For frequent pick-ups of visible pet hair, a cordless stick vacuum is a good choice if easy handling matters more to you than running time at high power. If hair gets embedded in carpets or you have a large area to clean, look at test results for cylinder vacuums instead. A robot can keep on top of everyday cleaning, but don’t assume it will replace targeted cleaning. In every case, check how the exact model performs on your floors, how noisy it is and what maintenance or repair options are available.
If your pets shed on rugs or carpets, look for tests that assess how well a vacuum removes embedded fibres, not just dust from hard floors. UFC-Que Choisir covers these situations separately in its test methods.
An appliance that’s easy to take out and put away may matter more than a long cleaning cycle. With a cordless stick vacuum, though, compare the battery life in the mode you’ll need for your floors, rather than relying on the maximum running time alone.
Check that filters, brushes and parts are available for the specific model you’re considering. ADEME also recommends looking at repair and reuse options before replacing an old vacuum cleaner.
First, choose a format to suit the cleaning you do most often, then compare models on the types of flooring in your home. New, second-hand and refurbished appliances are all options to consider for each format, but you’ll need to make different checks before choosing.
Worth considering: if you want to grab the vacuum quickly for frequent cleaning, especially if easy storage and no cord are important to you.
Bear in mind: battery life at high power can be much shorter than the maximum advertised. UFC-Que Choisir reports an average of around ten minutes at full power for this category.
Worth considering: if you set aside time to clean rugs, carpets or large areas and don’t mind using a corded appliance.
Bear in mind: it’s less convenient to store and move around than a stick vacuum. Check the test results for embedded fibres for the specific model you’re considering.
Worth considering: if you want to automate routine cleaning between more targeted cleans and the layout of your home is suitable.
Bear in mind: performance varies by floor type, according to UFC-Que Choisir. The dust container and, where applicable, the docking station also need maintenance.
| What matters | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Pet hair and different floor types | Test results for embedded fibres in carpets and other floor coverings in your home; the accessories you’ll need. | If hair gets left in the carpets, I want to know whether the vacuum removes it as well as dirt from hard floors. Around 36% of consumers are said to prioritise performance on different floor types. |
| Quick clean-ups | Ease of use, storage and battery life in the mode you’ll actually use, as well as charging time for a stick vacuum. | If I’m picking up pet hair several times a week, I want to be able to get the vacuum out and use it without any hassle. Around 29% of consumers are said to prioritise quick clean-ups. |
| Maintenance and repair | Consumables and parts for the specific model; for a new vacuum sold in France, details of its repairability index. | If I plan to keep my vacuum rather than replace it, I want to be able to maintain its wear parts and find spares. Around 21% of consumers are said to put this first. |
| Noise levels | Noise levels measured in tests and performance on your floors in the mode you’re most likely to use. | In a home where cleaning is frequent, I want to reduce noise without compromising on the cleaning I need. Around 14% of consumers are said to put noise comfort ahead of other criteria. |
For a cordless stick vacuum, the advertised running time may refer to a low-power setting. UFC-Que Choisir reports an average of around ten minutes at full power for this category, which can affect how you tackle a longer cleaning session.
Compare the running times in the mode you’ll need for pet hair and carpets, and check how long the model takes to charge.
A figure in watts, volts or pascals doesn’t tell you on its own how well a vacuum will remove fibres from a carpet. The floorhead, brush and type of flooring all affect vacuum test results.
Look for separate results for fibres on carpets and dirt on the types of flooring in your home.
UFC-Que Choisir notes that robot vacuum performance varies by floor type. Carpets, obstacles and embedded pet hair therefore need particular attention, even if routine cleaning is automated.
Check test results for your floor coverings, as well as navigation and the maintenance needed for the dust container or docking station. Plan to clean targeted areas separately where necessary.
Bags, filters, brushes and any replacement battery all affect long-term maintenance. In France, according to the Ministry for Ecological Transition, the requirement to calculate and display a repairability index applies to new vacuum cleaners within its scope, but not to second-hand or refurbished appliances.
Check the reference numbers for consumables and whether parts are available for the model you choose. For a second-hand or refurbished appliance, also check its condition and which accessories are included.
These brands have models worth comparing in the categories covered by UFC-Que Choisir. Their inclusion here is not a guarantee of the performance of any other model.
The V11 Advanced is among the cordless stick vacuums recently featured in UFC-Que Choisir’s comparison.
X-Force Flex and Green Force models feature in UFC-Que Choisir’s selections of stick and cylinder vacuums.
The BGS41PET1 ProAnimal Série 6 is among the cylinder vacuums recently featured by UFC-Que Choisir.
UFC-Que Choisir features the Qrevo Edge 5V1 among the robot vacuums it has recently tested.
These models are designed for frequent clean-ups with a cordless stick vacuum or automated cleaning with a robot. When choosing between them, check how they perform on the floors in your home rather than judging their effectiveness by their product names.
Image unavailable
A cordless model to consider for regular pet hair pick-ups. Before choosing it for carpets, look for a test on embedded fibres and compare its battery life in the setting you’ll use. Also check that parts are available in France.
Image unavailable
For frequent clean-ups, this self-standing model features an anti-tangle brush, 60,000 Pa suction and up to 65 minutes of battery life. That figure alone doesn’t tell you how long it will run in the setting you need for carpets. Check it alongside test results for pet hair and noise levels in use.
Image unavailable
For automated routine cleaning, the model name mentions an anti-tangle brush, app control and a dust collector. The power figures in its product information differ, so prioritise tests on pet hair and carpets, and check the maintenance required for the robot and its docking station.
Image unavailable
For combining vacuuming and mopping, this black version features an anti-tangle system, mop lifting and 10,000 Pa suction. This figure doesn’t prove how well it removes embedded pet hair. Check carpet test results, as well as the model’s navigation and maintenance requirements.
Image unavailable
For frequent clean-ups, this self-standing model features a removable battery, an anti-tangle brush and up to 60 minutes of battery life. Check how long it runs in the setting you’ll use on carpets, and how well it removes embedded pet hair, before choosing it for these surfaces.
Look for a test that measures embedded fibres in a carpet separately from dust on hard floors. UFC-Que Choisir uses this type of criterion in its test methods. An advertised power rating or the words ‘for pet owners’ won’t tell you the same thing.
Yes. According to the Ministry for Ecological Transition, new vacuum cleaners sold in France and covered by this requirement are included. Check the breakdown of the score out of 10, then check which parts are needed for the specific model. The index alone doesn’t guarantee that every part will be available in future.
Check the condition of the battery, if there is one, along with the filters, brush and dust container. Also check which accessories are included and whether spare parts are available. According to the Ministry for Ecological Transition, the requirement to calculate and display a repairability index does not apply to second-hand, reused or refurbished appliances.
Depending on the model’s instructions, you’ll need to empty the dust container or replace the bag, maintain the filters and remove any hair caught in the brush. You’ll also need to check the robot’s dust collector and, if it has one, its docking station.
Not necessarily. If your current appliance isn’t picking up dirt properly, first check whether it needs maintenance or can be repaired. ADEME recommends considering repair, followed by donating or reusing an appliance that still works, before replacing it.