For regular removal of pet hair, human hair and fibres from floors and fabrics, start by choosing brushes and nozzles suited to the surfaces you need to clean: the stated electrical power alone won’t tell you how well a vacuum will perform. A cylinder vacuum is suited to full cleaning sessions across several surfaces, while a cordless stick makes quick touch-ups easier. A robot vacuum can maintain accessible floors, but won’t replace manual cleaning of your sofa or bedding.
If pet hair and human hair regularly collect in your rugs, carpets, sofa or bedding, look at how well a vacuum performs on these surfaces and which accessories are included. UFC-Que Choisir assesses how well cylinder vacuums remove embedded fibres from carpets as part of its testing protocol.
If you want to empty the bin, change the bag or remove hair from a brush without a struggle, check the model’s instructions. Filters, brush rolls and consumables all need different care depending on the appliance.
For quick removal of visible pet hair between full cleans, a cordless stick’s manoeuvrability or a robot vacuum’s regular runs may matter more. However, check the cordless stick’s battery life, and make sure you have a way to clean fabrics if you choose a robot.
Choose a type of vacuum based on the surfaces you need to reach, then compare the accessories and maintenance required for the specific model. The four options below aren’t all suited to the same tasks.
Consider it: for full cleaning sessions across floors, carpets and fabrics, if it comes with suitable accessories.
Be prepared for: a corded appliance and the need to replace compatible bags.
Consider it: if you want a corded vacuum for full cleans without using bags.
Be prepared for: emptying the bin and maintaining the filters as instructed.
Consider it: for quick pick-ups of pet hair and human hair, including from a sofa if a suitable accessory is included.
Be prepared for: run time that varies depending on the setting, and recharging between sessions.
Consider it: for regular runs on floors the robot can access.
Be prepared for: clearing the floor beforehand and keeping a manual vacuum for fabrics and raised surfaces.
| Feature | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Embedded fibres | Compare test results for carpets and fibres for the specific model; check that it comes with a suitable brush and a nozzle for fabrics. | When pet hair gets stuck in the carpet or sofa, I want to be able to clean both surfaces, not just hard floors; around 36% of consumers might put this deeper clean first. |
| Maintenance | Check how to empty the bag or bin, access the brush roll and maintain the filters. | If I need to remove hair from the brush often, I’d rather know what’s involved before choosing; this could be the priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Quick clean-ups | For a cordless stick, check the battery life on the setting you’ll use and how easy it is to handle. | Between full cleans, I want to pick up visible pet hair quickly without getting out a cylinder vacuum; around 21% of consumers might prioritise this convenience. |
| Accessible floors | For a robot vacuum, check which areas it can cover and how to maintain its brushes and wheels. | I’d like to leave some of the floor cleaning to a robot, while keeping a vacuum for the sofa; around 14% of consumers might have this priority. |
The motor’s wattage alone won’t tell you how well a vacuum removes fibres from a carpet. UFC-Que Choisir assesses vacuuming performance separately for different types of dirt and surfaces.
Look for tests on the surfaces that matter in your home, and check which brushes and nozzles come with the version you’re considering.
A robot covers accessible floors, but it won’t clean your sofa or bedding. Its brushes and ducts also need checking.
If pet hair builds up on fabrics, you’ll also need a manual vacuum with a suitable accessory.
Stairs, furniture and raised surfaces will still need to be cleaned by hand.
You’ll need to empty the bin and maintain the filters according to the model’s instructions. UFC-Que Choisir notes that filter maintenance helps keep a vacuum working properly.
Before choosing, check the instructions to see how to access the filter and brush, and how to clean and dry them.
Replacing the bag is part of using this type of vacuum, and bags aren’t necessarily compatible with every model.
Make a note of the compatible bag and filter references for the vacuum you’re considering, and check how easy they’ll be to get hold of.
These ranges offer different formats and accessories to compare for your surfaces. A brand’s inclusion here doesn’t guarantee the performance of every model it makes.
The ProAnimal range includes bagged and bagless cylinder vacuums, so you can compare both types of dust collection within the same range.
The Cat & Dog range includes bagged cylinder vacuums designed in particular for homes with rugs and carpets.
Rowenta offers bagless cylinder vacuums and replacement parts that you can search for by model reference.
Dyson cordless stick vacuums are designed in particular for people who value manoeuvrability and frequent quick cleans.
Roomba robot vacuums can complement manual cleaning by regularly covering accessible floors.
This selection includes four cordless stick vacuums for quick clean-ups and one bagged cylinder vacuum for floor cleaning. If your sofa or bedding is a priority, check which accessories are actually included with each version.
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Worth considering if quick clean-ups to remove pet hair are a priority. Check which accessories are included for stairs and fabrics, as well as the battery life on the setting you’ll use.
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Consider it for quick clean-ups on floors and carpets. The product description states 550 W and up to 55 minutes of run time; this figure applies to the hard-floor setting, so check the expected battery life on carpets. Also check whether it comes with an accessory for sofas, if you need one.
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Worth considering if you alternate between cleaning floors and giving fabrics the occasional clean. Up to 65 minutes of run time is stated, but the setting isn’t specified: check how long it lasts on your chosen setting and which accessories come with this version.
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Consider it for cordless clean-ups if the length of your sessions suits the setting you choose. Stated run times are 15 minutes on high and 40 minutes on low; check which accessory in this version is suitable for your sofa or bedding.
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Worth considering for full floor-cleaning sessions with a cylinder vacuum. If fibres get trapped in your carpets, check the test results for this model; for your sofa or bedding, check which accessory is included. Make a note of the compatible bag reference, too.
No. The stated electrical power alone isn’t enough to predict how well a vacuum removes pet hair and fibres. For cylinder vacuums, UFC-Que Choisir highlights the importance of the vacuum head: compare test results for the surfaces in your home and check the accessories included with the exact model.
Follow the schedule and method given in your model’s instructions. For the brushes on a specific Roomba range, iRobot recommends checking them at least once a week, or twice a week in a household with pets. This advice doesn’t automatically apply to every vacuum cleaner.
No, you’ll still need to check the brush. Even when iRobot describes a feature designed to reduce tangling, hair and debris should be removed from the areas specified in the model’s maintenance instructions.
The statutory guarantee of conformity applies to new, second-hand and refurbished goods sold by a trader to a consumer, according to the French Directorate-General for Competition Policy, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control. Keep your proof of purchase and details of the version and accessories advertised in case you need to report a lack of conformity to the seller.