If you regularly clean carpets and several types of upholstery, start by comparing cylinder vacuum cleaners and their accessories. UFC-Que Choisir particularly highlights the importance of the floorhead to cleaning performance on fibres. A bagged model means less contact with dust when you empty it, while a bagless model saves you from buying bags but requires you to empty the bin. A cordless stick vacuum is better suited to quick clean-ups and stairs: check whether it comes with a mini brush and how long the battery lasts in the mode you plan to use.
The areas that need the most attention and how you maintain your vacuum cleaner matter just as much as its design.
If pet hair, human hair and dust collect in your carpets, sofas, cushions or bedding, check which upholstery accessories are actually included, particularly a mini turbo brush or mini powered brush. UFC-Que Choisir’s vacuum tests take fibres, including pet hair, into account.
If emptying the dust container is a concern, compare removing a bag with emptying a bin. UFC-Que Choisir notes that bagged vacuum cleaners expose you to less dust. Also check which bags and filters are compatible.
If you regularly clean furniture, stairs or beneath low furniture, manoeuvrability is especially important. With a cordless stick vacuum, check the battery life for each power setting and how easy it is to clean the roller after picking up hair.
For longer cleaning sessions across several surfaces, start by looking at bagged and bagless cylinder vacuum cleaners. If you prioritise quick, cordless clean-ups, compare stick vacuums that come with upholstery tools too. In every case, the accessories actually included matter more than a label such as “Animal”.
Worth considering: for regular cleaning of carpets and upholstery, while limiting contact with dust when removing the collected dirt, according to UFC-Que Choisir.
Bear in mind: it has a power cord and you’ll need to replace the compatible bags.
Worth considering: if you want a corded vacuum cleaner without having to buy bags.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to empty and maintain the bin. UFC-Que Choisir notes that bagless models expose you to more dust during this process.
Worth considering: for stairs, furniture and quick clean-ups where being cordless makes it easier to get around.
Bear in mind: running time depends on the setting you choose. UFC-Que Choisir highlights the limited battery life of stick vacuums at full power.
| What matters to you | What to check | Consumers concerned |
|---|---|---|
| Hair in carpets and upholstery | A floorhead suited to carpets, and whether the kit includes a mini turbo brush or mini powered brush. | If hair gets caught in the carpet and sofa, I want the right accessories to clean both surfaces. Around 36% of consumers would prioritise this. |
| Contact with dust | How the collected dirt is removed, followed by the product codes for compatible bags and filters. | Emptying an open bin would bother me more than replacing a bag, even if I have to buy it again. Around 29% of consumers would prioritise dust management. |
| Moving between different surfaces | The accessories included for floors, furniture, awkward corners and upholstery, and whether they’re compatible with the model you’ve chosen. | I’d like to move from the floor to cushions and then furniture without finding out that I’m missing a tool. This versatility would be the main priority for around 21% of consumers. |
| Quick clean-ups and manoeuvrability | How easy it is to handle on stairs and the stated battery life for the power setting you need. | If I often need to pick up a few hairs on the stairs or around furniture, I’d choose a vacuum that’s easy to move around. Manoeuvrability would come first for around 14% of consumers. |
Motor power alone doesn’t predict how well a vacuum will clean carpets or pick up hair. UFC-Que Choisir also highlights the role of airflow, suction and floorhead design.
Where independent test results for the model are available, check how it performs on the fibres and floor coverings you have. Then check which floorhead and upholstery tool are included.
Rowenta’s product details for models designed for homes with pets list different accessories depending on the model. So the kit name alone doesn’t confirm that it includes a brush for sofas or bedding.
Compare the accessories included with the surfaces you need to clean: a mini brush for upholstery, an upholstery nozzle, a crevice tool and a floor brush.
If you buy a mini brush separately, make sure it’s compatible with your exact vacuum model.
According to UFC-Que Choisir, removing a bag means less contact with dust, but you’ll need to be able to find the right bags and filters for your model.
Make a note of their product codes before buying and check which compatible consumables are available for the vacuum cleaner you’ve chosen.
Stated running times for stick vacuums depend on the setting you use. For example, Rowenta claims up to 60 minutes for its X-Force Flex 13.60 in Eco mode when used as a handheld vacuum. That doesn’t mean it will last that long while cleaning carpets at high power.
If you plan to clean carpets for an extended period, look for the running time for the setting you intend to use rather than relying on the maximum figure.
These ranges let you compare the three types of vacuum cleaner covered here. The accessories and features below apply to the specific models mentioned, not every vacuum from each brand.
Rowenta offers bagged, bagless and cordless models with accessories for different floor and upholstery cleaning needs.
The Guard M1 Cat & Dog is an example of a bagged cylinder vacuum cleaner to consider if carpets and replacement consumables are important to your choice.
The bagged ProAnimal BGB41PET1 and bagless BGS41PET1 let you compare two ways of collecting dirt within the same range.
These models are stick vacuums for cleaning floors and targeted areas. The first four are cordless; the last is corded. If your priority is removing embedded hair from a sofa or carpet, check the brush supplied with each model and the conditions for its stated battery life.
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Worth considering for floors and targeted cleaning around furniture: the product description mentions an upholstery tool and a crevice tool.
Stated battery life is up to 65 minutes, but this doesn’t indicate how long it will last when cleaning carpets at high power. If removing embedded hair from upholstery is a priority, check whether the kit includes a mini motorised brush.
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Worth considering if you switch between floors and targeted clean-ups: the product description mentions a combination brush for beds and sofas.
Battery life is stated as 60 minutes, but the mode it applies to isn’t specified. Also check whether the upholstery brush is motorised before relying on it to remove embedded hair.
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Its convertible handheld design can be handy when moving from floors to furniture and awkward corners.
Stated battery life is 45 minutes, but no operating mode is specified. For hair on sofas or bedding, check what’s included in the kit and whether it comes with a brush suited to upholstery.
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Worth considering for cordless cleaning on hard floors and carpets. The model is also described as converting into a handheld vacuum.
The product details state up to 80 minutes of battery life, but don’t specify the conditions for this figure. Check which accessories are included if you also plan to clean sofas and bedding.
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Its convertible handheld design may suit targeted cleaning if a cord won’t get in your way.
The cable is 4.5 m long and the stated bin capacity is 0.5 L. If you plan to clean carpets, sofas or bedding, check which brushes are included before choosing this model.
Check that the accessories include a mini turbo brush or mini powered brush designed for upholstery. An upholstery nozzle can complement the kit, but the “Animal” label doesn’t tell you exactly what’s included. Compare the list of accessories for the exact model.
Make a note of the vacuum cleaner’s full model number, then check which bags and filters are compatible. For example, Miele offers HyClean Pure CO bags for the Guard M1. This compatibility doesn’t automatically extend to other ranges.
A stick vacuum can be a good choice for quick, easy clean-ups, but check its accessories and battery life at the power setting needed for your carpets. UFC-Que Choisir notes that stick vacuums have limitations when cleaning some thick floor coverings and that battery life falls at full power. If you regularly clean large areas of upholstery, compare a cylinder vacuum cleaner with a suitable floorhead too.