For a deep clean on rugs and carpets, start by looking at cylinder vacuums with a suitable floor head. For quick, frequent clean-ups, a cordless stick vacuum may be more convenient. In either case, check test results for fibres and the surfaces that matter most to you. If you also vacuum the sofa or stairs, make sure a compatible mini brush is included. With a stick vacuum, runtime at the power setting you’ll actually use matters more than the maximum runtime advertised.
If hair is getting caught in the fibres, prioritise a suitable floor head and look for test results covering hair removal from carpets. UFC-Que Choisir uses simulated pet hair in its testing protocols, but results on a test carpet won’t necessarily reflect performance on every fabric or type of coat.
If you regularly clean hard floors, stairs or the area around pet bowls, the manoeuvrability of a cordless stick vacuum can be a real plus. Before choosing one as your main vacuum, though, check how long it runs in the mode you need, especially if you also have carpets.
For sofas, armchairs, pet beds and car seats, check which small tools are actually included and compatible with the version you’re buying. The words “pet” or “animal” in a product name don’t tell you what’s in the box.
Worth considering: for regularly cleaning large areas, particularly if rugs and carpets make up a significant part of your home.
Bear in mind: it needs to be plugged in and is less convenient to carry up and down stairs. Bagged models also need replacement bags.
Worth considering: for frequent, targeted clean-ups when ease of use is a priority.
Bear in mind: runtime depends on the setting you choose. UFC-Que Choisir points out that the maximum runtime advertised doesn’t apply when using full power.
| Criterion | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Hair embedded in carpets | A floor head suited to the carpet and comparable test results on fibres and carpets, rather than just the advertised power. | When hair gets caught in my carpets, I want to compare how well different vacuums remove it from this type of surface. Around 33% of consumers would prioritise this deep-cleaning need. |
| Sofas, stairs and awkward corners | Whether a compatible motorised mini brush for soft furnishings and a tool for crevices are included. | If hair also builds up on the sofa and stairs, I need to reach those areas without relying on the floor head alone. Around 27% of consumers would prioritise this need. |
| Frequent clean-ups | Weight in use, ease of storage and runtime in the intended mode, particularly on carpets. | When hair reappears on the floors, I’d rather have a vacuum that’s easy to grab for a quick clean. This would be the main priority for around 20% of consumers. |
| Vacuum maintenance | Access to the brush roll and filters, the dust collection system, replacement items and the repairability rating for the exact model. | If I vacuum frequently, I want to know what’s involved in emptying the vacuum and replacing filters or bags over time. Around 20% of consumers would prioritise these considerations. |
How well a vacuum picks up hair from carpets also depends on the floor head and carpet type. A figure for electrical power, Air Watts or kPa isn’t enough to compare cleaning performance on different surfaces.
Check test results for the surface that matters to you, and make sure the brush is suitable for it.
A stick vacuum’s maximum runtime is generally quoted for a low-power setting. UFC-Que Choisir reports an average runtime of around ten minutes at full power, although this average won’t apply to every model.
Check how long it runs in the mode you plan to use, how long it takes to charge and whether the battery can be replaced.
Depending on how long your cleaning sessions last, a spare battery may come in handy.
A floor head designed for carpets won’t necessarily replace a small brush for upholstery or stairs. Accessories vary between versions.
Check the contents of the pack, the accessory part numbers and whether they’re compatible with the vacuum you’ve chosen.
If the tool you need is sold separately, you’ll have to buy it in addition to the vacuum.
Hair can build up in brushes and filters. Choosing between a bag and a bin also affects how you dispose of the dust and debris.
Check how to access the brush roll and filters, which replacement items are suitable for the model, and what repairability rating it has.
The Cat & Dog range of bagged cylinder vacuums is designed with homes that clean rugs and carpets in mind.
The X-Force Flex cordless stick vacuum range includes Animal versions, worth considering for frequent clean-ups and soft furnishings.
Some of the brand’s cordless stick vacuums combine a floor brush with a small motorised tool for soft furnishings.
These cordless stick vacuums are best suited to quick, targeted clean-ups on floors and carpets in homes with pets. If soft furnishings or thick carpets are a priority, check the accessories included with each model and look for test results on those surfaces before choosing.
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A cordless stick vacuum to consider for quick, targeted clean-ups on the floors and carpets in a home with pets. If the sofa is one of your priority surfaces, check whether the pack includes a suitable tool.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a cordless stick vacuum for floors and carpets, with the option to use it on upholstery too. The title advertises 60.000Pa suction and up to 65 minutes of runtime. Check how long it runs in the mode you need, and whether the upholstery tool is motorised.
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A cordless option to consider if you want to switch between cleaning floors and carpets. The title states 45,000Pa, up to 60 minutes of runtime and a removable battery. Check the runtime in carpet mode separately, along with the type of tool provided for upholstery.
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Worth considering for targeted clean-ups on hard floors and carpets. The title advertises 55KPa, 550W and 55 minutes of runtime. Check how long it runs in carpet mode, and which tools you’ll need if you also clean the sofa.
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A cordless stick vacuum to consider for pet hair on different surfaces around the home. The title states 45kPa, two speeds and a removable battery. If carpets or the sofa are your main concern, check its performance on those surfaces and which tools are actually included.
Start by checking the floor head and test results on fibres and carpets for the model you’re considering. A cylinder vacuum may suit deep cleaning across large areas, while a cordless stick vacuum makes frequent clean-ups easier, provided its runtime in the mode you need is long enough for your session.
If cleaning soft furnishings is a priority, check that a compatible motorised mini brush is included. A crevice tool is better for reaching gaps and narrow spaces. Check the part number and the contents of the pack for the model you’ve chosen.
The main difference is how you dispose of the dust and debris: a bag needs replacing, while a bagless model’s bin needs emptying and cleaning. Whichever you choose, check how to maintain the brushes and filters, and make sure compatible replacement items are available.
If you buy from a professional seller in France, the legal guarantee of conformity applies to new, second-hand and refurbished goods, according to the Ministry of the Economy. Also check the repairability rating displayed for the vacuum. The DGCCRF explains that, where applicable, the CE marking is neither a quality certification nor a performance rating.