For carpets, rugs and embedded pet hair, compare cleaning results on these surfaces and check which brushes are included, particularly with cylinder vacuums. For quick clean-ups or stairs, a cordless stick vacuum may be more convenient if its weight and runtime at the setting you need suit you. A bag generally limits contact with dust when you empty the vacuum, while a bagless model avoids replacement bags but needs regular maintenance. Robot and wet and dry vacuums are designed for different, complementary uses, according to UFC-Que Choisir’s guides.
To keep carpets and rugs clean, compare results on different fabrics and check which brush is actually included, rather than relying on a single power figure. UFC-Que Choisir’s test methods assess vacuuming on different types of flooring.
If you need to carry your vacuum and do quick clean-ups, check its weight in the configuration you’ll use, as well as its runtime at the required setting. UFC-Que Choisir points out that a stick vacuum’s advertised maximum runtime is measured at the lowest power setting.
Compare how the dust container is emptied and how the filters are maintained. UFC-Que Choisir notes that emptying a bagless bin can expose you to more dust, while bagged models require you to check which replacement bags are compatible.
Worth considering : if you vacuum carpets often or for long periods, compare test results on your flooring and check which floorhead is included.
Things to bear in mind : the power cord and storage space needed for the vacuum, as well as the cost of compatible bags.
Worth considering : if you’d rather avoid bags and don’t mind emptying and maintaining the bin.
Things to bear in mind : emptying it can expose you to more dust, and the filters also need to be maintained.
Worth considering : for frequent clean-ups, compact storage or stairs, provided the weight and runtime at the setting you need are suitable.
Things to bear in mind : the advertised maximum runtime may refer to the least powerful setting. Check the dust container and brush maintenance requirements too.
Worth considering : as an extra for scheduled cleaning in accessible areas.
Things to bear in mind : it won’t replace manual vacuuming on stairs or surfaces it can’t reach, and results vary depending on the flooring.
Worth considering : for picking up small amounts of rubble or water, with a model designed for these uses.
Things to bear in mind : its size and included accessories may make it less practical for everyday carpet cleaning.
For a vacuum designed for regular manual cleaning of household floors, check test results for your flooring and the brush included with the variant you choose.
| What matters | What to check | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Carpets, rugs and pet hair | Compare test results on fabrics and check which brush is included, as well as its maintenance requirements. | When carpets or rugs trap dust and pet hair, I want to check the results on fabric and make sure I know which brush comes with the product. Around 36 % of consumers prioritise vacuuming carpets and pet hair. |
| Manoeuvrability and stairs | Check the weight in the configuration you’ll carry and the runtime at the setting you need. | If I need to carry a vacuum upstairs or take it out often, its weight and runtime at the right setting are important to my choice. Around 29 % of consumers prioritise manoeuvrability and stairs. |
| Emptying and dust | Compare the emptying mechanism and check which bags and filters are compatible with the model. | To limit contact with dust when emptying the vacuum, I compare bags and bins, as well as filter maintenance. Around 21 % of consumers put emptying and dust management first. |
| Hard floors and gaps | Compare test results for the flooring in question and, if needed, for gaps in parquet flooring. | If my hard floors or parquet with gaps need regular cleaning, I look for tests on these surfaces and check which brush is included. Around 14 % of consumers make this their top priority. |
Electrical power alone doesn’t show how well a vacuum cleans, and a stick vacuum’s maximum runtime may be measured at its least powerful setting. UFC-Que Choisir recommends comparing results for different floor types.
Compare test results on your floors, check which brush is included and look at runtime at the setting you need for your carpets.
The bin needs to be emptied and the filters maintained. Emptying it can also expose you to more dust than using a bag, according to UFC-Que Choisir.
Compare the emptying mechanism and maintenance instructions, and check the consumables for the exact model reference.
A robot can’t clean stairs or surfaces it can’t reach, while a wet and dry vacuum is best suited to specialist uses and may be bulky for everyday cleaning.
Check what the model is designed to do and keep a manual vacuum for areas the robot can’t reach.
The bagged Série 4 ProPower range is worth considering for carpets and dust management.
Consider X-Force Flex cordless stick vacuums based on their weight, practical runtime and the accessories included with each variant.
The V8 Advanced is worth considering if you’re looking for a manoeuvrable stick vacuum. Check the variant and advertised accessories.
Robots with a docking station are best considered as a complement to manual vacuuming.
WD wet and dry vacuums are worth considering for DIY debris or small amounts of liquid, rather than as the default choice for everyday household floors.
This selection includes bagged and bagless cylinder vacuums, along with corded and cordless stick vacuums for regular cleaning of different floor types, including carpets, hard floors and stairs.
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Worth considering for hard floors and carpets, with a brush designed for both types of flooring and a 4 l bag.
Stated power : 850 W; advertised operating radius : 9,5 m; the product details also list a washable HEPA H13 filter and Mini Turbo tool.
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For targeted cleaning on carpets, hard floors and stairs, the product details describe a handheld conversion and accessories for hard-to-reach areas.
The description mentions a brush designed to prevent hair tangling, a removable battery and settings for hard floors and carpets. The title states a suction power of 60 000 Pa and up to 65 minutes of runtime.
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Worth considering for carpets, hard floors and cleaning stairs; the product details describe a handheld conversion.
The description mentions an anti-tangle brush and a removable battery. The title states 450 W, suction power of 45 000 Pa and up to 60 minutes of runtime.
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The product details list brushes for several types of flooring, including a parquet brush and a Mini Turbo brush for pet hair.
Stated power : 850 W; 2 l bin and 9,5 m operating radius. The bin needs to be emptied; UFC-Que Choisir says that emptying a bagless model can expose you to more dust than emptying a bagged one.
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The product details describe different settings for different floor types and a handheld conversion for stairs, upholstery and cars.
The title states a 4,5 m power cord and a visible 0,5 l bin; the description mentions a washable filter. The bin needs to be emptied, and UFC-Que Choisir notes that emptying bagless dust containers can expose you to more dust.
UFC-Que Choisir’s test methods assess the dust picked up from carpets separately from the dust collected from a gap in parquet flooring. Compare results for the surfaces in your home: a stated power rating is no substitute for these tests.
Empty the bin or replace the bag according to the manufacturer’s instructions, then maintain the filters and brush as directed in the manual for your model. Maintenance requirements vary depending on the type of dust container and the model.
Check the cost and compatibility of any bags, filters and batteries required for the model you choose. France’s Ministry of the Economy and Finance notes that the legal guarantee of conformity covers new, second-hand and refurbished goods sold by a business to a consumer. It applies through the seller for two years, subject to legal conditions; an advertised commercial warranty for the motor does not replace it.
No. The European Commission states that the 2013 regulation on energy labelling for vacuum cleaners was annulled, so an old energy rating is not something you need to look for. In France, the DGCCRF says that corded household vacuums, cordless battery-powered vacuums and robot vacuums are among the categories that must display a repairability index. This index indicates how repairable a product is, not how well it vacuums.
Take it to a collection point for electrical equipment. France’s Ministry for Ecological Transition distinguishes between the take-back of an appliance of the same type when you buy a new one, known as « 1 for 1 », and, at shops covered by the relevant threshold, take-back without a purchase, known as « 1 for 0 ».