For regular cleaning of both your sofa and floors in one session, choose a vacuum supplied with a brush suited to each surface, especially a motorised mini brush for upholstery. A cylinder vacuum with a turbo brush could be a good choice if carpets are your priority, while a robot vacuum is best considered as an extra for floor maintenance. Also compare the runtime in the mode you’ll use and how much cleaning the brushes, dust container and filters will need.
If you regularly clean seats and cushions as well as floors, check that the version you choose includes a mini upholstery brush. Les Numériques and the product information from Dyson France and Rowenta France list separate accessories for these tasks.
The brush should suit the flooring in your home, and the stated runtime should be considered in light of the mode you’ll use. Que Choisir points out that a stick vacuum’s maximum runtime is measured at minimum power.
Untangling a brush roll, emptying a dust container and cleaning a filter are separate tasks. A vacuum described as anti-tangle or supplied with a station still needs to be checked against the maintenance instructions for that specific model.
Start with the surfaces you clean regularly, then compare the brush supplied for each one and the maintenance still required. A robot vacuum can make floor care easier, but it won’t replace the manual tool you need for upholstery.
| What matters | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Cleaning upholstery | Check that a motorised mini brush is actually included and specified for upholstery ; see whether a cushion or upholstery tool is supplied. | If my sofa and cushions need regular cleaning, I check the accessories in the box before choosing. Around 36 % of consumers prioritise cleaning upholstery. |
| Covering carpets and floors | A brush suited to the flooring in your home ; runtime that matches the mode and floor head you’ll use. | When I need to clean several rooms and carpets, I look for a suitable brush and a runtime that fits my cleaning session. Around 29 % of consumers prioritise covering floors and carpets. |
| Keeping maintenance to a minimum | Tests carried out on the exact brush ; access to the brush roll, dust container and filters, as described in the model’s instructions. | If I want to spend less time removing tangled hair and cleaning the vacuum, I consider these tasks separately rather than relying on a single feature. Around 21 % of consumers put vacuum maintenance first. |
| Automating floor cleaning | Floor surfaces and layout suited to a robot vacuum ; a separate tool for sofas and cushions ; features of the exact version. | To keep floors clean between furniture-cleaning sessions, I check what the robot can cover and which other appliance I’ll still need for upholstery. Around 14 % of consumers prioritise automated floor cleaning. |
A brush designed to reduce blockages doesn’t remove the need to check the brush roll, dust container, tube or filters. In a specific test of the Dyson V15 Detect, Les Numériques found an exception with cooking string.
Compare tests of the exact brush and check the instructions to find out how to access the parts that need cleaning.
Allow time to check the brush roll and empty or clean the other parts as instructed for that model.
The maximum runtime quoted doesn’t necessarily reflect a cleaning session using the motorised brush and mode you’ll need. Que Choisir explains that this figure is measured at minimum power.
Look for the runtime with the mode and floor head you plan to use on your floors and carpets.
If the runtime isn’t long enough for your session, you may have to stop cleaning to recharge or use another appliance.
A robot vacuum designed for floors doesn’t provide the manual tool you need to clean seats and cushions.
If upholstery is part of your cleaning needs, allow for a suitable appliance or accessory for these surfaces.
You may therefore need to keep a handheld vacuum or an upholstery brush for cleaning furniture.
The examples below refer to specific configurations or product ranges, not every product from each brand.
Worth considering if you’re looking for a stick vacuum whose documented package includes a motorised mini brush for upholstery.
Worth considering if you’re looking for a stick vacuum whose documented version comes with a mini powered brush and an upholstery tool.
Worth considering if you’re comparing a bagged cylinder vacuum with separate tools for floors and upholstery.
Worth considering if you’re looking for a robot vacuum to help with regular floor maintenance.
Worth considering if you want to compare a stick vacuum configuration with an upholstery tool, a head designed to reduce hair wrap and a station.
This selection includes stick and cylinder vacuums for floors or upholstery, as well as a robot vacuum for floor maintenance. A robot won’t replace a manual tool for cleaning your sofa.
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The mini turbo brush is listed for upholstery and carpets, and a parquet brush is also specified for delicate floors.
Bagless vacuum ; stated power of 850 W ; 2 L dust container ; washable EPA filter.
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It’s described as suitable for floors and carpets, with a SurfMaster brush designed to reduce hair wrap and an automatic dust-collection base.
The base is also described as a charging base.
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The description lists a combination brush for sofas and beds, as well as use on carpets and hard floors. An anti-tangle brush is also mentioned.
Cordless vacuum cleaner ; stated runtime of up to 65 min.
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The description lists a combination brush for sofas, beds and chairs, as well as use on hard floors and carpets. An anti-tangle brush is also mentioned.
Stated power of 450 W ; stated runtime of 60 min ; removable battery.
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It’s described as suitable for maintaining hard floors and carpets, and comes with an anti-tangle brush. It won’t replace a manual tool for cleaning sofas and cushions.
Stated suction power of 8 000 Pa ; app control ; automatic emptying station.
No, check the contents of the exact package. The product information reviewed by Rowenta France and Dyson France lists a mini powered brush or motorised mini brush for certain versions, but this doesn’t describe every package for these models.
A test lets you compare brushes and the materials used in its test protocol; it can’t guarantee the same result with every type of hair and debris. In its test of the Dyson V15 Detect, Les Numériques found less obstruction with the new conical mini brush than with the old one under the conditions tested, with one exception: cooking string.
Switch off the vacuum and follow the instructions for your model, especially when cleaning the filters. Rowenta recommends emptying the dust container and checking the floor head; if the brush is clogged, remove the hair. Also check the tube for blockages.
Depending on the appliance, check whether you’ll need to replace bags, filters, batteries or accessories. If you’re buying as an individual from a professional seller, the statutory guarantee of conformity applies to new, second-hand and refurbished goods. It is separate from an optional commercial guarantee, according to the Ministry of the Economy and Finance.