For the main cleaning of a home with carpets and upholstery, a bagged cylinder vacuum is worth considering first. UFC-Que Choisir reports that bagged models perform better than bagless cylinder vacuums and release less dust when the bag is removed. A cordless stick vacuum is better suited to quick clean-ups; a robot can complement manual cleaning on suitable floors, but results vary depending on the floor and the model.
If pet hair also builds up on carpets, sofas or bedding, check how the model performs on fibres and which accessories are supplied for fabrics. Results on hard floors alone aren’t enough to judge how well it will work on all these surfaces.
If you want to quickly pick up pet hair and crumbs between full cleans, a cordless stick vacuum is handy and easy to manoeuvre. However, check its runtime in the mode you’ll use, the bin capacity and how to maintain the brush.
A robot vacuum can clean accessible floors regularly. How useful it is depends on how it performs on your flooring and how well it navigates. You’ll also need to empty the bin and clean the brushes.
Consider it: for cleaning a range of floors, carpets and upholstery, after checking the model’s performance and accessories.
Bear in mind: it’s corded and less convenient than a stick vacuum for quick clean-ups, and you’ll need to replace the bags.
Consider it: if you want to avoid bags and can find a model that performs well in tests on your floors and upholstery.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to empty and clean the dust container. UFC-Que Choisir reports that bagless cylinder vacuums release more dust during this process.
Consider it: for short, targeted cleans on floors, stairs or sofas, particularly as a supplement to your main vacuum cleaner.
Bear in mind: runtime depends on the setting you use, and you’ll need to empty the bin as often as your cleaning routine requires.
Consider it: to automate some of your cleaning on uncluttered floors, alongside manual cleaning.
Bear in mind: results vary depending on the floor and model, and you’ll need to maintain the bin and brushes, as UFC-Que Choisir points out.
| Priority | What to check | My needs |
|---|---|---|
| Pet hair on different surfaces | Compare test results for your floors, carpets and fabrics, then check the floorhead and any upholstery tool included. UFC-Que Choisir tests these surfaces and types of dirt separately. | Pet hair also collects on my sofa or carpets, so results on hard floors alone won’t tell me everything I need to know. |
| Dust management | Check how to remove the bag or empty the bin, and how easy it is to access the filter. According to UFC-Que Choisir, removing a bag releases less dust than cleaning a bagless container. | I’d prefer to minimise dust when emptying the vacuum, or avoid bags and accept the need to clean the dust container. |
| How often you’ll clean | For a stick vacuum, compare runtime at the power setting you plan to use and the charging time. For a cylinder vacuum, check the cleaning radius and accessories. | For everyday mess, I want a vacuum that’s easy to grab. For a full clean, I need to be able to cover all the areas I want to clean. |
| Regular maintenance | Check how easy it is to access the brush and filters, the care instructions and whether the right replacement consumables are available for the model. | Hair and pet fur get tangled in the brush, so I want to know how to remove them without making every clean a chore. |
| Automated cleaning | For a robot vacuum, look for test results on your flooring, along edges and on fabrics. Check its navigation, app compatibility and how to maintain the bin. | I’d like to schedule cleans on accessible floors while keeping another option for carpets and upholstery the robot doesn’t handle well. |
The quoted power rating alone doesn’t tell you how well a vacuum picks up fibres from every type of flooring. UFC-Que Choisir’s testing protocols assess carpets, hard floors, edges and corners separately, among other things.
Compare the model’s results on the surfaces in your home and check whether it actually comes with an upholstery tool.
Vacuuming a carpet with a motorised brush may require a different setting from the one used to quote the maximum runtime.
Before choosing a stick vacuum as your only vacuum cleaner, check how long it runs in the mode you plan to use, along with the bin capacity and charging time.
In a home with pets, removing hair from the brush and emptying the dust container or replacing the bag are all part of regular maintenance. UFC-Que Choisir points out that filter care instructions vary between models.
Read the manual and check how easy it is to access the parts that need maintaining, as well as whether compatible bags or filters are available.
In its tests of robot mops, UFC-Que Choisir often finds that the mopping results are inadequate. This feature doesn’t tell you how well the robot picks up pet hair.
First, check how well it vacuums your floors. Then, separately, make sure the mopping function is suitable for your flooring and check how to maintain the docking station.
According to Bosch, the ProAnimal range includes bagged, bagless and cordless vacuum cleaners, giving you several types to consider for homes with pets.
The Animal versions of the X-Force Flex stick vacuums may appeal if you’re looking for a model for targeted cleaning on floors and upholstery.
Dyson offers cordless stick vacuums for homes with pets, with different floorheads and accessories depending on the model.
Roborock is one of the brands to consider if you’re looking for a robot vacuum to help with floor cleaning.
This selection includes cordless stick vacuums for targeted cleaning, a robot to consider as a complement and a bagged cylinder vacuum for your main cleaning. Compare each model with the surfaces in your home and how often you clean.
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Worth considering for targeted cleaning on floors and furniture. The product name claims up to 65 minutes of runtime and an anti-tangle brush; check how long it runs in the mode you’ll use and which accessories are included for upholstery.
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This stick vacuum, designed for homes with pets, is worth considering for targeted cleaning, particularly on stairs. Before relying on it for carpets and upholstery too, check the model’s performance on these surfaces, its runtime at your chosen setting and how often you’ll need to empty the bin.
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Worth considering for occasional cleaning of floors, sofas or your car. The product name mentions a removable battery and an anti-tangle brush; check which accessories are included and how long it runs at your chosen setting before relying on it to clean your whole home.
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Worth considering for scheduled cleaning on accessible floors, alongside manual cleaning. The product name mentions app control and an anti-tangle brush; check how well it can navigate your home, how it performs on your flooring and what maintenance the docking station requires.
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This bagged cylinder vacuum is worth considering for regular cleaning across several floor types. If you have pets, check how well it performs on pet hair and carpets, whether it includes an upholstery tool and whether compatible bags are available.
Not necessarily. UFC-Que Choisir reports that robot vacuum results vary depending on the floor, and its tests assess carpets, hard floors, corners and fibres separately. Keep another option for surfaces the robot doesn’t clean well enough, and remember to maintain its bin and brushes.
Yes, if you’re happy with a corded model and replacing the bags. UFC-Que Choisir reports that bagged cylinder vacuums perform better than bagless models and release less dust when the bag is removed. However, check the specific model’s results and accessories for your carpets and upholstery.
Follow the schedule and instructions in the manual for your model. Check the brush regularly if hair gets tangled in it, and allow a washable filter to dry completely before putting it back.
Not necessarily: you could consider getting it repaired before replacing it. ADEME also provides information on disposal options for vacuum cleaners that can’t be repaired, including returning them to a retailer or taking them to an appropriate electrical equipment recycling scheme.