For quick, frequent clean-ups, a cordless stick vacuum is easy to get out and put away. If carpets or deeper cleaning are more important, also compare a compact cylinder vacuum, which UFC-Que Choisir highlights for its suction performance. A robot vacuum can keep clear floors clean regularly, provided you have room for it and are happy to maintain its dust container or docking station. Whatever you choose, check how it performs on your floors, how much space it takes up when stored and which consumables are compatible with that specific model.
If you get the vacuum out for a quick clean and put it away straight afterwards, a cordless stick vacuum is worth considering. UFC-Que Choisir notes that it is easy to handle and store; just check its battery life in the mode you’ll use and how much space it needs to charge.
If you also need your vacuum to handle a deeper clean, compare a compact cylinder model with the stick vacuums you’re considering. UFC-Que Choisir highlights the suction performance of cylinder vacuums; however, make sure you have room for the hose, tube and accessories.
A robot vacuum can take care of regular cleaning on relatively clear floors. You’ll still need to check how well it navigates your home and plan to empty its dust container: UFC-Que Choisir points out that this needs to be done frequently.
Start with the floors you need to clean and the space you actually have, then consider the practicalities you’ll face every time you vacuum.
Best for: quick, frequent clean-ups when being able to get the vacuum out and put it away quickly matters more than cleaning for an extended period.
The trade-off: battery life drops considerably at higher power settings, as UFC-Que Choisir notes.
Best for: a main vacuum if carpets, rugs or deeper cleans are a priority; UFC-Que Choisir highlights the suction performance of this category.
The trade-off: you’ll need to manage the cable and find space for the vacuum, hose and accessories.
Best for: automating routine cleaning on relatively clear floors.
The trade-off: you’ll need to plan where it will go and maintain its dust container or docking station; check how it performs around obstacles and on different floor types.
| Consideration | What to check | What matters to me |
|---|---|---|
| Getting it out and putting it away | Measure the vacuum with its stand or docking station. For a cylinder model, also allow room for the tube, hose and accessories. | I want to be able to get the vacuum out for a quick clean, then put it away without cluttering the room. |
| Floor types and battery life | Compare its performance on your floors and, for a stick vacuum, check the battery life in the mode you’ll need. UFC-Que Choisir reports an average of around ten minutes at maximum power for the stick vacuums it tested—not for every model. | If I have rugs or heavily soiled areas, I’d rather know how long I can actually clean for than just the maximum battery life quoted. |
| Noise | Look for comparable noise measurements and the available power settings. UFC-Que Choisir notes that low noise levels and strong suction don’t always go hand in hand with stick vacuums. | Noise matters when I’m cleaning frequently in a small room, but I don’t want to compromise on how well my floors are cleaned. |
| Maintenance and spare parts | Find out which filters, brushes and batteries are compatible. For a bagged cylinder vacuum, check which bags it takes too; in France, check the repairability index for applicable vacuum cleaners. | I want to be able to maintain the model I choose and find the right consumables without having to guess whether they’re compatible. |
| Robot vacuum space and maintenance | Check how much clearance the docking station needs, how well the robot navigates around obstacles and how to empty its dust container or maintain the station. | If I automate my cleaning, the robot needs to be able to move around and its docking station needs to fit in my home. |
A battery-life figure quoted for a low-power setting may not reflect how long the vacuum will last on carpets or heavily soiled areas. UFC-Que Choisir reports an average of around ten minutes at maximum power in its tests of stick vacuums.
Compare battery life in the mode you’ll use and check that any additional battery you’re considering is compatible with the exact model reference.
These figures on their own don’t show how well a stick vacuum will clean the floors in your home. UFC-Que Choisir also notes that there can be a trade-off between suction power and low noise levels.
Look at comparable cleaning results and noise measurements for the floor types and settings that matter to you.
A parts catalogue or repairability index doesn’t, on its own, confirm that a filter, brush or battery is available for your exact model reference.
Make a note of the full model reference and look for compatible consumables before you buy. Check the repairability index too, where applicable.
In its tests of robot vacuums with mopping functions, UFC-Que Choisir rated the mopping performance as poor for most of the models examined. A docking station also takes up space and needs maintenance.
First choose a model with suction and navigation suited to your floors, then look separately at the mopping results for the model you’re considering.
Manufacturers’ catalogues can help you identify compatible parts; check each one against the exact model you’re interested in.
A brand to consider if you’re comparing cordless stick vacuums, corded vacuums and robot vacuums, while taking maintenance into account.
A brand to consider if you’re thinking of buying a bagged cylinder vacuum and want to identify its consumables before you buy.
A brand to consider if access to spare parts is a factor when choosing a cordless vacuum or another type.
These models show several ways to clean a small home: cordless stick vacuums, a corded stick vacuum, a bagless cylinder vacuum and a robot vacuum. Compare how they work in practice before choosing.
Image unavailable
Worth considering for quick, cable-free clean-ups if you have room for a self-standing vacuum. The product listing states up to 65 minutes of battery life; check how long it lasts in the mode you need for your floors, and don’t assume that the quoted 60 000 Pa guarantees cleaning performance.
Image unavailable
This self-standing stick vacuum with a removable battery may suit you if you want to put it away quickly after a cable-free clean. Its stated battery life of 60 minutes doesn’t specify how long it lasts in each mode: compare it with how you plan to use it, and check which replacement batteries are compatible before relying on being able to swap one out.
Image unavailable
If you want to clean without waiting for a recharge, this corded stick vacuum has a 4,5 m cable and a 0,5 L dust container. Check that the plug and cable storage work for your home; its 550 W power rating alone doesn’t tell you how well it will clean your floors.
Image unavailable
Consider comparing this bagless cylinder vacuum if you’re looking for a main vacuum and have room for its hose and accessories. Before choosing it for carpets or hard floors, look for cleaning results for the FC9556/09 and check which filters are compatible.
Image unavailable
This robot vacuum with a docking station is worth considering if you want to schedule cleaning on clear floors. The product listing states 180 minutes of operation and 8 000 Pa, but these figures don’t establish how it will perform on your floors. Check the space needed around the docking station, as well as its dust collection system and maintenance requirements, before deciding where to put it.
Not necessarily: it may refer to a low-power setting rather than the one you’d use on carpets. UFC-Que Choisir reports an average of around ten minutes at maximum power in its tests of stick vacuums; compare the stated battery life in the mode you’ll need.
They need different types of maintenance: you have to replace the bags in a bagged model, while a bagless one needs its dust container emptied and its filters maintained. Check which consumables are compatible with the model you choose rather than assuming either type is maintenance-free.
Don’t assume so, particularly when it comes to corners, edges, obstacles or certain floor types. UFC-Que Choisir assesses robot vacuums’ suction on different floors and notes that their dust containers need emptying regularly; check how the model performs on the surfaces in your home.
Note the vacuum’s full model reference, then look for compatible filters, brushes, bags or batteries from the manufacturer. In France, also check the repairability index where it applies to the vacuum you’re considering: it covers several repair-related criteria, but doesn’t guarantee that a specific part will be immediately available.