If pet hair tends to cling to carpets and upholstery, start by looking at a canister vacuum with a suitable brush. In its tests, UFC-Que Choisir found that bagged canister vacuums performed better than bagless models. A cordless stick vacuum is better suited to quick clean-ups, provided its battery life and attachments meet your needs. A robot vacuum can keep accessible floors clean between manual cleans, but it may not tackle stairs, upholstery or every nook and cranny.
If hair gets trapped in rugs, carpets, sofas, pet beds or on the stairs, first check that the brush is designed for those surfaces and is compatible with the vacuum. The upholstery attachments described by Miele and Dyson show why the stated suction power alone is not enough to help you choose.
For short cleaning sessions in several rooms, manoeuvrability matters, as do the run time in your chosen mode, how often you need to empty the dust bin and how easy the brush is to maintain. UFC-Que Choisir specifically recommends considering the battery-life limits of cordless stick vacuums.
A robot vacuum can clean accessible floors regularly. You’ll still need to clean manually if pet hair also builds up on upholstery, on the stairs or in areas the robot can’t reach. UFC-Que Choisir notes that results vary depending on the type of floor.
Worth considering: as your main vacuum when carpets, rugs and upholstery need a thorough clean.
Bear in mind: the cord and reduced manoeuvrability compared with a stick vacuum. A bagged model also needs replacement bags. UFC-Que Choisir reports different results for bagged and bagless canister vacuums in its tests.
Worth considering: if you want to grab your vacuum quickly and clean floors or specific areas several times a week.
Bear in mind: run time depends on the mode you choose. UFC-Que Choisir highlights the potential battery-life limitations of cordless stick vacuums.
Worth considering: if you want to schedule cleans on accessible floors between manual sessions.
Bear in mind: results vary depending on the floor type, according to UFC-Que Choisir, and the dust bin and brushes need regular maintenance.
| What matters to you | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Embedded pet hair | A brush that’s compatible with the model and suitable for carpets or upholstery, plus test results for these surfaces. | If carpets, sofas or pet beds trap hair, I want to be able to clean these surfaces thoroughly. Around 36% of consumers prioritise this need. |
| Quick clean-ups | Battery life in the mode you use and whether there’s an attachment for spot cleaning. | If I vacuum almost every day, I mainly want a machine that’s easy to grab for short sessions. This is the top priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Automated cleaning | How it performs on your floors, whether it can cross thresholds, and how to maintain the dust bin and brushes. | To keep floors clear between more thorough cleans, I’d rather schedule regular runs. Automation is the priority for around 21% of consumers. |
| Vacuum maintenance | Compatible part numbers for bags, filters, brushes or batteries and, in France, the model’s repairability index. | If I plan to keep my vacuum for a long time, I want to be able to maintain it and replace the parts I need. Around 14% of consumers put this concern first. |
These figures alone don’t tell you how well a vacuum will lift hair from a carpet, sofa or corner. The floorhead and attachments also affect how it tackles pet hair.
Where available, compare test results for your floor types, then check which brush is designed for upholstery and whether it’s compatible with the model.
UFC-Que Choisir reports that robot vacuum performance varies depending on the type of floor. Scheduling a clean on an accessible floor doesn’t guarantee that the carpets and corners in your home will be cleaned.
Measure thresholds and the clearance under your furniture, then check test results for your floor types and find out how to maintain the brushes and docking station, if the model has one.
Bags, filters and brushes need regular attention, especially when pet hair builds up. With a bagless vacuum, you’ll also need to empty the dust bin and maintain the filters.
Before choosing, note down the part numbers compatible with the exact model and check how to buy them.
An attachment promoted by a brand, or a part listed in its catalogue, won’t necessarily fit every model. Miele recommends checking accessory compatibility for each model.
Check the vacuum’s full model number and the part number for the brush, filter or battery before relying on it.
These examples relate to specific ranges and models. Check the accessories for the model you’re considering rather than assuming its features based on the brand name alone.
The Animal Care range includes canister and stick vacuums designed for homes with pets.
A brand to consider if you’re looking for a canister vacuum and want to check brushes, filters and parts individually for a specific model.
Worth considering if you’re looking for a cordless stick vacuum and need to clean upholstery and tight spaces.
The ProAnimal range includes bagged vacuums and cordless models with accessories that you should check for each specific model.
A brand to consider for automated cleaning of accessible floors.
The vacuums below are cordless stick models worth considering for frequent cleaning in a home with pets. If your priority is a thorough clean of carpets or upholstery, check their performance and attachments before making one your only vacuum.
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Worth considering for spot cleaning in a home with pets. If stairs or upholstery are important to you, check which attachments come with the pack and how well they perform on these surfaces.
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Worth considering if you switch between hard floors and carpets. The product name lists an anti-tangle brush and up to 55 minutes of run time. Check how long it runs in the mode you’ll use on carpets.
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Worth considering for regular cleaning if you can fit charging in with your cleaning routine. The product details state up to 65 minutes in standard mode. Check the run time in the mode intended for carpets and what’s included in the pack for upholstery.
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Worth considering for frequent spot cleaning. The product name lists a removable battery and up to 60 minutes of run time. Check which mode this figure applies to. The product details advise leaving the washed filter to dry completely for at least 24 hours before putting it back.
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Worth considering if you want to empty your stick vacuum less often: its name indicates an automatic emptying station. The stated run time is up to 70 minutes, but this doesn’t specify how long it runs in each mode. Also check which parts are needed to maintain the station and which attachments are designed for your upholstery.
Not necessarily. A robot can keep accessible floors clean, but you’ll need a manual vacuum if you regularly clean stairs, sofas or corners. UFC-Que Choisir notes that robot vacuum performance varies depending on the floor type. Check test results for your carpets before relying on a robot to clean them.
The maintenance tasks are different: you need to replace the bag in a bagged model, while a bagless one needs its dust bin emptied and filters maintained. UFC-Que Choisir also reports that bagged canister vacuums performed better than bagless models in its tests. Check the brush and maintenance requirements of the specific model before choosing.
Check the part numbers and compatibility of the filters, brushes, bags or batteries you’ll need. For a model sold in France, the repairability index, scored out of 10, indicates how easy it is to repair, according to the ministry responsible for ecological transition. It doesn’t replace checking which parts are compatible with your specific model.
No. These figures alone don’t tell you how well the vacuum will clean your carpets and upholstery. Check which brush is included and look for test results on the surfaces you need to clean. UFC-Que Choisir assesses vacuums on different floor types and fibres, among other criteria.