To regularly remove pet hair, human hair and fibres from several types of flooring, first choose a vacuum cleaner with a head suited to your surfaces. Then check which upholstery tool is included: the stated motor power alone is no guide to how well it collects debris. A cylinder vacuum with a bag is worth considering if carpet cleaning and limiting dust exposure during maintenance are priorities. For quick clean-ups on the sofa or stairs, look at a stick vacuum and check that it comes with a compatible mini tool. Bear in mind that battery life varies depending on the mode you use.
If pet hair and fibres get caught in your soft flooring, look at test results for carpets and check which floorhead comes with the vacuum. UFC-Que Choisir’s testing, for example, assesses synthetic fibres designed to simulate pet hair on carpets.
For sofas, cushions, seats or stairs, check which upholstery tool is included and whether it’s compatible with the model you’re considering. A floorhead alone won’t give you the access you need to clean upholstered surfaces.
If you’re concerned about emptying the dust container or handling dust, compare bagged and bagless systems. Check the manual for guidance on maintaining the filters and brush, as well as details of compatible consumables.
Choose based on the surface you find hardest to clean, then check the maintenance requirements and accessories. In its guide, UFC-Que Choisir says that bagged cylinder vacuums clean better and expose users to less dust than bagless models in the comparison presented. This doesn’t replace checking the details of each individual model.
Consider this if: you want a main vacuum for several rooms, particularly if carpets and dust exposure when emptying are important factors in your choice.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to plug it in and replace the bags with compatible ones.
Consider this if: you’d rather not buy bags and are happy to empty the dust container regularly.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to handle the contents of the container and maintain the filters.
Consider this if: you need to clean small areas often, provided it comes with a tool suited to sofas or stairs.
Bear in mind: battery life depends on the mode you choose. UFC-Que Choisir points out that the maximum battery life quoted is measured at the lowest power setting.
| Feature | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Pick-up on floors and carpets | Test results for your flooring, particularly tests involving fibres on carpets, and the floorhead supplied. | If pet hair gets caught in rugs or fitted carpets, pick-up on those surfaces matters more than the motor power figure. Around 33% of consumers make it their main concern. |
| Upholstered furniture | Check that a tool for sofas or cushions is actually included and compatible with the vacuum. | If hair and pet hair tend to collect on your sofa and cushions, being able to clean them with a suitable tool is a priority for around 27% of consumers. |
| Emptying and maintenance | Check whether it has a bag or dust container, and read the maintenance instructions for the filters and brush. | To avoid turning vacuum maintenance into a dusty chore, around 20% of consumers put ease of maintenance at the top of their list. |
| Frequent clean-ups | Check the weight in the configuration you’ll use and the battery life at your chosen power setting. | If pet hair often reappears on the stairs or around the furniture, being able to get the vacuum out quickly matters most to around 20% of consumers. |
This figure on its own doesn’t tell you how well a vacuum picks up fibres from a carpet or hard floor. UFC-Que Choisir highlights the importance of the floorhead design.
Where possible, compare tests carried out on the surfaces in your home, then check which floorhead and tools are included.
An upholstery tool may only be compatible with certain ranges. Dyson, for example, says its 972213-01 mini brush is suitable for specific series, including V8, V10, V11 and V15.
Check the full model number of your vacuum and the accessory, as well as what’s included in the pack.
According to UFC-Que Choisir, the maximum battery life quoted for stick vacuums is measured at the lowest power setting. It may not reflect a cleaning session on carpets or with a powered brush.
Look for the battery life you can expect with the mode and accessory you plan to use.
Hair and fibres caught in the brush need to be removed, while filter maintenance instructions vary between models, as UFC-Que Choisir points out.
Before buying, check the reference numbers for compatible bags and filters, and read the cleaning instructions in the manual.
According to Bosch, the ProAnimal range includes bagged, bagless and cordless models. It gives you options to explore when comparing vacuum styles and accessories for pet hair.
The X-Force Flex 13.60 is worth considering if you switch between cleaning floors and tackling sofas or cushions.
The 972213-01 mini motorised brush is mainly of interest if you already own a compatible cordless vacuum and want to clean smaller upholstered areas.
The Duoflex HX1 Total Care shows why it’s worth checking which tools come with a stick vacuum if you need to clean seats and upholstered furniture.
Consider these cordless models if you prefer to clean floors regularly and, depending on the accessories included, tackle stairs or furniture too. If sofa cleaning is a priority, always check which upholstery tool is actually supplied. This selection doesn’t compare bagged and bagless cylinder vacuums.
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Worth considering for regular clean-ups on floors and carpets where pet hair is a problem. If the sofa is your priority, check exactly which upholstery tool comes with this version. The quoted battery life doesn’t specify how long it lasts in each mode.
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Consider this if you switch between floors and upholstered furniture. Check which brush is included and whether it’s suitable for the fabrics you need to clean. The product details state 450 W, a removable battery and up to 60 minutes of battery life. Check how long it lasts in the mode you’ll need for your surfaces.
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Worth considering if you regularly clean hard floors and carpets. The quoted 55-minute battery life applies to hard-floor mode. Check how long it lasts in carpet mode and which tools are included if you also plan to vacuum the sofa.
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Consider this for cleaning floors and carpets if you’d like to choose between two speeds. The product details mention a removable battery. For furniture, check the exact list of accessories and whether an upholstery tool is included.
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Worth considering if you want to switch between cleaning floors, furniture and the car. The product details state 18 kPa and up to 40 minutes of battery life. Check which tools are included and how long it lasts in the mode you’ll use.
No. UFC-Que Choisir highlights the role of the floorhead in picking up debris. If you need to remove pet hair from carpets or fibres from hard floors, look for tests on those surfaces and check which floorhead comes with the model.
A bagged cylinder vacuum is worth considering. In the comparison in its guide, UFC-Que Choisir says it exposes users to less dust than a bagless cylinder vacuum. In return, check that bags compatible with your chosen model are readily available.
Remove any hair and fibres caught in the brush, following the instructions for your model. UFC-Que Choisir points out that filter maintenance varies between appliances, so follow the cleaning and drying instructions before putting the filters back in.
According to the French Ministry of the Economy, the statutory legal guarantee of conformity applies to new, second-hand and refurbished goods sold by a trader to a private individual. Keep your proof of purchase and a record of the accessories advertised, so you can report any lack of conformity to the seller.