For a deep clean on rugs or carpets, start by looking at cylinder vacuums with a suitable brush. If you regularly need to remove pet hair from floors, the sofa or stairs, a cordless stick vacuum may be more convenient, provided its battery life suits your routine. A robot vacuum can clean clear floors regularly, but it won’t automatically replace manual vacuuming: Que Choisir notes that results vary by floor type. In every case, prioritise tests on fibres and on your own flooring over the advertised power rating alone.
If pet hair gets caught in the fibres, look for test results on rugs and carpets, not just hard floors. Que Choisir’s testing protocol includes synthetic fibres designed to mimic pet hair. A cylinder vacuum with a suitable brush is worth considering if a thorough clean is your priority.
If you regularly clean floors, stairs or upholstery, a cordless stick vacuum can make quick clean-ups easier. Check that it comes with an attachment for the sofa and has enough battery life in the mode you need for your rugs: Que Choisir describes stick vacuums as more of a supplementary appliance.
A robot vacuum can complement manual cleaning if your floors are clear enough for it to move around. Que Choisir reports that results vary by floor covering. Compare results on fibres and rugs, and consider how you’ll empty the bin and clean the brush.
Your choice depends first on which surfaces collect the most pet hair and how much time you spend on each clean. Que Choisir’s testing protocols, for example, distinguish between fibres embedded in rugs and vacuuming on other floor coverings.
Consider it if: you want to clean several rooms in one go, especially if rugs and carpets make up a large part of your home.
The trade-off: you’ll need to manage the cord and check which consumables the model requires. For example, the turbo brush mentioned for the Miele Guard M1 Cat & Dog isn’t a feature of every cylinder vacuum.
Consider it if: you want to clean floors, steps and upholstery frequently, using the right attachments.
The trade-off: battery life in the mode used on rugs may not be enough for a long cleaning session. Que Choisir sees stick vacuums as better suited to quick clean-ups.
Consider it if: you want to schedule regular cleans between manual vacuuming sessions on clear floors.
The trade-off: you’ll still need to maintain the dustbin and brush, and Que Choisir finds that robot vacuum results vary by floor type.
| Criteria | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Floor coverings | Compare test results for fibres embedded in rugs, then check how the vacuum performs on your other floors. Make sure you know which head comes with the exact model. | Pet hair gets stuck in my rugs or carpets: good dust pick-up on hard floors alone won’t meet this need. |
| Brush and roller | Check whether the roller can be removed for cleaning, whether a tool is included and whether the advertised brush is compatible with the model you’re considering. An “anti-tangle” label doesn’t mean you can skip maintenance. | Pet hair and human hair often wrap around the brush. I want to be able to remove the build-up without spending too much time on it. |
| Cleaning time | For a stick vacuum, compare battery life in the mode you need for rugs with the time you usually spend cleaning. For a cylinder vacuum, consider the cord and where your accessible sockets are. | If I clean several rooms in one go, the battery life quoted for a different mode won’t tell me how long my session will last. |
| Maintenance and parts | Check the part numbers for bags or filters, the battery and brushes for your model. In France, the repairability index for vacuum cleaners is scored out of 10, according to the ministry responsible for ecological transition. | I want to be able to maintain the appliance and find the right consumables for my model. |
A power rating alone doesn’t tell you how well a vacuum removes fibres embedded in a rug. Que Choisir’s testing protocols assess dirt and floor coverings separately.
Look for results on surfaces similar to yours, and check which head comes with the version you’re buying.
A dedicated attachment may not be compatible with the vacuum you’re considering. Bosch, for example, asks customers to check the E-Nr number for its ProAnimal brush, which is designed for certain Unlimited models.
Note down the appliance’s full model number, check the manufacturer’s compatibility list and confirm whether the brush is included or sold separately.
The quoted running time for one mode won’t necessarily tell you how long the vacuum will last in the mode needed for rugs. Que Choisir sees stick vacuums as better suited to quick clean-ups.
Compare how long you spend cleaning with the battery life quoted for the mode you plan to use. If you regularly clean a large carpeted home, consider a suitable cylinder vacuum too.
You’ll need to empty the dustbin, and the brush can collect pet hair. Que Choisir also points out that robot vacuum results vary by floor type.
Before making one your main vacuum, check its results on fibres and rugs, how to clean its brush and which consumables fit the model.
These examples can help you identify ranges and accessories worth looking into. Their features don’t apply to every model from a brand.
The ProAnimal range includes several types of vacuum cleaner. Bosch also offers a ProAnimal brush for certain Unlimited stick vacuums.
The Guard M1 Cat & Dog is an example of a bagged cylinder vacuum that Miele recommends for rugs, carpets and pet hair.
Rowenta’s French online shop lists parts and accessories for bagged vacuums, cordless stick vacuums and robot vacuums.
The DEEBOT range includes robot vacuums designed to clean floors regularly.
These models suit two different needs: cordless stick vacuums for quick clean-ups on floors and upholstery, and robot vacuums to help keep floors clean day to day. First choose the type that suits your surfaces, then check the accessories and results for the specific model.
Image unavailable
Worth considering if you want to remove pet hair regularly between full cleans. Before choosing it for stairs or upholstery, check which accessories are included and look for results on the floor coverings in your home.
Image unavailable
For quick clean-ups on rugs and hard floors, check how well it removes embedded pet hair rather than relying on the advertised 60,000 Pa power rating alone. Battery life is stated as up to 65 minutes in standard mode; check separately how long it lasts in the mode you’ll need.
Image unavailable
This robot vacuum may be worth considering to complement manual cleaning. Its name mentions an anti-tangle brush and app control. Check its performance on rugs and pet hair before making it your main vacuum. Also confirm the power rating of the version on sale: figures for this model vary.
Image unavailable
The flexible hose and pet hair brush mentioned in the product name make this model suitable for quick clean-ups beyond the floor. Check which accessories come in the pack and how it performs on your surfaces. Figures for power and battery life in different modes vary, so confirm them for this model.
Image unavailable
Designed for regular floor cleaning, this model combines LiDAR navigation, an emptying station and an anti-tangle system, according to its product name. These features don’t tell you how well it removes embedded pet hair, so check test results on rugs and find out which consumables the station needs.
No. For embedded pet hair, compare test results on the floor coverings you have and check which head is included. Que Choisir’s testing protocols include fibres designed to mimic pet hair on rugs: the advertised power rating alone doesn’t tell you how well it performs.
Not necessarily. Que Choisir says robot vacuum results vary by floor type. A robot can complement your routine with regular cleaning. Before making it your main vacuum, check how the specific model performs on fibres, rugs, corners and room edges.
Check whether the roller can be removed, how to clear away tangled hair and which brush fits your model. For its ZR185003 robot kit, Rowenta recommends removing debris from the turbo brush once a week. This guidance applies to that accessory, not every brush.
In France, vacuum cleaners are among the product categories covered by this index, which is scored out of 10, according to the ministry responsible for ecological transition. Compare the score for the specific model, then separately check the part numbers for the parts and consumables you’ll need, such as the battery, filters or brushes.