If pet hair, human hair and fibres tend to build up on rugs, carpets and soft furnishings, compare how the exact model performs on these surfaces before choosing a cylinder vacuum cleaner. A bagged model also changes how you dispose of the dust. For frequent, quick clean-ups, consider a cordless stick vacuum and its battery life in the mode you’ll use. A robot can maintain accessible floors, but you’ll still need another option for stairs, furniture and soft furnishings.
If human hair, pet hair or fibres cling to rugs, carpets or sofas, look for suction results on the surfaces you need to clean. UFC-Que Choisir’s tests include fibres among the types of dirt assessed, showing that the motor power stated by the manufacturer isn’t enough to distinguish between models.
If you regularly pick up hair around furniture or on the stairs, a cordless stick vacuum’s manoeuvrability may matter more than its ability to handle a long cleaning session. However, check how long it runs in the mode you’ll use: UFC-Que Choisir notes that the maximum stated battery life is measured at the lowest power setting.
If avoiding contact with dust when disposing of debris is important to you, compare what’s involved in removing a bag and emptying a dust container. Also check how to maintain the filters, following the instructions for your model, as recommended by UFC-Que Choisir.
Start with the surfaces where fibres build up and how often you clean. Then choose a design and dust collection system that suit the way you want to use your vacuum.
Consider it: for regular cleaning of floors and carpets, especially if removing dust in a bag is also important to you.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to move the appliance with its cord and replace the bags with compatible ones.
Consider it: if you want a cylinder vacuum cleaner without having to buy bags and don’t mind emptying its dust container.
Bear in mind: emptying it involves more handling of the dust. Compare the exact model’s results on the surfaces in your home.
Consider it: if you want to grab your vacuum quickly and often clean small areas, stairs or furniture.
Bear in mind: check how long it runs in the mode you need for carpets, rather than relying on the maximum stated battery life.
Consider it: for scheduled cleaning on clear, accessible floors.
Bear in mind: keep a manual vacuum for stairs, furniture and soft furnishings the robot can’t clean.
| What matters to you | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Fibres on carpets and soft furnishings | Suction results on fibres for the surface in your home; check which brush and upholstery tool come with the version you choose. | When pet hair clings to my carpet or sofa, I want to judge the appliance on those surfaces rather than by its stated power alone. This would be a priority for around 31% of consumers. |
| Dust collection | What’s involved in removing the bag or emptying the dust container, and the filter maintenance instructions in the manual. | If emptying a dust container would expose me to too much dust, I prefer a collection system that’s easy for me to handle. For around 31% of consumers, this would be the top priority. |
| Quick clean-ups | Battery life in the mode you’ll use, and how easy the appliance is to manoeuvre around the areas you need to clean. | I often pick up small amounts of hair and want to grab the vacuum without having to prepare for a long cleaning session; around 23% of consumers would prioritise this ease of use. |
| Automated floor maintenance | Performance on pet hair and your flooring, plus navigation and maintenance of the brush and dust collection system. | When the floor is accessible, I’d rather schedule regular cleaning and keep another option for soft furnishings. Automation would be a priority for around 15% of consumers. |
The stated figure doesn’t tell you how well the vacuum picks up human hair and fibres on its own. The floorhead, the model and the surface all matter too.
Compare results on the types of dirt and surfaces you have at home, then check which accessories are included.
UFC-Que Choisir notes that a stick vacuum’s maximum battery life is measured at the lowest power setting. It therefore doesn’t tell you directly how long it will run in another mode.
Look for a stated run time or test results for the setting you plan to use. Also check whether an additional battery is needed and included.
A dust container means you don’t need bags, but it still needs to be emptied and cleaned. According to UFC-Que Choisir, this exposes you to more dust than removing a bag.
Choose a system that you’re comfortable handling each time you empty it, and check that compatible consumables are available for the model you’ve chosen.
A robot covers accessible floors, not stairs or sofas. UFC-Que Choisir also assesses its performance separately for different floor types and kinds of dirt.
Use it in areas it can reach, and make sure you have a manual vacuum for furniture, soft furnishings and other hard-to-reach spots.
Some Rowenta models come with accessories designed to tackle pet hair on soft furnishings.
A brand to consider if you’re comparing cordless stick vacuums for quick clean-ups.
Another brand to include when comparing cordless stick vacuums for regular cleaning.
A brand to consider separately for stick and robot vacuums, which are designed for different uses.
A brand to consider if you’re looking for a cylinder vacuum cleaner for floors and carpets.
This Joybuy selection includes cordless stick vacuums for frequent manual cleaning and a robot vacuum to consider as an extra for accessible floors. For each model, compare the brush, useful battery life and maintenance tasks with the surfaces in your home.
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Worth considering if you want to do quick clean-ups with a cordless stick vacuum and empty its dust container into a station. The product details say it has a brush designed to reduce tangles; however, compare its results on your carpets and check the battery life in the mode you plan to use, as well as which bags are compatible with the station.
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Worth considering for scheduled cleaning on accessible floors, alongside another appliance for stairs and soft furnishings. The product details describe obstacle avoidance and a brush said to prevent tangles. Check how it performs on pet hair and your flooring; the power figures given for this model vary between different parts of its product information.
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This cordless stick vacuum is worth comparing if you clean your floors often and also want to reach underneath furniture. Its product title states up to 65 minutes of battery life and a brush designed to prevent tangles. If you’ll use it regularly on carpets, check the run time in the relevant mode and its performance when picking up fibres.
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Worth comparing if you need to tackle pet hair on floors as well as occasional mess on the stairs. The product details describe a powered stair tool and a dust container that needs regular maintenance. Check which accessories come with the version on sale, then confirm the battery life in your chosen mode and how it performs on your surfaces.
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Worth considering if you want to switch between cleaning floors and using a handheld vacuum for smaller jobs. The product title states 55 minutes of battery life and a brush designed to prevent tangles, but this figure may not reflect how long it will run on carpets. Check the mode you’ll need for your surfaces, and plan to maintain the dust container, filters and brush as set out in the product details.
No. UFC-Que Choisir points out that stated motor power alone isn’t enough to judge suction performance. Look for results on fibres, pet hair and human hair on hard floors and, if you have them, on rugs and carpets too.
If you want to handle less dust when disposing of debris, consider a bagged model. According to the UFC-Que Choisir guide, emptying and cleaning a bagless dust container exposes you to more dust. Also check whether compatible bags are available or, for a dust container, what’s involved in emptying it.
Compare it with the mode you’ll actually use. UFC-Que Choisir says the maximum stated battery life is measured at the lowest power setting, so look for a run time that reflects the way you’ll clean, especially if you plan to vacuum carpets regularly.
Follow the instructions for your model. UFC-Que Choisir points out that maintenance schedules and methods vary between appliances. Also check the brush for trapped hair and fibres, and follow the instructions for the filter.
In France, ADEME suggests options including repair, donation and taking it to an appropriate collection point. If you’re returning it to a shop or taking it to a recycling centre, check the arrangements at your chosen location.