Households that do quick daily clean-ups
For clearing up crumbs or dust between full cleans, choose an appliance that’s easy to pick up and store away. Check that its battery life will cover your clean-ups in the suction mode you plan to use.
Which type is right for each kind of cleaning?
People who already have a vacuum for bigger cleans
If you have a main vacuum for floors, a handheld model can come in handy for the table, sofa or a small area without having to get the larger appliance out.
Shoppers who want to replace parts as they wear out
If you want to be able to replace a filter or battery, make a note of the appliance’s exact model number and look for compatible parts before choosing. A brand’s parts catalogue doesn’t guarantee that every part will be available.
What should you check before choosing?
Start with the area you need to clean and how long a typical clean-up takes, then compare how easy the appliance is to store and maintain.
| What to consider | What to check | Ask yourself |
|---|---|---|
| Usable battery life | For a cordless stick vacuum, compare battery life across the different modes, not just the advertised maximum. In its laboratory tests, Que Choisir found that average battery life at maximum power was around ten minutes. Also check whether a compatible replacement battery is available. | Are my clean-ups short enough for the mode I’ll need, particularly on carpets? |
| Ease of use and storage | Check the weight of the complete appliance, how much space it takes up when stored, and how it charges or stands. A handheld vacuum can complement your floor-cleaning equipment. | After a meal, do I want to be able to clear up a few crumbs without getting all my cleaning equipment ready? |
| Surfaces to clean | For longer clean-ups, compare a corded cylinder vacuum with the battery-life limits of a stick vacuum. A handheld vacuum is designed for small areas: Rowenta distinguishes it from its floor-cleaning appliances. | Do I mainly need to clean a small area, or does a quick clean-up often end up covering several rooms? |
| Maintenance and spare parts | Search for filters, batteries and accessories using the exact model number, then check that they’re compatible and in stock. If you’re choosing a cylinder vacuum with a bag, also identify which bags are compatible. | Do I want to maintain the appliance and replace parts when needed without choosing the wrong model reference? |
What mistakes should you avoid?
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Confusing maximum battery life with time in a high-power mode
The advertised maximum battery life doesn’t necessarily reflect how long you can use the vacuum for a demanding clean-up. Que Choisir’s laboratory tests found that average battery life for the stick vacuums tested fell to around ten minutes at maximum power.
Compare battery life across the modes of the models you’re considering. If you regularly clean for a long time in a high-power mode, consider a corded cylinder vacuum too.
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Choosing a handheld vacuum to clean all your floors
Its compact size makes it handy for crumbs and small areas, but it’s not designed for regularly cleaning several rooms.
Use it as a supplement to a floor-cleaning appliance. For cleaning floors, compare a stick and a cylinder vacuum based on how long and how often you need to use them.
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Buying a spare part based on the brand name alone
A battery or filter listed for a product range won’t necessarily be compatible with every model in that range.
Use the full model reference on the brand’s parts portal, then check that the correct part is available.
An incompatible part could mean an exchange or another purchase.
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Forgetting about bags for a bagged cylinder vacuum
The Rowenta Compact Power featured by the brand uses a 3 L bag, which needs replacing as part of the appliance’s maintenance.
Check the reference and availability of compatible bags before choosing a bagged cylinder vacuum.
Bags need to be replaced depending on how often you use the vacuum.
Which brands should you compare?
These brand examples illustrate different designs and maintenance considerations to compare. They don’t necessarily reflect the features of every model in each range.
Rowenta
Rowenta’s range includes the cordless X-TREM COMPACT stick vacuum and the bagged Compact Power cylinder vacuum. These two designs suit clean-ups of different lengths.
- Rowenta states that the X-TREM COMPACT offers up to 40 minutes of battery life and takes 4 hours to charge. These figures don’t indicate how long it lasts in each mode.
- The Compact Power featured by Rowenta has a 3 L bag that needs replacing. For its stick vacuums, check which spare parts are compatible with the model you choose.
Bosch
The Bosch Unlimited 6 BCS611AM stick vacuum gives you a specific model to consider when comparing weight, advertised battery life and interchangeable batteries.
- Bosch lists the BCS611AM as weighing 2,4 kg when in use, with up to 30 minutes of battery life and an interchangeable battery.
- To search for a spare part, Bosch asks you to enter the appliance’s E-Nr. Then check that the part you need is compatible and available.
Dyson
The Dyson V8 Absolute is another cordless stick vacuum to consider when comparing advertised battery life and access to maintenance parts.
- Dyson lists the V8 Absolute as weighing 2,5 kg, with up to 40 minutes of run time.
- Check that batteries and filters listed for the V8 range are suitable for the exact variant you have. The advertised maximum run time doesn’t apply to every suction mode.
Stick vacuums available on Joybuy
This selection includes cordless stick vacuums for quick floor clean-ups and a corded stick vacuum that converts into a handheld model. When comparing them, think about how long your clean-ups take, whether you have access to a plug socket and which small non-floor areas you need to clean.
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ROUNY V14, 45 kPa cordless stick vacuum
For quick floor clean-ups without a cable. The product name lists two speeds, a removable battery and an LED display. Compare battery life in each mode with the length of your clean-ups, and check which spare parts are compatible.
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Lubluelu 202, free-standing cordless stick vacuum
The free-standing design may be useful if you want to put the appliance down between clean-ups. The product name mentions a removable battery and up to 50 minutes of battery life. Check how long it lasts in the mode you’ll use, along with which spare parts are compatible.
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UNINELL HOME UV1, 450 W cordless stick vacuum
This cordless stick vacuum may be worth considering for occasional floor clean-ups. Its name lists a detachable battery, a free-standing position and up to 60 minutes of battery life. Check battery life for each mode and the weight of the complete appliance before choosing.
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MONSGA X UNINELLHOME UV5, cordless stick vacuum
Worth considering for quick clean-ups if you’re looking for a free-standing cordless stick vacuum. The product name lists up to 65 minutes of battery life and an LED touchscreen. Check how long it lasts in the mode you need for your floors, and make sure the maintenance parts are compatible.
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ochama, 2-in-1 corded stick vacuum
Mains power means you won’t have to wait for a recharge, but you’ll need a plug socket within reach. The product name lists a 4,5 m cable, a 0,5 L dust container and a power rating of 550 W. The latter alone doesn’t indicate its suction performance.
Frequently asked questions
What does an advertised battery life of 30 or 40 minutes mean?
It’s the advertised maximum, and may not reflect how long the vacuum lasts in the mode you’ll need. In its laboratory tests, Que Choisir found an average of around ten minutes at maximum power, so compare battery life across the modes of the appliances you’re considering.
Is a handheld vacuum enough to clean floors?
For regular clean-ups across several rooms, choose an appliance designed for floors instead. A handheld vacuum is suitable for crumbs and small areas. Rowenta distinguishes this use from that of a cordless stick vacuum on medium-sized surfaces.
Is a repairability rating enough to help you choose a vacuum cleaner?
No. In France, this rating can help you compare the appliances it applies to, but it doesn’t confirm that a particular battery or filter will be available when you need it. Also look for parts that are compatible with the exact model reference.
How can you check the filters and battery before buying?
Make a note of the vacuum’s full model reference, then look up each part on the brand’s parts portal and check its compatibility and availability. Bosch uses the E-Nr. to identify parts, while Dyson lists different references within the V8 range.