Households cleaning the whole home
If you regularly vacuum several rooms, including floors, rugs and furniture, being able to clean continuously may matter more than having a lightweight appliance.
Which type is right for you?
People who want to clean up quickly
For everyday mess or a quick run under the furniture between full cleans, an appliance that’s easy to take out and put away meets a different need from a cylinder vacuum used for longer sessions.
People focusing on furniture and awkward corners
A small, additional appliance can be useful for cushions, crumbs and tight spaces. It won’t necessarily replace the vacuum you use to clean the floors throughout your home.
What sets vacuum cleaners apart?
First decide whether you need a main appliance or one for occasional use, then check the features that matter for your surfaces. The four types below involve different compromises.
Bagged cylinder vacuum
Consider it: for regular, thorough cleaning, particularly if you’d rather remove a bag than empty a dust container directly.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to plug it in and regularly replace the bags with compatible ones.
Bagless cylinder vacuum
Consider it: if you want a mains-powered vacuum for regular cleaning without using bags.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to empty the dust container and maintain the filters. UFC-Que Choisir notes that emptying a container exposes you to more dust than changing a bag.
Cordless stick vacuum
Consider it: for frequent clean-ups when easy manoeuvring and quick storage are priorities.
Bear in mind: battery life limits how long you can use it, so compare run times in the power mode you need.
Handheld vacuum
Consider it: as an extra for furniture, crumbs or awkward corners.
Bear in mind: its small dust container and battery life are better suited to occasional jobs than cleaning the floors in every room.
| Priority | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Thorough cleaning | A brush suited to floors and rugs; accessories for furniture and cable reach if the appliance is mains-powered. | I want to clean several rooms without switching appliances for different surfaces. Around 36% of consumers would put this kind of whole-home clean at the top of their needs. |
| Frequent clean-ups | Weight in the configuration you’ll use; storage and battery life in the power mode you need. | For everyday mess, I’d rather have an appliance that’s quick to get out and easy to manoeuvre under furniture. This ease of use would be the priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Dust collection and maintenance | Bag or dust container type, emptying, filter maintenance and the availability of compatible consumables. | I want to know how to remove the dust and maintain the appliance as I use it. Around 21% of consumers would make these tasks their main consideration. |
| Furniture and awkward corners | Crevice tool, brush attachment or upholstery tool; wet-and-dry use only if the model is designed for it. | I mainly need to clean cushions, tight spaces or small patches of dirt. This would be the top priority for around 14% of consumers. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Choosing based only on the stated power or maximum run time
A single figure tells you neither how well the vacuum will clean your rugs nor how long it will run in the mode you’ll use. UFC-Que Choisir points out that the vacuum head matters, and that a stick vacuum’s maximum run time is based on a low power setting.
Check that the brush is suitable for your flooring and, where this information is available, compare run times in the mode you’ll need for cleaning.
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Making a cordless stick vacuum your only appliance without checking the battery
UFC-Que Choisir generally presents stick vacuums as additional appliances and lists the battery among the common causes of breakdowns. So if you plan to use one for longer sessions, pay particular attention to its available run time.
If you’re planning to clean your whole home with a stick vacuum, check its run time in the mode you need, its dust capacity and whether the battery can be replaced.
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Overlooking the difference between a bag and a dust container
A bag needs replacing, while a dust container needs emptying and its filters need maintaining. According to UFC-Que Choisir, bagged appliances reduce contact with dust when emptying.
Check the reference number for compatible bags or, for a bagless model, how to empty the container and maintain its filters.
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Confusing a handheld vacuum with an appliance for the whole home
The small dust container and run time of the handheld models listed by BLACK+DECKER are suited to specific jobs, not regular cleaning throughout the home.
Choose this type for occasional, supplementary cleaning. To vacuum up liquid, only choose a model whose instructions explicitly say it’s suitable for this use.
Brands to consider
These examples of ranges and models illustrate different types of vacuum cleaner; the features listed don’t apply to every appliance from the same brand.
Miele
The Guard range includes bagged cylinder vacuums designed for regular, thorough cleaning.
- Miele says the Guard L1 Allergy comes with an upholstery tool and a crevice tool for furniture and gaps.
- For this bagged model, check that compatible bags are available before choosing it.
Philips
The PowerPro Expert FC9747/09 is an example of a mains-powered, bagless cylinder vacuum.
- Philips lists a 2 L dust container and a 10 m operating radius for the FC9747/09.
- The dust container empties directly, so consider how you feel about this and maintaining the filters if you’d prefer to handle less dust.
Rowenta
The X-Force Flex 10.80 is a cordless stick vacuum to consider for frequent clean-ups and reaching under furniture.
- Rowenta lists a removable battery, a Flex tube and up to 60 minutes’ run time in Eco mode when used as a handheld vacuum.
- This figure doesn’t show the run time at higher power, so compare the modes with your intended use in mind.
BLACK+DECKER
The brand offers handheld vacuums for occasional jobs, with uses that vary by model.
- BLACK+DECKER lists the REVHV8CA-QW at 0.7 kg and says it’s designed for dust; the SPILLBUSTER BHSB320JP-QW is a separate model listed for wet and dry use.
- Check what the specific model is designed to handle: a handheld vacuum intended for dust shouldn’t be treated as a model for liquids.
Joybuy vacuum cleaners for these uses
These models include bagged cylinder vacuums for planned cleaning and cordless stick vacuums to compare for frequent clean-ups. If rugs and furniture are important to you, check which brushes and accessories come with the model you choose.
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MONSGA X UNINELLHOME UV5, cordless stick vacuum
Worth considering for cordless cleaning on floors and smaller areas above floor level.
The title lists up to 65 minutes’ run time and an anti-tangle brush. Check the run time in the mode you’ll use and whether the brush is suitable for your rugs.
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Electrolux 600 EB61C4OG, bagged cylinder vacuum
Consider it if you want a mains-powered, bagged appliance for regularly cleaning several rooms.
Check that the supplied brushes suit your rugs and furniture, and find out which bags are compatible.
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BISSELL PowerClean, cordless stick vacuum
Compare it for cleaning floors and tackling occasional jobs on furniture.
Before choosing it for several rooms, check its run time in the mode you need and which accessories are supplied for rugs and upholstery.
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Monsga M100, self-standing cordless stick vacuum
Consider it if you’re looking for a cordless stick vacuum for floors and occasional cleaning of furniture.
The title lists up to 45 minutes’ run time and an anti-tangle brush. Check the run time in the mode you need and whether the accessories suit your surfaces.
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Electrolux EB61C2GRN, bagged cylinder vacuum
Consider it for planned, mains-powered cleaning if you’d rather collect dust in a bag.
The title lists an electrical power rating of 550 W, but this alone doesn’t tell you how well it will clean rugs. Check which brushes and accessories are included, then find out which bags are compatible.
Frequently asked questions
Can a cordless stick vacuum be my only vacuum cleaner?
A cordless stick vacuum could work as your only appliance if its run time in the mode you need, its brush and its dust capacity suit all your surfaces. UFC-Que Choisir generally recommends stick vacuums for supplementary cleaning and says cylinder vacuums are better suited to larger areas and thorough cleans. Check these points particularly carefully if you have several rooms or rugs.
What’s the difference between a bag and a dust container?
A bag needs replacing, while a dust container needs emptying and its filters need maintaining. UFC-Que Choisir says a bagged cylinder vacuum exposes you to less dust when emptying. Check that compatible bags are available or, for a bagless model, consider how easy it is to empty.
What maintenance will I need to do?
Follow the instructions for your model to replace the bag or empty the dust container, maintain the filters and clean the brushes. These are among the tasks listed by UFC-Que Choisir. Only vacuum up liquid if the manufacturer explicitly says your appliance is suitable for it.
Should I check a vacuum cleaner’s repairability index?
If you’re buying a new vacuum cleaner in France and it’s covered by the scheme, the repairability index is worth checking alongside its practical features. ADEME says that mains-powered, cordless and robot vacuum cleaners are among the appliances covered. Compare the displayed index for the models you’re considering, but don’t mistake it for a measure of cleaning performance.