For a deep clean of large areas or carpets covered in pet hair, start by looking at cylinder vacuum cleaners. For quick clean-ups between bigger cleans, a cordless stick vacuum is easier to get out. A robot can run on a schedule across floors with enough clear space, but results vary depending on the flooring, as UFC-Que Choisir points out. An auto-empty station means you need to handle the robot’s dust container less often, but you’ll still need to maintain the brushes and station.
If pet hair quickly builds up in high-traffic areas, being able to get a stick vacuum out easily or schedule a robot matters as much as the results of one long cleaning session. UFC-Que Choisir recommends stick vacuums for quick clean-ups and robots for autonomous runs, with results depending on the floor.
If pet hair also sticks to rugs or cushions, check the vacuum head and accessories supplied with the exact model. For example, Miele describes its TurboTeQ brush as suitable for picking up threads and hair from delicate carpets. Check compatibility before buying.
If you want to keep your appliance for a long time, check the part numbers for brushes, filters, bags and, for a stick vacuum, the battery. In France, vacuum cleaners are among the appliances covered by the repairability index, according to the Ministry for the Ecological Transition. The index doesn’t replace checking that compatible parts are available.
If you have a dog or cat that sheds regularly, first choose according to the surfaces you need to clean and how often you’ll vacuum, then consider emptying and maintenance. UFC-Que Choisir describes cylinder vacuums as suited to deep cleaning, stick vacuums to quick clean-ups, and robots to autonomous runs, with results varying by floor type. A station is a more specific solution if you want to empty the robot’s dust container less often.
| What matters | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Frequent cleaning | For a stick vacuum, battery life in the mode you’ll use; for a robot, scheduling and navigation. | When pet hair comes back between bigger cleans, I want to vacuum quickly or schedule a run without having to reorganise my day. Around 33% of consumers put this ease of regular cleaning first. |
| Pet hair on rugs and mixed flooring | Results on the main surfaces in your home and the brush supplied with the model. | If pet hair clings to rugs or soft furnishings, I prioritise how well it’s picked up over the convenience of a quick run. This is the main concern for around 27% of consumers. |
| Emptying and cleaning the brushes | The capacity of the dust container or bag and access to the roller; if there’s a station, the maintenance it requires. | A small dust container that fills up during cleaning interrupts my routine, and I also want to be able to remove hair from the brushes. Around 20% of consumers prioritise these tasks. |
| Parts and consumables | Compatible filter, brush and bag part numbers, as well as the battery or relevant station components. | To keep using my vacuum cleaner, I want to be able to find the right parts for its exact model. This is the main concern for around 20% of consumers. |
This label doesn’t predict how well a vacuum will perform on your floor. UFC-Que Choisir’s testing protocol assesses robots on carpets, tiles and wooden floors, as well as along edges and in corners.
Identify the main floor types in your home, then check the available results for the exact model and the brush supplied with it.
The advertised battery life may refer to a different mode from the one you’ll use on a carpet covered in pet hair. So a long quoted run time doesn’t, by itself, tell you how long your cleaning session will last.
Check the battery life in the mode you plan to use and whether you can finish cleaning before the vacuum needs recharging.
The station collects the contents of the robot’s dust container, but both the station and the robot still need looking after. For example, iRobot’s instructions for its Clean Base station include checking the duct, contacts and pre-filter.
Read the manual for the station you’re considering and check which consumables are compatible before you buy.
Remember to allow space for the station and time for the maintenance tasks required by its system.
The index gives you information about how repairable an appliance is, but doesn’t confirm that a specific brush, battery or filter is available for your model. Manufacturers may also distinguish between technical parts, accessories and consumables in their commitments.
Make a note of the full model number and check separately for any components you may need to replace.
Worth considering for a cylinder or stick vacuum from the Animal Care range. Compare the features of each model.
According to Bosch, the ProAnimal range includes cordless, bagless and bagged appliances.
Worth considering if you’re looking for a cylinder vacuum and accessories suited to the soft furnishings in your home.
Worth considering if you want a robot that runs on a schedule and emptying its dust container is a concern.
These models are suited to frequent cleaning with a cordless stick vacuum and autonomous runs with a robot that has an auto-empty station. To choose between them, consider your floor types, how long you need to use the appliance for and which maintenance tasks you’re happy to take on.
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Worth considering for repeated cleaning on hard floors and carpets. The product title lists 65 kPa suction, a brush designed to reduce hair tangles and up to 70 minutes of battery life. Check the run time in the mode you’ll use, as well as compatible filters, batteries and brushes.
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A model to consider for removing pet hair between more thorough cleans. The product title lists 55 kPa, 550 W, up to 55 minutes of battery life and a brush described as designed to reduce hair tangles. Check the run time in carpet mode and which parts are compatible.
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Worth considering if you switch between cleaning floors and soft furnishings. The product title lists 60,000 Pa, up to 65 minutes of battery life and a brush designed to reduce hair tangles. Check the run time in your preferred mode and how to clean the brush.
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A stick vacuum to consider if you want to stand it upright between quick cleaning sessions. The product title lists 55,000 Pa, up to 45 minutes of battery life and a brush described as designed to reduce hair tangles. Check the run time in each mode and which accessories are compatible.
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Worth considering if you prefer autonomous runs and want to empty the robot’s dust container less often. The product title mentions LiDAR navigation, a mopping function, 8,000 Pa suction and a system designed to reduce hair tangles. Check how it performs on your floors, as well as the station’s maintenance requirements and consumables. According to UFC-Que Choisir, robot vacuum results vary depending on the flooring.
Not in every home. A robot can run more frequent maintenance cleans, but UFC-Que Choisir says its results vary depending on the floor. If your carpets or large areas need a deep clean, compare its performance on those surfaces and plan another solution for areas it doesn’t clean as well.
It transfers the contents of the robot’s dust container into a larger receptacle, so you don’t need to empty the small container as often. You’ll still need to clean the brushes and maintain the station according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Start by considering the surface you need to clean and which accessories are compatible with the model. A turbo brush for carpets or soft furnishings may suit a different need from a roller designed to make removing pet hair easier. In either case, check how to clean the brush.
No. The French Ministry for the Ecological Transition says the index covers appliances including vacuum cleaners and provides information about their repairability, but it doesn’t confirm that a specific part is available. Check the part numbers for compatible brushes, filters, bags or batteries that matter for your needs.
Check the bags and filters for a bagged cylinder vacuum, the filters and battery for a stick vacuum, or any bags and filters for a robot with a station. Note the appliance’s exact model number so you can check the compatibility of these items and replacement brushes.