For longer cleaning sessions across floors and carpets, start by comparing cylinder vacuum cleaners and their brushes. For frequent touch-ups, a cordless stick vacuum may be a better fit. A robot vacuum can take care of regular cleaning runs on floors, but sofas and other fabrics still need a suitable attachment or a separate appliance. In every case, check the accessories included with the specific variant you choose rather than relying on the ‘pet’ label alone.
If pet hair builds up on carpets, floors and furniture, look at the results on each surface and the brushes supplied. Que Choisir tests how well vacuums pick up fibres designed to mimic pet hair embedded in carpet, for example. Motor power alone doesn’t answer that question.
Around your pet’s bed, on the sofa or on the stairs, an appliance that’s easy to grab and a compatible upholstery attachment may matter more than features designed for longer cleaning sessions.
A robot vacuum can clean between your manual sessions. However, you’ll still need to maintain its brush and use another solution for sofas, pet beds and other surfaces off the floor.
Worth considering: for full cleaning sessions across a large area with rugs or carpets, using a brush suited to those surfaces.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to move and plug in the appliance. If you choose a bagged model, you’ll also need to buy compatible bags.
Worth considering: for short, frequent cleaning runs, particularly if it comes with a compatible mini brush for fabrics.
Bear in mind: runtime depends on the setting and brush you use, so check it’s suitable for the session you have in mind.
Worth considering: if you want to schedule regular cleaning runs on accessible floors between more thorough cleans.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to maintain the brush and use another tool for fabrics and stairs.
First choose a type of vacuum to suit the surfaces you need to clean and how often you’ll use it. Then check which brushes are designed for carpets and fabrics. A suitable attachment can complement several types of vacuum, but it isn’t a fourth type in its own right.
| Feature | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Pet hair on carpets and fabrics | Check whether it comes with a carpet brush and an attachment compatible with furniture. For carpets, look for tests on embedded fibres. | When pet hair gets stuck in the carpet and on cushions, I want to clean those surfaces without assuming the same head will work for everything. Around 33% of consumers prioritise this kind of deep cleaning. |
| Quick touch-ups | Compare how comfortable it is to handle, whether it comes with an upholstery attachment and, for a stick vacuum, its runtime in the mode you plan to use. | If I often clean the sofa or my pet’s bed between bigger sessions, I want an appliance that’s easy to get out. Ease of handling is a priority for around 27% of consumers. |
| Automated cleaning runs | Check how easy it is to access the robot’s brush, the maintenance instructions and the surfaces it needs to cover. | I’d rather leave regular floor cleaning to a robot while keeping a way to clean fabrics. Around 20% of consumers would put this kind of automation first. |
| Maintenance and repairability | Check which bags, filters and brushes are compatible, along with the repairability index for the model. | Before choosing an appliance I’ll use often, I want to know I can get replacement consumables and assess how repairable it is. Around 20% of consumers would make this their main criterion. |
In France, ADEME says the repairability index applies to corded, cordless and robot vacuum cleaners. It tells you about how repairable an appliance is, not how well it picks up pet hair.
Motor power alone doesn’t tell you how well a vacuum will clean a carpet. Que Choisir separately tests how well it picks up fibres designed to mimic pet hair embedded in the carpet.
For carpets, check the brush supplied and look for relevant test results. For sofas and stairs, check the mini brush and what’s included with the exact variant you’re considering.
Bags and filters need to be replaced or maintained, while hair can build up around a roller. How often you need to clean it depends on the attachment: Rowenta recommends cleaning some of its robot turbo brushes weekly.
Check the product codes for compatible consumables, and look up the instructions for removing and cleaning the brush on your chosen model.
A robot vacuum can clean floors, but it can’t clean cushions, pet beds or steps, where pet hair can build up too.
If these surfaces are part of your routine, plan to use a handheld appliance or a compatible upholstery attachment as well.
A filtration or odour-treatment feature doesn’t, by itself, demonstrate any effect on allergens in your home.
Compare the filter type and maintenance instructions for the way you plan to use it. Don’t infer a health benefit from the feature’s name.
These brands offer ranges or accessories that may suit the surfaces discussed here. Always check the exact model rather than assuming a feature applies across the whole brand.
Animal Care configurations and accessories for carpets, furniture and robot vacuums.
Guard Cat & Dog bagged cylinder vacuums, with product pages listing accessories for carpets and fabrics.
A cordless stick vacuum to consider if quick touch-ups and access to smaller surfaces are a priority.
A brand to consider if automated floor cleaning is your main priority.
These Joybuy products include stick vacuums for manual cleaning, a robot vacuum for floors and a handheld vacuum for touch-ups on fabrics. Compare their accessories with the surfaces you need to clean most: the type of appliance or the presence of a brush alone doesn’t guarantee how well it will pick up pet hair.
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Worth considering if you switch between floors and smaller fabric surfaces when doing frequent touch-ups.
The product name mentions a hose, a pet brush and advertised suction of 55 kPa. If cleaning fabrics is a priority, check which brush is included and whether it’s suitable for the surface you have in mind.
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A stick vacuum could suit a routine of manual floor cleaning, provided its accessories are also suitable for your fabrics.
The product name mentions an anti-tangle brush and up to 65 minutes of runtime. Check the runtime for the setting and accessories you plan to use.
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Compare this stick vacuum if you want to do quick touch-ups on floors and have a removable battery.
The product name mentions an anti-tangle brush and an advertised runtime of 60 minutes. Before planning a longer session, check which mode and brush this runtime applies to.
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Worth considering if you want to schedule floor cleaning between manual sessions. Make separate plans for cleaning sofas and other fabrics.
The product name mentions a mopping function, LiDAR navigation and an anti-tangle system. Check the configuration of the Q7 L5+ variant and the maintenance required for its brushes.
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This handheld model is designed for targeted touch-ups on mattresses or upholstery, rather than as your main floor-cleaning appliance.
The product name mentions a motorised attachment and up to 40 minutes of runtime. If pet hair is your priority, check what the attachment is designed for and how long the battery lasts in your chosen mode.
No. Check which surface you need to clean and which attachment is actually included. Que Choisir tests how well vacuums pick up fibres designed to mimic pet hair embedded in carpets, while a sofa needs an attachment suited to upholstery. The product label is no substitute for either check or for relevant test results.
Follow the cleaning schedule for the brush on your chosen model and remove any hair that builds up. Rowenta recommends cleaning some of its robot turbo brushes weekly, but this advice doesn’t automatically apply to every appliance.
No. ADEME’s repairability index relates to how easily an appliance can be repaired. To assess how well it cleans carpets and fabrics, look at the brushes and test results for the relevant surfaces.
If the product doesn’t match the description given at the time of sale, you can make a claim under the legal guarantee of conformity with the seller. France’s Ministry of the Economy says this guarantee applies to new, second-hand and refurbished goods sold by a business to an individual. Keep your proof of purchase and the product description.