If you mainly need to remove pet hair from rugs, carpets and upholstered furniture, start by choosing a vacuum cleaner that comes with the right brushes. A cylinder vacuum with a turbo brush is well suited to thorough cleaning, while a rechargeable stick vacuum makes quick, frequent clean-ups easier. A robot vacuum can keep floors clean on a regular basis, but results depend on the floor covering, and you may still need a manual vacuum for the sofa or stairs.
If pet hair builds up on carpets, sofas or cushions, check which brushes are designed for each surface rather than relying on the power rating alone. Que Choisir highlights the importance of the floorhead design.
If you regularly pick up visible pet hair around beds or from floors, an appliance that’s easy to get out and put away can matter just as much as its attachments. For a stick vacuum, also compare battery life at the setting you’ll use.
A robot vacuum can clean to a schedule if your home’s layout allows it to move around easily. You’ll still need to consider rugs and be prepared to empty the dustbin and maintain the brushes and, where applicable, the docking station.
Choose a format based on the task you do most often, then check the accessories included in the exact package: a brush that works well on rugs won’t necessarily be right for cleaning a sofa.
Best for: thorough cleaning focused mainly on rugs, carpets and upholstery, with the right accessories included.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to get the appliance out and put it away, and replace the bags if the model uses them.
Best for: quickly picking up pet hair from floors and occasionally cleaning furniture or stairs with the right attachment.
Bear in mind: runtime depends on the setting and brush you use, so compare it with the length of your cleaning sessions.
Worth considering: for scheduling regular floor cleaning in a home where its navigation and rug handling are suitable.
Bear in mind: results vary depending on the floor covering, according to Que Choisir, and you’ll need to maintain the dustbin, brushes or docking station.
| Criterion | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Pet hair on rugs and upholstery | Whether the package you’ve chosen includes a turbo brush for rugs and a mini brush or suitable upholstery tool for furniture. | If pet hair gets stuck in the carpet or on the sofa, I want to clean these surfaces with the right accessories; around 33% of consumers in this group would make this their main priority. |
| Quick clean-ups | How heavy it feels in your hand, how easy it is to store and, for a stick vacuum, runtime at the setting you’ll actually use. | If I clean small areas several times a day, I want an appliance that’s easy to pick up and put away. Around 27% of consumers in this group would make this convenience their main priority. |
| Automated floor cleaning | The robot’s navigation and how it handles rugs, particularly how it deals with its mop if it also washes floors. | To cut down on manual floor cleaning, I’d rather be able to schedule it; around 20% of consumers in this group would put this automation first. |
| Appliance maintenance | The product codes for bags, filters and brushes and, depending on the format, those for the battery or docking station consumables. | If I need to remove pet hair from the brushes often or replace consumables, I want to know what maintenance is involved. For around 20% of consumers in this group, this would be their main consideration. |
These figures alone don’t tell you how well an appliance will pick up pet hair from your floors and furnishings. Que Choisir also points out that the design of the floorhead matters.
Check which brushes are included for rugs and upholstery, and don’t treat figures given in different units as a direct comparison between appliances.
For stick vacuums, Que Choisir says the maximum runtime quoted is measured at the lowest setting. A session on rugs at a higher setting may be shorter.
Look for the runtime given for the mode and brush you plan to use, especially if you clean for long periods without a break.
Pet hair can mean you need to check the brushes, while the dustbin and any docking station need regular attention. Que Choisir also notes that robot vacuum results vary depending on the type of floor.
Check what maintenance is needed, how it handles your rugs and which replacement parts are available for the model you’re considering.
Depending on the equipment, filters, brushes, docking station bags and mop pads will also need replacing.
Accessories can vary between versions: a range name doesn’t guarantee that the package includes the brush you need for your sofa or rugs.
Check the accessory list for the version on sale and keep a note of the product codes so you can find compatible replacements.
These examples can help you identify models worth comparing. Always check the version and accessories included with the model you’re interested in.
Bagged cylinder vacuums, including models in the Cat & Dog range, are worth considering if rugs and upholstery make up a large part of your cleaning.
Its X-Force Flex stick vacuums and Animal Care cylinder vacuums come with equipment designed for different uses.
Its robot vacuums with mapping and docking stations are worth considering for scheduled floor cleaning.
Its cordless stick vacuums come with motorised attachments worth comparing if you regularly clean upholstery and specific areas.
These models are mainly suited to cleaning with a cordless stick vacuum and targeting pet hair on upholstery; the robot vacuum featured is better suited to regular floor maintenance. Choose according to the surfaces you need to clean and check what’s included with each version.
Image unavailable
Worth considering for frequent floor cleaning and pet hair on rugs. The product name mentions an anti-tangle brush and a self-standing design; check the runtime with the brush and setting you plan to use.
Image unavailable
Worth considering if you often clean around and under furniture: the product name mentions a folding tube and a self-standing design. The 60-minute runtime quoted in the name doesn’t specify the mode, so compare it with the runtime for your cleaning sessions.
Image unavailable
The hose and brush mentioned in the name are worth looking into if you switch between cleaning floors and furniture. Before choosing this model, check the modes and runtime for your needs rather than relying on the power figure alone.
Image unavailable
Worth comparing if pet hair on floors and upholstery is the main reason you’re buying. Check which brushes are included with the Select version, then check the runtime in the mode suited to your surfaces.
Image unavailable
Worth considering if you want to schedule floor maintenance rather than clean a sofa directly. Its name mentions an OMNI station and ZeroTangle 3.0 system; check how it handles your rugs and which consumables the model requires before choosing it.
Yes, if rugs and upholstery are your main cleaning priorities and the model you choose comes with the right brushes for each. Que Choisir says that bagged cylinder vacuums perform better than their bagless equivalents in its general guide; you should also check which replacement bags are compatible.
It refers to specific conditions of use, which you need to read alongside the figure; it isn’t a guaranteed runtime for every setting. Que Choisir explains that the maximum quoted runtime is measured at the lowest power setting. For example, Rowenta’s quoted 60 minutes for the X-Force Flex 13.60 applies to handheld use in Eco mode.
A robot vacuum can handle regular cleaning on floors, but it won’t necessarily meet your needs for cleaning sofas, stairs or specific areas of upholstery. Que Choisir reports that results vary depending on the floor type, so check how it handles your rugs and be prepared to maintain the brushes and dustbin or docking station.
Check which replacement parts are compatible with the format and version you’re considering: bags and filters for a bagged cylinder vacuum, and a filter and brush for a stick vacuum, as well as whether its battery can be replaced. For a robot vacuum, also check the brushes and, depending on the docking station, bags and mop pads.