For regular cleaning across several rooms and carpets that collect lots of hair, consider a cylinder vacuum. A model with a bag can also limit your contact with dust when you empty it, according to UFC-Que Choisir. A cordless stick vacuum is better suited to short, frequent cleaning sessions. Before choosing one as your only vacuum, check its runtime in the mode you’ll need, how well it cleans carpets and which accessories are included for upholstery.
If carpets or rugs regularly trap pet hair, human hair and fibres, look for cleaning results on these surfaces rather than focusing only on how lightweight the vacuum is. UFC-Que Choisir assesses how well vacuums remove embedded fibres from carpets.
If you move between hard floors, carpets, sofas, cushions and stairs, check which floor heads and accessories come with the model you’re considering. UFC-Que Choisir’s tests assess performance on different floor coverings separately.
A cordless stick vacuum can be easier to grab and put away for short, frequent cleaning sessions. If some carpets need a high-power setting, check that the runtime in that mode will cover the length of your sessions.
Consider it: for thorough cleaning across several rooms or carpets, especially if limiting contact with dust when emptying matters to you.
Bear in mind: it’s corded and you’ll need to replace the bags. In its tests of cylinder vacuums, UFC-Que Choisir found that bagged models picked up more effectively than bagless ones.
Consider it: if you’d rather empty a dust container than replace bags.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to empty the container and maintain the filters. Compare the specific model’s results on carpets and fibres.
Consider it: for short, frequent cleans when manoeuvrability and easy storage matter more than a long, uninterrupted session.
Bear in mind: check the runtime in the setting you’ll use on carpets, rather than relying on the maximum runtime advertised.
Accessories for sofas and other upholstery are worth checking with any of these vacuum types; they’re not a separate type of vacuum.
| Feature | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Pet hair and fibres on carpets | Test results for embedded fibres; a suitable brush included with the exact model. | If my carpets trap pet hair and human hair, I want to know what the vacuum actually picks up, not just see a power rating. Around 36% of consumers would prioritise this above all else. |
| Different surfaces and upholstery | Results for each floor type; floor heads and accessories actually included for hard floors, carpets and upholstery. | I move from wooden floors to carpets and then to the sofa, so I need the right tools for each area. This versatility would be the main need for around 29% of consumers. |
| Dust collection and maintenance | Emptying the container or replacing the bag; access to filters and brushes for maintenance. | I prefer a dust collection system that limits contact with dust and is easy to maintain. This would be the top priority for around 21% of consumers. |
| Manoeuvrability and runtime | Weight when ready to use; runtime in the setting needed for your cleaning sessions. | For quick, repeated cleans, I want to be able to get the vacuum out, use it and put it away quickly. Around 14% of consumers would put this need first. |
The maximum runtime advertised for a cordless stick vacuum may not apply to the setting needed to remove embedded fibres. UFC-Que Choisir says that, at full power, stick vacuums run for around ten minutes on average.
Compare this with the length of your cleaning sessions. If you have several carpets or a large area to clean, also consider a cylinder vacuum or check the terms for using an additional battery.
These figures alone don’t tell you how well a vacuum will clean tiles, wooden floors or carpets. UFC-Que Choisir tests pickup on different floor types and also checks how well vacuums remove embedded fibres.
Look for results that match your floor coverings, then check the floor head and accessories included with the model being sold.
A bag can limit contact with dust when you empty the vacuum, while a dust container needs emptying. Filters and brushes also need maintenance.
Before choosing between a bag and a dust container, check exactly how each one is removed, emptied or replaced.
A mini brush, upholstery tool or hard-floor head may vary depending on the model and bundle. Their inclusion also doesn’t prove how well the vacuum removes embedded pet hair.
Check what comes in the box for the exact model. If carpets are a priority, look for test results on the type of surface you need to clean.
Rowenta offers bagged cylinder vacuums and cordless stick vacuums to compare, depending on the format you’re looking for.
According to Bosch, the ProAnimal range includes bagged, bagless and cordless vacuums.
Dyson is worth considering if you prefer a cordless stick vacuum and want to clean upholstery that’s easy to reach.
This selection includes bagged and bagless cylinder vacuums, as well as cordless stick vacuums. Compare each format with the length of your cleaning sessions, then check that it has the features and performance you need for your carpets, floors and upholstery.
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This bagless cylinder vacuum is worth considering if you want to move from hard floors to carpets and empty a dust container. The product title lists 900 W and LED lighting. Check which brushes and furniture tool come with this model, as well as its results on embedded fibres.
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Its cordless design may suit short, frequent cleaning sessions. The product title lists an anti-tangle brush and 45 minutes of runtime. Check how long it lasts in the setting you’ll use on carpets, and which upholstery accessories are included.
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This format may suit homes where you alternate between quick cleans on hard floors and carpets. The product title lists an anti-tangle brush and up to 65 minutes of runtime. Compare this with the runtime in the setting you need for your carpets, and check which upholstery accessories are included.
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This stick vacuum is worth considering if you regularly clean floors, stairs and upholstery. Check which brush and accessories are included, the runtime in the setting you need, and its results on embedded pet hair. The words ‘Pet Hair’ in the name aren’t enough to establish how well it performs.
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This bagged cylinder vacuum is an option for cleaning several rooms at a time. The product title lists 550 W. If you have carpets that collect lots of pet hair or want to clean a sofa, check which accessories come with this model and look for test results on those surfaces rather than assuming its performance from the power rating.
It can for some short cleaning sessions, but not necessarily for long sessions across several carpets. Check how well the stick vacuum performs on your floor coverings and how long it runs in the setting you need. UFC-Que Choisir reports an average runtime of around ten minutes at full power.
Look for a test that checks how well it removes fibres or pet hair embedded in a carpet, then check which brush comes with the exact model. UFC-Que Choisir tests how well vacuums remove embedded synthetic fibres, among other things. Watts and a ‘pet’ label are no substitute for these results.
A bagged model limits contact with dust more effectively when you empty it, but you’ll need to replace the bags. With a bagless model, you’ll need to empty the dust container. UFC-Que Choisir also found that bagged cylinder vacuums picked up more effectively in its tests. Whichever type you choose, remember to maintain the filters and brushes.
Dispose of dust and other waste collected by your vacuum with your household rubbish, in line with ADEME’s guidance.