Homes with different floor types
You regularly clean hard floors and carpets, so compare performance on each surface and check which brushes are actually included. Que Choisir Ensemble covers these criteria in its buying guide.
Who is a vacuum cleaner for deep cleaning suited to?
Anyone sensitive to dust
If you want to limit contact with dust when emptying the cleaner, check the collection system and filtration on the specific model. The French National Consumer Institute also describes bags with a sealing flap, which help limit dust escaping when you replace them.
Homes with upholstery or pet hair
If you need to clean carpets, upholstered furniture or accumulated pet hair, check that the brushes are suitable for these surfaces and consider how much effort it takes to move the cleaner around. Brush features vary by model.
What should you compare before buying?
Bagged cylinder vacuum
Consider it: if you want to deep-clean your home and prefer to remove a sealed bag when emptying the cleaner.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to buy compatible bags and check that the brushes suit your floors.
Bagless cylinder vacuum
Consider it: if you’d rather avoid buying bags and are happy to empty the bin and maintain the filters.
Bear in mind: emptying the bin may expose you to more dust than removing a sealed bag.
Stick vacuum as a complement
Consider it: if you already have a suitable cleaner for a full clean and want a lightweight model for quick jobs.
Bear in mind: battery life may be limited, particularly at maximum power.
| What matters to you | What to check | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Different floors and fibres | Compare performance on hard floors and carpets; check which brushes are included with the exact model. | If you regularly move between hard floors and carpets, you’ll want a brush suited to each surface rather than relying on wattage alone. Around 33% of consumers prioritise cleaning different floor types. |
| Dust when emptying | Check how the bag seals and its reference number, or how the bin is emptied, as well as the filtration instructions. | If dust bothers you, the emptying process and filtration on the specific model should factor into your choice. Around 27% of consumers prioritise limiting contact with dust. |
| Manoeuvrability and noise | Compare the stated operating radius, how easy the floor head is to manoeuvre and the noise level of the exact model. | For a long cleaning session across several rooms, you’ll want to minimise interruptions and consider how noisy the cleaner is. Around 20% of consumers prioritise ease of movement and noise levels. |
| Maintenance and consumables | Check that bags or filters are compatible, read the maintenance instructions and check which accessories come with the model you’re considering. | If you want to plan ahead for maintenance and consumables, check what each bagged or bagless model requires. Around 20% of consumers make maintenance their priority. |
Mistakes to avoid when choosing
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Relying on wattage to judge cleaning performance
The motor’s electrical power alone doesn’t tell you how much dust will be removed from each surface; the design of the floor head matters too.
Compare tests that assess hard floors and carpets separately, then check which brushes come with the exact model.
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Assuming a bagless vacuum needs no maintenance
You’ll need to empty the bin and maintain the filters, and emptying it can expose you to dust.
Check how the bin is emptied and follow the model’s maintenance instructions, particularly if dust bothers you.
Cleaning the bin and filters takes time; depending on the instructions, you may also need to replace the filters.
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Confusing cord length, operating radius and included accessories
Cord length alone doesn’t tell you the full cleaning reach, and brushes vary between models.
Check the operating radius, included brushes and compatible bag or filter references separately.
If the accessory you need isn’t included, you may have to look for a compatible brush.
Brands to consider for different needs
Electrolux
The Pure D8 PD82-4ST is a bagged cylinder vacuum to consider if you’re comparing noise levels and moving between rooms.
- Electrolux lists a noise level of 57 dB(A), an operating radius of 12 m, a 3.5 L bag and all-floor and parquet brushes for this model.
- These specifications alone don’t demonstrate how well it performs on every carpet; check bag compatibility too.
Bosch
The Série 6 ProAnimal BGS41PET1 is a bagless cylinder vacuum to consider if carpets and pet hair are among your cleaning needs.
- Bosch lists a turbo brush, a mini turbo brush, a hard-floor brush, a 2.4 L bin, a 10 m operating radius and a noise level of 72 dB(A) for this model.
- These manufacturer specifications aren’t enough to establish how well it performs on your upholstery; you’ll need to empty the bin and maintain the filter.
Rowenta
The bagged Silence Force Effitech and bagless G-Force Cyclonic Silence models let you compare both collection systems within the range.
- Rowenta lists a noise level of 57 dB(A), a 4.5 L bag and a 12 m operating radius for the RO7473EA. For the bagless RO7C66EA, the brand lists 66 dB(A), a 2.5 L bin and a 9 m operating radius.
- These figures relate to two different models and don’t represent the entire range. Check availability and accessories for the model you’re considering.
Philips
The PowerPro Expert FC9745/09 is a bagless cylinder vacuum to consider when comparing the floor head and operating radius.
- Philips lists a TriActive+ brush, a 2 L bin and a 10 m operating radius for this model.
- These specifications apply to this model; check that they suit your floors and cleaning needs.
Hoover
The Telios Extra TXL70HM 011 is a bagged cylinder vacuum to consider if you want a model with a parquet brush and onboard accessories.
- Hoover lists a 3.5 L bag, a 7 m cord and a parquet brush for this model.
- The cord length isn’t the same as the full operating radius, and the manufacturer’s cleaning and filtration claims aren’t the results of independent testing.
Joybuy products related to this topic
This selection includes bagged and bagless cylinder vacuums, listed for hard floors, carpets or pet hair according to the specifications provided for each product.
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Bagless cylinder vacuum cleaner, 1200 W, 4 m cord
The title describes it as suitable for carpets, hard floors and pet hair; check that the included brushes suit your surfaces.
The title states that it has multi-level filtration and a cord that retracts at the touch of a button.
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Bagless cylinder vacuum cleaner, 1200 W, 2.5 L bin
The title describes it as suitable for hard floors and carpets; check which brushes are included for your home.
The title states that it has a 5.5 m cable and a 2.5 L dust bin.
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Hoover H-ENERGY 300 HE330ALG 011
Consider this bagged cylinder vacuum if you’re looking for a bagged option for cleaning different floor types; check that the brushes suit your surfaces.
The title lists an 850 W power rating, a 4 L bag, a HEPA filter and a 9.5 m operating radius.
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Hoover H-POWER 300 HP322PET 011
Consider this bagless cylinder vacuum if you want to clean different surfaces and pet hair; check that the included brushes suit your needs.
The title lists an 850 W power rating, a 2 L bin, a washable EPA filter and a stated suitability for pet hair.
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Electrolux 600 EB61C4OG
The title identifies this as a bagged cylinder vacuum cleaner. Check the brushes and specifications for this model to make sure they suit your floors.
Frequently asked questions
Is motor wattage enough to choose a vacuum cleaner for carpets and hard floors?
No. Compare performance on each surface and the design of the floor head: the motor’s stated electrical power doesn’t sum up how well it cleans, as Que Choisir Ensemble points out.
What should you check before using and maintaining a vacuum cleaner?
Read the instructions for the model you’ve bought, particularly how to fit the bag or filter and any safety warnings. Choose a brush that suits your floor and follow the instructions for the bag, bin and filters.
Who should you contact if a product bought from a professional seller in France is faulty?
Under the terms of the legal guarantee of conformity, a non-professional buyer can make a claim to the professional seller within two years of the goods being delivered, according to the DGCCRF. This legal guarantee is separate from any optional commercial warranty.
Should you look for an A+++ energy label on a vacuum cleaner?
No, not as a current regulatory comparison criterion. According to the European Commission’s guidelines, the energy labelling regulation for vacuum cleaners was annulled with effect from 19 January 2019. An old class shown in a guide or product information sheet should therefore not be considered current.