If your vacuum cleaner still suits your home, first check whether maintenance or a repair could save you from replacing it. If you’re buying a new one, choose a corded canister for full cleaning sessions, a cordless stick for quick, easy manoeuvring, or a robot if automated floor cleaning is your priority. Then compare repairability ratings and available parts for the specific models you’re considering.
If your appliance still meets your needs, check its maintenance requirements and repair options before replacing it. For a new purchase, ADEME recommends looking at repairability information, including documentation, how easily the appliance can be taken apart and the availability of parts.
If you regularly clean your whole home in one go, a corded canister is worth considering, provided the cable won’t get in your way. UFC-Que Choisir describes canister models as the most effective format for removing dust, but you should still check how the models you’re considering perform on your floor types.
A cordless stick is easy to manoeuvre for quick clean-ups, as long as its battery life suits your needs. A robot is designed to keep floors clean regularly: check that it can move around your home and that compatible brushes, filters and other parts are available for its series.
When to consider it: if its format still suits your home and maintenance or a repair may be possible.
What to bear in mind: you’ll need to identify the cause of the problem and check what can be done. A repair won’t make an unsuitable format more convenient.
When to choose it: for a main vacuum cleaner you can use without stopping to recharge, if you have accessible plug sockets.
What to bear in mind: you’ll need to be able to move the cable and wheeled body around your home.
When to choose it: if easy handling and quick clean-ups matter more to you than longer cleaning sessions.
What to bear in mind: battery life depends on the model and setting you use. UFC-Que Choisir notes, in particular, that battery life is limited at maximum power.
When to choose it: if you want to automate regular cleaning on floors the appliance can move around.
What to bear in mind: consider edges, corners and different floor types, as well as the maintenance needs of parts specific to the model.
| Criterion | What to check before buying | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Repairability and parts | Compare the repairability ratings of the models you’re considering, then look up their full model references in the documentation and parts catalogue. | If I want to keep my appliance for a long time, I need to be able to identify the parts and repair options for that specific model. Around 29% of consumers reportedly put repairability first. |
| Main cleaning | Check information about your floor types and the vacuum head, and, for a canister, the cable length. | To clean my whole home regularly, I’d choose an appliance suited to full cleaning sessions rather than just quick clean-ups. This is reportedly a priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Ease of manoeuvring | For a cordless stick, check battery life in the setting you plan to use and whether parts are available for its specific model reference. | When I do frequent, quick clean-ups, I want to be able to pick up and move my vacuum easily, while accepting that it needs recharging. Around 21% of consumers reportedly prioritise ease of manoeuvring. |
| Automated floor cleaning | For a robot, check information about your floor types, edges and corners, then confirm that its brushes and filters are compatible. | If I want to leave regular cleaning to a robot, how well it moves around my home matters more than how easy it is to clean manually. Automation is reportedly the main priority for around 21% of consumers. |
In France, the rating tells you about the repairability of a specific model, not whether it suits your cleaning routine or home. ADEME says the rating takes factors such as documentation, how easily the appliance can be taken apart and the availability of parts into account.
First choose a format that suits the way you’ll use it, then compare the ratings and details of the models you’re considering.
A brand’s parts catalogue doesn’t guarantee that a part will fit your appliance. Bosch, for example, uses the E-Nr reference to help you find parts, while iRobot links some accessories and procedures to specific series.
Make a note of the full model reference and check that each part you need is compatible, especially filters and brushes for a robot.
Using the wrong reference could mean ordering an incompatible accessory.
A drop in performance doesn’t necessarily mean you need to replace the appliance. ADEME lists cleaning the filters as a maintenance task and recommends getting the appliance checked before deciding to replace it.
Only carry out the checks set out in the instruction manual and, if necessary, ask a professional to diagnose the problem.
Rowenta offers canister vacuum cleaners, cordless sticks and robot vacuums. Its parts information can help you check a specific model in any of these formats.
Bosch lets you search for vacuum cleaner parts using the appliance’s exact model reference.
Miele’s French catalogue lets you search for different types of vacuum cleaner parts, including hoses, handles and filters.
iRobot is worth considering if you’re choosing a robot and want to check its accessories and replacement procedures.
These models are mainly designed for automated floor cleaning with a robot. The Hkoenig STC48 is intended for household cleaning, but check its format before comparing it with a canister. For every appliance you’re considering, check its repairability rating and the parts available for its specific model reference.
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Worth considering if you want to automate regular floor cleaning.
The model name lists 19 500 Pa of suction, a maximum obstacle-climbing height of 4 cm and an Omni station. Check how much space the station needs and which parts are compatible with this model reference.
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Worth considering if a station and automated cleaning suit the way you look after your floors.
The product title lists 12 000 Pa of suction, FlexiArm mops and hot-air drying. Check how much space is needed around the station and which consumables are compatible with the Qrevo S5V.
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Worth considering for regular automated cleaning with an auto-empty station.
The product title lists 8 000 Pa of suction and a battery life of 180 minutes; actual runtime depends on the setting you use. Also check that it’s compatible with your 2,4 GHz Wi-Fi network and that parts are available for this specific model.
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Worth considering if you’d like a robot with a station to take care of regular cleaning.
The product title lists 19 500 Pa of suction, a maximum obstacle-climbing height of 4 cm, OZMO Roller 2.0 and automatic PureCyclone 2.0 emptying. Check which parts and consumables are compatible with the X11 Omni Cyclone.
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Worth considering for regular household cleaning if you’re looking for a bagless appliance.
Check its format before buying: the product title describes it as a canister, while the description calls it an upright vacuum cleaner. Also check which parts are available for the STC48.
Yes. For a new vacuum cleaner covered by the rules and sold in France, the rating symbol must appear on pages where customers can buy the product or add it to their basket, according to guidance from the Ministry for Ecological Transition. The rating helps you compare how repairable models are, but it doesn’t replace checking whether they suit your home.
Yes. ADEME lists all three categories among the appliances covered by the repairability rating in France. Compare specific models that suit your needs: a rating alone isn’t enough to distinguish formats designed for different purposes.
No. Guidance from the Ministry for Ecological Transition explains that the requirement to calculate and display a rating doesn’t apply to second-hand or refurbished equipment, among other exceptions. When choosing this type of appliance, ask about its condition, model reference and repair options.
Search for the appliance’s full model reference in the manufacturer’s parts catalogue and documentation, rather than searching by brand name alone. Bosch, for example, asks you to use the E-Nr to find parts for a model. For iRobot, check the exact series before choosing an accessory or module.