For picking up crumbs straight away in a specific spot, choose a rechargeable stick vacuum; if you want to schedule cleans on clear floors, consider a robot vacuum. According to UFC-Que Choisir’s guides, a stick vacuum’s runtime depends on the mode used, while a robot’s performance varies depending on the floor type. A station can make storage or certain tasks easier, but it won’t eliminate the need to maintain the appliance.
If you want to vacuum up crumbs straight away in a specific spot, a rechargeable stick vacuum lets you clean by hand without starting a cycle. UFC-Que Choisir describes it as suitable for quick clean-ups, while noting that its runtime can be a limitation.
A robot vacuum can take care of some day-to-day cleaning if your floors are clear. You’ll still need to account for obstacles, emptying the bin and having another way to clean areas it can’t reach.
If you expect to use the appliance often, check how easy it is to access the brushes and filters, and whether spare parts are available. In France, vacuum cleaners are among the product categories covered by the repairability index, according to the Ministry for Ecological Transition.
Choose this if: you want to vacuum a small area straight away, especially around furniture.
Bear in mind: cleaning is still manual, and runtime depends on the mode used, as UFC-Que Choisir points out.
Choose this if: you’d rather schedule cleaning in rooms where the robot can move around freely.
Bear in mind: obstacles can restrict where it can go, so you’ll need another way to clean areas it can’t reach, according to UFC-Que Choisir and Les Numériques.
| Priority | What to check | For my needs |
|---|---|---|
| Quick clean-ups | Compare how easy each model is to handle and store, and how well it performs on your floors and the debris you need to pick up. | Crumbs get dropped in the kitchen: I want to clean that area without having to prepare the whole room. |
| Scheduled cleaning | Check the scheduling options, areas you can exclude and whether the robot can reach its base. | I’d like to clean clear rooms regularly without having to guide the appliance throughout the whole session. |
| Flooring and access | Check how the model performs on your floor coverings, then look out for thresholds, rugs, corners and gaps between furniture. UFC-Que Choisir tests robots on different floor types and around the edges of rooms. | Some furniture or objects on my floors could reduce the area a robot can actually cover in my home. |
| Runtime and recharging | For a stick vacuum, compare runtime in the mode you’ll use and the charging time. UFC-Que Choisir notes that the advertised runtime often applies to a low-power setting. | I’d rather know whether the stick vacuum will be ready for several quick clean-ups in a row, not just its maximum advertised runtime. |
| Maintenance and storage | Check how easy it is to access the bin, filters and brushes. If there’s a station, check where it will go, what tasks you’ll still need to do and whether spare parts are available. | A station appeals to me if it makes a regular task easier and I have a permanent spot for it. |
UFC-Que Choisir says this usually refers to a low-power setting, and that runtime drops significantly in maximum-power mode.
Compare runtime in the mode that suits your floors, cleaning performance and charging time.
Floor types and obstacles affect which areas get cleaned. A review on Darty of the iRobot Roomba 205 DustCompactor describes how, in that home and with that model, the robot needed to be supervised as it moved around chairs.
Check for thresholds, rugs, low furniture and objects on the floor, as well as the space needed for the base. Then compare test results for the model you’re considering.
UFC-Que Choisir highlights limitations in how effectively robot vacuums mop. So a wiping function alone isn’t enough to show that a model will meet your floor-cleaning needs.
Check how the model performs on your flooring and read the care instructions for that surface before using it for wet cleaning.
The bin, filters and brushes still need looking after, even with some stations. It’s also worth considering whether parts can be replaced or repaired, especially if you’ll use the appliance often.
Compare how easy it is to access the parts that need cleaning, whether spares are available and the repairability index for vacuum cleaners in France, as set out by the Ministry for Ecological Transition.
These brands are a starting point for comparing specific models. Their inclusion here doesn’t indicate the performance of their entire range or whether they’re available among the products below.
A brand to consider when looking at rechargeable stick vacuums.
A brand to consider when comparing rechargeable stick vacuums and robot vacuums separately.
A robot vacuum brand to compare model by model, based on your flooring and room layout.
A robot vacuum brand to consider if you’re looking for scheduled cleaning.
Another robot vacuum brand to consider for scheduled cleaning on accessible floors.
This selection includes cordless stick vacuums for cleaning specific areas and robot vacuums for scheduled runs. Compare each appliance with your floors, the space you have available and the maintenance you’re willing to do.
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This stick vacuum comes with a charging stand for cleaning up small, localised messes by hand. Its product listing gives a runtime of 55 minutes and lists 55 kPa and 550 W; check the runtime in the mode you’ll use and how it performs on your floors.
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This robot vacuum is worth considering for regular cleaning in rooms it can access. Its product listing states that it has 3D obstacle detection, a runtime of 180 minutes and 8,000 Pa of suction power. Compare its performance on your floors and check the product listing for the clearance needed around the base.
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For scheduled vacuuming and wiping, this model pairs a robot with an OMNI station. Its product listing states that it has 25,000 Pa of suction power and washes the mop pads at 75 °C. Check its performance on your flooring, and remember to maintain the station, brushes and filters.
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Its stick design lets you clean a specific area straight away, without scheduling a cycle. The product listing gives a runtime of up to 65 minutes in standard mode and suction power of 60,000 Pa. Also compare runtime in other modes and how easy it is to handle before choosing.
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This self-standing stick vacuum with a removable battery is designed for quick, manual clean-ups. Its product listing gives a runtime of 60 minutes and suction power of 45,000 Pa. Check the runtime in your chosen mode, how much it weighs and how it performs on your floors.
Not in every home. According to UFC-Que Choisir, robot vacuum performance varies depending on the floor type; Les Numériques points out that they can’t clean stairs, furniture or skirting boards. Keep a manual option for messes you need to clear straight away or areas the robot can’t reach.
Check your floor coverings, thresholds, rugs, corners, furniture and any objects left on the floor, then decide where to put the base. Compare tests of the model you’re considering in situations that match your home.
Compare runtime in the mode you’ll use, rather than looking only at the maximum advertised figure. UFC-Que Choisir says this usually refers to a low-power setting, and that runtime drops significantly in maximum-power mode.
No. Depending on the model, a station can make recharging, storage or certain emptying tasks easier, but you’ll still need to check and maintain the brushes, filters and tanks. Also check how much space it needs.
According to the French Ministry of the Economy, the statutory guarantee of conformity applies to new, second-hand and refurbished goods sold by a business to a consumer. You can also check the repairability index to compare how easy vacuum cleaners are to repair.