For a thorough clean, start by comparing cylinder vacuum cleaners on the floor coverings you need to clean. Que Choisir Ensemble assesses performance on hard floors, rugs and carpets, and the brush is an important factor in your choice. A bagged model limits direct contact with dust when you remove the bag, but you’ll need to buy replacement bags. With a bagless model, you’ll need to empty and maintain the dust container. A stick vacuum can complement a cylinder model if you want greater manoeuvrability, but make sure you check its runtime in the mode you plan to use.
If you want to remove dust trapped deep in the fibres, compare test results for rugs and carpets, as well as the brushes supplied, rather than looking at wattage alone. Que Choisir Ensemble reports results separately for different floor coverings.
If handling dust is an important factor in your choice, look at how the bag is removed or the dust container is emptied, as well as the care instructions. This does not mean you can assume a health benefit; Que Choisir Ensemble highlights the potential for exposure when cleaning a bagless model’s dust container.
If you need to clean everything from hard floors to rugs, carpets and furniture, check the results for each surface and the accessories actually included with the exact model you’re considering. Que Choisir Ensemble describes separate tests for different types of flooring.
Choose this if: you have long cleaning sessions across several surfaces and would rather remove a bag than empty a dust container.
Bear in mind: bags are consumables, so check the correct type and that they’re readily available.
Choose this if: you’d rather not use bags and are happy to empty the dust container and maintain the filters.
Bear in mind: emptying and cleaning the dust container can expose you to dust.
Choose this if: you already have a vacuum for deep cleaning and want a more manoeuvrable option for some cleaning jobs.
Bear in mind: runtime depends on the mode you use, so check it at the setting you’ll need for your rugs and carpets.
Que Choisir Ensemble’s tests report results separately for different floor coverings. When comparing models, also look at the brush, how the dust container is emptied and the accessories included with the exact model.
| What matters to you | What to check before buying | Who gives it the most importance |
|---|---|---|
| Rugs and carpets | Test results for these textiles and the brush supplied with the model. | If my rugs trap dust, I prioritise results on fibres and a suitable brush. Around 36% of consumers prioritise cleaning rugs and carpets. |
| Emptying and dust | How to remove the bag or empty the dust container, and how to maintain the filters. | If I’d rather limit contact with dust when emptying the vacuum, I compare how the bag and dust container are handled. Around 29% of consumers put this concern first. |
| Different types of flooring | Results on hard floors and rugs, as well as the brushes included. | In a home with several types of flooring, I want to know how the vacuum performs on each one. Around 21% of consumers prioritise this versatility. |
| Furniture and manoeuvrability | Accessories for upholstery and, depending on the vacuum, its reach or runtime in the mode you plan to use. | If I also want to clean furniture and move the vacuum around easily, these uses carry more weight in my choice. Around 14% of consumers prioritise access to furniture and manoeuvrability. |
Wattage alone doesn’t tell you how well a vacuum cleans fibres: Que Choisir Ensemble tests different types of flooring separately.
Look for results on the floor covering you have and check which brush is included with the exact model.
The dust container needs to be emptied and cleaned, which can expose you to dust. A dirty container or filter can also affect how the vacuum works.
Before you choose, check how to empty it and follow the instructions for maintaining the filters.
The wrong type of bag can make the vacuum harder to use, and bags still need replacing.
Note down the exact bag reference and check the filter care instructions.
Que Choisir Ensemble explains that the maximum runtime quoted is measured at the lowest power setting. It doesn’t tell you how long the vacuum will run at a higher setting.
If you plan to use a stick vacuum alongside a cylinder model on rugs and carpets, check its runtime in the mode you’ll actually use.
The Pure D8 PD82-4ST is an example of a bagged model for several surfaces, with an all-floor brush and parquet accessory listed by Electrolux.
Rowenta describes the bagged RO6179EA as a model for longer cleaning sessions.
According to Bosch, the bagless BGS41PET1 ProAnimal cylinder vacuum combines a 2.4 L dust container with a turbo brush and mini turbo brush.
The HP105HM 011 is a compact bagless cylinder vacuum to consider if you’d rather avoid bags and want a smaller model.
The bagged Guard M1 Cat & Dog is an example of a model for rugs, carpets and pet hair, with a turbo brush listed by Miele.
This selection includes bagged and bagless cylinder vacuums, as well as stick vacuums for rugs, floors and furniture. Check the accessories and specifications for each model to make sure they suit your surfaces and how you prefer to empty your vacuum.
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A bagged option to consider for rugs, carpets and furniture, particularly if the listed mini turbo brush suits your needs.
The product information lists a 4 L bag, a 9.5 m operating radius, a washable HEPA H13 filter and a mini turbo brush. The bag needs replacing, so check which type is compatible.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a bagged cylinder vacuum with brushes listed for several surfaces, including a parquet brush and a turbo brush.
The product information lists a 3.5 L s-bag and a quoted operating radius of 12 m. Check which bags are compatible with this model.
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Worth considering for rugs, carpets and furniture if the motorised brushes described are suitable for the surfaces you clean.
The title lists 600 W and 65 kPa; the product information mentions a motorised floor brush, a motorised mattress brush and a 1.8 L dust container. The dust container and washable filters need regular maintenance.
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A bagless option to consider for rugs, carpets, hard floors and furniture, with a mini turbo brush listed.
The product information lists a 2 L dust container, a quoted operating radius of 9.5 m, a parquet brush and a mini turbo nozzle. The dust container needs emptying, which can expose you to dust.
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Consider this stick vacuum for floors and rugs if you want a cordless model. Check its runtime in the mode that suits the way you plan to use it.
The title lists up to 60 minutes’ runtime and 55 kPa, as well as a 1.5 L dust container. The product information mentions an anti-tangle brush and one-touch emptying. The dust container needs emptying and the filter needs maintaining.
No. Electrical power alone isn’t enough to compare carpet-cleaning performance. The European Commission says that higher input power doesn’t always mean better cleaning, so compare carpet-cleaning results and the brush supplied with the model instead.
Follow the instructions for your model: replace the bag or empty the dust container as directed, then clean or replace the filters when required. The European Commission notes that an overfilled dust container or a blocked filter can affect cleaning performance.
Check the reference for compatible bags and filters, along with the care instructions. Bags are consumables that need replacing; the cost depends on the type of bag and how often you use the vacuum.
It depends on the model, your rugs and carpets, and the mode you need to use. According to Que Choisir Ensemble, a stick vacuum’s quoted maximum runtime is measured at the lowest power setting. If you plan to use it for long cleaning sessions on rugs and carpets, check the runtime at the setting you’ll use and look at results for the relevant floor coverings.