For frequent pick-ups of small bits of dirt, choose a cordless stick vacuum if you want to get it out and put it away quickly. If you’ll also use the same vacuum regularly in several rooms or on rugs, consider a compact cylinder vacuum and its floor head instead. In either case, check the maintenance requirements and compatible parts. For a stick vacuum, pay particular attention to the run time in the mode you’ll use.
A cordless stick vacuum can be handy for quickly picking up crumbs and dust from high-traffic areas. Que Choisir describes this kind of occasional use, while reminding readers that run time depends on the power setting.
If quick clean-ups are interspersed with cleaning several rooms, rugs or carpets, compare a compact cylinder vacuum with a cordless stick vacuum. Consider the need for a plug socket, the storage space available and whether the floor head is suitable for your floors.
Find the exact model number of the appliance, then check which filters, brushes and other parts are compatible with it. For a cordless stick vacuum, include the battery and charger in your checks.
Start with the areas you clean most often, then check what the appliance will require in terms of run time, storage and maintenance.
| Consideration | What to check | What I need |
|---|---|---|
| Ease of use and storage | Compare the weight, manoeuvrability and space required. Check where you’ll store the stick or cylinder vacuum and, for a stick vacuum, whether its stand will fit in that spot. | I want to clean a small area without moving a bulky appliance or having to find somewhere to put it afterwards. |
| Run time and floor types | For a stick vacuum, compare the stated run times for each mode, not just the maximum. For rugs or carpets, check the floor head and look for tests carried out on similar floor types. Que Choisir notes that maximum run time is generally measured at low power. | My quick clean-ups sometimes include a rug or several rooms, so the run time in the mode I need must be long enough for those tasks. |
| Bag or bin | For a cylinder vacuum, check which bags you’ll need if you choose a bagged model. For a bagless model, see how to empty the bin and access the filters. In either case, check how to maintain the brush. | I’d rather know in advance whether I’ll need to replace bags or regularly empty and clean a bin. |
| Compatible parts | Note down the full model number. Check which parts are compatible, including filters and brushes. For a stick vacuum, also check the battery and charger. A brand’s parts catalogue doesn’t guarantee that every part is in stock. | I’d like to be able to replace a part that wears out without discovering after purchase that it doesn’t fit my version. |
Maximum run time is generally for the lowest power setting. In its laboratory tests, Que Choisir found that the stick vacuums tested averaged around ten minutes at full power.
Compare the run times for each mode with how long you’ll need to clean your rugs, high-traffic areas or different rooms.
This figure on its own doesn’t tell you how well the vacuum will clean your floors. The floor head and how well it works on rugs or hard floors also matter.
Check the floor head and accessories included, then look for tests carried out on surfaces similar to yours.
A bagless appliance saves you from replacing bags, but you’ll still need to empty the bin and maintain the parts you can access.
Before you buy, check how to remove the bin, access the filters and clear the brush.
A battery, filter or brush must match the exact version of the vacuum. Other parts from the same brand won’t necessarily be compatible.
Make a note of the full model number and search the manufacturer’s catalogue for compatible parts before you choose.
These brand catalogues can help you check the maintenance needs of a specific model. Their inclusion here doesn’t guarantee that a part is compatible or always available.
Worth checking in particular for parts and accessories for its cordless stick vacuums.
Worth considering if replacement batteries and filters are important when choosing a cordless stick vacuum.
Worth considering when comparing parts for different types of Bosch vacuum cleaners.
Worth checking if you’re considering a Miele cylinder vacuum and want to identify its parts.
These five models are cordless stick vacuums suited to frequent quick clean-ups. If you also expect to do longer cleaning sessions regularly or clean rugs, keep the criteria for a compact cylinder vacuum in mind when comparing your options.
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For quick clean-ups in small areas, the product details describe a self-standing appliance that can also be wall-mounted for storage. It weighs 2,2 kg and has three modes, a removable battery and a stated run time of up to 50 minutes. Compare the run time in the mode you’ll use on your floors, and check which batteries and filters are compatible.
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It can convert into a handheld vacuum, making it useful for small areas away from the floor too. The product details mention self-standing storage, a removable battery and a weight of 3,3 kg, with a stated run time of up to 65 minutes in standard mode. Check the run time in the other modes and which parts are compatible with this version.
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This model has two stated run times to compare with your usual cleaning needs: up to 40 minutes in low mode and 15 minutes in high mode. The product details list a removable battery, a 0,5 L bin and accessories. Check that the run time in high mode is long enough for you, and that compatible batteries and filters are available.
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The product details describe a self-standing model that converts into a handheld vacuum, with a detachable battery and an anti-tangle brush. The stated run time is up to 60 minutes, but no run times are given for individual modes. The suction figures listed for this version contradict one another, so confirm which specification applies before comparing it with another appliance.
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The product details describe using it as a stick or handheld vacuum for floors and furniture. The stated run time is up to 40 minutes, but the mode isn’t specified. For frequent clean-ups, check the run time in the mode you’re interested in, then make sure batteries and filters are available for this model.
Not necessarily: the maximum is generally stated for the lowest power setting. Que Choisir reports that the stick vacuums in its tests averaged around ten minutes at full power, so compare the run times in the mode you’ll use on your floors.
A bagged model is a good choice if you’d rather replace a bag than empty a bin directly, provided you check which bags are compatible. A bagless model avoids the need for this consumable, but you’ll need to empty the bin and maintain the filters. In its guide to cylinder vacuums, Que Choisir says that bagged models vacuum more effectively and expose you to less dust than bagless ones.
First, note down its full model number, then look for compatible parts in the manufacturer’s catalogue. Also check the repairability index, if one is displayed. Pay particular attention to parts that may need replacing, such as a stick vacuum’s battery, filters and brushes.
That depends on the model and the part you need. Rowenta France lists items including filters and chargers, Dyson France has batteries and filters for cordless vacuums, and Bosch Home Appliances France lets you search for parts using the E-Nr. number. Check that the specific part is compatible and available before choosing.
You can take the appliance to a collection point or recycling centre, return it to a retailer, or give it to a social and solidarity economy organisation. The options depend on the guidance from the French ministry responsible for the ecological transition on electrical and electronic equipment.