automating floor cleaning or minimising vacuum maintenance. An accessory for fabrics can complement your chosen vacuum type, as long as it’s compatible with the exact model.
| Feature | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Pet hair in carpets and fabrics | Test results on carpets and fibres; brush supplied and compatible with the fabrics you need to clean. | When pet hair gets caught in a carpet or pet bed, I want to clean the fibres, not just smooth floors. Around 31% of consumers prioritise this. |
| Frequent, quick clean-ups | Manoeuvrability, storage and battery life in the mode you’ll use for a cordless stick vacuum. | If pet hair reappears between bigger cleans, being able to get the vacuum out easily is my top priority. Around 25% of consumers feel the same. |
| Scheduled cleaning | Robot vacuum results on different floors, particularly carpets, edges and corners; dustbin and any docking station. | If I want to keep accessible floors clean regularly without starting every run myself, scheduling is my priority. It’s the main concern for around 25% of consumers. |
| Maintenance and lifespan | Cleaning the brushes, dustbin and filters; availability of parts and the repairability index, where applicable. | If I want to avoid the hassle of a roller that’s difficult to clean or a part that’s impossible to find, maintenance comes before other features. Around 19% of consumers prioritise it. |
Each type of vacuum suits different needs. A corded cylinder vacuum means you don’t have to plan around recharging for a thorough clean, but you’ll need to move the machine around and have a plug socket nearby. A cordless stick vacuum is handy for shorter cleaning sessions. UFC-Que Choisir notes that the maximum stated battery life is measured at the lowest power setting. A robot vacuum can be scheduled to clean floors, but it may not replace a vacuum designed for stairs or fabrics.
The vacuum head and floor covering affect the results. UFC-Que Choisir’s test methods distinguish, for example, between picking up fibres from carpets and debris from other types of flooring.
Compare test results for the surfaces in your home and check which brush is actually included for carpets or low-pile fabrics.
According to UFC-Que Choisir, the maximum battery life stated for a cordless stick vacuum is measured at the lowest power setting. It won’t necessarily tell you how long you can clean a carpet using a more powerful setting.
Look for the run time in the mode you plan to use, and check whether the battery can be recharged or replaced.
Robot vacuums still need maintenance. A docking station may mean you need to empty the dustbin less often, but you’ll still need to check the bin, brushes and other parts specified by the manufacturer.
Check how often the model needs emptying and how well it performs on your carpets, along walls and in corners.
Bags, filters, brushes and batteries can all affect how easy a vacuum is to use over time. In France, ADEME says that corded, cordless and robot vacuum cleaners are among the appliances covered by the repairability index.
Check that the parts you’ll need are available for the model you’ve chosen. If the new vacuum is covered, also check its displayed repairability index.
These examples can help you compare vacuum types and accessories. The features mentioned apply to the specific models listed, not every vacuum from each brand.
Worth considering if you’re looking for a pet-hair accessory that’s compatible with a particular robot vacuum.
One to compare when considering a cordless stick vacuum for floors and smaller fabric surfaces.
Worth considering for scheduled cleaning. Compare test results for the exact robot vacuum on your floor coverings.
A robot vacuum brand to consider if you want to automate floor cleaning.
Another robot vacuum brand to consider for regular floor cleaning.
These models offer a cordless stick vacuum option for frequent cleaning in a home with pets. To choose between them, focus on accessories suited to your fabrics and battery life in the mode you’ll use.
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Worth considering for short cleaning sessions on floors and carpets. The product listing states 550 W, an anti-tangle brush and up to 55 minutes’ battery life. This run time is for bare floors, so it may not apply when vacuuming carpets. Check how it performs on your floor coverings before choosing it for embedded pet hair.
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Consider this if you’re looking for a brush described as anti-tangle for regular cleaning. The product listing states 65 kPa suction and up to 70 minutes’ battery life, but doesn’t specify the run time for each suction level. Check how long it lasts on carpets and whether replacement filters are available.
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Worth considering if you want a cordless stick vacuum for both floors and targeted cleaning. The product listing mentions an anti-tangle brush, a self-standing design and up to 65 minutes’ battery life. This run time is stated for standard mode, so check how long it lasts in turbo mode if you plan to use it on carpets.
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Consider this if you want to adjust the power to suit the task: the product listing mentions two speeds and a removable battery. The run times given for this model differ across its descriptions, so confirm the battery life for the mode you plan to use before choosing it for longer cleaning sessions.
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Worth considering if you want to empty the dustbin into a docking station after cleaning. The product listing mentions a brush designed to reduce tangles and an auto-empty station. The stated battery life of up to 45 minutes applies in eco mode; the station also uses a bag that needs replacing.
Compare results on carpets and embedded fibres, then check which brush comes with the model. UFC-Que Choisir uses fibres similar to pet hair in its test methods, making it easier to assess this need than by looking at the motor’s wattage alone. Also consider how long it takes to clean the brush after use.
No. Even a brush designed for pet hair needs to be maintained according to the manufacturer’s instructions. For example, Rowenta recommends cleaning a turbo brush designed for certain robot vacuums weekly. Check that it’s compatible with your exact model before choosing this accessory.
Check the run time for the power mode you’ll use on your floors and carpets. UFC-Que Choisir notes that maximum stated battery life is measured at the lowest power setting, so it may not reflect how long the vacuum will run in a more powerful mode.
Yes, for new vacuum cleaners covered by the rules: ADEME includes corded, cordless and robot models among the appliances concerned. Guidance from the French Ministry for Ecological Transition states that the requirement to calculate and display the index doesn’t apply, in particular, to second-hand, refurbished, loaned or rented appliances. Check which rules apply to the appliance you’re considering.