For the main clean in a home with pets, a bagged cylinder vacuum is well worth considering, especially if you have lots of rugs and carpets. According to UFC-Que Choisir, this type of vacuum performs better than bagless cylinder models on the floors and types of dirt tested, including pet hair, and collects dirt more hygienically. A cordless stick vacuum makes quick clean-ups easier, while a robot vacuum can maintain accessible floors between manual cleans. For upholstery, always check which brush is included or compatible.
If pet hair builds up on several types of flooring and on the sofa, start by looking at a main vacuum and its upholstery tools. UFC-Que Choisir favours bagged cylinder vacuums over bagless models in its tests; then check the accessories included with the specific model you’re considering.
A cordless stick vacuum can be useful for regularly picking up visible pet hair. A robot vacuum can maintain accessible floors, but sofas, stairs and cluttered areas need a different solution.
If ease of maintenance matters as much as the type of vacuum, check the exact model numbers for bags, filters and brushes before you buy. Also check which parts are available for the specific model, rather than just the range.
Start with the surfaces you need to clean and the role of the vacuum: will it be your main cleaner or for quick touch-ups? Then compare how it collects dust, the accessories it comes with and the maintenance you’re happy to do.
| What to consider | What to check | What I need |
|---|---|---|
| Pet hair and flooring | Compare test results for pet hair and the floors in your home: rugs, carpets or hard floors. Check that a suitable turbo brush is included or compatible; the label ‘pet-friendly’ alone doesn’t tell you how well it performs on every surface. | Pet hair collects on both my rugs and hard floors, so I want to judge the vacuum on the surfaces I actually clean. |
| Main vacuum | When comparing cylinder vacuums, consider how well they collect dirt and how easy it is to maintain the bin or replace the bags. According to UFC-Que Choisir, bagged models perform better than bagless ones on the floors and types of dirt tested, including pet hair, and are more hygienic. | If this will be my main vacuum, I’d like to compare emptying a bin with the regular cost of buying compatible bags. |
| Quick clean-ups | For a stick vacuum, check the battery life in the mode you plan to use and how long it takes to charge. For a robot vacuum, consider which floors it can access, how it navigates, and how to maintain its brushes, filter and bin. | I want to pick up visible pet hair often without having to get out my main vacuum every time. If I choose a robot, I’ll still need a separate solution for the sofa and stairs. |
| Sofas and upholstery | Look for a mini turbo brush, motorised brush or upholstery tool, then check whether it’s included in the box or compatible with the exact model. Remember to remove any hair wrapped around a rotating brush. | Hair clings to cushions, seats and pet beds, so I need an accessory I can actually use on these fabrics. |
| Consumables and repairs | Find out the model numbers for bags, filters and brushes, and for a cordless vacuum, the replacement battery. If you’re buying a new vacuum in France that’s covered by the scheme, also check its repairability index; this doesn’t guarantee that every part will be available. | I want to be able to maintain my vacuum with regular use, with compatible consumables and clear repair options for my model. |
This label doesn’t tell you how well a vacuum will perform on your floors, rugs and upholstery. The brush designed for pet hair can also vary between versions.
Check the accessories included with the exact model and, if test results are available, compare its performance on the surfaces that matter to you.
A bagless vacuum saves you buying bags, but you’ll still need to empty the bin and maintain the filter as instructed by the manufacturer. With a bagged model, compatibility and availability of bags are important factors to consider.
Before buying, note down the model numbers for the bags or filters, as well as replacement brushes.
Bags are an ongoing expense; emptying the bin and cleaning the filter take time.
UFC-Que Choisir generally recommends cordless stick vacuums for quick clean-ups. A robot can maintain accessible floors, but it can’t clean the sofa or stairs on its own.
Decide whether you’re looking for your only vacuum or an additional one, then check that its accessories cover the other surfaces in your home.
A repair service or promise of parts availability doesn’t necessarily cover brushes, filters, accessories and batteries. For example, Rowenta’s repair package for bagged and bagless vacuum cleaners excludes consumables, accessories and batteries.
Check the terms and conditions for the exact model, and look separately for the parts and consumables you’ll need.
These ranges offer useful comparisons in terms of vacuum types and accessories. Check the features mentioned against the specific model you’re considering.
The range includes bagged and bagless cylinder vacuums, including Cat & Dog models to consider as your main vacuum.
The ProAnimal models give you the option to compare bagged and bagless cylinder vacuums, as well as cordless stick vacuums.
Rowenta’s Animal Care cylinder, stick and robot vacuum ranges are worth considering if accessories and repair options are important to you.
The brand’s cordless stick vacuums may appeal to households looking for quick clean-ups and accessories for upholstery.
Roomba robot vacuums are one option for maintaining accessible floors between manual cleans.
These robot and cordless stick vacuums are best suited to regular floor maintenance and quick clean-ups. If you’re looking for your main vacuum for a home with lots of rugs or upholstery, also compare bagged cylinder vacuums and brushes designed for those surfaces.
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A robot vacuum to consider for regular cleaning of accessible floors. The product description lists a mopping function, an automatic emptying station, an anti-tangle system, LiDAR navigation and 8 000 Pa suction power. You’ll still need to clean the sofa and stairs manually; also check which consumables are compatible with the station.
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This robot vacuum is designed for frequent cleaning of hard floors and picking up pet hair. The product description mentions an anti-tangle brush, DuoDetect AI 3D obstacle avoidance and app control. Confirm the suction power for this exact model, along with compatible filters and brushes. Upholstery will need a different vacuum or accessory.
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A cordless stick vacuum to consider for quick clean-ups on floors and rugs. The product description lists an anti-tangle brush, a self-standing design and up to 65 minutes of run time; actual battery life depends on the mode you use. Check which accessories are designed for upholstery and whether filters and a suitable replacement battery are available for the UV5.
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This cordless stick vacuum may suit frequent clean-ups if its battery life is enough for your cleaning sessions. The product description lists a removable battery, an anti-tangle brush and up to 60 minutes of run time, but doesn’t specify battery life in the highest-power mode. Check whether an upholstery tool is included, then find out the model numbers for replacement filters and batteries.
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This cordless stick vacuum is designed for frequent clean-ups in homes with pets. If you also want to clean the stairs, check that the motorised brush is included with the version you choose. You’ll need to empty the bin and maintain the filter, so check which consumables and replacement batteries are compatible.
For a main vacuum, bagged cylinder models have the edge in the tests cited by UFC-Que Choisir: they perform better than bagless models on the floors and types of dirt tested, including pet hair, and collect dirt more hygienically. A bagless model is still an option if you’d rather not buy bags and are happy to empty the bin and maintain the filter.
Not necessarily. A robot can maintain accessible floors, but it won’t clean the sofa, stairs or every cluttered area. UFC-Que Choisir also notes that suction without a brush may be less effective on pet hair. Check how the model performs on your floors and make sure you have a solution for upholstery.
Note the exact model numbers for bags or filters, brushes and, if you’re buying a cordless vacuum, the battery. Check that they’re compatible with your specific model and available to buy. A consumable sold for one range from the same brand won’t necessarily fit every other range.
Follow the maintenance schedule for your model, and clean it if hair gets wrapped around the brushes or it starts picking up less dirt. For the Roomba Mini, iRobot advises emptying the bin and cleaning the filter and brushes when the robot picks up fewer bits of debris.
No. In France, the Ministry for the Ecological Transition says that corded, cordless and robot vacuum cleaners are among the categories covered by this index. If you’re buying a new model that’s covered, use the index to compare repairability, then check separately which parts are available and whether the repair service has any exclusions.