If you regularly clean a range of floor types, including carpets, a cylinder vacuum is a sensible choice provided you’re happy with its weight, cord and accessories. A cordless stick vacuum makes quick clean-ups easier, but check how long it lasts in the mode you’ll use. A wet and dry vacuum is better suited to DIY debris or small amounts of liquid than everyday indoor cleaning. These distinctions are based on guidance from Que Choisir.
You regularly move between hard floors and carpets or rugs, and want a main appliance for a thorough clean. The choice of brush matters just as much as the type of vacuum, as Que Choisir’s guides point out.
You want to quickly pick up hair, pet hair or small bits of debris without getting out a corded appliance. Ease of use and run time in the mode you need are key; Que Choisir notes that the maximum run time advertised for a stick vacuum is generally measured at low power.
You want to know what’s involved in replacing bags, emptying the dust container and cleaning the filters. These tasks vary depending on the collection system and can be just as important to your choice as ease of use.
Start by choosing the type of vacuum that suits the cleaning you do most often. Then compare models by their brushes, practical considerations and maintenance requirements.
Consider it: for your main clean across several rooms, especially if you’d rather limit contact with dust when emptying the vacuum.
Be prepared for: a cord, moving the appliance around and replacing bags. In its tests, Que Choisir found that bagged cylinder vacuums performed better than bagless models on the surfaces and dirt tested.
Consider it: if you want a cylinder vacuum without having to buy bags.
Be prepared for: emptying the dust container and maintaining the filters. In the tests reported by Que Choisir, bagged cylinder vacuums performed better than bagless ones on the surfaces and types of dirt compared.
Consider it: for regularly picking up crumbs, hair or pet hair without plugging in a cylinder vacuum.
Be prepared for: run time that depends on the mode you choose. Que Choisir explains that the maximum advertised run time is generally measured at the lowest power setting.
Consider it: if your cleaning also involves rubble, DIY dust or small amounts of liquid.
Be prepared for: a bulky appliance whose floor accessories may not be suitable for your usual carpet cleaning, according to Que Choisir’s guide.
| What matters to you | What to check before you buy | Who is this for? |
|---|---|---|
| Cleaning different surfaces | The brushes supplied for carpets and delicate floors, followed by test results for different floor types, where available. | I switch between hard floors and carpets, and want my main appliance to tackle the dirt on each. Around 45% of consumers concerned would put cleaning multiple surfaces first. |
| Quick clean-ups | Run time in the mode you plan to use, charging time, and how easy it is to maintain the roller when dealing with hair or pet hair. | When hair or small bits of debris keep appearing, I’d rather be able to grab the vacuum for a quick clean. For around 33% of consumers concerned, this convenience would be the top priority. |
| Emptying and maintenance | The reference numbers for bags or filters, how to empty the vacuum, and access to the parts needed for maintenance. | If emptying a dust container or replacing consumables feels like a chore, I want to know what regular maintenance involves before choosing. Maintenance would come first for around 22% of consumers concerned. |
These figures alone don’t tell you how well a vacuum will clean every surface. For carpets and rugs, Que Choisir highlights the importance of an effective motorised or powered brush.
Compare test results for different floor types where available, and check that the brushes supplied are suitable for your carpets and delicate floors.
According to Que Choisir, the maximum run time advertised for a stick vacuum is generally measured at low power. It may not reflect a cleaning session using a higher-power mode.
Check the run time in the mode you plan to use, how long it takes to charge, and whether the battery can be replaced.
If a cleaning session lasts longer than the available run time, you’ll need to stop and recharge or have another suitable solution to hand.
A bagless cylinder vacuum saves you having to replace bags, but you’ll need to empty its dust container and maintain its filters. A bagged vacuum, on the other hand, requires consumables.
Before choosing, check how to empty the vacuum, its maintenance instructions and whether compatible consumables are readily available.
Que Choisir mainly highlights this type of vacuum for DIY jobs and larger debris. Its ability to tackle this kind of mess doesn’t mean the supplied accessories are suitable for your carpets or delicate floors.
If you also want to use it around the home, check which nozzles are included and how much storage space you’ll need.
The details below apply to the models mentioned, not every vacuum from each brand.
The Silence Force Effitech RO7473EA is an example of a bagged cylinder vacuum for cleaning several rooms, with a relatively low advertised noise level.
The Guard S1 Parquet XL is an example of a bagged cylinder vacuum to consider if hard floors make up a large part of your home.
The V8 Advanced is a cordless stick vacuum to consider for quick clean-ups when hair or pet hair regularly builds up.
The WD 4 V-20/5/22 is designed for wet and dry cleaning beyond everyday household use.
These models include two types of cylinder vacuum, bagged and bagless, as well as cordless stick vacuums for frequent clean-ups. First choose the type that suits your cleaning routine, then check the accessories and operating requirements of the model you’re considering.
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This cylinder vacuum could suit you if you regularly clean hard floors and carpets without using bags. Before deciding, check which brushes are included and whether they’re suitable for your carpets.
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The cordless design is handy for frequent clean-ups of small bits of debris, hair or pet hair. If carpets are part of your regular cleaning routine, check how well the brush works on their pile.
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This stick vacuum is for people who favour quick clean-ups and want to be able to stand the appliance up between areas. When cleaning carpets, consider the run time alongside the suction level you need.
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This corded cylinder vacuum can serve as your main appliance for regular cleaning. If you switch between wooden floors and carpets, check which brushes are included and how well they work on each surface.
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This model is designed for cordless cleaning on hard floors and carpets, particularly where hair or pet hair is an issue. Check the run time in the mode you need and how well the brush performs on your carpets.
A cylinder vacuum is worth considering as your main appliance for regularly cleaning different floor types, provided it comes with the right brushes. For carpets and rugs, Que Choisir highlights the importance of the vacuum head or an active brush. Where available, compare test results for each surface rather than looking only at the advertised power.
Not necessarily. According to Que Choisir, the maximum run time is generally measured at the lowest power setting. If your carpets need a higher-power mode, check the run time given for that setting and make sure it covers your usual cleaning sessions.
Neither is maintenance-free: with a bagged vacuum, you need to replace the consumable; with a bagless model, you need to empty the dust container and maintain the filters. Que Choisir also says that bagged models expose you to less dust when emptying them. Choose based on which task you’d rather handle, and check the instructions for the specific model.
Yes, if one is displayed for the model you’re considering. It can help you compare the stated repairability of different models, but it doesn’t guarantee the terms of any repair. France’s Directorate-General for Competition Policy, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control says that corded, cordless and robot vacuum cleaners have been covered in France since 4 November 2022. Also check whether spare parts are available and, for a stick vacuum, whether the battery can be replaced.
First consider having it repaired or donating it if it’s still usable, as ADEME recommends. If it needs to be disposed of, take the appliance and, where applicable, its battery to the appropriate collection scheme for electrical equipment.