If carpets, rugs and sofas trap pet hair, start by comparing results on fibres and checking which accessories are suitable for upholstery. A bagged cylinder vacuum is a good choice for thorough regular cleaning if you’re happy to replace the bags; a cordless stick vacuum makes frequent quick cleans easier, provided its battery lasts long enough on the setting you use. A robot can keep accessible floors clean between manual cleans, but it won’t clean upholstery on its own.
If you also clean fitted carpets, sofas or cushions, look for results on embedded fibres and brushes that work on these surfaces. UFC-Que Choisir tests how well vacuums remove fibres designed to mimic pet hair from carpets.
If you often reach for your vacuum after your pet has been around, manoeuvrability and how easy the brush roll is to clean matter. With a cordless stick vacuum, also check the battery life on the setting you’ll use: UFC-Que Choisir measures this in its stick vacuum tests.
A robot can clean accessible floors between manual cleans. Keep another way to clean furniture, stairs and areas it can’t reach; UFC-Que Choisir notes that robot vacuum results vary.
Start by choosing based on the surfaces where hair builds up and how often you clean. Then check test results and the accessories included with the specific model.
Worth considering: for regular cleaning of floors and carpets if you’re happy to collect dust in a bag.
Things to bear in mind: you’ll need to replace the bags. UFC-Que Choisir also found that bagged cylinder vacuums have an advantage over bagless models for suction and dust exposure.
Worth considering: if you’d rather empty a dust container than replace bags, while still using a cylinder vacuum for your floors.
Things to bear in mind: you’ll need to empty the container and maintain the filters. Check how the specific model performs on fibres and carpets.
Worth considering: for frequent, quick cleans when having a vacuum that’s easy to grab matters most.
Things to bear in mind: battery life depends on the setting you use. UFC-Que Choisir regards stick vacuums more as handy secondary appliances.
Worth considering: for automated cleaning of accessible floors between manual cleans.
Things to bear in mind: you’ll need to empty and maintain the robot, as well as use another vacuum for sofas and areas off the floor.
| Priority | What to check | Who it’s for |
|---|---|---|
| Fibres on carpets and upholstery | A separate test for embedded fibres; an upholstery brush included or compatible with the exact model. | When hair gets stuck in carpets or on the sofa, I want to be able to clean those surfaces, not just hard floors. Around 42% of consumers put this kind of deep clean at the top of their list. |
| Quick cleans | Battery life on the setting you’ll use and how easy it is to clean the brush roll. | If hair reappears every day, I mainly want a vacuum that’s easy to grab for a quick clean. Around 33% of consumers make this convenience their priority. |
| Automated floor cleaning | Results on the flooring in your home and how the dust container is emptied. | Between full cleans, I’d like accessible floors to stay clean without having to vacuum them manually every time. Around 25% of consumers prioritise this kind of automation. |
A wattage figure on its own doesn’t tell you how well a vacuum removes embedded pet hair. UFC-Que Choisir specifically tests fibres on carpets to assess this.
Compare results on fibres, carpets and hard floors, then check which accessories come with the model you’re considering.
A robot moves across accessible floors; it can’t replace a vacuum with an accessory suited to cushions and other surfaces above floor level. UFC-Que Choisir also says results vary between models.
Use it for automated floor cleaning if you have another way to clean upholstery and awkward corners.
An accessory being available within a product range doesn’t mean it’s included in every pack or compatible with every vacuum.
Check the vacuum’s exact model number, the accessories supplied and the attachment system specified by the manufacturer.
If the brush you need isn’t included in the configuration you choose, you’ll have to find it separately.
A bagged cylinder vacuum needs new bags, while a bagless model needs its container emptied. Brushes and filters also need to be maintained as recommended for the appliance.
Before choosing, check which consumables and maintenance tasks are required for the specific model. If you’re opting for a cordless stick vacuum, check the battery requirements too.
The ProAnimal range includes several formats, including bagged, bagless and cordless models. It’s worth comparing if you’re looking for a brush designed for pet hair.
Rowenta’s stick vacuums and ‘pet’ accessories are worth a look if you prioritise frequent cleans and upholstery care.
The Cat & Dog range includes bagged cylinder vacuums and cordless stick vacuums, which you can compare based on your carpets and upholstery.
These models cover three of the uses discussed here: stick vacuums for frequent cleans, a bagged cylinder vacuum for mixed flooring, and a robot to consider as a complement for accessible floors. For each one, check results on fibres and whether it includes the accessories you need for your upholstery.
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Worth considering for frequent cleans in a home with pets. If you also need to clean stairs and upholstery, check which accessories are included. For carpets, compare fibre test results and battery life on the setting you plan to use.
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Worth a look for frequent cleans on floors and carpets, with upholstery cleaning depending on the accessories in the pack. The stated battery life is up to 65 minutes; check how long it lasts on the setting you need for your surfaces, and how well it handles embedded fibres.
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Worth comparing if you’re looking for a stick vacuum for frequent cleans on mixed flooring. The model name states up to 60 minutes of battery life and a removable battery; check how long it lasts on the setting you’ll use, whether it comes with a suitable sofa attachment and how it performs on carpet fibres.
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Worth considering if you prefer a bagged cylinder vacuum for regular floor cleaning. For carpets covered in pet hair or sofas, check the model’s test results and what each brush is designed for. Also check which bags and accessories are compatible.
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Worth considering for automated cleaning of accessible floors, alongside another vacuum for furniture and other upholstery. The model features laser navigation; check how it performs on fibres and carpets, as well as what maintenance the mopping function requires.
Look for a separate test showing how well the vacuum removes fibres embedded in carpet. UFC-Que Choisir uses synthetic fibres designed to mimic pet hair for this test; a stated electrical power rating is no substitute for these results.
A mini brush is worth considering if cleaning your sofa and cushions is part of your routine. Check that it comes with the exact model or is officially compatible: an accessory from the same brand won’t necessarily fit all its vacuums.
A bagged cylinder vacuum needs replacement bags, while a bagless model needs its container emptied. Also check the recommended care instructions for the filters and brushes on your chosen model, and for the battery if you’re buying a cordless stick vacuum.
Yes. ADEME lists corded, cordless and robot vacuum cleaners among the appliances covered. Check the index for the model you’re considering when comparing how easy it is to keep and repair.
In France, the statutory guarantee of conformity covers new, second-hand and refurbished goods sold by a trader to a private individual, according to the Ministry of the Economy. If the vacuum you receive doesn’t match the seller’s description, explain exactly how it differs and ask them to resolve the issue under this guarantee.