For a full clean across multiple floor types and carpets, start by comparing cylinder vacuums. According to Que Choisir, bagged models vacuum more effectively and expose you to less dust when emptying than bagless models, but you will need to replace the bags. A cordless stick vacuum is best suited to quick clean-ups; a robot can help keep your floors clean, provided you check how it performs on the floor coverings and fibres in your home.
If pet hair gets embedded in carpets, rugs, sofas or pet beds, look at test results on fibres and check which brushes are included. Que Choisir assesses how well cylinder and stick vacuums clean carpet fibres in its tests.
If you want to tackle the stairs, furniture or pet hair quickly after your animal has been around, ease of use matters. But you should still check the stick vacuum’s battery life in the power mode you’ll actually use.
Choosing between a bag and a dust container changes how you empty the vacuum. Also consider cleaning the filters and brushes, and check that consumables and parts are available for the model you choose.
The right format depends first on how much carpet and upholstery you have, then on how often you clean and how much maintenance you’re happy to do.
Consider it: for a full clean across several surfaces, especially if you want to handle less dust when emptying.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to move the appliance around and replace the bags.
Consider it: if you’d rather empty a dust container than replace bags.
The trade-off: according to Que Choisir, emptying it exposes you to more dust, and the container and filters need regular maintenance.
Consider it: for quick, frequent clean-ups on floors, stairs or around furniture.
Check: the battery life at the power needed for carpets. Que Choisir notes that the stated battery life often refers to a low-power setting.
Consider it: for keeping floors clean between manual cleans.
Its limitation: according to Que Choisir, results vary depending on the floor. A robot can’t clean the sofa, stairs and other upholstery on its own.
| What matters to you | What to check before buying | Shoppers with this need |
|---|---|---|
| Embedded pet hair | Compare test results on fibres and carpets for the model you’re considering, then check which brush is included. | When pet hair gets caught in carpets or my animal’s bed, I prioritise deep cleaning over simply picking up visible hair from hard floors. Around 40% of shoppers with this need would put it first. |
| Frequent clean-ups | Check the battery life in the setting you’ll use, how heavy it feels in your hand and which accessories are available for the areas you want to clean. | If I often clean the stairs or sofa in short bursts, I want an appliance that’s easy to get out and use. Quick clean-ups would be a priority for around 30% of shoppers with this need. |
| Emptying and maintenance | Choose between a bag and a dust container, taking emptying into account; check the model numbers of compatible filters, brushes and other parts. | When pet hair fills the container and wraps around the brushes, I want to be able to keep up with regular maintenance. This would be the top consideration for around 20% of shoppers with this need. |
| Automated floor care | For a robot vacuum, look for test results on your types of flooring and carpets, and check how the dust container and brushes are maintained. | Between manual cleans, I want my floors to be looked after without having to start every clean myself, while still having an appliance for upholstery. Around 10% of shoppers with this need would prioritise this as an extra. |
These details alone don’t tell you how well a vacuum will remove pet hair from a carpet. The brush and how it performs on the surface matter too.
Look for comparable tests on your floor coverings, including a separate result on fibres if pet hair gets embedded.
Que Choisir says the stated battery life for stick vacuums usually refers to use at low power, so it may not tell you much about a demanding carpet-cleaning session.
Compare the battery life in the setting you’ll need, as well as the charging time and whether a compatible replacement battery is available.
Bags and dust containers fill up, while filters and brush rolls need suitable maintenance. A brush designed for pet hair doesn’t eliminate these tasks.
Make a note of the exact model number and check which bags, filters, batteries or brushes are compatible before you choose.
A bagged cylinder vacuum needs replacement bags; a bagless model needs its container emptied, and wrapped hair must be removed from the brushes.
According to Que Choisir, robot vacuum performance varies depending on the floor. Carpets, edges and upholstered areas need separate attention.
Use it as an extra unless its results on your floor coverings meet your needs, and keep a manual vacuum for furniture and stairs.
The Cat & Dog range is worth a look if you’re after a bagged cylinder vacuum for carpets, rugs and pet hair.
The ProAnimal range lets you compare bagged, bagless and cordless models to suit the way you clean.
Some Dyson cordless stick vacuums may suit homes where upholstery, stairs and areas where pet hair wraps around brushes need regular cleaning.
Rowenta cordless stick vacuums and accessories are worth comparing if you often clean sofas, upholstery and hard-to-reach areas.
These models include cordless stick vacuums for targeted clean-ups and a bagged cylinder vacuum for regular cleaning. For each one, compare the stated features with your carpets, floors and upholstery. A brush or a power rating alone isn’t enough to establish how well it will remove embedded pet hair.
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Worth considering for frequent clean-ups in areas where pet hair builds up. Check its performance on your carpets and upholstery, along with the accessories and parts compatible with this version.
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Consider it if you switch between cleaning floors and tackling specific areas. The product title lists 550 W, 55 kPa and 55 minutes of battery life, but doesn’t say which setting this figure applies to. Check the battery life at the power you need and how heavy it feels in your hand.
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Worth considering for frequent cleaning across several surfaces. The product title lists up to 60 minutes of battery life and a removable battery. Compare the battery life in the setting you’ll need for carpets, and factor in emptying the dust container and cleaning the filter.
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Consider it if avoiding the need to handle the dust container after regular clean-ups is important to you. The product title lists an automatic emptying station and 27 kPa of suction. Check how it performs on your floor coverings, and what maintenance and consumables the station needs.
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Worth considering for full cleaning sessions if you prefer a bagged cylinder vacuum. For carpets and embedded pet hair, check this model’s test results and the brushes included. Also confirm the model numbers of compatible bags and filters.
Look for a separate test result on fibres, then check which brush comes with the model you’re considering. Que Choisir uses fibres designed to mimic pet hair in its cylinder vacuum tests. Wattage and a ‘pet’ label aren’t a substitute for this kind of result.
It can be, if its results on your floors and carpets, and its battery life at the power you need, are enough for a full clean. It’s handy for quick clean-ups because it’s easy to manoeuvre, but that alone doesn’t mean it will replace a cylinder vacuum in your home.
A robot is better suited to keeping floors clean alongside a manual vacuum. According to Que Choisir, results vary depending on the floor type. Pay particular attention to tests on carpets and fibres, and keep a separate solution for upholstery, furniture and stairs.
Check the repairability index if one is displayed for the vacuum you’re considering, then check which consumables and parts are compatible with its exact model number. The French Ministry for Ecological Transition includes vacuum cleaners among the product categories covered by this index. It doesn’t replace checking whether compatible batteries, filters or brushes are available.