For a thorough clean across several floor types, start by comparing cylinder vacuum cleaners using test results for your floors and the dirt you need to tackle, rather than relying on the wattage alone. A cordless stick vacuum can work as your main appliance in a small or medium-sized home if its runtime in the mode you need, with the right brush fitted, covers the whole cleaning session. A robot vacuum is mainly useful for automating day-to-day cleaning between manual cleans.
You’re looking for a main appliance that can clean both hard floors and carpets, and want to compare results on each surface rather than rely on the advertised wattage. Que Choisir Ensemble and Les Numériques’ testing protocol offer useful benchmarks for assessing performance across different floor types.
You need to remove hair regularly and want to minimise contact with it when emptying the appliance. Check both that the accessories suit your floors and how the dirt is collected, as recommended by Que Choisir Ensemble.
You’re considering a cordless stick vacuum or robot to clean between bigger sessions, without assuming it will replace your main appliance. Que Choisir Ensemble and Les Numériques explain how these options work for different uses and floor types.
When choosing a main appliance, start with the floors and dirt you need to tackle, then check that it can cover the length of your cleaning session. Que Choisir Ensemble’s testing protocol, published on 26 November 2025, assesses different floor types separately.
| Criterion | What to check before buying | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Performance on different floors and types of dirt | Compare test results on hard floors, parquet with gaps and carpets, and check the brush supplied with the exact model. | When I move from a hard floor to a carpet, I want results that suit each surface, not just a wattage figure. Around 31% of consumers prioritise performance across several floor types. |
| Coverage for your cleaning session | For a stick vacuum, look for runtime measured in the mode you need, with the right brush fitted; for a cylinder vacuum, check its operating radius. | If I want to finish the cleaning I’ve planned without recharging or frequently changing sockets, I check how long the appliance will run in practice. This is a priority for around 25% of consumers. |
| Hair and emptying | Check which accessories are included with the exact package and how to empty the bag or dust container. | When removing hair regularly, I look at both the brush and how much contact I’ll have with dust when emptying the appliance. Around 19% of consumers prioritise how the vacuum handles hair and dust. |
| Noise and ease of handling | Distinguish advertised noise levels from independent measurements, and read test comments on how easy the appliance is to handle. | For a long cleaning session, I want to consider both the noise and the effort it takes to move the appliance, not just its design. Around 13% of consumers prioritise comfort during a cleaning session. |
| Maintenance and repairability | Compare cleaning instructions, the repairability index and the parts listed for the exact model number. | If I want to look after the appliance over time, I check the filters, consumables and repair options. Around 12% of consumers prioritise maintenance and repairability. |
Electrical power alone doesn’t tell you how well a vacuum will clean your floors. The floorhead and performance on different surfaces matter too.
Compare test results for each floor type and check which accessories are included with the exact version you’re buying.
Que Choisir Ensemble points out that the maximum advertised runtime is based on use at the lowest power setting, so it won’t necessarily reflect how long the vacuum will last in a higher-powered mode.
Before choosing a stick vacuum as your main appliance, look for a runtime measurement using the mode and brush you’ll actually use.
Depending on the length of your cleaning session and the mode you choose, you may need to recharge part-way through or buy an extra battery.
In its earlier test of the Rowenta Compact Power Cyclonic RO3731EA, Les Numériques noted that its pre-motor filter needed washing very regularly.
Check the maintenance instructions and how easy it is to empty, rather than focusing only on not having to replace bags.
A robot’s results vary depending on the floor type, and its dust container needs emptying regularly. Automation doesn’t mean you can forget all maintenance.
Choose one for the regular cleaning it can automate, and keep a manual option that’s right for your thorough cleans.
Two cylinder vacuums with different set-ups offer useful points of comparison: the bagless Compact Power Cyclonic RO3731EA and the bagged Silence Force Effitech RO7473EA/412.
The bagged Pure D8.2 Silence is worth considering if low noise and deep-pile carpets are among your priorities.
The V15 Detect Absolute illustrates the trade-offs to consider with a cordless stick vacuum: cleaning time, the mode you use and exactly what’s included in the box.
The Guard L1 Nordic Blue is a bagged cylinder vacuum. You can compare its official specifications with your needs for moving between sockets.
This selection includes robot vacuums to automate cleaning between sessions, a cordless stick vacuum for quick clean-ups and a bagged cylinder vacuum for cleaning around the home.
No image available
Worth considering for automating everyday cleaning on hard floors and carpets, alongside a manual option for more thorough cleans.
The product listing states that it has an automatic emptying station and a 2 L dust container. It also mentions that the mop lifts automatically on carpets.
No image available
Consider it for automating floor care between thorough cleans, rather than as your only manual cleaning option.
The listing mentions a maintenance station, mop washing with hot water at 75 °C and anti-tangle technology. It also describes the brush and mop lifting automatically.
No image available
Worth considering for quick, cordless clean-ups on hard floors and carpets. Check that its runtime suits the length of your actual cleaning sessions.
The listing claims a runtime of 45 min and suction of 55 000 Pa; these figures are not independent measurements. It also mentions an anti-tangle brush and a 1.8 L dust container. For indoor use on dry surfaces only: do not use on wet surfaces.
No image available
Worth considering for automating some cleaning on hard floors and carpets, while keeping an appliance suited to thorough manual cleans.
The listing mentions an emptying station, mop washing and drying. It also describes lifting mops and suction for picking up debris on hard floors and carpets. Avoid contact with hot residual water in the station after a cycle.
No image available
Worth considering as a main corded appliance if you’re looking for a bagged cylinder vacuum with accessories for different types of flooring.
The listing gives a 3.5 L bag capacity, a 12 m operating radius and a washable filter. It mentions brushes for hard floors and parquet, as well as a turbo brush. For indoor use: do not vacuum liquids, hot ash or sharp objects.
Not directly. Instead, compare the usual length of your cleaning session with a runtime measured under the conditions you need, taking into account the mode, brush and floor type. Que Choisir Ensemble points out that the maximum advertised runtime is based on the lowest power setting.
A robot vacuum is mainly worth considering for automating cleaning between manual sessions. Its results vary depending on the floor type, and its collection system also needs regular maintenance.
No. Check the instructions for the exact part. Dyson France’s catalogue explicitly identifies some V15/V11 filters as washable, while other listings simply describe them as replacement filters.
No. The Ministry for the Ecological Transition explains that the index relates to how repairable a product is; it doesn’t measure suction performance.
No. Rowenta describes its commitment as repairability “at a fair price”, while Miele states how long parts will be available after serial production ends. Neither commitment guarantees a free repair or confirms that every part is immediately available.