For a main clean across a large area or carpets, a cylinder vacuum is worth considering if you don’t mind managing and storing the cable; Que Choisir recommends it for larger homes. A cordless stick vacuum is better suited to frequent quick clean-ups, while a robot automates cleaning on accessible floors, with results that vary by floor type, according to Que Choisir. If pet hair also gathers on fabrics, check which accessories come with the model you choose.
If pet hair gets caught in the fibres, compare cleaning results on carpets rather than relying on the power rating alone. Que Choisir’s test protocol for cylinder vacuums includes a trial using fibres designed to mimic pet hair.
If you regularly remove visible hair from floors and furniture, check how easy the appliance is to take out, put away and empty. Que Choisir describes cordless stick vacuums as a handy everyday option for quick clean-ups, while noting that battery life and power can be limiting factors.
A robot can clean accessible areas regularly. However, check how it performs on the flooring in your home and factor in the upkeep of the dust container or docking station: according to Que Choisir, robot performance varies by floor type.
Consider it: as your main appliance for a large area or a thorough clean; Que Choisir highlights its suitability for larger homes.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to manage the cable and put the appliance away after each clean.
Consider it: for frequent pick-ups of visible hair without having to get out a cylinder vacuum; Que Choisir describes it as suitable for everyday quick clean-ups.
Bear in mind: battery life limits how long you can use it, so check this against the power you need.
Consider it: to schedule cleaning on accessible floors, without having to do it manually each time.
Bear in mind: results vary by floor type, as Que Choisir points out. You’ll also need to prepare the areas it will clean and maintain the dust container.
Once you’ve chosen a style, compare the specific model on your floors and check that it comes with the accessories you need for furniture and awkward corners.
| What to consider | What to check | What I need |
|---|---|---|
| Pet hair on carpets | Look for test results on carpets and fibres designed to mimic pet hair; also check the model’s floorhead. Que Choisir includes separate tests for these in its cylinder vacuum protocol. | My carpets trap pet hair, so I want to know how the model handles embedded fibres, not just hard floors. |
| Frequent cleaning | Consider storage and how easy it is to empty. For a stick vacuum, check battery life at the power setting you’ll use, as well as charging time. | To pick up hair throughout the week, an appliance that’s easy to grab and put away matters more to me than a long list of features. |
| Automated cleaning | For a robot, compare results on each floor type, along edges and in corners; check the dust container or docking station, and the app’s terms of use. | I want to schedule cleaning on my floors, while knowing which areas will still need to be cleaned another way. |
| Furniture and awkward corners | Check which tools are actually included for fabrics and crevices, and make sure they’re compatible with the appliance you’ve chosen. | Pet hair also gathers on the sofa and car seats, so I need an attachment that works away from the floor. |
| Appliance maintenance | Check how to access the brush and filter, how to empty the appliance and, for a bagged cylinder vacuum, which bags are compatible. | If I use my vacuum often, I want to be able to remove hair from the brush and manage consumables without any hassle. |
On their own, these details don’t tell you how well an appliance will remove hair from your carpet or sofa. Que Choisir’s cylinder vacuum protocol includes tests on carpet fibres, for example.
Look for results on your type of flooring and check the floorhead and attachments supplied with the exact model.
For a cordless stick vacuum, the stated battery life alone won’t tell you whether one charge will last for a longer clean at the power setting you need. Que Choisir tests battery life and charging speed separately.
Compare the run time in the mode you plan to use with how long the battery takes to recharge.
According to Que Choisir, robot vacuum results can be mixed and vary by floor type. Automated cleaning also won’t remove the need to clean fabrics with a suitable attachment.
Check test results for your flooring, then work out how you’ll clean the sofa, car and hard-to-reach areas.
With a bagged cylinder vacuum, you’ll need to replace the bags with compatible ones. With any appliance you use frequently, pet hair can also mean cleaning the brush and dust container regularly.
Before buying, find the right consumables and check how to access the parts that need maintenance.
Bosch promotes its ProAnimal range for homes with pets.
Miele’s French catalogue includes the Guard L1 Cat & Dog Flex cylinder vacuum.
Dyson offers cordless vacuum cleaners for homes with pets.
This selection includes cordless stick vacuums for frequent clean-ups and robots for automated floor care. For each model, check how it performs on your carpets and whether its conditions of use suit your home.
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This cordless design means there’s no cable to manage, making it handy for frequent clean-ups. The product listing states that it has an anti-tangle brush and offers up to 65 minutes of battery life. Check the run time in the mode you need for your carpets, and how well it picks up embedded hair.
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The cordless design is worth considering if you tend to do short cleans around the house. The model is listed with an anti-tangle brush and up to 45 minutes of battery life. Compare the run time in the mode you’ll use and check how it performs on your carpets.
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This robot is designed to automate cleaning on accessible floors and is listed with app control and an anti-tangle brush. Check app compatibility, how to maintain the dust container and how it performs on your carpets; the suction value differs between the product title and description.
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The product listing includes LiDAR navigation, an anti-tangle system and an auto-emptying dock for scheduled cleaning. These features don’t guarantee how well it will remove hair from carpets, so check how it performs on your floors and review the app’s conditions of use.
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Designed for regular cleaning of specific areas, this model combines a cordless design with a removable battery and a brush described as anti-tangle. The stated battery life is up to 60 minutes; check the run time in the mode you need and how it performs on your flooring. The instructions limit its use to dry debris, so don’t vacuum liquids.
Look for test results on carpets using fibres designed to mimic pet hair, rather than choosing based on motor power alone. Que Choisir’s test protocol for cylinder vacuums includes a test to see how well they remove these fibres. Then compare the floorhead and accessories supplied with the model you’re interested in.
Don’t assume a robot will replace your main vacuum on every floor and fabric. Que Choisir says results vary by floor type and can be mixed, so check tests on your carpets and plan how you’ll clean furniture and awkward corners, as well as maintain the dust container.
Your choice will depend in part on how you want to empty the appliance and manage consumables. Que Choisir’s guide says that bagged models vacuum better than their bagless equivalents. Even so, check how the specific model performs on your floors and, if you choose a bagged model, make sure you know which bags are compatible.
Check that the app is compatible with your device, its update requirements and whether the parts needed for maintenance are available. Also check how easy it is to empty the dust container or maintain the docking station: automated cleaning won’t eliminate the need for these tasks.