For regular cleaning of carpets, floors and upholstery, start by choosing a vacuum to suit the surfaces you need to clean. A cylinder vacuum with the right brush is a good choice for a thorough clean, while a cordless stick vacuum makes quick clean-ups easier. A robot vacuum can keep clear floors tidy between manual cleans, but results vary depending on the flooring, as UFC-Que Choisir points out, and it won’t clean your sofas. Whichever type you choose, check which accessories are included, how often you’ll need to empty it and how to maintain the brushes for the exact model you’re considering.
The amount of pet hair matters, but the surfaces you need to clean and the time you want to spend on each clean are even more important when choosing a vacuum.
You’ll need a main vacuum for your floors and a brush suited to fibres caught in carpets, furniture or bedding. Check performance on each type of flooring separately: UFC-Que Choisir’s testing methods, for example, distinguish between different floor types.
A cordless stick vacuum can make quick clean-ups easier around beds, food bowls and on the stairs. Check its run time in the mode you’ll use, the bin capacity and whether it comes with an attachment for upholstery.
A robot vacuum can clean clear floors regularly. You’ll still need to keep an eye on its dust container and brushes, then use a manual vacuum or attachment to clean sofas and other upholstery.
Start with the surfaces where pet hair builds up, then match the type of vacuum to your cleaning routine and the maintenance it requires.
Worth considering: as your main vacuum for cleaning several rooms, carpets and upholstery, with the right brushes.
Bear in mind: it takes up space and you’ll need to replace the bags. In its comparison of cylinder vacuums, UFC-Que Choisir found that bagged models picked up more dirt than bagless models on the floors and debris tested.
Worth considering: if you’d rather empty a dust container than replace bags, while still using a cylinder vacuum for thorough cleaning.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to empty the container and maintain the filters. Also check which attachments are actually included for carpets and furniture.
Worth considering: for frequent clean-ups on floors or stairs. If sofas are part of your cleaning routine, check that it’s compatible with a mini brush.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to recharge it and empty the dust container. Check the conditions attached to the stated run time.
Worth considering: for scheduled cleaning of clear floors between more thorough cleans.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to keep an eye on the dust container and brushes, and clean upholstery by hand. UFC-Que Choisir notes that robot vacuum performance varies depending on the floor type.
| What to consider | What to check | Think about your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Floors and carpets | Compare results on your main flooring and, if needed, on fibres embedded in carpets. Check which brush comes with the exact model. | Most of the pet hair in my home gets caught in the carpet, so results quoted only for hard floors won’t tell me what I need to know. |
| Sofas and upholstery | Check whether a mini turbo brush or mini motorised brush is included and compatible with the surfaces you need to clean. Also see how easy it is to remove hair caught in the brush. | The sofa and my pet’s bed are part of my cleaning routine, so I need an attachment that works on this upholstery as well as a floor brush. |
| Dust container or bag | Check the capacity, how to empty the container or replace the bag, and how to maintain the filters. For a bagged model, check which replacement bags are compatible. | If you have several pets that shed a lot, choose a capacity and emptying routine that suit how often you usually vacuum. |
| Cleaning routine | For a stick vacuum, check the run time for the stated mode of use. For a robot, check the conditions it needs to move around, the dust container and access to the brushes. | I want to be able to do a quick clean every day, or schedule floor cleaning between thorough cleans without overlooking areas the robot can’t reach. |
| Repairability | For applicable vacuum cleaners sold in France, check the repairability index for the exact model and the details behind its score. ADEME says its criteria include ease of disassembly, documentation and parts availability. | Before choosing, I want to know how to get the filters, brushes or other parts that fit the exact model I’ve selected. |
A figure in watts or pascals doesn’t, by itself, tell you how well a vacuum will pick up fibres from each of your floors. UFC-Que Choisir’s testing methods assess performance across different floor types and kinds of dirt.
Look for results on your floors and carpets, then check which brush is included for pet hair.
A robot moves across floors; sofas, cushions and pet beds need to be cleaned separately. UFC-Que Choisir also notes that robot vacuum performance varies depending on the floor covering.
Use the robot to maintain floors it can clean, and choose a manual vacuum or attachment for upholstery.
Replacing a bag, emptying a dust container and removing hair wrapped around a brush are all part of regular vacuum use.
Check which bags and filters fit the exact model, and follow the manual’s instructions for cleaning the brushes and filters.
The score takes several criteria into account, including parts availability, according to ADEME. However, the score alone doesn’t confirm that a specific part you may need is immediately available.
Check the score details and the parts available for the exact model. Also check the terms of any separate commercial warranty.
These examples show different accessory and dust collection set-ups to compare. The features mentioned apply to the specific models listed, not every vacuum from each brand.
Miele describes the Guard L1 Cat & Dog Flex as a bagged cylinder vacuum supplied with a turbo brush designed for carpets and rugs, among other surfaces.
The X-Force Flex Animal range includes cordless stick vacuums supplied with accessories for cleaning floors and upholstery.
The bagless Pure C9 PC91-ANIMA and bagged Pure D8 PD82-ANIMA cylinder vacuums show two different dust collection systems, both with upholstery accessories.
Dyson lists a Digital Motorbar brush and a motorised anti-tangle mini brush for the Gen5detect.
This selection includes cordless stick vacuums for manual cleaning and a robot vacuum for floor care. For upholstery, compare the attachments included with each stick vacuum; the robot is designed for a different purpose.
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This cordless stick vacuum is presented as suitable for cleaning carpets and hard floors. It has an anti-tangle brush and up to 65 minutes of stated run time in its product title. If sofas are a priority, check which upholstery attachment is included and whether it’s suitable for those surfaces.
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This cordless stick vacuum has up to 60 minutes of stated run time, a removable battery and an anti-tangle brush. For frequent cleaning, check the run time for the mode you’ll use. If you’ll be cleaning seats, check what type of upholstery attachment is included. A replacement battery is listed as sold separately.
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This stick vacuum is presented as suitable for households with pets. If you also need to clean stairs or upholstery, check which brushes are included with this version. Also consider how often you’ll need to empty it based on the amount of pet hair you pick up.
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This cordless stick vacuum is presented as suitable for carpets and hard floors, with an anti-tangle roller. Its stated run time of 55 minutes applies in bare floor mode, so don’t assume you’ll get the same run time when cleaning carpets. Check which attachments are included if your sofa is a priority.
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This robot vacuum is presented with an auto-empty station and app control for floor care. If you have carpets, check results for your type of carpet and keep a manual option for sofas and other upholstery. Confirm the exact specifications for this model before comparing its quoted power.
Not necessarily. UFC-Que Choisir says bagged cylinder vacuums picked up more dirt than bagless models on the floors and debris in its comparison, and release less dust when emptied. A bagless model is still an option if you’d rather empty a container and maintain its filters. Either way, check that the brush is suitable for your carpets and upholstery.
Not if you also need to clean sofas, cushions or pet beds. A robot can maintain clear floors, but UFC-Que Choisir finds that results vary depending on the floor covering. Check its performance on your floors and plan to use a manual attachment for upholstery.
Check whether a mini turbo brush or mini motorised brush suitable for upholstery is included and compatible with the exact model. Several manufacturers offer these attachments for models designed for households with pets. You’ll also need to remove any hair caught in the brush as directed in the manual.
For applicable vacuum cleaners sold in France, the index helps you assess the repairability of a specific model. ADEME says its calculation takes ease of disassembly, documentation and parts availability into account, among other things. Check the details behind the score and separately confirm the availability of any parts you may need.
Yes. For a sale to an individual in France, the Directorate-General for Competition Policy, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control states that this mandatory guarantee applies to new, second-hand and refurbished goods sold by a business. Keep your proof of purchase and the offer details in case the product you receive doesn’t match what was advertised.