For quick clean-ups of crumbs and dust, including on furniture, a cordless stick vacuum is a good choice. Check its run time in the mode you plan to use. A robot vacuum is ideal if you want to keep floors clean automatically and can leave a clear route to its docking station. A compact cylinder vacuum avoids battery-related interruptions, but you’ll need to handle a cable and hose.
If you often vacuum crumbs from the floor, furniture or awkward corners, consider a stick vacuum that converts into a handheld. UFC-Que Choisir describes this easy-to-handle format as well suited to quick clean-ups in smaller spaces.
A robot vacuum suits this priority if there’s room for it to move around and its docking station is easy to reach. iRobot points out that obstacles and the position of the docking station can prevent its robots from returning to charge.
If you’re happy to plug in the appliance and move its hose around, compare compact cylinder vacuums. Check how much storage space they need, their reach and whether they’re suitable for your floors.
Choose this if: you do quick clean-ups on the floors and also want to reach furniture and awkward corners.
Bear in mind: run time depends on the mode you use, and you’ll need to empty the bin depending on its capacity and how you use the vacuum.
Choose this if: your priority is keeping floors clean automatically in rooms where it can move around freely.
Bear in mind: it needs an accessible docking station and won’t clean furniture or high-up areas.
Choose this if: you’d rather clean in one go using mains power, without stopping to recharge a battery.
Bear in mind: the body of the vacuum, cable and hose take up more room and need to be manoeuvred.
For regular cleaning in a small home, start with your main priority, then check the model’s features and any practical considerations in your home.
| Consideration | What to check | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|
| Quick clean-ups | Easy-to-reach storage, conversion to a handheld vacuum and accessories for awkward corners. | I want to clear up a small mess as soon as I spot it, without getting out a bulky appliance, and reach furniture too. Around 36% of consumers would prioritise this instant versatility. |
| Automatic floor cleaning | Space for the docking station, routes between rooms, thresholds and access under furniture. | If I can keep my floors clear, I’d rather cut down on manual cleaning between thorough cleans. Automation would be the main priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Cleaning without recharging | Mains power, bin or bag capacity, reach and hose storage. | I’d rather finish cleaning without waiting for a recharge or emptying a small bin too often, even if that means managing a cable. Around 21% of consumers would prioritise uninterrupted cleaning. |
| Suitability for your floors | The supplied brush and test results for your floor types, particularly carpets or wooden floors with gaps between the boards. | If I have floor coverings or debris that are difficult to vacuum, I want to choose based on results for my floors rather than a single power figure. Around 14% of consumers would put this suitability first. |
According to UFC-Que Choisir, this figure is generally measured at the lowest power setting; the organisation reports an average run time of around ten minutes at full power. So it may not reflect how long the vacuum will last in the mode you usually use.
Compare run time by mode, charging time and bin capacity with the length of your cleaning sessions.
iRobot says that obstacles, dirty charging contacts or moving the robot during its cycle can prevent certain models from returning to their docking station.
Find a stable, clear spot for the station, then check the route from each room and the clearance required for your chosen model.
UFC-Que Choisir’s tests assess suction on different floor coverings and types of debris. A power figure alone can’t tell you how well a vacuum will perform on a carpet or a wooden floor with gaps between the boards.
Identify the floors you have most of, then look for test results that match those surfaces and the supplied brush.
Cleaning the bin, filter and brush roll is part of using a vacuum cleaner. UFC-Que Choisir also highlights the importance of regular maintenance for stick vacuums.
Before choosing, check how to remove and clean these parts. At the end of the appliance’s life, look for a suitable collection service for electrical equipment and its battery.
Worth considering for a cordless stick vacuum that converts into a handheld, for quick clean-ups and areas away from the floor.
Offers models to compare if you’re choosing between a cordless stick vacuum for quick clean-ups and a mains-powered compact cylinder vacuum.
Worth considering for a robot vacuum to keep floors clean, if the routes around your home and the position of the docking station allow it.
These models cover manual cleaning with a cordless or corded stick vacuum, as well as automatic floor cleaning with a robot vacuum. First choose the format that suits how you’ll use it, then check the requirements for each individual model.
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Worth considering for quick vacuuming of floors, then switching to handheld mode for smaller areas.
The product details list a 0,7 L bin, a removable battery, a wall-mounted charging dock and up to 55 minutes in bare floor mode.
Before choosing this model, check the run time in the mode you need for your floors and how long it takes to recharge.
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Worth considering if you switch between hard floors and carpets and would also like a vacuum that can be used by hand.
The product details describe modes for both floor types, a removable battery, a 700 mL bin and a listed weight of 3,3 kg.
Check the run time in each mode, charging time and whether the weight suits you for handling and storage.
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Worth considering for floors and furniture if you’d rather use mains power than a battery and have an accessible socket.
The product details list a 5 m power cord, a 0,5 L bin, handheld mode and upright storage.
Check the operating modes for this model before buying: the number listed differs between sections of its product details.
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Worth considering for scheduled floor cleaning if the robot can move around and reach its docking station; it won’t replace a handheld vacuum for cleaning furniture.
The product details list an auto-emptying station with a 2 L bin and 2,4 GHz Wi-Fi connectivity.
They specify 0,5 m of clear space on each side of the station and 1,5 m in front. Also check the station’s dimensions and whether there’s a suitable route around your home.
No. Compare the run time in the mode you’ll actually use. UFC-Que Choisir says the maximum run time is generally measured at the lowest power setting and reports an average of around ten minutes at full power. Also check the charging time for the model you’re considering.
Choose a stable spot with a clear route from the rooms you want to clean, and leave the clearances specified for your model. iRobot support notes that obstacles or dirty charging contacts can prevent the relevant robot models from returning to their docking station.
Use a collection service suited to electrical equipment and its battery. The French Ministry for the Ecological Transition describes a French collection and treatment scheme for this equipment. Find out about local drop-off or take-back options near you.