For everyday mess that needs quick attention in a small home, consider a stick vacuum if its run time in the mode you need and its storage requirements suit your space. A robot is better suited to regular cleaning on uncluttered floors, provided you have room for its docking station and are happy to maintain it. If deep cleaning is your priority, look at a compact cylinder vacuum, bearing in mind that it takes longer to get out and put away. These distinctions are reflected in Que Choisir’s guides to the three types of vacuum cleaner.
If cupboard space is tight, check how much room the vacuum takes up when stored, including its tube, accessories or docking station. A model that’s easy to get out is handy for everyday mess, as long as it’s also suited to your floors.
A lightweight, easy-to-handle stick vacuum can make quick clean-ups easier. For a cordless model, compare the run time at the power level you’ll need, not just the maximum advertised battery life.
A robot is worth considering if your floors are fairly clear and you have an accessible spot for its dock. Rugs, obstacles, emptying the dustbin and maintaining the station all factor into your choice.
How often you clean can help you choose the right type of vacuum. Then compare storage measurements and cleaning performance on your floor coverings to narrow down the models.
Consider it: if you want to grab the vacuum quickly for frequent touch-ups.
Bear in mind: run time varies depending on the mode you use. Check it carefully if you’ll be vacuuming rugs or carpets.
Consider it: if you want to schedule cleaning on uncluttered floors without having to vacuum each time.
Bear in mind: you’ll need an accessible dock, may have to prepare the floor, and will need to maintain the dustbin or station. Que Choisir notes that performance varies between floor types.
Consider it: if deep cleaning matters more than being able to get the vacuum out quickly. Que Choisir highlights the cylinder vacuum’s effectiveness at removing dust.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to store the main unit, hose and accessories, and it may be less convenient to grab for a quick clean than a stick vacuum.
| What to compare | What to check | What I need |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | Measure the vacuum in its stored position, including its accessories. For a robot, also measure the dock and the space needed around it. | I want to be able to grab the vacuum for a few minutes, then put it away without cluttering the hallway or cupboard. |
| Run time | For a stick vacuum, compare the battery life in each mode you’ll use and the charging time. Maximum battery life doesn’t necessarily reflect performance at high power. Que Choisir measures these run times separately in its testing process. | I want to finish a short cleaning session without recharging, even if I occasionally use a more powerful mode. |
| Floor types | Look for test results on the surfaces in your home: hard floors, parquet, rugs or carpets. For a robot, also check its performance along edges and in corners, which Que Choisir tests separately. | If I have rugs or dust near the walls, an advertised power rating alone isn’t enough to tell me how well it cleans. |
| Dust collection and maintenance | Compare the capacity of the dustbin or bag, how easy it is to empty, and filter maintenance. An emptying station takes up space and has parts that need looking after. | I’d like to empty the vacuum less often, without installing a station that gets in the way. |
| Repairability | For a model sold in France, check its repairability index and make sure the battery, brushes and other useful parts are available. The French Ministry for Ecological Transition lists vacuum cleaners among the product categories covered by this index. | I want to know which parts can be replaced if the vacuum breaks down or wears out. |
This figure may refer to a less powerful mode than you’ll need for certain types of dirt or rugs. Que Choisir measures battery life in different modes.
Compare run times in the modes you plan to use, and check whether the model has a replaceable battery.
A poorly placed dock can get in the way. The robot also needs to navigate rugs and obstacles; Que Choisir notes that performance varies from one type of floor to another.
Measure the space for the dock, clearance under furniture and thresholds, then compare them with the specifications of the exact model you’re considering.
These examples show different formats and features to compare. They don’t indicate how other models from the same brand will perform or whether they’re available.
The Gen5detect is an example of the brand’s cordless stick vacuums, suited to people who want a model they can grab for manual cleaning.
The Qrevo Curv 2 Pro is an example of a robot vacuum with a station. Consider the whole set-up, not just the size of the robot.
The Compact C2 Silence is a practical example of a bagged cylinder vacuum whose dimensions you can compare with your cupboard space.
This selection includes cordless stick vacuums, corded stick vacuums that convert to handheld models, and a robot vacuum with a station. Compare how each one is powered and stored to suit your cleaning routine. This list doesn’t replace the choice between a stick vacuum, robot or compact cylinder vacuum.
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Its freestanding design is worth considering if you’d like to keep your stick vacuum within easy reach between quick clean-ups.
Advertised battery life of up to 65 minutes. Check the run time in the mode you need on your floors before relying on this figure for your cleaning sessions.
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The stick vacuum converts to a handheld model, making it suitable for targeted cleaning when there’s a socket nearby.
The product name lists a 5 m cable and upright storage. Check that the cable will reach the areas you need to clean and that the vacuum will fit in your chosen storage space.
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Its freestanding design and removable battery are worth considering if you regularly get your vacuum out for short cleaning sessions.
Advertised battery life of up to 60 minutes. Compare the run time in the mode you’ll actually use, and measure how much space you’ll need to store it.
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It converts to a handheld vacuum for targeted cleaning, without relying on a battery charge while you use it.
Listed with a 0,5 L dustbin and a 4,5 m cable. Check the reach from your sockets and the space you’ll need to store the vacuum.
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Its emptying station and scheduling features are worth considering for regular cleaning on uncluttered floors, if you can set aside space for the dock.
Advertised battery life of up to 180 minutes. Measure the installation space, check how it performs on your floors, and make sure the app is compatible with your phone.
Not in every home. Que Choisir says robot vacuum performance varies between floor types, and tests rugs, edges and corners separately. If you also need to clean furniture, stairs or specific patches of dirt, you’ll need a way to do that by hand.
Compare the run time in the mode you’ll use, rather than looking only at the advertised maximum battery life. Que Choisir’s testing process measures stick vacuum battery life. If your rugs or certain types of dirt need a more powerful mode, look in particular for the run time at high power.
Make sure there’s an accessible spot for its dock, then check that the app is compatible with your phone. Also compare the thresholds, rugs and obstacles in your home with the capabilities of the model you’re considering. Don’t assume they’ll be the same as those of another robot from the same brand.
It indicates how repairable a product is. The French Ministry for Ecological Transition lists vacuum cleaners among the product categories covered by the index in France. Check the index for the model you’re considering, then separately check whether replacement parts and the battery are available, if the model has one.